5 days ago
BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) reported that its investigational lung-cancer drug gotistobart produced a clinically meaningful overall-survival benefit in the Phase 3 PRESERVE-003 trial in patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer whose disease had progressed after prior immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Reuters said gotistobart nearly doubled survival compared with standard-of-care chemotherapy, strengthening the case for the drug as a potential chemotherapy-free treatment in a population with significant unmet need.
The result builds on earlier Stage 1 data, where gotistobart reduced the risk of death by 54% versus docetaxel, with a hazard ratio of 0.46. Median overall survival was not yet reached for gotistobart versus 9.95 months for docetaxel, while the 12-month progression-free survival rate was 25.2% versus 0%. BioNTech is now awaiting the pivotal Stage 2 readout, making the latest result important not only for the drug's approval prospects but also for the credibility of BioNTech's broader transition from a COVID-vaccine company toward a multi-product oncology business.
The strongest bullish argument is that gotistobart now has repeated evidence of a meaningful survival advantage in a difficult-to-treat lung-cancer population. The earlier Stage 1 dataset showed 55.6% of patients alive in the gotistobart arm versus 23.8% with docetaxel, alongside a 54% reduction in the risk of death. The latest Phase 3 update reinforces that signal rather than introducing an entirely new hypothesis. If the pivotal Stage 2 data confirm the benefit, BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) could have a differentiated therapy capable of competing on survival rather than simply response rates, potentially supporting meaningful pricing power and a commercially attractive oncology franchise.
The result also strengthens BioNTech's broader oncology strategy because gotistobart is one piece of a much larger pipeline rather than a standalone bet. BioNTech says it has 14 ongoing pivotal trials and more than 10 novel combination programs, while its lung-cancer strategy spans more than 16 ongoing clinical trials and five Phase 3 programs. Gotistobart's success therefore provides validation for the company's immuno-oncology capabilities, while other ****** ets such as pumitamig and antibody-drug conjugates advance toward additional indications. BioNTech has identified 17+ late-stage or pivotal readouts through 2030+, creating the possibility that a successful gotistobart launch becomes the first major commercial proof point in its planned transition to a multi-product oncology company.
#stage #survival
The result builds on earlier Stage 1 data, where gotistobart reduced the risk of death by 54% versus docetaxel, with a hazard ratio of 0.46. Median overall survival was not yet reached for gotistobart versus 9.95 months for docetaxel, while the 12-month progression-free survival rate was 25.2% versus 0%. BioNTech is now awaiting the pivotal Stage 2 readout, making the latest result important not only for the drug's approval prospects but also for the credibility of BioNTech's broader transition from a COVID-vaccine company toward a multi-product oncology business.
The strongest bullish argument is that gotistobart now has repeated evidence of a meaningful survival advantage in a difficult-to-treat lung-cancer population. The earlier Stage 1 dataset showed 55.6% of patients alive in the gotistobart arm versus 23.8% with docetaxel, alongside a 54% reduction in the risk of death. The latest Phase 3 update reinforces that signal rather than introducing an entirely new hypothesis. If the pivotal Stage 2 data confirm the benefit, BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) could have a differentiated therapy capable of competing on survival rather than simply response rates, potentially supporting meaningful pricing power and a commercially attractive oncology franchise.
The result also strengthens BioNTech's broader oncology strategy because gotistobart is one piece of a much larger pipeline rather than a standalone bet. BioNTech says it has 14 ongoing pivotal trials and more than 10 novel combination programs, while its lung-cancer strategy spans more than 16 ongoing clinical trials and five Phase 3 programs. Gotistobart's success therefore provides validation for the company's immuno-oncology capabilities, while other ****** ets such as pumitamig and antibody-drug conjugates advance toward additional indications. BioNTech has identified 17+ late-stage or pivotal readouts through 2030+, creating the possibility that a successful gotistobart launch becomes the first major commercial proof point in its planned transition to a multi-product oncology company.
#stage #survival
5 days ago
BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) reported that its investigational lung-cancer drug gotistobart produced a clinically meaningful overall-survival benefit in the Phase 3 PRESERVE-003 trial in patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer whose disease had progressed after prior immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Reuters said gotistobart nearly doubled survival compared with standard-of-care chemotherapy, strengthening the case for the drug as a potential chemotherapy-free treatment in a population with significant unmet need.
The result builds on earlier Stage 1 data, where gotistobart reduced the risk of death by 54% versus docetaxel, with a hazard ratio of 0.46. Median overall survival was not yet reached for gotistobart versus 9.95 months for docetaxel, while the 12-month progression-free survival rate was 25.2% versus 0%. BioNTech is now awaiting the pivotal Stage 2 readout, making the latest result important not only for the drug's approval prospects but also for the credibility of BioNTech's broader transition from a COVID-vaccine company toward a multi-product oncology business.
The strongest bullish argument is that gotistobart now has repeated evidence of a meaningful survival advantage in a difficult-to-treat lung-cancer population. The earlier Stage 1 dataset showed 55.6% of patients alive in the gotistobart arm versus 23.8% with docetaxel, alongside a 54% reduction in the risk of death. The latest Phase 3 update reinforces that signal rather than introducing an entirely new hypothesis. If the pivotal Stage 2 data confirm the benefit, BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) could have a differentiated therapy capable of competing on survival rather than simply response rates, potentially supporting meaningful pricing power and a commercially attractive oncology franchise.
The result also strengthens BioNTech's broader oncology strategy because gotistobart is one piece of a much larger pipeline rather than a standalone bet. BioNTech says it has 14 ongoing pivotal trials and more than 10 novel combination programs, while its lung-cancer strategy spans more than 16 ongoing clinical trials and five Phase 3 programs. Gotistobart's success therefore provides validation for the company's immuno-oncology capabilities, while other ***** ets such as pumitamig and antibody-drug conjugates advance toward additional indications. BioNTech has identified 17+ late-stage or pivotal readouts through 2030+, creating the possibility that a successful gotistobart launch becomes the first major commercial proof point in its planned transition to a multi-product oncology company.
#biontech #survival
The result builds on earlier Stage 1 data, where gotistobart reduced the risk of death by 54% versus docetaxel, with a hazard ratio of 0.46. Median overall survival was not yet reached for gotistobart versus 9.95 months for docetaxel, while the 12-month progression-free survival rate was 25.2% versus 0%. BioNTech is now awaiting the pivotal Stage 2 readout, making the latest result important not only for the drug's approval prospects but also for the credibility of BioNTech's broader transition from a COVID-vaccine company toward a multi-product oncology business.
The strongest bullish argument is that gotistobart now has repeated evidence of a meaningful survival advantage in a difficult-to-treat lung-cancer population. The earlier Stage 1 dataset showed 55.6% of patients alive in the gotistobart arm versus 23.8% with docetaxel, alongside a 54% reduction in the risk of death. The latest Phase 3 update reinforces that signal rather than introducing an entirely new hypothesis. If the pivotal Stage 2 data confirm the benefit, BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) could have a differentiated therapy capable of competing on survival rather than simply response rates, potentially supporting meaningful pricing power and a commercially attractive oncology franchise.
The result also strengthens BioNTech's broader oncology strategy because gotistobart is one piece of a much larger pipeline rather than a standalone bet. BioNTech says it has 14 ongoing pivotal trials and more than 10 novel combination programs, while its lung-cancer strategy spans more than 16 ongoing clinical trials and five Phase 3 programs. Gotistobart's success therefore provides validation for the company's immuno-oncology capabilities, while other ***** ets such as pumitamig and antibody-drug conjugates advance toward additional indications. BioNTech has identified 17+ late-stage or pivotal readouts through 2030+, creating the possibility that a successful gotistobart launch becomes the first major commercial proof point in its planned transition to a multi-product oncology company.
#biontech #survival
5 days ago
By Tom Hals
WILMINGTON, Delaware, Sept 15 (Reuters) - As U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to crack down on what he says is widespread illegal voting by noncitizens, several people charged with that crime are trying a novel strategy to get their cases dropped.
Five people being prosecuted in separate federal cases in Miami and Madison, Wisconsin, have argued for the first time in court that the 1996 law used to charge them is unconstitutional, according to a Reuters review of court filings.
A ruling for the defendants, which could come before the November 3 midterm elections, would raise questions about the federal government's authority to prosecute noncitizen voting cases. The Trump administration has pushed to deport noncitizen voters, raising the stakes for defendants who previously faced as little as a $150 fine if convicted.
