Entertainment News Roundup: Amazon plans ad tier for Prime Video streaming service - WSJ; Dua Lipa wins dismissal of 'Levitating' copyright lawsuit and more

Discussions around the ad tier have been going on for several weeks, according to the report, and follow the launch of similar plans by rivals Netflix and Walt Disney. Dua Lipa wins dismissal of 'Levitating' copyright lawsuit British pop star Dua Lipa and music label Warner Records convinced a Los Angeles federal court on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Florida reggae group that accused Lipa's hit "Levitating" of copying one of its songs.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Amazon plans ad tier for Prime Video streaming service - WSJ

Amazon.com is planning to launch an advertising-supported tier of its Prime Video streaming service, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Discussions around the ad tier have been going on for several weeks, according to the report, and follow the launch of similar plans by rivals Netflix and Walt Disney.

Dua Lipa wins dismissal of 'Levitating' copyright lawsuit

British pop star Dua Lipa and music label Warner Records convinced a Los Angeles federal court on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Florida reggae group that accused Lipa's hit "Levitating" of copying one of its songs. U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes said Artikal Sound System failed to argue that the writers of "Levitating" ever had access to the group's 2017 song "Live Your Life."

Peter Chernin's North Road buys Turkish film and TV house Karga Seven

Veteran Hollywood producer Peter Chernin said on Tuesday his company North Road has bought Turkish film and television house Karga Seven Pictures in one of its first major international acquisitions. Los Angeles-Istanbul-based Karga Seven is best known for its popular English-language period piece, "Rise of Empires: Ottoman", and Turkish time travel drama, "Midnight at the Pera Palace", which were among Netflix's top shows.

US calls Roger Waters performance in Berlin 'deeply offensive to Jewish people'

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday weighed in on a controversy over a performance by Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, denouncing the show in Berlin as "deeply offensive to Jewish people" and accusing Waters of having a record of using antisemitic tropes. Waters, 79, has said the performance last month, during which he wore a black trench coat with a swastika-like emblem, was a statement against fascism, injustice and bigotry and called criticism of it "disingenuous and politically motivated."

Hollywood actors, studios agree to media blackout for labor talks

The SAG-AFTRA actors union and the group representing major Hollywood studios agreed not to talk to the media during contract talks that started on Wednesday. The actors' union is seeking pay increases and protections around the use of artificial intelligence in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Walt Disney Co, Netflix Inc, Comcast Corp and other companies.

Cuba Gooding Jr settles civil sex abuse case moments before trial

Cuba Gooding Jr. reached a settlement on Tuesday with a woman who sued him for $6 million on an accusation that he raped her a decade ago, with the agreement coming minutes before jury selection was set to being in Manhattan federal court. The eleventh-hour deal means the Oscar winning “Jerry Maguire” star will avoid having details of the alleged assault aired in court, while his accuser will not be forced to reveal her identity after U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty ruled that week that she could not go to trial anonymously.

'Transformers': Rise of the Beasts' brings new characters to franchise

Autobots took over London's Leicester Square on Wednesday as the latest instalment in the “Transformers” film franchise held its European premiere. Huge statues of the film's characters, Autobot leader Optimus Prime and Maximal leader Optimus Primal, towered over the red carpet where cast members Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback and Tobe Nwigwe premiered "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts".

'Girl from Ipanema' singer Astrud Gilberto dies at 83

Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto, the voice of Bossa Nova whose soft and dreamy version of "The Girl from Ipanema" was an international success in the 1960s, has died at the age of 83, her family said. Gilberto died on Monday at her home in Philadelphia, her granddaughter Sofia Gilberto said on social media.

Tupac Shakur honored with posthumous star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Award-winning rapper, activist and actor Tupac Shakur received a posthumous star on Wednesday on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where his sister and fellow rappers spoke of the musician's legacy around the world. “Tupac knew deep down that he was always meant for something great,” Sekyiwa Shakur said amid the crowd of around 100 people. “As his little sister, I had the privilege to watch that greatness unfold.”

Hollywood actors authorize strike as writers still out

Hollywood's actors union voted to authorize a strike if contract talks break down, turning up the heat on major film and television studios already grappling with a monthlong work stoppage by writers. After voting closed on Monday, SAG-AFTRA said 97.91% of ballots cast supported a strike authorization. Nearly 65,000 members, or about 48% of those eligible, voted on the measure.

(With inputs from agencies.)