Caspar Barnes

The U.S. federal government has shut down after Republican and Democratic senators failed to agree on a last-minute funding bill. Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to close and had previously threatened to fire large numbers of federal workers. The shutdown could affect government employees and public services; the previous shutdown, in 2019, lasted 35 days and was estimated to have cost the U.S. economy $6 billion.

Health experts and regulators reject Donald Trump’s suggestion that Tylenol or paracetamol use during pregnancy causes autism. Edward Mullins of The George Institute for Global Health says the medicine is considered safe during pregnancy, while a Swedish study of 2.5 million women found no association between maternal paracetamol use and autism spectrum disorder, including after accounting for genetic and family factors.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France would officially recognise the state of Palestine during a United Nations conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. France became the fifth country in two days to make the recognition, in a move intended to generate support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. More than 140 leaders applauded, alongside the Palestinian delegation and UN ambassador Riyad Mansour.

Manchester City held a minute’s appreciation for British boxing champion and lifelong supporter Ricky Hatton before the Manchester derby. Hatton, who was found dead at his Greater Manchester home on 14 September at age 46, was closely associated with the club, wearing sky-blue shorts in the ring and using “Blue Moon” as his walkout song. He also fulfilled a long-held ambition by fighting Juan Lazcano at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in 2008.

Six people were killed in two U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Pacific, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The attacks bring the reported death toll to at least 75 across 19 strikes in the Pacific and Caribbean since early September. The people killed have not been identified, and no evidence has been publicly presented linking them to organized drug trafficking. The Trump administration maintains that the strikes are legal because the president has determined that the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned Donald Trump, his Republican allies and their education policies during a speech to the Illinois Federation of Teachers in Rosemont on October 19. Pritzker accused the administration of gutting the U.S. Department of Education and making it harder for students to improve academically. His profanity-laced remarks received a standing ovation, and video of the speech later circulated on social media, renewing attention around Pritzker as a prominent Trump critic and potential 2028 presidential contender.

Cuba’s military rescued 38 residents, including elderly people and people with disabilities, after the Sagua River overflowed following heavy rain from Hurricane Melissa. Troops used an amphibious vehicle in a five-hour operation between Holguín city and Santa Maria, despite fast-moving water, debris and darkness. More than 700,000 people across Cuba had been evacuated because of widespread flooding.

Donald Trump terminated trade talks with Canada after reacting angrily to an anti-tariff advert funded by Ontario’s provincial government. The advert quoted Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs hurt Americans. Trump called it “FAKE” and “egregious” before ending negotiations, amid US tariffs of up to 35% on Canadian imports and additional measures affecting Ontario’s automotive and steel sectors.

Channel 4’s Dispatches aired a documentary hosted entirely by an AI-generated television presenter, a first for British television. The presenter was created by an AI marketing agency using prompts to generate a digital human. The documentary, Will AI Take My Job?, examined whether artificial intelligence could outperform professionals in fields including medicine, law and fashion photography.

A landmark approach of introducing peanut products early in infancy appears to have prevented thousands of peanut allergies. Researchers analysing health records from dozens of paediatric practices found that diagnoses among children aged zero to three fell by more than 27 percent after 2015 guidance and by over 40 percent after recommendations were expanded in 2017. Dr David Hill estimates that at least 40,000 fewer children now have peanut allergies as a result.

Donald Trump shared footage of a U.S. missile strike on a suspected drug-carrying submarine in the Caribbean, claiming intelligence showed it was carrying mostly fentanyl and that its cargo could have killed at least 25,000 Americans. Legal scholars questioned whether the administration’s use of military force against drug cartels complies with international law. Two people who survived the strike are reportedly being repatriated by the Trump administration.

During a bout between Ura Kazuki and Shonannoumi Momotaro at the five-day Grand Sumo Tournament in London’s Royal Albert Hall, the referee, or gyoji, stepped in when Ura’s mawashi belt began to slip, helping preserve the wrestler’s modesty. More than 40 leading Japanese sumo wrestlers are participating in the tournament, which is being held outside Japan for only the second time.

