Kneecap voices support for Palestine during Oslo performance
Kneecap voices support for Palestine during Oslo performance/node/2611219/lifestyle
Kneecap voices support for Palestine during Oslo performance
The group performed in Oslo, Norway. (Getty Images)
Short Url
https://arab.news/gkvqs
Updated 18 sec ago
Arab News
Kneecap voices support for Palestine during Oslo performance
Updated 18 sec ago
Arab News
DUBAI:Irish rap group Kneecap continued to voice their stance on the war in Gaza during their performance in Oslo, Norway, on Friday.
Just before the trio— Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai — took the stage, a message in white text on a black background appeared on a video screen, accusing the Norwegian government of “enabling” the “genocide” against Palestinians through investments in the country’s sovereign wealth fund, referring to it as the “oil pension fund.”
“Over 80,000 people have been murdered by Israel in 21 months,” the band’s message continued, “Free Palestine.” The message was received with cheers from the audience.
Kneecap has supported the Palestinian cause throughout the war in Gaza. The band has been the center of controversy in Britain since last year, when the previous government sought to block an arts grant for the band, citing its anti-British politics. That decision was overturned after the Labour Party won last year’s parliamentary election and Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office.
Last month, the group was banned from entering Hungary for three years over accusations of antisemitism.
They were due to perform at the Sziget Festival on Aug. 11.
Kneecap said in a statement that their ban was a “further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.”
At Glastonbury Festival this year, Chara accused Israel of committing war crimes against the Palestinians.
More than 150 Hungarian artists and musicians signed a petition against Kneecap playing at Sziget.
But festival organizers said that the government’s ban was “both unnecessary and regrettable,” adding the group had “reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget’s values or Hungarian law.”
Celebrity stylist Cedric Haddad launches first online masterclass
Updated 3 min 25 sec ago
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Dubai-based Lebanese celebrity stylist Cedric Haddad has unveiled his first online personal styling masterclass, partnering with Maharat to bring his expertise to a wider audience.
Known for dressing some of the Arab world’s biggest stars, Haddad said that the course was designed for “real women navigating real wardrobes” and offered a blend of practicality, personal insight and timeless fashion advice.
“I’ve wanted to create an online masterclass for a while, but I knew it had to be with a team that truly understood me and my vision,” Haddad told Arab News. “When Maharat approached me, I immediately felt a sense of trust. They’re one of the most professional teams I’ve ever worked with … It just felt right. This was the place to do it.”
Haddad said that the course was not trend-driven or overly prescriptive, describing it as “straightforward, dynamic, and incredibly easy to follow.” He said it was structured for impact, with each lesson filmed and presented on Maharat’s platform for maximum clarity and accessibility. “It’s fast-paced, informative and designed to deliver real value without unnecessary complexity,” he said.
Haddad said that the course went beyond clothing tips to help participants develop a deeper sense of personal identity through style. “It’s about discovering their fashion personality, where they stand, what resonates with them, and how to reflect their true selves through what they wear,” he said. “Many people don’t realize just how stylish or beautiful they already are. This is a journey of self-discovery through fashion.”
Addressing common styling challenges was a key focus, he said, debunking popular fashion misconceptions and offering simple, high-impact tweaks to transform a look. “Sometimes, changing one detail can completely transform an outfit,” he said. The masterclass also teaches women how to make the most of what they already own — reimagining wardrobe staples, mixing and matching creatively, and crafting new outfits without the need for constant shopping, he said.
Known for his preference for “simplicity and timeless elegance,” Haddad has styled many celebrities but said he dreamed of working with modern royals and international style icons.
“Whenever I work with a celebrity, my goal is for them to look back at a photo years later and still love what they wore, he said.” “I would love to bring that same approach to women like Queen Rania or Kate Middleton.”
Royal Albert Hall apologizes after couple refused entry over Palestine lapel pin
Roger Cauthery, 81: ‘We felt extremely upset, not to say humiliated, by their behaviour towards us’
Cost of refunded tickets will be donated to charity Medical Aid for Palestinians
Updated 08 August 2025
Arab News
LONDON: The head of London’s Royal Albert Hall has apologized to a couple who were denied entry to a concert because of the husband’s Palestinian lapel pin, .
Roger Cauthery, 81, and his wife Angele then stood in the foyer for 15 minutes before a supervisor — who overruled the earlier decision — arrived.
Cauthery said: “We felt extremely upset, not to say humiliated, by their behaviour towards us. I’m a middle-class ex-public school boy brought up to believe that Brits are decent and law abiding and that one can live one’s life freely.
“I was merely showing solidarity with the Palestinian people and expressing my support for what I believe, and the UN believes, is a legitimate state.
“My wife and I feel strongly that Palestine should be recognised as a state and indeed it seems that our government is finally about to do so.
“I have lived in London all my adult life and am very proud of the diversity of my city. It is tragic that this small pin badge should be seen as a threat to the Royal Albert Hall which surely should be one of the symbols of our democracy.
“The result of this incident was that we were too distressed to enjoy the concert and left at the interval.”
