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On Monday, a Court of Appeal overturned the High Court’s previous judgement on the proscription of Palestine Action, deciding that a terrorism ban on the direct-action group was indeed lawful — according to the five appeal judges, anyway.

Undeterred and unafraid, co-founder of Palestine Action Huda Ammori expressed her disappointment to the Guardian but defiantly stated:

I‘m certain that legally we are correct that this ban is disproportionate to free speech and the right to protest. I think that’s really clear.

We just need to get to the right court that’s going to recognise that and we’ll take it all the way up to the European court of human rights [ECHR], if needs be.

Nevertheless, with Reform UK and a growing chorus of right-wing politicians seeking to undermine the ECHR’s authority, Ammori will need to act swiftly if she hopes to obtain justice before those very protections are weakened.

“The way that we respond to this is by fighting even harder, that every struggle has its setbacks. But we are going to win in the end. We can’t give in. We can’t be deterred”

My interview with the Guardian on the Court of Appeal ruling on Palestine Actionhttps://t.co/KsIug2BLXO

— Huda Ammori (@HudaAmmori) June 16, 2026

Principled defiance continues unafraid of repression

The proscription of Palestine Action (PA) triggered outrage across Britain, marking the first time a direct-action group had been branded a terrorist organisation. Since the Starmer government imposed the ban, police have now arrested more than 3,000 people in a rapidly expanding campaign of civil disobedience.

Month after month, the British public has watched officers arrest pensioners and peaceful protesters simply for holding placards in support of PA. Images of mothers, fathers and grandparents being carried away by police have become pretty emblematic of this Orwellian crackdown on our civil liberties. Moreover, there have also been a considerable number of quite aggressive arrests which have undoubtedly caused injury.

This is what terrorism now looks like in the UK.

Yesterday, the Court of Appeal accepted the Government's appeal and ruled that the Home Secretary's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was lawful.

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Amnesty International is deeply disappointed by this… pic.twitter.com/BOOil6ADWh

— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) June 16, 2026

On Monday, for instance, Met Police arrested another 117 people outside the Court of Appeal. Since then, footage shared across social media has only sharpened criticism of the ban, as the government’s actions have turned the very meaning of “terrorism” on its head.

Some have pointed out how, despite even the Judge referring to the Suffragettes, Palestine Action have been significantly more peaceful than the then-hated but now widely praised women’s rights movement at the turn of the 20th century:

This is absolutely insane.

The suffragettes used far more extreme tactics than Palestine Action.

They planted bombs, burned down private homes and smashed up art galleries.

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They killed five people!

Her outrageous judgement is based on absurd historical ignorance. https://t.co/RvWslkZ4PF

— Owen Jones (@owenjonesjourno) June 15, 2026

Palestine Action — People are being arrested, in their thousands, for saying just four words

Needless to say, of course, this proscription has turned common-sense on its head. According to international law, citizens and leaders have a legal responsibility to take action to stop a genocide.

Last week, the state branded four PA activists as terrorists and secured their sentencing, even though terrorism was never discussed during the jury trial. This dangerous precedent strikes at the heart of civil liberties. Juries are meant to restrain abuses of power and protect the right to a fair trial; when their role is diminished, those protections begin to unravel

However, if judges — acting under obvious and undue political pressure — can unilaterally apply terrorism charges, Britain moves ever closer to an era defined by political prisoners.

Testimony from the PA activists underscores how they took action for one reason only: to stop the production and transfer of bombs and military supplies to Zionist Israel. Therefore, it is clear their actions were driven by the urgent need to stop what human rights organisations, the International Court of Justice and most Holocaust scholars recognise as a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

However, due to the lucrative donations and lobbying efforts by pro-Zionist groups, it is now illegal to even state verbal support for PA — as Owen Jones highlighted on Jeremy Vine yesterday:

"You can't now say I support Palestine Action, thats an illegal offence. You can't now say I support Palestine Action with all my heart.. I'm saying its illegal to say I support Palestine Action.."@owenjonesjourno on #JeremyVine pic.twitter.com/gfVzcSFiHW

— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) June 16, 2026

Palestine Action — Corrupted politicians show lack of moral conscience

Nonetheless, whilst people have stepped forward in solidarity for the suffering and mass-murder of Palestinians — and now Lebanese — by the settler-colonialist state, the powerful have done precious little but choose to repress the freedoms and rights of British citizens instead.

