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The article offers information on the role of Turkey for changes in dynamics in Middle East. Among the topics discussed include Turkey's military strength, political stability, and economic growth. Also mentioned the contribution of the country during the Arab Spring and dynamics unfolding Syria and Iraq involving terrorist group Islamic State.

Response of thirty different wheat varieties was evaluated at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, during the year 2009-10. The data showed that the maximum number of tillers (435.0 411.7 and 400.0 m-2) was recorded in variety Pirsabak-2008, Sassuai and Sarsabz, respectively. Variety Marvi-2000 showed the maximum spike length of 15.2cm followed by Sarsabz with 14.2cm long spike. The higher grain weight (42.3g) was noted in Seher-6 and Gomal-8 (41.9g each). Among varieties evaluated, Kiran-95 of Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam and Fakhr-e-Sarhad released by Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture, Peshawar out yielded all other varieties by producing statistically similar grain yield of 4833 and 4750 kg ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A protocol was conducted under rainfed conditions for two years at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Islamabad, Pakistan. Treatments comprising intercropping of Panicum grass with legumes (33%, 50% and 67%) with or without inoculation to investigate its fodder quality. The study clearly indicated that quality of fodder increased significantly both with the legumes and inoculation. The intercropping of Panicum grass with 67% inoculation proved the best combination. The 6-7% higher crude protein (CP) of mixed fodder was recorded from 67% intercropping in comparison to grass alone while inoculation increased it by further 1-2%. Results also suggested that total digestible nutrients (TDN) were increased by 2-4% as compared to other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock sector has become very important component of agriculture sector in the world due to variety of dairy and meat products and high income to the farmers. In Pakistan, this vast resource faces many crucial challenges like low quality and high priced feed and fodder and limited chances of increasing area under fodders due to competition for food crops. Intercropping (33%, 50% and 67%) of Panicum maximum grass and legumes (Vicia sativa and cowpeas) coupled with inoculation was studied under rainfed conditions at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Islamabad, Pakistan. Intercropping significantly increased tillering of grass. Seed inoculation of legumes also gave maximum tillers. The grass and legumes biomass without any treatment were recorded as 7.09 and 8.17 t ha-1, respectively, during two years of study. Mixed fodder production increased to 11.62, 13.6 and 14.13 t ha-1 with 33%, 50% and 67% intercropping, respectively. Respective values of biomass were observed as 13.18, 13.70 and 17.87 t ha when combined with inoculation. Intercropping of grass and legumes 67% with inoculation was assessed as the best treatment. The increases were computed as 304%, 230%, 132%, and 60% over grass alone in the first, second, third and fourth crops while respective increases were 101%, 151%, 165% and 74% over monoculture legumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of seven maize varieties with a local standard check at the Agronomic Research Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, during spring 2011. Maize varieties tested were Islamabad Gold, Kisan, Sadaf, Sarhad White, Sahiwal-2002, Islamabad White, Agaiti-2002 and local check Azam. The results revealed that local check Azam was earlier in days to 50% pollen shedding and silking (60.33 and 62.66 days) than other varieties including Sadaf and Islamabad White. Highest plant height was measured in Sahiwal-2002 (198.3cm) and lowest in Islamabad White (163.33cm) whereas highest ear height was found in Sadaf (101cm) and lowest (75cm) in Agaiti-2002. Nonsignificant differences were noted for number of ears per hectare. Islamabad White had maximum (31.23%) moisture contents in grain at harvest as compare to Islamabad Gold (26.16%). Maximum grain yield (5943 kg ha-1]) was recorded in Sahiwal-2002 while Sarhad White produced maximum biological yield (23380 kg ha-1). Variety Sahiwal-2002 showed the highest percentage of harvest index (32.37%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explains the media process in reporting political communications in the securitisation dialogue. Securitisation is the process of declaring an issue a security challenge and requires an urgent and existential cause which is too important to be put to a normal political process and merits to be dealt decisively by the top leaders on priority basis. This paper also explores media agenda and framing practices along with their ensuing effects on the process of securitisation of terrorism in Pakistan. Media has always been inclined to highlight the sellable story line, using the propaganda and interests of dominant groups in the society. Defining the relevance of media in securitisation process, this paper takes the Army Public School (APS) attack in Peshawar in 2014 as a watershed event to examine the impact on media and evaluates its contribution to securitising terrorism as a threat to the country. Two influential newspapers, Dawn and Jang were examined through content and discourse analysis. A comparison of media framing and agenda setting, before and after the APS attack, highlights the level of securitisation of terrorism in the country and the role media plays in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nuclear Deal of 2015 has proved to be a catalyst for Iran to regain its lost preeminence in the Middle East. It has helped end its international isolation, revive its economy and allowed it to play a more dominating role in the region. Its political, economic and military rise has led to an assertive role impacting the unfolding events in the region. Presently, the entire Middle East is in turmoil and Iran, being in the centre having strong potential and backed by favourable regional and global security environment, is undoubtedly the rising power of the region. How this rise would impact the region in general and Pakistan in particular, would depend on how these entities perceive and react to this rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]