Sam Worthington arrested for assaulting paparazzi

Actor Sam Worthington, best known for his leading role in the 2009 blockbuster Avatar, has been arrested for the second time. PHOTO: FILE

Avatar star Sam Worthington has been arrested in Manhattan for allegedly assaulting a photographer. The 37-year-old star has been charged with assault after he attacked a paparazzo who allegedly kicked his girlfriend, model Lara Bingle, at the Cubbyhole bar in West Village.

New York Police Department Lieutenant John Grimpel confirmed Worthington’s arrest Monday. “The photographer kicked Lara and then Worthington punched him, causing the photographer to have lacerations to his nose. He has been charged with assault. He punched the photographer,” Grimpel said. Worthington was released on bail but will appear in court on Wednesday. The photographer was also arrested and charged with assault, reckless endangerment and harassment. In footage of the incident, Worthington is seen asking police if they are familiar with the movie Avatar before being guided into a police car. The footage also shows his girlfriend Lara Bingle, who Worthington refers to as his wife, attempting to grab the photographer’s camera before Worthington intervenes. The couple then confront a growing pack of onlookers, the footage obtained by Channel 9.

Bingle and Worthington flew to New York this month for fashion week, but there are reports that the pair is likely to stay long-term. Bingle told a Woman’s Day photographer last month that she wanted to quit Australia for good because Worthington hates the paparazzi. The duo started dating in September last year and has spent a lot of time travelling to places including Paris, the Maldives and Western Australia.

This is the second time Worthington has been arrested. He was charged with disorderly conduct when he was denied entry to a restaurant in Atlanta in 2012, but charges were later dismissed. He apparently got into an argument with the doorman, after being refused entry because he was “intoxicated” and lacked proper identification. TMZ reported that witnesses saw Worthington push the doorman twice, before the doorman sprayed him with capsicum spray, reported CNN.

Farhan Akhtar on movies and more

The actor speaks about the reality behind his latest films.

MUMBAI: 

Farhan gets down to talking about his latest offering, comedy Shaadi Ke Side Effects that stars Vidya Balan, and about what we can expect from him next.

Would you describe Shaadi Ke Side Effects (SKSE) as completely different from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (BMB)?

Oh absolutely, and you can see the difference in the way I promote the two films. A certain mood of fun and dance has crept into the promotion of SKSE. Of course, we danced while promoting BMB, but it would have been unfair and disrespectful to make light of Milkha Singh-ji’s life and struggle during the marketing of BMB. SKSE is a more fun-oriented film.

Does SKSE also have a serious message?

I wouldn’t say it has a serious message. But it has a heart. It’s a heart-warming experience. It’s about how the Indian husband yearns to have the life of a single man, even after marriage.

People have tried to connect the film with your own marriage, is that an embarrassment?

It isn’t an embarrassment. But it is unnecessary. I am playing a role in SKSE. I am playing a character in the film. There is no similarity with my real life.

Was it like working with Vidya Balan?

She’s a tremendous actor, so natural, grounded and so uncomplicated. It was a pleasure to be around her. It was a true joy to work with her. We had optimum time together, since most screen time is shared between us. I’d say we’ve developed a friendship during the course of the shooting.

Did you know her before this film?

No, before shooting the film, we didn’t know each other at all. I also don’t open up easily to people I am not close to. But the need of the hour was to develop compatibility. I did just that, and I didn’t regret it at all.

Did the ice between the two of you break immediately?

The first thing I noticed about Vidya was that she laughed a lot. She has an infectious laughter. When she laughs, you feel like laughing along. Then we started hanging out together. We shared quite a few laughs. Within the first two days, we began feeling comfortable with one another.

What next?

I start Zoya’s film in May. I am with Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma.

Interesting cast?

That’s Zoya for you. We’ll be shooting in the open sea.

I hope you’re not seasick?

I will soon find out. Then I’ve Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s film directed by Bejoy Nambiar. Though I am just an actor in the film, you know how Vinod Chopra is. There is a lot of give-and-take of ideas.

Do you give your inputs to the director when you’re just acting?

I don’t hold myself back. If I feel there’s something that needs to be said during shooting, I say it

Amir Khan Foundation and Fun City treat SOS children

SOS Village homes are built with sincere efforts, generous support and love irrespective of blood relations.

“Children bring along with them positive energy that elevates the spirit and livens up the overall ambiance of Fun City,” commented a member of Fun City — Pakistan’s first entertainment complex.

