Former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by US President Donald Trump last year, will release his highly anticipated memoir on Tuesday. Some US media organizations have already been reporting excerpts from the book.

"A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership", comes almost a year after Comey's dismissal, which raised questions about whether Trump tried to interfere with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's probe into Russia's alleged meddling with the US presidential election.

Russia denies any interference, and Trump has denied collusion with Russia and interfering with the investigation.

In addition to reflections on Comey's interactions with Trump last year, the book will feature anecdotes from his role in leading an investigation into the use of a private email server by Democrat Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign.

Comey's announcement that the FBI was reopening the Clinton email investigation days before the November election led to accusations by some Democrats that he was unfairly influencing the outcome. The FBI eventually closed the probe without taking any action.

Comey said his assumption that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 presidential election was a factor in opening an inquiry into her emails, according to part of an ABC interview broadcast on Saturday.

The controversy involved Clinton’s use of a private email server for official correspondence when she was secretary of state under then-President Barack Obama, including for messages that were later determined to contain classified information.

Although the FBI ultimately decided not to refer Clinton’s case for prosecution, Democrats said Comey’s announcement damaged her with voters right before the election, and he faced complaints that his moves were politically motivated.

"I don’t remember consciously thinking about that, but it must have been because I was operating in a world where Hillary Clinton was going to beat Donald Trump, and so I’m sure that it was a factor,” Comey said in an excerpt of an interview aired on Saturday.

"I don’t remember spelling it out, but it had to have been, that she’s going to be elected president and if I hide this from the American people, she’ll be illegitimate the moment she’s elected, the moment this comes out," Comey added.

Trump, who criticized Comey repeatedly before and after he fired him, denounced him on Twitter on Friday: "James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR," he said.

"I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His "memos" are self-serving and FAKE!" Trump tweeted.

Trump fired Comey last May, setting off a firestorm, as the Federal Bureau of Investigation was probing possible connections between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia's meddling in the American elections.

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Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe. In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/985483513704124416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The big questions in Comey’s badly reviewed book aren’t answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didn’t they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabe’s $700,000 & more?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/985487209510948864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His “memos” are self serving and FAKE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/985496023555608576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/985504808646971392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

In addition to reflections on Comey's interactions with Trump last year, the book will feature anecdotes from his role in leading an investigation into the use of a private email server by Democrat Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign

Former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by US President Donald Trump last year, will release his highly anticipated memoir on Tuesday. Some US media organizations have already been reporting excerpts from the book. "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership", comes almost a year after Comey's dismissal, which raised questions about whether Trump tried to interfere with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's probe into Russia's alleged meddling with the US presidential election. Russia denies any interference, and Trump has denied collusion with Russia and interfering with the investigation. In addition to reflections on Comey's interactions with Trump last year, the book will feature anecdotes from his role in leading an investigation into the use of a private email server by Democrat Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign. Comey's announcement that the FBI was reopening the Clinton email investigation days before the November election led to accusations by some Democrats that he was unfairly influencing the outcome. The FBI eventually closed the probe without taking any action. Comey said his assumption that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 presidential election was a factor in opening an inquiry into her emails, according to part of an ABC interview broadcast on Saturday. The controversy involved Clinton’s use of a private email server for official correspondence when she was secretary of state under then-President Barack Obama, including for messages that were later determined to contain classified information. Although the FBI ultimately decided not to refer Clinton’s case for prosecution, Democrats said Comey’s announcement damaged her with voters right before the election, and he faced complaints that his moves were politically motivated. "I don’t remember consciously thinking about that, but it must have been because I was operating in a world where Hillary Clinton was going to beat Donald Trump, and so I’m sure that it was a factor,” Comey said in an excerpt of an interview aired on Saturday. "I don’t remember spelling it out, but it had to have been, that she’s going to be elected president and if I hide this from the American people, she’ll be illegitimate the moment she’s elected, the moment this comes out," Comey added. Trump, who criticized Comey repeatedly before and after he fired him, denounced him on Twitter on Friday: "James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR," he said. "I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His "memos" are self-serving and FAKE!" Trump tweeted. Trump fired Comey last May, setting off a firestorm, as the Federal Bureau of Investigation was probing possible connections between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia's meddling in the American elections. Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe. In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018 × The big questions in Comey’s badly reviewed book aren’t answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didn’t they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabe’s $700,000 & more? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018 × I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His “memos” are self serving and FAKE! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018 × Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018 ×

