20 Fascinating Facts About ‘Underworld’
The movie, which hit theaters September 19, 2003, was a surprise hit: It was made for $22 million but grossed nearly $96 million, kicking off a film franchise that brought in nearly $550 million. Here’s what you should know.
1970-01-01 08:00
Jimbo Fisher's Contract Buyout Is Ridiculous
To fire Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M would have to pay him $76.8 million.
1970-01-01 08:00
TikTok fined 345m euro by watchdog over how it processed children’s data
TikTok has been fined 345 million euro (£296 million) by Ireland’s data watchdog following an investigation into how the social media platform processed children’s data. The fine was imposed on TikTok Technology Limited (TTL) by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) after the probe into how certain privacy settings and features complied with obligations under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. The DPC inquiry examined age verification as part of the registration process and the processing of the personal data of children by the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform between July 31 and December 31 2020. Tiktok said that it “respectfully disagreed” with the level of the fine imposed and stated that it related to features and settings which were in place three years ago. The DPC adopted its final decision regarding its inquiry into TTK on September 1. We respectfully disagree with the decision, particularly the level of the fine imposed TikTok spokesperson The DPC ruling described how child users progressed through the sign-up to the TikTok platform in such a manner that their accounts were set to public by default. It said this meant that videos that were posted to child users’ account were public-by-default and comments were enabled publicly by default. In the Family Pairing feature, the DPC said a child user’s accounts could be “paired” with an unverified non-child. It said that that the non-child user had the power to enable direct messages for child users above the age of 16, thereby making this feature less strict for the child user. As part of the inquiry, the DPC also examined some of TTL’s transparency obligations, including the extent of information provided to child users in relation to default settings. The DPC has issued a reprimand as well as an order requiring TTL to bring its processing into compliance by taking specified action specified within three months and administrative fines totalling 345 million euro. A spokesperson for TikTok said: “We respectfully disagree with the decision, particularly the level of the fine imposed. “The DPC’s criticisms are focused on features and settings that were in place three years ago, and that we made changes to well before the investigation even began, such as setting all under 16 accounts to private by default.” It is the latest in a series of fines handed out by the DPC in Ireland to social media giants. Earlier this year, Facebook’s parent company Meta Ireland was fined 390 million for breaches of EU data privacy rules, one of a number of fines the DPC has imposed on the company. In Januar,y WhatsApp was fined more than five million euro over data protection breaches and last year Instagram was fined 405 million euro over the way in which it handled teenagers’ personal data. Earlier this year in the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office fined TikTok £12.7 million because it “did not do enough” to make sure underage children were not using its platform and ensure that their data was used correctly. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Stadiums and tourism hotspots to test new 5G networks in £88 million scheme Chatbots ‘able to outperform most humans at creative thinking task’ Information Commissioner urges people to share data to protect at-risk children
1970-01-01 08:00
Hades 2 will launch in early access in early 2024
Fans will be able to start playing 'Hades 2' in early 2024.
1970-01-01 08:00
Richard Linklater cast Glen Powell in new hitman film due to his shy side
Ahead of the cinema release of his black comedy ‘Hit Man’, Richard Linklater has said he cast ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ star Glen Powell as the main character as he thought he had a shy side that leads to him wanting to hide behind roles.
1970-01-01 08:00
John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies
Decades after his ‘Pink Flamingos’ shocked audiences, John Waters has declared he believes the world has finally caught up with his movie gross-out tactics.
1970-01-01 08:00
Newcastle announce Callum Wilson contract extension
Callum Wilson has signed a new contract extension with Newcastle that will run until 2025.
1970-01-01 08:00
From Sienna Miller to Jodie Turner-Smith: All of the best (and most daring) looks at Vogue World
Britain has a new biggest night in fashion, as Vogue World pulled out all the stops for an evening full of glitz and glamour. Dubbed the UK capital’s answer to the Met Gala, London’s very first Vogue World took place at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Thursday night (15 September), after its 2022 launch in New York. The star-studded extravaganza was helmed by American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and featured a live performance overseen by Billy Elliot and The Crown director Stephen Daldry, as well as a dramatic catwalk show spotlighting British labels on the eve of London Fashion Week. Proceeds from the production will go to London-based performing arts organisations, including the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House, the Royal Ballet, Southbank Sinfonia and Rambert. Famous faces from the UK and around the world brought their best to the event. Here’s a rundown of some of the evening’s standout looks... Sienna Miller All eyes were on Sienna Miller at the event, as the British actor showed off her baby bump in a crop top and voluminous satin skirt from Schiaparelli. The Extrapolations star, 41, already has an 11-year-old daughter with her ex-boyfriend Tom Sturridge. The Sandman actor also attended Vogue World with his new girlfriend, Alexa Chung. Miller is currently dating actor Oli Green. Jodie Turner-Smith Queen and Slim star Jodie Turner-Smith turned heads with her Viktor & Rolf look: a daring black sash top, paired with a black thong and long-sleeved gloves. The actor completed the look with Jimmy Choo shoes. Kate Winslet Kate Winslet opted for a chic white Paul Smith suit for the occasion, worn with nude-coloured lingerie visible beneath her jacket. AJ Odudu Future Big Brother host AJ Odudu gave the crowds some sea anemone realness in her purple look: a minidress with a large ruffle behind her head and shoulders. Ncuti Gatwa Soon-to-be Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa made his toned torso the main event for his look, as he wore a black sheer long-sleeved top with black trousers and Louboutin heels. Princess Beatrice Richard Quinn was the designer of choice for Princess Beatrice, who wore a black caped dress adorned with a yellow flower print. She attended with her husband of three years, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Princess Eugenie Princess Eugenie kept it simpler than her sister with her look: a green Fendi dress with a wraparound effect across the shoulders. Rita Ora Championing sustainability, Rita Ora took to the red carpet in pre-loved wear, all courtesy of eBay. The pop star and actor chose a black fishtail gown with a sheer back, finished with columns of metal pins. Gemma Chan Gemma Chan stunned in a floor-length Louis Vuitton dress, paired with pulled-back hair and a classic red lip. Twiggy Fashion icon Twiggy also went down the pre-loved route, standing out with a red velvet Tom Ford for Gucci suit, paired with a Louis Vuitton bag. Emilia Clarke It was mesh all the way for Emilia Clarke, who stunned the crowd in a floor-length black Dior gown, combined with sparkling jewellery by Chopard. Damien Lewis and Alison Mosshart Damien Lewis and Alison Mosshart hit the red carpet in a couples’ coordinated look, in suits. Wearing Lanvin, actor Lewis paired bright yellow trousers with a black blazer, while singer-songwriter Mosshart kept things uniform in pink. Tom Daley Tom Daley stuck to a grey and silver palette for his look: an asymmetrical top with a draped jacket, paired with matching trousers and a silver clutch bag. (Check out the attention to detail on the silver nail polish, too.) Little Simz Musician and Top Boy actor Little Simz chose a Prada look for the night, pairing a black cardigan with a matching A-line skirt. She topped off the look with silver and gold accessories. Stormzy When we talk about British men’s fashion, Stormzy is never far from the conversation. He proved why with his choice for the night: a black Ferragamo suit with a white shoulder panel. Simone Ashley Bridgerton star Simone Ashley looked like the belle of the ball in her standout Tamara Ralph look. The actor wore a white bodysuit topped with a fitted dress, netted with pearls, and Jimmy Choo shoes to finish. Joe Locke Heartstopper’s Joe Locke brought a welcome shock of colour to proceedings, wearing a fuchsia short suit and matching shirt by Valentino. Winnie Harlow Winnie Harlow was yet another big favourite of the night, in a monochrome look by Zuhair Murad. The model wore a low-cut black velvet dress, accentuated by white ruffled floor-length draping. Here’s a look at all we knew about the event, in detail. Read More Sienna Miller bares baby bump at celebrity and royal-studded Vogue World Everything we know about Vogue World, London’s answer to the Met Gala Celebrities mingle with royals at glam Vogue World party in London
1970-01-01 08:00
What is Mercury in retrograde and why do so many people believe it impacts their lives?
