Latest news with #YOUTUBE
Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Li Nanxing on reuniting with Chow Yun Fat at Star Awards: ‘I consider him more a friend than an idol'
SINGAPORE – For Singaporean actor Li Nanxing, attending Star Awards 2025 on July 6 after a 10-year absence was a chance to catch up with old friends and colleagues. But the most memorable reunion came in the form of the 30th anniversary edition's special guest, Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat, who was on hand to present awards – just like how he did at the inaugural ceremony in 1994. Back then, Chow famously remarked that Li resembled him, adding: 'Please don't come to Hong Kong, or else I will not be able to make movies any more.' At Star Awards 2025, Chow, 70, called out 60-year-old Li's name twice while onstage, when he rallied the local actors in the audience from the 1994 batch to go onstage for a wefie. Li was also the first artiste to receive a hug from Chow. Li said it was the pair's first reunion since 1994, but they did not get to chat offstage as Chow was 'very busy'. Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat (left) giving Singaporean actor Li Nanxing a hug during the Star Awards on July 6. PHOTO: ENTERTAINMENT – MEDIACORP/YOUTUBE Li recalled: 'So many people wanted to take a photo with him, and I felt so lucky to have been called. 'I have always looked up to Chow and have seen so many of his movies. In some ways, I did try to learn from him. So for him to remember me three decades later, it meant a lot to me. I consider him more a friend than an idol.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms, 1 lawyer over seized properties Business 'Some cannot source outside China': S'pore firms' challenges and support needed amid US tariffs Multimedia From local to global: What made top news in Singapore over the last 180 years? World Trump arms Ukraine and threatens sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil Singapore Turning tragedy into advocacy: Woman finds new purpose after paralysis Opinion Sumiko at 61: Everything goes south when you age, changing your face from a triangle to a rectangle Sport World Aquatics C'ship women's 10km open water swimming event delayed by a day due to water quality Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat (in white suit, in foreground) during the Star Awards on July 6, taking a wefie with stars who attended the first edition of Star Awards in 1994. PHOTO: MEDIACORP Li was speaking to The Straits Times on July 14 at the new Jurong Point outlet of home-grown restaurant brand Nan Yang Dao, which official opens on July 25. At the event, he unveiled two limited-time collaborative dishes that feature his LNX Dried Scallop Hae Bee Hiam – Hae Bee Hiam XO Penang Char Kway Teow With Double Egg ($12.80) and Ah Ge Fried Bee Hoon With Tiger Prawns ($12.80). Li launched his hae bee hiam (spicy dried shrimp sambal) brand in 2021, and it was improved in 2024 with richer shrimp and scallop flavours. Ah Ge Fried Bee Hoon With Tiger Prawns. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Li also revealed more about how he plans to celebrate his 40 years in showbiz, after debuting in the 1986 Chinese-language drama Crossroads. On Nov 29, he will hold a 40th anniversary event in Shanghai, China, with an estimated 800 fan s, including those from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. He also plans to join a Huangpu River Cruise to admire the nighttime scenery together with attendees of an eight-day Jiangnan Gourmet Autumn Tour, departing from Singapore on Nov 23 and organised by local tour agency SA Tours. During the event, he might shake fans' hands, sign autographs and even belt out a number or two. 'It all depends on what requests they have. Maybe it is to sing some theme songs or act out certain roles? I just want to thank my fans for their support all these years. 'Did you know many fans in China like Mediacorp dramas?' he shared, namedropping his period drama The Great Conspiracy (1993), which was partly filmed in the Chinese province of Shanxi and in which he played Shen Chong, a killer skilled in martial arts. Li added: 'In China, old television s series are often replayed. I was once welcomed by Chinese fans with banners saying 'Shen Chong is back', and they told me they had seen the show on television just a few years ago.' 