His memos are self-serving and fake: Trump fires James Comey over memoir

Prabhudeva has time and again stunned us with his spectacular dance moves and unique choreography style&nbsp;but this time he’s here to woo us with a silent thriller/horror film titled Mercury. Sans any dialogues, the film’s first trailer released on April 9 to prove that ‘silence does speak louder than words’.&nbsp;

The trailer opens to a shot of the hills with a boy and a girl standing at its edge -- with the camera then moving to a scene inside an abandoned factory where four people are scared, bruised and bleeding. The trailer has no dialogues but there is screeching scary music, a lot of metal banging against each other and floor shaking as the people try to protect themselves from something. What adds to the trailer is the vivid expressions on the actors’ faces. The trailer ends with Prabhudeva clad in a lungi (South Indian wrap around) shouting and pulling his hair.&nbsp;

The light and sound mix of the trailer gives the place an eerie feel. And not to miss, there’s a car parked outside the factory with its backlight blinking. Suddenly, it shakes too dangerously.&nbsp;

The choreographer-filmmaker-actor Prabhudeva’s new silent film, Mercury is helmed by Karthik Subbaraj and will release in four languages. The film will also see actors Sananth, Indhuja, Deepak Paramesh, Shashank Purushotham and Anish Padmanabhan. Apart from direction, Subbaraj has written the story and screenplay.&nbsp;

The film has music by Santhosh Narayanan, while the cinematography is taken care of by S Thirunavukkarasu.

Watch the trailer:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TeA293PMT1s" width="970"></iframe>

From the looks of the trailer, Prabhudeva is possessed in the film

Prabhudeva has time and again stunned us with his spectacular dance moves and unique choreography style but this time he’s here to woo us with a silent thriller/horror film titled Mercury. Sans any dialogues, the film’s first trailer released on April 9 to prove that ‘silence does speak louder than words’. The trailer opens to a shot of the hills with a boy and a girl standing at its edge -- with the camera then moving to a scene inside an abandoned factory where four people are scared, bruised and bleeding. The trailer has no dialogues but there is screeching scary music, a lot of metal banging against each other and floor shaking as the people try to protect themselves from something. What adds to the trailer is the vivid expressions on the actors’ faces. The trailer ends with Prabhudeva clad in a lungi (South Indian wrap around) shouting and pulling his hair. The light and sound mix of the trailer gives the place an eerie feel. And not to miss, there’s a car parked outside the factory with its backlight blinking. Suddenly, it shakes too dangerously. The choreographer-filmmaker-actor Prabhudeva’s new silent film, Mercury is helmed by Karthik Subbaraj and will release in four languages. The film will also see actors Sananth, Indhuja, Deepak Paramesh, Shashank Purushotham and Anish Padmanabhan. Apart from direction, Subbaraj has written the story and screenplay. The film has music by Santhosh Narayanan, while the cinematography is taken care of by S Thirunavukkarasu. Watch the trailer:

Watch 'Mercury' trailer: Prabhudeva is here to send chills down your spine in new silent horror film

The International Cricket Council on Friday appointed PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi as the ICC board`s first independent female director.

Nooyi will join the world cricket governing body in June 2018 to align with the term of the ICC Independent Chairman, following the unanimous confirmation of her appointment.

The introduction of an Independent Director, who must be female, was approved by the ICC Full Council in June 2017 as part of wide-ranging constitutional change aimed at improving the global governance of the sport.

Reflecting on Nooyi&#39;s appointment, ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said, &quot;We are delighted to welcome Indra to the ICC. Adding another independent director - particularly a female - is such an important step forward in improving our governance.

