World Cup 2014 enters knock out stage

SAO PAULO: The last 16 teams at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil have been decided, and the knockout rounds get underway on Saturday when Brazil take on Chile.

Notable casualties from the group stages include reigning champions Spain as well as Italy, England and Portugal.

Costa Rica were the surprise package in the first round, coming through on top of a group including the Three Lions, the Azzurri and South America's Uruguay.

Here is the full schedule for the last 16, the first stage where a loss categorically means returning home:

World Cup 2014: Last 16 Schedule

June 28 9pm PST Brazil vs. Chile
June 28 1am PST(Sunday) Colombia vs. Uruguay

June 29 9pm PST Netherlands vs. Mexico
June 29 1am PST(Sunday) Costa Rica vs. Greece

June 30 9pm PST France vs. Nigeria
June 30 1am PST(Sunday). Germany vs. Algeria

July 1 9pm PST Argentina vs. Switzerland
July 1 1am PST(Sunday). Belgium vs. USA

The Netherlands have so far looked one of the best sides in the tournament, winning all three of their games including a 5-1 demolition of Spain.

They take on a strong Mexico side—who held Brazil to a draw in Group A—in one of the last 16's best matchups, which could well go to extra time or penalties.

Colombia will be buoyed by the suspension of Uruguay's Luis Suarez, per FIFA World Cup, and should see themselves through to the quarter-finals as a result. They have been one of the tournament's standout teams so far, impressing with their attacking flair.

One of Costa Rica or Greece will also make the last eight, having both upset the odds to make it out of the group stages to the surprise of many.

Many people's favourites for the competition, Argentina, face a Switzerland side who have bucked their previous trends in the tournament so far, conceding plenty but also scoring more goals than many had expected.

Lionel Messi should have enough to inspire his side to victory but the Swiss have shown their quality and will present a stiff test.

The last 16 is where the World Cup really gets interesting. The games do not come quite as thick and fast, but they are of even greater importance as survival is on the line.

Apart from Spain, most of the pre-tournament favourites still remain and the quality of football is likely to only get better as the competition moves forward and last-eight places are on the line.

Angels’ stage drama outside police station

 

ISLAMABAD: The ‘angels’ managed to create a dramatic scene along with a dubious complainant, a kiln owner, who suddenly appeared in front of the Margallah Police Station and started shouting that he will set himself on fire if the police did not register a caseagainst journalists Sunday night.
The complainant, Arshad Mehmood Butt, had got order from the additional sessions judge/justice of peace to lodge an FIR against the journalists under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Butt told media persons gathered their on his call that he will set himself on fire if FIR was not registered against journalists of Jang Group and Geo according to the justice of peace order.

He said he was owner of a brick kiln in the outskirts of Islamabad whereas earlier he had introduced himself as top businessman of Islamabad running his trade at Blue Area. Butt said he is a patriot and questioned why his FIR is not being lodged against Geo TV and Jang Group for contempt of angels. Asked at whose behest he is doing this, he said God is on his back. He said if his link is proved with any network of “angels”, he should be shot at straightaway. He continued to say that he is doing it in his personal capacity.

A man named Zahoorul Hassan, calling himself Butt’s lawyer, said it is a case of terrorism. Unaware about essentials of the case and legality of the issue, he could not respond to questions raised by the media like how this has become a case of terrorism. He gave different references out of place and left the spot saying, “You want to trap me.”

After some time, senior counsel Sanaullah Khan reached there saying he is a friend of the junior lawyer. He was asked how many lawyers give time to their clients at night and come for them to the police station. Khan acknowledged that the junior had a background of working with “angels”, after first denying his relationship with the “angels”.

In the meantime, Butt came out of the police station and started shouting slogans against Geo TV and in favour of “angels” but refused to talk to the newsmen.Asked by journalists when he will commit suicide, Butt first stayed silent and then said he would do it in front of Geo TV office. At this time, some bearded persons encircled him and he shouted slogans against Geo TV and in favour of “angels”.

Amid a series of questions from the media persons, he stormed back into the police station along with his lawyer and some “mysterious persons”.Two reported “angels” were already present in the police station. Plainclothes low ranking officials were also present on different locations around Margallah Police Station.

After midnight, food was provided by mysterious persons and served to the complainant, his lawyers and “angels” at about 1am. Butt and his supporters were in the police station till the filing of this report, as some police sources indicated that the complainant was under police protection and it was obvious that he will remain at the police station till morning. Heavy contingent of police were deployed in and around the station to counter any untoward incident.

MPAs threaten to stage sit-in against Islamabad vindictive power cut in Sindh

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members in Sindh assembly here on Tuesday went on a protest against the unannounced and prolonged load shedding in the rural and urban areas of the province piling miseries on the people, Geo News reported.

PPP members urged upon the Sindh government to lodge a formal protest with the federal government for the injustices being perpetrated on the people of Sindh and ensure forthwith the due share of power supply to the province otherwise the members of the assembly would be forced to lead the vexed citizens’ protests and sit-ins on the roads and streets of the province.

PPP’s Nawaz Chandio, MQM’s Muhammad Hussain and others honourable members of the Sindh assembly raising their voice against the unannounced and prolonged load shedding termed the power outage federation’s vengeance against Sindh.

On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N)’s opposition member Irfanullah Marwat, assuring his full support to the agitation against the federal government for power cut in Sindh, said that the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah should also take out processions like Shahbaz Sharif did in PPP tenure. Those sitting in air-conditioned rooms should also know how one feels during the load shedding, he remarked.

Senior Provincial Minister, Nisar Khuhro sharply reacting to the remarks of the opposition member said when do your want to take out the procession, let us go right now.

Following some exchange of barbs between the opposition and treasury members, the Speaker on one occasion sensing the situation getting extremely tense warned the members that session could be adjourned to bring the agitated and angry members under control.

Relatives of missing persons stage sit-in at D-Chowk

ISLAMABAD: The relatives of the missing persons continued their protest on the second day and staged a sit-in at D-Chowk on Tuesday, Geo News reported.

Chairperson of Defence of Human Rights Amna Masood Janjua said that the government has time till the evening to render an apology over police torture on the protesters last evening and to hold a dialogue with the relatives to end the demonstration, else a strict strategy will be announced by the evening. She demanded that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar should apologize personally for the brutal torture by the security personnel on the relatives of the missing persons.

A large number of protesters including children, elders and women are continuing their protest on the second day for the recovery of their beloved family members.

The demonstrators said that they had high hopes that the present government will be able to recover the missing relatives, instead the protesting relatives were subjected to torture by the police force.

They demanded that a case should be initiated in the court if their relatives have been charged, but to keep them away from their families without any news is tormenting for the families.

It may be mentioned that seven civil society activists and five cops were wounded when the police resorted to a baton charge and teargassed the protesters. They were calling for the recovery of missing persons at the D-Chowk and tried to storm the Red Zone.

The Elite Force and Anti Riot Force (ARF) participated in the operation against the agitating people. Amna Masood Janjua and 11 others were arrested.The police refused to obey the order of the area magistrate and assistant commissioner for using force against the agitating persons twice but they insisted they do so. They said the police resorted to a baton-charge and tear-gassing of the mob to stop it in accordance with the decision of the top administrative officers.

The clash between the police and the protesters took place when the protesters started marching towards the Parliament House. The police tried to stop them at the D-Chowk but they tried to move forward through another route, which resulted in a clash after an exchange of harsh words. Some journalists and cameramen were also injured during the clash.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif took serious notice and expressed his displeasure over the crackdown by the Islamabad Police on protesters headed by Amna Masood Janjua and ordered their immediate release.

He ordered for the immediate release of the people and directed to take strict action for the officials involved in this unhappy incident.

