Man dies in cake-eating contest February 24, 2008

An inquest is to be held on a man who died during a contest to see who could eat the most fairy cakes. The man, thought to be from Birmingham, collapsed at a Swansea nightclub during the event at the end of a party to raise funds for an art exhibition.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances following the incident at the city’s Monkey Cafe and Bar during the early hours of Friday.

The coroner has been informed and the family have been told.

It is believed attempts were made by staff and customers at the nightclub to revive the man.

In a statement, club owners Amanda Davey and Paul Dyke said: “We are all devastated by this tragic accident.

“We are all in shock.

“It was a tragic accident and very sad and should serve as a cautionary tale.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family.”

A South Wales Police spokesman said: “There are no suspicious circumstances and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”

U.S. Senators Suggest Pakistan’s Musharraf Exit From Power Gracefully February 24, 2008

WASHINGTON —  WASHINGTON — Three senators who met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf after opposition parties won a governing majority last week urged a “graceful exit” from power for the close Bush terror-fighting ally.

“Were I their political adviser, that’s what I would advise,” Sen. Joe Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Sunday. He did not favor an attempt by that new coalition to impeach Musharraf; the parties have enough seats to govern, but not enough to impeach the president.

“I firmly believe if they do not focus on old grudges — and there’s plenty in Pakistan — and give him a graceful way to move,” then it could happen, said Biden, D-Del.

Also endorsing a negotiated exit rather than a push from power was Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.

She advised the incoming government not to be “heavy-handed or ham-handed. I think that Musharraf knows what the election results were. I think that he and they agree that a secular vote was won, that the extremists were repudiated everywhere, even in their so-called strongholds. So there is a way that they could come together,” Hutchison said.

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“If there could be a graceful exit or a way that the parliament and the majority could work its will,” that would be a proper transition. “If we can just help them see through this new election, the new majority, and avoid a constitutional crisis, which is what, I think, all of them, on their own, are deciding is in the best interests of the people of Pakistan.”

Just on Friday, Hutchison and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, met with Musharraf and expressed their appreciation for “the president’s leadership and Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism,” according to a U.S. Embassy statement.

Biden, joined by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., saw Musharraf on the morning after the election.

“He walked in and said, `Look, the results are in. I lost. I am prepared to be a transition’ — he didn’t use these words — `a transition figure here,” Biden said.

The senators also met with Asif Ali Zadari of the Pakistan People’s Party and Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslin League-N. Together, those parties won at least 154 of the 268 contested seats in the National Assembly. Musharraf’s ruling party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, won only 40 seats. Pakistan’s Election Commission has yet to declare winners of six seats.

Opposition leaders fear that Musharraf, who as president has the authority to dissolve parliament, might do that and call new elections if Pakistani lawmakers take actions he opposes.

Hagel said the message that the U.S. lawmakers conveyed to Pakistan’s political leaders was: “Do not squander this moment. Come together in a way that is relevant for your country, with some purpose.” Hagel said he thinks Musharraf “accepts completely the free, fair, transparent election. Was it perfect? No. But it was far, far better than any election they’ve ever had.”

It is Hagel’s guess that the Pakistani president “wants a graceful way out of this. And I think that’s what you’ll see. Then it will be up to the coalition government to take on some of these tough challenges” — a reference to pursuing suspected terrorist groups in the border areas with Afghanistan.

President Bush, during his trip to Africa last week, said it is now time “for the newly elected folks to show up and form their government. The question now is, `Will they be friends of the United States?’ I hope so.” He also called Musharraf after his party lost in voting last Monday.

Biden and Hutchison spoke on “This Week” on ABC. Hagel was on “Late Edition” on CNN

Batting holds the key as Australia face Pakistan February 24, 2008

Australia and Pakistan have faced similar problems in the lead-up to their quarter-final clash at the Kinrara Oval: the batsmen of both teams have failed to fire.

