Neil Diamond has Parkinson's disease
Neil Diamond, one of America's most enduring songwriters best known for his singalong hits Sweet Caroline and Cracklin' Rosie, announced on Monday that he has Parkinson's disease and is retiring from concert touring. Diamond, who turns 77 today, said he would continue writing and recording music.
Greatest Showman becomes sleeper hit
The Greatest Showman, a musical about circus impresario P.T. Barnum, was dismissed by many critics when it arrived in theatres just before Christmas. Over the past month, however, it has become a rare sleeper hit, lifted by positive word-of-mouth, stunt marketing (singalong screenings) and a popular soundtrack. Ticket sales stand at US$113.5 million (S$149.8 million) in North America and $2.43 million in Singapore.
Shaw Theatres Lido will show the singalong version of the film from Feb 1.
Chinese authorities take aim at hip-hop
China's censors are targeting its nascent hip-hop scene, which resonated with Chinese youth last year on the hugely popular television show Rap Of China. Hip-hop artists PG One and Gai - the two winners of the show - have been sanctioned in recent weeks for bad behaviour or content at odds with communist values. Gai was pulled from Hunan TV's hit show Singer 2018 last week with no reason given.
Human rights awards for Blanchett, Khan
Film star Cate Blanchett, singer-songwriter Elton John and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan received awards at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Monday for their work raising awareness of human rights issues.
