Deccan Chargers defeat Bangalore in IPL final

Deccan Chargers are the Indian Premier League champions after Pragyan Ojha led a spirited bowling display to help seal a six-run victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Johannesburg. Adam Gilchrist’s side, who finished last at the inaugural tournament in 2008, posted a below par 144-victory target, but scraped home thanks to the slow left armer’s three wickets as well as good performances from Andrew Symonds (two for 18) and Harmeet Singh (two for 28)

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Stars come out in Cannes for Tarantino premiere

Shoaib was named in the initial 15-man squad for the tournament, which takes place in England from June 5, but the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced they had applied for a replacement to the ICC technical committee. The 33-year-old pace bowler, whose participation had been in doubt after he struggled for fitness and form during the recent one-day series against Australia, was diagnosed with genital viral warts and underwent a course of electrofulgration treatment — a procedure where electrical current is used to destroy unwanted tissue. “The medical board has reported that Shoaib Akhtar was suffering from genital viral warts and the wound needs further care and treatment for a minimum 10 days for the purpose of healing and to achieve skin cover,” PCB said in a statement

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Genital infection sees Shoaib miss Twenty20

Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar looks set to miss next month’s World Twenty20 after receiving treatment for a genital infection. Shoaib was named in the initial 15-man squad for the tournament, which takes place in England from June 5, but the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced they had applied for a replacement to the ICC technical committee

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Abuse of child ‘witches’ on rise, aid group says

Christian Eshiett was a rambunctious pre-teen who spent a lot of time cavorting with his friends in southern Nigeria. He would skip school and run away from home for days, frustrating his grandfather, who oversaw the boy’s care. “I beat him severely with canes until they broke, yet he never shed a tear,” said Eshiett Nelson Eshiett, 76

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Inter secure fourth consecutive Scudetto

Inter Milan claimed their fourth successive Scudetto on Saturday night without kicking a ball, after AC Milan were beaten 2-1 by Udinese. The Rossoneri began the day seven points behind the Serie A leaders and needed at least a draw to keep alive their slims hopes of taking the trophy from their city rivals. But Udinese proved too strong at their Stadio Friuli and defeat means Carlo Ancelotti’s men can no longer catch Inter at the top of the table

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UK pubs try to lick noise problem with lollipops

Pubs and clubs in southwest England plan to hand out lollipops next week as a way to reduce noise when their customers head home, officials and pub owners said Friday. The promotion is the idea of the West Dorset District Council, which covers an area of southern England along the English Channel.

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British Masters falls victim to recession

The economic downturn has claimed another prestigious event on the European Tour with this year’s British Masters dropped from the schedule. The event had been planned for September 17-20 at The Belfry, but joins the English Open in coming off the “Race to Dubai” – the new name for the European Tour. Sponsorship from Quinn Insurance came to an end after three years and tournament organizers ISM have been unable to find a replacement

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Man Utd check on Rio ahead of Wigan game

Manchester United are waiting on the fitness of England international Rio Ferdinand ahead of their vital trip to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night. Ferdinand missed Sunday’s 2-0 Manchester derby victory which left United needing just four points from their remaining three games to wrap up a third Premier League title in a row. He is battling a calf strain with his replacement against City, Jonny Evans, also carrying a hamstring problem

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2 U.S. swine flu dead had other health problems, officials say

Both people who died of swine flu in the United States had pre-existing health problems, federal health authorities said Thursday in a report. The 22-month-old child who died April 27 of the flu, also called H1N1, had neonatal myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease, said the report, which was written by a virus investigation team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine. The child — who was from Mexico and who fell ill while visiting relatives in Texas — also had a heart defect, problems swallowing and chronic hypoxia, the report said

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