Britain unveils its new Ukraine-modeled armed forces
The U.K. is learning from Ukraine’s war against Russia to build its own armed forces to prepare for a similar conflict this decade.
https://www.politico.eu/article/britain-keir-starmer-defense-ukraine-modeled-armed-forces/
The Wall Museum: sumud, survival, and resistance under Israeli occupation in Bethlehem
Sumud Wall Museum Bethlehem [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T231237.260-720x540.jpg] In northern Bethlehem, a community-led project is preserving Palestinian experiences of life under occupation through public documentation. Centred around the Sumud Story House, the initiative gathers and displays personal testimonies in the shadow of the separation barrier. The separation barrier: creating a ghost town in northern Bethlehem ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sumud Story House [https://aeicenter.org/the-sumud-story-house-in-bethlehem/] of the Arab Educational Institute (AEI) is located in Northern Bethlehem and was opened in 2009. It is close to the sacred site of Rachel’s Tomb, also known as Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque. “Israel” has banned Muslims from accessing Rachel’s Tomb since it occupied the West Bank in 1967. During the 1990s, the site became an Israeli occupation military stronghold with the Jerusalem-Bethlehem checkpoint 300 close by. Then, in 2004-05, “Israel” erected the nine-metre-high concrete separation wall around the shrine. This entirely separated the holy site from Bethlehem, prevented any Palestinian access, and completely transformed the area. No less than 65 Palestinian shops, workshops and garages in the area closed their doors after the barrier was put up. Claudette Mubarak, director of Sumud Story House tells the Canary: > Before the wall was built, this area was full of life. It was very busy with people coming and going. But after it was constructed, people started to leave. Many shops and houses were now behind the wall so they couldn’t be accessed any more. There was no life in the area, and Palestinians were suffering a lot. People only came here if they wanted to pass through Checkpoint 300 and go to Israel. Social healing and sumud ------------------------ In 2009, the former director of the Arab Educational Institute (AEI) decided to help bring life back into the area. What these Palestinians needed was somewhere safe where they could meet, talk, express their feelings, process their trauma, and tell their stories. Women began coming together, and meeting on a weekly basis for cultural and social events. These meetings continue today, and have grown in size. Mubarak explains: > Through these meetings we collected a lot of stories from these women. We felt these should be used in some way, and written as a documentation. The women, the youth and the stories came from the neighbouring towns of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour. And also the nearby refugee camps and surrounding villages. Each story has been translated into English and made into a poster, so those visiting Bethlehem can see, read and remember them. At first, they were displayed in Sumud Story House. But staff eventually decided to move them somewhere more visible to the public. Sumud [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/11-scaled.jpeg] [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/10-1-scaled.jpeg] [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ye-scaled.jpeg] Mubarak says: > We decided to put them on the wall, as a way of non-violent resistance against the wall. In this way, people passing by can at least know about how the Palestinians live. The “Wall Museum” is a tool for advocacy, communicating about Palestine, especially for foreigners. We hope that one day the wall will fall, but the stories of course will remain. These stories talk about children, youth, and women. They are stories of living together as Christians and Muslims, of struggle, hopes and dreams. The “Wall Museum”- an act of preservation and resistance; sumud --------------------------------------------------------------- There are currently more than 270 personal stories, testimonials and poems in this open air documentation project. They are attached directly to the concrete separation barrier surrounding Rachel’s Tomb. Since October 2023, the worsening situation across the occupied West Bank has meant no new posters have been added, as the risks associated with documenting and displaying Palestinian experiences have grown. For the Arab Educational Institute, the Wall Museum is more than a cultural project. It is an act of preservation and resistance, ensuring that the lived experiences of Palestinians under occupation are publicly recorded rather than erased. Sumud is a concept, and literally means steadfastness or resilience. But it is more than staying on the land- it is a way of life. Palestinians love life, and each person has his or her own way of practicing sumud, which allows them to live their lives despite occupation. These people laugh, dance, continue their studies, and stay on their land, despite all the suffering and hardship the Israeli occupation intentionally inflicts upon them. Sumud [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/12-scaled.jpeg] Since the genocide in Gaza, sumud is one of the few things Palestinian people still have, according to Mubarak. She says: > Sumud is like the candle that gives people light in the darkness around them. This is the only solution they have nowadays. “Israel” has made sure life is never easy for Palestinians. But things are especially difficult for them now. They are currently living through the deepest economic crisis [https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2025/11/28/palestinian-economy-driven-to-near-total-collapse-by-israel/] ever recorded. More than 900 [https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/fact-sheet-movement-and-access-west-bank-april-2026] obstacles placed throughout the occupied West Bank have seriously impeded freedom of movement, while land theft, home demolitions [https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiYWFlNzc4MDUtMDg0Mi00M2EyLTlkMmUtYWEyMWQ0MzU1N2U2IiwidCI6IjBmOWUzNWRiLTU0NGYtNGY2MC1iZGNjLTVlYTQxNmU2ZGM3MCIsImMiOjh9], and settler violence [https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2026/05/20/israeli-settler-terror-unmasked/] is at a record high. Israeli occupation’s separation barrier steals vast tracks of Palestinian land ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Under the pretext of security, the Israeli occupation began building the separation barrier in 2002. But this has nothing to do with security. It is about stealing land. Its route does not follow the internationally recognised Green Line, which separates so called “Israel” from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Instead, this apartheid wall cuts through Palestinian land, in some areas extending as far as 22 km into the occupied West Bank [https://caabu.org/sites/default/files/resources/israeli-Wall-2015%20update.pdf]. It