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Mohammad Yousuf to replace Grant Flower as Pakistan’s batting coach

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LAHORE – Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has been tipped to be Pakistan team’s next batting coach ahead of 45-day Australian tour.

Yousuf will replace Zimbabwean Grant Flower. The agreement would be formally signed between Mohammad Yousuf and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management soon, according to Geo News.

Mohammad Yousuf was rejected as head coach by Afghan cricket board. Lal Chand Rajput of India has been selected to coach Afghan team.

The legendary batsman played 90 Tests and 288 ODIs for Pakistan and scored 7530 and 9720 runs respectively from 1997 to 2010.

Third shipment of cargo for Nashpa field arrives

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LAHORE  – Third shipment of cargo for the Nashpa field has arrived from China at the Karachi Port Trust.
A spokesman the contracting firm for the Nashpa field has said that the cargo includes equipment including LPG bullets, structure material and pipes for the project.
He said the OGDCL had awarded in last quarter of the year a contract to a Chinese firm HBP for installation, construction and commissioning of 98 MMSCFD gas processing, LPG recovery, plant and allied facilities.
The OGDCL is expanding the Nashpa field by setting up a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant to meet the growing energy demand in the country.   
 
The Nashpa and Mela gas fields are located in Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the objective of the project is to construct a gas processing facility at Nashpa to process raw gas of the locality and separator gas from the Mela field.
The project covers wellhead facilities, gas gathering system (excluding flow lines) and gas processing plant (including LPG recovery plant). The gas processing plant is intended to normally process 98 MMSCFD with a design margin of 10 %, the spokesman added.
 
The Contractor’s spokesman said the project has created hundreds of jobs for locals in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the project work is in full swing and the project is likely to be completed by the middle of 2017.
He said it is the biggest LPG plant in the country and would be a major source of income for the people of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

CPEC to initiate flurry of economic activity: BASF

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KARACHI: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would help initiate a flurry of economic activity in Pakistan, said Tay Jui Seng, an official of the German Chemical giant – BASF.

Talking to the media along with Faisal Akhtar, the head of BASF Pakistan, Seng said he would report back to his company as to how the BASF can participate in spurring the business activities in the Pakistani market.

Tay Jui Seng, who is the Business Management Transportation Performance Materials Vice President for Asia Pacific, is based at BASF’s manufacturing facility in Shanghai. He undertook a three-day visit to assess the market as well as the opportunities available in Pakistan.

Seng pointed out that the BASF has research facilities based in many countries of the world and has been coming up with innovative products from time to time through research and development (R&D). BASF was in a position to provide quick solutions to the requirements of the businesses in Pakistan, which is an emerging market, he added.

He stressed that Pakistan can also benefit a lot from its human resource especially by imparting right type of education and training to productive use of their talent, energy and potential.

Seng also indicated that the BASF regularly trains their people from time to time to enhance their technical skills and know-how to serve customers more efficiently. He said that his company could also consider as to how it can participate in the CPEC activities through the supply chain mode.

Seng also referred to the impressive growth of the automotive industry in Pakistan and especially in the two-wheelers market. He hinted that cooperation may also be extended by the BASF for the construction industry as well as in chemicals and polymers and also address the quick solutions that are required towards the growth phenomenon in Pakistan.

Faisal Akhtar on the occasion said that Tay Jui Seng’s visit augurs well and indicates towards the company’s interest for further collaboration in the growth process in Pakistan where the business environment is now quite conducive.

It may be pointed out that the BASF Chemicals and Polymers Pakistan Limited has changed its name to BASF Pakistan (Private) Limited effective from November 1, 2016. A communication said that the management under its new name assures all its customers of the same continuous commitment to support businesses with products and services.

Beaconhouse takes Lahoris on future trip

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LAHORE: Beaconhouse’s School of Tomorrow (SOT) series of events-A World of Tomorrow-culminated on Sunday.

Crowds thronged the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club on the third and final day to participate in various activities.

The day began with a panel discussion focusing on the question, ‘If media controls global thinking, who controls global media?’ The panelists felt that as opposed to the general perception of the media savvy, the so-called free media gives an ‘illusion of choice’. The sessions on issues relating to transgender people and one entitled ‘Shayari 101’ drew the largest crowd in the morning. The transgender speakers in the former session called on society to make room for them and allow them opportunities to make them economically viable citizens, by giving them representation in the population census and electoral forms.

In the latter session, poets and personalities such as Munnu Bhai, Kishwar Naheed, PPP Senator Aitzaz Ahsan and Attiya Dawood enthralled the audience with their poetry. Munnu Bhai emphasised the role of poetry as a catalyst of change in social attitudes.

