GMP issue statement after chaotic scenes between demonstrators and officers at Palestine protest

Selome Hailu South by Southwest will not receive sponsorship from the U.S. Army for its 2025 festival, a decision made after multiple pro-Palestinian protests and boycotts earlier this year. “After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model,” reads a statement on the SXSW website.

Bambie Thug spoke to NME at Download 2024, telling us about life after Eurovision, using music as a force for change, festivals representing minorities, and their plans for the future.This year marked the Ouija-pop singer’s first time on the main Apex Stage at the Donington Park festival after debuting on the smaller Dogtooth Stage back last year. It also followed them competing in the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this spring, where they represented their native Ireland with the show-stopping track ‘Doomsday Blue’.They came in sixth place – Ireland’s best performance in 25 years – and made headlines for their vocal support of Palestine amid the conflict in Gaza, and for voicing their frustration at Israel being allowed to compete in this year’s competition.“The uptake in fans and support has been incredible,” they told NME of life since Eurovision.

Dua Lipa is speaking out about her support for the Palestinians in Gaza.

Jerry Seinfeld was seen responding to a pro-Palestine heckler at his latest comedy show on June 17.The comedian was appearing at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, when his show was interrupted by an attendee who was giving a message in defense of Palestine.A video shared by the Australian Jewish Association shows the heckler shouting (via Variety): “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”As the heckler was being removed from the building, the Seinfeld creator used sarcasm to criticise him, saying to the audience: “We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen. He solved the Middle East!”Seinfeld, whose remarks were met with cheers from the audience, continued: “It’s the Jewish comedians, that’s who we have to get! They’re the ones doing everything.”Jerry Seinfeld demolishes anti-Jewish heckler.

Crash, out June 21, the singer-songwriter has been preparing for their Las Vegas residency at LIV Nightclub and fundraising with in support of families in Palestine, Congo, and Sudan. Kehlani and the collective have raised $555,000 to date.Despite their busy schedule, Kehlani still manages to find the time for leisurely activities like and self-care. Prioritizing moments to decompress is exactly why the 29-year-old is able to do at all.

shows.“We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen. He solved the Middle East!” Seinfeld joked.Jerry Seinfeld demolishes anti-Jewish heckler.

Police have launched an urgent appeal to find a missing woman with dementia who caught a bus and hasn't returned home.

A 'young child' was reportedly rushed to hospital after being injured in a crash on a main road in Westhoughton on Sunday afternoon (June 16).

Barclays bank customers are being encouraged to switch their accounts following a series of protests by pro-Palestine group, Palestine Action.

Bambie Thug has dedicated a performance of The Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’ at Download Festival to the people of Palestine.The artist, who memorably represented Ireland at this year’s Eurovision, played the Apex Stage at the Donington festival yesterday (June 14) and took the time to highlight the cause that is close to their heart.After singing the track ‘Trash’ from inside a wheelie bin, Bambie said, “You know what else is trash? Governments that allow genocides to happen. Our voices are more important than ever.”They then played a cover of ‘Zombie’, a song about the innocent victims of political violence, before rounding off the song with a cry of “Free Palestine”.Bambie had previously shared a recorded version of the cover earlier this year, which you can listen to below.The musician spoke to NME in May about playing the main stage of Download Festival this weekend, calling it “mental”.“I can’t wait,” they told NME. “After Eurovision I was like, ‘I’m going to be so bored’.

Enter Shikari have spoken out after Barclays Bank withdrew from sponsoring Download, Latitude and Isle Of Wight festivals following an artist boycott.A number of bands had dropped out of the Donington Park festival in protest at their commercial partnership with Barclays, including Pest Control, Scowl, Speed and Zulu.Pest Control wrote that they “would not take part in an event whose sponsor profits from facilitating a genocide”, while Scowl added they were boycotting due to “Barclays Bank sponsorship of the event and Barclays’ connection to Israel and the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine.”And now, it appears that Barclays have withdrawn their sponsorship of Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight Festivals, with the bank no longer being listed on their official websites.In a response shared with NME, Latitude confirmed the news, saying: “Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of Latitude Festival.”NME have also contacted Download Festival for comment.Enter Shikari, who are set to play the main stage at Download this weekend, have responded to the news with a lengthy social media post, which read: “There has been mounting pressure for bands to drop out of Download festival due to the involvement of Barclays Bank.”A post shared by enter: shikari (@entershikari)“We have been in talks with Download themselves, expressing our serious objection at Barclays involvement. We have considered all options, and along with other artists have been working tirelessly on this.”“We don’t believe in rushed reactions and always want the best outcome for all involved.

