James Bond finalists to screen-test for role this week – reports

Actors in the mix to play 007 in Denis Villeneuve’s installment include Callum Turner and Jack Lowden

The search for the next James Bond may finally be nearing its end: according to reports, a very select group of actors will screen-test to become the next British agent 007 this weekend.

According to the Hollywood Reporter and Variety, citing several sources, a group of actors reportedly including Callum Turner and Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden, will appear in front of cameras as the secret agent this weekend in London.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/oct/22/final-james-bond-screen-tests-callum-turner-jack-lowden

Why is a peat fire so bad? BBC is in Indonesia to find out

The BBC's Liza Tambunan is in central Kalimantan, to explain what peat is and why Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade.

Israeli Military Detains Brad Lander, N.Y. Congressional Candidate, in West Bank #wanitaxigo

Orangutans prefer food associated with sounds of laughter, study suggests

Apes in study more likely to choose treats linked to sound of peers having fun, suggesting emotions influence learning

Orangutans base their food choices on whether others appear to be having a good time, research suggests.

Scientists studying captive orangutans have found that when the great apes heard the sound of their peers laughing before they searched a bowl for a tasty treat, they valued the reward more highly.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/oct/21/orangutans-prefer-food-laughter-sounds-study

Michael Bloomberg spends $80m on Democrats as Trump moves $400m to Republican candidates

Billionaire ex-mayor of New York City is focusing funds on House races to help Democrats retake majority in midterms

• US politics live – latest updates

The billionaire Michael Bloomberg will spend $80m to help Democratic candidates in the midterm elections, US media reported on Tuesday, a significant infusion of cash for a party that has recently struggled with fundraising as it seeks to win control of Congress.

The reported donations came as Donald Trump announced on Tuesday he intended to spend a total of $400m to aid Republican candidates, with $300m already disbursed.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/20/michael-bloomberg-donation-democrats-midterms

Art Basel Paris Preview Draws Interest Despite Protests #wanitaxigo

You Can See Everything mania lifts viewership for The Dropout by 186%

The hit Elizabeth Holmes documentary led to increased interest in the award-winning narrative series on Hulu as well as Bad Blood, a 2018 book on the scandal

• ‘Stranger than stranger-than-fiction’: how Lance Oppenheim made the year’s two buzziest films

• ‘You can’t make this stuff up’: why we remain fascinated by Elizabeth Holmes

Interest in Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos fraud scandal has surged amid buzz for You Can See Everything, the record-breaking documentary on the disgraced former CEO.

Viewership for The Dropout, the 2022 Hulu series starring Amanda Seyfried as Holmes, surged by 186% in September compared with the month prior, according to Variety, following the announcement on 6 September of the previously secret film’s first teaser.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/oct/20/you-can-see-everything-dropout-viewership