International News
Guilty Or Innocent? Alleged Rioters Face UK Judges
Some appear defiant, others hold back tears. Dozens of far-right rioters are being fast-tracked through UK courts as authorities try to bring a week of violent disturbances to an end.
Jake Turton, 38, shakes his head in disagreement, hands on his hips, as a prosecutor accuses him of providing weapons used to attack police in a northern English town.
He is appearing at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, charged with violent disorder and driving a vehicle without the consent of its legal owner.
Wearing a blue t-shirt and grey shorts, Turton listens as the prosecutor says he provided “wood objects” used by rioters in Rotherham, where disorder on Sunday injured over 50 officers.
The objects were also thrown at a Holiday Inn Express hotel housing asylum seekers, the prosecutor says. The same hotel was later set on fire by rioters.
Turton pleads not guilty to three charges. He is denied bail and told to appear later this month in a more senior crown court. If found guilty, he could face “years” in prison, the prosecutor warns.
As he leaves court, Turton raises his hand in a fist and shouts: “See you in a bit lads.” His supporters in the public gallery shout back: “Head up” and “Brave lad”.
Turton was one of scores of alleged perpetrators of England’s worst riots in more than a decade who filed through the UK’s heaving criminal justice system Wednesday on the third day of hearings related to the disorder.
At least 140 people have been charged over the violence, which erupted following a mass stabbing last week in which three children were killed.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged “substantive sentencing before the end of this week” and already some accused are learning their fate.
One man was jailed for three years on Wednesday. Two others received sentences of 20 and 30 months respectively in the first jail sentences handed down related to the unrest.
– ‘Deeply disturbing’ –
Local chief prosecutor Sarah Hammond said the sentences were just the “tip of the iceberg” and the “start of a very painful process for many who foolishly chose to involve themselves in violent unrest”.
“Many of those involved will be sent to prison for a long time,” Hammond told the press outside Liverpool Crown Court.
In Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, three defendants entered pleas related to the disorder in nearby Rotherham. On the basement floor, two teenagers had hearings in a youth court.
A 17-year-old pleaded guilty to waving an 8-foot-long piece of wood in a threatening manner at police during the riot. A 16-year-old also admitted one count of violent disorder.
“It’s been crazy,” a court usher said of the hearings, sighing.
Of the several hundred arrests made by police so far, several charges have been brought against young men and children under 18.
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson called the number of youths involved “deeply disturbing”.
“One of the most striking features of the current outbreak of disorder is that many young people are involved. Children as young as 11,” Parkinson said in a statement on Monday.
“They may face life-long consequences: conviction, and a permanent record of their involvement on the police national database.”
AFP
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June 5th, Transfermarkt updated. The new market values of Barcelona players. Three players increased and nine decreased, with Raphinha dropping by 10 million to 70 million euros.
Increase (Euros)
Joan-Garcia increased by 5 million to 45 million
Eric-Garcia increased by 5 million to 40 million
Gerard-Martin increased by 10 million to 35 million
Decrease (Euros)
Raphinha decreased by 10 million to 70 million
Kounde decreased by 5 million to 60 million
Balde decreased by 5 million to 50 million
De Jong decreased by 10 million to 35 million
Casado decreased by 2 million to 18 million
Christensen decreased by 1 million to 8 million
Cancelo decreased by 1 million to 8 million
Lewandowski decreased by 1 million to 7 million
Szczesny decreased by 100,000 to 800,000
Unchanged (Euros)
Yamal 200 million
Pedri 150 million
Fermin 100 million
Cubarsi 80 million
Olmo 60 million
Ferran Torres 50 million
Rashford 40 million
Gavi 30 million
Bernal 30 million
Araujo 20 million
Bardghji 15 million
Bitcoin dropped below $60,000 on Friday, its lowest level since October 2024, just before Donald Trump’s election which propelled it to a record high.
The currency fell by about 6 percent around 1615 GMT, to $59.7709, before paring its losses slightly.
The election of Trump, a staunch advocate of cryptocurrencies, to the White House in November 2024 for a second term sparked a wave of enthusiasm in the sector, sending the price of bitcoin soaring to nearly $110,000.
AFP
Man City are considering taking legal action after a Real Madrid presedential candidate said he would sign Erling Haaland, if elected.
What actually happened?
Real presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who faces current president Florentino Perez in Sunday’s vote, claimed on Spanish TV show El Hormiguero on Wednesday night that Haaland had a release clause and wants to move to the Bernabeu. He also held up a Real shirt with ‘Haaland 9’ on the back.
Riquelme, who also promised to sign Haaland’s City team-mate Rodri, said: “If I break my promises regarding either of these players, I’ve signed a guarantee where I’d pay 100 per cent of membership costs for next season.
“Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid.”
What was City’s response?
However, Manchester City have moved quickly to refute those claims, saying in a statement that there is “no chance” Haaland will be leaving the Etihad Stadium any time soon. The Premier League club also said they are considering legal action over the shirt stunt.
A City spokesperson said in a statement: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue.
“There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.
“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
Haaland is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2034 and Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta and his father Alfie Haaland laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could soon be heading to the Spanish capital.
A joint-statement released in the early hours of Thursday morning said: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”
What was Perez’s response?
Meanwhile, current Real president Florentino Perez made his own election pledge on Wednesday night, seemingly confirming Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid as manager, if he wins next Sunday’s presidential election.
Perez posted a video on X in which Mourinho features in a Real shirt saying: “Yes”, while the only other words to accompany it say: “Meanwhile, on TV, they just keep talking and talking and talking. So much history to be made.”
The video was posted in response to Riquelme’s TV apperaance promoting his rival bid.
Perez has made no secret of his intention to name Mourinho as head coach should he win the vote and remain for an eighth term in the role, but his social media post appears to have made it official.
Mourinho is widely expected to agree a three-year-deal to return to the Bernabeu Stadium and replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Benfica have yet to confirm Mourinho’s departure, while speculation has been mounting that Marco Silva is being lined up as his successor after the Portuguese announced he will leave Fulham when his contract expires in June.
Real Madrid’s presidential election on Sunday will be decided by the club’s members. It is the first contested election since 2006 as club members will choose between incumbent Perez, 79, and businessman Riquelme, 37.
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