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The Lead: HBO’s New Docuseries Exposes a 80s Model CultBring Me the Beauties premieres on HBO in the US on 1 June 2026 and on Max in the UK and Australia on 2 June 2026. Directed by veteran documentary maker Chris Smith, the three‑episode series investigates Eternal Values, a cult founded in the 1980s by the eccentric Frederick von Mierers that recruited primarily fashion models.Unearthing Eternal Values: The Story Behind the Cult of ModelsThe series follows former member Hoyt Richards, often called the first male supermodel, as he recounts his recruitment, the group’s promise of peak performance, and the eventual collapse after von Mierers’ death in the 1990s. Archival public‑access shows, low‑resolution VHS footage, and fresh interviews reveal a blend of new‑age self‑help rhetoric and overt control tactics.Release Dates and Viewership ExpectationsUS HBO launch: 1 June 2026UK/Australia Max launch: 2 June 2026Three episodes, each ~55 minutesWhy the Cult’s Narrative Resonates in Today’s Influencer AgeSmith notes that von Mierers was “ahead of the curve” in promoting constant self‑optimization, a theme echoed in modern wellness and “looks‑maxxing” movements. The series draws parallels to contemporary groups, from fringe religious movements to online influencer circles, suggesting that the allure of charismatic leadership and curated perfection remains potent.What the Series Suggests for Future Media Explorations of Hidden SubculturesBy combining painstaking archival research with personal testimony, the docuseries sets a template for future documentaries seeking to uncover obscure subcultures before they disappear into digital oblivion. As streaming platforms continue to mine untold stories, we can expect more investigations into the shadowy intersections of fame, self‑help, and cult dynamics.

The Rise of Nigeria's Digital Herbal Marketplace In Abuja, Nigeria, Oke Bola thought a fertility supplement she found online might help her conceive. Instead, within days of taking it, she struggled to breathe. Her experience reflects a growing online trade in unverified herbal remedies promoted across social media platforms. Bola, who is in her early 40s and has never had children, bought the supplement earlier this year and increased the recommended dosage, hoping for quicker results after hearing about it from friends and family. "I recognised the symptoms of asthma; the wheezing sound at night was familiar," she told Al Jazeera. "When I checked online, I realised it could be from the herbal medication." Her experience is not isolated. Across Nigeria, doctors and pharmacists report a surge in social media-driven self-medication, particularly involving unverified herbal products. This trend is worsening health outcomes, delaying treatment, and adding pressure to an already strained healthcare system serving about 230 million people. Nigeria's young, hyperconnected population increasingly uses digital platforms for health information and advice. But that access has also created what Dr Isaac Kolawole and Dr Fidelis describe as an "algorithmic apothecary" – an unregulated online marketplace where influencers and anonymous sellers promote remedies directly to consumers with little or no scientific backing. Health Impacts of Unverified Herbal Remedies Within this ecosystem, herbal remedies, long part of Nigeria's medical and cultural landscape, are increasingly repackaged as miracle cures, sometimes with dangerous consequences. Doctors report more patients arriving at hospitals only when their conditions have significantly worsened, often after prolonged use of unverified treatments. A consultant nephrologist at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Dr Yemi Raji, said herbal medicine continues to play a role in kidney disease cases in Nigeria. "When you take herbal medication, you are taking both the good and the bad," he said. "Patients often arrive late, when treatment is more difficult and expensive." Dialysis alone can cost between 50,000 and 100,000 naira ($36-72) per session, several times a week. Studies link herbal use to kidney and liver disease cases across Africa, including findings that about 46 percent of liver disease admissions in one Nigerian hospital involved herbs or roots. A 2022 study found that 76.65 percent of participants had used herbal medicine, with more than a third combining herbal and conventional treatments while 82.44 percent did not inform their doctors. The Algorithmic Amplification Effect On a smartphone screen, relief is just a click away: fertility tonics, eye drops promising restored vision, syrups claiming to "flush out" disease. The advertisements