Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated his birthday alongside far-right members with a noose birthday cake.

The party in southern Israel was attended by right-wing activists, including Ben-Gvir’s personal aide, who was convicted of assaulting a Palestinian.

‘Activist’ Benzi Gopstein, who was convicted two years ago for incitement to terrorism, was seen smiling at the event.

But the most disturbing part of the event was when Ben-Gvir’s wife, Ayala, gave him a cake with a golden noose reading: ‘Sometimes dreams come true.’

The cake was a nod to the bill his party passed, which made the death penalty for Palestinian terrorism convicts law.

The legislation makes the death penalty a default punishment for Palestinians who are found guilty of ‘intentionally’ carrying out attacks, which are classed as terrorism by a military court.

The move has been condemned by the European Union as well as France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

After the bill was passed into law, Ben-Gvir celebrated it by popping a bottle of champagne.

It’s been classed as discrimination as it does not apply to Jewish citizens of Israel and does not comply with International Humanitarian Law.

‘The death penalty bill in Israel is very concerning to us in the EU. This is a clear step backwards – the introduction of the death penalty, together with the discriminatory nature of the law,’ EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni told journalists in Brussels.

As Palestinians living in the Israel-occupied territory are automatically tried in Israeli military courts, the measure effectively creates harsher and stricter sentences for the people living there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had attended the chamber to support the bill, could also be seen congratulating lawmakers on it passing.

In Ramallah, dozens of activists, political factions and civil society groups gathered to protest the law.

Some held placards depicting a blindfolded prisoner flanked by two hanging nooses – a stark image of what they fear lies ahead.

‘Stop the execution of prisoners law before it’s too late,’ read the placards, held alongside portraits of imprisoned Palestinians.

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He has captured hearts after his quick-thinking and kindness managed to calm an ‘irate’ passenger and stop a Jet2 flight being diverted

A quick-thinking eight-year-old boy managed to stop a Jet2 flight from being diverted, showing a maturity “far, far beyond his years”.

James and his son Phoenix Rose, eight, were heading back from their holiday in Turkey because of a “family emergency” – and they had no idea as they prepared to board what awaited them on their Jet2 flight home to Manchester.

A fellow passenger who was seated a few rows behind the father and son quickly began to be disruptive, and things “erupted” to the point that the flight attendants informed her that the pilot had made the call the flight would have to be diverted.

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“We’d seen that lady at the gate, drinking whiskey,” James claims to the Mirror. “We never thought anything of it. After half an hour in, the first drink service came round and all of a sudden it just erupted and she’d been drinking her own whiskey and obviously the staff had seen her so they, said to her ‘You can’t do that.”

James claims: “We thought that’d be the end of it. They confiscated a whiskey bottle off her. Told her that she can’t buy any alcohol anyway because she’s too intoxicated, to which she started throwing her hands about, swearing, effing and jeffing, really being irate.”

The flight attendants offered her one final chance to calm herself down and stop shouting and swearing, “obviously there’s a lot of kiddies on the plane as well,” James adds, “it just wasn’t right to do”. However, the disruptive passenger didn’t seem to care, James says, alleging the woman “Basically just said, ‘f**k off and go and f**k yourself.’ As loud as she could.”

The flight attendants, who James couldn’t praise enough for the way they handled the situation, informed the passengers that the plane would have to be diverted, but desperate to get home due to the emergency the family was dealing with, James “sprung up out of this seat” and begged the flight attendant passing by him to give him a chance to try and smooth things over, saying “Please, please we can’t afford the plane to be diverted, please just give me 30 seconds.”

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Initially a bit reluctant because the call had been made to diver the flight, the attendant agreed to try one more time, and James asked the woman sitting in between him and Phoenix to swap seats with the inebriated passenger. “As a parent I was a bit concerned about doing it anyway but you don’t really know the full situation until you get into it. So me and my lad, effectively, well I say me and my lad, it was all my lad effectively, he just took all the control. Phoenix, he got his cards out, he started singing to her this Dance Monkey song.”