Australia had one impressive showing against Namibia when captain Michael Hill’s brutal 124 off 71 balls led them to 312 but even in that match their lower-middle order collapsed. In the next two games, Australia were restricted by Nepal to 206 and Sri Lanka’s spinners dried up the runs so effectively that Australia could muster only 172. Several of their top-order batsmen – Phillip Hughes, Hill and Steven Smith – have got off to aggressive starts but they haven’t been able to carry on. The bowling attack has been the main reason for Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the league phase and will severely test Australia’s batting.

Pakistan’s batting has struggled even more than Australia’s. They are yet to pass 200 in the tournament, having been dismissed for 156 against New Zealand and restricted to 173 for 8 by Zimbabwe, a team that lost to Malaysia. Their opening combination has failed to click, with Umar Akmal, the younger brother of Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran, yet to reach double figures.

The encouraging aspect for Pakistan, however, is that their bowlers – led by Adil Raza, a right-arm fast bowler, who has taken eight wickets at 7.75 apiece – have been red hot, managing to defend whatever target their batsmen have set. They ripped through Malaysia for 75, dismissed New Zealand for 129 and allowed Zimbabwe only 86.

At Monday’s knockout, it could come down to which batting side performs on the day to set up a semi-final clash against South Africa.

Pakistan blocks YouTube website February 24, 2008

Pakistan has blocked access to the popular YouTube website because of content deemed offensive to Islam. Its telecommunications authority ordered internet service providers to block the site until further notice.

Reports said the content included Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad that have outraged many.

But one report said a trailer for a forthcoming film by Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders, which portrays Islam in a negative light, was behind the ban.

“They asked us to ban it immediately… and the order says the ban will continue until further notice,” said Wahaj-us-Siraj, convener of the Association of Pakistan Internet Service Providers.

“Users are quite upset. They’re screaming at ISPs which can’t do anything.

“The government has valid reason for that, but they have to find a better way of doing it. If we continue blocking popular websites, people will stop using the internet.”

Other countries that have temporarily blocked access to YouTube include Turkey and Thailand.

Raul Castro named Cuban president February 24, 2008

Raul Castro has been unanimously selected to succeed his brother Fidel as leader by Cuba’s National Assembly. Fidel Castro stepped down last week after nearly half a century in charge.

Raul has in effect been president since Fidel had major surgery in July 2006. It is understood that he was the only nominee in a vote seen as a formality.

But the real shock was when he chose 78-year-old Politburo hardliner Machado Ventura as vice-president, says the BBC’s Michael Voss in Havana.

There had been speculation that Raul Castro, aged 76, would name one of Cuba’s younger generation of communist leaders as his number two.

The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution is unique, Fidel is Fidel, as we all know well, he is irreplaceable Raul Castro Profile: Raul Castro

But he instead opted for one of the original leaders of Cuba’s communist revolution.

What this means for the prospects for change remains unclear, our correspondent says.

Jiah Khan on A UK Mag cover February 24, 2008

She came, she saw, she ‘Khan-qered’. She is none other than Jiah Khan, the pretty lass who made her debut opposite none other than the Superstar of the Millennium, Amitabh Bachchan, with Nishabd, a film that bombed at the B-O, but did make people take notice of this dynamite girl!

Jiah is yet again in the news, this time, for being on the cover of the popular UK glossy magazine ‘Xeher’, who had carried out an exclusive shoot in Mumbai for their current Winter-Spring edition with the Jiah chic, who is all geared up for her forthcoming film Ghajini, opposite none other than the Masterstroke himself: Aamir Khan!

Jiah stated that this was one of the most beautiful shoots she had ever done! Btw, the idea of the shoot was to show that Jiah was not at all a rebel, as she is made out to be!

Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea February 24, 2008

Tottenham came from a goal down to beat Chelsea at Wembley and win the Carling Cup after extra-time.Jonathan Woodgate won it when Petr Cech disastrously punched the ball on to his head from Jermaine Jenas’s free-kick.

