
Kneecap's Mo Chara faces terrorism act charge over Hezbollah flag
That's just a snippet of the statement issued by Belfast Irish language rap group Kneecap hours following the commencement of their latest battle with the UK government.
Kneecap member Liam Óg ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name of Mo Chara, has been formally charged with a terror offence by the Metropolitan Police, under the anglicised name Liam O'Hanna.
Kneecap have labelled the charge 'political policing', arguing that the real story isn't their actions but rather the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The charge has been welcomed by many who have long found the band offensive.
The Irish Independent's Dave Hanratty is joined from London by TRT World presenter Enda Brady to examine the specifics of this case, and look at the wider complexities surrounding artists and activism, and their tricky role in politics today.

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The Herald Scotland
38 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Bus driver who killed young girl riding bike on pavement jailed for four years
Martin Asolo-Ogugua, 23, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday having pleaded guilty in April to causing Ada's death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs. Ada was a keen gymnast and swimmer (Family handout/Metropolitan Police/PA) The defendant, of Southwark, south-east London, failed a drug-test at the scene of the incident and was found to have taken cannabis the night before. CCTV showed Asolo-Ogugua driving the bus west on London Road, with Ada on a footpath heading east on Watling Street before the defendant fell asleep and the bus drifted across the carriageway and into the path of the girl and her family, according to police. Ada's father, Bora, said: 'The images of that horrific moment remain seared into my mind. That scene replays endlessly, a constant reminder of the day my world fractured beyond repair. 'This tragedy happened on my watch, a father's ultimate failure. My world has been turned upside down, and with it, the foundations of my family have crumbled. 'My darling Ada. Our thanks are not enough to show our gratitude for you. We will honour your name with acts of magnitude. You will never be forgotten. 'We will make this story one of love and thanks that we owe everybody. Your presence, and passing, will leave a mark in this country and we will fight to make drug driving a part of its history.' Asolo-Ogugua was jailed for four years (Metropolitan Police/PA) Senior Crown Prosecutor Miranda Jollie called Asolo-Ogugua 'utterly selfish'. She said: 'Asolo-Ogugua was reckless and utterly selfish to get behind the wheel of a bus after consuming drugs and put many lives at risk that day. 'His actions have robbed a young girl of her entire life. Our thoughts remain with Ada's family and friends as they try to come to terms with their unimaginable loss.' Ada, a Turkish-British national, lived in Bexleyheath with her family and was a keen gymnast and swimmer. She attended a local primary school where she was described by police as a 'popular and happy pupil'. Her organs were donated and she went on to help six other people after her death, her family said previously. Detective Sergeant Sam Miles said: 'Asolo-Ogugua will have to spend the rest of his life regretting the night he chose to stay awake before getting behind the wheel of a bus with cannabis in his system. 'It's a night that has cost him his freedom and snatched away the life of an innocent little girl. 'Ada had her whole life ahead of her.' Asolo-Ogugua was disqualified from driving for seven years.

Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
TikTok creating more than 500 new British jobs as UK users top 30 million
The Chinese-owned social media firm said its UK workforce would expand to 3,000 this year as part of its 'deep commitment' to the UK. It will also open a new 135,000sq ft office in London's Barbican, which is set to open early next year. The group already has its UK headquarters in Farringdon, London, which were opened in 2022. TikTok unveiled the plans as it said it now has more than 30 million regular users in the UK each month, which makes the market is biggest user community in Europe. Adam Presser, director of TikTok UK and global head of operations and trust and safety, said: 'Whether through direct investment in jobs and innovation, or the wider economic contribution from millions of British businesses on TikTok, we're pleased to be increasing our investment and presence here in the UK, an important hub for TikTok.' But it comes after Cabinet minister Pete Kyle signalled he was looking at measures to restrict the amount of time children spend on their phones, including through a possible 10pm curfew. Mr Kyle was asked on Sunday morning whether he would look at limiting the time children spend on social media to two hours per app after the Sunday People and Mirror reported the measure was being considered by ministers. The Online Safety Act has passed into law, and from this year will require tech platforms to follow new Ofcom-issued codes of practice to keep users safe online, particularly children. Hefty fines and site blockages are among the penalties for those caught breaking the rules, but many critics have argued the approach gives tech firms too much scope to regulate themselves. TikTok's Mr Presser said that, as well as its UK expansion plans, the group also invests 'significantly' in safety. He said: 'What underpins our continued growth is our deep commitment to safety and to creating an enjoyable and secure digital space to sustainably support creators, entrepreneurs and the wider economy, which is why we also invest significantly in safety.' TikTok first launched its UK operations in 2018 and is financially incorporated in Britain. The group was fined 530 million euro (£446 million) by the Irish data protection watchdog last month for breaching EU privacy rules around transferring user data to China. The video-sharing app was also sanctioned for not being transparent with users about where personal data was being sent and ordered the platform to comply with data protection rules within six months. TikTok said it would appeal against the decision. The social media giant, which is owned by China-based ByteDance, has been under scrutiny from regulators around the world over how it handles personal data, and is also facing a ban in the United States over its China links, which the US government has said is a national security issue.