An AI-generated video depicting Donald Trump’s vision of Gaza transformed into a luxury beach resort has resurfaced after Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and detainees in connection with a peace deal. The surreal imagery includes Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk, gold Trump statues and Tesla cars. Trump has vowed to rebuild Gaza but avoided taking a position on Palestinian statehood after a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Thousands of Ricky Hatton fans lined streets around Manchester to pay tribute as his funeral procession made its way to Manchester Cathedral. Boxers and celebrities attended the private funeral, while mourners remembered Hatton as a boxing legend and a personal hero. Hatton died unexpectedly on 14 September at age 46 at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester; police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal. The agreement reportedly includes an Israeli troop withdrawal to a smaller area, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners within a 72-hour window, and increased humanitarian aid, subject to approval by the Israeli government. The deal prompted celebrations in Gaza and Israel but was presented as an initial stage whose implementation and eventual broader peace remain uncertain.

Diogo Jota’s sons, Dinis and Duarte, led Liverpool and Wolves onto the pitch at Anfield before their Premier League match, commemorating the Portuguese forward who died in a car crash in Spain alongside his brother André Silva. Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, attended as supporters sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in tribute.

A video highlights The Independent’s five leading films of 2025: On Falling, The Ballad of Wallace Island, Eephus, Bugonia and I Swear. The selections span intimate drama, small-town American life, surreal dark comedy and emotionally direct performances, collectively reflecting a diverse and notable year for contemporary cinema.

The Independent’s film writers recommend their favorite Christmas movies, ranging from heartfelt classics such as It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone to offbeat and contemporary choices including Gremlins, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Christmas, Again. The selections reflect enduring warmth, nostalgia, humor and festive charm across several generations of Christmas cinema.

The Independent’s music journalists Roisin O’Connor, Hannah Ewens and Ellie Muir select their favourite albums of 2025. The picks include Lily Allen’s West End Girl, FKA twigs’ Eusexua, Rosalía’s Lux and PinkPantheress’s Fancy That, reflecting a year of highly acclaimed and challenging releases across contemporary pop music.

Paul Doyle, a 54-year-old former Royal Marine, was sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison after driving his Ford Galaxy into crowds at a Liverpool football parade, hitting 134 people. Court footage showed him shouting at pedestrians as he drove through the crowd during a two-minute rampage fueled by rage.

Footage reconstructs how Paul Doyle drove a Ford Galaxy through 134 football fans during a two-minute attack at a Liverpool parade. Dashcam evidence captured Doyle shouting at people as he drove through the crowd. A former Royal Marine, he was sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison after the court heard that rage and anger had taken control of him.

Donald Trump has intensified criticism of Somalia and called for Somalis, including Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, to be removed from the United States. ICE is reportedly being deployed to Minneapolis to deport undocumented Somali immigrants. The report examines the reasons behind the administration's increased pressure on a community of roughly 80,000 people, one of the largest Somali populations outside Somalia.

David Beckham visited Mumbai as part of his first UNICEF trip since receiving his knighthood. At the Cooperage Football Grounds, he demonstrated his football skills and met children and young people from underserved communities supported by the Oscar Foundation, saying he was humbled by their drive and resilience.

Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video on Truth Social depicting him playing football with Cristiano Ronaldo inside the Oval Office. The clip was posted after Trump dined with Ronaldo and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and shows an AI-generated Trump heading and kicking a ball toward the viewer.

Drone footage from Castleside in County Durham shows homes, fields and cars covered in heavy snow. The Met Office has forecast a markedly colder week, with multiple amber warnings for snow and ice, snowfall of up to 25 centimetres in some areas and nighttime temperatures potentially falling to minus 10°C. National Rail warned that poor weather could disrupt journeys across England, Wales and Scotland through Thursday.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sang part of John Lennon’s “Imagine” during a speech near Caracas, asking his communications minister to remind him of the song’s title and praising its lyrics as an enduring inspiration. The performance came as tensions between Venezuela and the United States increased, with US warships stationed in the Caribbean near Venezuela’s coast. The Trump administration says the deployment is intended to combat drug trafficking.

