Entertainment
Will Smith wins $1.7m copyright lawsuit over Gemini Man
Actor Will Smith has been cleared of all claims in a $1.7 million copyright lawsuit concerning the 2019 sci-fi film Gemini Man. According to In Touch, a federal judge dismissed the allegations against him on 31 January, though the lawsuit against other defendants remains active.
Sci-fi author Kissinger Sibanda had filed the case against Will, along with Skydance Productions, Gemini Pictures, Paramount Pictures, David Ellison, and other companies, alleging that Gemini Man was plagiarised from his 2011 novel The Return to Gibraltar.
While Will is no longer involved in the case, the author is expected to continue legal proceedings against the remaining defendants.
Kissinger claims that his book tells the story of an African American who is cloned and used in a time-travel programme without consent. He alleged that elements such as themes, characters, and cultural aspects were lifted from his work.
Salman Khan and Atlee's Mega Reincarnation Film to be Made on Rs 500 Crore Budget
He also noted that the film had been in development since 1997 but struggled to progress until after his book’s release. Additionally, he stated that he had shared a copy of his novel with Will’s stunt double in 2012, though he could not recall their name.
The lawsuit further alleged that copies of his book were sent to a major Hollywood talent agency. In 2020, Kissinger sent a legal notice regarding the matter but received no response.
Will and the production companies responded to the case in November 2024, arguing that the author had previously filed a similar lawsuit that was dismissed due to a lack of registered copyright.
A week after that dismissal, Kissinger refilled his complaint.
Despite a production budget of $138 million (excluding marketing costs), Gemini Man earned $173 million worldwide.
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Q&A: Jagged Edge's new album celebrates love, longevity and brotherhood
When Jagged Edge first formed in their teens, they realized the sum of their group would be greater than its individual parts — an understanding that's been the main ingredient of their success for nearly three decades.
One of the most iconic groups of modern R&B, Jagged Edge — Richard Wingo, Kyle Norman, lead singers (and identical twins) Brian and Brandon Casey — is back Friday with their 11th studio album, “All Original Parts: Vol. 1.” The title of the 15-track project points to the group’s solidarity: They’ve never broken up or switched original members.
“The love is actually genuinely real. We really care about each other’s well-being,” Wingo said. “I guess a lot of groups, they really didn’t have that. Love will keep you together.”
The “Where the Party At” artists say “Vol. 1” is the first of three they plan to release this year. But the men behind classic songs like “Promise” and “He Can’t Love You” say while the sonics and even subject matter of R&B have changed since their first hit single in 1997, they’re still committed to telling stories about romance and relationships.
“It’s almost like love ain’t cool no more. Well, I don’t believe that. We don’t feel like that,” said Brian Casey. “Love is always going to be cool.”
Their 1999 song “Let’s Get Married,” after all, is still nearly impossible to avoid at weddings — the original, a ceremony mainstay, and the remix packing dance floors during receptions.
Launching a tour in March celebrating the 25th anniversary of their double platinum “J.E. Heartbreak” album, the legendary group spoke with The Associated Press about sacrifice, creating timeless hits, and their musical impact. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.
AP: Most groups seem to break up at some point. What’s allowed you to stay together?
BRIAN CASEY: That’s the benefit of us being actually four guys who really mess with each other. … We’ll split a couple dollars here and there when we got to, to keep this together. We’ll take the hits to keep giving the fans what they said they fell in love with. … What we’re able to do in turn is worth that split. It’s worth that sacrifice.
Salman Khan and Atlee's Mega Reincarnation Film to be Made on Rs 500 Crore Budget
AP: R&B has drastically changed since you came on the scene with “I Gotta Be.” How have you navigated the changes?
BRANDON CASEY: Number one: staying true to Jagged Edge. That’s the first thing because that’s the vehicle, right? So, we never want to go too far from what our fans love us from. But we’re actually musicians, so it’s hard to just stay in one little place. … Our sound is as eclectic as it’s ever been.
AP: When you look over the longevity of your career, your love songs are timeless. What do you remember about first entering the industry?
BRIAN CASEY: We came up in an era of “Bump n’ Grind,” “Freek’n You” and “Freak Me,” those are the biggest songs of all time at that time, it seemed like. So, we knew it would be a conscious decision for us to be the age that we were making songs talking about things like getting married. But we’ve never been afraid of that challenge, number one. So, I think of that. But I also think of how taking that route allowed us to be in the same room with some of our heroes who now looked at us as peers. And that was meeting Luther Vandross, meeting Prince, and them having positive things to say about our music.
