Zack Polanski has defended his call to free the Palestinian revolutionary Marwan Barghouti. In doing so, he’s shone a light on a figure who is almost universally ignored by the Western media:

Good. Let's talk about Marwan Barghouti.

Imprisoned for 25 years.
An inter-Parliamentary Union report found he was not given a fair trial.

Nelson Mandela: “What is happening to Barghouti is exactly the same as what happened to me."

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Free Marwan.https://t.co/EoTcJkttRd https://t.co/CNh7Z0mSz6

— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) June 7, 2026

Polanski speaks up for Barghouti

Writing on Barghouti in 2025, Joe Glenton reported for the Canary:

He was sentenced to five life sentences in 2002. For murder charges he denies. By a coloniser court whose authority he rejects. In a trial which experts say was full of illegalities.

He’s a sort of Palestinian everyman, known for his calm demeanour, who learned Hebrew in jail and spent years in exile. He spent years in hiding, dodging Israeli assassination attempts.

Also in 2025, a released Palestinian detainee reported that Israeli authorities were torturing Barghouti. His son Omar said:

I woke up to a phone call from a released prisoner this morning. He told me, “Your father was physically abused. They broke his teeth and ribs, cut off part of his ear, and broke his fingers in stages for fun…

What do I do? Who do I talk to? Who can we turn to? We’re living with this nightmare every day… Oh God, have mercy on me. My father is 66 years old now. Oh God, where will he find the strength?”

Polanski has attracted criticism from the British gutter press, because these people are still willing to take the genocidal Israel at its word:

Are people seriously voting for this guy? Really? @ZackPolanski is openly and proudly giving his wholehearted support to a CONVICTED TERRORIST WHO KILLED FIVE INNOCENT PEOPLE. That's who Marwan Barghouti is.

And that tells us exactly who Zack Polanski is too. This man is a… https://t.co/4AVYzBy5EF

— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) June 7, 2026

War crimes

There are many reports of Israel using torture against Palestinian detainees. As Alaa Shamali reported for the Canary in December:

Documented Palestinian testimonies reveal the use of sexual violence, including rape, as a systematic means of torture inside Israeli prisons, in one of the most serious violations suffered by Palestinian prisoners since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, amid widespread international silence and accusations of political collusion that provides cover for the continuation of these crimes.

Most recently, detainees claimed Israel uses dogs to rape them. The claims became so un-ignorable that even the usually compliant New York Times reported on them. And the evidence has only continued to grow since then:

Guards at Israel’s notorious Sde Teiman torture camp have admitted their colleagues use dogs to rape Palestinian captives there, according to a prominent Israeli analyst.

Shaiel Ben-Ephraim, a geopolitical expert who opposes Israel’s genocide in Gaza, said he spoke to two guards… pic.twitter.com/xUJoIM2XSZ

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— Novara Media (@novaramedia) April 20, 2026

Clear messaging

So yes, this is why Zack Polanski is calling for Barghouti’s release.

Because Israel cannot be trusted to tell the truth about why it detained people, and because it cannot be trusted to keep them safe once they’re detained.

Featured image via Jon Rowley (Getty Images) / Uriel Sinai (Getty Images)

By Willem Moore

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In an NBC interview recorded on Friday, US President Donald Trump repeatedly defended his war of choice on Iran. He said Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was a “good comrade” but disagreed with him, stating that strikes on Lebanon should be more surgical than they are.

However, the Financial Times (FT) reported that Trump later insisted he “calls the shots” and that Netanyahu has “no choice” but to accept any deal with Iran. The FT said they had verified a leaked call in which Trump called Netanyahu “fucking crazy” and told him he would be in prison without him.

“I call all the shots. Netanyahu doesn’t call the shots.” My telephone interview with Trump this afternoon. https://t.co/l4OSrFYw6z

— Edward Luce (@EdwardGLuce) June 7, 2026

Then, Trump began to call on Israel and Iran to “immediately stop shooting,” and said the peace deal was “proceeding,” cautioning against “ignorance or stupidity.” Probably yours, Trump.

It is foolish to believe that Trump is indeed not calling the shots.

The escalated attacks on Lebanon by Israel in the past week probably have his blessing, but he needs to disguise his hand in them using ramblings and prevarications, as his poll numbers are tanking.

Just like in real life, Trump’s behaviour in the NBC interview is CHAOTIC.

The interview with NBC finally ended with Trump walking off when pressed about his claims that the US elections in 2020 were rigged, and they are currently being rigged in California, calling the interviewer “crooked.”

