Canadian Pakistani Times
Thursday
May 16, 2013
Volume 1, 58
US launches drone from aircraft carrier
A drone the size of a fighter jet took off from the deck of an American aircraft carrier for the first time on Tuesday in a test flight that could eventually open the way for the US to launch unmanned aircraft from just about any place in the world. The X-47B is the first drone designed to take off and land on an aircraft carrier, meaning the US military would not need permission from other countries to use their bases. ”As our access to overseas ports, forward operating locations and airspace is diminished around the world, the value of the aircraft carrier and the air wing becomes more and more important,” Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander of Naval Air Forces Atlantic, said after the flight off the Virginia coast. ”So today is history.” The move to expand the capabilities of the nation’s drones comes amid growing criticism of America’s use of Predators and Reapers to gather intelligence and carry out lethal missile attacks against terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. Critics in the US and abroad have charged that drone strikes cause widespread civilian deaths and are conducted with inadequate oversight. Still, defense analysts say drones are the future of warfare.
The new Joint Strike Fighter jet ”might be the last manned fighter the US ever builds. They’re so expensive, they’re so complex, and you put a human at risk every time it takes off from a carrier,” said James Lewis, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. ”This is the next generation of military technology – the unmanned vehicles, the unmanned submersibles, the unmanned aircraft. This will be the future of warfare, and it will be a warfare that is a little less risky for humans but maybe a little more effective when it comes to delivering weapons and effect.”
changes its focus from the Middle East to the Pacific, where a number of countries’ air defenses are a lot stronger than Afghanistan’s. ”Unmanned systems would be the likely choice in a theater or an environment that was highly defended or dangerous where we wouldn’t want to send manned aircraft,” Branch said. During Tuesday’s flight, the X-47B used a steam catapult to launch, just as traditional Navy warplanes do. The unarmed aircraft then landed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. The next critical test for the tailless plane will come this summer, when it attempts While the X-47B isn’t intended for to land on a moving aircraft carrier, one of the operational use, it will help Navy officials de- most difficult tasks for Navy pilots. velop future carrier-based drones. Those Earlier this month, the X-47B sucdrones could begin operating by 2020, accordcessfully landed at the air station using a tailing to Rear Adm. Mat Winter, the Navy’s program executive officer for unmanned aviation hook to catch a cable and bring it to a quick stop, just as planes setting down on carriers and strike weapons. have to do. The X-47B is far bigger than the The X-47B has a wingspan of about Predator, has three times the range and can be 62 feet (19 meters) and weighs 14,000 pounds programmed to carry out missions with no human intervention, the Navy said. While the (6,350 kilograms), versus nearly 49 feet (15 X-47B isn’t a stealth aircraft, it was designed meters) and about 1,100 pounds (499 kilowith the low profile of one. That will help in grams) for the Predator. the development of future stealth drones, While Predators are typically piloted which would be valuable as the military via remote control by someone in the US, the
X-47B relies only on computer programs to tell it where to fly unless a human operator needs to step in. Eventually, one person may be able to control multiple unmanned aircraft at once, Branch said. The group Human Rights Watch said it is troubled by what it described as a trend toward the development of fully autonomous weapons that can choose and fire upon targets with no human intervention. ”We’re saying you must have meaningful human control over key battlefield decisions of who lives and who dies. That should not be left up to the weapons system itself,” said Steve Goose, director of the arms division at Human Rights Watch. Developed by Northrop Grumman under a 2007 contract at a cost of $1.4 billion, the X-47B is capable of carrying weapons and providing around-the-clock intelligence, surveillance and targeting, according to the Navy, which has been giving updates on the project over the past few years. The X-47B can reach an altitude of more than 40,000 feet (12,192 meters) and has a range of more than 2,100 nautical miles (3,890 kilometers), versus 675 for the Predator. The Navy plans to show the drone can be refuelled in flight, which would give it even greater range.
Reducing Auto Insurance Costs for Ontario Drivers strategy to help people lower their household expenses by reducing auto insurance premiums by an average of 15 per cent. This strategy was outlined in the 2013 Budget, which was released last week. To achieve this reduction, the strategy would reward safe drivers and crack down on fraud. If the Budget bill is passed and proclaimed, Ontario drivers could save on average up to $225 per insured vehicle each year. This, along with other elements of the government's strategy, would benefit more than nine million drivers across Ontario. This strategy is part of the government's plan to create jobs and help people in their everyday lives. The government also wants to support small business, invest in roads and transit, and help build strong communities, where people reOntario Government Proposes Strategy to Help ... Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Brampton ceive the health care they need when they need People Lower Household Expenses today, where she highlighted the government's it.