AP: Do you all feel you get the credit and recognition you deserve?
BRANDON CASEY: We get asked things like that a lot. So, I guess it starts to make us think, “Do we?” It’s been such a layered experience, right? It’s so many things to be proud of.
We don’t have nothing that we’ve built without our fans. And for us, that’s the most important, most heartwarming, gratifying thing, that it’s somebody who loves you for what you do. … We’re one of the few groups who get onstage and them girls scream like we're taking our clothes off, and we never take no clothes off. They scream like we got routines — we don’t do none of that, right? We always come in the arena like, “This is just us. This is who we are.” And they love us for that. And it’s no feeling that is even close.
Rock legend Don Felder faces health scare during cruise performance
AP: Do you understand the impact your songs have had on fans and music?
BRIAN CASEY: I don’t know that you can ever understand it while you’re still in the middle of it. … But I will say, when you meet certain people, it’s heartwarming and it gives you a sense of what that impact is, you know what I mean? And it’s not until you get to talk to people who are looking at it from the outside-in that you realize, “Man, we did an all right job.”
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Salman Khan and Atlee's Mega Reincarnation Film to be Made on Rs 500 Crore Budget
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has teamed up with renowned filmmaker Atlee for an upcoming reincarnation drama, tentatively titled A6.
According to reports, the film is being made on a staggering budget of Rs 500 crore, making it one of the most expensive projects in Indian cinema.
As per a report by Bollywood Hungama, Atlee is focused on crafting an entirely new cinematic world for Salman Khan, ensuring a visual spectacle unlike anything seen before.
Salman Khan reveals his sleep “paradox”
A source close to the production revealed, "A6 is a period drama with reincarnation elements, and Atlee is planning to create a never-seen-before world with the film."
While Salman Khan is currently occupied with Sikandar, he has already begun preparations for A6. The actor is undergoing an intensive fitness regime to shed weight and achieve a particular physique required for his role.
The source added, "Salman is excited to explore something fresh with Atlee and is highly motivated to achieve the desired look for A6."
There has been ongoing speculation regarding the film’s cast, with rumours suggesting that legendary Tamil superstar Rajinikanth might play a significant role. However, no official confirmation has been made about his involvement. If Rajinikanth joins the project, A6 is expected to become an even grander cinematic experience.
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Salman Khan has a packed schedule ahead with several high-profile projects. In addition to Sikandar and A6, the superstar is also working on Kick 2, an untitled film with Sooraj Barjatya, and the much-anticipated Tiger vs Pathaan.
With a massive budget and an ambitious storyline, A6 is set to become one of the most talked-about films in Bollywood.
Fans eagerly await further announcements regarding the project, which promises to deliver a power-packed blend of drama, action, and romance.
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Rock legend Don Felder faces health scare during cruise performance
Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder experienced a medical emergency while performing on the Rock Legends Cruise on Thursday, forcing him to stop mid-show.
The 77-year-old musician, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, suddenly halted playing his guitar and appeared disoriented.
A video shared on YouTube captured Felder preparing to perform “Tequila Sunrise” before showing signs of distress. He struggled to hold onto the microphone stand, visibly shaking, before being escorted offstage for medical attention.
The audience expressed their support, with one fan shouting, “We love you, Don,” as others cheered and applauded.
Kolkata school cancels screening of Ritwik Ghatak’s films over political content objection
Following the incident, Felder was advised to rest and remain in quarantine for 24 hours. His management team later issued a statement, reported by the Daily Mail, explaining the situation. The Rock Legends Cruise, where the incident occurred, travels between Miami and CocoCay, Bahamas.
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Kolkata school cancels screening of Ritwik Ghatak’s films over political content objection
A state-run school in Kolkata cancelled the scheduled screenings of Ritwik Ghatak's documentary ‘Amar Lenin’ and his acclaimed feature ‘Komal Gandhar’, following objections from local ruling party supporters over the films' political content.
Naktala Setu, a cultural organisation, had arranged the event on February 10 to mark Ghatak's birth centenary. However, the school authorities revoked their permission on February 5, citing "certain developments," said Onkar Roy, a spokesperson for the organisation.
"The headmaster initially supported the screenings and even mentioned being a fan of Ghatak's work. But after February 5, he appeared pressured and informed us about issues with the screenings," Roy said on Thursday.
Attempts to relocate the event to a local club also failed due to alleged pressure from higher authorities. Eventually, the screenings were held on the roadside in the nearby Bidhan Pally area, drawing hundreds of viewers.
