and expected fed rate hike, joining us from colombo, sri lanka. great to see you. talk about your personal view as we count down to the fed. and theis sri lanka wider emerging markets ready for the expected rate hike possibly today? i think we should all realize that there has been a great deal of discussion so far about the expected rate hike, so it is no longer a surprise. many countries and economies have been preparing for this. mid-2013,anka, since we have been preparing by having the necessary buffers and cushions in order to withstand any shock that will arise as result of this increase. i think that is something that any other emerging economy has been practicing. therefore, that would be very helpful for countries to face these new equilibrium that we will be seeing. unfortunate, sri lanka has gone a little backwards, and therefore our preparations tend to be more than needed to face this, but nevertheless, as a sector, thell as a markets have been preparing, and that can withstand a rate increase. yvonne: do you expect massive outflows after 2:00 p.m. eas

sri lanka says he inadvertently used a banned substance when he applied cream to an insect bite. >>>ditionally one of the biggest days in australia, the boxing day test. mark reign reports. >> reporter: on boxing day, most years there are crowds between 70 and 100,000 people, filling these seats. but organizers fear they will be lucky to reach 50,000 on the opening day. the eighth ranked team, though, are determined to show they are still worthy of playing in one of cricket's most famous fix suretu su sure -- fixtures. it's a very special occasion, everybody knows what we're up against. >> reporter: australia are looking to wrap up the best of three series, and despite the recent retirement of mitchell johnson, they still believe they have the strike power to make it tough for the batsmen. in will be the west indy's first boxing day test since 2000. on that day they lost by 352 runs inside five days on the way to a series whitewash. >>> also on saturday, the world number one test team, south africa host england in their series in durban. they will be trying to win their first series

looking for light in sri lanka comeau we celebrate the night when light overcame the darkness, when rama returned from exile, principal returned from longer in the grid of the demon king. abducted according to mythology it is becoming history. when the government commits atrocities with impunity it keeps people's faith a mystery to my agrees to reform without accountability where is the light? what can we see? suffered abuses in the evil custody, many are now being tortured at the hands of the police and military. what are their names? when will they be free? where is the light? what can we see? the flames from our lab's guide us. we carry our fires like torches. if we keep seeking justice we march toward the night when light will overcome this darkness. [applause] >> thank you. the last poem i would like to share with you is when i wrote a few years ago when i was invited by the executive director of south asian americans leaving together and let the time to be one of the activists and writers are doing pieces as reflections during the one-year anniversary of the oak creek martyrs. this

look for light in sri lanka. we celebrate the night when light overcame the darkness, when rama returned from exile, when -- returned from lanka and the grips of the demon king. seetha was abducted, according to mythology. many are vanished. it is becoming history. when the government commits atrocities with impunity, keeps people's faiths a mystery, agrees to reforms without accountability, where is the light? what can we see? seetha suffered abuses in the evil custody. many are now being tortured at the hands of the police and military. what are their names? when will they be free? where is the light? what can we see? the flames from our lamps guide us. we carry our fires like torches. if we keep seeking justice, will it be achieved? we march toward the night when light will overcome this darkness. [applause] thank you. the last poem i'd like to share with you is one i wrote a few years ago when i was invited by the executive director of south asian-americans leading together -- [laughter] who at the time was de

. >>> sri lanka facing 405 for victory. second half of the match starts on friday. >> sri lanka is a bloody hard competitor. we're just thankfully good enough for top of the order to be able to withstand those pressures and apply some pressures back on them. >> tokyo's olympic organizers have radically downsized the 2022 games. reduced price tag, the cost of building either venue will be around half the initial $2 billion budget which sparked protests. and that's it for me, back to david. >> thank you, los angeles they are rolling out the red carpet for the new star wars film. it premiers there later on. police have closed hollywood boulevard and fans have been lining up outside the historic chinese theater there. the new movie is the first in a decade and reunites the cast of the original trilogy. that's it for us, pretty soon, that movie expected to break box office records. thanks for watching the newshour. may julie mcdonald be with you, next. >> i.s.i.l. leaders cannot hide and our next message to them is simple. you a

