The internet, freshly baked.

Hanna and Horovitz Cover Bieber's 'Let Me Love You' to Rally 30-Plus Acts Against ICE

Kathleen Hanna and Ad-Rock, the Beastie Boys' Adam Horovitz, have released a cover of DJ Snake and Justin Bieber's 'Let Me Love You' for the anti-ICE benefit compilation 'Contra-ICE Vol. 1: ICE OUT,' Pitchfork reported. The collection, out October 2 via SoundsGood on digital, CD, and vinyl, was organized by Build Art Make Change and features more than 30 music, spoken-word, and comedy icons, according to Rolling Stone. The lineup includes Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, Fred Armisen, Fishbone, Ozomatli, Money Mark, and David J, with proceeds going to the National Day Laborer Organizing Network and Unión del Barrio. As ALT AZ 93.3 put it, the married pair are: "taking their marriage to the studio" The outlet noted the Bikini Kill vocalist and the Beastie Boys member, who wed in 2006, released their take on the 2016 hit. The Hanna/Ad-Rock track also includes Money Mark, Fredo Ortiz, and Frank Figueroa, Pitchfork noted. Hanna said in a press release that it is: "rare to play music with favorite people while working with a grassroots organization" That collaborative spirit extends across the rest of the record, which mixes punk and rap veterans with spoken-word and comedy acts. Other outlets also flagged the release: Fuzz 96.1 and 98 Rock both carried the news, carmandragone.car.blog highlighted the involvement of Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, and Fred Armisen, and Far Out Magazine confirmed the October 2 release date.

7 sources · 19 Aug

Knights of Fiona Co-Op JRPG Comes To Quest And PC VR With An Optional Paid Story Pass

The co-op VR JRPG Knights of Fiona is set to launch "free-to-start" on Quest and PC VR, with the game's story and other features tucked behind an optional paid Story Pass, according to UploadVR. The model lets players jump into the experience without an upfront purchase, while the full narrative journey requires the add-on. "free-to-start" That phrasing signals a growing trend in VR game monetization, where the entry point is free but the complete content comes at a cost. Building on that, eicker.news reported that the game arrives in September, with the Story Pass priced at 18.99 USD for full story content. Early backers, meanwhile, get complete story access including six voiced chapters in both Japanese and English, per eicker.news. "full story content" The substantial price for a story pass suggests the campaign is a central pillar of the experience rather than a minor extra, and the bilingual voiced chapters add meaningful production value for backers. Together, the two reports paint a picture of a game that lowers the barrier to entry while keeping its core narrative as a premium layer, a model that will be worth watching when Knights of Fiona lands on Quest and PC VR this September.

2 sources · 19 Aug

Fresh Final Fantasy Resonance Trailers Call On Lightning and the Warrior of Light

Square Enix has been rolling out character spotlights for Final Fantasy Resonance, an HD-2D turn-based RPG, with new trailers centering on Lightning and the Warrior of Light. RPG Site reported that Lightning is a Vision in the game and noted that this is the first HD-2D Final Fantasy title, with the trailer showing her "alongside Shantotto and more." Meanwhile, nintendolife.com focused its coverage on a separate trailer for the Warrior of Light, a Vision character who can join the player in battle. IGN Adria's coverage of the Lightning trailer emphasized her combat role. "Players can look within and summon the might of Lightning to make use of her lightning-based abilities in battle." That summoning hook looks to be central to how Visions factor into the turn-based combat, giving each character a distinct way to "shock the opposition" as the outlet put it. Nintendo Life's coverage of the Warrior of Light trailer painted a similar picture of a familiar hero lending aid. "The new trailer focuses on the Vision character, Warrior of Light, who can battle alongside the player." Like Lightning, the Warrior of Light is a returning Final Fantasy archetype, and RPG Site's mention of Shantotto suggests the roster will draw heavily on series history. Release details are now firming up as well. IGN Adria reported that Final Fantasy Resonance launches on October 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. nintendolife.com also noted the October timing for the Switch 1 and 2, and RPG Site described the project as the first HD-2D Final Fantasy game, underscoring Square Enix's return to the style for its flagship series.

