FIFA gives away......

FIFA gives away tickets for Confederations Cup semi.

FIFA is giving away some free tickets for the Confederations Cup semifinal match between Spain and the United States.The governing body of world soccer said Tuesday there were about 6,000 tickets still on sale for Wednesday's match at the 38,000-seat Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein."There will be a certain number of tickets given on a complimentary basis," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said. "Again, it's a gesture from FIFA … for people to have a chance to enjoy this game."After sparse crowds in the opening few matches of the World Cup warmup event in South Africa, FIFA decided to distribute tickets to certain institutions such as schools and local authorities to hand out for free. FIFA, however, has not said how many tickets have been given out for any of the matches thus far.For the other semifinal match in Johannesburg between Brazil and South Africa, FIFA said there are 2,000 top-price tickets costing $120 US still available, but no free tickets have been given out for that match at Ellis Park.Tickets at this year's Confederations Cup range from $10 to as high as $200 for the final, which is well out of the reach of many poor people in South Africa, where unemployment is about 25 per cent.The average attendance through the 12 matches at this year's tournament is 34,783, according to FIFA. The best attended match so far was the Group B game between Egypt and Italy, which drew 52,150 to Ellis Park to watch the Egyptians upset the world champions 1-0.Security has also been an issue at this year's Confederations Cup, with both Brazil and Egypt reporting that some of their hotel rooms have been burgled. FIFA, however, reiterated that it believes local authorities will keep an estimated 450,000 visitors for next year's 32-team tournament safe."A lot of learning is coming from this particular tournament," Craig said.

Source; cbc.ca/sports

Tight security

Tight security but no fanfare for Pakistan winners.

Police whisked Pakistan's Twenty20 World Cup-winning team away from jubilant fans at Lahore airport on Tuesday citing security fears in a city recently targeted by Taliban militants.The squad were rushed from another terminal, bypassing hundreds of fans who wanted to greet the players with music and garlands."We changed the plan for the team because of security reasons and drove the team to the national cricket academy in a special bus," police official Umar Virk told reporters outside the airport.The Sri Lankan cricket team were attacked in Lahore in March, devastating Pakistan's already-tainted reputation as safe international cricket host.Eight people were killed and seven cricketers and their assistant coach injured in a gun and grenade attack blamed on a Taliban faction.Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final at Lord's on Sunday to clinch the World Twenty20 title -- their second major victory in the sport after winning the 50-over World Cup in Australia in 1992.All-rounders Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam and Abdul Razzaq did not return as they had prior commitments in England, while captain Captain Younus Khan arrived in the southern port city Karachi to a rapturous reception without being whisked away."What more can you ask for? This was my first tournament for the senior team and we won. It is like dream come true for me."President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani have promised big reception for the team before they leave for a tour of Sri Lanka later this week.

Source:google.com

Insurance companies not honouring

Insurance companies not honouring new leaky condo warran.

Insurers say lack of maintenance by owners is source ofties: owners some problems.Some owners of recently built leaky condominiums say B.C.'s new Home Warranty Insurance program isn't working and that companies are unfairly rejecting their damage claims.Dave Ricketts, a principal with RDH Building Engineering in Vancouver, said the owners of some of the leaky condo projects built since 2000 that he's involved with are contemplating going to court after warranty companies refused their claims. "Some of [the warranty companies] are just putting their own interpretation on the claims and deciding what they think is covered and not covered and others are just saying, 'well, as an opening gambit, we're going to say we're denying everything.'"The new home warranties are provided by four authorized private-sector insurance companies and cover labour and material defects for two years, building envelope defects for five years and structural defects for 10 years. Claims denied

Construction lawyer John Mendes, who represents some of the owners, says claims for both leaks and other defects are being denied for a variety of reasons, including telling the owners the problems are their fault."Some aggressive positions are being taken by some of the warranty providers," said Mendes. "The response that we're getting back on some buildings is this is all maintenance and inadequate maintenance and really an owner-caused problem rather than a construction problem."But Ray Windsor, the president of one of the largest warranty providers, the National Home Warranty Group, said there's no merit to the homeowners' complaints. He admits there is sometimes disagreement about what the warranty covers, but says the system is working.The Homeowner Protection Office has not responded to request for an interview from CBC News, and B.C. Housing Minister Rich Coleman has so far refused to schedule an interview with CBC News

World Twenty20

World Twenty20: Shahid Afridi powers Pakistan to final victory over Sri Lanka.

Pakistan (139-2) bt Sri Lanka (138-6) by 8 wkts.Lord's was all green on Sunday. The greensward was as spectacular as ever but it was the green of Pakistani flags flying with pride at their team’s crowning as World Twenty20 champions that dominated the eye.It is a long time since Pakistan supporters have been able to puff out their chests at the achievements of their talented but flawed cricket team. Scandals of match-fixing and ball-tampering have both eaten away at their credibility since Imran Khan’s Tigers won the 1992 World Cup.But recently it has been the action of terrorists that has made them the outcasts of the world game. Shots fired at beaten finalists, Sri Lanka, have ultimately hurt their own players the most, knowing as they do that it will be years before another team sets foot in Pakistan.This week it is likely the International Cricket Council will deliver a final, telling blow when they find a new home for the 2011 World Cup due to be co-hosted by Pakistan.With such a parlous future in mind, their captain, Younus Khan, made a frank plea after the team’s momentous eight-wicket victory. “This is a message from our nation: please come to Pakistan,” he said. “I am proud of my country and this victory is very nice for all of us but to keep our youngsters interested and for the structure of our cricket we need home series.” The Test tour by Sri Lanka, that ended at a roundabout in Lahore on March 3, was their first home Test series for 18 months. This was a team of strangers when they arrived here and it is little wonder they started so slowly losing to England and scraping through the first round on run rate over Holland.But Pakistan were destined for victory. The last word falls to Younus who announced his Twenty20 retirement before making one final declaration. “This final goes to Bob Woolmer (the coach who died at the 2007 World Cup). I would be a very proud man if he was alive and sitting here next to me.”

Source;.......telegraph.co.uk

Dilshan trumps

Dilshan trumps in evening of solos.