cricket beaten sri lanka 122 runs in the first test andshy larng ka bullied out on the final day chasingtory, the second match of the two test series starts in hamilton on december 18th. >> sri lanka is hard to get results against with excellent young bowlers who have questions and we are good enough for the top of the order for pressures and apply pressures back on him. >> history has been made with badmiton and the final saw a husband and wife team winning the mix double title and the first british winner and they head to a gold metal shot at next year's olympics. >> excited about rio and every athlete seems to be in the olympics and win a metal so with this decision there is a lot of comments with fall out but we will train harder and try to get this in. >> that is all your sport for now and now back to you. >> thank you very much indeed and do stay with us on al jazeera, there is another full bulletin of news coming up, right away and we get the very latest on this interesting troop movement, turkish troop movement in northern iraq so do stay with us. ♪ >> this is al jazeera america

though, the rain showers really finally starting to taper off for those of you, but not the case in sri lanka, toward the east, the whole monsoonal rain bout continuing to drift down here to the south. areas of thailand, over toward malaysia definitely looking at heavy rain showers the course of the next several days even with strong thunderstorms flaring up into that as well. let's now look at northwestern europe and specifically this intense storm system which has been bringing absolutely rough weather across parts of iceland, you have been seeing winds upwards of 216 kilometer per hour gusts there. also down toward the british isles we have a separate low coming in with that that's going to bring some rough weather. you have to remember this is right on the heels of winter storm desmond. i do want to show you some video coming out of northern areas of england because you still have recovery efforts in place here, actually at least 45,000 homes remain without power. due to the storm in one particular area, one person was killed. nearly 5,000 homes were completely inundated as well. see righ

take heart from the political process and smooth transfers of power of the past year, including in sri lanka and nigeria. the transition in the central of republic is also moving ahead with a constitutional referendum last week, and presidential and legislative elections at the end of this month. i am encouraged by progress in the negotiations on cyprus. the solution to decades of division is within reach. in the americas, colombians are edging closer to the ends of the continent longest-running conflict. in myanmar, the government and army are cooperating for a stable transition. continued support is need to begin on inclusive dialogue. that brings marginalized groups into the process. the united nations and i personally have supported the process for several years. we have continued to do so. ladies and gentlemen, the year 2015 has brought more breakthrough. united nations continues to strengthen, including through wide-ranging assessments of peace operations, peace building, and our future role and capacities. despite the ups and downs from peace processes to private talks, we cannot affo

. >>> to cricket, sri lanka were bowled out on the final day chasing 405 for the victory.e second match of the two-test series starts in hamilton on friday. >> the striker is a tough position. we have some young bowers who allow some questions on day one, and thankfully we're at the top of the order t. >> plans for the 2020 tokyo olympics. a plan will be proposed before the end of the year. the design has glass outer walls and is intended to reflect traditional asian concepts. they're both understated than the original plan, which was crapped over controversy to its scale and cost. >>> ththe coliseum painted in red, white green of the italian had a flag, a decision won't be made until 2017. >> keep it here for al jazeera. another full bulletin of news is straight ahead. >> techknow's team of experts show you how the miracles of science... >> this is what innovation looks like. >> can affect and surprise us. >> i feel like we're making an impact. >> let's do it. >> techknow - where technology meets humanity. >> with winter making hard lives harder for displaced syrians, min

for the first time in their lives in indonesia, in southeast india, in sri lanka, they could find out what the price of fish was up and down the coast and average incomes increased by 30%. we know that boko haram continues to terrorize northern nigeria and the surrounding areas, but our clinton health access initiative is part of a global effort to save one million children under five from waterborne diseases. diarrhea, dysentery, cholera. 80% of all people who die are under five. for $.50 a person, a zinc packet and rehydration therapy will save their lives. it is never in the press, but we are making our goals in nigeria and we are working in those same areas. the first thing i want you to know is that in this great age of interdependence, good things and bad things are going on. most of the bad is rooted in a self-concept of negative identity. that is, in order for me to think well of myself, i have to think less of you to the extent you are different from me, from my religion or ideology, as i define it. to the extent that we are making progress, it is almost always the product of

