Red Bull win in Turkey can ruin F1 championship title bid: Button

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 21(ANI): Reigning Formula One champion Jenson Button believes that his race for the championship title could be over in Turkey, if the Red Bull team romp away with the silverware yet again.

Button is currently fourth in the championship standings behind Red Bull’s Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, and Ferarri”s Fernando Alonso.

The circuit in Istanbul should suit McLaren’s aero strengths, but if Red Bull dominates again after their 1-2 at the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, it could spell disaster for the reigning champion, The Mirror reports.

Button trails Webber by eight points, but said: “This team have the resources, the manpower and the passion to succeed and to chase, and this is what they will do.”

“We’ve had a couple of issues in the last two races with reliability and mistakes, but we have to put those behind us now and focus on the next race in Turkey. We’ve got to come with a stronger car, and we can”t make any mistakes,” he added.

The Red Bull drivers are favourites to win the title this year, with the team already leading the constructors’ championship, 20 points ahead of Ferrari.

They have consistently out-paced others till now in the season, claiming pole position for all six races. (ANI)

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Arsenal requires experienced heads to win silverware: Campbell

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 20(ANI): Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has insisted that unless the Gunners sign experienced players they will not succeed in winning any silverware.

“You need experienced players who have been through all the scenarios in the season. You cannot beat it. In certain situations in a season it gets a bit sticky and you just know to focus your mind and get through it,” Campbell said.

“There are times when you need a vital win in the league or to get into the FA Cup final. Players on that level who’ve got that kind of experience behind them they are so valuable,” he added.

Campbell also said the string of injuries to key players this season exposed the lack of depth as well as experience in his squad.

“Injuries didn’t help for sure. Key players like Van Persie and Fabregas. They really hurt us,” The Sun quoted Campbell, as saying.

“We just need more depth to the side because you’re going to have suspensions and injuries and you can’t keep relying on 13-14 players because once you have three or four injuries you suffer,” he added. (ANI)

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Mancini to get 150-mn pounds to boost Man City

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 14 (ANI): Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour has given manager Roberto Mancini a mandate for change at the club.

Sheikh Mansour told Mancini to set up a team that can bring City out of failure and win silverware.

Mancini will have anything up to 150 million pounds to achieve the dream of a Premier League title, The Sun reports.

The fact City has failed to win anything since the 1976 League Cup makes the challenge tough for Mancini.

He believes City has already shown they can match the top three of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Mancini said: “We were very strong against all of them this season. It shows we have a good mentality – and this is important.” (ANI)

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Benitez switches focus to Chelsea after European exit

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Surveying the remains of a season littered with failed domestic and European challenges, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has a clear image of what lies ahead of him.

“The future is (Sunday’s league match against) Chelsea,” Benitez told reporters on Thursday after being asked if he was confident he would still be at the Anfield club next season.

When asked what came after that: “Er, Hull,” he added after watching his side fall to an away goals defeat against Atletico Madrid in their Europa League semi-final.

Liverpool’s season had promised so much after they finished runners-up to Manchester United last year but despite winning 2-1 on Thursday, the 2-2 aggregate defeat extinguished the side’s final chance of winning any silverware this campaign.

Benitez’s pre-match programme notes implored the Anfield faithful to sing their side into the Europa League final and as a plane circled the stadium bearing the message, ‘Come on Liverpool’, an increased sense of importance saddled the game.

But the Spanish manager, who has been linked in the media with Italian outfit Juventus, remained philosophical after his side’s latest disappointment.

“At least there you could see the players worked so hard. You have to be proud of them,” he said. “We have to try and do our best for next season and be ready because we have had too many problems this year.”

CRIPPLED AMBITIONS

Victory and another against Fulham in the May 12 final in Hamburg could have added some much-needed gloss to a dismal season, which has also seen top striker Fernando Torres struggle with injuries and talisman Steven Gerrard out of form.

Instead, Liverpool fans are left clinging to Benitez’s ‘guarantee’ earlier this season, following hastily rearranged priorities, that the club will finish fourth in the league and secure the final Champions League qualifying spot.

Seventh-placed Liverpool have just two fixtures remaining and trail fourth-placed Tottenham by two points with the London side having played one match fewer.

