A Russian court has dismissed a lawsuit that sought millions of pounds in damages from Madonna for allegedly traumatising minors by speaking up for gay rights during a concert in St Petersburg.
The ruling came after a one-day hearing which bordered on the farcical.
During the hearing, plaintiffs claimed that Madonna’s so-called “propaganda of perversion” would negatively affect Russia’s birth rate and erode the nation’s defence capability by depriving the country of future soldiers.
At one point, the judge threatened to expel journalists from the courtroom if they laughed too much. (PA)
Ice-cream killer gets life
An Austrian ice-cream parlour owner has been found guilty of killing her ex-husband and a boyfriend before chopping them up with a chainsaw and burying them in concrete in the basement of her shop.
A court in Vienna convicted the 34-year-old woman of murder yesterday and handed her a life sentence, ordering her to be held in psychiatric care, according to Austrian news agency APA.
The woman, identified only as Estibaliz C, confessed to the murders on Monday but her lawyer said she will appeal. (PA)
Chris Brown cancels show
American R&B star Chris Brown has cancelled a stadium concert in Guyana after local protests over his 2009 beating of then-girlfriend Rihanna, organisers have said.
Brown, who was billed to headline a December 26 show, drew the ire of women’s rights groups and opposition lawmakers, who said he would not be welcome in Guyana three years after his assault of superstar Rihanna.
Concert promoter Hits & Jams Entertainment said yesterday that Brown backed out, citing discomfort with the protests. (PA)