Netflix Sued for Millions Over Stolen Nicolas Cage WWII Movie

Netflix is being sued for $105 million over a new Nicolas Cage movie stolen from its offices. Fortitude, a World War II espionage action adventure, was filmed in London last year, with Cage playing real-life double agent Duško Popov. Simon Afram, a Swiss businessman who wrote the script, is suing Netflix after an unencrypted master digital copy of Fortitude went missing from the company’s headquarters. Afram’s complaint alleges that when an associate producer attempted to retrieve the master copy of the film, Netflix became unresponsive. The lawsuit quotes an email from Netflix that read, “Unfortunately, someone stole a good amount of drives from our office desks this past week. We’ve been working through this with our security teams to no luck.” In his lawsuit, Afram, who is also the film’s producer and financier, argues that Netflix had a duty to store the film in a secure location, not leave it on an office desk vulnerable to theft. He also alleges that the movie’s disappearance could jeopardize its ability to be sold and distributed elsewhere. In a statement to Variety, Netflix said the company “disputes any claim that it bears the risk of loss for a film delivered without the proper industry-standard safeguards.” It added, “While we do not own the rights to Fortitude, we take content security seriously and have taken extra measures to support the filmmaker and his team. This includes conducting a thorough investigation and offering to monitor known piracy sites for any unauthorized distribution or sale.” It continued: “We have declined to share anything about our ongoing investigation with the law firm representing Simon Afram.” The statement referenced “hostile attempts to extort money from Netflix” over the film, including “immediately demanding $165 million for the film rather than work with us in good faith.” The Daily Beast has contacted Netflix for comment.

ICE is spending upwards of $1.2 million a day on empty jail beds, according to a new PunchUp analysis of the agency’s own detention data. The figures, released on July 20 after three months of non-publication, list each jail’s “guaranteed minimum”—beds funded nightly whether filled or not—and show around 8,200 of them idle across seven facilities, the analysis found. The biggest culprit, reports the Daily Beast’s new sister investigation Substack, is Camp East Montana, ICE’s tent complex at the Fort Bliss base in El Paso, Texas. There, taxpayers fund 5,000 beds but nightly occupancy averaged just 2,025 this fiscal year. Detention costs an average of $152 per person, per day, according to the National Immigration Forum, putting the annual bill for the ghost beds above $450 million. Meanwhile, GEO Group’s profits soared from $32 million in 2024 to $254.4 million in 2025, and founder George Zoley told investors in February: “This represents the largest amount of new business we have won in a single year in our company’s history.”

Tom Latchem exposes the secrets, scandals, and stories that powerful people and institutions want to keep under wraps. Follow all of his reporting at PunchUp on Substack.

Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.

When it comes to cookware, few brands have earned as much credibility among professional chefs as Made In. Designed in collaboration with some of the world’s top culinary talent, the premium cookware company has established itself as a staple in restaurant kitchens and home kitchens alike thanks to its professional-grade performance and heirloom-worthy construction. Whether it’s the brand’s award-winning Stainless Clad collection, its naturally seasoned Carbon Steel pans, or the convenient ceramic nonstick options, there’s a reason the brand has developed such a devoted following.

Now, Made In is making it even easier to shop its healthiest cooking essentials with the launch of a dedicated Clean Cooking collection. The lineup brings together the brand’s PFAS-tested and non-toxic cookware in one place, making it simple to upgrade your kitchen without sifting through dozens of products.

Made In Clean Cookware Collection

Shop Now Made In Cookware

According to the brand, it’s the largest collection of independently tested clean cookware available, spanning everything from PTFE-free CeramiClad cookware and naturally seasoned Carbon Steel to Stainless Clad, Cast Iron, and Enameled Cast Iron pieces. Each collection has undergone third-party testing for PFAS, lead, cadmium, BPA, and other common contaminants.

