UN move: Govt basks in afterglow of anti-drone resolution

File photo of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: 

Treasury bench members on Friday basked in the afterglow of a “diplomatic offensive” that led to Thursday’s passing of a unanimous UN resolution against the US drone campaign in foreign lands.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has claimed credit for the ongoing offensive, which will next take up the issue of drones with the UN Human Rights Council. The treasury bench’s claims about the success of the anti-drone campaign at the UN General Assembly went largely uncontested as key opposition groups are currently boycotting proceedings in the lower house.

The National Assembly passed a resolution moved by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Chaudhry Barjees Tahir. “This House appreciates the efforts of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government in the adoption of a resolution against the use of drone strikes by the UN General Assembly,” read the resolution.

The government has claimed that the resolution – which called upon Washington to comply with international laws in its use of drones – was a vindication of its stance that drone attacks are counter-productive.

Chairman Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Sardar Awais Ahmed Laghari welcomed the UN resolution against drone strikes and appreciated the role played by the incumbent government in this regard. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had raised the matter in the UN General Assembly during his visit and had lobbied for the approval of the resolution. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Sajid Ahmed, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sahibzada Tariqullah, and Kishwar Zehra of the JUI-F also welcomed the resolution, saying it is a positive sign in the country’s struggle to end drone attacks on Pakistani soil.

Amidst the praise, however, there were voices raising concerns about the resolution’s implementation during the session. “Let us see whether the resolution is implemented in letter and spirit,” said Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao of the Qaumi Watan Party.

‘Tamasha’ continues in NA

For the third consecutive day, opposition lawmakers from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted proceedings in the lower house in protest over a controversial statement by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

The government had constituted a three-member committee to address the concerns of the opposition. The opposition demanded the withdrawal of the controversial word “tamasha” or drama, used by the interior minister with reference to the PTI’s demands for verification of voters’ thumb impressions. Instead of withdrawing the controversial word he had used, Chaudhry Nisar regretted the attitude of the PPP and PTI, saying both the parties were insisting on the withdrawal of a word which had been used in parliamentary proceedings several times before.

“PPP and PTI lawmakers are receiving allowances to participate in the proceeding of the house, yet they are not attending,” he added. With regards to the verification of thumb impression, he said the government had never interfered in the matter.

‘Polio drive restricted in FATA’

State Minister for Health Saira Afzal Tarar told the National Assembly that the law and order situation was obstructing the polio eradication campaign in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Responding to a call to attention notice by Zahra Wadood Fatimi‚ Tarar said Pakistan is amongst three countries where the polio virus still exists. She said the Taliban have imposed a ban on vaccination campaigns in South and North Waziristan Agencies, due to which 12 polio campaigns could not be conducted in the areas. She called upon parliamentarians to also join the vaccination campaign to ensure its success

Centre does not object if Sindh govt wants to buy Pakistan Steel Mills: Minister

Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stated that if the Sindh government wants to buy Pakistan Steel Mills, the Centre has no objections, Express News reported on Saturday.

“Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) has suffered from a loss of Rs100 billion and cannot bear any further losses,” the minister further added.

Abbasi also stated that institutions that are suffering from losses will be privatised.

PSM has accumulated losses of over Rs100 billion in the last 10 years.

This is not for the first time that PSM is on the privatisation agenda. Its privatisation was taken up in 1998 but was dropped and instead it was decided to undertake restructuring of the corporation.

PSM is now on the privatisation list, once again. However, much before the government’s plan to sell 26% of its stake to prospective buyers along with management rights, Russia has shown deep interest in investing in the mill’s future. The Russians had hinted at a $1 billion investment to modernise and expand the PSM’s capacity.

In 2006, PSM was valued at Rs22 billion, in the approved bid of privatisation, which was overturned by the Supreme Court citing ‘omissions and commissions.’ Since that decision, fresh liabilities of Rs100 billion have been created, which will significantly reduce bidders’ appetite.

The corporation was inaugurated in the 1970s with the technical and financial assistance of the former Soviet Union and owns and operates an integrated steel manufacturing plant with the design capacity of 1.1 million tons per annum.

