She’s being called the “daughter of the nation” who needs to be rescued from the fanged jaws of the Americans. Her name is Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. Pakistani TV channels and drawing-rooms are buzzing with talk of this gallant woman who was recently found guilty by an American court for attempting murder, and on whose defence the government of Pakistan has already spent a whopping two million dollars. On February 5, when Karachi became the horrid scene of two bomb attacks that killed dozens of men, women and children, leaders of various mainstream religious parties (especially the Jamaat-i-Islami) were marching up … Continue reading From Maududi to Aafia – are we seeing things from an Independent perspective?

The knock at the door that turned my parents into brainwashed fanatics – and nearly cost my life By Rachel Underhill Lying in my hospital bed, in the throes of an exhausting labour, I was in agony and feeling very frightened. I’d gone into labour ten weeks early and my twins were in the breech position, so it was likely I would need a Caesarean. As a first-time mother, it was a terrifying moment – but worse was yet to come. As the consultant obstetrician looked through my notes, he suddenly lifted his head and said: ‘I see you’re a … Continue reading Opening the door turned my parents into brainwashed Christian fanatics and I nearly died!

By Sophie Freeman With its enormous limbs and lethal claws, this monster of the deep is already the biggest crab ever seen in Britain. But astonishingly, the arthropod – which measures a staggering 10ft from claw to claw – is still growing, and could live until it is 100. Nicknamed ‘Crabzilla’ after the fictional giant monster, the Japanese Spider Crab has a body the size of a basketball and its legs can straddle a car. They will eventually measure a massive 15ft. Crabzilla: Derek Scales from the National Sealife Centre in Birmingham with the biggest crab in Britain The crab, … Continue reading ‘Crabzilla’: The biggest crab ever seen in Britain… and it’s still growing

by Danios Loonwatch And by never again, we mean never again to the Jews CNN recently published an article entitled Study: Threat of Muslim-American terrorism in U.S. exaggerated; according to a study released by Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, “the terrorist threat posed by radicalized Muslim-Americans has been exaggerated.” Yet, Americans continue to live in mortal fear of radical Islam, a fear propagated and inflamed by right wing Islamophobes.  If one follows the cable news networks, it seems as if all terrorists are Muslims.  It has even become axiomatic in some circles to chant: … Continue reading All Terrorists are Muslims…Except the 94% that Aren’t (lets just focus on the 6%)

by: Randall Amster J.D., Ph.D., t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed (Photo: Meanest Indian / Flickr) It might be a bad dream, but it feels real enough. The mantle of warfare slips seamlessly from one president to another, from one party to another, from one decade to another, from one generation to another. The impetus of national aggression transcends race, creed, socio-economic status, age and geography. Our collective sin is the bald lie that we all live and perpetuate from moment to moment, year upon year, from our past to the days ahead: the misbegotten belief … Continue reading What the Muslim World Can Teach Us About Nonviolence

Authorities’ claim that virtual strip search pictures immediately destroyed proven fraudulent – use of devices needs to be halted now Paul Joseph Watson Prison Planet.com Tuesday, February 9, 2010 UPDATE: Scannergate: Facts Contradict Heathrow Claim That Naked Images Can’t Be Printed Claims on behalf of authorities that naked body scanner images are immediately destroyed after passengers pass through new x-ray backscatter devices have been proven fraudulent after it was revealed that naked images of Indian film star Shahrukh Khan were printed out and circulated by airport staff at Heathrow in London. UK Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said last week that … Continue reading Exposed: Naked Body Scanner Images Of Film Star Printed, Circulated By Airport Staff

Quilted, embossed, ultra soft aloe vera – the humble loo roll has gone steadily more upmarket in recent years. But surely it has now hit the apogee of indulgence: a cashmere version has gone on sale. By Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor Cashmere loo rolls Cashmere, one of the softest and most prized materials, has been used to add an extra layer of extravagance to the sheets of paper, ensuring consumers enjoy the bottom line in comfort. The loo rolls have gone on sale in Waitrose, the supermarket with a legion of loyal and discerning middle-class customers. Related Articles Is … Continue reading Cashmere loo roll, the ultimate bathroom indulgence