3 sources · 19 Aug

Elden Ring Switch 2 gameplay showcase lands amid mixed performance verdicts

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is getting one last look before its Switch 2 debut. Nintendo and Bandai Namco have released a "Gameplay Showcase" trailer, and separate off-screen footage shows the game running in portable mode, according to RPG Site and news.instant-gaming.com. The all-in-one edition, which bundles the base game and its DLC, is set to arrive on August 28, reported news.instant-gaming.com. The showcase caps a rocky road to release. Notebookcheck reported that development of the Switch 2 version has been long and difficult, and Eurogamer noted that early playable builds, including one shown at Gamescom 2025, performed poorly. That led FromSoftware to delay the port in order to make targeted performance adjustments, according to Eurogamer. The new footage has produced mixed readings. Notebookcheck's analysis of the fresh videos found better performance overall, but docked mode offers only limited advantages and handheld mode can still dip below 30 FPS. Eurogamer, by contrast, said the new preview wipes away performance concerns. "We're continuing to get looks at Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2, and a 'Gameplay Showcase' trailer has now surfaced." Nintendo reported that looks at the game keep coming, with the showcase trailer now part of the rollout. "Nintendo and Bandai Namco share the first gameplay showcase video for Elden Ring Tarnished Edition." RPG Site described the new trailer as the first gameplay showcase video for the edition, while IGN Adria likewise circulated the official gameplay overview. With opinion split between lingering frame rate worries and a more upbeat preview read, the August 28 launch will settle the question.

7 sources · 19 Aug

August's Game Pass Farewells Include The Witcher 3 and Four More

Xbox Game Pass is saying goodbye to five titles when August ends, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition headlining the departures. GameSpot reported that the list, visible on the "Leaving Soon" tab of the Xbox mobile app, also includes Another Crab's Treasure, I Am Your Beast, Neon Abyss, and One Lonely Outpost, all exiting the subscription service on August 31. ComicBook framed the Witcher 3 exit in loftier terms, calling it a once-in-a-generation loss for the service. Polygon noted that subscribers have until the end of August to play the acclaimed RPG before it leaves, and observed that Game Pass is losing more notable games than it adds this month. "What is widely considered one of the best video games in history will be departing from Xbox Game Pass at the end of August 2026." That reputation makes this month's turnover sting a bit more for subscribers who haven't finished their playthrough yet. GameSpot described the departing batch as "some cool, cute, and critically acclaimed games," and added a practical tip: players can still save 20% on any of these titles if they decide to buy them before they leave Game Pass. "As usual, you can save 20% on these games if you decide to buy them before they leave Game Pass." Gamer Social Club offered a more playful send-off, suggesting a coin toss in XBOX to keep playing The Witcher 3 as the five games prepare to make their exit. The departures come as Xbox simultaneously rolls out its second wave of August additions, per GameSpot, leaving players to weigh new arrivals against what they're about to lose.

4 sources · 19 Aug

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Reportedly Plan Extended UK Stay

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to return to the UK for an extended period, six years after trading royal life for a new home in California, according to Page Six. "will return to the UK for an extended period." The report frames the move as a notable reversal for the couple, who have built a life in Montecito since leaving their official roles behind. Forbes noted that the couple made their move to the U.S. in 2020 as they stepped away from their formal duties within the royal family. "moved to the U.S. in 2020 as they stepped away from their official royal duties." The timing and purpose of the extended stay have not been detailed, but the news marks a significant shift for Harry and Meghan, who have largely remained based in California while pursuing separate philanthropic and media ventures. Page Six characterized the development as a shock move, while Forbes framed it simply as a return after six years across the Atlantic. The reports leave open questions about whether the stay signals a permanent relocation or a temporary chapter in the couple's life, and neither outlet indicated any official palace confirmation. For now, the story hinges on what Page Six described as an extended period, a phrase that could cover anything from weeks to months.

