Shahid Afridi announces retirement from International Cricket

Star Cricket all-rounder and former Pakistani captain, Shahid Khan Afridi, has announced retirement from international cricket. He has decided to quit cricket after his sheer disappointment with the leadership of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Afridi was earlier reported to be dejected over PCB’s decision to sack him as captain.

He was removed from captaincy due to his leakages of internal rifts in the Pakistani side especially the differences between him and coach Waqar Younis overt how to build team Pakistan. Afridi has expressed his dissidence over the way cricket matters are dealt with by the current cricket Board.  According to him, the inappropriate attitude of PCB was catalyst to his decision to quit cricket.

 “I am uncomfortable to continue my cricket, at least, under the auspices of the current cricket board. I do not think, I have done anything inappropriate that all of the sudden I was sacked. Obviously, everybody wants to play in a dignified manner.” He said.


Meanwhile, Aajaz Bhut has told that the remarks of Shahid Afridi were contradicting the code of conduct that resulted in his removal as captain. However, his doors to play for Pakistan were never shut according to the PCB head.

By all his gestures, it appeared that the board was disrespectful to the star player, Shahid Khan Afridi. That, however, is not a new thing in Pakistan. Almost, all the greatest stars of the country, excluding, Imran Khan have left the cricket in disappointment.

Afridi, throughout, his career has inspired millions of hearts across the world with his fearless cricket moves both in bowling and batting. There is hardly any modern bowler who did not get boundary out of Afridi’s bat. He made 1,716 runs in 27 test matches while scoring 6,695 at the average of 23.49. He has also taken 315 wickets in ODI matches. He is worldly renown for his biggest sixes and holds a record of highest number of sixes, 289, in limited-hour edition of cricket. He has scored a 100 of only 37 balls which thus far remains a world record.

Afridi was, without any doubt, one of the greatest entertainers in cricket history. He certainly deserved a dignified exit from cricket

‘Begum Nawazish’ arrested for beating his mother

Allegedly drunk and out of control, Ali Saleem, a popular actor who plays the role of Begum Nawazish Ali, landed in a police lockup on Thursday for physically beating his aging mother in Islamabad.

Islamabad’s Bhara Kahu police arrested the star for torturing his mother at her residence in Banni Gala when he was out of his senses after getting drunk, police said, adding that the lady had her nose broken because of the hammering she received from her son.

They said that Ali Saleem reached Islamabad on Wednesday from Karachi to meet his mother, Farzana Saleem. He is the son of a retired Colonel Saleem, who has been associated with the security of the State Bank of Pakistan in Karachi.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Operations, Bin Yamin, when contacted, confirmed Saleem’s arrest on the charge of assaulting his mother.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Habibullah Khan Niazi, the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Bhara Kahu Circle, said the accused had been arrested by the Bhara Kahu police on the complaint of Farzana Saleem.

He said the lady, resident of Margalla Street, Korage Road, Banni Gala, lodged a complaint with the Bhara Kahu police saying that she was living in this house for the last many years, and her son Ali Saleem frequently visited her. He came to Islamabad on Wednesday from Karachi, the DSP, quoting the complainant, said and added that at about 6.00am when he was dead drunk, he started beating her breaking her nose in the assault.

Niazi said she informed the police about the incident on telephone and asked for help. He said the police reached the house and arrested Ali Saleem, who was drunk. A case was registered against him.

The police shifted Farzana Saleem to hospital for medical help, the DSP said. According to the preliminary medico-legal report, her nose bone was cracked while multiple bruises were found on different parts of her body.

However, later she refused to pursue the case further against her son. The medico-legal officer of the Polyclinic hospital, however, proposed in his report that an FIR against the accused be lodged under section 337-A, which is a non-bailable offence.

Character dheela ha was rejected by Akshay kumar

There’s a saying, “Dane dane pe likha hai khane wale ka naam” (Fate has already decided who will eat a particular grain of rice). Who would have guessed that the famous song Character dheela from Salman Khan’s Ready was actually written and composed for Akshay Kumar in Khatta Meetha!

Believe it or not, Character dheela, composed by Pritam Chakraborty and penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, was initially made for ‘Khatta Meetha’. But director Priyadarshan and actor Akshay Kumar did not like the song and didn’t use it in the film. Since the song belonged to the music label T-Series, and Pritam is the music director of ‘Khatta Meetha’ and ‘Ready’, they decided to pitch the song for the Salman Khan starrer. Director Anees Bazmee liked the song so much that he roped in Zarine Khan for an item number in it as well! Going by the popularity of the song, Anees couldn’t have been more right!

So while Salman shakes to ‘Character dheela’, Akshay has to make do with Nana chi taang.

U.S. occupation of Pakistan is next

While the U.S. raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound earlier this month was roundly praised by those on both sides of the political spectrum, there were also a fair share of detractors. One of those was Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul, an announced candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

Paul, in an appearance on  “Morning Joe” on MSNBC, voiced his frustration over the particular incident involving bin Laden’s death. However he blamed the entire U.S.-Pakistani relations as a whole for the way it had to be handled. He explained there had been some successes during the Bush administration and questioned why the Obama administration had abandoned that policy.

However, he made a bombshell prediction and said the United States will ultimately occupy Pakistan.

“I see the whole thing as a mess,” he said. “And I think that we are going to be in Pakistan. I think that’s the next occupation, and I fear it. I think it’s ridiculous, and I think our foreign policy is such we don’t need to be doing this. So when I talk about doing it differently, I talk about in the context of our foreign policy and not in the fact of whether or not we should have gotten him. As a matter of fact, I voted for the first authority. I think what’s the real tragedy is that we didn’t get him 10 years ago when we could have and should have. But yet we now have spent $1 trillion. We’ve lost 5,000 people, our soldiers, in fighting two wars that had nothing to do with bin Laden. And to me, we have to reassess the foreign policy just like we have to reassess our economic policies here.”

Later in the segment, “Morning Joe” co-host Willie Geist asked if Paul had any information an actual invasion was in the work. Paul said he didn’t but based it on the past four decades of American foreign policy.

