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Julia Fox Signs With UTA
Culturedeadline2h ago

Julia Fox Signs With UTA

EXCLUSIVE: United Talent Agency (UTA) has signed Italian-American actress, artist, and New York Times bestselling author Julia Fox for representation in all areas. Fox broke out on the big screen in the Safdie Brothers’ A24 hit noir Uncut Gems opposite Adam Sandler. Fox recently starred in Universal’s psychological thriller HIM, opposite Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers, produced […]

California's billionaires are moving to Miami. We mapped out where they are buying.
BusinessBusiness Insider3d ago

California's billionaires are moving to Miami. We mapped out where they are buying.

Real estate on Indian Creek and Allison Island — both in the Biscayne Bay — has reached new highs as California billionaires flock to Miami. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images California billionaires, spooked by a proposed wealth tax, are hunting for real estate in Miami. Larry Page set off the "gold rush," a local agent said. Sergey Brin and Mark Zuckerberg may follow. These are the neighborhoods where some of the world's richest people are putting down roots. With a...

Why MrBeast's former manager says we won't see another MrBeast
TechnologyBusiness Insider5d ago

Why MrBeast's former manager says we won't see another MrBeast

Jimmy Donaldson — better known as Mr. Beast — is the biggest personality on the internet. His former manager says platforms like YouTube and TikTok are working to prevent another star breaking through in the same way. : Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Being famous on social media used to be a novelty. Now it can be a real career. Manager Reed Duchscher, best-known for working with MrBeast, helps people generate fame and money on the internet. Here's how he sees the social media e...

Fetterman Slams Dems For 'Yelling And Screaming' During SOTU
Politicszerohedge6d ago

Fetterman Slams Dems For 'Yelling And Screaming' During SOTU

Fetterman Slams Dems For 'Yelling And Screaming' During SOTU More than 70 Democrats skipped President Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union address Tuesday night, with some participating in rival events. But, most of the caucus did show up at the Capitol, delivering a masterclass in theatrical contempt: stone-faced silence, open heckling, and a near-universal refusal to applaud anything the president said.  Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), however, chose to be the adult in the Demo...

