Welcome to the golden age of conspiracy theories

There's never been a better time to be a conspiracy theorist: government funded plans to dim the sun; a pop star embarking on a questionable space flight; supermarkets stripped bare after Spain and Portugal were plunged into a catastrophic blackout; Robot policemen on the streets of China; the US admitting to the existence of UFOs.
Like a lot of people my age, my gateway drug to the murky world of cover-ups was The X Files. For an hour each week, my young mind was exposed to alien abductions, secret societies, cannibal cults and paranormal phenomena. And my interest in the other worldly – and the people who wholeheartedly believe that humanity is being misled en masse – has never abated.
Since the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, I have been an avid reader of conspiracy theories about all sorts of topics, from the ludicrous to the mundane.

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Time Out

3 days ago

• Time Out

NYC legend Robert De Niro is getting his own immersive exhibition at Mercer Labs

New York is about to enter its De Niro era—again. But this time, it's not just on screen. It's around you. Opening today, June 19 at Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology in Lower Manhattan, De Niro, New York is a first-of-its-kind immersive film installation that reimagines the legendary actor's career through 360-degree projection, spatial audio and mind-bending scale. The 20-minute experience is part of Summer Nights at Mercer Labs with Tribeca, running Thursday through Sunday evenings through July 13. Originally premiering in the Hexadome at the 2024 Tribeca Festival in honor of De Niro's 80th birthday, this new iteration of the film pulls audiences into the heart of De Niro's cinematic world. Directed by Sam Gill and Luke Neher and produced by Tribeca Studios and Little Cinema, the piece condenses scenes from more than 40 of De Niro's films into one continuous visual and emotional journey. For Roy Nachum, co-founder and creative director of Mercer Labs, the project was personal. 'Working with such an incredible talent—an icon—was a dream come true,' Nachum told Time Out exclusively. 'I've been admiring De Niro for a long, long time, and it was a great moment to work with Tribeca on that because that can open people's eyes to see how we can create a film in 360.' Mercer Labs, already known for pushing boundaries in experiential art and tech, had never hosted a fully immersive film until now. 'I think what's surprising is the mistakes,' Nachum said. 'We have 26 projectors and directional sound—that's equal to 26 cinema rooms. When you see things in different scales and the conversation between one wall and how it would react with the floor, the magic happens in the space. It's like something you've never seen in your life.' Tribeca CEO Pete Torres echoed that sentiment. 'You could experience it from different sides at all times. I've seen the piece probably 700 times, and every time it's impressive,' he said. Beyond the tech and artistry, the experience is a love letter to New York—and to De Niro's role in its post-9/11 cultural revival. 'There's this moment in the film when De Niro moves downtown and people are asking, 'Where is Tribeca?'' said Torres. 'Now look at it. This project carries that same spirit—bringing people back downtown, inviting them to explore something new.' (De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Festival with producer Jane Rosenthal in 2002, helping to restore the cultural vibrancy of Lower Manhattan in the wake of the September 11 attacks.) The biggest challenge? Editing down decades of cinematic brilliance into a tight 20 minutes. 'You could do four, five, even 10 hours of this,' said Torres. 'But we had to get it down to 20 minutes. The team from Little Cinema and the Tribeca Studios side did so much work to bring it down to a reasonable time. It just shows how impactful his career has been.' Tickets are $70 and include a drink and a souvenir. (Guests under 21 will receive a non-alcoholic beverage.) Mercer Labs and Tribeca Fest also hinted that this may be just the beginning, with plans already in motion to expand immersive collaborations. But for now, catch De Niro, New York only in New York—and only for a few short weeks.

