Will we soon be riding jetpacks?

MOL
BERN -In the 1920s, Buck Rogers used a jetpack to fight crime in the comic Amazing Stories, offering a glimpse into a future where humans could fly.
But in the real world, jetpacks have traditionally been too large and cumbersome to be worn by a person. Now, however, thanks to a number of technological breakthroughs it seems the age of the jetpack could finally be upon us.
A jet engine typically generates thrust by taking in air, mixing it with fuel, compressing it and igniting it. This hot, high-pressure gas is then passed through a turbine and out through a narrow nozzle, producing thrust. The gold standard for a jetpack would be to mount one or more of these powerful engines onto a backpack, enabling the wearer to fly freely in any direction.
However, early jet engines were too large to be worn by a person, so the only alternative was to use rockets. Rockets work on a similar principle to jet engines, but instead of taking in air, the rocket uses self-contained chemical reactions to generate power. The first proper attempt at a jetpack - the rocket belt - was invented by Wendell Moore in 1953, and flew using hydrogen peroxide rockets.
A tank of nitrogen gas forced hydrogen peroxide through a silver catalyst, causing it to rapidly break down into steam and oxygen. The gas shot out of the nozzles at 33,280ft (1,000 metres) per second, producing over 280 pounds (125kg) of thrust. This was powerful enough to lift the rocket belt and its wearer into the air for just over 20 seconds.
However, 70 per cent of the fuel in a rocket belt is required just to overcome the force of gravity, severely limiting flight time. Adding more fuel made the rocket belt too heavy to fly, so even with improvements in design and weight reductions using lighter modern materials, hydrogen peroxide rocket packs still cannot fly for more than a minute. One solution to the problem of heavy fuel is to attach the jetpack to a flexible supply hose, tethered to a fuel source on the ground.
While this seems impractical for a jetpack built for long-range transport, for recreational models, like the water-powered JetLev, this technique works well to extend airtime without weighing the pilot down. The other alternative is to use a more efficient engine.

Bad investment?: Creek Marina still a dream as developers, DHA stuck in deadlock

Creek Marina brochures boasted eight 24-storey towers, with three and four bedrooms. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Real estate is a prime commodity in Karachi. With big fish involved in the game, it is usually the smaller investors who suffer the agony of losing out on what appear to be lucrative deals.

The investors of the Creek Marina project learnt this lesson the hard way – having put over Rs3 billion into a project that has been in limbo for more than five years past its original deadline. The money belonged to over 250 families who had invested in the project when it was launched in 2005.

At a press conference on Thursday, members of the Creek Marina Action Committee revealed the problems they have been facing in realising their dream. The committee comprises 100 of the 250 buyers. Their aim is to pressurise both the parties into reaching an agreement so that the project can be finalised. The president of the committee, Yousuf Mirza, was the only person who spoke on the occasion. The others have been silenced by an injunction against them by the Sindh High Court (SHC).

In 2010, construction came to a complete halt. CPML officials claimed that the Chinese construction company had backed out because of threats to their workers’ lives. The company had been bound by a performance bond of Rs1 billion. With its forfeiture from the project, the bond was subsequently cashed and placed in a bank account. This amount is claimed by the developers, DHA and the buyers.

Meanwhile, some of the buyers formed the committee and decided to approach the DHA as well as the CPML for answers. Officials at the CPML kept changing while queries at the DHA office remained unheeded. The committee eventually learned that the project was master-minded by Dr Shahzad Nasim, the Singapore-based CEO of Meinhardt. Dr Nasim was the person who had originally signed the agreement with DHA at the project’s launch.

When the committee tried to contact Dr Nasim via email, they received a warning from his lawyer, asserting that he had no connection with the Creek Marina project and any further attempts to contact him would result in a defamation suit. This suit was eventually filed by him in the Sindh High Court (SHC), in which 15 of the committee’s members have been named.

In April 2011, the SHC ruled that the Rs1 billion from the Chinese company’s bond be released to the developers so that construction may resume. However, DHA sought and were granted a stay order against the funds, as they believed the funds may be misused or transferred out of the country. The SHC subsequently ruled that the funds be released in steps to the CPML, who will provide monthly budgets to the DHA for approval.

There were some signs of construction activity at the site for some time after this agreement but that too stopped soon enough. DHA was refusing to release funds to the CPML as it found discrepancies in the budget proposals.

The committee members subsequently met Dr Nasim in Dubai in May 2012, who said that the DHA officials were uncooperative. He agreed, however, to deliver the apartments within three years if the committee members cooperated with him to get the funds released.

DHA and Meinhardt have been deliberating the issue since, but neither side has been willing to budge from their stance. DHA has also registered an FIR for fraud against Dr Nasim and his company. Meanwhile, it is the buyers who have been the ultimate sufferers. “All we want is the product we paid for,” asserted Jaffer. He hoped that the two firms will reach a compromise soon and that the apartments will finally be finished – albeit 10 years after they paid for them.

