Muslims attend Friday prayers under a snowfall at the Central mosque in Almaty February 5, 2010. – Reuters ALMATY: Long ignored as a myth whipped up by the authorities to justify political repression, a surge in radical Islam in the former Soviet region has become a reality for the West fighting an increasingly tough war in next-door Afghanistan. Analysts say long-defunct groups like the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan are regaining force in the impoverished region where ethnic tensions have long simmered under the surface. “They (militants) are preparing the ground for a long, sustained military campaign in Central Asia,” said … Continue reading Radical Islam casts shadow over Central Asia

Taliban confirm Hakeemullah’s death Former Taliban chief Hakeemullah Mehsud sits with his commander Wali-ur Rehman. – AFP (File Photo) KARACHI: The Taliban based in Orakzai Agency confirmed on Tuesday that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakeemullah Mehsud is dead. According to a DawnNews report, Mehsud died on Sunday in Multan after succumbing to injuries received in a drone attack in Shaktoi village. However, Alam Tariq the offiicial Taliban spokesman has not yet made a statement. Sources said that Maulvi Noor Jamal has been nominated as Mehsud’s succesor. Government officials too have confirmed his death. American and Pakistani officials had been saying Mehsud was … Continue reading Takfiri Mullah’s death gives birth to another Takfiri Mullah – ‘Mullah-e-Noor’

Macho and excessive armed policing Although violent crime is down, the police are increasingly using guns to make bungled, inaccurate and potentially deadly raids Henry Porter guardian.co.uk Victoria Coren asked in the Observer last week why we need a police force that has become “a tooled up army of Schwarzeneggers” if, as Tony Blair claimed at the Iraq inquiry, the invasion of Iraq has made Britain a safer place. It was a good point made in an unhysterical column written after she encountered an armed policeman in a peaceful London street. You ponder the same question after Gordon Brown’s claim … Continue reading British Police – Unruly, Violent THUGS?

God and the prime ministers Far from ‘not doing God’, every British prime minister since the 60s has been a self-professed Christian Antonio Weiss guardian.co.uk Given the ease with which political commentators have accepted Alastair Campbell’s dictum regarding faith and the Blair government, it is perhaps unsurprising that God made few appearances in accounts of the former prime minister’s appearance at the Chilcot Inquiry into the decision to go to war in Iraq. This was a great missed opportunity. Campbell’s edict – made in the fear that the British population can only associate religious faith with the crude stereotype of … Continue reading Using ‘God’ – how British Prime Ministers revel in being his representatives!

Polish newspaper claims ‘Pedobear’ is 2010 Vancouver Olympic mascot A Polish newspaper mistakenly identified “Pedobear”, a notorious internet meme, as one of the mascots of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. By Matthew Moore Telegraph The incorrent mascot is on the far right The Gazeta Olsztynska published an image showing the bear alongside genuine Olympic mascots Quatchi, Sumi, Miga and Mukmuk to illustrate a feature about the Games. It appears that the newspaper lifted the picture from Google Images, unaware that it had been created as a prank by Michael Barrick, a Canadian artist and graphic designer. Pedobear, who is … Continue reading ‘Pedobear’ is 2010 Vancouver Olympic mascot

It was not a sinking feeling exactly. But Stagecoach’s hopes that its trials of a new amphibious bus would go off without a hitch were dampened on Monday when the vehicle had to be dry-docked for repairs. By Alistair Osborne, Business Editor (Transport) PTelegraph Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire The “amfibus”, seen here testing the water between Renfrew and Yoker on the River Clyde, developed a minor technical glitch after its second crossing – forcing the trial to be suspended while the vehicle was repaired. “The driver noticed an issue with the suspension,” … Continue reading UK’s first ‘floating bus’ gears up to ferry commuters

Beyond Business: an Inspirational Memoir From a Visionary Leader by John Browne: review Lord Browne’s memoirs, Beyond Business, radiate with new details on BP’s past and his role in shaping it, says Rowena Mason By Rowena Mason, City Reporter (Energy) Telegraph Beyond Business: an Inspirational Memoir From a Visionary Leader by John Browne Just close your eyes, and think of BP . Whether Lord Browne is eating sheep’s eyes with the communist despot of Kazakhstan or surrounded by protection detail armed with machine guns in yet another oil-rich pariah regime, this seems to be his motto. For the former chief … Continue reading Lord Browne’s memoirs, Beyond Business, radiate with new details on BP’s past and his role in shaping it

Ali Dizaei, Metropolitan police commander, jailed for four years Scotland Yard commander who falsely arrested man is jailed for misconduct and attempting to pervert course of justice The case against Commander Ali Dizaei Vikram Dodd guardian.co.uk, Metropolitan police commander Ali Dizaei, left, and Waad al-Baghdadi. Photograph: Sang Tan/Mark Larner/AP/Central News The Metropolitan police commander Ali Dizaei was jailed for four years today after being convicted of falsely arresting a man and making up an account that he had been assaulted and threatened. A jury at Southwark crown court today found the 47-year-old guilty of misconduct in public office and attempting … Continue reading Are British Police becoming Criminals and Thugs in uniform?