Did you know?: Rihanna in awe of “Colombian cutie” from Fifa World Cup

The close-up shot in the video shows the unknown brunette beauty grinning widely, sporting a bold red lip colour and clad in a red shirt.

There can only be a few things as flattering as earning the praise of a superstar like Rihanna. But lucky for a girl who was an audience member at the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil versus Colombia game, the singer took to Twitter and posted her video, dubbing her as the “Colombian Cutie,” reported the Daily Mirror.

Rihanna, who has been live tweeting about the ongoing football games, couldn’t resist sharing a short video clip of the pretty chica who wreathed in smiles when the camera focused on her. Her image spread quickly across the internet, with her admirers seeking to know who she is.

The close-up shot in the video shows the unknown brunette beauty grinning widely, sporting a bold red lip colour and clad in a red shirt. It stills remains unclear as to whom the mystery woman is, but we can bet she just became the envy of girls everywhere after she garnered Rihanna’s attention.

The 27-year-old Good Girl Gone Bad hit-maker was thrilled about the game and tweeted earlier in the day, “This is the game I’ve been waiting for! I sincerely LOVE both of these teams!” She previously live tweeted the England versus Uruguay game and congratulated the United States team for its efforts after it lost against Belgium. “Great job #USA! I’m proud of you boys! You put your heart in it!!!” she tweeted at the time, according to the Belfast Telegraph

Arsalan catches Khan by his ‘love child’

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• Former CJP’s son accuses PTI chief of cheating nation by not mentioning his love child in his nomination papers with ECP
• Files petition with the EC, requesting papers and asset details of the PTI chief

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Chaudhry’s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, saying he should be disqualified from the parliament for “not having good morals and cheating the nation by hiding his love child”.

While speaking to journalists outside the Election Commission office on Monday, Dr Arsalan said that as an ordinary voter and citizen of Pakistan, he had approached ECP for Khan’s documents under Article A, B and D of the Constitution.

In this regard, an application to seek nomination papers and other documents of Imran Khan has been submitted in Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), he said, adding that he had decided to file reference against Khan in ECP as he believed that the PTI chief did not fulfil requirement of Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

Dr Arsalan alleged that Khan had a third child, a daughter, in the United States, as proved by the US courts, which he had not mention in his nomination papers.

“On his nomination paper, he put the names of two of his children – Salman and Kasim. There is also another child – Tyrian Jade Khan – perhaps he has not disclosed her name,” Dr Arsalan alleged.

“I believe totally that he grossly violated Article 62 D,P, F read with 63 (2) of the Constitution – by not proving himself as a truthful person having a good moral character – therefore he has rendered himself to be disqualified from parliament,” Dr Arsalan said.

Arsalan said he has completed the consultation process with his lawyers while documents related to Imran Khan’s daughter have also been sought from US courts to take legal action against the PTI chief.

“Imran Khan accused me of certain things for which he did not have evidence when I was given the position of vice chairman in the Balochistan Investment Board (BOI),” he said. “I believe in documents, in concrete proof,” Dr Arsalan said, adding, “I will not accuse a person of being corrupt based on hearsay.”

Following the end of his talk with the media, he distributed copies of the reports he had attained.

Earlier, it was learnt that former CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had decided to adopt legal course against Khan for hurling rigging allegations in general elections 2013 against him.

It was reported that the former top judge had made his mind to sue Khan for dragging him in the controversy without any evidence. “A notice is almost ready to be sent to Imran Khan,” a family member of former chief justice had said.

During the last days of his tenure as top judge, Chaudhry also served a contempt notice to PTI chief for terming the returning officers’ role in the general elections as “sharamnaak”.

Terming Imran Khan’s allegations as baseless, the former chief justice had said that a chief justice has nothing to do with general elections. It was ECP’s duty to appoint returning officers to perform election duties, Chaudhry had said, adding, “Levelling the accusations without evidence is not appropriate. Bring proof on this count.”

French retail giant Carrefour cashes in Indian chips

PARIS: French retail giant Carrefour said Monday that it will pull out of the Indian market with the closure of its five wholesale “cash & carry” stores by the end of September.

Press reports have linked the move to the general election victory in May by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said to oppose opening up the huge Indian retail market to foreign distributors.

Carrefour chief George Plassat had already indicated that the group had been considering whether to maintain a presence in India, where its first store opened in 2010.

Carrefour, which gave no reason for its decision to withdraw, had annual sales of 28 million euros ($38 million) in 2012.

But Indian press reports cited sources at the French company in May saying it was working on ways to withdraw from India after an eventual BJP victory.

Opportunity beckons: Exploring China as rice export market

The Rice Research Institute had developed new techniques to cultivate rice through a broadcasting system instead of manual sapling plantation. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: 

Considering the surplus after meeting domestic consumption of 2.5 million tons, Pakistan is ready to export 3.75 million tons rice annually to China.