Former BBC commentator Coleman dies aged 87

Former BBC sports broadcaster David Coleman has died at the age of 87, his family announced on Saturday.

Remembered chiefly for his work as an athletics commentator, Coleman worked at the BBC for almost 50 years, covering 11 Olympic Games and six football World Cups.

'We regret to announce the death of David Coleman OBE. After a short illness he died peacefully with his family at his bedside,' his family said in a short statement.

The BBC's Director-General, Tony Hall, said: 'David Coleman was one of this country's greatest and most respected broadcasters. Generations grew up listening to his distinctive and knowledgeable commentary.

'Whether presenting, commentating or offering analysis, he set the standard for all today's sports broadcasters. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends.'

Coleman joined the BBC in 1954 and was affectionately known for on-air blunders that became known as 'Colemanballs'.

He was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for services to broadcasting in 1992 and retired in 2000.

In the year of his retirement, he became the first broadcaster to receive an Olympic Order medal to recognise his contribution to the Olympic movement.

Gary Lineker, the former England striker who now works as a BBC presenter, wrote on Twitter: 'Sad to hear, David Coleman has died. A giant of sports broadcasting. Brilliant, gifted, precise and concise. Much more than 'one-nil'.'

Asia on course for Royal Trophy triumph

Thailand strongmen Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat maintained their invincible partnership to keep Asia on course for a historic successful title defence in the Royal Trophy.

On a day of wildly fluctuating fortunes which saw two dramatic halved matches and a victory for Europe via Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen, the fourball session ended in a frenzied 2-2 draw.

Having triumphed 3-1 in Thursday’s foursomes, Asia will take a 5-3 advantage into Sunday’s eight singles contests over the Dragon Lake Golf Club’s Asian Games Course in southern China.

For the second day in succession the powerful Thai duo came up trumps for non-playing Asian captain Y. E. Yang

In the foursomes they had thrashed Scotsmen Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher 53 but they had to work harder in the fourballs, prevailing 21 against the same opponents thanks largely to the heroics of Kiradech who snared six birdies.

Wiesberger and Olesen, who was celebrating his 24th birthday, brought a welcome smile to the face of European captain Jose Maria Olazabal when they saw off Japan's Ryo Ishikawa and Hiroyuki Fujita, also 21.

In the remaining two matches, there were stunning turnarounds as England’s David Howell and Scot Marc Warren and then Koreans Kim Kyung-Tae and Kim Hyung-Sung both surrendered seemingly unassailable positions.

Two-up with two holes to play, Howell and Warren were pegged back by China’s Liang Wenchong and Wu Ashun.

It was then the turn of the Kims to falter as Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts made an equally improbable escape when they won the final two holes to claim a half-point.

Despite the two-point deficit, Olazabal is holding onto the hope of a final-day charge reminiscent of Europe's Ryder Cup comeback at Medinah last year when they entered the singles trailing by four points but emerged triumphant.

He said: 'Getting a half in that last match has kept our hopes alive. If we have a solid start in the singles and put pressure on the Asian team then we can still turn it around.'

Meanwhile, Yang, whose team are bidding to win the Royal Trophy back-to-back for the first time, remains confident.

He said: 'I'm a little disappointed with losing that final half a point and I was pretty nervous watching the last two matches. I hope we still have the momentum and that we can finish off the job in the singles.'

With firm greens, swirling winds and camera-clicking galleries posing challenges for the players, Asia held the ascendancy for much of the second day leading in all four matches at one point.

Howell and Warren came from behind to lead two-up but saw Liang hole a 25-footer for birdie at 17 before the local heroes completed their comeback by taking the 18th when neither European could manage a par.

The stage was then clear for Qurios who produced a brilliant nine-iron approach over trees at 18 to within six feet. After consulting Colsaerts and captain Olazabal about the line he rolled home the birdie putt. 'I knew how crucial that was,' he said.

USA edge Europe in Duel in the Pool thriller

The United States edged Europe by a single point as the Duel in the Pool came down to a thrilling tie-breaker in Glasgow on Saturday.

After 30 events over two days at the Tollcross Swimming Centre, the venue for the swimming events at next year's Commonwealth Games, the two sides were locked on 131 points.

