Fifa urged to remove World Cup official over 'white supremacy' gesture

The Incident Involving Shaun Evans Fifa's discrimination monitor at the World Cup called for a video assistant referee (VAR) to be removed for appearing to make a hand gesture resembling a white supremacist sign. When the official broadcast of Germany's opening game against Curaçao on Sunday cut pre-game to show the team of VAR officials, Shaun Evans from Australia made an “OK” symbol with his right hand in front of his right leg. The Gesture and Its Implications “Advice from our experts is that the gesture used clearly resembles an upside down ‘OK’ hand symbol used as a ‘white power’ symbol in global far-right circles,” the Fare network, a longtime partner of Fifa and Uefa, the European football governing body, to monitor racist and discriminatory chants, flags and symbols at international games, said in a statement. “Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup,” Fare said in a statement, describing the gesture as “neo-Nazi.” The Data Analysis Shaun Evans is among 30 VAR officials selected by Fifa to work at the World Cup being played in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The gesture was designated a hate symbol by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League in 2019. The Impact Analysis The incident has raised concerns about racism and discrimination in football, and Fifa was asked for comment. In Australia, the Professional Football Referees Association and the governing body Football Australia were contacted for comment. It was unclear if Evans, working at his first game at the World Cup, was making a political gesture or playing a children’s game prank. The Prediction “Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him?” Fare said. “We note that in the two subsequent games it appears TV directors have stopped introducing the VAR panel to the TV audience.”

The LeadEngland's cricket team faces significant selection challenges ahead of the second Test against New Zealand as key bowler Ollie Robinson has been ruled out due to a knee injury. The setback comes as England is already dealing with the absence of regular captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson.The Injury SetbackSeamer Ollie Robinson, whose performance guided England to victory in the first test against New Zealand, will miss the second match due to a sore right knee. The 32-year-old experienced knee soreness after a training session on Friday and underwent a scan the following day, with the ECB calling up uncapped Henry Crocombe as cover. Robinson will remain with the squad and undergo rehab work on his knee ahead of the third test.The Team's Current ChallengesPlaying his first test in more than two years, Robinson took seven wickets including five in the first innings to be named player of the match as England won by 115 runs on a difficult wicket at Lord's. His absence adds to England's selection woes, with the pair of Stokes and Atkinson already left out of the second test following an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub.The Road AheadThe second match of the three-test series begins at The Oval on Wednesday. England will need to regroup quickly and find replacements for their missing players as they aim to maintain their lead in the series against New Zealand.

The World Cup 2026 Group Stage Continues The World Cup group stage continues on Monday, with four more matches taking place across the United States. Spain begin their campaign against World Cup newcomers Cape Verde, Belgium face Egypt in what could be one of the day’s closest games, Saudi Arabia take on Uruguay in Miami, and Iran meet New Zealand in Los Angeles. Spain vs Cape Verde: Predictions and Schedule Spain take on Cape Verde at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, with kickoff scheduled for 12pm local time (16:00 GMT). Spain are the clear favourites to win, but Cape Verde have already made history by reaching the World Cup for the first time. Opta’s predictions strongly favour Spain, giving them an 87.2 percent chance of winning the Group H opener. Belgium vs Egypt: A Close Match Expected Belgium face Egypt at Seattle Stadium in Seattle at the same time, with the Group G rivals also getting under way at 12pm local time (19:00 GMT). This one could be much closer than many people expect, with Opta’s predictions suggesting there is very little separating the sides. Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay: Past Encounters Saudi Arabia and Uruguay have met only once before at a World Cup. Uruguay won that match 1-0 in 2018. The predictions favour Uruguay, with Opta giving them a 64.7 percent chance of winning. Iran vs New Zealand: First Competitive Meeting Iran and New Zealand have only played each other twice before, and this will be their first meeting in a competitive match. The predictions give Iran the edge, with Opta giving them a 53.8 percent chance of winning. Beyond the Football: Other World Cup Stories Away from the football, Uruguay’s disrupted travel plans, divisions within Los Angeles’s Iranian American community before Iran’s opener, and Haiti’s inspiring return to the World Cup are all drawing attention beyond the pitch.

