Six people were killed in a shooting attack by suspected Palestinian gunmen at a bus stop in occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site, as Palestinian groups praised the attack without claiming responsibility.
More than 1,300 artists, including some Hollywood A-listers, have promised not to work with Israeli film institutions complicit in abuses against Palestinians as Israel intensifies its war on Gaza.
In a pledge released on Monday, the artists – who include Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebiri, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem – decried the “unrelenting horror” in Gaza, where Israel has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians and flattened most of the territory.
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“Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused to screen their films in apartheid South Africa, we pledge not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions – including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies – that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people,” the statement read.
Examples of being complicit in Israeli rights violations include “whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government committing them”, it added.
The pledge cited International Court of Justice rulings that concluded a genocide charge against Israel is plausible and found the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal.
Over the 23 months of the Gaza war, leading academics, rights groups and United Nations experts have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.
Genocide – defined by the UN as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group” – is one of the gravest war crimes.
Palestinian rights advocates have long called for celebrities to use their reach and status to bring awareness to the plight of Palestinians.
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mike Lerner, one of the signatories to the statement, said the pledge was a “non-violent tool” to undermine the impunity that Israel enjoys for its conduct against Palestinians.
“It is the responsibility of every independently minded artist to use whatever powers of expression they possess to support the global resistance to overcome this horror,” Lerner said in a statement.
Hollywood has been historically pro-Israel, producing movies like the 1960 film Exodus, which valorised the founding of Israel, and regularly inserting positive references to the country in blockbusters.
But in recent years, many actors and directors have spoken out against Israel’s policies – sometimes to the detriment of their own careers.
For example, in 2023, actor Susan Sarandon, who signed Monday’s pledge, was dropped by her talent agency after attending a Palestine solidarity rally.
After the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Melissa Barrera, who also joined the boycott call, lost her role in the horror franchise Scream over social media posts critical of Israel.
Still, voices sympathetic to Palestinians continue to grow louder in the film industry.
In March, No Other Land, an Israeli-Palestinian film focused on the ongoing destruction of the Palestinian community of Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank, won the Oscar for best documentary feature.
More recently, The Voice of Hind Rajab, which tells the story of a five-year old Palestinian girl who was trapped in a car with slain family members before Israeli soldiers also killed her, received a 23-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
The movie centres on Rajab’s heart-wrenching calls to rescuers while under Israeli fire in Gaza City.
Monday’s pledge comes as Israel pushes to systematically destroy Gaza City, having already levelled most of the besieged enclave.
“As filmmakers, actors, film industry workers, and institutions, we recognise the power of cinema to shape perceptions,” the statement said.
United States President Donald Trump has praised a decision by the prestigious military academy West Point to cancel a ceremony honouring Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, a frequent critic of Trump.
Trump, who has sought to purge critics from government institutions and crack down on dissent, celebrated the move in a social media post on Monday.
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“Our great West Point (getting greater all the time!) has smartly cancelled the Award Ceremony for actor Tom Hanks. Important move!” Trump said. “We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!!”
Hanks, who has starred in numerous films set during World War II and been an avid supporter of veterans of the armed services, has been a sharp critic of Trump.
He was set to receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG), which is granted to people whose accomplishments further the US national interests and ideals of the military academy.
The famous actor was set to receive the award at a WPAOG ceremony on September 25, and the Washington Post has reported that it is unclear whether Hanks will still receive the award without the accompanying ceremony.
Known for his leading role in the World War II film Saving Private Ryan, Hanks has been at the forefront of efforts to dramatise and commemorate US efforts during that conflict.
He also produced several popular miniseries depicting US forces in various theatres during World War II, such as Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Masters of the Air.
Hanks – who also served as a national spokesperson for the World War II memorial campaign and was chair of the D-day museum capital campaign – had expressed excitement about visiting West Point.
“To have my first ever visit to the Academy be to accept such an honour as the Thayer Award is simply astounding,” a WPAOG statement had quoted Hanks as saying.
Geraint Thomas is feeling fragile. It’s the morning after the night before, when the former Tour de France champion brought the curtain down on his glittering career.
After Sunday’s final stage of the Tour of Britain, Thomas was greeted by thousands at a special ceremony at Cardiff Castle, before heading off for a party with family and friends.
Usually, the 39-year-old would be thinking about how best to recover from his hangover in preparation for his next training ride or race.
But having crossed the finish line for the final time, at the end of a career that spanned three decades, Thomas needn’t worry about racing anymore.
BBC Sport Wales: How were last night’s celebrations?
Geraint Thomas: “It was good. I struggled to get up this morning. I didn’t even hear you come in, actually, and then my father-in-law woke me up and said: ‘They’re all downstairs waiting for you.’ I was like, ‘Oh, man’. I don’t really remember that much towards the end of the night, but it was great – the bits I do remember.