are polished, persuasive and constant, woven into TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X feeds. "The platforms themselves amplify this effect," said Dr Egemba Chinonso Fidelis, a public health advocate known online as Aproko Doctor. "Their algorithms reward engaging content and push it to wider audiences." Even users who try to avoid such content often encounter it repeatedly, shaped by emotional storytelling, music and urgency-driven messaging. A 2025 Nigeria-based study on Jinja Herbal Mixture found it appeared safe for short-term use within tested dosage ranges, but researchers recorded biochemical changes at higher doses, including altered creatinine and sodium levels in test subjects, signs of possible kidney and liver stress. The study called for further research into long-term effects and interactions with conventional medicines. Regulatory Challenges in the Digital Age The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it is working to track unregistered manufacturers, but enforcement remains difficult, especially online. "With the sheer volume of products online, enforcement has limited reach," said Isaac Kolawole, the southwest zonal director of NAFDAC. Many sellers use fake or incomplete addresses, making them difficult to trace. NAFDAC requires strict registration, testing and approval before herbal products can be sold or advertised, but regulation has not kept pace with online commerce. Fidelis argued that stronger regulation alone is not enough. "If there are no consequences for lying about healthcare online, people will keep doing it," he said. He noted that scammers have even used AI-generated versions of his image to promote fake products. "Real medicine does not promise to cure everything, and it does not rely on countdowns," he added. "Scammers do." Path Forward for Safer Digital Health As Nigeria's digital economy expands, the intersection of technology and healthcare will only grow more complex. Fidelis stressed that access to affordable healthcare must improve, public trust must be rebuilt, and digital platforms must take responsibility for the health content they amplify. Pharmacist Akinade Akinlolu noted that while conditions like diabetes and hypertension can be managed, online claims often suggest cures. "Economic pressure is also pushing people towards cheaper or 'miracle' alternatives," he added. "Without stronger safeguards," Fidelis warned, "the algorithmic apothecary will continue to grow and put more people at risk." The challenge for Nigeria's healthcare system is to harness the power of digital platforms while ensuring they promote evidence-based care rather than potentially harmful alternatives.

Piper Rockelle, a former child star turned adult content creator, announced a $2.9 million haul in her first day on OnlyFans, positioning her among the platform’s top 0.012 % earners and igniting fresh scrutiny of teen‑driven monetisation. From Child Star to OnlyFans Sensation: Rockelle’s $2.9 Million First-Day Earnings At exactly 18 years old, Rockelle launched her OnlyFans account on 1 January, following a TikTok‑wide countdown that teased the move. She now films from an Airbnb in the Hollywood Hills, surrounded by pastel décor and a menagerie of pets, while posting daily content that blends teenage aesthetics with adult‑oriented themes. Revenue Snapshot: $2.9 Million in 24 Hours and Projected $40 Million Year‑One $2.9 million earned within the first 24 hours, according to Rockelle’s statements. Business manager forecasts > $40 million in earnings during the first year. OnlyFans reports having paid $25 billion to creators since 2016, though individual figures remain unverifiable. Rockelle ranks in the top 0.012 % of earners on the platform. What Rockelle’s Rise Signals for Influencer Monetisation and Platform Regulation The case illustrates how legacy kid‑influencer networks—once built on YouTube “Squad” pranks and slime videos—are being repurposed for high‑ticket adult platforms. Legal battles, including a $1.85 million settlement over alleged abuse, have already forced many teen creators off ad‑revenue streams, pushing them toward subscription models that lack transparent earnings verification. Future Outlook: Sustainability of Teenage Creator Economies on Subscription Platforms While Rockelle’s earnings demonstrate the lucrative potential for young creators, the model raises questions about long‑term sustainability, mental‑health impacts, and regulatory oversight. As platforms like OnlyFans continue to attract teenage talent, policymakers and industry leaders may need to devise clearer age‑verification standards and revenue‑sharing safeguards to protect vulnerable influencers.

