Obituary: Jose Mujica, Uruguayan Marxist guerrilla who later became ‘the world's poorest president'
Jose Mujica, who has died aged 89, was a Marxist terrorist who reinvented himself to become a popular liberalising president of Uruguay in his 1970s. Ostentatiously rejecting the rewards of office, he earned the soubriquet 'the world's poorest president'.
As a Marxist guerrilla, Mujica survived a gun battle with police during which he was shot six times and later spent two years incarcerated in a hole in the ground, keeping his sanity intact by befriending and conversing with a frog. In his later years his life became more mellow and — as he joined the centre-left Broad Front party — so did his politics.
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The Journal
11-07-2025
- The Journal
BBC ban Gregg Wallace over lack of ‘confidence' presenter can change behaviour
THE BBC HAS reportedly banned Gregg Wallace from working at the organisation again, citing a lack of 'confidence' the presenter can change his behaviour following allegations of sexual misconduct. He was sacked as MasterChef presenter on Tuesday after an inquiry into his alleged inappropriate behaviour, by production company Banijay, BBC News reported. Wallace, 60, stepped away from hosting the BBC cooking competition last year after a number of historical complaints came to light. New claims emerged this week about the TV presenter from 50 or more people, to the corporation, with the majority saying he made inappropriate sexual comments, and 11 women accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching, BBC News reported. Ahead of the inquiry report being published, the Telegraph reported that the TV presenter had been dismissed by the corporation. In a letter to Wallace seen by the Telegraph, a senior figure at BBC television wrote: 'Given my conclusion, I do not believe that the BBC should make plans to work with you in the future on any of its productions, whether directly or indirectly. 'I have also taken into account whether your behaviour could be improved with training and/or coaching. 'However, having reviewed the 2025 findings, I do not have the confidence that you can change what seems to be learned behaviour for you to make what you perceive to be jokes in the working environment, without understanding the boundaries of what is appropriate.' Advertisement The letter continued: 'I do not have confidence that your behaviour can change to ensure there is a sufficiently safe and respectful environment for others working with you in the types of programmes the BBC has engaged you to present.' Some of the more recent claims include a MasterChef worker who said she tried to complain about comments she alleged he made about her body in 2022, and a former policeman who said he tried to raise concerns after he allegedly witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments at a charity event in 2023. The former greengrocer posted a statement on his Instagram page on Tuesday, claiming he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him. The statement said: 'I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. He also said he recognises that some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this. Wallace was a greengrocer before he shot to fame fronting BBC shows including Inside The Factory, Supermarket Secrets, as well as MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals. The most recent series of MasterChef: The Professionals continued to air last year amid allegations against Wallace, but two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials were pulled from the BBC's schedule in December 2024. At the time, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she would look to impose new standards in the creative industry. A BBC spokesperson said: 'Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. 'We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.'
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Palestine Action ‘terror' group behind RAF Brize Norton raid ‘plots attacks on three more air bases and drone factory'
THE Palestine Action group behind the RAF Brize Norton raid is plotting attacks on three more air bases and a drone factory. The organisation is preparing to hit targets up and down the country, as reported by 8 The activist group vandalised a military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton Credit: Sky News 8 Protestors with banners reading 'We Are All Palestine Action' at the demonstration in London on Monday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 8 In their exclusive investigations, a Palestine Action meeting was recorded during which members talked about The group, who said it will 'continue to operate' despite "intimidating tactics" had also been recruiting members before being officially proscribed a terrorist organisation. The organiser of the 'direct action workshop', listened to by the Telegraph, said their members were aged from 18 to 80, from "nursery teachers to surgeons". She said "anyone" could be a member as long as they "want to take direct action for Palestine". When talking about their targets, they were told to hit "everything you can find with a sledgehammer" and that "sacrifices" would have to be made. Members were also asked to download the messaging app Signal, to allow for encrypted communication to be passed. The discussion then focused on how to covertly target military bases. Three RAF bases were highlighted as potential targets, RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath, both in Lincolnshire, and RAF Valley, in Anglesey, North Wales. Most read in The Sun RAF Cranwell was the world's first Air Academy and still trains the next generation of RAF officers. Meanwhile, RAF Barkston Heath is a relief landing ground for RAF Cranwell and is the home of 57 Sqn's B Flight of No 3 Flying Training School. Elsewhere, RAF Valley on Anglesey is the No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for creating the UK's next generation of fighter pilots. The female organiser further spread the message to take action against firms supplying arms to Israel. This included one drone factory in Leicester that is home to UAV Tactical Systems. The meeting's organiser was standing in front of a flag associated with the YPJ. Details heard in the meeting by the Telegraph were passed on to the police and the Ministry of Defence. 