UN report: World’s biggest cities merging into ‘mega-regions’ Trend towards ‘endless cities’ could significantly affect population and wealth in the next 50 years John Vidal, environment editor guardian.co.uk The world’s first mega-city, comprised of Hong Kong, Shenhzen and Guangzhou, home to about 120 million people. Photograph: Nasa The world’s mega-cities are merging to form vast “mega-regions” which may stretch hundreds of kilometres across countries and be home to more than 100 million people, according to a major new UN report. The phenomenon of the so-called “endless city” could be one of the most significant developments – and problems – in … Continue reading Countries to give way to Megacities!

By Irfan Husain dawn.com Widely respected as the man who warned about the coming recession five years ago, Vince Cable spoke bluntly and credibly about the state of the British economy, and of the pain ahead. –Photo by Reuters An institution unique to British parliamentary democracy is the system of the shadow cabinet. The opposition appoints members to positions they can expect to get once their party is in power, and are designated ‘shadow chancellor’, ‘shadow foreign secretary’, etc. These men and women then represent their party in their areas, and are regularly briefed by state officials. Thus, the shadow … Continue reading The duel of the chancellors

By Mahir Ali dawn.com US President Barack Obama signing the Health Care bill. –Photo by AP Observing it from afar, there are many aspects of the debate over healthcare reform in the United States that, on the face of it, defy comprehension. Why on earth would anyone vociferously oppose a law that makes it harder for the sick to be denied treatment? How, in heaven’s name, can the ‘freedom’ to die of a curable disease be elevated above the right to receive medical attention? Mind you, the legislation passed by the US House of Representatives and signed into law by … Continue reading Raise a cup of chai to America’s health

Customer support and administrative processes to connect claimants in the US with Indian call centres. – (File Photo) dawn.com Violent threats hit Obama allies over health vote NEW DELHI: Indian outsourcing firms are banking on a business bonanza from US President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare reform as cost pressures prod insurers and hospitals to become more efficient. The 940-billion-dollar US healthcare bill, passed in March, will extend health insurance coverage to 32 million Americans over the next decade and require insurers and medical care providers to cut costs substantially. “The influx of newly insured represents a big, exciting opportunity for … Continue reading Indian outsourcers eye bonanza from US healthcare bill

Burkha wearing housewife poised to win Middle East ‘Pop Idol’ A Saudi housewife who wears full Burkha while delivering poetry denouncing attitudes to women in her country is poised to win the Middle East’s equivalent of Pop Idol. Richard Spencer in Dubai telegraph.co.uk Hissa Hilal, recites one of her poems at a Million’s Poet show Photo: AP As a televised show-case for Arab culture, “Million’s Poet” marries modern life to a thousand-year-old tradition. Modelled on the ITV television show Pop Idol, with prize money of almost a million pounds, it was supposed to bring a touch of glamour to writers … Continue reading Brave Saudi Burkha lady poised to win ‘Pop Idol’!

Israel lobby presses Congress to soften Obama’s tough stance on Netanyahu American Israel Public Affairs Committee circulates letter urging White House to ‘reinforce’ relationship with Israel Chris McGreal in Washington guardian.co.uk Aipac has persuaded more than three-quarters of the members of the US House of Representatives to sign a letter calling for an end to public criticism of Israel. Photograph: Pete Souza/AP America’s main pro-Israel lobby group is mobilising members of Congress to pressure the White House over its bitter public confrontation with Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. The move, by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), appears … Continue reading Likud and Baptist Extremists in US set to force President Obamas hand?

How To Say It? Swift Written by James Randi _ Well, here goes. I really resent the term, but I use it because it’s recognized and accepted. I’m gay. From some seventy years of personal experience, I can tell you that there’s not much “gay” about being homosexual. For the first twenty years of my life, I had to live in the shadows, in a culture that was — at least outwardly — totally hostile to any hint of that variation of life-style. At no time did I choose to adopt any protective coloration, though; my cultivation of an abundant … Continue reading Homosexuality is now officially UNCOOL! Extremist James Randi is GAY!!!

A needless furore over halal fast food Uproar over a French burger chain’s use of Islam-friendly ingredients ignores commercialism while pushing identity politics Nabila Ramdani guardian.co.uk A family meal from the film La Graine et Le Mulet (Cous Cous, 2007), directed by Abdellatif Kechiche Like those B-list celebrities who regularly appear on daytime TV cookery shows, the French are generally quite comfortable with being defined by what they eat. Everything from blanquette de veau in the east to poule-au-pot in the west have helped mould the national character, with novel new regional recipes welcomed from all compass points throughout the … Continue reading Uproar over a French burger chain’s use of Islam-friendly ingredients?

I long for a real Labour voice to slam this City-fearing trio The TV debate proved it. Darling, Osborne and Cable still don’t see they were conned into propping up the banks at our expense Simon Jenkins guardian.co.uk Same old problem. Just when you need a Labour party there is none in sight – and clearly not one in the coming election. On Monday evening the parties’ three economic spokesmen went head to head and stroked each other to a draw. They nattered away like cleaning ladies over how to clear up after the great bankers’ ball. There were smashed … Continue reading TV debates prove it – politicians are spineless weasels when it comes to truth