Posts by Nathan Pine
BBC ‘Ambulance’ Producer Sues, Alleging “Psychiatric Injuries”
EXCLUSIVE: Peter Wallis-Tayler, a former executive producer on Ambulance, is suing the Banijay-owned production company behind the BAFTA-winning BBC documentary series, alleging that the show damaged his mental health. Wallis-Tayler has launched High Court legal proceedings against Dragonfly Film & Television, claiming that he suffered “psychiatric injuries” after experiencing “work-related stressors and traumatic incidents” without…
Read MoreWhat are glassy-winged sharpshooters? Invasive insect sparks Costco recall
A tiny invasive insect is prompting agricultural officials in California to track down and remove thousands of plants sold through Costco, over fears it could threaten vineyards, farms and the state’s multibillion-dollar wine industry. The pest, known as the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), is a large leafhopper—which are plant-eating insects, known for their ability to jump…
Read MoreMidnight Social Media Curfew For Older Teens Unveiled by UK Government
Plans have been unveiled for a first-of-its-kind overnight social media curfew for older teens in the UK. The news follows the full ban for under 16s that was announced last month, the second of its kind, following Australia. Today, the UK government said apps like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube will become unavailable by default to…
Read MoreComfortDelGro appoints Yap Chee Khean to newly created group COO role
[SINGAPORE] Transport giant ComfortDelGro on Wednesday (Jul 15) said it has appointed Yap Chee Khean as its first group chief operating officer (COO). This is a newly created role, as part of the company’s wider strategy to strengthen global operations and grow across markets. The 49-year-old’s appointment is effective from Oct 15, ComfortDelGro said in…
Read MoreVenice: Margot Robbie & David Bowie Projects Among Immersive Lineup
The Venice Film Festival’s immersive sidebar celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a selection of projects, including titles featuring contributions by high-profile names such as Margot Robbie and Omar Sy. Overall, Venice Immersive will present 68 projects from 26 countries, of which 30 will play in competition, and 35 will be out of competition.…
Read MoreCyclosporiasis map shows U.S. cases as CDC updates advice
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) map shows confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states, as federal health officials warned that the true scale of the outbreak is likely far larger than current national figures suggest and updated their surveillance data this week. In an update published July 14, the agency…
Read MoreAimee Lou Wood Returning For ‘Daddy Issues’ Third And Final On BBC
EXCLUSIVE: Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey are set for a one final round of Daddy Issues. The star will return to star in a six-part Season 3 of the BBC show, which has been BBC Three’s biggest comedy launch since the start of 2022. The show, which is filmed and set in Stockport, England,…
Read MoreCJ ENM’s Mnet & Universal Music Group’s Republic Partner To Launch Global Girl Group
Mnet, the music entertainment channel owned by Korea’s CJ ENM, is partnering with Universal Music Group’s Republic Collective on an initiative to produce and launch a global K-pop girl group. Under the partnership, Republic will collaborate across the full scope of the project, dubbed Girls Planet 2027, from production through to the debut group’s U.S.…
Read MoreLocarno Sets 2026 Competition Juries
Belgian filmmaker Fabrice Du Welz will lead the Concorso Internazionale jury at this year’s Locarno Film Festival. He will be joined by Italian producer Marco Alessi, French actress Lolita Chammah; Chilean actress Paulina García; and Olivier Père, former General Delegate of the Quinzaine des cinéastes and Artistic Director of the Locarno Film Festival, now Executive…
Read MoreTodd Blanche faces Epstein files grilling at confirmation hearing
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche heads into a Senate confirmation hearing today with the fight over the Epstein files now shaping up as one of the biggest threats to his nomination. A handful of undecided Republican senators could determine whether Blanche, a former personal defense lawyer to President Donald Trump, advances in his bid to…
Read MoreAlternativa Distribution Launches To Bring Global South Films To TV & Streaming; Slate Includes Cannes Titles ‘A Poet’ & ‘If Only I Could Hibernate’
EXCLUSIVE: Alternativa has launched a distribution arm that will sell impact-driven films to broadcasters and streamers. Alternativa Distribution will be run by former yesDocu and TikTok exec Avital Lavi. It goes out of the gate with a ten-movie slate including Zoljargal Purevdash’s If Only I Could Hibernate, which played in the Un Certain Regard section…
Read MoreITV & Simon Cowell’s Partner Lauren Making Social Media Drama
EXCLUSIVE: ITV and Oscar-nominee Jeff Pope are teaming on a drama examining the devastating impact of social media on children, an idea that came to the broadcaster from Simon Cowell’s partner Lauren Cowell. The as-yet-untitled series will follow the story of multiple families and campaigners including Ellen Roome, who believes that the tragic death of…
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