Actor Benedict Cumberbatch and his theatre-director wife Sophie Hunter are celebrating the arrival of a baby boy. A spokesman for the couple said they were "delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful son". The couple, who met in 2009 when they starred in a film together, married on Valentine's Day this year. The birth caps a big week for Cumberbatch, the star of the BBC's Sherlock and the movie The Imitation Game, who was also named a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the performing arts and charity. – The National staff
Full House star tweets after DUI arrest
Actor John Stamos has broken his silence over his arrest on Friday, after which he was charged with drunk driving in Beverly Hills. The former Full House and ER star wrote on Twitter on Saturday: "Thanks to everyone for their love & support. I'm home & well. Very appreciative of the BHPD & Cedars for their care." Beverly Hills police stopped Stamos's vehicle after receiving calls on Friday night reporting a suspected drunk driver. The 51-year-old was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center because of a possible medical condition, where he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. He was released to the care of the hospital. Stamos, who starred in Full House on ABC from 1987 to 1995, is set to produce and star in a reboot of the sitcom on Netflix next year. – AP
Al Murray brings anniversary tour to Dubai
Multi-award-winning British comedian Al Murray is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his alter ego, the Pub Landlord, with a brand-new stand-up show – and it is coming to Dubai. One Man, One Guvnor – 20 Years at the Lager Top will be at the World Trade Centre on October 2. "The Pub Landlord has become our own comedy regular here in Dubai and will again be serving up pints of laughs and good humour when performing his only Middle East show on this brand-new tour," says Thomas Ovesen of Done Events. Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.doneevents.com for more details. – The National staff
Parineeti Chopra to star in Sultan
Actress Parineeti Chopra will star opposite Salman Khan in Yash Raj Films's masala drama Sultan, the Indian daily DNA has reported. The 26-year-old, the cousin of Bollywood crossover star Priyanka Chopra, is the third actress linked with the film, after Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma. Parineeti has already begun preparing for her role in the film, in which she will portray a wrestler. Sultan is directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and is due out during Eid next year. – The National staff
Kumar and Shah working on new film
Akshay Kumar and filmmaker Vipul Shah are collaborating on their fifth film together after Aankhen, Waqt, Namastey London and Action Replayy. Namastey England is a love story set in Punjab and England and, despite the title, it is not a sequel to the 2007 hit Namastey London, in which Kumar starred with Katrina Kaif. The female lead in Namastey England has yet to be revealed. Filming is scheduled to begin in January. – The National staff
Lady Gaga hid in hotel before surprise gig
Lady Gaga spent several days hiding in a hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan, to keep her presence a secret before she performed at Friday's opening ceremony for the European Games. The singer, who sang the John Lennon song Imagine, was a surprise addition to the start of the inaugural games, and only revealed part way through the two-hour show. Catherine Ugwu, who coordinated the ceremony for the organisers, said they had to "work very hard on keeping it a secret" and that the singer "was kind enough to stay in a hotel and not move for several days". The total cost of the ceremony was more than US$95million (Dh349m), the country's sports minister said yesterday – twice the reported cost of the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012. The event continues until June 28. – AP
Einstein letters fetch $420,000
A letter Albert Einstein wrote to one of his sons in 1945 explaining the connection between his theory of relativity and the atom bombs that had been dropped on Japan has sold at auction for US$62,500 (Dh229,571). It was one of 27 written by him that were sold by Los Angeles-based auction house Profiles in History. In all, they fetched more than $420,000. Other letters included two that Einstein wrote in the 1940s, explaining his thoughts on God to a man who had written asking him. They sold for $28,125 and $34,375. Profiles in History founder Joseph Maddalena says the letters had been collected over several years by a seller who wishes to remain anonymous. – AP
