Man tending grave probed for starting South Korea fires
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Man tending grave probed for starting South Korea fires Banzai Japan Music Video A 56-year-old man is being investigated in South Korea on suspicion of starting a deadly wildfire that killed 30 people. The man, who has not been named, was performing an ancestral rite by a family grave on a hill in Uiseong county, North Gyeongsang province, at the time. He has been booked – but not arrested – and will be called in for questioning once the investigation of the site has been completed. He denies the charges. Book Novotel Hotel On Sunday, officials said the main fires had finally been brought under complete control – 10 days after they started, causing widespread damage to buildings, including historic temples. Investigators reportedly spoke to the suspect’s daughter who is said to have told them the fire began as her father tried to burn tree branches hanging over the graves with a cigarette lighter. According to the Korea Forest Service, the fires burned more than 48,000 hectares – equivalent to about 80% of the size of the capital Seoul. They also destroyed an estimated 4,000 structures, including homes, factories and a number of national treasures. Goun Temple – a Unesco World Heritage Site – was among the temples destroyed in the blaze. It was built in 618 AD and was one of the largest in the province. Banzai Japan Music Video Most of the casualties were people in their 60s and 70s. Even though the main fire has been brought under control, smaller ones continue to reignite, authorities say. Fuelled by strong and dry winds, the fires spread to several cities and counties. Unseasonably warm weather, dry conditions and pine forests in the region also helped fuel the flames. An investigation involving the police, fire authorities, and forest management will be carried out next week. Acting President Han Duck-soo said the government would provide financial support for those who have been displaced by the fires. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson leaves UK on eve of court case
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson leaves UK on eve of court case Banzai Japan Music Video A senior judge has issued an arrest warrant for far-right campaigner Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – better known by his alias Tommy Robinson – after learning he has left the country on the eve of a major legal case against him. Yaxley-Lennon left the UK by a Eurotunnel train on Sunday night, despite having been arrested by Kent Police under counter-terrorism powers. Book Novotel Hotel The 41-year-old had been due in court on Monday for allegedly breaching an order not to repeat lies about a Syrian refugee. Mr Justice Johnson has ordered the warrant not to be carried out “until early October” to give Yaxley-Lennon time to confirm he would attend the next hearing voluntarily. His departure from the UK comes after thousands of his followers gathered in central London on Saturday in his support. In July 2021, Syrian teenager Jamal Hijazi won £100,000 in damages in a major defamation battle against Yaxley-Lennon, who had falsely accused him of being a violent thug, claims that spread across social media. A judge ordered him never to repeat the lies, but last year he began repeating his claims, including in a film distributed online. Yaxley-Lennon was ordered six weeks ago to come to the High Court on Monday to answer the allegation that he had ignored the judge’s order – a serious offence known as contempt of court. Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General, the government minister who oversees contempt of court allegations, today told Mr Justice Johnson that despite Yaxley-Lennon knowing of this morning’s case, he played the film again to his supporters on Saturday. The barrister said this public showing had been a “flagrant” and “admitted” breach of the court order not to repeat the false claims. On Sunday, the founder of the English Defence League went to the Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone, where police officers stopped him under counter-terrorism powers. When he allegedly refused to co-operate, he was arrested and held until 10pm before being released on unconditional bail and leaving the country. Mr Payter said: “We understand he failed to cooperate with a port stop and search. “The implication is he was attempting to leave the country and therefore was not intending to attend this hearing this morning “The information that we have is that he is not within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. He has been spending significant time outside the UK since being served with the contempt application on 13 June. “He returned for the purpose of publishing the film and sought to immediately leave the jurisdiction.” Banzai Japan Music Video The court heard the police officers who had held Yaxley-Lennon had no power to stop him leaving the UK. Mr Justice Johnson said he was “entirely satisfied” that the contempt of court application should proceed in Yaxley-Lennon’s absence. The judge issued an arrest warrant to detain the activist if, by October, he has returned to the UK but continues to refuse to cooperate. That decision to delay executing the warrant was to give him an opportunity to return and explain why he had failed to attend this morning’s hearing or to apply to have it set aside. If Yaxley-Lennon does not return, the case will be heard in his absence after 28 October – and could lead to a jail sentence. Tommy Robinson’s key convictions and other findings 2005: Jailed for assault occasioning actual bodily harm (12 months) 2011: Community order for football brawl (12 months) 2013: Travelling on another man’s passport to the USA (jailed for 10 months) 2014: Mortgage fraud (jailed for 18 months) May 2017: Contempt of Court finding, three months jail suspended for 18 months July 2019: Jailed for nine months for interfering with a grooming gang trial in Leeds. July 2021: Loses defamation case and ordered to pay Syrian refugee £100,000 July 2024: Fails to attend Contempt of Court hearing for allegedly repeating false claims about the refugee Other offences: Possession of drugs, threatening behaviour and breach of court order Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins reinstated on X
