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nba/local sport OMANDAILYOBSERVER 24 TUESDAY l DECEMBER 13 l 2016 Finland sack winless coach Hans Backe Finland have sacked head coach Hans Backe who failed to win a match in less than a year in the job, the Nordic country’s Football Association said on Monday. Assistant coach Markku Kanerva will replace the 64-year-old Swede on a three-year contract with Finland lying fifth in 2018 World Cup qualifying Group I on 1 point from four games. “Top-level football is a result sport and these results did not satisfy anybody,” Finnish FA chairman Pertti Alaja said. Westbrook’s streak stopped, Warriors rebound LOS ANGELES: Russell Westbrook had his streak of triple-double scoring snapped but he still scored a game high 37 points to power the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 99-96 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Westbrook saw his streak of consecutive games with triple-doubles end at seven as he shot 14-of-26 and tallied 12 rebounds and six assists in front of a crowd of 18,400 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. “We have got to be able to close the door,” Westbrook said. “We are not going to be able to blow teams out like we used to. We have got to grind it out.” Steven Adams added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder who improved to 15-9. Enes Kanter came off the bench to score 14 points. Al Horford led Boston with 19 points and six rebounds. Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley each finished with 18 points as Boston dropped to 13-11. Westbrook, who leads the NBA in fourth quarter scoring, had 13 in the quarter. “I’ll say this about the triple-doubles, because I always find this interesting,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “On a night like tonight, does it make it any less special if he had a couple of more assists. He did a lot of different things that impacted the game at a high level.” With 3:20 left in the fourth, Oklahoma City’s Adams completed a three-point play to cut the deficit to 90- 89. Bradley responded with a jumper on the other end. Westbrook then sank a three-pointer to tie the game. But once again Bradley answered with a basket off a missed shot. Joakin Noah of the New York Knocks and Timofey Mozgov of the Los Angeles Lakers vie for the tip-off during their NBA match in Los Angeles, California. — AFP Strong drive in round four of Porsche Challenge ME secures sixth overall for Omani youngster Al Faisal takes GCC Rookie class lead I’ll say this about the triple-doubles, because I always find this interesting. On a night like tonight, does it make it any less special if he had a couple of more assists. He did a lot of different things that impacted the game BILLY DONOVAN, Thunder coach, on Westbrook NBA RESULTS LA Clippers bt New Orleans .............. 133-105 Utah bt Sacramento .............................104-84 San Antonio bt Brooklyn ................... 130-101 Chicago bt Miami ............................. 105-100 Memphis bt Golden State ....................110-89 Houston bt Dallas ................................109-87 Cleveland bt Charlotte ...................... 116-105 Washington bt Milwaukee ............... 110-105 Denver bt Orlando ............................ 121-113 Indiana bt Portland ........................... 118-111 LOCAL FLAVOUR Girish bags veteran’s crown at ISC Veteran’s champion KK Girish (left) and runner-up R Murali. MUSCAT: KK Girish cornered glory to bag the veterans’ singles title at the Falcon Insurance Company-sponsored Annual Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club. Girish’s hard-work and determination paid off when he reached the peak to capture the veterans singles crown with an Westbrook tied the game with 1:20 remaining in the fourth. Boston gave the ball to Horford, but he had his shot blocked by Adams. The Thunder got the ball with 39 seconds left and Westbrook carried down the lane to the front of the rim for a layup and Oklahoma City grabbed a 96-94 lead. Westbrook won a tip ball and tapped it ahead to Anthony Morrow. He pushed it to Jerami Grant for an impressive twohanded dunk with 14 seconds