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Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of hate crimes aimed at Real Madrid footballer Vinicius Jr.

Spanish police said three people had been detained in Valencia in connection with racial slurs hurled at the Brazilian forward at the city’s Mestalla stadium during a La Liga game on Sunday.

Meanwhile in Madrid, a further four people have been arrested on suspicion of hanging an effigy of the star off a bridge.

A hate crime investigation was opened after the model figure – which was wearing the star’s number 20 shirt – was dangled from a bridge in front of Real Madrid’s training ground in January.

It was hung alongside a 16-metre red and white banner that read “Madrid hates Real”.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, left, confronts Valencia fans as Antonio Rudiger tries to calm him down during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valencia and Real Madrid, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, May 21, 2023. The game was temporarily stopped when Vinicius said a fan had insulted him from the stands. He was later sent off after clashing with Valencia players. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
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Vinicius Jr (L) confronts Valencia fans as Real Madrid teammate Antonio Rudiger tries to calm him down

Real Madrid lodged a hate crime complaint with Spanish prosecutors after the player was targeted with racist abuse during their 1-0 defeat away at Valencia on Sunday.

Valencia said police have identified a fan who made racist gestures at Vinicius Jr and that person faces a lifetime stadium ban from the Mestalla ground.

The lights on Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue were turned off for an hour on Monday night in solidarity with Vinicius Jr.

The Archdiocesan Sanctuary, which manages the monument, carried out the act in cooperation with the Brazilian FA and the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football.

The lights on the Christ the Redeemer statue were switched off in solidarity with Vinicius Jr
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The lights on the Christ the Redeemer statue were switched off in solidarity with Vinicius Jr

Madrid‘s match against Valencia was paused on Sunday night after the half-time break as the Brazilian pointed out supporters who were taunting him to the referee.

Vinicius, who has been racially abused from the stands several times this season, was enraged, prompting teammates and opposition players to try to calm him down.

He tweeted after the game: “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. In football they think it’s normal, the federation does too – and the opponent encourages it.

“I’m so sad. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi today belongs to racism.

“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world.

“I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, for something that happens each week, I have no defence. I let it happen.

“But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if it is far from here.”

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, left, confronts Valencia fans as Antonio Rudiger tries to calm him down during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valencia and Real Madrid, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, May 21, 2023. The game was temporarily stopped when Vinicius said a fan had insulted him from the stands. He was later sent off after clashing with Valencia players. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
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Vinicius Jr (L) confronts Valencia fans as Real Madrid teammate Antonio Rudiger tries to calm him down

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La Liga president Javier Tebas responded to Vinicius’s post on Sunday by accusing the forward of “criticising and insulting” the league.

In another tweet on Monday, Tebas said: “Neither Spain nor La Liga are racist. It is very unfair to say this.”

In a strongly-worded statement, the 22-year-old’s club said: “Real Madrid CF shows its strongest revulsion and condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinicius Jr.

“These facts constitute a direct attack on the coexistence model of our social and democratic state of law.

“Real Madrid considers that such attacks also constitute a hate crime, for which reason it has filed the corresponding complaint with the state attorney general’s office.”

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Sealed with a kiss: Same sex couples in Thailand celebrate equal marriage rights

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Sealed with a kiss: Same sex couples in Thailand celebrate equal marriage rights

Hundreds of same-sex couples have been tying the knot in Thailand today as it becomes by far the largest nation in Asia to allow equal marriage and the first in South East Asia.

A mass LGBTQ wedding at a shopping mall in Bangkok saw hundreds of marriage registrations as the law came into effect. It marked the culmination of years of campaigning and thwarted attempts to pass equal marriage laws.

Porsch Apiwatsayree and Arm Panatkool have been together for 17 years, but first got engaged 11 years ago.

“Personally, I think it marks the beginning of equality in Thailand and it also, in a way, inspired people to see that love is normal,”Porsch said, holding his hand on his heart. “Every love is the same, every love is the same inside.”

Couples wait for their marriage certificates. Pic: AP
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Couples wait for their marriage certificates. Pic: AP

Thailand’s same-sex marriage bill was passed in an historic parliamentary vote last June, making Thailand the third country in Asia to do so after Taiwan and Nepal.