To have someone of Indra`s calibre is fantastic news for the global game - she is frequently recognized as one of the most influential people in business today, running one of the world`s biggest corporations.&quot;

&quot;We undertook a global search looking for the right candidate who would complement the existing skills and experience already on our Board. A cricket enthusiast with experience in the commercial sector and independent of the ICC, any Member or state or associated organization were the primary criteria and in Indra, we have found an exceptional new colleague and we look forward to working with her in the future.

&quot;Indra Nooyi said, &quot;I love the game of cricket. I played it as a teenager and in college, and to this day, I cherish the lessons the game taught me about teamwork, integrity, respect, and healthy competition. I am thrilled to join the ICC as the first person to be appointed to this role. And I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, ICC`s incredible partners, and cricketers around the world to grow our sport responsibly and give our fans a new reason to follow every ball and shot.

&quot;The Independent Director will be appointed for a two-year term although she may be re-appointed for two further terms with a maximum six-year consecutive period of service.

&nbsp;

Nooyi PepsiCo's CEO, will join the world cricket governing body in June 2018 to align with the term of the ICC Independent Chairman, following the unanimous confirmation of her appointment

The International Cricket Council on Friday appointed PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi as the ICC board`s first independent female director. Nooyi will join the world cricket governing body in June 2018 to align with the term of the ICC Independent Chairman, following the unanimous confirmation of her appointment. The introduction of an Independent Director, who must be female, was approved by the ICC Full Council in June 2017 as part of wide-ranging constitutional change aimed at improving the global governance of the sport. Reflecting on Nooyi's appointment, ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said, "We are delighted to welcome Indra to the ICC. Adding another independent director - particularly a female - is such an important step forward in improving our governance. To have someone of Indra`s calibre is fantastic news for the global game - she is frequently recognized as one of the most influential people in business today, running one of the world`s biggest corporations." "We undertook a global search looking for the right candidate who would complement the existing skills and experience already on our Board. A cricket enthusiast with experience in the commercial sector and independent of the ICC, any Member or state or associated organization were the primary criteria and in Indra, we have found an exceptional new colleague and we look forward to working with her in the future. "Indra Nooyi said, "I love the game of cricket. I played it as a teenager and in college, and to this day, I cherish the lessons the game taught me about teamwork, integrity, respect, and healthy competition. I am thrilled to join the ICC as the first person to be appointed to this role. And I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, ICC`s incredible partners, and cricketers around the world to grow our sport responsibly and give our fans a new reason to follow every ball and shot. "The Independent Director will be appointed for a two-year term although she may be re-appointed for two further terms with a maximum six-year consecutive period of service.

ICC appoints Indra Nooyi as its first independent female director

Russian election interference has not stopped and Moscow can be expected to meddle in the 2018 US vote, Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo said in an interview published Monday.

&quot;I haven&#39;t seen a significant decrease in their activity,&quot; Pompeo told the BBC of the Russians.

&quot;I have every expectation that they will continue to try and do that, but I&#39;m confident that America will be able to have a free and fair election (and) that we will push back in a way that is sufficiently robust that the impact they have on our election won&#39;t be great,&quot; he said.

The leading US intelligence agencies concluded at the end of 2016 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had directed a broad intelligence effort to influence the presidential election that year to undermine the campaign of Democrat Hillary Clinton and boost Donald Trump&#39;s chances.

That effort included hacking and releasing emails and documents from the Clinton campaign and filling social media with posts and &quot;news&quot; items aimed at discrediting her.

Trump has repeatedly dismissed the idea that Moscow helped him &mdash; and allegations his campaign colluded with the Russians &mdash; as fake news.

Pompeo, whom Trump appointed to the US spy agency, has deftly avoided that controversy while emphasizing he accepts the conclusions of his predecessor.

The 2018 midterm elections will involve all of the 435 members of the House of Representatives and 33 senators.

In the elections, minority Democrats will be battling to try and prise control of the two houses from Trump&#39;s Republicans.