The dream that was

The Creek Marina project was launched in the year 2005 and was advertised as a partnership between the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and the developers, a consulting firm based in Singapore, named Meinhardt. Meinhardt set up a local company, Creek Marina Private Limited (CPML) to oversee the marketing and construction of the project.

“We put our trust in the DHA,” said Mirza. “There was also the reassuring factor that a reputable foreign firm was involved as the developer.”

The brochures described the project as a six-star housing scheme, boasting eight 24-storey towers with three and four bedroom apartments. It was located in the posh area of DHA phase VIII. The contracts for the construction were awarded to a Chinese firm, GOCG, and two local companies, the Principal Builders and Paragon.

The buyers were mandated to pay the amount in quarterly installments. The payments were, however, not progress-related. The project was to be completed by December 2009. Today, on the construction site, there stands an incomplete tower of 15 storeys, instead of the promised 24, and another tower of eight storeys

LNG terminal services: Cabinet likely to clear way for award of contract

The government is stepping up efforts to bring first LNG supplies this year and has assigned Pakistan State Oil (PSO) the task to import gas because of its sound financial position. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: 

The cabinet is likely to award a multi-million-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal contract to Elengy Terminal Pakistan Limited (ETPL) in its meeting scheduled for Friday, though Fauji Foundation has taken a firm stand against using existing terminals for gas import, sources say.

The cabinet will take up the LNG services agreement initialed between Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and ETPL for approval.

Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told The Express Tribunethat there would be no more delays. “We were just waiting for the meeting to be held,” said Abbasi. “Everything has been done and we will get the final approval [today].”

The top management of Fauji Foundation has sent a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, underlining its opposition to LNG import from Qatar through existing terminals and suggested that a new terminal should be constructed for the purpose that would be more secure and economically feasible.

Fauji Foundation Managing Director Lieutenant General (Retired) Muhammad Mustafa Khan, in the letter, said the proposed LNG tolling project was not proceeding as planned as it did not meet the fundamental criterion of site selection for safety and marine operations.

Talking to The Express Tribune, ETPL Chief Executive Officer Imran Sheikh insisted that the LNG services deal was in line with the request for proposals (RFP) and met transparency requirements.

He said international consultant Lloyd’s Register had cleared the site of existing terminal for handling LNG import and the company had met requirements of the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) for a no-objection certificate.

“Now, we are hoping for the approval of the LNG services agreement by the cabinet,” he said, adding after the award of contract, terminal facilities would be set up in 11 months.

He was of the view that clearance of the defence ministry was not a prerequisite for terminal services.

The cabinet go-ahead is expected to pave the way for LNG import from Qatar based on a state-to-state deal. Earlier, Doha asked Pakistan to first put in place an LNG handling facility before going for import.

The government is stepping up efforts to bring first LNG supplies this year and has assigned Pakistan State Oil (PSO) the task to import gas because of its sound financial position.

The terminal will handle 200 million cubic feet of LNG per day (mmcfd) in the first phase and 400 mmcfd in the second phase, which will begin next year.

Besides imports from Qatar, the government is also exploring the possibility of inviting tenders from private players. “Multinational companies like Royal Dutch Shell have expressed interest in arranging LNG supplies, which will be possible through floating tenders,” an official said.

ETPL, which had been declared successful bidder, had quoted a tolling fee of 60 cents per million British thermal units (mmbtu). This price had been approved by the consultant.

According to officials, the price was evaluated and matched with the regional tolling fee for terminal services and therefore the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources requested the cabinet to approve the award of contract.

The ministry pointed out that the consultant had also taken into consideration the engineering estimates of similar projects. In a similar project, advertised by SSGC, the tolling charges were quoted at 80 cents per mmbtu

Mata: Don't blame Moyes for Manchester United woes

The Spaniard gives his backing to the former Everton coach while also revealing that, when signing for the club, he was given assurances that several other players would be bought

Manchester United's club-record signing, Juan Mata, has defended under-fire boss David Moyes and insisted that the Scot has the full backing of the squad.

The reigning Premier League champions have put up a limp defence of their title, lying in seventh place with five games left to play and almost certain to miss out on qualification for the Champions League.

MOYES'S MISHAPS
MAN UTD PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
GAMES WON GAMES DRAWN GAMES LOST GOALS SCORED GOALS CONCEDED POSITION	17 6 10 56 38 7th

But Mata, who moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea in January, argues that the Red Devils' problems should not be solely blamed on Moyes's struggles to adapt in his first season in charge and is keen for everyone associated with the club to remain united.

"We have to be together," the Spain international told theDaily Mirror. "Now is not the time to blame anyone. Now is not the time to look for guilty people.

