How The Guardian pulled off iconic San Serriffe hoax on April Fools' Day
Decades after its inception, the San Serriffe hoax endures as a testament to the enduring power of humour and the art of storytelling
By Vibhuti PathakApr 01, 2024
On April 1st, 1977, The Guardian newspaper embarked on a whimsical journey, taking its readers to the fantastical islands of San Serriffe, a semicolon-shaped paradise nestled near the Seychelles. What ensued was a masterful blend of satire, journalistic experimentation, and social commentary that continues to captivate audiences to this day.
The Birth of San Serriffe: A Playful Endeavour
The genesis of the San Serriffe hoax stemmed from the imaginative mind of Philip Davies, The Guardian's Special Reports Manager. Tired of the conventionalism in reporting, Davies envisioned crafting a fictional nation for April Fools' Day, an idea that resonated with the irreverent ethos of the publication. Thus, San Serriffe was born, a testament to The Guardian's penchant for pushing boundaries and challenging perceptions.
(Photo credit: iStock)
Crafting the Illusion: The Anatomy of a Hoax
With meticulous attention to detail, The Guardian brought San Serriffe to life, weaving a narrative that seamlessly blended fact with fiction. From the intricate geopolitical landscape to the whimsical characters like General Pica, the faux report exuded authenticity, drawing readers into its enchanting allure. Themed advertisements from renowned companies like Guinness and Kodak further lent credence to the elaborate ruse, inviting audiences to suspend disbelief and embrace the absurdity of the tale.
The Legacy of San Serriffe: A Reflection on Humour and Cultural Impact
Decades after its inception, the San Serriffe hoax endures as a testament to the enduring power of humour and the art of storytelling. Beyond its initial reception, the prank continues to spark conversations about journalistic integrity, cultural stereotypes, and the evolving nature of media in the digital age.
(Photo credit: The Guardian)
Challenges and Controversies: Navigating the Terrain of Fake News
In an era plagued by misinformation and fake news, the legacy of San Serriffe takes on new significance. As society grapples with the consequences of digital manipulation and echo chambers of misinformation, the boundaries between fact and fiction blur, posing profound questions about the role of satire in modern journalism.
Looking Ahead: The Relevance of San Serriffe in Today's Media Landscape
As we reflect on the enduring legacy of The Guardian's iconic hoax, one cannot help but wonder: would San Serriffe find a place in today's media landscape? In an age dominated by social media and 24-hour news cycles, where sensationalism often trumps substance, the whimsical charm of April Fools' Day may seem like a relic of a bygone era. Yet, amidst the chaos and cacophony of the digital age, perhaps there is still room for moments of levity and satire, reminding us of the power of laughter to transcend boundaries and unite us in shared humanity.
(Photo credit: The Guardian)
Conclusion: A Tribute to The Guardian's Legacy of Innovation
As we celebrate the enduring legacy of The Guardian's San Serriffe hoax, we pay homage to the publication's unwavering commitment to journalistic innovation and intellectual curiosity. In an ever-changing world, where truth often seems elusive and reality stranger than fiction, The Guardian's playful spirit serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us to embrace the absurdities of life and find joy in the unexpected.
James McAvoy was punched by a stranger at Charlotte’s Room bar in Toronto while attending TIFF.
The 46-year-old actor was in the city for the world premiere of his directorial debut, California Schemin’.
McAvoy remained calm after the incident and even laughed it off with staff and patrons.
The film follows the true story of Scottish rappers Silibil N’ Brains and their California disguise.
James McAvoy was unexpectedly attacked at a Toronto bar while in the city for the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), sources confirmed. The X-Men star, who was promoting his directorial debut California Schemin’, was reportedly struck by a man being escorted out of Charlotte’s Room bar. Despite the incident, McAvoy kept his composure, reflecting the actor’s calm and collected nature even in unexpected circumstances.
James McAvoy punched during night out in Toronto and reacts calmly while promoting directorial debut Instagram/jamesmcavoyrealdeal
What happened when James McAvoy was attacked in Toronto?
On Monday night, McAvoy was enjoying a casual evening with producers of California Schemin’ when an intoxicated stranger allegedly punched him. According to sources, the man was being escorted out of the bar when the attack occurred, catching McAvoy off guard. Fortunately, the 46-year-old actor did not sustain serious injuries and stayed at the venue, engaging with staff and other patrons afterwards.
Scottish actor James McAvoy unexpectedly attacked at Toronto bar as he handles incident with surprising humour www.easterneye.biz
Why was James McAvoy in Toronto for TIFF?
The Glaswegian star was in Toronto to premiere his first film as a director, California Schemin’. The movie tells the true story of Scottish duo Silibil N’ Brains, who posed as Americans to pursue rap careers in the early 2000s. McAvoy has described the project as an exciting extension of his 30-year acting career, allowing him new creative tools to tell stories on-screen.