Pascal Chimbonda had hit the bar for Spurs, before Didier Drogba’s 20-yard free-kick gave Chelsea the lead with Paul Robinson badly out of position.

Spurs levelled when Wayne Bridge handled in the box and Dimitar Berbatov coolly rolled in the resulting penalty.

Spurs’ success – their fourth League Cup win and first since 1999, their last major trophy – means their boss Juande Ramos has still never lost a cup final as a manager after five triumphs in Spain with Sevilla.

606: DEBATE Tell us what you think about the Carling Cup final

It ends Chelsea’s quadruple hopes in Avram Grant’s first season as Blues boss, though they are still in the hunt for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

But Spurs set their stall out early on and began in a positive fashion in the first League Cup final at the new Wembley.

With only 30 seconds on the clock Juliano Beletti inexplicably gave the ball away to Robbie Keane, the striker racing through and seeing his 20-yard drive deflected wide by John Terry.

Twice in a minute Spurs could have gone in front, first Chimbonda heading a corner on to the bar and then Berbatov heading Keane’s cross wide, before Chelsea came back into it.

After Frank Lampard shot off-target and Drogba curled a 25-yard free-kick high and wide, the Blues made a decisive breakthrough.

Chelsea’s Didier Drogba curls home the opening goal at Wembley

Didier Zokora tripped Drogba 20 yards out and the Ivorian dusted himself down to curl the resulting free-kick into the bottom left-hand side of Robinson’s goal.

Robinson – only recalled to the Spurs team on Thursday for their Uefa Cup tie after a month on the sidelines – was in completely the wrong position and remained rooted to his spot as the ball flew past him.

Spurs tried an immediate reply, but Keane’s shot was straight at Cech and then Berbatov slipped as Keane attempted to send him through on goal.

Chelsea, a side well-drilled in the art of defending a one-goal lead, rarely looked like surrendering their advantage – until, halfway through the second half, calamity struck.

Having struggled to make much headway against the Chelsea defence Spurs were gifted a penalty, Bridge bizarrely knocking the ball away with his left hand as he tussled with Aaron Lennon.

Berbatov, keeping his cool, waited for Cech to go left before he rolled the ball into the other side of the goal.

Suddenly Spurs were in the ascendancy and Zokora raced through, only for his first shot to hit Cech on the head and his second slice wide, before Berbatov stung Cech’s palms with a fierce drive.

They only had to wait four minutes of extra-time to take a lead they would not relinquish, Cech punching a Jenas free-kick on to Woodgate’s head and the ball trickling into an empty net.

Chelsea had to attack but the outstanding Woodgate and Ledley King stood firm, Blues substitute Salomon Kalou and Joe Cole both seeing shots saved by Robinson, but they were nothing more than half-chances.

Spurs deservedly hung on for a famous win and denied their London rivals back-to-back Carling Cup victories in the process.

Pervez Musharraf ‘will exit in days, not months’ February 24, 2008

By Massoud Ansari in Islamabad

Last Updated: 2:05am GMT 24/02/2008

 

Pervez Musharraf is considering stepping down as president of Pakistan rather than waiting to be forced out by his victorious opponents, aides have told The Sunday Telegraph.

	President Musharraf considered resigning immediately after the election

One close confidante said that the president believed he had run out of options after three of the main parties who triumphed in last week’s poll announced they would form a coalition government together, and also pledged to reinstate the country’s chief justice and 60 other judges sacked by Mr Musharraf in November.

“He has already started discussing the exit strategy for himself,” a close friend said. “I think it is now just a matter of days and not months because he would like to make a graceful exit on a high.”

According to senior aides, Mr Musharraf wants to avoid a power struggle with the newly elected parliament, in which his opponents will be close to the two-thirds majority needed to impeach him and remove him from office.

“He may have made many mistakes, but he genuinely tried to build the country and he doesn’t want to destroy it just for the sake of his personal office,” said an official close to the president.