It isn’t hard to evidence our government’s complicity in Israel’s expansionist and bloodthirsty campaigns in the Middle East. David Lammy, then foreign secretary, awarded 90% of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s entire annual budget to a propaganda report which sought to justify the genocide by ‘finding’ that Hamas used sexual violence as a weapon of war on October 7th, 2023.

Many have disputed — and disproved — this sinister claim and pointed to the stark reality that the military force which has in fact used rape and sexual abuse to dehumanise, demoralise and destroy a population of innocent people is the IOF and Israeli government officials.

Despite this lack of principled leadership and increasingly draconian political moves to silence law-abiding citizens, Ammori insists the authoritarianism must be resisted, telling the Guardian:

This case is completely political, and the way we are going to win this is on the streets.

Everyone who sacrificed and stood up against this, all of that is bringing us closer and closer to the day when we are victorious.

Repression will breed resistance — not compliance

In addition, Ammori spoke about how she feels the terrorism charges levelled against the PA activists were a deliberate ploy to force through the proscription of PA. This signals a serious abuse of our democracy in the UK:

It feels like that this whole thing has been orchestrated to ensure convictions and show people can be sentenced as terrorists to then justify the ban on Palestine Action.

Nevertheless, solidarity and defence of the sovereign right of Palestinians to their own homeland continues, as Ammori insists we must remember why we continue to take to the streets:

Remember, who we are acting in solidarity with, which is the Palestinian people, who, despite all of the setbacks and challenges they face, including being labelled as terrorists, are continuing to resist for their freedom.

And [remember] that we are acting in solidarity with them and we can take strength from the Palestinian people and that whenever there is repression, there is more resistance.

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Featured image via the Canary

By Maddison Wheeldon

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Rather than win the debate regarding raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 from the current 10 years old, unionist parties have abused a veto power to stymie a bill’s progression at Stormont.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) and Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) used Stormont’s Petition of Concern (PoC) mechanism during a debate on the Justice Bill on Monday, 15 June.

The SDLP’s Matthew O’Toole reacted furiously to the legislation’s debate being sabotaged, saying:

It is an utter farce and a travesty of democracy. Once again, these institutions are being dragged into disrepute by parties that cannot accept democracy and the fact that we are allowed to debate issues here.

Challenging the use of a measure intended for use on issues that are of particular significance to nationalist or unionist communities, O’Toole said:

To be clear, [the MACR amendment] does not contain anything that relates to the vital interests of one community or another. I am not aware that it mentions unionists, nationalists or core constitutional issues at all. It does not threaten core issues of identity.

Non-aligned parties frozen out by Stormont veto abuse

Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long accused the unionists of being:

…a minority abusing a petition that is there to protect minority rights and using it to impose their will on the majority.

She said the move perpetuated the public’s perception of Stormont being “farcical”. Long rightly complained of feeling “disenfranchised”. The votes of non-aligned MLAs such as those of Alliance, People Before Profit and independents effectively carry less weight once a PoC has been triggered.

The Good Friday Agreement introduced PoCs as a means of minority rights protection. Once triggered, it means the legislation in question needs cross-community support to pass. That is, 60% of all MLAs, including at least 40% of each unionist and nationalist bloc.

On Tuesday, UUP leader Jon Burrows defended his decision to use the Stormont veto, saying:

I used a legitimate tool to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

In Monday’s debate, Burrows entertained himself for 90 minutes with the sound of his own voice, referencing victims and the vulnerable without ever entirely rebutting opposition arguments on how they are currently failed.

His strongest point was perhaps that the north of Ireland’s approach to youth offenders does place an emphasis on methods like restorative justice, rather than custodial sentences. Observers abroad have praised the approach. That kind of method, in the words of restorative justice facilitator Northern Ireland Alternatives:

…addresses the problems of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour by attempting to fix the broken relationships between the victim, the offender and the community.

Essentially, Burrows was saying that it’s ok to continue treating 10 year olds as criminals, so long as the police and prosecution service continue to be flexible in how they deal with offenders.

