In a picture take on January 24, 2010 Kenyan fishermen bring in their catch at the coastal town of Mombasa, after a fishing exepedition. — AFP MOMBASA, Kenya: Somalia’s fearsome pirates don’t have many friends among the Indian Ocean’s seafaring community. But Kenya’s fleet of modest Swahili fishermen think the region’s most-wanted are a godsend. The sight of two fishing boats emerging from the horizon and bobbing towards the shore stirs a real commotion in Aziz Suleiman’s ramshackle observation spot in the Kenyan port of Mombasa. The fishermen in his iron-roofed shelter indented in the coral cliff say they have … Continue reading Somali pirates: Why are they heroes of Kenyan fishermen?

“We don’t have sophisticated weapons like the Americans with tanks and aeroplanes, but we have Islamic zeal,” said a Taliban commander. – File photo LASHKAR GAH: Taliban militants are digging in ahead of a major Nato operation in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. “The Taliban are not going to leave Marjah. We have seen them preparing themselves. They are bringing in people and weapons. We know there is going to be a big fight,” said Abdul Manan, a man from Marjah. “The Taliban are very active in Marjah. They are planting mines there and in the surrounding areas,” said villager … Continue reading Taliban getting ready for major fight

By Ahmad Hayat Our population is projected to rise to 335 million by 2050. We must change our ways before it is too late. — Photo by APP In July 2012 the world’s population will reach the seven billion mark, which means a jump of one billion since 1999. In stark contrast, it took 123 years for the global population to rise from one to two billion between 1804 and 1927. The three billion figure was touched only 33 years later, by 1960. Since then growth has picked up more pace with a billion being added to the population every … Continue reading Pakistan should use family planning and birth control to stabilise its population

Jawed Naqvi Activists of India’s ruling Congress party shout slogans and burn an effigy of Bal Thackeray during a protest in Kolkata.—Reuters Last week in Mumbai, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi met a group of students to share his frustration with India’s politicians. “I am here because I don’t like what our political system looks like,” he declared. Fine sentiments. The students applauded him heartily.Then he did what most politicians he detests love to do. He indulged in crass tokenism. The media, true to its form, applauded him as a hero. They gave colourful headlines to stories of how Rahul Gandhi … Continue reading What Fascism? Climb into a commuter train

A challenging doctrine By Javed Hussain Cold Start will be a portent of escalation, and inevitably a disaster for Pakistan and India. — Photo by APP On Dec 13, 2001, five gunmen attacked the Indian parliament building. An hour later, 12 people including the gunmen were dead. In the days that followed, India blamed the militant groups based in Pakistan for the attack. On Dec 18, 2001, the Indian government ordered the commencement of Operation Parakaram (Operation Victory), the largest mobilisation of Indian forces since 1971. It appeared that war was inevitable. Yet, after a 10-month standoff, Operation Parakaram was … Continue reading The next war between India and Pakistan will be both countries last war!

How to… seduce a man By Sam Roddick With Valentine’s Day looming, many of us are turning to thoughts of romance. Sam Roddick, founder of Coco de Mer lingerie boutique, offers her insight into the secrets of the seductress – for those seeking a new liaison and for women who’d like to reignite the passion in a long-term relationship. Very Valentines: A new partner or sturdy other half, here’s how to make him feel special KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLIRTATION AND SEDUCTION Flirtation is simply about making the other party feel like a million dollars: it’s a way of making … Continue reading Hey ladies come on this is how to… seduce a man 😉

A soldier waterboarded his four-year-old daughter because she was unable to recite her alphabet. Joshua Tabor admitted to police he had used the CIA torture technique because he was so angry. As his daughter ‘squirmed’ to get away, Tabor said he submerged her face three or four times until the water was lapping around her forehead and jawline. Tabor, 27, who had won custody of his daughter only four weeks earlier, admitted choosing the punishment because the girl was terrified of water. Human rights activists demonstrate waterboarding in front of the Justice Department. A soldier father stands accused of waterboarding … Continue reading U.S. Christian soldier ‘waterboarded his own daughter, 4, because she couldn’t recite alphabet’

Three schools from India and Pakistan joined forces to win the regional leg of a prestigious NASA-sponsored aerospace design competition held in India. The teams included one from a girls’ school in Lahore. The winners, with their Indian peers, will travel to the USA later in the year to participate in the finals, alongside teams that have qualified from around the world. There are several messages to be taken from this. One is the tremendous potential of India and Pakistan if they could learn to put aside their differences and work together. The success by schoolchildren in joining hands to … Continue reading Hand in hand

Chris Cork The notion that beating children is somehow good for them has a long history. The origin of the phrase ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’ that we use today lies in Hudibras – a satirical poem by Samuel Butler published in 1662. But there are even older though more obscure versions. It was the death of a child at the hands of her teacher that triggered this week’s musings and prompted a trip down the memory lane. April 1995, Chalt, a village to the north of Gilgit and the Naunehal Public School. Standing there on my first … Continue reading Spare the rod