has divided Palestinian communities [https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-impact-20-years-barrier-december-2022] from homes, farmland, schools, workplaces and places of worship. In 2004 theInternational Court of Justice [https://news.un.org/en/story/2004/07/108912] (ICJ) declared “Israel’s” more than 700 km long separation barrier to be illegal. It said building should stop immediately, and reparations be paid to Palestinians for any damage caused. More than twenty years after construction began, the wall still dominates Bethlehem’s northern entrance. But alongside the concrete, another record has emerged. The testimonies displayed by the Sumud Story House document not only the physical consequences of occupation, but also the determination of Palestinians to preserve their history, identity and presence on their land despite decades of displacement, restriction and military rule. Featured image via the Canary By Charlie Jaay [https://www.thecanary.co/author/charlie-jaay/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
Mourinho claims he switched off the World Cup after 10 minutes
Mourinho [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T230159.244-720x540.jpg] Portuguese manager José Mourinho has admitted that he did not follow the 2026 World Cup [https://www.thecanary.co/topics/mens-world-cup-2026/] with the same enthusiasm he had shown in previous editions, stating that a number of first-round matches failed to live up to the standards of the world’s biggest football tournament, due to the significant disparities between some of the participating teams. The Portuguese manager made these comments whilst appearing as a guest on the Beast Mode On podcast [https://www.goal.com/en/news/video-jose-mourinho-exclusive-real-madrid-lionel-messi-england-world-cup-beast-mode-on-podcast/blt8cf507899928d228], hosted by former English striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, where he spoke candidly about his impressions of the tournament, noting that many matches lacked the competitiveness and excitement expected. Some World Cup matches made me switch off the telly, says Mourinho ------------------------------------------------------------------ Mourinho did not hesitate to express his disappointment, saying: > I have to be honest, there are some matches where I switch it off after 10 minutes. He clarified that his criticism was not aimed at the World Cup itself – which he described as the pinnacle of world football – but rather at the standard of play in some matches, which, in his view, did not live up to the tournament’s stature. Veiled criticism of the tournament’s expansion ---------------------------------------------- Mourinho’s comments contained an indirect criticism of the new format, which increased the number of participating teams to 48, after the group stage saw several shock results and matches decided by large margins. He said: > I don’t like this feeling. For me, the World Cup is the highest possible level. The whole world breathes football and that’s wonderful, but there can’t be results like 7–1 or 5–1. This is the World Cup. The Portuguese manager believes the tournament should feature evenly matched games between the world’s best teams, reflecting its stature and technical calibre. Morocco v Brazil… the match that won Mourinho over -------------------------------------------------- Despite his criticisms, Mourinho praised the clash between Brazil and Morocco, considering it one of the few matches that delivered the quality and excitement he expects from a tournament of the World Cup’s calibre. He added jokingly that on some nights he preferred to enjoy a quiet dinner and go to bed early, rather than stay up until the early hours watching matches that failed to hold his interest. Mourinho emphasised that he expects the quality of the matches to improve as the knockout stages begin, when the teams’ levels become more evenly matched and the competition intensifies. He concluded by saying: “I think I’ll really start watching in the second half of the tournament,” suggesting that, in his view, the real excitement begins with the knockout stages. Featured image via the Canary By Alaa Shamali [https://www.thecanary.co/author/alaa-shamali/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
Ronaldo aims to break a losing streak that’s haunted him for five World Cups
Ronaldo [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T225554.368-720x540.jpg] Although he has broken almost every possible [https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/world-cup/2026/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-comparison-childish-roberto-martinez-portugal-last-32-croatia_sto23313926/story.shtml] record in the world of football [https://www.thecanary.co/topics/football/], there remains one record that continues to elude Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash with Croatia in the second round of the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo is back --------------- Ronaldo goes into the match with 10 World Cup goals to his name, having added a brace against Uzbekistan during the group stage, thereby extending his lead at the top of Portugal’s all-time World Cup goalscoring charts. Ironically, however, all of these goals have come in the group stages, whilst the knockout rounds have proved an insurmountable hurdle for one of the greatest goal scorers in football history. Since his World Cup debut in 2006, Ronaldo has played seven matches in the knockout stages without scoring or assisting a single goal, emerging from every encounter without any goal-scoring contribution – one of the most curious paradoxes in his otherwise illustrious career. This run began at Germany 2006 against the Netherlands, England and France, continued at South Africa 2010 with elimination at the hands of Spain, and at Russia 2018 against Uruguay, before he failed to make an attacking impact in the matches against Switzerland and Morocco during the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Now, nearly two decades after his World Cup [https://www.thecanary.co/topics/mens-world-cup-2026/] debut, the “Madeira Missile” faces a new opportunity to break this historic jinx when he takes on Croatia in Toronto. This time, the stakes are not only on Portugal reaching the semi-finals, but also on Ronaldo’s ability to write a new chapter in his career by scoring that long-awaited goal and putting an end to what is almost the only negative statistic still haunting him in the world’s biggest international football tournament. Featured image via the Canary By Alaa Shamali [https://www.thecanary.co/author/alaa-shamali/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
Noise demo announced to confront anti-trans campaign group coming to London
