Entertainment News Roundup: Eurovision 'punishment'; Maradona to miss Cannes film premiere

Israeli host expecting Eurovision 'punishment' for Iceland's Palestinian flag display

The Israeli broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest said on Sunday that an unauthorized display of Palestinian flags by Iceland's band could draw "punishment" from the event's organizers. During the point-tally of Saturday's final, members of the eclectic punk ensemble Hatari held up scarf-sized Palestinian flags. A vocalist, Klemens Nikulásson Hannigan, flashed a V-for-victory sign. Many in the Tel Aviv audience responded with boos.

Women honoured at Cannes, as gender parity drive draws scrutiny

Movie stars including Salma Hayek and Eva Longoria celebrated the role of women in cinema at a glitzy gala in Cannes on Sunday, amid a drive to promote gender equality in the industry that is still falling short of what many campaigners hoped for. Cannes' film festival, the world's most important cinema showcase, last year signed a pledge to get an equal number of men and women in its top management by 2020 that is gradually gathering momentum at similar European and U.S. events.

Maradona to miss Cannes film premiere after shoulder injury

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona is set to miss out on the Cannes premiere of a documentary about his life and career, due to "a shoulder injury requiring medical attention", the film's publicists said on Sunday. Maradona's appearance on the French Riviera was one of the hotly-anticipated star turns on the red carpet at this year's film festival.

Almodovar's ode to filmmaking hits the right notes at Cannes

Pedro Almodovar is used to a good reception from what he called "faithful" audiences in France - so much so, the director joked on Saturday that he was "Franco-Spanish". His latest movie, a loosely autobiographical portrait of a tormented filmmaker, could up the ante for the Oscar winner after an enthusiastic response from critics at the Cannes Film Festival, where it is a contender for the top Palme D'Or award.

Julianne Moore says personal experiences spurred her to back AIDS ward documentary

Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore said her experience of caring for someone infected with the AIDS virus had spurred her decision to help promote the documentary '5B' about the unsung heroes who looked after AIDS sufferers in the 1980s. The film, screened during the first week of the Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of Ward 5B at the San Francisco General Hospital, the first specialist care unit for people with HIV/AIDs in the United States.

Netherlands wins Eurovision contest; Madonna flag display causes stir

The Netherlands won the 64th Eurovision Song Contest in Israel on Sunday in a songfest that passed off without serious incident, despite calls by pro-Palestinian groups to boycott the event. Dutch singer-songwriter Duncan Laurence beat 25 other contestants in the grand final in Tel Aviv to win the glass microphone trophy.

Box office: 'John Wick 3' knocks down 'Avengers: Endgame' with $57 million debut

Earth's Mightiest Heroes put up a good fight, but John Wick put at end to the three-week box office reign of "Avengers: Endgame." Propelled by positive reviews, "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" beat expectations with a debut of $57 million from 3,850 North American locations. That was enough to nab the box office crown from "Avengers: Endgame," Marvel's latest juggernaut that collected $29.4 million during its fourth weekend of release.

Delon honored at Cannes as festival shrugs off criticism

An emotional Alain Delon received a prize for his six decade-long acting career on Sunday as the Cannes Film Festival shrugged off criticism prompted by his views on women and same-sex couples to give him an honorary Palme d'Or. Delon's heartthrob good looks and roles in major movies throughout the 1960s and 1970s made him an icon in France and he was received with a rapturous standing ovation by the crowd at a special ceremony at the festival on the French Riviera.

Game of Thrones reaches its end, with one or two shocks left

After eight seasons and 73 episodes, HBO's long-running smash series, "Game of Thrones", wrapped up on Sunday, with one more shocking demise and an unlikely character named as king. The last episode of the medieval fantasy based on the novels of George R.R. Martin ran roughly an hour and 20 minutes to conclude the storyline of more than a dozen characters and intertwining plots.

Tencent Video delays 'Game of Thrones' finale in China, prompts fan uproar

China's Tencent Video has delayed the broadcast of the "Game of Thrones" finale, according to an official message published by the online streaming site on Monday, prompting uproar among fans of the popular TV series in the country. Tencent Video, which owns the online broadcast rights in China for the long-running smash series from HBO, was originally scheduled to air the episode at 9 am Beijing time or 0100 GMT.