“No – just because I look at what has happened in the past 30 or 40 years of all the unintended consequences and what we have done and how we are spreading and how we are spreading in the attitudes that has been pervasive in our government for the past 10 years that we have this obligation to spread our goodness and protect our financial interests,” Paul said. “And right now Pakistan is a big problem. And the people there, we have created a civil war there. And the fact that we go over there and we violate their security and the people rebel against the government because they see their government as being a puppet of the American government, so it’s total chaos, and I am afraid — I hope I’m absolutely wrong — but I’m afraid we will be in Pakistan trying to occupy that country, and it will probably be very unsuccessful.”

Shahid afridi thrown out of Captaincy

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt, who is deeply in love with the game of musical chairs, on Thursday sacked Shahid Afridi as ODI captain and appointed Test skipper Misbahul Haq in place of the flamboyant all-rounder. Misbah will lead a 16-member squad for a two-match series against Ireland. The ODI matches will be played on May 28 and May 30 in Belfast. Three changes have been made from the ODI squad that defeated the West Indies. Opener Ahmad Shahzad, middle-order batsman Usman Salahuddin and fast bowler Sadaf Hussain have been dropped. In their place come Azhar Ali, Younus Khan and Umar Gul. Younus and Gul were both rested for the Caribbean ODI trip and Younus missed the Test series after his brother passed away. “Afridi has been retained as a player in the one-day squad but the captaincy has gone to Misbah,” Ijaz told reporters without elaborating the reason for the decision.

But it is an open secret that Afridi has been punished for giving statements against the team management, particularly against coach Waqar Younis with whom he developed differences over the selection matters. Last December, during the tour of New Zealand, members of the team and the board were also upset with Afridi’s very public criticisms of the performances of the side in two Twenty20 losses. Afridi also irked the board by walking away from the Test captaincy on the tour to England, one Test after being appointed. And it seems that Ijaz had enough with Afridi’s penchant for clumsy public statements.

Misbah now becomes the fifth ODI captain under the near three-year tenure of Ijaz, there have also been six Test captains in that time. Afridi became Pakistan’s fourth ODI captain in less than two years after Shoaib Malik, Younus and Mohammad Yousuf when he led the team in the Asia Cup last year. Afridi had captained the team to the World Cup semifinals where they lost to India and recently also guided them to a 3-2 win over the West Indies in the ODI series in the Caribbean. Afridi once again ruffled feathers in the PCB and team when he returned from the Caribbean early this month and told the media that he was not happy with people interfering in his work. The PCB served a show cause notice on Afridi to explain his conduct as he had violated the players’ code of conduct with his statement on team affairs. In 34 ODIs, Afridi won 18 and lost 15 games, a stretch that included tough series against England and South Africa.

Ijaz made it clear Afridi had never been given any assurances regarding the captaincy. He pointed out that the present policy of the board was to appoint captain on a series-to-series basis. Afridi had struggled with bat and ball in the one-day series in the West Indies but has been leading the national team in limited overs cricket since early 2010 while Misbah has been Test captain since last year. The enigmatic all-rounder, who took 21 wickets in eight World Cup matches, managed only two against West Indies in five matches. He continued to struggle with his batting form and made only 28 runs with a poor average of 9.33 in five games in the Caribbean. On Monday, Afridi left for the United States for a private family visit and will rejoin the team in Ireland.

Former Test spinner and chief selector Iqbal Qasim lashed out at the decision. “Afridi has been punished for taking over the captaincy at a time when the situation was very bad, said Qasim, talking about the fallout from a series of alleged spot-fixing scandals. He has been punished for taking Pakistan to World Cup semis. This decision smacks of a one-man show in the PCB,” said Qasim, referring to Ijaz’s reign as chairman. Since taking over the reins of the PCB, Ijaz has plunged Pakistan cricket to its lowest ebb. The farce of the PCB chairman’s blatant lies, antics, controversial appointments and sackings are unprecedented and shows how the country’s richest organisation has been crippled by the rule of misfit ‘political appointee’, who needs medication to get going.

Lisa Edelstein Leaves House

Lisa Edelstein is checking out of Fox TV's House.
In a statement, the actress said she is leaving the medical series after seven years as Dr. Lisa Cuddy. The decision followed much consideration and brings mixed feelings, Edelstein said: She's disappointed at leaving a character she loved playing but is excited about the opportunities in acting and producing that are ahead.Edelstein didn't offer details on her plans.
House stars British actor Hugh Laurie in the title role of a cranky but brilliant doctor. He and Edelstein's Cuddy, a hospital administrator, had explored a relationship this season. The women of House are dwindling as Lisa Edelstein has made the decision not to return for the shows eighth (and potentially last) season. Along with Omar Epps and Robert Sean Leonard, Edelstein was the last of the main cast to not be signed on. The difference is, Epps and Leonard both decided to come back for another season with Epps even taking a pay cut. So why didn’t Edelstein?

Minissha Lamba arrested at Mumbai airport

Bollywood actress Minissha Lamba , who walked the red carpet at Cannes last week, was today (18-05-2011) detained by the Customs at the international airport here for not declaring diamond jewellery worth over Rs 50 lakh, a senior official said.

26-year-old Lamba, who landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here from Cannes, was crossing the green channel when she was intercepted by the customs officials.

While checking her luggage, she was found to be carrying jewellery worth over Rs 50 lakh, the officer said. She was kept in detention for several hours.

But the airport episode was not the beginning of her troubles. One of her bags was stolen in Nice, France.

"Disaster has struck. A baggage of mine has been stolen at Nice Airport. I can't believe something like this has happened," she tweeted.

"Even with two CCTV camera's right over d baggage, police or airline still won't confirm if it was 'stolen' or 'misplaced' (sic)," she said.

Lamba, whose debut film 'Yahaan' garnered much critical acclaim, has also acted in movies like 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', 'Corporate' and 'Well Done Abba'.

She was at the French city to attend the premiere of Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris`. Minnisha was also invited for a bash post the screening.