“The castle, everyone there was just amazing. The finish with the crowd at the podium and then we went into town with just the team and friends and family, and it was really good. I’m just suffering now, but it was all worth it.”
Reflecting on Sunday, we don’t often see you emotional. It was such a great turnout. How was your final race?
This is the first day of a new chapter in your life. Is this something you prepared for?
“Not really. I have an idea of what I’m going to do professionally, stay with the team [Ineos Grenadiers] more than likely. I feel like I’ve got a lot of experience to offer there.
“But then there’s a whole other side of not having to ride a bike anymore but still wanting to be active and maybe trying some different sports. I’ve bigged myself up about doing an Ironman, but now I’m starting to regret that! I’d still love to do one. I wouldn’t be taking it too seriously.
“I’ve booked a skiing holiday for January, which is something I’ve never done before. I’m doing everything I’ve put off for the last 20 years.”
You mentioned a role with the team. What kind of role do you envisage?
“I spoke to Dave [Brailsford] about it quite a lot, and a lot of it is sitting back and taking it all in. As an athlete, I know a lot about preparing for racing and doing my thing, but the team on the whole is a whole organisation.
“So just figuring out how that all works, but the main thing would be working with riders, their goals and how you prepare for it, getting race programmes and the training and everything and then going to races and executing those plans. So that’s exciting.
“That’s something I’ve done for the last 20 years and now it’s sort of doing it on a bigger scale. That’s the general idea. Nothing’s confirmed yet but I feel like doing something that would excite me.
What will you miss the most?
“I think the camaraderie in the team, when you’re all in it together out on the road and afterwards as well, when you debrief and you’re talking about what happened. It sounds a bit corny but it’s sort of like a band of brothers type of feel to it. I’ll definitely miss that.
“But then there’s a hell of a lot that I won’t miss. Obviously, the training, the time away and stuff – but it was definitely a lot more good than bad. It’s definitely the right time to call it a day.”
Speaking to your parents last night, they said they were relieved you’d finished in one piece. After all the crashes and injuries, is it a relief to come to the end?
“Calling time on your career on your own terms is rare, so that’s what I’m most relieved about. When it comes to crashes and stuff, you don’t really think about it as an athlete. I know a few rugby boys and they don’t think about getting injured, but everyone that cares about them does. It’s the same thing for me.
“Sa [Thomas’ wife Sara] struggles to watch it. She was watching from the studio one day and that’s when I hit a telegraph pole and disappeared off a cliff. From that day, she didn’t really watch anymore. My mum, I don’t think she’s watched me race since I’ve been 18. So yeah, they’re definitely relieved that I’ve stopped, and in one piece.
“But for me, I’ve never really thought about it because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do it. It’s almost like you just take that pin out and you just go.”
What are you looking forward to most in the next chapter of your life?
“Definitely being around more with my family, doing some different sports, moving back to Cardiff as well in a year or so. It’s a big change – I’ve lived on the Cote d’Azur for 13 years. It’s going to take a bit of adjusting to the weather and everything.
“But it just feels right for all of us – for Sa, for me, for Macs [Thomas’ son] to come home, to be around family more. We’re sending Macs to a Welsh school so I’m definitely going to learn some Welsh. I can’t have him speaking to Sa behind my back!
Geraint Thomas is feeling fragile. It’s the morning after the night before, when the former Tour de France champion brought the curtain down on his glittering career.
After Sunday’s final stage of the Tour of Britain, Thomas was greeted by thousands at a special ceremony at Cardiff Castle, before heading off for a party with family and friends.
Usually, the 39-year-old would be thinking about how best to recover from his hangover in preparation for his next training ride or race.
But having crossed the finish line for the final time, at the end of a career that spanned three decades, Thomas needn’t worry about racing anymore.
BBC Sport Wales: How were last night’s celebrations?
Geraint Thomas: “It was good. I struggled to get up this morning. I didn’t even hear you come in, actually, and then my father-in-law woke me up and said: ‘They’re all downstairs waiting for you.’ I was like, ‘Oh, man’. I don’t really remember that much towards the end of the night, but it was great – the bits I do remember.
“The castle, everyone there was just amazing. The finish with the crowd at the podium and then we went into town with just the team and friends and family, and it was really good. I’m just suffering now, but it was all worth it.”
Reflecting on Sunday, we don’t often see you emotional. It was such a great turnout. How was your final race?
This is the first day of a new chapter in your life. Is this something you prepared for?
“Not really. I have an idea of what I’m going to do professionally, stay with the team [Ineos Grenadiers] more than likely. I feel like I’ve got a lot of experience to offer there.
“But then there’s a whole other side of not having to ride a bike anymore but still wanting to be active and maybe trying some different sports. I’ve bigged myself up about doing an Ironman, but now I’m starting to regret that! I’d still love to do one. I wouldn’t be taking it too seriously.