Despite being caught off guard, McAvoy reportedly tried to calm the aggressor before bar staff intervened. A source close to the actor told PEOPLE that he “laughed off the incident” and continued chatting with patrons.
The film stars Samuel Bottomley and Seamus McLean Ross as Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, the duo behind Silibil N’ Brains. Based on the book Straight Outta Scotland, it chronicles their attempt to reinvent themselves as California rappers, including tours with Eminem and appearances on MTV. McAvoy has emphasised the film celebrates friendship, ambition, and audacious creativity while remaining rooted in Scottish culture.
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Nina Dobrev juggled dual roles on Vampire Diaries while fighting for fair pay behind the scenes
Nina Dobrev has spoken candidly about her long-running battle for equal pay on hit supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries. In the new book I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of The Vampire Diaries by Entertainment Weekly editor Samantha Highfill, the actress revealed she earned significantly less than her male co-stars despite playing the show’s central role and taking on the added workload of portraying a doppelgänger.
Nina Dobrev juggled dual roles on Vampire Diaries while fighting for fair pay behind the scenes Getty Images
Why did Nina Dobrev earn less than her The Vampire Diaries co-stars?
Dobrev played Elena Gilbert from the start of The CW series in 2009 and later took on the role of Elena’s darker double, Katherine Pierce. She told Highfill that her original contract only covered one character, meaning her expanded workload was not matched with higher pay.
“Candice (King), Kat (Graham), and I were the three lowest-paid series regulars in the first two seasons,” Dobrev explained. “It was tricky because I had to be on set for double the amount of time and memorise twice the number of lines, yet I wasn’t compensated fairly.”
While Somerhalder and Wesley received raises earlier, Dobrev remained on a lower salary tier. She said the studio told her “out of principle” they would not match her pay to the men.
Actress opens up about studio refusing equal pay to match Ian Somerhalder and Paul WesleyGetty Images
Did Nina Dobrev ever achieve equal pay?
According to the book, actors were only able to renegotiate from season three onwards. Dobrev did secure a raise but was still not granted parity with her co-leads. Showrunner Julie Plec confirmed that disputes even led to the studio instructing writers not to use Katherine because it meant additional payment for Dobrev.
“It got really heated,” Plec said. “We were told we couldn’t write Katherine at all. We had to beg to keep the character.”
Dobrev recalled the lack of recognition as “hurtful,” adding: “We shot eighteen-hour days, and I was putting my heart, soul, and sweat into it. Yet I was made to feel my work didn’t matter as much.”
Nina Dobrev returned for the series finale after insisting on pay parity for one episodeGetty Images
What happened when Nina Dobrev returned in the final season?
After leaving in 2015 at the end of season six, Dobrev was asked to return for the eighth and final run. The book reveals the studio initially offered her a fee five times lower than her previous season’s rate.
“I needed to be paid parity to the boys,” she said. “It wasn’t about the money, it was the principle. If it didn’t happen, I couldn’t come back.”
She eventually secured her requested rate but only for one episode, the series finale. Plec said: “She should’ve been making what those boys made all along. To her credit, she stuck to her guns.”
During Vampire Diaries, Nina Dobrev had to memorise double lines and endure eighteen-hour shoot daysGetty Images
What does Nina Dobrev say about the fight for equal pay?
Reflecting on the negotiations, Dobrev said: “For me it was about being equal. The artistry of the show suffered because I couldn’t appear in more episodes, but I’m glad I returned for the goodbye.”
Nina Dobrev reveals 'Vampire Diaries' studio denied equal pay while she played multiple rolesGetty Images
Her stance in fact echoes a broader conversation in Hollywood about gender pay disparity, with several high-profile actresses publicly demanding equal contracts in recent years.
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Reeves pledged to keep a tight hold on spending to reduce inflation and borrowing costs amid concerns over Britain’s fiscal outlook.
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has said the government must support the Bank of England in bringing down inflation while also focusing on growth, ahead of a budget later this year that is expected to include tax rises.
Last week, Reeves said the economy was not “broken” as she announced November 26 as the date for her annual budget.
She pledged to keep a tight hold on spending to reduce inflation and borrowing costs amid concerns over Britain’s fiscal outlook.
Inflation in Britain was the highest among the Group of Seven economies at 3.8 per cent in July. The Bank of England expects it to peak at 4 per cent this month before gradually falling back to its 2 per cent target by the second quarter of 2027.
Prime minister Keir Starmer has said Labour inherited a difficult economic situation from the Conservatives after last year’s election.