James Ainscough, CEO of the RAH, apologized to the couple after being contacted by The Guardian. The decision to prevent their entry “isn’t in line with our policy and was a mistake,” he said.
“As well as writing to apologise for an experience that was understandably upsetting and humiliating, we have offered a full refund and an invitation to return to the hall as our guests, so we can give the couple the warm welcome that was sadly lacking on Friday,” he added. “We have also spoken to our contractor to ensure that a similar situation doesn’t arise again.”
The cost of the refunded tickets will be donated by Cauthery to the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Ainscough hailed the move as “laudable,” while Cauthery said he is “very grateful” for the RAH’s response to the incident.
In his letter to the couple, Ainscough said: “Music has an enduring power to bring people together, and we want the hall to offer a warm welcome to all who come to enjoy our concerts. It is very sad to think that your experience with us on Friday was the very opposite of that.
“I do hope you will consider returning to the hall in the near future so we have an opportunity to give you the warm welcome you should expect.”
Brian Eno, Damon Albarn and more headline benefit concert for Palestine in London
Updated 08 August 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Brian Eno, Damon Albarn, Obongjayar, Jamie xx and more are among the top artists set to perform at one of the largest benefit concerts for Palestine since the escalation of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023.
The event, curated by British musician and songwriter Eno, will take place at Wembley Arena in London on Sept. 17.
Titled “Together for Palestine,” the concert unites British and Palestinian musicians at the 12,500-capacity venue to raise funds for Choose Love, a UK charity working with 23 organizations in Gaza to provide food, medical supplies and other forms of aid.
Palestinian musicians Adnan Joubran, Faraj Suleiman and Nai Barghouti will also perform, with additional special appearances by Rina Sawayama, PinkPantheress and Riz Ahmed.
“In the face of the horrors of Gaza, silence becomes complicity,” Eno, a long-time advocate for Palestine, said in a statement. “Artists have always helped societies to point out injustice and imagine better futures. That’s why this concert matters. It’s time for us to come together — not just to raise our voices, but to reaffirm our shared humanity.”
‘Untamed’ — Strong performances lift this stunningly scenic thriller above the crowd
Updated 08 August 2025
Adam Grundey
DUBAI: Another week, another Netflix murder-mystery. And yes, its star Kyle Turner (a suitably stony-faced Eric Bana) is a maverick cop (OK, not a cop, but a National Park Service Investigative Services Branch special agent) with an alcohol problem and limited interpersonal skills grudgingly working with rookie park ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago, giving what should be a breakout performance) to solve a murder. A murder that turns out to have links to past events that Turner would rather didn’t come to light. So far, so pretty-sure-I’ve-seen-this-all-before.
But “Untamed” has plenty under its trope-y façade to deserve your attention. First off, there’s the astonishingly beautiful scenery — a constant joy throughout. The show is set in California’s Yosemite National Park, but was shot in British Columbia, Canada (with some shots of Yosemite included). As in several of the best Nordic thrillers, the landscape is as central to the show as any of its characters — as one of the latter points out, it’s easy to forget that civilization and laws exist in the midst of all that wilderness.
Secondly, the cast — almost without exception — are pitch-perfect. Bana avoids the pitfalls of a role that could’ve easily turned into a surly-tough-guy-by-numbers performance, imbuing Turner with an empathy and insightfulness that draws you in. Santiago, similarly, eschews the temptation to make Vasquez a goofy, one-dimensional sidekick, sparking off Bana’s flintiness impressively and showing plenty of steeliness of her own. Sam Neill is typically solid as chief park ranger Paul Souter, Turner’s friend and mentor and Vasquez’s boss. Rosemarie DeWitt is excellent as Turner’s ex-wife Jill Bodwin, a teacher-turned-realtor struggling with the same grief responsible for Turner’s drinking issues. Their marriage may be over, but there’s clearly still an unbreakable bond between them.
And third, the plot twists actually work. Or, at least, some of them do; certainly more than most in the genre. Turner — though clearly a gifted detective — allows his hunches to lead him (and the audience) down a few blind alleys before the whole truth comes out. And creators Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith (Mark’s daughter) make sure there are consequences to his errors, giving his choices a feeling of jeopardy often lacking in crime dramas.
“Untamed” isn’t quite must-see television, but it is an accomplished, confident and engaging thriller that will keep you hooked throughout its six episodes.
Recipes for success: Vladimir Chistyakov offers advice and a tasty stir-fried noodles recipe
Updated 08 August 2025
Hams Saleh
DUBAI: By the time Vladimir Chistyakov stepped into a professional kitchen for the first time at age 30, he was told it was already too late.
“A lot of people said: ‘If you want to be a chef, you should’ve started 10 years ago,’” Chistyakov tells Arab News. Happily, he didn’t listen to them.
Now 40, the Serbian is the brand chef for Dubai-based Metafoodies, a group that includes ALBA Street (Asian street food), ALBA (upscale pan-Asian), Himitsu (a speakeasy bar) and Bisou (Mediterranean fusion).
ALBA Street. (Supplied)
Before entering the culinary world, Chistyakov explored careers in journalism, marketing and even mobile repair. But it was not until he enrolled in a short culinary course that everything changed. “Our chef showed us how to make a really nice chicken stock,” he says. “In that moment, I knew this was my future.”
