Relief, scepticism over Gaza ceasefire at pro-Palestine rally in London

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have marched in London, expressing scepticism and cautious hope as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has entered its second day.

“We’re … sharing the relief of the Palestinian people,” said Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which has organised mass monthly pro-Palestinian rallies in London since the start of the war on October 7, 2023.

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“But we also come here sharing their trepidation that this ceasefire will not hold, rooted in the knowledge that Israel has violated every ceasefire agreement it’s ever signed,” Jamal told the AFP news agency on Saturday.

Despite concerns about United States President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end the war on Gaza, which calls for a transitional authority ultimately headed by the US leader, Jamal said there was an “immense sense of relief”.

A sea of red and green, the colours of the Palestinian flag, formed along the embankment of the River Thames in central London, where the largely peaceful march began.

Police officers remove pro-Israel protesters from a London rally in support of Palestinians [Jaimi Joy/Reuters]

Protesters donned black and white keffiyeh scarves, carried signs saying “Stop Starving Gaza” and “Stop the genocide”, and chanted “Free Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Police removed several pro-Israel protesters from the crowd.

Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands, reporting from the rally in London, said there has been “no cease to the demonstrations … in the UK expressing solidarity with Palestine”.

Challands said that while 32 such protests have been held so far, Saturday’s was a “huge one” as protesters came from all over the country.

People travelled to the capital on buses and trains from cities including Bristol, Cambridge and Sheffield.

The government in the UK has been making it increasingly difficult for pro-Palestine demonstrations to take place and wants the police to have more power to restrict such gatherings, Challands noted.

Last weekend, London police arrested at least 442 people at a rally in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action in central London.

Israel’s two-year war on Gaza has killed more than 67,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, and caused a humanitarian crisis. Famine conditions were declared in some parts of the besieged territory last month, and a UN commission has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Challands said people were sceptical that the latest ceasefire would hold for a “significant amount of time”.

“They are worried about the perseverance of US President Donald Trump,” he said.

Katrina Scales, a 23-year-old sociology and psychology student attending the rally, said the ceasefire was “not enough” and she planned to keep attending marches.

“I’m here with my friends to help show that there is continuously eyes on Gaza, even considering the current ceasefire,” she said.

Trade unionist Steve Headley, in his 50s, said he is also unconvinced.

“Hopefully now we’ve got the first steps towards peace, but we’ve been here before,” Headley told AFP. He questioned Trump’s “plans for a ‘Riviera’ in Gaza” that the US president touted this year.

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/BRITAIN-PROTEST
Many of the demonstrators in London are sceptical US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza will hold [Jaimi Joy/Reuters]

For 74-year-old Miranda Finch, part of a group marching under the banner “descendants of Holocaust survivors against Gaza genocide”, the ceasefire was “very little”.

“The Palestinians are not going back to nothing. They’re going back to less than nothing. Rubble on top of bodies on top of sewage.”

Fabio Capogreco, 42, who was attending his fifth demonstration with his two children and wife, said the ceasefire was “too little, too late”, adding that those complicit in the war need to be held accountable.

“Hopefully it’s one of the last times we need to come here to manifest,” the bar manager said. “But I think it’s too early to say everything is OK.”

Protests were also planned later on Saturday in other European cities, including Berlin. A march is also expected on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, where pro-Palestine demonstrations have filled streets in recent weeks.

Ian Watkins made chillingly accurate prediction about his death before prison stabbing

Lostprophets’ singer Ian Watkins was killed in jail this weekend after a fellow inmate ‘ambushed’ him and stabbed him in the neck with a ‘shank’ – causing hi to die due to blood loss

Lostprophets’ paedophile Ian Watkins accurately predicted his own death after being jailed for vile sex crimes. The disgraced former star was stabbed to death in jail on Friday while in the midst of serving a 35 year sentence for his crimes.

Reports have revealed he was stabbed in the neck by a fellow inmate in an attack that was described as “pre-planned”, “shocking”, and “gruesome”. Watkins had previously survived a stabbing incident in August 2023 – and he had previously predicted he would be attacked.

In 2019, he was put on trial for secretly having a mobile phone in prison – and had his sentence increased when found guilty of breaking this rule. When the verdict was read out, the former chart-topping star explained that “known murderers” in his prison had told him to keep the phone after leaving it on his bed.

