UK police drop Kneecap probe after Glastonbury performance
UK police said on Friday they had dropped a criminal investigation into on-stage comments by Irish rappers Kneecap at the Glastonbury festival. Avon and Somerset Police in southwest England said last month it had launched an enquiry after reviewing 'video footage and audio' of both Kneecap and London-based duo Bob Vylan, whose frontman led a chant against the Israeli army at the festival.
The Kneecap probe was focused on remarks made about a forthcoming court case in which one band member Liam O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, is charged with a 'terror' offence over alleged support for banned organisations Hamas and Hezbollah. But in an update the force said it would take no further action against Kneecap, whose members had been informed of the decision.
'Detectives sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service during their enquiries and after that advice, we have made the decision to take no further action on the grounds there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence,' it said. Inquiries into the separate allegations against Bob Vylan, however, would continue, it added. Chara appeared in court in June accused of having displayed a Hezbollah flag while saying 'Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah' at a London concert last year.
Hezbollah and Hamas are banned in the UK, where it is an offence to express support for them. Kneecap deny the terrorism charge and say the video featuring the Hezbollah flag has been taken out of context. — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
5 hours ago
- Arab Times
Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams speak out on starvation in Gaza
LOS ANGELES, July 24: Pop stars Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams have taken to social media to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where ongoing conflict has left children suffering from widespread hunger and a severe lack of basic necessities. On Tuesday, July 22, both artists shared the same Instagram Story originally posted by children's content creator Ms. Rachel, who has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian relief efforts. The post featured a photo of a visibly malnourished toddler and a caption expressing outrage over the conditions in Gaza, where food and medical supplies remain inaccessible for many. 'I never thought I'd see babies deliberately starved to death while stockpiles of formula sit untouched, miles away,' the message read. 'I never thought people I respected who have always stood up for children would see them, too, and remain SILENT.' Rodrigo and Abrams also liked the same post on Ms. Rachel's Instagram feed, signaling their support for the message. The conflict in Gaza intensified following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched military operations that have since caused large-scale devastation in Gaza. According to Reuters, approximately 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the escalation began. Rodrigo and Abrams are among several artists who have publicly expressed concern over the humanitarian toll. Abrams was among the signatories of the 2023 Artists4Ceasefire letter, which included names such as Drake, Jennifer Lopez, and Dua Lipa. In recent weeks, other artists including Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish have also spoken out, with Eilish condemning what she described as Israel's 'horrifying' plans to relocate Palestinians within Gaza. Earlier this month, Rodrigo posted a heartfelt message addressing the crisis: 'There are no words to describe the heartbreak I feel witnessing the devastation that is being inflicted upon innocent people in Palestine,' she wrote. 'Mothers, fathers and children in Gaza are starving, dehydrated, and being denied access to basic medical care and humanitarian aid.' Rodrigo and Abrams' advocacy underscores growing calls among public figures for greater attention to the ongoing crisis and the urgent need for humanitarian relief.
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 21 people, health authorities say
GAZA STRIP, July 23, (AP): Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 21 people late Tuesday and early Wednesday. More than half of those killed were women and children, health authorities said. Desperation is mounting in the Palestinian territory of more than 2 million, which experts say is at risk of famine because of Israel's blockade and nearly two-year offensive. A breakdown of law and order has led to widespread looting and contributed to chaos and violence around aid deliveries. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to get food in the Gaza Strip, mostly near aid sites run by an American contractor, the U.N. human rights office said Tuesday. More than 100 human rights groups and charities signed a letter published Wednesday demanding more aid for Gaza and warning of grim conditions causing starvation. More than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed during the Israel-Hamas war, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. Its count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says that more than half of the dead are women and children. The U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. Here is the latest: The Israeli military said in a statement Wednesday that forces were operating in Gaza City, as well as in northern Gaza. It said without elaborating that in Jabaliya, an area hard-hit in multiple rounds of fighting, an air strike killed "a number of' Hamas militants. Troops struck roughly 120 targets throughout Gaza over the past day, including militant cells, tunnels and booby-trapped structures, among others, the military said. One Israeli strike hit a house Tuesday in the northwestern side of Gaza City, killing at least 12 people, according to the Shifa Hospital, which received the casualties. The dead included six children and two women, according to the Health Ministry's casualty list. Another strike hit an apartment in the Tal al-Hawa area in northern Gaza, killing at least six people. Among the dead were three children and two women, including one who was pregnant. Eight others were wounded, the ministry said. A third strike hit a tent in the Naser neighborhood in Gaza City late Tuesday and killed three children, Shifa Hospital said. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. It blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the militants operate from populated areas. In the letter issued Wednesday by 115 human rights and charity groups, they warned of a dire situation pushing more people toward starvation. They said they were watching their own colleagues, as well as the Palestinians they serve, "waste away.' The letter slammed Israel for what it said were restrictions on aid into the war-ravaged territory. It lamented "massacres' at food distribution points, which have seen chaos and violence in recent weeks as desperation has risen. "The government of Israel's restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death,' the letter said. Israel says that it has allowed the entry of thousands of trucks since May and blames aid groups for not consistently delivering goods.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait Projects KD 1 Billion Budget Deficit, Vows Reforms
KUWAIT CITY, July 23: Kuwait's Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, held its weekly meeting at Bayan Palace on Monday, addressing a sweeping agenda that spanned diplomatic relations, environmental initiatives, and financial reforms. The session began with a review of messages sent to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad, from leaders of allied nations, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across various sectors. The Cabinet was briefed on the Prime Minister's recent meeting with Egyptian Transport and Industry Minister Kamel Al-Wazir, where both sides explored ways to deepen collaboration between the two nations. In a similar vein, Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef reported on his official visits to Lebanon and Syria, where discussions centered on strengthening security cooperation—particularly in areas such as drug trafficking, organized crime, and intelligence exchange. Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi shared highlights from his official trip to France, which included signing five major agreements with leading Paris-based medical institutions such as Institut Curie and Foch Hospital. He also showcased Kuwait's groundbreaking involvement in a robotic surgery conference in Strasbourg, where a Kuwaiti team performed live remote surgeries—a first for the country and a milestone in its healthcare ambitions. The Cabinet praised these medical advancements, citing them as key milestones in the government's strategy to localize and enhance national healthcare services. Turning to environmental matters, Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi and officials from the Environment Public Authority presented Kuwait's new low-carbon roadmap. The long-term plan aims to shield the country from the impacts of climate change while driving green investment and advancing a circular carbon economy. The Cabinet welcomed the initiative as a vital step in Kuwait's push toward sustainable development. On economic matters, Finance Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Eng. Noura Al-Fassam gave a detailed presentation on the country's 2024–2025 fiscal report. The figures revealed a projected budget deficit of KD 1.056 billion, prompting calls for tighter control on government spending and a renewed push to increase non-oil revenues. The Cabinet also reviewed Kuwait's progress in meeting international standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. Top officials from the National Committee and the Kuwait Financial Intelligence Unit participated in the briefing, with ministers urged to complete all outstanding tasks to ensure compliance in upcoming evaluation phases. In additional proceedings, the Cabinet approved several draft decree-laws on final accounts for the current fiscal year and agreed to forward them to His Highness the Amir. The ministers also signed off on several other agenda items, referring some to specialized committees for further review. Finally, the Cabinet approved the latest rulings by the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Nationality, which included cases involving the revocation of citizenship under the Kuwaiti Nationality Law of 1959 and its amendments.
