Singer arrested

    Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Procuratorate* approved the arrest of talent show singer Li Daimo on April 16.

    Li, 25, was detained on suspicion of drug-related offences* on March 17. Li was escorted* by authorities to the city’s Sanlitun police station, where he was questioned on suspicion of taking drugs with a friend in a rented house.

    Cumberbatch to play Richard III

    British actor Benedict Cumberbatch will play the title role in BBC’s new TV adaptation* of William Shakespeare’s “Richard III.”

    His “Sherlock” co-star Martin Freeman recently revealed he would be playing the same part in the West End. Cumberbatch, 37, who first appeared in the hit detective drama “Sherlock” with Freeman in 2010, will also be treading the boards* in one of the playwright’s most famous tragedies, “Hamlet,” next year.

    Yu Zheng accused of plagiarism

    Taiwanese scriptwriter Chiung Yao accused mainland scriptwriter and director Yu Zheng of plagiarism* in an open letter to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television on April 15.

    The letter was posted on the official Sina Weibo. In the letter, Chiung claims that Yu has copied the leading characters and main story line from Chiung’s 1993 book and TV series “Plum Blossom Scar.”

    ‘A Bite of China 2’ on air

    The second season of China’s most anticipated food documentary, “A Bite of China,” now is on air on China Central Television.

    The eight-episode show will be broadcast weekly on the national station’s Channel 1 and Documentary Channel.

    The new season goes beyond a simple introduction to food to become more of an investigation of Chinese people and society.(SD-Agencies)