Speaking about possible repercussions following his trail over the incident, he said: “Chances are someone would sneak up behind me and cut my throat. It’s not like one-on-one. Stuff like that, you don’t see it coming.”

On Saturday, news broke that Watkins had indeed been stabbed in the neck and killed while behind bars. He was “ambushed” after inmates were released from their cells in the morning.

Watkins was stabbed in the jugular, causing him to die from blood loss. The violent scene is said to have left those that work in the prison shaken and horrified.

A source told The Sun: “The bloke who got him this time went for his jugular and it looks like a pre-planned attack. Watkins was obviously high-profile and in for the most disgusting crimes… Despite who he was, it was really shocking and gruesome.”

They added: “Experienced officers and a lot of the other prisoners were in absolute shock after what happened and a lot of them saw the awful scene. The inmate who attacked him used a ‘shank’ knife and he was apprehended pretty quickly.”

In 2013, the Welsh native pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to 13 child sex offences. He also admitted to the rape and sexual assault of a child who was under the age of 13.

Watkins also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.

Sentencing Mr Justice Royce said the case broke ‘new ground’ and ‘plunged into new depths of depravity’. He said Watkins had a ‘corrupting influence’ and had shown a ‘complete lack of remorse’. He added Watkins posed a significant risk to the public in particular to women with young children.

The musician was later handed an extra 10 months after he was discovered to have a mobile phone in his possession while behind bars. During the hearing, Judge Rodney Jameson QC said: “I am very conscious of the fact you are serving a very long time and you will be well into middle age by the time you are released. The fact of the matter is if there is not an appreciable penalty for having had a mobile phone in these circumstances then of course you would draw from that the lesson you could have another one and that is not a position I would want to encourage.”

He was said to be sharing his wing with murderers, killers, rapists and paedophiles, who he described as “the worst of the worst”. Asked to describe his music career during an earlier appearance, Watkins told the court his band had sold between five and ten million records across the world between 1999 and 2012. Watkins said the Lostprophets had toured all over the world, headlining at Wembley Arena and the MEN Arena in Manchester.

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Tyson Fury struggling after Ricky Hatton’s death – ‘It hit him hard’

Paris Fury opens up to Notebook magazine about how Tyson has struggled after Ricky Hatton’ death as part of a wide-ranging interview

Paris Fury has told how the death of boxer Ricky Hatton affected her husband Tyson, saying: “It hit him really hard.”

Her husband is currently on a hiatus from boxing since a rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December. And it is during these quiet times away from the sport, that Tyson has sometimes struggled mentally.

This time around, however, Paris has said how her husband had been “doing really well and keeping himself fit and healthy.” But she says the news of Ricky Hatton passing suddenly aged 46 earlier this month was a tough moment.

“He had a low few days,” Paris admits in a wide ranging interview with Notebook. “He was a friend of Ricky and could really relate to him — seeing similarities in their journeys as retired boxers who have faced challenges with life after the ring.”

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Opening up about the bond between the two men, she added: “The boxing community is close in general. Tyson actually knew Ricky; they’d done training together, and Ricky let him use his gym when Tyson made his comeback. They weren’t best friends on the phone all the time, but they knew each other, and in boxing, it’s a close-knit world.”

Their marriage has endured despite Tyson’s well-documented battles with depression, addiction, and bipolar disorder. And Paris admits: “Tyson will always have these issues; they don’t just disappear. We’ve just learned how to work with them. So he has been actively training, running—even if it’s just a really long run, these are the things he’s been doing to cope and he’s in a great place.

“If he actually just stops, it affects his mental health. So even though he’s ill with a cold right now, he’s still going for a long walk just to keep himself going.”

Despite her long-held wish for him to hang up his gloves for good, Paris admits she will stand by him whatever he decides. “Even as his wife, I don’t know if he’ll ever fight again,” she says. “He tells me no, but then something happens, he gets that glint in his eye and does a bit of a Jerry Maguire ‘Show me the money!’ moment. I’ve told him I will support him 100 per cent in whatever he does.”

While Tyson contemplates his future, Paris’s own star continues to rise. Her straight-talking and dedication to her children have won her a legion of fans, not to mention a string of lucrative endorsement deals, including a new partnership with Eternal Collagen.

Given her hectic pace of life, it’s perhaps no surprise that her wellness regime is also performed at break-neck speed. “I’ve always been one for vitamins and skincare, but I’m usually quick—wash my face, put cream on, and get out the door,” she says.