Trump and his war on Iran

Sunday 7 June 2026 marked the 100 days since the US began its war of choice on Iran.

Trump boasted about his decapitation strategy, saying in the NBC interview he had achieved “regime change, actually.” He boasted that he had “wiped out” Iran’s military capabilities.

He acknowledged Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the former supreme leader, as part of Iran’s leadership structure, but had not met him. Trump said Iranian officials seek his “concurrence” and that “they do pay homage to him.”

Mojtaba won’t meet poor Donald. You did kill his father, the rambling president needed reminding, perhaps.

Trump went back and forth on the status of the deal throughout the interview. At times, he claimed negotiations were progressing and that Iran was “begging to make a deal,” calling them “desperate” and “proud” with “no choice.”

Other times, he suggested the deal could fall apart, saying his red line for restarting military action would be :

If we don’t make a deal, I’m going to blow the hell out of them, to be honest with you. That’s actually the easier path.

He said he will keep all 50,000 U.S. troops in the region for now, saying it would be “foolhardy” to send them home before a deal is reached.

How does one keep up with him?

Campaign promise on ending wars

When pressed on his long-standing campaign promise of “no new wars,” Trump flatly denied ever making such a pledge.

 I didn’t guarantee no war. Why would I have built the strongest military in the world?

Obviously, in the real world, Trump campaigned heavily on the promise that he would not start a new war during this campaign in 2024.

He argued that his “military exercise” against Iran was not an endless war at all, saying:

I don’t like these endless wars. This is not an endless war. We’ve been doing this for three months

Get it? If you call a war just a “military exercise,” as Trump insists it is, it stops being a war.

Trump, in fact, thinks previous wars are due to “stupid people” and his three-month war is okay, saying:

You were in Vietnam for 19 years because stupid people… Every war you were in for years. Look at Iraq. Look what you were. You were there for years.

Anti-Weaponization Fund

Trump defended plans for a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” even though his own Department of Justice has shelved the idea.

He still thinks it was “a great idea” and said he would be “disappointed” if it were not approved:

People have been destroyed by crooked politicians and they should be reimbursed for that.

The proposed $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” was intended to reimburse those who claimed the Biden government weaponized the legal system against them.

Those who lined up to apply included Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys, George Santos, Michael Cohen, Roger Stone, Mike Lindell, more than 1,500 January 6 defendants, anti-abortion activists, and Moms for Liberty.

Claims of election fraud

The interview ended with Trump walking off after claiming that the 2020 election was rigged and that the same thing is currently happening in California.

He alleged that California election officials were taking too long to count votes, which he insisted was proof of cheating.

When asked for evidence, he did not provide any, saying that looking at the situation was enough. He then called the interviewer crooked and abruptly ended the interview, saying he had had enough.

He lasted in an interview for almost forty minutes, albeit prevaricating, rambling, and dodging questions along the way. Keeping his cool that long must mean that Trump is sensing he has got to play along with some rules, with his support fraying.

By Monday, just three days after the NBC interview, Trump was calling on Israel and Iran to stop fighting immediately.

He claimed both sides were looking for a ceasefire, and that final peace negotiations were moving forward, though he warned that ignorance or stupidity could still get in the way. Trump’s own stupidity probably prevents him from seeing it.

Featured image via Getty/Kevin Dietsch

By The Canary

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Musician Ali Louis Bourzgui won a Tony award last night, 7 June, for his portrayal of a vampire in the musical adaptation of The Lost Boys. As he received his award, he compared Zionists and billionaires to the vampires of the show – people “who have shunned their own humanity in order to achieve a nonexistent sense of superiority”.

And in case anyone was still unclear what he meant, he used his speech to wish freedom to the Palestinian people from occupation, as well as to praise the immigrants and trans people constantly targeted by the US fascist regime:

Tony award winner speaks out

The full transcript of Bourzgui’s remarkable speech accepting a Tony award is below:

Sometimes humanity needs a fantastical lens outside of ourselves to look at and explore questions about our own nature. Vampires represent those who have shunned their own humanity in order to achieve a nonexistent sense of superiority.

The billionaires will never find happiness from their money. The colonizers will never find fulfillment from the land and lives they steal. The fascists will never find meaning from their conformity, not in this lifetime or eternity.

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People like to say that theater is a form of escape, but I’ve found more than ever that in this season and time that the theater is one of the last places people can come to worship the power of true collective human presence. We take a moment to recondition our addiction to desensitization. We ask how we can see ourselves in a stranger’s story and then carry that sentiment out into the world that needs us
to ask that more than ever.

