We only want to apply roadmap, Sisi claims

Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that the army has no aspirations other than protecting the country and to complete the roadmap.The roadmap, agreed upon following the ouster of Mohamed Morsy in July, sets out provisions for finishing the new constitution and electing a parliament and president.During the seventh educational seminar held by the Armed Forces Department of Moral Affairs, Sisi said that the army believes in its just cause, so it stands on solid ground to face all risks and challenges to keep Egypt safe and stable.He vowed that the armed forces are going to clean up Sinai from criminals and terrorists.Sisi called on all political and national forces, in addition to media, to work towards pushing forward and not holding on to standards that do not fit the reality of Egypt.Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

American girl could win ‘Arabs Got Talent’

The audience chuckled when Jennifer Grout, a white, shy 23-year-old from Massachusetts, first walked on the stage of Arabs Got Talent with her oud. Although she professes to speak no Arabic, Grout then stunned the judges with her rendition of Umm Kathoum's Baeed Anak, and now actually has a chance at winning the finale which airs in less than two weeks.You dont speak a word of Arabic, yet you sing better than some Arab singers! exclaimed Najwa Karam, a famous Lebanese singer and judge of the panel, after her 28 September performance. We have for so long imitated the West, and this the first time that a person who has no link whatsoever to the Arab world, an American girl who does not speak Arabic, sings Arabic songs!Another judge, Ali Jaber, journalist and director of the channel MBC, the channel that broadcasts Arabs Got Talent, was also wowed by Grouts performance. You've just done an excellent performance… You have a very beautiful voice and you transmit strong emotions... I predict a promising future for you, he said.After her success, Grout proceeded to the next round of judging on 9 November in her stunning performance of Ya Toyour, from legendary Syrian singer Asmahan. Decked in a feathered, blue dress, with wind blowing through her hair, Grouts voice seemingly flew into the sky as her voice mimicked the rhythms of a singing bird.Surprised, one of the hosts asked Grout backstage if she really spoke no Arabic at all. No, I sing it, I don't speak it, Grout laughed. I only understand because I look up the translation online or I have one of my Arab friends do a translation for me.Amazed at her ability to sing in Arabic so flawlessly with no ability to speak it, many critics insist that her story doesnt match up. There's lots of rumors that I'm not actually American, Grout told the Guardian. Im very flattered by that because it means Im doing something that is … unbelievable. Grout, who has been studying music since she was young as both her parents are musicians, says she first started playing the oud three years ago. I heard Arabic music on the internet and I just absolutely fell in love with it, she told MBC.Since then, Grout says shes been listening to Arabic music and practicing all the time. It's just what my heart told me to do, she said.Grout will face tough competition on 7 December when the show airs its finale, including Mayam Mahmoud, 18, who is Egypts first veiled rapper.

Supply Ministry says butane gas cylinder shortage to be resolved soon

Supply Ministry sources said on Tuesday that the shortage of butane gas cylinders would be resolved soon and that the deficit has declined by 10 to 15 percent.Meanwhile, the crisis has resumed across governorates. Huge crowds gathered in front of stock stores, where clashes took place among customers on priority to get the cylinders. Citizens complained that cylinder prices reached LE50 at the Sharqiya, Gharbiya and Giza governorates.Stability within the butane cylinders distribution is due to increased rates of cylinder pumping to stock stores higher than the demands, said Domestic Trade and Supply Minister Mohamed Abu Shady.Abu Shady stressed that theministry is imposing strict controls on sales to prevent trading in black markets, where about 34,000 butane gas cylinders have already been smuggled.By the end of December, the cylinders will be distributed by coupons via ration cards. Large amounts will be available at every stock store free of price. All poultry farms, stores and restaurants in the governorates will be counted in collaboration with the Petroleum Ministry to provide the commercial cylinders and prevent usage of houses cylinders at trade or industrial purposes.All governors were authorized to coordinate with supply departments to distribute houses cylinders independent of NGOs and traders, the minister added.Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

Ancelotti: "Wenger has to buy us dinner, as we gave them Özil"

Carlo Ancelotti talked about Real Madrid's past, present and future in an interview with The Times. One of the subjects he lifted the lid on was the aftermath of José Mourinho's reign: "[The club] didn't speak about what happened last year with Mourinho, and I didn't ask. To reach the semi-finals of the Champions League is not bad. It's not good enough for some clubs, but it's not bad", he stated.

