Saturday, June 11, 2011

Afghanistan: Sixteen dead in Kandahar blast

Sixteen people, including children, died when their vehicle was blown up in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, the Interior Ministry says.

The attack took place in Arghandab district, an unstable area with a strong Taliban presence.

This is the latest of several deadly attacks.

The UN says May was the worst month for civilian casualties in Afghanistan since 2007.

Earlier, at least three people - including the commander of a rapid reaction police unit -p were killed and 12 injured in a suicide attack in Khost province, in the east of the country.

Militants in Afghanistan frequently target the police and military.


Syria: US condemns 'brutality and violence'Unverified amateur video appears to show Syrian soldiers kicking prisoners.Unverified amateur video appears

The US has strongly condemned Syria's "outrageous use of violence" against anti-government protesters.

The White House said the government was leading Syria down a "dangerous path" and called for "an immediate end to the brutality and violence".

Activists say at least 32 people were killed in fresh clashes on Friday.

The violence came as government forces moved into the town of Jisr al-Shughour, where it said 120 security personnel had earlier been killed.

Hundreds of civilians have fled north into Turkey to escape the assault.

Assad 'unavailable'

In a statement, White House spokesman Jay Carney repeated calls for the Syrian security forces to exercise restraint.

Both state media and activists on the ground also reported troops and tanks advancing on Jisr al-Shughour.

Most residents are believed to have abandoned the town.

The government blamed "armed groups" for the deaths of 120 security personnel in Jisr al-Shughour earlier this week, but some reports said the troops were shot after a mutiny.

Syrian TV said troops had reached the outskirts of the town after securing nearby villages, and that they had killed or captured a number of armed men.

Activists said they had blasted the town with tank fire, but the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says there is little indication as to how much resistance the troops are facing in an area whose population has largely fled.

Slaughtered like lambs'

There were reports of large demonstrations against President Assad in many parts of Syria after prayers on Friday.

Security forces are reported to have opened fire in some areas - activists said there were deaths in the coastal town of Latakia, in Deraa in the south, and in a suburb of Damascus.

Friday protests have become a regular event since March, but government efforts to quash them have escalated in recent weeks.

Human rights groups say more than 1,300 people have died in the crackdown, mostly unarmed civilians. The government denies this and says about 500 security forces have died.

More than 3,000 Syrians - mostly women and children - have crossed the border into Turkey to escape the violence, many of them from Jisr al-Shughour. An unknown number of people are thought to have fled to other locations within Syria.

"People were not going to sit and be slaughtered like lambs," one refugee in Turkey told Reuters news agency.

Some of those arriving at the temporary camps have serious gunshot injuries - including a Syrian Red Crescent worker who said he was shot in the back as he tried to help the injured in Jisr al-Shughour.

With the unrest showing no sign of abating, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has set up a new camp in Turkey capable of housing up to 5,000 people.

Are you in Syria? Have you travelled from Syria to Turkey to flee the situation there? Send us your comments and experiences.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Easy Carrot Cake

what you need
1 cup KRAFT Real Mayo Mayonnaise
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
4 eggs
2-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 cups finely grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnut Pieces

Make It

BEAT mayo, cake mix, eggs, 1/4 cup water and cinnamon in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in carrots and walnuts.

POUR into greased 13x9-inch baking pan.

BAKE at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. Frost cake if desired.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute
Prepare as directed, except substitute KRAFT Light Mayo Reduced Fat Mayonnaise.
Shortcut
Instead of frosting the cake, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

England fast bowler Broad pens new Nottinghamshire deal

Stuart Broad has signed a new three-year contract with Nottinghamshire.

The 24-year-old England fast bowler, who arrived at Trent Bridge from Leicestershire in 2007, is still on an ECB central contract.

His new deal with Notts, which runs until 2013, will only come into effect should he lose his England deal.

"We fully expect Stuart will maintain his England place for years to come but this re-affirms his commitment to us," said director of cricket Mick Newell.

