
People are obsessing over the man with the mullet and moustache at the coronation
Eagle-eyed social media spectators of King Charles III's coronation couldn't take their eyes off one guest, leaving them wondering who it was. The grey-haired man was sporting a mullet and moustache while sitting alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber. His look was completed with a pair of tinted sunglasses. Almost immediately, viewers turned to Twitter, asking who the mysterious "cool" man was, with one joking: "Meghan, you’re not fooling us…" Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Sadly it wasn't her as earlier this month, the palace said in a statement: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet." The man is, of course, Sir Karl Jenkins, composer and instrumentalist. The 79-year-old composed a piece for Charles' coronation titled 'Tros y Garreg', translating to 'Crossing the Stone'. "I am very honoured. It obviously sums up Welsh culture - the harp - and he [the King] has always supported Welsh music," he told the BBC ahead of the event. "I don't know whether he chose it, but he was happy to have it there. I know he likes it otherwise he wouldn't have asked me." He spoke about the late Queen's 1953 coronation, saying: "We had one of the first TV screens in the street, in the village I guess...12in (30cm) screen, two rows of friends and neighbours watching." He added: "I am very honoured. It obviously sums up Welsh culture - the harp - and he [the King] has always supported Welsh music," said Sir Karl. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

MrBeast's new video sees him give hearing aids to 1,000 deaf people
MrBeast has done it again. Just months after giving sight back to 1,000 blind people, MrBeast - real name Jimmy Donaldson - has now helped 1,000 people to hear through hearing aids. His latest video, which he had claimed earlier in the week was had taken more than 'six months' to edit and would 'change YouTube,' MrBeast has done his latest stint of philanthropy work. In the six-minute video, MrBeast claims that he and his team spent $3 million getting the latest technology to help the deaf people that he featured in the clip, who come from a variety of backgrounds and different age groups. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Not only does MrBeast provide hearing aids, but he also gives away shed loads of cash and even hands a few extra gifts as well, such as a jet ski and Taylor Swift tickets. MrBeast's project isn't exclusive to the United States either but also Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Indonesia and India. He also adds that his team will donate £100k to sign language services in the aforementioned countries. 1,000 Deaf People Hear For The First Time www.youtube.com Many have been quick to praise Donaldson for his latest video and the positive message that he is trying to spread. In the comments, one fan wrote: "Can we just appreciate what he is doing I'm sure a lot of people would want to change the world but Jimmy is actually changing it huge respect" Another said: "Went from filming challenges outside your home with your friends to helping thousands of people across the globe. That’s just incredible!" A third added: "From the bottom of my heart, thank you for continuing to shine light in this world no matter what battles come your way." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Gen Z singletons are ditching alcohol and moving towards 'sober dating'
"Let's grab a drink" is a far too familiar phrase for avid daters – but now, a cultural shift has emerged geared towards more mindful dating. Enter sober dating. With more and more people making conscious decisions towards mindfulness, there's no surprise that the movement has racked up almost 5 million views across TikTok. A specialist team at Private Rehab Clinic, Delamere, has witnessed the latest trend and believes it to be a "more positive approach" to alcohol consumption and changing drinking behaviour. "We live in a society where binge drinking is part of everyday life and has a lot of influence over our culture and how individuals socialise, especially when dating," Martin Preston said. "This way of living is inspiring the ‘sober curious movement’ and the latest trend of ‘sober dating’, which is about thinking more consciously about consuming alcohol and our drinking habits." According to their research, 60 per cent of people post-pandemic reduced their intake to improve their health and well being. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter It is predominantly Gen Z driving the new sober dating trend by seeking alternative booze-free ways to socialise. "We’re also seeing a rise in the number of alcohol-free dating apps, which allow those in recovery or simply those exploring their relationship with alcohol to find love," Martin added. "This dating trend has many benefits, from feeling more safe and secure when meeting strangers to getting to know an individual's real personality instead of their drunk personality, to feeling more clear-headed and having an emotional connection." The clinic advises people wanting to try it to join sober dating apps to connect with people with the same mindset. They also believe daytime dates take the pressure of alcohol away, including walks, a show or a creative activity such as pottery painting. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

36 of the funniest memes about King Charles's coronation
A new king has been crowned in the UK but all the internet cares about is the memes. It was a grand occasion at Westminster Abbey when Charles III was officially crowned King and Camilla was crowned as the next Queen. Amongst all the pomp and circumstance and usual royal traditions there was a lot of fun and mischief to be had for those folks online. From Katy Perry getting lost, to Ant and Dec pulling faces and Nick Cave being the only goth invited there was plenty of laughs to be had and that was all before the ceremony had even started. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter Once the main event got underway and Charles and Camilla were in place the memes were coming thick and fast. One of the biggest memes of the day was Charles reading a speech from a piece of paper which was the perfect format for some hilarious jokes. Some bangers were being played in the Abbey. Ant and Dec appeared to be having a very good time. Nick Cave looked right at home. It's actually a shock that Salt Bae wasn't there. Of course, Liz Truss was there. Multi-instrumentalist Karl Jenkins had our favourite look. There's always a Star Wars reference. Penny Mordaunt carrying a huge sword stole the show and caused some people to have conflicting feelings. Surely not? What were those shields all about? Here are some very niche references. 10 points if you can guess them. One final thought for this lad. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Deaf people criticise 'harmful' MrBeast video in which he helps 1,000 people ‘hear for the first time’
Despite receiving significant criticism over a video in which he helped treat 1,000 people’s blindness, popular YouTuber Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson has doubled down on making videos about ‘helping’ disabled people with a new upload in which he helps 1,000 deaf people “hear for the first time”. In a video shared to his 150 million subscriber strong YouTube channel on Saturday (6 May), Donaldson can be heard listing the names of individuals he bought hearing aids for, adding that he also helped “entire families hear their loved ones again”. “But they are only a few of the 1,000 people that we’re going to help hear again today,” he said. Alongside the hearing technology – which only simulates the sensation of hearing, and does not ‘fix’ or ‘cure’ deafness – Donaldson also handed out briefcases full of cash in true MrBeast fashion. Though in one bizarre exchange, the content creator asks one individual: “Which is better, hearing or the 10 grand?” We’re not sure you should be pitting something as important as hearing against something as life-changing as $10,000, Jimmy, but we move… Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Yet while fans of MrBeast have described the video – which the internet personality says required “almost 4,000 hours of editing” and is going to “change YouTube” – as “amazing” and “emotional”, actual Deaf people are far from convinced: Some have even branded the video “inspiration porn” – a term coined by the late disability activist Stella Young during a TEDx talk in Sydney in 2014. After listing a series of images and examples which fit this description, Young said: “I use the term ‘porn’ deliberately, because they objectify one group of people for the benefit of another group of people. So in this case, we’re objectifying disabled people for the benefit of non-disabled people. “The purpose of these images is to inspire you, to motivate you, so that we can look at them and think, ‘Well, however bad my life is, it could be worse. I could be that person’.” Since MrBeast’s video was released, other Twitter users have dismissed concerned individuals as “haters” and made deaf ‘jokes’ about the video – including that the news is something they “love to hear”. Yes, really. Although MrBeast is yet to respond to the latest backlash, he did issue a comment when similar concern was levied at his video about blind people. He tweeted: “Twitter – Rich people should help others with their money. “Me – Okay, I’ll use my money to help people and I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny. “Twitter – MrBeast bad.” Good to know he takes reasonable feedback seriously… indy100 has approached MrBeast for comment. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Hotel guest wakes up to 'manager sucking his toes'
A hotel manager has been accused of entering a guest's room and sucking on his toes while asleep. Metro Nashville Police Department charged David Neal, 52, with aggravated burglary and assault after reportedly cloning a keycard and letting himself into the room of Peter Brennan. Brennan told WTVF he was sleeping at the Hilton Downtown Nashville hotel when the alleged assault happened. "I was in Nashville for a work conference," he said. "I awoke to a gentleman, an employee of the Hilton, assaulting me." "I instantly jumped up and was screaming. Went into sort of fact-finding mode. Who are you? Why are you in my room? What are you doing here? "I could see he was wearing a uniform, he had his name tag on. He was talking to me but not giving me any substantive answers." Neal admitted entering the room but told officers he could smell smoke. Brennan claims the alleged assault has left him with PTSD and trouble sleeping. "I still don’t really feel safe in my own home," he said. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Now, Brennan plans on suing the hotel. Michelle Myers, a spokesperson for Hilton, told News Channel 5: "Hilton Nashville Downtown is independently owned and operated by a third party and no Hilton entity employs staff at this property. The safety and security of our guests is our top priority and Hilton takes matters such as these very seriously." The local manager added: "The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority. We are working closely with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and, as part of company policy, we do not comment on ongoing investigations." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Influencer eats part of herself that she cooked in a bolognese
An influencer has revealed that she ate her own knee cartilage during a romantic spaghetti bolognese dinner with her fella. Paula Gonu had to undergo an operation after suffering an injury. After the surgery, the doctor asked Paula if she wanted to keep her meniscus. The 30-year-old - who has over two million followers on Instagram - said yes and then whipped it up into the dish. She made the revelation during an interview on the Club 113 podcast on YouTube. The doc asked her if she wanted a general or local anaesthetic and she plumped for the latter. She wanted to see the screen while the op took place. Paula, who comes from Badalona, near Barcelona, in Spain, said: “He used a camera. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter He operated through two holes and it was all up on the screen. “He explained everything to me as he operated.” Regarding her taking the cartilage home, she said: “I told him ‘Yes’ and he put what he removed into a small container like those used for urine samples. “He put it in alcohol so it would stay that way for as long as I wanted. “A week later, I was with my partner at the time, having a jokey conversation. “I told him I wanted to eat it because it was part of me and I had to put it back in my body.” She added: “Then I made a Bolognese and put it in and we ate it. “I wanted to be able to say in my head that I’ve eaten a piece of my own meniscus.” The influencer justified her decision by saying that everyone has eaten the bones, cartilage and body parts of “worse animals.” One fan commented: “I'm an Italian near Bologna. How did you put the meniscus in the ragu?” “My stomach hurt. Now it hurts even more. Thank you,” wrote another. Gerard said: “I really have to close TikTok now.” Nicole joked: “I once ate a booger.” Sofia remarked: “If it's mine, yes, I’d eat it, but from another person, no way. Disgusting.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

How Often Should You Water Your Garden?
Once you’ve learned a few key things about your garden, you’ll know how often you should grab a hose and start watering.
