Entertainment News Roundup: Stars at Chinese-language 'Oscars' split over Taiwan; Robert De Niro and wife split

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

As he gets Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Snoop Dogg thanks ... himself

California rapper Snoop Dogg received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, and celebrated by giving himself a big thank you. The musician and star of an unlikely television pairing with lifestyle guru Martha Stewart - "Martha and Snoop's Potluck Dinner" - was awarded the honor on the 25th anniversary of his debut album "Doggystyle."

Netflix star Millie Bobby Brown, 14, named youngest-ever UNICEF envoy

The United Nations children's agency UNICEF appointed Millie Bobby Brown, the star of hit Netflix series "Stranger Things", as its youngest ever goodwill ambassador on Tuesday and the 14-year-old had a message for world leaders: "Listen to us." "I want to raise issues about education and violence and ending bullying and ... making sure children have a safe environment and clean water," Brown told Reuters at the United Nations. "But I'm still learning what I feel passionate about."

'Star Wars' producer Kennedy wants new movie voices 'to bring world to its senses'

"Star Wars" producer Kathleen Kennedy on Sunday accepted a lifetime achievement award from the organizers of the Oscars and said she hoped it would open the door for new voices in the movie industry who "might bring the world back to its senses." Honored with her producer husband Frank Marshall, Kennedy was the first woman to receive the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' annual Irving. G. Thalberg award.

Lights, camera, factions: Stars at Chinese-language 'Oscars' split over Taiwan

The Chinese-speaking world's version of the Oscars, the Golden Horse Awards, has created a sharp political divide between film stars and directors as the annual event becomes a lightning rod for questions about Taiwanese independence. At Saturday's ceremony, held in Taipei, documentary film maker Fu Yue called for Taiwan to be recognized as "an independent entity", sparking off a live sparring match between mainland and Taiwanese stars at the glitzy show.

Robert De Niro and wife split after 20-year marriage: media reports

Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro and his wife of more than 20 years have separated, media reports said on Tuesday. De Niro, 75, and Grace Hightower, 63, have been living apart for some time, The Hollywood Reporter, celebrity website TMZ and People magazine said, quoting anonymous sources.

Taylor Swift uses music muscle to seek higher payouts for others

Pop music titan Taylor Swift on Monday announced a new record deal with Universal Music Group that will give her greater control over her own music and could boost future payouts to artists for music played on streaming service Spotify . Swift, who with best-selling albums like "1989" and "Reputation" is one of pop music's wealthiest and most influential artists, said the deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) included an agreement that any potential sale of UMG's shares in Spotify "result in a distribution of money to their artists, non-recoupable."

(With inputs from Reuters)