Christmas being celebrated across the world today
December 25, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Christians are celebrating Christmas across the world today including Pakistan with religious fervor.
Christian community illuminated their homes and churches while shopping remained at peak till Friday. Almost all the churches have been decorated with colourful lights and illuminated Christmas Trees. Special Dua would be offered for prosperity of the country. Different programs and ceremonies are being organized in the areas where Christians are living in majority. Cake cutting ceremonies are also being arranged by prominent political figures are participating in these ceremonies.
Meanwhile, Bishop of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik felicitated the nation on the eve of Christmas on Friday. Christians have no monopoly on Christ. He belongs to all whether black or white, yellow or brown, young or old, men or women, he said in his Christmas message issued. He said the forces of evil and darkness could not extinguish the light that Christ had lighted in the world through His life and teachings. The bishop prayed for peace in the world and prosperity and solidarity of Pakistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari also felicitated the Christian community on this occasion.In his message he said, I wish to felicitate the Christians across the globe particularly our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan on the auspicious occasion of Christmas.The President said, Christmas is a time for festivity, celebration and rejoicing as well as a reminder to all of us of the message of Jesus Christ (May Allah be pleased with him) of love, forgiveness and brotherhood among the people.
Philippine gun lovers celebrate new president
August 1, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
MANILA: Standing amid an array of foreign assault rifles and local shotguns at one of the Philippines” largest shopping malls, firearms aficionados celebrated the rise of the nation”s new president.
Benigno Aquino, who took office on June 30, is an avid sports shooter and clips on YouTube show him using a semi-automatic pistol with great skill at a target shooting competition.
“The feeling is that he is one of us. He also inhales gunpowder,” said Johnmuel Mendoza, head of PRO-Gun, the country”s largest firearms-rights group, at the twice-yearly gun show in Manila”s vast “Megamall”.
Indeed Aquino, the Supreme Court chief justice and other influential figures have been frequent visitors to the shows in recent years, according to Mendoza.
And in the gun-crazy Philippines, having a firearms exhibition alongside shops selling perfume, designer clothes and frozen yoghurt appears remarkably normal.
Women carrying infants and schoolchildren attended last month”s five-day show, not necessarily to buy guns but just to marvel at the weapons as if they were browsing through the mall”s more conventional retail outlets.
“It”s Rambo”s gun,” said one boy, looking at a machine-gun on display. “Stupid, that”s from World War II,” his classmate replied.
Among the highlights of the show were the various companies offering shoulder bags, belt packs and photographer”s vests that were all designed to conceal a handgun.
“Just one pull on the strap and you can have your gun out in the blink of an eye,” said a salesman demonstrating a quick-draw from the holster cunningly concealed inside a shoulder bag.
Despite the ominous brand-name “Assassin”, the salesman denied the bag was designed with malicious intent.
“This was made to comply with police requirements,” he explained, citing new rules banning people from carrying guns openly.
Experts gave lectures on legal aspects of gun ownership, sports shooting and how to maintain a firearm, while a fashion show featured models showing off catchy new holster designs.
The stalls that got the most attention displayed exotic military hardware, even though ordinary citizens are not allowed to own such weapons.
People lined up to have their photos taken cradling a Tavor assault rifle or taking aim with a Remington sniper rifle.
“It”s like a car show where you go to see a Mercedes Benz or a Porsche. You can”t buy these cars but you can get inside, try it out. That is how it is at the gun-show,” said lawyer and gun enthusiast Ernesto Tabujara.
During his visit, Tabujara got a chance to handle both the Israeli Tavor and the Swiss-designed SIG 556 rifle.
“If I could choose, I would prefer the Tavor. The SIG has the set-up of a basic M-16 rifle but the Tavor has more exotic looks and has very good quality,” he said.
In the Philippines, anyone can get a license to own a conventional gun, subject to a police clearance and other security checks.
The law allows people to carry guns outside their homes if they can prove to police they may need to use it in self-defence.
It is commonplace for off-duty police, lawyers, judges, businessmen and even journalists to walk the streets with guns.
There are about 1.3 million licensed firearms in the Philippines, with 600,000 in the hands of private citizens and the rest held by the military, police and other law-enforcement agencies, according to police estimates.
However police said last year there were also about 1.1 million unlicensed firearms in the Philippines.
The combined tally means there is roughly one firearm in circulation for every 40 Filipinos.
National police chief Director-General Jesus Verzosa this year pushed for an extension of a six-month ban on carrying guns in public that was put in place to help limit violence surrounding national elections in May.
