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On Valentine’s day, Pistorius charged with murdering girlfriend
India still has class batting line-up: Pattinson
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Rasool hitches on IPL bandwagon; signs for Pune
Ministry commits to bidding for FIFA U-17 World Cup
Mathews takes charge as Sri Lanka’s Test,
ODz captain
England aim for a third-place finish
Sports Code should be approved by Parliament: Patel
Ronaldo rescues draw for Real against Man U
NRAI disaffiliates Punjab rifle shooting association Younis, Shafiq tons lead Pakistan recovery vs SA
Murthy, Gaganjeet Bhullar on top
At 52, Maradona becomes father again
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On Valentine’s day, Pistorius charged with murdering girlfriend
Johannesburg, February 14 Police said they had opened a murder case after a 30-year-old woman was found dead at the track star's house after an incident in the upmarket Silverlakes gated complex on the outskirts of the capital. “At this stage he is on his way to a district surgeon for medical examination," police brigadier Denise Beukes told reporters outside the heavily guarded residential complex. Pistorius and his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, had been the only people in the house at the time of the shooting, Beukes, said, and witnesses had been interviewed about the incident, which happened in the early hours of the morning. “We are talking about neighbours and people that heard things earlier in the evening and when the shooting took place,” she said. Earlier, police said a 9mm pistol had been found at the scene. “When a person has been accused of a crime like murder they look at things like testing under the figure nails, taking a blood alcohol sample and all kinds of other test that are done. They are standard medical tests,” Beukes said. Pistorius is due to appear in a Pretoria court after 1200 GMT. Before the murder charge was announced, Johannesburg's Talk Radio 702 said the 26-year-old may have mistaken Steenkamp for a burglar. South Africa has some of the world's highest rates of violent crime, and many home owners have weapons to defend themselves against intruders, although Pistorius' complex is surrounded by a three metre high wall and electric fence.
In the social pages of last weekend's Sunday Independent she described him as having “impeccable” taste. “His gifts are always thoughtful,” she was quoted as saying. Some of her last Twitter postings indicated she was looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day on Thursday with him. “What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow???" she posted. However, Beukes said the police were aware of previous incidents at the house of a “domestic nature”, and recent media interviews with Pistorius revealed he kept an assortment of weapons in his home. “Cricket and baseball bats lay behind the door, a pistol by his bed and a machine gun by a window,” Britain's Daily Mail wrote last year.
He was arrested in 2009 for assault after slamming a door on a woman and spent a night in police custody. Family and friends said it was just an accident and the charges were later dropped. Steenkamp's colleagues were distraught. “We are all devastated. Her family is in shock," Steenkamp's agent, Sarita Tomlinson, told Reuters, in tears. "They did have a good relationship. Nobody actually knows what happened." Pistorius, who races wearing carbon fibre prosthetic blades after he was born without a fibula in both legs, was the first double amputee to run in the Olympics and reached the 400 metre semi-finals in London 2012. Respected worldwide for triumphing over his disabilities to compete on a level playing field with able-bodied athletes, his sponsorship deals are thought to be worth $2 million a year. In last year's Paralympics he suffered his first loss over 200 metres in nine years. After the race he questioned the legitimacy of Brazilian winner Alan Oliveira's prosthetic blades, though he was quick to express his regret. Pistorius is sponsored by British telecoms firm BT (BT.L), sunglasses maker Oakley (LUX.MI), sports apparel maker Nike (NKE.N) and French designer Thierry Mugler. “We are shocked by this terrible, tragic news. We await the outcome of police investigation," a BT spokeswoman said before Pistorius was charged. A Nike spokesman in London said before hearing of the murder charge that the company was “saddened by the news, but we have no further comment to make at this stage". Pistorius also has a sponsorship deal with Icelandic prosthetics manufacturer Ossur. “I can only say that our thoughts and prayers are with Oscar and the families involved in the tragedy," Ossur CEO Jon Sigurdsson told Reuters. “It is completely premature to discuss or speculate on our business relationship with him." Neighbours expressed shock at the arrest of a “good guy”. “It is difficult to imagine an intruder entering this community, but we live in a country where intruders can get in wherever they want to,” said one Silverlakes resident. “If Oscar is innocent I feel for this guy deeply,” he said. — Reuters
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India still has class batting line-up: Pattinson
Chennai, February 14