For the rest of the flight, the eight-year-old reportedly impressively managed to keep the angry passenger calm. “Phoenix for three and a half hours was singing to her, was talking to her about his football, talking to about his Youtube channel, asking her questions about her kids, saying, ‘listen you don’t want to get arrested when you get there, tell me about your kids.’ It was just phenomenal to see him.”

However, when a the story hit the headlines about the initially mystery passengers saving the day, James realised what a big impact the kindness his son had shown to the woman had. “It does look like the whole country – because it’s gone everywhere – has fell in love with him.” The story has even crossed the Atlantic, with American news outlets getting in touch hoping to interview the family.

The story was made public, James said, through another passenger on the plane who was trying to get home to a family emergency, just like they were. Jet2 have offered the entire family free flights to a destination of their choosing and are sending the young Manchester United fan a goodie bag as a thank you.

“He’s just a naturally nice kid who is polite, who helps anyone, anyone he can. I mean, we’ve literally just come to, we’re up at Burnley because he’s playing against Burnley Academy. And we’ve just been to local Tescos up here to get him a drink. And there’s a homeless person outside Tescos and Phoenix has said, ‘Dad, can you, can give him some money?’ And I said, ‘I’ve only got notes, mate.’ He said, ‘Well, give him a fiver then, Dad.’ So, well, that’s Phoenix in a nutshell. He’d do anything for anyone.”

The proud dad said his son, who plays in the position of goalkeeper, has learned skills in the sport that helped him calm the disruptive woman down, “You have to be mentally switched on and concentrated and good at presentation and good at commanding yourself,” he explains, during the half-time break of his son’s game. Phoenix is “so proud of what’s happened” and the positive reaction, but he had a “magical” reaction to getting so much attention, saying: “Well Dad, that’s just us as a family, we’d do it again, wouldn’t we dad?”

A spokesperson from Jet2 said: “The vast majority of customers have a brilliant experience when they fly with us, however our highly-trained crew are always there to look after everyone, as well as provide our friendly in-flight service. We have heard about how James and Phoenix reassured a fellow customer and we would like to congratulate and thank them for their kindness and care.

“We are arranging for a goodie pack to be sent to them, alongside a voucher for a pair of free flights, in recognition of what they did.”

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Welcome to Cuasak Park in Ennis where Limerick are in desperate need of a result. History suggests they have a chance and the bookes also believe in John Kiely’s side.

They have Clare at 6/4, Limerick at 4/5, with the draw 15/2.

This is the 64th championship meeting between the counties. Limerick lead the rivalry 40-21.

For the first time since 2019, Limerick opened their championship account with a defeat.

Treaty manager John Kiely insisted it was a “tremendous” display in defeat against Cork, but the red card to talisman Cian Lynch is serious blow. Aaron Gillane is unable to return yet for Limerick so they will have their backs to the wall against neighbours Clare.

It promises to be another fascinating Munster Championship tie.

The line-up for Celebrity Traitors season two was revealed on Saturday, with Ross Kemp joining his new co-stars for filming in Scotland

Ross Kemp is ready to bring some East End magic to the Celebrity Traitors castle after he was spotted landing in Scotland ahead of filming.

It was previously confirmed that the EastEnders icon, 61, was among the star-studded line-up for season two of the hit BBC game show, alongside Richard E. Grant, Michael Sheen, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Rob Beckett.

Hours after the castmates were revealed, they were seen making their way to the Scottish Highlands, with Jerry Hall, Bella Ramsey, Amol Rajan and Saltburn actor Richard photographed on their journey.

In new pictures, Ross appeared to be thrilled to join them, flashing a thumbs up at a camera before getting into a waiting car. Other snaps showed his fellow soap legend Julie Hesmondhalgh jetting to the area ahead of filming.

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Teasing what led to the Grant Mitchell star deciding to take part, an insider told the Sun: “He loves Traitors and thinks it’s a programme on another level, which is why he really wanted to take part.

“Ross loved the mix of psychological intrigue paired with some of the very physical trials that the group have to complete – both suit him perfectly.”

He is also reportedly hoping to appeal to a younger generation of viewers, who could be less familiar with his career so far.