cell phone and for the first time in their lives in indonesia and southeast independent, in ave i sri lanka they could find out fish up and down the coast and average income 30%.ased by haran that boca we inues to terrorize but are part of a global effort to ave a million children under five from waterborne diseases. the people who die are under five. a person a simple ehydration therapy and zinc packet will save their lives. s, but ever in the pres we're making our goals in nigeria and we are disproportion working in those same areas. so the first thing i want you to that in this great age interdependence good things and bad things are going on. rooted in a ad is negative pt of identi identity. that is, in order for me to myself i have to think less of you to the extent me you are different from or my religion or my ideology as define it. to the extent we are making almost always the product of networks of in a positive identity. i'm proud ofam and my race, my faith, my gender, whatever it is. i think what we have in common matters more so why don't can work out how we together. now, what

we are talking about saturday by this time, sitting over the top of sri lanka there's more flooding to come. but further south of chennie. >> more ahead on al jazeera. including the red carpet rolled out in south africa as china's president arrives with billions to invest. plus, standing guarding kunduz, how local fighters are trying to protect part of the city from being overrun by the taliban. >> in sport, the latest from the n.b.a. find out if the spurs can maintain their perfect at home record. >>> you're watching al jazeera, here are the top stories. russian president vladimir putin says turkey will regret - more than once - his exact wards, the shooting down of a russian jet over the syrian border a week ago. at the annual address, vladimir putin accused turkey of terrorism, promising a tough response. >> hours after m.p.s approved air strikes on i.s.i.l. targets. british planes struck oil fields. the aim to strike a blow on the oil reviews that i.s.i.l. depends on >>> detectives are trying to find a motive for the latest mass shooting in the united states. a man and woman armed

. >> bang >>> new zealand's cricketers are on the brink of sealing a test series win over sri lanka, the home side needs to score 47 more runs to win the second test. and will resume on 142 for five on day four, chasing a victory target of 189. new zealand lead the 2-match series 1-0. cuba reduced a remarkable number of sporting world champions, town to the rigorous sponsors. as the country opens up. there's fear of talent tempted abroad. daniel schweimler reports. >> this is the raphael boxing gym. nearly all the talent is passed through in the past 50 years, it win gold, silver and bronze at world and olympic games. the gloves are donated, the ring is precarious. >> they started eight or nine years old in boxing. no sports. it's the age at which they put everything in, when we spot the talent. >> that potential talent is nurtured with training and privilege statements at specialized schools. in baseball and athletics, as well as in boxing. there's no hidden formula, no secret plans for cuba's sporting success. it is here with the raw talent and plenty of hard work. hopes and dreams

. >>> sri lanka's captain was sent home from new zealand last month when a doping test came through.y he inadvertently used a banned substance when applying cream to an insect bite. >>> what is traditionally one of the biggest days in the aussie calendar, the boxing day test. our correspondent has more. >> reporter: on boxing day most years there are crowds between 70 and 100,000 people filling these seats. but organizers fear they will be lucky to reach 50,000. >> i'm always upbeat, i think we are just one good performance from turning things around. everybody knows what we are up against. i can remember walking on the field for the first time when we got here in melbourne, and it was a really nice feeling. >> reporter: despite the recent retirement of mitchell johnson, they still believe they have the strike power to make it tough for the batsman. this will be the west indy's first boxing day test since 2000, and many are picking a repeat of that result when they lost by 352 runs inside four days on the way to a series whitewash. >>> also on saturday, the world number 1 test team,

new zealand have cruised to a win at home over sri lanka over winning the second test in ham tonne by five wickets. new zealand needed a further 47 runs on day four after resume on 142 for five. 108 was scored by one. cuba has reduced the-- produced a number of world champions which is down to the state sponsored training programs. as the country slowly opens up, there are fears the brightest talent will be tempted abroad. >> reporter: in is the boxing gym in the heart of old havana. nearly all the cuba's talent has passed through here in 50 years to go on to win medals at olympic games. the gloves are donated and the ring is precarious. >> translation: they start at eight or nine years old in boxing. it's the age at which they take everything in and when we spot the talent in the child. >> reporter: that potential talent is then nurtured with intensive training and privileged treatment in specialized schools, in baseball, athletics and boxing. there is no secret plan. it begins here with this raw talent and plenty of hard work. the hopes and dreams, national pride and specialized coa

it struck me that we were congratulating sri lanka, syria, and other countries in a provided these peacekeeping troops that we have a very -- that's my reason for bringing it up. >> if i may respond well you are here. that.impression is not i think that what president obama has conveyed to the secretary of defense and to the chairman and his commander, general austin and the commanders on the ground is a desire to offer strategic guidance, discuss any big shifts in the strategy at a senior level and make sure that everybody is on the same page. but there is a huge amount of tactical and operational flexibility that these commanders have and i think you have seen the president say publicly what he has conveyed many times privately in the situation room which is if there are ideas for how we can pursue this campaign more expeditiously in ways that increase the security dividend for the american people sooner i went to see those ideas. meetings.ese we are discussing the way ahead in the anti-isil strategy and i have not heard the commanders not getting the flex ability that they seek. >> thank you