CAN-SG trans [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T225137.695-720x540.jpg] A campaign group which wants to block gender affirming care [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2025/10/16/trans-people-human-rights-watchdog/] for trans people is coming to London for a conference as it continues towards its aim of: > structural violence against, and erasure of the trans community. Presenting themselves as a “respectable organisation”, the Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender (CAN-SG) is a group of medical clinicians who campaign against gender affirming care and allegedly aim to improve holistic support for trans people instead. However, activists from Trans Kids Deserve Better (TKDB) [https://www.instagram.com/transkidsdeservebetter] have raised serious concerns, arguing that the group is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They say it presents itself as reasonable, but that the reality is far bleaker. As a result, activists are calling for a noisy demonstration outside the conference on Sunday 5 July from 8:30am, with the exact location still to be confirmed. They describe it as both a “day of community and protest,” saying: > Together, we can oppose CAN-SG and defend trans healthcare. > View this post on Instagram > > A post shared by Trans Kids Deserve Better (@transkidsdeservebetter) [https://www.instagram.com/p/DaFZkiojgvG/] Perpetrators of “structural violence”, say activists ---------------------------------------------------- TKDB says that while CAN-SG presents itself as supporting “holistic care” for trans people, its stance on medical and social transition suggests its real goal is to roll back hard-won healthcare rights. They point to other groups that have already helped push through restrictions on puberty blockers [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/11/24/puberty-blockers-transactual/], warning that this success could pave the way for a wider push to end gender-affirming care altogether [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2026/06/11/nhs-international-trans/]. Moreover, they argue that, in practice, the approach of CAN-SG sidelines trans people which will undoubtedly chip away at understanding and support for a community that’s already under pressure. To push back against this huge step backwards, TKDB say they’ll “disrupt CAN-SG’s respectable image” with a loud, visible protest outside the upcoming anti-trans conference, adding: > We’ll have queer bangers from the sound system, snacks, and great vibes, so come along for a day of community as well as protest. The Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) is co-hosting the conference, teaming up with CAN-SG to argue that gender-affirming care can harm young people they describe as “experiencing gender-related distress.” However, that entirely misses the point: many trans young people are distressed because they’re trans and don’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. They argue that blocking access to support and understanding only makes things worse – increasing distress [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/12/08/trans-rcp/] and, despite the #FirstDoNoHarm [https://can-sg.org/] principle they hide behind, it will leave already vulnerable young people even more isolated. SEGM work against pro-trans reports ----------------------------------- On SEGM’s website, they published an article that sought to diminish the review [https://segm.org/utah-evidence-review-analysis] conducted by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. In contrast to the UK’s CASS [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2026/02/16/suicide-cass/] and the US’ Department of Health and Human Services reviews, the ‘Utah Review’ [https://www.transgendermap.com/issues/medicine/pediatrics/2025-utah-hhs-report/] concluded in their 1,051-page evidence-based report that: > hormonal interventions for gender-dysphoric youth are safe and effective and that their availability should not be restricted. Clearly, this rubbed SEGM up the wrong way and because it contradicted the highly criticised CASS review, they have been on a witchhunt to find a way of diminishing Utah’s findings, saying: > because the Utah Review’s conclusions regarding the net benefits of such interventions are demonstrably at odds with multiple existing systematic reviews of evidence, we evaluate whether the Utah Review adhered to appropriate methodological standards in the process by which it arrived at its conclusions and recommendations. It seems these groups are more interested in banning gender-affirming care than actually listening to the evidence. They don’t seem willing to consider that they might be wrong or to engage with research and perspectives that support trans people’s right to healthcare. Instead, they act like they care about trans people while brushing aside evidence about trans people’s lived experiences whenever it doesn’t fit their own bigoted, traditional views. Trans isn’t a mental health issue – it is biological ---------------------------------------------------- The LGBTQ+ community has spent decades fighting for equal rights, and that fight has never been easy in such a traditionally patriarchal society. It wasn’t even that long ago that homosexuality was a crime. Even Alan Turing, who played a crucial role in helping Britain defeat Nazi Germany, was subjected to cruel medical treatment because he was gay. [https://petertatchellfoundation.org/alan-turing-the-medical-abuse-of-gay-men/] Now, it feels like some people want to drag us back to a time when being LGBTQ+ was treated as something that needed to be “fixed” instead of accepted. They often wrap those views in the language of healthcare and concern, but many see that as a way of making discriminatory ideas sound more acceptable to the public. This is clear when reading the SEGM’s conference announcement which states the conference’s purpose as: [https://segm.org/London-2026] > We will also explore ethical tensions between autonomy and the duty to avoid harm, wider social influences – including rising youth mental health difficulties – and alternative psychotherapeutic approaches to supporting gender-distressed children and young people. Yes, it’s not chemical castration – but it remains the denial of a trans person’s reality simply because it isn’t convenient for bigots which will have medical consequences. Featured image via the Canary By Maddison Wheeldon [https://www.thecanary.co/author/maddison-wheeldon/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
ICC’s Karim Khan: Israel threatened my family for pursuing warrants