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Mr Musharraf, who stepped down as head of the army late last year, had called for a harmonious coalition after the defeat of his party – which won just 38 out of 272 national assembly seats in last Sunday’s elections – but his political rivals have demanded he go.

Officials said he had considered resigning immediately after the election results were known, but had been persuaded by party loyalists that his sudden departure could precipitate a crisis.

In an article published last week he insisted that he would serve out his five-year presidential term.

Behind the scenes, his staff attempted to broker an agreement with Asif Zardari, who became leader of the main Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) following the assassination of his wife, Benazir Bhutto.

Yet despite pressure from America, which has relied on Mr Musharraf’s support for its war on terror, Mr Zardari refused to strike a deal.

He declined despite also claiming to have been threatened by Mr Musharraf’s allies that the government would revive long-standing corruption charges against him.

“I have seen these jails and this is not something new to me,” said Mr Zardari. “I fought all these fake cases instituted against me with courage and never disappointed anyone by asking for a pardon.

“I’m ready to fight it out again, and will never disappoint anyone.”

PPP officials said that any deal with Mr Musharraf would have dented the party’s public support and it was better to try to govern with the help of the other main parties.

“It doesn’t make any sense for us to sink with the dying man,” said Nisar Khuhro, a senior PPP leader, referring to Mr Musharraf.

Jamil Soomro, a PPP spokesman, said: “He has betrayed everyone since the very outset and we have no guarantee that he would not betray us once he stabilised his position.”

Mr Musharraf’s popular support drained away over the past year as he interfered with the independence of the courts, imposed a state of emergency, restricted the media and postponed ­elections.

Shortages of basic foodstuffs and unreliable gas and electricity supplies have left him more vulnerable now than at any time since he seized power in a bloodless coup in October 1999.

A coalition of the anti-Musharraf parties – the PPP, PML(N) and ANP – would govern with 211 MPs, just short of the 228 needed for the two thirds majority that would allow them to launch impeachment proceedings against the president. They could, however, win support from other smaller parties and independent members, which would leave the former general in a precarious position.

If Mr Musharraf decides to dig his heels in, the opposition parties plan to remove his constitutional powers to dissolve the assembly.

“I think his game is over but if he was able to survive for any reason, he would be like a dead fish, sitting and rotting the presidency,” said Khwaja Asif, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League.

The frontrunner to take over as prime minister in the new administration is Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the widely respected vice-president of the PPP.

The World Cup beckons February 24, 2008

It’s still hard to believe that we’re going to be on the plane to Australia for the Women’s World Cup next year.It was a World Cup win for Pakistan’s men team in Australia back in 1992 that inspired me to take up the game, so to think that I am going to follow in the footsteps of some of my cricketing heroes is amazing.

I don’t think anybody in my family would have thought that when I first picked up a cricket bat aged six-and-a-half and played against my brothers and cousins in the backyard that I would go onto lead my country in the sport. After yesterday’s result, when we beat Netherlands by 94 runs, even Dad might forgive me for all the plants we used to destroy in those backyard games. I don’t think there could have been prouder parents in Pakistan last night.

I tried to treat the semi-final against the Netherlands in the same way as I would any other match. After waking up and getting some breakfast, I finished praying and then did some visualization work to help me with my batting and bowling.

The ground is about half an hour by bus from the team hotel, which gives you plenty of time for mental preparation. We share a bus with the opposition on our way to matches at this event and they normally play their music as well, which keeps everybody’s mood upbeat as it is always interesting to hear what music other girls around the world like to listen to.

There were some girls who were pretty jittery, but I just try and relax and reassure the girls – that is the captain’s job.

Although we didn’t get as many runs as we would have liked, we have such a great bowling attack and I was never really worried that we weren’t going to win the game.

The Netherlands squad were really great to us after the game and even though they were so disappointed, they even joined in some of our celebrations on the bus on the way back to the hotel.

