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Int'l Business Times
3 hours ago
- General
- Int'l Business Times
Indigenous Communities Plead For Action At Plastic Pollution Talks
Indigenous communities from North America are at talks on a global treaty on plastic pollution in Geneva, pleading the case for the environment they depend upon, which is slowly being choked by microplastics. In the grounds of the United Nations headquarters, overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps beyond, a chant suddenly drifted through the humid summer air: a "water song". Standing barefoot in a circle, six women and a young man from multiple North American Indigenous communities decided to do a spontaneous purification ritual. A melancholic second chant follows, dedicated to the well-being "until the seventh generation" of "all the delegates" from the 184 countries attempting to thrash out what would be the first international treaty on tackling the worldwide ever-growing scourge of plastic pollution. The UN-hosted talks, which began last Tuesday, resume on Monday for four more days, with oil-producing states and the so-called ambitious group of nations still far apart on what the treaty should encompass. The young man in the middle of the circle, wearing a hat with two feathers attached, hands each of the six women a bowl containing burning seal fat and plant powders. With both hands, Suzanne Smoke, from the Williams Treaties First Nations in Ontario, Canada, moved as if to catch the rising smoke, rubbing it on her face and body. Panganga Pungowiyi, an activist with the Indigenous Environmental Network, was also in the circle. She comes from Alaska, near the Bering Strait. She is asking negotiators to craft a plastic pollution treaty that ensures justice, particularly for the most vulnerable communities, she told AFP. "We carry knowledge; it's our responsibility -- our duty -- to share the information given to us by the ecosystems," Pungowiyi said, explaining her presence at the talks. Alaska is affected by toxic chemicals, some of which come from plastic or from oil exploration. "Toxic products travel to the north, through ocean currents and air currents," she said. Henri Bourgeois Costa, an environmental and plastic pollution expert at the Tara Ocean Foundation, explained Alaska's predicament. "Given the functioning of the major ecosystem cycles, Alaskan populations are already the most affected by mercury and PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) pollution -- industrial heavy metals now banned in developed countries -- even though Alaska doesn't use them," he told AFP. The currents, which brought plenty of nutrients and schools of fish to the northwestern US state's residents, are now also bringing vast quantities of microplastics, he said. A 2020 study from Washington State University demonstrated that a chemical additive used in the manufacture of car tyres, 6PPD, had "deleterious effects on the reproduction of salmon", one of the most widespread fish in Alaska, Bourgeois Costa said. A compound derived from 6PPD -- a preservative used to slow tyre degradation -- comes off the rubber onto the roads, and gets into the water cycle, the study showed. "No more fish -- no more seals: no more food," Pungowiyi said. People can see the diseases suffered by birds and mammals in the surrounding environment, which ultimately go on to affect their own children, she said. "We are exposed through food, water and forages, because we forage for our food," said Pungowiyi. Aakaluk Adrienne Blatchford, an activist from a small Alaskan village, who came to the Geneva talks with financial support from an association, put it bluntly: "If animals die, we die." She spoke at a conference staged on the sidelines of the negotiations, which are struggling to find a consensus that would stop the amount of plastic pollution from growing. "We rely on unhealthy products," Blatchford said, adding: "It's becoming harder and harder to maintain our food security." And "there is no alternative", she added, with prices as high as "$76 for an imported frozen chicken" at the supermarket. This is a trap for economically fragile populations living in "a symbiotic relationship with the world", she said. "We need a collective decision on how to handle this crisis," she insisted, hoping that the treaty will include a list of banned chemical additives. The plastics treaty talks are being held inside the UN's Palais des Nations complex. During the ritual, held beneath a tree in the grounds outside, Blatchford stood with her eyes closed, tears rolling down her face. Global plastic production in one year AFP The Chugach Mountains and Alaska's biggest city Anchorage seen from across the waters of the Knik Arm AFP Delegates are meeting in the main assembly hall at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva AFP
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
PCB chief curator Tony Hemming resigns after one year in role
Listen to article Australian curator Tony Hemming has stepped down as Chief Curator of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the board confirmed on Saturday — almost a year into his two-year contract. Hemming, who joined the PCB in July last year, was known for bringing international expertise and innovation to Pakistan's pitch preparation. Most notably, he introduced the 'greenhouse concept,' a method using pitch covers with heaters to retain surface warmth and prevent winter moisture, especially in fog-heavy regions like Multan. Tony Hemming resigns as chief curator Lahore, 9 August 2025: Tony Hemming has resigned from his position as chief curator, Pakistan Cricket Board. -ENDS- — PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) August 9, 2025 With nearly 40 years of experience, Hemming's global résumé includes roles across Australia, the UAE, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. He previously served as Head Curator at the ICC Academy and the Dubai International Stadium, which hosted Pakistan's home fixtures for nearly a decade. Interestingly, Hemming is currently under a two-year contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which began last July. Yet, he had reportedly reapplied for the PCB curator role, indicating his willingness to return. Over his long career, Hemming has also advised the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA), managed the Optus Stadium in Perth, consulted for the Oman Cricket Academy, and overseen operations at King Fahad International Stadium in Riyadh. He has also served as an educator and presenter for the ICC Academy.
