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Chuck Norris, action icon and “Walker, Texas Ranger” star, dies at age 86

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Chuck Norris, action icon and “Walker, Texas Ranger” star, dies at age 86


Action star and martial artist Chuck Norris has died, his family said Friday. He was 86. 

Norris’ family said on Instagram that his death was sudden but that “he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.” He had been hospitalized recently. The family said they wanted to keep the circumstances of his death private and did not share any updates about the cause.

“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family,” the family wrote. “He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”

Chuck Norris arrives at a film premiere on Aug. 15, 2012, in Hollywood, California.

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images


Norris was born Carlos Ray Norris in Oklahoma on March 10, 1940, and his family moved to California when he was 12. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, where he began practicing martial arts.

After returning home, he continued training and eventually opened a chain of karate schools. He was a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion, according to the Associated Press, and founded his own Korean-based American hard style of karate, known sometimes as Chun Kuk Do, and the United Fighting Arts Federation, which has awarded more than 3,300 Chuck Norris System black belts worldwide. 

He made his film debut in 1968 and acted alongside fellow martial artist Bruce Lee in 1972’s “The Way of the Dragon.” He starred in several action and martial arts films during the 1970s and 1980s. 

“I wanted to project a certain image on the screen of a hero. I had seen a lot of anti-hero movies in which the lead was neither good nor bad. There was no one to root for,” Norris told the Associated Press in 1982.

In the 1990s, Norris played the title role in CBS’ “Walker, Texas Ranger.” The show ran for eight years. In 2010, he was named an honorary Texas Ranger by then-Gov. Rick Perry. The Texas Senate later named him an honorary Texan. 

Norris continued acting until the 2010s. His last major film was 2012’s “The Expendables 2.” He became an online meme, with hyperbolic jokes describing him as impossibly tough. He also appeared in infomercials and became increasingly politically outspoken throughout the 2010s, including announcing support for President Trump in 2016. 

Norris married classmate Dianne Kay Holechek in 1958, when he was 18 and she was 17. They had two children, Mike and Eric, together, and divorced in 1989. During that marriage, he had a daughter, Dina, out of wedlock. 

Chuck Norris in 1985.

Chuck Norris in 1985.

Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images


In 1998, Norris married model Gena O’Kelley. They have two children, twins Dakota and Danilee. 

Norris’ family said that they were “deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him.” 

“The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it,” the family said on Instagram. “To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends. … Thank you for loving him with us.” 





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Jimmy Kimmel roasts Donald, Melanie Trump even after warning

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Jimmy Kimmel roasts Donald, Melanie Trump even after warning


Jimmy Kimmel roasts Donald, Melanie Trump even after warning

Jimmy Kimmel is pressing ahead with jokes about President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, brushing off White House pressure and calls for him to be taken off air.

On his Monday, 4 May, show, Kimmel took aim at the president’s late-night posting activity on Truth Social, singling out a photo Trump shared of his wife. 

“At 11:04, he posted this even more unbelievable picture of Melania smiling,” Kimmel said to laughter from the studio audience. 

“I don’t know the last time we saw that.” 

He also picked up on Trump’s weekend remarks at a Florida retirement community, where the president claimed Melania “hates” when he dances on stage to Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, which Trump called “the gay national anthem.” 

“Melania hates when you do things? No way!” Kimmel quipped. “What a buzzkill.”

The jokes come as Kimmel finds himself in the middle of a serious escalation with the White House. 

The dispute flared after a 23 April episode in which he described Melania as having “a glow like an expectant widow.” 

Two days later, a gunman rushed security at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. 

The suspected shooter, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was subsequently charged with attempting to assassinate the president.

Melania, who had attended the dinner, made a rare public statement ahead of the court appearance, directly criticising Kimmel. 

“People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” she wrote on X. 

“Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand.” 

White House communications director Steven Cheung called Kimmel a “s— human being” and said he should be fired “immediately.”

Kimmel defended the original remark, describing it as an “obvious” joke about the age gap between the president, 79, and the first lady, 56. 

He also addressed Melania directly, expressing genuine sympathy about the scare at the dinner. 

“I am sorry that you and the president and everyone in that room on Saturday went through that. I really am. Just ’cause no one got killed doesn’t mean it wasn’t traumatic and scary.”

Trump himself weighed in during a Newsmax appearance, calling Kimmel “a lowlife, whether he apologized or not” and saying he “shouldn’t be on television.” 

The president had previously threatened to “test” ABC after the network briefly suspended Kimmel in September over remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

ABC and its parent company Disney are facing mounting pressure from the administration. 

The Federal Communications Commission last week ordered a review of ABC’s station licences, citing a probe into possible violations of federal law and FCC rules at local ABC stations.





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Longtime entertainment publicist was 82

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Longtime entertainment publicist was 82


Audrey Beth Davis dies: Longtime entertainment publicist was 82

Audrey Beth Davis, the veteran entertainment publicist who helped shape the public image of some of the most iconic shows in television history, has died at the age of 82. 

She passed away from natural causes on 1 May in Pennsylvania, surrounded by her family, friends, and those who cared for her. 

Having spent decades at the heart of the industry, Davis was a well-respected figure known for her work on legendary series like The Golden Girls and the Law & Order franchise.

Born in Brooklyn in 1943, Davis started her career in television production on the panel game show The Match Game before finding her true calling in public relations. 

After joining Stone Associates in the late 1970s, she was later recruited by Dick Lippin to join his new venture, which eventually became The Lippin Group in 1986. 

Throughout her long career, she handled the publicity for a massive range of hits, from the light-hearted charm of The Love Boat and Empty Nest to the high-stakes drama of the Law & Order spin-offs and the major CBS miniseries Scarlett.

Davis remained a fixture at The Lippin Group until her retirement in 2008, earning a reputation for her professionalism and deep understanding of the TV landscape. 

She is survived by her sisters, Rhonda and Sharon, as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. 

Her loss is felt deeply by her former colleagues and the many friends she made throughout her years in Hollywood.

For those wishing to pay their respects, a memorial service has been scheduled for 12:00 pm on 14 May at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home in West Reading, Pennsylvania. 

The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Francis Home to honour her memory. 

Her passing marks the end of an era for the many television productions that benefited from her dedicated work behind the scenes.





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AS-level Business Studies paper allegedly leaked online

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AS-level Business Studies paper allegedly leaked online


Students can be seen in an examination hall in Karachi during Cambridge exams on April 26, 2021. — X/Deputy Commissioner South Karachi

KARACHI: The AS-level Business Studies paper of Cambridge International Education (CIE) was reportedly leaked online, raising concerns over the exam security.

The incident comes days after CIE admitted that an Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Mathematics Paper 1 was leaked, saying the question paper was “shared prematurely against our regulations.”

The Business Studies paper, scheduled to be held today, was reportedly leaked and circulated online last night.

One of three examination papers circulating on social media platforms last night was the Business Studies, code “9609 Paper 1”.

In a statement issued on April 30, the CIE said: “We can confirm that Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics Paper 12 (9709), taken in our Africa, Europe, Middle East, Pakistan and South Asia regions, was shared prematurely against our regulations.”

The examination board said it was promptly and thoroughly investigating the incident to understand the extent of the leak and determine next steps regarding the compromised paper.

The CIE had said its priority remained ensuring students were not disadvantaged by the incident while continuing all possible measures to protect examination integrity and maintain confidence in awarded grades.





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