The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Dwayne Johnson tops Forbes list of highest-paid actors
NEW YORK >> Dwayne Johnson elbowed Robert Downey Jr. aside to become the highest-paid actor with a fast and furious income of $64.5 million, according to Forbes magazine.
The former wrestler beat out Jackie Chan with $61 million and Matt Damon, who earned $55 million. The rest of the top five on the list, released Thursday, included Tom Cruise with $53 million and Johnny Depp with $48 million.
The top guys make more money than the top ladies. Forbes’ list of the highest-paid actresses, released earlier this week, put Jennifer Lawrence on top with $46 million, Melissa McCarthy with $33 million and Scarlett Johansson with $25 million.
All the data is from between June 1, 2015, and June 1, 2016, before fees and taxes.
Phelps, Final Five gymnasts to present at MTV VMAs
NEW YORK >> Recent Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps and the Final Five are heading to the MTV Video Music Awards. MTV said Thursday that Phelps, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian will present awards at Sunday’s show in New York.
Jimmy Fallon, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys and Puff Daddy will also present awards, while attendees at Madison Square Garden will include Kanye West, Bryson Tiller, 2 Chainz, DNCE, Desiigner and Troye Sivan.
Britney Spears, Rihanna, Future, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Nick Jonas and the Chainsmokers will perform during the live show.
Beyonce is the leading nominee with 11, followed by Adele with eight nominations.
Beyonce, Adele, West, Justin Bieber and Drake will compete for video of the year.
Belarusian leader treats action hero Seagal to local melons
MINSK, BELARUS >> Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has treated American action hero Steven Seagal to a harvest of carrots and watermelons at his country residence.
Seagal, 64, is not new to Eastern Europe. He often visits Russia to socialize with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Lukashenko on Wednesday hosted Segal at his residence north of Minsk, the capital, and treated him in front of television cameras to traditional Belarusian food like lard. The footage from the visit showed Lukashenko peel a carrot and hand it to Seagal to try.
Presidential spokeswoman Natalya Eismont said that Seagal “had long wanted to meet Lukashenko.”
During last year’s harvest, Lukashenko, who has been described as Europe’s last dictator, hosted French actor Gerard Depardieu and gave him a lesson in hand scything.
Seagal has a consultancy contract with a Belarusian online game developer.