It’s why Eternal Collagen appealed to me so much. “It’s a really strong dose of 15,000milligrams in one shot in the morning, it’s packed full of your essential vitamins like Vitamin D, biotin, K2 , and it tastes good,” she says.

“It’s also got Echinacea, and B12 in it, which is great for immunity, I think this has kept me from getting the cold that the rest of the house has.” She’s noticed other side effects too having taken it for three months.

“After having Rico and a miscarriage, my hair went a bit limp and fine, which really bugged me,” she says. “But my hairdresser just said my hair feels lovely, and for the first time in 20 years, my own natural nails are finally growing.”

Eternal Collagen retails at £45.00, to purchase a bottle visit www.eternalcollagen.co.uk

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Lostprophets’ paedophile Ian Watkins stabbed over drugs debt two years before fatal attack

Disgraced Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins was killed behind bars aged 48 on Saturday while serving time for a string of vile sex crimes – including assaulting children

Lostprophets’ pedophile Ian Watkins was previously stabbed in prison before his murder behind bars. The disgraced musician was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment in 2013 after being found guilty for a string of sex crimes – including assaulting children.

News broke on Saturday that the former singer had been stabbed to death by a fellow inmate after cell doors were unlocked. But it is not the first time the musician, who was 48 when he died, had been stabbed behind bars.

Back in August 2023, the Lostprophet’s star, from Pontypridd, was left with non-life threatening injuries after he was attacked in HMP Wakefield. He was taken to a nearby hospital at the time and an investigation was launched into the incident.

It was later revealed he had been taken hostage by three other inmates and it took prison officers six hours to get him released. His injuries were found to be not life-threatening and the motive for the attack was later explained as an unsettled £900 drugs debt.

On Saturday, it was revealed that Watkins had been killed on Friday while behind bars. Reports stated that he was “ambushed” by fellow inmates, who slashed his throat. A source told The Sun: “Watkins has been killed in the most brutal way possible – and the attack was shocking, even by prison standards.

“He was targeted by another inmate who shanked him in the neck. Guards were nearby and raced to the scene pretty quickly – but there was nothing they could do, and they could not save him.”

The attack has been described as “really shocking and gruesome” and reports suggesting that the incident was ‘pre planned’ by the culprit. It is not the first time that Watkins had been attacked behind bars – leading to a suggestion he was on borrowed time while in jail.

In 2013, the Welsh native pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to 13 child sex offences. He also admitted to the rape and sexual assault of a child who was under the age of 13.

Watkins also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.

Sentencing Mr Justice Royce said the case broke ‘new ground’ and ‘plunged into new depths of depravity’. He said Watkins had a ‘corrupting influence’ and had shown a ‘complete lack of remorse’. He added Watkins posed a significant risk to the public in particular to women with young children.

The musician was later handed an extra 10 months after he was discovered to have a mobile phone in his possession while behind bars. Initially, he denied having a three-inch GSTAR phone in his cell. As the verdict was read out, Watkins claimed that “known murderers” in his prison told him to keep an eye on the phone after chucking it on his bed.

During the hearing, Judge Rodney Jameson QC said: “I am very conscious of the fact you are serving a very long time and you will be well into middle age by the time you are released. The fact of the matter is if there is not an appreciable penalty for having had a mobile phone in these circumstances then of course you would draw from that the lesson you could have another one and that is not a position I would want to encourage.”

Speaking about possible repercussions, he said: “Chances are someone would sneak up behind me and cut my throat. It’s not like one-on-one. Stuff like that, you don’t see it coming.”

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He is said to be sharing his wing with murderers, killers, rapists and paedophiles, who he described as “the worst of the worst”. Asked to describe his music career during an earlier appearance, Watkins told the court his band had sold between five and ten million records across the world between 1999 and 2012. Watkins said the Lostprophets had toured all over the world, headlining at Wembley Arena and the MEN Arena in Manchester.

Sciver-Brunt and Ecclestone star as England go top

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ICC Women’s World Cup, Colombo

England 253-9 (50 overs): Sciver-Brunt 117 (117); Ranaweera 3-33

Sri Lanka 164 (45.4 overs): Harshitha 33 (37); Ecclestone 4-17

England won by 89 runs

England remain unbeaten in the Women’s World Cup after Nat Sciver-Brunt’s sensational century and a remarkable spell of 4-17 from Sophie Ecclestone set up a crushing 89-run win over Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Having put England in to bat, Sri Lanka were left to rue dropping Sciver-Brunt on three, as she punished them with a run-a-ball 117 in England’s competitive 253-9.