“We are realistic and we know that it is not easy but we will try and we will see,” Benitez said on his side’s chances of usurping Spurs.

A desperate lack of fire power has crippled their ambitions this season and Benitez is confident that the club, currently up for sale, can attract the right pedigree of player to improve the squad despite a possible absence of European soccer next season.

“We will be in the same situation. Liverpool is a massive club, we will try to do our best. I think the name of the club is enough,” Benitez said.

“In the past, players have said we need maybe three, four or five new players. I agree with them.”

(Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Akram backs India, Pakistan as joint favourites for ICC T20 title

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Apr.29 (ANI): Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has backed both India and defending champions Pakistan as favourites to lift the ICC World T20 Championship, starting April 30 in the West Indies.

Akram said both the sub-continental giants have the talent and passion to take home the coveted silverware.

“Australia and South Africa are also capable of winning but the nature of the West Indies pitches make Pakistan and India favourites, because they will help sub-continent spinners,” The Daily Times quoted Akram, as saying.

He said that since the Pakistani team has not played much international cricket in the recent past, it has the hunger to do well.

“Pakistan have been starved of cricket, so they have the thirst to win the title again,” Akram said.

He pointed that Pakistan has got a fighter in skipper Shahid Afridi, who possess the aggression needed at the international stage.

“You need someone like Afridi as captain in Twenty20 cricket. He has aggression needed in a leader and in a short Twenty20 match he will always sparkle,” Akram said.

He said the Pakistan squad has a number of talented players who can rise to the occasion and create trouble for even the best teams in the world.

“Look at the available talent, Afridi can single-handedly win a Twenty20 match as he is equally lethal with bat and ball, and then the depth in bowling makes Pakistan favourites,” said the former pacer, who is regarded as one of greatest swing bowlers of all time.

Speaking about India’s chances, Akram said: “What I have seen is a remarkable passion in the Indian players as well as in the public to win this title, and they too have a very good team.”

Akram said that a final between the 2007 champions India and the defending champions Pakistan is what he is looking forward for.

“You cannot rule out an Indo-Pak final, which will do a world of good for international cricket,” he said. (ANI)

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Ronaldo hints at Real Madrid exit

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Madrid, Apr 29(ANI): Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he is planning a future away from the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo, who moved to Madrid from Manchester United for a world-record transfer fee of 80 million pounds last summer, insists he will not spend the rest of his career with the club.

“Football is all about cycles. I believe that you are in teams for cycles. I spent several years wanting to play in Madrid, but I don’t see myself here at 40,” The Daily Express quoted Ronaldo, as saying.

His comment surprisingly comes weeks after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that Ronaldo could make a sensational return to Old Trafford.

Talking about his decision to leave United, Ronaldo said: “Alex Ferguson understood my decision. I continue to talk to him.”

The 25-year-old also expressed disappointment over the prospect of ending the season without any silverware.

“It would be a bad year if we don’t win the league because a club like this has to always win something every year,” Ronaldo said.

“Not winning this year wouldn’t be a failure, but it would be a lost year. But I am confident we can win the league,” he added. (ANI)

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‘Unseeded’ Oz team can win T20 World Cup ‘silverware’: Hussey

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia, Apr 27(ANI): Australian batsman David Hussey reckons that despite being unseeded for the Twenty20 World Cup, they have the squad to win the “silverware”.

“I think last year was a failure. We didn’t even make the Super Eights. This year if we all do our job, we can make the Super Eights and hopefully do some damage,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hussey, as saying.

“I truly believe we’ve got the squad to go a long way and hopefully make the final and come away with the silverware,” he added.

The 32-year-old, who was dropped from Australia’s one-day side in August 2009, further said he is determined to make the most of his opportunities during the tournament.

“I thought I did reasonably well in domestic cricket and to not get selected in the first 25 was very disappointing,” Hussey said.

“But I’m here now. I’ve got an opportunity to represent Australia in a (Twenty20) World Cup in the West Indies so things can’t be too bad,” he added. (ANI)

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Messi strikes again as Barca wins Clasico

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lionel Messi’s exquisite finish set Barcelona on its way to a potentially decisive 2-0 win at Real Madrid to lift the champions three points clear of their arch-rivals at the top of La Liga.