However he backed down following an outcry by the powerful gun lobby.
Chief Superintendent Gil Meneses, head of the police firearms division, said that trying to disarm the population would be nearly impossible.
“Our society is pro-gun. People are not really saying they don”t want guns. They are saying they want less crime,” Meneses said at the gun show.
Church leaders and civil society groups insist that loose gun laws are one of the major factors in the Philippines having such a violent society.
Police statistics show violent crime across the country dropped by about a third during the election-related six-month ban on the public carrying of firearms, backing the anti-gun lobby”s argument.
Aquino also said shortly after assuming the presidency on June 30 that he was open to police proposals to make it tougher for people to buy a gun.
“It (firearms possession) is not a right under our law. It”s a privilege. There are certain conditions you have to meet to be granted a (gun) license and there is some looseness in the implementation of the rules,” he said.
However the gun lobby remains confident that Aquino will continue to allow guns to flourish in society.
“We believe he is one of us. He will not let us be deprived of the privilege of owning firearms without due process,” Mendoza said.
Spain beat Holland 1-0 to win World Cup
JOHANNESBURG: Spain won the World Cup for the first time on Sunday, Andres Iniesta netting in extra-time to see off Holland 1-0 in Johannesburg and hand the Dutch their third final loss.
With just four minutes of extra-time remaining, substitute Fernando Torres slid over a cross from the left which was partially cleared as far as Cesc Fabregas and his pass found Iniesta lurking in the area.
The Barcelona star promptly set his sights and fired past Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Five minutes earlier, the Dutch were down to 10 men when referee Howard Webb red-carded John Heitinga for a foul on Iniesta.
A niggly game saw a proliferation of yellow cards and missed chances at both ends – most notably in the first period of extra-time when Spanish substitute Fabregas raced onto a pass from Iniesta only to see Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg block his shot.
Then fellow substitute Jesus Navas looked odds on to score but his shot deflected off Giovanni van Bronckhorst and hit the side-netting.
Dutch and Spain go into extra time at 0-0
JOHANNESBURG: The all-European World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain went into extra time on Sunday with the score level at 0-0 in a bruising encounter.
European champions Spain looked the more assured early on in the clash at Soccer City as a nervous-looking Dutch side ceded territory to their slick opponents.
Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was forced into a diving save after five minutes when Sergio Ramos headed a Xavi cross goalwards while Spain forward David Villa crashed a volley into the side netting with the goal looming.
However, a series of free kicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfield enforcers Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm.
The Netherlands battling approach meant the Spanish were unable to reproduce the swift-passing possession football that got them to the final.
The Dutch offered little in attack and the nearest they came to a first-half goal was a bizarre incident after 38 minutes when Gregory van der Wiel attempted to give the ball back in an act of sportsmanship.
The fullback”s 60-metre punt bounced up and over Spain captain Iker Casillas, forcing the startled keeper to leap and tip it to safety.
The game continued in the same deadlocked vein after the break, with frequent stoppages and few chances, until Wesley Sneijder split the Spanish defence with a perfectly-weighted ball into the path of Arjen Robben after 62 minutes.
The winger bore down on Casillas and must have thought he had scored when he sent him the wrong way with a low shot but the keeper stuck out a leg and diverted the ball to safety.
Spain then began to take control, moving the ball forward more quickly and created two good chances.
First, a cross by lively substitute Jesus Navas reached Villa at the far post but his shot was blocked on the line, and then Ramos headed wildly over the bar from five metres out after being left unmarked at a corner.
Neither team has won the World Cup before though the Dutch are playing in their third final.
Afridi inspires Pakistan to big win in Asia Cup
DAMBULLA: Skipper Shahid Afridi smashed a glorious 124 off 60 balls as Pakistan ended their Asia Cup campaign with a 139-run rout of Bangladesh on Monday.
Afridi plundered 17 boundaries and four sixes to lead Pakistan to their highest one-day total of 385-7, before Bangladesh replied with 246-5 in the day-night match.
Junaid Siddique top-scored for Bangladesh with 97 after sharing a second-wicket stand of 160 with Imrul Kayes, who made 66.
It was Pakistan”s lone victory in the four-nation tournament and came after India and defending champions Sri Lanka had already qualified for Thursday”s final with two wins each.
Bangladesh return home beaten in all three matches.
India and Sri Lanka clash in the last league match on Tuesday to prepare for the final at the Rangiri stadium in Dambulla.