Karim Khan [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T224417.436-720x540.jpg] International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/12/30/david-cameron-israel-icc/] Karim Khan has said [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yj_J2y48aE] that Israel threatened his wife and children if he persisted in pursuing warrants for its genocidal leaders. Speaking to AlArabiya English, Khan also said that a 5,000-page report by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services had cleared him of all wrongdoing. Moreover, the ICC’s ‘Bureau’ – the ICC’s main oversight body – appointed three judges to digest the report. The judges confirmed on 21 March 2026 that there was not a single piece of evidence suggesting any misconduct by Khan. Despite the comprehensive findings, Khan has again been suspended by the ICC after US vassal states ganged together [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/06/11/icc-prosecutor-karim/] to force through a vote on the ICC’s 21-member ‘Bureau’ against him. Intimidate and vilify Karim Khan -------------------------------- Additionally, the US has imposed [https://www.thecanary.co/global/2026/06/19/israel-us-retaliatory-anti-palestine-campaign/] sanctions on Khan, as well as other ICC and UN officials who have spoken out against Israel’s crimes in Gaza. The Starmer government is moving [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2026/05/12/criminalise-defence-of-international-law/] to make it a criminal offence to defend international law when Israel is involved. UK spy firms have surveilled [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2026/05/13/icc-dutch-security-probe/] ICC officials, all part of the US-Israel campaign to intimidate and vilify officials who refuse to turn a blind eye to Israel’s terrorism. Continuing UK collusion, the Bar Standards Board has now also suspended Khan’s licence to practice as a barrister. Karim Khan said that he thought the report and the judges’ ruling: > would be the end of it, Why appoint judges if you’re going to reject their findings and their advice? … I think it’s astonishing, it’s unwarranted, and it’s unlawful. He clearly underestimated the extent to which state governments and institutions have been suborned and subordinated by the US and Israel. But Khan said that, in case he was in any doubt just how much Israel controls many politicians, twelve US senators got in touch to threaten his family: > 12 senators wrote and they said, “If you target Israel, we will target you and your family. You have been warned.” Uh, that’s almost a verbatim quotation. And so, one can say in this area at least, they are truthful and they’ve made good on their promises. Khan says that his family has stood firm with him and his faith in God has sustained him. But he says he will not stop fighting the forces arrayed against him: > we have to just keep fighting on all the fronts that uh um I’m being attacked on and uh I’ll do my best even though it’s extremely difficult. And I hope it’s not the end of my career. > > But I’ll simply say this, I won the legal case. I have the decision of three independent judges. Um I’m a simple person. I know a little bit about the law. I won in that forum. Where I’m a bit out of my depth is uh amongst big powerful states that have the full apparatus of ambassadors all over the world and some of them are very vociferous and organized in their lobbying for a particular outcome. > > And an individual you know, on a on a like me, it it’s difficult to deal with that because I’m not a politician. I’m a > international public servant. But I’ll do my best and we leave it to God and leave it to states to decide what they want to do… > > The future um is not in in my hands. All I can do is keep making the arguments and hope as the panel of judges did, they will see that there was no misconduct or abuse of authority established and reject this majority decision by the Bureau of the Assembly of State Parties. > > And from what people are saying it seems they got one more vote than they required. And I hope when all states > are there and they’re properly and more equitably represented uh some sanity and fairness can prevail but that’s not under my control. Watch the full interview below: By Skwawkbox [https://www.thecanary.co/author/skwawkbox/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
“Biggest crisis the forces of Hindutva are facing today”: Ram Temple corruption scandal rocks BJP
Hindutva Ram Temple [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T223926.350-720x540.jpg] According to The Quint, despite Modi’s BJP right-wing government [https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2026/05/28/hindutva-activists-eid/] being mired in scandal after scandal [https://www.thecanary.co/opinion/2026/05/29/india-us-tech/] and emerging unscathed, the latest crisis, the Ram Mandir donation theft, may be the biggest test for Hindutva yet. According to Al Jazeera [https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/6/29/stealing-from-the-gods-indias-ram-temple-hit-by-corruption-scandal], for the past month, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (UP), has been mired in allegations that its trustees have embezzled potentially millions of dollars in donations from devotees, diverting funds meant for the shrine into their own pockets. Echoing The Quint, Al Jazeera says the scandal could unravel the BJP’s carefully constructed image as the guardian of the Hindu faith and cost the party dearly in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections, due in early 2027. The temple, opened [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-lord-ram-temple-ayodhya-narendra-modi-rcna134654] in 2024 by Modi, was built on the site of a mosque destroyed by Hindu nationalist mobs in 1992. Hindutva hardliner eyeing succession to Modi -------------------------------------------- Yogi Adityanath, the UP chief minister and Hindutva hardliner and monk, has ordered [https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/ram-temple-theft-row-yogi-prospect-in-scandal-tough-stance-sangh-unease-at-crusade-prnt/cid/2167660] a tough probe into the temple theft, triggering unease in the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leadership. This has apparently put him at odds with the BJP central leadership and the RSS, with insiders viewing his tough stance as a bid to position himself as Modi’s political heir. While eight junior staff members involved in counting cash and valuables have been jailed, the high-profile trustees, including Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, have escaped arrest and merely tendered their resignations. Anti-Muslim symbol ------------------ Indian American Muslim Council has previously referred [https://iamc.com/a-celebrated-temple-in-india-is-also-a-symbol-of-the-countrys-anti-muslim-campaign/] to the temple as “a symbol of the country’s anti-Muslim campaign.” They have said: > The inauguration of the Ram temple implicitly commemorates one of the saddest chapters in Indian history: the hate-fueled destruction of the 500-year-old Babri Masjid [https://thewire.in/communalism/the-babri-masjid-demolition-inalterably-changed-the-trajectory-of-indias-history]. > > One of the country’s most historically significant mosques, the Babri Masjid was torn down by violent mobs in 1992, egged on by Hindu nationalist agitators. It was an enormous act of dispossession that sparked riots across India, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of predominantly Muslim Indians and the destruction of countless Muslim homes. The echoes of 1992 are still present everywhere in India. Just last week, prominent Muslim bodies, including