Halle Berry and French actor Olivier Martinez are engaged. Martinez confirmed the rumors in an interview with the Miami Herald. Berry and Martinez have been dating since 2010, when they worked together on the film "Dark Tide," due for release this year. This would be the first marriage for Martinez and the third marriage for Berry who won a best actress Oscar for her role in 2001 film "Monster's Ball." She also has a 4 year old daughter with French-Canadian model Gabriel Aubry.
Bruce Springsteen secured his ninth UK No. 1 album on Sunday (March 11) with "Wrecking Ball," a look at economic hardship, inequality and the fallout from the financial crisis. The 62-year-old first topped the UK album charts more than two decades ago, with the global hit "Born in the U.S.A." Described by one reviewer as "his angriest and most overtly political collection yet," Springsteen's latest release mixes familiar anthemic rock with gospel, Irish folk music and even hip-hop.
Iranian authorities canceled a ceremony Monday (March 12) in honor of the country's Oscar-winning director even though the government had hailed his win as a triumph over a competitor from Israel. The event for Asghar Farhadi, whose movie, "A Separation," won the Oscar for best foreign film last month, was abruptly scrapped after authorities denied permission. There were no details as to why a permit was denied but some Iranian conservatives were upset with the film's themes: domestic turmoil, gender inequality and the desire by many to leave the country. All public events in Iran need government approval.
Lindsay Claiborn, Reuters.