Keith Allen's Unlawful Killing

New film by Keith Allen investigates whether Princess Diana’s death was an unlawful killing or a cover up by the British establishment.
The subject matter of Unlawful Killing is of course controversial. Its release, only three years after the inquest verdict of unlawful killing is guaranteed to have the conspiracy theorists excited. But as Allen says, “Unlawful Killing is not about a conspiracy before the crash, but a provable conspiracy after the crash.” A cover up conspiracy by the establishment including police chiefs, secret service, judges and newspaper editors.
Allen decided to raise the question of whether Diana was murdered after Michael Mansfield QC, one of Britain's most respected and long serving lawyers, "persuaded me that there were suspicious circumstances surrounding the crash, and signs of a cover-up by the authorities." The question of whether Diana was murdered was also asked by numerous journalists after her death. But as the inquest into Diana's death grew nearer those journalists and newspaper editors who were previously looking for answers, “suddenly fell into line, and started insisting that the inquest was a waste of time.” Allen, a much respected and well liked actor, comedian and filmmaker in the UK, although never one to shy away from controversy, approached every UK broadcaster to fund a television documentary on the subject but found all doors closed to him. In the end it was Mohamed Al Fayed, the father of Dodi, Diana’s lover who also died in the car crash, who ended up funding the entire film.

Just a few of the many points brought up in Unlawful Killing film include:

*Diana predicting her own death in a car accident in a lawyer’s note stating that her husband was planning, “an accident in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for him to marry”

*The royals were less than happy (an understatement) with Diana’s romance and possible marriage to Muslim Dodi Al Fayed

*Diana angered government ministers with her call for an international ban on landmines, which was out of step with government policy. Earl Howe the UK Junior Defence Minister called her a ‘loose cannon’ at the time

*All of the closed circuit television cameras in the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel where either not working or switched off the night of the fatal car crash in Paris

*Diana said herself that the establishment was not happy because she was trouble to them and she would not go quietly.

*Doubts raised over blood samples taken from the driver of the Mercedes, Henri Paul. A known teetotaler, Paul’s blood samples showed that he was legally drunk. But a report published in The Times stated that police expressed concerns that his blood sample was mixed up with another sample in the laboratory.

*No DNA tests were taken to prove that the blood sample actually belonged to Henri Paul

*A toxicologist claimed that blood tests proving the drunkenness of Paul were ‘biologically inexplicable”

*Over 100 important witnesses refused to appear or were not called to the official inquest
The conspiracy theories surrounding Diana’s death are never ending. The internet is awash with numerous theories including her murder at the hands of CIA and MI6 under orders from the British establishment. Allen is well aware of the problems that can come with conspiracy theories. Of the conspiracy theory frenzy out there surrounding Diana’s death he said that, “Unlawful Killing, was leaked on to YouTube and seized on by US conspiracy theorists, who immediately began claiming that the CIA had murdered Princess Diana, thereby allowing others to dismiss my documentary as mad.”
Until the film obtains a UK release it will be up to France and the US to watch and give a view. An open mind will be required to watch this film and take the facts to a conclusion. The inquest was closed with the verdict of an unlawful killing but it will now be up to the public to question whether that verdict was correct or a government cover up. This may all sound like an addition to a never ending conspiracy theory but as is mentioned in the film, “Presidents have been killed for less.”

