Paul McCartney recovers from illness

Plus: Kareena may co-star with Big B; Black Keys top Billboard charts; Superman and Batman to face off; Idol finale audience hits new low.

Paul McCartney, who cancelled concerts in Japan and South Korea due to ill health, is expected to make a full recovery after being treated for a viral infection in a Tokyo hospital. Zach Cordner / InvShow more

Paul McCartney, who cancelled a series of concerts in Japan and South Korea scheduled for this week, is expected to make a full recovery after being treated in a Tokyo hospital for a viral infection. "He will make a complete recovery and has been ordered to take a few days rest," said a statement by his spokeswoman. "Paul has been extremely moved by all the messages and well wishes he has received from fans all over the world." The 71-year-old Beatle, who rarely cancels concerts, said in a statement that he hated to disappoint his fans. – Reuters

Kareena may co-star with Big B

Kareena Kapoor is in talks to play the female lead in a new film headlined by the Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Farhan Akhtar. Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Bejoy Nambiar, the movie is expected to begin shooting later this year. Kapoor is reportedly also under consideration to star in Ashutosh Gowariker's next project, Mohenjo-Daro, starring Hrithik Roshan. – IANS

Black Keys top Billboard charts

The Grammy-winning rockers the Black Keys have debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 weekly album chart with Turn Blue, the eighth studio album from the Ohio duo. Xscape, a posthumous collection of eight unreleased tracks from the late Michael Jackson, placed second, boosted by a high-profile performance featuring a singing and dancing Jackson as a hologram at the May 18 televised Billboard Awards. Other new debuts in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 include the country music group Rascal Flatts at No 5 with Rewind, Dolly Parton's Blue Smoke at No 6 and Tori Amos at No 7 with Unrepentant Geraldines. – Reuters

Superman and Batman to face off

Warner Bros studio has unveiled the title of the director Zack Snyder's anticipated superhero sequel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, in which the two legendary DC Comics heroes will face off. The film, scheduled to be released in May 2016, is the follow-up to last year's Man of Steel. Dawn of Justice will see Henry Cavill reprise his role as Superman opposite Ben Affleck as Batman, a choice that split many fans of the franchise. The film will also star Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. – Reuters

American Idol finale viewership hits new low

The Thursday finale of the reality singing competition show American Idol drew the lowest viewership in its 13-year history, with 10.6 million viewers, 25 per cent below last year's audience. Idol, which crowned the rocker Caleb Johnson as the winner in a two-hour finale, was once an industry powerhouse for the Fox network, watched by more than 30 million viewers at its peak. But it has steadily declined in ratings in recent years, despite featuring the celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. – Reuters