02
May 16, 2013
Christy Clark leads B.C. Liberals to surprise majority But loses her own riding of Vancouver-Point Grey to NDP
Christy Clark will heads a majority B.C. Liberal government after leading her party to a stunning come-from-behind victory in British Columbia's 40th provincial election. But Clark lost a tough fight to hold on to her seat in Vancouver-Point Grey, to highprofile NDP candidate David Eby by 785 votes. Despite the riding defeat Clark can still be premier, but it is expected she would seek a seat in a byelection in a safer Liberal riding.
won the first provincial seat for the party in the Vancouver Island riding of Oak BayGordon Head, but party leader Jane Sterk failed to win her seat in Victoria. Overall the Greens won eight per cent of the popular vote.
her supporters.
Independent Vicki Huntington was reelected in Delta South, making her the only one of three independent MLAs to hold on to her seat.
"Tonight we have received a mandate from the people of British Columbia. And I say to the citizens of British Columbia: You have humbled us tonight with this opportunity and the tremendous obligation you've placed on our shoulders. Together we will make British Columbia better.
The last time a B.C. party leader became premier but failed to win their seat was in 1924, when both Premier John Oliver and the Leader of the Opposition William John Bowser were defeated in the general election.
Clark started the campaign as the clear underdog in the poll, trailing by 20 percentage points. But during the course of the 28day campaign she closed the gap significantly with a campaign that focused on debt reduction and economic growth.
The Liberals won 44.4 per cent of the popular vote and 50 Liberals were elected in the province's 85 ridings, giving Clark one of the most remarkable political comebacks in the province's history.
The Liberals and their supporters also ran a slew of attack ads casting the NDP and its leader, Adrian Dix, as untrustworthy and out of control with billions of dollars in campaign promises.
Not only did Clark defy countless polls predicting her defeat, she increased her party's majority in the legislature by five seats and became the first woman to be elected premier in a general election in B.C.
During the campaign Clark also proved herself to be a much more personable campaigner than Dix, who appeared nervous during the only televised leaders' debate.
The NDP won 39.5 per cent of the popular vote, giving them 33 seats in the legislature, three seats less than they held before the election. Green Party candidate Andrew Weaver
Clark reaches out in speech Clark joined her party supporters at the Wall Centre in Vancouver just after 11 p.m. Tuesday to celebrate her victory and thank
• Most of Clark's cabinet ministers win re-election "Well, that was easy," she joked as she opened her speech.
"British Columbians will always know what I stand for," said Clark, who stuck close to her campaign message of growing the economy, balancing the budget and creating a "debt-free B.C." "Together we have succeeded in keeping B.C. on the right track … Our future has never been brighter." Clark said she re-entered politics on a mission. "Two years ago I came back into public life because I wanted to rebuild trust in our government and I wanted to renew our party. We worked hard to control spending, to balance the budget, so that we could secure tomorrow for our families. "We had a vision to implement our B.C. jobs plan and to seize the once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity that liquefied natural gas represents for strengthening our economy. And that vision will give us a chance to secure a debt-free B.C. for us and for all the generations that follow us in British Columbia. "Together we have succeeded in keeping B.C. on the right track. British Columbia has never been stronger and our future has never been brighter. It's a growing economy that allows us to build schools and build hospitals and build roads. "This province was built by people who worked hard and by people who dreamed big. Tonight, thanks to British Columbians, we have a strong new team to implement our bold vision for this province. "The work begins anew with this strong new team, with a renewed party, a renewed mandate, and the confidence of British Columbians to build this economy, to make sure we live in the province we all dreamed of for our children, and to make sure our children inherit a future that we have all dreamed for them." Clark’s victory will be welcome news for the oil and gas industry. Developing the province’s natural gas reserves was a major plank in Clark’s platform and she also left the door open for two controversial oil pipeline projects to go ahead, but only under certain terms.