Tax increases on businesses, efforts to cut welfare spending, and ongoing arrivals of migrants on small boats have hurt the government’s standing.
Starmer reshuffled his ministerial team last week in an effort to reset his government, though Reeves remained in place. At the first meeting of the new team, Reeves said that controlling inflation was a key priority.
“The government was focused on going further to support the Bank of England in reducing inflation, controlling public spending and driving growth,” a Downing Street spokesperson said after the meeting.
British 20- and 30-year gilt yields reached their highest levels since 1998 last week, with investors watching Britain’s fiscal situation and worried Reeves’ budget could slow growth without generating much tax revenue.
Economists have also warned that some possible tax measures in the budget, such as higher fuel duties and other levies, could add to inflation in the short term.
Previous government decisions on energy policy, as well as increases in employers’ national insurance contributions and the minimum wage, have also been linked to Britain’s high inflation rate.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Manoj, from Frisco, Texas, created an innovation called ‘Shield Seniors’, a website designed to help people over 60 identify and report fraudulent messages and emails. (Photo credit: LinkedIn/Tejasvi Manoj)
SEVENTEEN-year-old Indian-American Tejasvi Manoj has been named Time magazine’s ‘Kid of the Year’ for 2025 for her work on protecting senior citizens from online scams.
Manoj, from Frisco, Texas, created an innovation called ‘Shield Seniors’, a website designed to help people over 60 identify and report fraudulent messages and emails.
“Older Americans clearly need protection, and Tejasvi was determined to provide it,” Time said while announcing the recognition. It added that her work earned her the title of TIME’s Kid of the Year for 2025.
She is also the first honouree to be recognised as a TIME for Kids Service Star, part of a programme by the magazine’s sister publication highlighting young people making an impact.
Shield Seniors “educates the 60-plus demographic about what online scams look like, analyse suspicious emails and messages users upload, and, if the communications prove fraudulent, provide links to report them,” Time said.
“The site is currently available in a private preview mode only, pending more R&D and fundraising, but is already — like its creator — making itself known,” it added.
In an interview with Time, Manoj said: “Just make sure to check up on your loved ones. Make sure that they're staying safe online.”
Manoj began coding in eighth grade. She was given an honourable mention in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge, delivered a 2025 TEDx talk in Plano, Texas, about the need to build “digital bridges” to all demographics, and has visited assisted-living facilities, according to the magazine.
She plans to study computer science with a minor in AI or cybersecurity.
Time noted that Manoj continues to advocate for seniors to become “savvy and independent” online, and for families to help them build confidence. Shield Seniors is still in development and runs on a free AI engine, limiting its capacity and reach. Manoj is raising funds to transition to a commercial AI platform.
“We plan to open it to a wider audience once we secure funding to support broader access,” she told the magazine.
Alongside her project, Manoj is active in Scouting America, plays the violin in her school orchestra, and tutors Bhutanese refugees in math and English through Vibha, a nonprofit working on education and workforce development in India, the report said.
She also volunteers with the North Texas Food Bank Young Advocates Council. “I started volunteering in sixth grade,” she said. “I think it’s really important; if you’re lucky yourself, you want to make sure other people feel loved and lucky too.”
In 2020, Indian-American scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao was the first recipient of the ‘Kid of the Year’ award for her work using technology to address issues including contaminated drinking water, opioid addiction and cyberbullying.
(With inputs from PTI)
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The Office for Students welcomed the move, saying more universities may look at mergers as many face financial difficulties. (Photo credit: University of Kent)
THE UNIVERSITIES of Kent and Greenwich will merge in 2026 to form the UK’s first regional “super-university”.
The new institution, to be called the London and South East University Group, will have one vice-chancellor and around 50,000 students, the BBC reported.
The Office for Students welcomed the move, saying more universities may look at mergers as many face financial difficulties.
According to reports, 40 per cent of English universities are now in deficit. The University and College Union (UCU) warned the merger would “almost certainly” lead to redundancies. UCU general secretary Jo Grady said it was “a takeover by Greenwich” as Kent was “on the brink of insolvency”.
The Department for Education said ministers “welcome innovative approaches such as this one”. Kent’s interim leader Prof Georgina Randsley de Moura will stay in post until the merger, when Greenwich vice-chancellor Prof Jane Harrington will lead the new university.
Both universities said the merger would strengthen finances. Prof Harrington told BBC: “This is about taking the best of both universities and saying what do we want to offer to our communities.”
Students will continue applying to Kent or Greenwich separately, and degrees will retain the universities’ names. Both institutions said there were no immediate job loss plans, though each has recently made cuts.
The merger will cover campuses in Canterbury, Medway, Greenwich and Avery Hill. The OfS said it would ensure students’ studies are not disrupted.