Celebrities not in favour of Scotland’s divorce from the United Kingdom

LONDON: Scientist Stephen Hawking, Singer Mick Jagger and actor Judi Dench are among 200 British stars who have signed a letter urging Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom, six weeks before a historic referendum on independence.

The letter, an attempt to sway Scots before the September-18 vote was organised by Let’s Stay Together, a group which says it aims to give a voice to the millions of Britons outside Scotland who don’t have the right to vote.

Released at an event on the banks of the River Thames in London close to Tower Bridge, organisers said an extraordinary list of famous Britons had signed the letter, reflecting the fact that non-Scots were not indifferent to Scotland’s fate.

The letter, signed celebrity heavyweights, many of them English, was organised by Dan Snow and Tom Holland, well-known TV historians in Britain. “The decision on whether to leave our shared country is, of course, absolutely yours alone,” said the letter, which was addressed to “Dear Voters of Scotland.”

“Nevertheless, that decision will have a huge effect on all of us in the rest of the United Kingdom. We want to let you know how very much we value our bonds of citizenship with you, and to express our hope that you will vote to renew them.” Only Scots residents can take part in the referendum, meaning people who live in the three other constituent parts of the UK — England, Wales and Northern Ireland — don’t have a say.

Other big names who signed the appeal included actor Helena Bonham-Carter and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, singer Cliff Richard, show business impresario Simon Cowell, and actor Dominic West, star of cult US series The Wire.

Between them, organisers said the signatories had 18 Olympic gold medals, 44 Bafta awards, one Nobel prize and two Turner prizes. Other celebrities, notably singer David Bowie and Harry Potter author JK Rowling, had already spoken out against independence, but not in such numbers and at the same time.

Some pro-independence Scottish nationalists have suggested that the English, who have a long and at times bloody history of rivalry with the Scots, would be glad if Scotland left the UK.

The pro-independence camp has its own celebrity backers including James Bond actor Sean Connery, actor Brian Cox, Russell Brand and novelist Irvine Welsh. “Yes Scotland”, Scotland’s main pro-independence movement, parroted the letter’s language to say Scots didn’t value being governed by a British government it described as “dreadful.”

An independent Scotland could still be “best friends” with the rest of the UK, it said in a statement

Japanese interest: Sindh approves land allotment

KARACHI: 

The Sindh government has agreed to provide 250 acres of land to the Japanese group of investment DTS at the Japan Special Economic Zone near Dhabeji district, Thatta.

The move is aimed to establishing information technology- and engineering-related manufacturing industries with an expected investment of up to $300 million and could generate 10,000 job opportunities within two years.

This was decided at a meeting held between Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and the Japanese delegation, led by Dr Hironao Takahashi, chairman of DTS Group and honorary investment counselor, Board of Investment Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the Sindh government has established the Japan Special Economic Zone with 2,000 acres of land at Dhabeji to facilitate the Japanese investors.

He said that all incentives, necessary facilities and administrative support would be provided to Japanese investors.

However, Shah asked the delegates to prepare a time frame for the establishment of their industrial units and try to complete it within two years. He also directed the officers concerned to resolve the issues pertaining to the allotment, and clear possession of land in-question quickly.

More than one use: Jet fuel from a tobacco plant

JOHANNESBURG: 

US plane maker Boeing has teamed up with South African Airways to develop jet fuel from a tobacco plant as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions and promote green energy in Africa’s most advanced economy.

The jet fuel will be made from a hybrid tobacco plant known as Solaris, which will be produced by alternative jet fuel maker SkyNRG, both companies said in a joint statement.

Test farming of the plants, which are nicotine-free, is ongoing in South Africa, with biofuel output expected in the “next few years”, the companies said. SAA Group Environmental Affairs Specialist Ian Cruickshank said, “By using hybrid tobacco, we can leverage knowledge of tobacco growers in South Africa to grow a marketable biofuel crop without encouraging smoking.”

