Consensus claimed but G7 ends with no declarations
As the 50th G7 Summit closes in Kananaskis, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirms a consensus has been reached among global leaders on the current conflicts in Ukraine... "We're also sending over $2 billion in funding for drones, ammunition, armoured vehicles to help Ukrainians defend their territory, as well as a $2.3 billion loan to help rebuild the infrastructure in that country. And (we) take a moment to reiterate our condolences, given the barbarism witnessed overnight in Kyiv caused by Russia." ... and also in the Middle East. "G7 leaders also reiterated our commitment to the pursuit of peace and stability in the Middle East, made clear that Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror. And we've been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities, including a ceasefire in Gaza." But with the early departure from the summit of United States President Donald Trump, the G7 wasn't able to produce any joint declaration to demonstrate their unity on the matters. JOURNALIST: "Joint statement specifically on Ukraine. It is the presidential statement or your chair statement, but it is not signed by the seven leaders. Why is that the case? What happened?" CARNEY: "Nothing. Okay. This was discussed by all seven leaders. Well, it's more than seven because we have the presidents of the European Commission and the presidents of the European Council last night at dinner, these exact words, and they're in my chair summary. We had, as I said in French, we had a declaration given the exceptional and fast-moving situation in Iran. We concentrated on that and on this specific one, I held this for my chair summary." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also joined the final session of the summit, but as he left without meeting Mr Trump or securing any further military support, Mr Zelenskyy stressed that while his country wants a peace negotiation, they'll need international pressure to make it happen. But the leaders still managed to draft a document on strategy to protect critical mineral supply. For Australia, the G7 Summit has been fruitful. While his meeting with Mr Trump was cancelled, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held talks with senior US economic officials, including the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on tariffs between the US and Australia. He also agreed to begin negotiation with the European Union on a security and defence partnership, after meeting the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council president, Antonio Costa. "We see this as an important framework for our current and future cooperation in areas like defence industry, cyber and counter-terrorism. And we will have our respective ministers progress that over coming weeks, but we hope to conclude those discussions pretty quickly." Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will be leading the negotiation. Mr Albanese says he's hopeful that Australia and the EU will reach a free trade agreement. "Unless the deal is in Australia's national interest then we won't agree to it. But there are two or three issues, half of which have been resolved, I think satisfactorily. We'll continue to put forward our view of an increase in the offer which is there for our sheep meat and our beef. We'll continue to engage constructively and I am hopeful that we'll get a deal done."
Mr Albanese says he's also considering a trip to Europe next week to meet other NATO leaders, and reschedule a meeting with Mr Trump.
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More bodies found from latest Russian attack on Kyiv
Emergency workers have pulled more bodies from the rubble of a Kyiv apartment building demolished by a Russian missile, raising the death toll from the latest attack on the Ukrainian capital to 28. The nine-storey building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district took a direct hit and collapsed during the deadliest Russian attack on Kyiv in 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that 23 of those killed were inside the building. The remaining five were killed elsewhere in the city. Workers used cranes, excavators and their hands to clear more debris from the site Wednesday, and sniffer dogs searched for buried victims. The blast also blew out windows and doors in neighbouring buildings in a wide radius of damage. The attack overnight on Monday into Tuesday was part of a sweeping barrage - Russia fired more than 440 drones and 32 missiles in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said was one of the biggest bombardments of the war, now in its fourth year. Russia has launched a summer offensive on parts of the roughly 1000km front line and has intensified long-range attacks that have struck urban residential areas. At the same time, US-led peace efforts have failed to grain traction. Also, Middle East tensions and US trade tariffs have drawn world attention away from Ukraine's pleas for more diplomatic and economic pressure to be placed on Russia. The US embassy in Kyiv said the attack clashed with the attempts by the administration of President Donald Trump to reach a settlement that will stop the fighting. "This senseless attack runs counter to President Trump's call to stop the killing and end the war," the embassy posted on social platform X. Kyiv authorities declared Wednesday an official day of mourning. Mourners laid flowers on swings and slides at a playground across the street from the collapsed building. On Tuesday, a man had waited hours there for his 31-year-old son's body to be pulled from the rubble. Valentin Hrynkov, a 64-year-old handyman in a local school who lived on the seventh floor of a connected building that did not collapse, said he and his wife woke up to the sound of explosions followed by a pause, and then another blast that rattled their own building. He said his wife had shrapnel injuries in her back and his legs and feet were cut by broken glass. The damage trapped them in their apartment for about 30 minutes before rescue workers could free them, he said. Emergency workers have pulled more bodies from the rubble of a Kyiv apartment building demolished by a Russian missile, raising the death toll from the latest attack on the Ukrainian capital to 28. The nine-storey building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district took a direct hit and collapsed during the deadliest Russian attack on Kyiv in 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that 23 of those killed were inside the building. The remaining five were killed elsewhere in the city. Workers used cranes, excavators and their hands to clear more debris from the site Wednesday, and