Ben Affleck is no longer directing the Batman standalone movie for Warner Bros. Affleck said it "has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require" and that he and the studio are looking for a new director. "There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions," Affleck said. "Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give." Affleck made his debut as the superhero for the studio last summer in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and he had been attached to write and direct the Batman standalone movie for about a year. The studio said that it "fully supports" Affleck's decision and "remains committed to working with him to bring a standalone Batman picture to life." Warner Bros. has had a rocky start kicking off its expanded universe of DC Comics films. Both Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad were savaged by critics, but they still managed to be profitable. Affleck will appear next as Batman in Justice League, which comes out on Nov 17. The Batman standalone doesn't yet have an official title or release date, but it is tentatively pegged for 2018. "I am still in this, and we are making it," Affleck said. "I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world." -AP
Co-defendant in art robbery says he destroyed stolen masterpieces
A co-defendant in one of the world’s biggest art heists testified in court that he destroyed and threw away five art masterpieces worth more than $100 million that were stolen by a thief nicknamed ‘the spider-man.’ Yonathan Birn was among three people who went on trial in the case earlier this week. The five paintings stolen in 2010 from the French capital’s city Museum of Modern Art — a Picasso, a Matisse, a Modigliani, a Braque and a Fernand Leger — have never been found. “I threw them into the trash,” Birn said three times at the court bar, in tears. “I made the worst mistake of my existence.” Neither the investigating judge nor other defendants at the trial believe Birn’s claims. The investigators are convinced the five paintings have been taken out of France, but they have not been able to prove that. Birn’s co-defendants testified he was “too smart” to destroy the masterpieces. Lead suspect Vjeran Tomic, dubbed ‘the spider-man’ by French news media, has been convicted 14 times in the past, notably for thefts. Authorities found climbing gear at his home: gloves, ropes, harness, climbing shoes and suction cups. Tomic testified that on May 20, 2010, he broke into the museum near the Eiffel Tower with apparent ease, taking advantage of supposed failures in the security, alarm and video-surveillance systems. -AP
Paris Jackson is ready for her close-up
Fox TV has announced that the daughter of the late Michael Jackson will make her acting debut this season on the drama series Star. Paris Jackson will play an intimidating social media guru, Rachel, who has an impact on the show's lead characters. The 18-year-old Jackson was born to the pop star and then-wife Debbie Rowe. Star, from Empire creator Lee Daniels, is set in the music industry and features Queen Latifah as a surrogate mum to aspiring young singers. A date for the episode with Paris Jackson has not been announced. -AP
New York Times launches podcast
Best known for its print coverage, The New York Times is broadening into the realm of daily audio news by launching a brand new podcast. The Daily, a 15 to 20 minute audio offering, launches today and will be available to listeners through the newspaper's website and mobile apps. The show will cover a range of topics from hard news to other topics "highlighting culturally relevant news of the day," the newspaper said. Host will be Michael Barbaro, who covered the 2016 US election and who will also share context, analysis and thoughts with Times readers by text message. Last week The Washington Post launched the podcast Can He Do That? to assess Trump's presidency. The Wall Street Journal also offers readers a variety of podcasts. "Our readers have always turned to us first thing in the morning to help them understand the world," said Dean Baquet, executive editor of the Times. "Now, with our new audio report, we're able to explain the news in a whole new way." -AFP
Rapper Azealia Banks takes shots at Rihanna
Rapper Azealia Banks has launched another social media beef, and this time her target is Rihanna. Banks called out the Barbados-born Rihanna after the singer tweeted: "Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes!" The tweet was a response to President Donald Trump's order to temporarily suspend immigration from seven Muslim majority nations. People magazine reports Banks responded by noting that Rihanna isn't a citizen and can't vote. Banks added "Stop chastising the president." The stars went back and forth for hours on Instagram. Banks appears to have deleted many of her posts. Banks has a long history of taking shots at stars on social media, including TI, Iggy Azalea and Eminem. -AP