2 sources · 19 Aug

Spider-Man: Brand New Day's Sprint Past $800M Domestic Leaves Force Awakens in the Dust

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has crossed $800 million at the domestic box office in a record 19 days, becoming the fastest movie ever to reach that milestone, Deadline reported. The Destin Daniel Cretton-directed Sony/Marvel Studios film beat the previous record held by 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which took 23 days. FanBolt noted the new film did it four days faster than The Force Awakens, and seat42f.com confirmed the $800 million mark fell in just 19 days. Deadline also reported that Brand New Day is the fourth movie ever to cross $800 million domestically, marking the second such achievement for Zendaya and the third for Tom Holland. The Hollywood Reporter noted the superhero behemoth recently hit $2 billion globally to surpass Sony's all-time mark. World of Reel reported the worldwide milestone was about to land too: "The $2 billion worldwide mark will also be hit within the next few hours." Comic Basics framed the run in a context of almost weekly broken records: "Box office records have been falling almost weekly since Marvel and Sony’s latest Spider-Man outing hit theaters, and the milestones keep arriving at a pace few films in history have matched." That velocity is paying off for the star as well: World of Reel reported Tom Holland is set to make over $100 million from the film. With the domestic $800 million barrier cleared in less than three weeks and a global $2 billion mark imminent, Brand New Day is shaping up as one of the fastest box office runs in modern memory.

6 sources · 19 Aug

Time-travel series 'The Ministry of Time' sets its leads as BBC and A24 begin production

The BBC and A24 have found their leads for The Ministry of Time, with Aoife Hinds and Billy Howle set to star as filming begins in and around London, TVZoneUK reported. Whatfinger noted the six-part show is based on Kaliane Bradley's bestselling debut novel of the same name, which has been adapted by Alice Birch. Deadline reported that Hinds will play Sophy and Howle will play Commander Graham Gore in the fantasy series. UPI characterized the pair's relationship in the drama this way: "star-crossed lovers Sophy and Graham" That framing suggests the time-travel story will center as much on the bond between its leads as on the mechanics of the premise. Radio Times described the adaptation as "much-anticipated" and a time-travel drama. The Industry offered a glimpse of the show's setup, writing that it is set in a government agency that gathers: "expats" across history to test the viability of time travel Deadline reported that A24 is producing with Amediateka, Australia's Binge, Canada's Crave, and Germany's ZDF serving as co-producers, and that additional casting announcements are expected in due course. ATV Today confirmed the series will run for six episodes, while TVZoneUK noted that Aneil Karia is directing.

7 sources · 19 Aug

Governments resist accountability: Bulgaria's stalled reforms and Poland's blocked data check

On August 16, Rumen Radev's Bulgarian government marked 100 days in office, but the milestone has brought little of the change promised before the election, according to OSW. The one-party cabinet of the conservative-social Progressive Bulgaria party has not signaled fundamental internal reforms or a swift reckoning with previous governments. On the international stage, Radev has pursued a more careful balancing act. OSW reported that the prime minister criticizes the mainstream of EU foreign policy while declining to block its decisions, a stance that preserves his image as a constructive partner. A separate accountability dispute is unfolding in Poland, where citizens have been told they cannot check whether their PESEL numbers are among the 19 million stolen from the MyDr database. Wyborcza reported that the police are opposed to such checks, meaning people will not be able to verify their exposure to the breach. Both cases highlight institutional resistance to transparency, albeit in different arenas. OSW described the Bulgarian government's posture as neither fully supporting nor opposing reform, while Wyborcza characterized the Polish police response as a flat refusal to let the public examine the damage.