“This biofuel has potential in several regions where traditional tobacco is cultivated, including Africa, southern and central Europe, Asia, Oceania and Latin America,” Boeing spokeswoman Jessica Kowal said. South Africa has set the beginning of October next year as the date when fuel producers will start blending diesel and petrol with biofuel to cut its reliance on imported fuel.

The biofuels industry in South Africa, the continent’s biggest agricultural producer, has been held back by an inadequate regulatory regime and concerns that biofuels would hurt food security and impact food prices. 

China approves power projects, PM pleased

ISLAMABAD: 

The Chinese government has approved 14 power projects that have the ability generate 10,400 megawatts (MW) of electricity immediately, while a few more projects, with a combined generation capacity of 6,445MW, would be completed in the second phase.    

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated the energy and economic teams on obtaining approval of the Chinese government for the projects.  Among the ones approved include Port Qasim (coal) that would generate 1,320MW, Sukki Kanari (hydropower) 870 MW, Sahiwal (coal) 1,320 MW, Engro Thar (coal) 660 MW, Muzaffargarh (coal) 1,320 MW, Gwadar (coal) 300MW, Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park 1,000MW, United Energy (wind) 100MW, Dawood (wind) 50MW, Sachal (wind) 50MW, Sunnec (wind)50MW, Rahim Yar Khan (coal) 1,320 MW, SSRL Thar (coal) 1,320 MW and Karot (hydropower) 720 MW.

These projects will be started immediately and put into operation by 2017-2018. In addition, there are a few other projects, totalling 6,445 MW, which would be completed in the second phase.

“This gesture of the Chinese government manifests the deep cordial relations the country has with Pakistan and shows the confidence of the international community in government’s policies,” said the prime minister. He expressed his pleasure at the MoUs Pakistan had signed with China in the recent past and were now close to fruition.

He expressed confidence that this massive addition to power sector of the country would prove immensely beneficial in overcoming the electricity shortage. “This is part of the government’s energy road map which aims at ensuring provision of cost-effective electricity to the masses.  These are the fruits of democracy which have started reaching the people.

Juventus should bid for Ibrahimovic, say Goal readers

The Sweden striker, who established himself as a world-class player during two successful seasons with the Bianconeri, is reportedly hoping to return to Turin before he retires

Juventus should attempt to re-sign Paris Saint-Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to the majority ofGoal readers.

The 32-year-old is reportedly keen on rejoining the Bianconeri, with whom he enjoyed two successful seasons before leaving for Inter in 2006.

Although Ibrahimovic has not suggested anything of the sort himself, he has previously thrived in Italian football with Juve, Inter and AC Milan, winning six Scudetti during his illustrious playing career.

Sixty per cent of voters were in favour of Massimiliano Allegri digging deep into the Bianconeri pockets to lure the Swedish striker away from the Parc des Princes.

PSG would be reluctant to let go of their star player, who has fired them to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, particularly as he still has two years left on his contract with the French champions.

Some 3,768 readers (38% of the vote) believe that Juve should steer clear of Ibrahimovic - who ditched the club when they were relegated as part of the fallout from the Calciopoli scandal in 2006 - and pursue other possible transfer targets ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.

Do you think Juve should bring back Ibrahimovic or not? Let us know in the comment section below!

PSG pull out of Di Maria talks

The Ligue 1 champions were interested in bringing the Argentina 

star to France but have withdrawn from the race for his signature 

after revealing he is out of their price range

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has ruled out a move for Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria, indicating that the Argentina international is "too expensive" for his club. 

The winger has continually being linked with a move away from Madrid this summer and PSG as well as Manchester United have been closely monitoring his situation.

Di Maria's future was the subject of much speculation last summer, but his starring role in both the 
Copa del Rey and Champions League final saw him emerge as one of Madrid's star men in 2013/14.

However, the La Liga side have refused to rule out his departure following the arrival of James Rodriguez,
 though PSG are now out of the race for his signature.

                      WANTED MAN | Di Maria emerged as one of Madrid's key men last season

"As for Di Maria, it is true that we have held talks with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez," Al-Khelaifi 
said at a press conference.

"But he is too expensive for us. We have stopped negotiations."

