LOS ANGELES, July 27: Warner Bros’ upcoming film ‘Justice League’ movie may have found its writer in Chris Terrio.
Terrio, who wrote the Oscar-winning ‘Argo’ for the studio, was hired to rewrite David S Goyer’s script for ‘Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice’ last year, reported Deadline.
Terrio is now in line to write the script for the long-awaited ‘Justice League’ movie, which will be directed by Zack Snyder.
Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot are expected to appear as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman respectively.
Warner Bros president of worldwide production Greg Silverman has confirmed that Batman vs Superman “will lead into Justice League”. (PTI)
Chris Terrio to write script for Justice League movie
Mariah Carey sells Bel Air mansion
LOS ANGELES, July 27: Pop star Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon have sold their sprawling Bel Air mansion for USD 10 million.
The superstar singer and her TV presenter spouse have earned a cool USD 3 million profit by selling their lavish estate, according to TMZ.
The couple, who have three-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, bought the house for USD 7 million in 2009, a year after they wed, but are now planning to uproot from the West Coast permanently and live in New York City.
The USD 10 million payday is significantly lower than the stars’ asking price as they initially put the pad on the market for USD 13 million.
The sprawling Californian home boasts its own cinema room, a gym, an indoor basketball court and a putting green. The mansion also boasts a luxury outdoor swimming pool, the bottom of which is monogrammed with Mariah’s initials, MC. (PTI)
Gary Barlow tax controversy was unfair: Marcus Collins
LONDON, July 27: Singer Gary Barlow’s former ‘X Factor’ protege Marcus Collins feels it was unfair for the Take That star to be condemned over his use of tax avoidance schemes.
Barlow, 43, is alleged to have invested in two separate tax avoidance schemes, variously used by his bandmates and other celebrities including George Michael, Arctic Monkeys and Sir Michael Caine.
He was ordered to pay back the money by Prime Minister David Cameron in Parliament, and faced calls to be stripped of his OBE when details of the first scheme, Icebreaker, were revealed in May, reported Digital Spy.
Collins said that he supported Barlow throughout the difficult period, and argued that the star had been subjected to “horrible” and “ugly” abuse after being made a scapegoat.
“I notice it more with Gary than anyone else, that as soon as something comes up where people feel they can discredit him, they come down on him like a ton of bricks,” Collins said.
“I don’t know why people are so quick to wish people to fail. It’s such an ugly trait.
“I don’t sit there and go over Gary’s financial details, but I do know that it wasn’t just his name that got brought up. I didn’t think that was fair, it’s horrible.” (PTI)
Japan’s Abe tours ancient city with Mexican leader
MEXICO CITY, July 27: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wrapped up a two-day visit to Mexico, taking a break from sealing energy deals to tour pyramids with President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Abe and Pena Nieto visited the pre-Columbian city of Teotihuacan yesterday with their wives Akie Abe and Angelica Rivera de Pena, donning palm-leaf hats and posing for pictures.
The couples did not speak with the press.
But Pena Nieto’s office released a statement saying Mexico expects greater trade and cooperation with Japan in coming years.
Abe struck a series of energy deals Friday with Pena Nieto at the start of a five-country Latin American tour.
Abe, whose visit to the region comes on the heels of one by Chinese President Xi Jinping, inked a deal between Mexican state oil firm Pemex and Japan’s development bank, and another between Pemex and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation.
With Japan on the lookout for new power sources after the Fukushima disaster forced the shutdown of its nuclear reactors, energy is high on the prime minister’s trip agenda.
Mexico is undergoing sweeping changes in its energy sector, with Congress poised to end struggling Pemex’s 75-year monopoly and open up the oil and gas sectors to foreign investment.
Japan is Mexico’s fourth trade partner, with total trade of USD 19.3 billion last year. There are some 800 Japanese companies that have investments in Mexico, especially automobile giants like Nissan, Mazda and Honda.
Abe is the first Japanese leader to visit Mexico since Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi did in 2004.
Abe’s nine-day trip — which will also take him to Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Chile and Brazil — comes just days after China’s Xi wrapped up his own four-country tour of the region.
With its emerging economies, Latin America holds promise as a relatively untapped market for Japanese exports, in addition to its coveted raw materials. (AGENCIES)
Unfazed by the tension on Indo-Pak border, a farmer is busy ploughing his field close to the fencing in R S Pura sector. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Unfazed by the tension on Indo-Pak border, a farmer is busy ploughing his field close to the fencing in R S Pura sector. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Holy mace being taken to Hari Parvat Temple of Mata Sharika by Mahant Deependra Giri on Sunday.
Holy mace being taken to Hari Parvat Temple of Mata Sharika by Mahant Deependra Giri on Sunday.
14 militants killed in Egypt: official
CAIRO, July 27: Fourteen Takfiri militants have been killed and 47 other terrorists arrested in raids carried out by Egyptian army in the country’s North Sinai area, an official said.
Army raids in North Sinai have killed other 12 militant and arrested 11 suspects during Friday raids, spokesperson of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Mohamed Samir Abdel Aziz said last night.
He said that the army has destroyed 36 houses and 40 shelters used by Takfiri groups and also destroyed 5 cars and 12 motorcycles owned by them.
Militants attacked a military checkpoint in Al-Wadi Al-Gedid governorate in southern Egypt last week, killing 21 Egyptian border guards and injuring four others.
The guards were killed during an exchange of fire with the unknown gunmen which lead to the exploding of the checkpoint’s ammunition storage, which was fired by using rocket-propelled grenades, Samir said.
On Friday two senior security forces officers were killed by unknown gunmen in Sheikh Zowayed in North Sinai.
