ANALYSIS: Failing…still? —Salman Tarik Kureshi In terms of corruption of elites, history of military rule, use of nationalistic rhetoric and intervention by external political actors, Pakistan’s rankings are amongst the worst. And, on one score, that of secretive, unaccountable security services, Pakistan’s appalling 9.7 is exceeded only by Somalia The problem with state failure is that it is not necessarily a terminal condition. After all, whatever the flags flown over them or the borders drawn around them, there are human beings involved: the people of the state that has become critically dysfunctional. They continue to live, by whatever means they … Continue reading Failing…still?

15 year-old boy creates ‘Trojan’ iPhone app which connects to internet for free A 15 year-old boy duped Apple by creating a ‘Trojan’ iPhone app that allowed users to connect to the internet for free. By Laura Roberts telegraph.co.uk A 15 year-old’s iPhone app allowed users to get online for free Photo: AP Nick Lee designed a Handy Light app which at first glance appeared to allow users to change the colour of their screen. It was charged at less than a dollar to upload on App Store. However, the app contained a hidden code that allowed people to use … Continue reading iPhone app which connects to internet for free

TV presenter has severe asthma attack live on air after swallowing a mosquito By Mail Foreign Service A Taiwanese TV presenter had a severe asthma attack live on air after a mosquito flew into her mouth and bit her. Huang Ching had to be hospitalised after she swallowed the insect, which then got stuck in her windpipe while she was reading the news. The news anchor gamely continued with the broadcast despite the incident but executives from China Television Co decided to take her off air so she could get help. They put on a four-minute advert and a replacement … Continue reading Swallowing a mosquito on TV

The perils of traveling by yourself by Tazeen on 07 23rd, 2010 If you happen to be a single Pakistani woman traveling on your own, chances are you will get asked questions by fellow travelers, random strangers and at times by the flight attendants that may vary from harmless chit chat to something that would rival a Spanish inquisition. Once I sat next to a guy with the biggest cowboy hat I have ever seen. He started his inquisition with a Namaste, assuming I am an Indian. Such cultural sensitivity from a cowboy was endearing so I smiled and said … Continue reading Traveling by yourself

Secrets of Stonehenge The mysteries of Stonehenge remain as deep as they ever were after the discovery of a ‘twin’ site on Salisbury Plain Nicholas Taylor guardian.co.uk, Friday 23 July 2010 13.29 BST Article history Aerial view of Stonehenge. Photograph: Jason Hawkes/CorbisThough there was much in the recent series of Doctor Who that niggled me, the sight of our heroes galloping towards Stonehenge couldn’t fail to squeeze out a gasp of delight. While I know nature is remarkable without exception, certainly not only cordoned off by a gorsedd of standing stones, there’s something dizzying about the presence of stone marshals … Continue reading Stonehenge

Allergy to BNP is undemocratic Barring Nick Griffin from the Queen’s garden party ignores his mandate as an MEP and allows the BNP to play the victim card Shaaz Mahboob guardian.co.uk, Friday 23 July 2010 10.00 BST Article history Nick Griffin, the BNP leader, was accused of exploiting his invitation for the garden party at Buckingham Palace. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPAIt appears to have come as a double-whammy for Nick Griffin, first a dismal performance in the general election, and now getting barred from the Buckingham Palace garden party. The BNP and its leader appear to be on a slippery slope … Continue reading BNP

Ian Tomlinson ruling: we must all fight this whitewash First Blair Peach. Then Jean Charles de Menezes. Now Ian Tomlinson. It is our duty to raise Cain this time George Monbiot guardian.co.uk, Friday 23 July 2010 21.00 BST Article history Hundreds of thousands of us have now seen the footage of the newspaper-seller shambling peacefully home from work. We’ve seen how, without warning or provocation, PC Simon Harwood attacked him from behind, hitting him with a baton then shoving him to the ground. We know that the officer had unlawfully removed his badge, and that his face was obscured by … Continue reading Ian Tomlinson – whitewash?