In one of the most remarkable innings in Twenty20s, he was measured and seemingly unhurried though the strike-rate was pushing 170.Chris Gayle won one battle with Tillakaratne Dilshan on Friday evening. By a whisker, he became the batsman to have scored the highest percentage of his team's total in a Twenty20 match, but that's also a damning statistic for West Indies, Gayle stood utterly and hopelessly alone, while Dilshan had just enough company to be able to make the difference. Truly, it was the evening of solos. Between them, Dilshan and Gayle accounted for 159 of 259 runs scored, but that collectively the West Indian batsmen scored only five more than Dilshan was reflected in the margin. Sanath Jayasuriya was the third-highest scorer in the match with 24: Gayle aside, the rest of the West Indian batsmen managed three more. In the first ten overs of the match, Jayasuriya's effort had seemed a monumental struggle, by the end of the match it seemed like heroic resistance. While he was eating away balls at the top of the innings, it looked probable that Jayasuriya, the hero of many a glorious Sri Lankan win, mIt was an utterly bizarre match. It was as if Dilshan and Gayle were in playing a different game. Every other batsman struggled with timing. Many were dismissed playing early. Some miscued their strokes and some merely dragged the ball on to their stumps. But Dilshan and Gayle, not only found timing, but invariably the placement too. No else had hit a four till the West Indian score had reached 78, by which time Gayle had eight fours and a six. By then, the match had been lost. ight cost his team a place in the final. It turned out that the opening partnershiDilshan came within a stroke of becoming only the second batsman to score a hundred in Twenty20 internationals. With ball in hand, Gayle had the satisfaction of denying him, and thus retaining his own status the as the sole centurion in this format. He fought a valiant battle with the bat and kept his dignity and humour intact at the post-match press conference, but how easily would he have swapped the little victories for the one that mattered. By all accounts, his team was well beatenp of 73 made the biggest difference. Quite fittingly, the final is now a match-up between the two best bowling teams in the tournament. Players of both teams know how it is to lose World Cup final. By Sunday evening one set will know how it is to win one. It'll come down to who bats better

Source;........cricinfo.com

New Health Care

New Health Care Plan Nixes "Public Option"


Senate Proposal Mandates Health Insurance For Most Through Consumer Co-Ops And Medicaid. draft proposal in the Senate to overhaul the nation's health-care system would require most people to buy health insurance, authorize an expansion of Medicaid coverage and create consumer-owned cooperative plans instead of the government coverage that President Obama is seeking. The document, distributed among members of the Senate Finance Committee yesterday afternoon, addressed none of the funding questions that have consumed House and Senate negotiators in recent days. But it included an array of coverage provisions that were drastically scaled back from earlier versions, as lawmakers seek to shrink the bill's overall cost. The proposal, for instance, would reduce the pool of middle-class beneficiaries eligible for a new tax credit meant to make insurance more affordable.The absence of a "public option" marks perhaps the most significant omission. Obama and many Democrats had sought a public option to ensure affordable, universal coverage, but as many as 10 Senate Democrats have protested the idea as unfair to private insurers. In its place, the draft circulated yesterday outlines a co-op approach modeled after rural electricity and telecom providers, subject to government oversight and funded with federal seed money. Yesterday, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) met with four Republicans, including Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa), the ranking GOP member on the panel, along with two Democratic colleagues in an attempt to find bipartisan consensus. Baucus dubbed the group "the coalition of the willing." Meanwhile, in the House, Democrats are exploring a range of funding options, including a surtax on the rich and an increase in the payroll tax imposed on all U.S. workers. The list also includes new taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol, along with broader levies, such as a national value-added tax of up to 3 percent.The draft in the Senate committee spells out one possible solution: It would require employers to pay 50 percent of Medicaid costs for workers enrolled in the low-income program and 100 percent of the cost of health-insurance tax credits for eligible employees. Workers could forfeit employer coverage only if the cost exceeds 12.5 percent of their income. The draft, earlier reported on by washingtonpost.com blogger Ezra Klein, spells out four options for requiring employers to provide coverage, with exemptions for firms with up to 200 employees. It would fine individuals who do not purchase coverage, though certain groups, including Native Americans and undocumented workers, would be exempted.It also would loosen eligibility requirements for Medicaid, a proposal certain to alarm many governors who are grappling with budget crises.
Source; cbsnews.com

Afridi sweeps Pakistan

Shahid Afridi sweeps Pakistan into World Twenty20 final.

Pakistan 149-4 South Africa 142-5; Pakistan win by 7 runs• South Africa's run of semi-final defeats continues.Shahid Afridi swept Pakistan into the World Twenty20 final on a passionate night in Nottingham, proclaiming in the process that they can still remain a force in international cricket despite the terrorism that has torn them asunder.South Africa's run of semi-final defeats continues, but they were so outplayed that it is difficult to accuse them of choking once more. They were obliterated, with Afridi reawakening a largely dormant career with 51 from 34 balls – his first Pakistan fifty in all formats for 29 matches – and dispatching Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers in the space of three balls.Pakistan's cricket has long been entirely unpredictable and that restive nature seems even more apt now that they have been consigned to the lifestyle of a travelling circus, unable to play in their own country since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team coach in Lahore in March.Their victory was not without trauma. Umar Gul, the best bowler in the tournament, lost his run three consecutive times in the penultimate over, as if the occasion had temporarily become too much. And it was Gul who had earlier dropped Graeme Smith at mid-on, entirely failing to gather a skier as he back-pedalled and banging his head on the turf in the process.South Africa, beaten for the first time, limped to the last over still 23 short of their victory target of 150, about par for a slow, turning pitch. JP Duminy struck Mohammad Amir's second ball, a low full toss, for six, but when Fawad Alam ran out Albie Morkel next ball with a direct hit from 40 yards it confirmed that the magic rested with Pakistan.Pakistan's victory came despite what seemed to be an unacceptable intervention by the Australian umpire Steve Davis in the wake of the ball-tampering allegations made by New Zealand against Gul. Davis seemed to tell Pakistan's fielders not to throw the ball into the stumps on the bounce, in an attempt to roughen up the ball more quickly. It was a perfectly legitimate tactic and Davis's admonishment, if so it was, smacked of an attempt to impose arbitrary and unfair restrictions.Shoaib Malik's 34 from 39 balls never really convinced, and the final spurt never quite came, their last 26 balls bringing only 25. In that period, South Africa did not concede a boundary. At the centre of this unremitting professionalism was Wayne Parnell, a 19-year-old fast bowler with nerves of steel, again aggressive, rhythmic and entirely unfazed. South Africa felt confident, but it was not to last.

Source; guardian.co.u

Cristiano Ronaldo:

Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United accept £80m transfer bid from Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo is to become the most expensive footballer in history after Manchester United accepted an £80 million transfer bid from Real Madrid for the Portuguese star.Ronaldo, currently on holiday in Los Angeles, has informed Manchester United of his desire to leave Old Trafford for the Bernabeu and the Premier League champions have now granted his wish by allowing him to speak to Real over a transfer.In a brief statement issued on the club website this morning, United confirmed that they have accepted Real's offer, while stipulating that the deal must be wrapped up by June 30.The statement said: "Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80 million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid."At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player."Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.""You can't have this disharmony brought upon the players and the club every year and I think United - £80million - cut their hands off and give Real Madrid the problem of handling Ronaldo from now on in." Source; www.telegraph.co.uk

Obama's absence

Obama's absence note for girl.