The Court's DecisionBritain's Court of Appeal has ruled that the government's proscription of the activist group Palestine Action as a "terrorist" organisation was lawful. The ruling on Monday came after the government lodged an appeal challenging a High Court ruling in February that banning the group under the Terrorism Act 2000 was unlawful and disproportionate.Legal BackgroundThe case stems from the government's decision to classify Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, which allows for more stringent measures against the group including potential asset freezes and longer prison sentences for related activities. The original High Court ruling in February had found this designation to be disproportionate, but the Court of Appeal has now overturned that decision.Implications for ActivismThis ruling sets a significant precedent for how activist groups in the UK can be classified under terrorism laws. The decision demonstrates a higher threshold for challenging such designations in the appellate courts, potentially making it more difficult for activist organizations to challenge similar government decisions in the future.Future Legal ChallengesWith this decision, the legal landscape for activist groups advocating for Palestinian rights has become more restrictive. Palestine Action and similar organizations may need to reassess their tactics and public engagement strategies to avoid falling within the expanded parameters of what constitutes terrorist activity under UK law.

The Unlikely Buyer of Diane Keaton's Personal Item Gustavo Egusquiza, a travel journalist and consultant from Bilbao, Spain, has a fascination with collecting celebrity memorabilia. He recently purchased Diane Keaton's nail clippers for $960 at an online auction. Egusquiza says he was drawn to the nail clippers because they were a personal item that Keaton would have used daily. The Auction and Its Surprises The online auction at Bonhams in New York started with a $200 estimate but quickly surpassed that, reaching over $600. Egusquiza admits to having doubts as the price rose but decided to go through with the purchase. The nail clippers were sold in a curated box with hair pins and safety pins. A Collection of Celebrity Memorabilia Egusquiza's collection includes a range of unique items from celebrities. Alongside Keaton's nail clippers, he owns Whoopi Goldberg's white ceramic teapot, a statuette from Larry King's office, and a signed Chris Levine portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. He plans to display the nail clippers in his office. The Significance of Celebrity Memorabilia For Egusquiza, collecting these items is about having a personal connection to the celebrities he admires. He says, "It is objects like this that reveal the intimate parts of a person's real life." His friends and family support his hobby, and he is proud of his collection. A Look into the World of Celebrity Estate Auctions The sale of Diane Keaton's nail clippers highlights the growing trend of celebrity estate auctions. These auctions offer fans and collectors a chance to own personal items from their favorite stars, providing a unique glimpse into their lives.

The Lead 'Familiar Touch' is a profoundly tender and sensual drama that follows elderly Ruth, played by American stage icon Kathleen Chalfant, as she adjusts to a major change in circumstances. The film hints at what's going on when Ruth treats everyday objects in unexpected ways. The Event Details The film tells the story of Ruth, who has significant short-term memory loss, although she can still recall the recipe for a complex dish like borscht. The story unfolds with an audacious economy, unveiling key details only when necessary. A middle-aged man named Steve arrives at her home, and when the staff at her new retirement community refer to him as her son, the reveal is shocking. The Performance Kathleen Chalfant gives an astonishingly nuanced, considered, and graceful performance as Ruth. Her portrayal requires no prosthetics, showy speeches, or weight fluctuations – just proper craft and actorly skill. The film also features a standout performance by Carolyn Michelle Smith as Vanessa, a Black carer Ruth interacts with. The Impact Analysis The film's director, Sarah Friedland, draws from her own experience with people with dementia, including her relatives and people she worked with in a care home. This background gives the film an intense focus on bodies and palpable sensation, connecting it to Friedland's work as a choreographer. The film's approach to Ruth's cognitive shift is affecting because it doesn't treat it like a great tragedy or a loss of self. The Prediction 'Familiar Touch' is set to make an impact in UK and Irish cinemas from 19 June. Despite its critical acclaim, the film's subtle and nuanced approach may make it a dark horse for awards recognition.