left in the game. The Celtics were able to cut the lead down to two, but Westbrook nailed one-of-two free throws. Marcus Smart had a chance to tie, but his three-point attempt missed. In Minneapolis, the Golden State Warriors rebounded from a road loss to beat the rebuilding Minnesota Timberwolves 116-108 and extend their NBA-record streak of not losing backto-back games. The Warriors delivered in the fourth quarter to fend off the Timberwolves and make sure their 111-game streak of not losing consecutive regular season games continued. “It’s really one of the most impressive streaks that I’ve ever seen,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “That’s a lot of games.” One night after a road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State trailed by 10 after three quarters but outscored Minnesota 38-20 in the fourth to pull away for the win. Golden State began the fourth quarter with a 25-4 surge. Warriors guard Klay Thompson scored 12 of his 30 points during that fourth-quarter run. Kevin Durant added 22 points and eight rebounds, Stephen Curry had 22 points and nine assists, and Draymond Green scored 18 for the Warriors, who improved to 21-4. Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns tallied his 15th double-double of the season with 25 points and 18 rebounds. In Detroit, TJ McConnell had 12 points and 10 rebounds and finished one assist shy of a triple-double as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Detroit Pistons 97-79. — AFP impressive 6-2, 6-3 victory to upset defending champion R Murali in the final. Girish proved that his victory over second seed Mohan Kannan in the semifinal was no flash in the pan when he played fluent ground strokes to both flanks and displayed swiftness on court to unsettle Murali, who one thought lacked vigour and direction. Girish played a brilliant mix of attack and placing and his moves paid off. Murali’s unforced errors added to his woes. Girish did not mind being broken after leading 5-1 and broke Murali to win the first set. Murali came close to breaking Girish in the first game of the second set. He played with more assurance until Girish earned the first break in the sixth game. Murali broke back but failed to hold his next serve. Girish capitalised and served out to win his first veteran’s singles title at the ISC. Indian hockey vice-captain felicitated MUSCAT: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East racer Al Faisal al Zubair wrapped-up an outstanding weekend of action at Dubai Autodrome with his second GCC Rookie Class victory of the event during round four on December 10. Claiming his third GCC Rookie win in just four races, the Omani 18-year-old also finished second in the Silver Class during Saturday afternoon’s contest and went on to end the encounter sixth overall with a determined performance. Added to his sensational outright top three result from Friday’s race, the talented Arab driver has moved into the overall championship top five and has also rocketed into a significant lead at the top of the GCC Rookie standings, as well as moving to the head of the Silver class championship. “It’s good we showed we had the pace this weekend and I’m happy to have finished P6, second in the Silver class and first in the GCC Rookie class”, said Al Faisal, “It’s been a very strong weekend overall and it’s great to be leading the GCC Rookie championship and Silver championship. Now the aim is to bring it on for the next round when we’ll be back in Dubai next month.” During the second free practice session of the weekend on Saturday morning, the Muscat teenager continued to lap in among the lead contenders with the sixth fastest time overall – just over a tenth of a second outside the top four. Naturally, that pace was easily good enough to be fastest Rookie. In the all-important round four qualifying session later in the morning, Al Faisal steered his powerful Porsche racer to the GCC Rookie pole position once again, third in the Silver class, with the seventh best lap overall. Although not making the start he wanted to Saturday’s race, slipping back to eighth position and fourth in Silver, Al Faisal soon hit back and climbed