It's different (batting line-up) from the one we played last. Again, it's a class batting line-up and the Indians would look to prove us wrong. It's a fantastic line-up with (Sachin) Tendulkar in form after a Ranji (Trophy) ton. (Virender) Sehwag can do anything on his day. It's good to see Dravid and Laxman not out there. We are looking forward to the challenging conditions,” Pattinson said. “It's going to be a good battle. We are not going to get friendly conditions like we did in Australia. We bowled quite well over there, so to come here and to do well is something that would be great,” he said after the team's optional training session. Pattinson praised Jammu and Kashmir off-spinner Parvez Rasool for his superb all-round show. “I think he (Rasool) bowled very well on the wicket and it turned quite a bit. He bowled a lot of overs as well,” he said. Rasool shone with both bat and bowl in the drawn two-day tour game here, picking up seven wickets in Australia's first innings and scoring crucial 36 runs while batting. The 22-year-old from Victoria pinned his hopes on skipper Michael Clarke, who, he believes, is the best player of spin bowling in the tourists' line-up. “You are not supposed to play against the spin over here. We have got some good players of spin and all of our batsmen spent some time in the middle (during the tour game), apart from Maxwell, so it's another bonus to take. Pup is one of the best players of spin in the world and hopefully he can play the role that Alastair Cook did. And, we have got younger players as well who should play around him,” he said. Pattinson said he is on track for a Test return after recovering from a rib injury. “It's frustrating not to play consecutive games through the year. But I am more mature now and aim is to playing test matches consistently. The best way to learn is by playing cricket and not just by bowling in the nets. So, I am going to manage that in the next couple of years until I become 26 at which point I can play almost every test available,” he said. The paceman had been out of the international arena after suffering the injury in the second Test against South Africa in November. He played a Sheffield Shield match for Victoria last month before travelling to India for the series with the first Test starting from February 22 here. Pattinson reasoned out bowling every delivery “too fast” for his breakdown. “I suppose trying to bowl too fast every delivery is one of the reasons I break down. Even Brett Lee and Mitchell suffered like this.” — PTI
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Rasool hitches on IPL bandwagon; signs for Pune
New Delhi, February 14 “A few franchises approached me but it was Pune who approached me first. So it was an ethical decision to join them as they had shown interest much before the Australia match happened. I am very excited and it is an honour to play in the IPL and become the first cricketer from the valley to achieve this feat," an excited Rasool told PTI over phone from Bilaspur where the Jammu and Kashmir squad is based for Vijay Hazare Trophy. According to IPL sources, Kings XI Punjab were chasing Rasool as Chandigarh based franchisee's proximity to Jammu and Kashmir. Since Rasool is an uncapped player, he will be getting Rs 20 lakh as per IPL norms. “Perveez is an asset for us. He is a capable all-rounder and since we can have only four foreigners, his batting and off-break bowling makes him a good choice in the playing XI. “Also the kind of exposure that he will be getting interacting with international cricketers will be phenomenal. Trust me, he can be a good player in the longer version too," a franchise official stated. Rasool is excited that he will be getting a chance to share the dressing room with Michael Clarke. “It is a dream come true for me that I will be interacting with Michael Clarke. Also having Yuvi Paaji will be a bonus. I have just started my journey in top-flight cricket and this stint with Pune will only help me grow. I hope that I will be able soak in all the information that I can get from our coach Allan Donald,” he said. — PTI
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Ministry commits to bidding for FIFA U-17 World Cup
Mumbai, February 14 The FIFA had asked the All India Football Federation and the government to provide guarantees on tax exemption, security, transport and accommodation of the players, officials and other international stakeholders connected with the holding of the mega event. A draft prepared by the AIFF and routed through the Sports Ministry had been returned by the FIFA for lack of guarantee in some specific areas. Now another draft is being prepared by the AIFF "by tweaking" certain provisions in it and it will again be sent to the FIFA after the government approval. It is learnt that the FIFA had wanted a blanked tax exemption on the holding of the event, as well as on the earnings of the various international stakeholders connected with it, including broadcasters and sponsors. Deb said that all the exemptions wanted by the FIFA were provided in Indian laws but the world body will have to apply to the government to avail them. “We are committed to India getting the rights to host the 2017 Under 17 FIFA World Cup and we will do whatever we can in that regard. We are committed to it," Deb said at the sidelines of 'Goal 2013' convention on the business of Indian football here. “All the exemptions wanted by the FIFA are covered under Indian laws. But the FIFA will have to apply to the government for that. It is a matter of applying for the tax exemptions. The government is ready for the exemptions," he added. AIFF President Praful Patel said that he will have consultations with the Sports and other Ministries regarding what the FIFA wanted and prepare a modified draft to be presented to the world body. “I'm going to meet the Sports Minister and other ministers also. We have to make certain changes and represent it to the FIFA. I hope the government agrees to what is wanted.” — PTI
