The singer Justin Timberlake apologized for a video that was insensitive to the plight of the homeless. AP Photo
The singer Justin Timberlake apologized for a video that was insensitive to the plight of the homeless. AP Photo

Timberlake sorry for 'silly' wedding video



Justin Timberlake apologised on Friday for a "distasteful" video produced by a friend that critics blasted for making fun of homeless people. The actor posted an open letter on his website about the video, in which a string of homeless people sent best wishes for his recent wedding to Jessica Biel. "I had no knowledge of its existence. I had absolutely zero contribution to it," he said. "I think we can all agree that it was distasteful." The video, initially posted on the Gawker website, has a series of Los Angeles vagrants and street musicians talk to the camera. "Greetings from your Hollywood friends who just couldn't make it," says a caption at one point. Timberlake wrote: "I don't live my life making fun of people, especially those who are less fortunate. On behalf of my friends, family, and associative knuckleheads, I am deeply sorry to anyone who was offended." * AFP

Sean 'Diddy' Combs being treated after crash

Sean "Diddy" Combs is being treated for injuries he sustained during a minor car accident in Beverly Hills on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the 42-year-old rapper-producer says he hurt his neck, ribs and collarbone in the crash. Combs was a passenger in a Cadillac Escalade when a Lexus sedan collided with it. His publicist says doctors are now treating Combs, and he is grateful for the outpouring of fan support following the accident. * AP

Schwarzenegger to reprise Conan role

Arnold Schwarzenegger is coming back - as Conan the Barbarian. Universal Pictures says California's former governor will star in The Legend of Conan, an action film being developed for the actor. The 65-year-old Schwarzenegger starred in two previous films about the mythic hero: 1982's Conan the Barbarian and 1984's Conan the Destroyer. Schwarzenegger told Deadline.com that he loves the character and "is honoured to play him again". * AP

Come Dine with Me coming to Dubai

Fans of the popular British television series, listen up: Come Dine With Me is heading to the UAE. If you fancy yourself as an amateur chef who wouldn't be fazed by the TV cameras, then here's your chance to appear on screen. In the series, four contestants take turns hosting the perfect dinner party for each other. At the end of the week, the most impressive host wins a cash prize. Interested to audition? Email comedinewithme@itv.com. * The National staff

Cruise sues magazine over daughter story

Tom Cruise is suing the publishers of the US magazine Life and Style for US$50 million (Dh184m) over a cover claiming he had abandoned his daughter Suri. The weekly's July 30 issue splashed with the headline "Suri in tears, abandoned by her dad", over a picture of the sobbing 6-year-old. Cruise's lawyer called the magazine's publishers "sleaze peddlers". "Tom doesn't go around suing people. He's not a litigious guy. But when these sleaze peddlers try to make money with disgusting lies, you bet he's going to sue," the lawyer said in a statement. Katie Holmes announced on June 28 that she was filing for divorce to end her five-year marriage to Cruise. Suri lives in New York with her mother, while Cruise gets visiting rights. * AFP

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

2252 - Dh50

6025 - Dh20

6027 - Dh100

6026 - Dh200

F1 drivers' standings

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281

2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

TRAINING FOR TOKYO

A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:

  • Four swim sessions (14km)
  • Three bike sessions (200km)
  • Four run sessions (45km)
  • Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
  • One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
  • Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body

ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon

For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km