The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Stop the War (StW) formed a coalition in shared opposition to the genocide in Gaza. Since then, more than 20 national protests across the UK have demonstrated that the British public does not support the mass killing of Palestinians.

However, authorities convicted PSC director Ben Jamal and StW vice-chair Chris Nineham on two counts under the authoritarian Public Order Act introduced by Suella Braverman.

This ruling has sent shockwaves through the pro-Palestinian community, as repressive police powers actively undermine and curtail the ability to protest.

Refusing to be deterred, the PSC has published a statement on behalf of the coalition, condemning the verdicts as:

extraordinary and shocking and a huge setback for civil liberties.

We spoke to Chris Nineham following his conviction under this draconian law:

Stop the War and Palestine Solidarity Campaign activists Chris Nineham and Ben Jamal have been found guilty of “breaching protest conditions” – we spoke to Chris Nineham@STWuk pic.twitter.com/zDr6JxRDeJ

— Canary (@TheCanaryUK) April 1, 2026

“A seismic threat to democratic freedoms” say pro-Palestine coalition

In this statement, it is made clear that Nineham and Jamal intend to appeal their verdicts. Helping them with that appeal, they will have full support of the pro-Palestine coalition behind them. Undoubtedly, they will have support of the wider British public in which a majority oppose Israel’s bloodthirsty actions.

They then go further by highlighting “significant concerns” about how the six-day trial was conducted. These concerns will be subsequently raised in their imminent appeal.

Arguably pointing to a stitch up, the statement reads:

The substantive issues at the heart of the case were clear. From the stage that day, Ben Jamal explained that a delegation of leaders of the coalition, plus MPs, trade union leaders and members of the Jewish bloc, would walk peacefully in a symbolic protest towards the BBC to lay flowers to mark the Corporation’s failures to report the truth of genocide in Gaza.

Ben made clear that, if stopped by the police, the flowers would be laid at the police line. In the event, as copious video evidence shows, police officers invited the delegation to pass though.

They also argue that the claims of public disorder made by the police were categorically untrue.

In fact, they underscore the violence that they did see that day:

The only moment of violence was when Chis Nineham was brutally pulled to the ground and hauled away by police officers.

Contradicting Police Commander Adam Slonecki’s adamant insistence that the imposed late restrictions did not follow political pressure from pro-Israel groups, they added:

The logs of the Police Gold Commander Adam Slonecki reveal that enormous political pressure was placed on the police by pro-Israel groups to prevent a protest at the BBC.

Islington MP Jeremy Corbyn has condemned the judge’s verdict, saying he is “appalled”:

I am appalled by today’s verdict against Ben Jamal and Chris Nineham.

In January 2025, we held an entirely peaceful demonstration in support of Palestinian people. At all times, they — and we — followed all police instructions. We ended the demonstration by laying down flowers… https://t.co/A8bCsKOJ9X

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) April 1, 2026

Advertisement

Defending the actions of Jamal and Nineham at the protest, which Corbyn was also taking part in, he wrote:

In January 2025, we held an entirely peaceful demonstration in support of Palestinian people. At all times, they — and we — followed all police instructions. We ended the demonstration by laying down flowers at their feet to mourn the deaths of Palestinian children.

Today’s verdict is a dark day for civil liberties in this country — and is a disgraceful assault on the right to protest.

We wrote earlier today after the court’s judgement:

It is clear that the government are refusing to back down in its attempts to intimidate and bully British citizens into no longer standing by our Palestinian comrades. Heavily funded by the Israel Lobby, Starmer’s government have long ignored and diminished rising islamophobia, whilst unduly declaring anti-Zionist positions as antisemitic.

Crime and Policing Bill

The statement goes on to draw attention to the Crime and Policing Bill which is making its way through Parliament:

It confirms the view, widely held across civil society, that these proposed increased powers represent a seismic threat to democratic freedoms.

They raise alarm at the chilling impact this is clearly intended to have on people supporting Palestinians:

The unprecedented charging and now conviction of leaders of a movement that has brought millions to the streets in support of the people of Palestine is designed to chill ongoing opposition to genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation.

It finishes with a typical show of dogged resistance to state oppression and repression:

It will not succeed.

That it most certainly won’t, as a call to action is heard for the upcoming protest on the 16 May in London:

So, Ben Jamal and I have been convicted for organising a peaceful protest against genocide in a bizarre decision by one judge.

This is a big attack on civil liberties.