8 RAF Brize Norton on Friday June 20 after the attack Credit: ITV News 8 Police arresting a Palestine Action demonstrator on Monday Credit: Alamy 8 Chaotic scenes in Trafalgar Square after members of Palestine Action staged a protest Credit: Alamy This comes after pro-Palestine protesters were seen clashing with cops as chaos erupted in London on Monday. A huge mob descended on Trafalgar Square in central London, leading Home Secretary She explained that she will lay an order before Parliament next week which, if passed, will make membership and support for the protest group illegal. The ban will see the organisation on par with The decision was made after activists from the pro-Palestinian group broke into Speaking on Sunday, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he was "shocked" and "frustrated" at the planned demonstration today. He wrote on social media: "I'm sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action. "This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered. 'Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft. 'Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences. "The right to protest is essential and we will always defend it but actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest.' Footage shared online showed two Palestine Action members breaking into the base and vandalising two planes in a "grotesque" breach of security. They spray red paint into the rear of one of the jet's two engines and deep into the aircraft itself. The pair of activists can then be seen roaming free across the grounds of the airbase on electric scooters. Brize Norton is the RAF's largest airbase and home to more than 6,000 military and civilian personnel as well as the UK's largest military aircraft. The MoD slammed the "vandalism of Royal Air Force assets" in a scathing statement. A spokeswoman for the ministry said: "Our armed forces represent the very best of Britain. "They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. "It is our responsibility to support those who defend us." The shocking break-in at the Oxfordshire base prompted a security review at military bases across the UK. Hundreds commented under videos of the activists' efforts on social media, asking how security could be "that lacking" at a major military air base. A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage. "An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton. "Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible." Palestine Action has since been desperately trying to recruit more members in a bid to create autonomous cells around the country. In an article published in April, Huda Ammori, the group's co-founder, said: 'By being security-conscious and working in small groups, we can make it difficult for the authorities to respond to individual actions by targeting the movement as a whole – such that Palestine Action can continue to grow, even in hostile conditions.' Those recruited have were also warned in the meeting they may face "legal risks" - but a free lawyer could be provided to them by the government if arrested. But Palestine Action itself would not be paying for any legal fees. Members were told they would have to accept a "level of sacrifice" for the cause, and it emerged there are 19 recruits already in prison. The meeting leader did not tell participants that if Palestine Action is proscribed, members would in fact face being thrown behind bars for up to 14 years. Despite talking about arrests, the organiser stressed this was not the goal, and urged everyone to avoid being identified. All of the members were read out an 'actions agreement' which outlined everyone was there of their "own free will". A Ministry of Defence spokesman told the Telegraph and Times: 'The UK's defence estate is vital to our national security and this government will not tolerate those who put that security at risk. 'This Government is taking the strong step of proscribing Palestine Action due to its activities, which are a threat to our national security.' Read more on the Irish Sun A spokesman for North Wales Police added: 'Our officers continue to liaise with MoD staff in relation to security matters at RAF Valley, Anglesey. 'The emergence of potential threats to the site is recognised, with the need for additional policing and security patrols kept under regular review.' 8 Members used red spray pain on the aircraft engine Credit: Sky News 8 They broke in on e-bikes Credit: x
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Séamas O'Reilly: Many of the tropes of standard Irishness are not universally applied both sides of the border