The defendants were accused of violating the federal "Voting by Aliens" statute enacted three decades ago. The law makes it illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and violators can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for up to a year.
#cases #people
WILMINGTON, Delaware, Sept 15 (Reuters) - As U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to crack down on what he says is widespread illegal voting by noncitizens, several people charged with that crime are trying a novel strategy to get their cases dropped.
Five people being prosecuted in separate federal cases in Miami and Madison, Wisconsin, have argued for the first time in court that the 1996 law used to charge them is unconstitutional, according to a Reuters review of court filings.
A ruling for the defendants, which could come before the November 3 midterm elections, would raise questions about the federal government's authority to prosecute noncitizen voting cases. The Trump administration has pushed to deport noncitizen voters, raising the stakes for defendants who previously faced as little as a $150 fine if convicted.
The defendants were accused of violating the federal "Voting by Aliens" statute enacted three decades ago. The law makes it illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and violators can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for up to a year.
#cases #people
5 days ago
By Brad Brooks
COLUMBIA FALLS, Montana, Sept 16 (Reuters) - More than 15 years after the U.S. Supreme Court reshaped American politics with its Citizens United campaign finance ruling, Montana voters will decide this November whether to make their state the first in the nation to bar corporations from spending money on elections through a ballot initiative.
It's a test case for a novel legal strategy that sidesteps the 2010 ruling rather than challenging it head-on -- and taps into growing, bipartisan anger over the pervasiveness of so-called dark money in elections.
"Americans are losing the belief that they have any influence over our politics," said Tom Moore, a lawyer with the Center for American Progress left-leaning think tank in Washington and the legal architect of the movement.
With similar, coordinated efforts underway in over 30 states, Montana could help set a critical precedent, experts say, and potentially lead to another showdown at the Supreme Court. Hawaii's legislature passed a similar law earlier this year, inspired by those behind the effort here.
#court #similar
COLUMBIA FALLS, Montana, Sept 16 (Reuters) - More than 15 years after the U.S. Supreme Court reshaped American politics with its Citizens United campaign finance ruling, Montana voters will decide this November whether to make their state the first in the nation to bar corporations from spending money on elections through a ballot initiative.
It's a test case for a novel legal strategy that sidesteps the 2010 ruling rather than challenging it head-on -- and taps into growing, bipartisan anger over the pervasiveness of so-called dark money in elections.
"Americans are losing the belief that they have any influence over our politics," said Tom Moore, a lawyer with the Center for American Progress left-leaning think tank in Washington and the legal architect of the movement.
With similar, coordinated efforts underway in over 30 states, Montana could help set a critical precedent, experts say, and potentially lead to another showdown at the Supreme Court. Hawaii's legislature passed a similar law earlier this year, inspired by those behind the effort here.
#court #similar
5 days ago
Parnassus Investments, an investment management company, released the "Parnassus Growth Equity Fund" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. During the quarter, the Fund (Investor Shares) returned 17.49% (net of fees), outperforming the Russell 1000 Growth Index's 16.74%. Holdings in Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors boosted relative returns, while Communication Services and Financials holdings detracted. For the year-to-date period, the Fund returned 6.17% (net of fees), outperforming the Russell 1000 Growth's 5.33%. The firm remains constructively bullish on U.S. equities and continues to be selective, valuation-sensitive, and focused on disruptive growth opportunities through active stock selection. Growth stocks advanced during the second quarter, as the Russell 1000 Growth Index generated strong double-digit returns driven by increased confidence in the durability of the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure build-out. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Parnassus Growth Equity Fund highlighted Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) as a new addition. Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) is a clinical-stage precision oncology company that develops novel targeted therapies for RAS-addicted cancers. On September 15, 2026, Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) closed at $204.86 per share. Over the past month, Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) declined 6.53% and its shares gained 358.00% over the past 52 weeks. Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) has a market capitalization of $43.91 billion.
Parnassus Growth Equity Fund stated the following regarding Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"In the Health Care sector, we see compelling long-term idiosyncratic growth opportunities in drug discovery, diagnostics and medical innovation. During the quarter, we added Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD), developer of a promising new drug for pancreatic cancer. Revolution Medicines' lead drug candidate, daraxonrasib, has delivered strong late-stage clinical results in pancreatic cancer, with data suggesting it could become a new standard of care and support significant commercial potential, alongside additional opportunities in other cancers over time."
Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) is not on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. According to our database, 105 hedge fund portfolios held Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) at the end of the second quarter, compared to 106 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Tr
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Parnassus Growth Equity Fund highlighted Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) as a new addition. Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) is a clinical-stage precision oncology company that develops novel targeted therapies for RAS-addicted cancers. On September 15, 2026, Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) closed at $204.86 per share. Over the past month, Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) declined 6.53% and its shares gained 358.00% over the past 52 weeks. Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) has a market capitalization of $43.91 billion.
Parnassus Growth Equity Fund stated the following regarding Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"In the Health Care sector, we see compelling long-term idiosyncratic growth opportunities in drug discovery, diagnostics and medical innovation. During the quarter, we added Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD), developer of a promising new drug for pancreatic cancer. Revolution Medicines' lead drug candidate, daraxonrasib, has delivered strong late-stage clinical results in pancreatic cancer, with data suggesting it could become a new standard of care and support significant commercial potential, alongside additional opportunities in other cancers over time."
Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) is not on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. According to our database, 105 hedge fund portfolios held Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) at the end of the second quarter, compared to 106 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Tr
9 days ago
What's been exciting about Robinhood Chain (RHC) is seeing tokens attempt new mechanisms to answer questions like: why would someone hold this token? How can we make participating in this token attractive? And, more broadly, how can market activity around a token overall be designed to contribute to its success?
All new projects should ask this and the best ones do, but when you have a new chain, with a new market and new infrastructure, it can be sort of a "clean slate" or fresh design ***** e and breathe new life into the solutions to such questions.
The dominant answer right now seems to be distributions: hold this token and get stock, tokens, etc. Below are projects which execute this with a twist, expanding either the type of rewards or the source for rewards that end up in the hands of holders.
Others attempt to answer the second question, experimenting with new infrastructure that tries to make market activity, of whatever kind, directly contribute to the token's success.
These are all shared to give you a sense of what novelty can look like amidst this meta and act as a guiding force to understand what's been done, what's working, and overall where to direct your attention towards.
#make
All new projects should ask this and the best ones do, but when you have a new chain, with a new market and new infrastructure, it can be sort of a "clean slate" or fresh design ***** e and breathe new life into the solutions to such questions.
The dominant answer right now seems to be distributions: hold this token and get stock, tokens, etc. Below are projects which execute this with a twist, expanding either the type of rewards or the source for rewards that end up in the hands of holders.
Others attempt to answer the second question, experimenting with new infrastructure that tries to make market activity, of whatever kind, directly contribute to the token's success.
These are all shared to give you a sense of what novelty can look like amidst this meta and act as a guiding force to understand what's been done, what's working, and overall where to direct your attention towards.
#make
9 days ago
Art imitates life imitates...
In summer 2026, word started to spread that the movie star at the center of Rachel Cusk's new novel, Life of M, appeared to draw heavily from the life and career of Natalie Portman, who had previously met Cusk, praised her writing, and promoted her work through her book club. While Cusk has resisted confirming the connection and Portman herself has not publicly addressed it, sources close to the actress have denied that she had any involvement in the book. Life of M is hardly the first time a seemingly fictional character has closely resembled a real-world figure.
Still, as Cusk recently put it to The New York Times, while skirting the question of M's real-life parallels: "Famous people enter the public imagination... it is part of fame's deal, and part of its tragedy."
Here are nine instances in which a celebrity has seen themselves reflected in a fictional character — and weighed in. Many of them didn't bother holding back.
Anna Wintour at the 2025 Met Gala; Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada'
Credit: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic; 20th Century Fox
#real
In summer 2026, word started to spread that the movie star at the center of Rachel Cusk's new novel, Life of M, appeared to draw heavily from the life and career of Natalie Portman, who had previously met Cusk, praised her writing, and promoted her work through her book club. While Cusk has resisted confirming the connection and Portman herself has not publicly addressed it, sources close to the actress have denied that she had any involvement in the book. Life of M is hardly the first time a seemingly fictional character has closely resembled a real-world figure.
