Britney's 'breakdown' 'inspired' 50 Cent album

By Majed Iqbal- 50 Cent, a rapping phenomenon from US, who is trying all he can to stay on the rap media scene has used the events of Britney Spears 'breakdown' as 'lyrical' material for his new album.



He wrote a new LP "Before I Self Destruct" after watching Britney Spears' head-shaving meltdown- these scenes were showcased internationally when Britney appeared at a local hair dresser asking for her hair to be sheared off.

50 Cent has admitted that he was morbidly fascinated by the previously clean-cut star's downfall. He told OK! Magazine, "She was the greatest show on earth last year.....She was going through her issues in public... It was great to watch her spin out of control because it makes the average person feel better."

Unfortunately we live in an era and a time where ideas like Freedom give rise to selfish and materialistic pursuits- no matter if it causes happiness or misery to an individual or even society at large.

Will you be my Valentine.....Please?

By Majed Iqbal- It's that time of the year again when the Majnu's of this world- yes that Aashiq crowd whose diet consists of a Bollywood movie a night come out and confess their love to ‘the one'.



Yes, were talking about Valentines Day when romance is in the air and a day on which postal services are jammed with delivering cards and letters, or playing the role of a 'cupid', forwarding messages of 'true love'.

Youngsters will be making Valentine's cards, and lots would be collecting money from their pocket money to buy gifts for their so called loved one. And there is that air of anticipation and anxiousness of receiving an anonymous card from a secret admirer!

At schools, colleges and Unis people boast about the number of admirers they have. It's all about the ratings game! So the more you have the bigger the player the lad is or the more ‘pulling power' the girl has. Others will be hiding their faces with humiliation in the realisation that nobody showed any romantic interest in them.

So what's the harm in all this some may ask? After all, is it not a day for girls and guys to indulge in a bit of fun?

Iran ready for dialogue with US?

By Dr Mohammed Zahid- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he would welcome talks with the US as long as they were based on "mutual respect". Speaking on the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Iran, he said Iran would welcome change from the US as long as it was "fundamental".



"The new US administration has announced that they want to produce change and pursue the course of dialogue. It is quite clear that real change must be fundamental and not tactical. It is clear the Iranian nation welcomes real changes and is ready for dialogue in a climate of equality and mutual respect" Mr Ahmadinejad said at a rally in central Tehran attended by tens of thousands of people.

Ahmadinejad's remarks come a day after US President Barack Obama said he was looking for "openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the table face-to-face".

"I think there's the possibility, at least, of a relationship of mutual respect and progress," Mr Obama said, but "it's time now for Iran to send some signals that it wants to act differently."

Picture Story- Thousands protest against Military action in Swat- Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- Thousands gathered together in Swat to protest against the Military action in the area which has seen hundreds of lives lost. The protest demanded that the government withdraw the army from the area and lift the curfew which has made life difficult for the residents.



Despite the Governement PR on convincing the Pakistani population that the country must fight Americas war on Terror to root out 'extremism', demonstrations like theses have clearly profiled the sentiments of the people in the heart of the 'conflict' zones that they no longer buy the lies sold to them.

Zardari's government has seen no change from that of Musharraf's and continues to pursue American Policy blindly despite the peoples resentment and displeasure.

BBC and Sky's ‘impartial' coverage of Gaza come under raps!

By Majed Iqbal- Sky News and the BBC came under heavy criticism on their refusal to broadcast an emergency appeal for Gaza by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella group of humanitarian charities including Oxfam, Save the Children and the Red Cross, in spite of renewed pressure from the public on the grounds that it would jeopardise their neutrality.



The decision added further to fury to many in Britain who believed that the coverage of the Gaza massacre by the BBC and Sky news amidst many other Western news Corporations leaned more favourably to viewing the whole events through Israeli lenses with considerable airtime offered to people to speak with this angle.

More than 10,000 people protested in central London against the BBC's refusal to air the DEC aid appeal for Gaza which was followed by incidents in the week where BBC buildings in London and Manchester were occupied by protesters.

John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York said "This is not an appeal by Hamas asking for arms but by the Disasters Emergency Committee asking for relief"

North West Women's conference addresses the future of Gaza

By Majed Iqbal- While international pressure seems to have produced a ceasefire in Gaza, feelings of outrage have not dissipated easily left by the international silence by leading powers whilst the aggression was taking place in Gaza. Bitter taste can be felt resounding in many countries and seemed no different for the Muslim community in the UK.



Beyond the Gaza episode and the alleged ceasefire by Israeli forces, debates and discussions continue to look at a viable alternative to achieving territorial integrity and liberation for the Palestinians and mapping out the main obstacle in the way of achieving this.

To discuss these issues over a 150 women attended a one day Conference which looked beyond the ‘ceasefire', evaluated the practical steps that could have prevented such atrocities and mapped out a future political set up to ensure stability and peace for the region

The women's chapter of the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir organised the conference in Longsight, Manchester opening a robust debate on the Gaza issue.