Madonna raises money for girls

    Madonna sold an abstract* painting by French artist Fernand Leger for US$7.16 million on May 7 to raise funds for girls’ education projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere.

    The pop singer said in April that she bought the painting in 1990 and that selling it would combine her passions for art and education by raising funds for the Ray of Light Foundation, a nonprofit* organization offering vocational training for street children and poor farmers.

    Zhang’s children spark debate

    Zhang Yimou, one of China’s best-known film directors, would be liable for* an income-based fine of 160 million yuan (US$25 million) for violating China’s one-child policy if rumors about his fathering seven children were found to be true.

    A claim that Zhang had two sons and a daughter with actress Chen Ting before they got married in 2011 was confirmed by people close to the couple, May 7’s Chongqing Evening News said.

    The reports led to speculation that Zhang could have seven children — three with Chen, three with two other women and the daughter from his first marriage.

    Nicholas to be ‘Super Boy’ judge

    Hong Kong pop singer and songwriter Nicholas Tse will be one of the judges for the final several shows of the third season of “Super Boy,” a televised national singing contest for male contestants, Hunan Satellite TV announced on May 8 in Beijing.

    The TV station released the news at the launch ceremony for the new season of the talent show. “If some contestants imitate my style, I will not give them a pass,” Tse joked at the ceremony.

    Stars join online comedy ‘Ex’

    A string of* high-profile actors, actresses and TV hosts have joined the online romantic comedy “Ex,” which is being shown at tv.sohu.com every Thursday.

    The first season started on May 9, has six episodes and features famous actors Deng Chao, Berlin Chen, Tong Dawei and Wang Xuebing, along with “The Voice of China” host Huashao. Plots of “Ex” are inspired by jokes about weird ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends from Chinese microblogs.(SD-Agencies)