Pakistan”s total surpassed their previous best of 371-9 against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996, a match in which Afridi cracked the fastest one-day century ever off 37 balls.
Pakistan, who had lost narrowly to both India and Sri Lanka, used the game to display their batting power after openers Imran Farhat (66) and Shahzaib Hasan (50) put on 81 by the 13th over.
There was another half-century from Umar Akmal, who made 50 during a fifth-wicket stand of 136 with Afridi.
Pakistan hammered 120 runs in the last nine overs as the Bangladesh bowling wilted under the spectacular assault.
Pakistan”s innings was marred by the bizarre dismissal of Umar Amin, who was run out by Mohammad Mahmudullah while moving from the off to the leg-side at the non-striker”s end after completing a single.
Amin”s bat was in the air as he walked across the popping crease and was clearly not trying to steal a single when Mahmudullah broke the stumps.
Umpires Billy Doctrove and Bruce Oxenford referred the decision to the TV umpire, who declared Amin run out.
Villa double seals Spain”s win over Honduras
JOHANNESBURG: Goals either side of half-time by Barcelona”s new signing David Villa saw Spain beat Honduras 2-0 in their Group H clash at Ellis Park on Monday to put their World Cup back on track.
After losing their opening game 1-0 to Switerzerland, the easy victory puts Spain on course to reach the last 16, providing Vicente Del Bosque”s side can beat Chile on Friday.
Honduras rarely threatened the Euro 2008 winners and after their second defeat are out of contention in the tournament, while Spain will need to produce a more convincing display if they are to progress far in the tournament.
The Central American minnows looked pedestrian while Spain attacked in waves as Villa”s brilliance shone for his goals on 17 and 51 minutes, but he wasted the chance to complete his hat-trick when he missed a second-half penalty.
The 28-year-old gave a glimpse of what was to come when he rattled the crossbar on seven minutes from 30 metres out.
Honduras midfielder Danilo Turcios earned the first yellow card on eight minutes for trying to interfere with a quickly taken free-kick.
Villa finally opened the scoring when he cut in from the left wing, beat the defence and then squeezed his shot past two defenders and into the top left-hand corner of the goal on 17 minutes.
Fernando Torres, one of two changes to the side which lost to the Swiss, wasted Sergio Ramos”s cross from the wing when he headed over with half an hour gone in what was a quiet performance from the Liverpool striker still edging back to form.
Emilio Izaguirre picked up the second booking for Honduras when he fouled Spanish winger Jesus Navas on 38 minutes, but Villa was later lucky not to get booked when he appeared to slap Izaguirre in the face in the penalty area.
Spain kept up the pressure after the break as the first-half finished 1-0 and Villa scored his second soon after when a Navas pass found him in space.
His shot from outside the penalty area gave Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares no chance on 52 minutes.
Villa should have completed his hat-trick on 62 minutes when Izaguirre brought down Jesus Navas on the edge of the area and referee Yuichi Nishmura awarded the penalty, but the Spaniard fired the spot-kick wide of the right post.
On a rare Honduran attack, David Suazo fired wide on 66 minutes, but the biggest cheer of the night from the 54,386-strong crowd came soon after for the introduction of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Torres made way for Valencia”s Juan Manuel Mata as the Spanish went off the boil in the final 20 minutes.
Spain must now beat Chile – who defeated Switzerland 1-0 earlier Monday – on Friday in Pretoria to be sure of making the knockout phase, while Honduras will play for pride against the Swiss in Bloemfontein.
History-making Swiss shock favourites Spain
DURBAN: World Cup favourites Spain crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat to unfancied Switzerland in their opening game of the tournament here on Wednesday.
A rock solid defence and a tremendous goalkeeping effort from Diego Benaglio saw the Swiss take the lead in the 51st minute through Gelson Fernandes and sustain wave after wave of pressure to hold on for the win in the Group H clash.
The victory was Switzerland”s first-ever over Spain in 19 games dating back 85 years.
Fernandes” scrambled goal was exactly the type pundits said the Swiss might score against a Spanish team whose slick passing game failed to convert territory and overwhelming possessional advantage into anything concrete.
A long, straight goalkick was picked up by striker Eren Derdiyok, whose path was blocked by an onrushing Iker Casillas.
In the melee, the ball squirted into the path of defender Gerard Pique who fell as he twisted trying to clear the ball, and the Cape Verde-born Fernandes was left with the easiest of tap-ins.
Derdiyok could have made it two for the Swiss but saw his prod with the outside of his foot rebound off the post in the 74th minute.