sniffer dogs searched for buried victims. The blast also blew out windows and doors in neighbouring buildings in a wide radius of damage. The attack overnight on Monday into Tuesday was part of a sweeping barrage - Russia fired more than 440 drones and 32 missiles in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said was one of the biggest bombardments of the war, now in its fourth year. Russia has launched a summer offensive on parts of the roughly 1000km front line and has intensified long-range attacks that have struck urban residential areas. At the same time, US-led peace efforts have failed to grain traction. Also, Middle East tensions and US trade tariffs have drawn world attention away from Ukraine's pleas for more diplomatic and economic pressure to be placed on Russia. The US embassy in Kyiv said the attack clashed with the attempts by the administration of President Donald Trump to reach a settlement that will stop the fighting. "This senseless attack runs counter to President Trump's call to stop the killing and end the war," the embassy posted on social platform X. Kyiv authorities declared Wednesday an official day of mourning. Mourners laid flowers on swings and slides at a playground across the street from the collapsed building. On Tuesday, a man had waited hours there for his 31-year-old son's body to be pulled from the rubble. Valentin Hrynkov, a 64-year-old handyman in a local school who lived on the seventh floor of a connected building that did not collapse, said he and his wife woke up to the sound of explosions followed by a pause, and then another blast that rattled their own building. He said his wife had shrapnel injuries in her back and his legs and feet were cut by broken glass. The damage trapped them in their apartment for about 30 minutes before rescue workers could free them, he said. Emergency workers have pulled more bodies from the rubble of a Kyiv apartment building demolished by a Russian missile, raising the death toll from the latest attack on the Ukrainian capital to 28. The nine-storey building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district took a direct hit and collapsed during the deadliest Russian attack on Kyiv in 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that 23 of those killed were inside the building. The remaining five were killed elsewhere in the city. Workers used cranes, excavators and their hands to clear more debris from the site Wednesday, and sniffer dogs searched for buried victims. The blast also blew out windows and doors in neighbouring buildings in a wide radius of damage. The attack overnight on Monday into Tuesday was part of a sweeping barrage - Russia fired more than 440 drones and 32 missiles in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said was one of the biggest bombardments of the war, now in its fourth year. Russia has launched a summer offensive on parts of the roughly 1000km front line and has intensified long-range attacks that have struck urban residential areas. At the same time, US-led peace efforts have failed to grain traction. Also, Middle East tensions and US trade tariffs have drawn world attention away from Ukraine's pleas for more diplomatic and economic pressure to be placed on Russia. The US embassy in Kyiv said the attack clashed with the attempts by the administration of President Donald Trump to reach a settlement that will stop the fighting. "This senseless attack runs counter to President Trump's call to stop the killing and end the war," the embassy posted on social platform X. Kyiv authorities declared Wednesday an official day of mourning. Mourners laid flowers on swings and slides at a playground across the street from the collapsed building. On Tuesday, a man had waited hours there for his 31-year-old son's body to be pulled from the rubble. Valentin Hrynkov, a 64-year-old handyman in a local school who lived on the seventh floor of a connected building that did not collapse, said he and his wife woke up to the sound of explosions followed by a pause, and then another blast that rattled their own building. He said his wife had shrapnel injuries in her back and his legs and feet were cut by broken glass. The damage trapped them in their apartment for about 30 minutes before rescue workers could free them, he said. Emergency workers have pulled more bodies from the rubble of a Kyiv apartment building demolished by a Russian missile, raising the death toll from the latest attack on the Ukrainian capital to 28. The nine-storey building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district took a direct hit and collapsed during the deadliest Russian attack on Kyiv in 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that 23 of those killed were inside the building. The remaining five were killed elsewhere in the city. Workers used cranes, excavators and their hands to clear more debris from the site Wednesday, and sniffer dogs searched for buried victims. The blast also blew out windows and doors in neighbouring buildings in a wide radius of damage. The attack overnight on Monday into Tuesday was part of a sweeping barrage - Russia fired more than 440 drones and 32 missiles in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said was one of the biggest bombardments of the war, now in its fourth year. Russia has launched a summer offensive on parts of the roughly 1000km front line and has intensified long-range attacks that have struck urban residential areas. At the same time, US-led peace efforts have failed to grain traction. Also, Middle East tensions and US trade tariffs have drawn world attention away from Ukraine's pleas for more diplomatic and economic pressure to be placed on Russia. The US embassy in Kyiv said the attack clashed with the attempts by the administration of President Donald Trump to reach a settlement that will stop the fighting. "This senseless attack runs counter to President Trump's call to stop the killing and end the war," the embassy posted on social platform X. Kyiv authorities declared Wednesday an official day of mourning. Mourners laid flowers on swings and slides at a playground across the street from the collapsed building. On Tuesday, a man had waited hours there for his 31-year-old son's body to be pulled from the rubble. Valentin Hrynkov, a 64-year-old handyman in a local school who lived on the seventh floor of a connected building that did not collapse, said he and his wife woke up to the sound of explosions followed by a pause, and then another blast that rattled their own building. He said his wife had shrapnel injuries in her back and his legs and feet were cut by broken glass. The damage trapped them in their apartment for about 30 minutes before rescue workers could free them, he said.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