Advertisement

We will appeal. We call for a massive mobilisation in support of the Palestinian people for Nakba on 16 May. https://t.co/ftX7S069Bl

— Chris Nineham (@ChrisNineham) April 1, 2026

Featured image via the Canary

A journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq, and suddenly, the US government has decided it does, in fact, care about the safety of journalists. That is, as long as they’re white, and it’s not Israel killing or threatening them.

Iraq scene of kidnapping

Shelly Kittleson, an Italian-American journalist who contributes to Al-Monitor, was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday. Reports suggest a suspected Iran-backed armed group was behind the abduction.

American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson has been kidnapped in broad daylight in Baghdad.

Iraq’s interior ministry says authorities at the highest level are searching for the 49-year-old. pic.twitter.com/86ToXdVRiG

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 1, 2026

Advertisement

Videos circulating on social media show men capturing Kittleson on Saadoun Street in central Baghdad.

Middle East Eye has reported that authorities in Iraq had launched an operation to find the kidnappers, and:

they had intercepted a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned as they attempted to flee.

Security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime.

Dylan Johnson, US assistant secretary of state for Public Diplomacy, said on X that Iraqi authorities have arrested an individual linked to the Kataeb Hezbollah group.

Of course, we should take anything the US government says with a huge pinch of salt.

Murdering journalists

The US has stood blindly by whilst Israel has murdered journalists in both Gaza and Lebanon for the last two and a half years.

Back in 2022, Israel murdered Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh. The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) shot the Palestinian-American in the head while she was covering an Israeli army raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

The US government claimed the death was unintentional – despite Israel’s long history of targeting journalists.

Since then, Israel has murdered over 300 journalists since October 7, 2023. It was responsible for two-thirds of all press killings in both 2025 and 2024.

Most of the media workers Israel killed were Palestinian. However, Israeli air strikes also killed 31 staff in newspaper offices in Yemen.

The IOF have committed more targeted killings of journalists than any other government’s military since records began.

Only last week, Israel murdered journalists Ali Shuaib (Al-Manar) and Fatima Ftouni (Al-Mayadeen), along with Fatima’s brother, camera operator Mohamad Ftouni. They join a long list of Lebanese journalists that Israel has murdered.

Israel has repeatedly labelled media outlets and journalists as ‘terrorists’. Obviously, Western media and governments have parroted these claims without any evidence to support them.

The Israeli military also posted a photograph of Shoaib dressed in a military uniform. However, when asked by Fox News to provide the image, a spokesperson said:

Unfortunately there isn’t really a picture of it, it was photoshopped.

It provided no evidence to support its claims that Shoaib and Ftouni were Hezbollah combatants.

Israel goes after journalists in an attempt to stop the world from witnessing its war crimes. If it kills all the journalists in Gaza, Lebanon, and even Iran, then the rest of the world will not know what it’s up to.

Suddenly, the US cares?

The US has stayed quiet while Israel murdered over 300 journalists – many of whom were brown, and  often Muslim.

Now all of a sudden:

The FBI, National Security Council, state department, Delta Force and the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service were in contact about her abduction.

So, they can pay attention to attacks on journalists, after all. Of course, Kittleson is originally from rural Wisconsin.

So, whether it’s because Israel is not the perpetrator here or because Kittleson looks very white and is from a rural part of the US, the government suddenly decided it cares about journalists in the Middle East.

The US would not care if it were Israel that had kidnapped or even murdered Kittleson. Likewise, if a visibly brown, Black, or Muslim US citizen had been abducted, the US government would not care.

The hypocrisy is astounding – but what more should we expect from a government that Israel has so much influence over?

Featured image via Shelly Kittleson/Instagram

Iraq have achieved a long-awaited and historic milestone, securing their place in the 2026 World Cup finals after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Bolivia. The intercontinental play-off match was held at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey.

The “Lions of Mesopotamia” return to the World Cup after a four-decade absence. Their last appearance was in the 1986 tournament.

The team’s achievement is already being considered one of the most significant milestones in Iraqi football history.

Iraq v Bolivia: a fiery start and an early goal

The Iraqi team entered the match with great enthusiasm and nearly opened the scoring early through Ibrahim Bayesh in the second minute.

They continued their attacking pressure and quickly translated their dominance into goals in the 10th minute. Ali Al-Hammadi rose to meet a corner kick taken by Amir Al-Ammari and headed it into the net.

There were massive celebrations from Iraqi fans, who had traveled from both inside and outside Mexico, particularly from the United States.

Despite Iraq’s dominance, Bolivia gradually worked their way back into the game and managed to equalize in the 38th minute through Moisés Paniagua, who capitalized on a rebound inside the penalty area. The first half ended 1-1.

