England ready to face Pakistan’s ‘overrated’ pace attack Dawn.com Collingwood – returning to Tests after missing England’s early season 2-0 home series win over Bangladesh with a shoulder injury – suggested Pakistan were flattered by overcast conditions at Headingley. —AFP Photo Media Gallery Upbeat England train for first Test Upbeat England train for first Test NOTTINGHAM: Paul Collingwood is adamant there is no reason why he or his fellow England batsmen should feel daunted by the challenge of facing Pakistan’s bowlers here at Trent Bridge. Pakistan go into the first of four-Test series starting Thursday on the back of a … Continue reading England and Pakistan Cricket

Church will burn Qur’an on 9/11 Here’s one Florida church’s idea of how to commemorate this year’s 9/11 anniversary: On September 11, members of the Dove World Outreach Center – a Gainesville, Florida church – plan to burn copies of the Koran to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The protest is just the latest in a series of provocative actions from the self-described “New Testament Church,” which seems as interested in getting attention as it is in sharing the Word with the world. Unfortunately, their plan seems to have worked — and local investigators have begun probing … Continue reading Should we burn American Flags on 9/11?

COMMENT:Literacy, livelihood and liberty—Ahmad Ali Khalid The challenges of governance and poverty are inextricably linked with education and literacy, not with military power. This misreading of social priorities by the political elite in Pakistan has stunted the political and social maturation of the Pakistani state “Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not a preparation for life but is life itself” — these were true words spoken by John Dewey, an American philosopher who was a great educationalist and social reformer. Literacy, the ability to read and write as a means towards an education, is a great … Continue reading Literacy, livelihood and liberty

COMMENT:Behave or else!—Mujahid Eshai Nations have to sit down and take count of what they have and how best they can utilise these resources. On the contrary, we have always waited for manna to drop from the heavens The other day I met a non-resident American-Pakistani who asked why does the Pakistani electronic media show graphic images and why does it sensationalise non-issues. Frankly, I answered that the majority of anchorpersons, newscasters, editors, etc, belonged to the vernacular press and thus their approach remains to seek sensational headlines in order to sell the paper, while forgetting that they now work … Continue reading Behave or else!

WASHINGTON DIARYWaris Shah’s battle against mullah shahi—Dr Manzur Ejaz In his first encounter with Heer, Ranjha teaches the arrogant and pampered daughter of the feudal chief that ‘human love’ is not based on good looks but on being humble and serving the needy If I were the US ambassador I would have certainly made it to Waris Shah’s 212th anniversary because he is the most adored Punjabi poet and was the most articulate ideologue against ‘mullah shahi’. He used the epic story of Heer Ranjha to critique the entire system of the feudal era in which mullah shahi played a … Continue reading Waris Shah vs Mullah Shahi

COMMENT:Our ‘Pakistani Muslim exceptionalism’—Fahd Ali Our Muslim exceptionalism has not been enough to bridge our regional differences. Instead, the use of Islam in national politics and discourse has been a cause of further divisions in our national polity That national identity remains evasive for most of us is a foregone conclusion. The Pakistani national identity, so carefully constructed over the years by the state, has largely failed to find any large scale acceptance to bridge our regional differences and shape us into one nation. It is hardly news to anybody that the people of Balochistan and interior Sindh feel alienated … Continue reading Pakistani Muslim exceptionalism

PM labels Gaza a ‘prison camp’: Fury as Cameron calls for lifting of blockade and attacks Israel By Jason Groves and Matthew Kalman David Cameron was condemned last night by Israel for describing Gaza as a ‘prison camp’ on his visit to Turkey. Addressing businessmen in the capital Ankara, the Prime Minister said: ‘The situation in Gaza has to change. Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp.’ Later, at press conference with the Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mr Cameron condemned the Israeli attack on … Continue reading Cameron blasphemes?

Turkey must join EU, says Cameron: ‘Those who are against are playing on fears of Islam’ By Jason Groves David Cameron today accused critics of Turkey’s membership of the EU of playing on fears of Islam – as he pledged to ‘pave the road from Ankara to Brussels’. In a speech in the Turkish capital the Prime Minister promised to ‘fight’ to help the Islamic state achieve its 50-year goal of EU membership. He said that, by embracing the moderate Muslim nation, the EU can improve relations with the rest of the Islamic world. And he hit out at those … Continue reading Turkey must join EU – Cameron

Seven arrested over Bournemouth far-right mosque ‘bomb plot’ By Daily Mail Reporter EDL member John Broomfield was pulled from his stationary vehicle after armed police opened fire on his van Seven men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to blow up a Bournemouth mosque. The men, six of whom are members of the England Defence League, were taken to Poole and Southampton police stations for questioning before being released without charge. Among those arrested was EDL member John Broomfield, 27, who was pulled from his stationary vehicle after armed police opened fire on his van in Corfe Castle village. A … Continue reading EDL arrests in ‘mosque bomb plot’