Russia's deputy prime minister unleashed an obscene attack on Madonna via Twitter on Friday (August 10). The offensive tweet comes after the pop star, who recently performed in Moscow, called for the release of three women from the band Pussy Riot who face jail time over an impromptu performance.

The post from the nationalist politician and former envoy to NATO, was a crudely worded echo of frequent warnings by Russian officials that Moscow will not accept Western "preaching" on human rights and democracy, a message Putin has repeatedly delivered during 12 years in power.

Late Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch has used his will to stop people from using his music or image or artistic property in advertising. The will, filed in a New York court earlier this week, left instructions from the pioneering rapper, also known as MCA. Yauch died of cancer in May at age 47.

Mel Stuart, the director of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," has died after suffering from cancer. Beginning his career mainly directing documentaries, the 1971 adaptation of Roald Dahl's book was Stuart's second feature film. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1965 for his documentary, Four Days in November, about the assassination of John F Kennedy. Stuart was 83.