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Actress and comedian Ellie Kemper has apologised for taking part in a debutante ball as a teenager, saying the event had an “unquestionably racist, sexist and elitist past” and that “ignorance is no excuse”.

The star, who is best known for roles in Bridesmaids, The Office (US) and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, has shared a lengthy apology on Instagram after finding herself trending on Twitter over the issue.

Kemper was 19 when she appeared at the Veiled Prophet Ball in St Louis, Missouri, in 1999, and was reportedly crowned “Queen of Love and Beauty”.

The event was founded in 1878 by wealthy, white elites and barred black and Jewish people from taking part, according to The Atlantic magazine.

Kemper, now 41, said in her statement that she was unaware of the event’s history but did not want to make excuses.

“When I was 19 years old, I decided to participate in a debutante ball in my hometown,” she said. “The century-old organisation that hosted the debutante ball had an unquestionably racist, sexist and elitist past.

“I was not aware of this history at the time, but ignorance is no excuse. I was old enough to have educated myself before getting involved. I unequivocally deplore, denounce, and reject white supremacy.

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“At the same time, I acknowledge that because of my race and my privilege, I am the beneficiary of a system that has dispensed unequal justice and unequal rewards.”

Kemper went on to say that she believes “strongly in the values of kindness, integrity, and inclusiveness” and that she tries to live her life “in accordance with these values”.

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The actress said that when facing criticism online there can often be a “natural temptation” to tell yourself that “your detractors are getting it all wrong,” but that she knew she needed to apologise.

She continued: “If my experience is an indication that organisations and institutions with pasts that fall short of these beliefs should be held to account, then I have to see this experience in a positive light.

“I want to apologise to the people I’ve disappointed, and I promise that moving forward I will listen, continue to educate myself, and use my privilege in support of the better society I think we’re capable of becoming.”

Kemper had found herself at the centre of a Twitter debate after a photo at the gala appeared online. Many users had pointed out her “privileged” upbringing and that she has come from a family of “old money”.

Twitter user @WB_Baskerville, who sparked the debate with a tweet at the end of May, responded to Kemper’s statement.

“I have made the decision to accept Ellie’s apology,” they posted. “Everyone leave her alone now.”

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Oasis fans may have been misled, watchdog says as it calls for Ticketmaster changes

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Oasis fans may have been misled, watchdog says as it calls for Ticketmaster changes

Ticketmaster may have misled music fans over Oasis concert ticket prices, a competition watchdog investigation has found.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has urged the online platform to change the way it labels its tickets and provide better pricing information to fans.

The CMA has been investigating the site following widespread complaints about the sale of Oasis gig tickets last year, which saw over 900,000 tickets purchased through the site.

Screengrab taken from the Ticketmaster.ie website at 0804 of their virtual waiting room as Oasis fans across the UK and Ireland who missed out on pre-sale tickets will be attempting to secure their place at the band's reunion concerts during Saturday's general sale. Issue date: Saturday August 31, 2024.
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Over 900,000 tickets were purchased through the Ticketmaster site

Liam and Noel Gallagher announced the band would reunite for a tour in 2025, but fans suffered various problems when trying to get tickets, including some ending up paying as much as £355 for tickets originally advertised for £148 on Ticketmaster.

The controversy prompted the CMA to look at how ‘dynamic pricing’ – a form of surge pricing – may have been used, and whether the sale by Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law.

While the investigation is still ongoing, the CMA said it is “concerned” Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law.

It said the company labelled certain seated tickets as “platinum” and sold them for nearly two-and-a-half times the price of equivalent standard tickets, without explaining why they were more expensive.

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“This risked giving consumers the misleading impression that platinum tickets were better,” it said.

Noel and Liam Gallagher pictured a Wembley Stadium in 2008. Pic: Zak Hussein/PA
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Noel and Liam Gallagher pictured at Wembley in 2009 – the year the band broke up. Pic: PA

It also found Ticketmaster did not inform fans that there were two categories of standing tickets at different prices, and there was no evidence that it used dynamic pricing.

“Many fans were under the impression that Ticketmaster used an algorithmic pricing model during the Oasis sale, with ticket prices adjusted in real time according to changing conditions like high demand,” the watchdog said.

“The CMA has not found evidence that this was the case. Instead, Ticketmaster released a number of standing tickets at a lower price and, once they had sold out, then released the remaining standing tickets at a much higher price.”

Downing Street has said “everyone deserves a fair shot at getting tickets” for music and sport events.

Asked what message the prime minister had for fans affected by the Oasis sale, a Number 10 spokesman said: “In general terms, the chance to see your favourite musicians or sports teams live is something that all of us enjoy, and everyone deserves a fair shot at getting tickets.