Thailand ranks highly on global assessments of LGBTQ legal conditions and public attitudes. It’s very different from many of its neighbours where most nations oppose gay rights. Opinion polls have also shown overwhelming public support for equal marriage.

But the kingdom remains a conservative Buddhist society with a largely patriarchal family structure.

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Pisit Sirihirunchai, left, and Chanatip Sirihirunchai show their marriage certificates. Pic AP
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Pisit Sirihirunchai, left, and Chanatip Sirihirunchai show their marriage certificates. Pic AP

‘Love is just love’

Porsch and Arm still believe it has some way to go to ensure tolerance translates to full acceptance.

“We have to wait and see because even the law has approved that love is the same. We need more and more acceptance,” Porsch said.

Porsch Apiwatsayree and Arm Panatkool were joined at the ceremony by their families and friends
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The couple were joined at the ceremony by their families and friends

His own wedding to Arm was celebrated in the grounds of a luxurious new shopping centre. The families of both grooms played a huge part in the ceremony, lining up to face each other in a humorous and moving Thai custom of call and response between each party.

“What I feel now is the closeness between people and families,” said Porsch.

“Love is just love,” Arm added, with a beaming smile.

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Footage shows Palestinian family in car under attack during Israeli army raid in occupied West Bank

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Footage shows Palestinian family in car under attack during Israeli army raid in occupied West Bank

A series of videos show the moment a car carrying a family in the occupied West Bank came under attack during an Israeli raid into the city of Jenin yesterday.

At least seven gunshots are heard as the passengers including children scream before the footage filmed from inside the Kia vehicle shows the car crashing on the side of the road.

Wadah Soubeh, who was inside the car, said his 43-year-old cousin who was driving, Ahmed al Shayeb, was killed in the attack.

The dashboard seen in the footage filmed inside the car shows that it was taken at 1.10pm local time on Tuesday.

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A family was driving in Jenin in the West Bank when their car was attacked.

Israel launched a major military operation into Jenin on Tuesday and said its forces had “initiated a counterterrorism operation” in the area.

Sky News geolocated another video filmed after the attack that shows the abandoned vehicle on the same road around 600m northwest of the Jenin refugee camp.

An Israeli military vehicle can be seen in the background – less than 100m from the car. It’s unclear whether that vehicle was involved and how long after the attack this particular video was filmed.

Mr Soubeh said the family left Jenin at the start of the raid and were “heavily shot at”.

“When we turned right on the road to Burqin, we drove another 30 or 40 metres. Ahmed al Shayeb said ‘oh God’. After he said ‘oh God’, he stopped breathing,” he added.

A funeral was held on Wednesday for Mr al Shayeb, who owned a mobile phone shop in Jenin.

Sky News asked the IDF whether its forces were involved and why it had a vehicle in the area at the time and received the following response: “The IDF arrests individuals wanted for suspected terrorist activities, incitement of terrorism, and terrorists who have carried out or are planning to carry out attacks.

“Additionally, security forces are deployed in the area to ensure the safety of the region and its residents, as well as the security of the State of Israel and its citizens.

“The IDF operates wherever necessary, especially in areas with a high levels of terrorism, such as Jenin. The IDF follows international law and takes feasible precautions to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals.

“In cases where uninvolved individuals are harmed, the events are investigated and handled accordingly.

“The case mentioned is under review.”

Mourners cry at Ahmad Nimer Al-Shaib's funeral. Pic: AP
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Mourners cry at Mr al Shayeb’s funeral. Pic: AP

The Palestinian Red Crescent said it is “deeply concerned” about the wellbeing of civilians in Jenin city and refugee camp.

At least nine Palestinians were killed on Tuesday, including a 16-year-old, and 40 were wounded, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The move into Jenin, where the Israeli army has carried out multiple raids and large-scale incursions over recent years, comes just days after the Gaza ceasefire started.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said hundreds of Palestinians were trapped in Jenin Government Hospital and were unable to leave for hours. Videos filmed by the hospital shows bulldozers outside the hospital.

Mourners carry the body of Ahmed al Shayeb after he was killed during an Israeli military operation in Jenin, on Wednesday. Pic: AP
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Mourners carry the body of Ahmed al Shayeb after he was killed during an Israeli military operation in Jenin, on Wednesday. Pic: AP

The Israeli military said its forces were trying to detonate explosive devices planted by militants beneath the road outside the hospital in the city of Jenin, and had told patients and doctors not to exit the hospital during the detonations.