Dedicated to the cause of sharing a percentage of its revenue to exceptional causes through its CSR initiative One Good Heart, Fun City in collaboration with Amir Khan Foundation international boxing champion Amir Khan, invited SOS Children at the entertainment complex. At least 90 children, clad in AK Foundation tee-shirts, along with caretakers and faculty members of SOS Children’s Villages were given an opportunity to enjoy the facility at the play land along with an exclusive treat at Fun City’s Mrs Mayor’s Café & Fun Bakery. Cupcakes prepared by the Little Workers’ Union were also shared with the SOS Children.

A representative of SOS Village said, “We would like to thank Amir Khan Foundation and Fun City for inviting the SOS Children. The visit gave them a chance to engage in a healthy outdoor activity through an opportunity to explore the world outside SOS Village. It is one of the most adventurous and exciting trips the children have had so far. We feel proud to be a part of Fun City’s One Good Heart programme and wish them the best in future.”

Within a short period of time, Fun City, a project of 101 ASI, has been recognised for being the first and only entertainment complex in Pakistan for catering the underprivileged. Prior to SOS Children’s visit, Fun City held a baking activity under its Little Worker’s Union. In collaboration with Tahira Abdullah, renowned humanitarian and human rights activist, Fun City shared the items baked by children with those of Pehli Kiran School System Islamabad, a project of Jamshed Akhtar Qureshi Education Trust. Schools such as Liberal Arts High School, Islamabad, and Hillsdale School, Islamabad, have already participated in Little Worker’s Union and shared baking items with the students of Mashal Model School, Bari Imam and Master Ayub’s School, Islamabad.

Tahira Abdullah, on behalf of Pehli Kiran said, “It is essential to hold activities that teach children to share and work for one brother-hood and equality. We hope many other organisations will participate in this charitable endeavour. It’s all the more important to get children involved because this is the age for them to learn to love and share. I would specially like to thank Fun City for initiating the activities and taking it up as an essential part of it corporate social responsibility.”

Aiming to provide meaningful opportunities that improve the quality of life for underprivileged children, Fun City has launched workshops for children that help them to focus on multiple skills enhancement and development of teamwork ethics. Furthermore, the workshops promote the importance and value of working hard in order to earn rewards. Fun City aims to raise awareness and put a smile on the faces of children, who do not have the same luxury.

Give YouTube a chance: Pakistani rappers take on the ban

The video was well-received by social media users and the overall initiative was appreciated. PHOTO: #PAKISTANFORALL FACEBOOK PAGE

KARACHI: With many deep into withdrawal over the banning of social media network YouTube in Pakistan, they found a new anthem for their cries in the form of ‘Vital Saeen’ Ali Gul Pir along with rappers Adil Omar and  Talal Qureshi calling for an end to the block in their new music video.

The video and its profound lyrics immediately caught the attention of people and soon the video was going viral on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter with Ali Gul Pir trending.

The video is part of a youth initiative “#PakistanForAll” against state censorship in the country and mainly focuses on the YouTube ban.

A few months earlier, a similar video circulated on social media which featured a YouTube mascot roaming around the streets of Karachi asking for hugs from those who want the popular video streaming site to be accessible again.

The latest music video aims takes things further and the song’s lyrics cleverly play on a vernacular slang, using the words “ban” and “chor” (thief) together to indirectly refer to the government as access thieves and the fact that they are taking the ban for granted by not removing it.

The music video focuses on three singers who rap about the ban on the video site, the YouTube mascot who is chased by the authorities and a politician, who slyly watches videos on the site in the safety of his own drawing room.

The lyrics stress on how people these days have to use various proxy sites to access blocked sites in the country. Towards the end, Adil Omar in his rap even tells the government to ban the video itself if they don’t approve of it.

Vocals: Ali Gul Pir and Aadil Omar

Producers:  Talal Qureshi; Mastered by Rudoh

Video:  Aisha Linnea & Shahbaz Shigri

Presented by InCahoots Films and Pakistan for All

CIA chief made secret trip to Pakistan

CIA Director John Brennan. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: 

The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) paid a secret visit to Pakistan last week to discuss key issues concerning the regional security particularly the Afghan endgame.

A senior security official confirmed to The Express Tribune that CIA Director John Brennan traveled to Islamabad last Friday and held meetings with Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and his Pakistani counterpart Lt General Zaheerul Islam.

However, the official, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media, insisted that he only ‘paid a courtesy call’ on the Army Chief. “It was a routine visit,” the official added.

This was the first visit by the US spymaster to Pakistan since he was appointed CIA chief in March 2013.

The CIA chief also met Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt General Zaheerul Islam where they discussed ‘important intelligence matters’, said another official.