After his brilliant four-goal Champions League haul against Arsenal, the Argentina forward struck in the 33rd minute at the Bernabeu before Pedro doubled the visitors’ lead in the 56th with a clinical left-foot strike.

Both goals were created by Barca’s Spanish midfielder Xavi, the first when he chipped the ball to Messi over the Real defence and the second when he sent Pedro clear to finish with a low strike beyond Iker Casillas.

La Liga top scorer Messi twice came close to adding to his 27 goals of the campaign and Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes was rarely troubled as Real struggled against the European champions’ slick passing game.

The victory puts Barca on 80 points with seven matches left and leaves the big-spending Madrid club, who have 77, facing a season without silverware after their exits from the Champions League and King’s Cup.

It was a fourth straight win in the “Clasico” for Barca coach Pep Guardiola and he becomes the first manager of the Catalan club to claim two straight away wins over Real.

After a tense opening to a contest Marca sports daily had dubbed “the match of the millennium”, Messi squared the ball to Xavi and he lifted a delicate chip over the static defence.

Messi timed his run to perfection, controlled the ball on his chest and dinked a shot past Casillas into the net.

Striker Gonzalo Higuain fluffed a chance to put the hosts level in the 41st when a mistake by Gerard Pique put him clear but he did little to boost his chances of starting for Argentina at the World Cup by slicing his shot into the crowd.

Xavi underlined why he will be crucial to Spain’s bid for a first World Cup triumph in South Africa when he carved open the Real defence with a superb through ball and Pedro raced into the area to double Barca’s lead.

Although the Catalans did not match their 6-2 thrashing of Real in last season’s Clasico in the Spanish capital, their performance was no less dominant.

Real coach Manuel Pellegrini threw on veterans Raul and Guti to try to spark the team into life but they faded badly as the final whistle drew near and the disgusted home fans began to head for the exits well before the finish.

In earlier matches on Saturday, Sevilla moved within five points of third-placed Valencia when it fought back to beat struggling Andalucian rivals Malaga 2-1.

Sevilla occupy the fourth Champions League spot on 51 points, three ahead of Mallorca which hosts Valencia on Sunday, and have the better head-to-head record against the Balearic Islanders.

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Cricket world’s first digital trophy up for grabs during Lanka tri-series

September 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Colombo, Sep.8 (ANI): The trophy to be given to the winner of the tri-Series between Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand in Colombo is no longer just an inanimate object that will gather dust in a cricket boardroom cabinet. Rather, it will be the world’s first digital silverware.

Tournament sponsors Hewlett Packard’s Compaq Cup has broken new ground by incorporating an LCD screen into the 4.8kg award. Match-winning moments for the triumphant squad, key statistics, photographs and fan messages will be uploaded once the winner has been determined so the holder will be able to revisit memories of their success, stuff.co.nz reports.

Fans can log on to www.compaqcup.com and leave messages of support for their favourite players and team; the top 10 entries decided by the television commentary team will also be uploaded.

The tournament starts today when Sri Lanka play New Zealand. New Zealand and India clash on Friday before Sri Lanka host their neighbours 24 hours later.

The top two teams contest Monday’s final before all three head to South Africa for the Champions Trophy, which starts on September 22. (ANI)

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New technique to help Parkinson’s patients speak louder

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Aug 26 (ANI): Scientists from Purdue University’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences have come up with a novel technique that would help Parkinson’s patients speak louder.

“People with Parkinson’s disease commonly have voice and speech problems,” said Jessica Huber, an associate professor in Purdue’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

“At some point in their disease they will have some form of voice or speech disorder that generally occurs a little later in the disease,” she added.

The most common therapy, the Lee Silverman voice treatment program, trains patients to speak louder in one-hour sessions four days a week for a month.

“Some Parkinson’s patients do great with this approach, but others do not. They forget to keep speaking louder the minute they have left the therapy room,” said Huber.

Lee Silverman tends to work less for people with later stages of disease or those who have some cognitive decline.

