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Calls Grow to Block Kanye West’s UK Festival Appearance Over Antisemitism Row

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Calls Grow to Block Kanye West’s UK Festival Appearance Over Antisemitism Row

Pressure is intensifying on UK authorities and festival organisers to cancel an upcoming performance by Kanye West, also known as Ye, at a major London music event following backlash over his past antisemitic remarks and actions.

The US rapper is scheduled to headline all three nights of the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park from 10–12 July, an event expected to draw around 50,000 attendees each day. However, his booking has sparked strong criticism from politicians and Jewish organisations, with some urging the government to deny him entry into the country.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the situation as “deeply concerning,” while members of the Conservative Party have called for West to be refused a visa, arguing that allowing him to headline such a high-profile event sends the wrong message.

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Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the artist’s previous antisemitic behaviour represented a “pattern” rather than an isolated incident, adding that it had caused significant distress within Jewish communities. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also condemned West’s past comments as “completely unacceptable and absolutely disgusting,” stating there should be no platform for hate or bigotry.

The controversy follows a series of actions by the artist last year, including the release of a song titled “Heil Hitler” and the sale of clothing featuring swastika imagery. West later apologised, attributing his behaviour to struggles with bipolar disorder.

Corporate support for the festival has already begun to waver. On Sunday, headline sponsor Pepsi withdrew its backing, while drinks company Diageo also distanced itself from the event. Payment partner PayPal has reportedly asked for its branding to be removed from promotional materials.

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Jewish advocacy groups have also voiced strong opposition. The Board of Deputies of British Jews called on the government to take decisive action, with its chief executive suggesting that denying West entry would be an appropriate response. The organisation also accused festival organisers of profiting from controversy.

Similarly, the Campaign Against Antisemitism criticised the booking as “astonishing,” questioning how the artist could be selected to headline given the recent nature of his actions.

Festival Republic, which organises Wireless, has not publicly responded to the criticism.

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The Home Office has declined to comment further, beyond reiterating the prime minister’s stance that antisemitism must be firmly confronted. As pressure continues to mount, it remains unclear whether the government will intervene or allow the performance to proceed as planned.

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US Singer D4vd Arrested on suspicion Over Teen Girl’s Death

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US Singer D4vd Arrested on suspicion Over Teen Girl’s Death

American singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of a teenage girl whose remains were discovered last year, according to police in Los Angeles.

The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail following his arrest by the Los Angeles Police Department. Authorities say the case will be presented to prosecutors next week.

The investigation centres on the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old who was reported missing in April 2024. Her remains were discovered on 8 September in a vehicle linked to Burke, after reports of a foul odour led authorities to a tow yard in Hollywood.

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Court documents indicate that investigators found decomposed remains inside a bag in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to an address associated with the singer. Officials said the body had been there for several weeks, though the exact cause of death has not yet been determined.

The county medical examiner has described the remains as severely decomposed and has not yet ruled on how the teenager died, keeping the case classified as an ongoing death investigation for months prior to the arrest.

In a statement, Burke’s legal team denied the allegations, insisting that evidence would ultimately show he was not responsible for the girl’s death. They also noted that no formal charges or indictment had yet been filed, and that he has been detained based on suspicion.

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The case has drawn widespread attention due to its disturbing details and the lack of clear information surrounding the circumstances of the teenager’s death. Investigators had previously identified Burke as a target of a grand jury inquiry, which began hearing evidence late last year.

Further details emerged through court filings after members of Burke’s family were summoned to testify. Documents indicated he could face proceedings related to a potential murder charge.

Rivas Hernandez, who lived in the Lake Elsinore area, had reportedly run away from home before, but her disappearance last year prompted concern from family and neighbours. Her case has since attracted significant online speculation, particularly regarding any possible connection to the singer.

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Authorities have said little publicly about the nature of that connection, and key records in the case were sealed by a judge to allow investigators to gather evidence without interference.

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‘Cool Hand Luke’ Actress Joy Harmon Dies Aged 87

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‘Cool Hand Luke’ Actress Joy Harmon Dies Aged 87

American actress Joy Harmon, best known for her memorable appearance in the classic film Cool Hand Luke, has died at the age of 87.

Harmon passed away at her home in Los Angeles on Tuesday after suffering from pneumonia for several weeks, according to U.S. media reports.

She gained lasting recognition for a brief but iconic role in Cool Hand Luke, starring Paul Newman. Although her character had no spoken lines and appeared on screen for only a few minutes, the scene became one of the most talked-about moments in the film.

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Credited simply as “The Girl,” Harmon portrayed a woman washing a car in a sequence filled with suggestive undertones, drawing the attention of prisoners working nearby. The character was referred to as “Lucille” by one of the inmates during the scene, which went on to define her career.

Reflecting on the moment years later, Harmon said she had approached the scene innocently, focusing on performing the task naturally without fully grasping its double meanings.

Her acting career spanned several decades, with 32 credited appearances in film and television from the 1950s through the early 1970s. She featured in popular television series including Bewitched, Batman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Beverly Hillbillies, The Odd Couple and The Monkees.

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Before her acting career, Harmon began in entertainment as a child model and pageant contestant, later transitioning into television appearances on comedy and quiz shows.

After stepping away from acting, she worked at Walt Disney Studios and went on to open a bakery in Los Angeles in 2003. Despite leaving Hollywood, she reportedly continued to receive fan mail regularly.

Harmon is survived by three children and nine grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy tied to one of cinema’s most enduring moments.

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South Korea Jails American YouTuber Johnny Somali for Public Nuisance

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South Korea Jails American YouTuber Johnny Somali for Public Nuisance

A court in South Korea has sentenced American livestreamer Johnny Somali, whose real name is Ismael Ramsey Khalid, to six months in prison for public nuisance and other offences.

The 25-year-old sparked widespread outrage in Seoul after posting a video in November 2024 showing himself kissing and performing suggestive acts on a statue commemorating victims of wartime sexual slavery during World War II.

Authorities charged Khalid shortly after the incident and barred him from leaving the country while investigations were ongoing. On Wednesday, the court convicted him on multiple counts, including public nuisance and distributing sexually explicit deepfake content.

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In its ruling, the court said the defendant had repeatedly engaged in disruptive and offensive conduct toward the public to generate profit through online platforms, disregarding local laws and cultural sensitivities.

Prosecutors had sought a three-year sentence, but the court imposed a reduced term, citing what it described as the absence of severe harm to victims, according to local media reports.

Khalid has also been prohibited from working with organisations that serve minors and people with disabilities following his release.

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The case has drawn renewed attention to the symbolic significance of so-called “comfort women” memorials across South Korea. These statues, often depicting a young seated woman, honour an estimated 200,000 women—many of them Korean—who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese forces during World War II. The issue remains a sensitive and at times contentious subject in relations between South Korea and Japan.

Khalid, who has built a reputation for provocative online content, had previously apologised, claiming he did not understand the meaning of the statue. However, the apology was met with scepticism by many observers.

His legal troubles extend beyond South Korea. He has faced accusations of harassment in Japan and Israel, including being fined for disrupting a restaurant in Japan and briefly detained during a protest in Tel Aviv.

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