It left the USA facing the prospect of defeat for the first time in the competition, which is billed as the Ryder Cup of swimming.

Inspired by local favourite Michael Jamieson, who prevailed in the 200 metres breaststroke, the European side had built a 68-54 lead after Friday's first day.

They carried their momentum into Saturday's early races, but the USA hit back with wins for Michael McBroom, Conor Dwyer, Olivia Smoliga, Eugene Godsoe, Jessica Hardy and Kevin Cordes.

Cordes's victory left the two teams on 97 points and they matched each other stride for stride as the tension inside the arena mounted.

Europe's women set a new world record in the 4x100m freestyle relay, prompting a standing ovation, only for the USA to prevail in the men's race to tie the scores once again.

The competition eventually went down to a mixed relay tie-breaker, which the USA won in dramatic fashion to take the crown

Atletico take third despite Ronaldinho red card

Atletico Mineiro had Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho sent-off but still struck in the last minute to snatch third place at the Club World Cup with a 3-2 win over Guangzhou Evergrande on Saturday.

Ronaldinho had pulled his team level at 2-2 in the dying moments of the first half with his second spectacular free-kick of the tournament.

But the 33-year-old World Cup winner was then red-carded in the 87th minute for a foul on Zhao Xuri.

Despite playing the closing stages with just 10 men, the Copa Libertadores champions grabbed the dramatic winner courtesy of substitute Luan.

European champions Bayern Munich will face hosts Raja Casablanca for the title later Saturday.

Atletico Mineiro were in front after just two minutes when Diego Tardelli found the net after a corner from Ronaldinho.

But the Asian champions stunned the Brazilians with two goals in six minutes.

Muriqui, who played seven games at Atletico on loan in 2010, levelled in the ninth minute before compatriot Elkeson rattled the crossbar.

It was another South American, Argentine import Conca who put the Chinese side 2-1 up on the 15-minute mark from the penalty spot after Gao Lin had been upended in the area.

It was an emotional strike for Conca who was playing his final match for the club having already agreed to return to Fluminense for next season.

However, Ronaldinho, who had curled in a memorable free-kick in his side's shock semi-final loss to Raja Casablanca, repeated the trick on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-2.

His pinpoint free-kick, awarded after Kim Young-Gwon had been penalised for a foul, left Guangzhou goalkeeper Li Shuai completely flat-footed.

The Brazilian, who now has 22 career goals in FIFA competitions, was then red-carded for his lunge at Zhao.

But Luan, who had replaced Jo on the hour mark, had the final say, burying the winner in the first minute of time added on.

The victory was a fitting farewell for coach Cuca who will take over at Guangzhou's Chinese rivals Shandong Luneng next year.

Fox announces X-Men: Apocalypse for 2016

20th Century Fox have confirmed a new 'X-Men' movie for 2016.
The film studio and director/producer Bryan Singer announced 'X-Men: Apocalypse' will hit cinemas on May 27, 2016, two years after the release of next year's highly anticipated 'X-Men: Days of Future Past'.
It's thought the film will feature Marvel villain Apocalypse, who in comic book lore claims to be the world's first mutant and menaces the X-Men heroes.
The character featured in the 1990s' 'Age of Apocalypse' storyline.
The film's release date falls on the same day as Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland 2' and two weeks before fellow Marvel superhero Spider-Man swings into action in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 3'.
It's not yet known which cast members from the 'X-Men' series will star in the movie, but the next 'X-Men' film - 'Days of Future Past' - will boast an all-star cast including the stars of the original 'X-Men' trilogy, which was released between 2000 and 2006, and 2011's 'X-Men: First Class' prequel film.
'Days of Future Past' will star Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page and many more.
Fox is also working on a spin-off series titled, 'X-Force', and has hired 'Kick-Ass 2' director-and-writer Jeff Wadlow to pen the script.
'X-Force' is based on the comic book series of the same name and centres on a group of younger, more rebellious heroes than the characters in its parent franchise.
The superhero team is led by a futuristic character called Cable, who is related to 'X-Men' characters Cyclops and Jean Grey and possesses robotic body parts and telekinetic powers.