Criminalising children for being poor

Sian Mulholland of Alliance had given the more convincing counter-argument earlier in the day. Mulholland was arguing in favour of her party’s proposal to raise MACR age to 14. She showed that, for the young people who are placed in custody, 49.5% reoffend.

Hardly a good way to serve the victims Burrows claimed to be so concerned about. By taking the criminalisation option off the table for all those under 14, it would enable greater use of options integrating health and social services. They would be more inclined to look at what led a child to offend in the first place. Mulholland said methods of this kind show far lower reoffending rates.

Referring to the recent Belfast pogroms, Mulholland said:

I want to know why a 12-year-old is out on the street burning down a house. If adults are grooming, threatening, coercing or using children to commit offences, the answer is not to punish those children more quickly so that adults will not take advantage of them. The answer is to identify exploitation. The answer is to protect the child and disrupt the adults…

Mulholland cited the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, which followed “4,300 young people”. The North Antrim MLA said it showed that:

…serious offending is linked to wider vulnerabilities and social adversity; that early police contact and formal processing can predict later persistent offending;

So criminalising kids is essentially punishing them for being poor. Doing so traumatises them, and inclines them towards seeing themselves as a criminal, potentially leading to further offending.

10 year olds know right from wrong? It’s more complicated

As for the argument of Burrows and various DUP MPs that a 10 year old “knows the difference between right and wrong”, Mulholland led with the science that shows this is a simplistic assessment. She said:

Developmental research is clear that the parts of the brain that are responsible for judgement, impulse control, risk assessment and self-regulation are still developing right through adolescence and into early adulthood.

A major review commissioned by the Scottish Sentencing Council found that the brain does not fully mature until at least the mid-20s, with systems linked to self-regulation developing much later.

We don’t let 10 year olds vote, because we don’t think their brains have the capacity yet for sound decision making. Following this logic, they also shouldn’t be locked up for errors of judgement.

Ultimately, Burrows and co showed they don’t care greatly about logic, or the knowledge produced from hours of sincere debate. In the end, they were happy to anti-democratically override all that through their cynical abuse of veto powers.

Featured image via the Canary

By Robert Freeman

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We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

Dads famously love a practical gift. No fuss, nothing lavish, and don’t even think about cooking him breakfast.

But that doesn’t mean they’re not worthy of the best. And with Father’s Day fast approaching, there’s no time like the present to start thinking of just the thing that’ll make your old man feel loved and appreciated for being him.

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We’re sure yours is already insisting you don’t have to get him anything, but if the thought of your sibling showing up with a better gift than you isn’t enough motivation to find something life-changing, we don’t know what is.

Whether your dad is an explorer of the great outdoors, enjoys getting his grill on, or feels more fulfilment quizzing over a puzzle, we’ve found 43 gifts for every kind of dad this Father’s Day.

Best last minute Father’s Day gifts at a glance:

When is Father’s Day 2026?

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This year, the big day falls on Sunday 21 June. That’s right, there’s only a few days left to order something for your old man.

No ideas? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back with our selection of presents from under £10, to ideas that will arrive just in time for the big day.

43 Father’s Day gift ideas to shop now

Cooking and doing the washing up is simply too much to ask, so this pan will save him the second half of that job thanks to the fact it’s dishwasher friendly. Co-created by none other than Gordon Ramsay, this pan blends stainless steel with non-stick ceramic coating, making it ideal for cooking everything from a perfectly-seared steak to some really good scrambled eggs. It heats up faster than you can say HexClad, and I can attest to the fact it’s 100% worth the hype.

When it comes to cookware, it really gets no better than Le Creuset. The lid for this pan is actually… another pan! As a lid, it locks in moisture for braises and stews, but when used separately becomes an enamel pan for even searing. Plus, both can be popped in the oven, or used on the grill or hob.

Breakfast is serious business, so if you can’t make it home to spend it with him, you might as well send this fancy Fortnum box so he can’t start his day right. Loaded with everything from streaky bacon to sourdough bread, this box has the makings of a fry up worthy of a king (which he is, after all).