He continues: “Don’t listen to people who say you’re too late. If you love it, do it. Every day. And one day, it could change your life.”
When you started out, what was the most common mistake you made?
It was difficult to make something simple. I was trying to impress, you know? Too many textures, a lot of sauce, a ton of ingredients... But now I understand what simplicity is.
Alba, sashimi. (Supplied)
What’s your top tip for amateur chefs?
Cooking is like a form of meditation. Don’t stress. It won’t be perfect, and that’s OK. They key is to enjoy the process and do your best. It’s an art. It’s about emotion. It’s a way to disconnect from the world. It doesn’t matter if you are cooking at home or in a professional kitchen, you have to enjoy the process and immerse yourself in it.
What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish?
Oils. They are the cheat code for almost all food. But, also, don’t forget about love. If you’re not cooking it with love and with respect for your people or yourself, it will not taste nice. There’s a lot of different hacks for food, but oils and love are the main ones.
When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?
I try to never think about it, but it’s a professional habit. I’m not a harsh critic, but I hate when everything in the place is made without soul, you know? Like, when you feel there is no life to anything. That’s really terrible. The food can taste really good, but if it is made without life, you feel it.
Alba, Wagyu tataki with yuzu kosho ponzu. (Supplied)
What’s the most-common issue that you find in other restaurants?
The most important thing: service. The people on the floor are the first to welcome you. Ninety-nine percent of your happiness at a restaurant is not about the food, it’s about service.
What’s your favorite cuisine to eat?
I love Italian food. It’s really simple. But it’s difficult to find a good Italian place. There are a lot of different really expensive places (in the UAE), but a restaurant like one you would find in Rome and Milan, where you can eat for 10 Euros and, like, the portion of pasta is good, is almost impossible to find here.
I also like Japanese food. I am from Siberia — part of Asia. We have a culture code from the Asian countries. We eat a lot of raw fish, but it’s not sea fish, it’s river fish.
Alba, Salmon avo handroll. (Supplied)
What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home?
I like pasta with parmigiano or tomatoes. Or, if it’s a really lazy day, noodles or dumplings. If you come to our home, you’ll find boxes of instant noodles in the kitchen — a lot of different types.
What’s your favorite dish to cook ?
When I have time, I like to make something from my childhood. I really love Laghman — it’s like ramen, from the family of this same soup, but from Uzbekistan. It’s amazing. I love it. It’s difficult to make. You need a lot of time, but really nice. I also like braised potatoes with meat. That reminds me of my childhood and my family in Russia.
What’s the most difficult dish for you to get right?
An omelet. It’s difficult to make it light and fluffy without overcooking it. It’s an art, and it depends on your mood and your emotions. Early in my career, I went on vacation to France and found a great place for an internship. When I arrived, the head chef, a really old, funny guy, looked at me and said, “Make me an omelet.” So I did. And for me, that moment was really meaningful — like a test of who I was as a chef. But the thing is, sometimes your emotions affect your cooking. If you’re not in the right state of mind, it shows in the food. You might still make a decent omelet, but it won’t be the same. You have to control everything: the temperature of the pan, the heat of the butter, the timing. You have to feel it all.
As a head chef, what are you like?
Five years ago, I was like a devil in the kitchen, but I’ve changed a lot since then. It’s hard to be honest all the time, to really lead with intention and stay in control. I don’t yell at everyone like I used to. I really make an effort. Of course, there are moments, if something goes wrong during a really important service, that I might lose my temper. But it’s rare — maybe once a year. I like when the kitchen runs like an orchestra. Everyone knows their role, the rhythm is right, and the energy flows between the team, not just with the guests, but with the kitchen staff. I want the team to feel the emotion of the moment, to feel the pace, but without stress. You can’t cook good food when you’re stressed. If someone’s out of sync, you can sense it immediately. That’s why I always come back to one thing: balance. I try to stay balanced in everything.
Chef Vladimir’s stir fried spicy noodles
Vladimir’s stir fried spicy noodles. (Supplied)
Ingredients:
White onion 30 g
Mixed mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, champignons, etc.) 30 g
Bell pepper 65 g
Wagyu beef 80 g
Ramen noodles 150 g
Sunflower oil 10 g
Spring onion 10 g
Chives 10 g
Red chili (long) 1 g
Ramen sauce 50 g
Preparation:
Slice the white onion into half rings, mushrooms into thin slices, and bell pepper into strips. Cut the beef into thin strips. Boil the ramen noodles until al dente, according to package instructions.
Stir-fry:
Heat sunflower oil in a wok or deep skillet over high heat.
Add the onion and sauté until translucent.
Add mushrooms and bell pepper, stir-fry for 1–2 minutes.
Add the beef and stir-fry until nicely seared.
Combine:
Add the ramen noodles and mix with the other ingredients.
Pour in the ramen sauce and stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes.
Finish with chives, spring onion, and finely sliced red chili.
Serve:
Plate the noodles and garnish with herbs or sesame seeds, if desired.