Two disruptions marred the annual Congressional Baseball Game last night in Washington, D.C.

System Of A Down‘s Serj Tankian has weighed in on the current situation in Palestine and the movement to boycott companies with ties to Israel.Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 in response to its occupation of Palestinian territories, killing 1,189 people. Israel’s ongoing operations in the interim have killed 37,702 Palestinians [via Al Jazeera].Recently, record labels, promoters and more have called for a cultural boycott of Israel through the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), an offshoot of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) which was behind the huge wave of drop-outs from The Great Escape, Latitude Festival and Download Festival this year.In an interview with NME about his new autobiography Down With The System, Tankian has given his take on current world events and the ongoing boycotts.

Addie Morfoot Contributor One of the first feature-length documentaries about the repercussions of the Israel-Hamas war, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, is being released today on “Frontline.” Nonprofit news organization Retro Report and “Frontline” teamed up on “Crisis on Campus,” about America’s ongoing college campus conflict ignited by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Download 2024 yesterday (June 10) over its partnership with Barclays Bank – which has ties to Israel – have announced a show together in Birmingham to raise money for Palestine.Pest Control were the first band to pull out of the Donington Park festival, saying that they would not “take part in an event whose sponsor profits from facilitating a genocide.” Later on, Scowl, Speed and Zulu all followed suit, with Scowl revealing that Pest Control had alerted them to the issue.This Friday! A benefit for Palestine

Latitude 2024 due to the festival’s sponsorship with Barclays and its ties to Israel.They are the two leading names when it comes to the comedians who are boycotting this year’s edition of the event, and follow numerous musical acts who are refusing to perform while it is still sponsored by the bank.Joanne McNally announced her withdrawal from the festival last week, when she shared an update online. She was set to close the comedy tent at Latitude 2024, which will be held at Henham Park in Suffolk between July 25 and 28.“I’m getting messages today about me performing at Latitude when it’s being sponsored by Barclays,” she began on Instagram (via Goss.ie).

Scowl, Speed and Zulu have become the latest bands to pull out of Download 2024 over its partnership with Barclays and the bank’s ties to Israel.The news follows a similar move from Leeds hardcore band Pest Control who announced they would be pulling out earlier today (June 10), saying that they would not “take part in an event whose sponsor profits from facilitating a genocide.”In a statement posted to their social media, Scowl wrote: “We will not be playing Download fest this year due to Barclays Bank sponsorship of the event and Barclays’ connection to Israel and the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine.“Free Palestine!”They directed fans to the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign for more information and thanked Pest Control “for bringing this to our attention”.Meanwhile, Speed wrote on their social media accounts: “SPEED will no longer be playing Download Festival this Friday June 14 due to the recent news of Barclays Banks sponsorship of the event and their involvement in the war in Gaza.”Zulu announced they would be dropping out shortly after. In their statement, they said: “We will not be playing Download Festival as we just got word about Barclays Bank and their sponsorship of the fest.

Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).The campaign has called for the boycott amidst the ongoing developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict, which recently saw Israel carry out an airstrike operation in Rafah. The airstrike was estimated to have killed at least 37 people between May 27-28, according to The Associated Press.They also reported the attack caused several tents to catch fire, killing more residents in Rafah, which is home to thousands of displaced Palestinians from all over the Gaza Strip.Now, music organisations, labels and promoters such as Dark Entries, Techno Queers, Dweller, Noise Not Music, Night Slugs, 8-ball community, Gold Bolus Recordings, NYC Noise, FIST and many more have committed themselves to the boycott.PACBI is an offshoot of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS), which was behind the huge wave of drop-outs from The Great Escape and Latitude Festival this year.

A Greater Manchester Barclays branch has been taped off by police after its windows have been smashed and walls daubed with red paint.

Modelling sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid have pledged to donate $1m to support Palestinian relief efforts.