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U.S writers dominated the talk after the announcement of the Man Booker Prize shortlist for 2014, with both Joshua Ferris and Karen Joy Fowler nominated for their novels To Rise Again at a Decent Hour and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. It is the first year that American authors are eligible for the £50,000 prize, previously limited to novels by citizens of Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth. 

Can Howard Jacobson win the Booker Prize for a second time? [Getty/Stuart WIlson]

The chair of the panel, AC Grayling, said: "As the Man Booker Prize expands its borders, these six exceptional books take the reader on journeys around the world, between the UK, New York, Thailand, Italy, Calcutta and times past, present and future.

Continue reading: Americans Stand Out In 'Booker Prize Shortlist', But Can They Win?

Blackfish, the celebrated, award-winning documentary focussing on the captivity of Tilikum, an orca involved in the deaths of three individuals, and the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity, turned heads and raised awareness about the activities of businesses like Seaworld.

SeaWorld's stock has plummeted since Blackfish [Getty/Matt Stroshane]

But, despite the damning evidence via interviews and scientific reports featured in the documentary, Seaworld insisted that neither profits or attendances were damaged by the release of the documentary. In fact, CEO Jim Atchison said in March that they even benefited from the piece. 

Continue reading: Seaworld Finally Admits That 'Blackfish' Hurt Profits And Attendance

Letizia, Princess of Asturias may be poised to become queen of Spain, but the press doesn’t care about that. Oh no they most certainly do not! Why would they care about that when she knows how to pull off a pretty dress and a pair of Christian Louboutins?

The Spanish princess was a successful journalist before marrying Felipe, Prince of Asturias

Before marrying Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Letizia had a successful career of her own. While still studying she embarked on a career in journalism, working for the Asturian newspaper La Nueva Espana before moving to the newspaper ABC. When she had finished her studies she moved to Mexico, where she worked on the newspaper Siglo XXI. On her return to Spain, she worked for the Spanish version of Bloomberg, the economic channel, afterwards moving to CNN+.

Continue reading: Letizia, Princess Of Asturias, Is More Than Just A Style Icon

Amazon Prime Instant Video – the new amalgamation of the retail giant’s postage, video streaming and books services – is branching out to children’s TV with animated shows Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy debuting on 23 May and 27 June respectively and the live-action Annedroid premiering on 25 July.

Tumble Leaf and Creative Galaxy are both aimed at pre-school children, while Annendroid is hoping to attract a 4-7-year-old audience. Of course, the real marketing push here is towards the children, but the people out of pocket will be the parents paying for the service – HBO for them, sparkly animations for the kids. 

Continue reading: Amazon Target Youngsters To Lure In Parents - Three Kids Shows Hitting Prime

Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered a car crash following his defeat in last night's Snooker World Championship final. O'Sullivan was returning home to London with his six-year-old son Ronnie Jnr in the early hours, following his 18-14 defeat to Mark Selby at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Ronnie O'Sullivan's Car Crash Happened in Leicester

The two-seater Audi R8 sports car span out of control near Leicester at around 1.30am before hitting the central reservation. The snooker player and his son escaped without serious injury.

Continue reading: Ronnie O'Sullivan Car Crash Sees Audi R8 Hit Central Reservation

US media group Viacom in increasing its expansion into the U.K with its purchase of Channel 5 for $760m (£450m), which is currently owned by Northern & Shell Media Group, which is in turn owned by British publisher Richard Desmond. The news comes as Viacom posted higher earnings and revenue for the first three months of the year.

The deal adds Channel 5 to a host of networks already owned by Viacom, including BET, Centric, MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central. The company’s president and chief executive, Philippe Dauman, said: "Channel 5's momentum is indisputable, with impactful programming, increasing popularity and a growing digital platform.