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins reinstated on X Banzai Japan Music Video Anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson has had his account reinstated on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was reinstated alongside political commentator Katie Hopkins. Hopkins was banned in 2020 and Robinson’s account was suspended in 2018 – Twitter accused both of breaking its rules on hateful conduct. A number of controversial figures have been allowed back on the platform since it was bought by Elon Musk last year. Book Novotel Hotel In November 2022, Mr Musk – a self-styled “free speech absolutist” – announced a “general amnesty” to suspended accounts that had “not broken the law or engaged in egregious spam”. Research by BBC Monitoring found that of 1,100 reinstated accounts it examined, nearly 190 were promoting hate and violence. X has also reinstated the controversial influencer and self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate, whose accounts are banned by YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Nick Lowles, chief executive of anti-hate campaigners Hope Not Hate, criticised the latest move by X. “Reinstating Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins means Elon Musk is allowing hateful content and misinformation to take place on his watch on X/Twitter,” he said. The group said it would be writing to X to “make it clear the danger that their content poses”. Banzai Japan Music Video Hopkins, a former LBC presenter and MailOnline columnist, has repeatedly attracted criticism for her views – including an incident where she compared migrants to cockroaches and another when she claimed that a photograph of a drowned three-year old Syrian refugee had been staged. In 2017 she caused anger when she tweeted that there must be a “final solution” to dealing with terrorists following the Manchester Arena attack. She later changed the term “final solution” to “true solution”, describing the earlier version as a “mis-type”. Hopkins had more than one million Twitter followers before her permanent suspension in 2020. The ban was for violating the platform’s hateful conduct policy but it did not, however, say which of her tweets had prompted the action. Following her reinstatement Hopkins posted on X: “Thank you @elonmusk. And thank you to all the Twitter family who have brought Tommy & I back to @X. “Know this. You are not alone. We are many. And we are stronger together. The fight back for your freedom is on.” Robinson founded the far right English Defence League, best known for protests against what it calls “radical Islam”, but stepped down in 2013. In July 2021 Robinson was ordered to to pay £100,000 in libel damages to a Syrian schoolboy who was filmed being attacked in a playground. In two videos posted to Facebook, Robinson made a number of false accusations about the boy. In November 2013, Robinson pleaded guilty to fraud, and he was subsequently jailed for 18 months. He also has convictions for stalking, assault, using someone else’s passport, using threatening behaviour and contempt of court. Premium boost Mr Musk and X have repeatedly proclaimed “freedom of speech, not reach” as a mantra, meaning that they intend to provide free speech for all – while simultaneously limiting the reach of offensive and misleading posts. In practice, it hasn’t always worked that way, and many accounts prone to spreading misinformation on the platform have access to X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue). For Premium subscribers the platform actually boosts their posts in the algorithm. Thousands of accounts that were previously banned from Twitter have been reinstated since Mr Musk’s takeover. These include accounts with fringe views that were suspended for hateful conduct, accounts that shared health misinformation and anti-vaccine content during the Covid pandemic, and those that spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 US election. Some of those accounts have since been resuspended by X for repeating past offences. The BBC has approached X for comment. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson charged after attending antisemitism march in London
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson charged after attending antisemitism march in London Banzai Japan Music Video Tommy Robinson has been charged after attending a rally against antisemitism in central London. Organisers estimated 100,000 people took part in Sunday’s march, said to be the first of its kind since the Israel-Gaza war began. The English Defence League founder had been asked not to attend by organisers and was arrested by police. He has been charged with failing to comply with an order excluding him from the area of the march, the Met said. Book Novotel Hotel The 40-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, has been bailed and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 22 January. Mr Robinson was arrested near the Royal Courts of Justice in London, from where the demonstration began on Sunday, after organisers said he would not be welcome at the event. Banzai Japan Music Video The Met Police said: “A man has now been charged in connection with this incident. “Stephen Lennon, of Bedfordshire, has been charged with failing to comply with a Section 35 direction excluding a person from an area.” Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson denies refusing to leave antisemitism march in London
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson denies refusing to leave antisemitism march in London Banzai Japan Music Video Tommy Robinson has denied refusing to leave a march against antisemitism in central London. The English Defence League founder, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of failing to comply with a dispersal order. Book Novotel Hotel He was arrested near the Royal Courts of Justice in November after organisers said he was not welcome at the event. The 41-year-old, of no fixed abode, is due to appear at City of London Magistrates’ Court for trial in April. Banzai Japan Music Video Bail conditions that prevent Mr Robinson from entering within the M25, or attending or organising a protest within London, remain in place. Organisers estimated 100,000 people took part in the march on 26 November. The rally was said to have been the first of its kind since the Israel-Gaza war began. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson case collapses over police paperwork
