Latest news with #Stardust
Bloomberg
9 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
UniCredit Taps Adviser for BPM Bid Branch Sales Amid Deal Doubts
UniCredit SpA has tapped an investment bank to manage the possible sale of branches it needs to carry out if it buys Banco BPM SpA, according to people familiar with the matter. The Italian lender has asked Kitra Advisory to help it offload branches across Italy in a move that would address demands from the European Union antitrust watchdog if the takeover goes ahead, the people said. The potential disposal of branches is part of a project dubbed Stardust, they said asking to not be named discussing private information.
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Grenfell Uncovered on Netflix: First-rate journalism highlights how working class victims were left waiting for answers
There are obvious parallels between the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London and the Stardust fire in Artane, Dublin , in that they were preventable calamities where the families of the dead were left waiting far too long for answers. There is also the fact that, in both cases, the victims were mainly working class. That element of the story is tackled head-on in Grenfell Uncovered, Olaide Sadiq's hard-hitting documentary about the 2017 London catastrophe, which claimed 72 lives. 'We were treated as if we didn't matter. We're working class, we're poor,' says one former resident of the west London tower block in comments that carry clear echoes of the official response to the Stardust blaze. Grenfell and its aftermath are told via eyewitness testimonies, including those of Luana Gomes, who was 12 at the time and had to be put into an induced coma after she and her family descended 21 flights of stairs in pitch-black smoke. 'We covered ourselves with the blankets my dad had put in the bathtub. I grabbed my dog. Dashed for the stairwell,' she says. The cause of the fire was the highly flammable cladding attached to the outside of the building in a penny-pinching makeover intended to address complaints that the tower had become an eyesore in affluent Kensington. One expert likens the covering to 'sticking a petrol tanker to the outside of the building'. Safer cladding would have cost extra – but not a lot, around £40 per renovated flat. [ Grenfell Tower, where 72 people died, 'to be demolished', families are told Opens in new window ] By the time of the fire, this cladding was already prohibited across much of Europe (although the situation in Ireland is not specified). But not in the UK, where Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron had led a campaign against state regulation of the private sector. 'The driving ideology was deregulation,' says one contributor. 'The state had no place telling private businesses what they should or shouldn't do.' READ MORE Cameron had been replaced by Theresa May by the time of Grenfell, and she was widely criticised for not visiting the tower block the morning after the fire. To her credit, she is the only prominent politician to appear in the Netflix film, and she accepts her share of culpability. 'One of the issues was the way in which authority had failed to listen to [the residents],' she says. 'I merely exacerbated that by not going to see them first off. It was important given the scale of the tragedy.' Were it possible, some politicians come off even worse than Cameron and May. There is Eric Pickles, now 'Lord Pickles' but, at the time, secretary of state at the Department for Communities and Local Government. At the official Grenfell inquiry, he urged officials not to waste his time – before confusing the death toll from Grenfell with that of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in Sheffield. [ 'The fire broke our family': Grenfell was, above all else, a human tragedy Opens in new window ] 'Seventy-two residents died. 96 was the number of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster,' says housing journalist Peter Apps. 'That number should sit with everybody. If it's not important, you'll mix it up with another disaster where lots of working-class people died.' Grenfell Uncovered is important public service journalism, and it's a shame that the film couldn't resist a cheesy stunt at the end by appearing to imply that Luana's mother had died in the fire – only for it to be revealed at the end that she survives (though her unborn son did not). That one lapse aside, however, the film is first-rate long-form reporting. It makes you wonder, if Netflix were to apply the same journalistic rigour to Ireland, what might come wriggling out from under the rocks? Grenfell Uncovered runs on Netflix from Friday, June 20th
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Protests outside London court ahead of Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's appearance
