Rolling Stones Rome concert sparks heritage concerns
One group of ancient stones is under threat from another, fear authorities in Rome, as The Rolling Stones prepare for a huge concert among the ruins of Italy’s capital. The British rockers, who performed in Abu Dhabi on February 21, are set to play to 65,000 fans on June 22 at the Circus Maximus, the ancient Roman chariot racing stadium. The coming influx of spectators has raised concerns among heritage groups, which warned of “unpredictable consequences” and possible “acts of vandalism” in a “very fragile” area. “It brings a measure of risk for the heritage of the area that is not only heightened but also hard to predict,” said the office of archaeological supervisors in a statement. In a letter published on Sunday in the daily La Repubblica, Mayor Ignazio Marino said the chance to hear “the passionate chords of their rock in the archaeological heart of the city will be yet another demonstration of ‘the great beauty’ of Rome”. – AFP
Dvbbs, Borgeous and Tinie Tempah collaboration tops British charts
The Canadian duo Dvbbs and the Miami DJ Borgeous topped the British singles chart for the first time on Sunday, after their track Tsunami (Jump), featuring Tinie Tempah, went straight to No 1. Last week's chart topper, Route 94's My Love featuring Jess Glynne, dropped a spot to second place, while Pharrell Williams's Happy was third. In the album chart, Elbow secured their first British No 1 album with The Take Off and Landing of Everything, while Paloma Faith was a new entry in second place with A Perfect Contradiction. – Reuters
Read our review of Paloma Faith’s album on al08
Kher: I work for audience, not critics
His audience's views are more important to him than those of the critics, says the Bollywood actor Anupam Kher. His recent films Total Siyapaa and Gori Tere Pyaar Mein were not well received by Indian critics. "I don't work for critics, I work for my audience," the 59-year-old actor told reporters. "It's difficult to please everybody, but for me, life is a journey and not a destination." Kher will next be seen in the horror flick Gang of Ghosts and the comedy O Teri. – IANS
Oprah to sell Harpo Studios
Oprah Winfrey is selling Harpo Studios in Chicago to a developer, but the studio will remain on the property for another two years. Winfrey filmed The Oprah Winfrey Show at the studio from 1990 to 2011, when she ended the talk show to start the Oprah Winfrey Network. "We have entered into a purchasing agreement with Sterling Bay for the four-building Harpo Studios campus," Harpo told Crain's Chicago Business in a statement. "The studio will continue to produce programming for OWN." Harpo Studios is credited with transforming the once-gritty industrial area to a neighbourhood filled with families and trendy restaurants. – AP
Pine pleads guilty to DUI
Chris Pine pleaded guilty on Monday in a New Zealand court to a charge of drunk driving. The 33-year-old actor was fined 93 New Zealand dollars (Dh292) and had his New Zealand driver's licence suspended for six months. Police pulled over Pine early on March 1 after he'd attended a party to mark the end of filming on his new movie Z for Zachariah. Pine stood silently during the hearing, allowing his lawyer to enter the plea. His lawyer said Pine had suffered emotionally and professionally and that the negative publicity had put his acting contracts in jeopardy. – AP