Latest news with #JoshHowie
New York Post
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
March for Gaza descends into farce as fed-up Egyptians clash with woke mob
Anti-Israel activists clashed with Egyptian authorities and fed-up locals during a doomed attempted march to the border of the Gaza Strip by a disorderly rabble of protesters. Naive demonstrators taking part in a sit-in at a checkpoint outside the city of Ismailia, some 130 miles from the Rafah border crossing into the Palestinian territories, fought with both cops and Egyptian locals on Friday and Saturday, the Jerusalem Post reported. Footage over the weekend showed activists wearing keffiyehs — the checkered calling-card of the pro-Palestinian cause — clashing with fed-up Egyptian locals, some of whom could be seen hurling clubs and water bottles at the hapless protesters. Frustrated Egyptians, some little more than children, could be seen pulling the activists off the road as they staged a sit-down at the checkpoint. 6 A planned march to Gaza by foreign activists ended in chaos after Egyptian authorities stopped them in their tracks. @globalmarchgaza/X One clip showed 'free Palestine'-chanting activists — who were waving several different countries' flags — being attacked by what they claimed were plain-clothes officers. Other protesters could be seen breaking down in tears as they pleaded with an unmoved line of Egyptian riot cops with helmets to let them through. At least 88 foreign activists were detained or deported from Egypt over the weekend, Egyptian security sources confirmed. 6 Activists complained of being detained and having their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities. Cops stopped vehicles some 20 miles outside of Ismailia, en route to Rafah, and forced passengers with non-Egyptian passports to get out, protest organizer Global March to Gaza said in an Instagram post on Friday. 'There are now reports of force being used against participants with some being detained, harassed, physically harmed and deported,' the post read. 'Hundreds of peaceful international participants of the Global March to Gaza remain in limbo as negotiations continue with Egyptian authorities. 6 The planned March to Gaza ended in farce. 'The group, comprised of people from over 80 countries, are expecting to be safely transferred to Cairo and have their passports returned,' the post continued. Protesters vowed to launch 'a non-violent protest' involving hunger strikes if Egypt attempted to 'forcibly' deport activists. 6 Protesters from some 80 countries were reportedly involved in the weekend's demonstration. Anadolu via Getty Images Egypt has been clear throughout that any visits to the Rafah border region with the Gaza Strip must be coordinated in advance with Egyptian embassies or government entities, the country's Foreign Ministry said over the weekend in response to the unrest. The chaotic sight of largely white, Western activists throwing a tantrum in the desert as Egyptian authorities brought their convoy to a shuddering halt drew comparisons to the Fyre Festival debacle from comedian and pundit Josh Howie. 6 The largely white crowd of demonstrators was pulled from the road by frustrated locals when they staged a sit-in at a checkpoint. @doamuslims/X 'Predictably, the would-be white saviours reacted with indignity when the uppity brown locals violently resisted their 'march.' They then resorted to anger and vitriol as they chanted 'Fuck Egypt' on buses taking them to their waiting planes,' Howie wrote in Spiked. 6 The stunt drew comparisons to Greta Thunberg's aborted Freedom Flotilla mission to Gaza. 'Did the Global March to Gaza organizers not understand that Egypt isn't just going to let them march into Gaza?' one X user wrote. 'This wall is there for a reason,' he added, sharing a picture of the Egypt and Gaza border wall. The Egypt debacle came just days after the failed Freedom Flotilla Coalition saw 12 activists, including climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg, detained by Israel after trying to reach Gaza via ship. 'Turns out blindly following Greta into the Middle East isn't just cringe—it's dangerous,' one online commentator wrote on X.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
GB News star breaks silence as show axed 'with immediate effect' in big shake-up
'Gutted' GB News presenter Josh Howie has spoken out after his show was suddenly axed by the network to make room for a new programme, despite a 'jump' up in ratings A GB News presenter has released a heartfelt statement following the cancellation of their programme. Josh Howie has opened up about his show Headliners being axed by GB News, which will now make way for Patrick Christys' late-night offering. Sharing an earnest message on social media, he bared his feelings about waging an unsuccessful battle to save the show, despite admitting "the TV ratings were there", revealing he now needs to "shut up" to protect Free Speech Nation, his remaining livelihood. The broadcaster expressed his dismay, saying he's "gutted" about the turn of events but was quick to clarify that the choice made by GB News "has nothing to do with Ofcom and isn't at the behest of Patrick Christys or Ben Leo'. He elaborated in his post: "I was informed earlier today that with immediate affect headliners is over I'm gutted, I've done my best behind-the-scenes to argue for its continuation, but it's not my call." Howie expanded on the situation: "Ostensibly, it's about numbers and even though on radio we jumped 31% this last quarter, the TV ratings weren't increasing enough. Time will tell if this is the right decision. I'm going to shut up now because ironically I don't want to jeopardise Free Speech Nation which I consider one of the most important shows on television. It's now my only regular employment. "My advocacy against Jew hate and a spurious campaign by far left activist groups have led to my acting agent firing me and comedy gigs I've worked out for more than two decades, not returning emails. Bring on the lawsuits!" In light of GB News launching Patrick Christys Tonight Late Edition, which will grace the screens from 11pm to midnight every night, and Ben Leo Tonight: Late Edition taking the same slot at weekends, there has been a buzz of anticipation, reports the Express. Taking to social media, Patrick Christys voiced his excitement, saying: "The BBC and Sky News' newspaper reviews are tired, stale and boring. It's time for something new. The late night TV revolution 11pm-Midnight Mon-Fri starts tonight. And yes, the amazing Headliners gang will be a part of it. We're here to win @GBNEWS." Ben Briscoe, the Head of Programming at GB News, addressed the move as a major development within their schedule: "These changes mark a significant expansion and extension of our news and opinion programming." He also shared ambitions for the new programming, highlighting the advantages it will offer: "These new shows will give us greater flexibility and allow us to respond more quickly to breaking stories both at home and abroad."
