Carlos Tevez's Father Kidnapped; Freed After Paying Ransom

EFT Report: Carlos Tevez is the latest Argentine soccer star to pay off kidnappers in exchange for a family member’s freedom.

Argentina and Juventus striker Carlos Tevez father Segundo Tevez was kidnapped and held for 8 hours by a group of assailants in Buenos Aires and was released after paying a ransom of $400,000, it was announced by the family's lawyer.

Carlos Tevez

According to sources in Argentina, Segundo Tevez was driving his car in the municipality of Moron, a province of Buenos Aires, when he was taken hostage in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Segundo is actually Carlos Tevez’s maternal uncle who legally adopted him when he was a baby. Carlos Tevez has reportedly left Juventus preseason camp in Italy and is flying to Argentina to be with his father.

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Events at India Habitat Centre, Delhi on July 27

Today’s  Events at India Habitat Centre:

Sunday, July 27, 2014

8:00am|IHC WALK|Rain walk in a beautiful Mughal garden tomb with its setting rejuvenated in the monsoons! At Safdarjung Tomb with Swapna Liddle. Please check with the Programmes desk for registration and details.  10:00am-5:00pm|WORKSHOP|Appreciating Sufi Literature and Qawwali Workshop on the poetry and music of the Sufi Bhakti tradition of India conducted by Ektara, concludes. Check panel for details. 7:00pm|MUSIC|Pt.Gama Maharaj Smriti Samaroh Hindustani Vocal recital by Nitin Sharma, disciple of Pt. Krishna Kant Jha & Pt. Ajay Pohankar. Followed by Hindustani Vocal recital by Madhumita Saha, disciple of Vidushi Sumitra Guha Collab: Society for Action Through Music 7:30pm|THEATRE|Stand Up- Papa CJ presents An Evening with The Godfather: Harith Iskander In Concert (Eng/70mins) From hosting the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games to multiple TV shows and films, Harith Iskander - the Godfather of Malaysian stand-up comedy - has done it all! He now comes to our shores to show his best. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to catch him on his international tour and at the top of his game. Tickets at Rs.350 & Rs.100 available at the Programmes Desk July.4 onwards for IHC members only. Open to all July.7 onwards. An Old World Culture presentation

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‘Iron Man’ Robert Downey Jr is Hollywood's Highest Paid Actor Again

EFT Report: For second year in a row Robert Downey Jr is living up to his Iron Man alter ego billionaire Tony Stark image, the 49-year-old has been named tinseltown's highest paid actor by Forbes with an impressive $75 million in earnings. The earnings are mostly due to his portrayal as Iron Man in a series of Marvel superhero films, including the Avengers.

Robert Downey Jr

Coming in second, is the ever hard-working Dwayne Johnson ‘ The Rock’ with an estimated $52 million in earnings followed by Bradley Cooper with an estimated $46 million.

FORBES TOP EARNING ACTORS 2014

1. Robert Downey Jr ($75 million)
2. Dwayne Johnson ($52 million)
3. Bradley Cooper ($46 million)
4. Leonardo DiCaprio ($39 million)
5. Chris Hemsworth ($37 million)
6. Liam Neeson ($36 million)
7. Ben Affleck ($35 million)
8. Christian Bale ($35 million)
9. Will Smith ($32 million)
10. Mark Wahlberg ($32 million).

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Gerrard Quits International Football

EFT Report: After a disastrous World Cup 2014 campaign, England captain and Liverpool FC mainstay Steven Gerrard has announced his retirement from international soccer after 114 outings for the Three Lions, England's Football Association said today (July 21). Gerrard (34) scored 21 times and represented his country at 6 major tournaments after winning his first cap in a 2-0 win over Ukraine in 2000.

Steven Gerrard

"I have enjoyed every minute of representing my country. It's a sad day for me. It was a very difficult decision to make. It's something I have been contemplating for a long time, not just since the end of the World Cup. I've had to take an awful lot of advice from people who are close to me - players that I still play with, ex-players who I played with a long time ago, managers who I played for years ago. It's been a really tough decision, certainly one of the toughest since I turned professional at 18,” the Liverpool midfielder said.

Steven Gerrard will now assume a ‘high profile’ ambassadorial role with the Football Association and will continue his club career with Liverpool.

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Priyanka Starer 'Mary Kom' Trailer to Release on July 24

EFT Report, Mumbai: The first full-fledged trailer of "Mary Kom," cut by producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will be launched by July 24.

The first teaser of Omang Kumar directed film was released on Priyanka Chopra's birthday Friday and it has got rave reviews by all and sundry. 

The actress plays titled role in the movie co-produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions, and directed by Omung Kumar.

Ajit Andhare, COO Viacom 18, said: "We're thrilled with the astounding response to the poster and teaser which we had titled 'Mary Kom Punch'. These have set us up very well for the trailer, which will be out later this week. We've titled the trailer 'Mary Kom knock-out'. The first round is won and we're looking forward to the next."

Omang Kumar is "very happy" with the response. 

"After a long time there has been a frenzy of this sort surrounding the release of a poster. It felt good to hear all the fabulous comments. We had to live up to people's expectations with the teaser also. I think we succeeded in doing so. Now we have the trailer coming up. I am very excited. It's been a long wait for me. I can finally showcase my work to the world," he added.

The film on the Olympic bronze medalist is due to release on Oct 2. 

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The Notebook Actor James Garner Dies at 86

EFT Report, Los Angeles: Legendary Hollywood actor James Garner, known for his roles in movies like "The Rockford Files" and "The Notebook," is dead. He was 86.

Garner died Saturday, but the cause of his death is not known yet, reports tmz.com.

The law enforcement sources said an ambulance was dispatched to the actor's home here around 8 p.m. Saturday evening and he was dead when they arrived on scene.

Garner was one of the first actors to amass success in both television and film and he starred in a lot of classics.

Known for the comedy series "Maverick", in which he played Bret Maverick from 1957-1960, the actor even acted in the 1994 big screen version of "Maverick", which starred Mel Gibson in the lead role. 

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Kaka, Ganso to Play Together for Sao Paulo at Brazil's Serie A Championship

EFT Report, Sao Paulo: Sao Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho insists there is room for Brazil playmakers Paulo Henrique Ganso and Kaka in the same team.

Kaka is expected to make his first appearance for Sao Paulo against Chapecoense in Brazil's Serie A championship Saturday after joining the club on a six-month loan, reports Xinhua.

Ganso has regained glimpses of his best form in 2014 as he recovers from injury and a prolonged form slump.

"They can play together," Muricy said. "Ganso is different. He likes to be involved but doesn't go into the area much. Kaka does, and he creates more in the opposition area.

"They have different characteristics. All good players can play together if they are willing to work hard for the team and not only for themselves."

Bidding for their seventh league title and first since 2008, Sao Paulo are currently third in the league standings.

Their star-studded attack also includes former Brazil strikers Luis Fabiano and Alexandre Pato, as well as highly rated forward Alan Kardec.

Muricy stopped short of suggesting that all could feature in the same team.

"To play with all of them together might be difficult because balance is fundamental," Muricy said. "We are going to have quality on the ball, which is important. But when we don't have the ball, if we don't work hard to defend, it's going to be difficult." 

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Kamal Haasan's 'Drishyam' to Roll From August

EFT Report, Chennai: Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan-starrer, the yet-untitled Tamil remake of Malayalam blockbuster "Drishyam", will go on the floors from the first week of August. The film was launched here recently.

"Kamal Haasan and other important members of the film recently participated in the launch. The regular shooting is expected to start from the first week of August," read a statement.

Jeetu Joseph, who helmed the original, has been roped in to direct the Tamil version as well. Actress Meena is likely to play the female lead opposite Kamal in the film, jointly produced by Suresh Balaje, George Pius of Wide Angle Creations, Raj Kumar Sethupathy and Sripriya Rajkumar of Raj Kumar Theatres Pvt Ltd.

Ghibran has been signed to compose the tunes for the film, which will mark his third collaboration with Haasan in a row after "Vishwaroopam 2" and "Uttama Villain".

"Drishyam" has already been remade in Telugu as well as Kannada.

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FIFA Lifts Suspension of Nigeria FA

EF Times, Lagos: World football governing body, FIFA has lifted the suspension imposed on Nigeria Football Association (NFA) July 9.

The ban was lifted in a letter sent to the NFA Friday, a statement issued by Ademola Olajire, spokesperson for the Nigerian FA read, saying FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke signed the letter addressed to NFA Chairman Aminu Maigari, reports Xinhua.

