The former socialist leader spoke at the Willie Maley Celtic Green And White Party in Newry on Saturday night where he spoke in front of an audience of 600 Celtic supporters

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Police Scotland has received a complaint following comments made by Tommy Sheridan, in which he declared his support for “on the side of the IRA, Hamas, and Hezbollah” during a speech at an event in Northern Ireland.

The former socialist leader addressed the Willie Maley Celtic Green And White Party in Newry on Saturday night. Speaking to an audience of 600 Celtic fans, he also hosted a rapid-fire Q&A with ex-Hoops players Tommy Johnson, Joe Miller, Rab Douglas and Tosh McKinlay. This marked his fifth year speaking at the event, reports the Daily Record.

In his speech, the 62 year old labelled Israel and the US as “evil”, expressing his support for “on the side of the IRA, Hamas, and Hezbollah” due to their role in ‘doing the resistance’. He also stated his current alignment with Hamas and Hezbollah because “they are doing the resistance”. The IRA, Hamas and Hezbollah are all organisations proscribed under the UK Terrorism Act 2000.

A snippet of the speech uploaded to TikTok features Sheridan passionately stating: “What we have to do, is we have to choose a side. Whose side are we on? Are we on the side of those who are doing the oppressing or are we on the side of those who are doing the resistance?

“Brothers and sisters, we were on the side of the IRA because they were doing the resistance. We are on the side of Hamas in Palestine because they’re doing the resistance.

“We’re on the side of Hezbollah and Lebanon because they’re doing the resistance. And we’re on the side today of the Iranians and Yemen because they’re standing up against the twin pillars of evil in our society today – the United States of America and Israel.”

“They epitomise evil in our planet. When somebody says to me, ‘Tommy, whose side are you on?’ I say I am not on the side of those that murder children, that torture children, that steal the land that belongs to the Palestinians.”

He adds: “I’m on the side of those who resist repression and if that means you don’t vote for me, then tough f****** t****.”

In conversation with the Record, Mr Sheridan explained he was delivering a speech about taking sides in life “between those who resist repression and those who do the repressing,” and stood by his position on the terror organisations.

He said: “I refuse to accept the false narrative of the powerful in society who always cast those fighting for freedom and basic human rights as terrorists.

“Resisting tyranny and oppression is what the poor and dispossessed are forced to do. Hezbollah and Hamas were created by Israeli oppression and illegal invasions and occupations. I choose their side.

“I believe in a free Palestine. I believe in a united Ireland. I believe in an independent Scotland. Some will agree with me and some won’t. That’s life.”

Tommy is standing as the lead candidate on the Glasgow regional list for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland, which was established in February. His wife Gail is also standing as a candidate on the party’s Glasgow list.

This development follows news that the late Alex Salmond’s pro-independence Alba Party is set to dissolve and deregister after becoming financially unsustainable during a police investigation into suspected financial “irregularities”.

Sheridan had previously been amongst a group attempting to assume leadership and rescue Alba, but he confirms his future now lies squarely with Alliance.

Police Scotland stated: “A complaint has been received and is currently under assessment.”

Bosnia & Herzegovina made history, defeating Italy in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.

Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko led jubilant celebrations with the Bosnia & Herzegovina squad after they secured a dramatic World Cup qualification. The team triumphed over Italy in Zenica, winning 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

This marks Bosnia’s second-ever World Cup appearance, the first since Brazil 2014. Despite suffering a shoulder injury in the final seconds of extra time after being hacked down by Davide Frattesi and receiving treatment, Dzeko battled through the full 120 minutes but was unable to take part in the shootout.

He watched from the sidelines with his arm in a sling. Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez said afterwards: I hope that it is not a great injury to Edin Dzeko and that he will be able to be with us at the World Cup because he does not have much time.”

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That didn’t stop the 40-year-old from partying through the night, dancing and singing in a bar. He later shared footage on Instagram, showing the squad enjoying their historic achievement.

He also shared photos from the packed streets of Sarajevo, where the Bosnia squad celebrated atop a rooftop bus surrounded by thousands of fans.

Despite being unable to take a penalty for his country, the striker said it felt like destiny.

“I keep saying it must have been fate, for it to happen in the last second of the match, and then for me not to be able to take a penalty,” he said.

