Marvel Studios presents Marvel’s The Avengers-the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins..

Pros

• Great cast who performed exceptionally well
• Excellent  unpredictable story line
• The action scenes were spectacular

FAVORITE QUOTES

1. Captain America: Big man in a suit of armor. Take that away and what are you?
2. Tony Stark: Uh, genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist…

CONCLUSION

Rather than creating an uneven mix or trying to focus more heavily on any one specific character, writer/director Joss Whedon has constructed The Avengersas a balanced ensemble. In addition to everyone getting at least one great action sequence, all of the characters are fully fleshed out and given an arc to work with, whether it’s Captain America’s struggle to adjust in the modern world, Thor’s guilt about his brother, Iron Man’s ego and single-mindedness, or Hulk’s fear of his own power. Even Black Widow and Hawkeye, who were largely minimized in their previous appearances, are fully fleshed out and provided with backstories that give us a better understanding of their characters.

It is an absolutely amazing movie that the whole family will enjoy.

RATING

5 out of 5

By Kapa187

Zambia’s maize output declined by about 6 percent to 2.8 million tonnes in the 2011/2012 season from 3 million tonnes last year, the agriculture minister said today.

Emmanuel Chenda also said at a media briefing that Zambia still had a huge maize surplus because of carry-over stocks from last year and is planning to export some of the excess.

“When the carry-over stocks of 770,931 tonnes from the last season are added to the current production, the country ends up with a maize surplus of 1,035,333,” Chenda said.

Zambia needs just over 2.5 million tonnes of maize for human consumption, strategic reserves, stock feed and brewing, he said.

Erratic rains delayed the planting of this year’s maize crop, the country’s staple, raising the possibility of a poor harvest.
[Reuters]

Masebo has described former Works and Supply minister Mike Mulongoti as “childish and embarrassing” on his remarks that President Michael Sata has not rewarded him with a job despite campaigning hard for him.

Ms Masebo said it was unfair for Mr Mulongoti to cry foul because President Sata could not focus on creating employment opportunities for a few individuals when all Zambians needed better jobs.

Mr Mulongoti, who is former MMD national campaign manager, was expelled from the former ruling party after he differed with former Republican president Rupiah Banda when he attempted to stand as party vice-president.

Ms Masebo said on Muvi TV last night when she featured on the Assignment Programme dubbed “The Anti-Corruption Commission Clearance,” that genuine democrats should not hold narrow interests.

She said Mr Mulongoti should not have made reference to her in his statement in the media last week in which he complained that the president had not met him since Patriotic Front (PF) emerged victorious in the September 20, 2011 tripartite elections.

“It is very childish and so embarrassing for people to cry foul on jobs from President Sata because the PF Government is working to create jobs for all citizens.

“People like Mr Sata’s recent campaign manager Willie Nsanda was not given a job. So why should Mr Mulongoti come out to even speak for others. Who said I wanted another job”? Ms Masebo wondered.

She said the job that she has as MP for Chongwe was already enough because her electorate wanted her to work for them.

Ms Masebo said she was comfortable with her job and it was unfair for anyone to wrongly lobby for job from the president whom she could call and tell him if indeed she wanted another job.

“I talk to President Sata often and we discuss many issues. I eat with him and the First Lady. So, It’s not right for people to speak on my behalf as if I don’t know the President myself,” she said.

Mr Mulongoti was quoted in The Post on Friday as having said he was disappointed with President Sata for not meeting him after last year’s elections.

On the PF’s performance, Ms Masebo said it was too early for some Zambians to start criticising the PF Government.

“President Sata is an honest man and for a new Government, 90 days or even a year is too little to develop. People should be patient and Mr Sata is going to deliver because he knows people’s expectations are high,” she said.

On illegal land allocation in Chongwe, she said, she recently took Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Wybur Simuusa to assess the situation.

[Times of Zambia]

She said the illegal land allocation started during the MMD regime.

SBM What’s New Boutique chief executive officer Sylvia Mwansa launched the Kenneth Kaunda’ or ‘KK’-branded safari suits over the weekend at Lusaka’s Manda Hill Shopping Mall at an occasion that also doubled as President Kenneth Kaunda’s 88th birthday party.

Mrs Sylvia Mwansa said KK’s 88th birthday celebration proved a milestone and it was the duty of Zambia’s sons and daughters to show him that he is valued and dearly loved.

“Today marks a memorable day in the history of SBM Investments,” Mrs Mwansa said. “Our 10-year plan has come to pass through the launch of the KK suits and regalia. For us, we are simply invoking the goodwill and fatherly love of the father of the nation.”

Mrs Mwansa said SBM wants to develop Zambian brands to create awareness of Zambian products and show that Zambian names can be used to bring honour and a sense of pride to the country’s citizens.

The suits were specially manufactured in Istanbul, Turkey. The name ‘Kenneth Kaunda’ is embedded in the inside left jacket pocket as well as on the lower bottom of the jacket’s left sleeve. The jacket also has an additional feature of a pen pouch above the left breast pocket.

As KK was a proponent of socialism, SBM has considered making the suits affordable by selling them at a cost ranging from K1.2 million to K1.7 million.

Mrs. Mwansa says her company will, in future launch the levy Mwanawasa suits and President Michael Sata’s campaign shirt.

The occassion was graced by both the young and the old.Notable people present political veterans like Grey Zulu, Lewis Changufu, General Kingsley Chinkuli, General Tom Fara and Peter Matoka.

Others on the guest list included United States Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella, South African Ambassador to Zambia Moses Chikane, United Nations Development Programme country representative Viola Morgan and former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa.

The launch was graced also by Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda.

The event drew the attention of curious on-lookers.Shoppers and diners from restaurants had to abandon shopping and meals to join in wishing Zambia’s founding father a happy birthday.

Many of the young present craned and strained their necks to catch a glimpse of this adored national icon while simultaneously chancing their luck at a photograph with him.

KK proved a good sport as his mouth constantly creased into a smile in front of numerous flashing cameras and adoring invited and uninvited guests.

Love was also in the air as KK could not resist the opportunity to openly proclaim his affections and unfading love for his lifetime sweetheart, Zambia’s first ever first lady, Mama Betty Kaunda.

The first republican president, Kenneth Kaunda says he would not have been where he is now without the support of his wife, Mama Betty Kaunda.

Dr. Kaunda, who even sang a song for Mama Betty, thanked her for her support and guidance

“When I remember the first kiss,” KK crooned away in a determined raspy melody that prompted an escape of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the ecstatic audience.

Dr Kaunda said he was grateful to be honoured in such a way while still alive and was a very happy man to witness the launch of the suits branded in his name.

“Not many people live long enough to reach this age,” he said.

Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda said the special launch of the KK safari suits has contributed to making KK the icon that he is, who should be remembered for much more than being a fashion trendsetter but also for helping liberate Zambia, unifying its 73 tribes and building patriotism among its citizens.

“He is a living legend and launching the KK suits adds to the long list of things he’ll be remembered by,” Mr Lubinda said. “For me it is much more than wearing his suit, but living his legacy of love for God and love for mankind.”

[Daily Mail]