This is dedicated to the beautiful tapestry of immigrant families who make this country really special. May you one day not have to audition for the empathy that should be freely given by this country that benefits from your beauty.

For the queer and trans communities who have and always will exist no matter what people in power try to take away from them.

For the people of Palestine who deserve to live a free life, a full life without occupation.

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For Arab theater makers and artists, may we continue to tell our stories and show our faces so our humanity becomes undeniable and our families can no longer be written off as merely collateral damage. May they know the beauty of our kisses upon each cheek and the romance of a language rooted in passion for love and life itself.

If there’s one thing we can learn from vampires, it’s that life is short, but that’s its gift.

Find beauty in the ephemeral and gratitude in what is not promised, and always invest in the people that want to see you blossom into your truest self and hold that space for them in return.

I dedicate this award to my late mentor, Ralph Petillo. Thank you.

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Israel is a terror state. Billionaires shouldn’t exist. Free Palestine and someone find some more awards for Ali Louis Bourzgui.

Featured image via Getty/Theo Wargo

By Skwawkbox

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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.

I won’t bore you with details of the endless travel difficulties we’re experiencing right now. You get it – fuel prices are high, meaning lots of us are opting for staycations in the UK this year.

With the school holidays approaching, Airbnbs are getting booked up fast, and options for places to stay in the UK are dwindling by the minute. And while camping is always an option, it’s certainly not for everyone.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect in-between, I’ve found just the thing for you: the ‘Airbnb of campervans’.

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Romanticised in everything from On The Road to Little Miss Sunshine, there’s nothing like a road trip to get some bonding time in, whether that’s with your partner, family, or friends.

Understandably, you might not want to invest in an entire campervan or motorhome to be responsible for year-round. But, if you’re anything like me, a road trip is something you’ll want to do at least once in your life.

For a happy medium, Goboony has a range of rental campervans and motorhomes to meet every need you could have. You only need a driving license to get behind the wheel, and you can choose from electric or diesel-powered vehicles.

Then there are sleeping arrangements to consider (some can sleep a whole family) and whether you want to take a furry friend along with you for the ride.

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As well as a stylish motorhome for a few days, Goboony also offers insurance and around the clock roadside assistance, so you can travel to the prettiest spots in the UK without worrying about breakdowns (motor or emotional) or damage.

If you’re considering a mobile holiday this summer, I’ve gone ahead and picked out the chicest motorhomes on Goboony right now – all you have to do is find the best dates to suit you.

Best campervans for a staycation in the UK

Location: West Sussex
Vehicle type: 5 berth Mercedes-Benz Campervan
Sleeps: 5 people
Weekly mileage limit: 1,000 miles.

Location: Shawlands
Vehicle type: Vauxhall
Weekly mileage limit: 1,000 miles
Sleeps: 2 people.

Location: Glasgow
Vehicle type: Volkswagen campervan
Weekly mileage limit: 1,000 miles
Sleeps: 2 people.

Location: Greater London
Vehicle type: Citroën campervan
Weekly mileage limit: 1,000 miles
Sleeps: 3 people.

Location: Oxfordshire
Vehicle type: Lamborghini campervan
Weekly mileage limit: 1,000 miles
Sleeps: 4 people.

Location: Oxfordshire
Vehicle type: Volkswagen campervan
Weekly mileage limit: 1,000 miles
Sleeps: 6 people.

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I have insomnia, but not the kind that means I struggle to fall asleep (in fact, the speed and ease with which I nod off at night put me off seeking help for years).

Instead, the problem happens in the early hours of the morning. It reaches roughly 3am, and my body wakes me up – a common enough process, but one which I, for some reason, don’t recover from.

After the disruption, I stay up for hours, only feeling able to sleep when it’s time to get up and go to work. This persists no matter how much shut-eye I do (or don’t) get, how much exercise I do, or how early I go to bed.

If that sounds familiar, you – like me – may have something called sleep maintenance insomnia.

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What is sleep maintenance insomnia?

According to Harvard Health, the term refers to a lack of sleep that happens not because someone can’t nod off, but because they wake up and can’t fall back asleep.

In America, it’s believed to affect as many as one in five people (and while there doesn’t seem to be much data on the phenomenon in the UK, one in three adults here are thought to experience acute insomnia at some point).

Harvard Health added that the condition might be especially common in women during midlife.

Health problems, family stresses, depression, and even hot flashes might play a role.

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As, they say, can age: “as we grow older, the normal sleep cycle becomes shorter, and we spend less time in deep sleep”.