Arnold seals the victory… and Ayman Hussein makes history

In the second half, coach Graham Arnold made early substitutions that gave the team an attacking boost.

Marco Faraj played a crucial role by setting up the second goal, scored by Ayman Hussein, securing Iraq’s qualification and igniting the stadium.

The Iraqi team maintained their defensive composure until the final whistle, clinching the victory and confirming their return to the world stage in a big way.

Joy sweeps across the Iraqi streets

As soon as the final whistle blew, celebrations erupted in the streets of Baghdad and various other Iraqi cities.

Thousands of fans poured into the streets to celebrate this historic achievement, which revived hope for an entire generation of Iraqi football enthusiasts and wrote a new chapter of footballing glory after a 40-year wait.

Thus, Iraq returned, not just as a qualified team, but as a story of resilience and victory, writing a new chapter in the history of Arab football.

Iraq will compete in the World Cup in a challenging group that includes France, Norway, and Senegal.

They will begin their campaign against Norway on 16 June 2026 at Boston Stadium in the United States.

Featured image via the Canary

London nightlife performers earn an average of £12,411 a year from their performing work after expenses. And almost a third say an increase in transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, racism or far-right sentiment has led to them feeling less safe due to audience aggression and when travelling to and from gigs.

An overwhelming 98% say that their pay has not kept up with the cost of living.

These findings come from a survey which Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, conducted. The survey covered gigging nightlife performers who work in London. Respondents work in professions including:

• Cabaret
• Burlesque
• Fire performance
• Circus
• Aerial
• Drag
• Club and pub singing
• Comedy
• DJing
• Pole
• Tribute acts

They work at private events, clubs, pubs, bars, festivals, and venue residencies, alongside other places.

The London Nightlife Network

Equity published the survey results ahead of the launch of its new London Nightlife Network. The Network will bring together Equity members who work in this sector so they can organise to improve their pay and conditions.

This includes lobbying the independent Nightlife Commission recently announced by London’s Mayor and campaigning on wider issues. Equity is engaging with the Greater London Authority regarding the lack of workforce representation on its recent Nightlife Taskforce. Almost all the participants were industry bosses. The union said this lack of worker voice showed in gaps in the report findings, which came out on 21 January, particularly around workforce safety, pay, and precarity.

Commenting on the results of Equity’s survey of London nightlife performers, the union’s variety organiser Nick Keegan said:

London’s nightlife culture is world-famous, but it’s being built on the backs of performers who are earning a fraction of a living wage. It is a disgrace that 98% of performers responding to our workforce survey say their pay is stagnating, while they worry about their safety.

Which is why Equity members are launching the London Nightlife Network, because performers care deeply about London’s nightlife and know that by coming together they can raise the standards of the industry for all.

Safety

Of the survey respondents, 33% said they feel less safe than previous years when travelling to and from a gig.

A similar number, 29%, feel less safe working with audiences than in previous years.

And 28% of respondents attributed safety fears to an increase in transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, racism and far-right sentiment. Incidents included experiencing regular instances of violence, aggression and inappropriate touching.

Comments on safety include:

• There has been more racism and sexist heckling.

• Some venues will make a point prior to the show regarding not touching performers / consent but some don’t.

• The world we live in is more homophobic, transphobic and misogynistic, travelling on public transport in full drag makeup is terrifying.

• The rise of the far right and my own personal experiences with events being protested.

• Post-Covid drinking culture at gigs has changed an incredible amount… People are often drinking before the gig as they can’t afford the prices at the venue, venue security has decreased on the whole, and venues are dependent on bar sales to run the show – so drinking is more encouraged.

Pay

Only 2% of respondents said that the rates they’ve been receiving have risen in line with the cost of living, with an overwhelming 98% saying their rates have not.

The most common response to the question “On average how much do you earn for a gig in London?” was the range “£100-£199”.

The average number of gigs worked a week was 2.11.

The average amount spent on travel per month was £200. Meanwhile, the average amount spent on hair, make up and costume for an act per month was £162.

If we calculate the average pay for London nightlife performers by using £150 (which is the halfway point of the modal pay range £100-£199), and subtract average expenses for travel and hair, make up and costume, this suggests performers earn an average of £1,371.50 a month or £12,411 a year after expenses from their work in the industry.

This is well below the national median salary of £39,039, and even less than the London median salary of £49,692.

90% of respondents agree it would be helpful to them if Equity published a rate card of suggested minimum rates for nightlife performers in different working contexts.

Featured image via the Canary