Bale asks for privacy

Bales asks for privacy

BARCELONA, Spain — Batman star Christian Bale asked for privacy Thursday in his first comments since allegations he assaulted his mother and sister at a London hotel, saying the incident was a “deeply personal matter.”

The Welsh-born actor brushed off questions about the alleged family dispute, saying he preferred to focus on the blockbuster movie “The Dark Knight,” which opened in Spain on Wednesday.

“It’s a deeply personal matter,” Bale told a press conference at a luxury hotel in this northern Spanish city. “I would ask you to respect my privacy in the matter.”

The 34-year-old actor spent four hours talking to British police Tuesday after allegations he assaulted his mother and one of his three sisters in his suite at London’s Dorchester Hotel two days earlier. He was released on bail, but not charged. Bale has said through his lawyers that the assault allegations were false.

50 Cent sues Taco Bell

NEW YORK — 50 Cent has sued Taco Bell, claiming the fast-food restaurant chain is using his name without permission in advertising that asks him to call himself 99 Cent.

The rapper says in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday that the Mexican-themed chain features him in a print ad asking him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent. His real name is Curtis Jackson.

The rapper’s court papers say the ad is part of Taco Bell’s “Why Pay More?” campaign, which promotes items for under a dollar, including Cinnamon Twists for 79 cents, Crunchy Tacos for 89 cents and Bean Burritos for 99 cents. The papers say the Irvine, Calif.-based company sent a bogus letter requesting the name change to the news media but not to the rapper.

The rapper’s lawyer, Peter D. Raymond, said his client didn’t learn about the letter or that he was featured in the ad campaign until he saw a news report about it. Raymond said his client is seeking $4 million in damages.

Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying: “We made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice.”

Today’s birthdays

Supermodel Iman is 53. Cartoonist Ray Billingsley (“Curtis”) is 51. Actor Matt LeBlanc (“Joey,” “Friends”) is 41.