“Plus he knows The Celebrity Traitors won’t just be watched by people who are familiar with his work, but by younger viewers who may be less familiar with Ross, and this opens him up to a whole new audience. He’s also a very BBC name and this is another big BBC show,” they added.

Joanne McNally, James Acaster and Joe Lycett were also named in the line-up, alongside social media content creator King Kenny, Love Island presenter Maya Jama and Romesh Ranganathan.

Industry actress Myha’la and Professor Hannah Fry rounded out the cast with Sharon Rooney, James Blunt, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney.

While the gang have been all smiles so far while heading to Scotland, things will get very tense once filming kicks off and suspicion over the game sets in. Shortly after filming, the 21 celebs will be sorted into “faithfuls” and “traitors” as they battle it out for the charity cash prize.

It will be up to those faithfuls to weed out the sneaky traitors, who have been tasked with secretly killing them off in nightly visits to the turret.

Following the huge success of the first season, where around 15million people tuned in to see Alan Carr win the competition as a Traitor, fans have been eagerly-awaiting news of a second series, and have already predicted Michael, Richard and Miranda could be this year’s “big dogs ”.

The air date has not yet been announced, but the hit show is expected to return to screens in autumn.

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Bruno Fernandes is one assist away from equalling the all-time record for a single Premier League season as Manchester United prepare to face Liverpool on Sunday

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rubbished rumours that he could pass the ball for one of his teammates to score a penalty as he chases the single-season assist record. The midfielder has 19 Premier League assists to his name this term and is now just one away from the joint-record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne before Sunday’s game against Liverpool.

The 31-year-old has been a talismanic figure for Michael Carrick’s side as they look to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. The Portugal international registered his most recent assist during Monday’s 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.

United now need just a single point to mathematically qualify for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in three years. It means Carrick’s men can secure Champions League football this weekend against their fierce rivals from Merseyside.

Fans at M16 will be hoping to see Fernandes play a key role with an assist to edge closer to the Premier League’s single-season record in that statistic.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I’m too afraid of missing, so I will take my penalty as normal as always.

“Obviously, it’s something that I think about [the record] because we’re talking about Kevin and Thierry. They were two of the best players that the Premier League has seen in a long, long time.

“Obviously, having the chance to be up there with their names for this category, let’s not talk about the rest they have done in the Premier League, for this category it’s very good, and I’m proud of that.”

There will be more to follow. We’ll bring you the very latest updates on this breaking news story.

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The 2019 film is perfect for period drama and history fanatics

A ‘must watch’ biopic about one of history’s most inspiring figures is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Starring Oscar nominee Felicity Jones, On the Basis of Sex sheds light on the story of late U.S Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

It follows Ruth as a young attorney struggling to progress in her career because of her gender.

When she takes on a major case with her husband and fellow attorney, Martin, Ruth realises it could influence the way courts view sex-based discrimination.

Directed by Mimi Leder, this period drama dives into hefty themes like gender inequality in the legal field and the evolution of feminist efforts.

Jones is joined by seasoned actor Armie Hammer, who you’ll recognise from The Social Network and Call Me by Your Name. He plays her husband Martin, the late tax lawyer.

Considering this talented cast, it’s no surprise On the Basis of Sex was a hit with viewers, although critics weren’t completely impressed.

It bagged a 72% Rotten Tomatoes score, with the critics’ consensus stating: “On the Basis of Sex is nowhere near as ground-breaking as its real-life subject, but her extraordinary life makes a solid case for itself as an inspirational, well-acted biopic.”

Many praised Jones and Hammer’s performances but felt the biopic was too predictable.

Meanwhile casual moviegoers showered the drama with praise. “Excellent subject matter and acting.

“Some of the directorial choices fell below the height of the content. Still a must-see for the true story of a real life super hero,” wrote a Rotten Tomatoes user.

A second added: “We loved it. It had us both cheering and crying. Provided often forgotten insights into the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and how many of the same issues are still with us today! We highly recommend it.”

Someone else chimed in with: “One of the most enjoyable movies I’ve seen in a long time,” while a fourth fan said: “One of the best most inspiring movies I have seen.

“The acting is phenomenal, the story is beautifully heart-breaking. This is a story about real live super heroes.”