Huber used a new approach: The patients were asked to speak louder while a recording of background “multitalker babble noise” was played. The noise is essentially the sound of a restaurant full of patrons, but without the clattering silverware and clinking glasses.

“They had an easier time getting louder when I had the noise in the room,” she said.

“Ordinarily, when I asked them to be twice as loud they would say they couldn’t. They couldn’t speak 10 decibels louder, but when I turned on the babble noise, they spoke over 10 decibels louder,” she added.

In the device built by engineering resources manager Jim Jones and senior research engineer Kirk Foster, both in the Weldon School, the voice-activated device automatically plays the background babble when the person begins to speak.

A sensor placed on the neck detects that the person has begun to speak and tells the device to play the babble through an earpiece worn by the patient.

“I got the idea that if we train them with a natural cue in their everyday environment, we will probably get better results. We ask them to wear the system for about four hours a day as they go about their daily routine,” she added.(ANI)

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Lampard vows to continue his goal scoring spree for Chelsea

August 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug 20(ANI): Chelsea midfielder frank Lampard has promised his Chelsea fans that he will keep scoring goals after he equalled Jimmy Greaves record in the club’s all time goal charts.

Lampard’s penalty in the 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Tuesday meant he has now scored 132 goals in his eight-year career at the club. Jimmy is a goalscoring legend and I’m sure he did it in a lot less games than I did,” The Sun quoted Lampard, as saying.

“I’m very pleased to be up there with him and just want to keep on scoring for Chelsea, especially important goals that help us win games,” he added.

Lampard achieved the total in 429 matches, since joining Chelsea from West Ham United in 2001, while Greaves took just 169 appearances, scoring at a staggering rate of 0.78 goals per game in just four years between 1957 and 1961.

The 31-year-old also insisted that personal records were secondary to winning trophies with The Blues.

“Personal records are nice, but not as important as silverware. I’m much more proud of winning Premier Leagues and FA Cups with Chelsea,” Lampard said.

Lampard further said that his club would love to halt Manchester United’s run of three straight Premier League titles.

“It’s just a good start. You want to get your noses in front early on. If we don’t repeat the mid-season we had last year, then we’ll have a great chance,” he added. (ANI)

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Arsenal ready to sell Cesc for 40 m pounds

July 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, July 6 (ANI): Arsenal have said that they are ready to sell midfielder Cesc Fabregas for 40 million pounds.

“If Arsenal receive a bid in the region of 40 million pounds there will be an enormous pressure to sell,” The Sun quoted a Gunner’s insider, as saying.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are said to be interested in making a bid for Fabregas.

Barca president Joan Laporta signalled his intention to make an offer last week.

“Cesc has Barcelona in his DNA and I think that one day he should play for Barca. We all like him very much – the technical director, the manager, as well as me. He’s always been in our thoughts,” he said.abregas openly flirted with both clubs last week as he branded Arsenal “impotent” for failing to win silverware.

Fabregas went further and said his Catalan family would back him if he went to the Bernabeu. (ANI)

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Arsenal may be ready to offload Ivory Coast striker Eboue

May 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 30 (ANI): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reported to be ready to off-load Ivory Coast striker Emmanuel Eboue as part of a major shake-up of his squad this summer.

Wenger is also preparing to sell off unsettled striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

According to The Mirror, two Italian clubs — AC Milan and Juventus are both interested in signing former captain William Gallas.

Atletico Madrid are said to be interested in taking Eboue away from the Emirates.

Ac Milan also want Adebayor while Gallas, 32 in August, may be allowed to go as he only has one year left on his contract and was stripped of the captaincy last season.

Wenger is desperate to strengthen his Gunners squad with a centre forward after yet another season without any silverware.

Arsenal have made an enquiry about Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, while they also want a midfielder and a centre half.

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland is top of their wanted list while Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia and Wolfsburg defensive midfielder Christian Genter have been watched. (ANI)

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Chelsea can’t afford another season without a trophy, says Lampard

May 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 29 (ANI): Frank Lampard insists that Chelsea cannot afford another season without a trophy, and warns that fear of failure will drive him on in FA Cup final.

Lampard has grown accustomed to picking up silverware in his eight years at Stamford Bridge. But defeat by Everton would leave him empty-handed for the second season in a row.