the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, termed the continuous cycle of demolitions of Muslim religious places across the country as an “undeclared emergency.” > Prominent Muslim Bodies Term Demolitions of Religious Places ‘Undeclared Emergency’, To Seek Legal Reliefhttps://t.co/iebOEReabJ [https://t.co/iebOEReabJ] > > — The Wire (@thewire_in) June 26, 2026 [https://x.com/thewire_in/status/2070394125300691331] They have announced plans to file petitions in the high courts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh seeking the restoration of mosques, madrasas, and dargahs that have been demolished or served eviction notices. Anti-Muslim sentiment is a core tenet of the Hindutva project, and the Ram Temple itself stands as its most powerful symbol, a monument erected on the ruins of a mosque, commemorating an act of communal violence that killed nearly 2,000 people, mostly Muslims. But how much can the forces of Hindutva look away from the theft of devotees’ faith by their own trusted trustees? Featured image via the Canary By The Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/author/thecanary/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
Burnham’s policy speech shows he has gimmicks but little substance
Andy Burnham [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T223413.275-720x540.jpg] On 29 June, Andy Burnham gave the first major policy speech of his campaign to become prime minister. And to the surprise of few UK left-wingers, there’s little promise of radical change. Instead, there was a strong smell of ‘continuity Starmer’, with a nice gimmick and promise on top to sweeten the deal. Having already surrounded himself with [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2026/06/26/the-burnham-coup/] dodgy [https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2026/06/25/burnham-appoints-dwp-minister/] Blairites [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/06/24/burnham-labour-friends-of-israel/], Burnham was hardly worrying the billionaire class before this speech. And that situation won’t have changed much after hearing him speak. Because overall, it seems Burnham is just hoping to make pledges that sound nice but won’t scare away Labour’s [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2024/10/16/labour-donation-quadrature-israel/] wealthy donors [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2026/03/24/labour-together-funders/]. Burnham’s gimmick and pledge ---------------------------- For all of Burnham’s talk of differentness and changification, there are only two main points that really separate him from outgoing soul-destroyer Keir Starmer. Those are: 1. Gimmick: A “No 10 North [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgrk4rpxnx7t]” operation, running from Manchester. This would help to pull decision-making powers away from Westminster and closer to places outside London. Many would say devolution [https://blogs.qub.ac.uk/pb-happ/2024/02/12/devolution-across-the-uk/] worked for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, so it could be a good thing for England too. It just depends on how bold local politicians are (and most currently aren’t). 2. Pledge: “The biggest council house building programme since the post-war period. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgrk4rpxnx7t]” (This is the one to absolutely hold Burnham to account on if/when it doesn’t happen.) Other than these, there’s little cause for excitement. > So electoral reform? Abolishing the Lords & replacing it with an elected 2nd chamber? Restoring accountability by bringing academies back under local govt oversight? Nationalising all key infrastructure so we control it, not shareholders & foreign billionaires? > > Oh, none of that https://t.co/RM2U1AQD5w [https://t.co/RM2U1AQD5w] > > — Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) June 29, 2026 [https://x.com/SaulStaniforth/status/2071514493805363639] The BBC even noted that [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgrk4rpxnx7t]: > Andy Burnham’s economic goal is no different to Keir Starmer’s. Indeed, he reiterated that he would stick to Rachel Reeves’s self-imposed straitjacket and continue: > the discipline of our fiscal rules And there are reports [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c14yr0mgdp6o] that Burnham may pick awful right-wingers like Wes Streeting, Shabana Mahmood, or Ed Miliband to continue Reeves’s damage as chancellor. That’s about as hopeful as the possibility of Burnham bringing back Josh Simons [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/05/19/burnham-lt/] – who was very much part of the machinery [https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2026/05/15/labour-right-rebrand/] that forced Keir Starmer on the country. Another focus for Burnham would be to further “reduce the welfare bill [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgrk4rpxnx7t]” – as if that was somehow the reason for Labour haemorrhaging support under Starmer’s leadership (it wasn’t [https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2025/09/29/polling-expert-reveals-whats-really-pushing-people-away-from-labour/]). That definitely smells like the work of Burnham’s new chief of staff James Purnell, who loves welfare cuts [https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2026/06/25/burnham-appoints-dwp-minister/] as much as he loves vile apartheid states [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/06/24/burnham-labour-friends-of-israel/]. Burnham claims to want a “more collaborative politics” and “the broadest possible coalition”. But it seems for now that the only collaboration and coalition he wants is with the class of soulless corporate lackeys that’s already in charge. (Remember that he’s already dismissed the idea of inviting Jeremy Corbyn back into Labour [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2026/06/17/burnham-less-popular/].) Just the Labour right’s latest manoeuvre? ----------------------------------------- No 10 North – and the whole idea of Labour anointing the uninspiring Burnham [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2026/06/17/burnham-less-popular/] to lead – looks very much like a desperate attempt to show that Labour recognises it has been losing the north and is paying attention. And if Burnham actually oversees the “biggest rebalance of power [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgrk4rpxnx7t]” ever in the UK, it’ll be long overdue. However, there’s a reason support for Labour has been plummeting in post-industrial and coastal towns that have been suffering decades of decay. And that’s because it has been largely out of touch and ineffective [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2026/04/28/barnsley-local-elections/], offering ordinary people there little hope of a change in fortunes. That’s why, if Burnham wants to reverse Labour’s terminal decline, words and gimmicks won’t be enough. If, as he says, he wants to sort out the situation with utilities and ‘reindustrialise’ places that Westminster has