Champions Trophy snub disappoints Razzaq

Lahore, Sep.19 (ANI): Experienced Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is disappointed over his non-selection for the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Razzaq said he was surprised at not being selected.

“It came as a huge setback to learn that I was not in the final team. Since my comeback to the national team, I had been working very hard to play in this elite tournament,” Razzaq said.

Razzaq said his attempts failed to convince the selectors

“It is a big tournament and you get a chance to prove yourself against the top teams. I was working hard to convince everyone I should be in the side,” The Daily Times quoted Razzaq, as saying.

The seven member selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had controversially recalled paceman Mohammad Asif and opener Imran Nazir, but omitted all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from their 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy beginning September 22 in South Africa. (ANI)

Champions Trophy snub disappoints Razzaq

Lahore, Sep.19 (ANI): Experienced Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is disappointed over his non-selection for the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Razzaq said he was surprised at not being selected.

“It came as a huge setback to learn that I was not in the final team. Since my comeback to the national team, I had been working very hard to play in this elite tournament,” Razzaq said.

Razzaq said his attempts failed to convince the selectors

“It is a big tournament and you get a chance to prove yourself against the top teams. I was working hard to convince everyone I should be in the side,” The Daily Times quoted Razzaq, as saying.

The seven member selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had controversially recalled paceman Mohammad Asif and opener Imran Nazir, but omitted all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from their 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy beginning September 22 in South Africa. (ANI)

MJ’s new signature dance move, Penguin, set to sweep fans

London, September 19 (ANI): Michael Jackson’s completely new signature dance move in a new footage while rehearsing for his comeback concerts may soon become a rage amongst his fans.

The King of Pop, in the move, being called as the Penguin, was seen flapping his right arm up and down very quickly as his body shimmied while standing on the spot.

Jackson was spotted doing the hilarious Penguin in the video, thought to be from the This Is It movie rehearsal footage, as renowned choreographer Kenny Ortega coached and watched him over, reports the Sun.

The move was due to expand his signature repertoire of dance steps including the legendary Moonwalk, Anti-Gravity Lean, and Crotch Grab.

It would be no surprise if kids and adults tried to ape the Jackson Penguin, which West End star Ricko Baird said was not easy to imitate.

He said: “Michael was just so talented and he made it all look so easy. Some of his moves like the Moonwalk – and now the Penguin – are actually very difficult and need a lot of practice.”

Business analyst Christian Severina, 35, London, said: “I love Michael Jackson and I love his dancing. But this was really tricky to do it with the same grace and speed he does it. I ended up looking like I was having a fit.”

Hannah Turner, 16, of Essex, added: “Oh my god I look like such a wally. Only Michael Jackson can make that look cool.” (ANI)

Robbie Williams moving Down Under?

London, Sep 16 (ANI): It seems that Robbie Williams is shifting bag and baggage to Australia, all thanks to his ladylove Ayda Field.

The singer has revealed that he is searching for a farm or beachfront retreat Down Under because of his girlfriend.

Robbie divulged the details in an interview on Australia’s biggest breakfast radio show on station 2DayFM, which is being guest-hosted by Dannii Minogue.

The ‘Feel’ singer-who is making a storming comeback with new single ‘Bodies’, out on October 12-even quizzed the Aussie beauty about dealing with jetlag.

“Ayda told me she had kind of a psychic feeling she’d end up in Australia,” The Sun quoted Rob as saying.

“I’m thinking of coming down there. I have been looking for places out in the outback, maybe a farm,” he added.

Robbie has recently moved back to Blighty, and the dodgy climate is already forcing him into Aussie estate agencies. (ANI)

Spitzer call girl Ashley Dupre wants to make a comeback

New York, September 14 (ANI): Ashley Dupre, the former high-class call girl at the centre of the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, is tired of hiding and wants a comeback.

The 24-year-old was dubbed as an ‘informant’ during the scandal that saw the politician patronising a prostitution service that subsequently led to his resignation from the post of New York Governor.

And eighteen months after the storm, Dupre, who is recording pop songs and wooing a record deal, is seeking to get her life back on track.

“Everyone likes an underdog story, and everyone likes a comeback. I’m the poster child for redemption,” the New York Post quoted her as saying.

Dupre, who is also working on a book she calls a “cautionary tale,” further laughed at the idea that she was after the limelight.

She added: “I didn’t ask for it, but now that I have it, it’s up to me to take advantage of this platform and do something amazing. I have a voice now.” (ANI)

‘Mysterious messages’ penned by MJ in final hours emerge

London, September 13 (ANI): A string of messages penned by Michael Jackson in his final hours have come to light.