Helmien Rambaldo, who captains their team, even lent her music player to us for our party last night which shows what great spirit there is amongst the players within the women’s game.

Hopefully our victory will lead to some important changes within the sport in Pakistan. Not a lot of people were expecting us to qualify, so it is so exciting to have qualified with so many comprehensive victories this week.

Growing up, we’ve always looked up to other players and it would be nice to think that girls in Pakistan will now be able to look up to us.

I was very lucky that I had the opportunity to play lots of sports, I’m a black belt in karate, I swam for the national team until I was 16 and I enjoy playing golf and tennis as well, but lots of people never have had the chance to play cricket.

Hopefully our win will help improve the domestic structure of the women’s game in Pakistan, creating more leagues across the country, so the participation base can grow and grow. It would be nice to think we might be able to get some of our matches on television as well.

It really was an amazing day on Friday and I still keep thinking back to the final ball of the match when we finally knew that we had won the match. I was so excited I ran straight for the stumps and took them out of the ground, although the umpires made me give them back after the game.

I may have had to give up the stumps, but I am so proud of the fact that nobody will ever be able to take away from me the fact I have led my country to qualification to the Women’s World Cup. If only we can repeat the achievements of our countrymen in 1992 when we play in next year’s event.

But first we have to play South Africa in Sunday’s final and it would be nice to get into habit of winning some silverware then. I already can’t wait to celebrate our World Cup qualification with all my friends and family back in Pakistan – to come back with a trophy as well would be the most incredible feeling ever.

I’d want Kareena in all my productions: Saif February 24, 2008

 

Mumbai, (IANS) Saif Ali Khan says although he would love to team up with girlfriend Kareena Kapoor in all his productions, he has made it clear that he has not been instrumental in getting her a role in his untitled venture.
“It’s entirely between Kareena and my business partner Dinesh Vijen. There was a verbal commitment between them for a couple of projects. Kareena and I don’t discuss business,” said Saif, who will be seen in Abbas-Mustan’s ready-to-release action thriller “Race”.

“It is entirely the directors’ prerogative and we sign up the stars they want,” Saif told IANS.

“Yes, I’d want Kareena and I to be in all our productions. But I’m not going to thrust our pair down producers’ throats. Of course, I’d like Kareena to be in every film I make. But my directors may have other plans,” he added.

After J.P. Dutta’s “LOC”, the two will be seen together in Yash Raj Films’ “Tashan”.

Saif has admitted his relationship with Kareena, who broke up with longstanding boyfriend Shahid Kapur. Saif also got ‘Kareena’ tattooed on his arm. Sadly, the famous arm has been injured. His hand was bandaged when he performed with a rock band in Bangalore and Mumbai last month.

“Yeah, I injured my right hand while shooting in Greece. I put a glass down too hard after a drink. And it broke in my hand. It’s no big deal. The only thing is that I can’t shake hands. Fortunately, it didn’t affect my guitar-playing,” said the actor whose “Ta Ra Rum Pum” and “Eklavya – The Royal Guard” bombed last year.

Saif says those who constantly ask him about the ‘Kareena’ tattoo annoy him.

“On the other hand, you can’t really blame them, I suppose it’s a big deal. So people will talk about it for sometime and then stop talking after a while. You got to remove yourself from the place of discomfort and look at it more dispassionately.”

He was aware that the media would focus on the tattoo rather than his music when he performed at the concerts. “Fortunately, the audience appreciated the music. Look, the limelight is a moving spotlight. Once in a while, you are caught in it.”

Couldn’t he get the tattoo done in a less visible place? After all, it’s all about Saif and his love. “No. It’s between me and my arm,” he shot back.

After the successful rock concerts, would Saif like to cut an album?

“No, can’t sing beyond the lower notes. I was in Alibaug to finish the last schedule of Kunal Kohli’s untitled film Jan 28 to Feb 3. We’re done with this film.”