Trump has repeatedly dismissed the idea that Moscow helped him — and allegations his campaign colluded with the Russians — as fake news

Russian election interference has not stopped and Moscow can be expected to meddle in the 2018 US vote, Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo said in an interview published Monday. "I haven't seen a significant decrease in their activity," Pompeo told the BBC of the Russians. "I have every expectation that they will continue to try and do that, but I'm confident that America will be able to have a free and fair election (and) that we will push back in a way that is sufficiently robust that the impact they have on our election won't be great," he said. The leading US intelligence agencies concluded at the end of 2016 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had directed a broad intelligence effort to influence the presidential election that year to undermine the campaign of Democrat Hillary Clinton and boost Donald Trump's chances. That effort included hacking and releasing emails and documents from the Clinton campaign and filling social media with posts and "news" items aimed at discrediting her. Trump has repeatedly dismissed the idea that Moscow helped him — and allegations his campaign colluded with the Russians — as fake news. Pompeo, whom Trump appointed to the US spy agency, has deftly avoided that controversy while emphasizing he accepts the conclusions of his predecessor. The 2018 midterm elections will involve all of the 435 members of the House of Representatives and 33 senators. In the elections, minority Democrats will be battling to try and prise control of the two houses from Trump's Republicans.

Russia is aiming to interfere in coming US elections, warns CIA chief

An Indian court today sentenced a Bollywood director to seven years in jail for raping an American research scholar last year, the victim&#39;s lawyer said. 
 
Mahmood Farooqui, best known for co-directing the popular 2010 satire Peepli Live on farmer suicides, was convicted on Saturday after a fast-track court in New Delhi found him guilty of the March 2015 attack. 
 
The victim, then aged 35, had travelled to India to seek Farooqui&#39;s assistance with her research when the assault took place at his home in an upscale area of the capital.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The court sentenced him to seven years (of imprisonment), which is the minimum jail term for this offence,&quot; the victim&#39;s lawyer, Vrinda Grover, told AFP. 
 
Grover, who had argued for the maximum term of life imprisonment, said the court had also imposed a 50,000 Rupee ($747) fine. 
 
Farooqui, who pleaded not guilty, was taken into custody at the weekend. 
 
The woman returned to the US shortly after the incident but came back to report the matter to police. 
 
&quot;Peepli Live&quot;, which explores the divide between urban and rural India, was produced by Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan. 
 
Farooqui co-directed it with his wife, Anusha Rizwi. 
 
India introduced tough laws against sex offenders in the wake of the fatal gang-rape of a Delhi student in the capital in December 2012 that sparked mass street protests. 
 
But high levels of sexual violence against women continue. 
 
(AFP)

The victim had travelled to India to seek Mahmood Farooqui's assistance with her research when he assaulted her at his home

An Indian court today sentenced a Bollywood director to seven years in jail for raping an American research scholar last year, the victim's lawyer said. Mahmood Farooqui, best known for co-directing the popular 2010 satire Peepli Live on farmer suicides, was convicted on Saturday after a fast-track court in New Delhi found him guilty of the March 2015 attack. The victim, then aged 35, had travelled to India to seek Farooqui's assistance with her research when the assault took place at his home in an upscale area of the capital. "The court sentenced him to seven years (of imprisonment), which is the minimum jail term for this offence," the victim's lawyer, Vrinda Grover, told AFP. Grover, who had argued for the maximum term of life imprisonment, said the court had also imposed a 50,000 Rupee ($747) fine. Farooqui, who pleaded not guilty, was taken into custody at the weekend. The woman returned to the US shortly after the incident but came back to report the matter to police. "Peepli Live", which explores the divide between urban and rural India, was produced by Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan. Farooqui co-directed it with his wife, Anusha Rizwi. India introduced tough laws against sex offenders in the wake of the fatal gang-rape of a Delhi student in the capital in December 2012 that sparked mass street protests. But high levels of sexual violence against women continue. (AFP)

India court jails 'Peepli Live' director for 7 years over rape

Hollywood director, producer and comedy giant Garry Marshall died on Tuesday at the age of 81, leaving a legacy that includes &quot;Happy Days,&quot; &quot;Pretty Woman&quot; and countless other iconic hits. 
 
The mogul died of pneumonia after suffering a stroke in hospital in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank, according to his publicist. 
 
