One Direction have surprised fans with the sudden release of a new single, their first since Zayn Malik quit the band this year. Anyone who doubted the future of the hugely successful boy band will be silenced by Drag Me Down, which dropped without warning on Friday. The band then debuted the tune live in Indianapolis that night. The song, which signals an overtly pop sound that many fans have compared to the work of Maroon 5, was released just a day after Malik announced that he had signed a record contract with RCA, and was seen by some as an attempt by 1D to steal their former bandmate's thunder. Malik has reportedly prepared his solo debut alongside hit-making producer Malay, who has worked with the likes of Legend, Frank Ocean and Alicia Keys. – The National staff
Jon Stewart reveals final Daily Show guests
Jon Stewart has announced the final guests to appear on his much-loved The Daily Show, before he steps down as presenter this week. Comedians Denis Leary, Louis CK and Amy Schumer – once rumoured to be Stewart's replacement – will appear in the run-up to Thursday's final episode, which ends a 16-year run with Stewart at the helm. "We're going to have a ball, and I can't wait to show my appreciation at all the support and enthusiasm that you guys have given the show all these years," said the 52-year-old comedian. Stewart will be succeeded by South African comic Trevor Noah. – The National staff
At least three more seasons of Game of Thrones
Good news for Game of Thrones fans – after previously suggesting that the show would end after the seventh season, producers have now revealed that there will be at least eight. HBO programming chief Michael Lombardo said that the drama series' producers were now leaning toward three more seasons, following the recently concluded season five. "I'm always hoping they're going to change their minds, but I think that's what we're looking at right now," Lombardo told a Television Critics Association meeting. Asked about the possibility of a prequel series, Lombardo said he believed there was "enormous story material" to be mined for such a project – but that the focus now of showrunners David Benioff and D B Weiss is season six, which is in production for broadcast next year. – AP
Tributes for wrestler ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper, the kilt wearing trash-talker who headlined the first WrestleMania and later found movie stardom, died on Friday at the age of 61. No additional details about the cause of death were immediately available. Piper, whose real name is Roderick Toombs, and Hulk Hogan battled for years and headlined some of the biggest matches during the 1980s. Hogan and Mr T beat Piper and Paul Orndorff on March 31, 1985, during the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden. WWE chairman Vince McMahon called Piper "one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE, beloved by millions of fans around the world." Although he was Canadian, Piper often appeared in a kilt and arrived at matches playing bagpipes in honour of his Scottish heritage. He built an acting career outside the ring, his best-known role coming in John Carpenter's 1988 cult classic sci-fi conspiracy satire They Live. "He was a great wrestler. He was an underrated actor and just a marvellous entertainer and I feel like I've just lost one of my close friends," Carpenter said. "Roddy will always be loved because of his wrestling career. He really became a legend in pro wrestling. He will not be forgotten." – A