John Lewis Launches High‑Summer Fish‑Print CollectionThree years after proclaiming the "death of florals," John Lewis has introduced a new print that is making a splash among shoppers. The retailer’s high‑summer line features everything from sardine‑covered dresses to fish‑shaped homeware, positioning fish as the season’s "catch of the day."Sales Surge: Starfish Earrings +300%, Fish‑Shaped Tumblers +400%Starfish‑shaped earrings up 300% month‑on‑month.Silky blue fish‑print skirt on a waiting list due to high demand.Glass tumblers that stack into a fish shape up 400% month‑on‑month.Wade Pottery fish earthenware jug sales up 129% month‑on‑month.Why Fish Motifs Are Resonating with UK ShoppersThe surge aligns with a growing UK obsession with tinned fish, which has shifted from a cheap pantry staple to a "bougie" ingredient featured in premium packaging. Influencers on TikTok have helped drive an 18% rise in tinned tuna sales at Tesco, while designers use fish imagery to signal social and political identity, according to senior reporter Bettina Makalintal of Eater.Retailers such as Asos, Anthropologie and Accessorize have rolled out fish‑themed apparel and accessories, from oversized sardine tees to raffia fish‑shaped bags, echoing a broader cultural narrative that blends food, fashion and lifestyle aspirations.What the Wave Means for Summer 2026 FashionExperts predict the fish motif will extend beyond summer, influencing autumn collections and inspiring new sustainable material experiments that mimic marine textures. As consumers continue to seek "Euro‑summer" simplicity over overt luxury, the fish trend may become a staple reference point for designers aiming to capture a relaxed, coastal aesthetic.

The Rise of Cancoillotte: From Niche Product to Social Media SensationIn the village of Franois, eastern France, a stream of what looks like runny, beige gloop is being potted, packaged and dispatched for delivery as fast as it can be made. The freezer room, normally piled high with pallets of the product, is almost empty. This is cancoillotte - a cheese product that until recently was little known outside the eastern Franche-Comté region - and it's experiencing unprecedented demand.The Health Food Breakthrough: Why Cancoillotte Captured Influencers' AttentionUnlike most cheeses, cancoillotte is low in fat, high in protein, cheap and until recently something of a niche product outside the Franche-Comté, the region flanking France's border with Switzerland. This unique nutritional profile has made it a favorite among health and fitness influencers who want to enjoy cheese without compromising their dietary goals.Julie Morin, director of the Poitrey la Belle Étoile fromagerie near Besançon, and president of the Association for the Promotion of Cancoillotte, said the sudden demand had taken her and the region's 22 cancoillotte producers by surprise. "There's been a slow progression in sales of cancoillotte over the last seven years, but the influencers have produced a big boom, which we didn't expect," said Morin during a tour of the fromagerie established almost 150 years ago.The Economic Impact: Shortages and Production ChallengesThe boom in sales has resulted in what producers call a "rupture" in supplies - an unprecedented shortage of the product. "What with all the new enthusiasm for the cheese and the May bank holidays we couldn't produce as much as usual so we had a bit of a shortfall, but we're making it up," explained Morin. The sudden surge in demand has caught local producers off guard, with many struggling to scale up production quickly enough to meet the new market demand.Content creator Johan Papz, with 1.5 million followers on TikTok, called it "the best day" of his life when he tasted cancoillotte, adding: "My eating has changed forever." Influencer Itscindyoff has made 178 TikTok videos lauding cancoillotte and traveled 500km to the Franche-Comté to buy as many different flavors as possible.Regional Transformation: How Cancoillotte is Changing Franche-Comté's Food LandscapeFrance may be what Charles de Gaulle described as an ungovernable country of 246 kinds of cheese, but only one of them can claim to have won the hearts of fitness fanatics and social media influencers. This sudden popularity is transforming the local food industry in Franche-Comté, where cancoillotte has been produced for centuries.The cheese even has its own eating competition. Last year's winner, Maximilien Reverchon, put away 1.75kg at Larians-et-Munans in the Franche-Comté without the help of bread or biscuits. Such cultural recognition, combined with the social media buzz, is elevating cancoillotte from a regional specialty to a national phenomenon.The Future of Cancoillotte: Sustaining the MomentumUntil now, cancoillotte has been a product that was difficult to advertise. So we are surprised and happy it's become something of a craze and hoping it will last," said Morin. Local producers are now exploring ways to capitalize on this unexpected popularity while maintaining the traditional methods that give the cheese its unique character.Nicknamed "the glue" by some local people because of its sticky consistency, the history of cancoillotte is said to date from the middle ages in the Jura mountains. It went into production around the first world war when it became popular with soldiers on the frontline. This rich heritage, combined with its modern health credentials, positions cancoillotte for potential long-term success beyond its current social media moment.