"Now is the time to stick together - with the manager, with his staff, the players and with the people on the board of the club. We need to carry on, to stay with the manager. We need to believe in him because, as players, we know we have to improve.

"It's not just the manager, it's not just the tactics. It's all of us. It's not the time to blame one person. We are all together in this.

"Some of my friends told me, if this situation was happening in another club in Spain, it would be different but the club and the players are behind the manager.

"We need to be strong as a team, as a dressing-room, and keep working hard. We need to improve, we know it, but we need to do it together."

Goal revealed on Wednesday that Moyes had travelled to Portugal to watch Porto take on Benfica and assessed a number of scouting targets, including Jackson Martinez, and Mata has now revealed that, when discussing the move to United, he was told that the club would make significant moves in the transfer market as they look to rebuild the side.

"When I joined, in all my conversations with the board and the manager about next season, they were confident about getting the right players," the attacker recalled.

"They know, and I know, we're in a transitional moment but, in the summer, they're going to try to sign a few players and I have the faith they are going to bring top players in.

"I'm sure this club is going to come back and fight for every trophy. Since I was a kid, Manchester United was fighting for everything and this moment is going to come back for sure."

Guardiola let Ibrahimovic down - Raiola

The agent launched a scathing attack on the Catalan club, insisting Guardiola let him down and says the Spanish coach will never admit that he made a mistake with the player

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent, Mino Raiola, has slammed Pep Guardiola and Barcelona for the way they treated the striker, stating he has "no respect for the club", while insisting that Paris Saint-Germain will win the Champions League in the near future.

Ibrahimovic spent one year at the Catalan giants, joining from Inter for a big-money fee and a part exchange with Samuel Eto'o. However, the Sweden international had a fractious relationship with erstwhile coach Guardiola and was eventually sent on loan to AC Milan, where he would remain on a permanent deal.

And Raiola has criticised the reigning Spanish champions and Guardiola for the way they handled his player.

"Who was supposed to defend Zlatan in Barcelona if it hadn't been me? His wife? The whole club talked him down," he told 11 Freunde.

"He was the king at Inter and after his move he was suddenly a nobody. Pep Guardiola let him down, without any explanation.

"Ask Guardiola what his mistake was. He won't answer, because he can't admit he made a mistake - that would insult his intelligence.

"If you pay €79 million for a player and don't let him play, that's not just totally dumb but also financially damaging. Most of the agents wouldn't criticise this policy because they are afraid big Barcelona will never ever buy a player of theirs.

"I just don't care. I have no respect for a club if the club has no respect for my players.

"If the relationship doesn't work out, you have to end it."

The agent went on to say that he encouraged Ibrahimovic to join PSG as he saw the potential in their project with the Qatari Investment Authority before anyone else and expects them to dominate European football in the years to come.

"It's not just 100 per cent sure that PSG will win the Champions League but also the treble. Zlatan and I chose this project specifically because we believe in it.

"I already brokered Maxwell's move to them deliberately. He was my first player there because I understood earlier than everyone else what was growing there. That's also the reason why I am so successful.

"I can read the market, I know what happens and why it happens. I even affect it."

Hazard a 'major doubt' for Atletico Madrid clash

The winger limped out of the quarter-final victory over PSG with a calf injury, and is yet to train with the squad ahead of Tuesday's match

Eden Hazard is a "major doubt" for Chelsea's Champions League semi-final first-leg clash with Atletico Madrid.

The double player-of-the-year nominee limped out of his side's quarter-final second-leg victory over Paris Saint-Germain with a calf injury and looks set to miss the meeting with Diego Simeone's men as well.

Chelsea assistant manager Steve Holland said earlier in the week that Hazard should be available again "sooner rather than later", but Friday's update is far more negative.

"Hazard is not definitely out for Tuesday but he hasn't trained with the squad yet which means he's a major doubt," Holland told reporters.

Before the clash at the Vicente Calderon, Chelsea travel to bottom-of-the-table Sunderland with renewed belief in their title bid.

A Connor Wickham double saw the Black Cats hold Manchester City to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday, meaning the Blues can now claim the title if they win all of their remaining games.

Holland continued: "First, second and third position are possible for all three teams at the top. It is very close. This is a club that is used to playing a lot of matches at this stage of the season.

"It is a really challenging period, not just physically - that's obvious - but emotionally too. I think experience is always vital in any competition. We have a good blend in our squad.

"This game tomorrow is of huge importance. I don't believe the title will be decided by our match with Liverpool. Tomorrow will be a very difficult game that we have to approach in a very professional manner.

"The objection for this club is to be competing for major honours at the business end of the season. Thankfully we are."

Why Barcelona should consider selling Messi

The Argentina captain is at odds with the club over a new contract but with the need for renewal urgent around Camp Nou, should Barca take the money and run?