03
May 16, 2013
Parliament Hill
Constituency
Room 530
160 Main St. South
La Promenade Building
Unit 29
House of Commons
Brampton, ON L6W 2E1
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Tel.: 613-995-5381 Fax: 613-995-6796
Tel.: 905-846-0076 Fax: 905-846-3901
kyle.seeback@parl.gc.ca
KYLE SEEBACK Member of Parliament Brampton West
News Release FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
May 14, 2013
MP SEEBACK LAUNCHES CALL FOR PROPOSALS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMMIGRANT WOMEN
BRAMPTON, ON- Kyle Seeback, Member of Parliament for Brampton West made an announcement today calling for projects to increase opportunities for immigrant women, as part of a Call for Proposals to create new economic opportunities for women in Canada. “I am pleased that our Government continues to demonstrate its support for the economic security and prosperity of women in Canada,” said Kyle Seeback, MP. “I encourage all interested organizations in Brampton to apply and help make a difference for women and girls in our community.” Whether immigrant or Canadian-born, women continue to work in traditional female sectors, most commonly in sales and services as well as in business, finance and administrative fields. In 2006, 29% of Canada’s female immigrant labour force worked in sales and services and 25% were employed in business, finance and administrative occupations. Projects under this call will engage women directly in enhancing their economic options by tapping into opportunities in their communities. Through local partnerships, these projects will identify and address the unique challenges women face, and link them to promising economic opportunities. “Through this Call for Proposals, the Government is supporting and empowering immigrant women in the workforce”, commented Salima Tejani, Brampton Multicultural Centre. The Harper Government is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls while strengthening families, communities and the country. The government’s support through Status of Women Canada for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2007, supporting over 600 projects. Applications under this Call for Proposals will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on May 31, 2013. For more information, please visit women.gc.ca.
04
May 16, 2013
National Household Survey shows Muslim population fastest-growing religion in Canada PostMedia News
OTTAWA — The IsThe Muslim population exlamic centre in Saskatoon is ex- ceeded the one-million mark in 2011, according to the survey, alperiencing growing pains. Friday services have been split most doubling its population for into two, so local streets aren’t the second-consecutive decade. clogged with traffic. City officials Muslims now represent 3.2 per and nearby residents are working cent of the country’s total populawith the centre to answer questions tion, up from the two per cent resuch as: where to put more park- corded in 2001. ing? “We have been experiencing this kind of steady increase for a while,” said Amin Elshorbagy, president of the Canadian Islamic Congress and a Saskatoon resident.
The majority of growth in the Muslim population is the result of immigration, as it is with Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists, with the largest share coming from Pakistan over the past five years, according to Statistics Canada.
“We can see this in terms of the Muslims are also the youngest need to expand our infrastructure. Most of our Islamic centres are be- religious group in the country with a median age of about 28 years coming very crowded.” old. Statistics released Wednes“The phenomenon of the day confirm what can already be seen: more mosques with busier younger age for groups such as prayer services and the increasing Muslims and Hindus is a reflection prevalence of women dressed in of the immigration trends,” said hijabs and niqabs in all walks of Tina Chui, chief of immigration life. Islam is the fastest-growing and ethnocultural statistics at Statistics Canada. “People tend to mireligious group in the country. grate when they’re younger.” The Across Canada, the Muslim growth of the Muslim population is population is growing at a rate ex- part of a larger trend: minority reliceeding other religions, according gious groups becoming a larger to Statistics Canada. It is even slice of the Canadian cultural mogrowing faster than the number of saic, although Christian religions Canadians who identify themselves still dominate with almost 70 per as having no religion, though just cent of the population. barely, according to the National That raises questions of accomHousehold Survey remodation and integration of a released Wednesday. ligion that experts say is often un-
fairly viewed through a lens of There are also no breakdowns within the different religious fear. “Polling has shown that Cana- groups. For instance, the survey dian Muslims are proud to be Ca- provides no breakdown of type of nadian, more so than the average Muslims living in Canada, as the Canadian,” said Ihsaan Gardee, ex- survey didn’t ask respondents ecutive director of the Canadian whether they were Shiite or Sunni. Council on American-Islamic Relations. “Canadian Muslims very much want to integrate and be part and parcel of the society.” One-onone, non-Muslims can have favourable views of their Islamic colleagues, but that feeling doesn’t always extend to the wider Muslim population, said Pamela Dickey Young, a professor of religion and culture at Queen’s University.
“People keep blocking us into one cohesive mass and we’re not that at all,” said said Alia Hogben, executive director of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.
“It isn’t like Canadian Muslims have not tried to educate the Canadian populace … but for some reason there’s still that edge with it that some Canadians have problems getting over,” Dickey Young said.
That internal debate in the Muslim community gets sidetracked because of the backdrop of violence done in the name of religion, which Canadian Muslims regularly and quickly condemn.
The survey results should be taken with caution. Experts say the voluntary nature of the National Household Survey, which replaced the mandatory long-form census, leaves some gaps in the data from groups that tend not to respond to such surveys, such as new immigrants. Experts believe the data provide a fairly good, broad picture of Canada, but data on smaller groups may provide less reliable information.
warned everyone to stay indoors on election day for their own safety. Blasts at the candidates offices all over the country has become an order of the day. . Sindh the land of Sufi's is also under bomb attacks since last few months but now a new trend has been seen as on May 9th when blasts hitted government school in Qambar Larkana, before this two spritual leaders of saintly families have faced suicide bombers.. Last week a suicide bomber attacked a candidates vehicle in Sukkur as well.. As per election commission rules candidates cant have private guards while police is refusing them protection on pretext of providing security for elections, returning officers and other governmental officials.. Election commission is also busy in identifying the most tense areas all over Pakistan during elections .
