COMMENT: The London caper —Zafar Hilaly The sight of Mr Zardari, for example, clutching a rescued child to his chest while being pulled up into a helicopter, would have done more for his personal image than a whole year spent with Cameron at the latter’s retreat at Chequers If the most devastating flood in Pakistan’s history, the dislocation of nearly three million people and the destruction of nearly a fifth of the nation’s food production could not persuade Mr Zardari to stay at home and add his weight to the relief effort, why should the frequent and tedious allegation of … Continue reading The London caper

VIEW: Blame thyself —Daud Khattak The ISI over-implicated itself following the withdrawal of the Soviet troops and the overthrow of the pro-communist regime in Afghanistan while the US kept its hands off following the defeat of the then USSR Much has been written in the national and international media since the release of classified intelligence reports by WikiLeaks and a major portion of all the writings is focused on the future of the US’s war against terrorism in Afghanistan and the role of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). In this regard, the latest statement came from the UK Prime Minister David … Continue reading Blame thyself

Bilawal denies immediate plan to join politics dawn.com Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron (R) poses for a photograph with Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari (2ndR) and his children Asifa Bhutto Zardari (L) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (2ndL) as they arrive at at Chequers near Princes Risborough, on August 5, 2010. – Photo by AFP. ISI chief’s UK visit was not scheduled, says PM ISLAMABAD: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday spoke for the first time in many months, only to categorically deny the prevalent impression created by a section of the media that he was to launch his political career over … Continue reading Bilawal – I will not even be attending the (Birmingham) event

Speech by Bilawal fuels talk of political career dawn.com Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and his son Bilawal Zardari Bhutto. – AFP LONDON: The son of Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan is expected to make his first speech Saturday since leaving university in Britain, fuelling talk he is stepping up his political career. Bilawal Zardari Bhutto, 21, is heir apparent to a dynasty whose most famous figure was his mother, Pakistan’s former prime minister and the world’s first Muslim female premier, who was assassinated in 2007. His grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founded the Pakistan Peoples Party … Continue reading Bilawal Zardari – Next Ruler of Pakistan?

Typical British man ‘wears flat caps and rides mobility scooters’, French poll finds The typical British man wears a flat cap, rides a mobility scooter and eats processed cheese, according to a new survey of French opinion. By Andrew Hough Published: 6:30AM BST 05 Aug 2010 telegraph.co.uk Union leader Charlie Whelan is seen here arriving in Downing Street wearing a flat cap. Photo: STEVE BACK The poll comes after a row over Renault’s new television advertisement, which angered villagers in Lancashire. Photo: RENAULT In the advertisment, Cote d’Azur was compared to a puddle in Gisburn. Photo: RENAULT The poll was … Continue reading French say British ‘wear flat caps and ride mobility scooters’

Vimto enjoys boost from Ramadan Vimto, the Merseyside-made purple fruit drink, has enjoyed a 39pc rise in profits after an earlier Ramadan increased shipments to the Middle East. By Amy Wilson telegraph.co.uk Vimto and, right, prayers in Mecca during the 3-day Eid festival, which marks the end of Ramadan Photo: REUTERS The region has become a sizeable export market for Vimto, which is used as a tonic by Muslims fasting during Ramadan, to give them an energy boost. Nichols, the owner of Vimto, said 2010 profits will be “significantly” better than last year, after selling more of the soft drink … Continue reading Vimto Muslim?

Motoring enthusiast builds 367mph bus A motoring enthusiast has built a bus capable of hitting more than 350mph. telegraph.co.uk The bus can reach 367mph by using a 42,000HP engine from a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom fighter jet Photo: CATERS The yellow American-style school bus has been fitted with a jet engine from a Phantom fighter plane, allowing it to reach up to 367mph. Paul Stender and his team from Indy Boys Inc, based in Indianapolis, USA adapted the bus which uses a full tank of 150 gallons of fuel in just one quarter-mile run. Related Articles Sewage powered VW Beetle … Continue reading 367mph bus!

Marijuana may cause Canada’s economic comedown A thriving marijuana industry has aided Canada’s economy – but political shifts in the US and at home are now threatening this Douglas Haddow guardian.co.uk, Thursday 5 August 2010 10.00 BST Article history A participant at a rally sponsored by the marijuana party of British Columbia. Photograph: Andy Clark/ReutersIf you’ve been paying attention to some of the more peculiar side-effects of the global recession, you may have noticed that Canadians have been behaving uncharacteristically uppity of late. This new-found swagger is a result of Canada having the dubious distinction of being the “least-bad-rich-world-economy” – … Continue reading Marijuana Canada

Pakistan’s floods are not just a natural disaster The state has failed its citizens, and now the country is unprepared to deal with the floods Kamila Shamsie The Guardian, Thursday 5 August 2010 Article history A man gathers his belongings from his flooded house in Noswera, Pakistan. Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty ImagesFirst came the Taliban. Then the army. And now the floods. The people of the Swat valley – synonymous with beauty and peace just a few years ago – have cause to wonder if they are the most benighted people in the world. The oppressive and murderous rule of the Taliban, who had … Continue reading Donate to DEC Pakistan – not its Government

UFO files and their flights of fancy The latest release of UFO files bring together conspiracy and cover-up allegations that even Winston Churchill can’t escape Nick Pope guardian.co.uk, Thursday 5 August 2010 11.00 BST Article history The UFO files include an allegation that Winston Churchill and General Dwight D Eisenhower agreed to keep a possible sighting from the public. Photograph: Bettmann/CorbisAnd still they come. The Ministry of Defence has just released the latest batch of their UFO files, as part of an ongoing three-year collaboration between the MoD and the National Archives. There are 18 files and while that may … Continue reading UFO files and flights of fancy