Plus, unlike many “clean” cookware options that favor safety at the expense of performance, Made In’s pieces are still engineered with serious cooking in mind (regardless of your level). You can expect restaurant-quality heat distribution, durable materials built to last for years (if not decades), and thoughtful, chef-approved designs that make everyday cooking feel a little more elevated. Thanks to Made In, you no longer have to choose between avoiding toxic chemicals and a perfectly seared steak.

Colin Gray, the Georgia father whose teenage son carried out the deadly 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison. He is the first parent of a school shooter in the U.S. to be convicted of murder. The 55-year-old was found guilty earlier this year of 27 charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors argued he ignored repeated warning signs about his son, Colt. Colt Gray, now 16, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole earlier this week. Deputies visited the family’s home in May 2023 after the FBI received a tip about an online threat to shoot up a school. Although investigators could not substantiate the threat, Gray bought Colt the AR-15-style rifle later that year as a Christmas gift. “He is the reason four people are dead, seven were injured and countless others were traumatized,” Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith told the court. “He is the reason a 16-year-old boy was sentenced two days ago to the rest of his life in prison.” Evidence also showed Gray knew his son had been physically violent, kept a photo of a school shooter on his bedroom wall, and had texted weeks before the attack, “Whenever something happens, just know the blood is on your hands.” On the morning of the shooting, school officials mistakenly stopped another student named Kolton Gray instead of Colt, allowing the teen to retrieve the rifle he had hidden in his backpack before opening fire in a math classroom and hallway. Teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie and students Mason Schermerhorn, 14, and Christian Angulo, 14, were killed.

Former star NFL running back Ahman Green, 49, revealed that he has been living with early-onset Parkinson’s for the past year and a half. The all-time rushing leader for the Green Bay Packers said during an appearance on the Go Long podcast that he was twitching in his sleep and experiencing other symptoms, including short-term memory loss and walking and talking in his sleep. “I knew something was going on long before that,” he said of the diagnosis. “I just got a hold of some doctors that I was able to get in contact with. Get the diagnostics, get the testing. And finally got it tested last—it was January of 2025.” He said he is focused on exercising, eating well, and taking medication to combat his symptoms, and used his announcement to advocate for awareness and early diagnosis. A four-time Pro Bowler, Green played eight seasons with the Packers, as well as stints with the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans. He had 1,000-plus rushing yards six times—including a career-high 1,883 in 2003—and ended his career with 9,205 yards rushing and 60 touchdowns.

Everyone wants a good night of sleep. But if cutting screen time, caffeine, and late-night sugary treats haven’t moved the needle, truly restful sleep may seem out of reach. Before you lose all hope, there is another option—Blue Sky CBD’s Sleep Gels.

The absence of melatonin, a popular sleep aid, is a deliberate choice: while melatonin can help you fall asleep, it also leaves many people feeling foggy the next morning. Blue Sky’s Sleep Gels take a different approach, relying on 25mg of CBD (for relaxation effects) and 25mg of CBN (for its unique sedative properties). Plus, they’re free of THC.

Cindy Curletti had tried other CBD brands with little success—until she packed the Sleep Gels for a trip. That first night, she slept, in her words, “like a dreamboat.” Another Blue Sky user, Laura, has a similar story. After a frustrating cycle of waking up in the middle of the night, anxious and wide-eyed, rarely being able to fall back asleep, Laura found that Sleep Gels made a huge difference. Laura says “My sleep scores went from the 40s to the 80s, sometimes even hitting the 90s. It was life-changing.” Other Blue Sky fans report similar success, falling asleep faster and spending more time in deep and REM sleep.

As a special treat for Daily Beast readers, Blue Sky CBD is offering 30% off. Use the code DAILYBEAST to unlock your savings.

Sleep Gel (30 Count)

Price reflects 30% discount

Buy At Blue Sky CBD$60

Not sure if it’s right for you? Try Blue Sky CBD’s 10-night trial pack.

Sleep Gels (10-night trial)

Price reflects 30% discount

Buy At Blue Sky CBD$17

If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission.

