Entertainment News Roundup: Sam Asghari seeks divorce from Britney Spears 14 months after wedding; Striking writers take antitrust aim at Disney, Amazon, Netflix and more

The guild, which has been on strike since May 2, issued a report arguing that the three companies were poised to become "the new gatekeepers of media" and have abused their positions "to further disadvantage competitors, raise prices for consumers, and push down wages for the creative workforce." Optimism emerges among Hollywood writers over talks with studios After three months of walking the picket lines, striking Hollywood writers expressed optimism on Wednesday about the reopening of contract talks with major studios and the possibility they could be back at work in weeks.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Sam Asghari seeks divorce from Britney Spears 14 months after wedding

Sam Asghari, the husband of pop superstar Britney Spears, is seeking to divorce the singer he married last year after she was released from a legal conservatorship. The 29-year-old Asghari cited "irreconcilable differences" in a filing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. He is seeking spousal support and payment of legal fees by Spears.

Striking writers take antitrust aim at Disney, Amazon, Netflix

The striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) on Thursday urged federal regulators to increase their oversight of the streaming media business, saying Walt Disney, Amazon.com and Netflix had amassed too much power. The guild, which has been on strike since May 2, issued a report arguing that the three companies were poised to become "the new gatekeepers of media" and have abused their positions "to further disadvantage competitors, raise prices for consumers, and push down wages for the creative workforce."

Optimism emerges among Hollywood writers over talks with studios

After three months of walking the picket lines, striking Hollywood writers expressed optimism on Wednesday about the reopening of contract talks with major studios and the possibility they could be back at work in weeks. Details of the latest proposal from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the trade group representing Walt Disney, Netflix and other major studios and streamers, remain shrouded in secrecy. Still, members of the Writers Guild of America see reason for hope.

Peru's Korean-pop revolution in Quechua, 'Q-pop'

Lenin Tamayo, named after the leader of the Russian Revolution, is taking on Peru's music scene with a new genre that resembles South Korean pop music but with songs in Quechua, the language of the Incas. Tamayo grew up speaking Quechua at home in the capital Lima, and has received at least 4 million virtual hearts on Tik Tok in response to his tracks that fuse Korean beats with Andean folklore.

Russia's Vimpelcom fined for broadcasting 'LGBT movie' without 18+ rating -agencies

Russian mobile and streaming service operator Vimpelcom was fined on Wednesday for failing to put an 18+ age rating on a movie referencing LGBT relationships, Russian news agencies reported from a Moscow courtroom. Russia toughened its anti-LGBT laws last year, allowing authorities to fine any individual or organisation found to have promoted homosexuality in public, online, or in films, books or advertising.

'Barbenheimer', rains in Northern Europe spur Kinepolis sales

Belgian cinema operator Kinepolis said on Thursday July was one of its best months in terms of sales as blockbuster films "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer", along with rainy weather in Northern Europe, lured people into cinemas. "Imagine a month that was, let's say, not maybe a record month, but amongst the highest months in terms of revenue we ever had," said CEO Eddy Duquenne in an interview, referring to July.

Michael Parkinson, UK's 'king of the chat show', dies aged 88

British broadcaster Michael Parkinson, best known for interviewing some of the world's biggest celebrities on his long-running eponymous chat show, has died aged 88. Parkinson, affectionately known as 'Parky', estimated he had interviewed more than 2,000 guests in total, including high-profile names such as Muhammad Ali, Elton John, John Lennon, the Beckhams, Michael Caine, and Madonna.

Bosnian girl creates 'folklore Barbie' as film wins doll new fans worldwide

A Bosnian girl is making traditional Balkan costumes with headdresses and decorative aprons for Barbie dolls, hoping to create interest in her folklore Barbie as the new "Barbie" movie wins fans worldwide. Eleven-year-old Esma Gljiva from Sarajevo started her project more than a month ago after seeing poor quality figures in a souvenir shop. Souvenir figures are typically not proper moving dolls and their clothes are just glued on.