London, Jan. 7 : British tennis star Andy Murray has said that money has never been a reason for him to chase or achieve glory in the sport.

Murray, who has so far earned 3.9 million pounds in his career, was quoted by The Sun as sayingin Doha, Qatar: “Money was never the reason why I played tennis. It is obviously something that comes with it. Tennis players do very well for themselves.”

“But, if you start just playing for money and chasing it, then it can affect your game. Becoming a better player and winning a Grand Slam is what counts,” he added.

Islamabad, Jan. 7 : Authorities in Pakistan stepped up security across the country on Wednesday as Shia mourners began annual Ashura processions to commemorate the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, Hazrat Imam Hussain.

The Dawn quoted Punjab Province Minister Tanvir Ashraf Kaira as saying: "Foolproof security arrangements have been completed to maintain law and order during Ashura. Police and other law enforcement agencies have been put on alert and army personnel have been deployed in sensitive districts."

Kabul, Jan. 7 : Pakistan''s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday described as ‘disappointing’ India’s claims that official agencies in Islamabad were involved in the Mumbai attacks.

Qureshi, who has accompanied President Asif Ali Zardari on an official visit to Afghanistan, said such claims would not help build cooperation between the two countries.

Dubai, Jan. 7 : A. C. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has praised England football star David Beckham for his performance on debut in a friendly victory over Hamburg last night.

Becks played the opening 45 minutes of the showpiece clash in Dubai, which the Italian giants won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The former England skipper, 33, put in a solid performance and Ancelotti said: “He gave a very good impression. Dynamic quality and also he is an intelligent player.

London, Jan. 7 : England’s cricket establishment was in complete disarray on Wednesday after both captain Kevin Pietersen and team coach Peter Moores declared that they were quitting their respective posts as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has failed to resolve their differences.

Sky News quoted Pietersen as saying that: "I am not in a fit state to talk."

Moores'' decision to resign came as he faced growing criticism over the row and the development of the England team during his time as coach. The team has lost four of the seven series that it has contested under his stewardship.

Washington, Jan 07 : Hollywood actress Marisa Tomei has revealed that she developed a liking for hula-hooping while shaping up for her role of an erotic dancer in ‘The Wrestler’.

The ‘Untamed Heart’ actress said that the part she loved most about her work out regime was hula hoping.

"I hula-hooped a lot, which is my favorite part of my routine... You''re using your core muscles,” Contactmusic quoted Tomei as saying.

Tomei showed off her hula-hoop skills during an appearance on comedienne Ellen Degeneres'' daytime talk show in America on Tuesday.