How can I manage sleep maintenance insomnia?

Dr Karen Carlson, a doctor who runs classes focusing on women’s sleep quality at Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital, told Harvard Health that going to bed really early to “make up” for missed sleep might not help.

“What sometimes happens is that women are going to bed early trying to sleep and then they wake up at 3 or 4am – and they’re not really meant to sleep more than six or seven hours, but they’re in bed early trying, and they awaken early.”

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What may help, however, is “clock blocking”, or ignoring any screen which tells you the time, Johns Hopkins shared.

So, too, can getting up out of bed to do something screen-free and relatively mindless, like folding laundry after about 20 minutes of being awake ― or, as Johns Hopkins sleep expert Dr Luis F. Buenaver said, try to “Read a book, with just enough lights on so that you can see the print comfortably”.

Try as much as you can to stick to your regular routine the day after a bad night’s sleep, he continued.

Speak to your doctor if sleep issues persist for weeks and/or affect your day-to-day life.

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It may have been more than a decade since House came to an end, but its leading man Hugh Laurie has made it clear he’s still poised and ready to jump to the show’s defence at any given moment.

The British actor played Dr Gregory House in all eight seasons of the US medical drama, which came to an end in May 2012.

Over the weekend, one viewer claimed they’d just started watching the show from the beginning, but found it a little far-fetched and repetitive.

“Same narrative every episode,” they claimed on X. “Patient has mysterious illness. Hugh Laurie (House) gets diagnosis wrong. Patient nearly dies.

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“Hugh Laurie gets diagnosis wrong again. Gets threatened with being fired. Patient nearly dies again. Hugh Laurie has last minute leftfield idea. Gets diagnosis right. Doesn’t get fired.”

“Eight seasons of this?” they pondered.

Days later, Hugh responded to the post directly, with a counterargument.

“Thanks for your critique,” he wrote back. “We actually tried a couple of episodes where House (Hugh Laurie) (please put the brackets in the right place) gets it right first time, but they were only six minutes long. NBC weren’t happy.”

Hugh continued: “Then we tried some where House never gets it right and the patient dies. The audience wasn’t happy.

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“One could apply your trenchant analysis to other art forms: JS Bach wrote 30 Goldberg variations on the same chord structure; Frida Kahlo painted 50 portraits of herself; Henry Moore, what??

“The point is, or was, variations on a theme; if all you see is hospital, medical blah blah, then it wasn’t meant for you.”

When another X user replied questioning whether it was “really worth going to such an effort to put someone who thinks it might be a bit ‘samey’ in their place” given how long ago the show – which they pointed out “was a popular, long-running series and consensus is that you were great in it” – came to an end, Hugh issued another curt reply.

“I put no more effort into my message than you have into yours,” he noted. “It just happens to be closer to my heart.”

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During House’s original run, the show was nominated for 25 Emmys, winning five, including for its writing and directing.

All eight seasons are now available to stream for free on Channel 4.

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Ah, summer, the time when weather swings between scorching heat waves and drizzling showers. Or at least, in the UK that’s what it means!

While you might’ve been looking forward to sporting skirts and flip flops under sunny skies this summer, the weather clearly has other plans.

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And we’ll forgive you for begrudging the fact you don’t want to wear a jacket after May, desperate times call for desperate measures. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like you’re going to need a raincoat this summer.

That shouldn’t come at the expense of a cute outfit, though, so to help you stay chic and protected from showers, I’ve rounded up nine of the best waterproof jackets, rain coats, and trench coats to shop now.

9 waterproof jackets for women to shop now

Feel like embodying the drizzle? This black coat will not only keep you dry, but help you blend in with the crowd. Don’t worry though, you won’t look drowned out by trying to keep safe from the rain, as the Curve has a waist tie to keep things flattering.

Waterproof: Protection from light rain.

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Trust Damson Madder to create the solution to navigating the rain in style. The redesign of its bestselling Liu raincoat is designed to be purposely oversized, both for fashion, darling, but also so you can fit jumpers etc beneath it. Those waist ties mean you can cinch it in to be as flattering as you like, and the wrists do the same, so you can avoid getting soggy sleeves.

Waterproof: Shower-resistant

The weather in this country is unpredictable at best, so having a coat you can pull out or stash away in an instant will be a handbag essential this summer (by the looks of things). This one from M&S is super lightweight and floaty, which means it easily packs away into a little bag once the downpour stops.