A Moscow fertility clinic has suddenly found itself at odds with the Kremlin over a stockpile of sperm donated by billionaire tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov, who’s now officially deemed a “terrorist” within the country. AltraVita has an entire webpage promoting IVF using the sperm of Durov, who it describes as “one of the most famous and successful entrepreneurs of our time.” The Telegram founder covers all costs involved in the IVF procedure to “help those who dream of becoming parents,” the clinic notes. Durov, 41, spoke openly in July 2024 about how he’d become a sperm donor 15 years earlier, crediting his biological material with helping 100 couples in 12 different countries become parents since then. Now, however, he’s a wanted man in his native country as Vladimir Putin’s security services seek his arrest on charges of facilitating terrorism. AltraVita has added a small disclaimer to its page that warns would-be recipient mothers of his inclusion on the state’s register of “terrorists and extremists” but said there were otherwise no plans to scrap his sperm donations. The charges against Durov, which come as Moscow moves to restrict access to messaging apps outside of the Kremlin’s control, were attributed to Telegram’s alleged failure to remove information on the app used by Ukrainian special services and extremist groups to organize attacks in Russia. Durov, who resides in Dubai and holds Emirati and French citizenship, has so far appeared to shrug off the charges, sharing a photo of himself on social media giving the middle finger. High-profile Moscow lawyer Alexander Dobrovinsky, in comments to local media, said “his sperm cells remain free and do not carry the extremist taint associated with Durov himself.”

Professional British surfer Arran Strong is presumed dead after a four-day search was called off. The 28-year-old surfer went missing off the coast of Portugal, as reported to the Autoridade Maritima Nacional on Monday. Strong was with his coach, Jose Maria Pyrrait, who said they stopped surfing to drink some water and take pictures right before Strong went missing. Pyrrait recounted the events in an emotional tribute posted to Instagram. “I let him go ahead,” the coach began. “Since my pace is faster I always do that, when I would catch it and get a short lead I’d stop and wait for it. This time it was no different, but when I stopped to wait, I saw your board drifting about 100 meters away.” He further described the poor visibility of the area and how he called for rescue on land. GB Surfing also posted a tribute to the surfer. “Arran proudly represented Great Britain at the 2024 and 2025 ISA World Surf Games, finishing as our highest-placed male surfer on both occasions,” the post reads. “Arran was a fantastic teammate, respected competitor and a kind, generous presence... His passing is a devastating loss to our sport and the wider surfing community, and he will be greatly missed.”

Cher Horowitz is making a comeback for a spinoff series of the 1995 hit film Clueless. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will see Alicia Silverstone reprising her role as Cher as she takes on motherhood with her own daughter, once again feeling “clueless” as she navigates her teenager’s life. The series will be produced by Silverstone herself, alongside the original film’s director Amy Heckerling, producer Robert Lawrence, and several others through CBS Studios. “Thirty-one years ago, Alicia Silverstone’s Cher Horowitz captivated audiences with her signature chic style, sharp wit and relentless optimism, helping make Clueless a box office hit and instant pop culture classic," Head of Originals for Paramount+, Jane Wiseman, said. “We’re especially proud to be filming this much-anticipated series in Los Angeles, honoring its starring role in the original film while investing in the city’s exceptional talent and crews.” The original movie also starred Stacey Dash, Paul Rudd, Donald Faison, Breckin Meyer and the late Brittany Murphy. No word as yet whether any of the original cast are set to join Silverstone in the new series.

Jacob Batalon, 29, has officially married interior designer Veronica Leahov. While promoting Spider-Man: Brand New Day alongside Tom Holland and Zendaya, Batalon casually referred to Leahov as his “wife” while joking about nicknames. “My wife calls me big dog. She doesn’t. I wish she did,” he said in an interview. The actor was also seen wearing a wedding band during the interview and at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on July 27. Leahov also quietly updated her surname on her professional website to “Veronica Leahov Batalon.” The couple announced their engagement in March 2025 on social media after Batalon proposed during a romantic nighttime outing in New York City. At the time, he joked that Holland and Zendaya had “copied” his engagement timeline after the pair engaged two months earlier. Leahov, an architectural designer originally from Moldova, earned her master’s degree in interior design from New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology in 2022. The newlyweds’ marriage comes just days before the newest Spider-Man opens in theaters on Friday. The Marvel blockbuster, in which Batalon reprises his role as Peter Parker’s best friend Ned Leeds, is projected to debut with a historic $465 million worldwide opening weekend.

Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.

Whether for college, at the office, or just daily life, unless you’ve got the memory of an elephant, taking notes is a must. Remarkable has built a name for itself with innovative tablets that cut out distracting apps and focus on productivity. In fact, a study by Remarkable found that users experience 35 percent less stress and 20 percent more focus when using a paper tablet compared with working on a PC. The brand’s Remarkable Paper Pure is its latest model, allowing users to experience the feel of taking notes with old-fashioned pen and paper, with modern upgrades like Google and Microsoft integration, AI summary functionality, handwriting conversion, and so much more.

The Paper Pure is designed with a 10.3-inch screen, a three-week battery life on a single charge, and a super-crisp black-and-white canvas display. Writing on the Remarkable Pure Paper feels just like writing on paper, with the digital ink appearing in as little as 21 milliseconds—faster than the blink of an eye.

Remarkable Paper Pure Paper Tablet

Buy At Remarkable

The next-level tablet also comes with a custom-made marker that can be used as a ballpoint pen, pencil, or even highlighter. Plus, since the tablet is held together with screws and snaps (not glue), repairs aren’t a headache for professionals.

Need a weekly planner? There’s a template for that. Want a notebook with ruled lines? There’s a template for that, too. You can even connect with productivity apps like Outlook, Slack, Google Drive, and OneDrive to pick up writing on your laptop. Whether you’re using it for work, school, or just as a journal, the Paper Pure is an all-in-one note-taking device.

Death can be a great PR move. Little more than two weeks ago, Lindsey Graham was a clown and an embarrassment for his abject sucking up to Donald Trump. Two weeks later, he’s a saint. Graham used to talk to me about Trump. He would explain and defend him, on the one hand. But on the other, he’d let you in on how extreme and out of this world he understood Trump to be. This is politics. It was to his benefit to get along with Trump. At the same time, he certainly wanted you to know that he knew Trump was what he was. He was playing both sides. He was hurt by the general narrative that he had become a lackey and wanted you to understand that he was running a much more sophisticated game than that. Was Graham’s flattery and obsequiousness towards Trump, aides wondered, another workaround of an issue Graham had been working around his whole career? The result, for whatever reason, meant that Graham became among Trump’s primary enablers in a Senate that, despite knowing better, has never figured out how to stand up to Trump. The message of Lindsey Graham’s death, then, is a warning about what happens when a man surrenders to his own weakness.

Dive deeper into the political legacy of Lindsey Graham by subscribing to Michael Wolff’s HOWL on Substack.

Fifteen elephants have died in southern Kenya after apparently ingesting cyanide, a highly toxic chemical that wildlife officials suspect was used on nearby tomato farms. The Kenya Wildlife Service said preliminary testing of samples from the carcasses detected traces of cyanide, while 10 of the elephants reportedly showed signs of partial paralysis before dying. The deaths occurred between June 24 and July 24 around Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Group Ranch, near Amboseli National Park, an ecosystem home to more than 1,600 elephants. Kimana is a major tomato-growing area, and officials said the stomach contents of one dead elephant contained “lots of tomatoes,” raising concerns that contaminated crops may have been responsible. “Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical,” KWS director general Erustus Kanga said. “If elephants consume cyanide, they cannot survive a day or two.” Kanga warned the poison could also threaten cattle and goats grazing near affected farms. “We have the goats, we have the cattle that are there. Eventually, if this cyanide is truly the one that is in the system, then we are going to see a bigger impact,” he said.