The Rise of Tim Payne New Zealand defender Tim Payne has become an unlikely star after an influencer from Argentina called on his followers to unite and make the little-known 32-year-old a “hero” of the upcoming World Cup. The Social Media Campaign El Scarso, a football influencer also known as Valen Scarsini, identified Payne as the least-known player at the World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico based on his small social media following. Payne had around 4,700 followers on Instagram earlier this week, but his following has grown at a rate of almost 1,000 per minute to more than a million by Friday. The Impact on Payne's Fame Payne’s following is now six times greater than New Zealand’s captain and best-known player, Nottingham Forest forward Chris Wood. Scarsini, who has more than 500,000 followers, implored his base to “start mentioning Tim Payne everywhere.” The Future of Tim Payne's Career Now there is even a song supporting Payne, who recently made his 50th appearance for New Zealand after making his debut at 18. Payne, who plays his club football for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Men, responded Friday to his new-found social media fandom, expressing his gratitude to Scarsini and his fans.

The Rise of AI-generated History Influencers “I have just arrived in Tudor London, 1536,” a young woman in a green puffer jacket tells the camera. “I’m going to check in at my room in the inn, get into the market. Then, later I am meeting the actual king – yep, Henry VIII – in person.” On YouTube and other social platforms, users are flocking to watch AI-generated “history influencers”, characters that vlog their travels to historical settings. The Popularity of Chloe VS History One of the most popular channels is Chloe VS History, with more than 610,000 Instagram followers and 15m views on YouTube. Viewers can watch Chloe try eel pie at a Tudor market, explore the first-class suites on the Titanic and take a plunge in an ancient Roman bath. The format has been replicated by other channels, such as Janella Through Time, Nova VS History and Esmetimetravels. Popular destinations include ancient Rome, Pompeii, the wild west and England during the Black Death. The Creator's Vision The creator of Chloe VS History, 32-year-old Jonathan Laramy, said the goal was to “get younger people more interested” in different periods of history. “History is a very visual experience, but it’s just not taught that way,” he said. “It’s taught via a textbook. And that is not compatible with lots of students. So why not use the technology we have to bring that to life in a really visceral way? The Impact on History Education Adam Smith, a historian at Oxford University, believes the format could “massively enhance” how history is taught to young people. “What these AI [videos] are doing is connecting with that visceral, tangible sense of: ‘Oh my God, that could have been me, that was an earlier version of me.’ It’s quite a deep-seated psychological need in many people, to understand themselves in time.”

