Ronaldo and the planet of the abs

Cristiano Ronaldo’s six-pack makes it clear that being reduced to a quivering jelly of insecurity is no longer just for women Paul MacInnes guardian.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo poses to promote the new Emporio Armani underwear and Armani Jeans campaigns. Photograph: Mers Alas/Marcus Piggot/AP Last night I dreamed of Cristiano Ronaldo’s abs. Resembling a freshly upturned tray of brioche, they pursued me through my sleep. Encounters with lost loves were disrupted, anxiety dreams intensified, even the falling dream was brought to an end by a crash landing on an Iberian six-pack. I wonder if I was alone. Ronaldo, he’s the world’s most … Continue reading Ronaldo and the planet of the abs

Revealed: Islamist preacher who lectures at top London university ‘groomed suicide bomber’

A hardline Islamist who teaches and preaches at a leading London university is alleged to have mentored a British suicide bomber. Reza Pankhurst, who served a prison sentence in Egypt, works at the London School of Economics and regularly speaks at student prayer meetings organised by the campus’ Islamic Society, according to the Times. He is a senior member of the Hizb ut-Tahrir group. It has been claimed by the Standard newspaper that he played a key role in radicalising Omar Sharif who died after an attempted attack on a nightclub in Tel Aviv in 2003. Freed: Reza Pankhurst (right) … Continue reading Revealed: Islamist preacher who lectures at top London university ‘groomed suicide bomber’

BNP bomb maker jailed for 11 years

West Yorkshire nail bomb maker jailed for 11 years Terrance Gavan pleaded guilty to 22 charges A man who admitted making nail bombs at his West Yorkshire home has been jailed for 11 years. Terrance Gavan, 38, who the Old Bailey heard showed a strong hostility towards immigrants, was arrested by police in a raid at his home in May 2009. The bus driver’s arsenal of weapons and explosives included home-made shotguns, pen guns and pistols. Gavan, from Batley, also pleaded guilty to six counts of having or collecting documents useful in terrorism. Sentencing Gavan, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said his … Continue reading BNP bomb maker jailed for 11 years

Is Osama Bin Laden dead or alive?

By Mike Rudin The Conspiracy Files The face of Bin Laden has become instantly recognisable around the world Osama Bin Laden died eight years ago during the battle for Tora Bora in Afghanistan, either from a US bomb or from a serious kidney disease. Or so the conspiracy theory goes. The theory that has developed on the web since 9/11 is that US intelligence services are manufacturing the Bin Laden statements to create an evil bogeyman, to justify the so-called war on terror in Afghanistan, Iraq and back at home. So is the world’s most wanted man still alive? For … Continue reading Is Osama Bin Laden dead or alive?

Of films and fairytales — Bollywoodlandwalajis

J Sri Raman ‘Black’ was based partly on the life of Helen Keller, and she certainly did not represent a vast majority of the visually disabled. ‘3 Idiots’ deals with the distress of students forced into educational grooves, but they do not make a majority of their age group either Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Paa’ and Aamir Khan’s ‘3 Idiots’ rank as the two top Bollywood blockbusters to be released last month. The box-office figures — running into billions of rupees by now — are of far more than financial interest. The big hits of India’s Hindi film industry have often served … Continue reading Of films and fairytales — Bollywoodlandwalajis

A bachelor and his culinary excursions (can someone get this guy a wife?)

Zeeshan Suhail The feeling I had, moreover, was of delight at being able to create something from my own two hands, using my own mind and common senses. Bachelors are not handicapped after all Living the single life is often referred to as living the “high life”, one of freedom, nonchalance and dare I say it, decadence! As a bachelor, I can do many things and not worry about familial repercussions. Not being married gives we single guys the luxury of looking after only ourselves, yet it still makes cooking food a bit of an ordeal, especially for the average … Continue reading A bachelor and his culinary excursions (can someone get this guy a wife?)

Friends, masters and bullies!

Zafar Hilaly Obama is far too busy trying to prove that he is not a wimp to act as a statesman. However, had Pakistan spelt out the terms for its cooperation, a great deal of pressure on the government not to toe the disastrous US policy would have abated “You let a bully into your front yard, the next day he will be on your porch,” said Lyndon Johnson (while referring to Vietnam). Pakistanis feel the same. Our leaders let the US into their front yard several decades ago and today there is an American presence not only in our … Continue reading Friends, masters and bullies!

Playing with Zombie Mullahs in Malakand again?

The news report of the NWFP cabinet’s recent meeting was confounding at best. On the one hand, the provincial government deliberated on the massive loss of life and property in the ongoing conflict in NWFP and recommended the early dismissal and confiscation of properties of government employees who provided moral and material support to the militants; on the other hand, it unanimously decided to fulfil the promise of appointing qazis in Malakand Division. The NWFP cabinet urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Peshawar High Court to establish Darul Qazas and appoint qazis to complete the implementation of the Nizam-e-Adl … Continue reading Playing with Zombie Mullahs in Malakand again?

Holbrooke accosted – why they ask?

US special envoy Richard Holbrooke seems to be having a torrid time in Pakistan. This comes as no surprise to us since reservations and even anti-US feeling are growing throughout the country. The government, whatever its real views, seems also to feel the need to placate angry public opinion by taking a tougher stance against US policies to visiting American dignitaries. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi led the assault in interaction and a later press conference with Mr Holbrooke when it was revealed that the American envoy had been told in no uncertain terms that continuing or escalating drone attacks … Continue reading Holbrooke accosted – why they ask?

Omar Khadr must be released

Saga of a 15-year-old Quantum note Friday, January 15, 2010 Dr Muzaffar Iqbal On the Day when graves will be opened, all will rush towards God, we are told, and on that day bones will speak and the good Lord will judge each and everyone human being who ever lived on this sad and tortured earth. On that day, the saga of a 15-year-boy caught in Afghanistan by the American Special Forces, tortured, and then flown to that outpost of humanity called Guantanamo Bay, may not stand out as the worst crime of humanity. But here below, it certainly stands … Continue reading Omar Khadr must be released