Post-its notes and sheets of paper, scribbled as “wishes for the world” have reportedly been found on the mirror in the late singer’s bathroom.

The notes allegedly show the King of Pop’s bizarre state of mind before he died of drug addiction on June 25, reports the News of the World.

Pals of the singer believe Jackson was using the notes as means to prepare himself for his comeback concerts in London.

Note number one, found on the right of Jackson’s gold-framed mirror, apparently read: “I am so grateful that I am a magnet for miracles.”

Note number two, pinned to the bottom of the mirror, a message in large handwriting said: “Love, no violence ever!” And underneath, in smaller handwriting, he had added: “Remember a beautiful future promise of tomorrow.”

Note number three was a startling reminder to perform the hit charity single he recorded with soul legend Lionel Ritchie in 1985, saying: “Do We Are The World in show”.

Note number four read “Call Temperton”, referring to British songwriter and producer Rod Temperton, who co-wrote several Jackson songs including Thriller and Rock With You.

A source said: “It’s worrying that he had to write reminders about things as obvious as these while he was rehearsing for his tour…But the drugs he was taking obviously had a huge impact on his mind and memory.” (ANI)

White hopeful of ODI series ‘whitewash’ against England

London, Sep 12(ANI): Australian all-rounder Cameron White reckons that Australia can finish their Ashes-losing England tour with a flourish by defeating their arch rivals seven-nil in the on-going ODI series.

Australia lost the five-Test campaign 2-1, but they are leading 3-0 in the seven match ODI series.

“At the moment if we keep playing good, consistent cricket, keep bowling and fielding well, there is no reason why not,” The Daily Telegraph quoted White, as saying.

“In saying that, winning seven one-dayers against a really good side is a pretty strange thing to happen. But, I am not saying that it can’t. We want to keep the momentum going and I don’t think we are playing at our total best right now,” he added.

White further said that Australian team still has some areas where they needed to improve and also emphasised that they cant write-off the England squad, as they will bounce back at some stage.

“There are still probably some areas that we think we can improve in, so there are things we need to work on to get better for these four games. Then, come four games’ time, we are hopefully at our peak,” White said.

Meanwhile, Australia captain Ricky Ponting would comeback to join the squad after his post-Ashes break. (ANI)

England rest Collingwood and Anderson for fourth ODI

London, Sep 11 (ANI): Despite facing a three nil scoreline in the seven match ODI series against Australia, England have rested all-rounder Paul Collingwood and paceman James Anderson ahead of the must-win match at Lord’s on Saturday.

Collingwood and Anderson have opted to take short breaks for three and two matches respectively.

Collingwood will comeback for the final match of the series at Chester-le-Street next weekend, while Anderson will join for the second of back-to-back day-nighters at Trent Bridge, The Independent reports.

After the seven-match series, England will leave for South Africa for the Champions Trophy. They also have a tour of South Africa scheduled, which comprises four Tests and five ODIs. (ANI)

Natalie Cole makes comeback after kidney transplant op

Washington, September 11 (ANI): R andB singer Natalie Cole made a comeback to the stage and performed at a concert in Hollywood after fighting severe health conditions for almost a year.

“I really do have to say … it really is a miracle time. It’s a miracle night for me. I never thought I’d be standing here healthy and whole and 100 percent,” People magazine quoted her as telling the crowd present.

The singer was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in April last year.

Apart from treating the liver disease with chemotherapy, she also battled kidney problems later that year.

However, she was back with a bang at the Hollywood Bowl belting out hits like ‘This Will Be,’ ‘Our Love,’ and ‘Unforgettable’

She said: “My heart is very full tonight, and I know a lot of you know why. It’s just good to be back. You know what I’m saying?

“You know, things don’t always go the way we want it to. Things happen unexpectedly. You got to take the good with the bad.”

Cole also brought the attention of the audience to health problems.

She said: “One in eight people has kidney failure. That’s a lot of people and I never thought it would happen to me, but here we are.”

She described the phase she was ill as “a real tough journey.” (ANI)

Boy George plans comeback after prison release

Washington, September 8 (ANI): Former Culture Club frontman Boy George is drawing plans to head back to the studio and resurrect his career just fourth months after he walked free from jail.

The fallen pop star, real name George O’Dowd, was jailed in January for falsely imprisoning a male escort in his flat and beating the 29-year-old after a drug-fuelled nude photo shoot in 2007.

