MORE than a million protesters and the return of the “baby blimp” are set to greet Donald Trump when he makes his controversial state visit to the UK in June.
Campaigners have predicted one of the biggest ever demonstrations when the US president arrives on June 3 for a three-day visit, which includes a Buckingham Palace banquet, talks with prime minister Theresa May in Downing Street and a trip to Portsmouth to mark 75 years since the D-Day landings of the Second World War when Allied forces invaded Nazi-occupied France.
Activists are set to unveil a bigger version of the “Trump balloon” dressed as a baby that was flown over the capital during his visit in July 2018, and which was approved by London mayor Sadiq Khan.
A 16ft talking robot of the American leader sitting on a gold toilet is also being shipped to London depicting him with his trousers down and tweeting on the toilet.
It gives off farting noises and recordings of some of Trump’s provocative soundbites including “no collusion”, “witch-hunt”, “you are fake news” and “I’m a very stable genius”.
Asad Rehman, executive director for the War on Want charity, said Trump is “not welcome”.
He told Eastern Eye: “He is equal opportunities in hatred, has fanned the flames of Islamophobia and is a climate denialist.
“A state visit is an honour bestowed on a dignitary; it is not appropriate to give that honour to Trump.
“We will have carnival resistance on the streets. The baby blimp will be flying, there will be youth climate protesters, we will be organising an iftar meal to send a strong signal to stand alongside people in the US who are facing his policies.
“He has talked about Muslim communities here, retweeted fascists. We are expecting a bigger (crowd) than last year.”
More than a million Londoners look set to protest after a YouGov/Queen Mary London poll found 13 per cent of the city’s residents are “likely” to join the march.
Rehman added: “His actions over the last year have reinforced what we said, inviting the far-right Hungary leader Viktor Orban to the White House who has been shunned by leaders across Europe.
“We have consistently raised concerns on leaders who carry out gross human rights violations.
“Britain can be better than this and raise the bar.”
During the president’s visit to the UK last year around 100,000 protesters turned out forcing Trump to take a helicopter to Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace and the Chequers country retreat in Oxfordshire to avoid the crowds.
The Stand Up to Racism group, led by Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett, criticised the US president for his plans to attend the D-Day celebrations in Portsmouth due to his attacks on immigrants. Around 1.3 million Indian-origin soldiers served in the First World War.
Bennett told Eastern Eye: “My own family fought against fascists. Trump seems to be closer to the Hitler-Mussolini axis than the axis that fought them, more in common with them than values of equality.
“Why is he coming on D-Day? It’s an insult to the black, Indian and Muslim fighters who played significant role in our democracy, but he treats them as criminals.
“We are planning the biggest demo against Trump in London he has ever seen. He is an Islamophobe, a racist and has legitimised organisations like Britain First.
“He told lies about ‘no-go areas in Britain’ and [verbally] attacked the mayor of London. We all have to come out on D-Day as many people fought against policies like these.”
Bennett added: “Theresa May has made a terrible mistake to try and appease him and give him a state visit, what he stands for is morally repugnant.
“I support the Speaker of the House (John Bercow) who said the honour of the house should be given to someone honourable.
“He has a lot of money so feels he doesn’t have to listen. Whatever background you are, you have to oppose him and say he’s not welcome in this country.”
President Trump, who has pushed for a wall along the US-Mexico border, will be greeted with a fence in Portsmouth.
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson said the public will be prevented from watching the D-Day ceremony due to security ring to protect the president.
The only way for people to watch the proceedings will be on big screens put up on the common or on TV.
Labour MP Mohammad Yasin said: “The honour of a state visit is not something that should be bestowed upon someone who has repeatedly shared inflammatory views.
“Perhaps Theresa May should spend more time healing the rifts and divisions which her own Tory Party have contributed to here in the UK.”
The government abandoned an attempt to allow Trump to address both Houses of Parliament during his trip following opposition from Commons Speaker John Bercow and Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn.
Corbyn said he will not attend the state banquet with the US president and the Queen.
Mayor Khan backed the Labour leader’s decision, adding that he would also have declined if invited.
He said: “The prime minister should say, ‘Listen, we may have a special relationship, we may agree on most things but I’ve got to tell you this… I think you are wrong on A, B, C, D and E.’”
In 2016, Trump challenged the London mayor to an IQ test after Khan said his views on Islam were “ignorant”.
Following the attack on London Bridge and Borough market in 2017, the US president accused Khan of “pathetic” behaviour with the former Labour MP responding that he would not allow Trump to “divide our communities”. Last year the ex-Apprentice host tweeted that Khan had “done a very bad job on terrorism”.
Demonstrators gather at the entrance of the parliament during a protest against corruption and government’s decision to block several social media platforms, in Kathmandu, Nepal September 8, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
Thousands of young Nepalis march in Kathmandu against social media ban and corruption
Government blocks 26 unregistered platforms, citing fake news and fraud concerns
Police use tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse protesters
Critics accuse government of authoritarianism and failure to deliver on promises
THOUSANDS of young Nepalis marched in Kathmandu on Monday demanding that the government lift its ban on social media platforms and address corruption.
Nepal blocked access to 26 unregistered platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, on Friday. Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in the country who rely on them for entertainment, news, and business. Authorities said the shutdown followed a Supreme Court order from September last year, which required companies to register in Nepal, appoint grievance officers, and establish local compliance.
The government said social media users with fake IDs had been spreading hate speech, fake news, and committing fraud. In a statement on Sunday, it said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to "creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use".
Many demonstrators carried national flags and placards reading "Shut down corruption and not social media", "Unban social media", and "Youths against corruption". They began their rally with the national anthem before marching through the city.