'Other fans in China who watched it when it first aired are now aunties. But they bring their children and grandchildren – three generations – to see me, and it is great. They give me lots of local products, such as tea and peanuts, and I have to book a van to take all of it back to my hotel.' Reflecting on his four-decade career, Li shared that there were lows, like when viewers made 'hurtful' comments about him portraying villains in dramas such as Coup De Scorpion (1999). In any case, acting has taught him much about life, while allowing him space to play and experiment. He recently played a cash-strapped single father in the family drama Uniquely Ours (2024), and will return to the small screen as a disgraced doctor in dystopian thriller series The Leftovers, set to premiere in October 2026. Outside of the entertainment industry, Li remains passionate about his other businesses. He established artiste management company LNX Global in 2003, which manages actresses Constance Song and Vivian Lai, actor Shane Pow, UFM100.3 DJ Luo Kemin and actress-influencer Julie Tan. In 2021, he opened dessert shop Tian Wang, now located in Keong Saik Road, where he has been spotted playing cashier and waiter. In addition, he has collaborated with other F&B businesses over the years, such as Chinese hotpot chain Chamoon Hot Pot on a bak kut teh broth in 2024, and casual restaurant chain Yun Nans on a number of spring menu dishes in 2021. He said: 'I love cooking. And food is something I feel very strongly for, especially Nanyang cuisine, which has a distinctive Singaporean flavour. I love going to other countries to spread awareness about our food. And whether it is in food, acting or life, there is still a lot more to learn, experience and enjoy.'
India Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pakistan bans 27 YouTube channels for broadcasting 'anti-state content'
In a sweeping crackdown on dissent, a court in Islamabad has ordered the blocking of 27 YouTube channels, many of which are operated by Pakistani journalists, political commentators, and activists. The order was passed by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah on the plea of the country's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).CHANNELS INCLUDED: IMRAN KHAN, ARZOO KAZMI AMONG OTHERS According to the two-page court order, the channels involved include those run by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, journalist Arzoo Kazmi and several others who have been vocal critics of the Pakistani military and the magistrate said the court was 'satisfied with the evidence provided by FIA', which showed that the channels were allegedly spreading 'anti-state content'.YOUTUBE INCHARGE OFFICER ASKED TO BLOCK CHANNELS 'The YouTube incharge officer is directed to block 27 YouTube channels,' the order stated, while also endorsing FIA's legal authority to act in the matter. The FIA reportedly began investigating the channels on June 2, and submitted what it called 'sufficient proof' before the is the list of YouTube channels identified in the court order:The list of channels identified in the court order includes that of Haider Mehdi, Siddique Jan, Sabeeq Kazmi, Orya Maqbool Jan, Arzoo Kazmi, Rana Uzair Speaks, Sajid Gondal, Habib Akram, Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor, Imran Riaz Khan, Naya Pakistan, Sabir Shakir, Imran Khan, Aftab Iqbal, Reel Entertainment TV, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Daily Qudrat, Qadir Qadri, Chandasai Journalists, Naila Pakistani Reaction, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Ahmad Noorani, Nazar Chohan, Moeed Pirzada, Makhdoom Shahab ud Din and Shayan Ali. CHANNELS FACING TECHNICAL BLOCKS, EXILE AND THREATS In recent months, several Pakistani YouTubers have complained of shadow bans, restricted reach, or complete inaccessibility of their content within Pakistan. Some content creators have fled the country, continuing to broadcast from abroad over fears of arrest or even forced disappearances, often attributed to Pakistan's deep SAY BLOCKING NEEDS YOUTUBE'S HELPHowever, technical experts say such bans may not be fully effective unless YouTube's own management cooperates with the government to block or geofence the channels.'YouTube cannot be unilaterally blocked by a court without the platform being involved,' said a senior IT consultant, calling the move more symbolic than effective unless enforced at platform PAKISTAN BLOCKS ITS OWN VOICESThe development comes at a time when India has banned several Pakistani YouTube channels for misinformation and propaganda. Now, Pakistan is banning its own citizens' YouTube channels for allegedly pushing out anti-state content. Notably, Arzoo Kazmi's channel is now banned in both India and Pakistan. - EndsTune InMust Watch
The Irish Sun
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
YouTube megastar Grant Horvat jets into Ireland ahead of Open Championship at Royal Portrush
