Britney Spears is coming to the rescue of Fox's The X Factor, the singing contest in search of a ratings boost. The Grammy-winner has signed on as a judge for the show's second year, reportedly earning US$16million (Dh58.7m). The X Factor debuted last fall to ratings that fell short of creator Simon Cowell's sky-high predictions. The show's slate was wiped nearly clean in January when judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger exited along with host Steve Jones. That left Cowell and producer Antonio "LA" Reid as judges. * AP
Film galaxy heads to Cannes
David Cronenberg, Ken Loach and Michael Haneke headline 22 international film-makers vying for the Palme d'Or at the 65th Cannes film festival, from Wednesday to May 27. Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Jessica Chastain, Kylie Minogue, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Brad Pitt are all expected. Palme d'Or-winner Nanni Moretti of Italy heads the jury, which includes the actor Ewan McGregor and the fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. Wednesday's opening film is Moonrise Kingdom, a preteen elopement story directed by Wes Anderson whose cast includes Bruce Willis as a small-town cop. * AFP
Rihanna hospitalised after Met gala
Rihanna was hospitalised this week, and posted a picture on Twitter showing her arm hooked up to an intravenous drip. Media reports cited exhaustion and dehydration after a night of partying at the Met Costume Ball in New York. When her Twitter updates stopped on Tuesday, a fan tweeted to ask what was going on, prompting the singer to post a pic that showed her trademark long black fake nails and a fluids drip taped up to her arm. A source said the singer had become sick from "excessive partying and not slowing down". * AFP
Mariah Carey working on cartoon
Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon are working on a family-friendly animated project. Cannon said the production will be dedicated to their twins, Monroe and Moroccan. "We actually got some stuff in development, animated stuff we are putting together," Cannon said. "We're both kids at heart. So we love fantasy fairy tale type of stuff."
Brad Pitt new face of Chanel No 5
The French-based company Chanel announced Wednesday that Brad Pitt will star in a forthcoming ad campaign for its signature women's scent. Pitt is the brand's first male face, following such stars as Catherine Deneuve, Nicole Kidman and Audrey Tautou. The campaign is scheduled to shoot in London this week. * AP
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL
Al Nasr 2
(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)
Shabab Al Ahli 1
(Jaber 13)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
