Evolution in action: Scientists discover lizards on verge of leap from egg-laying to live births By Daily Mail Reporter Scientists have caught the process of evolution in action as a species of Australian lizard abandons egg-laying for live births. The variety of skink, which is snake-like with four tiny legs, has been found laying eggs along the coast of New South Wales. However, the same yellow-bellied three-toed lizard living in the colder mountainous region is giving birth to offspring like a mammal does. Rare study: The Australian lizard has been found laying eggs along the warm coast of New South … Continue reading Evolving Lizards

High fertility concerns post-floods —Murtaza Haider With fortunately a low death count, the 2010 floods would still result in a higher fertility rate, given the very large displaced population. If not addressed in the post-disaster planning, higher fertility will result in multiplying the rebuilding needs in the next few years As Pakistan plans to transition from rescue to rebuilding after the disastrous floods that have killed 1,600 and destroyed over 1.3 million homes, it should also pay attention to the expected higher than usual fertility rates, which are often observed after similar calamities in low-income economies. The struggle to rehabilitate … Continue reading High fertility concerns post-floods

Lifting the shadow of Sialkot —Zaair Hussain Once the contract breaks down, it all breaks down. We cannot choose when to take the law into our own hands. If we snatch the law unto ourselves for a good reason, we will do it for a bad reason and eventually for no reason at all In recent weeks, we stood and fought a natural tragedy, but sat and wept at one manmade. We have been living in the shadow of Sialkot. We cannot imagine the terror of the brothers in their final moments, or the heartbreak of their parents. For this, … Continue reading Lifting the shadow of Sialkot

Militancy in print —Gulmina Bilal Ahmad The media is the new way to exercise power. If you are a media baron enriched by cross-ownership laws, you have made it. However, even if you are only a reporter you get to exercise petty displays of power. Whether it is your local grocery store or the police check point, the press presses the power button “If three out of four pillars of a building are crooked and need reconstruction, then what conclusions can be drawn about the fourth one?” asks Mazhar Arif, director of the Society of Alternative Media and Research. This … Continue reading Militancy in print

Perish or rise —Dr Mahjabeen Islam There are only three things we need to do as a nation, however simplistic they sound: abolish feudalism, prosecute corruption and establish speedy justice. We have a choice as a nation: perish or rise like a phoenix from the ashes In collusion with Pakistan’s imbecile political leadership, plans for the balkanisation of Pakistan were going along as scripted until an unlikely interruption: floods of biblical proportions. Forces one to recall an almost wry verse in the Quran: wa yamkuruna wa yamkurullah wallaho khairul makireen — they plot and plan and Allah too plans; and … Continue reading Perish or rise

Pakistan accused of politicising flood efforts with ‘Benazirabad’ plan The government of Pakistan has been accused of hijacking relief efforts for political ends after it unveiled plans to name new towns built for flood victims “Benazirabad”, after the country’s former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. Rob Crilly in Islamabad telegraph.co.uk Eight million people are still in desperate need of help, more than a month after torrential monsoon rains swept away roads, bridges and a million homes Photo: AP The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Pakistan People’s Party chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, husband of the assassinated leader. … Continue reading Pakistan to change its name to Benazirstan!

India’s visa policy is affecting British businesses and universities The Foreign Office said it would oppose any proposal to single out Britons of Pakistani origin. Well, it’s no longer just a proposal Robert Wintemute guardian.co.uk, Thursday 2 September 2010 14.00 BST Article history I recently drew attention to India’s new “David Headley visa rule”, which discriminates against British citizens of Pakistani origin on the sole ground of their “race, … descent, or national or ethnic origin”, contrary to the international convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination (ratified by India in 1968). Invited by India’s TimesNow TV … Continue reading India’s visa policy needs to evolve