Connect with us

Published

on

Thousands of people have joined a pro-Palestine march in central London calling for an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

The Metropolitan Police said an estimated 100,000 demonstrators assembled on Saturday afternoon for the protest, with the procession travelling from Marble Arch to Whitehall and Parliament Square.

People held placards aloft saying “Free Palestine” while others unfurled a giant Palestinian flag and let off green smoke flares.

The gathering took place as the Rafah border crossing was opened on Saturday – allowing humanitarian aid to pass from Egypt into Gaza.

The aid shipments have been described as a “lifeline” by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly – although UN officials say they are insufficient to deal with the “catastrophe” unfolding in Gaza.

Protesters in the capital demanded an end to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, in the wake of the surprise terror attack by Hamas on 7 October.

Follow live: First aid trucks enter Gaza as border crossing with Egypt opens

One woman, who asked not to be named, told Reuters: “As a Palestinian who’d like to return home one day, as a Palestinian who has brothers and sisters in Gaza, and family, I wish we can do more – but protest is what we can do at the minute.”

People were also heard chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – despite controversy over the meaning of the slogan.

Protesters marched from Marble Arch to Whitehall to show solidarity to Palestine
Image:
Protesters marched from Marble Arch to Whitehall to show solidarity to Palestine

People let off green smoke flares during the pro-Palestine march
Image:
People let off green smoke flares during the pro-Palestine march

The slogan was branded antisemitic by Home Secretary Suella Braverman – who claimed it is “widely understood” to call for the destruction of Israel.

Read more:
What Hamas’s release of hostages could mean for Israel’s ground offensive
‘I stopped counting after the ninth person was shot in front of us’

Jewish organisations have asked prosecutors to clarify whether chanting the slogan is a criminal offence.

But defenders of the slogan say it is a “long-standing protest chant” that calls for a homeland for the Palestinian people.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘From the river to the sea’ explained

Police said there had been “pockets of disorder and some instances of hate speech” during the demonstration.

But the majority of activity has been “lawful and taken place without incident”.

Scotland Yard said on Saturday evening that a total of 10 arrests had been made for firework-related offences, a public order offence, affray, assaulting an emergency worker and public order offences.

It added that five police officers had “received minor injuries”.

The Met said has seen a huge rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes from the start of October.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “It is not acceptable and I promise we will investigate.”

Protesters during a rally in Dublin
Image:
Protesters during a rally in Dublin

Conflict sparks protests across the globe

The war has sparked protests across the Arab world and beyond, with crowds gathering in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt, as well as in Ireland, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa.

Hundreds of people marched in Rome on Saturday, with some demonstrators holding signs saying “Palestine, Rome is with you” and “No peace until we get freedom”.

Crowds protesting in support of Palestine in Rome
Image:
Crowds protesting in support of Palestine in Rome

In Australia, thousands gathered in central Sydney, shouting “shame, shame, Israel” and “Palestine will never die”.

And in New York, hundreds of protesters marched to US Senator Kristen Gillibrand’s Manhattan office, many shouting “ceasefire now”.

Demonstrators also gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in Mexico City, lighting candles and chanting “free Palestine”.

Thousands gathered to show solidarity to Palestine in Sydney on Saturday
Image:
Thousands gathered to show solidarity to Palestine in Sydney on Saturday

Protesters outside the Israeli Embassy in Mexico City
Image:
Protesters outside the Israeli Embassy in Mexico City

According to authorities in Gaza, more than 4,300 people have been killed in the territory since the latest war erupted.

More than 1,400 have been killed in Israel – mainly civilians during the 7 October attack. At least 307 soldiers have been killed, according to the Israeli military.

Hamas officials say at least 345 Palestinians have been killed in the last 24 hours, with seven hospitals out of service or running low on fuel after being hit by airstrikes.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Continue Reading

UK

Reward of £20,000 offered to identify parents of three siblings abandoned as babies over eight years

Published

on

By

Reward of £20,000 offered to identify parents of three siblings abandoned as babies over eight years

A £20,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification of the parents of three siblings found abandoned in London over eight years.