Emma Raducanu visited England’s rugby training camp at Pennyhill Park before the team faced New Zealand. She observed a training session and joined Fin Baxter and Will Stuart in a line-out drill, as head coach Steve Borthwick continued seeking insights from athletes outside rugby. England subsequently defeated the All Blacks 33–19, only the ninth time they have beaten New Zealand.

The United States is deploying more than 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East amid its ongoing conflict with Iran. An AP-NORC poll found that nearly 60% of Americans believe U.S. military action in Iran has gone too far. The survey also indicated that Americans are more concerned about gasoline affordability than replacing Iran’s government with one more favorable to U.S. interests, with only about three in ten viewing regime change as a crucial foreign-policy objective.

Hungary’s April 12 election is presented as a decisive contest between Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party and Péter Magyar’s opposition Tisza party. After 16 years in power, Orbán is seeking re-election while Magyar promises to restore Hungary’s ties with the European Union and NATO. Opinion polls reportedly place Tisza ahead, but JD Vance’s visit to Budapest and support from the Trump administration could help Orbán retain power. An Orbán defeat would weaken Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and the broader international populist movement.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned at the Munich Security Conference that the rules-based international order has ended and suggested that even the United States lacks the strength to stand alone without NATO allies. He pledged Europe’s unconditional support for Denmark in its dispute with the Trump administration over Greenland and reaffirmed plans to build Germany’s armed forces into Europe’s strongest military, capable of defending the continent’s eastern flank against Russia.

Donald Trump said it would make no difference to him whether the United States and Iran reach a deal as peace talks continue in Pakistan. He claimed the US had defeated Iran militarily and that America would benefit regardless of the outcome. Trump confirmed that deep negotiations were underway, with Vice President JD Vance leading discussions in Islamabad, and warned China against supplying arms to Iran.

An AI-generated UFC advertisement depicts a cage-match event taking place on the White House South Lawn. UFC Freedom 250 is planned for 14 June, Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, with crews expected to build a six-foot wire-mesh octagon for mixed martial arts bouts. The event has Trump’s endorsement and is being promoted as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations.

Video footage appears to show a federal agent shooting anti-ICE protester Kaden Rummler in the eye with what is suspected to be a pepper ball during a 9 January protest outside the federal immigration building in Santa Ana, California. Rummler's family says he has been left permanently blind in his left eye. The protest followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin described the demonstrators as violent rioters and said two officers were injured; two protesters were arrested and charged. A GoFundMe campaign for Rummler quickly surpassed its $5,000 target.

Russia condemned the United States’ actions in Venezuela at a United Nations Security Council session and demanded the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Russia’s ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, called Maduro legitimately elected and described the US operation as armed aggression that violated international law. Maduro and Flores were reportedly captured during a US raid in Caracas, while Russia and China continue to support the Venezuelan government.

Nick Kyrgios defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes exhibition match in Dubai. Both players defended the event against negative commentary, while Billie Jean King argued that it should not be compared with her politically motivated 1973 match against Bobby Riggs.

Donald Trump said he believes Russia and Ukraine have the makings of a peace deal and are closer than ever to an agreement during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago on 28 December. His comments followed a major Russian aerial attack on Kyiv involving nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles, which killed two people and left almost a third of the capital without heating. Zelensky argued that the strike showed Vladimir Putin does not want peace, while Ukraine said a 20-point peace plan was 90 per cent ready.

Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat after 16 years as Hungary’s prime minister, with the pro-EU Tisza party and its leader Peter Magyar winning a pivotal election. Orbán’s Fidesz party said it would respect the result despite voter-fraud accusations from both sides. Tisza supporters celebrated in Budapest, while the outcome is expected to mark a new phase in Hungary’s relations with the European Union. Orbán’s close alignment with Vladimir Putin and support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had drawn widespread criticism across Europe.

The Trump administration has removed another senior military official, Navy Secretary John Phelan, amid the ongoing Iran war and a tenuous ceasefire. The dismissal occurred on April 22 while the U.S. Navy was involved in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are seeking to replace Pentagon leaders viewed as out of step with the administration, marking the second major U.S. military leadership shake-up since the conflict began in late February.