The Islamabad DC released all activists arrested by the police following the PM’s order. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan ordered an inquiry into the incident. He also suspended two sub divisional police officers (SDPOs), the ASP (City) Yasir Afridi and ASP (Secretariat) Iram, terming them responsible for the incident and asked the DC, who is believed to be responsible for the incident, to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

West tried to stage ‘revolution’ in Ukraine: Lavrov

MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday accused the United States and the European Union of being behind a popular uprising in Ukraine that ousted pro-Kremlin president Viktor Yanukovych in February.

"In Ukraine the United States and the European Union tried to stage -- let´s call things what they are -- another ´colour revolution´, an operation to unconstitutionally change regime," the Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.

In an unusually blunt speech at a top university in Moscow, Lavrov said the West was trying to use the Ukraine crisis to weaken Russia.

"Few doubt that we are talking not only about Ukraine´s fate," Russia´s top diplomat was quoted as saying. "They are trying to use Ukraine as a pawn in a geopolitical game."

"Our Western partners, first and foremost the United States, tried to behave as winners in the Cold War and pretend that one can ignore Russia in European affairs and undertake activities that directly damage Russian security interests."

Lavrov accused the West of being biased against Russia, saying Washington and Brussels had sought to tar´s Moscow reputation even before the Ukrainian crisis broke out.

"It is enough to recall the hysterical anti-Russian propaganda which seized the United States and Europe long before the Ukrainian events, their desire to besmirch the Olympic Games in Sochi through every means possible," he said. The West had repeatedly ignored Moscow´s proposals to beef up cooperation in Europe. "As a result, unique opportunities to genuinely overcome a split in Europe have been missed."

All the world´s a stage for Shakespeare´s 450th birthday

LONDON: William Shakespeare´s plays are to be performed in mid-air as Britain celebrates the 450th anniversary of his birth this week, while a tour of "Hamlet" aims to reach every country on Earth.

Shakespeare, the English language´s greatest playwright, was baptised on April 26, 1564, and his birthday is traditionally observed on April 23.

The anniversary is being marked with attempts to bring the legendary bard to fresh audiences and capitalise on one of Britain´s best cultural exports.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company comic troupe was to attempt to set a world record on Wednesday by performing a one-hour version of his complete works at 37,000 feet (11,300 metres).

They were to perform on an easyJet flight from London to Verona in Italy -- where some of Shakespeare´s plays were set.

Back on the ground, the Royal Shakespeare Company was to launch a fireworks display from the roof of their theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare´s home town, to mark his birthday after Wednesday night´s performance of "Henry IV, Part 1".Shakespeare´s Globe, the re-creation of his wooden theatre on the banks of the River Thames in London, is launching a two-year tour of "Hamlet" that will take in around 200 countries.

Naeem Hayat is one of two actors who will play the title role, reciting the tragedy´s "To be or not to be" soliloquy, one of the most famous passages in the English language.

"´Hamlet´ as a story is such a beautiful, human story full of discovery and humanity, people will be able to relate to it regardless of where we are and what language they speak," the Londoner told AFP.

The tour begins Wednesday at The Globe, and will finish with a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark -- where the tale of deferred revenge is set.

In between, it will play in national theatres, on the beach in Nauru and the Bahamas; in Greek and Roman amphitheatres; on a roundabout in Romania, and will inaugurate Poland´s Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre.

It will also play in a Lithuanian royal palace; in the main square in Marrakesh; in Norway´s Tromso, north of the Arctic Circle; and at a theatre built into the rainforests of St Lucia.- More recognised than queen -

MQM to stage protest demonstration today

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will organize a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Thursday (today) against the ‘extra judicial killings and forced disappearances’ of its workers, Geo News reported.

Deputy Convener and members of Rabita Committee, families of victims, MQM workers and party supporters will attend the protest demonstration which will be held at 4:00 pm at KPC.

