SRN NEWS

NEW YORK (AP) — It was four decades ago next year that Whitney Houston released “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” a timeless hit in a career made up of them. And it is just one of her 11 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, all of which have been compiled into a new album, “WH1TNEY,” released Friday. The record is part of ongoing birthday celebrations for Houston, who would’ve turned 63 on Sunday. There’s also the fifth annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love gala, taking place Saturday night, and a Whitney Houston Barbie — her first, ever, courtesy of parent company Mattel — releasing Sunday. “It’s a dream come true,” says Pat Houston, the executor of Whitney Houston’s estate and her sister-in-law. In this interview, Pat Houston discusses the No. 1 hits collection, the new Barbie, if a “Michael”-style biopic is on the table and more. It has been edited for clarity and brevity. HOUSTON: Whitney always believed that the ultimate collection represented the very best of her career. And you know, it brought together songs that defined generations. It broke records. It touched hearts around the world. And those kinds of hits were not just chart toppers, they were the soundtrack to millions of lives and a testament to a voice that will never be duplicated. So, you know, celebrating her No. 1s is really a no-brainer. HOUSTON: It is her first ever Barbie. And let me tell you something, what made this journey special is because Whitney and I had conversations about Barbie more than 20 years ago. And to see this vision finally come to life decades later is both emotional and very much inspiring. You know, it served as a beautiful reminder that some dreams take time. And when they’re rooted in love and purpose, you can transcend generations and that’s what this Barbie is doing. Visiting the showroom and working hand-in-hand with Mattel’s talented team, it was an honor to witness how much they care about the creativity and the commitment they had behind celebrating Whitney’s legacy to make this such a meaningful experience. HOUSTON: You can’t mention Whitney Houston and not mention Clive Davis and you can’t mention Clive without mentioning Whitney Houston. Every conversation that Clive Davis has in music, he ultimately speaks about Whitney Houston. He played a very, very important role in her life. And it went beyond the music. They truly loved one another. He was a part of her and still is a part of her legacy. Whitney would tell you herself, “I had the talent and the craft, but this is someone that revered my career.” And he did until the day that he died. And I so appreciate that from Clive. HOUSTON: There are some things that we’re working on. Until the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed, I never like to say. HOUSTON: Whitney’s catalog is incredible and that voice is matchless. Of course there’s plenty of things that can be done, but you don’t want to do an overkill. You don’t wanna oversaturate the industry without having purpose. It has to have purpose in order for us to put something out there or deliver something to you. But yes, different things come to the table all the time, but we’re cautious and careful. HOUSTON: Never forgetting that voice and what she represented to the music industry. Forget about everything else, it’s what she brought to the industry. Whitney’s voice showcased passion. Her artistry is incredible. And there are live shows that some people have never seen before. I would love to come up with or produce some of the shows and present some of those shows that have never been seen before, because it would blow you away to see that gifted talent. That’s probably one of my ultimate goals, I guess. It’s not just movies. But just releasing music and shows that people in other parts of the world have seen, but North America hasn’t seen, if you can understand what I’m saying. Brought to you by www.srnnews.com

Vance confirms US-Iran talks as Hormuz Talks Advance   By The Media Line Staff   US Vice President JD Vance said the United States is in talks with Iran as Washington seeks long-term changes from Tehran, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the current moment offers the best opportunity for an agreement.   “We’re just trying to make sure we get what we need out of this conflict. We destroyed their nuclear program, we destroyed their conventional military, we drastically reduced their asymmetric military capabilities,” Vance told Fox News.    Vance said Washington was assessing whether Iran was prepared to make changes needed to improve relations with the United States. Otherwise, he said, the US would continue applying pressure.   “We’re in the middle of the game here. This thing isn’t over, and it’s certainly no longer at the beginning — we’re in the middle of the game,” he said.   Pezeshkian separately said, “whenever the issue of reaching a deal comes up, I believe now is the best time for it.”   “The US is not trustworthy, but we aspire to make progress with it and resolve the issues at hand,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Iranian officials discuss the diplomatic process daily. “The fighting cannot continue forever. Ultimately, it must end.”   The comments came as negotiations involving the Strait of Hormuz continued. Oman said talks with Iran were “positive and constructive” while condemning repeated attacks on vessels in the waterway, state media reported, according to Reuters.   Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran and Oman were close to an agreement on managing and establishing a new route through the strait, while maintaining that reopening it depended on other conditions.   A senior American official also told Reuters that Iran and Oman were moving toward an agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the US would lift its blockade on Iranian ports once an agreement allowed trade to proceed without problems.   However, in an interview with Fox News, Vance said that Iranian officials told him that Tehran has “no plans” to charge tolls on the Strait of Hormuz.    Iranian officials continued to condition reopening Hormuz on US actions. Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr demanded an end to US threats, the naval blockade and sanctions, along with the withdrawal of US naval and air forces from Iran’s vicinity.   Meanwhile, UKMTO reported a vessel was struck by an unknown missile about 33 kilometers east of Khasab, Oman. The resulting fire was extinguished and the crew was safe, Reuters reported.       Brought to you by www.srnnews.com