Oprah winfrey show final episode

From the moment it was announced that the 25th season of Oprah Winfrey’s talk show would be her last, there has been the giddy promise of what America’s beloved, derided, oracular maker of self-help and celebrity magic would have up her sleeve.
The possibilities seemed infinite, fantastical, destined to widen eyes, provoke shrieking excitement and inspire parody. We would live our Best Lives and make them BETTERRRRR! It would be like the Wizard of Dr. Oz: Dr. Phil would be there! And Gail! And you would be there too, John Travolta, and you, Barack Obama! It was a fun parlor game to guess at what absurdist lineups might be in store: Barbra Streisand and Jonathan Franzen! The ghost of Michael Jackson! J.K. Rowling doing an oral presentation of an eighth Harry Potter book! Bigfoot! You get a pet lion! You get a pet lion! You get a pet lion!
In many respects, the season has not let us down. Gail, Steadman, Drs. Phil and Oz, Travolta, Franzen and both Barack and Michelle Obama have all shown up. One mind-bending show featured both Jon Stewart and Liza Minnelli! Rowling appeared, conceding that she “could definitely write an eighth book"; and while there has not yet been a pet lion giveaway, one of Oprah’s guests was a talking chimp.
But now we’re at the end, the final eight days, and the fantasies must begin to abate. So I was slightly crestfallen to learn that two -– two! -- of the precious final hours were dedicated to an extended interview with James Frey, disgraced author of "A Million Little Pieces."
Back in 2005, Oprah picked Frey’s purported memoir, which had been a bestseller two years earlier, for her book club. When it was revealed in 2006 that Frey had made parts of his memoir up, Oprah first defended him and then, caught in a scrum of high-profile media criticism for her role in a culture of “truthiness,” had invited him on her show for one of the most blistering public spankings in pop culture memory.
Oprah’s 2006 flogging of Frey was fierce, fiery, unforgettable. Having him back for a quick farewell follow-up might have made sense, and perhaps been compelling, earlier in the season. But Frey is now an old story, the controversy stale. And the frustrating thing about Winfrey’s farewell season has been that every show has felt over-stuffed with too many stars shoehorned in together.
During a recent comedy episode meant to feature Tina Fey, Fey dutifully coughed up an exclusive-to-Oprah revelation –- that she was five months pregnant –- but could barely get another sly word in edgewise. She was crammed in with former cast members of "Saturday Night Live," one of whom, Jane Curtin, provocatively recalled that the late John Belushi had sabotaged skits written by women, a comment that Oprah barely had time to acknowledge, let alone follow up on, so many guests were left to attend to.
On another show, Winfrey started down a great interrogative path, asking rock legend Stevie Nicks about whether female rock stars had groupies. When Nicks emphatically replied that they didn’t and launched into a rarely heard description of life on tour for women versus men, Oprah had to rush past her to get to the rest of her agenda, which included Sheryl Crow, Joan Jett, Pat Benetar, Salt-N-Pepa, Miley Cyrus, Avril Lavigne and a singalong with Sister Sledge!
So very many of Oprah’s final shows could have extended over two, three or four hours. But they weren’t. Instead, we get two hours with an author whose 8-year-old-book was already discredited thoroughly, on Oprah's show, six years ago?
Yes. That is what we get. And we get it because it is what Oprah wants.
Monday’s episode began with a refresher on the Frey scandal, focusing on how Oprah’s inclusion of the book in her all-powerful book club had catapulted it back to the bestseller list for 17 weeks and helped it to sell 4 million copies, and then on how Oprah’s initial support of Frey led to her being taken to task. Highlights of the ensuing Oprah-Frey showdown played briefly. “It remains the biggest controversy in our 25 years.”
Really? Bigger than Franzen? Bigger than the Secret? Bigger than her beef trial? Bigger than Tom Cruise? The superlatives have come fast and furious in Oprah’s last season; every other sentence out of Winfrey’s mouth is about how one guest elicited the biggest response in 25 years, or another affected her more deeply than any other.  So sure, maybe Frey was the biggest scandal. But don’t confuse him with the "Oprah" show’s most scintillating conversation or its most inspiring weight loss story. James Frey was just an ambitious and opportunistic writer who happened to get Oprah in the most trouble.
Oprah appeared to be most stumped and fascinated by Frey’s confession that he had never watched the episode in question, aside from the clips he saw in O’Hare and LaGuardia on his way home from Chicago to New York. “Why? Why have you never watched it?” she asked, flummoxed.
Obsessed not with Frey’s memories of his own choices at that time, but with his memories and impressions of her choices, Oprah was stubbornly incurious about Frey’s experience of anything other than his appearance on her show. Winfrey followed her interrogation of why he hadn’t watched the episode with a question about how Frey felt in the car after having taped the episode. When he told her the tale of driving home and finding himself laughing out loud, Oprah asked, “Did you ever cry about it? Did you shed a tear about it?. . . Were you angry? Were you frustrated? Were you angry with me? Did you think you’d been set up?”
Most interesting, Frey said that he did feel that he’d been set up, that producers had not been straight with him about what the show was supposed to be, and that he did not realize he was going to be taken to task until just before he took the stage, when a producer told him, “This is gonna be rough; it’s gonna be hard. Don’t walk off; don’t yell. I promise you’ll be redeemed at the end of this.”
Oprah did not offer any reaction to the accusation that her producers had misled him. It didn’t seem to matter to Frey, who conceded that even if he’d known the extent of how bad it was going to be, he still would have come on the show.
“I wrote a book and I published it as something that it wasn’t and I was dishonest in promoting that book, and that’s how I got here,” Frey said, summing up the situation succinctly. But Oprah went on, prodding Frey to recall how he’d first felt when he’d learned he was a book club pick, whether he thought she had been too hard on him.
I cannot believe we did not get to hear more from Stevie Nicks about sex with male groupies.
But this interview –- or at least the first half of it –- was not about another person’s personal history, not even about James Frey’s. “What did you think of the way [the interview] was conducted?” Oprah was still asking at the end of the episode.  When he again told Winfrey that he’d felt ambushed, she again failed to respond directly to the accusation, and instead told the story of how her friend, the spiritualist and author Marianne Williamson had called her after the Frey show and said, “How dare you?” and castigated Winfrey for the superior and censorious pose she’d taken with Frey.
What has made Oprah compelling for more than a quarter-century has not just been her power, her tractor beam cultural pull. It has also been her all too obvious fallibilities, chief among them her obsession with what other people think of her.
A perplexing two episodes out of a final eight with James Frey appear, at least from the first hour, to be much less about James Frey and than about Oprah Winfrey. We are getting a final tour of her self-obsession and self-doubt, a return to one of the rare controversies that caused her to fall out of favor with cultural critics and friends, in which she perhaps did not wield her Oprah powers wisely or to great acclaim.
It’s frustrating but appropriate. This, along with the healers and the Scientologists and the cars and the wizards is Oprah –- personal weaknesses, narcissism and self-doubt on full display.

IMF chief arrested for attempted rape & sex assault

IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who is also a leading French politician widely expected to run for presidency against Nicholas Sarkozy next year, was arrested in New York from a plane about to take off  on Saturday for allegedly sexually assaulting a chambermaid at his hotel.
The New York police department has accused Strauss-Kahn of assaulting the woman in his suite at a Manhattan hotel. The staffer wasn’t aware the guest hadn’t checked out. Strauss-Kahn was in the shower.

He is said to have emerged naked, assaulted the woman and checked out in a hurry. Strauss-Kahn had by then boarded a flight for Paris at the JFK airport. But the plane was held back at the request of the police and he was escorted out by airport authority detectives and handed over to the police.

“He is being arrested for a criminal sex act, attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment,” deputy commissioner Paul J.
Browne, the New York police department’s chief spokesperson, said Saturday night. The police have also said they have forensic evidence against Strauss-Kahn. Strauss-Kahn is being represented by lawyers who are expected to make a statement.
The IMF, however, is not defending its managing director. “Mr Strauss-Kahn has retained legal counsel, and the IMF has no comment on the case; all inquiries will be referred to his personal lawyer and to the local authorities,” said Caroline Atkinson, director of external relations. “The IMF remains fully functioning and operational,” she added.
This is not the first time the IMF has come up against its managing director’s extra-curricular activities. He was investigated in 2008 by the organisation for abuse of power over an affair with an IMF economist.
Strauss-Kahn had apologised for an “error in judgement”.
The International Monetary Fund chief has been long expected to be heading home from Washington to run against Sarkozy. He belongs to the opposition Socialist Party and held the position of finance minister in the 1990s.
He took over as IMF managing director in 2007, months before the onset of the global economic crisis, which many believe gave him the chance to carve out for himself a role that kept him in the news back home.

Pakistan China interested in remains of U.S. chopper

Pakistan and its "best friend" China want to study the remains of a U.S. chopper damaged in Pakistan during the Osama bin Laden raid, Pakistani officials said.

