Reports that a US school ‘spied’ on pupils at home teach us something about what it really means to live in this ‘free’ nation Jennifer Abel guardian.co.uk, First, the good news: even in these troubled economic times, there exist American public schools – like those of the Lower Merion district in the suburbs of Philadelphia – prosperous enough to distribute laptop computers to every kid enrolled in the high school. Now the bad news: school officials could also afford to install webcams on those computers, and remotely activate the cams to spy on students and their families at home. Such … Continue reading School spied on in students bedrooms in land of liberty? Next UK?

Zafar Hilaly Mr Zardari has shrewdly portrayed himself as a champion of provincial rights, a stance that finds considerable resonance in Sindh. Increasingly, politics and public sentiments in Sindh are focusing on greater provincial autonomy One has to hand it to Mr Zardari. He loses no opportunity to put his opponents on the back foot. As they swivel to hook his bouncers, they can never be sure whether they will be caught. And if the current bouncer is hit for a six, yet another will be on its way. That is how Mr Zardari bowls; he keeps hoping that the … Continue reading The game not worth the candle

Gulmina Bilal Ahmad If we were to hate the US, then logically we should hate their money too. However, here is the dichotomy. We love their money and just as the Americans urge us to “do more” to curb extremism, we urge them to “do more” financially. This is where the hypocrisy comes in It is advised that one should know one’s friends but even more important is to know one’s enemies. This piece of advice is an oft repeated one and one that wise individuals pay heed to. However, perhaps states and nations should also pay heed to it, … Continue reading Rethinking foreign assistance

Nina Garcia When a beautiful woman walks into a room, I may glance up for a moment, but I soon return to my entrée or my conversation or the dessert menu. Let us be honest: beauty is not all that interesting (and certainly not more interesting than the dessert menu). But when a confident woman walks into a room, it is entrancing. I will watch as she moves with poise and self-possession. She is not usually the one in the plain black dress. She is the one in the interesting shirt and the vintage skirt, and I immediately want to … Continue reading The muse of confidence

Zaair Hussain How has this schism become so advanced that the well-heeled have become aliens in their own land, by their own hand? There are many culprits, but few so guilty as language. The language of power and the language of the people are profoundly divided A Pakistani comedian once remarked that the country’s elite were cloistering into ever-smaller bubbles. Like all good humour, the comment provoked reflection long after laughter had faded. To recognise our bubble is to recognise how we view those outside; from within those curved lenses, all without is distorted and alien. Even the best-meaning of … Continue reading The retreat of the elite

Zeeshan Suhail One of the largest homes in Aspen is owned by none other than Prince Bandar Al-Sultan of Saudi Arabia. The property covers dozens of acres and the master bedroom alone is between 5,000-6,000 square feet. That is even bigger than a large house in a large American city. Of course, one would expect as much from a Saudi monarch My readers might recall my column from last week in which I mentioned the trials and tribulations that come with staying indoors due to adverse weather. Well, just as that self-imposed hibernation was coming to an end, I was … Continue reading Aspen-bound, onward-bound

dawn The martial arts grannies of Kenya’s Korogocho slum Elderly women, residents of Nairobi’s Korogocho slum, are learning the rudiments of martial arts in order to survive in one of Kenya’s most dangerous shanty towns. This self defence group started in 2007 as way of fighting back at the young bandits of Korogocho who started raping women three or four times their age. -AFP Photo World Kenya rounds up prey for starving lions ZEBRAS MIGRATE Kenya rounds up prey for starving lions KOROGOCHO: At the age of 60, 80 or maybe 100, the karateka grandmas of Korogocho slum are learning … Continue reading Karate Grannies of Kenya

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The founders of a website, PleaseRobMe. Com, which provides real-time updates on empty homes locations are “irresponsible” for providing a “one stop shop” for burglars, privacy campaigners say. By Andrew Hough Published: 7:30AM GMT 19 Feb 2010 Please Rob Me website provides minute by minute updates on when people have left their homes. Its founders deny it has been set up solely for burglars. Photo: PLEASEROBME.COM The Dutch website, launched this week, provides minute-by-minute updates on people who have just left their house. Privacy campaigners have expressed outrage at the website, which publishes a regular updated stream of “opportunities” by … Continue reading Please Rob Me website causes fury for ‘telling burglars when Twitter users are not home’

British threat to Israel over Dubai Hamas assassination Britain will consider severing its intelligence-sharing agreement with Israel if Mossad agents are proved to have stolen the identities of British passport holders, The Daily Telegraph has learnt. By Gordon Rayner, Con Coughlin and Duncan Gardham Published: 6:30AM GMT 18 Feb 2010 Previous 1 of 2 Images Next The father of senior Hamas military commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh with a photo of his son Photo: REUTERS The passports of six Britons were cloned by the alleged assassins Photo: AP Ministers are understood to be furious that an alleged hit squad which murdered a Hamas leader in … Continue reading Britain will consider severing its intelligence-sharing agreement with Israel if Mossad agents are proved to have stolen the identities of British passport holders