Still, as Cusk recently put it to The New York Times, while skirting the question of M's real-life parallels: "Famous people enter the public imagination... it is part of fame's deal, and part of its tragedy."
Here are nine instances in which a celebrity has seen themselves reflected in a fictional character — and weighed in. Many of them didn't bother holding back.
Anna Wintour at the 2025 Met Gala; Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada'
Credit: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic; 20th Century Fox
#real
14 days ago
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber cuddled up in the PDA-filled debut issue of WYouth, a print publication aimed at the next generation of teens, and shared the films, songs and novels that they return to.
The images, taken by the Biebers on a Contax point-and-shoot camera, feature the couple mid-makeout, a shirtless Justin Bieber sleeping under the sheets and a close-up of the two canoodling in bed.
The Rhode beauty founder revealed Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" as her go-to karaoke song, with Justin Bieber name-dropping "With You" by Chris Brown. Fans will remember the "Baby" singer's rendition of the R&B song from a 2008 YouTube video, which has garnered more than 65 million views.
The couple also detailed their favorite films and books. The "Everything Hallelujah" singer picked "The Grinch" and the Bible, whereas Hailey Bieber named the Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn-led rom-com "The Break-Up" and the children's book series "Angelina Ballerina," which she loved growing up, as her favorites.
Hailey and Justin Bieber also described their favorite ways to relax (the spa), favorite cities (a split between New York and Los Angeles) and favorite holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas). They both agreed that picking an all-time favorite artist was simply "too hard."
#song
The images, taken by the Biebers on a Contax point-and-shoot camera, feature the couple mid-makeout, a shirtless Justin Bieber sleeping under the sheets and a close-up of the two canoodling in bed.
The Rhode beauty founder revealed Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" as her go-to karaoke song, with Justin Bieber name-dropping "With You" by Chris Brown. Fans will remember the "Baby" singer's rendition of the R&B song from a 2008 YouTube video, which has garnered more than 65 million views.
The couple also detailed their favorite films and books. The "Everything Hallelujah" singer picked "The Grinch" and the Bible, whereas Hailey Bieber named the Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn-led rom-com "The Break-Up" and the children's book series "Angelina Ballerina," which she loved growing up, as her favorites.
Hailey and Justin Bieber also described their favorite ways to relax (the spa), favorite cities (a split between New York and Los Angeles) and favorite holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas). They both agreed that picking an all-time favorite artist was simply "too hard."
#song
14 days ago
I'll never forget the first time I encountered Grindr. In 2009, I was enjoying happy hour at Cobalt, a since-shuttered gay bar in D.C.'s Dupont Circle. My friend, spying the mustard skull on an iPhone (first released in 2007!) from across the room, nudged me. "That's the gay hookup app," he whispered scandalously.
When I got over the stigma of downloading Grindr, I was astounded how easy it was to flirt with nearby queer men — and to network. During RuPaul's Drag Race season 3, I changed my username to "Team Jujubee," a nod to a frontrunner, which helped me find a viewing-party friend in my neighborhood. When I lived in New York, I would sometimes engage in friendly chats with the app's gay founder, Joel Simkhai, who'd pop up on my grid from time to time.
For good and ill, tech and our relationship with it has changed a lot since the aughts. Gay apps are no longer a battery-draining novelty; for many, they're as quotidian as texting, a digital town square where a Madonna takeover and catfishing are commonplace. Many, like Grindr, are also now owned by straight people. And no need to comb the upper reaches of Cablevision's channels to find Drag Race anymore — there's an app for that too (several, in fact, depending on the region and season).
This is Out's Tech Issue, and we could think of no better cover stars that encapsulate this queer new media landscape than Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. These queens went through the TV crucible of the House of Ru to emerge as stars of social media and the podcast world. (Their popular podcast, The Bald and the Beautiful, just signed a three-year deal with SiriusXM.) In their cover story on page 36, the media mavens discuss their dizzying rise through the digital spheres — and how their real-life friendship has kept them grounded.
Elsewhere in cyberspace, the advent of artificial intelligence has brought many miracles but also new terrors in how our data can be exploited. Learn how to protect yourself in the online dating world via Last Call (page 58). Technology does have its benefits; find ways it can improve your looks in our Beauty guide (page 26). But it's also important to find ways to unplug. In Out Picks, our editors highlight products that help them blissfully disconnect (page 8).
#time #drag #first
When I got over the stigma of downloading Grindr, I was astounded how easy it was to flirt with nearby queer men — and to network. During RuPaul's Drag Race season 3, I changed my username to "Team Jujubee," a nod to a frontrunner, which helped me find a viewing-party friend in my neighborhood. When I lived in New York, I would sometimes engage in friendly chats with the app's gay founder, Joel Simkhai, who'd pop up on my grid from time to time.
For good and ill, tech and our relationship with it has changed a lot since the aughts. Gay apps are no longer a battery-draining novelty; for many, they're as quotidian as texting, a digital town square where a Madonna takeover and catfishing are commonplace. Many, like Grindr, are also now owned by straight people. And no need to comb the upper reaches of Cablevision's channels to find Drag Race anymore — there's an app for that too (several, in fact, depending on the region and season).
This is Out's Tech Issue, and we could think of no better cover stars that encapsulate this queer new media landscape than Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. These queens went through the TV crucible of the House of Ru to emerge as stars of social media and the podcast world. (Their popular podcast, The Bald and the Beautiful, just signed a three-year deal with SiriusXM.) In their cover story on page 36, the media mavens discuss their dizzying rise through the digital spheres — and how their real-life friendship has kept them grounded.
Elsewhere in cyberspace, the advent of artificial intelligence has brought many miracles but also new terrors in how our data can be exploited. Learn how to protect yourself in the online dating world via Last Call (page 58). Technology does have its benefits; find ways it can improve your looks in our Beauty guide (page 26). But it's also important to find ways to unplug. In Out Picks, our editors highlight products that help them blissfully disconnect (page 8).
#time #drag #first
16 days ago
Natalie Portman is now a mom of three.
Portman, 45, welcomed her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, in Paris last month, according to People.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
How Natalie Portman Got Caught in Novelist Rachel Cusk's Autofiction Trap
Rachel Cusk's New Novel May Be Dark Portrait of Natalie Portman
#portman #tanguy
Portman, 45, welcomed her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, in Paris last month, according to People.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
How Natalie Portman Got Caught in Novelist Rachel Cusk's Autofiction Trap
Rachel Cusk's New Novel May Be Dark Portrait of Natalie Portman
#portman #tanguy
16 days ago
Well, there is something about first love. You don't forget it so easily, especially when the story begins with a suspenseful, romance-novel twist. That was certainly the case for social media star Alix Earle and New York Giants wide receiver Braxton Berrios. Earle originally sparked curiosity back in 2023 when she casually introduced him to her followers as the mysterious "NFL man" she was making sushi with. After nearly three years together, the fan-favorite couple officially called it quits last December.
As Earle decided to move on from that chapter of her life, she rented a big truck to move out of her ex-boyfriend's house two months after the breakup. With her best friend Sally in the passenger seat and Earle behind the wheel, the content creator discussed what went wrong between the couple.
"There's a ton of pressure that comes from, like, having a public relationship and sharing so much and people loving our relationship. But we were both busy in our careers and doing long distance at the time. We weren't talking as much. We were barely communicating. There was a lack of intimacy towards the end of the relationship, and it started to just, like, dwindle away a little bit,"Earle said on the first episode of reality series Earle Meets World, released on Friday on Netflix.
Earle and Berrios met at a Gatsby-themed party in Miami. A friend of Berrios approached Earle to tell her to talk to Berrios, so Earle walked up to Berrios, shoved her hand in his face, and asked, "You wanted to meet me?" The two eventually hit it off, but Earle had to leave the party early without saying goodbye to the WR.
Braxton Berrios keeps the drama going both on and off the field. Subscribe for more interesting stories.
#first #friend
As Earle decided to move on from that chapter of her life, she rented a big truck to move out of her ex-boyfriend's house two months after the breakup. With her best friend Sally in the passenger seat and Earle behind the wheel, the content creator discussed what went wrong between the couple.
"There's a ton of pressure that comes from, like, having a public relationship and sharing so much and people loving our relationship. But we were both busy in our careers and doing long distance at the time. We weren't talking as much. We were barely communicating. There was a lack of intimacy towards the end of the relationship, and it started to just, like, dwindle away a little bit,"Earle said on the first episode of reality series Earle Meets World, released on Friday on Netflix.
