hand Archives - Charlie Alford

FIFA clears VAR official of racism after concern over hand gesture

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:16 June 2026
Post last modified:17 June 2026

A few seconds of television coverage during the 2026 FIFA World Cup turned into an issue that sparked widespread controversy in sporting and media circles. Australian VAR official Sean Evans was seen making a controversial hand gesture ahead of the match between Germany and Curaçao. As the Canary previously reported, Evans was seen to have: briefly formed an “OK” gesture with his right hand near his leg, a symbol that has been co‑opted by white extremist groups. The gesture was quick, but it was enough to trigger immediate concern from FIFA’s anti‑discrimination unit, which monitors all matches for offensive behaviour. The monitor…

Palantir deal could hand your personal data to Trump administration

Post author:Joe Glenton
Post published:1 June 2026
Post last modified:9 June 2026

A scandalous deal between hard-right AI war firm Palantir and the UK’s financial authority could hand the Trump administration your personal data. Meanwhile, campaigners and MPs say that the deal with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) must prove that sensitive information will not fall into Trump’s hands. On 1 June, the Guardian reported: A US law that can oblige tech companies to disclose information to American authorities may apply to Palantir’s deal to help the Financial Conduct Authority detect crime. House of Commons science and technology select committee Martin Wrigley MP delivered the warning. He was quoted by the Guardian saying that…