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Opinionzerohedge15d ago

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe Authored by Charles Johnson via TheCritic.co.uk, Far more energy has gone into condemning his phrasing than confronting the questions he raised... Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s statement that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants” has sparked a fierce reaction. From Starmer to Bluesky, to the Athletic and all the football social media pundits in between, the co-owner of  Manchester United has been bombarded with the same attack lines repeatedly. He has been called a tax dodging, racist immigrant hypocrite. Such an uproar has flared up in such a short space of time because Ratcliffe is radically different from those who have issued similar statements before. Ratcliffe is not a political figure: you do not see billionaires nor football club owners voicing discontent like this. The pushback has been fierce because Ratcliffe has no political incentive to say any of this. He isn’t running for office, seeking favour, or chasing votes — which makes his intervention harder to dismiss. Part of the backlash, too, reflects an unease that his diagnosis may be accurate. The remarks came from an initial conversation regarding the economic challenges Britain faces in general, not solely on immigration. The snippet that has been so widely shared is merely part of a wider statement of the economic problems Britain faces; Ratcliffe refers to the issues of “immigration” and “nine million people” on benefits simultaneously. Manchester United part-owner has told @EdConwaySky the UK has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, as he warns of the country facing profound political, social and economic challenges. 🔗 https://t.co/bie6uFZ1Tp pic.twitter.com/qFpiO0HkfO February 11, 2026 Colonised is a strong opening salvo for a figure such as Ratcliffe, who is not known for any previous anti-migration stance. This generated responses of tone policing from his critics – cries that his choice of words were “disgraceful and deeply divisive” and that “this language and leadership has no place in English football” from Kick It Out, a notable “Anti Racism” football pressure group. There was no attempt to argue or debate: this was no more than tone policing, of “mate mate mate, you can’t say that mate”. It did not engage with the substantive point. It was not an argument. The Prime Minister has pushed for Ratcliffe to apologise. Less than a year ago, Starmer was referring to Britain as an ”Island of Strangers”; he has little argument here. Sir Ed Davey has stated that Ratcliffe is “totally wrong” and is “out of step with British Values”. Once again this is weak tone policing, not an argument. Regardless, which British values are being violated in particular? What are British values precisely meant to mean here? The fact is that Ratcliffe’s vocabulary choice is nowhere near as divisive as the impacts of mass migration in the last quarter century. Mass migration is the most important issue in British political debate. It has bought sectarianism, Bengali and Palestinian politics swinging both local council and Parliamentary elections, a deepening of housing crisis, the rape and murder of British women from taxpayer funded hotels and programs which bloat the welfare state even further. It is undeniable mass migration has defined British politics of the 2010s onwards. It has been much more harmful and divisive than any comment made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. His words are nothing compared to the actions of Deng Chol Majek, or Hedash Kebatu, to name a couple of examples. Critics have also cried that Ratcliffe is “an immigrant himself, dodging tax in Monaco”. The difference between Ratcliffe and migration into Britain is so different they are almost incomparable. In the 2017/18 tax year Ratcliffe was the fifth highest taxpayer in the country, footing a bill of £110.5 million. With such an extraordinarily high bill, it is no wonder that he has since moved to Monaco. Meanwhile, the average salary of of a migrant entering Britain in 2023 (which has fallen by £10,000 since 2021) was £32,946, according to a report by the Centre for Migration Control. From this we can estimate a migrant would pay about £5,000 in income tax. That means it would take over 22,000 (statistically average) migrants to foot the tax bill that Ratcliffe paid in one year alone. Ratcliffe has been an exceptional cash cow to the British state. He has been taxed incredible amounts and contributed more to this country than almost anyone currently living; to call him hypocritical since he dared to criticise migration and its impact on the welfare state is simply not fair. Census data from the ONS in 2021 shows that migrants from four nations – Somalia, Nigeria, Jamaica and Bangladesh – head over 104,000 social homes in London alone. With such incredible numbers of subsidised housing going to foreign born nationals, it is absolutely correct to state that mass migration is costing the British economy a fortune. The same census states that over 70% of Somali born households are in social housing in England and Wales, whilst also being of lowest contributors to income tax in the nation – paying well under the £5,000 stated per head previously. The increase and sheer scale of benefit reliance for many immigrants in Britain is not sustainable, and it is a problem that is right to be addressed. Perhaps the most nonsensical argument presented by some is that as co-owner of Manchester United he employs a significant number of immigrant players. Bruno Fernandes is not living in social housing in Wythenshawe. Benjamin Sesko is not in a single bed council flat in Hulme. When he arrived in Manchester last year, the first thing Senne Lammens did was not register for Universal Credit. Not a single foreign player is a drain on the state. They are, as elite athletes in the most lucrative league in the world, very clearly exceptions to the norm of British migration. The difference between Bruno Fernandes, who earns a reported £300,000 a week, and the over 40% of Bangladeshi immigrants who are economically inactive should really not need spelling out. We are referring to just 17 foreign senior team players who all earn more in a week than the average migrant – or Brit – will earn in a year. It is ludicrous  to even attempt to compare the two. Regardless, employing or working with immigrants does not mean you waive your right to criticise the state of affairs in Britain. As an Englishman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a given and inalienable right to comment on the affairs of his country. Ratcliffe’s critics have entirely focused on his choice of the word “colonised”, and how they consider it inflammatory. This choice of phrase was not entirely accurate or intentional by Ratcliffe – proved by the fact he issued an apology over his “choice of language”, rather than the substance and argument behind his critique of the broader economic challenge of Britain. The bottom line is, Ratcliffe was right to raise a perfectly reasonable concern. He is directionally correct, and close enough to the truth that the obsessive focus around his phrasing is both absurd and clearly no more than a tactic to dodge the substance of his argument entirely. His critics have been intentionally evasive around the underlying subject: it is a harsh, necessary truth they have no reply too. They avoid the debate because, despite his wording being wrong, Ratcliffe is right. Tyler Durden Tue, 02/17/2026 - 06:30

Paralympics, the Italian Embassy bids farewell to the Spanish team heading to Milan-Cortina
SportYahooANSA15d ago2 sources

Paralympics, the Italian Embassy bids farewell to the Spanish team heading to Milan-Cortina

