More pro-Palestinian protests took place in Sheffield this weekend
The Sheffield Palestine Campaign has protested weekly since the October 2023 Hamas terror attack.
Musheir El-Farra, who was born in Khan Yunis, Palestine, is an author and filmmaker as well as the chairman of the Sheffield Palestine Campaign.
He said: “It’s still extremely important to raise awareness among the British Public of what’s going on in Palestine.
“Much of the British public is still ignorant of the situation. The public is being mislead into believing that the Palestinians are culprits of this genocide that is taking place by the Israelis.”
University of Sheffield is back on University Challenge tonight
Team Sheffield will be back on our screens tonight at 8:30pm on BBC 2.
Goals across board for five-star Doncaster in away-day hammering
Doncaster Rovers put on a stellar display in a relegation battle against seaside rivals Grimsby Town on Saturday, beating them 5-1 to move six points clear of the relegation places.
Luke Molyneux opened the floodgates at Blundell Park with a sensational strike from 20 yards, after a cut-throat move which saw Grimsby’s defence torn open, kickstarting Rovers' early onslaught.
The lead was doubled 22 seconds later, when loanee Hakeeb Adelakun nabbed the ball in the middle of the park, before driving forward and threading it in for Joe Ironside to slot home his 18th goal of the season with precision.
Despite Grimsby Town pulling one back through a controversial Danny Rose penalty, Rovers maintained their composure, dictating proceedings with authority.
The second half saw Rovers tighten their grip on the game, as they capitalised on Grimsby's defensive vulnerabilities. Grant McCann's tactical adjustments, including the introduction of Kyle Hurst, proved instrumental in maintaining their momentum.
A calamitous own goal by Niall Maher and a clinical finish from Matthew Craig effectively put the result beyond doubt.
Hurst added the finishing touch with a well-taken goal, sealing a comprehensive victory for Rovers and extending their unbeaten run to four games under McCann's stewardship.
Thimothée Lo-Tutala's heroics between the posts ensured Rovers remained unscathed in the face of Grimsby's occasional forays forward, further highlighting their defensive solidity.
With a fervent away following cheering them on, Rovers showcased their championship credentials with a commanding performance that left Grimsby Town reeling.
Local fan, Jack Roberts, 22, has been a Rovers fan for 17 years, and described it as the strongest performance he'd witnessed in a long time.
He said: "It wasn't just the fact that we scored five goals away from home, and two in the first ten minutes - it was the quality of them.
"I think it's a case of backing Grant McCann in the summer, and we could be pushing for promotion next season."
Community in shock over deaths of three young children in Bristol
A family friend of three children who were found dead at a home in Bristol has spoken of her shock at the incident.
Salwa Bashar, from Bristol, said: “I have known this family for over six years now.
“They are part of our community, they’re family friends.
“I was shocked (when I heard the news) – I didn’t want to believe it, I didn’t want it to be true.
“I was, I still am in shock. I was really really sad, I still am very sad.
“This is something I have never heard of happening before in our community, never in my life.
“It’s beyond unbelievable.”
Man who lost his leg in running accident launches fundraiser to represent Team GB at World Championship
A Team GB para ice hockey player from Sheffield is raising money to fund his place at the World Championships in Norway this year.
Damien Barker, 34, who plays for the Sheffield Steelkings underwent a lower leg amputation last year after breaking his ankle in a running accident 10 years ago.
Originally treated as a sprain, it quickly deteriorated. After undergoing an unsuccessful ankle fusion in 2021, Barker made the decision to remove his lower leg last June.
Barker, who has always been a big sports fan said: “Sport is my life. It gets me through the good days and the bad. Getting my trainers on and going for a run used to be my way of getting through.”
After being told by doctors he would never play sport again, Barker joined the Sheffield Steelkings in 2021 and described them as a support system that helped him through very dark times.
He said: “I didn’t realise how much I’d missed the dressing room atmosphere. I remember the first day. Everybody made me feel like I’d been there for ages. It was like I was immediately part of the group. It felt brilliant to find sports again.
