Rawalpindi: Pakistan supermodel Ayyan Ali was recently detained at Islamabad airport on charges of money laundering as $500,000 was found in her suitcase, an amount that exceeds the legal limit of cash permitted to be carried out of the country. Quick to deny the charges, she said the money was acquired legitimately from the proceeds of property sales and that she was unaware of these customs rules. She spent two weeks in Adiala jail until her 'robkar' documents were issued, clearing her release.
Man of Indian origin knighted by France
Johannesburg: Ahmed Kathrada, South Africa's freedom struggle veteran who also was a confidante to anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, has been knighted by the French government for his lifelong service to the community. He has now joined former President Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and author Nadine Gordimer as the only South Africans to receive French national honours. The 83 year old who spent 26 years in prison alongside Mandela, joked about this being one year less than the prisoner who became the country's first democratically-elected President because “Indians always negotiate a discount”.
Huma Abedin, highest paid in the US prez campaign
Washington: Hillary Clinton's longtime associate Huma Abedin is the highest paid staffer in the US presidential campaign, taking home an annual salary of more than US$ 277,000. Abedin was paid US$ 69,263.09 in the first quarter, according to the quarterly financial figures submitted by the Clinton Campaign to Federal Election Commission. She is of Indian-Pakistani origin and has worked for Clinton for the last two decades. Her late father, Syed Zainul Abedin, was a graduate of Aligarh Muslim University and a university lecturer and her mother was a sociology professor.
Former President George H.W. Bush hospitalised
Maine: Oldest living former US President, George H W Bush has been hospitalised after he slipped and broke his neck bone. The 91 year old was rushed to a medical centre and is said to be “fine” and in a stable condition, but will have to wear a neck brace. A spokesman said the former president fractured his C2 Vertebrae. “The president never lost consciousness and the injury he sustained neither impinged on his spine nor resulted in any neurological deficits,” he said. “He continues to have normal use of his limbs. The plan is to let this injury heal on its own without surgery. President Bush will remain at Maine Medical Center to be fitted for a brace to immobilize the injured area, to continue physical therapy and for further evaluation.”
Charlie Hebdo to quit Muhammad cartoons
Washington: Laurent Sourisseau, editor of the infamous French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has revealed the publication will no longer publish cartoons on the Prophet Muhammad. In an interview, he said, “We've done our job. We have defended the right to caricature. We have drawn Muhammad to defend the principle that one can draw whatever they want,” he said. “It is a bit strange though: we are expected to exercise a freedom of expression that no one dares to.” The decision comes almost 6 months after the magazine's Paris office was attacked by two militant brothers. The magazine's first edition following the event showed a teary eyed Muhammad with a caption that read, “Tout est pardonné” (All is forgiven).
Airport that operates solely on wind and solar energy
Baltra: The Galapagos island has, what is believed to be, the only airport in the world that functions solely on wind and solar energy. The airfield that was built by the US during World War II, underwent a 15 month engineering work that costed over $ 40 million. It works with solar panels and three giant wind turbines. The terminal has no glass panes in its windows, leaving it open to strong winds. Some 400,000 people pass through the Baltra airport, annually.
Japan's Olympic venue, the costliest stadium in the world
Tokyo: Venue for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, could be the most expensive sports stadium in the world, crossing MetLife stadium's record of $ 1.6 billion. The last estimate derived was a 55 per cent increase over the previous calculation of 163 billion yen. The design of the stadium's ribbed roof on huge steel arches resembles a bicycle helmet. To support a natural grass field, the roof's southern end will be translucent to let in sunlight and, underground will be soil ventilation and temperature control systems. Movable seats will bring the crowd closer for more intimate events, and this being Japan, the stadium will have earthquake-resistant features.
Mitsubishi apologises to US prisoners of war
Los Angeles: Japanese company Mitsubishi has issued an apology for forcing American prisoners of war to work in its mines during World War II. The war saw 12,000 American prisoners shipped to Japan and employed as slave labourers. 500 of them were forced to work for Mitsubishi Mining Co. While Japan's government has already apologised for the POWs, this is the first time a corporation extended such an action. Senior executive of the firm, Hikaru Kimura extended a “most remorseful” apology to 94 year old James Murphy of California, who is among only two of the surviving US prisoners.
US-Cuba flag off new bilateral ties
Washington: US state department raised the Cuban flag in a historic gesture marking renewed diplomatic ties between both the countries as the Havana and Washington embassies were re-established in their respective capitals. The new era began without ceremony in the pre-dawn hours, when maintenance workers hung the Cuban flag in the lobby of the State Department alongside those of other nations with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations. The Embassies re-open after a diplomatic freeze that lasted more than five decades. However, both the countries still face a rough road ahead. Secretary John Kerry said, “This milestone does not signify an end to the many differences that still separate our governments. We are sure to encounter bumps here and there, and moments of frustration. Patience will be required. But that is all the more reason to get started now on this journey.”