Mia Schem recounts her abduction during the 7 October Hamas attack on the Nova music festival, describing being shot, taken into Gaza, and held in harsh conditions for 55 days. She recalls the death of her friend Elia Toledano, later recovered by the Israeli military, and details the deprivation and fear she experienced in captivity. Speaking in London at the Nova Exhibition, she reflects on her survival, the loss of her friend, and the emotional moment of her release and reunion with her family.

A three-year-old boy, Klieber Moran, was rescued alive six days after two major earthquakes struck Venezuela, following efforts by the Jordan International Search and Rescue Team. Authorities confirmed he was the only survivor found on the sixth day, while NASA satellite analysis estimated that around 58,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed by the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes. Rescue teams continue searching as the survival window narrows.

Andy Burnham outlines plans to devolve power from London by creating a Manchester‑based “No 10 North” to coordinate with regional governments and support long‑term local strategies. The speech marks his first major policy address since returning to Parliament, with his potential move to become prime minister following Keir Starmer’s resignation referenced as context.

Photographer Tahmineh Monzavi describes being jailed in 2012 for documenting homelessness, addiction and poverty in Tehran, an experience that left her with panic attacks and a lifelong autoimmune illness. She now photographs young Iranians shaped by the Women, Life, Freedom movement, portraying a generation more willing than its predecessors to reject fear and imagine a freer future. Students and other young people describe killings, arrests, surveillance, economic hardship, shortages and a prolonged internet blackout that disrupted communications and employment. Despite repression and the difficulty of emigrating, some retain hopes for freedom, creative careers and ordinary lives, while Monzavi continues her work despite the risk of renewed imprisonment.

Arsenal secured the Premier League title after Manchester City drew 1–1 with Bournemouth, ending Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the championship and a run of three consecutive second-place finishes. Fans celebrated inside The Drayton Park Arms in North London, while Mikel Arteta’s team prepared to visit Crystal Palace as champions. The title is Arsenal’s 14th, giving the club the third-highest total in English football history.

Polling stations have closed in Hungary’s record-breaking parliamentary election, with voter turnout reaching almost 78 percent, the highest level in the country’s post-Communist history. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his nationalist Fidesz party faced a strong challenge from the centre-right, pro-European Tisza party led by former Fidesz loyalist Peter Magyar. Opinion polls indicated that Tisza could end Orbán’s 16-year rule, with official results expected later on Sunday.

Broadcaster and author Zakia Sewell’s book Finding Albion explores Britain’s folk traditions through the Pagan calendar, visiting rituals and festivals across the British Isles. Sewell argues that folklore and national symbols can be reclaimed from far-right movements and used to express a more inclusive form of Britishness. She highlights the diverse origins of symbols such as St George’s cross, the multicultural history of the British Isles, and contemporary efforts such as the LGBTQ+ Morris troupe Boss Morris to reshape English folk culture. Her perspective is informed by both Caribbean heritage and an interest in Britain’s pre-colonial and multicultural past.

Doctors and lawyers in Iran are reportedly being targeted for assisting protesters after a deadly government crackdown. An anonymous doctor describes treating 120–150 gunshot victims and witnessing 30 deaths at a clinic near Tehran over two nights, while a radiologist says many injured people avoided hospitals for fear of arrest. Lawyers have also been denied independent representation of detainees, and at least one legal professional reportedly died in police custody. The article links the repression to Iran’s extensive surveillance and internet-censorship infrastructure, and notes the risks faced by medical workers and legal professionals as tensions with the United States and Israel intensify.

British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili describes using his social media and comedy shows to amplify the voices of Iranian protesters during an internet blackout and deadly government crackdown. He argues that negotiations with Iran’s regime have run their course and welcomes international pressure, including the presence of US naval forces and the European Union’s terrorist designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Djalili supports the Iranian people’s demand for change and believes exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi could help oversee a transition to democracy, while acknowledging concerns about foreign intervention. He also discusses the persecution of Baha'is and the courage of protesters continuing to resist despite severe risks.

