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Palestine campaigners call to boycott HP in Sheffield protest

Members of Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign picketed the Staples store, Eyre Street, in a call to stop the sale of HP products, part of a wider boycott campaign to defend Palestinian rights. Campaigners claim HP is providing technologies to the Israeli government that are used in oppressive practices and in breach of international law. Invited to comment, an HP spokesperson said: “HP has been strongly committed to socially responsible business practices throughout its 75 year history. It is not our policy to take sides in political disputes between countries or regions. Instead, we focus on making the best products we can to help improve the lives of people around the world.” Sham Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Tree campaigners form yellow ribbon around Sheffield Town Hall

Campaigners to save Sheffield trees circled the Town Hall to form a human ribbon as part of the latest rally against the Council’s tree felling programme. Hundreds of people turned out in support of Sheffield Tree Action Group, many wearing yellow clothes to symbolise the yellow ribbons that are wrapped around the 20,000 trees scheduled to be removed by City Council contractor, Amey. Sham Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Winners announced at Sheffield’s international junior squash tournament

Denis Gilevskiy, the first Irish finalist since 1920, was among the winners at the British Junior Open Squash Championship held in Sheffield this week. The competition is one of the most prestigious events in the junior squash calendar with the best young players from around the world battling it out for the coveted titles. Held annually in Sheffield across three venues the championship attracts more than four hundred competitors representing over thirty nations. The titles include eight age categories from under 13s to under 19s for both boys and girls. Sheffield Live! reporter Sham Powell spoke to under 13s boys championship winner, Denis Gilevskiy.

Council defends tree removal programme

Councillor Bryan Lodge, Cabinet Member for Environment has defended Sheffield Council’s controversial tree removal policy at this week’s council meeting. The programme has led to resident protests and has been criticised by tree management specialists. Barrell Tree Consultancy’s managing director, Jeremy Barrell, said: “From a health and safety point of view they are fine – none of them need to come out. We have to make sure this doesn’t happen anywhere else”. Sham Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield United: Samir Carruthers delighted to sign with Blades

New Sheffield United signing Samir Carruthers has said he is delighted to have joined the club after two spells with MK Dons. The 23-year-old whose contract at MK Dons was due to expire in the summer, has agreed a three and a half year contract with Sheffield United after completing all medical checks. Carruthers scored six goals in 137 games for MK dons. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind celebrate World Braille Day

Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind are commemorating the birth of Louis Braille on the 4th January 1809 creator of the Braille system for reading by touch. In 1829 Braille published his ‘Method of Writing Words, Music and Plain Songs by means of dots for the blind’. Braille is still commonly used around the world by blind and partially sighted people. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Discounted starter homes to be built in Sheffield and Rotherham

The government has confirmed funding for thousands of homes to help first-time buyers get on to the property ladder with Sheffield and Rotherham among 30 local authority partnerships selected. The investment is part of the £1.2bn “Starter Homes Land Fund” for new developments on brownfield sites. Starter Homes are new homes built exclusively for first-time buyers between 23 and 40 years old at a discount of at least 20% below market value. The first properties are due to go on sale in 2018. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Rail commuters protest against fare increases

Sheffield rail users voiced their anger at the latest rise in train fares at a demonstration outside Sheffield station. The protest was part of a countrywide action by commuters and other passengers following the announcement of fare rises averaging 2.3% for a single fare journey. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Arise our Jess!

Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill has been made a dame in the New Year Honours list. The thirty year old heptathlete received the award for her services to athletics. Dame Jessica, who won gold at London 2012 Olympics and silver four years later in the Rio Olympics announced her retirement from the sport in October. In her brilliant career she has been a three-time world champion three times, as well as European champion and Commonwealth champion. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake takes a look back at her golden career.

Learner drivers to be allowed on motorways

Learner drivers will be allowed on to motorways for the first time if new government plans are approved. Transport minister Andrew Jones says the move would help make British roads safer. The lessons will not be mandatory and driving instructors will decide when their students are ready. The Department for Transport is also looking at trialling a target number of hours of lessons to complete before learners take their test. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!