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Wall Street edges higher ahead of Fed's rate verdict
Wall Street's main indexes have ticked up as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision while the Israel-Iran attacks entered the sixth day. Investors will closely monitor Fed chair Jerome Powell's comments to gauge how he plans to combat the risk of rising prices, which remains a dominant concern for the central bank. The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged at its meeting, scheduled later in the day. "We're still at the beginning stages of feeling that real income shock from higher tariffs in the United States, and the uncertainty effect builds up over time," said Simon Dangoor, head of fixed income macro strategies at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. "So I think the next couple of months of data is going to be really key about where we go from here." Ahead of the monetary policy decision, money market moves show traders are pricing in about 46 basis points of rate cuts by the end of 2025, with a 55 per cent chance of a 25-bps rate cut in September, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. Following strong monthly equity trading in May, the benchmark S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq were close to record peaks before the ongoing conflict in the Middle East made investors risk averse. The S&P 500 index stood 2.5 per cent below its record level, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq remained 3.3 per cent lower. Investors have been anxious over the possibility of a more direct US military involvement in the Israel-Iran aerial war. A source familiar with internal discussions said US President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, which included joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. In early trading on Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 73.93 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 42,289.73, the S&P 500 gained 13.90 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 5,996.62 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 49.31 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 19,571.01. Ten of the 11 major S&P 500 sub-sectors rose. Energy and consumer discretionary stocks gained 0.6 per cent each while healthcare stocks declined 0.4 per cent. Tesla gained 1.8 per cent. Shares of networking and custom AI chipmaker Marvell Technology hit a three-month high and were last up 8.7 per cent. Shares of stablecoin issuer Circle Internet rose 6.2 per cent after the US Senate passed a bill to create a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged cryptocurrency tokens known as stablecoins. Scholar Rock rose 17.4 per cent after the drug maker said its experimental drug helped overweight patients preserve lean mass in a mid-stage trial when used in combination with Eli Lilly's weight-loss treatment. Steelmaker Nucor rose 4.9 per cent following a second-quarter profit forecast that came above analysts' estimates. Initial jobless claims data on Wednesday showed the number of people in the US filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week but stayed at levels consistent with a further loss of labour market momentum in June. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.3-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted four new 52-week highs and six new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 31 new highs and 53 new lows. Wall Street's main indexes have ticked up as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision while the Israel-Iran attacks entered the sixth day. Investors will closely monitor Fed chair Jerome Powell's comments to gauge how he plans to combat the risk of rising prices, which remains a dominant concern for the central bank. The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged at its meeting, scheduled later in the day. "We're still at the beginning stages of feeling that real income shock from higher tariffs in the United States, and the uncertainty effect builds up over time," said Simon Dangoor, head of fixed income macro strategies at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. "So I think the next couple of months of data is going to be really key about where we go from here." Ahead of the monetary policy decision, money market moves show traders are pricing in about 46 basis points of rate cuts by the end of 2025, with a 55 per cent chance of a 25-bps rate cut in September, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. Following strong monthly equity trading in May, the benchmark S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq were close to record peaks before the ongoing conflict in the Middle East made investors risk averse. The S&P 500 index stood 2.5 per cent below its record level, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq remained 3.3 per cent lower. Investors have been anxious over the possibility of a more direct US military involvement in the Israel-Iran aerial war. A source familiar with internal discussions said US President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, which included joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. In early trading on Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 73.93 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 42,289.73, the S&P 500 gained 13.90 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 5,996.62 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 49.31 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 19,571.01. Ten of the 11 major S&P 500 sub-sectors rose. Energy and consumer discretionary stocks gained 0.6 per cent each while healthcare stocks declined 0.4 per cent. Tesla gained 1.8 per cent. Shares of networking and custom AI chipmaker Marvell Technology hit a three-month high and were last up 8.7 per cent. Shares of stablecoin issuer Circle Internet rose 6.2 per cent after the US Senate passed a bill to create a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged cryptocurrency tokens known as stablecoins. Scholar Rock rose 17.4 per cent after the drug maker said its experimental drug helped overweight patients preserve lean mass in a mid-stage trial when used in combination with Eli Lilly's weight-loss treatment. Steelmaker Nucor rose 4.9 per cent following a second-quarter profit forecast that came above analysts' estimates. Initial jobless claims data on Wednesday showed the number of people in the US filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week but stayed at levels consistent with a further loss of labour market momentum in June. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.3-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted four new 52-week highs and six new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 31 new highs and 53 new lows. Wall Street's main indexes have ticked up as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision while the Israel-Iran attacks entered the sixth day. Investors will closely monitor Fed chair Jerome Powell's comments to gauge how he plans to combat the risk of rising prices, which remains a dominant concern for the central bank. The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged at its meeting, scheduled later in the day. "We're still at the beginning stages of feeling that real income shock from higher tariffs in the United States, and the uncertainty effect builds up over time," said Simon Dangoor, head of fixed income macro strategies at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. "So I think the next couple of months of data is going to be really key about where we go from here." Ahead of the monetary policy decision, money market moves show traders are pricing in about 46 basis points of rate cuts by the end of 2025, with a 55 per cent chance of a 25-bps rate cut in September, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. Following strong monthly equity trading in May, the benchmark S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq were close to record peaks before the ongoing conflict in the Middle East made investors risk averse. The S&P 500 index stood 2.5 per cent below its record level, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq remained 3.3 per cent lower. Investors have been anxious over the possibility of a more direct US military involvement in the Israel-Iran aerial war. A source familiar with internal discussions said US President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, which included joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. In early trading on Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 73.93 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 42,289.73, the S&P 500 gained 13.90 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 5,996.62 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 49.31 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 19,571.01. Ten of the 11 major S&P 500 sub-sectors rose. Energy and consumer discretionary stocks gained 0.6 per cent each while healthcare stocks declined 0.4 per cent. Tesla gained 1.8 per cent. Shares of networking and custom AI chipmaker Marvell Technology hit a three-month high and were last up 8.7 per cent. Shares of stablecoin issuer Circle Internet rose 6.2 per cent after the US Senate passed a bill to create a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged cryptocurrency tokens known as stablecoins. Scholar Rock rose 17.4 per cent after the drug maker said its experimental drug helped overweight patients preserve lean mass in a mid-stage trial when used in combination with Eli Lilly's weight-loss treatment. Steelmaker Nucor rose 4.9 per cent following a second-quarter profit forecast that came above analysts' estimates. Initial jobless claims data on Wednesday showed the number of people in the US filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week but stayed at levels consistent with a further loss of labour market momentum in June. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.3-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted four new 52-week highs and six new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 31 new highs and 53 new lows. Wall Street's main indexes have ticked up as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision while the Israel-Iran attacks entered the sixth day. Investors will closely monitor Fed chair Jerome Powell's comments to gauge how he plans to combat the risk of rising prices, which remains a dominant concern for the central bank. The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged at its meeting, scheduled later in the day. "We're still at the beginning stages of feeling that real income shock from higher tariffs in the United States, and the uncertainty effect builds up over time," said Simon Dangoor, head of fixed income macro strategies at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. "So I think the next couple of months of data is going to be really key about where we go from here." Ahead of the monetary policy decision, money market moves show traders are pricing in about 46 basis points of rate cuts by the end of 2025, with a 55 per cent chance of a 25-bps rate cut in September, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. Following strong monthly equity trading in May, the benchmark S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq were close to record peaks before the ongoing conflict in the Middle East made investors risk averse. The S&P 500 index stood 2.5 per cent below its record level, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq remained 3.3 per cent lower. Investors have been anxious over the possibility of a more direct US military involvement in the Israel-Iran aerial war. A source familiar with internal discussions said US President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, which included joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. In early trading on Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 73.93 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 42,289.73, the S&P 500 gained 13.90 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 5,996.62 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 49.31 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 19,571.01. Ten of the 11 major S&P 500 sub-sectors rose. Energy and consumer discretionary stocks gained 0.6 per cent each while healthcare stocks declined 0.4 per cent. Tesla gained 1.8 per cent. Shares of networking and custom AI chipmaker Marvell Technology hit a three-month high and were last up 8.7 per cent. Shares of stablecoin issuer Circle Internet rose 6.2 per cent after the US Senate passed a bill to create a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged cryptocurrency tokens known as stablecoins. Scholar Rock rose 17.4 per cent after the drug maker said its experimental drug helped overweight patients preserve lean mass in a mid-stage trial when used in combination with Eli Lilly's weight-loss treatment. Steelmaker Nucor rose 4.9 per cent following a second-quarter profit forecast that came above analysts' estimates. Initial jobless claims data on Wednesday showed the number of people in the US filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week but stayed at levels consistent with a further loss of labour market momentum in June. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.3-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted four new 52-week highs and six new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 31 new highs and 53 new lows.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
