ICC bans government meddling

HONG KONG: Cricket’s governing body on Thursday banned countries from appointing politicians to national cricket boards, vowing to free the sport from undue government influence.

The International Cricket Council told a media conference in Hong Kong that it had made the decision to uphold “the important principle of free elections and the independence” of the sport.

“It was agreed that all member boards must implement the provisions before annual conference June 2012 and a further 12 months — to June 2013 — would be allowed before any sanctions be considered,” the ICC said in a statement issued in Hong Kong.

The reform, which allows the ICC to suspend a member country in the event of government interference in the running of a national cricket board, will be hugely controversial in Pakistan, where the president is the cricket board’s patron. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will also be hit by the change.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could not immediately be reached for comment.

Chairman Ijaz Butt has been criticised by former players, politicians and media for being a political appointee of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party.

The PCB has already sent a legal notice to the ICC on the amendment and has threatened legal action if the constitution is changed.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the ICC’s full council after four days of talks between the chief executives’ committee and executive board at glitzy hotels in downtown Hong Kong.

“This is a significant step towards achieving best practice and together with the independent governance review, I am excited by the commitment of the ICC to introduce best possible corporate governance,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said. AGENCIES

doGOODERS of the week: the cast of GLEE

You may love Fox’s hit show GLEE for it’s feel-good, musically-inspired fun, but we’re loving GLEE’s cast for their commitment to so many awesome causes. The cast of GLEE has catapulted to stardom this year, and they’re using their newfound fame to raise funds and awareness for nonprofits in some philanthropic-forward ways. From teaming up with American Express to “change the world” to putting their smiling faces on the auction block at charitybuzz, we love how GLEE is inspiring Gleeks all over the world to join in to do good.

Throughout 2010, GLEE has tackled important issues on screen, from equality to body image, and the show was nominated for a GLAAD award for their outstanding portrayal of the LGBT community. This week, GLEE added 5 Golden Globe nominations to their list of accolades. Off screen, the show has had an equally impressive impact. Last month, the cast raised $100,000 for Education Through Music by partnering with American Express and even spent a day making musical instruments with children from a disadvantaged local elementary school. They also took to the internet to encourage people around the world to give back with a laugh-out-loud funny social media campaign pitting “Mr. Shue” against “Sue.” Musical education has become a pet cause for the show, with tickets to several exclusive parties for GLEE’s premiere earlier this year sold to benefit the Grammy Foundation’s Grammy in the Schools education program.

Priyanka Chopra arrives in auto-rickshaw for charity event

Click above for more event stills

In this day and age when superstars are known to throw tantrums for the smallest of things, Priyanka Chopra did otherwise. The actress was to reach a press conference organized by the NGO ‘Pearl Wave’ when all of a sudden her car’s tyre gave way.

The poor organizers readily arranged for a car to pick her up from where she was stranded mid-way but Piggy Chops refused their offer and preferred to hop onto a rickshaw instead. Braving the Mumbai traffic, Priyanka reached the venue bang on time in the auto-rickshaw much to everyone’s amusement.

Must say, here is one actress who indeed knows how to stick to her commitment even if it means taking the road less travelled.

Aishwarya takes time off to promote KHJJS

It’s not only Abhishek who goes out of his way to be present for his better-half. Aishwarya has taken time off especially from all her commitment to promote Abhishek’s new film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se.

Says a source, “So what if Ash doesn’t star in Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se? It’s her husband’s film and the director Ashutosh Gowariker is a dear friend. Besides, not too many people know this, but after Asin chose not to work in the film, it was Aishwarya who recommended Deepika Padukone for the part.”

Blushes Aishwarya, “Yes I am there for Abhishek’s film. In fact, we all try to be there for each other in our family.”

Obama meets Medvedev on sidelines of summit

YOKOHAMA: President Barack Obama, capping a far-flung Asian trip of mixed results, assured Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday that getting the Senate to ratify the START nuclear weapons treaty is a “top priority” of his administration.

“I reiterated my commitment to getting the START treaty done during the lame-duck session,” Obama said, noting that Congress returns next week for its post-election session.

In talks with Medvedev on the sidelines of the summit of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Obama also reiterated his support for bringing Russia into the World Trade Organisation, calling Russia “an excellent partner.”

His bilateral talks with Medvedev took place on the final day of Obama’s 10-day Asian tour, his longest trip away from the White House.

He left Washington still reeling from an electoral defeat on Nov. 2 in

US, Britain pledge long-term flood aid for Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Vice President Joe Biden and visiting British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on Thursday pledged their countries’ “sustained long-term” support to Pakistani flood victims.

Meeting for the first time here since Britain’s Conservative-Liberal Democrats coalition was formed in May, the two said their governments were “committed to ensuring the most effective possible international response to Pakistan’s ongoing flood disaster.”

In the wake of devastating monsoon rains that have left some 10 million Pakistanis homeless, “the US and the UK affirm their commitment to sustained long-term post-flood reconstruction in Pakistan, beyond the immediate humanitarian needs,” they added.

“Stability in Pakistan… is vital for the stability of the region and for security in the wider world,” they said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called

Council to be set up to ensure aid transparency: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the government has set up an oversight council to ensure transparency and accountability of every dollar being pumped into the country for relief purposes.
He stated these views during a joint press conference with US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd after their visit to the flood-hit areas.
We also plan to provide international audience an access to a website to oversee all the money disbursement.
Qureshi said that Friends of Democratic Pakistan would meet on October 14 and 15 in Brussels to take up the post-flood situation in Pakistan.
The FM said the floods are the worst ever national disaster hitting the country, but we should recognize the contribution the international community is providing; tents, care, medicines, it showed their commitment. Meanwhile, Australia gave 40 million dollars in aid to Pakistan to meet the flood crisis.

President Obama hosts an Iftar Dinner for Muslim community

President Obama on Friday forcefully joined the national debate over construction of an Islamic complex near New York’s Ground Zero, telling guests at a White House dinner marking the holy month of Ramadan that opposing the project is at odds with American values.
Let me be clear, as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country, Obama said at a White House iftar dinner. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances and this is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable, he added.

Obama tells Abbas he is committed to Palestinian state

RAMALLAH: US President Barack Obama assured Mahmud Abbas by telephone on Friday of his commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state, the Palestinian leader”s spokesman said.

“Mr. Obama promised Mr. Abbas to make all efforts for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state living in security, peace and stability alongside Israel,” Nabil Abou Roudeina said, adding that the US leader had called Abbas.

The call followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu”s White House meeting with Obama on Tuesday, in which the two leaders discussed a number of issues, including Israel”s stalled peace talks with the Palestinians.

“President Abbas received a phone call from President Obama about the latest political events, in particular the meeting of Mr. Obama with Netanyahu,” Roudeina said.

He said that Abbas had assured Obama of his own commitment “to a peace process that is serious and continuous, and which leads to the end of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories… and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”

Abbas had stressed to Obama the US leader”s role in a “serious, lasting” peace process which would bring to an end what he called the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The White House confirmed the telephone conversation took place, saying Obama “noted the positive momentum generated by the recent improvements on the ground in Gaza and in the West Bank, the restraint shown by both sides in recent months, and progress in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks.”

“He and President Abbas reviewed ways to advance to direct talks in the near term, in order to reach an agreement that ends the conflict, and establishes an independent and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel,” the White House said in a statement.

Obama also said that US Middle East envoy George Mitchell would travel to the region soon and meet Abbas “to build on this momentum to advance our common goals.”

Govt committed to achieve goal of drug-free Pakistan: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has stated that the present democratic government, which has assigned the highest priority to control narcotics, is committed to achieve the goal of a drug-free Pakistan.

“The government has initiated some far reaching policy measures as a new vision for Counter Narcotics”, Gilani said in a message on the occasion of International Drugs Day, observed every year on June 26.

The Prime Minister mentioned the measures such as the formulation of new Narcotics Control Policy, launching of an Inter Agency Task Force headed by Director General, ANF and comprising all Federal and Provincial Law Enforcement agencies for better coordination and implementation of counter narcotics strategy.

He also mentioned initiating the Five Year Drug Control Master Plan, approval of special allowances for ANF officials as incentive to improve their performance, establishment of more addiction treatment centres, and posting of Drug Liaison Officers abroad for enhancing international cooperation on drug matters.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is a signatory to global conventions and protocols pertaining to the control of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

“Therefore, our interventions have been aligned with our global commitments and international conventions,” he added.

The Prime Minister said, “We are expanding international cooperation and have put forward Pakistan’s proposal for the 5-Years Perspective Plan of drug control with the European Union”.

He expressed his confidence that “with the commitment and dedication of the Ministry of Narcotics Control and ANF, we will strive for our goal of Drug free Pakistan”.

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