left behind [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgrk4rpxnx7t], he will need to show tangible results within the three short years before the next general election. While we hope there are lots of positive improvements for ordinary people, though, we don’t think Burnham will bring them. We’ve had enough of ‘forensic [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q7XH6s-1b4]‘ leaders [https://www.thecanary.co/editorial/2020/05/15/if-the-medias-on-starmers-side-you-know-somethings-very-very-wrong/] (Starmer) with a “laser-like focus [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgrk4rpxnx7t]” (Burnham) that are too scared to do anything that meaningfully challenges the power and wealth of the billionaire class. We don’t need more leaders who think bond markets [https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2026/05/13/diane-abbott-demolishes/] matter more than stopping greedy corporations from bleeding us dry [https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/08/20/canarypod-podcast-episode-two/]. In his speech, Burnham reassured billionaires that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt their profits. And he hoped that a devolution gimmick and big housing pledge would be enough to stop the country throwing Labour in the dustbin of history [https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2026/02/27/greens-seismic-win/]. It could be, of course, but only if Burnham turns nice words into real results, and quickly. Featured image via the Canary By Ed Sykes [https://www.thecanary.co/author/oso/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
EXCLUSIVE: hard-right Jewish Chronicle targeting Mothin Ali, anti-Zionist Jew Tony Greenstein
Jewish Chronicle [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T222730.262-720x540.jpg] Notorious hard-right libel-factory [https://skwawkbox.org/2022/07/25/white-consulting-lawyers-as-litany-of-lies-harpin-smears-her-again-after-costing-employer-substantial-damages/] the Jewish Chronicle is preparing an attack on Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/03/06/mothin-ali-demands-apology-from-starmer/] – and well-known Jewish anti-Zionist Tony Greenstein [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/06/05/de-banking-greenstein/]. The article had not yet been published at the time of writing. The rag got itself into a crisis in 2024 after being caught out publishing made-up Israel articles [https://skwawkbox.org/2024/09/15/jewish-chronicle-in-crisis-as-made-up-israel-articles-are-deleted/] during the Gaza genocide. Before that, it paid out huge sums of cash to a string of left-wingers [https://skwawkbox.org/2021/07/22/jewish-chronicle-pays-damages-and-apologises-in-open-court-to-wadsworth-for-smears/] for blatant libels, mostly penned by ‘doge of phone-hacking’ Lee Harpin. Harpin has now moved on, but the paper hasn’t improved. So its ‘political editor’ wrote to Greenstein asking for comment – for an article attempting to stitch up Ali. Lorin Bell-Cross presented himself as outraged that anyone should compare banned anti-genocide group Palestine Action or victims of antisemitism smears to the famously (not so) well-mannered Suffragettes, or to civil rights campaigners. Even more outraged, too, that anyone should stand up for Jews who oppose Israel’s genocide. Friends of genocide at the Jewish Chronicle --------------------------------------------- And to support this nonsense, Bell-Cross provided quotes from a number of appalling human beings who shamelessly support the genocidal colony, along with some other friends of Israel talking points. The Jewish Chronicle political editor wrote: > Dear Mr Greenstein, > > My name is Lorin Bell-Cross and I’m the Jewish Chronicle’s political editor. > > I’m getting in touch because of a story I am writing regarding comments you made at the Greens for Palestine emergency meeting on 26 April. > > Some of the remarks from the meeting have already been covered by The Times [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/greens-deputy-leader-urges-legal-action-against-own-party-tj9jwgg7v]. > > But I have been made aware of comments you’ve made, appearing to compare Palestine Action and members suspended accused of antisemitism to the suffragettes and chartists. > > During the meeting, Green Party deputy leader Motrin Ali criticised the measures used to suspend party members, saying: “These are supposed to be used for extreme cases where there is serious risk, so, like a sex offender for example. We’ve just found a sex offender in our party, therefore we have to take immediate action because that person could be a risk”. > > You responded by saying that you had “already been told informally”, that “the aim is to expel people as quickly as possible, and if the fast track is intended for sexual abusers, child abusers, or what have you, then what we’re facing is an abusive process”. > > The deputy leader rapidly interjected to say that the process wasn’t one intended for sex offenders, but he’d just used sex offenders “as an example”…. those facing accusations “shouldn’t hide away” and “ shouldn’t abide by the determination that we should keep silent, because in doing so we’re actually aiding those who want to get rid of us.” > > Addressing Mark Adderley, who was suspended by the party as a candidate prior to the election, you said that as he was selected as a Green Party candidate he should “should ignore any attempts to make you do it differently, because that is your position, after all, it is a no-fault suspension. You are innocent until proven guilty.” > > You then compared those suspended to civil rights campaigners. > > “Don’t forget, every democratic advance and right in this country has been won by people who didn’t abide by the rules, from the Suffragettes to the Chartists, and of course Palestine Action itself”, you added, before claiming that the action against the direct action group amounted to rigging the system. > > You also said that said pro-Palestine members faced a “battle” and accused the State of Israel of being behind the crackdown on pro-Palestine campaigners and that the Jewish state was being abetted by “Zionist” Greens > > You went on: “I think we should be clear that this is being driven by the Israeli state, and in particular the Israeli embassy in this country, and I have no doubt that Zionist Greens are in contact with them constantly”. > > You added that anti-Zionist Jews were being deliberately ignored across the world: “Jews are used as a moral alibi for the imperialist alliance with Israel, if we don’t fit that, then we don’t exist, and that’s especially true in Germany, where the police have actually concentrated on Jews who are not part of the raison the reasons for state affiliation with Israel. So I think we should be in my bearing that in mind”. > > I am going to feature criticism of these remarks. > > Including from Luke Akehurst MP: “The Chartists and Suffragettes had no choice except to protest through direct action as they were fighting for democratic rights in a society