Directors Guild of America president Paris Barclay led tributes to Marshall, hailing his gift for storytelling which &quot;brought joy, laughter and an enormous, beating heart to every screen, large and small.&quot; 
 
&quot;It was an honor, and a delight, for all of us who had the pleasure of serving alongside of him,&quot; Barclay said. 
 
Born in New York to a dance teacher mother and film director father, Marshall got his showbiz break in the 1950s, writing jokes for programs including The Tonight Show with Jack Paar.&nbsp; 
 
His first big TV hit was &quot;The Odd Couple,&quot; and he went from strength to strength, creating iconic 1970s sitcom &quot;Happy Days&quot; and introducing Robin Williams to the world through &quot;Mork and Mindy.&quot; 
 
Marshall began writing and directing feature films in the 1980s, and was the creative force behind cult hit &quot;Beaches&quot; (1989). 
 
He is perhaps best known for kick-starting the career of Julia Roberts with 1990&#39;s &quot;Pretty Woman&quot; and also made a star out of Anne Hathaway in &quot;The Princess Diaries&quot; (2001). 
 
The multi-talented Marshall was also known as a talented actor, starring in &quot;A League of Their Own&quot; and taking several TV roles in the 1990s. 
 
His last three directing credits, star-studded ensemble comedies &quot;Valentine&#39;s Day&quot; (2010), &quot;New Year&#39;s Eve&quot; (2011) and this year&#39;s &quot;Mother&#39;s Day,&quot; were panned by critics but Marshall got the last laugh, scooping healthy box office numbers. 
 
&quot;I got killed on the last one, but it made $146 million worldwide,&quot; Marshall told the New York Times, reacting to excoriating reviews of &quot;New Year&#39;s Eve.&quot; 
 
Tributes from Hollywood were led by actor Henry Winkler , Arthur &quot;Fonzie&quot; Fonzarelli in &quot;Happy Days&quot; , who tweeted: &quot;Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity.&quot; 
 
Marshall is survived by his wife of more than half a century, Barbara, three children and six grandchildren. 
? 
(AFP)

His last three movies as a director were 'Valentine's Day' (2010), 'New Year's Eve' (2011) and 'Mother's Day' (2016)

Hollywood director, producer and comedy giant Garry Marshall died on Tuesday at the age of 81, leaving a legacy that includes "Happy Days," "Pretty Woman" and countless other iconic hits. The mogul died of pneumonia after suffering a stroke in hospital in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank, according to his publicist. Directors Guild of America president Paris Barclay led tributes to Marshall, hailing his gift for storytelling which "brought joy, laughter and an enormous, beating heart to every screen, large and small." "It was an honor, and a delight, for all of us who had the pleasure of serving alongside of him," Barclay said. Born in New York to a dance teacher mother and film director father, Marshall got his showbiz break in the 1950s, writing jokes for programs including The Tonight Show with Jack Paar. His first big TV hit was "The Odd Couple," and he went from strength to strength, creating iconic 1970s sitcom "Happy Days" and introducing Robin Williams to the world through "Mork and Mindy." Marshall began writing and directing feature films in the 1980s, and was the creative force behind cult hit "Beaches" (1989). He is perhaps best known for kick-starting the career of Julia Roberts with 1990's "Pretty Woman" and also made a star out of Anne Hathaway in "The Princess Diaries" (2001). The multi-talented Marshall was also known as a talented actor, starring in "A League of Their Own" and taking several TV roles in the 1990s. His last three directing credits, star-studded ensemble comedies "Valentine's Day" (2010), "New Year's Eve" (2011) and this year's "Mother's Day," were panned by critics but Marshall got the last laugh, scooping healthy box office numbers. "I got killed on the last one, but it made $146 million worldwide," Marshall told the New York Times, reacting to excoriating reviews of "New Year's Eve." Tributes from Hollywood were led by actor Henry Winkler , Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli in "Happy Days" , who tweeted: "Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity." Marshall is survived by his wife of more than half a century, Barbara, three children and six grandchildren. ? (AFP)

'Pretty Woman' director Garry Marshall dies at 81

Michael Cimino, whose roller-coaster career as a Hollywood film director included Oscar-winner &#39;The Deer Hunter&#39; and legendary box office flop &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate&#39;, has died, US media reported. He was aged 77. 
 