Earle and Berrios met at a Gatsby-themed party in Miami. A friend of Berrios approached Earle to tell her to talk to Berrios, so Earle walked up to Berrios, shoved her hand in his face, and asked, "You wanted to meet me?" The two eventually hit it off, but Earle had to leave the party early without saying goodbye to the WR.
Braxton Berrios keeps the drama going both on and off the field. Subscribe for more interesting stories.
#first #friend
16 days ago
After years as both an actor and a screenwriter, Cliff Dorfman is ready to set the stage for the next phase of his Hollywood career with his most personal project to date.
Dorfman, 58, rose to prominence in the 1990s with supporting roles on "Beverly Hills, 90210," among other shows. After shifting his focus to screenwriting, he wrote 14 episodes of HBO's "Entourage" and co-wrote the screenplay for the 2011 feature film "Warrior," starring Tom Hardy.
Buzz: Jameela Jamil Declares Botox A 'Prison' For Women: 'We Have Lost A Grip On Reality'
Despite those accomplishments, Dorfman says, he never had a chance to "understand my own story — and to survive it" until he wrote "Crime Family," his debut novel. Published in July, the 287-page thriller follows Chase Forman, a Hollywood writer who returns to his native Long Island, New York, to **** ist his family as his adoptive father's health and mental acuity decline.
Though Chase has spent most of his adulthood distancing himself from the Formans, he soon discovers that his family is part of an organized crime empire, with his adoptive mother, Helene, personally overseeing an international money-laundering operation. What follows is a gripping bicoastal chase as Chase and his family members become fugitives on the run from the FBI.
#family #dorfman #adoptive #cliff
Dorfman, 58, rose to prominence in the 1990s with supporting roles on "Beverly Hills, 90210," among other shows. After shifting his focus to screenwriting, he wrote 14 episodes of HBO's "Entourage" and co-wrote the screenplay for the 2011 feature film "Warrior," starring Tom Hardy.
Buzz: Jameela Jamil Declares Botox A 'Prison' For Women: 'We Have Lost A Grip On Reality'
Despite those accomplishments, Dorfman says, he never had a chance to "understand my own story — and to survive it" until he wrote "Crime Family," his debut novel. Published in July, the 287-page thriller follows Chase Forman, a Hollywood writer who returns to his native Long Island, New York, to **** ist his family as his adoptive father's health and mental acuity decline.
Though Chase has spent most of his adulthood distancing himself from the Formans, he soon discovers that his family is part of an organized crime empire, with his adoptive mother, Helene, personally overseeing an international money-laundering operation. What follows is a gripping bicoastal chase as Chase and his family members become fugitives on the run from the FBI.
#family #dorfman #adoptive #cliff
17 days ago
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
The U.S. ETF industry is pushing back against the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) broad review of "novel ETFs."
ETF professionals argue an overly wide definition could slow product launches and undermine one of the market's biggest advantages, even as increasingly complex funds test the boundaries of the traditional ETF structure, per a Reuters report.
The SEC opened the review in June after delaying a wave of proposed prediction-market ETFs. Its request covers ETFs that invest in innovative ***** et classes or use unconventional strategies and asks whether existing rules adequately address investor protection, market integrity, and the registration process.
More than 20 industry participants submitted comments around the Aug. 31 deadline, with the docket showing submissions from Charles Schwab, Franklin Templeton, Jane Street, Cboe Global Markets, Grayscale Investments, 21Shares, Andreessen Horowitz and Kalshi.
#industry #finance #securities #june
The U.S. ETF industry is pushing back against the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) broad review of "novel ETFs."
ETF professionals argue an overly wide definition could slow product launches and undermine one of the market's biggest advantages, even as increasingly complex funds test the boundaries of the traditional ETF structure, per a Reuters report.
The SEC opened the review in June after delaying a wave of proposed prediction-market ETFs. Its request covers ETFs that invest in innovative ***** et classes or use unconventional strategies and asks whether existing rules adequately address investor protection, market integrity, and the registration process.
More than 20 industry participants submitted comments around the Aug. 31 deadline, with the docket showing submissions from Charles Schwab, Franklin Templeton, Jane Street, Cboe Global Markets, Grayscale Investments, 21Shares, Andreessen Horowitz and Kalshi.
#industry #finance #securities #june
20 days ago
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
OpenAI revealed that its nascent advertising business has achieved a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate, a significant milestone reached within just 200 days of its inception.
The Sam Altman-led company **** ured on Monday that its ads are distinctly marked and do not affect ChatGPT's responses. Moreover, advertisers are not given access to users' private conversations, reported CNBC.
The advertising arm, which is barely 200 days old, supplements OpenAI's existing revenue channels, such as enterprise solutions, consumer subscriptions, and usage-based application programming interfaces.
In a press release, the company stated, "Our next phase of growth will bring ChatGPT Ads to more markets and introduce additional formats, objectives, buying options, and measurement capabilities." OpenAI also intends to explore novel ways for businesses to engage with consumers more organically within ChatGPT.
#within #benzinga #finance #altman
OpenAI revealed that its nascent advertising business has achieved a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate, a significant milestone reached within just 200 days of its inception.
The Sam Altman-led company **** ured on Monday that its ads are distinctly marked and do not affect ChatGPT's responses. Moreover, advertisers are not given access to users' private conversations, reported CNBC.
The advertising arm, which is barely 200 days old, supplements OpenAI's existing revenue channels, such as enterprise solutions, consumer subscriptions, and usage-based application programming interfaces.
In a press release, the company stated, "Our next phase of growth will bring ChatGPT Ads to more markets and introduce additional formats, objectives, buying options, and measurement capabilities." OpenAI also intends to explore novel ways for businesses to engage with consumers more organically within ChatGPT.
#within #benzinga #finance #altman
20 days ago
Two new working papers circulated by the authoritative National Bureau of Economic Research show the double squeeze the U.S. dollar and the Treasury market are facing both overseas and at home.
The first, from a team of European Central Bank and Banque de France economists, show how official demand for dollar ******* ets is waning as central banks increasingly seek sanctuary in gold after Russian ******* ets were frozen following the launch of the war on Ukraine in 2022. It's a topic that has certainly been discussed, but the paper quantifies that shift, finding nonaligned countries have moved nearly one-third of total reserve portfolios away from foreign-currency claims.
'It's not fair': My twin brother and I were left houses by our parents. Can I make him pay his share for taxes and upkeep?
'I feel tricked': My contractor handed my $42,000 pool upgrade to a subcontractor I had already rejected. What can I do?
Perhaps the more intriguing new paper comes from Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Ricardo Caballero, who talks about a safe-debt Laffer Curve. The Laffer Curve represents the theory that, at a certain level, revenue actually starts to fall rather than rise as tax rates increase. Caballero's novel idea is that, at a certain level, federal debt actually hurts aggregate demand rather than helps it.
#curve #central #debt
The first, from a team of European Central Bank and Banque de France economists, show how official demand for dollar ******* ets is waning as central banks increasingly seek sanctuary in gold after Russian ******* ets were frozen following the launch of the war on Ukraine in 2022. It's a topic that has certainly been discussed, but the paper quantifies that shift, finding nonaligned countries have moved nearly one-third of total reserve portfolios away from foreign-currency claims.
'It's not fair': My twin brother and I were left houses by our parents. Can I make him pay his share for taxes and upkeep?
'I feel tricked': My contractor handed my $42,000 pool upgrade to a subcontractor I had already rejected. What can I do?
Perhaps the more intriguing new paper comes from Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Ricardo Caballero, who talks about a safe-debt Laffer Curve. The Laffer Curve represents the theory that, at a certain level, revenue actually starts to fall rather than rise as tax rates increase. Caballero's novel idea is that, at a certain level, federal debt actually hurts aggregate demand rather than helps it.
#curve #central #debt
21 days ago
It's reasonable to **** ume that people only really talk about Taylor Swift's outfits because she's Taylor Swift. But even beyond the hype, the Grammy winner has proven time and again that she possesses an impeccable fashion sense. The "Shake It Off" hitmaker knows how to cleverly build each public appearance to reward a closer look, whether it's the best outfits Swift has worn in every era of her career or a casual 2026 street style moment during which Swift perfectly nailed the '70s nostalgia look with only two items of clothing. On May 15, 2026, she and her then-fiancé Travis Kelce were photographed enjoying a night out on the town in Manhattan. The singer-songwriter was wearing some of the most expensive jewelry out there, but her dreamy ensemble was what stole the show.
