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LONDON: UK prosecutors Tuesday said they would appeal a court’s decision to drop a charge of supporting “terrorism” brought against a Northern Irish singer from punk rap group Kneecap.
“We are appealing the decision to dismiss this case as we believe there is an important point of law which needs to be clarified,” a Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said, referring to the case against Liam O’Hanna, also known by his stage name Mo Chara.
O’Hanna, 27, had been charged under Britain’s terrorism laws for allegedly displaying a flag belonging to the banned Lebanese group Hezbollah during a concert in November 2024.
But the case was thrown out by a London court last month after a judge found there had been a technical error in the way the charge had been brought.
Kneecap said the decision to appeal was “unsurprising” and called it a “waste of taxpayers money” in a statement posted on social media, repeating claims that the case was a “witch-hunt against Palestinian solidarity.”
“We will fight you in your court again. We will win again,” the group added.
O’Hanna, named Liam Og O Hannaidh in Irish, was charged in May when a video emerged from a November concert in London in which he allegedly displayed the Hezbollah flag, an offense the singer has denied.
But chief magistrate Paul Goldspring found the charge was not brought by prosecutors within the legal time limit, rendering it “unlawful and null.”
The band, which sings in Irish and regularly leads chants in support of Gaza during performances, has had multiple concerts canceled internationally over its pro-Palestinian stance and other controversies.
Canada last month barred Kneecap from entering the country, citing the group’s alleged support for Hezbollah and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
But its performance in Paris went ahead in September despite objections from French Jewish groups and government officials. The group also played the vaunted Glastonbury Festival in southwest England in June.

DUBAI: French Algerian model Loli Bahia brought a polished style to the Chanel runway during Paris Fashion Week recently, stepping out in a sharp suited look.

She wore a tailored charcoal-gray pantsuit featuring a structured single-breasted blazer with gold-tone buttons and matching wide-leg trousers. A cream knit top peeked out subtly beneath the blazer.

Her look was styled with a chunky gold-and-red statement chain necklace, a burgundy leather shoulder bag, and matching belt that coordinated with the accessories. She completed the outfit with two-toned beige and white heels.

Bahia shared the runway with Mona Tougaard who has Danish, Turkish, Somali, and Ethiopian roots.

Tougaard wore an ivory satin blouse with voluminous sleeves and a fitted waistband, paired with a black high-low skirt adorned with ivory feather embellishments that cascaded over layered black fabric.

These designs marked the debut collection of Chanel’s creative director Matthieu Blazy, who unveiled his vision for the century-old French fashion house with an evening runway show this week.

The presentation featured dropped waists and long, button-up shirts, concluding months of anticipation surrounding his first collection.

Blazy, 41, snagged fashion’s most coveted job in December. He is among several new designers recruited by labels seeking to spark the interest of inflation-weary shoppers.

Blazy’s debut at the Grand Palais in Paris drew several guests decked out in the brand’s signature tweed, the famous interlocking C logo visible on heels, jewelry and handbags.

Inside, gigantic, glowing planets hovered in the vast glass-and-steel exposition hall.

Models marched down the slick, black runway, parading low-waisted skirts, silk tops and elongated twin sets with frayed edges. Red carpet looks included full skirts with piles of colorful feathers, dresses with extra flounce and glittering knitwear.

Along with Chanel’s classic-look leather handbags, models also paraded what the brand called “crushed” versions in gold and silver with exposed seams and open flaps.

At the end of the show, the audience of over 2,000 gave Blazy a standing ovation as he ran out for his bow.

Blazy, who joined Chanel from Kering-owned Bottega Veneta, follows long-time Virginie Viard who left in June last year after a long collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, the creative force behind the modern revival of Chanel until his death in 2019.