The success of &#39;The Deer Hunter&#39;, a 1978 film about the Vietnam War starring Robert De Niro, made Cimino one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. The film won five Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. 
 
But he followed up in 1980 with &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate&#39;, an epic Western that New York Times critic Vincent Canby called &quot;an unqualified disaster&quot;. The film&#39;s budget went way over at $36 million, three times the average cost of a movie then. 
 
Cimino&#39;s career never fully recovered. 
 
&quot;He went from a big Oscar film to suddenly being a pariah - everybody&#39;s whipping boy,&quot; Kris Kristofferson, who starred in the film, told the Los Angeles Times in 2004. &quot;Everybody who didn&#39;t get to do a film blamed &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate,&#39; saying all the money went to &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate&#39;.&quot; 
 
Born in New York City to a wealthy family, Cimino earned a master&#39;s degree in architecture at Yale University. He was a well-known director of TV commercials before directing his first movie, &quot;Thunderbolt and Lightfoot,&quot; a crime drama starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges, in 1974. 
 
After the flop of &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate&#39;, Cimino&#39;s comeback film in 1985, &#39;Year of the Dragon&#39;, starring Mickey Rourke as a New York City cop, failed to excite neither moviegoers nor critics. 
 
He followed up with &#39;The Sicilian&#39;, based on a Mario Puzo novel and &#39;Desperate Hours&#39;, a remake of a Humphrey Bogart film about a fugitive, starring Rourke and Anthony Hopkins. Both films were panned by critics and largely ignored by filmgoers. 
 
His final Hollywood film, 1996&#39;s &#39;The Sunchaser&#39;, a drama about a doctor, played by Woody Harrelson, who is kidnapped by a dying patient, didn&#39;t fare any better and marked the end of Cimino&#39;s career. 
 
US media said Cimino died on Saturday, but that the cause of death was unknown. 
 
(Reuters)

His 1978 film about the Vietnam War starring Robert De Niro won five Academy Awards, including best picture and best director

Michael Cimino, whose roller-coaster career as a Hollywood film director included Oscar-winner 'The Deer Hunter' and legendary box office flop 'Heaven's Gate', has died, US media reported. He was aged 77. The success of 'The Deer Hunter', a 1978 film about the Vietnam War starring Robert De Niro, made Cimino one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. The film won five Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. But he followed up in 1980 with 'Heaven's Gate', an epic Western that New York Times critic Vincent Canby called "an unqualified disaster". The film's budget went way over at $36 million, three times the average cost of a movie then. Cimino's career never fully recovered. "He went from a big Oscar film to suddenly being a pariah - everybody's whipping boy," Kris Kristofferson, who starred in the film, told the Los Angeles Times in 2004. "Everybody who didn't get to do a film blamed 'Heaven's Gate,' saying all the money went to 'Heaven's Gate'." Born in New York City to a wealthy family, Cimino earned a master's degree in architecture at Yale University. He was a well-known director of TV commercials before directing his first movie, "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot," a crime drama starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges, in 1974. After the flop of 'Heaven's Gate', Cimino's comeback film in 1985, 'Year of the Dragon', starring Mickey Rourke as a New York City cop, failed to excite neither moviegoers nor critics. He followed up with 'The Sicilian', based on a Mario Puzo novel and 'Desperate Hours', a remake of a Humphrey Bogart film about a fugitive, starring Rourke and Anthony Hopkins. Both films were panned by critics and largely ignored by filmgoers. His final Hollywood film, 1996's 'The Sunchaser', a drama about a doctor, played by Woody Harrelson, who is kidnapped by a dying patient, didn't fare any better and marked the end of Cimino's career. US media said Cimino died on Saturday, but that the cause of death was unknown. (Reuters)

Oscar winning director of 'Deer Hunter' Michael Cimino, dead at 77

Appointing a new Dior creative director is a &quot;work in progress&quot;, the French fashion house`s chief executive said on Tuesday, with the luxury label still to name a head designer some six months after Raf Simons left to set up his own brand. 
 