"Ne Zha 2" becomes China’s highest-grossing film
The headmaster attributed the cancellation to scheduling conflicts rather than external influence. However, a school official revealed concerns from some guardians about the political nature of ‘Amar Lenin’. The official noted there were no objections to ‘Komal Gandhar’, which portrays the struggles of partition-era migrants.
‘Amar Lenin’ (1970), initially censored for its political content, was cleared for release after the intervention of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. ‘Komal Gandhar’ is part of Ghatak’s trilogy, alongside ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara’ and ‘Subarnarekha’, highlighting the socio-cultural impact of partition.
This incident mirrors past controversies in Bengal, including the 2019 disruption of Anik Dutta's ‘Bhabisyoter Bhoot’, which was later reinstated by the Supreme Court following public protests.
Source: with inputs from Hindustan Times
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Top Amazon Prime Originals to Binge-Watch in March 2025
Get ready for an exciting binge-watching lineup on Amazon Prime Video this March 2025! From edge-of-your-seat thrillers to side-splitting comedies, this month’s originals offer something for every viewer. Discover brand-new series, highly anticipated returns, and hidden gems that are sure to dominate your watchlist. Don’t miss out on the must-watch titles that will keep everyone talking!
8 Must-Watch Amazon Prime Video Originals for this March
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Premier Boxing Champions: Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach / Sports / March 01, 2025
Gervonta Tank Davis steps back into the ring to defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Lightweight World Title in a high-stakes clash against Lamont Roach. This much-anticipated showdown takes center stage at Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), live from the iconic Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
PBC, launched in January 2015 by Haymon Sports, LLC, was designed exclusively for television, bringing together the best talents in modern boxing. It has since become a platform for showcasing today’s most skilled fighters in their fiercest and most eagerly awaited battles.
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Devis stands as an unbeaten force in the lightweight division, widely regarded as an American boxing sensation. He has a knocked-out(KOs) record of 28 out of 30 winning matches without any loss or draw.
On the contrary, Roach Jr. enters as a formidable challenger with his sights set on making a mark at 135 pounds. A WBA 130-pound world titleholder, Roach boasts a record of 25 wins, including 10 knockouts, with just one loss and a draw to his name.
Fear / Crime Thriller / March 04, 2025
Based on Dirk Kurbjuweit's book of the same title, this British TV series thrives with the writer Mick Ford and the director Justin Chadwick.
The crime series unravels the eerie tale of Martyn and Rebecca, a couple who move with their children from London to Glasgow in search of a fresh start. Their neighbor Jan’s unsettling remarks soon spark suspicion, hinting at dark secrets lurking around their seemingly peaceful new home.
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Anjli Mohindra, Martin Compston, Daniel Portman, James Cosmo, Solly McLeod, and Maureen Beattie assume the key characters.
The first episode will debut with a special world premiere screening at the 2025 Glasgow Film Festival.
Produced by Wild Mercury and Capricorn Productions, the thriller series boasts Chadwick and Ford as executive producers along with Derek Wax, Suzanne Reid, and Frances Flannery.
Thomas Muller / Sports Documentary / March 04, 2025
This documentary delves into the life and career of Thomas Müller, the legendary German footballer known for his versatility and tactical brilliance. He is an attacking midfielder or second striker for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He has earned acclaim for his sharp positioning, clinical finishing, and remarkable consistency in both scoring and creating opportunities.
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Backed by Sadoux Kim, Anouk Mertens, and Philip Pratt, this biopic excels with Andre Hormann as its director.
Picture This / Romantic Comedy / March 06, 2025
At her sister’s engagement party, a spiritual guru delivers an intriguing prediction: a young woman will meet the love of her life within her next five dates. It will eventually set her on an unexpected journey toward destiny and romance.
With this story in the backdrop, this British romantic film reimagines the Australian film ‘Five Blind Dates’(2024) written by Nathan Ramos-Park and Shuang Hu. Prarthana Mohan’s direction and Nikita Lalwani’s screenplay elevate the movie.
Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes Tiffin embody the protagonist roles while the supporting cast includes Anoushka Chadha, Luke Fetherston, Sindhu Vee, Phil Dunster, Nikesh Patel, Adil Ray, Kulvinder Ghir, and Asim Chaudhry.
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Bankrolled by Ben Pugh and Erica Steinberg for 42, the comedy movie flourishes with Josh Horsfield and Kari Hatfield as its executive producers.
3 days ago
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, fiancee Hailee Steinfeld walk red carpet at NFL Honors
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his fiancee, actor Hailee Steinfeld, were all smiles as they posed for pictures and mingled with celebrities as they walked the red carpet before he received the league’s biggest individual prize at the NFL Honors.
Allen edged two-time winner Lamar Jackson for the AP NFL MVP award in the closest race since Matt Ryan beat out Tom Brady in 2016.
Allen, who led Buffalo to a fifth straight AFC East title, got 27 first-place votes to Jackson’s 22 and finished with 378 points. He received 21 second-place votes and one third.
Saquon Barkley, Joe Burrow and Jared Goff were the other finalists for MVP.
Allen has had plenty of reasons to celebrate this season. The couple posted a photo to their Instagram followers in November of Allen on one knee proposing marriage.
Allen and Steinfeld were first linked in the spring of 2023, when they were photographed dining together in New York City. Steinfeld has since begun attending Bills home games, and the couple hosted a Halloween party this fall.
News influencers favored Trump over Harris during campaign, study finds
The 27-year-old Steinfeld is from Los Angeles and began her acting career at age 10. She earned an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for her role as Mattie Ross in the Coen brothers’ 2010 remake of “True Grit.” She also received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the 2016 high school dramedy “The Edge of Seventeen.” Her other credits include “Bumblebee,” “Dickinson” and Marvel’s “Hawkeye,” along with voice roles in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and its sequel.
The 28-year-old Allen has set many of Buffalo’s single-season and career passing and scoring records since being selected in the first round of the 2018 draft out of Wyoming. He led the Bills to the AFC championship game this season.
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News influencers favored Trump over Harris during campaign, study finds
Americans who followed news influencers during the presidential campaign were more likely to hear positive reports about Donald Trump than they were about Kamala Harris, a study has revealed.
Influencers reviewed by the Pew Research Center talked about Trump and Harris on social media about equally, but there were more posts about Trump and they tended to be more favorable.
Pew said roughly 20% of Americans regularly get news from influencers — podcasters, commentators and the like — and about two-thirds said it helps them better understand things. Pew analyzed more than 150,000 posts from about 500 influencers, defined as those who regularly comment on current events and have at least 100,000 followers on some combination of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X or YouTube.
Trump courted this youth-oriented sector more actively than Harris did during the campaign. He was interviewed by the popular podcaster Joe Rogan, for example, while Harris did not get an appearance there.
The study found an equal amount of influencers — 42% — were critical of either the Republican or Democratic candidate for president.
Yet Trump earned his edge in volume; his supporters posted more often than Harris'. As an example, twice as many total posts about Harris on the Elon Musk-owned X site were critical than they were positive, while the ratio for Trump was more evenly split, Pew said.
And X is where most of the political influencers lived. Pew found that 79% of the political posts were on that site. On X, 48% of the influencers who posted there identified themselves as right-leaning, while 28% said they were more liberal.
On average, right-leaning news influencers posted 183 times per week. The more liberal ones posted 72 times on average, Pew said.
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"Ne Zha 2" becomes China’s highest-grossing film
Dhaka, Feb 10 (Xinhua/UNB) — Animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has set a new global box office record, surpassing Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the highest-grossing film ever in a single market.
According to data from ticketing platform Beacon, the film had earned over 6.79 billion yuan (approximately $947 million) in China by 9:11 p.m. on Friday, overtaking the North American earnings of The Force Awakens.
Already the highest-grossing film in Chinese history, Ne Zha 2 broke the previous domestic box office record held by The Battle at Lake Changjin in just over eight days, amassing more than 5.77 billion yuan by Thursday afternoon.
The film’s success has sparked excitement among Chinese netizens, with many celebrating its achievements and expressing optimism for the country’s film industry. A widely shared comment quoted the movie’s protagonist, Nezha: “I am the master of my own destiny.”
Box office predictions for Ne Zha 2 continue to rise, with Maoyan revising its forecast to 10.85 billion yuan (about $1.51 billion), making it the first Chinese film projected to exceed the 10-billion-yuan milestone.
Building on the success of its 2019 predecessor, Ne Zha 2 continues the story of the legendary mythological figure. The plot follows Nezha and Aobing as their souls are preserved while their physical forms deteriorate. With help from the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, they embark on a journey to rebuild their bodies and confront new challenges.
Blending stunning animation with a narrative rich in folklore, the film has captivated audiences since its Chinese New Year release, contributing half of the record-breaking 9.5 billion yuan total box office earnings during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday.
The movie’s broad appeal is evident in its diverse audience, with a high percentage of viewers attending in groups. It has particularly drawn families and lured back many moviegoers aged 30 to 39, a demographic that had been less active in theaters in recent years.