GREEN BAY (Wisconsin) - TEN-YEAR-OLD Kennedy Corpus has a rock-solid excuse for missing the last day of school: a personal note to her teacher from President Barack Obama.Her father, John Corpus of Green Bay, stood to ask President Obama about health care during the president's town hall-style meeting at Southwest High School on Thursday. He told President Obama that his daughter was missing school to attend the event and that he hoped she didn't get in trouble.'Do you need me to write a note?' President Obama asked. The crowd laughed, but the president was serious. On a piece of paper, he wrote: 'To Kennedy's teacher: Please excuse Kennedy's absence. She's with me. Barack Obama.' He stepped off the stage to hand-deliver the note - to Kennedy's surprise. 'I thought he was joking until he started walking down,' Kennedy said after the event, showing off the note in front of a bank of television camera.'It was like the best thing ever.' The student at Aldo Leopold elementary in Green Bay already knew what she was going to do with the note: frame it along with her ticket to the event. She said she'd make a copy for her teacher.Kennedy said she had never seen President Obama before. 'He's really nice,' she said.

A.Razzaq back in Action.

Moin urges PCB to take all ICL players back.

Moin Khan, the former Pakistan captain, who coached the Lahore Badshahs during the ICL, has said he wants all Pakistan players who played in the unauthorised league to be allowed to represent the country. The PCB has accepted both Mohammad Yousuf and allrounder Abdul Razzaq into the official fold, and Razzaq became the first former player to return to international cricket after being banned when he was drafted in as a replacement for the World Twenty20 on Thursday."But I hope this is the start of a process through which all other ICL players are allowed to try and represent their national team," PTI quoted Moin as saying. "It was wrong to ban them. I think at least now the board is taking the right decisions." The PCB said it would consider selecting ICL players on a case-by-case basis. They are yet to decide the future of several players such as Imran Nazir, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Imran Farhat and Mohammad Sami who are contenders for a place in the national team. Moin said he had not expected the ICC to allow Razzaq to return to the Pakistan side for the World Twenty20 in place of the injured Yasir Arafat. "It came as a pleasant surprise that Razzaq is finally going to get a chance to play for Pakistan again," he said. "I spoke to him and he is excited himself."

Source; /www.cricinfo.com

Rout Of Azerbaijan.

Spain, Del Bosque & David Villa Break Records In 6-0 Rout Of Azerbaijan.The ‘Red Fury’ continue to raze the record books as they continue their gradual march towards world domination.

European champions, Spain easily demolished Azerbaijan 6-0 on Tuesday night in what was the prefect final preparation for the FIFA Confederations Cup starting this Sunday.La Furia Roja’s resounding victory over the lowly opponents may not cause too much of a panic amongst their main rivals in world football, but it was a triumph that allowed them to set a number of records.They have now cracked their own unbeaten streak after going 32 consecutive games without defeat. The last time they lost was back in November 2006 when they were stunned 1-0 at home by Romania in a friendly.La Seleccion now have a chance to chase down the record held by Brazil, who went for 35 games straight without losing between December 1993 and January 1996. It is a target that Vicente del Bosque’s men will equal if they complete their three games in the Confederations Cup group stage undefeated.Del Bosque himself, meanwhile, has become the first coach in the history of international football to win ten consecutive games upon debut. That record, however, almost came to an end in April during the World Cup qualifier with Turkey when they were locked in a 1-1 draw until Albert Riera popped up with an injury time goal to secure a 2-1 win.That victory equalled the previous mark of nine wins on the trot held by Brazil’s Joao Saldanha which has stood since 1969.In addition, if Spain can pick up two more wins in a row, they will tie Brazil and France’s record accomplishment of 14 successive victories.On a personal note, David Villa’s stunning first half hat-trick against the Azerbaijanis has now taken him past Fernando Morientes to become the country’s third all-time leading goalscorer. He has netted 28 times in 44 outings, just one strike behind Fernando Hierro, but 16 adrift of Raul.“My objective is always to score as many goals as possible and I hope that I can hit a good tally in the Confederations Cup.”
Source; goal.com

Adjust insurance.

Reforming health care : Adjust insurance involvement.

Lately, much is being made of the terrible state of health care in this country. Democrats say the government has to do something about it. Republicans claim the industry can police itself. During the recent presidential campaign, one voice had a particularly ironic ring to it: John McCain, the GOP’s Chosen One, claimed "market forces" would solve the problem, ignoring the fact that "market forces" caused the mess in the first place. This man who’s received government-administered care all his life warned of the terrible consequences of allowing bureaucrats to control health care. With no worries about his own access to health care, McCain wants insurance company execs to continue denying care to people who need it while receiving fat bonuses for performing that odious task.In the long run, the goal must be universal single-payer coverage. But as much as we want to kick those evil insurance companies out of the health-care picture, it won’t happen overnight. In the first place, it’s just not wise to tell an entire industry to simply fold up its tents and go away quietly. Such a move would create so much chaos that even the recent banking/auto scare would seem like an economic boom in comparison.Instead, Congress should pass reforms that squeeze so much profit out of insurance involvement that companies voluntarily drop out of that part of the business. That would give them time to adjust their business models and move personnel to other departments, minimizing any resulting layoffs. Insurance businesses have a lot of irons in many different fires (pun definitely intended). They’ll find other ways to use the resources they now focus on the medical industry.At the same time, Congress must establish a comprehensive government plan that is cheaper than private insurance. Such a policy would be so seductive that people will abandon insurance companies, hastening their decision to bail. You see, millions of people still believe private insurance is superior to government-administered care. That misconception is based on the fact that Medicare has so many holes that force beneficiaries to buy supplemental insurance to cover the gaps that were manufactured by meddling insurance lobbyists in the first place. Talk about a vicious circle!In the next installment of this series, I’ll discuss the reason Congress must take control of health care now, in spite of the pressure to let it go while they give attention to all the other problems the country is facing.

examiner.com

World Twenty20

World Twenty20: No let-up for Kevin Pietersen despite injury.

A world tournament is not the best place to carry an injury but after his match-winning performance for England against Pakistan in the World Twenty20 tournament there is little chance of Kevin Pietersen grabbing a breather before the Ashes.Pietersen admitted last night that he is only 70 per cent fit and needed a painkilling injection to get him through yesterday's crucial Group B game against Pakistan at The Oval.He scored 58 off 38 balls as England set a total of 180 that was enough to ensure passage into the Super Eight stage after losing their opening game against Holland.Pietersen missed the match against the Dutch, with sources suggesting he could barely walk, such was the pain from his right heel.But he was back at The Oval on Sunday and now faces three matches in five days, starting with Thursday's opening Super Eights match at Trent Bridge, where the likely opponents for England will be South Africa.Pietersen's importance to the team's World Twenty20 campaign was underlined in red felt tip by his performance against Pakistan and it is unlikely England will be tempted to rest him ahead of the Ashes series, which begins on July 8."I reckon I'm about 70 per cent fit," said Pietersen. "Hopefully, that is the last of it now because I just love playing. It was a huge evening – I was desperate to play, I've never had an injury that has kept me out. It has been hard to deal with. KP was desperate to play but the decision was made by the medical staff," said Paul Collingwood, the England Twenty20 captain. "He will not be risked. Decisions will be made by the medical staff."

telegraph.co.uk

Kennedy bill would make.