Having a bad day? Mercury in retrograde. Broken your phone this morning? Mercury in retrograde. Had a sudden and unexpected breakup? Mercury in retrograde. It only takes a quick swipe through social media to see this cosmic event taking the blame for pretty much everything – and according to the age-old astrological theory, we are all influenced by its effects. Astrologers have been examining Mercury retrograde for thousands of years, but it wasn't until 2010 when Google searches started to spike. Now, with the help of Instagram and the drive towards self-care and mindfulness, interest in astrology has heightened to a whole new level. While Mercury retrograde is far too often viewed as a negative thing, it is also said to be the perfect time for self-reflection and growth. Laura Hayes, certified astrologer and founder of the online astrology community, @astrohuns, spoke with Indy100 to break down this astrological phenomenon. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter What does Mercury retrograde mean? To put it simply, Mercury retrograde occurs when the planet Mercury – which takes 88 days to orbit the Sun, as opposed to Earth's 365 – appears to go backwards in its orbit. In Astrology, Mercury – named after the Roman deity who served as a messenger to the gods – is the planet of communication and the mind. Hayes explained: "Its placement in your birth chart affects how you think and communicate. Additionally, Mercury's transits at any given time will also have an impact on our thoughts and way of communicating." How long does it last? It tends to last around three to four weeks a time. However, there is also a "shadow period" – or retroshade – before and after Mercury Retrograde. This can apparently make things "a little rocky." "This Retroshade period lasts about 2-3 weeks and is almost like a diluted form of the retrograde itself," Hayes said. "Therefore, you may begin to feel the effects of Mercury retrograde a few weeks before it begins and still feel its lingering effects for a few weeks afterwards." How can it 'impact your life'? Astrologically speaking, when Mercury is in retrograde, the areas of life associated with the planet are said to be affected. "You are said to have verbal communication difficulties at this time, causing you to mishear someone or say the wrong thing, leading to arguments and misunderstandings," Hayes explained. People can find themselves "stumbling over their words, saying the wrong thing, or struggling to think coherently altogether." "Phones can lose signal; steamy texts to bae get sent to your boss instead, or your laptop breaks down when you're in the middle of writing your memoirs," she added. "Travel is another area that gets messed up during Mercury Retrograde, so be careful on the road and make sure to double-check flight details before you book." What can people do to deal with said 'effects'? According to KJ Atlas, consulting astrologer, writer, and artist of the human aura, you shouldn't put your life on hold purely because Mercury is retrograde. Instead, she says it is a time to significantly slow down. "You're more likely to make mistakes during this period, but if you listen to the call to take it easy, spend more time in self-care, go out less, and prioritize your mental and physical health, you'll be just fine," she explained. "If you need to sign contracts, purchase something significant, or have a deep talk, just do so mindfully and do your due diligence." Atlas acknowledged one positive rule of thumb: People are encouraged to do anything with the prefix 're'. "If you’re in a situation that you don’t enjoy, you can use this period for reevaluation or rekindling, but wait to take action until the cycle has ended. This includes the pre and post shadow periods. "People often jump right back into things that might be warnings during Mercury retrograde on the day that it’s technically over, but it’s good practice to wait a few days." When does Mercury retrograde occur? Mercury retrograde occurs three to four times per year. It tends to occur roughly around the same time each year. The dates* for this year are: January 14th - February 4th May 10th - June 3rd September 10th - October 2nd December 29th - January 18th (2023) *dates based on GMT, so they may vary slightly in other time zones. It's worth noting that astrology is not the same thing as astronomy. Astrology is a belief system that the stars and planets allow us to 'read a person', predict the future or have the ability to alter our daily lives, as above. Astrology can be important to some cultures, but it is not based on scientific evidence. Astronomy, however, is backed by data. David J. Helfand, Professor of Astronomy and Columbia University Chair, slammed the astrological theory as "arrant nonsense." Helfand explained that the retrograde motion of Mercury is a "simple consequence of the fact that we observe the sky from a moving platform we call Earth as it orbits the Sun. The other planets also orbit the Sun, all in the same direction." "The apparent motion of any planet as observed from Earth is a combination of the orbit of the planet and the orbit of Earth," he added. "Simple geometry shows that roughly three times a year (for Mercury – less often for other planets on longer orbits), these combined motions give the Earth-bound observer the illusion that the other planet has reversed its direction of motion compared to the background stars." He stated that the orbit of Mercury is governed by laws of gravity and is completely unchanged, which has "been well-understood for over 400 years – it's hardly a new idea." "But apparently, some people prefer 2000-year-old views of the world in which the planets govern their lives – no need to take any personal responsibility then, is there?" "In fact, the gravitational force of Mercury on an Earth-bound you is less than the force of your dog on you when you pat him or her on the head," Helfand explained. "Indeed, patting your dog on its head is likely to have a positive influence on your mood. Maybe people should try that instead of contemplating arrant nonsense about the planets." 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
The latest data signals the Fed will pause next week and keep future rate hikes on the table
With less than a week to go before the Federal Reserve announces its next interest rate decision, Wall Street has reviewed a bevy of economic indicators released this week.
1970-01-01 08:00
Global equity funds draw big inflows as inflationary pressures ease
Global equity funds attracted substantial inflows in the week ending Sept. 13, buoyed by hopes the Federal Reserve
1970-01-01 08:00
'Bling Ring' suspect convicted in multimillion dollar burglaries of celebrities' homes
A Southern California man has been convicted on three counts related to the "Bling Ring," a group that burglarized the homes of celebrities in 2018, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said in a statement.
1970-01-01 08:00
