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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

World fame football predictor Octopus dies in Germany

BERLIN: Paul the octopus, who shot to fame during this year's football World Cup for his flawless record in predicting game results, has died peacefully in his sleep, his German aquarium said Tuesday.
"Management and staff at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre were devastated to discover that oracle octopus Paul, who achieved global renown during the recent World Cup, had passed away overnight," the aquarium said in a statement.
"He appears to have passed away peacefully during the night, of natural causes," said Sea Life manager Stefan Porwoll.
Paul beat the odds during the World Cup by correctly forecasting all eight games he was asked to predict, including Spain's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the final.
For the prediction, two boxes were lowered into the salty soothsayer's tank, each containing a mussel and the flags of the two opposing teams.
Watched by a myriad of reporters, Paul would head to one box, wrench open the lid and gobble the tasty morsel, with the box he plumped for being deemed the likely winner.
His astonishing ability made him a global media phenomenon. His later predictions were carried live on rolling news channels in Germany.
Within an hour of his death, more than 150 messages of condolence were posted on Paul's "official" Facebook page.
The eight-legged oracle became a media superstar for his skills, but he naturally fell out with fans whose
teams he failed to tip.
He was slammed in the British press for treason after tipping Germany to beat his "home country" which they duly did, 4-1.
He then fell offside with bitter German fans who threatened to turn him into sushi after he correctly predicted a semi-final defeat for the Mannschaft against Spain.
The honour of Paul's mother was also called into question in the stands, and Paul's home aquarium received death-threat emails saying "we want Paul for the pan."
No less an authority than Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero called for octopus bodyguards.
And Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian called for the creature to be given an "immediate" free transfer to Spain to "ensure his protection."
But Paul's fans need not despair too much at his death. The aquarium has already been grooming a successor, to be named Paul like his mentor.
Paul's body is now in cold storage while the aquarium decides "how best to mark his passing."

Younis capable of delivering against South Africa: Rashid Latif

KARACHI, Oct. 26 (APP): Former Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif has said that Younis Khan would be under pressure. However, he is capable of delivering in the series against South Africa.“Younis is an experienced batsman and with a better environments in Pakistan team now, can return to his best with passage of time,” he told APP in an interview here on Tuesday.“Things are much better in the national team and there is no captaincy race and not many problems within the team,” he commented.“It’s even difficult to do well in club or first class cricket when you are coming back in international cricket after eight months,” he said.
“But having the experience, will and mental toughness, Younis will cross all these hurdles,” the mentor of former Pakistan Captain Younis hoped.  “He (Younis may have some anxious but he will come good within few matches,” he added.
32-year-old Younis Khan is staging a comeback in Pakistan team after nearly an eight month having played One-day International series against Australia in Australia in January.
He dispelled the impression that Younis Khan tendered an apology to Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt before being inducted in the team.
“I can assure you Younis never tendered an apology but gave due respect to Ijaz Butt being PCB Chairman. Its now history and we should now look forward to better show from Pakistan team,” he maintained.
“Has Younis been invited by PCB Chairman earlier the things could have settled a few months ago,” Rashid Latif stressed.
He expressed the hope that the return of Younis Khan will serve the interest of Pakistan cricket and bring results in all brands of cricket.
He said like Younis Khan, he also was forced to leave cricket for some time after match-fixing controversy during the Pakistan team to Zimbabwe in 1995. “Actually like Younis, I suffered for speaking the truth,” he said.
Rashid Latif said he had good time as chief Coach of Afghanistan cricket team and suggested holding of One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in the gap before the World Cup.
“ODI home series against Afghanistan will benefit Pakistan to revive international cricket in the country,” he believed
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