"We knew he was in the England selectors' thoughts when we signed him in 2008.

"Although his county apperances have been limited, he has always performed exceptionally well when he's turned out for us."

Broad has made just a single one-day appearance, as well as playing three games in the Twenty20 and seven County Championship matches in his four years at Trent Bridge.

But he may be due to get in a few early season appearances once he has recovered from the side strain that forced him home early from England's unsuccessful World Cup adventure last month.

"I'm hoping to play on May 4 at home to Yorkshire," Broad told Sky Sports News.

That would give Broad the option of two more four-day matches before England begin their summer programme in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Cardiff on 26 May.

"I hope that can be the comeback," said Broad. "Then I can get some Championship wickets before the first Test..

In the light of Broad's injury and the fatigue that clearly affected main strike bowler Jimmy Anderson at the World Cup as the long winter programme drew to a close, the England hierarchy have considered more rest programmes to protect their pace attack.

But Broad, who is optimistic that his injury troubles will soon be behind him, knows full well that the crowded modern-day international schedule is unlikely to change.

"There is a lot of cricket," he said. "But we have to be in good enough physical shape to deal with it.

"I've been quite lucky to have played five years of international cricket without a setback at some stage.

"It was unfortunate that it did then happen in two of the biggest tournaments we play in.

"But I feel in good nick for this season, and I'm looking to get back in the international arena."

Notts can now only hope that Broad, who played for them in the FP t20 finals day at the Rose Bowl last August, will hope that he turns in a repeat of the match-winning performance he produced on his last County Championship appearance.

Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga retires from Test cricket

Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga, 27, is retiring from Tests in a bid to prolong his one-day international career through to the 2015 World Cup.

Malinga angered Cricket Sri Lanka by ruling himself out of the England tour with a knee injury, while continuing to play in the Indian Premier League.

But he insists that while his knee can stand up to one-day and 20-over games, it cannot cope with five-day Tests.

"The heavy workload of Tests could lead to permanent injury," he said.

Malinga, known as "The Slinger" for his low-armed delivery, is one of world cricket's most recognisable players with his bleached curls.

The right-armer has played only two Tests since England's tour of Sri Lanka in December 2007, both against India last year, but has fashioned himself as a one-day and Twenty20 specialist, taking 13 wickets as Sri Lanka reached the final of the 2011 World Cup.

After the tournament, he told Sri Lankan state television that he had played his last World Cup match.

But in a statement on Friday, he said: "Although I am sufficiently fit to play both ODI and T20 cricket, I have a long-standing degenerative condition in my right knee that needs to be carefully managed.

"The condition relates directly to the chronic knee injury I sustained playing for Sri Lanka in Australia back in February 2008, an injury that prevented me from playing ODI cricket for 16 months.

"I have realised that the heavy workload of Test cricket, which requires a fast bowler to be able to bowl more than 15 overs, sometimes on consecutive days, could lead to permanent injury.

"I did try to return to Test cricket after a three-year absence last year following requests from the team management and the selectors, but it left me nursing severe knee pain for two months.

"I have carefully considered my options and have decided that not playing Test cricket will help me achieve my goal of representing Sri Lanka in the 2012 World Twenty20 and the 2015 World Cup."

Malinga's statement came after Sri Lanka Cricket chairman of selectors Duleep Mendis, a former national captain, said the new committee had written a letter to Malinga asking him to begin a new rehabilitation plan in Colombo.

"It looks a bit awkward when [he] says he's injured and still plays," Mendis said.

"That is the reason why we have decided to write to Malinga and ask him to return home and undergo a rehabilitation programme.

"Malinga has specifically mentioned in a letter that he is not available for Test matches right now because he has a nagging knee problem.

"When the player says that he is injured and he has to undergo a rehab programme what we can do is to tell him to undergo it immediately, without continuing to play cricket in the IPL, and then get ready for cricket in Sri Lanka if he is interested in playing for his country."