On the Basis of Sex is streaming now on iPlayer

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Patrick Dorgu flourished under Michael Carrick before a hamstring injury and has now had his say on criticism levelled at him by his former Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim

Patrick Dorgu admits he was stung by criticism from Ruben Amorim after the former Manchester United boss claimed you could ‘feel the anxiety’ when the left-back touched the ball during his final weeks at Old Trafford.

The former Sporting Lisbon manager was sacked by United back in early January following a disappointing 14 month reign with results and performances improving under Michael Carrick after the former Red Devils midfielder was handed the reins on an interim basis.

It was back in November that Amorim questioned Dorgu, a £25million signing from Lecce last year, after a 1-0 loss against Everton. “You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball,” he said. “I can feel the anxiety.”

Reflecting on those comments almost four months on from Amorim’s departure, Dorgu acknowledges that the criticism affected him but also that he used it as fuel to try and improve his performances.

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“It hit me a little bit when Amorim says that because when the coach speaks bad about you [criticises you], it is always going to affect you a little bit. I just took it in the best possible way and tried to improve my game,” the 21-year-old told The Telegraph.

“Even before [Amorim] got sacked in the last couple of games, I started to get into a rhythm as people [team-mates] started going to Afcon. I had a good moment.

“I just had to take that confidence into [the regimes of Darren] Fletcher and Carrick. I just tried to play with a bit more confidence and express myself.”

Prior to this week, Dorgu had been sidelined since January after sustaining a serious hamstring injury in the 3-2 victory away at Arsenal, a game in which he scored. The Denmark international was one of the standout performers during the early weeks of Carrick’s tenure before getting hurt.

Under Carrick, United have all but secured a return to the Champions League next season with the 44-year-old a serious contender for the permanent job. On Amorim’s comments, Dorgu admits it came at a time where he was bereft of confidence amid the team’s struggles.

“I don’t think that was the word he [Amorim] was looking for,” Dorgu added. “Anxious? I don’t think it was that. I just think I didn’t have any confidence and the team was not in a good moment at that time.

“I think he said it at the wrong time because I played well in the national team. I don’t see how I can play well in one and play bad in the other, and all of a sudden I am anxious.”

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The inquest published findings on Thursday that two British Army soldiers “overreacted and lost control” when they shot dead five people in Belfast almost 54 years ago.

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The finding that two soldiers “lost control” when they shot dead five people in Belfast more than 50 years ago has delivered “a measure of justice”, a Catholic bishop has said.

Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian said the truth “restores” the dignity of the victims and the publication of the truth “is of profound importance”.

The Springhill/Westrock inquest published findings on Thursday that two British Army soldiers “overreacted and lost control” when they shot dead five people in Belfast almost 54 years ago.

A Catholic priest, a father-of-six and three teenagers were shot dead in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast on July 9 1972.

Mr Justice Scoffield said that Father Noel Fitzpatrick, 42, father-of-six Patrick Butler, 38, and teenagers David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan were unarmed and posed no risk when they were shot.

In the case of 16-year-old John Dougal, the coroner said he was unable to conclude whether he was armed when he was shot, but said he was likely running away when he was shot in the back and the level of force used was not reasonable.

The coroner said that the two soldiers who shot them, known only as Soldier A and Soldier E, had “overreacted and lost control”, and fired prematurely without carrying out a risk assessment.

Bishop McGuckian told a congregation gathered at the Corpus Christi Parish on Sunday morning that it was “abundantly clear” that the legacy of conflict in Northern Ireland continues to cast “a long shadow”.

He paid tribute to the families who had “courageously sought truth and justice” while carrying “loss for generations”.

“The findings of this inquest acknowledges that this is a moment of deep significance for the families of these unlawful killings, your wider parish community and for all who carry the memory of what happened here on 9th July 1972,” he said.

He said the findings that the soldiers had used a level of force that was “unreasonable and unjustified” restored the victims’ dignity and delivered “a measure of justice”.

“While no legal finding can ever undo the pain of such loss, the public naming of this truth is of profound importance,” he said.

“Truth restores dignity to the deceased, and it brings a measure of justice to those who grieve.

“I want to speak directly to the families who have carried this loss for generations.

