Beckhams' Permanent US Move

LONDON: David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly selling their house in the UK, and making their move to the US permanent.

David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly making their move to the US permanent.

Soccer star David and his fashion designer wife are set to put their mansion in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, Southern England up for sale for £18 million, as they prepare to permanently base their family in the US.

A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "Frankly they cannot see themselves ever returning to make London their full-time base.

"The house takes a lot of looking after. They have a petting farm with miniature animals, swimming pools indoor and out and huge grounds. Then this summer, the time they spent in Europe was at their South of France chateau. Sawbridgeworth just sits there empty."

David plays for US team LA Galaxy while Victoria has most of her business interests in California, while their children - Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, seven, and Cruz, five – are said to have fully absorbed the American way of life.

The source added: "The children are settled, speak with American accents and David and Victoria are immersed in the laid back Los Angeles way of life. They love it there - they're well liked, have plenty of friends and feel it's their spiritual home."

Last month it was report

I want to kiss Penn: Mallika

Oomphy girl Mallika Sherawat, who has practically made US her home, flew down to Mumbai after two years. And in an exclusive chat with TOI, she said that Mumbai continues to be the home where her heart lies... despite the razzle dazzle she has become used to in Los Angeles.

"I missed everything about Mumbai. I missed the rains and I also missed the vada pav. I'm going to hog some during my stay," said Mallika, who is here to promote her Hollywood movie Hisss and act in Double Dhamaal. She added, "In LA, I'm representing India, the land of Om, and it's a huge responsibility. I take pride that I'm at the forefront of the convergence of the West and the East."

The actress had created a stir in Bollywood eight years back with her record kissing act in Khwahish in which she smooched the lead actor 17 times. Post this, she went bold in many other films and her kisses and body were as much of an USP of the film as its plot. Is there a person over whose lips she wants to plant hers? "I want to kiss Sean Penn. He is an intense actor whom I really adore," Mallika shot back, laughing. The actress also said of her evolving sex appeal, "As time goes, one matures and everything about a person goes through change. I think my sex appeal right now is in my mind and how I connect with people."

Mallika credits Slumdog Millionaire for her success in the West. "That film really opened doors in Hollywood for everyone. I am doing some good Hollywood films and there are many many offers too. The women are now just not seen as Oriental beauties — they are seen as actors and talents with huge potential. Hollywood has become totally colour blind," she said.

She has big entrepreneurship dreams in terms of launching a fashion label in the future and said with time she has mellowed down from a person who used to shoot from her lips and made headlines with controversies. "Those were the days of rebellion and there were so many moral codes for the leading lady in Bollywood. When I kissed on screen or wore swimsuits, big deal was made out of it. But now everyone is doing it. I have become patient and calmer," she added.

Nearly 40 missing as bus falls into Bhotekoshi River

KATHMANDU: At least 30 to 40 persons went missing when a passenger bus plunged into the Bhotekoshi River at Gati VDC-9, Sindhupalchowk on Monday at 10am.

It is reported that the bus was en route from Tatopani to Barabise when the incident occurred.

Police personnel have been deployed for rescue operations at the accident site after the incident.

The identities of the passengers have not been ascertained yet.

Fourth Pakistan cricketer probed for 'fixing' scam

CARDIFF , SEP 05 -

The British newspaper whose allegations of a betting scam have rocked the world of cricket said Saturday that a fourth Pakistan player was being probed over the claims, but declined to name him

.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan's coach refused to comment on the report in the News of the World, and officials stressed Sunday's Twenty20 match between England and Pakistan in Cardiff would still go ahead.

The newspaper's report last Sunday into an alleged fixing scam caused a major scandal and prompted the ICC to charge Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif under its anti-corruption code.

In its latest edition due out on Sunday, the paper claimed the suspended trio were facing 23 charges between them -- and revealed that the ICC was now probing a fourth player, although it did not name him "for legal reasons".

It also quoted Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed as saying that some players were fixing in "almost every match". Hameed later denied he made the remarks.

"I have not given any interview to the News of the World or any newspaper."

Hameed added: "I can never think of blaming my teammates in match-fixing. I have just told the team management that the newspaper is claiming I have given them an interview. This is not correct."

At the team's hotel in Cardiff, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis refused to discuss the new revelations.

A spokesman for the ICC also told AFP: "We do not comment on ongoing investigations and nor will we comment about the details of the charges."

However, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Giles Clarke, said Sunday's game would go ahead. Asked if the revelations would stop the one-day match from taking place, he replied: "No."

The allegations all relate to the recent fourth and final Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's, which ended with an England victory, in which the News of the World said deliberate no-balls had been bowled.

Aamer, at 18 one of cricket's hottest talents, Asif, 27, and Butt, 25, were questioned by police about the claims on Friday but were released without charge, their lawyer said. They have denied any wrongdoing.