Malinga made his international debut in 2004, and took four wickets in four balls against South Africa at the 2007 World Cup, the first time it had been done in international cricket history.

He became the first man to take two World Cup hat-tricks when he took 6-38 to skittle Kenya at this year's tournament, and his Test career ends with 101 wickets from 30 Tests at an average of 33.15.

Sri Lanka - who will be captained by Tillakaratne Dilshan for the first time in Test cricket - are short on seam options for the upcoming England tour after all-rounder Angelo Mathews was ruled out with a thigh muscle injury suffered during the 2011 World Cup.

The 16-man squad contains four fast bowlers in Dilhara Fernando, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep.

Nuwan Kulasekara - the fast bowler who played in Sri Lanka's previous Test series, against West Indies, and featured on the 2006 tour of England - has been dropped.

Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal have also received call-ups. Both are considered to be among the most promising young Sri Lankan batsmen, and have already played ODIs.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket has backtracked on its demand for players to return home early from the IPL to prepare for the tour.

The board has decided that if players make themselves available for the second warm-up match - against England Lions in Derby on 19 May - it will be sufficient preparation for the Test series.

Dilshan's squad play Tests at Cardiff (from 26 May) and Lord's (3 June) before featuring in the inaugural Test at the Rose Bowl (16 June).

Sri Lanka Test squad to face England: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Tharanga Paranavithana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene (wicketkeeper), Thissara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Dilhara Fernando, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep.

Kiwi Kane Williamson set for Gloucestershire debut

New Zealand international Kane Williamson is set to make his debut for Gloucestershire in their CB40 match against the Unicorns on Monday.

The 20-year-old batsman's arrival at the County Ground has been delayed due to issues with his visa.

Williamson was a regular member of the Black Caps World Cup side that reached the semi-finals in India last month.

He will be joined in the next month by Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who is only playing in the T20.

Friday, April 22, 2011

(Late) Moin Akhtar Bio Biography

Moin Akhter ,Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, born 1950) is a Pakistani television, film and stage actor, comedian, impersonator, host, Pakistani movie, drama, TV and theater actor, writer, singer, director and producer. He has played roles in many PTV serials making a combination with Anwer Maqsood and Bushra Ansari.( and singer. His name is also often spelled as Moeen.

His TV debut was on September 6, 1966, in a variety show held to celebrate first defense day of Pakistan‎. He is a great artist belongs to Karachi a famous city of Pakistan and has starred in many TV dramas and live comedy events. He is rated among top artists in Pakistan. In 2005 he started work on talk show Loose Talk, in which he appears as a disguised guest every time and is interviewed humorously by writer Anwar Maqsood. Loose Talk airs on ARY Digital. He hosted "The Moin Akhtar Show" on PTV where he used to have celebrities come on the show with their spouses and have them answer questions, and also starred in the Television play, Rosi, which gained much fame because of Moin Akhtar's notable performance. Rosi was inspired by Tootsie and Moin Akhtar was the counterpart of Dustin Hoffman. He is one of the most versatile actors ever to enlighten the Pakistani television. His wit and humor keep the audience glued to the screen and while he says even the most impossible things, his sugar coated words along with his boyish charm make him one of the most unique actors in the business. Moin Akhtar is an inspiration for all the generations to come and one of the few that stand out among the many. He has parodied in several languages, including English, Sindhi, Punjabi, Memon, Pushto, Gujarati, bengali and others, while in the Urdu-speaking world, he is beloved for providing great humor for people of all ages, and with an etiquette that remains unmatched.

A few years ago, he suffered a heart attack and was admitted into the hospital. His fan base, in both India and Pakistan, and now spread all over the world as well, was gravely concerned for his health. In an interview with Mashrique, Moin Akhtar said: “I want to stay alive in the hearts and minds of the people, even after I am gone.” His fans around the globe will surely agree that he is already guaranteed that honour in his lifetime.