Continue reading: Viacom Adding Channel 5 As US Media Group Swoop For $760m

Like her plastic counterpart, Valeria Lyukanova or Human Barbie as she has bee dubbed oline, knows how to promote herself. A few weeks ago it was racist comments in an interview, now it’s an exercise video… they do say all publicity is good publicity. Yesterday, the 28-year-old online star with doll-like proportions took to youtube to share her workout routine. Well, it wasn’t so much her workout routine, as it was gratuitous shots of her posing at the gym, at the beach, in a locker room, etc. Still, it probably counts as some sort of motivation, maybe?

In one of my astral travels I discovered that my soul belongs to another parallel universe, so I prefer torture to be a mother

— Valeria Lukyanova (@BarbieHumana_) April 17, 2014

Continue reading: Human Barbie Posts "Workout" Video, Gets International Media Coverage

According to the Liverpool Echo, text on the Wikipedia page for Hillsborough has been changed from computers within Government. The paper asserts that  in 2009, "Blame Liverpool Fans" was added to the page, and more recently in 2012 the phrase "You'll never walk alone" was changed to "You'll never walk again" with more scattered throughout the page. 

Kenny Dalglish has been a staunch supporter of the Justice for The 96 Hillborough campaign

The Cabinet Office has launched an investigation into this claim, which, if discovered to be true, would further plunge the powers that be into disrepute regarding the disaster, with the government and the police force both heavily criticised for their handling of Hillsborough and the subsequent search for justice for the victims’ families. 

Continue reading: Were Hillsborough Insults Sent From Government Computers? Cabinet Investigates

When things go wrong, someone gets sacked. That’s America. Hasn’t anyone watched Veep? Well whoever was behind the lewd, rude photo Tweeted out from the American Airlines official Twitter account isn’t facing any sort of comeuppance for his-or-her actions, and here’s for why.

You'll never guess where this plane is headed... (Picture: American Airlines)

By the way this picture wasn’t just NSFW; it wasn’t just a little bit naughty and therefore not for general consumption; It featured a naked woman very much adopting the ‘splayed’ position, inserting a toy plane into her baby portal. Oh yeah. This was porn. 

Continue reading: Whoever Sent That US Airlines Tweet Isn’t Getting Sacked. How's That?

Ian McEwan will tackle the subject of parents who refuse medical treatment for their sick children on the basis of their religious beliefs, in his next novel The Children Act. Taking the perspective of a female High Court judge, McEwan's 16th novel has been partly inspired by real-life cases presided over by his friends.

Ian McEwan Will Publish 'The Children Act' in September

The title refers to the act that rules that "when a court determines any questions with respect to the upbringing of a child, the child's welfare shall be the court's paramount consideration."

Continue reading: Ian McEwan Deals With "Perverse" Religious Parents In Next Novel

It’s not been the best of weeks for Kim Dotcom, the founder of – as he calls it – the ‘online warehouse’ that is Megaupload.com. Three days after six major films studios filed lawsuits against the website, three major players in the music industry followed suit – no pun intended.

The lawsuit says that Megaupload, Dotcom and other defendants involved in the litigation "engaged in, actively encouraged, and handsomely profited from massive copyright infringement of music," according to a statement issued by the Recording Industry Association of America, according to Reuters. 

Continue reading: First The Movie Industry, Now The Music Industry Are Suing Megaupload's Kim Dotcom

Pictures and videos of Amazon’s new ‘delivery drones’ have been doing the rounds today, with people watching an unmanned, flying drone delivering a bike tool to a person’s house within half-an-hour of them ordering said bike tool. It’s absolutely ridiculous, and we’d like someone to confirm it’s not real, please.

Amazon drone - what?

“I know this looks like science fiction, it’s not,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said on 60 Minutes, adding that “this is early, this is still years away.” You’re right, Bezoz, it seems like something from Blade Runner and 1984 combined. We know there’s a buzz surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but this is too far.

Continue reading: Please, Can Someone Confirm These Amazon Delivery Drones Are A Joke?

Ironically, during Frieze – one of the biggest and most expensive weeks for art lovers – some bargains are there to be had. There were Banksys going for $60 a pop, and now you can grab a Picasso for £85 – well, a chance to win a Picasso, that it.