“I pay tribute to each of you who have courageously sought truth and justice for your loved ones carrying the cross of grief, misinformation and injustice.

“You have lived too long with silence. You have borne your suffering with remarkable restraint and dignity.

“Your perseverance in the search for truth and justice has been vindicated.”

The bishop also paid tribute to Father Fitzpatrick, who he said had stood with the community “in a time of fear and violence”.

The inquest found that the priest was likely tending to the dead, dying or injured, and was being helped by Mr Butler when they were both shot in the head with the same bullet.

The coroner said the priest, who was shot first, was “recognisable” as a priest at the time and said the soldier had “fired prematurely”.

Bishop McGuckian said: “Alongside parishioners and neighbours, he ministered in the Church and on the streets to children and families, placing himself in harm’s way out of faith, love and solidarity.

“His life and death remain a powerful witness to the Gospel values of service, compassion, and reconciliation in the midst of conflict.”

He said that he hears from families and the wider community who still seek “truth and justice, not for revenge”.

“The path towards reconciliation and recovery in Northern Ireland can only be achieved by walking together in the light of truth and justice,” the bishop said.

“Confronting the legacy of pain and suffering and working towards reconciliation remains essential because families still suffer, communities still mourn, and there are many who still seek truth, accountability and justice.

“In my ministry as Bishop of Down and Connor, I continue to hear the voices of families and the wider community who fearlessly cry out longing for truth and justice, not for revenge.

“Your witness reminds us all, politicians and wider society, that reconciliation is not built on forgetting or denial, but on honesty and mutual recognition of suffering.

“While peace and stability are precious achievements, they must never come at the cost of excluding victims or silencing their voices.

“Where truth remains hidden or unresolved, it continues to erode trust and hinder reconciliation.

“Credible, independent, and transparent processes that enable the pursuit of truth and justice are not obstacles to peace; they are its necessary and indispensable foundation.

“To you, the parishioners of Corpus Christi, whose streets and homes continue to carry these memories and scars: I thank you for the quiet strength with which you have sustained one another over the years.

“I pray that the findings of this recent inquest, like the earlier findings into the Ballymurphy Massacre, may bring some peace and consolation, and that it may renew our shared commitment to building a better future for our children and young people.”

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Drink driving

A man was banned from the roads after drink driving.

Jordan Aldcroft, 34, admitted to Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court that he had driven a Peugeot Panel Van on Pilkington Road, Bolton while over the legal limit for cocaine.

This was on August 14 last year.

Aldcroft, of Coalshaw Green Road, Chadderton, was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £438.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £175.

Fighting dog

A man was fined after having custody of a fighting dog.

Craig Davenport, 32, admitted to Tameside Magistrates Court that he had custody of an XL Bully on December 8 last year.

This was against the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Davenport, of Back Wellington Street North, Farnworth was fined £60 and ordered to pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution service with £400 to Greater Manchester Police.

Magistrates gave a contingent destruction order for the dog unless an exemption order applied.

Racially aggravated 

A man was ordered to pay after racially aggravated behaviour towards a police officer.

Luke Madeley-Bell, 27, admitted to Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court that he had caused racially aggravated alarm or distress to a Police Constable in Bolton.

This was on September 30 last year.

Madeley-Bell, of Coniston Avenue, Farnworth, was ordered to pay a compensation of £50 and a fine of £1000.

Offensive phone calls

A man was fined after making offensive phone calls.

Wayne Cohen, 43, admitted to Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court that he had sent offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing messages.

This was by making grossly offensive or indecent phone calls in Bolton on August 8 last year.

Cohen, of Barton Road, Farnworth, was fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £85 with a surcharge of £48.

Driving ban 

A man was banned from the roads after drink driving.

Brett Holt, 44, denied drink driving when appearing before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court.

But he was found guilty of driving a Ford transit van while over the legal limit for alcohol on Long Lane, Bolton on October 6, 2023.

Holt, of Long Lane, Bolton, was banned from driving for 36 months with a reduction period of 36 weeks if he completes a course by October 6, 2028.

He was also fined £1,200 and ordered to pay costs of £620 with a surcharge of £480.