A variety show was held in Karachi on September 6, 1966, defense day of Pakistan. Numerous artists presented their items, including Nihal Abdullah, Taj Multani, Rubina Badar. A skinny youth by the name of Moin Akhtar also stepped up on the stage and entertained the audience with sound effects. Additionally, he also copied the voice and gestures of various Pakistani luminaries including Mohammad Ali.

he public who were all wearing smiles chanted: 'Once more, once more". People felt power in that boy's voice. He acted with confidence. There was a strange, enchanting way he conducted himself. Defense day was a celebration of people who have lifted our nation's pride. The show ended amidst incessant clapping.

Moin was ambitious but implacably determined to build a new world. That September night he must have dreamed a mighty dream and in a few dedicated years made it come true. In his teens, Moin was highly talented and - by dint of desire and hard work-was thriving ahead of his compatriots. His voice holds the power to gladden mortal hearts and his singular appearance and etiquette persists to this day.



Between 1966 and 1975, Moin performed in hundreds of shows. In the 1970s, face everyone knew.

Memorable among his public appearance was a show held at the Beach Luxury Hotel, sponsored by the Singer industries. Equally impressive was another musical evening also hosted by the Singer Company, in which Moin entertained the public both as a comedian and the host. However, fans remember Moin's true legacy-his comedy and that is a huge plus. When Urdu speaking people the world over, think of popular comedy, Moin is what they think of first. His innumerable achievements have dwarfed the most ambitious comedians in the past three decades. To think of Moin after so many accomplished years is to visualize life and humor. The Pakistani nation in general and experts in particular has never come across anybody like him, not even close. A passionate voice, a magnetic stage presence and fans like Dilip Kumar, have brought international acclaim to this dynamic comedian of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. All these years his passion for stage never ebbed. He has been flexible from day one. The secret of his success is that he remains open to change, Professionally and Personally. As an artist of highest repute, he is demanding in his discipline. With artists like Moin, it is often hard to tell where the screen persona end and the civilian life begin. Truth be told, Moin soon became the heartthrob of millions of people around the globe. He set a standard of style and substance that all of his successors admired. The spirit of self-reliance that his elders had taught him carried Moin though every performance. Moin, an ambassador of goodwill, captivated the hearts of his adorers with dignity, love and laughter. The image of this greatest Pakistani comedian is imprinted on the retinas of every fan. So dominating are the accomplishments of Moin that his admirers cannot think about any other entertainer.

n the early eighties, he achieved tremendous success as host of a show, held in Dubai. Literally speaking, there is no sphere of the Pakistani society, which Moin has not copied, through his parody. From the role of a poor beggar to the character of the highest-ranking bureaucrat, Moin has filled in the role of every single being. What more could Moin wish for, when the greatest Indian actor, Dilip Kumar, himself passed these comments: 'Moin Akhtar's great artistry is worth copying. That Moin continued to work as an individual artist on what was, in fact, a group feat of organizers, is presumably the secret of his potency.



Today, thirty-eight years after his first performance, the wistful magic of Moin gives him aliveness uncommon in the Pakistani entertainment. An average Moin fan cannot easily explain the wellsprings of his art. It seems that it comes from within. Moin found a perfect unanimity of tone with his colleagues, particularly Shoaib Mansoor and Anwer Maqsood. Moin, whose life and achievements inspired others, is all sweetness and light and on top of that has never let down his fans. His wit and wisdom took his fame to every nook and corner of this world. All his shows have an enduring quality. Most importantly, he never lost his power to inspire, entertain and even change lives.