Aeon/Getty
Understandably, what everybody noticed first was the dress — a gorgeous, cream-colored midi scattered with faded blue olive sprigs. Paired with beige, strappy leather sandals, the "I Knew You Were Trouble" hitmaker looked like she'd walked straight out of an Emily Brontë or Jane Austen novel. Swift's lipstick, the one colorful stroke in an otherwise neutral palette, is definitely worth a closer look, too. The pop star opted for a rosy shade, though not so bright as to look jarring against the rest of the outfit, which consisted mostly of muted florals. It complemented everything seamlessly, hammering home that prairie vibe she was going for. Being one of her last date-night looks as a bride-to-be before the July 3 ceremony, it offered yet another look into why Swift's story-rich aesthetic is one of a kind, and why we keep chasing the details well after the moment has passed.
Read more: Male Celebrities Who Were Unrecognizable After Plastic Surgery
Aeon/Getty Images
#hitmaker
Aeon/Getty
Understandably, what everybody noticed first was the dress — a gorgeous, cream-colored midi scattered with faded blue olive sprigs. Paired with beige, strappy leather sandals, the "I Knew You Were Trouble" hitmaker looked like she'd walked straight out of an Emily Brontë or Jane Austen novel. Swift's lipstick, the one colorful stroke in an otherwise neutral palette, is definitely worth a closer look, too. The pop star opted for a rosy shade, though not so bright as to look jarring against the rest of the outfit, which consisted mostly of muted florals. It complemented everything seamlessly, hammering home that prairie vibe she was going for. Being one of her last date-night looks as a bride-to-be before the July 3 ceremony, it offered yet another look into why Swift's story-rich aesthetic is one of a kind, and why we keep chasing the details well after the moment has passed.
Read more: Male Celebrities Who Were Unrecognizable After Plastic Surgery
Aeon/Getty Images
#hitmaker
23 days ago
Eva Longoria says her 8-year-old son Santiago has become "obsessed" with memes of her 'Desperate Housewives' character
The actress recently reflected on memorable moments for PEOPLE's One Last Thing, including being starstruck over Tom Cruise and a wardrobe mishap in Cannes
Longoria stars in 'The Last Sunrise', based on Anna Todd's novel, now streaming on Prime Video
Eva Longoria has a few rules when it comes to raising her son Santiago, 8, whom she shares with husband, José Antonio "Pepe" Bastón.
The actress, 51, who is starring in Prime Video's new film, The Last Sunrise (based on the beloved novel), recently chatted with PEOPLE for this week's One Last Thing. Asked about the last time she watched her hit ABC series Desperate Housewives, Longoria admitted her son has become a little "obsessed" with memes of her character Gabrielle Solis on YouTube.
#sunrise
The actress recently reflected on memorable moments for PEOPLE's One Last Thing, including being starstruck over Tom Cruise and a wardrobe mishap in Cannes
Longoria stars in 'The Last Sunrise', based on Anna Todd's novel, now streaming on Prime Video
Eva Longoria has a few rules when it comes to raising her son Santiago, 8, whom she shares with husband, José Antonio "Pepe" Bastón.
The actress, 51, who is starring in Prime Video's new film, The Last Sunrise (based on the beloved novel), recently chatted with PEOPLE for this week's One Last Thing. Asked about the last time she watched her hit ABC series Desperate Housewives, Longoria admitted her son has become a little "obsessed" with memes of her character Gabrielle Solis on YouTube.
#sunrise
24 days ago
The PGA Tour finally pulled the trigger on a massive overhaul for its season finale. After years of sticking to the same starting-strokes format at East Lake, the circuit is shifting to a two-week match play event. We're seeing a complete reinvention of how the season ends, not just a tweak. The changes kick in for the 2028 season. Fans who love the drama of head-to-head golf now have a reason to tune in for the final two weeks of the year.
The new structure breaks the final event into two distinct parts. The first week features a group stage, according to Golf Monthly. Thirty-two players will split into eight groups of four. They will play three rounds of stroke play within their groups. The top two from each group move on. Week two shifts to pure match play. This format hasn't been seen on the PGA Tour since the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour CEO, addressed the media ahead of the current Tour Championship to clarify the path forward. He noted that the current model is just the start of a broader evolution.
The goal is to create more excitement and higher stakes. The season-long points list will still determine who qualifies. The top 32 on that list earn their spot in the finale. But the way they compete will be totally different. The top 90 players on the points list will still retain their cards, but only the elite 32 get to fight for the trophy in this new way.
For years, East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta has been the only home for the Tour Championship. That ends in 2028. The tournament will now rotate between prestigious venues. The Tour has promised to include courses that the modern circuit hasn't traditionally been able to feature. This opens up the door for historic layouts to host the finale. Rolapp confirmed that conversations are already underway to secure these new locations. He told reporters that East Lake is still a strong option for the future, but it won't hold a monopoly anymore.
East Lake remains among the options being considered for upcoming Tour Championship events. This flexibility allows the Tour to bring the championship to different markets and fan bases. It also adds a layer of novelty that the starting-strokes format lacked. The rotation ensures that the final event feels like a grand tour rather than a local fixture.
#east #play #season #golf
The new structure breaks the final event into two distinct parts. The first week features a group stage, according to Golf Monthly. Thirty-two players will split into eight groups of four. They will play three rounds of stroke play within their groups. The top two from each group move on. Week two shifts to pure match play. This format hasn't been seen on the PGA Tour since the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour CEO, addressed the media ahead of the current Tour Championship to clarify the path forward. He noted that the current model is just the start of a broader evolution.
The goal is to create more excitement and higher stakes. The season-long points list will still determine who qualifies. The top 32 on that list earn their spot in the finale. But the way they compete will be totally different. The top 90 players on the points list will still retain their cards, but only the elite 32 get to fight for the trophy in this new way.
For years, East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta has been the only home for the Tour Championship. That ends in 2028. The tournament will now rotate between prestigious venues. The Tour has promised to include courses that the modern circuit hasn't traditionally been able to feature. This opens up the door for historic layouts to host the finale. Rolapp confirmed that conversations are already underway to secure these new locations. He told reporters that East Lake is still a strong option for the future, but it won't hold a monopoly anymore.
East Lake remains among the options being considered for upcoming Tour Championship events. This flexibility allows the Tour to bring the championship to different markets and fan bases. It also adds a layer of novelty that the starting-strokes format lacked. The rotation ensures that the final event feels like a grand tour rather than a local fixture.
#east #play #season #golf
25 days ago
Less than a day after the passing of legendary country music icon and entrepreneur Dolly Parton, another beloved celebrity has shuffled off this mortal coil. Tim Curry has passed away at the age of 80. The actor succumbed to health effects from a 2012 stroke on August 25, 2026.
Tim Curry was the child of a British Navy veteran and spent his youth in various foreign countries until settling in the seaside town of Plymouth when he was 11. He was interested in acting from a young age and turned that interest into serious study at the University of Birmingham. When he graduated in 1968, he was almost immediately cast in the London production of the hit play Hair.
It was there that history would be made when Tim Curry met Richard O'Brien, the writer of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The iconic role of Dr. Frank N. Furter was written specifically for Curry and elevated him to fame when it was adapted to film and became a cult classic. It was his flamboyant, Bowie-esque performance that made him a household name, even as his career in British television was also bringing him success.
He continued to act on stage throughout his career, but the 1980s saw him move to Hollywood as more film roles became available to him. He played the villain, aptly named Darkness, in Legend, and submarine medical officer Dr. Yevgeniy Petrov in The Hunt for Red October. But it was his comedy roles as the butler Wadsworth in Clue and as the harried hotel concierge Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York that brought him back into the spotlight after his Rocky Horror fame.
Curry did play dramatic roles, such as the conniving Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers and fortune-hunter Herkermer ******* lka in Congo, but on film, it was his zany antics that earned him recognition. His 1996 appearance as Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, a movie that built its success from the novelty of having made A Muppet Christmas Carol with Michael Caine, cemented Curry's status as a star. Like the ******* ens adaptation, the Muppet version of the Robert Lewis Stephenson classic became one of the most definitive film versions of the book.