“Someone else stepped up instead of me, scored, and in the end we won. Who knows, maybe if I had taken it, I wouldn’t have scored, so it all feels like it comes from above.”

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On his arm injury, Dzeko added: “We’re all relieved about the arm, it’s not the worst case scenario. Most likely it won’t need surgery.

“So I hope that in maybe a month, month and a half, I should be back.”

Bosnia moved into Group B, where they will face Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in the tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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Meanwhile, Italy failed to return to the World Cup and have become the first former champions to miss back‑to‑back tournaments, having failed to qualify for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Two drunk teenagers ‘left a trail of destruction’ in a hotel reception which was so severe they have been banned from every pub, bar and nightclub in the whole of the UK.

Kera McKeown and Larisa Sumovskaja, both 19, trashed the Trouville Hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset, in April last year despite not even being guests.

The pair were caught on camera with ringleader McKeown seen holding a vodka bottle in one hand and her high heels in the other, which she used to bash at the door of a back office.

Receptionist Signe Ivane has asked them to leave but locked herself inside the office to escape the girls, who had also brought friend Jasmine Orchard.

The three started shouting and McKeown threatened Ms Ivane with the vodka bottle in her hand, saying ‘I will punch you up’.

McKeown also spat at Ms Ivane and threw things two vases of flowers, a computer screen and even a phone which hit a male receptionist on the head.

Sumovskaja picked up a fire extinguisher because she ‘thought it would be funny to spray someone with it’. She didn’t use it but McKeown then threw it at the staff.

District judge Orla Austin called their behaviour ‘disgraceful’ as she told them they narrowly avoided going to prison.

She issued them with an order banning them from all pubs, bars, nightclubs and hotels in the country for six months unless they have to go in one for work.

She told them: ‘I recognise your social life is going to be significantly curtailed but that’s the punishment so don’t take any chances.’

The attack came just five weeks after Sumovskaja and Orchard attacked three nightclub staff after they were kicked out for being too drunk.

Two months before the same pair lashed out a taxi driver before running off without paying. They were later caught after boasting about it and sharing the police appeal on social media.

Tara Olney, prosecuting, told the court the hotel had suffered ‘reputational harm’ as well as the physical criminal damage. T

The owners estimated the cost, including clean up and ‘damage control’, at about £4,000.

They said they had to issue refunds to appease guests who had witnessed the crime, a negative review left by one guest after the incident had cost them future bookings and the two receptionists involved missed several days off work due to emotional distress.

Staff morale was also affected as the violent outburst raised concerns about workplace safety.

McKeown and Sumovskaja, from Bournemouth, admitted criminal damage and affray.

Judge Austin said: ‘What happened here was frankly disgraceful. You made a complete nuisance of yourselves and became aggressive when you were asked to leave.

‘It’s very clear from the footage it was very distressing to the staff. It is a custodial offence but I am just persuaded to suspend it. It is the last chance I will give you so I need you both to understand.

‘You are both in quite a serious situation now – no more trouble whatsoever because if there is you leave me with no other option but to send you to prison.’

James Diamond, representing McKeown, said: ‘This is her first time before the court. She has mental health conditions and neurodiversity. Alcohol had influenced her behaviour, along with being young and foolish.

‘She found it very traumatising being in the police station overnight – she was only 18 at the time.

‘She has expressed her deep regret and remorse for her actions, she’s not proud of what she has done.’

Mark Hensleigh, representing Lumovskaja, said: ‘This lady is very young, these offences occurred over a year ago. She didn’t do very well at school, she has mental health issues, she is very vulnerable.

‘This cycle of offending has come to an end with what happened at the hotel. She has turned a corner and the cycle has been broken. She has got the opportunity for a job, she’s not going to trouble the court again.’

Judge Orla Austin gave them both a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months

They were both also ordered to pay compensation to the receptionists and the hotel for the damage totalling £350 each.

Sumovskaja was also ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and 12 mental health sessions.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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Ex-England and Chelsea star Joe Cole says he has a ‘sneaky feeling’ Manchester City will go all the way in this year’s FA Cup to lift the trophy for an eighth time.