“I’ve booked a skiing holiday for January, which is something I’ve never done before. I’m doing everything I’ve put off for the last 20 years.”
You mentioned a role with the team. What kind of role do you envisage?
“I spoke to Dave [Brailsford] about it quite a lot, and a lot of it is sitting back and taking it all in. As an athlete, I know a lot about preparing for racing and doing my thing, but the team on the whole is a whole organisation.
“So just figuring out how that all works, but the main thing would be working with riders, their goals and how you prepare for it, getting race programmes and the training and everything and then going to races and executing those plans. So that’s exciting.
“That’s something I’ve done for the last 20 years and now it’s sort of doing it on a bigger scale. That’s the general idea. Nothing’s confirmed yet but I feel like doing something that would excite me.
What will you miss the most?
“I think the camaraderie in the team, when you’re all in it together out on the road and afterwards as well, when you debrief and you’re talking about what happened. It sounds a bit corny but it’s sort of like a band of brothers type of feel to it. I’ll definitely miss that.
“But then there’s a hell of a lot that I won’t miss. Obviously, the training, the time away and stuff – but it was definitely a lot more good than bad. It’s definitely the right time to call it a day.”
Speaking to your parents last night, they said they were relieved you’d finished in one piece. After all the crashes and injuries, is it a relief to come to the end?
“Calling time on your career on your own terms is rare, so that’s what I’m most relieved about. When it comes to crashes and stuff, you don’t really think about it as an athlete. I know a few rugby boys and they don’t think about getting injured, but everyone that cares about them does. It’s the same thing for me.
“Sa [Thomas’ wife Sara] struggles to watch it. She was watching from the studio one day and that’s when I hit a telegraph pole and disappeared off a cliff. From that day, she didn’t really watch anymore. My mum, I don’t think she’s watched me race since I’ve been 18. So yeah, they’re definitely relieved that I’ve stopped, and in one piece.
“But for me, I’ve never really thought about it because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do it. It’s almost like you just take that pin out and you just go.”
What are you looking forward to most in the next chapter of your life?
“Definitely being around more with my family, doing some different sports, moving back to Cardiff as well in a year or so. It’s a big change – I’ve lived on the Cote d’Azur for 13 years. It’s going to take a bit of adjusting to the weather and everything.
“But it just feels right for all of us – for Sa, for me, for Macs [Thomas’ son] to come home, to be around family more. We’re sending Macs to a Welsh school so I’m definitely going to learn some Welsh. I can’t have him speaking to Sa behind my back!
BBC fans were furious after it was revealed that a number of shows are being permanently replaced in a huge shake-up. Huge specialist music programmes on BBC Radio stations are coming to an end and being replaced with a new programme.
The classic Sunday afternoon slots on the 39 local radio stations is being replaced with The Make A Difference Show, which started on September 14. The programme will air from 2pm to 6pm on the stations that aren’t on live sports. A presenter has yet to be revealed for the show.
Other shows dropped from their slots include John Leech’s Soul Show. The programme aired on BBC’s Eastern stations.
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Simon Logan’s 80s and 90s show on BBC Radio Newcastle and Tees also ended, with the presenter telling listeners: “What is it they always say, all great things must come to an end.
“Whether you’ve ever got in touch with the show or whether you have just listened to our show, thanks to everybody on our Facebook group, thanks to Nathan for ‘putting it on the list.
“I couldn’t have done it without you, mate. The time has come to say farewell, seriously, thanks for being there. We’ve had a blast, haven’t we? Hope to catch you really soon. “And whatever you’re doing tonight, always stay forever young. Ta-Ra”.
BBC Merseyside and BBC Cumbria’s 80s and 90s programme, presented by host Lisa Marrey, also ended over the weekend.
Paula White’s programme aired across five stations and Sile Sibanda’s music and conversation programme aired on BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio York and BBC Radio Leeds.
Fans are furious with the changes, with many taking to X/Twitter to complain about the loss of local programmes. One user said: “The end of BBC Local Radio.
“What is next, any daily programme after 1400 will be scrapped for a national show ?. BBC management have destroyed Local Radio and TV.”
Another added: “Instead of wasting money on Radio 1 Dance, Anthems & Radio 3 Unwind they should put money back into LOCAL Radio, stations should have at least 12 hours a day of local programming!”
“Pushing it even more to be the complete end of BBC local radio. Why don’t they just rebroadcast Radio 5 & be done with it,” one commented.
Another unimpressed listener commented: “I miss my Sunday afternoon listening on BBC local radio, a shame they took an axe to it all.”
“BBC Local Radio bosses don’t care Tim Davie doesn’t care But it’s ’our BBC,” one said with a yawning emoji.
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