NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Anita Baker countersues home improvement company

DETROIT

Grammy Award-winning singer Anita Baker has countersued a company that says it hasn’t been paid for work done on her Detroit-area home.

The Detroit Free Press reported Saturday that Baker’s attorney says lawyers for Ray A. Smith Painting & Decorating “intended to put her in as embarrassing a light as possible.”

The 2011 lawsuit against Baker led to a warrant for her arrest, but the warrant was dismissed last month.

The company claims Baker owes it $15,000 for work done on her Grosse Pointe, Mich., home, but the singer’s lawyer has said Baker didn’t know she had been sued.

A hearing related to the original lawsuit is scheduled for Friday in Wayne County Circuit Court, which is located in Detroit.

‘Mandela’ actor welcomes baby

NEW YORK

Idris Elba has welcomed a baby boy named Winston.The actor tweeted Friday that his son was born Thursday, adding a photo of the baby’s tiny hand gripping his finger. Elba’s girlfriend, Naiyana Garth, gave birth.

It’s the second child for the star of “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” The 41-year-old Elba also has an 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Associated Press