. >> sri lanka faces being banned for four years after a b.sample tested positive for a banned substance. the 25-year-old was sent home earlier this month when the results came through in october. they say he inadvertently used the substance applying cream to an in sect bite. >> in melbourne, what is traditionally one of the biggest days in the aussie sporting calendar, this year, organizers are expecting possibly the lowest possible day attendance in 16 years. >> on boxing day, most years, there are crowds between step and 100,000 people filling the seats at the melbourne cricket ground. organizers fear they will be reluctant to reach 50,000. the team are determined to show they are still worthy of playing in one of cricket's fixtures. >> it's a very special occasion. everybody knows what we're up against. i'm walking on the field for the first time we got here in melbourne and it was a really nice feeling. >> australia are looking to wrap up the best of three series. did he spite the recent retirement of mitchell johnson, they still believe

." >> now, you guys are gonna be heading -- or have you -- to singapore and sri lanka? >> yeah. >> okay, tell me about that trip and what you're gonna be doing there. a little bit of singing? a little bit of teaching? >> yeah, we're gonna do some master classes, and we're gonna do some performances. >> you have to feel blessed. >> and we'll be doing a european tour next summer, as well. >> okay. so you've got plans beyond this. you have to feel blessed to be able to combine the two things and to share your love of music and also your love of teaching. >> yeah, and i think that's really what -- you used a good word, being "blessed." it's really a great opportunity for us to share the talents that we have, but also helping students out. and that's really what it's about. education without the musical preparation. and so, therefore, what we try to do is give them some real-life applications. the theory is good, too, but to give them some real-life applications of how they can actually do it, whether it's creating a music video, writing a song, or recording. we're able to s

behind in the nfc east and cricket test positive for a ban substance and has been sent home from sri lanka9-year-old has been proofficially suspended pending the results of a test. that is all your sport for now and that is it for me for now. >> thanks very much and we have more news for you right at the top of the hour and don't forget you can always get the latest news at our website, the address is al jazeera.com. ♪ ♪ fragmented, divided and under threat from russian air power, serious opposition seek unity at a meeting in saudi arabia. ♪ you're watching al jazeera and coming up, in the next half hour a message to turkey, russia reenforces its military base in armenia and sends cruise missiles to the mediterranean. >> we have no choice. >> reporter: donald trump calls for muslims from entering the united states and rivals say he is un

as for ends of the earth, many of our groups have lived through conflict situations in sri lanka, colombia, el salvador, in the balkans. we understand what the reality of war means for civilian population. i think we should listen to the people of syria. many of the people who have been fleeing from raqqa has said, please, don't bomb raqqa, we are civilians in syria. nobody has invented a bomb yet that magically position that can take out the so-called terrorists, but will keep innocent siblings alive. we know there will be a tragic loss of life and that is a blemish on british -- amy: talk about what the alternative is right now in dealing with isis. >> we all recognize we need a political -- we have seen 10 years of bombing of war in iraq has left the country in ruins. the intervention in libya has left the country in ruins. we have seen the civil war in syria has left the country in ruins. the reality is, the military option will not deliver a lasting peaceful solution. what we really need to do is tackle the arms being sent to anda, who is funding daesh other armed groups. we need to s

indian ocean earth -- earthquake which unleashed devastating tsunamis on thailand and indonesia and sri lanka. many of our first responders that deploy abroad come from the search and rescue teams based in los angeles county, california, fairfax county, virginia, and waiving the passport fee for those brave and selfless enough to help those in the greatest need is the least we can do. i commend congressman issa for doing this and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. boyle: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise in support of this measure and i yield myself such time as i may consume. mr. speaker, i would like to thank the chairman, royce, ranking member engel, my colleague and friend from california, mr. issa, and my fellow foreign affairs committee colleagues for their unanimous support in helping our first responders answer the call of service when a natural disaster strikes abroad. every year americans bravely go abroad to help victims natural disasters in foreign lands. such as the 2010 earthquakes in