Waterproof: Shower-proof

The best part of summer is the outfits, and you don’t want to have to sacrifice a great outfit combo by smacking a waterproof over the top. Luckily, this unisex Hunter option showcases what’s underneath while keeping you dry, making it the perfect accoutrement to your festival ‘fit.

Waterproof: Water-repellant.

Uniqlo is there for us through all the seasons, so naturally it has a packable parka that comes in a range of summery colours. I’m also a fan of this wine-coloured parka that’s not quite so lightweight, but will transition nicely from season to season.

Waterproof: Water-repellant.

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Trench coats are a staple for a reason, not least because they’re needed in this in-between of spring and summer we’re in, but also because they look timeless. This one from Damson Madder is reversible, so you can choose between gingham and red, depending on what matches your outfit. It even has a funnel neck, so you’ll be bang on trend – even if you do have a soggy head. But that’s what hats are made for!

Waterproof: Shower-proof.

If the sun isn’t going to shine, you might as well do it. This shorter Rains jacket is made from a glazed shell, which will match the glossy eye looks you’re donning this season.

Waterproof: Protection from light rain.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: who has £500 to drop on a rain coat? To which I’d rebuff: think about cost per wear. We live in a rainy country, so there’s an absolute guarantee you’ll get plenty of wear from this stylish Barbour x Ganni collab. Still can’t justify it? This leopard print coat from George is a more affordable alternative.

Waterproof: Waterproof.

Sometimes fashion is not the main motive, but if you want to stay stylish and protected on everything from dog walks, to long hikes and office commutes, this Regatta number has got your back. Literally.

Waterproof: Water-repellant.

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Green Party leader Zack Polanski has warned that food insecurity is not a distant threat. He says it’s already impacting customers, farmers and workers in the food industry.

In a speech to the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union on 8 June, Polanski warned that the UK’s food system is close to collapse. He spoke of pressures from rising temperatures and global instability and called for urgent action to support the UK’s food resilience.

The speech comes as figures from the Autonomy Institute show that UK fruit and veg prices could rise 170% by 2050. And the climate crisis is likely to become the leading driver of fresh produce inflation in the UK.

Speaking at the union’s keynote address, Polanski accused the government of ‘just not getting it’ when it comes to the crisis facing the UK’s food system. And he called for government to produce a real plan to boost UK food production and support customers struggling to afford groceries.

Last week, Green MP Adrian Ramsay challenged ministers in parliament over two suppressed government-commissioned reports warning of serious risks to the UK’s national security, including ecosystem collapse, biodiversity loss, food security and water supplies.

Polanski called for:

• Support for farmers to adapt their practices to a changing climate to make UK crop growing more resilient.
• Stronger regulation of supermarkets to ensure farmers get a fair deal for their produce.
• Free school meals for all primary and secondary pupils to support families struggling to put food on the table.
• A £15/hour minimum wage for all workers to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Polanski added:

Just a couple of weeks ago, we saw the hottest May day ever recorded in the UK. By the beginning of May, the UK had received received 23% less rain than average. The Climate Change Committee warns that within 25 years we could see temperatures above 40°C.

That doesn’t just mean more people getting sick from extreme heat, or more pressure on infrastructure that just isn’t built for these temperatures. As many of you in this room well know, it has terrifying implications for the most fundamental need we all have – food.

And right now, from food growers to customers – and everyone in between – the crisis is already making itself felt.

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That’s something you all know well – and it’s time we started listening to you.

Because whether you get up at the crack of dawn to serve pasties to hungry commuters, spend hours rising dough, or work in rain or shine picking fruit – your work is what keeps this country moving.

But all too often, that fact is forgotten. Your work is sneered at, shrugged off, or taken for granted.

Your pay doesn’t match the importance of the work you do – and doesn’t keep up with your rising bills. Your hours get longer, you’re expected to work in increasingly hot or wet conditions, you’re on a precarious contract so you’re scared to take sick leave or have a day off to spend with your kids.

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And all the while, when you go to the supermarket to put food on the table, the prices there are rising too – while the farmers that produced it aren’t being paid fairly either.

The system is broken. And under increasing strain from the climate crisis, it’s close to collapse.

Dr Will Stronge, CEO at the Autonomy Institute, said:

We have been cautious in our assumptions – looking only at heatwaves, and only against a stable inflation backdrop. The conclusion is still stark: within fifteen years, climate change will be the biggest single factor driving up the cost of fresh food.

Politicians cannot afford to wait and see. The time to build food resilience into our industrial strategy is now, before the pressures become acute.

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Featured image via Jon Rowley / Getty Images

By The Canary

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