“When you get onto the ice, after being told you’ll never play sports again, you feel alive.”
He now has the chance to represent Great Britain at the para ice hockey World Championship in April this year, which will take place in Norway.
Barker is sponsored by Rae Coulston Hardy and has partnered with Andy’s Man Club this year. Personal donations will be crucial to securing his place on Team GB. Para ice hockey is a self-funded sport in the UK.
He described his wife, Stephanie, and his two young children, Lucy and Edison, as his biggest motivation.
He said: “When I gave my daughter my puck from the first goal I scored, she was so proud of me and I loved that.
“It feels like my way of giving something back and making them proud of me. I know my wife believes in me and she’s been really encouraging. She’s kept me level-headed and encourages me at the same time.”
It was also through the Sheffield Steelkings that Damien met his now best friend, Paul Brown, who underwent the same amputation as him.
The Sheffield Steel kings. Credit: Sheffield Steelkings
He said: “We went through something similar and he gets it completely. If it wasn’t for the club, I wouldn’t have met him.
Damien said what matters most to him is setting an example for his family, as well as young children in Sheffield with disabilities.
He said: “Anything is possible, you just need to know where to look. Never get told you can’t do anything.”
Donations can be made through Damien’s GoFundMe page.
People responsible for Navalny death must be ‘held to account’ – No 10
The death of Alexei Navalny must be “investigated fully” and those responsible “held to account”, Downing Street has said.
MPs are to discuss the death of jailed Russian opposition leader when they return to Parliament on this afternoon, as the Government weighs up its options for responding to the news.
Film Festival returns to “outstanding” Sheffield Cathedral for its 18th year anniversary
A film festival is returning to Sheffield Cathedral next month as part of the city’s outdoor culture celebration.
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF) is one of the headliners for the 2024 instalment of the weekend event.
The Festival of the Outdoors will include seven film sessions across with different themes showcasing the best new adventure, sports and travel films from around the world, running from 15-16 March
Founder of ShAFF, Matt Heason, said: “We have run a number of events in Sheffield Cathedral so we are very excited to move the festival there this year. It's a unique space with an outstanding immersive atmosphere.”
The weekend will also see a range of panel talks alongside an all day immersive Adventure Bites loop of short films in the Cathedral's Crypt.
Ben Dransfield, who works on Digital Communications for ShAFF, said: “It's my first time being involved with ShAFF on this level. I've been a big fan of the festival in my student years and have attended many great events put on by this team.
“Meeting everyone involved has been a really warming experience, it's clear everyone just wants to put on the best festival possible and I think we're well on our way to doing so.”
The Climbing Works International Festival, the Pollen Market X FOTO and Sheffield Beer Week are all working with the Festival of the Outdoors.
An art exhibition at the Millennium Gallery titled 'Ways of Water', an immersive experience of work by the art collective, Matterlurgy, consisting of Helena Hunter and Mark Peter Wright, will also be held.
UK-registered cargo ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels ‘at risk of sinking’
Yahya Sare’e, a spokesman for the militant group has said: “As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of potential sinking in the Gulf of Aden."
It has suffered "catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt."
The crew have had to abandon the vessel.
The ship was believed to be travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden when it was targeted.
Since November, the militant group have targeted ships in the Red Sea in what they say is an effort to support Palestinians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Heartbreak for Hallam as Wembley dreams dashed
Just three wins from a final at the legendary Wembley Stadium, Sheffield non-league side Hallam FC were knocked out of the FA Vase by Lincoln United on Saturday afternoon.
A season-high 1,287 people made their way to Sandygate, the oldest football stadium in the world, in Crosspool, for the tie.
The first real chance of the game fell to Hallam's Brandon Bradbury, who spotted the Lincoln goalkeeper off his line and attempted an audacious long-range shot. The keeper was well beaten, but the effort floated just wide.
In the end, it was Lincoln who broke the deadlock after a cagey first half hour, with striker Jake Park stabbing the ball home after a low driven cross into the box.