Spain will be left kicking themselves after dominating much of open play, while Vicente Del Bosque”s selection policy will be questioned after the positive impact of strikers Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres off the bench.
But the Spanish, fielding the backbone of the side that won Euro 2008, did have their chances.
In the first tame 45 minutes, Pique”s shot was parried by Benaglio, and David Villa made a real hash of a cross rather than shooting.
Benaglio, who saw key Fulham defender Philippe Senderos limp off with an ankle injury after half an hour, was tested more as Spain pressed in the second-half after going behind to Fernandes” goal.
In short succession, Villa was thwarted by a diving Benaglio, Andres Iniesta saw a curling effort miss the posts by a metre, and Torres twisted and fired high and wide.
Alonso then saw a 30-yard bullet of a strike come back off the woodwork with Benaglio well beaten. Navas had a shot well saved by the Swiss keeper and went narrowly wide shortly after.
But the Swiss, often playing with nine of their 10 outfield players behind the ball, held on for the historic win and gave themselves hope of progressing to the second round, as they did four years ago in Germany.
chuck liddell
June 12, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell’s new exercise video is currently in the works, appropriately titled: “40-Year Abs By The Iceman.”
It appears the prolific party animal of the mixed martial arts world has traded in his notorious belly keg for a highly refined set of six-pack abs, the first in the 40-year-old’s 12-year fighting career.
Has hell frozen over courtesy of an Iceman overhand right to Satan’s suspect chin, crystallizing the fiery underworld and all its Hitler-esque inhabitants? We might be witnessing the prophesied revelation.
It was bound to happen. Either the Lord Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was going to bless his fans with an encore, or Chuck Liddell was going to sculpt his mid-section into a Renaissance piece of art—submitting it as the latest Louvre attraction in Paris.
But before we fly off our seats with astonishment—going primatially insane—let’s take a step back, cross our eyes, and stare at this Kodak moment like it was a Magic Eye book from the 90s.
I’ve never had any luck with those tripped out Magic Eye books, always telling my friends, “Oh yeah!! I see it, I see it!!” Really, I saw nothing—just a bunch of wavy lines and an opportunity to fit in. If you were one of those kids who could see tropical beach screensavers or the Magna Carta, psychedelics might not be for you—humans cannot fly, and diabolical Telebubbies aren’t trying to kill you.
ascension thursday
May 13, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
A Prayer for Ascension Thursday
Today is Ascension Day. In this day, Catholics all over the world celebrates Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven after he was resurrected from death on Easter Day. Ascension Day also marks the 40th day after Easter Sunday and always falls on a Thursday that’s why it is usually called as Ascension Thursday.
According to Christian doctrine, Ascension holds that Jesus Christ ascended to heaven together with his Eleven Apostles and that in heaven he sits at the right hand of God the Father.
The Ascension has been called the capstone of the life of Jesus, but Jesus is not gone completely! He has promised to remain with us till the end of the ages, and He does this by the Holy Eucharist. Jesus Christ is in the Holy Eucharist. When Jesus was speaking of the Eucharist, His disciples were murmuring about having to eat His flesh. Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then how will you react when you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” (Jn.6:61-62). Jesus is still with us and shall remain with us. He looks out for us and loves us. Jesus is Our God forever and ever!
Restore Stephen Baldwin Former Glory American Actor
Restore Stephen Baldwin of the famous “Baldwin Brothers” Hollywood clan is a veteran actor who has appeared in over 60 films and TV programs. In fact, right wing, the Born Again Christians opened a website where people can give him wealth, he can pay his debt.
Hammer also has Donald Trump has been destroyed long ago. So, here is a question of what is beyond the issue of Stephen Baldwin. One should know how to use technology from the U.S. actor whose name is Stephen Baldwin, it seems that the American actor, all of us are aware that many famous celebrities, corresponding MC
Many are bored in their personal preferences, stars include not go beyond demanding for wealth. It turns out that Stephen Baldwin of the Baldwin brothers went bankrupt earlier this summer, and his friends have launched a website called. Public. “Something I think Jesus would be happier if all the money went for food and clothing of people in Haiti. Of course, Steve is probably not a father in the church anytime soon.
Although they are facing financial problems, they almost certainly extra significance for self-respect and self-esteem rather than money. After a collapse Jobs has said that he needed money, and it’s no secret he is experiencing insolvency. He is not alone. Celebrities from M.C. Hammer for Donald Trump have declared bankruptcy in the past.
