NEW DELHI, July 18: HDFC Property Fund, a part of financial sector conglomerate HDFC group, today announced the closure of USD 250 million international fund focused on investing in Indian real estate.
The fund-raising exercise has been concluded with investments from marquee international institutional investors and marks closure of HDFC’s second international real estate fund, it said in a statement.
HDFC had raised an international fund of USD 800 million in 2007, which is fully deployed.
The recently closed fund will focus on investing primarily in residential property developments in major cities across India.
HDFC Property Fund had also set up in 2005 two domestic real estate funds; one with a corpus of Rs 1,000 crore that has been substantially exited and another Rs 464.4 crore fund which is fully exited now.
The cumulative assets under management of HDFC Property Fund exceed USD 1 billion. (PTI)
HDFC Fund raises USD 250 mn for realty investments
Crude oil prices firm up on geopolitical tensions
NEW DELHI, July 18: Crude oil prices rose by 0.56 per cent to Rs 6,256 per barrel today after participants indulged in creating speculative positions, tracking a firming trend in Asia.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in July traded Rs 35, or 0.56 per cent higher at Rs 6,256 per barrel, with a business turnover of 1,128 lots.
The oil for August also moved up by Rs 25, or 0.40 per cent, to Rs 6,205 per barrel, with a business volume of 154 lots.
Market analysts attributed the rise in crude oil futures to a firming trend in Asia after a Malaysia Airlines plane was reportedly shot down in war-ravaged Ukraine and Israel launched a ground offensive into Gaza, sparking fears of tensions in the crude-rich Middle East.
Meanwhile, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in August was up 53 cents to USD 103.72, while Brent crude for September gained 65 cents to USD 108.54 per barrel in late-morning trade. (PTI)
horoscope
Saturday July 19-2014
Aries : Positive thinking can change the world, and you could do with some today. No matter how tough the going gets, take it in your stride, says Ganesha. If you think you can do it, you will. You have the magic touch today to initiate a new business strategy.
Taurus : You may find yourself compromising against your will today, predicts Ganesha. Stand strong despite things going awry instead of feeling disillusioned due to poor results. Ongoing negotiations might come to a logical end and a few important decisions are likely to be delayed due to lack of proper information.
Gemini : A crucial social event at home is on the anvil, and it will demand most of your attention. Intense business negotiations, which were going on for a long time, will come to a logical conclusion. The results are likely to be stacked in your favour. This, coupled with after-office parties, will ease out the stress. You are likely to remain buoyant and energetic.
Cancer : Today, you are likely to achieve something that you have badly wanted for a long time. It is very likely that you will get very emotional in the moment of victory today, predicts Ganesha. Your arrogance and overconfidence can throw you off track. You had better keep your emotional balance once you are through the victory lap.
Leo : You will be seized by a desire to do something new for a change today. Your mood will be bright throughout the day. You will be able to achieve success owing to your energy and enthusiasm. The planets are in your favour, hence you can accept the challenges coming your way and prevail over them, says Ganesha.
Virgo : It is more than likely that you will reap financial profits from foreign contacts, predicts Ganesha. You will excel in all the activities that you undertake today. Your dream of establishing a mammoth business enterprise in a foreign country will take flight today.
Libra : Lady Luck smiles on you today. With all the good fortune on your side, it’s assured to be a day when financial gains come your way, especially if you are in the banking business. Agreed everything is going your way today, but be careful not to let your emotions cloud your reasoning and slow you down. Don your rational hat and lower your expectations a little. It never hurts to want less, especially since it is saves you from disappointments later on, advises Ganesha.
Scorpio : There are strong indications that today you will be receptive and sensitive towards the needs of other people. Negative vibes will disrupt your thinking, and you will rely on the company of close friends to keep you in good cheer. Do not succumb to the pessimism that might cloud your thought today as it is only a passing phase, advises Ganesha.
Sagittarius : You will find yourself rubbing shoulders will Lady Luck today. Sharpen your multi-tasking skills as you will keep busy and have only occasional moments of respite. Good will and green print, you might find them both with ease and in abundance, predicts Ganesha.
Capricorn : Success never comes easy, but in your case, it will make an exception, says Ganesha. You will meet with success in social as well as professional life, and this will also make heavy your treasure box. At work, prepare to get loaded with new assignments and simultaneously deal with existing work pressure. But it won’t be as fatiguing as it sounds; evening recreations will charge you up for the next day.
Aquarius : Get ready for a gala evening as you will party at the smallest excuse! You may toast a friend’s success, or may be ecstatic about finding your lost pet. Otherwise it’s the usual, says Ganesha. You plan a bit and march ahead successfully in your business or profession.