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Mathews takes charge as Sri Lanka’s Test, ODz captain
Colombo, February 14 Jayawardene, who quit the Twenty20 captaincy after the World Cup last October, keeps his place in the squad for the tour of Bangladesh in March. Dinesh Chandimal will lead the Twenty20 side, and serve as vice-captain in the longer formats of the game. Mathews has scored 1,668 runs in 31 Tests since making his debut in 2009, recording his only Test century against Australia 2 years later. Injuries have restricted his bowling to 11 Test wickets, but Mathews' all-round skills have seen him make effective contributions in 50 and 20-over cricket. Among those not selected for the two-Test series in Bangladesh is batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who has signed for Worcestershire for the 2013 season. Sri Lanka will also play three one-day internationals and one T20 international in Bangladesh. Dhoni must handle Gambhir with care: Wasim Akram
Former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram feels that Gambhir's dropping was unexpected. "You can't drop him knowing fully well that here is one batsman who can play at least five-six years for India," Akram said. Akram has always been in praise of Gambhir, both as a batsman and as a captain. Both are part of the Kolkata Knight Riders management in the IPL. The former Pakistan speedster feels Gambhir needs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s support at all times. "The captain must give his best players the confidence that the axe is not hanging on top of them. Gambhir will expect this from his captain for sure. It's a relationship," Akram explained. “While I think India are the favourites, a 4-nil victory is easier said than done. India have to learn their lessons from the England defeat,” Akram said. Akram feels India's spinners will hold sway against the Aussies, but if the fast bowlers cannot “reverse” the old ball then India will not have it easy. — Agencies |
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England aim for a third-place finish
Mumbai, February 14
Defending champions England and last edition's runners-up New Zealand were knocked out of the tournament after West Indies upstaged Australia to reach the final. Having defeated New Zealand by 15 runs in their Super Six match yesterday, England would be keen to carry on the momentum into tomorrow game. The Charlotte-Edwards side had a few positives in the previous game as wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor, who had flopped in the series with just 35 against India followed by three ducks in a row, made a fluent 79-ball 88. The opening pair of Edwards and Danielle Wyatt shared a half century stand against the Kiwis to give England a solid platform to build 266-run innings. The English would once again rely on the openers tomorrow. “(We need to play for) third place and rankings. Every game of cricket England play, we want to win. This won't change. We are disappointed but we have a kind of roller coaster last two weeks in this tournament. The girls have reacted to our losses unbelievably well," said Edwards. “I can't talk highly enough about group of players how they have picked themselves and got on about it. They have put in some magnificent performances. They will do the same and we want to finish third and that is really important to us to end the tournament on a high," she added. The English pace attack is formidable with the lethal combination of Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole, who have scalped 25 wickets between them. South Africa, Lanka look to finish fifth CUTTACK: Sri Lanka will seek to extract revenge on South Africa when they lock horns in the fifth-place match at the Barabati Stadium. South Africa trounced the islanders by 110 runs for their first win in the Super Six stage of the tournament yesterday. Both teams are out of the tournament and will be playing for pride. — PTI
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Sports Code should be approved by Parliament: Patel
New Delhi, February 14 Patel said he could not imagine AIFF going against FIFA or AFC guidelines in the pretext of adhering to Sports Code. "There are certain sets of FIFA and AFC rules, which AIFF has to follow and we cannot go against these guidelines. So, it will have to be ensured that NSFs don't go against their international federations while adhering to the Sports Code," said Patel, who is also the Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. "Doing that could lead to disaffiliation by the international federations and we (the NSFs) will be the losers," he told reporters at the sidelines of 'Goal 2013' convention on the business of Indian Football organised by FICCI in association with the AIFF. Patel said if at all the Sports Code will have to be implemented, it should be done after Parliamentary approval. “The Sports Ministry should take into confidence all the NSFs and other stakeholders. If at all the Code is to be implemented I favoured doing it after approval by the Parliament.” — PTI
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Ronaldo rescues draw for Real against Man U