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Kneecap rapper faces London court on terrorism charge
A member of Irish rap group Kneecap has appeared in a London court charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, as hundreds of people gathered outside in support. Liam O'Hanna, whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the flag of banned militant group Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London in November 2024. The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been thrown on stage and described the charge against O'Hanna as an attempt to silence them. O'Hanna appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where supporters, including some Northern Irish politicians and musicians including Paul Weller, massed before the hearing on Wednesday. A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags and held placards. He had to push past a scrum of photographers when he arrived as supporters chanted "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about O'Hanna's support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel, saying he was well within his rights to do that. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah ... while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'." O'Hanna's lawyer Brenda Campbell said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case," she said. A hearing will be held on August 20 to determine whether the charge was brought too late, Judge Paul Goldspring said. O'Hanna spoke only in court to confirm his name, date of birth and address. One of his lawyers, Darragh Mackin, told the crowd of supporters: "The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get." A member of Irish rap group Kneecap has appeared in a London court charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, as hundreds of people gathered outside in support. Liam O'Hanna, whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the flag of banned militant group Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London in November 2024. The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been thrown on stage and described the charge against O'Hanna as an attempt to silence them. O'Hanna appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where supporters, including some Northern Irish politicians and musicians including Paul Weller, massed before the hearing on Wednesday. A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags and held placards. He had to push past a scrum of photographers when he arrived as supporters chanted "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about O'Hanna's support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel, saying he was well within his rights to do that. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah ... while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'." O'Hanna's lawyer Brenda Campbell said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case," she said. A hearing will be held on August 20 to determine whether the charge was brought too late, Judge Paul Goldspring said. O'Hanna spoke only in court to confirm his name, date of birth and address. One of his lawyers, Darragh Mackin, told the crowd of supporters: "The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get." A member of Irish rap group Kneecap has appeared in a London court charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, as hundreds of people gathered outside in support. Liam O'Hanna, whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the flag of banned militant group Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London in November 2024. The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been thrown on stage and described the charge against O'Hanna as an attempt to silence them. O'Hanna appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where supporters, including some Northern Irish politicians and musicians including Paul Weller, massed before the hearing on Wednesday. A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags and held placards. He had to push past a scrum of photographers when he arrived as supporters chanted "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about O'Hanna's support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel, saying he was well within his rights to do that. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah ... while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'." O'Hanna's lawyer Brenda Campbell said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case," she said. A hearing will be held on August 20 to determine whether the charge was brought too late, Judge Paul Goldspring said. O'Hanna spoke only in court to confirm his name, date of birth and address. One of his lawyers, Darragh Mackin, told the crowd of supporters: "The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get." A member of Irish rap group Kneecap has appeared in a London court charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, as hundreds of people gathered outside in support. Liam O'Hanna, whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the flag of banned militant group Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London in November 2024. The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been thrown on stage and described the charge against O'Hanna as an attempt to silence them. O'Hanna appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where supporters, including some Northern Irish politicians and musicians including Paul Weller, massed before the hearing on Wednesday. A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags and held placards. He had to push past a scrum of photographers when he arrived as supporters chanted "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about O'Hanna's support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel, saying he was well within his rights to do that. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah ... while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'." O'Hanna's lawyer Brenda Campbell said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case," she said. A hearing will be held on August 20 to determine whether the charge was brought too late, Judge Paul Goldspring said. O'Hanna spoke only in court to confirm his name, date of birth and address. One of his lawyers, Darragh Mackin, told the crowd of supporters: "The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get."