into seventh again and into the podium placings for the Silver class. Instantly pulling well clear of the chasing pack, the Omani closed on Wolfgang Triller and into lap seven there was nothing to separate the two. Slicing past to climb into sixth position overall, and second in the Silver class, Al Faisal remained there to the flag to net another GCC Rookie win. “Qualifying for race two wasn’t as good, it was quite dusty and I didn’t hook a lap up so it wasn’t the best”, reflected Al Faisal, “For the race we were on used tyres, most of the guys in front were on new ones, and I did lose a position at the start. I got back past, though, and then caught and passed [Wolfgang] Triller. I started to catch the guys ahead, but they were just too far away by that point.” Dubai Autodrome will also host the third event of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East season, rounds five and six, on Friday, 27th January, and Saturday, 28th January. PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE MIDDLE EAST GCC ROOKIE STANDINGS (AFTER RD4): 1st Al Faisal Al Zubair, 62pts PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE MIDDLE EAST SILVER CLASS STANDINGS (AFTER RD4): 1st Al Faisal Al Zubair, 62pts PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE MIDDLE EAST OVERALL STANDINGS (AFTER RD4): 5th Al Faisal Al Zubair, 62pts MUSCAT: Dr Hammad Hamed al Ghafri, Adviser, Ministry of Civil Services, and the former president of Oman Olympic Committee had presided over the felicitation of Rupindra Pal Singh, vice-captain of Indian hockey team, who is representing Al Ahli Sidab club in the ongoing His Majesty’s Hockey Championship 2016. Earlier in March, Shreejesh, captain of the Indian hockey team had been felicitated by SAS Naqvi and Team Coorg Muscat. The 86th birthday of SAS Naqvi was also celebrated on the occasion on December 10 at the residence of Naqvi. The Team Coorg Muscat members led by Bellu Kuttappa, the Somiahs and Ahli Sidab coach KK Punooacha, Ahmed Hammad Hamed al Ghafri, CEO of Future Group of Companies, and Mohammed Shambeh al Raisi, financial expert, Ministry of Supreme Planning and Finance, Nooruddin Mohammed, General Manager of Future Plastics LLC, Raffi, secretary of UTSC hockey, Engineer Abdul Latheef, cricket coach Mohammed Iqbal, SK Sharma, Sulochana, Shebin Abdul Latheef, Shijas Abdul Latheef, Shijin Abdul Latheef, Mohammed Irfan, Noel Jeron and sports commentator Salih Thacher attended the function. In addition, Team Coorg had honoured Naqvi at a function at the Qurum ground on December 9. Rupindra Pal Singh was also honoured at the same function. SAS Naqvi has completed 75 years in hockey as he started as the age of 8 years at school. He has the rare honour to play with Indian hockey wizard Dada Dhyanchand, Indian captain for 1936 Berlin Olympics, Dada Kishenlal (1948 London Olympics) and KD Singh Babu (1952 Helsinki Olympics). He is one of the survivor of golden era of hockey and his passion is being continued as the sports consultant of Oman Hockey Association.
@climatechange Arafat’s UN speech in Geneva On this day in 1988 PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat gives a speech at a UN General Assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, after the US refused to grant him a visa to visit UN headquarters in New York. international OMANDAILYOBSERVER 25 TUESDAY l DECEMBER 13 l 2016 Nine fruits to eat in winter for healthy skin If Santa is recruiting helpers to haul Christmas presents around the world this year he had better take a few extra, said researchers on Monday who warned that reindeer are shrinking. Over the past 16 years, the weight of adult reindeer in Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic has dropped by 12 per cent, likely due to global warming, said study findings presented to a meeting at the British Ecological Society (BES) in Liverpool. By the time they reached adulthood, reindeer born in 2010 weighed just over 48 kilogrammes (106 pounds), compared to 55 kg for those born in 1994. “Twelve per cent may not sound very much, but given how important body weight is to reproduction and survival, Reindeer are shrinking: WARMING THREATENS