Kennedy bill would make employers provide care.

WASHINGTON—Employers would be required to offer health care to employees or pay a penalty -- and all Americans would be guaranteed health insurance -- under a draft bill circulated Friday by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's health committee.The bill would provide subsidies to help poor people pay for care, guarantee patients the right to select any doctor they want and require everyone to purchase insurance, with exceptions for those who can't afford to.Insurers would be supposed to offer a basic level of care and would be required to cover all comers, without turning people away because of pre-existing conditions or other reasons. Insurance companies' profits would be limited, and private companies would have to compete with a new public "affordable access" plan that would for the first time offer government-sponsored health care to Americans not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or other programs.It all adds up to sweeping changes in how America's health care system operates and aims to achieve President Barack Obama's goal of holding down costs and extending health coverage to 50 million uninsured Americans.It's already been known that Kennedy's health committee was planning to pursue most of the concepts outlined in the draft of the bill, called the "American Health Choices Act." But it's the first actual bill language to circulate since Congress began working on Obama's health care overhaul.Congressional and interest groups officials cautioned that the language in the document was not final.The bill language became public on the eve of the kickoff of a national campaign to rally support for health care legislation that's being orchestrated by Obama's campaign team. Thousands of community events are scheduled around the nation Saturday where tens of thousands of people are supposed to discuss health care issues with their neighbors and create a groundswell for congressional action.Yet many hurdles remain. Republicans are strongly opposed to a new public plan, especially the way Kennedy's bill designs it. Under Kennedy's bill the "affordable access plan" would pay providers 10 percent over Medicare rates, which would make it cheaper for patients, but harder for private insurers to compete with. Private insurers fear such a construct would drive them out of business, and there's even division within Democratic ranks.That was underscored Friday in the House, as the liberal Congressional Progressive Caucus released a set of principles for how the public plan should operate that directly contradicted principles released Thursday by the Blue Dog Coalition of conservative Democrats.

Source;...boston.com

England on the brink of.

England on the brink of World Cup exit after losing to Holland.

England became the laughing stock of world cricket last night when they were clogged by no-hopers Holland at their own Twenty20 bash.Paul Collingwood's men slipped to a humiliating four-wicket defeat off the last ball in a sensational sequel to England football manager Graham Taylor's infamous 'do I not like orange' outburst.As the Dutch pulled off the biggest upset in Lord's history, Collingwood's pat-a-cake batsmen failed to score a single six as they laboured to 162-5 in the opening game of the World Twenty20 championship.And Holland, fired up by Tom De Grooth's 49 off 30 balls, smashed four sixes, deservedly edging home to leave England in shock just 32 days before the Ashes series opens in Cardiff.Shell-shocked Colly admitted: "It's hard to explain why we didn't hit any sixes. But Holland came out and played with no fear and there are no excuses. We call these sides 'minnows' but they deserved to win and there are some sad faces in our dressing room, but we've got 24 hours to pick our chins off the floor.The Dutch batting did surprise us, but we were not complacent - we just didn't take our chances. But it's a hard result to take."

Source;.......www.mirror.co.uk

Unemployment Insurance

States’ Unemployment Insurance Funds Founder After Years of Poor Planning.

Today we're looking at how state unemployment trust funds are financed -- and how that contributed to the current crisis. A state worker points out phone numbers for unemployment insurance at the state unemployment and career office in San Francisco.It used to be, unemployment insurance meant a sturdy back and a jalopy big enough to fit the whole family. That changed in 1935, when the government started offering unemployment insurance, and states began to save when times were good so there was money to spend to help workers and stimulate the economy when times were bad.In all but a handful of states, it no longer works that way.Fourteen states have already run out of funds to pay unemployment insurance claims and taken out a total of more than $8 billion in federal loans to cover the shortfalls. At least 18 more states are in danger of exhausting their unemployment insurance trust funds.States with empty unemployment insurance trust funds have pointed to the severe recession as the cause for their plight, but a closer examination of their trust funds shows underfunding and poor planning as the main culprit. Instead of building up reserves during good years, legislatures in these states yielded to political pressure for high benefits and low taxes. The result: dangerously low trust fund balances. Now, states with bankrupt trust funds will have to increase taxes or cut unemployment benefits at the worst possible time -- during a recession. "This is not a very smart way to run a railroad, because you want benefits to be available quite freely when unemployment rates go up, and you don't want to raise taxes on employers during a recession," said Gary Burtless, an economics expert at the Brookings Institution. "There used to be rules most states abided by, but those standards kind of went the way of the dodo bird."When Holmes met with state officials in the past, he was especially critical of the U.S. Labor Department’s calculations that used the severe 1980s recession as a way to gauge how much money states should squirrel away, because he believed severe unemployment was a one-time effect of the collapse of U.S. manufacturing.

Source;propublica.org

Will Boro?

Boro will let Downing leave.

Downing's departure from his hometown club had been expected following their relegation from the Premier League last month.And now Lamb has confirmed that the 24-year-old wideman - who picked up a serious foot injury in the penultimate game of Boro's season - is now free to leave the Riverside Stadium should the 'right' offer be received.Downing was the subject of more than one unsuccessful bid from Tottenham Hotspur during the January transfer window."Who knows whether Stewart will be here in August," Lamb told Sky Sports News."If he is he will be playing for us in the Championship."But if the right offer comes along he will be allowed to leave.Regarding the extent of his injury, Lamb added: "It has been suggested he couldbe out for as long as six months but he is quite a good healer and we hope he will be back before then."There is no reason why Stewart won't make a full recovery. He has been told that by the surgeon and he believes it."If someone wants to take a chance on him now, it's up to them. It's out of our hands."Meanwhile, Boro are hoping to keep hold of youngsters David Wheater and Adam Johnson this summer.

Source:4thegame.com

June 8 insurance.

June 8 insurance phonebank.Get answers regarding life insurance.