According to him, since the conditions set by the FIFA Emergency Committee July 9 have been met the suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation is lifted with immediate effect.

The lifting of the suspension means that all of NFA's membership rights have been reinstated, as defined in article 12 of FIFA Statutes, he added.

The NFA is entitled to take part in international competitions again and to benefit from all programmes which were suspended.

The spokesperson added that FIFA received the correspondence on Thursday, July 17 from the NFA about the withdrawal of the court case.

He added that FIFA was satisfied that Nigeria had complied with the demand.

A Nigerian High Court in central north city of Jos, through an order obtained by Ibiakpo Baribote, restrained the board from using the name NFA.

The Nigerian government, however, prevailed on her to withdraw the suit giving room for the board to return to its duties Friday.

With this decision, the NFA has stepped up arrangements to ensure that the U-20 Women National Team, the Falconets, travel to Moncton, Canada, next week for a final training camp.

The training camp is preparatory to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup scheduled to take place in Canada in August.

The lifting of the suspension will also pave the way for the U-17 boys to fly to Democratic Republic of Congo for a 2015 African U-17 Championship qualifier July 27. 

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Angelina to Direct and Co-Star With Brad Pitt in ‘By The Sea’

EFT Report: They did make a big splash at the box-office with their last movie together, the 2005’ assassin comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith grossing over $478 million, now Angelina Jolie has confirmed that she will to be directing and co-starring with Brad Pitt in a new love story titled ‘By The Sea’ to be shot in Malta, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea.

Angelina With Brad Pitt

Both Jolie and Pitt will produce the project, which is reportedly penned by the 39-year-old actress while Universal Pictures has acquired worldwide rights.

Jolie's biopic on WWII POW Louis Zamperini ‘Unbroken’ will hits theatres December 25.

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Toni Kroos to be Unveiled at Bernabeu today; Signs 6-Yr Deal

EFT Report: World Cup winner Toni Kroos will be unveiled at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium today (July 17) after the German completed his £24million move to Real Madrid from Bayern Munich. Kroos’s Bayern contract was due to expire next summer and the 24-year-old has reportedly penned a 6-year deal at the Bernabeu.

Toni Kroos

The exciting German midfielder has a CV that would impress anybody to his name with 3 Bundesliga titles, 1 Champions League, 3 German Cup, 2 German Supercups and add to that the recent concluded FIFA World Cup.

Welcome to La Liga….....Toni Kross!

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Pacquiao v Chris Algieri in Macau on November 22

EFT Report: Manny Pacquiao will put his WBO welterweight title on the line come November 22 as he takes on American Chris Algieri, who is 5-year younger than him, in the gambling mecca of Macau. The fight will take place at the Cotai Arena in Macau, China, where the 35-year-old Filipino icon previously beat Brandon Rios in November 2013.

Pacquiao v Chris Algieri

Junior welterweight titleholder Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs), who moved up a division following his shock win over Ruslan Provodnikov last month, is expected to take away a career-high payday of more than $1 million from this bout.

This will undoubtedly be Chris Algieri’s biggest fight of his career.

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Chelsea Agree With Atletico on Fees for Filipe Luis

EFT Report, London: English Premier League club Chelsea confirmed Wednesday that they had reached an agreement with Spain's Atletico Madrid for the transfer of left-back Filipe Luis.

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Filipe Luis," a statement on Chelsea's official website read. 

"The move is subject to the 28-year-old left-back agreeing personal terms."

The London club have already signed Luis' former Atletico teammate Diego Costa and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was on loan to the Spanish club, is also expected to return to Chelsea. 

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Kerala Magician Samraj Wins Merlin Award

EFT Report, Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala magician Samraj will receive the prestigious international Merlin Award-2014 in the "Scary Magic" category, an official announcement said Wednesday.

Speaking to IANS, the 58-year-old engineer-turned-magician said even though he was told he was in the list of awardees, he cannot believe it.

"Yes, I am still unable to come to terms with this rare honor. Tony Hassini, world president of the International Society of Magicians will present me the award on the 20th of this month in Hyderabad," Samraj said.

He said an international jury screened him in London and then he was asked to send videos of his performance.

"I am a civil engineer by profession and early in my life worked in Dubai. But magic was my passion and I am performing for the past three decades," said Samraj, who hails from Mavelikara in Alappuzha district.