(ANSA) - MADRID, 16 FEB - The embrace of the Italian Embassy in Madrid accompanied the departure of the Spanish delegation to the XIV Winter Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina 2026, scheduled for March 6-15. Leading the delegation as flag bearer will be 21-year-old skier Audrey Pascual from Madrid, who has had an extraordinary season, winning 17 World Cup medals and the Crystal Globe in giant slalom. Born without both legs, Audry grew up skiing in the Sierra Nevada (Granada) with the Fundacion Tambien and has been competing in alpine skiing and surfing since she was a child, with a great passion for speed. "Being at the Games is every athlete's dream, and parading as flag bearer fills me with joy," she said emotionally. There are five competitions in the sitting category: "These are disciplines that I love and in which I express myself best. I will give my all." Pascual will parade in Cortina d'Ampezzo at the opening ceremony on March 6. Alongside her will be five Winter Games debutants: Javier Marcos and María Martín-Granizo in alpine skiing, Emilio Redondo in snowboarding, and Higinio Rivero in cross-country skiing and biathlon. "In biathlon, we aim to get close to the top 10 and in cross-country skiing to the top 20," she explained. Martín-Granizo, 19, fresh from two bronze medals in the World Cup, does not hide his pride: "These medals are worth a lot after so many sacrifices. My category is one of the toughest. Realistically, the goal is to finish in the top ten, but I will give it my all." Javier Marcos, already on the podium at international level, is looking further ahead: "The first goal was to qualify. Now I want to fight for a diploma, and who knows, maybe a medal." Emilio Redondo, 26, lost his left foot in an accident at the age of 19, and just four seasons later he was already winning gold in the European Snowboard Cup. The Minister of Education and Sport, Milagros Tolón, assured the government's support: "I am sure that these Games will give us unforgettable emotions. I know that you will give your all to win medals and that you will leave your heart on the slopes. With your example, you are building more integration and more equality." For her part, the Minister of Inclusion, Elma Saiz, emphasized: "You are breaking down barriers, especially mental ones." Saiz pointed out that "15% of the world's population lives with a disability, and you are proving that those limits can be overcome." Meanwhile, the president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, Alberto Durán, spoke of "a young team with hope and a desire for immediate success" and said he was "confident that Milan-Cortina will send a powerful message of inclusion for a more just society." The Italian ambassador to Spain, Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, did the honors: "It is an honor to host the presentation of the Spanish Paralympic team leaving for Italy. It will be a historic edition, not only because of the competitions spread over a vast area between Lombardy, Veneto, Trento, and Bolzano," but also "because it commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympic Games held in Sweden in 1976." Buccino Grimaldi recalled that the Olympic and Paralympic Games represent "a universal moment of encounter in which different peoples, languages, and cultures recognize themselves in common values: respect, loyalty, and inclusion." "In an international context marked by tensions, dangers, and divisions, the Games take on crucial significance: sport reminds us of the language of peace and fair competition," the ambassador also said, emphasizing how Paralympic athletes "embody the ability to transform difficulties into energy. Good luck to Spain!" he concluded. Read article...

Ramadan 2026 time table: Suhoor and iftar timings, fasting hours around the world
CultureTimes of India16d ago

Ramadan 2026 time table: Suhoor and iftar timings, fasting hours around the world

Ramadan 2026, beginning around February 18-19, will see Muslims worldwide observing a month of fasting from dawn till sunset. Fasting hours are expected to be shorter, around 12-14 hours daily, due to the timing near the spring equinox. This period emphasises prayer, reflection and universal brotherhood, culminating in Eid al-Fitr celebrations around March 19, 2026.

Christina Elmore Joins Damon Wayans Jr. In NBC Pilot ‘Puzzled’
Culturedeadline19h ago

Christina Elmore Joins Damon Wayans Jr. In NBC Pilot ‘Puzzled’

EXCLUSIVE: Christina Elmore (The Girls On the Bus) is set as a lead opposite Damon Wayans Jr. in the NBC drama pilot Puzzled, from writer Joey Falco and Universal Television. In Puzzled, based on the Danielle Trussoni novel The Puzzle Master, after barely escaping a tragic fire, once promising college athlete Mike Brink (Wayans Jr.) […]

MS NOW gains viewers after name change, but owner revenue declines
BusinessThe Guardian1d ago

MS NOW gains viewers after name change, but owner revenue declines

Versant, an NBCUniversal cable spinoff, says MS NOW is growing as its stock falls about 27% in 2026 The US’s biggest liberal-leaning network, MS NOW, has seen double-digit viewership gains since rebranding from MSNBC, the company’s CEO claimed on Tuesday. “Since the rebrand to MS NOW in the fourth quarter, that momentum has not only held, it has accelerated with double-digit growth in total viewers since November,” said Mark Lazarus, CEO of MS NOW parent company Versant. Continue reading...

Water System Inaugurated in Sofala, Mozambique
Worldobservador3d ago

Water System Inaugurated in Sofala, Mozambique

A new water system was inaugurated in Sofala, Mozambique, benefiting 17,000 people. The project cost 661,000 euros and is part of the Pronasar program, aiming for universal water access by 2030.

‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Author Matt Dinniman Talks Live-Action TV Series Plans, Book 8 Plot and ‘Operation Bounce House’
Culturevariety3d ago

‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Author Matt Dinniman Talks Live-Action TV Series Plans, Book 8 Plot and ‘Operation Bounce House’

Hello Crawlers: The “Dungeon Crawler Carl” TV series announced in August 2024 is alive and well at NBCUniversal and Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions, according to author Matt Dinniman, who has already read the first few scripts for the project. “Right now, we’re at the point where Chris Yost, who’s writing the show, has written […]

Quando Helena de Tróia se viu grega
Cultureobservador6d ago

Quando Helena de Tróia se viu grega

Em nome da tolerância, andamos a trocar o universalismo pluralista pelos guetos sectários? As guerras culturais partem imensos ovos, mas por enquanto nada de omeletes.

Compensation for Glasses Lenses in Lithuania: Eligibility Check
Healthdelfi-lt8d ago

Compensation for Glasses Lenses in Lithuania: Eligibility Check

An article discusses the conditions under which compensation for glasses lenses may be available in Lithuania. It clarifies that compensation is not universally applied, even for individuals who have worn glasses since childhood or have long-standing vision impairment.

Universal Vaccine Breakthrough
Sciencerzeczpospolita10d ago

Universal Vaccine Breakthrough

Scientists have developed a universal vaccine that protects against viruses, bacteria, and allergens, successfully tested on mice, representing a new approach to immunity.

‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ Review: Now That He’s a Christian Rock Star, Bart Millard Has More Problems Than Ever. But Is He Only Imagining Them?
Culturevariety12d ago

‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ Review: Now That He’s a Christian Rock Star, Bart Millard Has More Problems Than Ever. But Is He Only Imagining Them?

On the tour bus, Bart and his buddies, like the band manager, Brick (Trace Adkins), an aging biker with the voice of Sam Elliott, engage in a form of badinage I would characterize as bro Christianity. They’re devout, but they’re just dudes. That’s kind of the point. "I Can Only Imagine 2" isn’t really caught in some Christian niche. It’s as universal a warm bath as a Hallmark Channel movie, and you can decide for yourself if that’s what Jesus had in mind.

DoorDash's CEO says he's got an edge on Amazon in groceries
BusinessmarketwatchBusiness Insider13d ago2 sources

DoorDash's CEO says he's got an edge on Amazon in groceries

DoorDash reported worse-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images DoorDash has a key advantage over Amazon in grocery delivery, CEO Tony Xu said Wednesday. The delivery service offers a wider variety owing to its myriad partnerships with grocers, Xu said. Amazon is ramping up its grocery delivery, creating more competition for DoorDash and Instacart. DoorDash CEO Tony Xu says that his company's grocery offering has a key advantage over Amazon: choice. Amazon is doubling down on grocery delivery, especially perishables like produce and ice cream. The retail and tech giant said last month that it's expanding same- and next-day grocery delivery to more parts of the US this year, adding to the thousands of towns and cities it already serves — news that sent shares of Instacart and DoorDash tumbling at the time. DoorDash, though, has something that shoppers want and that Amazon isn't replicating, Xu said on the company's fourth-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. Unlike Amazon, which owns Whole Foods and several of its own food brands, DoorDash works with existing grocery chains. The delivery service has struck deals in recent years. Last year, it expanded its partnership with Kroger and signed new deals with regional chains, including Schnucks in the Midwest. Few customers complete all their grocery shopping at a single chain, Xu said. Many stop at multiple stores each week, especially to find specific fresh groceries, such as produce, meat, and seafood. "Consumers prefer choice," Xu said on the call, adding that he expects there to "continue to be very strong interest in the DoorDash product" as a result. DoorDash is also expanding its services for retailers, such as fulfillment through its DashMarts, convenience store-sized retail spaces designed for picking and delivering orders. Xu said DoorDash is "doing that for every single grocer so that they have the capability to compete against companies like Amazon." DoorDash shares rose as much as 14% in after-market trading on Wednesday, despite disappointing fourth-quarter earnings and guidance for 2026. The company's stock took its biggest one-day hit in November after it unveiled plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on tech improvements. While DoorDash has become known for restaurant deliveries, its gig workers are increasingly making grocery deliveries — many of which make more financial sense for DoorDash. Xu said DoorDash has attracted more big grocery orders from customers, not just small fill-in trips. That matters in the grocery industry, where grocers tend to make more money when customers buy a wider range of goods. "People use us for both the quick runs as well as the stock-up use cases," he said. Ravi Inukonda, DoorDash's CFO, said on the call that DoorDash's retail and grocery business expects to "be unit-economic positive" in the second half of 2026. Have a tip? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider

Billionaire investor Vinod Khosla wants to 'rethink' capitalism for the AI era — and suggests scrapping taxes for 125 million people
BusinessBusiness Insider15d ago

Billionaire investor Vinod Khosla wants to 'rethink' capitalism for the AI era — and suggests scrapping taxes for 125 million people

Vinod Khosla says stock prices aren't the way to evaluate AI bubbles. Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images Vinod Khosla says the rise of AI might warrant steeper taxes on capital and none for most workers. The billionaire VC wrote on X that AI displacing workers could shrink the labor part of the economy. Khosla wrote that some popular tax breaks were "special interest goodies" and not "true capitalism." If artificial intelligence eliminates millions of jobs, it might make sense to scrap income taxes for the vast majority of Americans and target capital instead, Vinod Khosla says. "AI will transform economies and need a rethink of capitalism & equity," the billionaire venture capitalist wrote in an X post on Monday. "Labor portion of economy (vs capital) will decline sharply. Should we eliminate preferential treatment of capital gains tax and equalize to ordinary income?" Khosla — who cofounded Sun Microsystems and made the first VC investment in OpenAI — was making the point that AI replacing labor on a grand scale might warrant greater taxes on assets such as stocks and real estate. The veteran financier, who founded Khosla Ventures after leaving Kleiner Perkins, attached a video highlighting some of the jobs that could be taken by AI, from accountants and therapists to truck drivers and chip designers. AI will transform economies and need a rethink of capitalism & equity. Labor portion of economy (vs capital) will decline sharply. Should we eliminate preferential treatment of capital gains tax and equalize to ordinary income? 40% of capital gains taxes are paid by those with… pic.twitter.com/7oSA9xj5Ko — Vinod Khosla (@vkhosla) February 16, 2026 Khosla said in a follow-up post that ramping up taxes on capital would generate so much revenue that the government could scrap taxes for most of the roughly 150 million US taxpayers. "Could easily eliminate bottom 125 million taxpayers from the tax rolls and be revenue neutral at the same time with a capital gains tax equal to ordinary income and a few other tweaks," he wrote. He added that tax breaks such as carrying over tax losses and tax-free borrowing against unrealized gains — which he called a "true abuse!" — are "special interest goodies inserted by lobbyists and campaign contributions, not true capitalism." Khosla didn't address common critiques of higher taxes, including that they can discourage entrepreneurship and investment, that collecting them can be tricky, and that wealthy people may leave the country to avoid them. Khosla has previously underscored that the advent of AI may require sweeping policy changes. He estimated in late 2024 that in 25 years' time, AI could be doing 80% of the work in 80% of all jobs, and universal basic income might be needed to compensate for job destruction. "As AI reduces the need for human labor, UBI could become crucial, with governments playing a key role in regulating AI's impact and ensuring equitable wealth distribution," he wrote on his firm's website. Khosla isn't alone in predicting AI will change the fabric of society. Elon Musk suggested late last year that work could become "optional" and money might become "irrelevant" if advances in AI and robotics generate abundant resources for all. Moreover, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO recently said that retirement savings may not be needed in 10 or 20 years, as everyone might have "whatever stuff they want." However, skeptics such as Michael Burry of "The Big Short" fame have cautioned the AI boom is a speculative bubble, tech companies are overinvesting in microchips and data centers that will quickly become obsolete, and true AI is further away than many think. Read the original article on Business Insider

Irão. "Discurso de Trump foi muito inteligente"
Politicsobservador1d ago

Irão. "Discurso de Trump foi muito inteligente"

Daniela Nunes afirma que Trump universalizou a ameaça iraniana e conseguiu enquadrar ataques como ações de segurança e não de apoio a Israel. Considera que transição de poder no Irão não será rápida.

Universal Vaccine for Covid, Cold, and Flu
Politicstelex6d ago

Universal Vaccine for Covid, Cold, and Flu

A new type of vaccine, administered via nasal spray, aims to be effective against Covid, common cold, and flu simultaneously by training the immune system against multiple pathogens, with promising results so far only in mice.