i'm just back from sri lanka. in the wake of its defeat of the ltte, the people who coined the suicide bomb really regressed in terms of creeping authoritarianism, horrible atrocities carried out in the war and no accountability for that. there's been a change in government. not only do we see them domestically taking on issues of accountability with the reconciliation but we see their behavior within international institutions transformed. the stand they take on human rights resolutions, syria, north korea, et cetera, is shifting. so i want to just dwell on this point because sometimes one looks at the u.n. and it's just this black box where we're not getting the returns that we want. we're not getting the votes that we want. the way that the u.n. changes over time is countries that comprise it change. and, you know, they become more at peace within themselves. they democratize and get their institutions stronger. we see the payoff in the critical mass of countries that we have to work with in new york. more than

heart from the political progress and smoother transfers of power over the past year including in sri lankand nigeria. the transition in the central african republic is also moving ahead with a constitutional referendum last week and presidential and legislative elections at the end of this month. i am encouraged by progress in the negotiations on cypress. a solution to decades of division is within reach. in the americas, colombians are edging closer to the end of the continent's longest-running conflict. in myanmar, the government and army are cooperating together for a stable transition. continued talks are needed to begin an inclusive dialogue that brings marginalized method 96 groups into the process. the united nations and i personally have supported the process for several years. we will continue to do so. ladies and gentlemen, the year 2015 has brought both breakthrough and horror. the united nations continues to strengthen itself including through wide-ranging assessments of peace operations, peace building, and our future role and capacities. despite the ups and downs from peace p

it kind of struck me that we were congratulating sri lanka and yet we as a country have very limitedrules of engagement authorization right now in our own country. that's my reason for bringing the point up. >> if i may respond, senator, briefly while you're hear, you know, my impression is not that i think that what president obama has conveyed to secretary defense and to the chairman and to his commander, general austin and the commanders on the ground is a desire to, you know, offer strategic guidance, discuss any big shifts in the strategy at a senior level and make sure that we are, you know, on the same page. but there is a huge amount of tactical and operational flexibility that these commanders have. and i think you've seen certainly the president say publicly what he has conveyed in the situation room which is if there are ideas for how we can pursue this campaign more expeditiously, in ways that, you know, increase the security dividend for the american people sooner, i want to see those ideas and i'm in these meetings, we were discussing the way ahead in our anti-isil stra

heart from the political progress and smooth transfers of power over the past year, including in sri lanka and nigeria. i am encouraged by progress in the negotiations on cyprus. a solution to decades of division is within reach. in the americas, cl -- in myanm the community is cooperating for a stable transition. continued efforts are needed to begin an inclusive dialogue that brings marginalized ethnic groups into the process. the united nations and i personally have supported the process for several years. we will continue to do so. ladies and gentlemen, the year 2015 has brought both breakthrough and horror. the united nations continues to strengthen itself. despite the ups and downs from peace processes to climate talks, we cannot afford to let up. too much is at stake. billions of people depend on us to keep pressing ahead. i did not lose faith during the years of ups and downs of climate negotiations. i continue to believe in the united nations and in our staff many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice. i continue to have faith in the ability of the world's people to come togeth

i'm just back from sri lanka, a place in the wake of its defeat, the lte people in effect coined the suicide bomb, fairly regressed in terms of aauthoritarianism and carrying out on detail of the war. now there's been a change in government. how often do we see that taking on issues of capability, trying to reconciliation. we also see the behavior of international institutions transformed. also making a substantial commitment to peace keeping. a resolution on syria, north korea, et cetera, shifting. i want to just dwell on this. they become more at peace within themselves and we see a pay off, again, in terms of the critical mass of countries that we have as partners to work with. right now, more than half the countries in the u.n. are not democratic. an effect to which the u.n. is going to be with enforcement, et cetera. >> thank you. senator isaacson is next, after him, senator menendez. i'm going to ask if you would chair the meeting while you're asking questions. >> very brief. >> okay. okay. >> then senator murphy is next. if we could just keep it going. i'm going to bolt and co