Pablo Picasso's La Liseuse At A Press Preview at Christie's

'L'Homme au Gibus' (Man With Opera Hat) is being put up as a raffle prize to raise money for charity, and the Spanish artist’s grandson - Olivier Picasso – thinks it’s a great idea.

Continue reading: Got £85 Laying Around? Buy A Raffle Ticket...For An Original Picasso!

Ben & Jerry's has demolished Hollywood porn make Caballero Video in a court case that will see the end of videos such as Boston Cream Thigh, Peanut Butter D-Cup and Fudge Babes.

Caballero had attempted to make money with titles based on the well-known Ben & Jerry's ice creams, though it's ended badly. The studio's products also featured the same clouds and cows used the ice-cream company's branding and Ben & Jerry's launched a court case in 2012 claiming 10 titles besmirched its name and infringed trademark.

According to the Los Angeles Times, a US federal judge had ordered the company to freeze its marketing and take the movies off the shelves whilst the case was decided, deciding to force Caballero to scrap the movies permanently. 

Continue reading: Ben & Jerry's Destroy Hollywood Porn Studio In Ice Cream Court Case

Facebook sensation Grumpy Cat is set to make her film debut as her agent signs a deal with Broken Road Productions.

The feline, whose frowny features have been plastered all over the social networking community captioned by headlines suggesting varying degrees of displeasure, is set to become the new Garfield  after her agent Ben Lashes landed her a movie deal; although Lashes admitted to mashable.com, 'She hates movies'. And it's not this moggy's first foray into the world of celebrity having been crowned Queen of Social at this year's SXSW festival (though one doubts this cheered her up at all), and recently completed her upcoming first book Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book: Disgruntled Tips and Activities Designed to Put a Frown on Your Face which she is due to promote soon.

Watch Grumpy Cat At His Grumpiest!

Tardar Sauce, as she is known by her owners, looks so unusually moody due to dwarfism and having an underbite, but it's clear she's not letting this get in the way of her showbiz career. Todd Garner from Broken Road Productions told The Guardian, 'This started off as a picture of a cat, but rare is an image that evokes that much comedy. You read all of the memes and the comments, and one is funnier than the next. We think we can build a big family comedy around this character.

A Papa John employee's racist voicemail to a customer has gone viral, leaving chairman and CEO John Schnatter to apologize profusely on Facebook. After delivering a pizza to a man and his wife in Sanford, Florida, on Sunday evening (June 26, 2013) the delivery man "butt dialled" the customer and left a voicemail laden with racist slurs, complaining about the $5 tip, reports ABC News.

In the message - posted on YouTube - the customer shows the pizza delivery receipt explaining that he tipped 21 per cent "as usual." However, in a voicemail message that lasted four minutes, the employee uses the N-word and other racial expletives which he incorporated into a song about the customer. "I guess that's the only requirement for being a [insert N-word] in Sanford," says the pizza guy, "Yeah, they give me five bucks there - fine outstanding African-American gentleman of the community." His fellow co-worker laughs in response.

Listen to the Papa John Racist Voicemail:

Continue reading: Papa John's Racist Voicemail To Customer Goes Viral [Listen]

The infamous Chinese artist and political activist, Ai Weiwei, explores brand new territory – music – with a video commenting on his detainment and 81-day stay in prison. Weiwei was arrested by the Chinese government in 2011, supposedly for tax evasion, as part of a crackdown on political dissent. Much of his subsequent work has been inspired by the detainment and earlier this year, a play by Howard Brenton recalled the events. Now, Weiwei’s new video for his heavy metal song Dumbass offers a more direct comment on the reality of his imprisonment. The music video depicts two emotionless prison guards who watch Ai as he eats, sleeps, paces, showers, and even sits on the toilet, in a cleverly constructed metaphor designed to mock state power.

"This is dedicated to all those people who do not have the opportunity to raise their voice, who will never be able to raise their voices," Ai said about the video. "This is not just one generation. In the past 60 years there have been innumerable amounts of people who have been killed or taken away from their homes, even tortured to death."