A Pakistani official expressed his country's interest in the helicopter, while another said China too is interested, adding: "We might let (the Chinese) take a look."

Aviation experts told  they believe the secret stealth-modified helicopter was a highly classified modified version of a Blackhawk helicopter. One said: "You wouldn't know that it was coming right at you. And that's what's important, because these are coming in fast and low. …"

The craft was abandoned by the U.S. Navy SEAL team after killing the al-Qaida leader in a May 2 predawn raid on his compound in the garrison town of Abbottabad, northeast of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

Pakistan is a close ally of China and last week, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani described China as Pakistan's "best and most trusted friend" ahead of his visit to the communist country this month.

Report says that United States has already asked the Pakistanis to return the remains of the craft. A U.S. official said he did not know whether the Pakistanis' had made the offer to the Chinese but added he would be "shocked" if the latter haven't already gotten access.

The White House has said the craft was damaged after clipping a wall and the SEALs tried to destroy it but a portion of the tail section remained after an explosion. The report said the tail section and other destroyed pieces were later photographed being carried on a tractor from the crash site.

Any technological information obtained from studying the remains could be valuable to the Chinese, former White House counter-terrorism adviser Richard Clarke said.

"Because Pakistan gets access to Chinese missile technology and other advanced systems, Islamabad is always looking for ways to give China something in return," Clarke said.

China may soon get its hands on the wreckage of the United States' secret stealth-modified helicopter, which was abandoned by its troops during the Abbottabad raid, according to Pakistani officials.

The Obama administration is also asking Pakistan to return the debris of the helicopter which crash-landed during the operation. Congressman Rohrabacher feels Pakistan may already allowed China to have a look at the proprietary technologies that were used in the chopper.

"It is probable, given Pakistan's history, that our technology has already found its way into the hands of Chinese military that is buying, building, and stealing the necessary military technology to challenge the US,'' he said.

A May 9 report in Defence News said the wreckage has seemingly disappeared, leading to speculation that pieces may have been shipped to China or made available to Chinese engineers in Pakistan.

Black water enters UAE

Late one night last November, a plane carrying dozens of Colombian men touched down in this glittering seaside capital. Whisked through customs by an Emirati intelligence officer, the group boarded an unmarked bus and drove roughly 20 miles to a windswept military complex in the desert sand.

The Colombians had entered the United Arab Emirates posing as construction workers. In fact, they were soldiers for a secret American-led mercenary army being built by Erik Prince, the billionaire founder of Blackwater Worldwide, with $529 million from the oil-soaked sheikdom.

Mr. Prince, who resettled here last year after his security business faced mounting legal problems in the United States, was hired by the crown prince of Abu Dhabi to put together an 800-member battalion of foreign troops for the U.A.E., according to former employees on the project, American officials and corporate documents obtained by The New York Times.

The force is intended to conduct special operations missions inside and outside the country, defend oil pipelines and skyscrapers from terrorist attacks and put down internal revolts, the documents show. Such troops could be deployed if the Emirates faced unrest or were challenged by pro-democracy demonstrations in its crowded labor camps or democracy protests like those sweeping the Arab world this year.

The U.A.E.’s rulers, viewing their own military as inadequate, also hope that the troops could blunt the regional aggression of Iran, the country’s biggest foe, the former employees said. The training camp, located on a sprawling Emirati base called Zayed Military City, is hidden behind concrete walls laced with barbed wire. Photographs show rows of identical yellow temporary buildings, used for barracks and mess halls, and a motor pool, which houses Humvees and fuel trucks. The Colombians, along with South African and other foreign troops, are trained by retired American soldiers and veterans of the German and British special operations units and the French Foreign Legion, according to the former employees and American officials.

cheerleader Gabriella Pasqualotto thrown out from IPL

South African cheerleader Gabriella Pasqualotto has become an internet sensation and a mini-celebrity back home after being kicked out of the IPL for secretly blogging on player behavior in post-match parties. The 22-year-old Gabriella, from Pietermaritzburg, was one of the 40 South African cheerleaders in the IPL and was employed by Mumbai Indians. She reportedly wrote about "flirtatious" and "inappropriate" behavior by the cricketers and even mentioned some of them. South African media reported that her blogs created "privacy concerns" for the players.

Gabriella told the press she believed many cheerleaders had intimate relations with cricketers and accused her employers of being "hypocritical". Reports suggest she was sacked after a cricketer and another cheerleader complained to the IPL chairperson.

"On Tuesday last week I was sent home as if I was a criminal. I was treated as if I had taken drugs or done something awful and I was never offered an opportunity to give my side of the story," Gabriella told the Witness. "It's a joke. There are cameras everywhere at these after-parties watching what they (the players) got up to. The guys treated us like pieces of meat. We couldn't go anywhere without the crowds mobbing us and many of the girls did not behave. But nothing I wrote was directed at any one person. I think the cricketers who complained had a guilty conscience."

Gabriella initially began to tweet comments about her experiences at the after-parties, and was then approached by a website to write a blog. After two posts created a sensation, she was sacked.

One of her posts stated, "We are practically like walking porn. These cricketers are the most loose and mischievous I have come across. I have a long while still here, so I must remember my tip list: beware of the cricketers!"

Already, support for Pasqualotto has been gathering steam on Twitter, forcing Cricket South Africa media officer Michael Owen-Smith to state that SA cricketers were expected to adhere to the board's code of conduct.

Another post which she was forced to remove states: "The men see your face, then your b***s, then your a**, then your b***s again, Ol' Graeme Smith will flirt with anyone while his girlfriend walks behind him. The Australian cricketers are naughty, a certain someone played kissing catches with three girls. He told them, 'Come to my room, I want to cuddle'."

However, she was all praise for a few Indian players: "The few Indian players we have met, such as MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma have been very polite and keep to themselves in the dark corners.

"Hotshots like Tendulkar with families at home are never present. The likes of Jonty Rhodes and Albie Morkel are notorious for having a good time with friends!"

Pasqualotto, who lost a month's earnings, around 8000 rand, now says, "People think you are like handmaidens to the cricket gods, and I'm thrown out for a silly blog." Graeme Smith's agent Craig Livingstone refused to comment.