People are ready to vote this week in Pakistan, everyone is hopeful for a change with a hope for better government to work for the betterment of common man. Polling stations have recieved all the required stuff to be used for voting, Army has been deployed at their quick response centres. Many & many polling stations all over the country has been declared as
sensitive & dangerous, so far so good. . Let...s see the the other side of this episode.Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan leader Hakimullah Mehsood has announced through his spokesman in a letter to Reuters to attack and carry out suicide blasts all over the country during Election day as they do not accept the system of infidels called democracy, he has
“We need to sit down as Muslims — not as a community because there isn’t one community — and decide what we want to be accommodated and what we want to give up.”
“It is an additional pressure and a big one on the Muslim community,” Elshorbagy said. “We need to be extra nice just because we’re Muslims. We need to go beyond certain limits, which is very unfortunate for people like me,” he said. “Sometimes the media will call something Islamic terrorism — once you call it Islamic, you’ve brought me into the picture even though I haven’t done something wrong.”
here.
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Analysts and polititical pundits are pointinting towards a split mandate, when asked why? They say that Pakistan always had a pre planned results as we are not so independent country in the eyes of the developed world.. split verdict means weak government & parmliment, which is very important till USA successfully pulls out of Afghanistan & from this part of voilent world.. Pakistan needs a strong government to take bold steps to change the future of country and to bring it on the urge of development, Strong government can solve many issues with India, Afghanistan & USA, which is not in favour of those countries..
Elections in under developed countries is a celebration for poors as they enjoy holiday, its ceremonial as they are covered by TV and shown world over as an exercise of Schools has already been de- their agenda here.. Delegations stroyed by bomb blasts in KPK, from other country also comes to Balouchistan & now this trend has supervise the elections and enjoy satrted in Sindh as well.. The ques- t h e p a r t i e s a f t e r t h a t . . tion now is, who will risk his life? who will go out on voting day? Lets pray that all my thinking is Law and order situation is as clear just my assumptions and may as sun itself, now the threat of Tali- Pakistan have a free and fair elecban's is another headache for the tions today to bring the change hopeful of change through vote.. Pakistanis are hoping for.. Amen Pakistan is walking on two edged sword, people wish for a change & Zahid H Daudpota dream a strengthened democracy
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May 16, 2013
SPORTS Ireland unchanged for Pakistan ODI series DUBLIN: Ireland coach Phil Simmons on Tuesday named an unchanged squad for the two upcoming oneday international matches against Pakistan, who are using the series as a warmup for the Champions Trophy. Simmons has kept faith with the squad that moved a step closer to qualifying for the 2015 World Cup with back-to -back wins over United Arab Emirates in March.
Ireland face Pakistan in Dublin on May 23 and May 26. -Photo by AFP
Ireland's only 50-over success against Pakistan arrived at the 2007 World Cup but they suffered a 2-0 home series defeat in Belfast two
years ago. They will be without allrounder John Mooney for the opener on May 23, after he was banned following Twitter comments he made about the death of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Ireland squad to face Pakistan in Dublin on Thursday, May 23 and Sunday, May 26: William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Ed Joyce, John Mooney, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien (wkt), James Shannon, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Andrew White, Gary Wilson.
‘Akram was the master’
“Idolising Wasim Akram and what he did, it has always been with me that I want to be a swing bowler,” Boult told reporters at Lord's on Tuesday. Photo by Reuters LONDON: New Zealand's Trent Boult hopes to succeed where cricket hero Wasim Akram failed by getting his name on the Lord's honours board during this week's first Test against England. Left-arm seamer Boult proved a thorn in England's side with six wickets in the drawn third Test at Auckland in March where the tourists hung on to claim a draw with just one wicket standing as a thee-match series ended all square at 0-0.
Yet for all the occasions he was too hot to handle for England's batsmen with his blend of reverse swing and pure pace, he never managed the five-wicket innings haul, or 10 wickets in a Test, that would have put his name on the Lord's honours board. “Idolising Wasim Akram and what he did, it has always been with me that I want to be a swing bowler,” Boult told reporters at Lord's on Tuesday.
“I watched a lot of him growing up. I didn't really mould myself on what he does but I like how he moves the ball and bowled at a pretty good clip. “He was the master of a lot of things. Obviously conditions where he came from suited reverse-swing, but he could still move the ball conventionally.” In New Zealand, England captain and key opening batsman Alastair Cook fell four times to either Boult or his fellow left-armer Neil Wagner.
