1 week ago My cultural awakening: an Asian Dub Foundation song gave me the courage to take a stand against racism

The group’s campaigning single Free Satpal Ram, about a south Asian man jailed for murder after an alleged racist attack, led me to become an activist – with their lead singer as my mentorIt wasn’t New Labour, my politics A-level or the Tipp-Exed Woody Guthrie slogan “this machine kills fascists” on my friend Simon’s bag that set me on the path to activism. It was a CD single I found in a west London record shop, which I only picked up because it was by a bunch of brown guys.It was the summer of 1998, and I was 17 years old and browsing records in the Harrow Virgin Megastore, when I came across Free Satpal Ram by jungle-punk-rap band Asian Dub Foundation – a buzzing, brilliant, ramshackle protest song about a south Asian man who had been sent to jail after defending himself in an alleged racist attack in 1986. While at an Indian restaurant, Satpal Ram was stabbed with a broken bottle, and retaliated by stabbing his attacker with a penknife; the man late...

Events

1 week ago CCTV appeal after man 'repeatedly punched in the head' on train to Manchester Airport

Police have released the image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident

Politics

1 week ago I took that bottle of Prada to the Queen’s funeral, yet Manchester Pride kicked me out because of it

'It was really absurd'

Politics

1 week ago Ninja Thirsti water bottle 'better than Stanley' now £4 with deal away from Ninja sale

"Fabulous really does keep drinks fizzy and cold like no other."

Economics

2 w. ago London travel news LIVE: Latest Tube and train updates as huge crowds head to Notting Hill Carnival

Millions are set to attend the last day of Notting Hill Carnival today, as a result stations are closed and disruptions are expected

Transport

2 w. ago Police launch probe into petrol bomb attack on man 'putting up flags' in Stevenage

Man suffers cut to the head after being struck by glass bottle containing lit rag in Stevenage

Events

3 w. ago Woman's Jet2 flight horror as passenger gropes her and says 'are you going to f*** me'

Craig Lowe had been drinking before boarding the four-and-a-half hour Jet2 flight from Manchester to Tenerife, before reportedly consuming six mini bottles of red wine

Events

3 w. ago Superdrug shoppers can get bottles of Versace perfume for £4 each this weekend

Bright Crystal, Crystal Noir, Dylan Purple and Dylan Blue are all included in the online only deal

Economics

3 w. ago Robert Jenrick is pelted with bottles at Calais migrant camp before he's 'ignored' by French police as he reports how dozens are preparing to cross the Channel

The shadow justice secretary was speaking to people at the Loon-Plage camp when he said a man 'started throwing glass bottles' in his direction.

Events

3 w. ago Children sobbed as they saw yob smash bottle on man's head in train rammy

A fight had broken out in the carriage after an early-evening service left Motherwell.

Politics