Respawn Entertainment has reversed its decision to remove the option to purchase the premium battle pass in Apex Legends with in-game currency, following backlash from players. The studio also announced a free premium battle pass will be available through in-game missions. However, other changes to the battle pass system, including the introduction of a new premium track that requires real-world currency, remain.
A TikTok influencer, known as ‘Clean Girl,’ has faced criticism for cleaning an abandoned grave without seeking permission from the deceased person’s family. The video, which resurfaced after two years, shows her cleaning the grave at night, believing everyone deserves a beautiful resting place. While some found the act satisfying, many condemned the influencer for the intrusion and questioned the ethics of her actions.
As Kamala Harris enters the 2024 presidential race, a meme referencing a 2023 speech where she used the phrase ‘fell out of a coconut tree’ has resurfaced on social media. While some find the meme humorous, others point to its potential for discriminatory connotations, highlighting a complex debate surrounding its use.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has made a controversial statement, alleging that he was misled into consenting to puberty blockers for his transgender son, Xavier. He blames a ‘woke mind virus’ for influencing his son and vows to combat it. The statement has sparked debate online, with some expressing sympathy for Musk and others criticizing his views.
Senior Shiv Sena MLA Manisha Kayande has urged the Mumbai Police to take action against Bigg Boss OTT 3, accusing the show of promoting vulgarity. The MLA, citing a particular episode featuring intimate scenes between contestants, argues that the show is harmful to young minds and violates social norms. She also plans to approach the Union Minister to push for regulations on OTT content.
The Supreme Court will hear petitions challenging an Uttar Pradesh government order requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display owner names. The directive, passed earlier this week, has drawn widespread criticism, including from political allies.
The Dutch Olympic Committee is facing criticism for including convicted rapist Steven van de Velde on their beach volleyball team for the Paris Olympics. While the committee has taken steps to mitigate the impact of his participation, including moving him to alternative accommodation and restricting media access, women’s advocacy groups have expressed dismay over the decision, arguing that it prioritizes sporting prowess over criminal justice.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) released revised NEET-UG 2024 results, masking candidate identities as ordered by the Supreme Court. The revised results show a significant drop in scores from the Jhajjar centre in Haryana, where six students initially scored perfect 720/720. The controversy stems from the initial results where an unprecedented 67 students achieved perfect scores, leading to accusations of irregularities and potential paper leaks. The NTA initially attributed the high scores to grace marks awarded to students due to exam delays. However, the government later revoked these grace marks, leading to a re-test and nationwide protests. The revised results, while masking individual identities, reveal a lower performance at the Jhajjar centre, further fueling the controversy.
A new advisory in Uttar Pradesh requiring food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display the owner’s name has triggered a controversy. While the BJP claims the rule is a reiteration of a 2006 law, the Opposition accuses the government of promoting untouchability and discriminatory practices. The advisory has raised questions about its legality and the extent to which it infringes upon the rights of shopkeepers.
Mason Greenwood, the English striker who faced allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault, joined Marseille after charges were dropped. He expressed a desire to move forward with his career and family life, while Marseille’s president acknowledged the controversy surrounding the signing. Greenwood’s arrival follows the departure of top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