According to Pak China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi, China has emerged as one of the destinations for Pakistani rice exports, as reflected in the 244% increase in rice exports to the country during the last two years.

“The PCJCCI has initiated a move to double the exports to China within a year,” said Afridi while talking to Ruidalong Import and Export Company China’s Chairman Alex Pan. “The dream of exporting around 10 million tons of irri-6 rice to China could turn into reality if sustained efforts to market Pakistani rice to China are pursued, focusing on the need of the Chinese population.”

He said new hybrid rice varieties are being developed in Pakistan which would give maximum yield by utilising minimum input costs during water scarcity. The Rice Research Institute had developed new techniques to cultivate rice through a broadcasting system instead of manual sapling plantation. Under this technique, if farmers succeed in setting up 80,000 plants in a field, they will get more production besides saving input costs up to Rs14,000 per acre. This technique is not only cheaper but also helps save 30-35 % irrigation water.

“The response of Chinese importers for Pakistani rice is overwhelming as compared to rice imported from Thailand and Vietnam. Our rice industry is not showing its full potential due to some internal barriers related to planning and strategic implementations. Viewing the current scenario, rice exporters deserve the patronage of government at par with textile industry to develop rice export as one of the major foreign-exchange- earning sector.”

The PCJCCI is going to launch a concrete drive to market Pakistani rice in China by creating a personalised demand among Chinese people. The body is exploring new techniques with China to improve the quality of rice. Chinese buyers prefer to buy the rice with good milling quality. Hence, the PCJCCI will manage match making of the Chinese and Pakistani entrepreneurs in this sector to increase the demand of Pakistani rice in China.

Resolving differences: Businessmen agree to settle trade row with Russia

ISLAMABAD: 

The Pakistani businessmen that took the Russian government to court over a trade dispute are said to have conditionally agreed to withdraw their cases, meeting a longstanding demand of Moscow that seeks resolution of the row before committing new investments in Pakistan.

“The parties to the dispute have expressed their inclination to an early settlement,” said Board of Investment Chairman Miftah Ismail.

He was giving a briefing to a committee constituted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to settle longstanding trade issues between Pakistan and Russia. The committee, headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, met here on Monday.

Ismail said he had met with the Pakistani businessmen who were party to the litigation in court. Negotiations with them were in a clear shape and proposals would be communicated to the Russian side in a few weeks, he said.

The 15-year-old claims by Pakistani investors against Moscow have impeded efforts to seek Russian investment in the railways, oil and gas exploration and steel manufacturing. The decision of the investors to take the Russian government to court over a private dispute annoyed the Kremlin.

The claims were mostly related to freight charges. Seven parties had filed the cases, one opted out and the rest were still pursuing the cases to recover the money.

Pakistani courts have seized $124 million worth of Russian deposits that Moscow insists should be released soon, according to officials. “Businessmen have agreed to withdraw their cases, if the Russian government accepts their demands,” said an official, who is dealing with the businessmen.

He saw bright chances of an amicable solution as Russia had already communicated five principles that Pakistani authorities had accepted for entering into negotiations.

“We need to move on a fast-track (basis) for resolution of the outstanding financial dispute, enabling Russian investors to bring in their capital and explore areas where they can help,” an official handout quoted Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as saying.

During the huddle, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan emphasised the importance of a definite timeframe for settling the row and said the commerce ministry was making vigorous efforts.

The dispute was an impediment to increased cooperation between the two sides in energy production and infrastructure development, he said.

The finance minister called for stepping up efforts to break the impasse that had blocked smooth trade between the two countries. He declared that the leaders of both countries had expressed their determination to address the issues and deepen trade relations.

He underlined the need for a fast-paced resolution of the outstanding financial dispute, paving the way for Russian investors to pump capital into Pakistan and explore the areas in which they could offer assistance.

The minister suggested that all the ministries concerned should be on the same page and work for resolution of the issue. “The solution should be a win-win situation for both the Russian government and Pakistani businessmen.”

He stressed that any arrangement agreed by both the parties should be implemented with full commitment and the matter should be brought to a close at the earliest.

I’m here to stay: Sidharth Malhotra

NEW DELHI: Model-turned-actor Sidharth Malhotra, who is currently riding high on the success of Ek Villain, which has minted INR772 million in its opening week, is confident he will play a long innings in filmdom.

The 29 year old, who was criticised for his inability to dance or to emote well in his debut filmStudent of the Year, despite the fact that it passed off with flying colours at the box office, has a reason to believe that.

“This kind of box office success was my first experience. I feel I’ve reached out to more number of people with this film than I ever did before; so that’s exciting. Now, I feel that I am here to stay,” said Sidharth.

“It’s satisfying to see that I took a risk two years ago by choosing a character like this, it is so different from what I’ve done before and it’s paying off. It’s very satisfying as an actor to try something new and see that the audience is liking it,” added the actor who played romantic roles in his first two films.