TOLEDO, Ohio - FOX Toledo News helps you to learn more about protecting yourself with life insurance.As part of Dollars and Sense, we’re bringing in experts in all aspects of the economy to take your calls.Monday, June 8, FOX Toledo News First at Four will feature experts from Western Southern Life to answer your questions about insurance. Source;foxtoledo.com

Andrew Symonds

World Twenty20: Australia send Andrew Symonds home for 'alcohol related incident'

After Cricket Australia confirmed the news of the all-rounder's ejection from the squad, captain Ricky Ponting said: "There are a number of his own commitments that he has broken over the last 24-48 hours."They are not anything we forced upon him, they were his own commitments, that he was going to live by around the team and they were team rule breaches."There was more than one thing that happened and from me, I think it's best just leaving it at that.Ponting, who backed Symonds as a player in the past, informed the Australian team of the decision before today's practice."Little incidents like this that happen certainly don't have the best outcome on the whole group," Ponting said.This decision is about having the best team environment we can possibly have and giving ourselves the best opportunity of bringing on the next generation of Australian players.There's no such thing as a curfew in the Australian cricket team.You don't need curfews around good teams. That's what being part of the team's all about, having respect for yourself and your team-mates, and not disrespecting the opportunity you've got as an Australian player." Some of Australia's players watched the State of Origin rugby league match between Queensland and New South Wales late yesterday morning and Symonds was at a charity dinner with his team last night but not at this morning's net session at the Oval.He was controversially left out of Australia's Ashes squad but this latest transgression is certain to cast doubt on the future of his international career.It also deprives Australia of one of the game's leading Twenty20 players. Symonds destructive batting helped Deccan Chargers to win the second IPL.Australia were training at the Oval today, ahead of their opening ICC Twenty20 Cup match against West Indies which takes place at the same venue on Saturday.

Source; telegraph.co.uk

A Move

A Move Toward Requiring Health Coverage.

One day after signaling a fresh willingness to consider taxing employer-sponsored health insurance, President Obama indicated yesterday a new openness toward a nationwide requirement that every American have health coverage.In his push to enact sweeping health-care reform legislation this summer, Obama previewed what could be the outlines of a compromise on two of the thorniest issues confronting Congress. He said he could support mandates on both individuals and employers to contribute to the cost of health insurance if the bill provides protections to certain small businesses and poor people."If we do end up with a system where people are responsible for their own insurance, we need to provide a hardship waiver to exempt Americans who cannot afford it," he wrote in a letter to top Senate Democrats.During the presidential primaries last year, Obama attacked then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's proposed individual mandate as a scheme to "go after people's wages." In the letter, however, he said he understands that key committees are "moving towards a principle of shared responsibility -- making every American responsible for having health insurance coverage, and asking that employers share in the costs." The approach tracks closely with a universal health program enacted in Massachusetts three years ago in which individuals must have coverage and businesses must either offer insurance to employees or pay into a state fund that provides coverage.In Massachusetts, individuals can receive free or subsidized care based on income. Obama also pledged -- without providing details -- to trim an additional $200 billion to $300 billion out of Medicare and Medicaid spending over the next decade. That would be on top of the $309 billion in Medicare reductions in his budget, though Congress has not embraced the specifics.

Source; washingtonpost.com

Black Caps' Twenty20 prospects

Black Caps' Twenty20 prospects.

New Zealand factbox for the Twenty20 World Cup opening at Lord's on Friday:

STRENGTHS

New Zealand habitually punch above their weight in limited-overs cricket, scrapping tenaciously and fielding enthusiastically.Brendon McCullum, one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, is ably supported by Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram.

WEAKNESSES

One-paced bowling, almost exclusively medium pace.

KEY PLAYER

Captain Daniel Vettori is the best finger spinner around, relying in one-day cricket on variations of flight and pace.
SQUAD

Daniel Vettori (capt), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.
Source; tvnz.com.

Dhoni impressed by Kiwis

Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes New Zealand will be a major threat to India's hopes of retaining the ICC World Twenty20 trophy.

The defending champions found out just how good the Black Caps are in the shortest form of the game when the two teams met in warm-up fixture at Lord's on Monday.The Kiwis posted a total of 170-7 thanks to 50 runs in the final 4 overs of their innings before holding India to 161-9 in reply.Dhoni was certainly impressed by the New Zealanders, who have now beaten In"They're a really good side when it comes to the Twenty20 format and the conditions here suit them."dia in the last three Twenty20 meetings.Ross Taylor led the Kiwi onslaught with the bat, smashing two fours and three sixes to make a top score of 41 from 33 deliveries.New Zealand play their second and final warm-up game at the Brit Oval on Tuesday, taking on trans-Tasman rivals Australia.Momentum is a big thing in Twenty20 cricket and even in warm-up games it is very important to get that going," said Taylor. Our score was probably par on that pitch and throughout the whole batting performance we got partnerships of 30 or 40, which gave us enough momentum to have a dip at the end."

Source; skysports.com

Sebelius plans.

Sebelius, DeParle ready to tackle health care overhaul.

Kathleen Sebelius and Nancy-Ann DeParle first met at the White House mess in 1997, during the battle for a patients' bill of rights to combat the constraints of managed care. The friendship they forged then could pay big dividends for President Obama now.Sebelius and DeParle are the tag team for Obama's most ambitious domestic policy goal: an overhaul of the nation's health care system, which eluded President Clinton in 1994. The two "working moms," in Sebelius' words, are charged with chaperoning a measure through Congress that's likely to cost more than $1 trillion. There's a natural alliance," Sebelius says of their relationship, built over a dozen years on topics ranging from the children's health insurance program to raising their own children. She came to Washington in late April after serving as Kansas' governor and insurance commissioner.DeParle has run Medicare and Medicaid, the mammoth government health programs for seniors, low- and middle-income families and people with disabilities.With Sebelius as secretary of Health and Human Services and DeParle as director of the White House Office of Health Reform, Obama has two field generals where he originally envisioned one: former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, whose nomination was withdrawn because of unpaid taxes.

Source; usatoday.com

Federer into last eight.

Federer into last eight.

PARIS - ROGER Federer narrowly avoided joining Rafael Nadal on the Roland Garros scrapheap when he battled back to defeat Germany's Tommy Haas 6-7 (4/7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 to reach the French Open quarter-finals on Monday. The second seed, still needing a French Open to become only the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam, will now face either American sixth seed Andy Roddick or Gael Monfils, the 11th-seeded Frenchman, for a place in the semi-finals.It was Federer's fifth career recovery from a two-set deficit and he did it for the second Grand Slam in succession after the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych had been 2-0 ahead in the Australian Open fourth round.But having seen four-time champion Nadal, the man who has beaten him in the last three finals, sensationally suffer his first defeat in Paris on Sunday, Federer came dangerously close to seeing his lifetime dream also evaporate. At two sets to the good, 31-year-old Haas had a break point in the eighth game of the third set which, had he seized it, would have given him the chance to serve for the match.But Federer, who hasn't failed to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final since his third-round loss to Gustavo Kuerten here in 2004, saved it with a forehand pass and the German began to wilt with the Swiss reeling off 14 of the last 16 games.

