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A three-day music festival in Malaysia has been cancelled by the authorities after the frontman of The 1975 kissed a male bandmate on stage – and criticised the country’s anti-LGBT laws.

The British band were headlining the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur on Friday when Matt Healy staged his protest.

The gig was cut short and the group were banned from performing in the Muslim-majority country, where homosexuality is a crime punishable by 20 years in prison.

On Saturday, the festival organisers announced the whole event had been cancelled as a result of Healy’s “controversial conduct and remarks”.

The statement said government had “underlined its unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule, or contravene Malaysian laws”.

Other bands due to play over the weekend were The Strokes, who had been Sunday’s headline act, The Kid Laroi and Ty Dollar $ign.

It comes after Healy hit out at the Malaysian government’s stance on LGBT rights in a profanity-strewn speech to the festival audience.

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In footage posted on social media, he said the band had considered pulling out of the show but did not want to disappoint their fans.

He said: “I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it.

“I don’t see the f***** point… of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”

‘We just got banned’

Healy then kissed bassist Ross MacDonald as the band played the song I Like America & America Likes Me.

Soon afterwards Healy cut short the set, telling the crowd: “All right, we gotta go.

“We just got banned from Kuala Lumpur, I’ll see you later.”

In a statement, festival organisers said the band’s set was stopped due to “non-compliance with local performance guidelines”.

Malaysia’s communications minister Fahmi Fadzil branded the band’s actions as “very disrespectful” and demanded a full report by the event’s organisers.

The festival had been due to continue on Saturday and Sunday, but was dramatically halted at the direction of the government.

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Watchmaker sues Malaysian government for seizing rainbow Pride watches

‘Immediate cancellation directive’

In a statement the organisers said: “We deeply regret to announce that the remaining schedule of Good Vibes Festival 2023, planned for today and tomorrow has been cancelled following the controversial conduct and remarks by UK artist Matt Healy from the band The 1975.

“This decisions adheres to the immediate cancellation directive issued… by the Ministry of Communications and Digital.

“The ministry has underlined its unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule, or contravene Malaysian laws.

“We sincerely apologise to all of our ticket holders, vendors, sponsors, and partners.

“We are aware of the time, energy, and efforts you have put into making this festival a success, and we value your steadfast support.

“We will update you on refund mechanics as soon as possible.

“We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this challenging time.”

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Challenging anti-LGBT laws

Healy has previously used stage appearances to challenge anti-LGBT laws.

He was criticised for kissing a male fan at a 2019 concert in the United Arab Emirates, where homosexuality is outlawed and punishable by 10 years in jail.

Writing on Twitter at the time, Healy said: “Thank you Dubai you were so amazing. I don’t think we’ll be allowed back due to my ‘behaviour’ but know that I love you and I wouldn’t have done anything differently given the chance again.”

The incident in Malaysia comes before crucial regional elections that see Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s progressive coalition go up against a mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance, which has accused the government of not doing enough to protect the rights of Muslims in the multiracial country.

The premier has repeatedly said his government would uphold principles of Islam and would not recognise LGBT rights.

In May, Malaysian authorities confiscated watches made by the Swiss company Swatch from its “Pride collection”, which celebrates LGBT rights.

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British-Israeli soldier killed while fighting in Gaza, reports say

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British-Israeli soldier killed while fighting in Gaza, reports say

A British-Israeli soldier has been killed while fighting in Gaza, Israeli media reports said.

He was named locally as Sergeant Yisrael Natan Rosenfeld, 20, from the city of Ra’anana.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it is “looking into reports that an IDF soldier who died in combat in Gaza is a British national”.

The IDF soldier, who served in the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion, was killed by an explosive device on Sunday, the Times of Israel reported.

The paper said Mr Rosenfeld moved to Israel from London with his family 11 years ago.

More than 860 Israeli soldiers have been killed since Israel’s war against Hamas began on 7 October 2023, more than 400 of them during the fighting in Gaza.

The war began when the militant group launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage.

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Israel’s offensive in Gaza has devastated the enclave and killed more than 56,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says more than half of the dead are women and children.

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It came as Donald Trump called for progress in ceasefire talks in the war between Israel and Hamas.

“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” the US president wrote on social media on Sunday.

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On Friday Mr Trump raised expectations by claiming there could be an agreement within the next week.

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Pictures reveal inside of Bayesian sunken superyacht after it was resurfaced for full examination

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Pictures reveal inside of Bayesian sunken superyacht after it was resurfaced for full examination

The inside of the superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily almost a year ago has been seen for the first time after it was resurfaced.

British billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, his daughter Hannah, 18, and five others died after the 56-metre (184ft) Bayesian sank off Porticello on 19 August 2024.