Continue reading: Ai Weiwei Continues Scathing Critique Of State Power In Original Music Video

Since Zach Sobiech was told he has a year to live, the young and talented singer has produced and released a song about his predicament, which has since been viewed over 3 million times on YouTube. He died on May 19th.

“Zach was at home and at peace with those he loved most. Zach’s life ended just as he lived, embraced by the love of his family, friends, grace and music,” the Children’s Cancer Research Fund announced on its website. “It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our son Zachary David Sobiech. Our family has been blessed not only by his amazing presence in our lives, but also by the love and support of our family and friends and by so many people in the community,” his family said in a statement.

Continue reading: Zach Sobiech Dies Aged 18 After 4-Year Battle With Cancer

A Booklyn gospel is suing McDonalds for allegedly serving up a big piece of glass in her chicken sandwich, which apparently ruined her voice. Jacqueline Simpson, 52, says she found a piece of glass bigger than a penny while digging into the tasty meal at a lower Manhattan branch of the fast-food franchise, reports the New York Post.

Gospel Singer Is Suing McDonalds For Ruining Her Voice

"Now when I sing, I have a hoarse, rattly voice," said Simpson, who yesterday filed suit in Brooklyn Supreme Court. "I still sing alto, but I can't sing soprano like I used to." The singer says she bit into the glass to a Broadway McDonalds near the World Trade Center back in May 2010. "I have to make a lot of calls for work, and I have to tell people that I'm not a man,' said Simpson, a clerk for the state Attorney General's Office. "Before, that never happened."

Continue reading: Singer Sues McDonalds For Allegedly Serving Up Glass In Chicken Sandwich

Fast-food chain McDonalds says it has approached Charles Ramsey after he became an internet sensation following his discovery of three women who were being held in captive in Cleveland. Ramsey, who lives in the neighbourhood where the women were found, said he was eating a McDonalds when he heard a commotion down the street - subsequently helping the kidnapped women escape.

Ramsey made a note of his fast-food chain in his initial 911 call before telling a local TV station about it too. Danya Proud, a spokeswoman for McDonalds, said that the company is trying to reach out to Ramsay through its local franchise. She confirmed that the company wanted to speak with Ramsey directly given the sensitivity of the situation rather than communicating with him through the media, "This is a very tragic situation and we can't lose sight of that," she said. On Tuesday, the fast-food company said on Twitter, "We salute the courage of Ohio kidnap victims & respect their privacy. Way to go Charles Ramsey - we'll be in touch."

Continue reading: McDonalds Approach Charles Ramsey After Kidnap Video Goes Viral

Fisherman Allan Saunders has been reliving the moment that a grey nurse shark chose to try and take a bite out of him of Crowdy Head in Australia.

Saunders is recovering from the incident in hospital, and revealed that the shark’s bite was so powerful that it left one of its teeth in his leg. "[It’s a] little calling card for me, thanks for lettin' her go," Allan Saunders said, according Australian Yahoo. The tooth had to be surgically removed after it got stuck in his shin bone. “I didn’t know what it was, it felt like if you’d been hit by 240 volts, like a power shock,” he said, recalling the incident, which came about as he and friends were fishing for mullet. Three grey nurse sharks ended up being caught in their nets and, though quickly released, one of them wasn’t too happy about the situation and returned to give Saunders a fright.

"[It] came back and gave me a kiss, thanks!” he laughed from his hospital bed, surely bunged up on morphine. Saunders said that he didn’t realise what had happened until he was told to lie down. "When I looked down and saw all the blood I knew I was bit, then I'm goin' ahh s**t” he said. The robust Australian plans to get out fishing again as soon as he’s made his recovery from hospital in Newcastle, though he does have a warning for anyone else on the beach at Crowdy Head: "The little kids that were swimming around there, playing, enjoying themselves, could have happened to one of [them].” It sure could, thankfully it didn’t, and thankfully Allan Saunders is still alive.

Continue reading: Australian Shark Attack Survivor Can't Wait To Get Back Out Fishing