The Metropolitan Police said that despite more than 450 hours of CCTV being reviewed, the parents of the three children, known as Elsa, Roman and Harry, remain unidentified.

However, it is believed their mother has lived in an area of east London “over the past six years”.

Elsa was believed to be less than an hour old when she was found by a dog walker on 18 January last year, in East Ham, east London.

In the months that followed it was found that she had two siblings who were also abandoned in similar circumstances, in the same area of London, in 2017 and 2019.

On Saturday, police said the independent group Crimestoppers had offered a £20,000 reward for information passed to the charity, which will expire on 18 April.

Detective Inspector Jamie Humm, of the Met’s child abuse investigation team, said: “We have carried out extensive inquiries over the past year to try and locate Elsa’s parents.

More on London

Baby Roman. Pic: Met Police
Image:
Baby Roman. Pic: Met Police/PA

Read more from Sky News:
The Commons venue that changed political history
Link between A&E waiting times and chance of death
Missing sisters made earlier visit to same bridge

“This has involved reviewing over 450 hours of CCTV and completing a full DNA structure of the mother.

“We have serious concerns for the wellbeing of the parents, especially the mother, and are continuing to work closely with Newham Council and appeal for the public’s help for information.

“I believe that someone in the area will have been aware of the mother’s pregnancies and that within the community there may be (or) have been concerns for this mother’s welfare.

“Thanks to the DNA work of forensic colleagues, police will be able to eliminate any unconnected person quickly and easily, as such I would ask you to contact police with confidence.”

 Newborn baby found in east London
Police and Community Support Officers at the junction of the Greenway and High Street South in Newham, east London, where a newborn baby was found in a shopping bag by a dog walker. The girl, who police say is well and not injured, was discovered wrapped in a towel and inside the bag on Thursday evening. Picture date: Friday January 19, 2024.
Read less
Picture by: Yui Mok/PA Wire/PA Images
Date taken: 19-Jan-2024
Image:
The baby was found at the junction of Greenway and High Street South in Newham. Pic: PA

Elsa was found wrapped in a towel in a reusable shopping bag, of which police have also released a new image, and was kept warm by the dog walker. She was uninjured.

Police said at the time that it was “highly likely” that she was born after a “concealed pregnancy”.

The Boots bag in which Baby Elsa was found abandoned by a dog walker in Newham on 18 January 2024. Pic: Met Police/PA
Image:
The Boots bag in which Baby Elsa was found abandoned by a dog walker in Newham on 18 January 2024. Pic: Met Police/PA

The BBC reported that at an initial court hearing, East London Family Court was told it took doctors three hours to record Elsa’s temperature because of the cold, and the Met Office said that temperatures dropped to as low as -4C on the night she was found.

Hospital staff named her Elsa in a reference to the character from the film Frozen.

The police investigation into the identity of the children’s parents continues, and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or post @MetCC ref Operation Wolcott.

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously at any time on 0800 555 111 or via Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Continue Reading

UK

Ellis Cox: Mother appeals to catch son’s killer on birthday anniversary

Published

on

By

Ellis Cox: Mother appeals to catch son's killer on birthday anniversary

Fresh appeals have been made for information on what would have been the 20th birthday of Ellis Cox, who was shot dead in Liverpool last June.

A number of people have been arrested in connection with the murder at Liver Industrial Estate, but no one has been charged yet.

The 19-year-old’s family and police have paid tribute to him and called for those with information to come forward.

He was shot in the back after a confrontation between his friends and another group of up to three males on Sunday 23 June.

Pic: Merseyside Police
Image:
Ellis Cox who was shot dead in June 2024. Pic: Merseyside Police

His mother Carolyn paid tribute in an appeal to coincide with what would have been his 20th birthday.

“He was so kind… so laid back, so calm, so mature for his age. And he was just funny. Very funny.

“He was my baby… no mum should have to bury a child. He was my life. And I don’t know what to do without him.”