City secured the first piece of silverware of the season courtesy of a Nico O’Reilly-inspired victory over Arsenal in last month’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

And while Pep Guardiola’s men were denied a place in the Champions League quarter-finals by Real Madrid, they remain in the mix in both the English top flight and in the FA Cup.

It would require a stunning nine-point swing in order for Guardiola to be crowned a Premier League champion for a seventh time in his illustrious City career.

But victory over Arsenal at the Etihad on April 19 may have some Arsenal fans fearing the worst after what has been a painful 22-year wait for the title, stretching back to Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles.

In the cup, meanwhile, City have been handed a tough quarter-final draw at home to eight-time winners Liverpool, a year after Erling Haaland and Co fell at the final hurdle at the hands of Crystal Palace.

Elsewhere, Arsenal and Southampton do battle at St Mary’s for a semi-final spot, while Chelsea play host to League One outfit Port Vale and West Ham entertain Leeds in an all-Premier League affair at the London Stadium.

Ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, Joe Hart, Glenn Hoddle and Cole sat down with TNT Sport’s Darren Fletcher to discuss their thoughts after a rollercoaster few months in English football’s most famous competition.

‘I’ve just got a sneaky feeling for Joe [Hart]’s mob [Manchester City],’ former Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham winger Cole said.

In response, ex-England and Manchester City goalkeeper Hart said: ‘To add to that, the way Pep was reacting and with how invested he was… people think he’s got one toe out of Manchester City.

‘But there was no sign of that, was there? He was ready to scrap, he was fighting, he was living and breathing everything they were doing.’

Irrespective of which clubs make it to this year’s final, Cole is anticipating an ‘incredible’ showpiece at Wembley.

‘Nostalgia is a big thing in this current age,’ the ex-England international – who won two FA Cups with Chelsea – explained.

‘There’s always been people harping on about the good old days, but now, music, fashion and football, all three things go hand in hand and the FA Cup encompasses all three things.

‘I think there has been a big push back and this year’s FA Cup final, something incredible is going to happen, it has to.’

According to Hart, Palace’s historic victory over City last year will have ‘given hope to everyone’ of upsetting the odds and getting their hands on the trophy.

‘You look at the achievement of Palace last season, they beat Manchester City and, of course, I wanted Manchester City to win,’ the 2011 FA Cup winner said.

‘But it united them, gave them their medals and their flowers and that badge of honour that they had worked so hard for.

‘It was an incredible performance and that can only give hope to everyone left in the competition.’

Ex-England manager Hoddle agreed, adding: ‘That performance has given hope to everyone: if they can do it against the odds, against the very best, then we can do it.’

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He failed to save any of the penalties while Italy’s Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed theirs.

“I cried because of the enormous sadness I’m feeling, along with the entire Azzurri team, of which I’m proud to be captain, and I know you, fans of our national team, are feeling it too,” Donnarumma added.

The Manchester City keeper, who was handed his senior debut in 2016 aged 17, is yet to play at a World Cup and will have to wait until he is at least 31 for his next opportunity.

He was 15 when Italy lost against Uruguay and exited the 2014 World Cup in the group stage.

He wrote it would take “a lot of strength, passion, and conviction” to restore his country “back where it deserves to be”.

The former Paris St-Germain and AC Milan keeper added: “Always believe; this is the driving force behind moving forward. Because life knows how to reward those who give their all, without holding back.

“And this is where we must start again. Together. Once again.”

Anna had spent months trying to lose weight on her own, with little success.

When Anna Turner walked into her first Slimming World meeting in September 2016, she carried with her more than just extra weight. She carried frustration, self-doubt, and the quiet hope that life could feel different.

What she didn’t yet know was that this single step – taken alone, on a Tuesday evening – would reshape her confidence, her habits and her happiness for years to come.

Anna had spent months trying to lose weight on her own, with little success. The turning point came during a visit to a friend she hadn’t seen in some time.

“She looked fabulous,” Anna recalls. “She told me all about Slimming World – how easy the plan was to follow and how good she felt. I went home that night and decided I was joining.”

Despite not being the type to walk into a group alone, determination won out. She found a class that suited her schedule and, without telling anyone, turned up the following week.

Anna said: “The group was friendly, and the leader was so welcoming. It took me a few weeks to feel comfortable, but I started losing weight straight away.”