The News of The World said Saturday it would be publishing further details of its investigations to back up its claims, and quoted Hameed as saying that some in the Pakistan team were fixing "almost every match".

"They?ve been caught. Only the ones that get caught are branded crooks. They were doing it (fixing) in almost every match. God knows what they were up to. Scotland Yard was after them for ages," the batsman was quoted as saying.

"It makes me angry because I?m playing my best and they are trying to lose."

However, Hameed told AFP that he had not spoken to the News of the World and denied accusing his fellow players of corruption.

"I can never think of blaming my teammates in match-fixing," said the batsman, who played in the Test series against England but was not included in the one-day squad.

"I have just told the team management that the newspaper is claiming I have given them an interview. This is not correct."

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed confirmed Hameed's denial but refused to comment further, saying: "Let's wait and see what happens."

Earlier, Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi apologised for the scandal, telling reporters: "I think this is very bad news.

"On behalf of these boys -- I know they are not in this series -- I want to say sorry to all cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations."

The News of the World last week alleged that it paid Mazhar Majeed, an agent for several Pakistan players, 150,000 pounds in return for advance knowledge of no-balls, which could then be bet upon.

The 35-year-old was arrested and bailed by British police.

In its latest edition, the tabloid claimed investigators had found between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds worth of its marked bills in Butt's hotel room.

The ICC action against the three players has infuriated the Pakistani authorities, in particular ambassador to Britain Wajid Shamsul Hasan, who said the ICC had "no business" to suspend the trio and suggested they were set up.

England Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood said: "I just want this (fixing) eradicated from the game, full stop."

Prachanda Thaiba murder accused in police net

KATHMANDU: Police on Thursday arrested Sujit BK, who has been charged with killing CPN-UML leader Prachanda Thaiba in Butwal, from a hotel in Sundhara.

KATHMANDU: Police on Thursday arrested Sujit BK, who has been charged with killing CPN-UML leader Prachanda Thaiba in Butwal, from a hotel in Sundhara.

BK is former Rupandehi in-charge of Young Communist League. 

Nepal Police had put BK in its most-wanted list of criminals. Following the murder of Thaiba on March 26 last year, Rupandehi District Court had issued an arrest warrant against him on charge of first-degree murder.

A police team today raided Hotel Palace Home in Sundhara at around 6:45pm and apprehended BK, who was living there incognito. “He had sneaked into India to evade police. He later returned to the capital in disguise. One month of non-stop arduous effort by police has come to fruition with his arrest,” said Superintendent of Police Ramesh Prasad Kharel. “BK had been taking refuge at his close associates’ rooms in Kathmandu posing as Arun Thakuri from Hetauda.” It was not immediately known who his close associates were. 

Though his original name is Kharindra BK (30), the UCPN-M had rechristened him Sujit BK and elevated him to the post of YCL Rupandehi in-charge. He hails from Khairenitar in Tanahun. 

Police have also recovered a fake citizenship certificate (1005/308) and a driving licence (06051510) both identifying him as Arun Thakuri. The UCPN-M had expelled BK from the party after mounting pressure from political parties, especially from the CPN-UML, and several others. 

UCPN-Maoist has drawn flak for protecting BK. At the time of killing, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal was the PM. However, barely a month later Dahal resigned from the post of prime minister. It is believed the UML withdrew its support to the Maoist-led government alleging the party’s involvement in killing one of its local leaders. 

After the arrest, BK is learnt to have told investigating officials that he was betrayed by the party. “The party failed to save me,” investigating officials said requesting anonymity. BK, however, did not say whether the murder was plotted by the party. 

“He has been found involved in several criminal activities, including forging government documents. He had made enough money that would have lasted him long in the capital city,” said the officials. Police later this evening paraded BK at MPR. “I have been made a scapegoat,” said BK before he was asked not to talk to the media. MPR will hand BK over to the Rupandehi District Police tomorrow.

ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 fixtures confirmed

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 

The International Cricket Council today announced a number of the remaining fixtures in its first-class tournament, the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10, with everything leading towards the final, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

The next match to be played will start on Tuesday 31 August between Canada and Ireland in Toronto. 

The match between Zimbabwe XI and Ireland has now also been confirmed and will take place from 20 to 23 September in Harare. As part of this tour, there will also be three ODIs between the two teams, on 26, 28 and 30 September. 

Details of the Zimbabwe XI v Scotland match and the two finals will be confirmed in due course. 

ICC INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

31 Aug-3 Sep - Canada v Ireland, CSCC, Toronto

20-23 Sep - Zimbabwe XI v Ireland, Harare

Sep/Oct - Zimbabwe XI v Scotland (to be confirmed)

2-5 Oct - Kenya v Afghanistan, Nairobi Gymkhana, Nairobi

25-29 Nov - Final, Dubai, UAE (tbc) 

ICC INTERCONTINENTAL SHIELD

18-21 Sep - Uganda v Namibia, Windhoek

25-28 Nov - Final, Dubai, UAE (tbc)

Tiger Woods says divorce a sad time in his life

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PARAMUS, AUG 26 -

For the first time all summer, Tiger Woods showed up at a PGA Tour event knowing that his day would not include phone calls from a lawyer or divorce documents to approve.