Pickles and ferments are the perfect accompaniment to every kind of ‘dad’ food: burgers, cheese, and even sausages. Instead of stocking his cupboard with store-bought jars, send him off on this cooking class so he can learn how to make his own, inspired by techniques from all around the world. That’ll be his Christmas gifts for the next 10 years sorted.

Tell me this Japanese knife is a blade of beauty. Bet you you can’t. Crafted with a curved stainless steel blade, it’s ideal for everyday chopping, and can be used to achieve a razor-thin slice on anything from fish to vegetables.

There’s not a man who doesn’t love cheese. As well as giving him his own farmhouse cheddar to snack on, this box comes with all the accoutrements for many an astounding charcuterie board to come, including crackers, honey-mixed nuts, chutney, and salami sticks.

If he’s a nightly hot choccy lover, there’s none better than Knoops. Rather than a clumpy, weak powder, it uses flakes that melt into a silky concotion Willy Wonka would be proud of. So it’s *just right* Knoops has a generous selection of cocoa percentages to choose from, or you could opt for a gift set if you’re not sure.

Ice cream season is upon us! And who doesn’t want a tailor made frozen treat? Whether he’s into making ice cream from scratch, or adds a million and one toppings to his ice cream, this maker from Cuisinart will have him screaming in no time. He’ll be able to make an ice cream, slushie, or sorbet from anything he likes, by simply adding his base ingredients into the dessert cup and freezing them for 24 hours, before churning in the machine for a matter of minutes.

To help him get some hands-free quality time in with a new little one, this hip seat carrier from Momcozy is designed to be as dad-friendly as it is baby-friendly. With six carrying positions, he’ll be able to switch from carrying his little one on his hip to back carrying in a matter of seconds. Suitable for newborns to 36 months, it’s completely adjustable to support their hips, and its criss-cross back design will also help keep his hips, back, and abdomen protected as they grow.

Well the baby’s not gonna buy him something, are they?! This sleep suit will give him a smile every time he sees it, and that’s the best gift any of us can ask for, really.

New dads need to celebrate Father’s Day, too! To give the happy couple a helping hand when their little one arrives, this cook set covers a week’s worth of meals, with classics like fish pie, macaroni cheese, and risotto to help them ease into their new role.

Should your partner, son, or friend be feeling anxious for fatherhood, these classes are designed to guide him through those first few weeks where a baby comes home. As well as offering emotional support, he’ll learn practical tips for dealing with a newborn and how to support their partner’s recovery.

If he can name his Bookends from his Baez, this book will take him on a trip down memory lane. Ochs travels back through the decades, showcasing era-defining album covers that’ll make vinyl heads nostalgic for the night.

There’s no better way to spend Father’s Day than making him prove his knowledge for the thing he’s professed to be an expert in your whole life. This book has over 20 quizzes in a range of formats to settle, once and for all, whether he’s a big screen buff or a film flop.

Not sure what kind of experiences he’s into? Some dads really like to keep you on your toes, which is why this Tinggly gift box is the ideal gift to let him choose what he wants to do. Simply ship the box to his house, and all he has to do is scan the QR code to unlock over 25,000 experiences around the world, from guided walking tours of the biggest cities, to racecar driving, entry to museums, galleries, and wine tastings.

Give him a home away from home with a gift card to Everyman cinemas. They’re all over the country, and make watching something on the big screen feel like a treat. Depending on how generous you’re being, he can order restaurant-quality food to his luxurious sofa-sized seat, or even call for a top-up of red wine mid-viewing.

This is a present for him as much as it is for you: no one wants to be around a cranky dad who hasn’t had his coffee. To make him feel like his very own barista, this machine has everything he needs for the perfect espresso, and even comes with a steam wand so he can perfect his latte art.

There’s nothing like bad coffee in your hotel or rental home to ruin your holiday. To save him from feeling grumpy on the go, impress him with travel-friendly coffee filter that takes less than two minutes to make a perfect brew straight into an insulated travel mug.

You can never really know your favourite coffee until you’ve sampled all of them, so to keep him on his toes, this subscription will send him a different coffee every week. Choose from beans or ground for filter, AeroPress or espresso machine, and he’ll travel around the world in different flavours, countries, and bean processing flavours.

