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Bárbara Lennie and Victoria Luengo in Bitter Christmas —Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival(SeaPRwire) - If you’ve been a fan of Pedro Almodóvar’s films since the beginning, or even just for the past decade or so, you’re probably already familiar with his magnificent obsessions: He loves striking-looking women, and he writes willful, complicated characters for them to play. He adores vivid, out-there color combinations—lime-ade greens and tropical pinks, sunburnt ochres and sour-cherry reds—in both production and costume design. He’s attentive to all facets of love, from simple maternal devotion to forbidden caverns of sexual desire. And, more recently, he’s become preoccupied with the mysterious source of human creativity: Where do good ideas come from? And is there any possibility he might be running out of either ideas or the time to execute them? He’s one of our most emotionally generous filmmakers; his glorious oversharing isn't beside the point; it is the point.The good news and the bad news is that Almodovar’s Bitter Christmas, premiering in competition here at the Cannes Film Festival, is more of the same. In his recent pictures—like 2024’s The Room Next Door, in which Tilda Swinton plays a terminally ill woman who asks an old friend, Julianne Moore, to help her die with dignity, or 2019’s extraordinary Pain and Glory, in which Almodóvar’s longtime collaborator and muse Antonio Banderas plays a filmmaker beleaguered with aches, pains, and ennui—have had a ruminative, almost brooding quality. Almodovar is feeling old—but then, who isn’t? And once again, as in Pain and Glory, Bitter Christmas features a filmmaker, Bárbara Lennie’s Elsa, who has not only lost her creative spark, but is also struggling with chronic pain—in her case, debilitating migraines.At least Elsa isn’t alone, and her pain hasn’t made her selfish: she seeks to persuade one friend, Patricia (Victoria Luengo), to finally abandon her cheating husband, and she reaches out to another friend, Natalia (Milena Smit), who’s in agony over having lost a child. But she also has a loyal and much younger boyfriend, Bonifacio (Patrick Criado)—that he’s a firefighter who moonlights as a stripper is the movie’s greatest, wittiest Almodóvarian touch—whom she treats as an afterthought, though he appears to feel the utmost tenderness for her. This is a story in which a woman’s life absolutely doesn’t revolve around a man—yet Elsa’s treatment of her lover isn’t so much a triumph of feminism as it is evidence of her callousness as a human being.Quim Gutiérrez and Leonardo Sbaraglia —Courtesy of Cannes Film FestivalMaybe that’s because Elsa, her lover, and her two women friends are figments of another character’s imagination: Raúl, played by Argentine actor Leonardo Sbaraglia, is searching listlessly for the key to his next movie, only to settle on tearing a page from the real-life travails of his loyal assistant, Mónica (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón), who has been with him for years but has recently left his employ to help a close friend deal with a tragedy. One narrative nests within another; Raúl’s story, set in 2026, is “real” life, while Elsa’s, which takes place in 2004, is his creation. But he doesn’t seem to realize that other people’s life experiences aren’t ripe for the taking, and his insistence on doing so becomes a metaphor for the selfishness of artistic creation. And he too has a “Bonifacio” in his life, Quim Gutiérrez’s Santi. The Jenga puzzle of parallels comes to feel a little daunting, and perhaps too cleverly artificial.Even so, Bitter Christmas is so enjoyable to watch that you almost will yourself into believing that Almodóvar isn’t simply reworking, with certain beats that feel a little too familiar, some of his recent preoccupations. His trademark color combinations are pleasurably on point: when Elena tosses a pillar-box-red coat over a cobalt sweater, you may as well have died and gone to Almodóvar heaven. (The movie’s production design is by the director’s longtime collaborator Antxon Gómez; the costumes are by Paco Delgado.) The score, by Alberto Inglesias, who has frequently worked with Almodóvar, has a lush, melodramatic, Sirkian quality—it helps carry the movie through some of its rougher patches. In the end, Bitter Christmas may not be as thoughtful or deep as it strives to be. It’s not wrong to expect more from Almodóvar than an anguished shrug in movie form, one that might be summed up as “Creation is hard, but it’s the only thing that makes me feel alive!” But then Rossy De Palma shows up in just one brief scene, with her sensational Modigliani-meets-Picasso face, and you suddenly remember why even some of Almodóvar’s lesser movies simply feel like home. We come for the colors, the histrionic plots, the faces, the oversharing. It’s hard to get enough of the too-muchness of Almodóvar. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky speaks to members of the media about the Epstein Files Transparency Act outside the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 18, 2025. —Heather Diehl—Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - The most significant and costly test of President Donald Trump’s influence over the Republican Party has arrived: Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky is prepared to withstand the White House’s lingering disdain for an independent-minded congressman who, in his own words, now has “no Fs to give.”Tuesday’s primary in Kentucky will determine whether a lawmaker who defies Trump can survive in today’s politically charged environment shaped by the president’s dominance. Massie remains unshaken and is leveraging his rift with the White House as a key campaign message for another term. A lone rebel without a political coalition, Massie opposed the President’s tax cuts, calling them fiscally irresponsible. He has consistently criticized the war in Iran and openly expressed opposition to excessive political support for Israel. He also spearheaded efforts to release the Epstein files despite Trump’s objections.All of these actions have provoked the President’s anger during a season defined by harsh Republican-on-Republican loyalty tests that often lack grounding in reality. Trump’s approval ratings remain in the low 30s, and fellow Republicans are frustrated with how his unpopularity is jeopardizing their chances of maintaining House and Senate majorities heading into November. In an unprecedented move—especially amid ongoing conflict abroad—Trump sent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to campaign for Ed Gallrein, a dairy farmer and former Navy SEAL running against Massie in the GOP primary. Trump has already retaliated against state lawmakers in Indiana for refusing to redraw congressional districts to benefit the party and further damaged Sen. Bill Cassidy’s re-election prospects in Louisiana last Saturday. On the same day, he threatened Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado with a primary challenge after she publicly supported Massie.This is a president whose agenda can only be described by one word: vengeance. It undermines the more moderate wing of the Republican Party, creates obstacles for a GOP that recognizes voters are increasingly disillusioned with the party’s brand, and frustrates strategists desperate to maintain unity amid unfavorable national trends.If this turbulent climate reflects Trump’s leadership, the next six months are likely to be marked by instability and internal strife. While revenge may offer short-term satisfaction, it could ultimately backfire, helping Democrats seize control of Congress two years ahead of schedule. That would empower a Democratic-led chamber with subpoena power, investigative authority, and opportunities for high-profile showdowns—leaving Republicans on the defensive well before the 2028 presidential election.Kentucky represents just the latest chapter in a series of intra-party conflicts fueled by Trump’s personal grudges. Last weekend, Cassidy finished third in Louisiana despite his reputation as a reliable conservative and serious legislator. Julia Letlow won the most votes thanks to Trump’s strong endorsement, while state Treasurer John Fleming came in second. Both will advance to a runoff for a seat that is technically secure for Republicans but requires significant financial investment from the party’s donor base.This outcome isn’t surprising given Cassidy’s past vote to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial five years ago. As he entered lame-duck status, Cassidy remarked, “When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to, but you don’t pout, you don’t whine, you don’t claim the election was stolen, you don’t find a reason why you lost. You thank the voters for the privilege of representing the state or the country for as long as you’ve had that privilege, and that’s what I’m doing right now.”Cassidy’s defeat follows closely behind the recent Indiana primary, where Trump-backed candidates defeated longtime incumbents who refused to redraw district lines in favor of Republican interests. That contest cost the party $13 million in campaign spending—a stark reminder that Trump’s wrath now extends even to lawmakers in safely conservative districts, far beyond the reach of previous administrations.This escalating infighting has raised concerns among Republican strategists about Tuesday’s vote in Kentucky. Analysts on both sides expect this to become the year’s most expensive and bitter primary battle. So far, at least $14 million has been pulled from the Republican fundraising pipeline to fuel this personal feud. At stake is less about policy differences and more about loyalty and survival in a year when party unity may be the only viable strategy against broader electoral headwinds that typically disadvantage the party controlling the White House in midterm elections.This dynamic unfolds as Trump’s approval ratings continue to decline. His support among independents has nearly vanished. However, his core conservative base remains loyal—and it’s within this group that primary outcomes are typically decided. While this may create chaos in the short term, it risks being insufficient to protect Republican majorities in November. Meanwhile, the massive infusion of cash into these internal battles drains resources that could otherwise strengthen incumbents in competitive swing seats.A New York Times poll released Monday shows Democrats leading by 11 points in the generic ballot question among registered voters. If elections were held today, 50% of respondents said they would vote for Democrats compared to 39% for Republicans. Among independents, the gap widens to 18 points. With Republicans facing an 11-point deficit heading into the midterms, no amount of Trump-endorsed victories in safe districts can fully offset this trend. And if party infighting continues to consume donor dollars in non-competitive races, it may leave fewer resources available for protecting vulnerable incumbents in actual battlegrounds.Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