where the franchise was limited to wealthy men. In contrast Palestine Action has every opportunity to test their ideology at the ballot box, but resort to violence because the democratically elected government doesn’t support their extreme anti-Israel stance.” > > And the Jewish Leadership Council: “For the deputy leader of the Green Party to criticise his own party’s disciplinary process on the occasions they appear to have actually taken action against antisemitism is deeply concerning. > > They continued: “Even more troubling is his engagement with disgraced former Labour Party member Tony Greenstein at a private meeting of the Greens for Palestine group where leaked recording show Greenstein comparing the proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action to the Chartists and the Suffragettes. At a time when the Greens should be showing that they are serious about tackling antisemitism in their ranks, Mothin Ali risks sending precisely the opposite message.” > > I also plan to note that you were expelled from the Labour Party > > https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labour-expels-campaigner-tony-greenstein-over-antisemitism [https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labour-expels-campaigner-tony-greenstein-over-antisemitism] > > And that the High Court threw out a libel claim from you against the Campaign Against Antisemitism on the grounds of honest opinion. > > Please get back to me within 24 hours if you intend to comment on the article. > > Yours sincerely, > > Lorin Bell-Cross Mr Bell-Cross may have been trying to protect himself against libel claims and IPSO complaints, but he was also giving away his agenda. Uncompromising response ----------------------- True to his long and usual form, Greenstein pulled no punches in his reply. In principle, the Jewish Chronicle should print it, but it will be interesting to see how much of it makes the cut (emphases added): > Dear Mr Bell-Cross, > > I am happy to speak to you in relation to your article, which of course I haven’t yet seen. But if you want my reactions to the above then my comments are as follows: > > i. No evidence has been produced of any anti-Semitism in the Green Party. These are the same false accusations of ‘anti-Semitism’ which were used to undermine Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour Party and which resulted in the election of Keir Starmer. Although there was a pretence that this wasn’t about Israel or Zionism it became clear early on that opposition to Zionism was the key concern of the Jewish Labour Movement and the BOD as it is in the Green Party. That is still the case. The only concern is the Zionism is Racism motion at the Green Conference [https://www.thecanary.co/opinion/2026/03/28/zionism-is-racism-green-party/]. > > ii. We know that Zionists and Zionism aren’t interested in genuine anti-Semitism, i.e. hostility or hatred of Jews as Jews but hostility to Israel as a ‘Jewish’ state.The evidence for this is plentiful. From Herzl’s admittance in his Diaries on June 12, 1895 that ‘the antisemites will be our most dependable friends, the antisemitic countries our allies’ to the actions of Israel and Zionists e.g. Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli inviting some of the world’s leading anti-Semites to his fighting antisemitism conference. This included Jordan Bardella of the French National Rally (formerly the National Front). Although I have to agree that there is a certain logic in inviting anti-semites to a conference on anti-Semitism as they probably know best about what is and is not anti-Semitism!! > > iii. Or the invitation of the Board of Deputies to Nigel Farage, who as a school boy went around telling Jewish pupils that Hitler was right and shouting ‘gas them’, to address their recent anti-Semitism demonstration, whereas Zack Polanski, the Jewish leader of the Green Party was not invited. > > iv. In other words the ‘anti-Semitism’ allegations are totally contrived and bogus. I have, after all, written a 500+ page book on the history of Zionist relations with anti-Semites, including the Nazis and it doesn’t make pretty reading. > > v. As far as the other allegations are concerned. I reject the idea that Palestine Action is a violent or terrorist group. The fact that they have been proscribed as such is simply an indication of the abuse of the law. Luke Akehurst and the JLC may object to the comparison with the Suffragettes but that was precisely the comparison that the Court of Appeal, in their recent abysmal decision on proscription of Palestine Action made when comparing what they termed the non-violent Suffragettes to Palestine Action. In fact the Suffragettes between 1912 and 1914 engaged in a campaign of bombing, physical assaults and arson [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/06/15/palestine-action-appeal-2/] that puts Palestine Action in the shade. > > vi. I also reject Luke Akehurst’s arguments that there is now universal suffrage unlike previous periods so we shouldn’t engage in direct action. The question of allowing Israeli arms factory Elbit to produce drones for use in a genocide has never been put to the electorate and we cannot wait 5 years when thousands of civilians, not least children have already been murdered. The number of people, mainly pensioners, who are prepared to defy the ban on Palestine Action and the use of terrorism against direct action groups testifies to the depths of opposition to the use of police state powers to outlaw what is termed ‘terrorism’. > > vii. However much the Jewish Chronicle tries to defend and whitewash the record of the Israeli state it will not succeed in hiding the truth of a state bent on ethnic cleansing to achieve racial purity and genocide. The recent UN Commission of Inquiry into the deliberate targeting of Palestinian children, the violence and sexual abuse and all the other crimes, makes sombre reading. Blanket denials won’t erase the truth. The fact that Israel refuses access to its prisons to the Red Cross says everything one needs to know about the kind of state Israel has become and the JC has become a propaganda paper not a paper of record as it used to be. > > viii. I fully support the objectives of Palestine Action. Genocide is the supreme crime against humanity and that overrides any secondary legislation. Aiding Genocide is also a crime as per the International Criminal Court Act 2001 but this law seems to have been left on the shelf. If opposition to Elbit is a crime then I’m happy to let history be the judge of who is right. Our unelected judges in their decisions are simply demonstrating their own immorality. > > ix. Yes I was the first Jewish person to be expelled from the Labour Party as part of the antisemitism smear campaign. However I wasn’t the last Jewish person to be expelled. At least 60 other anti-racist, anti-Zionist Jews were subsequently expelled. No evidence of anti-Semitism on my part was ever produced or even alleged. > > x. For some reason you quote my failed libel action against the Campaign Against