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US Congress puts online piracy bills on hold

Wikipedia and other websites plan to go dark in protest. (Reuters)

WASHINGTON: U.S. congressional leaders put anti-online piracy legislation on hold Friday following a wave of protests led by Google and Wikipedia denouncing the bills as a threat to Internet freedom. Senate majority leader Harry Reid said he was delaying next week’s vote on the Protect IP Act (PIPA) and House Judiciary Committee chairman Lamar Smith said he would “revisit” the …

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James Franco signs deal with Amazon for first novel

Actor James Franco arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California July 28, 2011.

NEW YORK: After receiving tepid reviews for his first book of fictional short stories, actor James Franco has sold his debut novel to Amazon Publishing, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. The novel is titled “Actors Anonymous” and will be published in 2013. The spokeswoman for Amazon declined to say how much money the book deal was worth and whether the …

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Lebanon’s Arabic press digest – Nov. 29, 2011

Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Tuesday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports. Al-Mustaqbal Hezbollah accuses Arab League of serving American plans Government rejects implementation of Arab resolutions The government of Lebanon – more precisely, its foreign minister [Adnan Mansour] , who was hailed Monday by …

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Jumblatt says to run for PSP leadership one last time

Jumblatt says to run for PSP leadership one last time

BEIRUT: Progressive Social Party MP Walid Jumblatt announced Sunday that he would only run as head of the party one last time. “My candidacy today will be the last one and we should consider the new council to be elected as a transitional, or temporary council, until we reach new elections which should not take more than one year,” Jumblatt …

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Fatfat holds Hezbollah responsible for threats against him

Future Movement MP, Ahmad Fatfat. Photo Archive/The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Future Movement MP Ahmad Fatfat on Tuesday held Hezbollah responsible for threats allegedly made against him by a Hezbollah lawmaker during a parliamentary committee meeting. “I hold Hezbollah responsible for anything that could happen to me,” Fatfat told local media Tuesday. A heated quarrel broke out between Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar and Fatfat during a meeting of the Human …

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Hariri in Riyadh, no meeting with Jumblatt in Paris: report

Hariri in Riyadh, no meeting with Jumblatt in Paris: report

BEIRUT: Sources close to former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri dismissed reports that the Future Movement leader was expected to meet Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblatt in Paris, a local newspaper reported Sunday. The sources told An-Nahar newspaper that Hariri was currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and there were no plans for a meeting between the two. Jumblatt left Beirut for …

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Jane Goodall stages unique live, film premiere

British primatologist Jane Goodall poses with U.S. actress Angelina Jolie, in this 2009 publicity photo released to Reuters September 23, 2011.

NEW YORK: World-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking research into chimpanzees over 50 years ago in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park, leaving an indelible imprint on the way humans view animals. On Tuesday this week, the 77 year-old animal researcher and United Nations Messenger of Peace, is featured in an unusual event in 500 movie U.S movie theaters. The one-night …

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‘Mad Men’, ‘Modern Family’ win Emmys but shocks abound

‘Mad Men’, ‘Modern Family’ win Emmys but shocks abound

LOS ANGELES, California: “Mad Men” and “Modern Family” won television’s top drama and comedy prizes again on Sunday but elsewhere it was out with the old and in with the new at the Primetime Emmy Awards. On a night of surprises that brought a slew of newcomers to the Emmy podium, “Mad Men” won best drama series for a fourth …

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Bookmakers

Watch: Knives Out 3 Teaser Trailer: Daniel Craig Tackles the Impossible Crime

Audiences have now been given a preview of the highly anticipated third installment of the Knives Out series, with Daniel Craig confirmed to return as detective Benoit Blanc. The upcoming film, once again helmed by writer-director Rian Johnson, continues the franchise’s tradition of centering around intricate mystery narratives and ensemble casts. In this new chapter, Craig reprises his role as …

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Paris Erupts as PSG Clinch First-Ever Champions League Title

Supporters of Paris Saint-Germain filled the streets of the French capital on Saturday evening following the club’s decisive 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final held in Munich. The win, marking PSG’s first-ever European title, sparked massive gatherings across Paris, particularly around iconic locations such as the Champs-Élysées and the Parc des Princes stadium, where around …

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Operation “Web”: Ukraine Claims 40 Russian Jets Hit, Nearly 400 Drones Downed – What we know?

On Sunday, June 1, Ukraine launched a coordinated aerial operation aimed at crippling Russian long-range aviation capabilities, striking multiple air bases across Russia in one of the war’s most extensive drone campaigns to date. The operation, known as Operation Spider’s Web, was carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and comes just ahead of ceasefire discussions scheduled in Istanbul for …

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Saudi Foreign Minister to Make Historic Visit to West Bank

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is set to make a landmark visit to the occupied West Bank on Sunday, marking the first official trip to the Palestinian territory by a Saudi foreign minister since its occupation by Israel in 1967. According to diplomatic sources, Prince Faisal will lead a delegation to Ramallah, reflecting an increased push from Riyadh …

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Iranian Foreign Minister Set for Lebanon Visit on Monday

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in Lebanon on Monday, according to a statement issued by Iran’s foreign ministry. The visit marks a high-level diplomatic engagement at a time when internal Lebanese debates and international negotiations involving Iran are drawing increased attention. The timing of Araghchi’s visit is notable as it aligns with intensifying political discourse within …

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At Least 22 Killed, 120 Injured by Israeli Fire Near US-Backed Gaza Aid Hub

At least 22 people were killed and more than 120 others were injured on Sunday when Israeli fire struck near an aid distribution center in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The attack took place close to a U.S.-supported aid hub, which had been operating to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced civilians in the …

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