Star Wars book lifts the lid on a cultural phenomenon

Plus: Sabbath heading back to the studio to record album number 20; Bollywood veteran Hena Malini starts shooting new romantic comedy; Clooney and Alamuddin tie the knot for a second time in Venice; Wal-Mart blames comedian Morgan for his car-crash injuries;and Nicole Kidman thanks fans for their messages of sympathy.

A scene from Star Wars. Courtesy Lucasfilm Ltd

Chris Taylor, the deputy editor of the social media website Mashable, lets his geekdom shine with How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise, published this week. In the book, he examines how the Star Wars franchise successfully invaded popular culture and he uses examples of how the films have influenced people's lives. One example is the story of Albin Johnson, who was told he wouldn't walk again after a car accident but went on to help found the 501st Legion, who have worked with George Lucas and are considered the only legitimate Stormtroopers at conventions and promotional appearances. Taylor also delivers a biography of Lucas, who fought for years to bring his vision to the screen, and explores in detail the making of the first film. – AP

Sabbath heading back to the studio to record album number 20

After about 45 years as pioneers of heavy metal, Black Sabbath are returning to the studio to record a new album that could be their last, the frontman Ozzy Osbourne has revealed. The singer said the band had a great experience with last year's comeback 13 and a tour that followed, including a show at the du Arena on Yas Island in May this year. The 65-year-old said he had told his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, that he wanted to return to his solo career unless Black Sabbath came together for another album. "If we're going to do it, I want to do it before I'm 70. Time isn't on our side," he told Metal Hammer magazine. "She said: 'Yeah, the record company wants another album.'" He said Sabbath plan to return to the studio early next year for their 20th studio album, but acknowledged that the guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi's health could affect the plans as he has been treated for cancer. – AFP

Bollywood veteran Hena Malini starts shooting new romantic comedy

The veteran actress Hema Malini began filming for Ramesh Sippy's forthcoming comedy Shimla Mirchi on Sunday. "The first day of shooting for Shimla Mirchi – with my Director Ramesh Sippy who is also doing a cameo in the movie (sic)," she tweeted on Sunday. Malini has worked with Sippy on blockbusters such as Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) and Sholay (1975). Shimla Mirchi also stars Rajkummar Rao, who says it is an "unusual film" – the story is about a single mother (Malini) and her daughter (Rakul Preet Singh) who fall in love with the same man (Rao). – The National staff

Clooney and Alamuddin tie the knot for a second time in Venice

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin said "I do" for a second time on Monday. At a civil wedding ceremony in Venice's City Hall on the Grand Canal, hundreds of well-wishers waited for hours for a glimpse of the newlyweds. The couple had tied the knot two days earlier during a private ceremony attended by celebrity friends and family in a luxury hotel, but a civil procedure was also required at an official city facility. The newlyweds arrived at the pre-Renaissance Ca' Farsetti in Clooney's regular water taxi, called Amore. Clooney, 53, wore a grey suit and matching tie while his 36-year-old British-Lebanese bride wore a cream-coloured, short-sleeved jacket with palazzo pants and a matching wide-brimmed hat accented by a navy ribbon. The ceremony took about 20 minutes and they emerged with the former Rome mayor Walter Veltroni, who performed both ceremonies. – AP

Wal-Mart blames comedian Morgan for his car-crash injuries

A lawyer for the actor and comedian Tracy Morgan says it is "appalling" that Wal-Mart has claimed Morgan and the other victims were partly to blame for injuries they suffered in an accident involving one of the company's lorries. Morgan filed a lawsuit over the accident in New Jersey in June, which left a friend of the former Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock star dead. Morgan spent weeks in rehab with rib and leg injuries. In court papers filed on Monday, Wal-Mart Stores said the passengers' injuries were caused by their failure to properly wear seat belts. Authorities say the driver of the lorry hadn't slept for more than 24 hours before the crash. – AP

Nicole Kidman thanks fans for their messages of sympathy

The actress Nicole Kidman yesterday broke her public silence about the death of her father more than two weeks ago, sharing her heartbreak and thanking well-wishers for their messages of sympathy and prayers. "We would just like to thank everyone for their love and prayers over these past couple of weeks," Kidman and her husband, the country music singer Keith Urban, said in a joint message posted on their Facebook pages. "We are all heart-broken, but knowing we are in the hearts and thoughts of others is so comforting. Sending love, Nic and Keith xx." Tony Kidman, 75, died during a holiday in Singapore on September 12. The cause of death has not been ­revealed. – AP