“We have come to expect success and it’s important to take something positive from this season, for the club, the fans and the confidence of the players. We were close last season but just missed out. It was the same story in the Champions League this time. So, this is our last chance for a trophy,” The Sun quoted Lampard, as saying.

“Some recent memories are pretty insufferable – losing to Manchester United on penalties in Moscow, standing on the Wembley pitch knowing England wouldn’t be going to EURO 2008. But you have to use them as a positive, to drive you on and make the next victory sweeter,” he said.

“As you become more mature, you realise you can’t win everything. Even a player as decorated as Ryan Giggs has lost out in his career. But Chelsea need to get back to the mentality of a couple of years ago, when we were strong as a group, winning week after week and succeeding in the league and cups,” Lampard added.

Departing Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink deserves a trophy insists Lampard. “Everyone really respects the man and everything he has done for this club. It’s vitally important we sign off with a win for Guus.” (ANI)

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‘Wenger is staying at Arsenal’

May 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 22 (ANI): Arsenal’s chief executive Ivan Gazidis has said that coach Arsene Wenger will not quit and has the full support of the club’s board.

Gunners boss Wenger has been linked with a move to Real Madrid after getting flak from fans following a fourth season without silverware.

Gazidis insisted: “He is clearly staying. We’ve said that, he said that. He has the full, unequivocal support of our board.”

The chief executive expects Wenger to see out the remaining two seasons of his contract and stay beyond that, The Sun reports.

“We’ve consistently said we would like him to remain involved with the club as long as he has the drive and the ambition to want to do that,” he said.

Wenger has been with Arsenal for nearly 13 years, but sparked speculation at the weekend by saying that coaching Real Madrid would be “obviously interesting.”

Gazidis admitted: “It does not surprise me clubs like Real Madrid would be interested in Arsene. He would be the most in-demand manager in the game internationally.”

Some shareholders rapped Wenger, 59, last week about Arsenal’s trophy drought and his failure to buy experienced players.

But Gazidis said he believes the Frenchman has the clear support “of the majority of our fans.” (ANI)

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Arsenal branded a bunch of babies by Man U winger Evra

May 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 6 (ANI): Manchester United’s left back Patrice Evra celebrated his team’s semi-final victory against Arsenal by branding the latter a bunch of babies.

Evra claimed the Gunners were totally outclassed throughout the one-sided Champions League semi-final.

The Sun quoted the French international as saying: “It was 11 men against 11 babies. We never doubted ourselves. We have much more experience and that’s what made the difference. We were always confident. It should have been that score in the first leg anyway. It is a great United team that won.”

“Football today is not only about playing well, it’s about winning trophies. Everybody talks about the way Arsenal play but, at the end of the day, it’s about winning silverware. At United, we play well and we win. Tactically and technically we were superior. You look at our starting 11 and theirs and you see that we are well above,” he said.

United boss Alex Ferguson hailed two-goal hero Cristiano Ronaldo – and insisted no defence in the world can live with the current World Player of the Year.

Fergie said: “Arsenal just couldn’t handle Ronaldo tonight. He was the difference between the two teams.

The Portuguese winger admitted: “In the last few games I’ve felt really, really good. This is a crucial time in the season and the big games are all coming up for us.” (ANI)

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Wenger’s Young Guns’ issue a war cry

May 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 5 (ANI): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the hour is approaching when the Gunners will confirm what he has been telling all along, that his young team will dominate European football for years to come.
Wenger is in no doubt his kids can overturn the 1-0 deficit from the semi-final first leg at Manchester United.

He has the silverware in his sights, whatever the bookies might think. The boss acknowledges Arsenal were fortunate to concede only a single goal at Old Trafford but claims they will make United pay for failing to kill the tie off – even though it is eight years since the Gunners last beat them by two clear goals.
“I’m very confident the team will produce a magnificent performance. We play at home, where we have a strong record in the Champions League. For many people we are super-outsiders but I personally believe we will do it,” The Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.
“If I had said in November that we will be in the semi-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup and go 21 games unbeaten – as we have in the Premier League – you’d have called an ambulance,” he added.
“I feel very proud of this team because they have been through difficult periods and shown great mental strength. And they have faced much more adversity than all the other teams I have had here. The progress this team has made since the start of the season has been remarkable,” he said.
Should Arsenal beat United, they could set up a final against Thierry Henry’s Barcelona – the team that beat them 2-1 in 2006. (ANI)

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Kashmiri silverware getting popular in domestic and outside market

April 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Apr 16 (ANI): Traditional silverware of Kashmir with intricate artwork is finding great favour in the international market while its popularity has also increased in the domestic market.