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Explosive Sun Madeleine McCann doc reveals bombshell new evidence and why Christian Brueckner is prime suspect
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EXPLOSIVE new Madeleine McCann evidence can finally be revealed in a bombshell documentary. The Sun's world exclusive doc lifts the lid on gripping new information and reveals why Christian Brueckner is the prime suspect. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Madeleine McCann disappeared in Praia da Luz, Portugal in May 2007 Credit: AFP 6 Christian Brueckner, prime suspect in the case, is in jail in Germany but due to be released in September Credit: Dan Charity 6 The recent search for DNA evidence failed to turn up any clues Credit: Dan Charity Our compelling investigation unveils the horrors found at his abandoned factory lair - and his obsession with small children. Madeleine McCann: Inside the Secret Evidence is now available to watch online for free on our YouTube page. The dossier of overwhelming circumstantial evidence includes exclusive images of kids' swimming costumes, a toddler bike and toys found at his property. We also reveal how cops found a mask, guns and child kidnap stories where Brueckner describes using kidnap chemical ether to take a mum and tot outside a preschool. Ourfilmreveals the existence of an 80gb hard drive containing images and a laptop key, which may be key in persuading investigators of Madeleine's death. And it also placed Breuckner at the key Maddie search location of the Arades Dam, in Portugal. A document puts the suspectat the location where he allegedly confessed by supposedly saying 'she did not scream' as he discussed the British toddler with an associate. We also reveal sick child kidnap stories where Breuckner wrote: 'A very small girl enters the room. She's definitely not older than five. 'Blonde, long hair tied in pigtails bounces cheekily back and forth as she comes towards me. I feel like I'm in paradise right now." Madeleine McCann cops call off search as trawl of Brueckner's 'rat run' turns up nothing Online messages we uncovered from Brueckner show him bragging to another sicko that he really wanted to 'capture something small and use it for days'. He even threatened it wouldn't matter 'if the evidence is destroyed afterwards' and gleefully added: 'I'll make a lot of films... hehe.' Our documentary on the police files represents the biggest leap forwards in understanding of the case since German police revealed Brueckner as a suspect in 2020. It contains an interview with Irish holiday rep Hazel Behan, 41, who Brueckner was cleared of raping in 2005 at trial in Germany last year. Hear from experts at The Sun and in Germany about the ongoing race against time to stop dangerous Brueckner being released in as little as three months. 6 A hidden hard drive with photos taken in Portugal convinced police Madeleine died soon after vanishing 6 Cops found 75 youngsters' swimming costumes at childless Brueckner's bolthole in Neuwegersleben Credit: Dan Charity 6 Children's toys and bikes were found at the suspect's lair Credit: Dan Charity And learn more about fears he could potentially take hopes for the McCann case to ground with him. Christian Brueckner refuses to answer police questions or provide an alibi, but has never been formally charged over the disappearance of murder of Madeleine McCann. He has insisted his innocence in letters while his lawyers continue to maintain he had nothing to do with the taking or killing of Maddie. The most recent search for evidence was a three-day dig last week in an area of scrubland near Praia da Luz where Brueckner was known to have wild camped. German and Portuguese police used JCB-type machines and ground-penetrating radar, but found "nothing of consequence" - dashing hopes of pinning Brueckner with DNA evidence.