More on Liverpool

Mother of Ellis Cox, Carolyn Cox (blonde hair) and his aunt Julie O'Toole speaking on what would have been Ellis' 20th birthday. He was shot on 23/06/2024 at Liver Industrial Estate
INGEST 28 NM20 GRANADA ELLIS COX FAMILY INTERVIEW POOL EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 18 JAN 2025
Image:
Mum Carolyn Cox (left) and aunt Julie O’Toole (right) are looking for answers

Pic: Merseyside Police
Image:
Ellis’ mum described him as ‘kind” and “funny. Pic: Merseyside Police

Meanwhile, his aunt Julie O’Toole said he was “the sort of person I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone to say anything negative about. He was loyal, fiercely loyal… everything was about his family”.

To pay tribute to Ellis, Liverpool City Council will be lighting up the Cunard Building and Liverpool Town Hall in orange on Saturday.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, the Senior Investigating Officer, speaking about fatal shooting of Ellis Cox on 23/06/2024 at Liver Industrial Estate
INGEST 28 NM20 GRANADA ELLIS COX FAMILY INTERVIEW POOL EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 18 JAN 2025
Image:
DCI Steve McGrath does not believe Ellis was involved in criminality

Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, the senior investigating officer, spoke about the information gathered so far, six months on from Mr Cox’s murder.

“I’m satisfied that the group that he was with was probably the target… and I would say that’s got something in relation to do with localised drug dealing in that area. But Ellis had no involvement in that whatsoever,” he said.

He added that police are looking for “really significant pieces of evidence now”, including “trying to recover the firearm that was used in relation to this, looking to recover the bikes that were used by the offenders”.

Read more from Sky News:
The Commons venue that changed political history
Link between A&E waiting times and chance of death
Missing sisters made earlier visit to same bridge

Mrs Cox also appealed for people to come forward with information.

“If you know anything, don’t let us get to [his] next birthday and still know nothing.

“We need to get justice for Ellis. And we need to get the people who took him from us off the streets.”

Continue Reading

UK

Manchester United legend Denis Law dies aged 84

Published

on

By

Manchester United legend Denis Law dies aged 84

Former Manchester United and Scotland footballer Denis Law has died, at the age of 84.

In a statement, his family said: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle, but finally, he is now at peace.

“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.

“We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference.”

Denis Law in 2005. Pic: PA
Image:
Denis Law in 2005. Pic: PA

The Aberdeen-born footballer previously announced in August 2021 that he had been diagnosed with dementia.

A prolific striker, Law scored 237 goals in 404 appearances for Manchester United, for whom he signed for a then-British record transfer fee in 1962.

He is the only man to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford – one on the Stretford End concourse, the other as part of the United Trinity statue overlooking the stadium’s forecourt beside fellow great George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Denis Law, third from left, as a statue featuring him alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best - known as the 'holy trinity' was unveiled in 2008.
Image:
Denis Law, third from left, as a statue featuring him alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best – known as the ‘holy trinity’ – was unveiled in 2008. Pic: AP

The only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or award, in 1964, he was also part of United’s triumphant campaign in the 1968 European Cup – in which they became the first English club to ever win the competition.

In a statement, the club said: “Everyone at Manchester United is mourning the loss of Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End, who has passed away, aged 84.

“He will always be celebrated as one of the club’s greatest and most beloved players.

Denis Law, centre, during Manchester United's triumphant European Cup campaign in 1968. Pic: AP
Image:
Denis Law, centre, during Manchester United’s triumphant European Cup campaign in 1968. Pic: AP

“The ultimate goalscorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”

Wayne Rooney, former United captain and the club’s all-time record goalscorer, described Law as a “legend”.

“Thoughts with all Denis’s family and friends,” he said in an online post.

Another former United captain, Gary Neville, said: “A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End.”

A tribute from the Scotland national team said Law was “a true great”.

“We will not see his likes again,” it said.

Law also played for Huddersfield Town, Manchester City, and Italian club Torino during his club career, and made 55 appearances for Scotland, scoring 30 goals for his country.

Manchester City said in a post on X: “The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis.”

Continue Reading

Trending