The game was delicately poised with England 179-6 after 40 overs, but the captain timed her acceleration to perfection with 49 runs coming from the last five.

In reply, Sri Lanka’s captain and key batter Chamari Athapaththu retired hurt early in their innings, but fellow opener Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama led a promising recovery to 95-1.

But the co-hosts’ lack of batting depth cost them, despite Athapaththu’s return to the crease before she fell for 15, and they finished 164 all out in the 46th over, Ecclestone’s often-unplayable spell of turn and bounce doing the damage.

England’s third win in a row puts them top of the eight-team table, one point above defending champions Australia.

Earlier, Sciver-Brunt played a lone hand as the rest of England’s top order made promising starts but were unable to capitalise, with opener Tammy Beaumont’s 32 the next-highest contribution.

Amy Jones was run out for 11 and Beaumont was caught in the covers, before Sciver-Brunt and former captain Heather Knight consolidated with a patient stand of 60.

Knight was caught sweeping for 29 and England suffered another middle-order wobble to spin, including the loss of Emma Lamb and Alice Capsey to Inoka Ranaweera in the 35th over.

The discipline of Dean stabilised England again as she added 38 for the seventh wicket with Sciver-Brunt, which allowed the skipper to kick on at the death and ensure they had set a winning score.

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Sublime Sciver-Brunt stands alone

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Coming into the World Cup, there was concern surrounding the workload of Sciver-Brunt, leading the side for the first time in a World Cup, carrying the weight of the batting line-up and returning to bowl after an Achilles injury suffered during the Ashes.

But she has quietened those doubts, taking a wicket with her first ball back in the opener against South Africa and here notching her fifth World Cup hundred, the most for any woman as she reached the milestone from 110 balls.

The defining moment for Sri Lanka came in the 14th over as Sciver-Brunt drilled Ranaweera to Udeshika Prabodhani at short mid-wicket, struck firmly but at a comfortable height before bursting through the fielder’s hands.

Sciver-Brunnr was ruthless in her punishment. She was happy to rebuild after the loss of the openers with Knight, and had to absorb pressure in the middle overs after Sophia Dunkley was caught and bowled for 18, Lamb was bowled round her legs for 13 and Capsey was stumped off a beautiful turning delivery – the only England batter who could realistically say she was out to a good ball.

Vice-captain Dean offered valuable company before Sciver-Brunt picked her moment to unleash her power down the ground and pulled confidently off anything short in a crucial ninth-wicket stand of 36 from 19 balls with Linsey Smith.

Sciver-Brunt’s wife – former England bowler Katherine – was in the crowd with their baby boy Theo, and the century celebration was a touching moment, with the captain gesturing to her family like she was rocking him in her arms.

Ecclestone’s magic bamboozles Sri Lanka

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With conditions at the various group-stage venues proving to favour spinners considerably, England continue to prove that they have one of the most formidable attacks to exploit such pitches.

After captain Athapaththu was taken off the field on a stretcher, it was Dean who made the initial breakthrough with her first ball, a stunning delivery that turned from off stump to take leg and bowl Vishmi Gunaratne for 10.

The turn and bounce must have had Ecclestone itching to get the ball in hand but she was held back until the 19th over.

From there, she was metronomic and relentless. She removed both set batters Perera and Harshitha to swing momentum back in England’s favour, though the roar from the Sri Lankan crowd when Athapaththu emerged from the dugout emphasised her importance to the side.

But she was scratchy for 39 balls before being bowled by Ecclestone, alongside Kavisha Dilhari, as each batter tried and failed to put her under pressure by sweeping or taking her down the ground.

‘Catches win matches’ – reaction

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England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt: “In the start, it looked fairly easy to score. Then the spin came on, and there was a bit of inconsistency in terms of whether there was spin or bounce and just how it reacted off the wicket.

“I guess for me batting through allows other people to come in and play in different ways, and I felt like I could never accelerate properly, until the conditions right at the end.”

When asked if her team have played their best yet: “In patches but not really put all together, I’d say. We would have liked to have bigger partnerships in our batting innings to make it feel a little bit more comfortable.”

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu: “We bowled really well. We dropped one catch and she scored 100. Catches win matches.

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