You might be expecting me, a topical columnist, to give you, the schoolchildren of Ireland, a timely pep talk about the Leaving Cert exams you've just started, perhaps with a stirring tale from my own experience. Sadly, I can't do that because I never did the Leaving Cert. I was raised in Derry, and thus the British school system, so I did A-levels. They are, I'm sure, similar enough to the Leaving Cert that much of my advice would still be relevant, but still different enough that it wouldn't really make much sense to apply them directly to the exams you're sitting now. Such are the slightly odd contradictions of being raised in Northern Ireland and discovering, over many years, that many of the full-fat tropes of standard Irishness are not universally applied both sides of the border. I should be clear up-front that I've never felt any neurosis about this. It would, I suppose, take a lot for someone named Séamas O'Reilly to gain a complex about being insufficiently Irish. Sometimes, however, these complexes are thrust in front of me. Rarely, however, in London, where few locals know, or care, the difference between north and south. Here, it's mostly had a simplifying effect, where I might as well be from Tallaght, Togher, or Twomileborris, if they had any clue where those places were. No, here it's my status as an undercover Brit that surprises people, and has even granted me the opportunity to shock unsuspecting Londoners with my deep knowledge of BBC radio comedy, or British cultural products of our shared yesteryear. More deliciously still, it's also allowed me to correct them when they've called me an immigrant, usually with the attendant undertone that I should complain less about my gracious hosts. When, this week, the Telegraph printed a rabidly scaremongering report that 'White British people will be a minority in 40 years', they clarified this cohort as 'the white British share of the population — defined as people who do not have an immigrant parent'. Leaving aside how garbled that formulation is — there are millions of non-white Brits who meet that definition perfectly — it carried with it a parallel consequence. I myself do not have an immigrant parent. In fact, every single pale and freckled ancestor of mine since 1800, Irish farmers to a soul, was born and raised in something called the United Kingdom. This is true for a large number of Irish people in the North. And since the late Prince Philip was himself a Greek immigrant, it gives me great pleasure to point out that they'd settled on a definition of 'White British' which includes Gerry Adams but excludes King Charles III. The only people who've ever questioned my Irishness — to my face — are other Irish people, admittedly rarely, and almost always in the form of gentle ribbing from the sort of pub comedians who call their straight-haired friend 'Curly'. The type who're fond of hearing me say 'Derry' and asking, reflexively, whether I mean 'Londonderry'. In the time-honoured tradition of any Derry person who's encountered this comment — oh, five or six million times in their life — I simply laugh it off and say I've heard that one before. Similarly, if some irrepressible wit asks a Derry person whether we're in the IRA, we'll tell them that's quite an offensive stereotype, while also peppering the rest of our conversation with vague, disconcerting comments designed to imply that we might indeed be members of a paramilitary organisation and that they should, therefore, stop talking to us. For the most part, I regard my British birth certificate and UK-system schooling as a mundane quirk of my fascinating personal biography. I am, in fact, confident enough in my identity that tabulating concrete differences between the North and South has simply become something of a hobby. The Leaving Cert is one such mystery. I gather that it involves every student in Ireland taking tests in about 760 subjects, crammed into the same time I was given to learn four. And that you must take Irish throughout the entirety of your schooling, so that you can emerge from 13 straight years of daily instruction in the language, cursing the fact you never got a chance to learn it. I know, vaguely, that some part of this learning involves a book about — by? — a woman named Peig, and that the very mention of her name inspires tens of thousands of Irish people my age to speak in tones of awe, nostalgia, mockery and reverence, always in English. Of course, almost all facets of the Irish school system are exotic to me. I feel that no finer term has ever been coined for small children than 'senior infants' but I've no idea what age it could possibly apply to. I know that there is such a thing as a transition year, but not what that means, precisely, still less what it's for. I know that summer holidays are different, namely that they're longer than what we get up North. I primarily know this because I grew up on the border and suffered the cruel indignity of marching off to school each June, in full sight of my friends eight feet away in Donegal, who seemed to have summer holidays that lasted about eight months of the year. I was told, perhaps erroneously, that this period of glorious leisure stems from the days when kids were expected to be at home on the farm, and the school calendar augmented so as to enable the nation-sustaining pyramid of child labour this demanded. I saw no sign of this in the few kids I'd spy from the bus window as I was conveyed to class, idling on deck chairs and inflating beach balls in the driving rain. Know that you have this glorious reward in your near future, if you're worried about the exams you've just begun. I hope the few you've started have already gone well. Take solace. Be unafraid. By my count, there's just 740 more to go. Read More Colm O'Regan: Cleaning the house can both spark joy and cause a panic