Staff members at CBCA Virunga Hospital prepare rooms intended for possible suspected Ebola cases following official announcements in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 17, 2026. —Jospin Mwisha/AFP—Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - An American working in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has tested positive for Ebola and is experiencing symptoms, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Six other Americans who have been in close contact with the infected individual, also located in the DRC, are currently under monitoring.Captain Satish Pillai, incident manager for CDC’s Ebola response, stated during a briefing on May 18 that the CDC is coordinating efforts to transport all seven Americans to medical facilities in Germany, where they will continue to receive care and undergo further evaluation. He noted that the confirmed case was “exposed as part of their work in DRC” but declined to provide specific details regarding the nature of the exposure.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this outbreak in DRC and Uganda has resulted in eight laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases, while more than 250 suspected cases remain under investigation; among those affected, 80 individuals have died. Dr. Alan Gonzalez, deputy director of operations at Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, explained that violence and political instability in the region, coupled with inadequate healthcare infrastructure and insufficient protective equipment for health workers, are contributing to the rapid spread of the virus. The WHO Director General declared the Ebola outbreak in both countries a public health emergency of international concern on May 17, a designation that mobilizes additional resources, personnel, and funding to combat the public health threat.Pillai emphasized that the CDC is collaborating closely with health authorities in DRC and Uganda to assist in containing the outbreak. This support includes deploying technical experts on Ebola both locally and remotely. In response, the U.S. government has issued health advisories for travelers to DRC and Uganda, urging them to obtain travel insurance, avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms, refrain from visiting healthcare facilities unless absolutely necessary, and steer clear of interactions with animals or consumption of raw meat.On May 18, the United States implemented entry restrictions barring anyone who has visited DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days—unless holding a valid U.S. passport—from entering the country.Ebola outbreaks have occurred frequently in the DRC since the disease was first identified in the mid-1970s, with at least 16 prior outbreaks recorded before this current event. Historically, most outbreaks involved the Zaire strain, which carries a high fatality rate between 60% and 90%, and causes symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headaches, progressing eventually to internal bleeding and organ failure.The latest outbreak originated with reports to WHO in early May about unexplained deaths, including among healthcare providers, in Ituri Province, DRC. Within just over a week, lab testing confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has a lower mortality rate—ranging from 30% to 50%—but still results in severe and potentially fatal illness. Since the Zaire strain has dominated previous outbreaks, several antiviral treatments and monoclonal antibody therapies have been developed specifically for it; however, no such treatments exist yet for Bundibugyo. "This marks only the third known instance of the Bundibugyo strain causing an outbreak in history," said Gonzalez. "Consequently, existing vaccines, previously developed therapeutics, and testing protocols tailored for Zaire are ineffective against this variant."Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals. Experts believe people contract the virus primarily from infected bats or primates. Healthcare workers across Africa face heightened risk due to frequent shortages of appropriate personal protective equipment and limited awareness that patients may be infected, especially since initial symptoms mirror those of common infections.Funding cuts—particularly to agencies like USAID, which historically played a major role in supporting global public health initiatives—have significantly impacted regional healthcare capacity since January. Despite these challenges, Pillai confirmed the CDC maintains a team of 25 staff in its DRC office, and that number “has not seen substantial change.” He added: “For any support requests from either the country office or the Ministry of Health, we stand ready to deliver assistance both remotely and in person.”With no targeted treatments available for Bundibugyo, public health officials are focusing on critical containment strategies: widespread testing, rigorous contact tracing to identify potential exposures, and strict isolation measures. Managing coexisting infections and ensuring adequate hydration are also vital components of patient care. As Gonzalez highlighted, these non-specific interventions have proven highly effective in prior outbreaks: “Even absent specific therapeutics, such approaches dramatically improve patient outcomes.”To date, there have been no reported cases of Ebola in the United States. “The risk to the U.S. population remains low,” Pillai affirmed. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the press in front of the American flag as he leaves the White House on May 12, 2026 —Kevin Dietsch—Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - Two recent surveys indicate that President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are declining, as Americans have grown disillusioned with the Iran war and are becoming more concerned about inflation and the state of the economy. These numbers raise the possibility that Republican candidates will be negatively impacted by Trump in the approaching midterm elections, a scenario that might give Democrats control over Congress. Almost 18 months into Trump’s second term, a fresh New York Times/Siena poll of 1,507 registered voters, published on Monday, revealed that 50% would cast their ballot for the Democratic candidate in their district if an election were held today—an increase from 48% in January and 47% in September 2025.The Times survey noted that Trump’s approval rating has reached a second-term low of 37%, since a definitive conclusion to the widely unpopular Iran war remains out of his reach.In the meantime, a CBS poll issued on Sunday found that 63% of 2,064 voters disapprove of Trump, with 52% expressing strong disapproval of his job performance.The decline in approval is especially noticeable among specific voter groups that played a key role in his 2024 win—such as Latino voters, independents, and young voters who shifted heavily toward Republicans. However, the Times poll indicates that 71% of Hispanic respondents, 70% of independents, and 76% of voters aged 18-29 disapprove of Trump’s performance. During the 2024 election, Trump secured 48% of the Hispanic vote, 48% of the independent vote, and 39% of the 18-29 vote.Since the war started on February 28, gas prices have spiked and inflation has picked up speed over the months. As per the Consumer Price Index released on May 12, consumer prices hit a three-year high of 3.8% by the end of April. The average U.S. gas price has climbed to approximately $4.50 per gallon.Survey respondents report that inflation has hit them hard and they are deeply concerned about the economy.Both polls were carried out last week, coinciding with Trump facing criticism for telling reporters that Americans’ economic hardship is not a concern of his regarding the Iran war—“not even a little bit.”“I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all,” he told reporters on May 13.In 2024, Trump campaigned (and won) on his affordability initiatives and his pledge that voting for him would result in lower grocery costs.Although presidential approval ratings typically signal how well a party will perform in midterms, the polls also revealed frustration with Democrats—only 26% of the Times poll’s participants stated they were satisfied with the party.Here are the issues most affecting Trump’s support among voters.The war in Iran is deeply unpopular The CBS poll found that 66% of respondents disagree with how Trump is managing the Iran situation, and 61% oppose all military action against the country.Sixty-eight percent of respondents say the Trump Administration has not clearly outlined its objectives in Iran, and most do not think the war has benefited U.S. economic interests. A larger number of respondents believe it has aided the U.S.’s military and strategic interests.A significant 79% of Republicans approve of Trump’s handling of the war, while 96% of Democrats disapprove.Last week, Congress came closer than ever before to passing a War Powers Resolution that would limit Trump’s ability to continue the Iran war, as three Republican senators defied their party to support the measure.Likewise, the New York Times poll found that 63% of voters—including 27% of Republicans—think the president should not be allowed to use military force unless Congress approves it.Only 40% of Times poll respondents believe the war will be somewhat or very successful in eliminating Iran’s nuclear program, whereas 50% think it will fail. If the U.S. cannot quickly reach an agreement to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, 52% of respondents say the U.S. should not restart military action.Several months after Trump authorized the U.S. military to capture and oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military raid, 70% of Times respondents also stated that using military force to overthrow hostile governments is not justified unless those governments pose an “immediate threat.”Trump is facing his worst approval ratings on the economy in his second termBoth polls mirror Americans’ increasing economic anxiety as gas and grocery prices keep rising. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Trump Administration’s tariff system, and fragile supply chains have driven up prices for all types of goods.Per the CBS poll, 73% of respondents disapprove of Trump’s approach to inflation, and most have a worsening view of the U.S. economy: 65% describe it as “uncertain” and 63% as “struggling.” Approximately half of respondents said Trump’s policies will probably harm the U.S. economy in the long run, and 65% think it will get worse in the short term.These figures mark Trump’s lowest approval rating on the economy during his second term—a notable change, considering this issue has long been viewed as his political strong suit.In the Times poll, the percentage of Americans who call the U.S. economy “poor” has increased by 11 points since the beginning of the year. While a majority of Republicans (63%) still approve of Trump’s handling of inflation, that figure is significantly lower than the 74% approval rate in March.Regarding their personal finances, 57% of respondents said Trump’s policies are making them worse off financially, and 77% report that their income is not keeping pace with inflation. In the New York Times poll, 44% of voters said his policies have personally harmed them—an increase from 36% last autumn. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. 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A motorcycle taxi driver waits for clients in front of the entrance of CBCA Virunga General Hospital, in Goma on May 17, 2026. A first case of Ebola virus infection has been reported in Goma, a major city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo controlled by the M23 armed group, with the WHO declaring an international health alert on Sunday. —Jospin Mwisha—AFP via Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern” on Sunday, after the virus killed nearly 90 people and spread across multiple regions, including cross-border infections and suspected cases in major cities.The outbreak, first detected in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, has now resulted in at least 88 deaths and more than 300 suspected cases, according to health authorities. Officials said the virus has also reached Uganda, where at least two laboratory-confirmed cases were linked to travelers from Congo, including one death in the capital, Kampala. WHO officials said the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency but warned of a “high regional risk” due to population movement, porous borders, and ongoing transmission in multiple health zones.Health officials said the outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare variant first identified in Uganda in 2007. The strain has been reported in two previous outbreaks and has no approved virus-specific therapeutics or vaccines, according to the WHO. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, including blood, vomit, and other contaminated materials, and becomes contagious once symptoms appear. Those symptoms can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and internal or external bleeding.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing on Friday that there remain “significant uncertainties” about the true scale of the outbreak and how widely it has spread beyond confirmed cases. Initial laboratory samples tested negative because early field diagnostics were only capable of detecting the Zaire strain of Ebola, delaying confirmation of the Bundibugyo variant now driving the outbreak, according to the WHO. How the Ebola outbreak spreadHealth authorities said the outbreak began in Mongwalu, a mining hub in Ituri province, where infected individuals later traveled to other health zones, contributing to wider transmission. Officials also confirmed suspected and laboratory-linked cases in North Kivu province and in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, located roughly 1,000 kilometers from the epicenter, raising concerns about broader geographic spread. Ugandan officials said cross-border movement between Congo and Uganda has further accelerated transmission, with at least one confirmed fatal case in Kampala tied to travel from Congo.Health officials also said at least four health-care workers showing Ebola-like symptoms have died.The WHO’s declaration marks its second-highest alert level and is intended to mobilize international coordination, funding, and response capacity. The agency urged countries to strengthen surveillance, isolate confirmed cases, and monitor contacts for up to 21 days, while discouraging border closures that could drive cases underground. “The number of cases and deaths we are seeing in such a short timeframe, combined with the spread across several health zones and now across the border, is extremely concerning,” Trish Newport, emergency program manager for Doctors Without Borders, said in a statement. “In Ituri, many people already struggle to access health care and live with ongoing insecurity, making rapid action critical to prevent the outbreak from escalating further.”WHO officials said previous emergency declarations have had mixed results, but stressed that rapid response remains critical given the speed of transmission in this outbreak.The outbreak comes amid a strained global response system, after the U.S. Agency for International Development, which previously played a central role in containing Ebola outbreaks, was shuttered, and the United States withdrew from the WHO in January this year.The outbreak is unfolding in eastern Congo, where armed conflict, weak healthcare infrastructure, and population movement tied in part to mining activity are complicating efforts to contain the virus.Authorities said violence in Ituri, including attacks by armed groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces and M23, has limited access for health workers and disrupted contact tracing efforts. Officials noted that only a small fraction of suspected cases have been confirmed in laboratories so far, highlighting uncertainty about the outbreak’s true scale.Previous outbreaks killed thousandsThe Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced at least 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in 1976, making it one of the countries most frequently affected.The largest outbreak between 2018 and 2020 killed nearly 2,300 people. More recent outbreaks have been contained more quickly, though officials warn this one is more complex due to its rare strain, geographic spread, and delayed detection. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Today, TIME announces the second-annual TIME100 Philanthropy list, highlighting the world’s most influential leaders in charitable giving.The TIME100 Philanthropy issue features two global covers, each with an in-depth profile: Michael Dell, founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, and Susan Dell, philanthropist, co-founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; and Idris Elba, actor and filmmaker, and Sabrina Dhowre Elba, model, entrepreneur and activist, co-founders of the Elba Hope Foundation.--Explore the complete 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list: hereThe 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list includes Rihanna, singer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Clara Lionel Foundation; Lionel Messi, soccer player and philanthropist; Elton John, singer-songwriter and founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and David Furnish, producer; Steven Spielberg, filmmaker, and Kate Capshaw, artist; Shakira, singer-songwriter and founder of the Barefoot Foundation; MacKenzie Scott, author and philanthropist; Chance the Rapper, musician, philanthropist and co-founder of SocialWorks; Sloane Stephens, tennis champion and founder of the Sloane Stephens Foundation; Marc Anthony, singer-songwriter, and Henry Cárdenas, entrepreneur, co-founders of the Maestro Cares Foundation; Julián Castro, former U.S. HUD secretary and CEO of the Latino Community Foundation; John Arnold and Laura Arnold, co-founders and co-chairs of Arnold Ventures; Tony Elumelu and Awele Vivien Elumelu, co-founders of the Tony Elumelu Foundation; Christopher Hohn, founder of The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation; and more.'TIME100 IMPACT DINNER' TO RECOGNIZE LEADERS IN PHILANTHROPY:TIME will host the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Philanthropy on May 21 in New York City for an evening of celebration and inspiration. The program will include remarks and appearances from those featured on the 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list, including Michael Dell, founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell Technologies, and Susan Dell, philanthropist, co-founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; and Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba, co-founders of the Elba Hope Foundation; Chance the Rapper, musician, philanthropist and co-founder of SocialWorks; and more.The TIME100 Philanthropy is presented by official timepiece Rolex, supporting partner American Express and celebration partner The Macallan. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - —Kenneth Appelbaum This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - —David Zalubowski—AP This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) -Photograph by Matt Winkelmeyer | WireImage/Getty Images This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) -—Courtesy GiveWell This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) -Portrait by Michelle’s Design This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) -—Courtesy Center for Disaster Philanthropy This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) -Courtesy IFRC This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) -Photograph by Ed Zurga for The Associated Press. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

The Netflix log-in page is displayed on a smartphone with the Netflix logo visible in the background in this photo illustration from June 18, 2024. —Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto—Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - Netflix is facing a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who alleges the streaming service has been “spying on Texans, including children, and gathering user data without their knowledge or consent.”Paxton stated that Netflix had previously assured customers “that it does not collect or integrate user data and that children’s profiles are specifically designed to safeguard young viewers.” However, he contends the company instead “quietly developed a behavioral surveillance system of massive scale.”“This system is designed to keep Texans and their kids glued to their screens and then harvest every possible detail about them during that time,” he said in the complaint submitted Monday.Paxton—a Republican currently running for the U.S. Senate—asserts that these alleged practices breach the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.“When you watch Netflix, Netflix watches you,” the lawsuit states.He also accuses Netflix of using “dark patterns,” such as its autoplay function, to “influence users to act in ways the company desires,” thereby eliminating “the natural pauses that would normally prompt someone to step away from their device.”A Netflix spokesperson told TIME that the company plans to respond to the claims in court."Out of respect for the great state of Texas and Attorney General Paxton, we believe this lawsuit is without merit and relies on misleading and exaggerated information," the spokesperson said. "Netflix takes member privacy seriously and adheres to all applicable privacy and data protection laws in every region where we operate."The legal filing references remarks by former Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who said in 2020 that the company was not combining user data across its platform.“We don’t collect anything. Our sole focus is on delighting our members, and we stay clear of the controversies surrounding advertising,” Hastings remarked during an earnings call.