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
GB News is plunged into more chaos as it considers axing 'anti-woke' comedy show after raft of complaints
GB News is considering axing its 'anti-woke' comedy show following a raft of complaints over a remark made about the LGBTQ + community. One of the presenters of Headliners suggested on Saturday the panel show could be taken off air within two weeks. The programme, which is a comic spin on traditional newspaper review shows, is currently at the centre of GB News's latest dispute with regulator Ofcom. More than 1,200 viewers complained and 70,000 people signed a petition after comedian Josh Howie appeared to suggest the LGBTQ+ community included paedophiles. The remarks were made during a segment on a sermon by a US bishop, which urged President Donald Trump to 'have mercy' on gay, lesbian and transgender children. Mr Howie referenced a statement from the bishop's church calling for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. The comedian, who has insisted he was making a joke, said: 'I just want to say, that includes paedos, if you're doing the full inclusion.' Now presenter Lewis Schaffer has suggested the future of Headliners, which has been running since 2021, has been thrown into doubt. He wrote on X on Saturday: 'I'm heading into the studio! I've been told by management that the show will be on air for another two weeks while they decide what to do!' Then at the start of the show, he added: 'We're not allowed to talk about it.' Leo Kearse, who was hosting Headliners, replied: 'Thank you for not talking about it.' Mr Howie has insisted the controversial remarks were just him making a joke. He said: 'It's a comedy show. Where three comedians make jokes as we review the next day's newspapers.' MailOnline has contacted GB News for comment. It is the latest blow for the right-wing broadcaster which has been involved in a number of disputes with Ofcom. GB News was last year handed a £100,000 fine for breaching impartiality rules in a programme featuring Rishi Sunak. It followed an appearance by Mr Sunak on a February 12 broadcast called People's Forum: The Prime Minister, where he was asked questions by a studio audience. An earlier investigation by Ofcom found that 'an appropriately wide range of significant viewpoints was not presented and given due weight'. GB News is currently challenging the regulator's ruling. Meanwhile in February, GB News won a High Court battle against Ofcom after it ruled the channel had breached impartiality rules in a programme presented by Jacob Rees-Mogg. The judge ruled that the initial decisions which were made in May and June 2023 were unlawful. Furthermore in 2023, GB News received 7,300 complaints and launched an internal investigation after former host Laurence Fox made a series of remarks about a female journalist. The actor-turned-activist apologised for a 'demeaning' sexist rant about political correspondent Ms Evans, which included him asking 'who would want to sh*g that?. Fox said he was angry with Ms Evans over comments she made on a BBC debate around male suicide and alleged she had a 'dislike of men in general', but apologised for 'demeaning her'. Addressing the situation in a video posted to X, he said: 'If I was going to be sensible and I could replay it, I would say: 'Any self-respecting man in 2023 would probably be well advised to avoid a woman who possessed that worldview because she would probably cause him nothing but harm'. 'But what I did say was, you know, 'I wouldn't shag that', and all that sort of stuff, which is not right. It's demeaning to her, to Ava, so I'm sorry for demeaning you in that way. 'However angry I am with you still for doing that, and it demeans me because it's not representative of who I am.'
