AP Trending SummaryBrief at 12:08 a.m. EDT

Fans pay tribute to Coco Lee, Hong Kong singer who had international success

HONG KONG (AP) — Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, have gathered with flowers at her funeral in Hong Kong. Family, friends and supporters attended the funeral Monday after Lee died July 5 at age 48. She was the first Chinese singer to break into the American market, and her English song “Do You Want My Love” climbed high on Billboard’s dance chart. She sang “A Love Before Time” from the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” at the Oscars. She also was the voice of heroine Fa Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney’s “Mulan,” and sang the Mandarin version of its theme song “Reflection.”

Angus Cloud, breakout star of 'Euphoria,' is dead at 25

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Angus Cloud, the actor who starred as the drug dealer Fezco “Fez” O’Neill on the HBO series “Euphoria,” has died. He was 25. Cloud’s publicist, Cait Bailey, said Cloud died Monday at his family home in Oakland, California. No cause of death was given. In a statement, Cloud's family said he had “intensely struggled” with the recent loss of his father. Cloud hadn’t acted before he was cast in “Euphoria.” The part made him the breakout star of one the buzziest shows in television. He was recently cast to co-star in “Scream 6.”

Mark Jackson laid off by ESPN with Doris Burke and Doc Rivers slated as replacements, AP source says

Add Mark Jackson to the list of ESPN reporters and commentators who have been laid off over the past five weeks. Jackson was let go on Monday with two years remaining on his contract. Two people close to the move told The Associated Press that with Jeff Van Gundy also being laid off in late June, ESPN is expected to replace them with Doris Burke and Doc Rivers. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they aren’t at liberty to publicly discuss personnel moves.

Our bears are real, a Chinese zoo says, denying they are 'humans in disguise'

BEIJING (AP) — A zoo in eastern China is denying suggestions some of its bears might be people in costumes after photos of the animals standing like humans circulated online. The Hangzhou Zoo said on its social media account the sun bears from Malaysia are smaller than other bears and look different but are the real thing. The posting, written from the bear's point of view, said, “It seems you don’t understand me very well.” Internet users questioned whether the zoo’s bears were real after photos circulated showing one standing upright on slender hind legs. Other Chinese zoos have been accused of trying to pass off dogs dyed to look like wolves or African cats, and donkeys painted to look like zebras.

Musk threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hateful tweets

WASHINGTON (AP) — A nonprofit organization that researches links between social media, hate and extremism has been threatened with a lawsuit by X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. An attorney for the platform recently wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate accusing the group of trying to hurt the site's advertising. The center has published numerous research reports documenting an increase in hate speech on the platform since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk. The center says Musk is trying to silence his critics, despite his claims to support free speech.

The stars of Broadway's 'Back to the Future' musical happily speed into the past every night

NEW YORK (AP) — When actor Casey Likes watched “Back to the Future” growing up, his mom would always say he reminded her of the film’s star, Michael J. Fox. Something in the universe agrees: He’s taking on Fox’s classic role on Broadway. The rising stage star plays Marty McFly for a musical adaptation of the beloved 1985 sci-fi comedy about a time-traveling duo who go back to the 1950s in a souped-up, gull-winged DeLorean. Broadway veteran and Tony Award-winner Roger Bart takes on Christopher Lloyd’s role of Doc Brown, the oddball scientist with a knack for inventions. Opening night is set for Thursday.

Whitney Houston's estate announces second annual Legacy of Love Gala with BeBe Winans, Kim Burrell

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This year Whitney Houston would have turned 60, and a special celebration to raise money for a good cause is being planned for her birthday. Houston’s estate, Sony and Primary Wave Music will host the 2nd annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will benefit the late singer’s foundation aimed at helping young people. Houston’s close friends BeBe Winans and Kim Burrell will perform at the gala at Atlanta’s St. Regis Hotel, as will Whitney’s brother, Gary, who toured with her for three decades. Pat Houston is the late singer's sister-in-law and the executor of her estate and says the gala this year will be a celebration of “Whitney at 60.”

Pee-wee Herman actor and creator Paul Reubens dies from cancer at 70

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon through films and TV shows, has died. Reubens' publicist says he died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement. Reubens said in a statement that his fans should “accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years.” Reubens' character, with his too-tight gray suit, white chunky loafers and red bow tie was best known for the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and the television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

IS claims responsibility for the bombing that killed 54 at a pro-Taliban election rally in Pakistan

KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — An Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Pakistan that killed at least 54 people at a pro-Taliban party’s election rally, in one of the region’s worst attacks in recent years. Islamic State in Khorasan Province made the claim in a statement posted on its Amaq website. It said the attacker detonated an explosive vest, and that the bombing in the northwestern town of Bajur was part of the group’s continuing war against forms of democracy it deems to be against Islam.

Discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong sparks anger over the possible damage done by sightseers

HONG KONG (AP) — The discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong waters has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media. Many comments blamed the mammal’s death on sightseeing activities. A scientific officer of Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong said Monday that an initial check found a new wound on the whale’s back. But the cause of death would have to be confirmed by a necropsy. Compass Chan didn't confirm whether the dead mammal was the same whale that has attracted groups of whale watchers since it first was spotted in the city’s waters in mid-July. He said the death was a pity, and represented an opportunity to think about how to coexist with other species.