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Australia is introducing Digital Duty of Care legislation to let people over 16 opt out of algorithmic feeds, aiming to protect children from harmful online content and require platforms to be more transparent. Penalties for non-compliance can reach AU$109.2 million. The plan follows a world-first under-16s ban and echoes similar regulatory pushes in other countries.
Charli XCX has moved from her Brat era to a high-concept, glitchy stage at Reading/Leeds, backed by a live band and dramatic visuals. She balances new material with fan favourites, signaling a decisive artistic shift that dominates the weekend’s conversation.
Shein's Hong Kong listing is priced lower than hoped, valuing the company around $26.3 billion. Trading began shakily, with early losses narrowing as markets digest regulatory twists, tax changes, and weak consumer sentiment that have weighed on the fast-fashion group after a rapid ascent.
A cluster of luxury cruise ships from major brands is signaling a shift toward highly personalised experiences. New vessels from Four Seasons and SeaDream, plus Oceania Sonata and Celebrity Beyond, promise more space, exclusive suites, expanded wellness, and global itineraries as the market grows.
Shoulder-season savings are shrinking as travel costs edge upward. Industry data shows fall demand is returning to peak levels, with luxury travelers leading the charge toward October and November bookings.
Tim Curry has died at his Los Angeles home on 25 August at age 80, his longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz has confirmed. The English actor had been wheelchair‑bound after a major 2012 stroke and had a history of kidney cancer; the death certificate lists those conditions as contributing factors. He had originated Dr Frank‑N‑Furter in The Rocky Horror Show and enjoyed a six‑decade career across stage, film and voice work.
Josh Kushner has issued his first public statement about the collapsed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, saying he still supports the idea but would not have joined had he known how the process would unfold. UEFA has asked U.S. courts to compel Thrive and Kushner to hand over documents and testimony as it prepares potential criminal mismanagement claims against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
A roundup of recent profiles and studies shows couples using AI-augmented apps and digital platforms to reconnect, with narratives ranging from AI-curated scenes for intimacy to slower, more patient dating in search of lasting connection.
Pabst Blue Ribbon has turned two cargo thefts at a Montclair distribution center into a social-media push, offering a reward and a countdown for the return of about 50,000 cans valued at around $70,000. Police are investigating whether the incidents are linked; a first shipment valued at $45,000 headed for Tucson was stolen, followed by a second with $25,000 worth of product after fake paperwork.
Israel faces a potential reduction in the excise tax on gasoline as prices surge amid global tensions with Iran and a volatile oil market. Government officials weigh legality and fiscal feasibility ahead of the October 27 election; experts warn of budget strains even as prices at the pump were raised recently.
The Rams have brought back Aaron Donald on a one-year deal worth up to $30 million, reuniting him with Myles Garrett after Donald’s retirement in 2024. The move complements Los Angeles’ stacked roster as it pursues a second Super Bowl title at SoFi Stadium.
A Clark County jury has found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of first‑degree murder with a deadly weapon in the 1996 Las Vegas killing of Tupac Shakur. Davis, 63, has said he will appeal. Sentencing is set for October 13.
Micro-dramas, short mobile-first series, are expanding from China to the US. Revenue is projected to reach billions as platforms like Peacock and TikTok experiment with serialized, one-minute formats. Hollywood talent is entering the space, signaling a broader shift in how audiences pay for and consume portable entertainment.
Barilla Group has agreed to acquire Goodles, the nutrition-forward mac-and-cheese brand, while keeping its Santa Cruz base and staff intact. The deal awaits regulatory approvals. Gadot is an investor, with her exact role and stake not disclosed. Goodles aims to go global as it enters a new phase of growth.
The Menudo reunion tour is launching with a seven-member lineup spanning generations, led by Rene Farrait, Roy Rossello, Raymond Acevedo, Sergio Gonzales, Ralphy Rodriguez, Ruben Gomez and Robert Avellanet. The tour runs from Oct. 10 in Los Angeles to Dec. 12 in San Juan, with plans for high-energy performances and updated choreography.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens on Sept. 22 in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. George Lucas and Mellody Hobson have funded the project, which centers on narrative art across media—from Pop to Rockwell and Frida Kahlo to Star Wars. Officials say Star Wars materials occupy about 7% of the galleries, with the rest dedicated to a broader collection. The museum’s design is spaceship-inspired, and the project has faced delays and costly reviews.
Pabst Brewing Co. has offered up to $20,000 for information leading to the recovery of 1,602 cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Old Milwaukee beer stolen from a Montclair, California warehouse on Aug. 17. Two separate thefts, including fake documents from a purported subcontractor, led to a total loss of 40,000 pounds and an estimated $70,000 in value. Investigators are pursuing leads and a Sept. 9 return deadline has been set.
Westbrook has joined the upstart league Project B as an equity holder and chief strategy officer, with a seat on the board as it launches in January 2027. The move follows his retirement after 18 seasons.
Fidelity Investments reports a 19% quarterly jump in 401(k) accounts with at least $1 million, reaching 769,000. The rise follows a strong stock market, with the S&P 500 up about 15% in Q2, while overall average retirement balances and savings rates remain high. Economists note that only a minority reach seven figures, and confidence in retirement remains mixed.
The Missouri Supreme Court has blocked a Republican-drawn congressional map from taking effect in November and orders a statewide referendum on the map. The court’s ruling preserves the current 2022 boundaries for the general election while a voter decision on redistricting proceeds. The move intensifies the broader national clash over district lines as lawsuits and appeals unfold.
Gas prices across the United States have risen, with the national average approaching and potentially surpassing $4 per gallon for Labor Day. Drivers face record-level costs driven by global tensions, crude markets, and calls for domestic energy policy responses.
The Television Academy has held a two-night prelude to the 78th Primetime Emmys, with Rob Reiner posthumously receiving Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy for The Bear, while Widow’s Bay and The Pitt claim multiple trophies. The events unfold ahead of the main ceremony, as winners and tributes highlight a year of standout performances and behind-the-scenes excellence.
A new analysis shows that Americans’ memories of 9/11 diverge along personal, political and regional lines, even after a quarter-century. The piece follows survivors, families and younger generations, revealing how policies, culture and memory shape what the tragedy means today.
Malone Lam, an eighth-grade dropout from Singapore, has pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy tied to a 2024 social-engineering crypto heist that netted hundreds of millions. He faces up to 20 years in prison as prosecutors describe a months-long spending spree that included luxury cars, a $2 million watch and private jets. Sentencing is scheduled in Washington.
President Donald Trump has ordered a halt to Bombardier sales in the United States in a Truth Social post, saying the Canadian firm must build in the US to keep market access. Bombardier has replied that many jet components and service centres are already US-based and that its supply chain spans roughly 2,800 American firms in 47 states. Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on about $20–28 billion of US goods after trade talks collapsed in late August.