“That's what started me off. It Pakistan great Akram was the pre doesn't get much better than him, in re“There is no doubt Cook is a -eminent left-arm fast bowler of his gen- gards to world-class bowlers and left-arm world-class player, but I personally enjoy eration, and arguably the best of all-time. bowlers around the world.
bowling to left-handed batsmen,” Boult added. “I'm not going to say I'm going to try and target him - but if we as a bowling group deliver our plans to him, we could be pretty successful. “If the ball does tend to swing I feel like I'm always in the game to lefthanded batsman. If 'overheads' are right it suits our bowling group.”
06
May 16, 2013
Angelina Jolie: I had double mastectomy
NEW YORK: Angelina Jolie revealed on Tuesday that she has undergone a preventive double mastectomy because she had a very high risk of breast cancer. The 37-year-old American actress wrote in an opinion piece entitled “My Medical Choice” in The New York Times that she had chosen the procedure because she carries a faulty gene that increases her risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
Jolie, one of Hollywood’s best-known faces and the partner of actor Brad Pitt, said that because of this gene, known as BRCA1, her doctors estimated she had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer. Her mother died of cancer at the age of 56, she said.
decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy,” she wrote. “I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex,” Jolie wrote.
“Once I knew that this was my reality, I
She said that on April 27 she completed
the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. Jolie said her chances of developing breast cancer are now down to five per cent. Jolie and Pitt have three adopted and three biological children. “I can tell my children they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer,” Jolie said.
Pakistani film 'Lamha' wins award at DC South Asian Film Festival
Producer Meher Jaffri on the red carpet. — Photo: Publicity.
Pakistani feature film, Lamha (also known as Seedlings) won the Best Feature Film Award at the DC South Asian Film Festival – where it was the only Pakistani film to be aired. The award was presented by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao, to Producer Meher Jaffri. Jaffri, who is also an actor, also spoke during a panel discussion on independent
cinema in Pakistan and India at the festival. While saying that it was difficult to compare the film industry in both countries, she added, “We in Pakistan are standing on the cusp of an emerging independent film scene Indian Ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao, presenting the award to Producer Meher Jaffri. aided by industry veterans who are beginning to listen to the increased demand by audiences and filmmakers alike to figure out solutions and make space for Pakistani indePreviously, Lamha has also won two (Audience Choice) and Best Actress in a pendent films that are already gaining ac- awards at the New York City International Lead Role award, which went to Aamina Film Festival – the Best Feature Film Sheikh. claim internationally.”
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May 16, 2013
Pakistani film Josh to hit the screens this Eid
Eefa Khalid
We have been following the upcoming filmmakers and their work on feature length films since the past few months. With a handful of films under production and some set to hit the theatres soon, everyone can finally anticipate watching good movies coming out of our local cinemas. After a gap of two years, a Pakistani film Chambaili hit the theatre last month and is successfully running across the country. Dawn.com yesterday had an opportunity to cover the curtain-raiser of Pakistan’s latest movie “Josh” (Against the Grain) which will be released in Pakistan on Eidul Fitr. Josh is the story of a privileged woman whose life is shattered in a single moment as she embarks on the search for a dangerous truth. A story of the biggest challenge to Pakistan’s still reining feudalism: the country’s youth. The film explores the internal debates the young are struggling with, and how solutions can be attainable if and when they stand united. The film has an interesting ensemble of some of the finest actors from the Pakistani entertainment industry, who include Aamina Sheikh, Mohib Mirza, Khalid Malik, Navin Waqar, Adnan Shah Tipu, Salim Mairaj, Kaiser Khan Nizamani, Nyla Jafri, Parveen Akbar, Ali Rizvi and Faizan Haqquee. A remarkable effort for the filmmakers and enthusiast by Nadeem Mandviwalla and Jarjees Seja under the name of “The Platform” was launched at The Atrium cinemas on May 7, 2013. “The Platform” has been created to showcase movies being made by young Pakistani filmmakers in pur-
suit of their dreams to make a con- what Pakistan is made of,” Seja tribution to Pakistani cinema and to said. share their fresh and unique vision Josh had its first world premier of the world. in Mumbai film festival (MAMI) “Our mission is to give an op- and has been having various portunity to these unheard or un- screenings in different cities of seen voices but to be able to make Canada and USA since the past few film a hit, is the public’s choice,” months. Writer and Journalist Nadeem Mandviwalla, owner of Ethan Casey writes about Josh on Atrium Cinemas and the managing Dawn.com, “Americans are accusdirector of Mandviwalla Entertain- tomed to seeing other countries, especially Pakistan, as refractions of ment said. He also spoke about how every- our own national worries and selfone keeps on debating on the fact regarding obsessions. That is our that cinemas are being built but problem, not Pakistan’s, and Josh films are not being made out of the serves us well by declining to pancountry. Till the time there are no der or spoon-feed. It is a very good cinemas in the country