An internet and mobile communications blackout in Iran has left people abroad unable to contact relatives during a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. Human-rights groups say the shutdown may be concealing mass casualties, while reports cited in the piece estimate thousands killed and hundreds of thousands injured. Iranians in Britain describe grief, fear and psychological distress as they await news, while experts argue that the blackout itself is part of the violence and may ultimately deepen the regime’s legitimacy crisis. Security forces reportedly continue to target protesters and wounded people, and activists are urging the US to permit satellite internet access despite fears about what further information from Iran may reveal.

The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti during an altercation with federal agents has intensified debate over US immigration-policing tactics. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti drew a gun before agents fired defensive shots, but the government has not publicly provided evidence supporting that account. The case follows the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, and Republican lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration for a full investigation. The Independent gathered reactions from people in London about the incident and broader US policing tactics.

The UK Home Office has launched the Secure Borders UK TikTok account, featuring dramatic footage of immigration raids, arrests and deportations alongside claims of rising enforcement activity. Opposition politicians and refugee charities condemned the account as a gimmick that dehumanizes migrants, fuels fear and legitimizes racism, arguing that social media deterrence will not stop Channel crossings. Downing Street said the channel would counter misinformation, reach wider audiences and warn people smugglers about detention and deportation. The launch coincided with record increases in visits to businesses and arrests for illegal working, alongside expanded enforcement funding, tighter right-to-work checks and new penalties for employers.

Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers paid tribute to former player Diogo Jota before their Premier League match at Anfield, their first meeting since the Portuguese forward died in a car crash in Spain in July alongside his younger brother, André Silva. Jota's sons, Dinis and Duarte, led the teams onto the pitch, while his wife, Rute Cardoso, attended as supporters sang “You'll Never Walk Alone” in his honour.

US President Donald Trump said his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky covered about 95% of a proposed Ukraine peace plan. He described territorial disputes involving Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia as the main unresolved issues, warning that negotiations could take longer if they fail to make progress. Trump said an agreement might be reached within a few weeks if talks continue productively.

Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video on Truth Social depicting him playing football with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Oval Office. The video shows the pair heading a ball before an AI-generated Trump spins around and kicks it toward the viewer. The post followed Trump’s dinner with Ronaldo and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Reform UK policy chief Zia Yusuf clashed with Sky News presenter Matt Barbet after being asked why his parents moved from Sri Lanka to the UK in the 1980s. Yusuf argued that his family background was irrelevant to his restrictive immigration stance, while Barbet said he was asking whether Britain had historically been viewed as welcoming. The exchange followed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s announcement that asylum seekers could lose automatic access to housing support.

Social media star George Clarke revealed during Strictly Come Dancing that his mother has recently been diagnosed with cancer. He also recalled her earlier diagnosis with encephalitis when he was 16 and dedicated his rhumba performance to her. Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr scored 29 out of 40 and finished third from bottom on the judges’ leaderboard.

An Ontario government-funded advertisement uses former US president Ronald Reagan’s criticism that tariffs hurt Americans to challenge Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports. Trump called the advert “FAKE” and “egregious” and announced on 23 October that trade talks with Canada were terminated. The US administration has imposed a 35% levy on a wide range of Canadian goods, with additional tariffs affecting sectors including automobiles and steel, heavily impacting Ontario.

Three Metropolitan Police officers—Inspector Moloy Campbell, PC Cameron King and PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield—received the Pride of Britain Award for Outstanding Bravery after confronting Marcus Arduini Monzo during the April 2024 Hainault attack. Monzo drove a van into a pedestrian and then wielded a 60cm sword, fatally injuring 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin. Two of the officers sustained life-changing injuries while helping stop and arrest the attacker.

Israeli forces carried out airstrikes in central and southern Gaza after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a forceful response to what Israel described as Hamas violations of the ceasefire. The IDF said an anti-tank missile and gunfire were directed at troops operating in Rafah, while Hamas’s armed wing denied knowledge of clashes there and reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement. The renewed violence threatens the fragile ceasefire as US Vice-President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff prepare to visit Israel for discussions about the alleged violations.