Source; straitstimes.com

IPL Experience.

India's cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, believes the Indian Premier League has helped his players find form ahead of their World Twenty20 title defence.

India won the inaugural World Twenty20 two years ago in South Africa and Dhoni thinks his side, helped by their IPL experience, have a great chance of repeating that success.He said: "Here we have plenty of options and we have the cream of the IPL so there is less pressure on each and every individual.The best thing is that our youngsters will know how to handle pressure, when in the last over you need 10 or 15 runs, everyone in our side has faced that situation."It's good exposure for our guys to play against guys like Brett Lee and Shane Warne."The majority of IPL players are from India, but Dhoni - who captains the Chennai Super Kings - is aware that it is not just them that will benefit from the competition."The IPL will help us but not only us. There are quite a few players from other countries."India get their World Twenty20 defence underway against Bangladesh on Saturday.The tournament itself begins on Friday at Lords when England play the Netherlands.

Source; skynews.com

Obama looks to Congress

Obama looks to Congress to push ahead reforms.

US lawmakers face a slew of key debates before the August recess, urged by President Barack Obama to back his ambitious agenda with bills on healthcare reform and global warming, and the confirmation of a new Supreme Court judge.The US Congress was back in session Monday after a week's recess with a packed program in the coming weeThe Obama administration is counting on the House of Representatives to push through sweeping legislation on energy and the environment, as well as lay out the foundations for a comprehensive reform of the healthcare system, something that has bedeviled successive administrations for decadesks before the month-long summer vacation starts on August 3.Obama has also appealed to the Senate for a swift confirmation of his Supreme Court nominee judge Sonia Sotomayor, to replace retiring Justice David Souter.Sotomayer, 54, is set to head to Capitol Hill this week to meet with lawmakers, launching a confirmation process that could see her become the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court, and only the third ever woman top justice.Barring shock revelations, Sotomayor, who was raised in New York public housing by a single mother, is likely to win easy Senate confirmation, experts have said.Obama's Republican critics have so far shown only a meager appetite for a fight. And Republicans worry that overly hostile questioning could further alienate the party from Hispanic voters, who flocked to Obama in the 2008 White House race.In a letter sent Monday to Senate leaders and top members of the panel, former law clerks to Sotomayor offered their "enthusiastic and whole-hearted support" for her nomination saying her three-decade career "uniquely qualifies her for this position."Early work on the draft bill will be undertaken by the Senate Health Committee, which is chaired by Senator Edward Kennedy, a Democratic stalwart who has spent much of his career pushing for an overhaul of the healthcare system.

Source; google.com

FA Cup News.

Where the FA Cup will be won and lost.In an age when winning the Champions League is regarded by many as the ultimate prize, with Premier League success the benchmark in the domestic game, one could be forgiven for assuming the FA Cup has lost some of its glamour.Try telling that to Guus Hiddink or David Moyes.Chelsea, contemplating a second successive season without silverware, are desperate to bid adieu to Hiddink with a trophy, with midfielder Frank Lampard admitting he would be "devastated" to fall at the final hurdle at Wembley.And, for Everton, a major domestic trophy would not only end a 14-year wait for silverware, but also go a long way to rewarding Moyes' impressive reign at Goodison Park with tangible success, a Cup to go alongside four top-six finishes in five campaigns.For the Toffees to do that, though, they will have to up"There was a time, before Hiddink took over, when they were having such a poor run that they looked a team in complete disarray. But they've turned their season around, suffered just one defeat in 21 games, and they'll go into the game with such confidence.
PHIL McNULTY BLOG
The odds and statistics may favour Chelsea - but... this is exactly how Moyes and Everton like it.
"Still, I don't think David Moyes will set the form book - Chelsea are odds-on favourites to pick up a fifth FA Cup.mind being underdogs at all - in fact, I'm sure he'll enjoy it."Everton have had a terrific season in their own right and Moyes will know, looking at the way his team have played and the teams his side have beaten, that they have every hope of beating another big team and picking up the trophy."

Kennedy plans:

Kennedy plan to outline U.S. healthcare overhaul:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic plans for revamping U.S. healthcare are taking shape, with Senator Edward Kennedy soon to announce a proposal which could form the core of the nation's new health system.Kennedy, a Democratic stalwart whose thinking is widely believed to track that of President Barack Obama on healthcare, is expected to unveil a plan in early June that will include both a new government program to provide medical coverage for all as well as a mandate that every American acquire some form health insurance

The two elements -- government insurance and mandatory coverage -- have been hotly debated as Obama seeks to begin radically transforming the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry by the end of the year.Kennedy, who has made medical coverage for the uninsured a goal of his four-decade career, outlined elements of the bill in a column published this week in the Boston Globe.The 77-year old senator said the proposed law would establish a "gateway" for people without insurance or those who wish to change insurers to compare prices, and he made clear a government-run plan will be one of the options available.Kennedy chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, one of two Senate panels that have primary responsibility for crafting the final legislation.

Source;reuters.com

Kennedy plans:

Kennedy plan to outline U.S. healthcare overhaul:

FA Cup final 2009

FA Cup final 2009: Chelsea send Guus Hiddink out in style after beating Everton.

Guus Hiddink brought his four-month stay at Stamford Bridge to a glorious close by guiding his Chelsea team to victory in the FA Cup final despite falling behind to the fastest goal in the history of the season's traditional climax.Louis Saha scored after just 25 seconds, beating the previous mark of 43 seconds set by Roberto Di Matteo 12 years ago, to hand Everton the lead before Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard struck to ensure the Dutchman enjoyed the perfect end to his cameo in the Premier League."Winning in the mecca of world football, the FA Cup, that's something I cannot believe," said the Dutch coach, who will now return to his job with the Russian national team "He's a great manager and a great man," said Lampard."It's a great send-off for him and we're delighted to give him a trophy. I'm pleased to have scored the goal that did so." The win might have been more emphatic, had referee Howard Webb allowed a Florent Malouda strike which clearly bounced over the line after hitting the underside of the bar, but captain John Terry insisted he was just delighted to see Chelsea win some silverware again."Two years without a trophy, it's been too long. We've seen Manchester United and others winning trophies and it's good to get it that winning feeling back." Chelsea's fans pleaded with owner Roman Abramovich to keep hold of the Dutchman, but the club's chairman, Bruce Buck, last night ruled out a last-ditch bid to change Hiddink's mind and retain his services.

Source;telegraph.co.uk

EU Solvency II rules to alter insurance policies in UAE.