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson case collapses over police paperwork Banzai Japan Music Video Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been cleared of breaching a dispersal order after a judge ruled the power had not been legally authorised. The 41-year-old, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was arrested at a march against antisemitism after organisers said he would not be welcome. A senior Met Police officer who signed the dispersal order had previously told Westminster Magistrates’ Court he had used the wrong date. On Tuesday, District Judge Daniel Sternberg ruled there was no case to answer. Following the verdict, Mr Robinson announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he was planning to sue the Metropolitan Police. He posted: “The next time I see you lot in court it’s going to be you having to defend your actions.” Book Novotel Hotel The responsibility of policing certain aspects of the protest, which was being held in Westminster, central London, fell to Insp Steve Parker-Phipps. The court heard the inspector imposed a Section 35 order under the Crime and Policing Act 2014 when he thought a “right-wing group” could potentially be attending. Insp Parker-Phipps, whose laptop battery was “dying”, put the order in place at 10:00 GMT on 26 November, but accidentally dated the form for 24 November. Mr Robinson’s defence lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, told the court there had been a “litany of catastrophic errors” in the Met’s handling of the incident. Questioning the inspector, Mr Williamson said: “This document is not correct is it? “Can we have any confidence that there was a lawful order in place?” To which the inspector replied: “No.” Banzai Japan Music Video ‘No case to answer’ Giving his ruling, District Judge Daniel Sternberg said: “I am not satisfied there was a legal authorisation. “There is no case for you to answer.” The hearing was attended by numerous supporters of Mr Robinson who filled the public gallery. During his arrest, officers sprayed the English Defence League founder with synthetic pepper spray and handcuffed him. He uploaded a video of himself with partially closed eyes to social media after the incident. Other footage of him arguing with police officers was also posted on his X account, with Mr Robinson claiming to be present as a journalist at the march. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Thousands join Tommy Robinson march in London
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Thousands join Tommy Robinson march in London Banzai Japan Music Video Thousands of supporters of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson have filled Trafalgar Square in central London after a march. He claimed the event was the “biggest patriotic rally” the UK had ever seen. A counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project also took place in London. The Metropolitan Police said a major operation was in place to “keep the peace” between the two protests, amid fears of serious disruption. A Trans Pride event was also held in the capital. Book Novotel Hotel Amid a sea of England and Union Jack flags, Tommy Robinson’s supporters listened to speeches attacking immigration and promoting “patriotism”. He received a loud cheer in Trafalgar Square when he asked the crowd how many of them had voted for Reform at the general election. He revealed he had asked Nigel Farage to speak at the protest, but said the Reform leader had told him he “couldn’t make it”. At the anti-racist counter-protest nearby, Jeremy Corbyn gave a speech, and demonstrators held placards reading “no to racism, no to hatred” and chanted “we won’t be silent”. Banzai Japan Music Video The Metropolitan Police said five arrests had been made: Two men were arrested on suspicion of “GBH-level [grievous bodily harm] assault” after a participant in the Stand Up To Racism demonstration was assaulted in Victoria Embankment Gardens, the Met said. The victim sustained a head injury and was given first aid by officers A member of the public was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a steward at Trans Pride, and another man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and a racially aggravated public order offence after a police officer was kicked One man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence after allegedly snapping a Palestinian flag and making a racially abusive remark. The Met Police has not said whether the five arrested people were participants in any of Saturday’s protests. Ahead of the marches, police barricaded Whitehall and mobile units were parked in side streets around Westminster. One thousand officers were on duty and Scotland Yard used powers under the Public Order Act to place strict conditions on the timing and location of both protests. The Met said officers would remain on duty after the marches had finished. Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who is in charge of the weekend’s operation, said police would “intervene decisively” to deal with protesters who broke the conditions. He said: “Our first priority is to keep the peace to ensure that those exercising their right to lawful protest can do so safely.” Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, faces contempt proceedings at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday after being accused of continuing to talk online about a libel case he lost in 2021. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
St Johnstone probe MacPherson over Tommy Robinson post
