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Predicting Edinburgh Fringe's most controversial 2024 shows

Every year, a few shows set the headlines alight at the Edinburgh Fringe. Here's our pick of the 2024 shows which look like they could cause a stir...

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Paris 2024 opening ceremony: Police investigate death threats to DJ

LGBTQ+ icon Barbara Butch faced a flood of online abuse after starring in what many saw as a 'blasphemous' representation of Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Last Supper'.

Culture news

The 1975 sued for €2.2million by Malaysian festival over LGBTQ protest

The festival organisers have filed a suit, citing that the band’s infamous same-sex kiss led the festival to be forced to shut down last summer.

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Paris Olympics organisers apologise after opening ceremony backlash

A segment of the opening ceremony, appearing to parody Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper with drag artists, sparked backlash from religious conservatives, who felt it mocked Christianity.

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Francis Ford Coppola seen kissing 'Megalopolis' extras in new videos

The 85-year-old filmmaker has been accused of inappropriate behaviour while working on the set of his self-funded sci-fi epic, 'Megalopolis'.

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Critically acclaimed Irish writer Edna O’Brien dies aged 93

O'Brien's debut novel “The Country Girls” made her Ireland’s most notorious exile since James Joyce.

Lifestyle

You’ve got to be kitten me! Hello Kitty not a cat, creators reveal

The famous character celebrates her 50th anniversary this year, after appearing on a children’s coin purse in Japan after her creation in 1974. And now, Hello Kitty's creators have made some revelations, saying she’s not a cat, and actually has a cat of her own. And a boyfriend, to boot!

Culture news

Scarlett Johansson hits out at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

In May, Altman’s company released its latest generative AI model called ChatGPT-4o, which came with a setting named Sky. It so happens that Sky sounded very familiar to Johansson — “eerily similar,” according to the actress.

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Jack Black cancels tour over Tenacious D bandmate's Trump comment

Actor-musician Jack Black said he was "blindsided" by Kyle Gass' Trump quip, with the latter acknowledging that he made a "dangerous and terrible mistake." Their tour is now cancelled and “all future creative plans are on hold.”

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Calls for Australian deportation of Tenacious D after Trump joke

An Australian senator has called for the comedy rock band Tenacious D to be deported after remarks on Trump’s assassination attempt during a concert in Sydney. A poorly timed bad taste quip, or an assault on free speech?

Culture news

Katy Perry’s ‘Woman’s World’: Anatomy of a faux-feminist failure

Katy Perry’s long-awaited return to music is here, four years after her last album 'Smile'. And some of us wish she’d not quit her day job on American Idol. Here's why.

Culture news

Upcoming Marvel film already facing backlash over Israeli character

Why are some Marvel fans already boycotting next year's Captain America movie?

Travel News

Uproar over plans to name Milan airport after Berlusconi

More than a year after his death, Berlusconi can’t shake claims of corruption - or his synonymy with controversial ‘bunga bunga’ parties.

Culture news

Nicki Minaj cancels festival slot in Romania over 'safety concerns'

Nicki Minaj abruptly cancelled her headlining performance at Romania’s SAGA Festival due to a planned protest today in the city.

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What’s the controversy over Beyoncé’s new wax statue in Paris?

Beyoncé now has her wax double at the famous Paris museum Musée Grévin. And it’s not going down too well...

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Why is Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl facing Swiftie wrath?

Why can't everyone get along? Taylor Swift fans are getting all hot and bothered about comments made by the Foo Fighters frontman. But is there any reason to?

Culture news

Apple apologises for 'tone-deaf' iPad crushing ad

Apple has been dealt a crushing blow after being forced to apologise for its new iPad Pro advert, which features an array of cultural objects including instruments, books and cameras being destroyed, with the tablet computer held up in their place.

Culture news

Pageant scandal: Why did Miss USA & Miss Teen USA both abruptly quit?

This week, both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA suddenly gave up their titles, leading to much speculation. Here’s why there’s mounting pressure on both orgnizations for more transparency.

Culture news

Eurovision Song Contest semi-final 1 kicks off with pop and protests

In the first semi-final, ten out of the 15 acts advanced to the final, including Croatian singer-songwriter Baby Lasagna, Ukrainian duo alyona alyona and Jerry Heil, and Irish singer Bambie Thug.

Culture news

Pulitzer-winner David Mamet blasts Hollywood's diversity efforts

During the L.A. Times Festival of Books, David Mamet spoke out against the initiatives in Hollywood to create diversity, equity, and inclusion - referred to as DEI.