Insurers poised for US break on investment losses from high rates
By Koh Gui Qing SEATTLE Some insurers operating in the United States stand to reap a windfall worth
1970-01-01 08:00
Barbie is still smashing box office records three weeks after hitting cinemas
It’s been out for more than three weeks, and yet Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is still painting the movie industry pink after smashing several fresh box office records. The new movie, starring Margot Robbie as the iconic doll, has become the highest-grossing movie at the US box office by a female director, solo or otherwise - much to the chagrin of Ben Shapiro. The previous record was held by Jennifer Lee, the director of Frozen 2, after the Disney film banked $477.4m at US box offices. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter But this Barbie just keeps breaking records. The movie hit $492.6m on Thursday 10 August, and it now stands at $526.3m in the US. Barbie also became the highest-grossing live-action movie by a female director after the fourth weekend in cinemas. The pink sensation overtook Captain Marvel, which earned $1.13bn globally in 2019 and was co-directed by Anna Boden. Gerwig's movie has now taken $1.18bn to date. The records keep tumbling despite the fact that Robbie was not even first choice for the role, which she revealed last week. The actor, who was also a producer on the movie, recently told Vogue that both her and director Greta Gerwig initially wanted Gal Gadot for the role but scheduling conflicts got in the way. “Gal Gadot is Barbie energy. Gal Gadot is so impossibly beautiful, but you don’t hate her for being that beautiful because she’s so genuinely sincere, and she’s so enthusiastically kind, that it’s almost dorky. It’s like right before being a dork,” she said. Barbie was also banned in Kuwait recently, and now faces calls for a ban in Lebanon amid complaints in the Arab nations about the film’s social values. There are currently no plans in the works for a sequel. “At this moment it’s all I’ve got. I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I’ll never have another idea and everything I’ve ever wanted to do, I did," Gerwig said in a recent interview. “I wouldn't want to squash anybody else’s dream, but for me, at this moment, I’m at totally zero." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Country Garden Aims to Extend Maturing Bond in First Amid Crisis
Country Garden Holdings Co. is seeking to extend a maturing bond for the first time ever and halted
1970-01-01 08:00
A smooth 'last mile' to 2% inflation may not be a stretch for Fed
By Howard Schneider WASHINGTON Pessimists watching the Federal Reserve battle inflation have focused on the so-called "last-mile" problem,
1970-01-01 08:00
UK Wages Expected to Feed Pressure for Bank of England Hikes
Britain’s inflation fever may be starting to break, but data due out this week is expected to show
1970-01-01 08:00
Latvian Finance Ministry Seeks to Impose 20% Annual Bank Tax
Latvia may raise about €140 million ($153 million) in additional tax revenue next year under a proposal that
1970-01-01 08:00
Marketmind: Bonds bruised, China stocks and rouble sink
A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan A bruising August for bonds continues
1970-01-01 08:00
Bankers Hate Saying ‘ESG’ But Are Hardwiring It Into Their Work
Bankers, money managers and other financial market participants are starting to loathe the label “ESG” — but they’re
1970-01-01 08:00
James Ward-Prowse completes return to Premier League from Southampton
West Ham United have announced the signing of midfielder James Ward-Prowse from Southampton The 28-year-old made 410 appearances for Saints and was captain as they were relegated from the Premier League last season. He has made a swift return to the top flight after joining the Hammers for an undisclosed fee – reported to be in the region of £30m – signing a four-year contract at the London Stadium. Ward-Prowse told the club’s official website: “I’m buzzing to be here at West Ham United. It’s great to be here and I’m looking forward to getting going. “From the outside looking in, this is a club that has been on the rise for a number of years now and coming off the success in the UEFA Europa Conference League last year, you can feel there is real momentum around this club. It’s great to be a part of it and I can’t wait to play my role in the games to come. “When I think about my game, it is based on hard work, graft, and giving 100 per cent. West Ham United has always been a club that epitomises that. You can feel that from the fans and you can see it in the players who are here and the lads that have come through the academy too. “I feel as though I will fit straight in and I can promise I will give my all for this football club in my time here.” Ward-Prowse spent two decades on the south coast having joined Southampton’s academy at the age of eight. During his time at St Mary’s, he earned 11 senior England caps and scored two goals for his country. Ward-Prowse scored 17 Premier League free-kicks for Southampton and needs just one more to draw level with the record, held by David Beckham. He becomes West Ham’s second major signing of the summer following the recent acquisition of fellow midfielder Edson Alvarez from Ajax. Manchester United defender Harry Maguire could be the next player in at West Ham as manager David Moyes looks to improve a team that finished 14th last season but went on to lift the Europa Conference League. They opened their season with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday and lost former captain Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m in July. Read More David Moyes: Man City bid for Lucas Paqueta was nowhere near our valuation West Ham agree deals for England pair Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse Football rumours: Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku player swap bid hits snag West Ham given two key transfer targets by David Moyes Southampton duo set to play Championship opener despite transfer links Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest news as England prepare for Australia semi-final
1970-01-01 08:00
Tiffany Gomas apologises for ‘crazy plane lady’ moment
Tiffany Gomas, the woman behind the "not real" American Airlines plane rant, has taken to social media to address her viral "crazy plane lady" moment. Last week, the 38-year-old marketing executive from Texas, broke her silence with a brief chat with the Daily Mail outside her home. She told the outlet that her life had become "frightening" since the footage "blown up". "Things go viral and everything changes," she said. "No one knows anyone else’s story, and no one should judge. No one knows what it’s like." "So much of what's out there is inaccurate," she continued, telling the publication she is consulting a lawyer. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Now, Gomas has turned to her X (formerly known as Twitter) account with a candid video addressing the 2 July incident. "My use of profanity was completely unnecessary, and I want to apologise to everyone on that plane, especially those that had children aboard," she said. "We all have our bad moments, um, some are far worse than others, and mine happened to be caught on camera for the whole world to see multiple times." She continued: "Sorry y’all. I hope that I can use this experience and do a little good in the world, and that is what I intend to do, I hope that you guys can accept my apology and I can begin to move on with my life." Gomas also shared a link to her new website where she plans on promoting "mental health and standing up against cyberbullying". Her video was soon flooded with messages of support, with one writing: "Nobody is mad at you - we all thought the plane video was epic and iconic. You have nothing to apologize for." Another added: "On behalf of everyone on that plane and on the internet: I forgive you Tiffany." Meanwhile, a third curious user wrote: "No need to apologize you did everything right by trying to alert other passengers of a perceived threat. I would just like to know what you saw/meant when you said the person was not real." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Xavi fumes at 'shameful' refereeing as Barcelona held by Getafe
Barcelona manager Xavi was left furious at the refereeing in his side's 0-0 draw with Getafe.
1970-01-01 08:00
Italy’s Mount Etna Eruption Forces Closure of Catania Airport
Mount Etna, one of world’s most active volcanoes, started erupting on Sunday forcing a suspension of flights at
1970-01-01 08:00