films will film, well conceived and executed on a small budget, and the question not be made, he stated. in my mind as I left the cinema was Presenting his thoughts on the whether and how it might be possioccasion, Mohammad Jerjees Seja, ble to shoehorn such a serious CEO, ARY Digital Network said, a piece of Pakistani storytelling into few years back there was no sight the awareness of some measurable of box-office in Pakistan and it be- fraction of the millions who know came a long forgotten thing. Cine- Pakistan only through TV news and mas were converted into in shop- Hollywood movies such as Zero ping malls – but today box-office is Dark Thirty.” being created, now is the time Speaking about her debut feature when we need to support our local film, Josh, Iram Parveen Bilal, the productions, he stated. film writer, director and producer However, Seja also said that eve- said, “Despite having made films ryone is looking for something for six years, shorts films that have really grand to happen with bigger travelled around the world and setups and popular casts. In regards have won awards, I now feel like a to this, he mentioned Humayun complete filmmaker because this Saeed, who is working on a film one is a full length feature where which will be released on Eidul Fitr you can buy popcorn and drinks as well. and watch it on the magnificent big “But we felt there is a gap, a sort screens of the cinemas and share it of a vacuum where we need to with hundreds of others at the same bring in new voices and young tal- time as this is the power and the ent to be heard and seen. Our only strength of the cinema which remotive in this initiative is that we minds one of the humanity and give opportunity to the young tal- love. How in one room, hundreds ented filmmakers and actors to of people are crying and laughing come forward and show the world together at the same time, this makes one realise that we all are
the same. Come watch the film with passion and unity, this is an honest film made out of dedicated blood, sweat and tears and it is made for you Pakistan and it is made by Pakistan.” The launch of “The Platform” was very much needed for the rebirth of a film industry which was under heavy rubble since past two decades. Hopefully, it will bring the new breed of cinema crowd as well as upcoming filmmakers of Pakistan who ready to tell their story to the world. And who wouldn’t want to watch good quality local productions and share their experience with dozens of others in a cinema.?
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May 16, 2013
M&M Meats Shop annual charity BBQ in Brampton - Ontario - Canada Supporting
Small Businesses in Eastern Ontario Ontario Government Fosters Regional Economic Growth to Create Jobs Premier Kathleen Wynne visited Anchor Concrete in Kingston today, where she highlighted the government's commitment to supporting small businesses, allowing them to create more jobs and support regional economic growth. The new 2013 Budget includes an increase to the Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption, which would bring relief to small businesses and make it easier for them to hire new employees. If the Budget bill is passed and proclaimed, the exemption would be increased from $400,000 to $450,000 beginning Jan. 1, 2014. This would have a positive impact for more than 60,000 employers across Ontario, including 12,000 that would no longer pay EHT. The government is also supporting regional economic growth through initiatives such as the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) and the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF), which support local companies, promote regional economic development and enhance Ontario's overall economic competitiveness. Through the 2013 Budget, the government wants to create jobs and support regional economies, while helping people with their everyday lives.
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May 16, 2013
Human coconut peeler in Panama claims he is Guinness-worthy
Panamanian Andres Gardin, 64, popularly known as “Coconut-peeler”, “Wari-Wari” or “Mister T”, gets ready to perform in a public exhibition in Rio Alejandro, about 85 km north of Panama City.–Photo by AFP Panama: With jaws of steel that have earned him the nickname “Coconut Peeler,” Andres Gardin, at the tender age of 64, is hell -bent on gnawing his way into the Guinness Book of World Records. Sure, lots of gents his age might be thinking about retirement or whiling away time at the bar. But when you have a set of vice-like teeth, you have a duty, don’t you? Gardin, who styles himself in an thorough homage to the old American classic TV character Mr T. and drives a cab when not making headlines, is not one to shirk from skills he has honed since he was a coconutchomping lad of 11. That makes over five decades of training, and more than 100,000 coconuts shredded good enough for Guinness he maintains. Yet no one has come to verify his feats. Here, on a worn out basketball court in a small town on Panama’s Caribbean coast, he demonstrated how he can often gnaw his way
through a single coconut in a rather astonishing eight seconds. Visitors often stare, their mouths gaping in surprise, filming it on cell phones for posterity. “Peeling coconuts is not as easy as you all think,” he tells a crowd of mesmerized fans. “To peel coconuts, you’ve got to have jaw power. You’ve got to have teeth power. And you’ve got to have God’s power” on your side. His neighbors are stunned that his achievements have not brought him the record or greater rewards. And Gardin says he has even tried to get the president’s office involved, so far without luck. “I want to get in the Guinness Book, because I know that I have what it takes,” Gardin tells AFP, waiting for his date with destiny, and the record books. Who’s going to stop him? Pity the fool.
