Iran has sentenced acclaimed director Jafar Panahi to five years and one month in prison, following his return to the country earlier this year, after the start of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic.

The Tehran court also ordered the confiscation of Panahi's "movable and immovable assets," his lawyer Mostafa Nili told the reformist news site Emtedad in an interview late Tuesday.

China's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it has taken footballstar Kylian Mbappé's apology "seriously" for comments considered to be disrespectful of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China, as the fallout over the issue continues.

Mbappé faced a backlash Tuesday over comments he made in an online interview, losing brand deals with at least three different Chinese companies. Beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground said in similarly worded statements that they were ending agreements with the star forward, each saying they oppose "any words and actions that hurt national sentiment."

The Netherlands will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, its public broadcaster NPO said Tuesday, citing "sensitivities" over Israel's participation.

Prince Harry's wife, Meghan, said Friday she was "deeply distressed" by allegations that a collection of child sexual abuse images had been found at her father's former home. She also revealed that a letter containing "troubling allegations" about him had been sent to London police in 2018.

Meghan, also known as the Duchess of Sussex, issued the statement after The Sun, a British tabloid newspaper, reported that her brother found the images while clearing out the home of their father, Thomas Markle Sr., in the Philippines.

President Donald Trump on Thursday accused LeBron James of disrespecting the United States after the NBA star appeared to continue his warmups while the national anthem was performed before Philadelphia's season opener on Tuesday.

"I said right from the beginning that he's no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE," Trump said of James in a social media post sharing the video. "LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!"

Tom Cruise is being celebrated with a life achievement award from the American Film Institute, AFI's board of trustees said Wednesday The award will be handed out at a gala tribute in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre on April 24 next year.

"Tom Cruise is a global icon," said Kathleen Kennedy, chair of AFI's board of trustees, in a statement. She praised Cruise's commitment as an actor and producer and his belief in movies' ability to bring people together.

Lebanese authorities have released a famous TikTok content creator arrested for drug trafficking and smuggling, dropping the charges against him under a new amnesty law.

Georges Dib, better known as "Doctor Food" to his more than eight million followers, was arrested in August after being sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment in March.

A cafe in northern Serbia has unusual hosts: six alpacas.

The South American animals, of various sizes and colors, roam among the tables at the Tiganjica Ethno-Village resort near Stajicevo, north of Belgrade, happy to interact with the guests.

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, in partnership with the Metropolis Cinema Association, and in cooperation with the European Union Member States, announced Thursday the 30th European Film Festival in Lebanon. This anniversary edition will be held at Metropolis Cinema (Mar Mikhael) from 8 to 17 October 2026.

The European Film Festival will open on Thursday 8 October with the French film La Vénus électrique by Pierre Salvadori. This romantic comedy opened the 79th edition of Cannes Film Festival this May 2026. (The opening night is by invitation only.)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is understood to be "extremely obese", Seoul's spy agency said Wednesday, citing its latest assessment of the reclusive leader's health.

A heavy smoker who has long been obese, Kim's health is closely watched internationally as his sudden death could raise questions over succession and stability in the nuclear-armed state.