Don’t let Cuban cigars be stubbed out The drop in cigar exports is a heavy blow for Cuba’s ailing economy – it’s time for us to show some support Sholto Byrnes guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 June 2010 17.00 BST Article history Cuban’s have 70% of the world market in cigars. Photograph: Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty ImagesWhen a statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel was unveiled at the London college bearing his name three years ago, some commented on the absence of the cigar that Brunel was rarely seen without. (He got through 40 a day.) The worry was, apparently, that Brunel’s vile habit had … Continue reading Cuban cigars dying?

Martin Rees makes a religion out of science so his bishops can gather their tithe The BBC’s reverence for genes, space and bugs gives its Reith lecturer a claim to public money based on faith, not reason Simon Jenkins guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 June 2010 21.30 BST Article history A “mammoth of research” is about to rise behind London’s St Pancras station, a biomedical centre costing £600m and housing about 1,250 “cutting-edge” scientists. Ask not its value. Science jeers at the idea. The UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation has already been dubbed a “cathedral of science”, justified by faith, … Continue reading Rev. Martin Rees

COMMENT: In love with Lovelock —Nasir Abbas Mirza “Do not kill women, elders, children, civilians and trees.” Yes, this too is the Holy Quran, if you look for it. Perhaps in Indonesia they see and read the holy book differently because religion is not big business there and they do not use Islam — and the holy book — as a tool for power and pelf It is hard to go through a day and not come across something to do with the environment. Ecology and biology are the most in-your-face words being used these days. It is fashionable to … Continue reading In love with Lovelock

VIEW: A gun-slinging nation —Dr Mahjabeen Islam When a government is entirely incapable of providing security to its citizens, it takes up arms to protect itself, and when the going gets tough those arms are used Pakistanis have developed a markedly predatory character, on an individual, community and national level. Democracy is neonatal yet, and as scores are not settled in the ballot box, bullets are so much more efficient it seems. We do not have an effective population control programme and it seems to me that people at large know this for they are doing their bit in subscribing … Continue reading A gun-slinging nation

A tight squeeze: Couple become wedged in drainage pipe after being catapulted off their motorbike By Mail Foreign Service A couple found themselves perhaps too close for comfort after apparently shooting off their motorbike and becoming stuck tight in a drainage pipe. The pair were reportedly thrown from the vehicle after hitting a tree at speed, resulting in them being catapulted into the mouth of the tube. The force of their collision saw them wedged tight and requiring firefighters to free them. Wedged like a cork: Chinese firefighters are confronted with the site of two pairs of legs sticking out … Continue reading Couple Stuck Drainpipe!

Three Lions on my plate: U.S. Restaurant celebrates World Cup by serving LION burgers By Mail Online Reporter The Lion burgers from Il Vinaio seem to be popular with diners, but have drawn protests from animal lovers An Arizona restaurant owner has dreamed up a unique menu offering to give customers at his Arizona restaurant a South African experience during the World Cup – burgers made from the meat of African lions. But the £14 burgers, served with chips and roast corn on the cob,  have drawn furious  protests from animal lovers Cameron Selogie says his Il Vinaio restaurant in … Continue reading DISGUSTING! – Lion Burgers!

Do you want fries with that? Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev take a break from bilateral talks at Ray’s Hell Burger joint By Mail Foreign Service After hours of intense bilateral meetings, even the president of America needs to take a break. And where best to relax with another of the world’s most powerful men than a burger joint? Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev were welcomed by customers’ cheers as they ventured to Ray’s Hell Burger today. Pass the ketchup: Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama eat their hamburgers during lunch at Ray’s Hell Burger … Continue reading Obama and Medvedev swallow unhealthy stuff!

UK says Iran gas pipeline Pakistan’s internal matter By Baqir Sajjad Syed dawn.com Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague (L) speaks during a joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi (R) at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on June 23, 2010. – Photo by AFP. Pakistan Holbrooke arrives in Islamabad on two-day visit Holbrooke arrives in Islamabad on two-day visit British Foreign Sec @WilliamJHague is in Pakistan. Send your questions on the region with tag #fsinpak. Answers here tmrw http://ht.ly/223vz ISLAMABAD: Iran continued to dominate the political and diplomatic scene on Wednesday as Pakistan cautioned British Foreign Secretary … Continue reading Iran gas pipeline Pakistan’s internal matter