COLUMN
By Peter Staunton 

The current contractual stand-off between Barcelona and Lionel Messi is only likely to end one way - with the top scorer signing a mammoth new deal which will be the richest in football. There is a long way to go, however, on that front and the Catalans might well consider their options despite the transfer ban looming.

The club are believed to be offering Messi a five-year contract worth €200 million. That equates to €40m per season. Messi is alleged to be unhappy at the terms offered. He feels he is worth more than that. With his current deal expiring in 2018, his transfer value will never be higher. 

Last summer Barca legend Johan Cruyff suggested that Messi should be sold in order to accommodate Neymar in the line-up. He also accurately predicted that Barca would suffer from playing the two together. After the season Barcelona have endured something has got to give. 

There are rumblings in the Spanish press this week that Barca are laying the ground work for a Messi sale over the summer. It would be the costliest transfer in the history of football.

Paris St-Germain and Manchester City are the only two clubs who could do a deal for Messi in the current market but it could be a gamble worth taking for Barcelona. Would they rather take €200m for Messi and rebuild their team - transfer ban notwithstanding - or give him €200m with no guarantee that his best days are ahead of him? 

That transfer ban will hurt them this summer more than any other because they are in need of a drastic overhaul. They need players in practically every position and so they desperately need to have it overturned. The appeal process continues and Barca expect that their legal team will achieve a favourable result.

And maybe Messi is in need of a fresh challenge himself. Four Ballons d'Or and a wealth of titles have been accrued during his time at Barcelona. He has smashed every record in the book. On a sporting level, there is not a lot for him left to achieve at Camp Nou. The way Messi has played this season suggests that life without him for Barcelona is not as unthinkable as it once was. Pep Guardiola reportedly walked away from Barca after failing in his attempt to clear out what he saw as distracted and under-motivated players. Messi, legitimately, finds himself in that category today. 

The 26-year-old has scored 25 league goals this season but there are indications that all is not well. He has struggled for the best part of a year with various knocks and niggles. His output on the field has noticeably decreased. Barca are enduring a torrid season and Messi cannot be absolved from blame. He endured derision for failing to cover the ground in the Barca's Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid. Radomir Antic, the former Barca coach, suggested that Messi deliberately failed to keep up as a means of punishment to Tata Martino who fielded him out of position. 

Messi remains behind only Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world but there are reasons for Barca to contemplate selling.

Pulis for Prem manager of the year

Liverpool may well be about to win their first title in 24 years. Their manager Brendan Rodgers has forged the most watchable team in the country and they have cut a swath through the Premier League. The Irishman deserves all the acclaim coming his way and he is currently the odds-on favourite to be named the LMA Manager of the Year. He has, however, a rival for the award. Rodgers has put Liverpool back on their perch but Tony Pulis, relative to expectation, has delivered just as much. 

Crystal Palace had only seven points when Pulis was unveiled as the replacement for Ian Holloway in November. They were a team who had slumped to seven successive defeats before beating Hull away under caretaker Keith Millen. Relegation looked inevitable. 

Pulis, a man who has never suffered relegation as a manager, has not only taken Palace out of the drop zone but is also in the process of guiding them to a top-half finish. It is incredible what the Welshman has achieved on what is likely to be the smallest budget in the division at a club who had never once in four previous attempts consolidated their position in the Premier League. 

Their win against Everton in midweek was their fourth straight victory. They have not put a sequence like that together in over 20 years. Pulis has guided Palace to 10 victories since November. They have kept nine clean sheets in Pulis's 22 league games in charge. By the time the whistle blows at the end of their match against West Ham on Sunday, they could be mathematically safe. 

Palace are not the most glamorous team in the league and Pulis is not exactly a purveyor of champagne football. He has, nonetheless, delivered his brief spectacularly. 

Many hurdles to cross for India's new Super League

IMG-Reliance announced this week the franchise owners for the Indian Super League which is due to begin in September of this year. Among the winning bidders were Sachin Tendulkar (pictured) for the Kochi franchise as well as fellow cricketer Sourav Ganguly who has formed an alliance with Atletico Madrid for the Kolkata franchise. Eight franchises will compete in a tournament of a two-month duration in what is hoped to be football's answer to cricket's IPL. It is a heady ambition indeed. 

There are many issues facing organisers of the first ISL. It has not won the favour of many of the country's traditional clubs who are competing in the flat-lining I-League which was set up only seven years ago. By current estimates, it will be impossible for the franchises to make money from the competition. Obligations to nurture the game at a grassroots level have not been formalised. Marquee players are likely to be old, even retired, European stars seeking a pay day. Its various delays have left contracted local players without any football this season. In actuality, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) could actually be setting up a rival for its own tournament in the I-League.

It is widely acknowledged that something must be done in that part of the world to offer fans an alternative to European football on the television but the ISL might not be the best solution. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how it develops over the coming months.