Madrid, February 14 Real gave the Premier League side a torrid time in the early stages but United took the lead against the run of play in the 20th minute when Danny Welbeck nodded past Diego Lopez from a Wayne Rooney corner. Ronaldo levelled 10 minutes later when he rose to send an Angel Di Maria centre arrowing into the corner. There was a muted goal celebration from the Portuguese, who became the world's most expensive player when he left United for Real in 2009. "It's a place where I played for six years and I have a lot of affection for the club as everyone knows," Ronaldo told Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus. "United are very strong in defence and they created some problems for us. But with the chances we had, we could have scored more goals "But everything's open for the game at Old Trafford and I think we have the ability to score goals there and get through," he added. United goalkeeper David De Gea, who earlier tipped a Fabio Coentrao effort on to a post, superbly denied the same player on the hour before Robin Van Persie fluffed a shot when he had the goal at his mercy 18 minutes from time, allowing Xabi Alonso to clear off the line. The result gives United a slight advantage for the return leg in Manchester on March 5. Real attacked the visitors' from the start while United struggled to retain possession. — Reuters
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NRAI disaffiliates Punjab rifle shooting association Patiala, February 14 It means that the Punjab shooters and its office-bearers would no longer be able to represent the state in any competition held under the aegis of the NRAI. Highly placed sources confirmed that the NRAI directive came following the internal dispute between the two warring factions of the PRSA. While the president of the state body was adhering to the NRAI rules and communiques, another faction had called for elections without the PRSA president's nod. “That you are no longer in a position to ensure that your state association is working properly as required in terms of clause 7 or that the objectives laid out in the constitution of the NRAI are being adhered to and implemented by your state federation", an excerpt from a letter shot to Gurbir Singh Sandhu, president PRSA, read. “In particular we draw your attention to an email, dated February 13, 2012 recieved from one Raja K Sidhu signing and continuing to represent himself as Secretary General of the PRSA. You will agree that even after removal of the said person vide your order dated February 4, 2013 (forwarded to us by you) these persons are in clear violation of the ISSF's and the IOC directives forwarded to you, and continue to play, by your own report a substantive role in the affairs and amongst the members of the PRSA", the letter further reads. The action comes following the NRAI diktat to all its affiliated associations “to keep away from all those involved in the illegal and impugned election of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)” on November 25. Following directive of International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSR) and IOC, which laid out in their letter dated 14th January 2013, “no individual, who has taken part in the illegal & impugned election of the IOA on 25th November 2012, will be allowed to sit and hold office in any capacity on any forum of the NRAI, including its affiliated units or its General Body or Executive,” all units were informed. NRAI president said though PRSA has been disaffiliated, the district bodies loyal to the international shooting charter and NRAI would not be made to suffer. “We will do our best to prevent the shooters from suffering and brief everyone about it,” he stated, refusing to divulge more on the issue. |
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Younis, Shafiq tons lead Pakistan recovery vs SA
Newlands, February 14 Pakistan have made two changes to their side, both enforced by injury. Seamer Junaid Khan is out with a thigh problem and has been replaced by seven-footer Mohammed Irfan, who makes his test debut at the age of 30. “We would have batted first anyway. Our target is to lose less wickets in the first few hours.” skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said. Brief Scores: (Pakistan): 235/5 in 90 overs ( Younis Khan 111, Asad Shafiq 111, Mohammad Hafeez 11, Morne Morkel 2/37, V Philander 2/45, D Steyn 1/ 34). — Agencies
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At 52, Maradona becomes father again
Buenos Aires, February 14 The 52-year-old Maradona has two daughters from his marriage with Claudia Vallafane - Dalma and Giannina. The Argentine football great has two other children he has never recognized as his, although courts in paternity cases have ruled he's the father. Auruccio said Maradona was in Dubai but was “absolutely aware of everything including the state of health of the mother and baby.” Maradona has another son named Diego Armando Maradona Sinagra, who was born in Italy when Maradona was playing there. “A judge has obliged me to pay support, but that does not obligate me to feel love for him," Maradona said in 2005. His fourth child, a girl named Jana Maradona, was born in 1996, offspring of a relationship with an Argentine woman. — AP |
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Murthy, Gaganjeet Bhullar on top
Greater Noida, Feb 14
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Diana lashes at BCCI for not doing much Advani in Welsh Open quarterfinals Efforts on to keep wrestling as Olympic sport: Hooda
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South African "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, was charged on Thursday with shooting dead his girlfriend at his home in Pretoria.
New Delhi, February 14
In 2004, Springbok rugby player Rudi Visagie shot dead his 19-year-old daughter after he mistakenly thought she was a robber trying to steal his car in the middle of the night. Steenkamp, a model and regular on the South African party circuit, was reported to have been dating Pistorius for a year, and there had been little to suggest their relationship was in trouble.