“But for too long, fans have had to endure the misery of touts hoovering up tickets for resale at vastly inflated prices. We’ve also seen cases where a lack of transparency has meant customers have been caught unawares by last minute price rises for high demand events.”

The spokesman said there would be a full response to a consultation issued in due course.

At the time of the backlash, a spokesperson for Ticketmaster said: “Fans can resell their Oasis tickets at the full price they paid through Ticketmaster or Twickets.”

The gigs kick off this July in Cardiff, running until September when the band will perform two final Wembley Stadium shows.

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Laurence Fox charged with sexual offence

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Laurence Fox charged with sexual offence

Laurence Fox has been charged with a sexual offence, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

The charge, which has been brought under section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, relates to an image that was posted on social media in April last year.

The act makes it illegal to intentionally share sexual images of someone without their consent, with the aim of causing alarm, distress, or humiliation, or for sexual gratification.

Narinder Kaur reported the image to police last year. Pic: PA
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Narinder Kaur reported the image to police last year. Pic: PA

Presenter Narinder Kaur – who has waived her right to anonymity – alleges the image shows her as she got out of a taxi in 1996, and was taken without her knowledge and consent.

Kaur, 52, reported the image when it was shared online, triggering an 11-month investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

She has previously said she felt “violated, humiliated and degraded” by the incident.

Fox, 46, who has recently attempted to enter the world of politics, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 24 April, where he is expected to enter a plea.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison and could be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

The Metropolitan Police told Sky News in a statement: “A man has been charged with a sexual offence following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

“Laurence Fox, 46, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 24 April charged with an offence contrary to section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

“The charge relates to an image that was posted on social media platform in April 2024.”

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Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal detained by Israeli military after being beaten up, say activists

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Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal detained by Israeli military after being beaten up, say activists

An Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker has been held by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank, according to activists.

Hamdan Ballal had earlier been beaten up by Israeli settlers who were among dozens who attacked the Palestinian village of Susya in the Masafer Yatta area and destroyed property, said the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence.

The activist group said Mr Ballal suffered a bleeding head in the assault, and as he was being treated in an ambulance, he and another Palestinian man were detained.

“We don’t know where Hamdan is because he was taken away in a blindfold,” said 28-year-old Josh Kimelman, who was at the scene.

Hamdan Ballal is detained in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Pic: Raviv Rose via AP
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Hamdan Ballal is detained in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Pic: Raviv Rose via AP

During the incident, around 10-20 masked settlers reportedly attacked Jewish activists with stones and sticks, smashing car windows and slashing tyres. One settler swung his fists at two activists before the pair rushed back to their vehicle, video provided by the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence showed.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement to Sky News that on Monday night “several terrorists hurled rocks at Israeli citizens, damaging their vehicles near Susya”.

The IDF also said a violent confrontation then broke out involving “mutual rock-hurling between Palestinians and Israelis at the scene”.

“IDF and Israeli Police forces arrived to disperse the confrontation, at this point, several terrorists began hurling rocks at the security forces,” according to the statement.

“In response, the forces apprehended three Palestinians suspected of hurling rocks at them, as well as an Israeli civilian involved in the violent confrontation. The detainees were taken for further questioning by the Israel police. An Israeli citizen was injured in the incident and was evacuated to receive medical treatment.

“Contrary to claims, no Palestinian was apprehended from inside an ambulance.”

Hamdan Ballal with fellow No Other Land filmmakers after their Academy Award success. Pic: AP
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(L-R) Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham with their Oscars. Pic: AP

Best documentary

Mr Ballal is one of the co-directors of No Other Land which won the best documentary Oscar this year.

The film follows Masafer Yatta residents as they struggle to stop Israel’s army from demolishing their villages.

No Other Land has two Palestinian co-directors, Ballal and Basel Adra, both Masafar Yatta residents, and two Israeli directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.

Read more from Sky News:
What happened to Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

West Bank areas ‘turning into mini-Gaza’

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank in Israeli military operations during the Gaza war, and there has also been a rise in settler attacks on Palestinians.

There has also been a surge in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

Red Cross office damaged

Meanwhile, in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, a Red Cross office was damaged by an explosive projectile.

The Israeli military said its forces fired at a building belonging to the charity after identifying suspects and sensing a threat.

But it admitted it had opened fire due to an incorrect identification.

“The structure’s ownership was unknown to the force at the time of the shooting,” the military added.

No one was injured, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which said the attack had a direct impact on its ability to operate.

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