EU Imposes Record €200 Million Fine on Temu The European Commission announced a €200 million (≈£173 million) sanction against the Chinese shopping site Temu for repeatedly failing to block illegal and dangerous products from its marketplace. Regulatory Findings: Illegal and Dangerous Goods on Temu’s Platform A 19‑month investigation, including an unpublished mystery‑shopping exercise, uncovered a “high percentage” of unsafe baby toys, “very high percentage” of hazardous chargers, and unsafe clothing and jewellery. Consumer groups across Europe had already reported choking hazards, lead‑laden jewellery, and fire‑risk chargers on the site. Unsafe baby products with loose parts and long dummy chains Chargers capable of burns, electric shocks or fire Clothes containing banned chemicals Jewellery laced with lead The Commission also criticised Temu’s recommender systems and influencer‑driven promotions for amplifying the risk of illegal product dissemination. Financial Scale: Fine Relative to Temu’s Revenue and DSA Limits The €200 million penalty is the second and highest ever imposed under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). For context: Temu’s parent, PDD Holdings, reported global revenue of $54 billion in 2024. The DSA allows fines up to 6 % of global turnover, meaning Temu could theoretically face a fine of up to €3.2 billion. The previous record was a €120 million fine on Elon Musk’s X platform. Implications for the EU E‑commerce Landscape and DSA Enforcement The sanction sends a clear signal that the EU will enforce the DSA rigorously, even against fast‑growing non‑European platforms. It underscores the need for robust risk‑assessment processes, transparent product‑listing controls, and cooperation with regulators. Failure to comply could trigger additional penalties, including investigations into addictive design and data‑access provisions. What’s Next: Appeals, Compliance Plans, and Future EU Scrutiny Temu has until 28 August 2026 to submit an action plan outlining remedial steps. The company has announced it is “reviewing the decision carefully” and may appeal the fine. The Commission’s ongoing probe could lead to further financial penalties if systemic shortcomings persist. Industry observers expect tighter oversight of other large marketplace operators, as the EU seeks to protect consumers from unsafe products and reinforce the DSA’s broader ambition to curb online harms.

The LeadA novel featuring a protagonist whose job is taken by AI has won the Climate fiction prize. Hum by Helen Phillips, the American writer's third novel, explores themes of technological displacement and the commodification of nature in a dystopian future.The Disneyfication of Nature in LiteratureHum is about a woman, May, who loses her job to a "hum" of the title – a humanoid robot. Struggling to find work, she becomes a guinea pig for an experimental injection that alters her face so it can't be recognised by surveillance. When she gets paid for it, she splashes out on family passes to the Botanical Garden, the last remaining green space in her city. There, things take a turn for the worse.The Climate Fiction Prize RecognitionThe prize, worth £10,000, was first awarded last year to Abi Daré for And So I Roar, the follow-up to her bestselling debut The Girl with the Louding Voice. This year's judging panel was chaired by Guardian theatre critic and former literary editor of the Independent, Arifa Akbar. Alongside Kit de Waal and Friederike Otto on the panel were author Jessie Greengrass and book influencer Simon Savidge.Judges' Perspectives on the NovelJudge and writer Kit de Waal described Phillips's book as being about the "Disneyfication of nature … turning nature into a rare place that we have to pay to see". Fellow judge and climate scientist Friederike Otto added that it "tackles the central reason that nothing is done about the climate crisis – privilege", while writer Daisy Hildyard described it as "mesmerising and scary".The Author's InspirationPhillips was inspired to write the book after walking home from work one day and having the thought that she needed to buy dishcloths, before opening her computer at home and finding that dishcloths were being advertised to her. "That eerie feeling stuck with me, and I started to think about what worst-case scenarios might arise from surveillance by an algorithm."Impact on Climate AwarenessHum "helps us connect with what really matters and stops us from sleepwalking into an inevitable dystopia", said Lucy Stone, CEO of Climate Spring, which funds the prize. "In the novel, the machines themselves start to question the insane volume of advertising and the consumer treadmill, and then show the family that there are multiple different futures lying ahead of them."Future RecognitionPhillips will appear at Hay festival to discuss the book on Saturday 30 May. Alongside Phillips on this year's shortlist were Madeleine Thien for The Book of Records, Robbie Arnott for Dusk, Keshava Guha for The Tiger's Share, Susanna Kwan for Awake in the Floating City and Maria Reva for Endling.