Scottish Sun

3 days ago

• Scottish Sun

Kay Burley joins This Morning after bitter feud with another star of the show

KAY Burley made her This Morning debut this week - stepping into a segment regularly fronted by Camilla Tominey. The veteran broadcaster made her debut on the ITV sofa just weeks after a public spat with regular contributor Camilla - and appeared to step directly into her territory. 4 Kay Burley has made her debut on ITV's This Morning 4 She sat besied Gyles Brandreth to discuss the day's news 4 She had a public spat with This Morning contributor Camilla Tominey earlier this year Credit: Rex Kay appeared alongside Gyles Brandreth to discuss the day's news, including the Princess of Wales pulling out of Royal Ascot yesterday — a subject closely associated with Royal correspondent Camilla. Taking the lead on the topic, Kay said: 'The point I'm trying to make is the conspiracy theorists will be asking, well why is she not there, where is she?' Camilla is This Morning's royal expert and appeared on the ITV daytime show on Monday. The appearance follows a blistering column by Camilla, who described Kay as 'TV's answer to Liz Truss' in the wake of her departure from Sky News. She added: 'Some may say good riddance' and called her 'as resilient as her facelift.' Kay, 64, hit back, accusing Camilla of misogyny and writing on X: '#Sweetie ⁦@CamillaTominey⁩ as the late, great Madeleine Albright said, there is a special place in hell for women who don't support other women.' While tensions between the two broadcasters simmered, others in the industry rushed to support Kay's legacy. Susanna Reid called her 'a powerful interviewer and a supporter of women in television,' while Victoria Derbyshire said she had 'blazed an absolute trail.' Kay joined Sky News as a founding presenter in 1989 and left earlier this year after 36 years on air. She had been the face of Sky News for major world events, such as the death of Princess Diana, the births of the Royal babies and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Kay Burley, 64, retires from Sky News after 36 years and says 'it's time for me to indulge in other passions'- As well as hosting live TV, Kay published her debut novel, First Ladies in 2011, which was followed by her second book Betrayal in 2012. The anchor's career first started in BBC local radio and Tyne Tees Television. She then joined ITV's TV-am in 1985 as a reporter and occasional newsreader. Kay shares her only child - who's real name is Alexander - with her ex-husband, Steve Kutner. Before leaving Sky News in February, Kay had hosted the 24-hour rolling news channel's breakfast programme for the last five years, moving from her afternoon slot in 2019. Leaving Sky News, she said: "From a standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news, it's been an honour and privilege to work with some of the best and hardest working teams in the business. "News by its very nature is often devastating and together we've covered so many life-changing events - from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster. "But we've also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven't we - the thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and DAYS waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing. "But after over a million minutes of live TV news - more than anyone else in the world - its time for me to indulge in some of my other passions - including my love for travel. "So, after covering 12 separate general elections - including Sir Keir Starmer's victory last year - I am retiring from Sky News - let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news! "Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three and a half decades: You're awesome. "I will post more on my social media and hope to see you around. Please keep in touch." Sky bosses took Kay off air for six months in 2020 after her birthday bash flouted Coronavirus lockdown rules at the time with the anchor apologising for the "error of judgement".

Glasgow Times

6 days ago

• Glasgow Times

Sword attacker denies re-enacting rampage in chat about ‘killing films'

Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, has claimed he has no memory of killing Daniel Anjorin, 14, and attacking five other people in Hainault, east London, last April 30 while allegedly under the influence of cannabis. Afterwards, he likened events to Hollywood film The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative personality of a 'professional assassin', the court has heard. Teenage victim Daniel Anjorin (Met Police/PA) Under cross-examination on Monday, the defendant denied being a fan of horror films, saying he liked 'Lego' movies and had not even seen all of The Hunger Games franchise. Monzo was asked about a conversation he had with a member of staff at Broadmoor secure psychiatric hospital to where he was transferred after his arrest. Prosecutor Tom Little KC said: 'What about other films about killing? Can you remember shortly after you were transferred to Broadmoor a member of staff indicated that they liked horror films and as a result you became animated and you started undertaking a stabbing motion with your arms?' Monzo replied: 'I don't like horror movies at all. I like action movies with killing in them.' Mr Little continued: 'You asked the member of staff if they liked 'killing movies'. 'Your stabbing motion is exactly what you do to at least one of the individuals on April 30.' Monzo replied: 'I don't know.' Marcus Arduini Monzo during his arrest (Met Police/PA) The prosecutor asked: 'Do you remember attacking anybody on April 30?' Monzo replied: 'I don't remember anything.' Mr Little also quizzed the defendant about a video in which Monzo showed off a sword and described it as 'frigging sexy' before the attacks. The prosecutor said: 'Did you think that the sword that you used on April 30 was 'frigging sexy'?' Monzo told jurors: 'I was trying to be funny. If I had watched it back I would not have liked it and deleted it.' Earlier, the defendant told jurors he believed the earth was flat and the 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States was 'probably' a conspiracy. He told jurors his views were largely formed after he visited India and started consuming hallucinogenic tea ayahuasca and cannabis. Monzo denies Daniel's murder and the attempted murders of Donato Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania and Pc Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield, as well as wounding Inspector Molloy Campbell with intent. He also denies aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article relating to a kitchen knife. Monzo admits having two swords. The Old Bailey trial continues.