Industry analysts see Ne Zha 2 as a turning point for China’s animation sector, especially after a challenging 2024, during which box office revenue declined significantly. Its record-breaking performance is being hailed as a much-needed boost for the industry.
Film critic Rao Shuguang attributed its success to a compelling blend of traditional mythology and modern storytelling, making it resonate with contemporary audiences.
Director Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, emphasized that the global appeal of Chinese films depends on their storytelling and emotional depth. “A strong script, engaging characters, and a moving story are what truly connect with audiences worldwide,” he said.
With its unprecedented box office success, Ne Zha 2 is expected to extend its influence beyond China, serving as a cultural bridge that introduces international audiences to Chinese mythology and storytelling.
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10 Must-Watch Netflix English Originals Arriving in March 2025
Netflix is kicking off March 2025 with a fresh slate of English-language originals, offering something for every kind of viewer. From gripping crime dramas and mind-bending sci-fi to laugh-out-loud comedies and compelling documentaries, the coming month’s lineup is packed with must-watch content. Whether you’re in the mood for a thrilling mystery, an animated adventure, or a dose of reality TV, here are the top new releases you won’t want to miss.
10 Netflix English Originals Premiering This March
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Hot Wheels Let’s Race (Season 3) | Pre-school Animation | March 3, 2025
Based on the toy brand Hot Wheels of toy manufacturing company Mattel, Inc., this animated film boasts production by Mattel Television Studios. Under the collaborative animation efforts of OLM Digital and Sprite Animation Studios, the adventure comedy flourishes with Collette Sunderman (voice director) and Moto Sakakibara as its directors.
The storyline revolves around six young hopefuls at the Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage Racing Camp, where they master essential skills to become the next generation of exceptional racers.
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Similar to its predecessor, Season 3 will maintain the five-episode structure. It will see Coop and friends facing Cruise and Professor Rearview in a final race to reclaim the Ultimate Garage and stop his monsters for good.
Lending their voices are Jakari Fraser, Amari McCoy, Griffen Campbell, Risa Mei, Josh Keaton, Charlie Schlatter, and Grey DeLisle-Griffin.
Developed by Rob David, Melanie Shannon, and Jordan Gershowitz, the sports series thrives with Rob David, Christopher Keenan, and Fred Soulie as executive producers.
With Love, Meghan | Lifestyle Show | March 4, 2025
This lifestyle TV series, directed by Michael Steed, highlights Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as host and executive producer. The executive production team includes Aaron Saidman, Eli Holzman, and Leah Hariton.
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This uplifting series explores practical how-tos and open-hearted conversations with both old and new friends. Meghan offers personal tips and tricks, celebrating creativity through playful imperfection. Together with her guests, she ventures into the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, proving how effortless and joyful creating beauty in unexpected moments can be.
Notable guests are Korean-American chef Roy Choi, American chef Alice Waters, and American actresses- Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer.
The show also features Meghan's husband, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry as an honorable guest.
Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black (Season 1 – Part 2) | Soap Opera | March 6, 2025
Starring Taylor Polidore Williams and Crystle Stewart, the drama series follows the life of a young woman whose world takes a shocking turn after crossing paths with a wealthy yet deeply dysfunctional family. Behind their glamorous cosmetic empire lies a dark underbelly of deceit and a sinister trafficking scheme.
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Part 1 concludes with Killing Karma, where she confronts her sister’s kidnapper, striking him with a speeding car. Yet it leaves the audience questioning whether he survived or met his end.
Besides creating and directing, Tyler Perry executive produced the soap opera along with Angi Bones and Tony Strickland.
The supporting cast includes Julian Horton, Steven G. Norfleet, Richard Lawson, Charles Malik Whitfield, and Debbi Morgan.
Plankton: The Movie | Musical Animation | March 7, 2025
Inspired by the beloved TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, this animated movie, produced by Nickelodeon Movies, excels with the creator Stephen Hillenburg. Mr. Lawrence teamed up with Kaz and Chris Viscardi to turn his own story into a screenplay, which made it into a movie thanks to director Dave Needham.
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Led by Lawrence as the Plankton, the voice cast includes Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Clancy Brown, and Rodger Bumpass.
The story follows Plankton, whose plans for world domination are put to a halt when his computer wife, Karen, decides to take charge.
American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden | Crime Documentary | March 10, 2025
This docuseries offers a comprehensive exploration of how the world united to track down Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 incident in the United States in 2001.
Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan’s directing brings the three-part series to life.
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This historical series features exclusive interviews with key U.S. government figures involved in the global manhunt. It reimagines the decade-long mission to capture one of history’s most infamous terrorists.
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