September 4th, 2010

By Neha Kamran

Pakistan and its people need us. We should be doing everything we can to help. Donate your time, money, effort, goods, writing, anything you possibly can, for the 20 million devastated flood victims. There is a plethora of trustworthy organisations that one can dispatch relief goods through, and even sign up with: Edhi, The Imran Khan Flood Relief Fund, Zimmedar Shehri, the list goes on and on. THIS IS OUR COUNTRY AND IT NEEDS US. Ink magazine urges all of us, all the Pakistanis, to rise to the occasion.

By Neha Kamran

Newlyweds. What lovely images that word conjures up- happiness, trips to Paris, searching for homes, unwrapping wedding gifts, and enjoying leftover wedding cake. However, it seems that such tame pursuits palled for rapper, T.I and his new bride, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, especially when they realised they could be out getting arrested for possession of illegal drugs instead. The two were taken into police custody on the 3^rd of September 2010, and only released at the posting of a $10,000 bail. This may not be the end of the matter for T.I, unfortunately, as he was already under probation for federal weapons charges.
The next Bonnie and Clyde? More like Dumb and Dumber. And to think I was such a big fan, T.I…

By Neha Kamran

It seems that the same curse that Voldemort placed on the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher job at Hogwarts has been placed on the position of American Idol Judge (Harry Potter fans will automatically know what I mean). The judges are dropping out one after the other; the latest is Kara DioGuardi whose departure follows hard on the footsteps of both Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres. Who could it be? Who is the perpetrator of this malevolent enchantment? Cough, Simon Cowell, cough. One must admit he’s surely evil enough, but sadly we’ll have to rule out this likely possibility seeing as he is leaving himself. Perhaps the magic lies in, er, more lucrative offers elsewhere. Ah, we can almost stand and breathe in the materialism that today’s world subsists upon.

By Zehra Ali

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been suspended for six months after it was ruled that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup. The country’s Sports Institute said an inquiry found that Queiroz insulted an anti-doping team and that his aggressive manner upset their work. The Portuguese Football Federation had already suspended Queiroz for one month for misconduct at the incident in May.

Neither the federation nor Queiroz, 57, have yet to comment on the ruling

By Zehra Ali

Given the wobbly state of media in the digital age, it is easy to forget that news is not always about profits and scandals. But for survivors of Pakistan’s massive floods, the day’s news can be the difference between life and death. That is exactly where BBC is innovating and adapting by airing radio “lifeline programming” in both Pashto and Urdu to about 60 and 80 million people.

The emphasis is on the need to deliver information, as aid itself. In which case, the BBC World Service Trust is the aid agency. By delivering information, they wish to target the masses within Pakistan who might have been harrowed by false pictures or beliefs as people do have the right to know and be aware of their own country’s conditions.

By Zehra Ali

Natalie Portman is earning early raves and Oscar buzz for her role as an unhinged ballerina in the upcoming psycho-drama “Black Swan”. The 29-year-old actress fully immersed herself in the part, which required hours upon hours of extreme training. Portman, who studied dance at the age of 13, got a jump on her preparation for the film.

“Physically, I trained starting a year ahead of time and then the six months prior to the film, went into a sort of hyper training. That’s when I was doing five hours a day of both ballet and cross training with swimming.” she told reporters at a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, where “Black Swan” debuted to glowing reviews Wednesday night.

Official Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jaI1XOB-bs