VIEW: Pakistan, naturally beautiful —Andleeb Abbas While the Indians have perfected the art of marketing and exaggerating their strengths, Pakistan has excelled in its pursuit of highlighting and splashing its weaknesses. A reverse strategy can not only do damage control to the battered international perception of the country but also help lift the bruised spirits of the people of this nation Imagine a scene like this one: massive street riots leading to 21 deaths at the centre of the capital city, opposition bashing the assembly and physically abusing and manhandling ministers, government changes through military coups as a recurring option, … Continue reading Pakistan, naturally beautiful

A people’s photographer By Saira Dar dawn.com Images such as that of Ram Janni (l), a drain cleaner and Dillah Masih (r) a street sweeper, seem to be a continuation of Hutcheson’s concern for the poor minority communities which he had shown in earlier exhibitions. -Photo by Malcolm Hutcheson Malcolm Hutcheson is one of those photographers whose empathy with ‘ordinary’ people is indeed extraordinary. A Scottish man who has chosen to live in Pakistan for almost 10 years now, and who visits the poorest localities to photograph—“what we do not want to see”—Hutcheson is indeed somewhat of a missionary, who … Continue reading Malcolm Hutcheson – A people’s photographer!

Smokers’ Corner: It fell from the heavens By Nadeem F. Paracha dawn.com “With the emergence and success of new, more modern sounding, albeit equally conservative and traditionalist preachers in various urban drawing rooms from 1995 onwards, the new trend was picked up by various TV channels that erupted in the early 2000s.” Recently religious programming on TV channels has come under scrutiny for various reasons. One of the biggest concerns is how some of these programmes have gone on to advocate violence against so-called minority sects and religions, and the way they use obscure traditions and biased interpretations of the … Continue reading TV Mullahs fell from the heavens!

dawn.com While less accurate, additional data about eye movement and the frequence of blinking make it possible to pinpoint a face or a book cover within a field of vision. Media Gallery When history comes to life When history comes to life MEGEVE:  Picture this: As your eyes alight for the first time on a skyscraper in a foreign cityscape, a disembodied voice whispers in your ear the phone number of a posh bar on the top floor. Or this: You have been spotted on the street by an old friend whose name suddenly eludes you. But even before there … Continue reading Computer-enhanced vision adds a ‘sixth sense’

Bin Laden, a secret fan of footie and Monty / THETIMES.CO.UK In between plotting terror attacks and gloating about them on videos, Osama Bin Laden, the world’s most wanted fugitive, is an extremely useful presence on the volleyball court, it has emerged. “He is so tall that he does not need to jump up to do a smash,” said Nasser al-Bahri, one of the Al-Qaeda leader’s former bodyguards. His memoir, published in Paris last week, reveals another side of the West’s favourite bogeyman: besides his uses at the net, Bin Laden also likes playing football, preferably at centre forward. Even … Continue reading Bin Laden, a fan of footie and Monty

Taliban’s supreme leader signals willingness to talk peace THETIMES.CO.UK The supreme leader of the Taliban, Mullah Mohammed Omar, has indicated that he and his followers may be willing to hold peace talks with western politicians. In an interview with The Sunday Times, two of the movement’s senior Islamic scholars have relayed a message from the Quetta shura, the Taliban’s ruling council, that Mullah Omar no longer aims to rule Afghanistan. They said he was prepared to engage in “sincere and honest” talks. A senior US military source said the remarks reflected a growing belief that a “breakthrough” was possible. “There … Continue reading Taliban’s supreme leader signals willingness to talk peace

Introducing the straight queen Defiantly hetero, he’s also dramatic, flamboyantly dressed and quick with a bitchy put-down THETIMES.CO.UK // // // // // // If politics is show business for ugly people, then this election is shaping up as the fight to be the chief Sugar Plum Fairy. Now that fire and brimstone are out and endless talking about feelings and families is in, a new approach is needed for men to successfully wield power in an increasingly emotional world. Enter the straight queen (SQ). He’s hetero, but hissy too. If metrosexuality was about straight men tapping into the good … Continue reading Introducing the straight queen – Cameron!

Jonathan Oliver and David Smith THETIMES.CO.UK NICK CLEGG, the Liberal Democrat leader who until a few days ago was little known to voters, is now the most popular party leader since Winston Churchill, a new Sunday Times poll reveals. Following his decisive victory in last week’s television debate, Clegg has surged to a higher approval rating than Tony Blair at the peak of new Labour’s popularity. Last night, as the YouGov survey showed that the three parties are almost neck and neck, Labour and the Tories desperately tried to respond to the Clegg phenomenon. The general election has become a … Continue reading Nick Clegg nearly as popular as Winston Churchill

Nick Clegg now in contention as potential PM, Guardian/ICM poll shows Boost for Lib Dems as ComRes survey shows Nick Clegg’s party gaining 14 points among those who watched last night’s TV debate Julian Glover and Hélène Mulholland guardian.co.uk, Nick Clegg has surged into contention as a potential prime minister, according to a Guardian/ICM poll carried out following last night’s TV leaders’ debate. A quarter of voters who watched the three leaders on the ITV programme say they will switch their vote, with most changing to the Liberal Democrats. Clegg emerges from the telephone poll as the overwhelming winner, with … Continue reading Attacking Clegg will make him more powerful – maybe even PM?