“Netflix marketed its subscriptions as a refuge from Big Tech surveillance: pay monthly and avoid being tracked,” the lawsuit alleges. “Texans relied on that promise. Netflix violated it—by building the very kind of data-gathering infrastructure that subscribers paid to avoid.”Paxton is seeking a temporary restraining order to stop Netflix from “collecting, sharing, selling, disclosing, using, or otherwise handling any data gathered about Texas consumers.”He is also demanding that Netflix “delete” all data previously collected on Texans and wants guarantees that the company will not use user data for targeted advertising unless it first secures “express, informed consent” from users.As a financial consequence, the Texas official is calling for civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.This week, Paxton settled a separate lawsuit with LG, which he had initiated in December along with suits against four other companies, all accused of “spying” on Texas residents.Under the settlement, LG must update its smart TVs to show a notice to users when they access the Viewing Information Agreement. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

—Nazar Abbas Photography—Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - Growing up in Amritsar, India, food was never just cooked; it was offered. My grandmother stirred pots at dawn with instinct and devotion.The kitchens I was raised in were not full of privilege and expensive ingredients. But they were full of beautiful rituals filled with care.Indian food has always lived in homes, temples, and community kitchens. It was not created to impress, but to nourish, include, and heal. But for too long, the world has overlooked Indian food because of these very qualities.When I went to culinary school in India, I was trained in French sauces and classical European techniques. This training gave me discipline and structure. But I was drawn to the depth of Indian food, the kind that isn’t taught, but remembered.The pineapple coconut curry from the Krishna Temple in Udupi, the dal from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the sweet rice from the Jagannath Temple in Puri, and the modaks from the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai resonated with me far more deeply than the sauces I was taught in culinary school.While my culinary school classmates followed a defined path and a Eurocentric curriculum, I kept returning to the flavors I had grown up with.There was a wall in the library filled with photographs of Western chefs, the standard we were told to aspire to. I remember asking, “Why does no one look like me?” The answer was simple: this is who controls the world.That control shapes which cuisines are valued. A gastronomic hierarchy has emerged, with some traditions seen as refined while others are labeled “ethnic.” One food framework has become dominant, while others are expected to adapt.After culinary school, I went on to achieve recognition within this system, earning Michelin stars and global accolades. By every measure, I had succeeded. But somewhere along the way, I felt a growing distance from the food that had first defined me.I remember a moment when my mother sat at my restaurant table and did not enjoy a single bite of what I had prepared. That stayed with me. I had spent years striving for excellence as it was defined around me, yet the person I most wanted to honor did not recognize herself in my food.That instance led me to a question I could no longer ignore: Who decides what greatness tastes like?Global culinary standards have evolved within specific histories. They have elevated technique, precision, and consistency, and for that, they deserve respect. But they do not always capture cuisines shaped by memory and lived experience.Cuisines like Indian food are layered, diverse, and deeply rooted in context. To measure them through a single lens risks missing what makes them meaningful.Across the world, cuisines carry stories of identity and survival. They are not incomplete versions of something else. They are complete in themselves. Yet they are often simplified to fit expectations that were never built around them.The good news: these expectations are beginning to change.Today’s diners are seeking more than presentation. They want authenticity, connection, and meaning. This is not a trend; it is a shift.The preservation of cuisine does not happen only in institutions. It happens in everyday kitchens, in homes where recipes are remembered, not written, and passed down through generations. That is where authenticity lives.Today my goal is to create experiences that truly honor where I come from, without needing to change it for acceptance. My restaurant, Bungalow, is a continuation of traditions—a space where authenticity is not adjusted for acceptance, but presented with pride.The truth is that the success of a cuisine cannot be defined only by stars or rankings. It must also be measured by recognition, by the people who see themselves in it.We cannot build the future of global cuisine by asking every culture to fit into the same mold. We build it by expanding that mold, by allowing multiple definitions of excellence to exist. Because when only a few are given the power to judge what greatness tastes like, we all lose.At its core, food remains what it has always been, an act of giving, a way of connecting, a reflection of who we are. If we measure it through a single lens, we risk losing its diversity.But if we allow food to exist in its full identity, we gain something far greater. We begin to understand each other. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.