Shahid Afridi in trouble

Shahid Afridi is in trouble over his remarks over team selection,The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering sidelining limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi from the Ireland series that starts after the West Indies tour. Afridi, who confirmed receiving a letter from the PCB demanding an explanation of the remarks made on team management’s interference during the Caribbean tour, returned to Pakistan after the completion of the limited-overs matches.
However, the PCB, irked by the comments, stated that Afridi is likely to be dropped from the Ireland series until the submission of the tour report at the end of the West Indies Test series.
“He won’t be selected until the submission of the tour report,” a PCB official told “Afridi’s future is in jeopardy as PCB ponders over the idea of a long-term captain.”
Afridi, according to the PCB official, was never the ideal option for captaincy and was given the role on a series-to-series basis.
The official said that the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt is looking to hand over the role to a long-term prospect and Misbahul Haq is being tipped to become the limited-overs captain with opener Mohammad Hafeez as the deputy.

Salman khan top paid bollywood star

The brat of Bollywood, Salman Khan, has reportedly beat the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan to be the highest paid actor in B'Town. The actor was reportedly offered a movie for Rs. 30 crore post Dabangg, a huge success at the box office.

According to a Times of India report, actors are also known to take home part of the profits from the movie. The actor is supposedly charging a whooping 17.5 crore for the movie Ready. He is also part of the production team for the movie. So he will probably eat this cake and have it too.

Daniel Radcliffe named richest actor under 30

Daniel Radcliffe has been named the richest actor under the age of 30.
The Harry Potter actor - who recently finished filming his run of movies playing the boy wizard - made £28.5 million  in 2009-10, pushing his net worth to £48 million .

The 21-year-old star, who is currently appearing in Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, is not the only Harry Potter actor to appear in The Sunday Times Rich List of young people - Emma Watson comes in at 13 with earnings of £2 million , pushing her total up to £22 million , joint with Rupert Grint.

Fellow hunk Robert Pattinson also made the list at number nine, worth a total of £32 million , narrowly beating British beauty Keira Knightley, whose net work is £30 million  - putting her at number 10.

Princes William and Harry came in one place after Keira thanks to their inheritance from their late mother Diana and land owning.

Cheryl Cole - who has recently been confirmed as a judge on the US version of X Factor - earned £10 million  in the last year, coming to a total of £12 million .

Osama dead long before US operation: Iran

Iran’s Intelligence Minister has said that the country has reliable information that Al Qaeda’s former head Osama bin Laden died of disease some time ago.

While talking to media representatives Haider Moslehi said, “We have accurate information that Bin Laden died of illness some time ago.”

He questioned Washington that if Osama Bin Laden had been really killed in a hiding compound in Pakistan on May 02, then why do not America show his dead body why have they thrown his corpse into the sea?”

“When we apprehended [former Jundallah ringleader Abdul Malik] Rigi, we showed him and also aired his interview,” ISNA quoted the intelligence chief as saying.

By releasing such false news, he said the White House look for outshine regional awakening.

Moslehi said US officials want to divert attention of Americans from their domestic problems as well as their “fragile” economic situation.

Analysts, however, have raised serious questions as to why US officials did not allow for the application of a DNA test to officially confirm the identity of the corpse before its hasty burial.

Priyanka interested in kareena's saif

It seems like Priyanka is hung on all things related to Kareena. After things didn't work out with Kareena's ex-boyfriend Shahid, now, Priyanka seems to be eyeing her current flame, Saif. While visiting stars on their movie sets has become a trend, Priyanka has taken this opportunity to bond with her e
nemy's boyfriend Saif. Apparently the actress dropped in to chat with Saif on the sets of his next flick, Agent Vinod.

"Saif has been shooting for his home production Agent Vinod all this week during the day at Filmistan Studios in Goregaon while Priyanka has been shooting nights for Karan Johar's Agneepath in Versova," a source told Mid Day.

"And yet, PC, who was shooting for an ad film in the afternoon at Filmistan asked Dinesh to show her the Agent Vinod set, after her shoot was done. She went around, met everyone from Saif to the director Shriram Raghavan, chatted with them for half an hour and then left for her Agneepath shoot in Versova," says the source.

PriyankaA source revealed to Mid Day, "PC is curious about all things Bebo and keeps tabs by checking with common friends."

Buzz is that Piggy broke up with Shahid as he wasn't as committed to her as he was to Bebo

It's a well-known fact that actresses Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra never got along. And the relationship strained even further once Priyanka Chopra began, allegedly, dating Kareena Kapoor's ex-boyfriend Shahid Kapoor.

Well only recently, Priyanka Chopra found herself shooting at a studio that was located in close proximity to Saif Ali Khan's 'Agent Vinod' sets. Priyanka took the liberty to 'drop in' on the sets and even had someone take her around. She was quick to say a cordial hello to everyone around. Luckily for her, Kareena Kapoor wasn't on the sets that day.

However, Kareena Kapoor doesn't mind PC's prying ways at all. She says she is only too secure about her man, who has eyes for nobody else but her. However, ask her about Priyanka Chopra meeting Saif, and she simply shrugs it off as the last thing that could be considered 'bothersome'

Shahid Afridi not happy with coach Waqar Younis

A row between the coach, Waqar Younis, and skipper Shahid Afridi, resulted in Pakistan losing the 5th ODI against West Indies on May 5, 2011.

Analysts believe that both the seniors were at odds over the team selection prior to the match, as a consequence of which, Pakistan lost by a huge margin of 10 wickets.

Waqar and Afridi had a hot debate in the dressing room shortly before the start of the game. The coach expressed dissatisfaction over Afridi’s leadership and selection skills.

Following the dispute, the skipper decided to pull out of the game but the timely intervention of the team manager, Intikhab Alam, diluted the issue to some extent and the captain agreed to play willy nilly.

Post match analysts and experts suggested that the disgruntled skipper had no interest in the game. The players were also affected by the dispute and were passive throughout.