For the proud bar cart dad

You are what you drink, so get him all the ingredients for an Old Fashioned! This whisky is brewed in a 15th century distillery just outside of Inverness (talk about ancient). Aged over 14 years in Tawny Port casks, you even catch a whiff of once the notes of honey, butterscotch, and berries wear off. Plus, it’s available for next day delivery in case you leave it last minute.

Distilled on the sunny Isle of Wight, this gin is ideal for a summer tipple. Packed with samphire, bergamot, and rosemary, it has a fairly herbal kick, while staying plenty zesty and fresh to keep you cool of a summer’s eve.

For the dad whose proudest achievement is (sorry) their drinks cabinet, this eight-year aged rum will prove a hug-worthy addition. Straight from a Paraguay-based French oak cask, it balances spicy notes of cinnamon and clove with caramelised sugarcane, and a hint of smoky wood.

What’s the point in walking if you can’t crack open a cold one at the end of it? This packpack doubles as a cool bag that can house up to 24 cans, which should be enough for him and, what, three friends to get through a day of walking? For longer trips, the brand’s large ice sheet will keep cans cold for up to three days. Cool!

Don’t just get him a book of the best records, give him headphones that will make him feel like he’s in the studio. These ones from SONY are loaded with real-time audio processors, noise cancellation, and even come with a three month subscription to Amazon audio.

Okay, this isn’t technically a gadget, but it is a cleverly-designed, award-winning vacuum water bottle that keeps drinks hot or cold for as long as you could possibly want. It’s dishwasher safe, and you can even add a little customisation to make it ultra personal.

Dads can be determined to fix everything in sight, but no matter how much he messes with the wheels in his 50+ year-old watch, it’s probably not going to fix it. Treat him to a new one instead – he deserves it! This one from fossil mixes a vintage body with modern touches like total water resistance, and custom engraving for a thoughtful touch that will stay with him for a lifetime.

There’s something undeniably cool about tools with multiple uses, and this pocket knife has everything he could need for any conceivable situation. Designed with camping and fishing trips in mind, it includes everything from pliers to a wire cutter and saw (along with 16 other functions, too, of course). Even better, it can be operated with one hand, and comes with its own lanyard so he won’t lose it in the wilderness, never to be seen again.

Can’t tear him away from YouTube? He’ll finally be able to watch hands-free while he’s on the go thanks to this clever phone case, which has a pop-open phone stand that can prop his screen up wherever he is. Oh, and then there’s the fact that it’ll protect your phone from cracks, too – but who cares about that when it has a feature as cool as this one?

We can almost guarantee there’s no one in the family with more tech than your dad. To help him stay organised for his next trip, this pouch is stuffed full of pockets and compartments so he knows for sure where everything is – and most importantly, won’t have an embarrassing panic in the middle of the airport.

LEGO is not a toy, it’s a lifestyle: repeat. Car connoisseur will instantly recognise this classic model – and then they’ll get to build it! In nearly 800 pieces, they’ll get to relish in the tiny details, and once they’re done it’ll be a new model to add to their collection.

This might be one to split with the siblings, but this personalised poker set is a luxury he’ll use forever. It comes in a leather case lined with velvet, which can be monogrammed for an extra special touch. Plus, you can challenge him to a game of poker to win your money’s worth back!

Everyone needs a hobby, and there’s nothing like learning a language to keep him occupied. If he’s been promising he’s going to learn Italian for years, a subscription to Rosetta Stone could be just the push he needs – but don’t worry, there are also 24 others to choose from, so he can become polyglot if he so chooses. Start him off with a three month subscription to kickstart him in the right direction, or opt for a year so he can make sure he’s perfetto.

Made from breathable, ergonomic mesh, this flattering style is inspired by the athleticism of Roger Federer. But don’t worry, it works just as well for sessions on the tennis court as it does for lounging around on a sunny day.

Add this to the list of things he’ll love, but would never buy himself. This sleek day rucksack from Berghaus has everything he needs for a day of adventure: walking pole holders, and plenty of space for packing everything from his lunch, to a hydration bladder.

If he never quite got the hang of tennis, padel is the fastest-growing sport in the UK, and it’s much easier to learn to play. Just don’t tell him that. This beginner-friendly racket comes in at only £25, but buy yourself one so you can learn all its variety of underarm serves together.

