Russell Brand testifies, Sinead O'Connor cancels tour

Comedian and actor Russell Brand told the British government on Tuesday (April 24) that it needs to adopt a pragmatic approach to address the social issues that are leading young people to take drugs. Brand, a former heroin addict who has been arrested 12 times, appeared before politicians to give his views on the government's drug policies and his battle with drug addiction. The comedian answered questions from the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee on his experiences and stressed the importance addressing addiction as an illness rather than a criminal or judicial matter.

Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O'Connor has canceled her tour schedule due to bipolar disorder, she said in a statement on Tuesday (April 24). She said she called off plans to tour North America "with enormous regret" and was "very unwell due to bipolar disorder." O'Connor added that she had a "very serious breakdown" between December and March, but ignored her doctor's advice not to go on tour because she did not want to let people down.

John Cusack has had a busy week in Los Angeles. The 45-year-old premiered his latest film, "The Raven," in which he plays a tormented Edgar Allan Poe forced to solve a crime based on his writings. The premiere also starred one of Poe's most famous characters, a raven that posed for pictures and landed on Cusack's arm. Cusack also cemented his place in Hollywood with a star on the famed boulevard. He was joined by his sister Joan and fellow actor Jack Black.

Lindsay Claiborn, Reuters.