Groundbreaking comedian Richard Pryor, whose stand-up routines about race, sex and life made him a modern day icon, is dead. He was 65. Pryor died after being rushed to a hospital from his home shortly after 8 a. m. Pryor had suffered from multiple sclerosis, a disease of the nervous system.

Pop icon Britney Spears has been approached to write a children's book. Religious leaders have asked the pop star to write a story inspired by the teachings of the spiritual Jewish faith, of which Britney became a follower after being introduced to it by Madonna.

Latino pop singer Enrique Iglesias tops the poll of '25 Sexiest Bachelors' carried out by Spanish-language magazine People en Espanol. The magazine says Iglesias wins the poll for his "smoldering good looks and successful crossover appeal. " The 30-year-old pop icon has often been linked to tennis star Anna Kournikova.

China's first astronaut, Yang Liwei, is likely to act in a charity movie produced by filmmaker Tsui Hark. The movie will raise funds for deprived children in China and is set to open during the Lunar New Year.