There’s a distinct buzz around Fifa World Cups. After all, it is one of only two truly global events — along with the Olympics — capable of bringing people from across the globe together for some fleeting moments of celebration. This time round though, the buzz is not celebratory. This World Cup feels divided, fragmented, uncertain. Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast and Senegal fans were unable to travel due to US travel restrictions . The Democratic Republic of Congo fans were unable to travel due to Ebola restrictions . Iran’s players and officials were denied US visas, which meant they had to shift their training base to Mexico, despite having to play all their group stage matches on the US West Coast. A special order granted only Iranian players (and not their officials) permission to enter and leave the US on the same day as their matches. Team Iran arrives at the Tijuana International Airport in Tijuana, Mexico ahead of the World Cup on June 7 after being refused...
The Punjab government on Sunday decided to expand the Liquid Tree project as part of its efforts to promote an eco-friendly province through modern scientific solutions. The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) runs the initiative. According to it, a liquid tree is “an innovative biotechnology solution that uses microalgae to absorb carbon dioxide and improve urban air quality in areas where traditional tree plantations are limited”. According to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan’s first EPA-certified liquid tree will be shifted from Faisalabad to Lahore under the expansion plan. She said more than 100 types of micro-algae have been collected from regions spanning Karachi to Khyber for the project. In the initial phase, liquid trees will be installed in major shopping malls as well as indoor and outdoor public spaces to help reduce urban air pollution. CM Maryam said the initiative represented a scientific and effective solution to co...