Sports
Kennedy memorial; central attraction in Dallas
by Rex Clementine
Dallas is one of the main cities in the US state of Texas alongside San Antonio, Austin and Houston. It was here in Dallas, 60 years ago President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The site where he was shot is a short ten-minute drive from where Sri Lanka played their World Cup fixture against Bangladesh last week.
Kennedy’s election as President was fairytale stuff. His chances to earn the Democratic party nomination were not so great as he was said to be young and inexperienced. But the policies he talked struck a chord with the masses and he was chosen as party’s Presidential candidate over several other seasoned campaigners like Adlai Stevenson, Hubert Humphrey and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Kennedy then went on to win the 1960 election beating Republican party nominee Vice-President Richard Nixon. He was the youngest man to become President at the age of 43.
The reforms Kennedy introduced as President ensuring equality and championing the cause of the marginalized earned him the wrath of the conservative whites. At the same time, under his watch, the American economy experienced steady growth as inflation was low and unemployment rates dropped.
The window from which bullets were fired killing President Kennedy
However, less than three years into his Presidency, Kennedy was killed. He was on a two-day tour of state of Texas and arrived in Dallas for a huge reception. During the presidential election, he had lost Dallas. The state of Texas is a Republican party stronghold and it’s known for the conservative views. Kennedy was determined to change it in the next election in 1964. However, a progressive President wasn’t everyone’s friend.
Kennedy was travelling through the key areas of Dallas in an open car with his wife by the side of him waving to the public when several bullets were fired by a nearby building. He was hit by two bullets with the second one causing fatal injuries. Although he was rushed to hospital, the President died.
Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for killing the President. It is said that Oswald had fired the gun shots from the sixth floor of a nearby building. However, Oswald maintained that he was being scapegoated. Two days later, he was killed by a local nightclub owner who said he was avenging the killing of the President. Hence, the real motives of killing Kennedy were forever buried with the killing of Harvey.
Kennedy’s killing has lots of conspiracy theories as some believe that it was an inside job with fingers being pointed at Kennedy’s Vice-President, Secret Service and even CIA. Russian intelligence agency KGB, Fidel Castro, wealthy conservative American oil interests are also blamed by in some others.
The Kennedy Memorial is a monument in the heart of Dallas. Adjoining that is the Sixth Floor Museum. The building from where the shots were fired has been converted into the museum. It contains highlights of Kennedy’s life in pictures and video clips. There’s also a collection of rare items that the President used.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to establish the proposed National Higher Performance Centre for atletes.
India opener Shafali Verma has received an official reprimand and a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Shafali, an ICC release said, breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
It was Shafali’s first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the 12th over of Zimbabwe’s innings when Shafali threw the ball into the ground in frustration after dropping a chance at mid-off offered by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano off Sree Charani.
Shafali admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee GS Lakshmi, which meant there was no need for a formal hearing.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
India currently lead the three-match series 2-0 with the third game to be played on Tuesday evening. The T20Is will be followed by three ODIs in Vadodara from October 23.
(Cricinfo)
A total of 146 players will be competing for 27 available slots in the WPL 2027 mini auction on October 28 in Kochi. Of these, England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia captain Sophie Molineux are the only two players who have listed themselves at the maximum base price of INR 50 lakh.
The auction pool has 119 Indian players, including 22 capped and 97 uncapped players, with 20 slots available for Indian players. The overseas pool has 27 players – 14 capped and 13 uncapped – including six from Associate teams, with seven slots available.
G Kamalini (released by Mumbai Indians), Kiran Navigre (released by U P Warriorz), Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen have registered at the second-highest base price of INR 40 lakh, while a total of 30 players have registered at INR 30 lakh.
Among the notable absentees are West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, who was released by UPW, and Australia legspinner Alana King, who was released by Delhi Capitals. Lizelle Lee, who was DC’s highest run-scorer last season, has also not listed herself after being released by the franchise.
What the teams look like going into the auction
Only two English players – Dunkley and Kira Chathli (INR 10 lakh) – have registered for the auction, with several others, including Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith opting to skip the WPL next year.
Cricinfo has learned that England are likely to play three T20Is in Sri Lanka in early February, which will clash with the final week of the WPL. While the ECB is likely to allow players to stay in India to complete the tournament, most players have instead chosen to prioritise their international commitments ahead of the Champions Trophy later that month.
The relatively low salaries on offer at the WPL are also understood to be a factor in many English players deciding not to register, with most internationals earning significantly more to play in the Hundred (up to £190,000 last year) than the highest permitted base price in the WPL of INR 50 lakh (£40,000 approx).
Molineux was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru [RCB] title-winning squad in 2024, and had bagged 12 wickets in ten games at an economy rate of 7.31. She was retained by RCB for the 2025 season but a knee injury ruled her out of the season. Dunkley, meanwhile, played for Gujarat Giants [GT] in 2023 before opting not to register for the 2024 season. She went unsold in the 2025 auction.
Among the premier internationals who have listed themselves for INR 30 lakh are Australia allrounder Grace Harris (released by RCB), Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon.
UPW, who released nine players, will go into the auction with the biggest purse of INR 3.75 crore.
[Cricinfo]
Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 08 of 2026
Draft Bill of the Public Private Partnership Enterprises Act to be gazzetted
Amendment of the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961
Cabinet nod to amend the Sri Lanka Development Administration Institute Act No. 9 of 1982
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
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