1970-01-01 08:00

The mystery behind the 'Coronation grim reaper' explained
King Charles III coronation this weekend was an entertaining occasion that sparked memes, speculation about the might of Penny Mordaunt's triceps, and criticism for the enormous cost and arrests of republican protesters. But the show was partially overshadowed by a mysterious cloaked figure who appeared during the event, which social media users compared to the grim reaper. In videos of the proceedings posted on Twitter and TikTok, a hooded figure wearing black and holding a stick is seen quickly walking past the open door of Westminster Abbey outside. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Social media users who spotted the figure immediately came up with jokes, with some saying the figure was the late Queen Elizabeth II, or the late Princess Diana, or the grim reaper and others just finding it totally baffling. But there is a simple explanation. When contacted by Newsweek, Westminster Abbey identified the figure as a verger, a member of the abbey community who assists with religious services but who is not a member of the clergy. So there is nothing scary to see here. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Hasbulla arrested in Russia for 'unbridled wedding fun'
Social media personality Hasbulla Magomedov has been arrested in Russia for driving offences committed after a wedding celebration. 20-year-old Hasbulla is from Russia and was arrested in his native Dagestan, a Republic of Russia, in an incident involving a group of his friends celebrating a wedding. According to reports, Hasbulla and friends blocked a main road in order to do doughnuts. Since his arrest, Hasbulla apologised for the incident on social media and confirmed it wasn’t him driving. He tweeted: “That won't happen again, people we apologise. We had to answer for it a little bit. I wasn't driving either.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter According to Dagestan’s Internal Affairs Ministry, the act of blocking a road to burn rubber is a common form of celebration after a wedding and added that wedding emotions got the better of those arrested. The statement read: “Unbridled wedding fun in Dagestan is known to many and far beyond the borders of the republic.” It continued: “In the absence of other ways of entertainment, such a primitive option is still extremely popular - blocking roads for other road users, burning rubber, smashing cars against each other and many other features that, in fact, have nothing to do with the celebration.” Footage of the incident was shared online and showed the social media star in a car blocking the road, while another vehicle from his party did donuts in the road in front. The statement from Dagestan’s Internal Affairs Ministry continued, explaining: “All participants of 'wedding emotions', as they themselves call it, were taken to the police, and in relation to them, employees of the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan drew up administrative protocols for all violations.” It’s not the first time in recent months that Hasbulla’s actions have caused a stir. A few months ago the star came under fire after a clip appeared to show him abusing a cat. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

YouTuber suffers gruesome arm break during live stream
Anything can go wrong during a live stream. And while some streamers intentionally bend the rules for views, other incidents are completely unexpected. Take the recent episode of the Pitchside podcast by YouTubers Reev, Theo Baker, and Tom Garratt. Theo and Tom had an arm wrestling match during the stream ahead of watching Newcastle United vs Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. What was supposed to be a bit of fun took a horrific turn when Tom's arm snapped. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "Oh f**k," he said, completely stunned. The Pitchside co-hosts were equally as mortified and went for help. Chris Dixon a guest on the show, later turned to Twitter to update fans on Tom's condition. "Quite an achievement to make the worst sound ever heard on Pitchside with Theo’s football opinions. Tom is okay, in A&E now," he posted. Theo also followed suit with a photo of Tom in the hospital, writing: "Hi guys, Tom's had his X-ray and has broken his humerus. He says anything for the content!" Fans turned to Twitter to send Tom their best wishes, while others commented on the disaster. "This is why I can’t even watch an arm wrestle anymore I feel sick," one person wrote, while another added: "Getting your arm snapped by Theo Baker has to be a new low." "I seriously hope he’s alright," one fan responded on Twitter. "That looked and sounded mad painful. However… Having your arm broken by Theo Baker of all people is not something you’re gonna live down any time soon." A fourth added: "Honestly don’t understand how people see this happen and ever arm wrestle again." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Meghan Markle's latest career move has people thinking she's joined WWE
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has got people doing a double take with her latest career move, with many mistakenly thinking she has joined WWE. In a report from Variety, Meghan has signed up for representation with the Hollywood talent agency WME, in what will be seen as a lucrative acquisition for the company, which already boasts clients such as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and tennis great Serena Williams. Meghan's team at WME will include Endeavor CEO Ari Emmanuel as well as top agents Jill Smoller and Brad Slater. While she does have experience as an actor a return to that field is not thought to be on the agenda. Film and television and brand partnerships are more likely to be explored. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter While this is obviously intriguing news from a Meghan and Harry perspective, the news has sideswiped a few people who have mistakenly read WME as 'WWE' aka World Wrestling Entertainment leading to some very puzzled reactions. Just for the record, Meghan Markle has not signed with WWE although we do think she'd have great promo skills and would love to see her work a program with Dominik Mysterio. You never know, maybe her new colleague The Rock could give her some tips. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00