Hallam grew into the game after going behind, and their pressure paid off shortly after half time. Brandon Bradbury's shot was spilled by goalkeeper Jack Steggles, and Basile Zottos pounced on the rebound to equalise.
Hallam had several opportunities to take the lead not long afterwards - forward Iren Wilson's header floated just over the bar, while it took a last-ditch clearance to deny Hallam after a goalmouth scramble.
Despite continued pressure from the home side, they were not level for long, as Lincoln were awarded a penalty less than ten minutes later. Midfielder Tobias Liversidge sent Hallam's Hugo Warhurst the wrong way, stroking the ball into the net to restore Lincoln's lead.
The setback did not seem to deter Hallam, however, who continued to put pressure on the Lincoln goal in search of a second leveller. Seven minutes from time, Wilson was brought down in the penalty area, and Lincoln's Mitch Griffiths was shown a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Danny Buttle stepped up to the spot, smashed the ball into the bottom corner and sent a packed Sandygate into raptures.
Despite being a man down, Lincoln defended well in the final ten minutes, and a tense hush came over the ground when the referee's whistle signalled that the game would be decided by a penalty shootout.
Both teams scored their first five penalties without much trouble, but a good save from Steggles denied Bradbury and sent Lincoln United into the quarter finals.
This season's run to the last 16 of the FA Vase, a national knockout tournament for teams in the ninth and tenth tiers of English football, was the longest in Hallam's history.
“Football gathers people”: Doncaster friendly football club focuses on improving mental health
A local Doncaster man set up a football club to break down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and build a community around the game.
The football matches are friendly games to promote fitness and provide an open space for the players to talk about their mental health.
One of the players, Liam Bryan, 35, said: “It does help knowing that when you’ve had a tough week you can just come here [...] and you can talk about it with other people who go through the same thing.”
Mental Health FC was founded by Ryan Oldfield, 33, after he realised how difficult it was to organise a get-together with his friends.
As Mr Oldfield already had experience in running non-profit organisations and the overwhelming response he had from his social media posts about friendly matches, he decided to start a permanent football club.
He explained that he has seen a variety of positive changes since starting the club, such as many people being able to build their confidence and find new friends through sport.
A local teacher, Olly Boldy, 29, enjoys being able to “let off a bit of steam” after dealing with long nights at work. He said: It’s encouraging lads to speak. After playing we go for a drink and everyone is encouraged to talk.”
The club is hoping to expand by putting on fundraising events for families to get involved in sports and extra sessions to suit everyone’s schedule. They would also like to put on social gatherings for members to make friends.
Mr Oldfield said: “We’re looking to build the relationships and friendships of people outside of football and be able to have more of a chat.
“The more people we can reach and help, the better.”
You can find out more information about the club and how to get involved here.
Restaurant boss accused of trying to spike woman’s drink
A restaurant boss who owns two Michelin-starred establishments is to stand trial accused of trying to spike a woman's drink at Annabel's club in Mayfair, London.
On January 15, Vikas Nath, 61 and father of one, has denied attempting to administer a substance with the intention of stupefying or overpowering the alleged victim to engage in sexual activity.
He has also been accused of possession of the Class B drug gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) on the same day.
For legal reasons the alleged victim cannot be named.
The defendant appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, where he spoke only to confirm his name and his plea of "not guilty".
While he awaits trial, the defendant has been bailed on condition that he lives and sleeps at his home, surrenders his passports, does not travel south of the river Thames unless to attend court, and remains at home between 11pm and 7am.
Rishi Sunak does not regret GB News stint
Rishi Sunak does not regret taking part in People’s Forum: The Prime Minister on GB News despite Ofcom launching an investigation into whether the programme breached impartiality rules, Downing Street has said.
Asked about the watchdog’s actions, his official spokesman told reporters: “No. This is obviously a matter firstly for Ofcom, who’s rightly an independent regulator.
“But obviously, as you’ll see regularly, the Prime Minister undertakes interviews from a range of broadcasters, outlets and other media.
“And media appearances such as the one he conducted last week are an important part of the democratic process.”