British actor Benedict Cumberbatch has recorded an introduction to a charity single for the Syrian refugee crisis, a reissue of the Crowded House song Help Is Coming, according to The Telegraph. The proceeds from the song will go to Save the Children and it is available now to download on iTunes. In the video introduction, recorded in a dressing room at the Barbican theatre in London before a performance of Hamlet, Cumberbatch says: "As people watching this tragedy unfold from the safety of our homes, with our safe children, we want to say that we see you, we hear you and help is coming." The single is the brainchild of writers Caitlin Moran and Peter Paphides. They were moved to action by the image of 3-year-old Syrian refugee Aylan Kurdi, whose body washed up on a Turkish beach after he and others drowned fleeing the war. The video was directed by Mat Whitecross and includes interviews with refugee children. – The National staff
Aussie TV show to broadcast from Dubai
Australia's leading breakfast show, Sunrise, will be broadcasting live from the Burj Al Arab in Dubai tomorrow, as the first part of an attempt to set a record by broadcasting live from a different country every day for a week. The week of adventure will also take in London, New York, Niagara Falls and Cancun. While in Dubai, the team, fronted by David Koch and Samantha Armitage, will also be shooting in the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. There will be star guests but the Dubai celebrities have yet to be announced. The show is broadcast live daily from 6am to 9am, Sydney time (midnight to 6am UAE). – The National staff
The Walk movie honours Twin Towers, says star
As people around the world remembered at the weekend those who lost their lives 14 years ago in the September 11 attacks, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt said his upcoming movie The Walk, which will have its world premiere when it opens the New York Film Festival on September 26, tells a positive story about the World Trade Center. "I think that whenever we think of the World Trade Center towers, all of us are going to think of the tragedy, and it's of course worth remembering the tragedy, but I also think with any tragedy, it's important to remember the positive things, the beautiful memories that you have about whatever it is that you lost," the 34-year-old told People magazine. The Walk, which goes on general release in the United States on September 30, tells the story of Philippe Petit, the French tightrope artist who famously walked on a wire between the Twin Towers in 1974. – The National staff
Bollywood actors take on cyber-bullies
Actresses Sonam Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and Priyanka Chopra have spoken against social-media users who mock celebrities for their views and ideas about sociopolitical issues. Kapoor, who last week got into a Twitter war over a four-day meat ban in India by terming it "misogynistic", on Thursday, called upon the victims of internet bullying to stand up for themselves. Sinha was the victim of a Twitter troll earlier this week, when her opinions about the meat ban annoyed some users. Chopra expressed support for her colleagues. This is not the first time that actresses have been targeted on social media. Actresses including Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma and Deepika Padukone have been criticised on Twitter for their views. – IANS
Plane crash kills two on Tom Cruise movie
A small plane being used by the crew of Mena, a new movie starring Tom Cruise, crashed in Colombia on Friday, killing two people and injuring a third, the country's civilian aviation authority said. Cruise was not on the aircraft. The twin-engined Aerostar reportedly ran into bad weather on Friday. – AP
New Dubai comedy night announced
AKS, the desi Dubai nightspot, is launching its AKS Comedy Night, with Indian comedian Vir Das on the bill on September 26. The Delhi Belly actor will bring his Unbelievablish tour, which is based on his life. Das has toured with the show in Singapore, Thiland, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and the Emirates is the final stop. The comedian was last here last year with his nerdy show History of India – VIRitten. Tickets start at Dh150 from 052 779 9914. – The National Staff
Colbert’s Late show debut is ratings smash
Stephen Colbert crushed it in the ratings with his first edition of The Late Show last Tuesday. He averaged 6.6 million viewers for his first outing as the successor to David Letterman, double the audience of the “Late Show” from a year ago, ratings company Nielsen has reported. With guests Jeb Bush and George Clooney, “The Late Show” on CBS clobbered the usual late-night talk-show champion, NBC’s “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” which had just under 3 million viewers, and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” with 1.75 million. Colbert’s debut followed his departure last December as host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Meanwhile, Bush’s fellow Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will appear on the show on September 22, according to YOOGE news. During his first edition last Tuesday, Colbert worked off nine months of pent-up Trump jokes in a five-minute bit that compared reporting on the mogul’s presidential aspirations to the uncontrollable, unstoppable urge to eat Oreos. Trump will also be on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this Friday. – AP
Whitney Houston hologram tour planned
The late Whitney Houston will be immortalised in a hologram that will take centre stage in a USA-wide tour next year. The project is being spearheaded by the company Hologram USA, along with Pat Houston, the late singer’s sister and president of her estate. There are also plans for a multimedia digital cable show, according to E!Online. –The National staff