#film #muppet #made
Tim Curry was the child of a British Navy veteran and spent his youth in various foreign countries until settling in the seaside town of Plymouth when he was 11. He was interested in acting from a young age and turned that interest into serious study at the University of Birmingham. When he graduated in 1968, he was almost immediately cast in the London production of the hit play Hair.
It was there that history would be made when Tim Curry met Richard O'Brien, the writer of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The iconic role of Dr. Frank N. Furter was written specifically for Curry and elevated him to fame when it was adapted to film and became a cult classic. It was his flamboyant, Bowie-esque performance that made him a household name, even as his career in British television was also bringing him success.
He continued to act on stage throughout his career, but the 1980s saw him move to Hollywood as more film roles became available to him. He played the villain, aptly named Darkness, in Legend, and submarine medical officer Dr. Yevgeniy Petrov in The Hunt for Red October. But it was his comedy roles as the butler Wadsworth in Clue and as the harried hotel concierge Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York that brought him back into the spotlight after his Rocky Horror fame.
Curry did play dramatic roles, such as the conniving Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers and fortune-hunter Herkermer ******* lka in Congo, but on film, it was his zany antics that earned him recognition. His 1996 appearance as Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, a movie that built its success from the novelty of having made A Muppet Christmas Carol with Michael Caine, cemented Curry's status as a star. Like the ******* ens adaptation, the Muppet version of the Robert Lewis Stephenson classic became one of the most definitive film versions of the book.
#film #muppet #made
25 days ago
Jack Jordan's thrillers will debut in North America in 2027 through an eight-book deal with Hanover Square Press
In an exclusive interview, the bestselling author speaks with PEOPLE about writing morally-complex stories, growing his readership and working on the Hulu adaptation of his 2023 novel Conviction
"I love stories that stay with you and haunt you," Jordan says
Eleven years into his publishing career, and Jack Jordan, the U.K.-based author of nine thrillers, including 2023's Conviction, isn't slowing down.
Now, Jordan's beloved novels are arriving on the other side of the Atlantic. The author's thrillers will be available in the United States and Canada for the first time in an eight-book deal through Hanover Square Press, kicking off with Conviction in 2027.
"The American readers I have so far that have found my work from across the pond have become avid readers," Jordan, 33, tells PEOPLE. "I can't wait for that readership to expand and for the conversations to grow."
Becoming a Sunday Times bestseller, however, wasn't originally part of the plan. Raised in a working-class family in the English county of Essex, Jordan was a dedicated reader, who grew up devouring books by Jacqueline Wilson and Malorie Blackman. But he didn't see being an author as a feasible career path for himself.
Jack Jordan
Credit: Harry Livingstone
#thrillers
In an exclusive interview, the bestselling author speaks with PEOPLE about writing morally-complex stories, growing his readership and working on the Hulu adaptation of his 2023 novel Conviction
"I love stories that stay with you and haunt you," Jordan says
Eleven years into his publishing career, and Jack Jordan, the U.K.-based author of nine thrillers, including 2023's Conviction, isn't slowing down.
Now, Jordan's beloved novels are arriving on the other side of the Atlantic. The author's thrillers will be available in the United States and Canada for the first time in an eight-book deal through Hanover Square Press, kicking off with Conviction in 2027.
"The American readers I have so far that have found my work from across the pond have become avid readers," Jordan, 33, tells PEOPLE. "I can't wait for that readership to expand and for the conversations to grow."
Becoming a Sunday Times bestseller, however, wasn't originally part of the plan. Raised in a working-class family in the English county of Essex, Jordan was a dedicated reader, who grew up devouring books by Jacqueline Wilson and Malorie Blackman. But he didn't see being an author as a feasible career path for himself.
Jack Jordan
Credit: Harry Livingstone
#thrillers
25 days ago
One of the most talked about literary releases of the week, nay the year, is "Life of M", the new novel by critically acclaimed and award-winning British author Rachel Cusk.
Known for her novels "The Lucky Ones", the Outline Trilogy ("Outline", "Transit" and "Kudos"), "Second Place", as well as the Goldsmiths Prize-winning book "Parade", Cusk's name isn't one you'd expect to be ******* ociated with headline-grabbing controversy or gossip.
Still, here we are and all anyone can talk about is the buzz around "Life of M" - specifically: Is the ******* ular M a fictionalised version of Natalie Portman?
The novel, billed by its publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, as a "blazing interrogation of fame, power, beauty and truth", has got literary sleuths wondering whether it's a not-so-thinly-veiled and unflattering portrait of the Oscar-winning actress.
"Life of M" follows an unnamed writer who wishes to use a famous actress, M, as a source of inspiration for her next literary project. The writer chronicles the A-lister's life and portrays "one of the most recognisable faces of our time" as a dispassionate and self-righteous person who puts on a relatable facade to mask the poseur within.
#literary
Known for her novels "The Lucky Ones", the Outline Trilogy ("Outline", "Transit" and "Kudos"), "Second Place", as well as the Goldsmiths Prize-winning book "Parade", Cusk's name isn't one you'd expect to be ******* ociated with headline-grabbing controversy or gossip.
Still, here we are and all anyone can talk about is the buzz around "Life of M" - specifically: Is the ******* ular M a fictionalised version of Natalie Portman?
The novel, billed by its publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, as a "blazing interrogation of fame, power, beauty and truth", has got literary sleuths wondering whether it's a not-so-thinly-veiled and unflattering portrait of the Oscar-winning actress.
"Life of M" follows an unnamed writer who wishes to use a famous actress, M, as a source of inspiration for her next literary project. The writer chronicles the A-lister's life and portrays "one of the most recognisable faces of our time" as a dispassionate and self-righteous person who puts on a relatable facade to mask the poseur within.
#literary
26 days ago
If you're like me, you grew up dreaming that one day you'd be a writer. I consider myself immensely lucky that I get to do this job which often does not feel like a job at all. Still, there are challenges: as with so many creative feels, wages are low, opportunities can be slim, and the politics of who knows who and how to get ahead are everywhere. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers make an average of about $70K a year; and writers often work additional jobs to make ends meet. None of this is helped along by our growing literacy crisis, nor the ever increasing presence of AI. In an article for Fast Company on the adverse impact of AI on young writers, Jennifer Ward writes, "They're simultaneously struggling to figure out if they need to use AI to keep up in today's competitive industry—or eschew it altogether in order to maintain trust."
So I often find myself turning to successful writers who are candid about what it really takes to not only make a career out of writing, but to make a living. Sometimes those writers just happen to be bestselling novelists like Gillian McAllister.
McAllister, who is based in the UK is the author of of Reese's Book Club Pick Wrong Place Wrong Time, Read With Jenna pick, Caller Unknown, Famous Last Words, Just Another Missing Person, Everything but the Truth, The Choice, The Good Sister, The Evidence Against You, How to Disappear, and the Richard & Judy Book Club pick That Night. She's also the creator and co-host of the podcast Honest Authors where she and Holly Seddon pull the curtain back on being a working writer. On Instagram, Gillian talks openly about everything from the day to day of writing while parenting, to the lessons she learned pivoting from a career as a lawyer to working as a writer full time. To celebrate the release of That Night in paperback this month, I caught up with Gillian to talk about what it really takes to become a writer, bringing nuance and heart to her books, and chronic illness shapes her work.
Caroline Reilly: I understand that before your career as a writer, you were a lawyer. What were some of the earliest thoughts or ideas you had about pivoting to writing?
Gillian McAllister: If you had asked me at any stage of my life–and I had told the truth–I would have said I wanted to be a writer. But I didn't know how to do it: I had zero connections, zero money, and rent to pay, so I became a lawyer, which I practiced and enjoyed for a long time. Though fiction was always in the background: I had a blog which was essentially writing practice for me, and three or for half-started manuscripts on a very old MacBook with a worn-out E key.
#writer
So I often find myself turning to successful writers who are candid about what it really takes to not only make a career out of writing, but to make a living. Sometimes those writers just happen to be bestselling novelists like Gillian McAllister.