2 sources · 19 Aug

Ankara police break up 38-day vigil as veterans' families removed from Güvenpark

Police intervened in Ankara's Güvenpark in the early morning, breaking up a 38-day sit-in by relatives of fallen private soldiers and veterans demanding equal personal rights, according to Haberler.com. The operation came at 04.45, Yeniçağ Gazetesi and gazeteoksijen reported, and those in the park were taken to the Bilkent Gazi Uyum Evi while Güvenpark was closed with barriers, karar.com added. The overnight raid was rough. Reporters at haber.sol.org.tr described police entering the park, forcibly clearing the area, waking sleeping protesters by shining flashlights in their eyes, and pushing them onto buses bound for the Gazi Rehabilitation Center. "Police teams woke the sleeping veterans by shining flashlights in their eyes." The detail underscores how the nearly six-week-long vigil ended abruptly before dawn, with little warning for those asleep in the park. The demonstrators had come from across Turkey to make their demand, karar.com reported. Their slogan, "eşit özlük hakları," or equal personal rights, was the central demand of the group that had occupied the park for more than a month, as İlke TV noted. After the evacuation, protesters were transferred to Bilkent Gazi Uyum Evi, gazeteoksijen reported, while police barriers sealed off the park, according to İlke TV. The action may not be over: haber.sol.org.tr reported that the group was expected to march to the Interior Ministry later that day. "It was learned that the veterans would march to the Ministry of Interior today." That plan, if carried through, would move the confrontation from the park to the government's doorstep. Şehit Aileleri ve Gaziler Derneği Genel Başkanı Erdem Çerçioğlu reacted after the intervention, Haberler.com reported, though details of his response were not given.

6 sources · 19 Aug

Burnham's first interests filing shows donor haul worth hundreds of thousands

Andy Burnham's first financial interests filing as prime minister reveals hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations from supporters before he took office. The Guardian reported that the new MPs' register of interests shows donations of almost £350,000, while BBC News and theukpulse.co.uk put the figure at £345,000. The Standard, Irish News, ireland-live.ie, and Express and Star each reported £325,000. According to The Guardian, major contributors included Burnham's former adviser Sacha Lord and billionaires David Sainsbury and Gary Lubner. The same register records hospitality and trips worth more than £12,000, much of it tied to Greater Manchester from his time as mayor. The Guardian highlighted the scale of the declared benefits: "hospitality and trips worth more than £12,000" That total also included £1,500 of Glastonbury tickets and £500 of tickets to Ladies Day at Aintree, The Guardian reported. Other outlets summarized the support more broadly. The Standard, along with Irish News, ireland-live.ie, and Express and Star, said donors gave hundreds of thousands of pounds of support in the months leading up to Burnham's leadership win: "Donors gave hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of support" BBC News framed the disclosure as a first for the new prime minister: "The prime minister lists his financial interests for the first time since returning to Parliament." The varying figures reflect different tallies of what was registered, but each outlet agreed the sums were substantial. The disclosure offers the first public accounting of how Burnham's leadership campaign and transition were funded, as theukpulse.co.uk noted in its own report of £345,000 in donations.

7 sources · 19 Aug

Blackrock's IBIT Anchors Diverging Tuesday Flow Reports for Crypto ETFs

Tuesday's crypto ETF flows produced two very different headlines, with Blackrock's IBIT fund at the center of both. news.bitcoin.com reported that bitcoin ETFs attracted $189.30 million on Tuesday and ether funds added $71.47 million, while bitcoin.com said U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs recorded a modest $4.89 million net inflow for the same session. BitRss echoed the larger figure, writing that Bitcoin ETFs followed Monday's momentum as ether funds pulled in $71 million, with XRP and solana ETFs also finishing in positive territory. The more conservative account from bitcoin.com attributed the day's gain to a $50.20 million addition to Blackrock's IBIT fund, which offset outflows across five other bitcoin funds and reversed Monday's $144.67 million withdrawal. The two versions also split on ether. While news.bitcoin.com counted $71.47 million in fresh ether ETF capital, bitcoin.com reported that ether ETFs remained slightly negative, adding another layer of contradiction to the day's coverage. "extending their strong start to the week." That phrase captures the optimistic read of Tuesday's flows, though it rests on totals that other reporting put far lower. "This positive result came despite outflows across five other funds." That framing shifts the focus to IBIT's singular strength, suggesting the broader bitcoin ETF market was less uniformly healthy than the headline numbers implied.

4 sources · 19 Aug

Deported From Fiji, Alleged $165M 'Crypto Program' Mastermind Faces 25 Federal Counts

Edward Zimbardi, the man prosecutors say masterminded a $165 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme called "The Crypto Program," was deported from Fiji to the United States last week to face federal fraud and money laundering charges, Cointelegraph reported. BitcoinWorld reported that he is scheduled to appear in a U.S. federal court this week, after Fijian authorities acted on a U.S. extradition request. The charges center on losses to a wide circle of investors, according to New Straits Times, which reported that the U.S. attorney in Atlanta said on Monday he is accused of defrauding more than 6,000 investors. "defrauding more than 6,000 investors and causing more than US$165 million of losses" That scale of investor harm explains why the case has drawn attention across international borders, from Fiji to Los Angeles. Cointelegraph noted that Fijian authorities deported Zimbardi in coordination with the FBI and the State Department. He now faces 25 federal counts and was scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate judge in Los Angeles, with prosecutors seeking his detention pending proceedings in Georgia. Cryptonews.net also reported his return to face the fraud and money laundering charges, citing the U.S. Attorney's Office. BitRss reported that prosecutors allege Zimbardi collected crypto from thousands of investors, lost more than $34 million on currency trades and spent at least $10 million personally. "lost over $34 million on currency trades and spent at least $10 million personally" Those alleged losses and personal spending paint a picture of a scheme that unraveled well before Zimbardi's deportation. en.bloomingbit.io also carried word of the deportation, adding to the international coverage of the case. BitcoinWorld noted that Zimbardi's return came after Fijian authorities acted on the U.S. extradition request, setting the stage for his court appearance this week.

7 sources · 19 Aug

New Apple Corps Deal Hands Universal Global Control Over Beatles Merchandise

Apple Corps, the company that manages The Beatles' creative and business interests, has signed a new multi-year partnership with Universal Music Group that puts UMG in charge of the band's worldwide physical and digital merchandise, licensing, and e-commerce, according to Chennaionline and Deadline. The agreement comes as UMG already handles The Beatles' music catalog and brought the band's recordings to streaming sites, Deadline reported. Tom Greene, chief executive officer of Apple Corps, said UMG was the right partner for a moment packed with new Beatles projects. "We are delighted to partner with UMG on a new global merchandising deal," Greene told licenseglobal.com. In a separate statement carried by Music Week, Greene tied the partnership directly to what fans can expect soon. "There has never been a more exciting time to work on The Beatles as we look ahead to the 3 Saville Row fan experience in 2027, and our biopic movies in 2028," he said. "The Beatles message has never been more relevant or needed in the world today." Those biopics, four separate films about John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, are set for a 2028 release, Billboard reported. Far Out Magazine noted the new agreement covers areas such as licensing and merchandise, arriving ahead of that slate. Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge expressed gratitude for Apple Corps' trust and emphasized the company's commitment to protecting and growing The Beatles' legacy while deepening their global partnership, according to Variety. With both the 2027 fan experience and 2028 films on the horizon, the merchandising deal gives UMG a central role in how the band's image travels through the next chapter of its history.

7 sources · 19 Aug

Frank Beard, ZZ Top's Beat-Keeper for Over Five Decades, Dies at 77

Frank Beard, the drummer who anchored ZZ Top for more than half a century, has died at the age of 77. He passed away in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family, according to the band's representative Bob Merlis, as reported by Rolling Stone. The Music Universe confirmed that he was in hospice care when he died with family members at his side, following recent health issues. "He was in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, TX yesterday (Mon, Aug 17th), with family members at his side." The family detail was echoed across the coverage, with Blues Rock Review describing Beard as the longtime drummer and a member of the legendary Texas rock band for more than five decades. ZZ Top canceled its scheduled shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following his death, according to Rolling Stone. Just The News reported that the tour will resume with shows on Aug. 22 and 23, leaving only a brief pause in the band's schedule. "Beard performed with the group for more than 55 years and was known for his hard-shuffling drumming style." That relentless shuffle drove hits like "Sharp Dressed Man," the song Just The News singled out as part of the band's enduring legacy. The Music Universe noted that Beard had been with the band for the past 56 years, making his tenure one of the longest in rock. With Beard's passing, the band's legendary lineup is reduced to a single survivor. JubileeCast reported that Billy Gibbons is now the last surviving member of the iconic ZZ Top lineup. Both 94.1 KRNA and 105.7 The Hawk also carried the announcement of the drummer's death.

7 sources · 19 Aug