North Sinai has been the scene of many violent attacks by Islamist militants since January 2011 revolution.
The attacks by Islamists militant targeting police and military increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi last year.
Many policemen and soldiers, have been killed in the attacks including bombings and shootings.
The military has launched frequent security raids in the area, arrested suspects and demolished housing that it says hosts “terrorist” activity, including facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip. (PTI)
Army displaying arms and ammunition recovered from a hideout in Baramulla forests. -Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
Army displaying arms and ammunition recovered from a hideout in Baramulla forests. -Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
horoscope
Monday July 28-2014
Aries : You will achieve things today, not by the sleight of your hand but by your communication skills, says Ganesha. Your eloquence shall win many hearts. The stars suggest monetary benefits, but you need to guard against injury and minor ailments.
Taurus : You are likely to confront a turning point in relationships today, foresees Ganesha. Because you are in need of some compassion and support, you will feel the need to spend time with friends and relatives. Your beloved or better half may bring a change in mood by helping you shed your negative frame of mind, says Ganesha.
Gemini : Some of your personal belongings are very dear to you. You may have to grudgingly share them with someone else. A mild pang of jealousy may kick in. But, you are merely being protective of something very personal, so there is nothing wrong with that, says Ganesha.
Cancer : You will be in high spirits today, foretells Ganesha. It is a favourable day to engage in household activities, like gardening, cooking or even washing laundry. In the evening, work will be eclipsed by the pleasures of love.
Leo : The trader in you comes to the fore today. With an impeccable eye for recognising profitable avenues, you will quickly spot opportunities that arise from buying goods at cheaper prices, and selling them off at a rate that leaves you with a lump sum profit. Start with small transactions, and treat each transaction with care before you plunge into bigger ventures, like the Bull-n-Bear tussle of the stock markets. Ganesha wishes you all the success today.
Virgo : Ganesha predicts that your writing skills will possibly help you vent your feelings without offending others. You will successfully complete your pending assignments. Great success will knock at your door in anything and everything you undertake today, predicts Ganesha.
Libra : No matter what you do, some days are just not happening. Considering the random mood swings that affect you today, it’s in the best interest of others that you put up a ‘Beware of me’ sign. By being forewarned about it, you should be capable of handling your erratic behaviour. Just remember that nothing can affect your mental balance, and that this is just a phase. After slogging hard through the the day, you may desire to relax and pamper yourself later in the evening, suggests Ganesha.
Scorpio : The day today is riddled with minor, nagging ailments. Adopt a two-pronged strategy, advises Ganesha. One – change your lifestyle, and two – visit your doctor for regular examinations. Ominous at his best, Ganesha counsels to take care of your health.
Sagittarius : Today, you will most certainly put your heart and soul into your work. But it is rather unlikely that you will get the returns in proportion to the efforts you put in. Yet, at the end of the day, you will be more than satisfied that you have got the chance to display your innate talents, says Ganesha.
Capricorn : You will have heard of many emotional fools who let sentiments rule their lives. Try not be one of them, and if it’s too difficult a task, at least pretend not to be one of them, for Ganesha says going by your feelings can leave you at a low ebb. In other words, your feelings can come in the way of your success. A solution to this problem is to remain dispassionate and let the opportunist think you are a hard nut to crack.
Aquarius : If Elvis Presley is who you dreamed of being, today may be your day! You seem to impress one and all, and even money flows in! You play smart today and everything seems to work in your favour. Take care, says Ganesha, things may not be as they seem.
Pisces : You probably jumped out of bed this morning itching to talk to someone. And why not, since all your latent power of expression will spring out like a jack-in-the-box today. The pearls of wisdom you shower on people who are down-in-the-dumps today will make them feel good about their bluesy, taciturn selves, says Ganesha.
Govt planning media blitz to hard sell India for FDI
NEW DELHI, July 27: The Commerce and Industry Ministry is planning a media blitz – print, electronic and social – to hard sell India as an attractive investment destination.
“The objective of the campaign is to generate awareness about the investment opportunities and prospects of the country to promote India as a preferred investment destination in the source markets overseas and to increase India’s share of global FDI,” said a DIPP notice inviting request for qualification-cum-request for proposal.
India attracted USD 24.29 FDI in 2013-14 as compared to USD 22.42 billion in the previous fiscal.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion said it intends to undertake on-line international Promotion and Media Campaign across all mediums (website, electronic, social media) throughout the world to brand India as an investment destination.
An interactive portal is also planned for this, it said.
DIPP, which deals with foreign direct investment (FDI) related matters, is under the Commerce and Industry Ministry.
The endeavour of the department is to target the traditional and important source markets overseas from where the country receives a large number of investment proposals.
“Through its overseas media campaign, DIPP intends to project and showcase India as a favoured investment destination, especially in the manufacturing sector,” it said.
It also said that the department intends to release its campaign in the overseas market, portraying the strengths of and opportunities in the Indian economy for investment and highlighting the comparative advantages India has over other investment destinations.
“To better target the campaign, the DIPP will use this interactive portal to collect data about projection investors and provide information and resolution to therein queries,” it added.
For the purpose, it proposes to appoint a IT application services agency, creative agency and a Digital Amplification & Social Analytics Agency for designing production and maintenance of the background of the portal.
The move is a departure from the past when ministers and secretaries used to travel abroad, hold investors meet and attend road shows to seek investments into the country.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have been emphasising the need to promote FDI to supplement domestic investments with a view to boost manufacturing sector and overall economic growth.
The government has recently announced relaxation of FDI policy in sectors including defence, construction and railways and insurance. (PTI)