A LARGE PROTEST is taking place outside Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning ahead of Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's court appearance. The 27-year-old Belfast rapper is charged with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in Britain, during a gig in the O2 Forum, Kentish Town last November. He is due to appear in court in the next hour. Protests at Westminster Magistrates' Court as Kneecap's Mo Chara is due to appear in the next hour or so. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is charged under the UK's Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig. A lot of cameras here and a small police presence. — Rónán Duffy (@ronanduffy_) June 18, 2025 Supporters are holding placards saying 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Defend Kneecap' along with Palestinian and Kneecap flags. Cheers were heard after an ad van drove past displaying the slogan 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara'. Large billboards with the same message have also been erected in London. Advertisement The UK's Stop The War Coalition is among those organising the protest, calling on people to 'picket' the court building. Supporters of Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo In the month since the charge was confirmed, Kneecap have stated consistently that Ó hAnnaidh would be strongly contesting it, recruiting a team of high-profile lawyers with experience of UK courts to administer the defence. The legal team includes Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, who represented families of the Stardust fire and Brenda Campbell KC, who acted in the recent inquests in the Stardust case. Also part of the legal team are Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and previously the Guildford Four, and Rosalind Comyn, who has represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court. Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, who last year acted on behalf of South Africa in its genocide case against Israel, is also part of the legal team. Kneecap have come to international prominence for their outspokenness on Israel's ongoing bombing and siege of Gaza which has killed over 50,000 people and has brought the enclave to the brink of famine . With reporting from Rónán Duffy Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Kneecap erect large billboards in London as band member Mo Chara due in court on terror charge
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago LARGE BILLBOARDS HAVE been erected by Irish band Kneecap in London ahead of its member's appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's high-profile court date comes just less than a month after the rapper, known as Mo Chara, was charged by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service . The charge is that Ó hAannaidh 'displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation' during a gig in the O2 Forum, Kentish Town last November. Protests outside the court this morning are being organised by a number of UK and Irish-based groups, with Kneecap themselves promoting the demonstrations on social media. The UK's Stop The War Coalition is among those organising the protest, calling on people to 'picket' the court building. 'The 'carnival of distraction' around Kneecap keeps on travelling while Israel pursues its starvation policy in Gaza and the UK government continues to sell it arms,' the group has said. Other groups supporting the protest include several involved in campaigning on behalf of the Palestinian people. In a post on social media, Irish in London for Palestine wrote: 'The UK government is calling Liam Óg Hannaidh from Kneecap a terrorist for daring to speak truth to power — for standing with Palestine and refusing to be silenced. This isn't just about one artist or one group — it's about our right to protest, our right to speak, and our duty to stand against injustice.' Advertisement In a post on social media, the band said it had erected the billboards ahead of the court appearance, which it called a 'witch-hunt'. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's high-profile court date comes just less than a month after the rapper, known as Mo Chara, was charged by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service. Alamy Alamy In the month since the charge was confirmed, the band have stated consistently that Ó hAnnaidh would be strongly contesting it, recruiting a team of high-profile lawyers with experience of UK courts to administer the defence. The legal team includes Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, who represented families of the Stardust fire and Brenda Campbell KC, who acted in the recent inquests in the Stardust case. Also part of the legal team are Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and previously the Guildford Four, and Rosalind Comyn, who has represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court. Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, who last year acted on behalf of South Africa in its genocide case against Israel, is also part of the legal team. Kneecap have come to international prominence for their outspokenness on Israel's ongoing bombing and siege of Gaza which has killed over 50,000 people and has brought the enclave to the brink of famine . 'The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates Court… We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have such a strong legal team with us,' the band said in a post on social media last week. Speaking about the case, Mackin said: 'It is difficult to comprehend a case of greater international importance in recent years.' Kneecap has played an unrivalled role in standing up for those without a voice in Gaza. They speak truth to power when others shy away. 'It is a great privilege to be instructed alongside my colleagues to defend the important principle of freedom of expression, in the pending battle before the London Court.' The charge Ó hAnnaidh is facing is under section 13 of the UK's Terrorism Act 2000, which states that: Related Reads 'They are trying to silence us', Kneecap member facing terror charge tells crowd Mo Chara thanks his lawyer on stage at surprise Kneecap concert in London Kneecap: What's the terror charge 'Mo Chara' is facing, what's the defence and the sentence? 