YOUTUBE sensation Grant Horvat has jetted into the Emerald Isle ahead of the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portush. The 26-year-old American golf star and 2 Youtube megastar Grant Horvat jetted into Ireland to film content ahead of the Open Credit: x @GrantHorvatGolf 2 Horvat also said that he'd be filming his 'no cut' series at The Open venue of Royal Portrush Known for his engaging golf challenges and tutorials, Horvat boasts over 1 million YouTube subscribers, with over 900K followers on Instagram. Horvat is set to film exclusive content and course walkthroughs for his channels. He took to social media on Saturday as he asked golf fans what are the best course to play in Ireland. Horvat captioned a snap from his flight that read: "Heading to Ireland. What's the best course to play?" read more on golf The Florida-based golfer confirmed in the comments that he'd be playing Portrush for his 'no cut' series on Youtube. Horvat also recently ripped it up at a BMW Charity Pro-Am, on a Korn Ferry Tour event, where he carded a stunning round of 67. Make sure to tune into the former 'Good Good' member's Most read in Golf The 2025 Open gets underway the week after next with the world's best golfers set for the major battle at Dunluce Links in County Antrim. Next week's Scottish Open at the will serve as a warm-up for many. Shane Lowry and famous American singer are spotted in Dublin playing indoor golf together But some will skip the event as they are expected to flock the Emerald Isle for practice rounds on some of the most stunning links tracks on the planet. The Open tees off July 17-20 with all the action live on Sky Sports.
Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Former The One Show star on loosing 'everything' after marriage split and BBC axe
Former The One Show star on loosing 'everything' after marriage split and BBC axe Former England footballer Jermaine Jenas was sacked by the BBC with immediate effect last year after he sent explicit messages to colleagues. Jermaine Jenas, known for co-hosting The One Show with Alex Jones, found himself in the spotlight last year following his sudden dismissal due to inappropriate conduct. The ex-England footballer, aged 42, revisited the controversy that also saw him ousted from his role on Match of The Day, a situation which precipitated the end of his 14-year marriage to Ellie, with the couple announcing their separation in March. Following allegations about sending explicit messages to colleagues, Jermaine faced additional career repercussions including being dropped by his representation agency. He has since reflected on the scandal and admits that he initially mishandled the fallout. Former The One Show star on loosing 'everything' after marriage split and BBC axe (Image: BBC ) In a frank discussion on the Let Me Tell You Something podcast, hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan and professional boxer Derek Chisora, he confessed: "I broke a vow. Article continues below "I feel my level of punishment was up there. I had to take it and have some broad shoulders and handle it, and I feel like I did that." Jermaine drew parallels between the texts he sent and the erotically charged narratives akin to those of Jamie Dornan's Fifty Shades film series, reports the Express. Jermaine Jenas spoke candidly about being sacked by the BBC last year (Image: YOUTUBE ) He described his sexting scenario as follows: "It was Christian Grey in text messages, put it that way. It was sexting, as simple as that, but it was initiated to me, and then I responded." The 42-year-old clarified the context of the exchanges, asserting: "It wasn't just me going out of my way, and it definitely 100% wasn't, 'If you do this, I will help you in your work.'There was no power element to it going on." Jermaine candidly discussed his marriage struggles with Ellie Penfold, acknowledging they faced issues even before the sexting scandal emerged. Jermaine Jenas and his wife Ellie Penfold announced their separation (Image: GETTY ) "There's a lot of stuff with me and Ellie where we weren't in the best place ourselves," he admitted. He also spoke on their challenges, adding: "And things were just spiralling a little bit. In no way is that blame. I'm fully accepting responsibility." Article continues below Reflecting on the consequences, the former BBC star expressed: "I dealt with it wrong and got heavily punished for it by losing pretty much everything that I had at that time." Having bounced back, Jenas is now with talkSPORT and shared at the start of the year his aspirations to better himself, stating, he would be a "better person".