Dubai Crown Prince’s emotional birthday tribute to son goes viral
CultureTimes of India6d ago

Dubai Crown Prince’s emotional birthday tribute to son goes viral

Dubai's Crown Prince, Fazza, captivated millions with a touching video montage celebrating his son Mohammed's third birthday. The heartwarming compilation, shared on Instagram, beautifully chronicled the young prince's journey from infancy to toddlerhood, featuring intimate family moments. This deeply personal tribute resonated globally, highlighting universal themes of family, time and parental pride.

Breaking Baz: Stars, Filmmakers & Execs Dance The Night Away At Charles Finch & Chanel’s “Dysfunctional” BAFTA Party
Culturedeadline10d ago

Breaking Baz: Stars, Filmmakers & Execs Dance The Night Away At Charles Finch & Chanel’s “Dysfunctional” BAFTA Party

EXCLUSIVE: Surrounded by an array of superstar thespians, Charles Finch welcomed an array of stars and Hollywood’s mightiest studio chiefs to a “dysfunctional evening” also known as the annual pre- BAFTA Party hosted by Finch himself and the very nice people from Chanel. With Dame Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Michael De Luca, […]

Botswana’s diamond-funded health system has failed: it needs to be reformed and rebuilt | Duma Gideon Boko
HealthThe Guardian11d ago

Botswana’s diamond-funded health system has failed: it needs to be reformed and rebuilt | Duma Gideon Boko

As Botswana’s president here is my plan to renew this country’s beleaguered health system – and my vision for a stronger Africa Shortages of medicine in Botswana forced me to declare a public health emergency last year. Patients went without treatment – not because health workers failed them, but because the system did. For a nation committed to universal healthcare, free at the point of use, it was a moment of hard truth. Even outwardly strong public health systems can be fragile. As donor a...

Indian-American Jay Bhattacharya to head CDC in addition to NIH
PoliticsTimes of India12d ago

Indian-American Jay Bhattacharya to head CDC in addition to NIH

President Trump has appointed Indian-American Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead both the NIH and CDC, a first for federal health leadership. This consolidation aims to synchronize health policy, bridging research and implementation. Bhattacharya, a physician and health economist, previously co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, advocating against universal Covid -19 lockdowns.

Do plans for a new Mummy film signal the end for the multiverse blockbuster franchise?
CultureThe Guardian16d ago

Do plans for a new Mummy film signal the end for the multiverse blockbuster franchise?

With audiences fatigued by endlessly interconnected mashups, studios are reverting to movies with one storyline that ends in a natural conclusion – what a radical idea The news this week that Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are to return in a new Mummy film for the first time in a quarter of a century feels a bit like Hollywood stumbling out of a very long house party it doesn’t entirely remember attending. The last time the pair appeared together was 2001, when The Mummy Returns (itself an insipid sequel to 1999’s much better The Mummy) hit multiplexes. Since then we’ve had a spin-off (2002’s The Scorpion King, featuring an early turn from Dwayne Johnson) and a second sequel that didn’t feature Weisz, 2008’s forgettable The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. And then, of course, there was the ill-fated “Dark Universe”, forever immortalised by that solemn publicity photograph of Russell Crowe (Dr Jekyll), Javier Bardem (Frankenstein’s Monster), Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp (The Invisible Man) staring into the middle distance like an ageing goth supergroup. The plan was to launch an interconnected saga in which Jekyll would act as a sort of monster-movie Nick Fury, corralling Dracula, Frankenstein and assorted undead assets into a synergised Marvel-style cinematic ecosystem. Fortunately it rapidly fell apart: 2017’s Cruise-led The Mummy landed with all the grace of a cursed sarcophagus dropped down a lift shaft. And that, as far as the Dark Universe was concerned, was that. Universal pivoted to smaller films such as Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man, while Bardem’s Monster and Depp’s Invisible Man never materialised at all. Continue reading...

German Actor Malick Bauer Makes Debut as Film Producer on Crime Drama ‘Triptych,’ Starring Alongside Iwan Rheon (EXCLUSIVE)
Culturevariety16d ago

German Actor Malick Bauer Makes Debut as Film Producer on Crime Drama ‘Triptych,’ Starring Alongside Iwan Rheon (EXCLUSIVE)

German Actor Malick Bauer, best known for his breakout role in Disney+’s “Sam — A Saxon,” is making his debut as feature film producer on the tentatively titled ensemble crime drama “Triptych,” starring alongside Iwan Rheon (“Game of Thrones”). Described as a high-concept anthology thriller, “Triptych” explores the universal processes that can turn peaceful individuals […]