Pisces : The focus will be on children today, says Ganesha. While they will be the cause of an unfair share of your headache, you will be surprised at their ability to step up to the occasion, with just a little amount of coaching.
UN Security Council sets urgent meeting on Ukraine
UNITED NATIONS, July 18: The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today morning on Ukraine.
Britain’s UN Mission said yesterday it requested the meeting and later tweeted that it is set for 10 am today.
The request follows Wednesday’s downing of a Ukrainian air force fighter and yesterday’s downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane carrying 295 people over eastern Ukraine. Britain has proposed a Security Council press statement calling for “a full, thorough and independent international investigation into the incident.”
The statement, obtained by The Associated Press, was circulated to all 15 council members, who must approve it before it can be issued.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-noon said “there is clearly a need for a full and transparent international investigation” into the plane crash in Ukraine.
Ban said during a media event that the International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency, is closely monitoring the disaster involving the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane carrying 295 people.
“I offer my deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and people of Malaysia,” Ban added. Both Ukraine’s government and the pro-Russia separatists fighting in the region have denied any responsibility for downing the aircraft.
Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev tweeted after yesterday’s crash in a rebel-controlled area that “Ukraine will present the evidence of Russian military involvement into the Boeing crash. This crime should be fully investigated.” (AGENCIES)
‘Once Upon a Time’ to have new spin-off
LOS ANGELES, July 18: ABC chairman Paul Lee has hinted at the possibility of a spin-off of fairy tale drama series ‘Once Upon a Time’.
Previous spin-off ‘Once Upon a Time in Wonderland’ was deemed a failure, but the network remains open to similar future projects, reported Hollywood Life.
“Showrunners Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis are endlessly inventive. They have a glimpse in their eyes of stories they’re going to spin for many years to come on Once, and maybe beyond it,” Lee said.
“It certainly doesn’t rule out their ability or our ability to build on ‘Once’. In many ways, Once itself changes every season by bringing on new characters – think of the world of Hook, of Wicked, and now to have teased ‘Frozen’,” he added. (PTI)
Zachary Quinto doubts he will return for ‘Heroes Reborn’
LOS ANGELES, July 18: Actor Zachary Quinto has expressed interest in ‘Heroes Reborn’ but said it is unlikely he will return due to his availability.
The 37-year-old actor played ruthless villain Sylar in the original series, who was able to extract the powers of others by slicing through their skull, reported The Wrap.
Quinto revealed that he has been in talks with creator Tim Kring about reprising his role.
“I’ve been talking to Tim and I’m really excited that they’re doing that show. I don’t really see the room for me to be involved at this point, just based on my schedule. But, I’m not sure if it will work out just based on availability alone,” he said.
“I know I’ll be excited to watch it and be a part of it any way I can.”
Since appearing in ‘Heroes’, Quinto has gone on to star as Spock in ‘Star Trek’ and 2013 follow-up ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’, as well as ‘American Horror Story’.
NBC has already got Jack Coleman to rejoin as Noah Bennet and more original stars are likely to return.
Milo Ventimiglia, who played Peter Petrelli, has ruled himself out of ‘Heroes Reborn’, while Hayden Panettiere (Claire Bennet) said she had received no contact about the project back in April.
NBC has ordered 13 episodes of the spin-off series, which will air in 2015. (PTI)
Smoke billowing out of langars and tents set on fire by miscreants at Baltal base camp on Friday.
Smoke billowing out of langars and tents set on fire by miscreants at Baltal base camp on Friday.
Universal relaunching monster movie franchises
LOS ANGELES, July 18: Universal Pictures has tapped Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan to oversee the relaunch of its classic monster movie franchises.
The studio is seeking to reboot and unify its many horror properties, reported Deadline.
These traditionally include ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Dracula’, ‘The Wolf Man’, ‘The Creature from the Black Lagoon’, ‘The Invisible Man’, ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ and ‘The Mummy’.
Kurtzman is best known as the writing and producing partner of Roberto Orci on properties including ‘Transformers’, ‘Star Trek’ and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’. The pair recently announced their decision to work on separate projects.
Morgan wrote five of Universal’s popular ‘Fast and Furious’ films.
The first film will be ‘The Mummy’, which is planned for release on April 22, 2016. (PTI)
Para-military personnel stand guard outside an extensively damaged langar at Baltal on Friday.
Para-military personnel stand guard outside an extensively damaged langar at Baltal on Friday.
Civilians point towards the bullet marks at Pindi, Arnia on Friday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Civilians point towards the bullet marks at Pindi, Arnia on Friday. -Excelsior/Rakesh