Insurance companies in the UAE are gearing up to implement Solvency II capital adequacy rules approved by the European ParliamentThe rules will limit the amount of risk that insurance and reinsurance companies can undertake in relation to their capital bases. The rules are due to be implemented by 2012 and will set a new regulatory standard for insurance companies across the world. Industry sources said the rules could lead to major changes in the UAE.Many insurance companies in the Middle East are monitored by credit rating agencies such as Moody's and Standard & Poor's. As Dubai is trying to become a global financial centre, insurance companies here are watching the Solvency II developments clo,Many leading insurance companies, such as the American International Group (AIG) collapsed because they took on more risk than their capital bases could handle.The new rules are the industry's first response to the global financial crisis. Insurers have to demonstrate strong risk management practices that extend across their business decision-making processes at senior executive and board levels. "Solvency rules dictate how much capital insurers must hold in relation to their liabilities," Fareed Lutfi, Secretary General of the Emirates Insurance Association, told Emirates Business. "Companies have to balance their capital bases with the risk that they underwrite. An insurance company with Dh10 million of capital cannot insure a risk o"Members of the Emirates Insurance Association are advised to adjust their capital risk balance in line with the new solvency rules adopted by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the European Commission on May 5, 2009."f Dh40m.

Source;business24/7.ae

Rafa Nadal.

World No 1 says he feels no pressure in trying to outdo Borg.

IF RAFAEL NADAL is at all concerned about the coming fortnight as he aims to become the greatest player ever to compete at Roland Garros, then he is not only the king of clay-court tennis but also a master in the art of deception. Perhaps it’s down to the familiarity Nadal has with the mechanics of winning the French Open. Or the fact that nobody, save perhaps the most ardent supporters of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, believes there can be any outcome other than the man from Mallorca again hoisting the Coupe des Mousquetaires in two weeks’ time. The fact that winning here would make Nadal the first player in the history of the French championships to win five singles titles in a row - one more than Bjorn Borg and the legendary Frenchwoman Suzanne Lenglen - does not promote a trace of anxiety. Some players, when walking near the entrance to the building that houses the world’s tennis media, might hurry past, eyes down. Not Nadal. He wanders by all smiles, happy to talk, joke and shake hands. “It is always a pleasure to be in this city,” he says. “I’m happy to be here. Coming back is a special sensation.” Nadal, who is 22, insists on remaining one of the lads in the Spanish corner of the players’ lounge. Fernando Verdasco is his biggest threat among the group, not just because he is ranked eighth in the world but also due to the fact that the pair are seeded to meet in the quarter-finals. At the Australian Open they fought out a gargantuan semi-final battle that stretched to five hours and 14 minutes before Nadal won. In many ways it only added to Nadal’s aura, particularly as he miraculously recovered to beat Federer in the final

Source;timesonline.co.uk

Anti-piracy conference.

An international conference is being held in Cairo to discuss the growing problem of piracy.

The meeting brings together experts in security, shipping and insurance as well as government representatives from 20 countries.At the same time, another anti-piracy conference is being hosted in London.It is a clear indication that concerns remain over the threat to shipping, not just in the Gulf of Aden, but in trade routes and waterways around the world. The latest figures from the International Maritime Bureau show that there have been 114 attempted attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia's east coast so far this year. Twenty-nine resulted in hijackings and 478 hostages were taken.The Cairo event is not officially sponsored by the Egyptian government, but is more a response from the private sector to the persistent attacks.They will discuss short-term solutions - such as improving security on board ships - as well as a host of longer-term policy proposals which they hope will streamline the international response.For instance, several countries have suggested creating an international court to try suspected pirates.For now, procedures vary greatly between countries as to what they do with the pirates they capture. The broad message from the conference is that piracy affects all of us. In the past year, the insurance premiums for ships passing through the Suez Canal have soared - a cost that must eventually be passed to the consumer.Source;bbc.co.uk

Strauss Tips

Captain Andrew Strauss backed England as an outside bet to win the World Twenty20 next month following their 2-0 one-day series win over West Indies.

commanding display saw the hosts to a 58-run victory at Edgbaston.And Strauss, who will play no part in England's World Twenty20 campaign on home soil, believes his improving side can impress on home soil next month.He said: "We are a good outside bet. We are playing with confidence and in our own conditions have another edge." England racked up 328-7 from their 50 overs to record their sixth best total in one-day internationals, with Strauss (52), Ravi Bopara (49), Matt Prior and Owais Shah (75) all in excellent form. Any hopes of a West Indies renaissance evaporated when Shivnarine Chanderpaul was dismissed for 68 as James Anderson collected 3-58 in another fine England bowling display."We were excellent with the bat, especially the intensity running between the wickets," added Strauss. The way we bowled in Bristol and the way we batted here, we put them under pressure from ball one. We did not let up in any stage in the one-dayers or Tests. I'm delighted to win the series, it builds momentum for the summer." Man of the match Prior scored his highest one-day score batting at three, an innings which he hopes will cement his position in the side.

Source; bbc.co.uk

Senate to debate ethicsreform bill.

BOSTON, MA (AP) - The Massachusetts Senate is preparing to debate changes to the state's ethics laws.The House already has passed a bill that would increase the penalty for bribery to $100,000 and 10 years in prison, and bar lobbyists from giving any gifts to public officials.The Senate plans to take up the debate on Thursday. Senate Republicans say an ethics bill proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick doesn't go far enough.Patrick has pressured lawmakers to deliver a series of reform bills to his desk, including transportation, pension and ethics measures.Patrick has said he'll veto any broad-based tax increase unless the reform bills are passed first.Senate leaders have left the door.open for a tax increase to help balance the budget.

Source;wwwlp.com

Victory.

England Beat The West Indies By 58 Runs To Take The Series 2-0

The hosts set the visitors a target of 329 and in doing so beat their previous highest one day score of 306 against the Windies, a recorded that has stood for 14 years.Captain Andrew Strauss and fellow opener Ravi Bopara got England off to a solid start, putting on 81 for the first wicket until Bopara was bowled off his pads by Dwayne Bravo for 49.Matt Prior's 87 helped England achieve their 6th best ever score in One Day International Cricket in an impressive batting display.Shivnarine Chanderpaul put in the a good showing for the West Indies making 68 for the before being caught by Bopara off Stuart Broad.After the match Strauss looked forward to the Twenty20 World Cup with great optimism, saying "I think the guys are going into the tournement pretty confident, I think we are a good outside bet for the competition."England win the series 2-0 having won by 6 wickets on Sunday after the first one-dayer was rained off.

Source;sky.com

Insurance drags Saudi index.

Insurance stocks dragged the Saudi index lower as investors cash in some of this year's stellar gains.

