Ang Lee to direct Middle East TV series
Ang Lee says he's excited to be working on his first TV project, Tyrant. "Tyrant is Middle East intrigue. The subject matter is touchy and pretty scary. I like scary, to scare myself. I am very excited about this project," Lee told a press conference. Tyrant, which is produced by the US cable TV channel FX, centres on "an unassuming American family drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle East nation", according to The Hollywood Reporter. Lee said he has to be "really diligent" in adapting cultures. "As a non-American filmmaker I cannot assume that I know. I have to be modest and diligent adapting all kinds of cultures." - AFP
Chris Brown's scary art irks neighbours
Chris Brown's neighbours are unhappy with what some are calling frightening art he's chosen to have painted along the curb of his Hollywood Hills home. A neighbourhood group said the grimacing, sharp-toothed, red-eyed goblins painted along a retaining wall have been scaring local children, and are an eyesore to boot, the Los Angeles Times reported. Los Angeles city code officials have cited the singer US$376 (Dh1,380) for unpermitted and excessive signage. Brown has been ordered to remove the goblin paintings within 30 days, but his lawyer Mark Geragos said the musician is not backing down. Geragos alleges neighbours are harassing Brown and have also made parking complaints about him and called animal control. - AP
Bertolucci to head Venice fest jury
The Venice Film Festival has announced that the Oscar-winning director Bernardo Bertolucci will chair the jury for its 70th edition. Bertolucci, 73, headed the jury previously in 1983. He said in a statement that the festival will give him the opportunity to discover "the most mysterious niches of filmmaking in the most mysterious countries of the world". The festival will be held from August 28 to September 7. - AP
Morgan to oversee TV series on tabloids
The world of tabloid journalism, London-style, will be showcased in a new TV series produced by the CNN host Piers Morgan, a former editor of News of the World and Daily Mirror. Fleet Street will follow the competitive landscape of tabloid publications in 1970s London. "It was the dawn of the celebrity era, in all its gruesome detail - a revolution that changed pop culture and the relationship between the press and politicians, royals and stars," Morgan said in a statement. Fleet Street is currently in development and does not have a release date. - Reuters
Tyson to star as cartoon detective
Mike Tyson will star as a cartoon detective, with a pigeon as a sidekick, in a new animated series for the US cable network Adult Swim. Tyson, 46, will give voice to his cartoon character on the Mike Tyson Mysteries crime-solving series. The network, known for its zany youth-orientated programmes, did not say when the show would premiere. Tyson has seen his reputation rise following a cameo in 2009's The Hangover. - AP
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
Fixtures (6pm UAE unless stated)
Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City
Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm)
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Mobile phone packages comparison
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