He is only married to his golf now.

"This is my job," Woods said Wednesday. "This is what I do."

Even so, Woods slowly shook his head when asked if he felt relief that his divorce became official two days ago.

"I don't think that's the word," he said. "I think it's just more sadness. Because I don't think you ever go into a marriage looking to get divorced. That's the thing. That's why it is sad."

Woods still could not avoid talk about the end of his nearly six years of marriage to Elin Nordegren, brought on my numerous extramarital affairs that were exposed last Thanksgiving.

As he was teeing off in the rain during the pro-am, People magazine released an interview with his ex-wife in which she spoke openly about how her world fell apart and that she has "been through hell."

Before he completed the first hole, his agent and spokesman were outside the rope, each talking on a cell phone.

Then, after Woods hit his approach to the green, a tabloid columnist walked out into the fairway with notepad and pen to ask him questions. She had never been to a golf tournament and was not aware that reporters are to stay by the ropes.

It took five questions on his game before Woods was asked about his divorce and his ex-wife's interview, although Woods handled both questions with the same, measured tones, not revealing much.

"I wish her the best in everything," he said. "You know, it's a sad time in our lives. And we're looking forward in our lives and how we can help our kids the best way we possibly can. And that's the most important thing."

They have two children, 3-year-old daughter Sam and 18-month-old son Charlie. The divorce allowed for "shared parenting," and Woods completed a four-hour program on family stability the day before he left for the British Open.

The process of getting a divorce consumed most of his summer, not only on the golf course, but during his weeks at home when he was practicing and preparing for the majors. Ten majors now have passed without Woods winning, matching the longest drought of his career.

Asked to describe how the details of divorce affected his practice, Woods said, "It was a lot more difficult than I was letting on."

"My actions certainly led us to this decision," he said. "And I've certainly made a lot of errors in my life. That's something I'm going to have to live with."

As for the job? That's not going so well, either.

Despite a tie for fourth in the Masters in his return from a five-month hiatus, and a tie for fourth at the U.S. Open, Woods has played so poorly that he comes to The Barclays at No. 112 in the FedEx Cup standings, with no guarantee he will make it to the next playoff event.

For starters, he has to make the cut at Ridgewood Country Club, a course he saw for the first time Wednesday. Then, he likely has to finish somewhere around the middle of the pack to move into the top 100 and qualify for next week's playoff event outside Boston at the Deutsche Bank Championship, which benefits his foundation.

Woods asked coach Sean Foley to look at his swing during the PGA Championship two weeks ago, and he met with Foley twice in Orlando, Fla., last week. On several holes during the pro-am, Woods tucked a golf glove under his right armpit during a full swing, a technique aimed to keep his arms connected.

Whether he hires Foley as his next coach has not been decided. Woods is not sure he wants to revamp his swing again, knowing how much time it will take and how much time he has lost already.

"It's an undertaking that I have to wrap my head around, because it's going to take some time," he said.

He drove the ball great at the AT&T National and British Open and couldn't make a putt. He hit the ball all over Wisconsin during the PGA Championship and kept in the game by making putts. And then there were weeks like Firestone, where he did nothing right and shot the worse score of his career, an 18-over 298.

For the ninth time this year, Woods can lose his No. 1 ranking to Phil Mickelson. His solution for staying at the top and getting a tee time next week on the TPC Boston is the same. "Winning takes care of everything," he said.

"I'm trying to get my game in order — work on some new things, working with Sean," Woods said. "And I'm trying to put that together and hopefully play well for the rest of the year. As of right now, I need to play well to make it to next week. So that's kind of the focus right now."

Even now, though, the focus is not entirely on golf.

"As far as my game and practicing, that's been secondary," he said. "We're trying to get our kids situation to our new living conditions and how that's going to be. That's where our focus is going to be right now."

JMCC meeting put off

KATHMANDU, AUG 26 -

A meeting of Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) previously scheduled for Thursday has been put off after the Nepal Army (NA) decided to boycott today's session.

The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) that has been coordinating the JMCC informed the UCPN (Maoist) about the postponement of the meeting following the NA decision.

The NA has said that it made the decision to boycott the session after the UN rejected its request not to table the agenda concerning Army recruitment in today’s meeting.

The nine-member mechanism led by the UNMIN serves as the dispute resolution body regarding implementation of the Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of the Arms and Armies (AMMAA). The mechanism comprises three representatives from each of the Army, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the UNMIN.

After the NA and the PLA announced fresh recruitment early this month, the UNMIN had objected the moves, saying recruitment by either side constitutes a breach of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the AMMAA. It suggested that the proposed recruitment should be referred to JMCC for approval.