The 48-year-old was granted early release in May for his good behaviour, but was let off with a curfew and an ankle monitoring tag that was recently removed.

And now, the singer has revealed that he is preparing material for a new album of cover songs.

“I’m choosing songs that speak to me and have lyrics that reflect my personal journey and experiences,” Contactmusic quoted him as telling British newspaper The People. (ANI)

Imran encourages Shoaib not to waste last few years of international cricket

Lahore, Sep 7 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has advised bad boy of Pakistan cricket Shoaib Akhtar not to waste his last few years of international cricket and try to work hard to get back into the team and then go out with honour and pride.

Shoaib went to attend a fund-raising campaign for Imran’s Shaukat Khanum Research Cancer Hospital, but declined to speak on cricket issues with the media.

The fast bowler, who has had a bad last few months and was not considered for the Sri Lanka tour or the Champions Trophy, also appeared fitter having shed considerable weight.

“Imran basically told him that if he gets back into the team and does well, everyone would forget his past and only remember the present. Imran told Shoaib he needs to work hard on his fitness,” the Daily Times quoted a source, as saying.

Chief selector Iqbal Qasim has also made it clear that if Shoaib wants to make a comeback to the Pakistan team, he needs to change his attitude and be more positive.

“Shoaib can still play for Pakistan, provided he works hard on his fitness. But I think he also needs to work on improving his relations with the board,” Qasim said.

The PCB is willing to give the fast bowler another chance as it has completely played down the issue of a show cause notice issued to Shoaib in July for appearing on a television talk show without seeking a clearance.

Shoaib is said to have apologised for his mistake, which pleased the board.

“If Shoaib can improve his attitude, behaviour and be more disciplined and focused he is still an asset for the Pakistan team,” a former Test player at the function said. (ANI)

High-priced hooker’s mum dismayed over ex-NY Guv Spitzer’s comeback moves

New York, Sep.2 (ANI): The mother of the high-priced hooker who famously serviced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has expressed dismay over reports that he may consider running for office again less than two years after the sordid sex scandal.

“Only in America,” Ashley Dupre’s mom, Carolyn Capalbo, told The New York Post.

While Spitzer is discussing the possibility of a run next year, Dupre-who was 22 when the self-described “steamroller” of Albany paid to play with her-is struggling to get back on her feet, said Capalbo.

“I really can’t blame him, but at the same time, my daughter’s having a rough go,” she said at the beach, near her home in Wall. “I can imagine she’s not happy about it.”

“He has more credibility than a 22-year-old,” Ashley’s mom said in disbelief.

Capalbo said her daughter had turned down lucrative offers to make a buck off of the scandal, including posing for nude magazines.

Less than 18 months after he left Albany in a prostitution scandal, Spitzer has held informal discussions in recent weeks about the possibility of making a bid for state comptroller or the US Senate seat currently held by Kirsten Gillibrand, sources said.

The hooker-happy Democrat has also discussed his own halfway-decent poll numbers in recent surveys, which have shown him more popular than Gov. Paterson, whose own numbers have tanked.

“He”s weighing it,” said one source.

But Spitzer hasn”t shown any interest in campaigning for the office he briefly held, sources said.

The sources stressed that Spitzer, who also served two terms as state attorney general before his landslide election as governor in 2006, has not engaged in any active discussions with political consultants.

Reached at his father”s real-estate firm, where he has been working since he resigned as governor last spring, Spitzer declined comment.

But a source close to him insisted, “It”s not true,” and two other close associates also insisted he was not interested in running for office again and was looking at a range of other options.

Spitzer quit in disgrace in March 2008 after he was unmasked in Manhattan federal court as “Client 9″ in a prostitution bust involving a major call-girl ring. He was revealed to have paid 4,300 dollars for a romp with escort Ashley Dupre, then 22. (ANI)

Screen Actors Guild bosses ban members from being part of MJ’s docu

London, Aug 30 (ANI): The feature length documentary on Michael Jackson being made by Sony has been hit with controversy, as union bosses at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) have warned members not to be part of the project.

They claim that film’s producers have not agreed to the minimum basic terms and conditions for performers and background actors employed on the project, the Daily Express reports.

A statement from the union reads: “Guild members are reminded of their obligation not to accept employment on any non-signatory project, as well as their obligation to confirm with the guild that a project is signatory. Employment on any non-signatory project within the guild’s jurisdiction may subject a member to a Rule One violation.”

The film is set to feature behind-the-scenes footage of the King of Pop during his rehearsals for his comeback This Is It concert, which Sony had purchased from concert promoters AEG Live.