What began as a modest goal, with Ann saying “If I could just lose one stone, I’d be happier,” soon grew into something bigger. As the pounds came off, Anna discovered a love for Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan and a renewed enthusiasm for cooking. She experimented with recipes, bought the cookbooks and found meals her whole family enjoyed. The weekly meetings became a source of encouragement, camaraderie and routine.

By November 2017, Anna had reached her target weight. She had lost an impressive 3st 5lbs and completed her bronze, silver and gold Body Magic awards. More importantly, she had transformed the way she cooked and lived, without giving up the meals she loved—just making them healthier.

“I’ve maintained my target weight for eight years now,” she says. “There have been the odd blips, of course, but Slimming World has genuinely changed my life. I’m a much happier person.”

Anna still attends her group every week, valuing the support and friendships she’s built. Leaders have come and gone, four so far, but many of the members remain the same, a testament to the community spirit that keeps people returning.

Her reasons for joining were deeply personal. Anna said: “I was so unhappy every time I went out. I couldn’t find anything to wear. It was always black trousers and a baggy blouse.”

Today, that’s a distant memory. Clothes shopping is now a joy, not a chore, and nights out with friends are something she looks forward to rather than dreads.

Food Optimising, she says, has been key, adding: “Nothing is off limits. I don’t even have a favourite recipe – I love so many of them. My family eats exactly what I eat.”

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She also trains with a personal trainer twice a week, not because of any health scare, but because she wants to live as long and as healthily as possible.

Looking back, Anna is proud, not just of the weight she lost, but of the life she gained. She said: “I’m proud of how I’ve kept the weight off. I love going out now, catching up with friends, enjoying every event. It’s made me happier than I ever expected.”

Anna’s consultant Hazel says “It has been amazing being able to support Anna in her journey to maintain her dream weight. Her expertise, knowledge and ideas in group is invaluable to her fellow slimmers.”

Hazel’s group runs every Tuesday at 5.30pm in The Village Centre, 12 Maxwell Drive, East Kilbride, G74 4HG. To join Hazel’s group, just pop along or contact Hazel on 07821 440225 for her joining offers.

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The Artemis II astronauts have waved goodbye to their families and friends as they prepare to launch on their voyage around the moon.

Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch are about to embark on their 10-day trip to the moon and back for the first time in 53 years.

Glover was seen mouthing ‘I love you’ to each of his family members wearing matching t-shirts before the voyagers boarded a shuttle bus on their way to the launch pad 39B.

The launch now looks likely to go ahead after many setbacks with the crew all in their flight suits and good weather conditions.

Waving to family, colleagues and news photographers, the crew boarded the so-called astrovan for the 9-mile ride to the launch pad and their awaiting SLS rocket.

Before their highly anticipated walkout, commander Reid Wiseman and his crew played a quick card game with NASA’s chief astronaut Scott Tingle. It’s a preflight tradition since the space shuttle era.

Losing is good: It means the astronaut has gotten rid of all bad luck before launching.

The four thanked the suit techs and posed for photos, keeping a safe distance from many of the bystanders to avoid germs.

They then went down the elevator at the Neil Armstrong Operations & Checkout Building and walk out to a barrage of cameras and cheers.

What is Artemis?

Artemis, Nasa’s return-to-the-moon programme, has been plagued by delays, technical hiccups and budget cuts for years.

This has all but denied generations of astronauts their chance at walking where Neil Armstrong once did in 1969.

The last time humans were casually strolling – or moonwalking, we suppose – on the moon was for the 1972 Apollo 17 mission.

Donald Trump made bringing American space boots back to the lunar surface a goal during his first administration, signing Artemis in 2017.

Space officials were tasked with working with commercial companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX to build a lunar-orbiting Gateway outpost.

The project’s first mission, known as Artemis I, involved an uncrewed Orion capsule doing a 1.3 million-mile lap around the moon in 2022.

Unlike the Apollo missions, the second Artemis mission won’t actually land on the moon.

Nevertheless, it will be the first to leave Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in 53 years.

It will also be the first time that astronauts launch on top of NASA’s giant Space Launch System rocket and then swing around the Moon inside the Orion crew capsule.

This equipment was one of the main reasons Artemis II was postponed by more than a year, with NASA citing issues with Orion’s life support system.

