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Who is Mahmoud Khalil, Palestinian student activist facing US deportation? Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure during the Gaza war protests at Columbia University in the spring of 2024, has drawn global attention after the Trump administration arrested and moved to deport him. The case has raised questions about free speech on college campuses and the legal process that would allow for the deportation of a US permanent resident. Mr Khalil was held in an immigration facility in Louisiana for three months before a federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump could no longer detain or deport him. On 20 June, a judge ruled Mr Khalil must be released. Born in Syria, the Columbia graduate's arrest by immigration agents was linked to Trump's promise to crack down on student demonstrators he accuses of "un-American activity". Trump has repeatedly alleged that pro-Palestinian activists, including Mr Khalil, support Hamas, a group designated a terrorist organisation by the US...
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Meet the Apple Girls from Charli XCX's Belsonic gig


Thousands of fans who attended Charli XCX's Belsonic gig on Wednesday night will have been waking up to watch clips of her performance back on their phones.

But two fans have been replaying their own performances again and again.

Anna Lawther and Maisie Smith were picked to be Belfast's 'Apple Girls' at the gig, selected from the crowd to perform a viral dance, projected on the big screens, during Charli's song Apple.

Maisie was originally going to make a sign that said "Hello from Bishop's Stortford" - her hometown, which is also where Charli went to school.

In the end, they did not get round to that and she said they were just "genuinely enjoying [themselves]" and not even trying to attract attention when they were spotted by a crew member.

He came over and typed on his phone: "Do you know the Apple Dance?"

"We just looked at each other and went: 'Oh my word, no way'," Anna said.

"And we were like: 'Yes, yes, yes'."

A few songs later, the girls were on the big screen.

"It's all a bit of a blur," Anna said, adding that they were so focused on the camera they didn't actually look at the screen.

Snow Patrol, Alanis Morissette, Charli XCX, Justin Timberlake and Irish DJ BLK are among a host of big names taking to the stage this year.

Also featuring are Stereophonics, Madness, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Lush! Classical.

For dance music fans, the Boiler Room will see Dutch DJ and producer Chris Stussy team up with KETTAMA, a DJ and producer from Galway.

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