"The supporters here don't just look to win; they look at how you play. At Real you have to win with style. It's not enough to win here. For example, Fabio Capello was sacked after he won the league. Chelsea were a more physical team, but here the technical skills of the players are the best", the 'Los Blancos' coach noted.

The former Milan boss stressed that "La Decima is not an obsession, but it's a motivation. For the club it's very important. The last time Real Madrid played in the final was 2002. For a club like Real Madrid this is not good".

"There's a lot of balance in the Premier League now, but in my opinion Manchester City have the best squad. Arsenal are doing well, but we helped them of course. Arsène Wenger has to buy us dinner, as we gave them Özil!" the Italian quipped.

Continuing on the subject of the German playmaker, Ancelotti reiterated that selling him "was my decision. When we bought Gareth Bale it was difficult to find space for him, and he needs to play".

Miranda Lambert blasts surgery claims

Miranda Lambert has blasted claims she had surgery to slim down.
The country star faced was rumoured to have sought help in losing a dress size recently, but assured fans her new body is down to her own hard work. 
She wrote on her blog: 'Though I NEVER care what the tabloids have to say about me... I wanted to address this certain story they are running this week and set the record straight. 
'I DID NOT have surgery to lose weight. That is ridiculous. I lost my weight the healthy and good old fashioned way. Watching what I eat and working out with my trainer Bill Crutchfield. (sic)'
The 'Mama's Broken Heart' singer - who is married to fellow country star Blake Shelton - added she wasn't even counting how many pounds she lost, and wasn't get healthy to please anyone but herself. 
She added: 'As for the assumed number of pounds lost...? I don't even know! Like I have always said, it's not about a scale, it's about how you feel and how your jeans fit. 
'And on November 10th when I turned 30, my skinny jeans were finally baggy! Mission accomplished! 
'So for anyone who is tempted to read the 'Trash Talk' please don't. I am proud to be a normal size girl and I want to encourage everyone to be confident at any size. Thanks for the support yall!'
Miranda has recently been confirmed she will appear on the next series of 'The Voice', but rather than help her husband - who is a mentor and judge on the show - she'll be joining Shakira's team to help coach contestants.

Torkham border reopens after three days

KHYBER AGENCY: The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham has been reopened after three-day closure on Monday here, Geo News reported.

Security officials said following the November 21 suicide attack in the Torkham Customs House, security threats had intensified and as a result the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham was closed.

Following the reopening of the border, all trade activities including Nato supplies, transit trade and movement of Pakistani and Afghan citizens at the border resumed.

Angelina Jolie buys Brad $20m island

Angelina Jolie has reportedly spent $20 million on a heart-shaped island for Brad Pitt's 50th birthday.
The 'Changeling' star is said to have splashed out on the idyllic plot - located off the coastline 50 miles north of New York City - ahead of Brad's birthday next month because it includes two properties designed by his favourite architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'As soon as Angelina heard the island was on the market she arranged a viewing. She was really impressed.
'The house is perfect for romantic getaways or as a family retreat. It's very private. And Angelina knows the fact it is in the shape of a heart will mean so much to him.'
The 11-acre island is called Petra and contains a cottage built in 1950, nine years before Wright's death, while its main house was built in 2008 from one of his plans. 
The property features extensive use of mahogany and juxtaposes modern furnishings with exposed rock faces which the house has been built over and work surfaces carved out of solid granite.
Brad - who reaches the landmark age on December 18 - has previously talked of his love for Wright, saying: 'When I discovered Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Frank Lloyd Wright, it changed my life.'