Twelve of Saudi Arabia's listed insurers fell by more than eight percent, extending Sunday's losses.These included Malath Cooperative Insurance and Reinsurance Co and Arabian Shield Cooperative Insurance Co, which have both fallen by a fifth over the past four sessions.Arabian Shield is still up by around 100 percent so far this year, with many other insurers making similar advances and the biggest gainers, such as Sabb Takaful, have more than tripled in value in 2009.The bubble has burst," said Hesham Abo-Jamee, Bakheet Investment Group head of asset management."This was pure speculation and investors are now selling up."These losses are weighing on the Saudi index, which slid 2.4 percent to 5,911 points as the blue chips also retreat, with Samba Financial Group dropping 3.7 percent.But the index's slump was unlikely to continue for more than a couple of days, said Abo-Jamee, as it is supported by a robust economic outlook for the economy of the world's largest oil exporter."Banks should see profit growth of between 10 and 20 percent in the second quarter and improving oil prices will boost private and public sector revenues," he added.Dubai's index ended lower, dragged by Emaar Properties, which fell 2.4 percent following Sunday's double-digit surge.Stocks across most sectors retreated, with Deyaar falling 3.1 percent, Arabtec down three percent and Dubai Islamic Bank losing 1.3 percent."There's no reason for the gains and losses of the past couple of days," said Ayman el-Saheb, Darahem Financial Brokerage director of operations.

Source; arabianbusiness.com

Deccan beat Bangalore to win IPL

Deccan Chargers beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by six runs in Johannesburg in the final of the second season of the Indian Premier League.

Having lost captain Adam Gilchrist for a third-ball duck, Herschelle Gibbs (53 not out) and Andrew Symonds (33 from 21 balls) helped Deccan post 143-6. And despite Roelof van der Merwe's 32, Symonds took 2-18 and a late collapse left Bangalore six runs short.The tournament was staged in South Africa because of security concerns.It clashed with the recent Indian general election and with the government unable to provide security assurances, South Africa pipped England to act as replacement hosts.The 2009 tournament was the first to involve centrally contracted England players, and batsman Kevin Pietersen captained Bangalore for six games in the early stages before returning to England for their Test and one-day series against West Indies.Despite the defeat, Bangalore skipper Anil Kumble, now retired from international cricket, was named Man of the Match for taking 4-16, including the wicket of opposite number Gilchrist.IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, meanwhile, revealed that this year's Twenty20 Champions League - of which he is also chairman - will be contested by 12 teams rather than eight, with a total prize fund of A prize fund of US$6m (£3.77m).Modi added: "The inaugural edition did not take place last year due to unfortunate circumstances but we are fully equipped this time around to conduct an extremely successful tournament."

Source; .bbc.co.uk

Open-Ivanovic scraps past Errani in first round.

Open-Ivanovic scraps past Errani in first round.

Knee problem is now behind her,PARIS, May 24 (Reuters) - Holder Ana Ivanovic was made to sweat much more than expected in a 7-6 6-3 victory over unheralded Italian Sara Errani to reach the second round of the French Open on Sunday.The eighth-seeded Serb needed two hours and two minutes to break the resilience of world number 44 Errani to set up a meeting with either France’s Camille Pin or Tamarine Tamasugarn.“I expected a tough match. I knew I would have to work hard for my points today, and I’m very happy I did that,” Ivanovic told reporters.“I kept my composure even when I was making a few mistakes.”Ivanovic, who had only won two matches on clay this season before arriving at Roland Garros, threw away 10 break points in the first set and was stretched into a tiebreak which she claimed after 72 minutes.Errani lost focus in the tiebreak after contesting a call and she paid for it by allowing Ivanovic to move 5-2 up and clinch it 7-3.Ivanovic staved off four break points in her opening service game of the second set before moving 5-1 up and although Errani pulled a break back, the 21-year-old Serb wrapped up the win on her third match point with a smash.The former world number one, who did not play last week’s Madrid Open because of a knee injury, said she had put the problem behind her despite having her right knee taped.I think last year’s U.S. Open was a great experience for me, I played when I wasn’t fit enough to play and I kept thinking about my injury through the matches,” she said.“It was not going well. Before my matches, before I stepped on court, I was thinking, am I fit enough to play? And I felt fit enough, so I just put it out of my mind, and I don’t want to think about it.

FBD Insurance Rás - Stage 8

FBD Insurance Rás - Stage 8.

British rider Simon Richardson took his biggest professional victory today when he won the FBD Insurance Rás in Skerries. The Rapha Condor rider was delayed due to a crash inside the final three kilometres but, as per UCI rules, all the riders affected were given the same time as the stage winner.Regardless of that, Richardson had a very comfortable cushion over runner-up Mads Christensen (Denmark Designa Kokken), starting the day two minutes and 49 seconds clear of him and a further thirteen seconds up on Jan Barta (Austria Arbo KTM Junkers). Richardson's Rapha Condor team controlled things and no breakaway group succeeded in gaining significant time during the 150 kilometre race from Clara. In the stage itself, quadruple Tour de France stage winner Jaan Kirsipuu (Norway Giant Veolia) took his second stage victory of the race when he won the big gallop to the line.He beat Niko Eeckhout (Ireland An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) and Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) into second and third. Russell Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshall's Pasta), Eeckhout's closest rival in the points classification, finished fourth meaning the former Belgian champion ended up winning that prize. Team-mate David O'Loughlin had a crash early on but recovered and successfully retained the pink jersey of the King of the Mountains. The Mayo rider finished tenth overall, two places behind the best-placed Irish competitor David McCann.The home riders had an aggressive showing on the stage, with both Brian Kenneally (Meath Engraveit.ie) and Mark Cassidy (Ireland An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) going on the attack in separate groups. While they were unable to stay clear, Kenneally had the consolation of winning the best county rider classification.

Hodge the hero as Kolkata shock Chennai

Hodge the hero as Kolkata shock Chennai.

Australia's Brad Hodge and New Zealander Brendon McCullum were the heroes as Kolkata shocked the Chennai Super Kings in an Indian Premier League thriller on Monday.Skipper McCullum struck 81 and Hodge an undefeated 71 as the Knight Riders scored a single off the last ball at Centurion Park to triumph by seven wickets.It was only the second win in 13 outings for the bottom team in the league, while a Chennai side lacking injured star batsman Matthew Hayden suffered their fifth loss of the group phase which finishes on Thursday.Suresh Raina top scored for Chennai with 52 as they made 3-188 in 20 overs on a cold, late autumn evening at the Test venue halfway between Johannesburg and PretoriaMcCullum was quickly into his stride as Kolkata chased a daunting total, reaching a half century during the sixth over before being bowled by Shadab Jakati with his side on 2-124 after 13 overs.But Hodge carried the fight to Chennai and, going into the final over needing six runs to win, it came down to the final ball which wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha scrambled for a single to avoid a super-over climax."Winning was far more important than my contribution," said modest man of the match Hodge.