Dior, one of the world`s most famous designer houses, announced Simons` surprise departure in October after some three years at the helm. An in-house creative team has been working on collections since. 
 
&quot;(It is a) work in progress, work in progress and we`re giving it a little bit of time,&quot; Chief Executive Sidney Toledano told Reuters. &quot;It`s an important position.&quot; 
 
Toledano was speaking at a preview for Dior`s new London boutique opening this week, a four-floor store selling clothes, accessories, children`s wear as well as a home collection. 
 
&quot;The UK market in London business for us is doing very well, we still have double digit growth,&quot; he said, adding however that last year`s Islamist militant attacks in Paris had hurt tourism and sales in France. 
 
&quot;...What happened in November had a real impact on the first quarter but still we will continue developing our presence in Paris. We have a five-year plan and in September we`ll open a new fine jewellery boutique.&quot; 
 
Dior also presented its cruise collection on Tuesday at Blenheim Palace near Oxford, Winston Churchill`s birthplace and where the label hosted fashion shows in 1954 and 1958. 
 
Cruise collections, originally designed for wealthy fashionistas holidaying on yachts or cruises during the winter months, are outfits produced by stylists on top of seasonal lines. 
 
Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux, who are leading Dior`s creative team, took inspiration from &quot;not only the post-war high society`s wardrobes but also the restlessness and wanderlust (that) characterized the period&quot;, according to show notes. 
 
Models, such as new Dior makeup ambassador Bella Hadid, strutted down the catwalk in tops, dresses and skirts adorned in floral as well as Asian and African prints and embroidery.&nbsp; 
 
Sleeves were voluminous and up to the elbow, worn with trousers flared and cut above the ankle or slim skirts.&nbsp; 
 
Dior`s signature Bar jacket, usually cinched at the waist, was slightly longer and covering hips, while its well-known bows were loosened to resemble scarves. Several outfits were layered, such as skirts over trousers.&nbsp;

Appointing a new Dior creative director is a "work in progress", the French fashion house`s chief executive said on Tuesday, with the luxury label still to name a head designer some six months after Raf Simons left to set up his own brand. Dior, one of the world`s most famous designer houses, announced Simons` surprise departure in October after some three years at the helm

Appointing a new Dior creative director is a "work in progress", the French fashion house`s chief executive said on Tuesday, with the luxury label still to name a head designer some six months after Raf Simons left to set up his own brand. Dior, one of the world`s most famous designer houses, announced Simons` surprise departure in October after some three years at the helm. An in-house creative team has been working on collections since. "(It is a) work in progress, work in progress and we`re giving it a little bit of time," Chief Executive Sidney Toledano told Reuters. "It`s an important position." Toledano was speaking at a preview for Dior`s new London boutique opening this week, a four-floor store selling clothes, accessories, children`s wear as well as a home collection. "The UK market in London business for us is doing very well, we still have double digit growth," he said, adding however that last year`s Islamist militant attacks in Paris had hurt tourism and sales in France. "...What happened in November had a real impact on the first quarter but still we will continue developing our presence in Paris. We have a five-year plan and in September we`ll open a new fine jewellery boutique." Dior also presented its cruise collection on Tuesday at Blenheim Palace near Oxford, Winston Churchill`s birthplace and where the label hosted fashion shows in 1954 and 1958. Cruise collections, originally designed for wealthy fashionistas holidaying on yachts or cruises during the winter months, are outfits produced by stylists on top of seasonal lines. Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux, who are leading Dior`s creative team, took inspiration from "not only the post-war high society`s wardrobes but also the restlessness and wanderlust (that) characterized the period", according to show notes. Models, such as new Dior makeup ambassador Bella Hadid, strutted down the catwalk in tops, dresses and skirts adorned in floral as well as Asian and African prints and embroidery. Sleeves were voluminous and up to the elbow, worn with trousers flared and cut above the ankle or slim skirts. Dior`s signature Bar jacket, usually cinched at the waist, was slightly longer and covering hips, while its well-known bows were loosened to resemble scarves. Several outfits were layered, such as skirts over trousers.

Dior says new designer ''work in progress''

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