The Saharan Heatwave Hot weather is expected across Europe this week as heatwave conditions build over large swathes of the continent. A mass of hot air from the Sahara has settled over the Iberian peninsula and spread into southern and western France, pushing temperatures widely into the low- and mid-30s celsius. Temperature Forecast By midweek, the hot air is expected to spread north-eastwards across Europe, and on Friday, maximum temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-30s in several countries including Germany, Italy, and Czechia. Depending on the location, these readings are 9-13C above the 1991-2020 climate average. Impact on the UK The UK is unlikely to escape the heat entirely. Forecast models indicate that occasional plumes of warm air could move north from the continent on Thursday and Friday, nudging temperatures into the mid- to high-20s celsius across southern and eastern England. Duration of the Heatwave After up to five consecutive days in the mid-30s – meeting the definition of a heatwave in some areas – the heat is expected to ease for most by early next week. Global Weather Patterns Europe is not the only region experiencing above-average temperatures – parts of Australia are likely to continue their mild start to winter. A slow-moving low-pressure system south of South Australia is expected to draw warm northerly air across the eastern half of the country while bringing gusty conditions.

The Disruption at StanfordDuring a scheduled address by Google CEO Sundar Pichai at Stanford University, a significant portion of the graduating class staged a coordinated walkout. The protest was organized to voice strong opposition to Google's perceived role in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, specifically targeting the company's technology and cloud services used by the Israeli military.A Clash of Values: Corporate Leadership vs. Student ActivismThe event, intended to celebrate academic and professional achievement, was abruptly interrupted by chants and the departure of students holding signs. This walkout serves as a direct challenge to the tech industry's traditional neutrality, forcing a high-profile executive to address real-world geopolitical tensions on his own turf.Event Location: Stanford University graduation ceremony.Key Figure: Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet/Google.Core Issue: Alleged corporate involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict.Ripple Effects in the Tech SectorThis incident is not isolated; it signals a broader trend of activism permeating the tech workforce. Employees and students are increasingly demanding that tech giants take a definitive stance on human rights and geopolitical issues, moving beyond profit motives to social responsibility.The Future of Corporate ActivismWe can expect more high-profile disruptions at corporate events and campuses as student movements gain momentum. Tech companies will likely face increasing pressure to establish clearer ethical guidelines regarding their technology's use in conflict zones to prevent further internal and external friction.

On Sunday, Geneva police fired tear gas and activated a water cannon as a largely peaceful march against the upcoming G7 summit devolved into violent clashes, marking the most serious unrest in the city since the 2003 G8 riots.Escalation of the Geneva Demonstration into ViolenceAbout 20,000 demonstrators gathered in the Swiss city to denounce the gathering of leaders from the world’s richest democracies. While most participants marched calmly under a blazing sun, waving Palestinian flags and climate banners, a subset of black‑clad protesters broke away, smashed barriers, attacked upscale apartment blocks, and set cars ablaze—including a Tesla emblazoned with “Eat the Rich.” Police reported that roughly 600 “Black Bloc” activists were involved in the violent actions.Numbers Behind the Unrest: Participants, Police, and ArrestsEstimated peaceful marchers: 20,000Identified Black Bloc participants: ~600Police tactics deployed: tear gas, water cannonKey property damage: burning of a Tesla vehicle, damage near the UN European headquartersImplications for G7 Security and Public PerceptionThe summit, opening Monday in the French spa town of Evian, arrives as the first major international meeting since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran and amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The violence in Geneva underscores heightened security challenges and may amplify public scrutiny of the G7’s focus on conflict resolution and Western military alliances. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Evian to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders, while thousands of Swiss and French security personnel have been deployed around the lake region.What May Follow the Geneva Clashes?Authorities are likely to tighten perimeter security around the Evian venue, increase police presence in Geneva, and potentially adjust the summit agenda to address civil‑society concerns about militarism and Western foreign policy. Continued unrest could pressure G7 leaders to prioritize diplomatic pathways for the Iran and Ukraine conflicts, while also prompting a reassessment of protest‑management strategies in host cities.