'A person in a public place commits an offence if he a) wears an item of clothing or b) wears, carries or displays an article, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.' The legislation also outlines potential penalties upon conviction, which could be up to six months' imprisonment, a fine, or both. There will not be a jury determining the verdict but a district judge instead. Section 13 of the Terrorism Act is a 'strict liability offence', which means that the motivation or intent of the accused does not have to be proven by the prosecution but that the interpretation of a 'reasonable person' is a factor. Today's court date is not the first time Kneecap have been involved in legal proceedings in London. Last November, Kneecap have won their discrimination challenge over a decision by former business secretary and current Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to refuse them £14,250 in UK government funding. The band had launched legal action claiming the decision to refuse the grant discriminated against them on grounds of nationality and political opinion. The case was settled after the UK government conceded it was 'unlawful'. - With reporting by Press Association & Muiris Ó Cearbhaill Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Kneecap star to deny terror charge, saying: 'We are on the right side of history'
Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh will plead not guilty on Wednesday to a terror charge brought by the UK authorities over the alleged display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a concert. The 27-year-old hip-hop star, who uses the stage name Mo Chara, was charged under the UK's Terrorism Act last month over the alleged incident. The flag had been thrown on-stage during the Belfast band's performance on November 21 last year at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. The hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London is expected to be brief. Mr Ó hAnnaidh will be asked to confirm his name, age, and address, and that he is aware of the charge against him. A date will then be set for the first Crown Court hearing. Kneecap in Cork ahead the band's concert at City Hall earlier this year. Picture: Chani Anderson It is usually at that second hearing that pleas are entered. However, not only will the musician take the opportunity to plead not guilty on Wednesday, but a statement will also be read out after the hearing. His fellow fluent Irish speaking bandmates — Naoise Ó Cairealláin, aka Móglaí Bap, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, the musician also known as DJ Próvaí and who often wears a tricolour balaclava — are expected to attend the hearing. So too are thousands of the band's fans, who have all been urged to turn up at the court, which is near Edgware Rd, in central London. Formidable legal team Representing him in his defence against the terror charge are some of the world's most formidable human rights and criminal defence law experts. They include international human rights lawyer Darragh Mackin, who represented the families of victims of the 1981 Stardust fire, and criminal defence expert Gareth Peirce, who defended the Birmingham Six and Guilford Four. Kneecap arriving for the Dublin premiere of their film at the Light House Cinema last year. Directed by Rich Peppiatt, it was been nominated for and won numerous awards at film festivals worldwide and at annual award events including the IFTAs and the BAFTAs. Picture: Andres Poveda The legal team instructed by Phoenix Law includes Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC [King's Counsel], who represented South Africa at the International Court of Justice in its 2024 case alleging genocide by Israel in Gaza. Brenda Campbell KC, who has represented families in both the Stardust and Hillsborough inquests, is also representing the musician, as is Jude Bunting KC, a freedom-of-expression expert, and Rosalind Comyn who recently acted on behalf of climate justice activists charged with vandalising Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting. They were name-checked in a post on the band's Facebook account recently, under a statement which read: 'The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap. 'We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have such a strong legal team with us. We are on the right side of history.' 'We are not the story. Genocide is' In an earlier social media post, shortly after Mr Ó hAnnaidh was charged, the band stated: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of the road and the British establishment is focussed on us. We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is. They added that while the UK authorities 'profit from genocide', they asked what the objective was in using an anti-terror law against the band for 'displaying a flag thrown on stage'. The band has previously insisted they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. The band was set up in 2017 during a campaign that ultimately led to the passage in 2022 of the UK's Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act, which granted the Irish language equal status with English. Controversial from the start, Kneecap's first single, C.E.A.R.T.A., was banned from RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta because of its 'drug references and cursing'. Their first album 3CAG — short for the phrase 'trí chonsan agus guta' which translates into 'three consonants and a vowel' — is named after a slang reference to the drug MDNA. Two years after formation, they released the award-winning film Kneecap starring Michael Fassbender, a fictionalised biopic of their life in the North against a backdrop of the campaign to get Irish recognised.