PSG have already secured the services of David Luiz from Chelsea for a fee of €50 million this summer, while they have also signed Serge Aurier on loan until the end of the season.

The Parisians were hit with a €60m fine for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, while their Champions League squad will be reduced to 21 players for 2014-15 as well.

Of PSG's fine, €40m will be returned to the club if they comply with the measures set by the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), but the sanction has had a significant impact on their spending so far this summer.

Head coach Laurent Blanc has said on more than one occasion that they are unable to buy the players they want following the FFP penalty and they have now been forced to pull out of the race to sign Di Maria as well.

The 26-year-old has a contract with Real Madrid until June 2018 and an offer in excess of €60 million could be needed to lure him away from the Santiago Bernabeu side.

Signs of the times: A vital reunion

KARACHI: 

Salman Ahmed seems to be nostalgic about his days with Junoon and Vital Signs and his forthcoming projects are a clear reflection of that. It started with Junoon’s 20th anniversary album and then took the form of a ‘Vital Junoonian’ for ‘Naya Pakistan’. This time around, he has announced a Vital Signs reunion.

This time around, the reunion is divided amongst two projects or two social causes as one may say. The first one is Salman’s collaboration with Polio Plus, UNICEF, WHO and the local and federal governments for a campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan.

Junaid Jamshed and Shahzad Hasan (Shahi) from Vital Signs will be joining him to compose a song, based on Mirza Ghalib’s ghazal ‘Mushkilain mujh par pari itni kay aasan hogayin’. A picture of all three of them together was tweeted by Ahmed, earlier this week.

“The music video that I’m producing is titled Overcoming All Challenges. This song will also be featured on Junoon’s 25th anniversary album next year,” Ahmed tells The Express Tribune.

The plan is to air the video on all major TV channels, feature it in popular health shows, morning shows and current events programmes. They will also screen it in schools and colleges with a Q and A session with the students.

“The music video will pay tribute to the fearless health workers,  raise the urgent issues of child and maternal health and will feature prominent Pakistanis, united to see a healthy, educated and Polio-free nation,” says Salman.

On the other hand, is the actual Vital Signs reunion, where apart from Shahi, Junaid and Salman, veteran Shoaib Mansoor is on board and Rohail Hyatt has also been approached.

“We have invited Rohail to be a part of the project and are hopeful that he will also be on board for the special song that I have composed. Junaid and I are singing it as a duet,” adds Salman.

The song is currently being recorded at Shahi’s studio.

Filmmaker Shoaib Mansoor, the backbone of Vital Signs, has not only written the Vital Sign’s reunion song, but will also be producing a special music video to celebrate the occasion.

“The reunion song is based on Shoaib Mansoor’s beautiful and uplifting poetry. Shoaib will be producing a special music video on the reunion. This is all part of a campaign to help promote national unity and cooperation. The idea is mushrooming as we speak,” says Salman.

Last time, when Salman and his former band members announced a reunion track, people got anxious to listen to Junaid’s bittersweet vocals in a typical vital signs groove, however, he ended up saying just a few lines. Will it be any different this time around?

“We are both singing in harmony” says Salman.

The Express Tribune tried to approach Rohail, Junaid and Shahi, but none of them responded to clarify their participation in the project. Salman, however, seems optimistic and has dedicated this reunion to a greater cause than just celebrating a certain number of years.

“They are my brothers and friends and we are united in their support. Pakistan can only overcome its challenges, if people stay united. As artistes, we feel it’s our responsibility to give voice to the voiceless heroes across the country,” says Salman.

No matter how much we wish to see the whole of Vital Signs get together, even for a single soundtrack, one must not forget Salman’s habit of announcing reunions. Earlier this year, he announced a Junoon reunion with Ali Azmat, which was blatantly denied by the former Junoon vocalist.

As far as the campaign is concerned, two new polio cases were reported while this interview was being drafted. But Salman is optimistic.

“As Ghalib wrote: ‘Mushkilein mujh par pari itni kay aasaan hogayeen’. I feel confident that polio will soon be history in Pakistan,” he says