However, the union did not have jurisdiction over the footage.

Sony has planned to release it on 28 October and run it in theatres for two weeks worldwide. (ANI)

Angelina Jolie to return for ‘Wanted’ sequel?

London, Aug 29 (ANI): Angelina Jolie may reappear in the sequel of her film Wanted.

The actress’ character was fatally injured in the end of the first film and scriptwriters are apparently trying their best to reprise it.

The director of the movie Timur Bekmambetov has said that a comeback would be “tough to do”, but his writers were “trying hard,” reports the Daily Star. olie starred alongside Scottish star James McAvoy in the assassin movie. (ANI)

Forgotten opener Jaques pushing for Test recall

Sydney, Aug.23 (ANI): Former New South Wales coach and Australian keeper Steve Rixon expects forgotten opener Phil Jaques to return with such vengeance this season that he puts serious pressure on the Test partnership of Simon Katich and Shane Watson.

Rixon, who is the president of Sutherland grade club where Jaques plays, said the 30-year-old left-hander still faces an anxious time in his recovery from back surgery, but if he regains full fitness he could resume his place at the top of the Australia’s batting order.

“Jaquesy will put a lot of pressure on the Test openers this season, I’ve got no doubt. ‘He’ll be opening the batting with Hughesy [Phillip Hughes] this year in the NSW side and he will be planting runs on the board to the point where he will be hard to ignore,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Rixon, as saying.

In his 11 Test matches, Jaques scored 902 runs at an average of 47.47, including three centuries. In his most recent Test knock, in June 2008, he scored a second-innings 108. However, he was soon dropped for the returning Matthew Hayden.

By that time Jaques’s back problems were getting worse and he came home for an operation. He attempted a comeback before last summer’s tour of South Africa, but soon required another operation.

Hughes went to South Africa instead and became the opener of choice until Watson took over after the second Ashes Test.

Jaques has since been in the background but, despite losing his Cricket Australia contract, has refused to give up on his Test career, saying in May: “All I want to do is get back on the park. When I am fit and healthy I will put scores on the board, I know that.”

Rixon agrees.

“He’s a guy that’s a run machine. All he needs is his fitness back. That’s his priority. We’re very keen to get him back into club cricket at Sutherland as quickly as possible. He’s going to work doubly hard to get his body right. Severe back problems are not something you can get over easily,” he said.

Blues selector Brian Taber will closely monitor Jaques’s progress. He confirmed that Jaques was on track to play at the beginning of the grade season late next month.

“I hope he picks up where he left off. His last Test innings was a hundred,” Taber said. (ANI)

MJ’s ‘This Is It’ comeback concert contract leaked online

London, Aug 21 (ANI): The contract for late King of Pop Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ comeback concert has been leaked online, with documents confirming the tragic star had no “known medical problems” which would have jeopardised the London shows.

The contract with tour promoters AEG, obtained by RadarOnline, stated the star had no “known health conditions, injuries or ailments that would reasonably be expected to interfere with Artist’s first class performance at each of the shows during the term,” reports the Daily Express.

The documents also reveal that singer did in fact agree to play more than the original 10 concerts, but stipulated that he would perform no more than “3.5 times” during a seven-day period.

The papers also dismiss rumours that Jackson was too frail to perform his full set.

Many internet gossips speculated he was only contracted to appear on stage for a small portion of each gig, but the contract states he was obliged to perform for at least 80 minutes at each show.

Jackson signed the documents on behalf of his company, The Michael Jackson Company LLC, and as the artist, Michael Jackson, while AEG Live CEO Brandon Phillips also signed the contract. (ANI)

Ashes dreams still alive, says Bell

London, Aug 21(ANI): England batsman Ian Bell has said that there is no need to panic, and pleaded with England fans to cling on to their Ashes dreams in the fifth and final Test match at The Oval.

“I don’t think we have thrown it away. We don’t know what a good score will be on this wicket and we’re quite pleased to get 300 on the board,” The Sun quoted Bell, as saying.

“It was ugly at times and we had to fight. We could have been in a better position, but it wasn’t like your normal Oval pitch, it was low and slow,” he added.

Bell further said that the England team is hopeful of a comeback, as it won’t be easy for the Australians to bat last on the low and slow pitch.

“Hopefully as the game goes on the pitch will deteriorate further and it won’t be easy to bat last,” Bell said.

“There is a bit in this track for everyone, I can see this Test going late into day five,” he added. (ANI)

Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan named Best War Film Of All Time

London, Aug 20 (ANI): Steven Spielberg’s flick Saving Private Ryan, starring Tom Hanks and Matt Damon, has topped the list of all time best war movies.