Whether they admit to it or not, every dad wants a pair of running shoes from On. These ones are loaded with the brand’s signature CloudTec cushioning system, for a footfeel that bounces off the road and makes runs feel easier and lighter. But don’t worry, even if he’s not a runner, the design is stylish enough for supportive every day wear, too.

Your old man deserves to feel like he’s one of the world’s best dart players, even if he only ever plays down the pub. If he’s half decent, though, this’ll be his lucky day, because this board is the official dartboard of the Profession Darts Corporation. Made with a low compression outer surface, the board has less bounce than previous iterations, making for a satisfying land (sound included) and longer last-time, which is backed by a five-year warranty. Throw in a personalised set of darts for a gift he’ll never forget.

For the wellness-obsessed

Whether he’s well into his yoga journey or just starting out, this mat will provide the foundation for everything from the forward fold to the flying crow. It’s double sided, so it can be used for either yoga or high-intensity workouts, and its super non-slip stability in some of the more compromising, sweaty poses.

Dads famously never want to go to the doctor’s, but if he’s been complaining of a sore back, this LED wrap could be just what he needs to ease some of that post-workout pain. It’s loaded with four kinds of therapy, including LED, heat, vibration, and infrared, which all help to boost blood flow to the back and ease recovery along.

Don’t ask us why, but men’s skin simply runs different. For the skincare-conscious dad, this LED face mask stimulates collagen production, while reducing fine lines and wrinkles for smoother, more radiant look. Just make sure he’s not gonna take offence to this one first, yeah?

Make it clear you’re not telling him he smells, but this shower kit is the ideal gift for the dad on the go. Choose from Bob’s four applicator colours, and four soap scents, to create a shower pack that can be mounted to your shower at home, and just as easily taken on holiday or to the gym. It’s refillable, so all he’ll have to do when this one runs out is buy another bar of soap, which can be used for face, body, and hair washes via the applicator’s bristly top for added exfoliation.

A world does not exist in which your dad isn’t a fan of Levi 501 jeans. As the OG of 90s jeans, he’ll be glad to have a classic shape back in his wardrobe, and it’s something he’ll keep forever.

Pottering around the house is one of life’s greatest joys, so it’s an activity worthy of its very own pair of shoes. The cigar of shoes, to be precise. These slip-on ones will do the job, and they’re finished with a rubber sole if he loves them so much he can’t bear to take them off when they go outside.

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Kylian Mbappe arrived in New Jersey with questions swirling around his season, but he left MetLife Stadium reminding everyone why the World Cup remains his stage. France’s 3-1 win over Senegal hinged on his brilliance, a sharp, decisive double that pushed him to the top of France’s all‑time scoring charts and set the tone for their Group I campaign.  

France were flat in the first half, sluggish in possession and second-best in most duels. Senegal carved out the better chances, with Ismaïla Sarr and Nicolas Jackson both threatening. But once the break came and went, Mbappe shifted gears. The Real Madrid forward turned a cagey opener into a statement performance, the first true superstar showing of the tournament on American soil.  

A slow start, a sudden spark

France’s opening 45 minutes were forgettable. Despite a front four of Mbappe, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué, they mustered just one shot. Senegal, meanwhile, pressed aggressively and created the clearer openings, with Jackson striking the post and Sarr missing a golden chance on the stroke of half-time.  Yahoo Sports

But the second half flipped the script. France came out sharper, quicker, more assertive. Doué went close early, Olise forced Édouard Mendy into action, and Mbappe began to find the pockets he thrives in. A controversial moment arrived when he appeared to be fouled by Sadio Mané in the box, VAR intervened, the referee checked the monitor, but no penalty was given. Mbappe simply shrugged it off. Five minutes later, he struck.  

The breakthrough and the brilliance

The opener came from a classic Mbappe run: a burst into space, a perfectly timed diagonal ball from Olise, and a first‑time finish on the swivel as Mendy closed the angle. It was clean, instinctive, and the release France desperately needed.  

Bradley Barcola then entered the fray and made an instant impact. Slipped through by Adrien Rabiot, he lifted a delicate chip over Mendy to double the lead, a moment of composure that underlined France’s growing control. 