So far, the actor has had three releases, of which Hasee Toh Phasee is the only film that underperformed.

While many would kill for looks like his, the six-foot-plus actor found it a challenge. “We are not just standing and posing, are we? I’ve tried to change my looks in all the three films. People think ‘he is a good looking boy, so he can’t act’. To break that stereotype and go beyond my looks was also a challenge,” said the actor, who wants to keep reinventing himself.

Sidharth, who plays Guru — a criminal transformed into a good guy by the power of love — in the romantic thriller, said the film “was also an endeavour to turn all the non-believers into believers”. “I think Ek Villain is the best answer I could give to the people who didn’t see my craft or who weren’t convinced about my space here,” he added.

The movie has earned him more than just fans; the actor said many filmmakers have been approaching him post the success of Ek Villain. “Now, filmmakers will not feel shy in putting money in a project with me. I was committed to two films before I did Ek Villain, so now I am concentrating on those two films (Warrior and Bhavesh Joshi).”

Sidharth, who assisted director Karan Johar in My Name is Khan, had thought of going behind the camera as well. However, after the thunderous success of Ek Villain, he has changed his mind.

“I got into assistant direction. I had thought of that as an option, but now, after the success ofEk Villain… nah. Why would I go behind the camera? I would like to be in front of the camera. It’s far tougher to be a director,” he said.

Djokovic ends Federer record dream in epic Wimbledon final

Serbia's Novak Djokovic holds the winner's trophy after beating Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final match during the presentation on day thirteen of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2014. PHOTO: AFP

Novak Djokovic won his second Wimbledon title and seventh career major with a 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-4 victory over Roger Federer Sunday, shattering the Swiss star’s dream of a record eighth triumph in an epic struggle.

Victory allowed the top seeded Serb, who was also the 2011 champion and runner-up last year, to end a run of three successive defeats in Grand Slam finals, but the 27-year-old struggled to get across the finish line, surrendering a 5-2 lead in the fourth set and then a match point.

Djokovic celebrated victory in typically eccentric style, kneeling on the Centre Court turf and munching on a few blades of grass just as he had done three years ago.

Defeat for 32-year-old Federer, who won the most recent of his 17 Grand Slam titles at the All England Club in 2012, ended his bid to become the oldest Wimbledon champion in the Open Era and of breaking the tie of seven titles he shares with Pete Sampras.

“First of all I want to congratulate Roger it was a great match to be a part of he is a magnificent champion and a great example of a great athlete and a role model. I respect everything you have done and thanks for letting me win today,” smiled Djokovic.

“That’s why he has 17 Grand Slams because at important times he comes up with those shots. After losing the fourth set it wasn’t easy to go on and win the fifth set, I don’t know how I did it.”

Djokovic has the added bonus of reclaiming the world number one spot from Rafael Nadal.

Federer said he was surprised to have got to a deciding set.

“It was a great final. I can’t believe I made it to five, it wasn’t looking good for a while,” said Federer.

“Going into a match with Novak, you know it’s going to be tough. I can only say congratulations to him. It was an amazing match and an amazing tournament. It’s well-deserved.”

In front of a Royal Box containing Prince William and wife Catherine, the opening set was a fascinating contrast between Federer’s mix and match of serve and volley and Djokovic’s renowned baseline flair in the pair’s 35th meeting.

Two rallies featured 21 strokes apiece but neither player could fashion a break point.

In a rollercoaster of a tiebreaker, Federer saw a 3/0 lead gobbled up and then had to save two set points.

But the Swiss rallied when it mattered, taking the opener when Djokovic dumped a backhand return into the net.

The Serb took a nasty tumble on the bone-dry grassless baseline and saw two break points disappear in the first game of the second set.

But he did break in the third for 2-1 — just Federer’s second loss of serve of the tournament — before calling the trainer to treat the left ankle he hurt in the fall.

Federer had his first break point of the tie in the 10th game but Djokovic saved it and levelled the final with a brutal overhead.

Federer saved two break points in the 11th game of the third set, moving to 6-5 with a 20th ace.

But it was Djokovic who was on top in the tiebreaker charging to two set points and the third set when Federer pushed a drive wide.

In a thrilling fourth set, Djokovic broke for 3-1, Federer hit back for 2-3 but the Serb regained the initiative for 4-2 and held a nervy seventh game for 5-2.

Astonishingly, back came the veteran Swiss to go to 4-5, breaking his opponent when he served for the title.

He saved a match point in the 10th game on a successful challenge to take the final into a decider.

Djokovic led 2-1 in the fifth and called the trainer for the second time for treatment to his right calf.

The man from Belgrade fought off a break point to lead 4-3 and then wasted three of his own as the rivals went to 4-4.

Djokovic held for 5-4 and from nowhere he seized the initiative, moving to two championship points and clinched the trophy when Federer netted a return.