FDI slightly improves KARACHI: The inflow of foreign favour of local currency after general weak local currency would get strength. direct investment (FDI) slightly im- elections. The local currency gained at least 40 proved during the first 10 months of Chairman Exchange Companies Asso- paisa in the open market on Wednesday this fiscal year. However, the size of the FDI was extremely poor when compared with the inflows five years ago. The State Bank reported on Wednesday that the FDI rose by 3.9pc to $622 million during the July-April period of 2012-13. The portfolio investment registered an increase of 59pc to $820m during the period. The total foreign investment in 201112 was just $760m which showed a steep fall when compared with the inflows of $2 billion in 2010-11. With the election of new government, bankers and currency dealers believe the inflows would increase particularly from Saudi Arabia given PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s special relations with that country. The hypothesis of improvement in inflows and betterment in overall economy also dominated the currency market where the rupee-dollar parity remained in
Foreign investment disappeared during the last five years mainly due to wave of terrorism across the country. The negativity hit financial and political plans and as a result economic growth plunged. The business circles hope that the new government could improve the law and order situation which boost economy and help attract foreign investment. When the previous government of Pakistan Peoples Party took charge, the total foreign direct investment in 2008 was recorded at $5.4bn. Banking and financial experts expressed the hope that things would start changing within six months after the new government settles in. It is worth noting that India attracted $22.78bn FDI in 2012 against $34.62bn in 2011, a decline of 34pc.
In the first quarter of 2013 China attracted $29.9bn FDI suggesting that huge liquidity is available in the global market ciation of Pakistan Malik Bostan strongly as the US dollar was traded at Rs99.55- for investment. believed that the economic scenario 60. He was hopeful that the local currency would change in coming months and will appreciate more.
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May 16, 2013
Canada adds Taliban, Haqqani network to terror list Canada is first NATO country to use domestic laws to outlaw the Taliban, government says
Former Afghan Taliban members hand over their weapons after joining the Afghan government's reconciliation and reintegration program in Herat province on March 19, 2013. (Mohmmad Shoib/ Reuters)
More than a decade after going to war the United Nations. against the Taliban in Afghanistan, the The addition of the Taliban to CanCanadian government has officially de- ada's own list makes Canada the first clared them a terrorist group. NATO country to use domestic law to The Taliban has been added to the so- outlaw the group, said Julie Carmichael, called list of entities, along with the a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Haqqani network, an Islamist group be- Vic Toews. lieved to be behind ongoing attacks on "The first job of any government is to international coalition forces in Afghani- keep Canadians safe from those who stan. wish to harm us, and this is a responsibilBoth were added by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews earlier this month, bringing to 46 the number of groups on the terrorist list, which was set up in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Any person or group on that list can have their assets seized, and criminal penalties exist for assisting so-called listed entities with the aim of helping them carry out extremist activities. Canada had effectively barred Canadian institutions from doing business with the Taliban in 1999, when it signed on to the al-Qaeda Sanctions List developed by
"While there are already a number of measures in place against the Taliban and its members, a Criminal Code listing would facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators and supporters of terrorism and plays a key role in countering terrorist financing," she said.
stan, including on Kabul hotels, the United States Embassy and the International Security Assistance Force headquarters.
"The Haqqani network has also been involved in a number of kidnappings, and has co-operated with the Taliban and In recent months, a number of Canadi- other militant organizations in Afghanians have been linked with international stan," the UN said. terrorist activities, including a bus bombBut outlawing the Haqqani group has ity our Conservative government takes ing in Bulgaria, an explosion at a gas been seen as potentially posing a risk to plant in Algeria and a plot to attack train reconciliation efforts between the internavery seriously," she said in an email. lines between Canada and the United tional community, the Afghan govern"Our government has taken a number States. ment and insurgent groups. of actions to equip law enforcement and Various factions of al-Qaeda and Hezthe courts with more tools to combat terThose efforts come as the international bollah are believed to be involved in all rorism, including the recently passed community moves ever closer to the 2014 of those attacks; both groups are already deadline for the end of military engageCombating Terrorism Act." Canada's black list. Canada's listing of When asked why Canada was listing the Haqqani network as an official terror- ment in Afghanistan. the Taliban now, as opposed to at any ist group follows similar actions last fall Canada's combat mission ended in point over the course of the last decade of by both the United States and the United 2011 but a small contingent of Canadian conflict in Afghanistan, Carmichael did Nations. soldiers remains in Kabul, helping to not give a direct answer. train the Afghan army. The group, dubbed the "Sopranos of • Taliban pledge support for Af- Afghanistan," has been responsible for ghan polio campaign several high-profile attacks in Afghani-
Blast at JUI-F rally in Kurram region kills 15, injures 42 region, Mohammad Fazal told Dawn.com that at least 15 people had died in the incident whereas 42 others were injured. Moreover Political agent Riaz Masood conformed that the explosion occurred when a planted device detonated inside the madressa where the rally was taking place. A rally of JUIF's Munir Khan Orakzai, a former lawmaker from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) who is contesting the upcoming elections from NA-38 constituency, was taking place when the explosion occurred.