Senegal briefly threatened a twist when Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time, but within seconds Mbappe delivered the night’s defining moment. Collecting the ball 30 yards out, he unleashed a dipping, swerving strike that flew beyond Mendy’s reach and into the top corner. A goal of pure audacity — and one that sealed his place in French football history.  

A record rewritten

That second goal pushed Mbappe to 58 for France, overtaking Olivier Giroud as the nation’s all‑time leading scorer. It also moved him to 14 World Cup goals, just two shy of Miroslav Klose’s all‑time record. At 27, he is already rewriting the tournament’s hierarchy. 

His performance also reinforced a familiar truth: when the World Cup lights come on, Mbappe becomes something else entirely. France’s attack is built around him — Dembélé and Olise worked tirelessly off the ball, creating space and angles for their talisman. Even on a night when the first half misfired, the second half belonged to him.  

Senegal’s missed chances, France’s raise their level

Senegal will regret their wastefulness. Jackson’s early burst, Sarr’s late first‑half miss, and several promising transitions could have changed the complexion of the match. Their intensity unsettled France early, but once Mbappe struck, the contest tilted decisively.  

France, meanwhile, will take confidence from their response. Didier Deschamps admitted frustration with the first half but praised the composure and ruthlessness after the break. With Iraq up next, they now look more like the co‑favourites many expected.  

The superstar shines first

In a tournament waiting for its first defining individual performance, Mbappe delivered it. While other stars stumbled in their openers, he embraced the moment, electric, decisive, unmissable. If this is the level he intends to maintain, the rest of the field has been warned.

France needed a spark, Kylian Mbappe delivered once again for Les Blues.

Featured image via Al Jazeera

By Faz Ali

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Members of the PCS Union employed by G4S as security officers, receptionists, cleaners, caterers and porters at the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office, on strike over pay, terms and conditions in London, November 2024 (Karl Black/Alamy Live News)

3 min read1 hr

For too long in this country, some of the key functions of government have been outsourced to private companies that care first and foremost about turning a profit.

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They do that by driving down the pay and conditions of workers and by providing a lower level of service to the public.

About a third of government spending – some £341bn – is spent on private companies, enabling shareholders to cash in at the public expense. It’s wasteful, inefficient, and leads to worse public services for all of us.  

When Labour was elected in 2024, they pledged to undo this scandal with the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation. And this week, Rachel Reeves announced the critical first step in this journey. From 2028, when government contracts with outsourcing companies come to an end, thousands of staff working in government buildings will be brought back in-house. 

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It might surprise you to learn that you can work in a government building where all of your colleagues are civil servants – and be entrusted with keeping the nation safe – but be employed on an insecure private sector contract.  

We met a security guard who puts his own safety on the line protecting the people working in a government department. But unlike his colleagues inside the building, he isn’t entitled to a decent pension or flexible working to enable childcare – in fact, he’d been disciplined by his employer for taking time off to care for his kids.  

For most of his time working for the government, he wasn’t even entitled to decent sick pay – but alongside his colleagues, he went on strike and won that right last year.   

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Put simply, there’s a two-tier workforce in the public sector, where outsourced staff are on worse pay and conditions than their directly employed colleagues. That means many people delivering public services are forced to choose between eating and heating their homes in the winter – or going straight from work at a government building to a foodbank.  

Caterers, security officers, cleaners, porters, engineers, plumbers, electricians, receptionists, handypersons and messenger service workers have been denied the dignity and security afforded to white-collar civil servants who work in the same building as them.

The sheer injustice is compounded when you consider that these staff are disproportionately women, Black or from other ethnic minority backgrounds.  

And these contracts are often inflexible and bad value for the taxpayer – with even minor changes to the way services are delivered hampered by complex and costly contract negotiations.  

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The scourge of outsourcing can be felt all the way through our public sector. That’s why today’s announcement should represent a signal of intent – and kickstart a serious programme of insourcing contracts across the public sector.  

Enough is enough. The big outsourcing companies trying to squeeze a profit from the public purse are in the Chancellor’s sights. Today must be the beginning of the end of the scourge of public sector outsourcing.

Paul Nowak is TUC general secretary and Fran Heathcote is PCS general secretary

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