BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Former One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, was found dead after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, local officials said.
Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital, resulting in “extremely serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death on the spot, the statement said.
Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said in a statement to The Associated Press that Payne “had thrown himself from the balcony of his room.” He said police were dispatched to the hotel in response to an emergency call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” Arriving police heard a thud and found Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard, Policicchio said.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel that authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting an autopsy. He declined to answer further questions about the incident, including whether Payne jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.
Payne had been vocal about struggling with alcoholism, posting a video in July 2023 to his YouTube channel where he said he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment.
Argentine media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.
Payne was one of five band members of One Direction, which formed in 2010 when they each auditioned for the British singing competition series “The X Factor.” After each singer failed to make it through the competition as solo acts, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges combined Payne, Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson into what would become one of the most successful boy bands.
The band became known for their pop sound and romantic hits like “What Makes You Beautiful.” They had six Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts by the time they disbanded in 2016. They had a loyal fan base, many of whom were teen girls, who became known as “Directioners.” Once the group disbanded, Payne pursued a solo career, putting out the album “LP1” in 2019. His last release was a single called “Teardrops,” in March.
Payne had a 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former girlfriend, the musician Cheryl who was known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud. She was an “X Factor” judge during One Direction’s season. He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola. Representatives for Payne did not immediately return emails and calls.
Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies at 31 in Argentina hotel fall
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Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies at 31 in Argentina hotel fall
In ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld,’ Asajj Ventress finds new depth
DUBAI: In the ever-expanding Star Wars universe, few characters capture the imagination quite like Asajj Ventress. Voice actress Nika Futterman returns to breathe life into this complex anti-hero in “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld,” offering fans a deeper look into a character who has evolved from a ruthless villain to a nuanced, world-weary survivor.
“After all these years of traveling alone, of killing so many people, her voice has changed,” Futterman explains.
Gone is the regal, sharp-edged character of the past. Instead, audiences will meet a Ventress who is “more about just existing and finding her peace.”
An all-new anthology series of animated shorts, “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld” premiered May 4 on Disney+. The popular series this time focuses on the criminal underbelly of the Star Wars galaxy through the experiences of two iconic villains. Former assassin and bounty hunter Ventress is given a new chance at life and must go on the run with an unexpected new ally, while outlaw Cad Bane faces his past when he confronts an old friend.
What makes Ventress so compelling? Futterman believes it’s her incredible depth. “She’s like an onion that you keep peeling,” she said.
From her unique origins as a witch raised by pirates, trained by a Jedi, and later mastering the dark side, Ventress defies simple categorization. The new series promises to reveal a softer side of the character. “We started to see that she has this capability of taking care of others,” Futterman said. “She’s not just angry; she actually has a heart.”
Fans of morally complex characters will find much to love in this exploration of Ventress’ journey. As Futterman puts it, Ventress is ultimately “someone who can put good things into the universe, instead of taking them away.”
Summer’s hottest box-office hits
DUBAI: From super-fast cars to superhero stars, some of the blockbusters due in the next few months
‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning’
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames
Ethan Hawke is back in this direct sequel to 2023’s “Dead Reckoning — Part One.” It continues the story of Hawke and his crew’s battle against the Entity — a rogue AI capable of controlling Earth’s defense and financial networks. After the relatively poor box-office performance of “Dead Reckoning,” this needs to be a big hit, or else it really might — as the name implies but as no one yet believes — be the final outing for Cruise in one of the most iconic action roles in cinema history. Due out May 22.
‘Lilo & Stitch’
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Starring: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Zach Galifianakis
Live-action remake of Disney’s 2002 animation about a young orphan girl (Lilo) who befriends Stitch, a dog-like alien who, unbeknownst to Lilo, is genetically engineered to be a destructive force. Lilo hopes that Stitch can help with the troubles she is having with child protective services, who are threatening to separate her from her older sister Nani. But if he’s going to do that, then together they will have to keep him safe from the aliens hunting for him. Chris Sanders, writer and director of the original movie, returns as the voice of Stitch. Due out May 22.
‘The Phoenician Scheme’
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera
This new feature from one of the world’s most singular filmmakers is a darkly humorous thriller in which wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda decides to make his somewhat estranged daughter Liesl (a nun, and the only female among Korda’s 10 children) the sole heir to his fortune after surviving the latest in several attempts on his life. That fortune depends greatly on the success of a land-expansion project he’s been planning for years. The two of them team up with Korda’s Norwegian tutor Bjorn to complete the project at great risk to themselves. Due out May 29.
‘F1’
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon
Sports drama whose makers have trumpeted the realism granted by its collaboration with the governing body of the F1 World Championship. Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver who retired following a horrific crash in the Nineties. His friend — and F1 team owner — Ruben Cervantes persuades him to come out of retirement in order to mentor the team’s rookie prodigy Joshua Pearce. Due out June 26.