More than 2,300 county lines drug-dealing operations were shut down and over 1,120 senior gang members charged in the year to July, according to Home Office figures—the highest annual totals since the programme began in 2019. The government credited targeted transport-network operations and automatic number plate recognition technology, while Crime Minister Sarah Jones promised tougher action. Proposed offences in the Crime and Policing Bill would criminalise coerced internal concealment, child criminal exploitation and cuckooing. Barnardo’s welcomed the legislative direction but urged the government to treat exploited children as victims, establish a statutory definition of child criminal exploitation and invest in specialist support services.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones visited Merseyside to observe how police and partner agencies are using virtual reality to deter young people from knife crime. An immersive 360-degree experience developed by Everton in the Community and Merseyside Police places viewers in scenarios involving knife crime and county lines exploitation, asking them to make decisions that reveal the potential real-life consequences. The initiative has reached more than 1,000 young people and is intended to encourage safer choices.

Police arrested a 29-year-old man in Kirkby, near Liverpool, on suspicion of supplying crack cocaine and heroin during an operation targeting county lines drug gangs. Crime and policing minister Sarah Jones joined officers and vowed to tackle the trade. Government figures show that more than 1,120 senior gang members were charged with county lines offences in the 12 months to July, while 2,300 drug deal lines were closed, marking the highest annual total since the programme began in 2019.

Footage shows Israeli forces boarding a Gaza-bound vessel operated by the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla said more than 220 activists had been intercepted across 21 vessels, out of roughly 45 boats carrying aid through the Mediterranean. Nearly 500 activists, including Greta Thunberg, were seeking to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Israel detained Thunberg and said passengers would be deported to Europe via Israel.

The US federal government has shut down after Republican and Democratic senators failed to agree on a last-minute funding bill. The video examines the implications for federal employees and public services, including the possibility of mass firings threatened by President Donald Trump. It notes that the previous Trump-era shutdown lasted 35 days and reduced the US economy by an estimated $6 billion or more.

British-Egyptian activist and writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah was reunited with his family after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned him following six years in prison. Abd el-Fattah had been convicted over unauthorized protests and later accused of spreading false news, charges human-rights groups described as politically motivated. His mother, Laila Soueif, campaigned extensively for his release, including a hunger strike lasting more than 280 days.

The inflatable “Trump baby” blimp will not be flown during Donald Trump’s latest UK state visit because its creator, Leo Murray, believes the political climate has become too serious and dangerous for the joke to be effective. First flown over London in 2018 and again during Trump’s 2019 visit, the blimp attracted protests and led to death threats against those involved. It was later donated to the Museum of London, which briefly tested it in 2023 and plans to display it again when its new West Smithfield site opens in 2026.

The creator of the inflatable Donald Trump baby blimp, Leo Murray, says it will not be flown during Trump’s UK state visit because the political climate has become more threatening and the protest is no longer “really a laughing matter.” Participants in earlier demonstrations reportedly received death threats. The blimp has been donated to the Museum of London, which plans to display it publicly in 2026.

A fire broke out on the upper level of a multi-storey car park at Westfield Stratford City in London, prompting the evacuation of shoppers. The London Fire Brigade received at least 35 calls and deployed 10 fire engines and a 32-metre turntable ladder. The blaze was reported under control at 5:54pm, while its cause remained under investigation.

Police and protesters clashed in London during the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally organized by far-right figure Tommy Robinson on September 13. The Metropolitan Police said demonstrators attempted to enter a restricted area near Whitehall separating them from Stand Up To Racism counter-protests, and that officers were attacked with projectiles before using force to protect their cordon. Organizers’ march drew an estimated 110,000 people, while approximately 5,000 attended the counter-protests.

Led by Donkeys projected the message “immigration makes Britain brilliant” onto a large screen during Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally in London. The display featured prominent Britons with immigrant heritage, including Dua Lipa, Idris Elba and Jude Bellingham, while sections of the crowd booed and police prepared to intervene.