Apart from these, there were a multitude of concurrent sessions on topics ranging from moral policing, a conversation with the women’s football team, cyber-crime, global security, the upcoming US elections, private-public partnership in education, the arts and popular culture and fashion for the future.

Celebrities like Ali Azmat, Adnan Malik, Tina Sani, Tapu Javeri, Jimmy Nelson, Deepak Perwani, Sheema Kirmani, Mubasher Luqman and Munizae Jehangir were part of various sessions. They felt that such opportunities for intellectual debate allow people to get multiple perspectives on thought-provoking topics in order to arrive at their own conclusions. This was also one of the intended aims of the event.

Beaconhouse-Newlands, TNS Beaconhouse and Beaconhouse Liberty Campus hosted concurrent sessions with a continuation of the foreign film festival and the enjoyable and informative Bitsy Brainy Food with SCAFA and the renowned Zubaida Apa.

Another highlight of the day was ‘An Evening with Zia Mohyeddin’ in which the maestro of Urdu recitation hypnotised the gathering with his usual wit, eloquence and humour. The three-day festival ended on a melodious high with a concert by Atif Aslam who mesmerized the audience with his unique vocals and popular tunes. The next in the School of Tomorrow series of events is planned for February 2017 in Islamabad.

Samsung still leads smartphone market amid Note 7 misfortune

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SEOUL: Samsung still leads the global smartphone market in the third quarter despite a massive recall that tarnished the South Korean giant’s image.

Samsung had a 20% market share in the quarter – well ahead of number two vendor Apple, according to reports from Strategy Analytics. The electronics giant discontinued its Galaxy Note 7 after its replacement devices faced the same problems of batteries overheating and bursting into flames.

“Samsung’s market dominance in the third quarter was unchallenged in the short term even with this high-profile Galaxy Note 7 recall but the longer term impact on the Samsung brand remains to be seen,” IDC Analyst Melissa Chau said.

Strategy Analytics reported that Samsung sold over 75 million handsets in a global market of 375 million units, while IDC estimated the Samsung sold over 72 million pieces in a total market of 363 million.

The overall smartphone sales were up just 1% from last year, according to IDC, while the Strategy Analytics report pegged the increase at 6%.

Pakistan’s candidate for WHO chief reveals her vision

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National – Pakistan’s candidate for the Director General World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Sania Nishtar presented her vision and plan for the WHO at a forum hosted by the Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, in London.

Dr Sania is contending for the slot of director general WHO with other candidates from other countries – including Italy, France, United Kingdom and Hungary – who also participated in the event, said a press release received here Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sania called for reinvigorating the world’s only universal membership multilateral health agency in face of the pressing global health challenges.

She outlined her priorities of bringing reforms to rapid fruition, embracing meaningful and timely transparency, institutionalising true accountability, ensuring value for money, and driving a culture based on results and delivery in order to transform the organisation.

Placing universal attainment of the highest possible level of health at the centre of her vision, she also highlighted her pledges, including delivering effective operational readiness in outbreaks and emergencies; strengthened action on global public goods; focus on supporting countries to reduce the health risks of climate change; and country-relevant support to achieve the SDGs, with an emphasis on universal health coverage and multi-sectoral action.

With her diverse experience in the areas of health, civil society, public sector and the multilateral system, Dr Sania expressed her commitment to deliver a renewed WHO.

She also promised to lead a WHO that leverages stakeholders’ contributions and inspires increased engagement and accountability.

During the event, Dr Sania also responded to questions from the audiences on a number of issues, including challenges to WHO, gender equity, accountability, a partnership with private sector, universal health coverage and north-south health divide.

Earlier, Dr Sania called on Lord Prior; UK’s parliamentary under secretary of state for health and apprised him about her candidature. Lord Prior appreciated her credentials and her professional experience and diverse background in the field of health.

Separately, she also met the High Commissioner for Pakistan Syed Ibne Abbas, who praised her achievements and contributions in the fields of health and governance.

With her professional expertise, experience and background, he termed Dr Sania the ideal candidate for the post of DG WHO.

Dr Sania Nishtar, a former federal minister and prominent global health leader with extensive experience in public health care, is among the six candidates nominated for the post of director general WHO. The election for the post will be held in January and May next year.

Uber VIP: Uber introduces premium rewards for top riders in Pakistan

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LAHORE – Top Uber riders deserve a top Uber experience therefore the company has launched a monthly reward programme namely Uber VIP to thank their loyal riders in Pakistan.