Dozens of military bulldozers have carved up tracts of roads in the city.

It was the third major incursion by the Israeli army in less than two years into Jenin, a major stronghold of militant groups including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which said its forces were fighting Israeli troops.

As the raid began, Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces pulled out after having conducted a weeks-long operation to try to reassert control over the refugee camp, dominated by Palestinian factions that are hostile to the PA, which exercises limited governance in parts of the West Bank.

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Mariann Edgar Budde: Who is the bishop Donald Trump called ‘nasty’?

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Mariann Edgar Budde: Who is the bishop Donald Trump called 'nasty'?

Donald Trump has hit out at the bishop of Washington after she lectured him on respecting immigrants and LGBT+ citizens during a televised church service.

The president remained straight-faced alongside his vice president JD Vance as bishop Mariann Edgar Budde addressed him at Tuesday’s interfaith prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, telling him to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now”.

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The direct appeal to Mr Trump, which went on for around two minutes, has gone viral on social media and drawn criticism from Republicans, including a congressman who urged the president to deport the bishop.

But what exactly did Bishop Budde say and what has the president’s response been?

What did Bishop Budde say?

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Watch the moment Bishop Budde confronts Trump

She began: “Let me make one final plea, Mr President. Millions have put their trust in you.

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“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.

“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in democratic, republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”

The bishop then highlighted the contributions of asylum seekers – a group Mr Trump has wasted no time in cracking down on.

She listed groups including “the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings” and those “who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals”.

“They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,” she said. Mr Trump then looked down at the floor.

She continued: “I ask you to have mercy, Mr President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.

“And that you help those who are fleeing war and persecution in their own lands, to find compassion and welcome here.

“Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land.”

Her comments came after Mr Trump promised to carry out the biggest deportation in US history and his executive order stating the government will recognise only two sexes.

How did Donald Trump and other Republicans react?

Donald Trump speaks with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.
Pic: Reuters
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Trump speaks to Vance during sermon. Pic: Reuters

The president remained stony-faced during the remarks, during which he sat alongside wife Melania in the front row, and next to Mr Vance and his wife Usha Vance.

He did at one point turn away and look over his shoulder before examining the booklet he was holding.

At another point in the sermon, Mr Trump turned towards his VP and the pair shared a wordless exchange of looks.

JD and Usha Vance
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JD Vance furrowed his brow as the bishop mentioned the LBGT+ community

Mr Vance raised his eyebrows at one stage and turned to share a look with his wife, whose gaze remained firmly forward.

He repeated the move after the bishop spoke about immigrants, and followed it up by whispering to Mrs Vance.

When Bishop Budde finished her sermon, Mr Trump leaned over to say something to Mr Vance, who shook his head in response.

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Asked what he thought of the sermon as he returned to the Oval Office, the president told reporters: “They could have done better.”

In a late-night post on his social media platform Truth Social, he called Bishop Budde a “radical left hardline Trump hater” and said she was “nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart”.

“She brought her church into the world of politics in a very ungracious way,” he said.

“Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job. She and her church owe the public an apology.”

Republican congressman Mike Collins shared a video of the sermon on X and wrote: “The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list.”

Who is Mariann Edgar Budde?

She was elected as the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (EDW) in 2011, having served as rector of St John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis for 18 years.

She has had her sermons published in several books and journals, and has authored three of her own books about faith – most recently in 2023.

Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde.
Pic: Reuters
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The bishop during the service. Pic: Reuters

She has also been openly critical of Mr Trump before, having written an opinion piece for The New York Times in 2020, in which she condemned him for clearing Lafayette Square, near the White House, amid the George Floyd protests and then posing for photos on the grounds of nearby St John’s Church while holding a Bible.

She said she was “outraged” by the move and claimed he was using the Bible and the backdrop of the church, which belongs to her diocese, “for his political purposes”.

The EDW’s website describes her as “an advocate and organiser in support of justice concerns, including racial equity, gun violence prevention, immigration reform, the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons, and the care of creation”.

The bishop is married and has two children and grandchildren, the website adds.

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