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The Russians have spy rings. We have trooping the colour This nostalgic yarn shows how security services, like the armed forces, are struggling to find a new role in a changed world Simon Jenkins guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 29 June 2010 21.30 BST Article history What a laugh we have all had at the Russians’ expense. They have apparently been caught red-handed spying on America, with secret agents, passwords, codes, woodland drops and invisible ink. At a London breakfast today addressed by Sir John Sawers, head of the Secret Intelligence Service, the assembled top brass were full of beans. They do things … Continue reading Russians have spy rings. We have Mr Bean!

To Kill a Mockingbird: the backlash The backlash against Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is as inevitable as it is stupid. It’s payback for her being so reclusive Hadley Freeman guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 29 June 2010 20.30 BST Article history Mary Badham and Gregory Peck in the 1962 film of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/UIHey, England soccerball fans, turn those frowns upside down! This summer isn’t a total washout. Sure your boys might have lost both their pants and their game thingummyjig but the best is yet to come, something that will absolutely have you rehanging your … Continue reading Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird: the backlash

VIEW: Decapitation is no solution either —Daud Khattak Those destroying the peace of the land and killing innocent people must be dealt with an iron hand, but it is also necessary to review why their might is increasing day by day despite the use of immense force against them The continued military operations against the Taliban, their supporters and al Qaeda elements are regularly shifting from one area to another over the past few years (mostly in the lawless tribal zone), but a complete victory against the militants still seems to be a far cry, as they continuously change positions … Continue reading Decapitation is no solution either

WASHINGTON DIARY: APPNA: a reflection of ideological variations —Dr Manzur Ejaz Pakistani-American physicians working in rural or far-flung areas are the backbone of APPNA. The physicians and their families, cut-off from the major cities and centres of the Pakistani community, take solace in this annual gathering The Association of Pakistani Physicians in North America (APPNA), the largest, richest and seemingly most influential organisation of Pakistani-Americans, is holding its annual conference in the first week of July. In some circles, its role is controversial because of its leadership’s close links with Pakistan’s ruling elite. However, it has evolved from a pro-government … Continue reading APPNA: a reflection of ideological variations

VIEW: Remembering Rachel Corrie —Ishrat Saleem In many ways, I feel, we are like Tarlochan Singh, whose religion lied in his turban and underwear. Our religion is hijab or beard, or complete segregation of sexes One of ships in the Turkish flotilla carrying aid for Gaza was named ‘Rachel Corrie’, after the 23-year old American peace activist who was martyred on March 16, 2003, when she tried to prevent an advancing Israeli bulldozer from demolishing a Palestinian home by standing in front of it, as part of non-violent resistance by International Solidarity Movement activists. The Israeli Defence Forces fulfilled her … Continue reading Rachel Corrie

Terrafugia Transition ‘flying car’ gets go-ahead from US air authorities The Terrafugia Transition, a light aircraft that can convert into a road-legal automobile, is to go into production after being given a special weight exemption by the US Federal Aviation Administration. By Tom Chivers telegraph.co.uk The Terrafugia Transition takes off. The Terrafugia Transition takes off into a dramatic sky. Photo: TERRAFUGIA The Terrafugia Transition at sunrise. Photo: TERRAFUGIA The Terrafugia Transition in flight. The Terrafugia Transition in a garage. Photo: TERRAFUGIA The Terrafugia Transition on the road. Photo: TERRAFUGIA The Terrafugia Transition and chase plane. Photo: TERRAFUGIA The Terrafugia Transition … Continue reading The Terrafugia Transition – flying car!

‘Russian spies’ bungle was epic To have an alleged spy ring uncovered before it could do any work is embarrassing – and the last thing Medvedev needs David Hearst guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 29 June 2010 16.30 BST Article history Dmitry Medvedev admires the iPhone 4, but his attempts at portraying himself as a moderniser will be hit by spy ring allegations. Photograph: Dmitry Astakhov/APIt is heartening to know that even alleged Russian spies have problems with their computers. Anna Chapman complained about the difficulties she had establishing a private wireless local area network to her handler UC-I, so that she could … Continue reading ‘Russian spies’ in US epic

Only Vince Cable can halt the Foxification of UK news If successful in his bid to buy up the rest of BSkyB, Rupert Murdoch will be able to eat up opponents and squeeze other media Polly Toynbee The Guardian, Tuesday 29 June 2010 Article history Was it Rupert Murdoch wot lost England the World Cup? With shedloads of sports rights money he corrupted the game, turning clubs into highly leveraged financial instruments overpaying their players, while fans pay for what was once free on TV. So say some, but I leave that to football aficionados. Hardly noticed, something else is … Continue reading Fox News comes to UK!!

VIEW: The imperatives of regional connectivity —Dr Rashid Ahmad Khan The rapidly growing economies of leading Asian countries such as China, Japan and India have created strong imperatives for inter-regional as well as intra-regional connectivity The federal government has allocated a hefty amount of Rs 61 billion in the annual budget for enhancing regional connectivity with member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO). The countries include Iran, India and Afghanistan. The amount would be spent under the transport development programme for 2010-2011, which envisages the establishment of industrial clusters, oil … Continue reading The imperatives of regional connectivity