Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke in After Midnight. Courtesy Berlinale
Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke in After Midnight. Courtesy Berlinale

Beyoncé talks about baby and album



Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy said they feel like they've grown up with their 1995 romantic trilogy after the latest instalment, Before Midnight, cheered at the Berlinal Film Festival on Monday, and that they're mulling a fourth film with their director Richard Linklater. The out-of-competition screening of the movie drew cheers from a packed cinema, and Hawke and Delpy appeared moved by the reception. "But I'm sure we have absolutely no idea right now what that sequel could possibly be and we probably won't for like five or six years," said Linklater. - AFP

Banderas to direct wife Griffith

Antonio Banderas has cast his wife Melanie Griffith in his forthcoming film Akil, about an African boy who illegally migrates to Spain and takes refuge in an American woman's home. Banderas is the film's writer, director and producer. "My country, Spain, is in tremendous financial crisis. I have conceived Akil so as not to depend on third-party funding," Banderas told Variety. "This is a love story between two completely different people who end up being essential to each other." Banderas recently signed on to play Pablo Picasso in Carlos Saura's new film 33 Days. - IANS

Beyoncé talks baby and album

Beyoncé says she wants to give her baby daughter a normal childhood. In Vogue magazine's March issue, she also teased her next album, saying the music is "a lot more sensual ... empowering", thanks to motherhood. "It's very important to me that my daughter is able to experience life and run through the sprinklers and have slumber parties and trust and live and do all the things that any child should be able to do," she said. The singer is making a comeback with a world tour in April. - Reuters

Chicago cast join Oscars line-up

The stars of Chicago will reunite as presenters at this year's Oscars, on the 10th anniversary of the film's Academy Award win for Best Picture. Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah will join presenters including Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Samuel L Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo. The Oscars have a musical theme this year, and includes performances by Adele, Shirley Bassey, Norah Jones and Barbra Streisand. - AP

Bruce Willis gets French honour

Bruce Willis has been awarded the Commander of the Arts in France for his contribution to cinema. The 57-year-old, whose latest film is A Good Day to Die Hard, attendedthe Paris ceremony on Monday. Willis, born in Germany, said he feels at home in France, but that he opposes President Francois Hollande's plan to tax the richest at 75 per cent and hopes he would be able to complain about it if he lived in France. Willis also said there'll be more Die Hard movies to come. - AP

THE BIO

Age: 30

Favourite book: The Power of Habit

Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"

Favourite exercise: The snatch

Favourite colour: Blue

RESULT

Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')

The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 715bhp

Torque: 900Nm

Price: Dh1,289,376

On sale: now

While you're here
THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm

Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: from Dh209,000 

On sale: now

The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.

The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.