US comedian and actress Kathy Griffin is having surgery after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The 60-year-old wrote on social media that she was “about to go into surgery to have half of my left lung removed”. She said doctors were “very optimistic” and that the cancer had not spread beyond her left lung. “I should be up and running around as usual in a month or less,” said the star, known for her stand-up routines and TV shows like Suddenly Susan. “The doctors are very optimistic as it is stage one and contained to my left lung,” the Grammy … Continue reading American comedian Kathy Griffin has lung cancer

Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu has been detained by Beijing police on suspicion of rape after allegedly “repeatedly seducing young women into having sex,” police said in a statement Saturday night.Kris Wu. The case against Wu, 30 whose Chinese name is Wu Yifan is still under investigation, police in the Chaoyang district of the Chinese capital said. The allegations first emerged last month on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, when a woman posting under the verified handle “Du Meizhu” alleged she was sexually assaulted when she was a student at the Communication University of China in Beijing. She said … Continue reading Pop star Kris Wu detained in China after rape allegations

Arthur, the beloved 90s children’s television show is set to come to an end after 25 years. The show, which follows the adventures of Arthur the Aardvark, his family and friends is the longest running children’s animated television series in US history. US broadcaster PBS confirmed the news adding that the final episode will air next year. Arthur has covered important topics such as same-sex marriage. The show is based on a series of books by Marc Brown and has also been screened in other countries, including the UK. News of Arthur’s cancellation was revealed by one of its writers, … Continue reading Popular children’s show to end after 25 years

Dusty Hill, the bassist of US blues rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 72. Bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard said that Hill died in his sleep at his home in Houston, Texas. They did not give further details. Earlier in July, ZZ Top had announced that Hill would not play some upcoming shows due to a hip injury. Known for his bushy beard and sunglasses, Hill played with ZZ Top for over 50 years. “We, along with legions of ZZ Top fans around the world, will miss your steadfast presence, your good nature, and enduring … Continue reading ZZ Top bassist, Dusty Hill dies aged 72

The former drummer of US heavy metal band Slipknot, Joey Jordison, has died at the age of 46. In a statement, Jordison’s family said he passed away peacefully in his sleep. They did not reveal his cause of death, but said his passing had left them with “empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow”. Jordison was one of Slipknot’s original members, founding the band in 1995 along with percussionist Shawn Cruhan and bassist Paul Gray. The group released a successful self-titled debut album four years later. The band went on to sell millions of albums globally, find mainstream US chart … Continue reading Slipknot founding drummer, Joey Jordison dies aged 46

Australian actor Dieter Brummer, who was best known for his role as Shane Parrish on TV soap Home And Away, has died aged 45. Brummer was found dead at a house in Sydney on Saturday, Australian media reported. His death is not being treated as suspicious. In a statement on Monday, Brummer’s family said: “We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter. “He has left a massive hole in our lives and our world will never be the same” it added. “Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him … Continue reading Home and Away actor, Dieter Brummer dies aged 45

Green Snake China After several weeks of dominance, China’s pseudo-propagandistic pandemic blockbuster Chinese Doctors was knocked off the top of the country’s theatrical box office over the weekend. Local animated sequel Green Snake made a solid $29.7 million debut, according to data from Artisan Gateway, while Chinese Doctors slipped to $17.4 million. Produced by pioneering Beijing-based studio Light Chaser Animation, Green Snake is a sequel to the company’s 2019 hit White Snake. Both films are loose, youth-oriented adaptations of an oft-adapted classic Chinese folktale. Chinese ticketing app Maoyan currently forecasts Green Snake to finish its run with $77.5 million (RMB 502.5 million), which would be a significant step up from White snake’s $61.6 million gross. … Continue reading China box office: ‘Green Snake’ slithers into $30m opening

Mumbai police have arrested Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty’s husband, Raj Kundra, for allegedly producing and broadcasting pornographic films online, six years after the businessman was banned from cricket-related activities over match-fixing charges. Police announced Kundra’s arrest late on Monday, calling the 45-year-old “the key conspirator” in a case involving the creation and publication of adult films via internet apps. “We have sufficient evidence regarding this,” police said in a press release, adding that investigations were continuing. The arrest is the latest scandal to hit Kundra, who has two children with Shetty, the 2007 winner of British reality show, Celebrity Big … Continue reading Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty’s husband arrested in porn case

Several brands in China have cut ties with top Chinese-Canadian celebrity Kris Wu after he was accused of luring young girls, including underage teenagers, into having sex with him. The allegations, by a woman claiming to be one of his victims, have provoked a huge outcry in China. Many online have called for Wu to quit entertainment and leave the country. Wu, a popular singer and actor, has denied the accusations and said he has filed a defamation suit. In recent weeks, 19-year-old university student Du Meizhu had been posting allegations online that Wu had lured teenage girls into having … Continue reading Brands drop China star over teen sex allegations

An emotional Britney Spears scored a victory in her bid to end her father’s control of her affairs on Wednesday, as a judge ruled she could appoint her own lawyer to help end a 13-year guardianship arrangement that the pop superstar has condemned as “cruelty.” The controversial arrangement, known as a conservatorship, stems from 2008 and gives Britney’s father, Jamie Spears, control of her business and personal affairs. He is currently the sole person in charge of her $60m estate. “You’re allowing my dad to ruin my life,” 39-year-old Spears told the Los Angeles judge by phone. “I have to … Continue reading Britney Spears finally gets own lawyer in conservatorship fight

Jackie Chan has long been one of Hong Kong’s celebrities who most frequently and prominently engages in propaganda efforts for the mainland’s ruling Communist Party, but he recently took his public devotion to the Chinese regime to a new level. Chan declared his admiration for the Party at a symposium organized by the China Film Association last week to “study and implement the spirit” of a keynote speech delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping. “Abroad they often say, ‘proud to be Chinese.’ I’m very lucky to be a Chinese person, but I also am very jealous that you all are Party members. I … Continue reading Jackie Chan declares: ‘I want to be a Chinese communist party member’

Andy Williams Casting Crowns Andy Williams, who was the drummer for Christian rock band Casting Crowns for several years, has died after suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident. He was 49. “Early this morning, around 1:00am, Andy Williams went to be with Jesus,” read a statement shared on the band’s Instagram account on Friday (July 9). “He fought a great fight, but the injuries that he suffered took a toll on his physical body.” The note continued: “You prayed along with us that Andy would be healed. You prayed along with us that Andy would wake up. You prayed along with us that God … Continue reading Andy Williams, former Casting Crowns drummer, dies after motorcycle accident