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’
Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey
Sequel to 2022’s “Jurassic World Dominion,” set five years on from the events of that film. Few dinosaurs have managed to survive. The ones that have are generally to be found in remote tropical areas. Covert operative Zora Bennett is hired by a pharmaceutical company to accompany its team on a secret mission to acquire the DNA of the largest remaining prehistoric species from land, sea and air respectively, which the company claims holds the key to a miracle drug that will save billions of lives. Due out July 3
‘Superman’
Director: James Gunn
Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult
As DC looks to launch its own cinematic universe to rival Marvel’s, it makes sense it would begin with a reboot of the Superman franchise. The eponymous hero, who spends his non-Superman time as mild-mannered journalist Clark Kent, has been described by producer Peter Safran as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.” The movie apparently finds Superman attempting to reconcile his alien heritage with his adoptive human family. Due out July 11.
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’
Director: Matt Shakman
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Marvel Studios are hoping it’s third time lucky for The Fantastic Four, this being the second reboot of the series. It’s also the opening of Phase Six(!) of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is set in a Sixties-inspired parallel Earth, which the eponymous team of heroes — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic; his wife Sue Storm/Invisible Woman; her brother Johnny Storm/Human Torch; and Reed’s best friend Ben Grimm/The Thing — must protect from the planet-devouring being Galactus. Due out July 25.
Four songs to stream before Guns ‘N Roses hits the stage in Riyadh
DUBAI: As legendary US rock band Guns 'N Roses prepares to take to the stage at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena on May 23 to kick off their 2025 world tour, we’ve rounded up four of their hits to stream before the show.
The Kingdom Arena gig will be the first show of a 24-gig tour. The iconic band will also play in Bahrain at Beyon Al-Dana Amphitheater on May 20, 2025, and in Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, on May 27, 2025.
‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ (1990)
This ballad has all the wonder of the Bob Dylan original, with epic Guns ‘N Roses flair to boot.
‘Paradise City’ (1987)
With one of the most recognizable choruses in rock history, fans can expect to belt “Take me down to the paradise city, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty” at the Riyadh concert on May 23.
‘November Rain’ (1991)
The epic ballad came with an equally emotional music video.
‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ (1987)
No Guns 'N Roses tracklist would be complete without this anthem, a favorite of air guitar afficionados everywhere.
Disneyland to open in Abu Dhabi
DUBAI: The UAE is set to host the Middle East’s first Disney theme park, with Disneyland Abu Dhabi confirmed for Yas Island.
An official opening date has yet to be revealed.
The project is a collaboration between Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based entertainment developer, and The Walt Disney Company.
Once completed, it will be Disney’s seventh global destination, adding to its parks in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
The new resort will be developed and constructed by Miral, while Disney will handle creative design, attraction development and overall experience planning
Robert Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, said in a statement: “This is an extraordinary opportunity for Disney to bring its renowned storytelling to yet another region of the world with a completely new theme park experience that will be a cultural, entertainment and technological marvel.”
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said: “The concept for this resort will push the boundaries of theme park design, showcasing groundbreaking technology and visionary architecture, including a modern castle unlike anything we’ve ever created.”
Global Celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, Nancy Ajram and Ed Westwick joined the celebrations on Yas Island.
Review: Exhilarating South Korean anime ‘Solo Leveling’ packs a punch
RIYADH: One of South Korea’s hottest anime series, “Solo Leveling” takes viewers on an electrifying adventure, blending themes of fantasy and action in a mystical world.
In its second season, main character Sung Jinwoo struggles to find his purpose as a low level hunter in a world with powerful warriors who travel through portals to fight magical beasts. One day, after a strenuous battle which wiped out his peers, Jinwoo was left in a dungeon.
In a plot twist, Jinwoo is spared and “reawakened” by the “System” with a new life, immersing him in a video game-like world where he becomes an iconic fighter.
Once a hunter awakens, their ranks are set and they have no possibility for leveling up, leaving them to hone their skills through training.
As Jinwoo’s strength increases and he gains fighting skills, his battles with monsters become more intense, intricate, and fast paced. The battle scenes have gained tremendous popularity and rightfully so — Jinwoo partakes in provoking conversations with his enemies, enraging them and defeating them with ease.
The battle scenes are epic and portrayed through colorful animations shown at every angle. Anime fans describe Jinwoo to be “aura farming,” a trending term describing the act of an individual intentionally doing something “cool” and always winning seamlessly.
Anime series often start with a slow burn, but “Solo Leveling” starts off strong, packing a punch with its gripping fantasy storyline from the first episode.
The only downside is that the fast-paced nature of the show introduces new characters and scenes without a buildup, potentially causing confusion for some viewers.
Based on an anime series by author Chu-Gong, the on-screen adaptation is worth watching if you are looking for your next binge-worthy anime.