Over the years, he is popularly known as "The Indian Houdini" -- a name earned for conducting shows involving great risks and incredible escape acts. He has a 35-member troupe accompanying him. 

The Merlin Award in magic is equivalent to the Oscars given for films.

Incidentally, this is the first time an Indian magician is getting this award in the "Scary Magic" category.

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Malaika, Nimrat Kaur Walk for Rina Dhaka at ICW

EFT Report, New Delhi: Bollywood actresses Malaika Arora Khan and Nimrat Kaur mesmerized fashion patrons as they walked as showstoppers for designer Rina Dhaka on the second day of the Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week (ICW) on July 16, 2014.

The designer had her reasons to finalist these two personalities who have onscreen images very different from each other.

While Nimrat is known for playing intense roles in films like "The Lunchbox" and "Peddlers", Malaika's dance moves in films like "Dabangg" and "Housefull 2" have their own fan following.

"Because I was showing a traditional line, Nimrat embodies a modern women who has got talent and acquired craft. Malaika is my sweetheart from earlier times. To me, she is what I was and what I will always be, a women who not only has a face but also a body," Dhaka told IANS before the show.

Inspired by the very verbose iconography of the gota work of Rajasthan, which she has shown in the past too, the designer took it forward this time by enriching it with a soft sensual appeal.

She recreated new styles in the Gota Patti, and placed it against tinsel sheers and lace.

There was extensive use of intricate embroidery elements from between the region of Rajasthan and some from the heartland of Uttar Pradesh, rearranged in a layered, lace-like manner.

Techniques of zardozi, kamdani, ari, lace and metallic gota were blended with tonal beading and soft embroidery to create a look of romance -- all in all, a refreshing collection for all style connoisseurs.

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Now Apply Online for CTET Test

EFT Report, New Delhi: Candidates appearing for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) can now apply on-line with CBSE starting this service from July 15, 2014.

According to a statement by Central Board of Secondary Examination, the candidates can submit their application on CTET website "www.ctet.nic.in .

The examination will be held on September 21 and the last date for submitting on-line application is August 4.

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Luiz Felipe Scolari Sacked as Brazil Coach

EFT Report: Brazil has sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and his entire staff after a disastrous World Cup campaign that show the host nation concede 10 goals in two consecutive games.

Luiz Felipe Scolari

Pre-tournament favorite Brazil failed to restore pride on Saturday as they were humbly beaten 3-0 by Holland in the third place play-off, after being humiliated 7-1 in the semi-final by eventual winner Germany. The 3-0 lost to Holland made Scolari’s side the first Brazil side to lose consecutively on home soil since 1940.

Scolari led Selecao to World Cup glory in 2002 in Japan before taking charge for a second time in December 2012, just before Brazil hosted the Confederations Cup.

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Aquaman Ian Thorpe is Gay

EFT Report: Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe, who has a stellar career second to none with 5 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze Olympic medal to his name, has admitted that he is gay in a TV interview to Australian television network, Network Ten.

Ian Thorpe

Apart from the Olympic heights, the 31-year-old Aussie has also won 11 World titles and 11 (10 gold, 1 silver) Commonwealth Games medals and dated Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard. Thorpe first retired in 2006 and made his ill-fated comeback in 2011.

The tell-all interview will air on July 13 on Network Ten.

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Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch 'in talks' For HBO’s True Detective

EFT Report: After the runaway success of the first season of True Detective, HBO is currently in talks with actor Colin Farrell and John Carter star Taylor Kitsch (remember him... ) to fill the coveted roles left vacant by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson for the dark drama’s highly anticipated next season.

Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch

The first season of True Detective wooed both fans and critics alike, earning 12 Emmy nomination this year- including one each for Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in the Lead Actor In A Drama Series category.

HBO has confirmed that season two will move away from the swampland of Louisiana and will take place in California.

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Alejandro Sabella to Step Down as Argentina Coach After World Cup Final

EFT Report: Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella will step down after Sunday's World Cup final against Joachim Low's Germany at the Maracana Stadium, regardless of whether La Abiceleste will lift the trophy for the third time or not. The 59-year-old, who has a 65 per cent win record with 26 wins out of 40 matches in charge, took over the reins in July 2011.

Alejandro Sabella

Argentina sealed their place in the final after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Netherlands.

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