Antisemitism. The CAA called me a notorious antisemite and I sued them. They had two defences under the Defamation Act 2013. One was that the allegation was true. The second defence was that even if it was untrue it was an opinion that could be held by an honest person and that meant the burden of proof was reversed. I had to prove they were malicious and it was too high a hurdle. However if the Courts had known then what is now known, viz. that the CAA behaved dishonestly in trying to get Reginald Hunter cancelled [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2025/12/23/bachram-vs-reginald-hunter-case/] then I suspect the decision would have been very different. Judge Michael Snow ruled (paragraph 21) that: > > ‘The CAA have demonstrated by the misleading and partial way in which it summarised its’ application and its’ wilful, repeated, failure to meet its’ disclosure obligations, that its’ true and sole motive in seeking to prosecute RH is to have him cancelled. I have no doubt that the prosecution is abusive. > > xi. One thing is for certain. No one, not the CAA or JC have ever been able to quote one single thing that I have said that is anti-Semitic. That is not surprising since I have been an anti-fascist activist all my life. I helped organise the recent demonstration in Brighton which stopped the fascists marching. There were no Zionists to be seen anywhere. On the contrary these days fascist marches aren’t complete without the mandatory Israeli flags because there is no state that anti-Semites love so much as Israel. And what is there not to love about Israel when it has Jewish neo-Nazis like Ben Gvir, Smotrich, Chikli Vaturi etc. in its government. > > If you wish to speak to me then my no. is [redacted]. > > Kind regards, > > Tony Greenstein The UK Israel lobby has continuously targeted the Green party [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/05/22/palestine-greens/] – the only Jewish-led major UK political party – because of leader Zack Polanski’s stand against Israel’s genocide [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/06/26/polanski-tells-burnham-ditch-israel/], and the similar stand of his deputies. Much of the infowar it is waging against Mothin Ali is deeply Islamophobic and puts Ali’s life and health in danger [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/03/06/mothin-ali-demands-apology-from-starmer/]. The Jewish Chronicle has rightly been described as publishing a [very costly] “litany of lies” [https://skwawkbox.org/2022/07/30/exclusive-labour-expulsion-letter-proves-harpin-libelled-audrey-white-again/]. The Greens are its target now more than Labour, but the methodology of the antisemitism scam is unchanged. Featured image via the Canary By Skwawkbox [https://www.thecanary.co/author/skwawkbox/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
‘Destroy Gaza including kidnapped soldiers’ – leaked clip again proves Israel’s Hannibal Directive
Hannibal Directive [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Morgan-2026-06-29T221954.412-720x540.jpg] A leaked [https://www.instagram.com/ireallyhateyou1948/] recording of senior Israeli military officers – and fascist ‘security minister’ Itamar Ben-Gvir – has again [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/06/09/mossad-chief-sacked/] proven that Israel ordered the killing of its own people [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2025/12/13/hannibal-directive-israel-admits/] on 7 October 2023. This is the so-called Hannibal Directive. The short clip was released with English subtitles at the weekend by independent journalist @ireallyhateyou [https://www.instagram.com/ireallyhateyou1948?e=2a8d3915-60db-4fc5-806c-8528b82cb58a&g=5], but first aired on Israel’s Channel 12 in February 2026. It shows Israel’s police command centre as it responded to the unfolding Palestinian raid across the border into southern Israel. S/he said of the clip: > In the first hours of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, while conversing with Israel’s Police Chief Kobi Shabtai, another senior officer calls to implement the Hannibal Directive, and destroy Gaza along with the Israeli captives. Minister Itamar Ben Gvir later arrives and orders to stop filming the meeting. https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71023-k12.mp4 [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71023-k12.mp4] [https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71023-k12.mp4?_=1] 15 hours of Hannibal Directive ------------------------------ The clip was shot very early on the morning of the raid. We know this because Israeli forces conducted ‘Hannibal Directive attacks’ on its own people, on average around three times an hour, from just after 6am that day until after 9pm [https://skwawkbox.org/2025/02/08/video-former-defence-minister-gallant-admits-israel-repeatedly-killed-its-own-people-on-7-oct-2023/]. The Hannibal order was clarified as “kill anything that moves” [https://skwawkbox.org/2025/03/01/anything-that-moved-israel-again-admits-mass-hannibal-killing-of-own-citizens-on-7-oct/] – hundreds of Israelis were killed, including most of those slain at the ‘Nova’ music festival. Israeli media admit this [https://skwawkbox.org/2024/07/16/israel-media-admit-idf-killed-large-numbers-of-own-citizens-troops-in-multiple-mass-hannibal-events/]. Israeli military figures have admitted [https://skwawkbox.org/2024/01/19/israeli-media-discussing-horrifying-mass-friendly-fire-killings-by-idf-but-uk-media-stay-silent/] killing an “immense” number of their own people. Israel’s then-defence minister, wanted war criminal Yo’av Gallant, admitted it [https://skwawkbox.org/2025/02/08/video-former-defence-minister-gallant-admits-israel-repeatedly-killed-its-own-people-on-7-oct-2023/] – and said he wished it had been used more. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly even tried to have one specific captured soldier killed [https://skwawkbox.org/2025/05/14/netanyahu-tried-to-kill-captured-us-israeli-soldier-idan-alexander-to-prevent-release-and-ceasefire/] before his release from Gaza to prevent a ceasefire. UK politicians and media continue to keep silent about it – and even attack those who expose it [https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2025/12/13/hannibal-directive-israel-admits/]. This allows the Israel lobby to keep lying about that day [https://skwawkbox.org/2025/08/27/this-must-read-thread-gives-a-summary-of-israels-pro-genocide-talking-points-and-why-theyre-lies/], claiming atrocities that were disproven almost as soon as the claims were made [https://skwawkbox.org/2024/03/10/video-unfounded-unverified-what-un-really-said-about-israels-hamas-rape-claims/]. UK politicians and media keep silent about those debunked lies, too. Israel is a terror state and the UK establishment is its enabler. Featured image via the Canary By Skwawkbox [https://www.thecanary.co/author/skwawkbox/] — From Canary [https://www.thecanary.co/feed] via This RSS Feed [https://www.thecanary.co/feed].
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