Pakistan Defense Minister Calls Israel ‘Common Threat’ After Signing Defense Pact With Turkey and Saudi Arabia   By The Media Line Staff   Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called on Islamic countries to unite against Israel following the signing of a mutual defense pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey that requires the three countries to respond collectively to an attack on any member.   “The Islamic world must unite to confront the common threat posed by Israel,” Asif said after the agreement was signed. “Israel poses a threat to all of us. Islamic countries must adopt a coordinated approach to address this threat.”   Asif’s latest comments on Israel follow similar statements he made in April 2026 that triggered a diplomatic dispute.   At the time, the Pakistani defense minister wrote on social media that Israel was “evil”, a “curse for humanity,” and a “cancerous state.” Asif later deleted the post.   The statements prompted sharp condemnation from Israeli leaders and complicated Pakistan’s diplomatic role.   The three countries signed the agreement in Mecca on Friday, bringing together Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.   Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the pact establishes that an armed attack against any of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all of them. The agreement is intended to expand collective deterrence and defense cooperation among the three countries.   Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday that the new arrangement effectively corresponds to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense commitment. However, he stressed that the agreement is not directed against Iran.   Fidan told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency that the alliance will establish a ministerial committee similar to the structure used by NATO. A general secretariat for the three-country framework will be based in Saudi Arabia.   Egypt could also eventually join the alliance once outstanding technical issues are resolved, Fidan said.    Brought to you by www.srnnews.com

Lebanese Politician Calls for Shi’ite ‘Intifada’ Against Hezbollah   By The Media Line Staff   Lebanese Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel called for an “intifada” against Hezbollah, saying Lebanon’s Shi’ite population is being held hostage by the terrorist group and should separate itself from Hezbollah as efforts continue to resolve the conflict with Israel and disarm the group.   Gemayel, who heads the Lebanese Social Democratic Party, made the comments during a meeting with a delegation from the Lebanese Press Editors’ Syndicate. He described Shi’ites as victims of Hezbollah and said he had raised the issue with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.   After Gemayel sought to discuss with Berri ways of communicating with the Shi’ite community about distancing itself from Hezbollah, Berri quickly ended the discussion, he said. Berri is closely allied with Hezbollah, and commentators have suggested that the group’s support has helped him politically.   L’Orient Today reported that Gemayel said the Shi’ite population was effectively being held hostage by Hezbollah and called for an “intifada,” or uprising, against the group.   Gemayel supports ongoing talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ending the conflict. The talks have led to efforts to disarm Hezbollah, which opposes the negotiations and has said it will not surrender its weapons.   The Lebanese presidency separately reported progress in the negotiations. President Joseph Aoun “updated the government on positive progress in negotiations with Israel regarding the border issue,” as well as discussions concerning “the prisoners’ issue,” referring to Lebanese detainees held by Israel.   According to the presidency, Aoun also said that “Washington will work to address the ceasefire issue and the pilot zones.”   The developments came as military activity continued in southern Lebanon on Saturday.   An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier was moderately wounded by shrapnel during operational activity in southern Lebanon, the IDF Spokesperson said. The soldier was evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment, and his family was notified.   Lebanon later reported that two people were wounded in a drone strike in the Kfar Reman area in southern Lebanon.  Brought to you by www.srnnews.com

Pakistan Defense Minister Calls Israel ‘Common Threat’ After Signing Defense Pact With Turkey and Saudi Arabia   By The Media Line Staff   Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called on Islamic countries to unite against Israel following the signing of a mutual defense pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey that requires the three countries to respond collectively to an attack on any member.   “The Islamic world must unite to confront the common threat posed by Israel,” Asif said after the agreement was signed. “Israel poses a threat to all of us. Islamic countries must adopt a coordinated approach to address this threat.”   Asif’s latest comments on Israel follow similar statements he made in April 2026 that triggered a diplomatic dispute.   At the time, the Pakistani defense minister wrote on social media that Israel was “evil”, a “curse for humanity,” and a “cancerous state.” Asif later deleted the post.   The statements prompted sharp condemnation from Israeli leaders and complicated Pakistan’s diplomatic role.   The three countries signed the agreement in Mecca on Friday, bringing together Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.   Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the pact establishes that an armed attack against any of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all of them. The agreement is intended to expand collective deterrence and defense cooperation among the three countries.   Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday that the new arrangement effectively corresponds to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense commitment. However, he stressed that the agreement is not directed against Iran.   Fidan told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency that the alliance will establish a ministerial committee similar to the structure used by NATO. A general secretariat for the three-country framework will be based in Saudi Arabia.   Egypt could also eventually join the alliance once outstanding technical issues are resolved, Fidan said.      Brought to you by www.srnnews.com