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali arrested on suspicion of alleged rape during England tour
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have provisionally suspended batsman Haider Ali after he was arrested on suspicion of alleged rape during this summer's tour of England. Police have opened a criminal investigation over an alleged incident which took place in Manchester on July 23. Ali, 24, has been released on bail and an investigation is ongoing. Advertisement A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) statement read: 'After receiving a report on Monday 4 August 2025 of a rape, we have arrested a 24-year-old man. 'It's alleged that the incident occurred on Wednesday 23 July 2025 at a premises in Manchester. The man has since been bailed pending further enquiries. The victim is being supported by officers.' The PCB confirmed the provisional suspension on Thursday, stating the governing body had been notified of a GMP investigation involving Ali. The PCB said the alleged incident is reported to have occurred during Pakistan A's five-match tour of England, which took place between July 22 and August 5. A PCB statement read: 'In line with its duty of care and responsibility to ensure the welfare and legal rights of all its players, the PCB has ensured that Haider Ali has received appropriate legal support to protect his rights throughout this process. 'The PCB fully respects the legal procedures and processes of the United Kingdom and acknowledges the importance of allowing the investigation to run its due course.' The governing body of cricket in Pakistan added Ali's suspension is 'effective immediately' and pending the outcome of the investigation, and said it reserves the right 'to take appropriate action under its Code of Conduct' once the legal process has concluded and 'all facts have been duly established'. Ali made his international debut for Pakistan in 2020 and has since played 35 T20Is and two ODIs. He was a senior player on tour for Pakistan A — the nation's second-tier international cricket team — this summer, playing in all five matches on the tour. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
India Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
It's your debut, finish it: Hasan Nawaz on captain Rizwan's message after 1st ODI win
Hasan Nawaz revealed that Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan told him to make the most of his debut match and get the team over the line in the first ODI against the West Indies on Friday, August 8. Nawaz was the star of the show as he remained unbeaten on 63 from 54 balls as Pakistan won the match by five made a slow start to his innings in what turned out to be a tricky chase for the visitors as their run-rate was below the required one when they lost Rizwan for 53, still needing 101 for the win. Nawaz showed great maturity and put on a 104-run stand with Hussain Talat as Pakistan got home in the end with seven balls to vs PAK 1st ODI Highlights Speaking to PCB, the 22-year-old said that he was aiming to make his debut a memorable one. Nawaz said he had confidence from his Pakistan Super League exploits and knew he could big hits in the end."It was my debut match so I was thinking to make it memorable. When me and Rizwan were batting, he was telling me that 'it's your debut, so you have to finish the match.'""When he was going out his dismissal, he said the same thing that you have to finish it. So that was the plan, and also I had the confidence from before that in the PSL, I have been finishing matches. That thing was also there that I can get big hits at the end," said Nawaz's Media Talk after receiving Player of the Match Award on Pakistan Cricket Team USA FC (@DoctorofCricket) August 9, 2025'You learn a lot from Babar and Rizwan'Nawaz also spoke about learning from Babar and Rizwan, who put on a steady stand of 55 to help Pakistan get back into the chase. The youngster said that the partnership from the duo played a key role for the team in the end."You learn a lot from Babar bhai, Rizwan bhai, the way they play, they are match-winners. So, we learn a lot from them. There was a lot of help from them, and it played a big role in winning the match. When we lost one or two wickets early, they handled it very well, and later we got the benefit of that," said second ODI between West Indies and Pakistan will take place on August 10.- Ends
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Pakistan's Haider Ali Granted Bail In Alleged Rape Case
Last Updated: Pakistan batter Haider Ali, arrested by Greater Manchester Police for alleged rape, has been granted bail. Pakistan batter Haider Ali, who was arrested by Greater Manchester Police in connection with an alleged rape case, has been granted bail pending further investigations, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Haider, a member of the Pakistan Shaheens squad touring England, remains in the UK. The Pakistan Shaheens squad, which included several players on the England tour, has flown to Australia for a multi-team T20 series. Haider has been replaced by all-rounder Mohammad Faiq. 'After receiving a report on Monday, 4 August 2025, of a rape, we arrested a 24-year-old man. It's alleged that the incident occurred on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at a premises in Manchester. The man has since been bailed pending further enquiries. The victim is being supported by officers," stated Greater Manchester Police to ESPNcricinfo. According to the report, Haider was arrested in Beckenham, where the Shaheens were playing the last game of their five-match tour. The first two matches were held on July 22 and 25, between which the alleged incident took place on July 23 in Manchester. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the UK. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday that Haider is under criminal investigation in the UK. 'Accordingly, the PCB has decided to place Haider Ali under provisional suspension, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. Once the legal proceedings are concluded and all facts have been duly established, the PCB reserves the right to take appropriate action under its Code of Conduct, if necessary," said the statement. The 24-year-old has represented Pakistan in two ODIs and 35 T20Is and was initially seen as a destructive opener after his standout performances in the Pakistan Super League in 2020. (With AFP Inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