McAllister, who is based in the UK is the author of of Reese's Book Club Pick Wrong Place Wrong Time, Read With Jenna pick, Caller Unknown, Famous Last Words, Just Another Missing Person, Everything but the Truth, The Choice, The Good Sister, The Evidence Against You, How to Disappear, and the Richard & Judy Book Club pick That Night. She's also the creator and co-host of the podcast Honest Authors where she and Holly Seddon pull the curtain back on being a working writer. On Instagram, Gillian talks openly about everything from the day to day of writing while parenting, to the lessons she learned pivoting from a career as a lawyer to working as a writer full time. To celebrate the release of That Night in paperback this month, I caught up with Gillian to talk about what it really takes to become a writer, bringing nuance and heart to her books, and chronic illness shapes her work.
Caroline Reilly: I understand that before your career as a writer, you were a lawyer. What were some of the earliest thoughts or ideas you had about pivoting to writing?
Gillian McAllister: If you had asked me at any stage of my life–and I had told the truth–I would have said I wanted to be a writer. But I didn't know how to do it: I had zero connections, zero money, and rent to pay, so I became a lawyer, which I practiced and enjoyed for a long time. Though fiction was always in the background: I had a blog which was essentially writing practice for me, and three or for half-started manuscripts on a very old MacBook with a worn-out E key.
#writer
26 days ago
Legendary singer Dolly Parton died on Aug. 25 at age 80
James Patterson reflects on his friendship with Parton in a statement shared with PEOPLE
Patterson and Parton collaborated on the 2022 novel Run, Rose, Run
James Patterson is looking back on his friendship with Dolly Parton.
The bestselling author paid tribute to the legendary country singer, who died on Aug. 25 at age 80, in a statement shared with PEOPLE. Patterson and Parton collaborated on the 2022 novel Run, Rose, Run, and became friends while working on the book over two years.
"I had a half-baked but potentially really good idea for a story about a country singer," Patterson recalled in the statement. "I suggested to Dolly's manager that she and I consider writing a novel together. Dolly was interested but she wanted to meet face-to-face before deciding. We needed to talk, to get to know one another, if we were going to be writing partners. That made perfect sense to me."
The cover of 'Run, Rose, Run' by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
Credit: amazon
#people #legendary
James Patterson reflects on his friendship with Parton in a statement shared with PEOPLE
Patterson and Parton collaborated on the 2022 novel Run, Rose, Run
James Patterson is looking back on his friendship with Dolly Parton.
The bestselling author paid tribute to the legendary country singer, who died on Aug. 25 at age 80, in a statement shared with PEOPLE. Patterson and Parton collaborated on the 2022 novel Run, Rose, Run, and became friends while working on the book over two years.
"I had a half-baked but potentially really good idea for a story about a country singer," Patterson recalled in the statement. "I suggested to Dolly's manager that she and I consider writing a novel together. Dolly was interested but she wanted to meet face-to-face before deciding. We needed to talk, to get to know one another, if we were going to be writing partners. That made perfect sense to me."
The cover of 'Run, Rose, Run' by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
Credit: amazon
#people #legendary
26 days ago
When the world needed her, Dolly Parton was known to appear — even in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic.
The queen of country left millions mourning after her death on Aug. 25 at the age of 80. Beyond the big hair and chart-topping hits, Parton was known as a prolific philanthropist who poured millions into causes ranging from childhood literacy and leukemia to disaster relief and the preservation of bald eagles.
One of Parton's most notable contributions to medicine was her funding and staunch support of the COVID-19 vaccine, which she publicly pledged to help fund as early as April 2020.
While the scientific and medical communities raced to develop technology to fight the novel virus that was killing thousands, Parton was loud and proud, encouraging the public to trust the process — even during a time when political messaging, misinformation and uncertainty left many unsure where to turn and who to trust.
The mRNA vaccine technology she helped fund has since shown promise in treating and preventing diseases beyond COVID-19, including cancer.
#parton
The queen of country left millions mourning after her death on Aug. 25 at the age of 80. Beyond the big hair and chart-topping hits, Parton was known as a prolific philanthropist who poured millions into causes ranging from childhood literacy and leukemia to disaster relief and the preservation of bald eagles.
One of Parton's most notable contributions to medicine was her funding and staunch support of the COVID-19 vaccine, which she publicly pledged to help fund as early as April 2020.
While the scientific and medical communities raced to develop technology to fight the novel virus that was killing thousands, Parton was loud and proud, encouraging the public to trust the process — even during a time when political messaging, misinformation and uncertainty left many unsure where to turn and who to trust.
The mRNA vaccine technology she helped fund has since shown promise in treating and preventing diseases beyond COVID-19, including cancer.
#parton
26 days ago
Over the coming decades, nuclear energy will be a $10 trillion opportunity. That's according to Bank of America ****** ysts, who are particularly excited about a relatively novel method of producing nuclear power: small modular reactors, or SMRs.
"Amid surging electricity demand, driven in part by the rise in AI/data centers, nuclear energy offers a potential solution," Bank of America concluded in a recent report. "And new advancements in technology may now make the tipping point in sight for small modular reactors (SMRs) to reshape nuclear energy supply chains over the next decade."
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) is currently the only company in the U.S. approved by regulators to build an SMR system. On a recent call with investors, CEO John Hopkins stressed that the company remains "the only SMR company in the world to have earned U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission standard design approval," adding that it has "done it for two separate designs, our 50-megawatt and our 77-megawatt modules."
Many other companies are currently working through the approval process for SMRs. But NuScale has leveraged its early approvals to secure large deals, including a 6-gigawatt project for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). If built, that system would be the largest SMR facility in the world by a large margin.
#smrs #company #nuscale
"Amid surging electricity demand, driven in part by the rise in AI/data centers, nuclear energy offers a potential solution," Bank of America concluded in a recent report. "And new advancements in technology may now make the tipping point in sight for small modular reactors (SMRs) to reshape nuclear energy supply chains over the next decade."
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) is currently the only company in the U.S. approved by regulators to build an SMR system. On a recent call with investors, CEO John Hopkins stressed that the company remains "the only SMR company in the world to have earned U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission standard design approval," adding that it has "done it for two separate designs, our 50-megawatt and our 77-megawatt modules."
Many other companies are currently working through the approval process for SMRs. But NuScale has leveraged its early approvals to secure large deals, including a 6-gigawatt project for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). If built, that system would be the largest SMR facility in the world by a large margin.
#smrs #company #nuscale
26 days ago
Bayer Leverkusen and Al-Ittihad have reached a breakthrough in negotiations for the transfer of Moussa Diaby, according to Sky Germany and Kicker. A full verbal agreement has been reached between the two clubs worth around €30m. Diaby has agreed to sign a five-year contract through to June 2031, with the medical to follow. The 27-year-old previously played for Leverkusen from 2019 to 2023 before making the move to the English Premier League to join Aston Villa for €55m. After a single season at Villa Park, Diaby joined Al-Ittihad, where he spent the last two seasons. Diaby has made 56 league appearances for the Saudi Pro League club and managed to score nine goals while providing 21 ***** ists. Diaby scored 49 goals and provided 47 ***** ists in 172 games during his first spell at Leverkusen. His return is a welcome sight for a team that is once again rebuilding its roster under a new head coach in Carles Martínez Novell. GGFN | Brook Genene
#diaby #reached #year #bayer
#diaby #reached #year #bayer
29 days ago
On the global stage of ONE Championship, Jonathan "The General" Haggerty has made a habit of putting on a show. Lately, he has started wondering if the red carpet might follow suit.
The reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion defends his gold against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto at ONE SAMURAI 4 inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17.
That fight will come soon enough. Beyond the gym walls and the ring, though, Haggerty has become a familiar face at a couple of film premieres in the United Kingdom.
He attended the London premiere of From the World of John Wick: Ballerina last June, and more recently walked the carpet for Giant, the biopic charting the rise of boxing icon Naseem Hamed – better known to fans of the sweet science as Prince Naseem – when it hit British cinemas this past January.
Those appearances were not simply a passing novelty for the 29-year-old, either.
#haggerty #World #kickboxing
The reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion defends his gold against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto at ONE SAMURAI 4 inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17.
That fight will come soon enough. Beyond the gym walls and the ring, though, Haggerty has become a familiar face at a couple of film premieres in the United Kingdom.
He attended the London premiere of From the World of John Wick: Ballerina last June, and more recently walked the carpet for Giant, the biopic charting the rise of boxing icon Naseem Hamed – better known to fans of the sweet science as Prince Naseem – when it hit British cinemas this past January.