Top riders who make more than 10 trips a month will enjoy premium services such as top quality cars, special giveaways and more.

“Top Uber riders deserve a top Uber experience. That’s why we’re lifting the velvet rope and welcoming in our most loyal riders in Pakistan with Uber VIP,” reads a statement on Uber’s website.

The service is currently available to users in Karachi and Lahore only. Users who meet the criteria would be notified of their status through Uber’s official app.

Under the new VIP service top riders would enjoy; Premiums Services, such as highest-rated driver-partners and top cars, Exclusive Giveaways that include monthly perks and Priority Support whereby feedback will be addressed with top priority.

The VIP service will not have any additional cost says Uber, however fewer VIP cars will add to wait times for VIP users. VIP riders need to take a minimum of 10 rides a month to keep the service active.

Intel launches 500 drones into sky, breaks world record

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WEB DESK – While Intel unveiled its first commercially available drone this week with the Falcon 8+ drone, it made even bigger news when it broke its record for a simultaneous launched drone flight that featured 500 of its Shooting Star drones controlled by a single operator. While the Falcon is Intel’s wanting into the growing drone space, the Shooting Star drones and recently granted permission from the FAA are designed to be flown for amusement parks, companies, sports teams and cities for celebrations and special events.

“These drones are able to fly as a fleet, this is the first time ever we can show it works so well with so many drones!” said Daniel Gurdan, Intel Engineering Lead.

Intel is hoping to reproduce a little of that magic with its Shooting Star drones.

“We’ve really thought about what are some of the issues commercial customers face today and when they want to get that crisp, hi-res image, you don’t want any of the rotors in the image”, she said. “What I mean by that is, with the 8 rotors, you can have up to 2 rotors on each side stop and still fly the drone safely home”. It also take two batteries and will seamlessly switch power sources when one is exhausted.

Natalie Cheung, Intel Light Show Business Lead told Guinness, “We’re showing regulators around the world that UAV technologies used the right ways can help shape new rules for manned and unmanned aerial vehicles”.

Called the Intel Cockpit, it’s a completely new design that replaces a previous one that was based on a model airplane controller.

“We believe drones are an important computing platform for the future and we are continuing to invest in technologies and companies that will enable us to provide the best compute, sensor, communications and software integration for the growing drone ecosystem”, said Anil Nanduri, VP of Intel’s New Technology group, in a blog post, “These announcements represent a string of progress we’ve made in the drone space”.

All of the 500 drones moved as a single fleet, operated by one pilot with a laptop. At this year’s CES, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich shared his vision for this, claiming drones are safer and easier to control than fireworks.

Beaconhouse holds festival titled ‘A world of Tomorrow

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LAHORE – Three-day event ‘A World of Tomorrow’ organized by Beacon house School System in Lahore attracted a large number of people on its second day on Saturday.

Students, teachers, intellectuals, politicians and literary figures came in droves on the second day to participate in different panel discussions held in Royal Palm Golf and Country Club.

On the second day, a session was held with former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar. In the session, Khar highlighted the issues of Pakistan’s relations with other countries and also narrated her personal experience while in office as FM.

“We received enormous pressure from the United States to hand over Dr Shakil Afridi to the US in the aftermath of the killing of Osama Bin Laden but our government did not budge from its initial stance of not releasing Afridi,” Khar said, while counting the success of her ministry.

Talking about US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Khar said that Hillary strongly believes in the ‘American Exceptionalism’ and that she would win the election. In response to a question, she said that the incumbent government of Pakistan had fallen into the trap of matching the ‘Modi mantra’ and the government must avoid following Modi so as to maintain peace in the region.

“There are two types of foreign policy; pro-active and reactive foreign policies. Reactive foreign policy refers to the policy of tit-for-tat and Pakistan should avoid reactive policy especially in the context of India,” Khar said.

In another session titled ‘Wo Subha Kabhi Tou Aye Gi’, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said that dreams could be materialised only through commitment and strong determination. He said that stability and continuity were essential for ensuring development in the country, adding that the country had a lot of potential.

“We want peaceful relations with all the neighbouring countries as the progress is not possible in war,” the minister added. Iqbal said the world of tomorrow will be different from the world of yesterday and today. The minister said that despite of all the challenges, the present government had doubled the budget of higher education in three years.

To another query, he said strengthening of institutions was significant to overcome corruption, adding that vibrant and robust civil society was necessary for ensuring transparency.

As many as 60 interactive sessions will be held in three days in which more than 160 speakers will participate. The issues related to art, music, politics and education will come under discussion in these sessions.