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel St Johnstone probe MacPherson over Tommy Robinson post Banzai Japan Music Video St Johnstone FC are investigating after midfielder Cammy MacPherson shared a post on social media by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The 25-year-old retweeted a film made by the English Defence League founder, in which he repeats false claims he made about a refugee that led to him losing a libel case in 2021. Fans of the club voiced anger over the post on social media – after which MacPherson removed the retweet and made his X profile private. The BBC understands St Johnstone has been made aware of the matter and is dealing with it internally. Book Novotel Hotel It comes after violent unrest involving far-right groups in cities across England and Northern Ireland over the last week. Police officers have been injured, places of worship attacked and businesses set on fire – including a Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, near Rotherham, used to house more than 200 asylum seekers. The disorder began the night after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a dance class in Southport. Convicted criminal Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has since posted about “pro-UK” rallies in cities including Glasgow next month, saying “the British are rising”. MacPherson reshared a post by Yaxley-Lennon from 27 July, two nights before the stabbing, promoting his film as “Britain’s banned documentary”. St Johnstone supporters were quick to voice their disapproval. One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “When you’ve got lots of good people as Saints do trying to build an inclusive club, having your starting midfielder retweeting [expletive] Robinson is absolutely minging.” Another said: “Seeing Cammy MacPherson retweeting bile from Tommy Robinson confirms the boy’s an absolute clown as well as a hopeless footballer, quicker he is out the team the better.” Banzai Japan Music Video Yaxley-Lennon – an anti-Islamist activist – is the subject of an arrest warrant after leaving the country on the eve of a major legal case against him. His Twitter account was suspended in 2018 as the company accused him of breaking its rules on hateful conduct. However he was reinstated on the platform last year after it was bought by Elon Musk. Earlier former Twitter executive Bruce Daisley said that Mr Musk was “largely responsible” for bringing Robinson back onto the platform. He said this had amplified Robinson’s voice “to the extent that he has gone from really the bargain basement of politics to being one of the biggest names orchestrating potentially this ongoing racial conflict”. He added: “So I think Elon Musk is playing a pretty pivotal role, and it’s why it’s such a challenge to try and to prohibit or to regulate what he’s actually doing right now.” Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Rapper to face trial over Tommy Robinson video
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Rapper to face trial over Tommy Robinson video Banzai Japan Music Video A rapper from Birmingham is set to face a trial after posting an allegedly “menacing” video mentioning Tommy Robinson. Omar Abdirizak – known as Twista Cheese – pleaded not guilty to sending a grossly offensive or menacing message via a public communications network at the city’s magistrates’ court on Friday. Book Novotel Hotel A previous charge of conveying false information was dropped. The 30-year-old from Sparkbrook, Birmingham, was granted unconditional bail until the trial on 8 January. Banzai Japan Music Video Mr Abdirizak is alleged to have made the video he posted on social media between 1 and 10 August, before it was then shared by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, on X. In court, the accused was told a police officer would be the sole witness at the forthcoming trial. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson facing new contempt of court allegations
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson facing new contempt of court allegations Banzai Japan Music Video The far-right activist Tommy Robinson is facing a second serious legal action for contempt of court, weeks after leaving the country on the eve of another case. The Attorney General’s Office launched the new action against Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, over alleged breaches of a court order not to repeat defamatory lies about a Syrian refugee. Yaxley-Lennon has not been seen in the UK since he left the country hours before a court case concerning related allegations. The High Court has said it will order the 41-year-old’s arrest if he ignores the case. Book Novotel Hotel Contempt of court is a serious offence against the workings of the justice system. The government definition, external of the offence includes “disobeying or ignoring a court order” – and those found guilty can go to prison for up to two years, get a fine, or both. In July 2021, Syrian teenager Jamal Hijazi won £100,000 in damages following a major defamation battle after Yaxley-Lennon spread false allegations accusing him of being a violent thug. A judge ordered him not to repeat the claims, but last year the founder of the English Defence League returned to them and included them in a film distributed online to his followers. In June, Yaxley-Lennon was ordered to the High Court to answer the allegation that he had ignored the judge’s order. Banzai Japan Music Video Two days before that scheduled hearing in July, Yaxley-Lennon repeated the claims to thousands of his supporters in London’s Trafalgar Square – and the following day took a Channel Tunnel train to France. The Attorney General’s Office said that the latest contempt allegations included the showing of the film at the rally, its publication on the X platform and related instances of alleged breach of the court order in three online interviews. A hearing over the original and new allegations will be held on October 28. The film remains pinned at the top of the Tommy Robinson X account – and in the introduction he stands outside the High Court and accuses judges of gagging him. This afternoon, the account was updated with a message launching a petition and accusing the judiciary of “continued persecution”. Hours after the London rally on 28 July, Yaxley-Lennon went to the Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone, where police officers stopped him under counter-terrorism stop-and-search powers. When he allegedly refused to co-operate, he was arrested and held until 22:00 BST. He then left the country. During the subsequent riots, which developed out of conspiracy theories often promoted on the Tommy Robinson social media channels, critics say he inflamed tensions. One post on his X account declared “Now is the time”. It is not clear whether Yaxley Lennon personally published the post and it was later deleted. When BBC News asked him to clarify why it had been posted, he publicly replied with an F-word response. The High Court has issued an arrest warrant for Yaxley Lennon’s arrest – but it will only be triggered if he does not contact the court by 2 October, to allow him the opportunity to agree to turn up voluntarily on 28 October. So far he has not contacted the court. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol