Mouse trap
The world’s most detested breed of rodents has made its way to the red planet
PHOTO: NASA
I’ve spent a good part of yesterday staring at the picture released by the Curiosity Rover — was that really a mouse on Mars or just an oddly shaped rock? The imagination is running wild, I’ve been peering at my computer screen, analysing the anatomy of the creature and hatching alternative (and possibly spurious) theories in my mind about what else it could be if not a mouse. Am I suffering from Pareidolia? Maybe. Or maybe not, because after much deliberation, the amateur astronomer in me has concluded (to myself) that it is a mouse. The world’s most detested breed of rodents has made its way to the red planet. Hai Allah! I’m gushing (like an imbecile) at its big eyes, tail, ears and nose… excitement has vanquished logic. I’m not asking myself if there is enough oxygen for a mouse to breathe in space or if it even stands a practical chance of survival with the strong radiation from the sun and possible lack of food. Wait. I even see Ben Carson and Donald Trump in the pic.
Trump's Muslim comments disqualify him from presidency: White House
Tailpieces
Trump’s demand for Muslims to be banned from America is revolting. Muslim radicals may have revealed their plan to kill Americans, but that does not mean that the Muslim community at large endorses the ongoing bloodshed. That someone as fascist as Trump can be leading the race to become the presidential candidate for one of the two major parties in the US is a sad indictment of the country. Trump’s words violate international law and attack democracy and common humanity. More significantly, they label every mass shooting as a Muslim terror attack. Given that white Christian males were responsible for the last couple of mass shootings, it is to be seen if Trump will call for a blanket ban on Christians.
2) Mawra Hocane seems sweet enough — I can’t for the life of me figure what the poor thing is doing in an obscure Sanam Teri Kasam, being billed as her Bollywood debut. Credited to two directors who were renowned for their Indipop videos in yesteryear, the film flaunts the tagline, “A love story sealed with a curse”. Hopefully, that won’t be prophetic for the audience!
First look of Mawra Hocane's 'Sanam Teri Kasam' unveiled
3) Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad will hopefully set the ground for a positive quid pro quo, never mind that on the day she arrived in Pakistan, Rehman Malik shot his motor-mouth off that India was a hurdle in the normalisation of “Pak-Afghanistan ties”. Among other agendas, I really hope that the abrupt stoppage of the 26/11 trials in the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi is discussed at length. That is something that not only India, but the world is expecting to see from Pakistan. It is easy to be cynical and call such ‘diplomatic’ chai-and-samosa meets an eye-wash, but optimists like me look for a silver lining in the dark clouds. Incidentally, while the leaders were discussing Afghanistan, Taliban militants were busy storming the Kandahar airport.
4) In an interview, Rachel Weisz says she is feeling younger as she is growing older. I’m sure women agree that a lot of it might have to do with Daniel Craig jumping into her bed each night!
India, Pakistan agree to resume comprehensive dialogue
5) People callously dumping their pets and cars when they are of no use to them is sadly common. But never heard of an owner of three Boeing 747 planes leaving his big birds abandoned on an airport tarmac (Kuala Lumpur, in this case.) His mystery disappearance is as baffling as that of the MH370, which continues to be the biggest question with no answers.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2015.
Trump's Muslim comments disqualify him from presidency: White House
Tailpieces
Trump’s demand for Muslims to be banned from America is revolting. Muslim radicals may have revealed their plan to kill Americans, but that does not mean that the Muslim community at large endorses the ongoing bloodshed. That someone as fascist as Trump can be leading the race to become the presidential candidate for one of the two major parties in the US is a sad indictment of the country. Trump’s words violate international law and attack democracy and common humanity. More significantly, they label every mass shooting as a Muslim terror attack. Given that white Christian males were responsible for the last couple of mass shootings, it is to be seen if Trump will call for a blanket ban on Christians.
2) Mawra Hocane seems sweet enough — I can’t for the life of me figure what the poor thing is doing in an obscure Sanam Teri Kasam, being billed as her Bollywood debut. Credited to two directors who were renowned for their Indipop videos in yesteryear, the film flaunts the tagline, “A love story sealed with a curse”. Hopefully, that won’t be prophetic for the audience!
First look of Mawra Hocane's 'Sanam Teri Kasam' unveiled
3) Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad will hopefully set the ground for a positive quid pro quo, never mind that on the day she arrived in Pakistan, Rehman Malik shot his motor-mouth off that India was a hurdle in the normalisation of “Pak-Afghanistan ties”. Among other agendas, I really hope that the abrupt stoppage of the 26/11 trials in the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi is discussed at length. That is something that not only India, but the world is expecting to see from Pakistan. It is easy to be cynical and call such ‘diplomatic’ chai-and-samosa meets an eye-wash, but optimists like me look for a silver lining in the dark clouds. Incidentally, while the leaders were discussing Afghanistan, Taliban militants were busy storming the Kandahar airport.
4) In an interview, Rachel Weisz says she is feeling younger as she is growing older. I’m sure women agree that a lot of it might have to do with Daniel Craig jumping into her bed each night!
India, Pakistan agree to resume comprehensive dialogue
5) People callously dumping their pets and cars when they are of no use to them is sadly common. But never heard of an owner of three Boeing 747 planes leaving his big birds abandoned on an airport tarmac (Kuala Lumpur, in this case.) His mystery disappearance is as baffling as that of the MH370, which continues to be the biggest question with no answers.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2015.