In Last game at Guyana, the Pakistani batsmen could score only 139 runs in the first inning. No player except Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal could manage to go over 20 as the entire line-up collapsed at 41.2 overs.

In the second inning, the Caribbean chased down the target easily, without losing a wicket. Lendl Simmons contributed 77 and Kirk Edwards scored 40 to steer their side to victory, using only 23.3 overs.

However, Pakistan led the 5-match ODI series 3-2. The Men in Green won the first three games consecutively but lost the last two.

Some cricket experts believe that the row between the two legends, if not settled, will also affect the upcoming 2-match Test series in the Caribbean.

Along with this rift, the Pakistan tour to West Indies has generated another dispute between the Chief Selector, Mohsin Khan, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the former is not happy with the selection for the Test squad.

Shahid Afridi,Pakistan's limited overs captain, has hinted at differences with his coach Waqar Younis after arriving in Karachi from the West Indies where he led the side to a victorious, but ultimately deflating 3-2 series win.

Speculation has grown in the last two days about problems between the pair, specifically over issues of team selection. Both, along with team manager Intikhab Alam, are members of the on-tour selection committee which decides on a playing XI. It has been reported that Afridi was unhappy with what he has seen as Waqar's interference in selection; ahead of the fourth ODI against West Indies, one report claimed Afridi almost walked out of a selection meeting and had to be persuaded by Intikhab to come back.

"Although the differences in team management are not such which could not be solved, I feel everyone should do his job and need not interfere in other's work," Afridi told reporters on arrival. He also said he would be meeting the board chairman Ijaz Butt in Lahore next week to discuss the issue.

Board officials have downplayed the matter; one source telling  that "no such incident as described in those reports [Afridi walking away from a meeting] occurred during the series." He did concede, however, that there may have been "long-standing issues" over selection matters.

Another senior official confirmed , however, that differences between the pair had widened during the Caribbean trip. "They did have issues. Afridi believes he should have final say in the XI as he takes the heat when he goes out on the field and Waqar feels strongly that a coach should have input."

The official also confirmed that Intikhab did try to mediate between the two and stressed the need to keep matters within the team rather than leak them to the media as ultimately happened.

Afridi and Waqar went through the World Cup without huge problems but there are longer-term issues. For example, it is widely believed that before the World Cup, before a decision had been made on who would captain Pakistan in the tournament, Waqar was in favour of Misbah-ul-Haq ahead of Afridi as captain.

The matter is complicated by the recent threat to resign by chief selector Mohsin Khan. Although he eventually relented after resolving the matter with Butt and never publicly disclosed who he was having problems with, some reports suggested that he was also unhappy with Waqar's role in selection, especially of the Test squad for the current tour.

The board official believes though that the problems are not something that cannot be resolved. "It is something that has happened before and does crop up every now and again. I don't feel they are irreconcilable differences between the two. Afridi has requested time with the chairman so let's see what happens beyond that."

Pakistan lost the last two games of the series, the last one by ten wickets, having given chances to a number of untried young players such as Hammad Azam, Usman Salahuddin and Junaid Khan through the matches. Afridi regretted his team lost a good chance to win all the matches, calling once again for the involvement of a batting coach with the side.

"We should have clean-swept West Indies but the defeat in the last two matches left a bad taste in the mouth; we flopped in batting and that's why I must say we need a batting coach," said Afridi, who also admitted he was below par in the series.

"I played average cricket because I was tired after the World Cup and only played the series on the advice of some friends and former players." 

Historically speaking, Pakistan cricket is marred with disputes, rows and divides. Some say that the divide was a major cause behind Pakistan’s defeat to India in the Semi-final game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Shahrukh Khan to kiss Kareena Kapoor

Shahrukh Khan is finally ready to get intimate with his female co-stars, it seems. Or maybe he’s making an exception because the film happens to be his dream project Ra.One.

The latest buzz sweeping through tinsel town is that Shahrukh is going to kiss Kareena Kapoor in Ra.One. It’s not clear if it would be a full-on smooch or just a perfunctory peck on Bebo’s cheek. What’s clear though is that Shahrukh is game to inject as much verve and oomph into Ra.One with which he hopes to raise the bar of entertainment in Bollywood.

Interestingly, Shahrukh has so far not locked lips with any actress, though an edited out scene from My Name Is Khan had him locking lips with a man.

Kareena, on the other hand, has kissed a number of stars like Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan (obviously). And since Shahrukh happens to be one of her favourite actors, we’re sure she would be looking forward to pucker up with King Khan.

“I don't kiss on screen because I don't know how to do it. I don't do it because I feel weird...and I feel those who do it in films, do it well already,” Shah Rukh told.

In his career, we have seen Shahrukh doing many things, even the silly ones, just to entertain his fans. But there are two things the superstar says he will never do. What are they?
“I feel discomfort in doing two things for films. When anyone comes to narrate a story to me, I tell them two things - main ghoda nahin chalaunga aur main choomunga nahin (I won't ride a horse and I won't kiss),” added the 45-year-old.

China Defends Pakistan on Bin Laden Issue

If You Mess with Islamabad,you will be Messing With Bejing:China

China hailed on Tuesday the death of Osama bin Laden in a US. raid while showed no appetite, however, for turning the US. raid that killed Bin Laden on Pakistani soil into a point of dispute. Defending its regional partner Pakistan against accusations against the terror threats.

The Chinese Spokeswoman, Jiang, made a point of standing by Pakistan, Beijing’s closest partner in south Asia, which has faced criticism from U.S. lawmakers and others that the discovery of bin Laden hiding so close to Islamabad showed Pakistan had done too little to fight terror threats.

“Pakistan stands at the forefront of the international struggle against terrorism,” Jiang told a regular news conference, after her initial statement on bin Laden had appeared.

“The Pakistani government’s determination to fight terrorism is staunch and its actions have been vigorous. Pakistan has made important contributions to the international struggle against terror,” she said.

“China will continue staunchly supporting Pakistan developing and implementing its own anti-terror strategy based on its own national conditions.”