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Greg Kinnear Was at a Career Crossroads—Then This Film Changed Everything
Actor Greg Kinnear. Actor Greg Kinnear. CJ Rivera/Apple TV+ "I usually have a terrible memory for so many things, but the experiences that I have making things is pretty visceral." Lately, Greg Kinnear is just trying to keep his head on straight due to his embarrassment of riches, from Smoke on Apple TV+ and the film Off the Grid. "You kind of have to shuffle around the bottom of your proverbial briefcase to pull up this old project. Smoke, we did it a year ago, Off the Grid, we did last year. So there's always a little bit of, 'Who the hell did I play?'" For the arson crime thriller Smoke, Kinnear teamed up with Taron Egerton and Dennis Lehane. "Very CGI light on this. It was real fire. When we were playing with it, we were playing with the real thing." And in Off the Grid, Kinnear is the bad guy chasing down Josh Duhamel through the woods. "You want to punch the bad guy in the face. And who better? When they look at my face, wanting to punch is pretty much a universal reaction." While that's not necessarily true, Kinnear is happy to be playing against type in both projects. "It's a great thing about what we do...[when] the people who create these ideas and come up when it's well done, and craft a world, and you're allowed into that world." SUBSCRIBE TO THE PARTING SHOT WITH H. ALAN SCOTT ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SPOTIFY AND WATCH ON YOUTUBE Editor's Note: This conversation has been edited and condensed for publication. You know, one of the things that I respect about your career is that you started off as a personality on TV. You really were on that talk show host track, and then it shifted to acting. It was crazy. I mean, it was unusual, particularly at that time. It was kind of weird to go from the TV to film, now I feel like people do it all the time. You don't think about it. You see people in commercials, and they do everything. But it was a very kind of weird environment in terms of separation of church and state back then, and how the hell Sydney Pollack [director of Sabrina] allowed me to climb over the wall and do Sabrina, I don't know, but credit to him. I mean, that's Sydney Pollack and Harrison Ford. That's a nosedive into the film world. Lot of people would say belly flop, yeah. But [you] got to do it whatever way you got to do. So for a show like Smoke, when you're looking at a project like this, there's your character but there's also the story. What do you respond to first? Well, in the case of this, I think I responded first and foremost to the fact that a couple years ago, I worked with Dennis Lehane and Taron on Blackbird, which we did in COVID and it was kind of a crazy time. But Dennis cast that show so well. It was a wonderful group of people and actors. The team that he had, the support team of directors and producers, were all excellent. And his writing, both as a novelist and as a showrunner, really, I think kind of blossomed. He had done some other stuff, but I think Blackbird, really, set the stage for Dennis. So listen, loved to be along for that ride. And when he was mumbling the idea of maybe another show, there wasn't a long conversation. I said yes way before he did and looked forward to the opportunity of working with [him]. And then, in this case, he got Taron, you have a lot of the same producing, directing team came over. The world of arson is not something I necessarily would [be] fascinated by, [arson] probably wouldn't have been the ticket I would have pulled. But that's true all the time. It's the great thing about being an actor. It's a great thing about what we do is, that the people who create these ideas go and dig and dive so heavily onto a subject matter and come up when it's well done, and craft a world, and you're allowed into that world. And in this case, it's a pretty exotic world. I mean, you think of crime, even serial killers, I feel they've been in front of us to a point where they kind of just wash off us. You see one serial killer, you've seen them all. Not the case with Blackbird, but I'm saying in general that subject matter is used a lot, and then you think of fire and arson, and how strange and what a distance I think there is from any typical viewer to what happens in that world, how it exists. But sure enough, you give it to a guy like Dennis and his great writing team, and they really, I think, unlocked it in a way where I was excited to be a part of it. It's kind of different sort of role for me. And again, working with just great people. Greg