George Clooney radiates cool on witness stand dawn.com U.S. actor George Clooney, center, arrives at Milan’s Law court, Italy, July 16, 2010. -AP Photo Culture Latest scandals spell trouble for Gibson’s tarnished star DOWNWARD SPIRAL Latest scandals spell trouble for Gibson’s tarnished star MILAN: It’s no wonder the Italian businessmen claimed George Clooney was behind their fashion line – the actor knows how to wow an audience whether he’s on the red carpet or the witness stand. Maintaining his trademark aura of cool, Clooney delivered a few wisecracks Friday as he testified against three defendants accused of co-opting his name … Continue reading George Clooney – witness stand

By Irfan Husain dawn.com The only difference alcohol prohibition has made is that the substantial revenue the state once earned by taxing alcohol now goes to smugglers and bootleggers. –Photo by AFP Being human and fallible, we are all prey to temptation, and in this, I rather tend to be with Oscar Wilde when he said: “I can resist everything except temptation.” It would seem that our DNA is programmed to lust after whatever is prohibited, and what is supposed to be bad for us. Thus, we smoke, drink, gamble, eat and indulge in sex to excess whenever we get … Continue reading Giving in to temptation

By Sami ShahJuly 14, 2010 The writer is a standup comedian (sami.shah@tribune.com.pk) Ireally wish I could decide who I hate more: the PPP or the PML-N. It’s so terribly confusing. I don’t blame the two parties themselves. After all, they are just behaving as political parties in Pakistan are wont to; hilariously pathetic and despicably evil. That is in their nature. I don’t blame the snake for carrying poison in its fangs, nor do I blame politicians for being repulsive, soul destroying, hope devouring creatures. But I do fear the snake and hate the politicians. But how much hate? That’s … Continue reading Hateful decisions…

By Abdul MananJuly 17, 2010 Members of the Ahmadiyya community listen to a sermon during Friday prayers at their worship place in Garhi Shahu, Lahore. This was one of… LAHORE: The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) have picked up a doctor in connection with the May 31 attack on the Jinnah Hospital after “a thorough surveillance lasting over a month and a half” on July 10, officials in the agency have told The Express Tribune. However, Dr Abdullah’s parents and colleagues dismiss the assertions and rule out his involvement in the terrorist attack. They say they will hold a press conference … Continue reading ISI link doctor to Jinnah Hospital attack

Germany: Reinhard Werner’s Anonymous Mosque Watchers Posted on 14 July 2010 by Emperor Reinhard Werner belongs to the not so Anonymous Mosque Watchers group. Supposedly a group who observes Mosques to make sure there isn’t any terrorism going on. This article is a hoot. (hat tip: Kashmiri Nomad) Germany’s Anonymous Mosque Watchers By Hauke Goos Reinhard Werner doesn’t trust Islam. The 70-year-old German is part of a group which keeps tabs on mosques across Germany, monitoring them for what he calls an “intolerant Islam of terror.” Over the years, he has gained a certain amount of notoriety. Reinhard Werner is … Continue reading Reinhard Werner – The Fuhrer of Mosque Watcherism!

Experiments in fusion power have at last started to prove its viability. It would be foolish not to continue funding research Steven Cowley guardian.co.uk, Friday 16 July 2010 16.30 BST Article history Experiments at the Joint European Torus (Jet) have produced 16MW of fusion power. Photograph: AFP/Getty ImagesFusion is arguably the perfect way to power the world. For one thing, there is enough fusion fuel to supply all of the world’s energy needs for millions of years. Furthermore, it produces no environmentally damaging wastes, no carbon dioxide emissions and there could be no accidents that require evacuating the population surrounding … Continue reading Nuclear fusion – what is it worth?

dawn.com Archaeologists and workers work on an excavation site of London’s first theater, Thursday July 15, 2010. In the middle of London is a plot of earth, dug across with trenches and studded with old bricks. If theater has hallowed ground, this is it. It is the site of London’s first theater, where William Shakespeare’s plays were performed and where the Bard himself once trod the boards. – AP Photo LONDON: In the middle of London, a plot of earth is dug across with trenches and studded with old bricks. If the world of theater ever has hallowed ground, this … Continue reading New theater for site of Shakespeare’s theater

BOOK REVIEW: What makes them tick —by Afrah Jamal My Life With The Taliban By Abdul Salam Zaeef Translation by Alex Strick Van Linschoten and Felix Kuehn Columbia University Press; Pp 360; Rs 995 The Afghan Taliban’s claim to fame: obliterating 6th century monuments at Bamian, reactivating a medieval code of conduct and hosting the US’s most wanted man. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) has been lambasted for grooming this force of nature and further accused of aiding and abetting it after 2001, but if one founding member is to be believed, they have little to do with the set … Continue reading What makes The Taliban tick?

VIEW: UN gender entity: a ray of hope —Adeel Pathan In spite of advances, discrimination against women persists in laws and in practice. Many women suffer numerous forms of discrimination and limited access to rights, resources and opportunities This is a moment to celebrate but, simultaneously, a time to mourn for women. Celebrate, for finding a better place and entity in the bureaucratic system of the UN. Mourn because more than 60 women have lost their lives in the name of honour only in Sindh this year. We are living in a world that is advanced and digitally connected to … Continue reading UN gender entity: a ray of hope