The MQM has appealed to the people to attend the protest demonstration. The party has also planned a protest on Friday (tomorrow).

According to a statement issued by the party, the Sindh government is trying to hush the protest instead of preventing such brutality. Five tortured bodies of the MQM workers have so far been found while several are still missing, the statement alleged.

BJP’s Modi files papers as election enters second stage

VADODARA: Indian election frontrunner Narendra Modi waved to thousands of cheering supporters as he filed his papers to stand in the country's mammoth six-week election which entered its second of nine phases on Wednesday.

Modi, a hardline Hindu nationalist widely tipped to emerge as prime minister when results are published on May 16, is standing from the Vadodara constituency in the western state of Gujarat.

Making a rare public outing in a jeep, Modi waved at crowds waving the saffron-coloured flag of his Bharatiya Janata Party, which is forecast to inflict a crushing defeat on the ruling Congress party.

In the remote northeast of the country meanwhile, voting began amid tight security in constituencies in four insurgency-wracked states close to the disputed border with China.

Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland are the second wave of voting in the election process which has been staggered to allow security forces to re-deploy in between stages.

Voters flocked early to polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh, an eastern stretch of the Himalayas that China claims as its own, despite pouring rain overnight, the Press Trust of India reported.

During campaigning in February in the area, the scene of a 1962 war between India and China, Modi had warned Beijing to shed its "expansionist mindset".

Hundreds of extra security forces have been deployed in neighbouring and underdeveloped Nagaland, where rebels from tribal groups have waged a decades-long campaign for more rights.

Security was also tight in nearby Meghalaya, where ethnic and separatist groups have also long fought against the state, and the border with Bangladesh has been closed, Press Trust of India news agency said.

Six seats are up for grabs on Wednesday ahead of the third phase of voting Thursday which will be by far the biggest to date with constituencies in 14 states including the capital region heading to the ballot box.

The opposition BJP is expected to sweep to power in the world's biggest election at a time of low economic growth as well as anger over corruption and rising food prices.

As well as a Vadodara, Modi is also set to stand from a second seat in the northern holy Hindu city of Varanasi on the river Ganges in the battleground state of Uttar Pradesh.

Stage set for Kajol's comeback

Kajol is gearing up to return to the silver screen in husband Ajay Devgn's next. A few days ago, the actress told the media that she had green-lighted a film to be produced by Ajay. Now, Mirror has learnt that the actor/producer has joined hands with Sunil and Kishore Lulla's Eros International to co-produce the film.

Kajol had previously said that the home venture may take off by year-end. A source close to her confirms, "With Eros on board, the film is taking off by November end and is targetting a 2015 release."

Will Katrina share stage with Aishwarya, Freida, Sonam at Cannes this May?

Katrina Kaif

While Mumbai will be bearing the brunt of the sweltering heat this May, it remains to be seen if the atmosphere around Cannes Film Festival will be warm or cold. Reason being that the sponsor, cosmetic giant L'Oreal's Indian brands ambassadors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Freida Pinto and Sonam Kapoor are expected to attend the event. But the bigger question is if the latest addition, Katrina Kaif will also make her presence felt at the prestigious event.

Though Aishwarya is the oldest associate of the brand, as its ambassador for over a decade, she reportedly avoids scheduling her appearances in Cannes around the time Freida and Sonam are also there. She's said to commit to only those events either before or after the two younger actresses have arrived and left. But now with a third younger actress, it remains to be seen how their appearances will be timed.

According to reports, when Katrina's name was chosen as the latest face of the brand, Aishwarya apparently expressed her interest to welcome the actress to the L'Oreal family in a press release sent out. Reason being whispered that she wanted to avoid any speculation that she was either unaware or unhappy about Katrina being added as an ambassador.

Gossip is that Katrina might not be asked to travel to Cannes this year, just like Sonam wasn't in her first year with the brand. But of course, we're all waiting to see who shares what rapport with the others at Cannes.