Beyoncé spreads Christmas cheer
On Friday, Beyoncé showed up unannounced at a Walmart in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, where she purchased her own new album, as well as a toy for her daughter Blue Ivy. On her way out, she picked up the store intercom and announced: "Hello, Walmart shoppers, it's Beyoncé. I wanted to give everyone a little gift. For everyone in the store right now, the first $50 [Dh184] of your holiday gifts are on me." The next day, she screened her new music videos at a New York event, where she answered questions from fans about her surprise album. "I felt like I wanted follow in the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire," she said. – AP
Javed Akhtar to receive literary honour
The Indian writer Javed Akhtar will be awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award, India's highest literary honour, for his poetry Lava. "My father [the poet Jan Nisar Akhtar] got the Sahitya Akademi in 1976 for his collection of poems. My father-in-law, Kaifi Azmi, got the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973. Now it's me," said the 68-year-old, who is married to the actress Shabana Azmi. "I feel honoured that I am the recipient of an award that two such distinguished members of my family have received." – IANS
Daft Punk to play at Grammys
The French electronic dance act Daft Punk will play at the Grammys on January 26, confirming a rare performance by the elusive duo. Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons will also take the stage. Daft Punk have not played since the release of their smash-hit album Random Access Memories in May, despite persistent rumours of a tour. It will be their first television performance since they appeared at the Grammys in 2008. Jay Z tops the nominees with nine nods, while Lamar is second with seven. – AFP
Dutt: parole not due to favouritism
The Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who has been granted parole for a month, says there is no case of favouritism in the process. Dutt had filed for parole, citing his wife Maanyata's illness. "There is not a case of favouritism towards me. I went through a line, I went through a process," he told reporters. Dutt was criticised after his wife was seen at two separate Bollywood events at the same time his parole was granted. But the actor insisted: "My wife has been detected with a tumour of liver and it will be examined by the doctors." – IANS
Wade and Union engaged
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are engaged. The NBA star proposed to his long-time girlfriend on Saturday and the actress accepted. They announced the news through social media. “She said YES!!!” Wade posted to Twitter and Instagram, with a photo of Union. It will be a second marriage for both Union, 41, and Wade, who turns 32 next month. – AP
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