China and Pakistan call each other “all-weather friends” and their close ties have been underpinned by longstanding wariness of their common neighbor, India, and a desire to hedge against U.S. influence in the region.

katrina Kaif's barbie doll launched

Embodying the personalities of two of the most beautiful women in the world is not an easy task but with Barbie and Katrina as their muse; Mattel have succeeded in finalizing their vision. Yes, finally the wait is over as the most awaited doll of the year –“Barbie I Can Be a Movie Star” inspired by superstar Ms. Katrina Kaif was unveiled by the Bollywood icon herself at a Barbie pink carpet event at Mumbai. The doll exemplifies the aspiration and career of being a movie star, with the attendant style and glamour, of course! Bringing full-circle the association that kicked-off with the Barbie “All Doll’d Up Show” back in 2009, the doll will epitomize the beauty of the superstar and re-capture the excitement of Barbie’s 50th Birthday Celebration in India.

Much more than just a fashion icon, Barbie has always encouraged girls to imagine themselves in and “try on” different careers and personalities.  From fairy to fashionista, princess to President, Barbie has inspired several generations of girls to dream, discover and explore a world without limits – all without ever leaving their playrooms. “I can be a Movie Star” Barbie® Doll, will inspire girls to live their aspirations and make their dreams meet reality.

A delighted Ms. Katrina Kaif said “I am thrilled and excited at having the ‘I Can Be a Movie Star’ Barbie Doll inspired by me. It is almost unbelievable, that a doll that I grew up playing with is one day going to take after me, seem like me. Barbie is not just another Doll; she is one of the most popular characters in the world who is a fashionista and has a flourishing career. It is an absolute honour to be associated with Barbie. “

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Karun Gera, Commercial Director, Mattel Toys India said, “Barbie’s birthday celebrations continue unabated with the unveiling of the first-ever Barbie® I Can Be Doll inspired by our very own Superstar - Katrina Kaif”. He further added, “All our research clearly points out that girls across India aspire to grow up and become as successful as Katrina; she is a complete icon and role-model for young fans everywhere. I am extremely excited about the launch of this doll, as I see the doll establishing a strong connect with Indian girls throughout the country. We couldn’t imagine anyone else fitting in this role, since Katrina truly epitomises the grace, beauty and above all strength and determination that makes her quintessentially Barbie!”

I had to learn Hindi like a student: Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan has been busy brushing up on his hindi. The actor who plays a school teacher in firector Prakash Jha's Aarakshan is required to speak in chaste hindi and at times even Sanskrit for the movie.

So Saif sat like a good student in his room for days and learned Hindi and also took up Amitabh Bachchan’s suggestion to keep saying his dialogues through the day.
After Omkara, the 40-year-old actor will be seen in another unconventional role in Aarakshan – of a moustache-sporting village school teacher
Speaking chaste Hindi was a bit of a challenge for Khan, as he has spent quite a lot of his days as a student in Britain. In fact, he also has a slight accent when he talks in English.
“Everyone knows Prakashji speaks serious Hindi in his movies and Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) and Manoj Bajpai clearly don’t have a problem with that at all,” said Khan, who has teamed up with Jha for the first time.
So, it was almost like going back to school for Saif, and he had to spend hours on his diction for Aarakshan.
“Before I started work on Aarakshan, my mother (Sharmila Tagore) had told me, ‘Saif, you better learn your language’. I took it lightly then, but she was right. I really had to sit in my room and learn Hindi like a student,” Khan said.
But he enjoyed every bit of it.
“It was a beautiful experience to be shooting in Bhopal where I grew up, and even better to work hard on every scene when it was near- impossible to read the dialogues, be fluent, and saying them well with all the action.”
Khan’s dilemma was simplified by Big B, who plays a key role in the movie that deals with the reservation issue in Indian society.
“Amitji helped by suggesting that I say my dialogues in the shower, in the gym, while going for a walk, and during other times of the day … and it worked! He has always been inspiring and his delivery of Hindi can make any writer proud,” he said.
Khan is now more appreciative of Hindi as a language than ever before.
“The language is so rich and powerful, definitely more powerful than English. It sounds beautiful when spoken well. And I am glad I was able to speak it fine thanks to this wonderful opportunity of working with these great people – Prakashji and Amitji.”
The actor, who is currently busy working on his next home production Agent Vinod, says he is glad he took up a meaningful and socially relevant movie like Aarakshan.
“There is a certain responsibility when you choose a film like Aarakshan. I feel like I am doing my duty as a responsible actor. Aarakshan is a different role, a different character, a different space for me. I wouldn’t associate myself with a teacher from a village or an academically brilliant scholar from a lower section of society – so it has definitely been a new challenge.”
Full of praise for the director, he says: “Prakashji’s method of work, his patience is unbelievable. He is a one man army, and he manages the crew like a field marshal. There is so much to learn from him,” Khan said.

Osama bin Laden dead

 Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is dead, and President Barack Obama will announce his death, nearly 10 years after the September 11 attacks in a televised address, a senior US official said.
Obama says US cooperation with Pakistan helped track bin Laden down and that he has called president Zardari.
Both presidents agree that this is a good and historic day in both their histories.
Al Jazeera correspondent says operation took place near Abbottabad and that helicopters circled the compound where bin Laden was reportedly hiding.
A senior Pakistani intelligence official confirmed on Monday that Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks, had been killed.
US media quoted sources as saying that Bin Laden was killed in an operation based on actionable US intelligence targeting a mansion in abbotabad.

Obama was imminently to address Americans in a highly unusual Sunday night appearance on television.

The death of Bin Laden will raise huge questions about the future shape of al Qaeda and also have steep implications for US security and foreign policy 10 years into a global anti-terror campaign.
A helicopter crashed in Abbottabad near the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul late on Sunday night, police sources said.

The chopper was seen flying low before it crashed, locals said. The sound of gunfire and two small blasts was heard before a massive explosion, sources said.

They added that the third blast damaged windowpanes of the area houses. This was stated to be the first incident of its kind in Abbottabad at night.

The sources said the helicopter fell down in a plot in Sikandarbad, a populated area of the city, spreading panic through the neighbourhood.

The sound of the explosion was heard as far afield as 10 kilometres, the sources added.