Kinnear in "Smoke," now streaming on Apple TV+. Greg Kinnear in "Smoke," now streaming on Apple TV+. Apple TV+. The fire itself is also kind of like a monster or the villain. Yeah, I think you're right. Fire, strangely, it should be something made easily to create as the monster, but I don't think it is. Again, there's some sort of tax on the imagination that really forces, I think, the storytellers, in the case of Smoke, to make it visceral, make it real. There's, for the most part, very CGI light on this. It was real fire. When we were playing with it, we were playing with the real thing. And I think the intimacy and the immediacy of that really bleeds through on the show. You have a palpable experience with it in the show, and you feel it, I think, in a really effective way. But yeah, we got a lot of scary monsters in this show, whether they're fire or not. Between Smoke and Off the Grid, how do you keep track of your projects when they're released so close to each other? Well, you kind of have to shuffle around the bottom of your proverbial briefcase to pull up this old project. In the case of Smoke, we did it a year ago, Off the Grid, we did last year. These projects, they take a while before they ever come to life. So there's always a little bit of a process of saying, "Now, who the hell did I play? What am I doing?" That's just kind of the name of the game. And I usually have a terrible memory for so many things, but the experiences that I have making things is pretty visceral. What about Off the Grid appealed to you? I had met Josh before briefly, but I don't really know him. And he's like a 6'5" football linebacker, and when I heard the concept, they're like, "We're making this movie called Off the Grid, and Josh is the guy." I was like, "Oh, I understand that." So sure enough, Josh is a guy who has gone off the grid with a piece of technology, and the bad guys are trying to get it back, and I am playing one of the key bad guys who must do everything to get it back and doesn't particularly like the bayou or the woods where he is residing. What I find interesting about you is that, if I saw you in the grocery store, I wouldn't be nervous to say hello, you seem nice. So when you play bad or evil, it's a bit of a plot twist. Well, I have played some bad guys. And I just did—Disney's doing kind of a reimagining of Holes and played the Sigourney Weaver role of the warden, who's just this devilishly fun character. Off the Grid was, case in point, they sent it to me, and I was like, "Oh my gosh, I never get to be the bad guy going after the guy." And I look at any of those movies that I've liked where you're the villain, and you're chasing the guy, and it just seemed like, "Okay, here we go. We're gonna put the bug repellent on and chase Josh, see where this goes." But it was fun to do. And in a weird way, it makes you want to see the bad guy get it more. Because if you wanna like him, and he gets to be as bad as he is, it just makes the justice so much more sweet. Yeah, you got it. You want to punch the bad guy in the face. And who better when they look at me, wanting to punch is pretty much a universal reaction. I don't know if that's true. Which I think is partly why it works, because we don't start off wanting to punch you, we want to like you. But then, yeah, you're bad. Yeah, I feel like, like I said, I don't get to do it very often, but when it's offered, it is fun to do. If I'm being honest, it does play against type a little bit. It's not necessarily a goal to want to kill or maim or hurt people, but you know, that's the great thing [about acting], that we get to do lots of stuff that we don't otherwise get to do. Where's the Great Western? I think Kevin Costner has that locked up. He's got the corner on that. Greg Kinnear (L), Jack Nicholson (C) and Helen Hunt (R) film As Good as it Gets. Greg Kinnear (L), Jack Nicholson (C) and Helen Hunt (R) film As Good as it Gets. Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images Well, I can't spend time with you without bringing up As Good as It Gets. That film seems like it changed everything for you. From an Oscar nomination to just being able to work with that level of talent: James L. Brooks, Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt. We're coming up on nearly 30 years since it was released. Did that film change everything for you? Yeah, it's interesting. I had done Talk Soup. And I was doing a late night show. I had taken over for Bob Costas. And while I was there, I kind of went in, hat in hand, to Don Ohlmeyer, who ran the channel, and who was a pretty imposing tough guy historically in our business. And I kind of managed to ask, beg and plead to be able to do the first couple of movies that I was able to do. And I would come in and bank five shows, talk shows, in a day, and then go off and shoot a movie here or there. And As Good as It Gets came along, and Jim offered me the role. And I was really at a crossroads. I was like, "Well, it's going to be in L.A., it's a big role and a lot of time." And I was just suddenly faced with, wow, okay, so I've been on this trajectory of kind of a television host, interviewer, whatever. And the fork was there, to continue that, or I was going to really have to step over into acting. It really caused some soul searching. And I thank Jim so much because he handed me that role, which was an incredible, incredible role. And obviously the material is so amazing. It's got heart, and it's got laughs, and it's got something thoughtful to kind of meditate on and it's got Verdell the dog. So, I did have a lot of things there that allowed me to say, "Well, I'm going to give this a shot. Who knows where all of this goes." I ended up having to walk away from the talk show at NBC. That movie meant to me a great deal, because obviously it was successful, but you don't know that when you're making it. I mean, I knew I thought it was good, but I hadn't done enough movies at the time. Didn't know what we were doing was good. When I am [impersonating] Jack standing at a door going, "Don't bother me ever," and kind of just basically unloading a cannon into my face of Nicholson'isms, I was thinking, "All right, this is a life highlight." If this goes nowhere, but hopefully the audience will respond as well, and obviously they did. So it was a pivotal movie in a lot of ways, from that standpoint. Well, there's also another aspect to it that I found particularly interesting. It was part of an era of portrayals on film of gay characters who weren't tragic, who weren't dying. Simon was able to just be Simon. And that was a real shift in film from films of the '80s and '90s that, rightfully so, focused on portrayals of violence or HIV/AIDS. Did that stand out to you? It did. I read it and I thought, "Wow." I mean, first and foremost, the fact that Simon was gay was secondary to a racist, misogynist, really messed up guy [Jack Nicholson's Melvin] and his [Simon's] decency was right there in the page. And that's really, first and foremost, what I took note of and thought, "Wow, my gosh, this is so great." Because I know exactly what you mean. We had seen that role where we're going to get all sorts of yucks out of this guy. It's like a lever you can pull. The transition we're always going through in terms of big entertainment is so many things, they start as stereotypes, and then maybe they become just types, and then maybe they just become characters, and then they just become people. And I feel like, yes, that was happening at that time, but I felt, wow, what a leap forward with this script. What a lovely character that's been drawn up with Simon, and I just wanted him to find success and love and happiness like I do in every character. It really was just such a special film and performance and certainly meant a lot to me. Oh, I'm so happy to hear that. I'm so appreciative. And, gosh, I can't believe, it was Father's Day yesterday, and I showed my daughter, because it's like, the one day of the year I'm able to say, "Guys, I'm picking the movie." There's no conversation. It's not like we're gonna talk about it. I'm picking the movie. So I—and I don't know why, I guess because somebody was just telling me it's the 50-year anniversary, I didn't realize, but of [One Flew Over the] Cuckoo's Nest—and so we fired that up last night, and I hadn't seen it for years, and my kids had never seen it, and I was just like, "Oh my gosh, what a beautiful treasure of a film." I mean so much nuance and so many unspoken moments that are making people laugh in our little theater, which is our living room, but making my kids laugh that it wasn't even dialogue. Wasn't a joke. It was just so beautifully constructed. And funny enough, when I got As Good as It Gets, because my daughter asked me, "Oh, did you talk to Mr. Nicholson about that?" And I was like, "No, I refused to watch it because I was already so scared to meet this guy." The last thing I was going to do is go fawn over him, watch the movie and then show up and say, "Tell me about the scene where you and Chief were sinking baskets." I was way too over my head in that movie to begin with. But watching it now, I don't know, I'll have to hit him up with a couple new questions.