This is a breaking news story… more to follow…

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The European Union (EU) could revive measures brought in after Russia cut gas supplies in 2022 amid a mounting energy crisis due to the Iran war.

Gas prices on the continent have risen by more than 70% since the conflict started on 28 February.

Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping in response to US-Israeli attacks, and this has largely stopped the flow of oil and gas from the Middle East.

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And US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that the war could soon end – with the situation in the strait still unresolved.

The EU‘s supplies of crude oil and natural gas have not been hit directly by the closure, as Europe imports most of those energy sources from suppliers outside of the Middle East.

However, the bloc is concerned about Europe’s supply of refined petroleum products, such as jet fuel and diesel.

The last kerosene shipments that passed through the Strait of Hormuz before its closure are due to arrive in Europe around 10 April, according to Benedict George, head of European products at Argus Media.

“There’s no realistic risk of actually running out” of jet fuel, George said, though he added that, “stocks could fall to a level where you have localised shortages”.

Ryanair group CEO Micheal O’Leary has warned of jet fuel supply disruption in May in an interview with Sky News.

Speaking after a virtual meeting of EU countries’ energy ministers to discuss their response, Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen suggested that measures brought in in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine could be revived.

“We don’t know how long this crisis will last. And since we don’t know how deep it will be, we are also preparing different opportunities and possibilities that look more like the ones we used under the crisis in 2022,” he said.

The EU introduced a number of measures in 2022, including a cap on gas prices, a tax energy companies’ profits and targets to curb demand.

Jorgensen also warned that he does not see a quick resolution to the energy crisis, even if the conflict ends soon.

He added: “What I find extremely important is to state as clearly as I can, that even if that peace is here tomorrow, still we will not go back to normal in a foreseeable future.”

Jorgensen is encouraging EU member states to consider the International Energy Agency’s 10-point plan, which includes home working and reduced speeds limits along with more use of public transport and increased car sharing.

Read more from Sky News:
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Iran’s allies could shut second crucial sea route

The EU, however, will stand by its decision not to buy gas from Russia.

Jorgensen said the block should never “repeat the mistakes of the past allowing [Vladimir] Putin to weaponise energy against us and blackmail member states”.

He added that “it would be totally unacceptable” for the EU to continue buying energy that would “indirectly help finance the terrible war that Putin is conducting in Ukraine”.

The doors to Cumberland House, an 18th-century, Grade I-listed building, opened to the public for the first time in three years on Friday (March 27).

The Cumberland, on the corner of Cumberland Street and King’s Staith, serves seasonal British cuisine from its elegant 70-seat dining room.

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Crafted by head chef James Whitlock and his culinary team, the menu incorporates a blend of meat and fish dishes made with local ingredients.

The Cumberland overlooks a picturesque River Ouse (Image: Newsquest)

Guests can begin their dining experience with a starter of roasted heritage tomato soup, spring tartlet, a trout and nori mosaic, ham hock pressing or pan-seared scallops.

The restaurant includes a modern bar, stocked with a variety of wines and spirits, which leads to the building’s sweeping staircase and separate dining space.

Outside, there is a 30-seat dining area by the river – a hotspot in the summer months.

The restaurant includes a 70-seat dining room (Image: Newsquest)

Owners, Shaun and Jamie-Lee Binns, said that they wished to restore the building to its “former glory”.

The pair recruited an interior designer, who helped preserve some of the four-storey building’s historic features, including an original fireplace.

The interiors were brought to life by Rich Andrews and his company AC Building, who have been described as “instrumental” in the building restoration and its maintenance – ensuring it opened on schedule.

A bar leads to the building’s sweeping 18th-century staircase and upstairs seating (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking ahead of the restaurant’s launch, a spokesperson for The Cumberland said: “Hospitality is deeply rooted in the Binns’ family history, which has owned The Lowther since 1987.

“Shaun and Jamie took over The Lowther in 2003, later expanding with Lil’s on the Waterfront in 2016.

“The decision to take on The Cumberland was driven by a desire to preserve a beautiful and historic building that had stood empty for three years after previously being used as solicitors’ offices.

“Recognising its potential and importance, Shaun and Jamie stepped in to protect it from further deterioration, including flood damage, and to restore it to its former glory.”

You can find out more here.