From' pilot Yaqoob' of 'Buddha ghar per hai' to 'Seth Manjoor' in 'Such Much': 'Kaan Aap ki phemli kidar hai', his ability to devote unswerving attention to his task produced success in his field. His parody in English, Urdu, Sindhi, Bengali, Punjabi, Memon, Pushto, Gujrati and many other dialects distinguish him from all other entertainers. He was apt to be successful in Haseena Moin's television comedy play, 'Eid train': 'Bhabi samosa khayia' and numerous other programs like 'Studio Ponay teen', 'Show time', 'Half plate' and 'Excuse me'. Moin, an adornment to the entertainment world, is a gift that keeps on giving: His parody of a Bengali film director, Silver Jubilee in 1983: 'Mubeen Aktar, kaum chahiye'. Is yet another example of the poise and intelligence he displayed. In the process he transformed his life into an exciting adventure that constantly challenges, rewarded and rejuvenated him. His parody of a bus driver in Pushto accent, 'Aur aik baat hum bhi bata dayta hai', is yet another instance of his artistry.



Moin, the jewel of the Pakistani film, radio, television, stage and music, whose eyes smile with the joy of today, the promise of tomorrow, said: 'I have confidence in my own abilities.' Moreover, he has such good judgment and intuition, that he rarely makes a wrong decision. Majority of Pakistanis believe that had there been an artist of Moin's caliber in U.S.A. then the American people would have carved his statues and the U.S. postal service would have issued stamps of Moin Akhtar.

In fact, Moin has raised his God gifted talents to compeer and act to a point where no other actor will be able to reach in the next hundred years. Further, what distinguishes Moin from other comedians is his par excellence-comedy of the highest quality.



Furthermore, Moin is the only host in the annals of the Pakistani showbiz, who had the honor to be the host of maximum number of shows in which the head of states from both Pakistan and abroad were invited:



He was the host of the show in which King Husain of Jordan was invited.

He was the host of the show in which the Prime minister of Gambia, Dawoodi-Al-Joza, was invited.

He was the host of the show in which President Zia-ul-Haq was invited.

He was the host of the show in which Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was invited.

He was the host of the show in which President General Yahya Khan was invited.

He was the host of the show in which President Ghulam Ishaq Khan was invited.



Apart from that, he was the host of the Imran Khan show, Dilip Kumar show and Madhuri show.

During Imran Khan show, Raza Murad of India, paid tributes to Moin in these words: 'Moin is to stage as Imran Khan and Sunil Gavaskar are to cricket and Dilip Kumar is to the films.' This is how Moin differentiates between a host and an actor: 'Actor is like the passenger of the plane, while host is the captain of the plane'. The success and failure of the show, according to Moin, depends on the host. Moin Akhtar was the host of the sixth Pakistan television award show, while Shoaib Mansoor wrote and directed that show. Generally speaking, sixth Pakistan television award show is considered the best award ceremony ever held.



Additionally, Moin believes that Anwer Maqsood is the best writer he has ever seen. The latter leaves no margin to add or edit the script. Besides, Moin himself has written a lot for programs, but used the names of other writers. He maintains that if he concentrates on writing, then he will be unable to do justice as an actor and a host. Moin worked in the film 'Taaj daar'. He also appeared in the film 'Mr. K-2.' Talking of music, Moin is also a very good singer. Years ago numerous songs were recorded in his voice, which were originally sung by Ahmed Rushdi. Moin is the master of parody. In the past thirty-eight years, he has copied the voice and gestures of thousands of artists, including Mohammad Ali, Waheed Murad, Mehdi Hasan, Ahmed Rushdi and many more.

He appeared in various Pakistan television programs. Most prominent among them was 'Rozi'. While playing the role of 'Miss Rozi', his craftsmanship seemed effortless. He also worked in numerous stage shows from Lahore, as well. The entire Pakistani nation had prayed for his health and longevity, when he was admitted to the cardiac hospital, after suffering a heart attack.

He hosted the Pakistan television show on the 'Martyrs of Kargil' He interviewed the son of a Kargil martyr. Everyone in the audience became very emotional as the child replied that following the footsteps of his father, he, too, desires to achieve martyrdom to uphold the honor of his country.



The public was remarkably quiet and reflective. With tears in his eyes, Moin concluded the show with these words: 'Who could defeat this nation whose innocent little children have so much love and devotion for their country'. While Moin is in our midst, one has to admit that there will never be another Moin that is for sure

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