Those appearances were not simply a passing novelty for the 29-year-old, either.
#haggerty #World #kickboxing
1 month ago
Our Get German Football News 2026/27 Bundesliga Tactical Previews series continues with a look at VfB Stuttgart. Oh, Stuttgart. You adorable little red-striped menace. There was a time, not particularly long ago, when the author could approach the VfB section of these previews with a reassuringly familiar collection of questions. Who left? Who needs replacing? How much of Sebastian Hoeneß' latest carefully constructed football machine has the transfer market carried away in several large sacks? Last summer, amid approximately 546,789 Nick Woltemade stories and enough aborted transfer sagas to shorten one's life expectancy, the author eventually concluded that Stuttgart possessed a talented upper-table side but were "plainly NOT ***** le contenders". They responded by finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League again. So much for that.
Perhaps one should simply accept what Stuttgart have become. Hoeneß took over a relegation candidate in 2023 and somehow turned the whole operation into one of German football's most reliably entertaining success stories. The Pokal arrived. European football kept arriving. Champions League qualification has now arrived twice. At some point, the cute little comeback story stopped being cute because it kept happening. Unfortunately for everyone else, the club itself remains rather adorable. It helps that Stuttgart possess Deniz Undav, German football's resident clown prince and a man apparently determined to turn every mixed-zone interview into open-mic night. Keep him forever. Always give him a microphone afterward.
In previous summers, Hoeneß' principal task was figuring out how to replace what success had taken away. This time, most of the good stuff is still sitting right there in front of him. The largest tactical problem currently confronting the coach may simply be explaining to several very good professional footballers why eleven remains the maximum number permitted on the pitch. How terribly sad for him.
The author shall now inspect Hoeneß' overflowing toy box and attempt to work out how all the pieces fit.
The pleasant novelty here is that the personnel section does not begin with an autopsy. Stuttgart have retained the spine, secured Undav, and then spent aggressively to make an already strong squad even deeper. That does not mean the summer has been simple. Nübel's departure creates a goalkeeper succession, Pejcinovic and Sauer immediately alter attacking hierarchies, Prömel places pressure on the captain, and late interest in Demirovic and El Khannouss threatens to complicate what otherwise looks like unusually tidy work. Before Hoeneß can begin solving his luxury problems on the pitch, it is worth establishing exactly how many of them the transfer market has created.
#german #author #transfer
Perhaps one should simply accept what Stuttgart have become. Hoeneß took over a relegation candidate in 2023 and somehow turned the whole operation into one of German football's most reliably entertaining success stories. The Pokal arrived. European football kept arriving. Champions League qualification has now arrived twice. At some point, the cute little comeback story stopped being cute because it kept happening. Unfortunately for everyone else, the club itself remains rather adorable. It helps that Stuttgart possess Deniz Undav, German football's resident clown prince and a man apparently determined to turn every mixed-zone interview into open-mic night. Keep him forever. Always give him a microphone afterward.
In previous summers, Hoeneß' principal task was figuring out how to replace what success had taken away. This time, most of the good stuff is still sitting right there in front of him. The largest tactical problem currently confronting the coach may simply be explaining to several very good professional footballers why eleven remains the maximum number permitted on the pitch. How terribly sad for him.
The author shall now inspect Hoeneß' overflowing toy box and attempt to work out how all the pieces fit.
The pleasant novelty here is that the personnel section does not begin with an autopsy. Stuttgart have retained the spine, secured Undav, and then spent aggressively to make an already strong squad even deeper. That does not mean the summer has been simple. Nübel's departure creates a goalkeeper succession, Pejcinovic and Sauer immediately alter attacking hierarchies, Prömel places pressure on the captain, and late interest in Demirovic and El Khannouss threatens to complicate what otherwise looks like unusually tidy work. Before Hoeneß can begin solving his luxury problems on the pitch, it is worth establishing exactly how many of them the transfer market has created.
#german #author #transfer
1 month ago
For decades, Natalie Portman has been one of our most cerebral stars. A 1999 Vanity Fair cover, promoting "The Phantom Menace," asked whether the then-17-year-old might "choose Harvard over Hollywood." She managed to do both, earning an Ivy League degree and an Oscar. Her characters in movies from "Jackie" to "May December" are often overthinkers, and her Instagram book club picks tend toward high literature.
Who better, then, to serve as the heroine of a Rachel Cusk novel?
Cusk, the experimental novelist, is set to publish "Life of M," about an unnamed actress coping with feelings of alienation and depersonalization, on Aug. 25. Cusk's work, like the well-loved "Outline" trilogy, favors deep excavation of inner turmoil over what might be called "plot," and "Life of M" is no exception. Still, the obvious similarities to the known facts of Portman's life have earned the book plenty of buzz.
To wit: M, a former child star who received her greatest acclaim for playing a ballerina, is raising children, seemingly solo, in Paris. All of this checks out, and Portman's putative connection to Cusk — she selected Cusk's last novel, 2024's "Parade," for Natalie's Book Club, and both actress and author live in Paris — lends the enterprise a juicy overlay of gossip.
There's no public information indicating Portman's involvement in the project, or whether she approved it at all. (Portman's rep and the book's publicist at Farrar, Straus and Giroux did not respond to requests for comment.) And if people are reading "Life of M" as a document of truth, it may be in part because the novel so confidently places its reader within restricted access zones. We see M through the eyes of a narrator, an unnamed person who has obtained M's permission to document her life. And so we accompany M to a spa, where she and a younger actress chitchat about their peers and discuss Hollywood's gender pay gap, and to an interview at a chic restaurant, where she observes strangers snapping her picture. The access Cusk grants extends deep into M's mind as well: With her friend, M ponders how she might help a new generation of actresses despite her own "ennui" about the industry; with the journalist interviewing her, M is burdened "by the impossibility of anyone ever understanding what she is."
The project of this book is to help us to know a person who rejects examination, just as journalists have struggled to crack Portman, who avoids discussing her personal life in interviews. "Life of M" is not the sort of novel that one can "spoil," but suffice it to say that M ultimately makes her displeasure at the narrator's project plain: Being under a writer's gaze is, for her, intolerable. M comes by this aversion to fame honestly. We're informed that "starring in a film as a child had immediately brought her childhood to an end," and that press coverage of her entanglements as an adult have strained her relationship with her family. She has constructed a series of walls, and w
Who better, then, to serve as the heroine of a Rachel Cusk novel?
Cusk, the experimental novelist, is set to publish "Life of M," about an unnamed actress coping with feelings of alienation and depersonalization, on Aug. 25. Cusk's work, like the well-loved "Outline" trilogy, favors deep excavation of inner turmoil over what might be called "plot," and "Life of M" is no exception. Still, the obvious similarities to the known facts of Portman's life have earned the book plenty of buzz.
To wit: M, a former child star who received her greatest acclaim for playing a ballerina, is raising children, seemingly solo, in Paris. All of this checks out, and Portman's putative connection to Cusk — she selected Cusk's last novel, 2024's "Parade," for Natalie's Book Club, and both actress and author live in Paris — lends the enterprise a juicy overlay of gossip.
There's no public information indicating Portman's involvement in the project, or whether she approved it at all. (Portman's rep and the book's publicist at Farrar, Straus and Giroux did not respond to requests for comment.) And if people are reading "Life of M" as a document of truth, it may be in part because the novel so confidently places its reader within restricted access zones. We see M through the eyes of a narrator, an unnamed person who has obtained M's permission to document her life. And so we accompany M to a spa, where she and a younger actress chitchat about their peers and discuss Hollywood's gender pay gap, and to an interview at a chic restaurant, where she observes strangers snapping her picture. The access Cusk grants extends deep into M's mind as well: With her friend, M ponders how she might help a new generation of actresses despite her own "ennui" about the industry; with the journalist interviewing her, M is burdened "by the impossibility of anyone ever understanding what she is."
The project of this book is to help us to know a person who rejects examination, just as journalists have struggled to crack Portman, who avoids discussing her personal life in interviews. "Life of M" is not the sort of novel that one can "spoil," but suffice it to say that M ultimately makes her displeasure at the narrator's project plain: Being under a writer's gaze is, for her, intolerable. M comes by this aversion to fame honestly. We're informed that "starring in a film as a child had immediately brought her childhood to an end," and that press coverage of her entanglements as an adult have strained her relationship with her family. She has constructed a series of walls, and w