XMAS ICON There could be more, but smaller reindeer in the Arctic in the decades to come, “possibly at risk of catastrophic die-offs because of increased ice on the ground.” it’s potentially huge,” study leader Steve Albon of the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, said. Previous research had shown that when the average adult weight in April is less than 50 kg, the population as a whole declines, he added. Albon and his fellow researchers blame climate change for the shrinking reindeer. Scientists say land surface temperatures in the Arctic were about 2.8 degrees Celsius (five degrees Fahrenheit) higher last year than when records began a century earlier. Warmer winters mean more rain, which falls on snow and freezes, the BES explained in a statement. ‘Catastrophic die-offs’ The ice prevents reindeer from getting to the lichen which comprises the bulk and weight. of their winter diet and for which they usually forage in the snow. Lichen are complex organisms comprised of a fungus living in symbiosis with an alga or bacterium. “The reindeer starve, aborting their calves or giving birth to much lighter young,” said the BES. Reindeer numbers have increased over the past two decades, said the research team, so greater competition for food likely also contributed to their smaller size. This meant there could be more, but smaller reindeer in the Arctic in the decades to come, “possibly at risk of catastrophic die-offs because of increased ice on the ground.” The team has tracked Arctic reindeer since 1994, catching, marking and measuring 10-month-old calves every winter and returning the following year to recapture and note the animals’ size A study earlier this year pointed to 61,000 reindeer starving to death on the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia in the winter of 2013-2014 due to a “rainon-snow” event as described in the new research. — AFP Winter calls for a hot cup of tea and fried snacks. But don’t forget to dig into gooseberry, papaya and pomegranate to combat dry skin which the cold season brings along with it, says an expert. Anju Majeed, Senior Scientist, Sami Labs, has shared a list of winter fruits that you and your skin can enjoy during winter season: * Gooseberry: It is popularly known for its nutritional value, extensively used in natural cosmetic products. It helps in detoxification and acts as a blood purifier which makes skin look radiant and clear. * Papaya: It is a fruit rich in Vitamin A and contains enzymes that exfoliate your skin to provide you a glowing complexion. It also helps as an anti-oxidant. The enzyme papain breaks down inactive proteins and eliminates dead skin cells. Papaya also works as a great skin-firming and anti-ageing agent. * Avocado: It is a fruit that is rich in proteins and Omega-9 fatty acids which are building blocks of healthy complexion and help the skin fight winter dryness from inside. It helps in retaining a soft and glowing skin. Vitamin E in avocado prevents wrinkling while the fruit oil can be used as a natural moisturiser. * Pomegranate: This fruit is a great rejuvenator with high power to regenerate skin. Pomegranates help clear pores, slow ageing and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. In winter, the skin expands due to the cold weather. This fruit will help in keeping the skin pores tight. * Pineapple: It is a fruit that is considered as a storehouse of Vitamin C. Acne is another problem that is faced during winter, the pimples last longer and deeper as the pores are cracked leaving it open for dust particles to enter. Pineapple is an anti-oxidant for acne, fights blemishes, black marks, blackheads and purifies pores deeply which leaves skin clean and clear. * Banana: This fruit contains potassium which hydrates and moisturises dehydrated skin with Vitamins E and C that promote glowing skin. It reduces the skin dullness during winter. It also helps in keeping the skin moisturised. * Custard apple: This fruit has a combination of Vitimins A and C, which help in combating free radicials in the body. It works to keep skin moisturised and healthy. Custard apple works great as a natural scrub as well. Consuming