Security forces cordoned off the area as a probe into the incident went underway. — File Photo PESHAWAR: A blast at public meeting of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in central Kurram tribal region's Para Chamkani
area in Sewak village killed 15 persons and injured 42 others on Monday. Assistant Political Agent of central Kurram
Munir Orakzai had previously won the elections independently from the constituency, this is the first time that political parties are participating in the election process in the tribal areas. Emergency and rescue forces reached the spot and shifted the victims to nearby hospitals. Security forces cordoned off the area as a probe into the incident went underway.
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May 16, 2013
12
May 16, 2013
Nigeria declares emergency in areas hit by Boko Haram
ABUJA: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states on Tuesday, ordering in more troops to try to stem an increasingly violent Boko Haram-led insurgency. Boko Haram has intensified its attacks on security forces and government targets in its northeast stronghold this month, prompting Jonathan to declare an emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. “We are facing ... a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat to our national unity,” Jonathan said in a televised address. “They have attacked government buildings and facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages. These actions amount to a declaration of war.”
His orders followed growing evidence that Boko Haram now control parts of the northeastern territory around Lake Chad, where local government officials have fled. Security officials say they control at least 10 local government areas of northeastern Borno state, the epicentre of the insurgency. Dozens of Boko Haram fighters in buses and machine gun-mounted trucks laid siege to the town of Bama, in Borno, last week, freeing over 100 prison inmates and leaving 55 people dead, mostly police and other security forces. Days earlier, scores were killed in the fishing village of Baga, also in Borno, on the shores of Lake Chad, when troops from Nigeria, Niger and Chad raided it looking for militants. Local residents said soldiers were responsible for many civilian deaths.
Jonathan ordered his chief of defence to deploy extra soldiers to the states. The decree is likely to bring him into conflict with the powerful governors and northern leaders, with whom he already has a tense relationship. On Monday, the Nigeria Governors' Forum, representing the governors of Nigeria's 36 states, warned Jonathan against imposing emergency rule in response to the insurgency. Umar Gusau, spokesman for the Borno state Governor Kassim Shettima, declined to comment on the decree. Other influential northern figures were against it. “It's not the right thing to do,” said Bashir Tofa, a former presidential candidate and northern politician. Boko Haram and other militant groups such as Al Qaeda-linked Ansaru have be-
come the biggest threat to stability in Africa's second biggest economy and top oil exporter. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said in a video this week that the group had kidnapped several women and children in retaliation against security forces who, it says, have detained the wives and children of its members without just cause. In December 2011, Jonathan declared a state of emergency over some limited local government areas in the states, after a church bombing blamed on Boko Haram killed 37 people, but he lifted it in July last year. There has been an uptick in violence in other regions of Nigeria too, with 46 police officers killed by gunmen in an ambush in the central state of Nassarawa last week. Officials blamed a local cult and not the Boko Haram or any Al Qaeda-linked militant group.
Musharraf will leave country soon: Ijaz LAHORE, May 15: Retired Gen Pervez Musharraf, who is being tried in a number of cases of serious nature and detained at his Chak Shahzad farmhouse sub-jail, will leave the country before the swearing-in of the new government, says PML-Z chief and MNA-elect Ijazul Haq. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Haq said his party would support the PML-N in formation of the new government at the centre. The PML-Z leader, who won the NA-191 Bahawalnagar seat, said he had taken the decision in national interest.
Former president, Retired Gen Pervez Musharraf. — File Photo
Mr Haq, who also contested from NA-190 but lost to PMLN’s Tahir Bashir Cheema, accused his rival of poll rigging and said he would move the Election Commission of Pakistan. In reply to a question about Gen Musharraf’s future, he said the former president would leave the country before the new government took charge in Islamabad.