Justin Bieber heads relief campaign in the Philippines

Also, Mumbai singer Nikhil D'Souza in Dubai on December 21; Sound of Music actress Eleanor Parker dies at 91; Naseeruddin Shah set to shine in Jackpot; Miley Cyrus is MTV's Artist of the Year.

Justin Bieber arrived today in the Philippines, where he has launched a campaign to help victims of last month's typhoon. Isaac Brekken / Invision / AP

The Canadian pop star Justin Bieber arrived today in the Philippines, where he has launched a campaign to help victims of last month's devastating typhoon. Bieber arrived on a special flight, immigration officer Jerome Ollet said. Pictures on social media showed fans snapping photos of the star at Manila's airport. In a video posted on the fund-raising platform Prizeo, Bieber asked fans to help him support victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which left nearly 6,000 people dead and more than 1,700 others missing and flattened entire towns and villages in the central Philippines. – AP

Mumbai’s Nikhil D’Souza in Dubai on December 21

The Mumbai-based cross­over singer and composer Nikhil D'Souza will perform in Dubai on December 21. There will be sets by the Dubai-based musician Anupam Nair, as well as the singers Samyukta and Suman Udaya. The line-up also includes the band True Fiction and DJ Bionoiz. At The Music Room, Majestic Hotel, tickets from Dh70, doors open at 8pm. Call 050 453 9727 for more information. – The National staff

Actress Eleanor Parker dies at 91

Eleanor Parker, who was nominated for Academy Awards three times for her portrayals of strong-willed women and played a scheming baroness in The Sound of Music, died yesterday at the age of 91, of complications from pneumonia. Parker was nominated for Oscars in 1950, 1951 and 1955, but her career began to wane in the early 1960s. Her last memorable role came in 1965's The Sound of Music, in which she played the baroness who loses Christopher Plummer to Julie Andrews. Parker's death comes at a time when The Sound of Music is back in the spotlight following NBC's live restaging of the classic last week, which was a ratings smash. – AP

Naseeruddin Shah set to shine in Jackpot

Sporting blond dreadlocks and cool sunglasses, the veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah is going to steal the show in the forthcoming Jackpot, says the director Kaizad Gustad. "In the film, Naseer plays Boss Man, a casino owner who is completely unpredictable." The comedy thriller, also starring Sunny Leone, is out today in the UAE. – The National staff

Miley Cyrus is named as MTV’s Artist of the Year

MTV named Miley Cyrus Artist of the Year yesterday, saying that the pop diva's VMA duet with Robin Thicke on We Can't Stop and Blurred Lines was the year's most-watched video on its websites. Similarly, the MTV artist site devoted to Cyrus had more visits than any other artist's. Besides We Can't Stop, the song Wrecking Ball and the album Bangerz were big hits for Cyrus, who also had notable appearances on Saturday Night Live and MTV's European music awards show. One Direction won last year and Katy Perry won the year before. – AP