A pensioner has been banned from taking his pet owls for a walk due to health and safety concerns. telegraph.co.uk Officials say he could no longer take the owls out on the grounds that they could “run amok” and attack someone Photo: SWNS Russell Burt, 74, has spent the last ten years regularly ‘walking’ his seven pet birds around his home town. He takes one of them out every day, going for a walk with the owl perched on his hand. Related Articles Disabled boy ‘can’t be dropped off outside school gates’ Housing association warns of ban on hanging baskets … Continue reading Pensioner banned from taking pet owls for walks

Laura Schlessinger: US ‘agony aunt’ radio host forced to apologise ‘for N word rant’ A controversial American talkshow host, Laura Schlessinger, has been forced to apologise after using racist phrases on-air with a black caller while urging her “not to marry out of her race”. By Andrew Hough Published: 11:15PM BST 13 Aug 2010 telegraph.co.uk The comments by the popular US radio host prompted a furore in America. Photo: GETTY IMAGES The 66 year-old’s nationally syndicated talk-show is listened to an estimated nine million people every week. Photo: GETTY IMAGES The conservative relationship therapist or “agony aunt” uttered the word … Continue reading Laura Schlessinger: Nigger!

There’s nothing wrong with topless sunbathing What’s so wrong with being topless on the beach, asks Bryony Gordon . By Bryony Gordon telegraph.co.uk Brigitte Bardot started the trend for topless sunbathing in the sixties. Photo: Corbis Readers of a nervous disposition should look away now. Right. Have you turned the page, moved on to the obituaries, or perhaps the weather? Then I shall begin. When I go on holiday, I like to sunbathe topless. The beach towel goes down, the book comes out, and the bikini top flies off, often in the direction of a startled looking friend who has … Continue reading Topless Sunbathing – whats the big deal?

Flood victims wait to get relief goods including buckets, mats and tents in Nowshera, a town of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa PHOTO: EPA If you think running a relief camp is a joke, think again. Do you wish away volunteers who pop up at every corner? Please, don’t. They are there for a reason. Two weeks ago, I was spending what was a very boring afternoon with a jet-lagged aunt, who, for some odd reason was very worked up about the floods in Khyber-Pakhtukhwa. As news about the death toll poured in, and she started arranging for boats, I thought that, maybe – just maybe – … Continue reading Yes, we can make a difference

COAS cancels Independence Day celebrations General Kayani cancelled the celebrations so the funds can be used for flood relief instead. PHOTO: AFP ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday cancelled the military celebrations of August 14 and September 6 this year and said the savings will be utilised for flood relief activities. A special Corps Commanders’ Conference was held at General Headquarters to review flood situation in the Country and ongoing relief and rescue activities by the Army. According to ISPR, Participants took comprehensive overview of the flood situation and ongoing relief and rescue operations by … Continue reading COAS cancels Independence Day and concentrates on helping flood victims

Obama to host Iftar on Friday: White House President Obama will hold an Iftar meal at the White House on Friday. PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama will on Friday join an evening meal to break the daily fast observed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramazan, the White House said. The hosting of Iftar will be held in a dining room at the White House, his spokesman said. Obama participated in a traditional Ramazan meal in September 2009, where he praised Islam as an integral part of the United States. Earlier this week the president offered his … Continue reading Invitation to the White House Iftari

A hysterical turn to ‘race’ in New Zealand A Maori MP’s comments about intermarriage have sparked talk about bloodlines, when it’s cultural survival that’s the real issue Alice Te Punga Somerville guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 2010 12.16 BST Article history Earlier this month, controversial Maori party MP Hone Harawira stated to a newspaper journalist that he “wouldn’t be comfortable” if one of his children was dating a Pakeha (European New Zealander). He went on to clarify that he is “just like every other New Zealander, except [he] is comfortable in recognising that prejudice exists.” Whether Harawira is a media spectacle, … Continue reading Maori racism?

What explains the tight-fisted response to the Pakistan floods The steady drip of negative ‘terror’-obsessed media coverage has done Pakistanis a great disservice Catriona Luke guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 2010 14.00 BST Article history Compare and contrast: within days of the 2004 tsunami, £100m had poured into Oxfam, the Red Cross and other charities, and by February 2005 when the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) closed its appeal, the total stood at £300m. The Haiti earthquake appeal closed with donations of £101m. The DEC total for the Pakistan floods appeal has just reached £10m. . The reasons for this disparity aren’t … Continue reading The steady drip of negative ‘terror’-obsessed media coverage has done Pakistanis a great disservice

Iraq must be put back together piece by piece. A truth and reconciliation commission might be just the place to start Hayder al-Khoei guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 2010 09.00 BST Article history A truth and reconciliation commission might enable Iraqis to begin to heal old wounds. Photograph: Khalid Mohammed/APReconciliation is a word loathed by many Iraqis who want to reverse the injustices of the last 30 years. A tyrannical regime, two bloody wars, several rebellions, genocide and a decade of sanctions later, every Iraqi has a painful story to tell. Members of my family were persecuted, arrested and executed by … Continue reading What South Africa could teach Iraq