More than 3,000 members of the online DVD and games rental service, Lovefilm, took part in the poll. The survey was conducted to mark the release of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds.

Saving Private Ryan is an Oscar-winning epic about the D-Day landings and it pipped Steve McQueen starrer The Great Escape to land the honour.

The 1998 Spielberg classic received 21 per cent of the fans’ votes.

The Great Escape got 11 percent of votes, and it pipped another Spielberg movie, Schindler’s List, to grab the second spot.

Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, based on Josef Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness, was ranked fourth with nine per cent of the votes.

The Vietnam War inspired Full Metal Jacket by director Stanley Kubrick and Oliver Stone’s Platoon, came fifth and sixth.

Mel Gibson starrer Braveheart claimed the seventh spot, Back Hawk Down, a tale of American troops in Somalia, came eighth.

Michael Cimino’s haunting The Deer Hunter was positioned at number 10.

Wolfgang Peterson’s German U-Boat drama Das Boot was the only non-English language film to make it in to the top 10 in ninth place.

The Telegraph quoted Darren Bignell, Lovefilm’s communications manager, as saying: “Having polarised opinion at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, Inglourious Basterds marks the comeback of one of modern cinema’s most revered directors.

“Tarantino fans have been chomping at the bit for his latest offering and we’ll soon discover whether it hits the mark with cinema-goers.”

The Top 10 War Films Ever:

1 Saving Private Ryan (1998) 21 percent

2 The Great Escape (1963) 11 percent

3 Schindler’s List (1993) 10 percent

4 Apocalypse Now (1979) 9 percent

5 Full Metal Jacket (1987) 7 percent

6 Platoon (1986) 6 percent

7 Braveheart (1995) 5 percent

8 Black Hawk Down (2001) 4 percent

9 Das Boot (2006) 2 percent

10 The Deer Hunter (2078) 1 percent (others 24 percent) (ANI)

Peter Andre may reappear in ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get me our of here!’

London, Aug 19 (ANI): Peter Andre may make a comeback to reality show ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get me out of here’, where he first fell in love with his estranged wife Katie Price.

The singer could soon head to the Aussie camp to be part of the thrill.

“It’s all up in the air at the moment. But it’s very exciting. It’s going to be a ratings winner,” the Daily Star quoted a source as saying.

The insider added: “The public loves Peter and they’d love nothing more than to see him back in the jungle. He might even find a new love.”

However, top psychologist Jo Hemmings is afraid that the trip could make it hard for the ‘Mysterious Girl’ singer to get over the bitter split with his wife.

She said: “Peter obviously has a yearning to go back to where his happiness began. He is eager to take a journey back to the beginning, as he feels this will cast out the final demons of his volatile and troubled marriage. But it could be a serious error of judgment. He will encounter so many reminders of falling in love with Kate that it will dredge up all sorts of unwelcome memories that could find him slipping back into emotional fragility.”

She added: “If there are lessons to be learned from reality TV history, Pete should remember that when Jade Goody’s career was flagging, returning to the Big Brother house was one of the worst decisions she ever made.”

Andre had first participated in the show five years back. (ANI)

Yousuf needs more time to be back to best in international cricket: Younis Khan

Lahore, Aug. 13 (ANI): Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan has stepped in support of middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf, saying he needs time to settle down after staging a comeback following a long lay-off from international cricket.

“He is back in the team and before that he was out of international cricket for quite a while. He just played in the Indian Cricket League and there is a difference between ICL and international cricket. He did not play international cricket for more than a year now and any cricketer staying out of the game for this long would need time to adjust,” Khan said.

Yousuf, who came back in the Pakistan team after the PCB lifted the ban on him which was imposed following his joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), failed to impress during the just concluded Sri Lanka series.

He hit a gritty century in the first Test match of the three match series at Galle, but looked awfully out of form in the one-day series.

Earlier, taking the responsibility for humiliating defeats both in the Test and One-Day series in Sri Lanka, Khan said he would not succumb to pressure to resign.

“I accept the responsibility of defeat, but will not apologise to anyone nor will I resign as captain because it’s part of the game to lose and win,” Khan said.

Khan, 31, lambasted critics and former Pakistani cricketers who have launched a relentless attack on him for team’s dismal performance during the Lanka series.

“I am trying my level best to lead the team and achieve the best results but some people want me to relinquish the captaincy, which I won’t. Am I not a good captain, or do I lack leadership qualities?” he said. (ANI)