Both sides were tight-lipped about the CIA chief’s visit as nothing was said officially.

However, sources familiar with the development said his visit was part of the ongoing engagement process between the two countries to discuss key regional issues.

The visit of the CIA chief came at a time when the fragile peace process with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is unstable.

When asked whether the issue of possible operation in North Waziristan Agency was discussed with the CIA chief, Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told reporters on Monday that it was Pakistan’s internal matter.

However, The Express Tribune has learnt that Pakistan has kept the US on board on the possible operation against the TTP in the tribal areas.

Pakistan-Iran pipeline not possible due to Western sanctions

Federal minister for petroleum and natural resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi says that the work on the pipeline was not possible. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday said that work on a pipeline to import gas from Iran cannot proceed because of sanctions imposed by the United Sates and the European Union on Tehran.

The Iranian side of the $7.5-billion project is almost complete, but Pakistan has run into repeated problems paying for the 780 kilometre (485 mile) section to be built on its side of the border.

Last year, Pakistan had asked Iran for $2 billion in financing to build its side of the controversial gas pipeline.

Iran has the second largest gas reserves in the world but has been strangled by a Western embargo that has seen its crude exports halved in the past year.

US officials had earlier warned that the Iran Pakistan pipeline project would risk triggering sanctions aimed at Iran.

Federal minister for petroleum and natural resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told AFP on Tuesday that the work on the pipeline was not possible because it falls under the sanctions imposed by the US and EU.

“The work on the Pakistan Iran gas pipeline project is not possible because of the sanctions imposed by the US and EU,” Abbasi said.

“This project is affected by the sanctions imposed,” he told AFP without elaborating on how the sanctions could derail the project.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said that his country was ready to go ahead with the pipeline agreement.

“Iran is committed to this gas agreement but until Pakistan has not officially relayed its stance, we cannot react and make a decision,” he was quoted as saying Tuesday by the Mehr news agency:

In late October Zanganeh had said he had “no hope” for the project, citing financial problems.

The long-delayed pipeline that would link the two neighbours was planned to ease Pakistan’s chronic gas shortages.

Iran currently produces around 600 million cubic metres of gas per day, almost all of which is consumed domestically due to lack of exports. Its only foreign client is Turkey, which buys about 30 million cubic metres of gas per day.

The Karachi stock exchange took fright when the countries’ then-presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the much-delayed section of pipeline in March last year.

Spooked by fears of US sanctions, the main index slumped almost 2.5 per cent.

Pakistan has severe gas crisis as natural gas supply to homes and factories almost hit the dead end in winters and the consumers have to rely on the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders.

The compressed natural gas (CNG), used as fuel in cars to improve environment and reduce cost also shuts down for three days a weak during the tight supply months in the most-populated Punjab province.

Many Pakistanis have converted their cars to run on CNG, depending on it as a cheaper alternative to petrol and diesel

SBP launches strategic plan for Islamic banking

Pakistan’s Islamic banking industry represents 12% of the overall banking system with 19 Islamic banking institutions offering products and services through a network of over 1,300 branches. CREATIVE COMMONS

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is pursuing a five-year strategic plan, aimed at setting a consensus direction for the Islamic banking industry, in an effort to step up existing growth momentum and lead the industry to the next level of development.

“The plan revolves around initiatives necessary for improving the public perception of Islamic banking and promoting it as a distinct and viable system to meet financial services’ need of the public in general and business community in particular,” the SBP said in a statement issued on Monday.

Pakistan’s Islamic banking industry has been growing at a fast pace ever since its re-launch in 2001 and now represents 12% of the overall banking system with 19 Islamic banking institutions offering products and services through a network of over 1,300 branches.

Key focus areas of the plan that will run from 2014 to 2018 are: enabling policy environment, Shariah governance and compliance, awareness and capacity-building and market development.

According to the central bank, the functional strategies and action plan for achieving the objectives in each area have been developed in consultation with the Islamic banking industry, Shariah advisers, SBP Shariah board members, academicians, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP).

A successful implementation of the plan was likely to give a further boost to the drive to develop the Islamic banking industry on sound footings, the SBP said. It is also expected to improve acceptability and recognition as a distinct and viable system having capacity to better serve financial services’ needs of the real economy.

On Monday, the SBP organised a two-day workshop on Islamic banking and finance for journalists covering the central bank and national economy in a bid to improve understanding of Islamic banking and finance.

SBP Deputy Governor Saeed Ahmed inaugurated the workshop, where Shariah scholars and market experts would make presentations.