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
GB News's ‘anti-woke' comedy show faces axe after thousands of complaints
GB News is considering cancelling its 'anti-woke' comedy show Headliners amid a barrage of complaints. Presenters of the Right-wing, late night panel show appeared to suggest on Saturday that it could be taken off air within a fortnight. Lewis Schaffer, one of the show's panellists, posted on X: 'I'm heading into the studio! I've been told by management that the show will be on air for another two weeks while they decide what to do!' At the start of Saturday's show, Mr Schaffer said: 'We're not allowed to talk about it.' Leo Kearse, the Headliner's host, replied: 'Thank you for not talking about it.' GB News declined to comment on the show's future. I'm heading into the studio! I've been told by management that the show will be on air for another two weeks while they decide what to do! — Lewis Schaffer (@LewisSchaffer) May 24, 2025 The uncertainty comes after Headliners, a comic spin on traditional newspaper review shows, was hit with tens of thousands of complaints after one of its hosts appeared to suggest the LGBTQ+ community included paedophiles. The remarks, by the comedian Josh Howie, are now the subject of an Ofcom investigation. In a segment discussing a sermon by a US bishop, which urged Donald Trump to 'have mercy' on gay, lesbian and transgender children, Mr Howie quoted a statement from the bishop's church calling for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. He said: 'I just want to say, that includes paedos, if you're doing the full inclusion.' The Headliners segment triggered more than 1,200 complaints by viewers, as well as a petition signed by more than 70,000 people from campaign group the Good Law Project that has been handed to the regulator. Angelos Frangopoulos, the chief executive of GB News, said the channel had been 'subjected to a coordinated political campaign by far-Left pressure groups '. Mr Howie has said his remarks were intended as a joke, adding: 'It's a comedy show. Where three comedians make jokes as we review the next day's newspapers.' GB News has said the comedian has been 'misrepresented'. Headliners has been on air since 2021 in the 11pm slot and is one of GB News's longest-running programmes. The show typically features mostly Right-leaning comedians. Mr Kearse's YouTube channel describes him as 'one of the UK's few openly Right-wing comedians' and one of his stand-up shows as 'about comedy triggering the wrath of woke mobs'. GB News has grappled with a series of disputes with Ofcom, the media regulator, over the content of its programming as it attempts to import Right-leaning, US-style panel shows and current affairs to Britain. In February, GB News won a crucial major High Court battle against the watchdog after a judge quashed the regulator's ruling that the channel breached impartiality rules by airing programmes presented by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a then-Tory MP. The channel is separately challenging a £100,000 penalty handed down by Ofcom over claims it broke impartiality rules with a 2024 programme featuring Rishi Sunak, then the prime minister, alleging he had been given an 'uncontested platform to promote the policies and performance of his government'.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
GB News's ‘anti-woke' comedy show faces axe after thousands of complaints
GB News is considering cancelling its 'anti-woke' comedy show Headliners amid a barrage of complaints. Presenters of the Right-wing, late night panel show appeared to suggest it could be taken off air within a fortnight ahead of this weekend's broadcast. Lewis Schaffer, one of the show's panellists, posted on X: 'I'm heading into the studio! I've been told by management that the show will be on air for another two weeks while they decide what to do!' At the start of Saturday's show, Mr Schaffer said: 'We're not allowed to talk about it.' Leo Kearse, the Headliner's host, replied: 'Thank you for not talking about it.' GB News declined to comment on the show's future. The uncertainty comes after Headliners, a comic spin on traditional newspaper review shows, was hit with tens of thousands of complaints after one of its hosts appeared to suggest the LGBTQ+ community included paedophiles. The remarks, by the comedian Josh Howie, are now the subject of an Ofcom investigation. In a segment discussing a sermon by a US bishop, which urged Donald Trump to 'have mercy' on gay, lesbian and transgender children, Mr Howie quoted a statement from the bishop's church calling for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. He said: 'I just want to say, that includes paedos, if you're doing the full inclusion.' The Headliners segment triggered more than 1,200 complaints by viewers, as well as a petition signed by more than 70,000 people from campaign group the Good Law Project that has been handed to the regulator. Angelos Frangopoulos, the chief executive of GB News, said the channel had been 'subjected to a coordinated political campaign by far-Left pressure groups'. Mr Howie has said his remarks were intended as a joke, adding: 'It's a comedy show. Where three comedians make jokes as we review the next day's newspapers.' GB News has said the comedian has been 'misrepresented'. Headliners has been on air since 2021 in the 11pm slot and is one of GB News's longest-running programmes. The show typically features mostly Right-leaning comedians. Mr Kearse's YouTube channel describes him as 'one of the UK's few openly Right-wing comedians' and one of his stand-up shows as 'about comedy triggering the wrath of woke mobs'. GB News has grappled with a series of disputes with Ofcom, the media regulator, over the content of its programming as it attempts to import Right-leaning, US-style panel shows and current affairs to Britain. In February, GB News won a crucial major High Court battle against the watchdog after a judge quashed the regulator's ruling that the channel breached impartiality rules by airing programmes presented by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a then-Tory MP. The channel is separately challenging a £100,000 penalty handed down by Ofcom over claims it broke impartiality rules with a 2024 programme featuring Rishi Sunak, then the prime minister, alleging he had been given an 'uncontested platform to promote the policies and performance of his government'.