The artwork on silver item is known as ‘naqash’ which covers a wide range of silver items.

Prominent among them are flower vases, chinars, ornamental picture-frames, cigarette cases, tumblers and others. For years these are being used and liked by Kashmiri people.

Kashmiri silverware, especially ornamental picture-frames and other items are in great demand in European countries.

“We export it also. We also make items of traditionally Kashmiri houseboats, chinars kangariyas and samovars. They are exported to Europe” said Tufail Ahmad, a shop owner and dealer of silverware.

Silverwares are commonly used gift items during marriages in Kashmir.

“During marriages here, there is tradition of giving gifts. Now silver items are getting popular and people are gifting silverwares to their friends and relatives. Even shringar box is also made from it. Many other items are also made from silver and they are used as major gift items,” said Shabir Ahmad, a customer.

Silver products of household items are also made by craftsmen such as fruit bowls, plates, samovars (tea kettle), flower vases, tea-sets, soap boxes, purses, ornamental picture-frames, cigarette-cases, tumblers and trays.

The main production centers of silverware in Kashmir are areas in the old city of Srinagar.

Craftsmen of Kashmir are trying to upgrade this traditional artwork by ensuring quality and beauty of silver products. By Showket Jan (ANI)

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Madoff’s waterfront Florida home, three boats seized

April 3, 2009 By 1 Comment

Washington, April 3 (DPA) Prosecutors have started seizing the property of the fraudster-financier Bernard Madoff, taking possession of his multimillion-dollar waterfront home in upscale Palm Beach, Florida, and three boats, the US Attorney’s Office has said.

Madoff, 70, faces 150 years in prison for the largest Wall Street swindles ever, and now faces loss of his personal property to pay back angry clients. The Florida property alone was reportedly valued at $14 million.

The US Attorney’s Office said Thursday it wanted the assets ‘to maximize recovery for victims’ as part of the forfeiture ordered by the New York federal judge, who accepted his guilty plea last month.

Over more than a decade, Madoff tricked clients out of $50 billion by paying some of them off with money from new clients rather than investing the funds in securities as he had promised.

His office produced fake investment statements for clients, and his accountant, David Friehling, 49, has been charged with securities fraud.

In a statement, Lev Dassin, the acting US attorney for the southern district of New York, said his office would ask that the property being seized be sold and used to compensate victims.

The boats included the 18-metre luxury yacht ‘Bull’, parked in Florida, the 13-metre boat ‘Sitting Bull’ in New York and an 8-metre motorboat and trailer, Dassin said.

The boats and home belong to Madoff and his wife, Ruth. US marshals carried out the seizures.

Madoff, currently in jail, faces sentencing June 16.

According to a US court filing last month, prosecutors also intend to go after three other homes owned by the Madoffs, including the property and contents of a $7-million Manhattan luxury apartment, a $3.4-million beachside home on Long Island and a home in the south of France.

Other assets subject to seizure include a fourth boat, four cars, a $39,000 Steinway piano and $65,000 worth of silverware.

Ruth Madoff has argued that cash and other items in her name could not be seized to pay the victims of the scandal and were not the result of the fraud. But prosecutors said they intend to seize $17 million in cash and $45 million in bonds held in her name.

Madoff’s net worth is estimated at $823 to $826 million.

Madoff bilked thousands of investors around the world, including individuals and charity groups, of their money – many of their entire life savings. At least one investor and an investment manager have committed suicide since December over the revelations.

The scandal has been a major embarrassment for government regulators. An independent fraud investigator, Harry Markopolos, testified before Congress last month that he had warned the SEC of Madoff’s shady operations some nine years ago.

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