Chris Brown appears in court on felony charges

Los Angeles — Chris Brown briefly appeared in court Thursday, hours after he was charged with two felonies stemming from what a police detective describes as a brutal argument between the singer and his girlfriend, Rihanna.

Brown’s arraignment was postponed until April 6 on charges of assault likely to cause great bodily injury and making criminal threats. The 19-year-old R&B singer remains free on $50,000 bail.

A court commissioner ordered him not to harass, threaten or harm anyone. At the request of Donald Etra, an attorney representing Rihanna, the commissioner did not order Brown to stay away from her.

Brown, wearing a three-piece gray pinstripe suit with gray tie and cream shirt, clasped his hands behind his back as he walked into the courtroom. He answered a few questions from the commissioner as his mother watched from the front row along with a group of family members.

Details released Thursday offer a starkly different portrait of Brown than the squeaky-clean image he has cultivated. The young man once praised for his Michael Jackson-esque dance moves is described in a detective’s affidavit as punching his girlfriend, biting her ear and trying to choke her until she nearly lost consciousness.

Robin Williams needs heart surgery

Miami — Robin Williams needs heart surgery and must cancel the remainder of his one-man comedy show, “Weapons of Self-Destruction,” his publicist said Thursday.

The 57-year-old actor needs an aortic valve replacement, according to a news release issued by his publicist Mara Buxbaum. Williams’ representatives would not give any more information on Williams’ condition.

“I’m so touched by everyone’s support and well wishes,” Williams said in the statement. “This tour has been amazing fun and I can’t wait to get back out on the road after a little tune-up.”

Williams was already in Florida when he canceled four shows in the state earlier this week after experiencing shortness of breath.

Since September, Williams had been on the sold-out, 80-city tour, which is expected to resume in the fall, his publicist said. Tickets will be honored once the new dates are scheduled, or people can contact their place of purchase for refunds.

Charlie Chaplin’s son Sydney Chaplin dies

Los Angeles — Sydney Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin’s son and himself a Tony-winning actor who starred on Broadway opposite Judy Holliday in “Bells Are Ringing” and Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl,” has died at 82.

Chaplin died Tuesday at his home in Rancho Mirage, longtime family friend Jerry Bodie told The Associated Press on Thursday. He said Chaplin had recently suffered a stroke.

Chaplin appeared in two of his father’s later films, “Limelight” (1952) and “The Countess from Hong Kong” (1967). But he never achieved the success in Hollywood that he enjoyed in New York’s musical theater.

Sydney Chaplin’s survivors include his wife, Margaret, and a son, Stephan Chaplin.

Ex-Beatles reunite to headline concert

New York — Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are teaming up to headline a benefit concert in New York City.

The former Beatles will headline the Radio City Music Hall concert on April 4 for the David Lynch Foundation. Other performers joining the two superstars include Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder, Moby and Bettye LaVette.

Tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. Monday on ticketmaster.com.

The David Lynch Foundation provides funds to teach students how to meditate so they can “change their world from within.”

Lauren Conrad leaving MTV’s ‘The Hills’

New York — “The Hills” will no longer be alive with the drama of Lauren Conrad — at least, after the fifth season.

The producer of the MTV reality series confirms Conrad is leaving “The Hills,” and that season five, premiering March 30, will be Conrad’s final appearance.

Liz Gately says Conrad wants to move forward and lead a more private life. Gately plans to give the 23-year-old fashion designer a big send-off, and is evaluating how to continue with the show following Conrad’s departure.

“The Hills,” which debuted in 2006, has followed Conrad as she struggles with man problems, career drama and friendship fall outs.

Michael Jackson plans last London gig

London — Michael Jackson has returned to the spotlight after eight years marked more by scandal than by song and told a crowd of screaming fans that he would play a series of London engagements — his first concerts since 2001.

Wearing his trademark sunglasses and a silver-embroidered black military-style jacket, the King of Pop said his series of shows in July will be his “final curtain call” in the British capital.

“This is it,” Jackson said in a brief statement punctuated by the squeals of fans who gathered inside the massive O2 Arena in southeast London on Thursday. “And when I say this is it, I mean this is it.”

Jackson said the shows would be his last in London, but his statement left the door open for further concerts elsewhere.