Images reveal what the inside of the British-flagged vessel looks like now – after it was resurfaced and placed in a manufactured steel cradle in Termini Imerese.

In one picture, a lounge area can be seen, complete with sofas and other furniture, while another shows the hatch down to the lower deck.

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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The tragedy last August claimed seven lives

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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A full examination of the yacht is being carried out

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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The incident has puzzled maritime experts

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How will the tragedy be investigated?

Now the boat is back on land, a balloon-like instrument will be used to lift its 72m (236ft) mast after it was cut off with a remote-controlled tool to rest on the seabed.

While salvage workers continue a “full sweep” of the ocean floor nearby, a full examination of the yacht will look at what could have been done to prevent the tragedy.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) will then publish a report into its investigation.

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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Salvage teams managed to raise the vessel and bring it ashore

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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The boat had lain on the seabed at a depth of 50 metres

The family of the Bayesian chef Recaldo Thomas, who was among those who died, says “lessons need to be learned”.

In a statement through the Thomas family lawyers Keystone Law, they said they want the investigation to “establish the truth of what happened” and “bring those responsible to justice”.

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Bayesian superyacht raised from seabed

Simon Graves, an MAIB investigator, said of the investigation previously: “When the wreck is brought ashore, we’ll be completing a full examination of the wreck and we’ll be finding out all of the elements that might have contributed to the safety of the vessel.”

Things like the vessel’s “escape routes” will be included in the final report, Mr Graves added.

“Once we get access to the vessel we’ll be able to tell a fuller picture of activities on board and the sequence of events.”

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A UK inquest will look at the deaths of Mr Lynch, Miss Lynch, Morgan Stanley banker Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife Judy, 71, who were all British nationals.

US lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda also died.

Fifteen people, including Mr Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares, were rescued.

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Riot police clash with protesters calling for end to Serbian president’s rule

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Riot police clash with protesters calling for end to Serbian president's rule

Serbian riot police have clashed with anti-government protesters calling for snap elections and an end to the 12-year rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.

The protest by tens of thousands of demonstrators was held in Belgrade on Saturday after months of persistent demonstrations led by Serbia‘s university students that have rattled Mr Vucic’s grip on power.

The crowd chanted “We want elections!” as they filled the capital’s central Slavija Square and several streets around it.

Students gave speeches. One, who didn’t give her name, said: “Elections are a clear way out of the social crisis caused by the deeds of the government, which is undoubtedly against the interests of their own people.

“Today, on June 28 2025, we declare the current authorities illegitimate.”

Anti-government protest in Belgrade. Pic: AP
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Tens of thousands joined the protest. Pic: AP

Riot police block anti-government protesters. Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

Tensions were high before and during the gathering.

Riot police had been deployed around government buildings, parliament and nearby Pionirski Park, where hundreds of Mr Vucic’s loyalists from across the country have been camping for months.

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As the protest ended in the evening, some demonstrators threw bottles, rocks and flares at the police who were preventing the crowd from approaching Pionirski Park and confronting Mr Vucic’s backers.

Skirmishes between riot officers and groups of protesters lasted for several hours, with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds in several locations across Belgrade’s city centre.

Law enforcement officers detain a demonstrator, during an anti-government protest. Pic: AP
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Police said they detained several dozen demonstrators. Pic: Reuters

Police detained several dozen protesters, while six officers were reported injured in the clashes, Dragan Vasiljevic, the director of police, told a news conference late on Saturday.

Responding to the violence, President Vucic said in an Instagram post: “Serbia always wins in the end.”

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University students have been a key force behind nationwide demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people in November last year.

Many blamed the concrete roof crash on government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring protests.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic. File pic: Reuters
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President Aleksandar Vucic. File pic: Reuters

President Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have repeatedly refused the demand for an early parliamentary vote and accused protesters of planning to spur violence on orders from abroad, which they have not specified.

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A former extreme nationalist, Mr Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power more than a decade ago. He formally says he wants Serbia to join the European Union, but critics say he has stifled democratic freedoms and strengthened ties with Russia and China.

While demonstrations have shrunk in recent weeks, the large showing for Saturday’s rally suggested that the resolve persists, despite relentless pressure and after nearly eight months of almost daily protests.

People attend a major anti-government rally in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)
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The scene in Slavija Square. Pic: AP

A drone view of the huge protest. Pic: AP
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Pic: Reuters

Serbian police, who are tightly controlled by Mr Vucic’s government, said 36,000 people were present at the start of Saturday’s protest.

An independent monitoring group that records public gatherings said a total of around 140,000 people were in attendance.

Serbia’s presidential and parliamentary elections are due in 2027.

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