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Israel and Hezbollah Reject Egypt’s Initiative

Lebanon remains caught in Israel’s escalation zone as disagreements persist with both Israel and the United States, and Hezbollah still resists disarmament. Official Lebanese sources say Israel’s main demand centers on direct negotiations with Lebanon, even suggesting a possible meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister ...

Universal Music and Udio Partner to Launch Licensed AI Music Platform

Recording industry giant Universal Music Group said Thursday it had struck a licensing deal with AI music generation startup Udio, in an industry-first tie-up aiming to launch an AI creation platform next year. Universal and Udio said in a statement that their platform, as yet unnamed, "will be powered by new cutting-edge generative AI technology ...

Behind the Blockbusters: Paramount Skydance to Cut 1,000 Jobs After Merger

Paramount Skydance will cut about 1,000 jobs on Wednesday, a source close to the matter told AFP Monday, less than three months after the merger of the two media giants. The company did not immediately respond to a request to confirm the layoffs. Skydance completed its $8 billion acquisition of Paramount in August, and executives warned at the ...

'Chainsaw Man – The Movie' Slashes Competition at North American Box Office

Japanese anime feature Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc triumphed at the North American box office, debuting in the top spot at $17.3 million and besting a much-anticipated biopic about Bruce Springsteen, industry estimates showed Sunday. Chainsaw Man, from Sony and Crunchyroll, had already scored big successes in Japan and across Asia, noted ...

George Clooney Explores Passage of Time in Netflix Film ‘Jay Kelly'

George Clooney plays an actor looking back at his past in Netflix's Jay Kelly, but in real life, the US star has his eyes on the future. "I'm not really ready to look backwards and sort of rest on it," the 64-year-old actor told AFP on Thursday at the film's premiere at the American Film Institute festival in Los Angeles. Unlike his title ...

Senate Panel Probes Hezbollah Links to Latin American Drug Trade

The US Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control convened a hearing on Tuesday to examine suspected connections between Hezbollah and Latin American drug trafficking networks, as lawmakers warned of the group’s expanding footprint in the Western Hemisphere. Chaired by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), the bipartisan session focused on ...

Chess World Grieves Loss of US Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky

The chess world has been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of prominent US grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, aged 29. Governing body the International Chess Federation (FIDE) remembered Naroditsky, who was also a chess commentator and streamer, as someone "whose influence extended far beyond the chessboard." Fellow grandmaster and ...

Trump and Putin Hold Phone Call Ahead of Zelensky's Visit to Washington

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin began a «long» phone conversation Thursday, according to the U.S. president. «I am currently in conversation with President Putin. The conversation is ongoing, it is long, and I will report on it, just like President Putin, at the end,» Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.  The call ...

Dolly Parton, Country Singer, Reassures Fans with “I Ain’t Dead Yet” Message

A very much alive Dolly Parton took to Instagram on Wednesday to declare "I ain't dead yet!" after her sister sent fans into a tailspin when she called for prayers for one of America's most beloved celebrities. In a video posted to her official account, the 79-year-old Queen of Country thanked the public for their concern, but insisted she was ...

Joan Kennedy, Matriarch in Political Dynasty, Dies at 89

Joan Kennedy, the poised and private former wife of Senator Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy, died Wednesday at her home in Boston. She was 89. Her death was confirmed by Steve Kerrigan, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, the New York Times reported.. Marrying into one of America’s most visible political dynasties, Ms. Kennedy often ...

France FM Says Hamas Must Accept 'Surrender' Under Trump Gaza Plan

France's top diplomat said Thursday that Hamas had lost its fight in Gaza and must accept "surrender" under a plan put forward by US President Donald Trump. The Palestinian militant group is currently weighing its response to the Trump plan, which has been publicly endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Hamas bears a very heavy ...