Entertainment
Barry Manilow reveals lung cancer diagnosis, cancels some concerts due to surgery
Barry Manilow, the singer-songwriter known for hits like “Copacabana,” announced Monday that he was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and will need to reschedule January concert dates in order to have surgery.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Manilow, 82, said that an MRI scan detected “a cancerous spot” on one of his lungs after he suffered a lengthy bout of bronchitis in the midst of his Las Vegas residency.
“As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks. Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK,” Manilow said in the statement. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed.”
“It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early,” Manilow said, adding that he is going to have surgery to have the spot removed.
“The doctors do not believe it has spread, and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis,” he said. “So, that’s it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.”
Manilow just finished a string of Christmas shows at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, where he has a lifetime residency. His January concert dates will be rescheduled as he recovers from surgery, he said.
The singer assured fans that he will be back to work by February and intends to perform Valentine’s Day weekend.
“I’m very sorry that you have to change your plans,” he said.
“Just like you, we were all looking forward to the January shows and hate having to move everything around,” he added. “In the meantime, I’m counting the days until I return to my home away from home at the Westgate Las Vegas for our Valentine’s weekend concerts on February 12-13-14 and throughout 2026. Something tells me that February weekend is going to be one big party.”
Entertainment
Jennifer Lawrence recalls tough time of working with Jonah Hill
Jennifer Lawrence looked back on her days filming Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up and the challenges she went through.
The film was based on a dark comedy satire about two low-level astronomers, Dr Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), who discover a massive comet on a collision course with Earth.
While working on the movie, she seemingly had a tough time with her co-star Jonah Hill (Jason Orlean).
In conversation with Vanity Fair, she explained, “It was really, really hard filming with Jonah, and just not ruining take after take, laughing. We one-time dedicated an entire day to him just improve-ing insults at me. It was amazing.”
The Die My Love star went on to praise the actor’s talent for improv, adding that “He’s just a comedic master. I mean we all did some [improv] just not as well as Jonah.
Recalling a scene from the film, where Hill’s character tells Lawrence and DiCaprio to “Sit tight and assess.” The Hunger Games star admitted that it was an improvisation and not scripted, marvelling at his talent.
In addition to Lawrence, DiCaprio and Hill, the film also includes Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Tyler Perry, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande and more.
The film was released on December 24, 2021, on Netflix.
Entertainment
Historic silverware stolen from French presidential palace
Another prominent building in France has fallen victim to theft as silverware worth thousands of dollars was stolen from the Presidential Palace in Paris, months after the Louvre museum heist.
Authorities have caught the culprits, three men, who worked at the official residence of the French President, will stand trial next year for stealing silverware and a table worth between 15,000 to 40,000 euros.
The Élysée Palace’s head steward first reported the disappearance. Several of the missing items were spotted on an online auction website which led authorities to open an investigation.
The investigation team determined that one of the silver stewards was behind the theft and his records suggested that additional thefts were being planned.
Around 100 items were recovered from the steward, including a plate stamped “French Air Force” and “Severes Manufactory” ashtrays that are not available to the general public.
Two other suspects were arrested on Tuesday, December 16, and all the items were returned to Élysée Palace.
The culprits, charged with stealing movable property listed as national heritage, appeared in court on Thursday, December 18. They face up to 10 years in prison and a 150,000-euro fine.
The defendants are now placed under judicial supervision and the trail is postponed till February 2026.
Entertainment
Sarfaraz Ahmed slams India’s ‘unethical’ conduct in U19 Asia Cup final
Pakistan Under-19 cricket team mentor and former national captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has criticised India over “unethical conduct” during their ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final.
The Green Shirts thumped their arch-rivals in the final on Sunday, sparking scenes of jubilation in the Pakistani camp in Dubai.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Sarfaraz slammed the Indian team’s behaviour during the final.
“India’s behaviour regarding the game was not good, and the Indian team’s conduct in cricket was unethical,” he said. “But we celebrated the victory with sportsmanship, because there should always be sportsmanship in cricket; what India did is their own action.”
Cricketing relations between the two neighbouring countries have remained tense due to geopolitical tensions.
In September, India’s Suryakumar Yadav snubbed customary handshakes with Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha and players during their three Asia Cup 2025 games, including the final.
The absence of the traditional handshake at the conclusion of the matches drew global attention, with observers pointing to a lack of sportsmanship and game spirit from India.
The Indian team also refused to collect the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi after defeating Pakistan in the final by five wickets.
The move reportedly came on the directives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
‘Cash reward of Rs10m for each team member’
Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a cash reward of Rs10 million for each team member in recognition of their historic achievement.
PM Shehbaz announced the reward during a luncheon hosted for the U19 Asia Cup-winning side at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The premier also announced Rs2.5 million for the support staff.
“You gave the opposition a defeat they could not even imagine. We defeated India in Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” he told the players and the support staff.
Acknowledging the side’s triumph, PM Shehbaz said that the Green Shirts had lifted the nation’s head with pride, adding, “You have won the hearts of 240 million people.”
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi said that the credit for the victory in the tournament goes to the team for staying focused on the game.
He also noted that the cricket board was building a High-Performance Centre in Lahore, which would benefit the players.
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