custard apple juice on a regular basis stimulates the development of new cells in the layers of the skin. It also assists in healing of abrasion and cut. * Kiwi: Kiwis contain large amounts of Vitamin C, which helps your body produce collagen, a connective tissue protein that helps firm the skin. Kiwi also contains Vitamin E, which keeps skin moisturised and glowing. * Plum: It is a seasonal fruit of the winters and has Vitamins B and E, along with minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc. These help to purify body and to maintain skin’s elasticity. It hydrates the body. — IANS * crossword CRYPTIC PUZZLE ACROSS 4 Possibly edit letters as dull routine (6) 7 Was a hair mat her undoing? (4,4) 8 One wandering off course (6) 10 It helps to create keenness (5) 13 For British Rail to cut pay would have been an asinine thing to do (4) 14 Checked a number of points (4) 15 A ‘Mr’ to exile out East (4) 16 A form of wood simply without imitation (3) 17 The flag lady (4) 19 Only partly construed to be accurate! (4) 21 Indicates plainly the marks are simply wrong (6,3) 23 Statesman and writer of a news piece (4) 24 Service in bulk (4) 26 Some stage of a game? (3) 27 Not the heaviest part of the programme (4) 29 Tease the Tory leader with humour (4) 32 Mother’s was alcoholic (4) 33 How could a lofty-sounding lady be such a beast? (5) 34 Soldiers can make sport out of nothing! (6) 35 Aussie bounder giving a groan in a knockout situation! (8) 36 It’s hard to squeeze a cathedral in behind part of a monastery! (6) DOWN 1 It’s wrong to be in a state! (5) 2 Possibly set out with a warm hearted look (5) 3 Food for old Bill, being out of breath (4) 4 As to a headdress, it’s up to an artist (5) 5 Maybe it calls for payment (4) 6 Not exactly unable to be employed (6) 9 Where there’s an emergency message about an insect (6) 11 Whence you can see a fair way, of course (3) 12 Vegetable one gets in the noon break (5) 13 Probable winner getting batsmen out (4,3) 15 Combination container? (3) 16 Place to turn up at the West End (3) 18 Call to rip out a gun, possibly (4,2) 20 It’s rotten being out of practice (5) 21 She keeps in shape, generally (3) 22 The anti-aircraft missile man (3) 23 Polly’s standard nonsense (6) 25 Relatively kind people (3) 28 What it is to ski rashly in the outskirts of Rugby (5) 30 Tired and hesitant about an early start (5) 31 A sharp thing used in hospital only (5) 32 Developing more capital (4) 33 A greeting heard at top level (4) EASY PUZZLE ACROSS 4 Opposed (6) 7 Sloth (8) 8 Original (6) 10 Crowd (5) 13 Ale (4) 14 Layer (4) 15 Liquid measure (4) 16 Swamp (3) 17 Adjoin (4) 19 Thing (4) 21 Splashed (9) 23 Body parts (4) 24 Level (4) 26 Perplex (3) 27 Weary (4) 29 Team (4) 32 Sea bird (4) 33 M East country (5) 34 Comment (6) 35 Lens (8) 36 Declared (6) DOWN 1 Vision (5) 2 Angry look (5) 3 Formerly (4) 4 Poplar (5) 5 Islamic chieftain (4) 6 Ski race (6) 9 Stop working (6) 11 Lubricant (3) 12 Hang (5) 13 Wading bird (7) 15 Place (3) 16 Cot (3) 18 Beat (6) 20 Anxious (5) 21 Gender (3) 22 Previous day (3) 23 Wooded area (6) 25 Poem (3) 28 Annoyed (5) 30 Force (5) 31 Finished (5) 32 Sharp (4) 33 Barks (4) YESTERDAY’S CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Con-do-r 7, Ordinary 8, Rill 10, S-h-ovel 11, Ignore 14, Sea 16, Pa-ris 17, Star 19, Pop in 21, Sedan 22, Super 23, Lash 24, Set up 26, Si-X 29, Trumps 30, Detes-t 31 Acts 32, Contract 33, Errand. DOWN: 1, Ca-U-ses 2, Driver 3, Roll 4, King-pin 5, Major 6, Tyres 8, Rosa 9, Lea 12, Nan 13, Rings 15, Y-ode-l 18, Tuber 19, Pep 20, Par 21, Sup-port 22, Sum 23, Litter 24, A-X-es 25, Hatred 26, Stuck 27, Turns 28, Sec 30, D-ate. YESTERDAY’S EASY SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Pollen 7, Elevator 8, Iris 10, Sprint 11, Arcade 14, Oak 16, Rated 17, Mint 19, Bosun 21, Talon 22, Titan 23, Free 26, Enter 28, Hoe 29, Behead 30, Mirage 31, Opal 32, Nerve gas 33, Thence. DOWN: 1, Possum 2, Lariat 3, Nest 4, Overrun 5, Stoat 6, Greed 8, Iron 9, Ink 12, Can 13, Delve 15, Solar 18, Inane 19, Bat 20, Son 21, Tirades 22, Tee 23, Forage 24, Real 25, Emerge 26, Ebony 27, Thorn 28, Hip 30, Most.
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