"We were triggered by the social media ban but that is not the only reason we are gathered here," said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24. "We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal."
Another student, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she opposed the "authoritarian attitude" of the government. "We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation," she said.
Protester Bhumika Bharati added: "There have been movements abroad against corruption and they (the government) are afraid that might happen here as well."
Since the ban, TikTok — still operational in Nepal — has carried viral videos comparing the lives of ordinary citizens with those of politicians’ children showing off luxury goods and vacations.
On Monday, thousands of youths, including students in school uniforms, tried to march to parliament but were stopped by police who had set up barbed wire barricades. Authorities said demonstrators attempted to break into parliament by pushing through police lines.
Police used tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons and batons to disperse the crowds, officials said. "We have imposed a curfew which will remain in force until 10 pm local time (1615 GMT) to bring the situation under control after protesters began to turn violent," said Muktiram Rijal, spokesperson for the Kathmandu district office.
Nepal has restricted social media platforms before. The Telegram messaging app was blocked in July over fraud and money laundering concerns, and TikTok was banned for nine months before being restored in August last year when it complied with local rules.
Many Nepalis believe corruption is widespread, and prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s government has been criticised by opponents for failing to deliver on its promises. About 90 per cent of Nepal’s 30 million people use the internet.
The protests come as governments worldwide, including the US, EU, Brazil, India, China and Australia, have been tightening oversight of social media and Big Tech, citing concerns over misinformation, privacy, online harm and security. Critics warn that such measures risk limiting free expression, while regulators argue that stricter controls are needed.
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People try to board a migrant dinghy into the English Channel on August 25, 2025 in Gravelines, France. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE UK government said on Sunday it is examining the use of military sites to house migrants, amid growing criticism over the practice of accommodating asylum seekers in hotels.
"We are looking at the potential use of military and non-military use sites for temporary accommodation for the people who come across on these small boats," defence secretary John Healey told Sky News.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a statement that migrants using boats to cross the Channel from France was "utterly unacceptable".
According to figures published Sunday by the Home Office, more than 30,000 people have arrived in Britain by boat since the start of the year.
Mahmood also said a new deal with France, which came into effect in early August, would allow Britain to detain those arriving by boat and return them to France.
The arrangement requires Britain to accept an equal number of eligible migrants from France.
Some hotels currently used to house migrants have seen protests, and the government is also facing legal challenges. By law, asylum seekers must be provided with accommodation and access to health care.
Prime minister Keir Starmer has pledged to end the use of hotels within four years. The government has already reduced the number of hotel places by half compared to a year ago.
The previous Conservative government had already prepared two disused military bases to house several hundred asylum seekers, a measure criticised by migrant-aid groups.
(With inputs from agencies)
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London Underground services will not resume before 8am on Friday September 12. (Photo: Getty Images)
First London Underground strike since March 2023 begins
RMT members stage five-day walkout after pay talks collapse
Union demands 32-hour week; TfL offers 3.4 per cent rise
Elizabeth line and Overground to run but face heavy demand
THE FIRST London Underground strike since March 2023 has begun, with a five-day walkout over pay and conditions.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are staging rolling strikes after nine months of negotiations failed.
The union has demanded a 32-hour week, while Transport for London (TfL) has offered a 3.4 per cent pay rise.
TfL said the offer was “fair” but added that a reduction from the contractual 35-hour week “is neither practical nor affordable,” BBC reported.
The strike runs from midnight on Sunday 7 September until 11.59pm on Thursday 11 September. London Underground services will not resume before 8am on Friday 12 September.
Nick Dent, director of customer operations at London Underground, said it was not too late to call off the strikes before disruption.
The Elizabeth line and London Overground will run as normal but are expected to be much busier. Buses and roads are also likely to see heavier demand.
A separate dispute will shut the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 September.
Service plans include: limited Tube operations ending early on Sunday 7 September; little or no service on the Underground from Monday to Thursday; and full resumption by late morning on Friday 12 September. The Elizabeth line will not stop at Liverpool Street, Farringdon and Tottenham Court Road stations at certain times on 8–11 September, Sky News reported.
The last full Tube strike took place in March 2023.
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Mumbai Local has been stripped of its licence by Harrow council. (Photo: LDRS/Google Maps)
AN INDIAN restaurant in north London has lost its licence after it was found to have repeatedly employed illegal workers.
Harrow council determined that the evidence suggested that using illegal workers was a “systemic approach” to running the premises and it had a “lack of trust” in the business to comply with the law.
Harrow council’s Licensing Panel chose to strip Mumbai Local, an Indian restaurant on Streatfield Road, of its licence at a meeting on August 20, the outcome of which has now been made public.
The review came after Immigration Officers found people working there illegally on three separate visits dating back to 2023.
The panel found that the restaurant owner had “disregarded the law” on employing illegal workers on a number of occasions and it “had no trust” in them to remedy the situation.
An option to simply suspend the licence was considered but the panel concluded that it had “no confidence” in the licence holder’s ability to comply with their legal obligations and had “no choice” but to revoke it entirely.
The Home Office had called on Harrow council to review Mumbai Local’s licence due to a “continual pattern” of hiring illegal workers.
Immigration Officers told the panel that six illegal workers had been found at the restaurant following a visit on November 16, 2023, with a further two found during a follow up visit on July 4, 2024.
A compliance check was carried out on July 17, 2025, where a man who had previously been arrested was present on the premises, as well as another lady who told officers she would get the manager before disappearing.
On August 15, 2024, the company running the restaurant was given a £120,000 civil penalty for employing two people who did not have the right to work. This was reduced to £60,000 for employing one illegal worker following an appeal. A further appeal has been lodged but this remains ongoing.
The premises licence holder (PLH) “held their hands up” to the illegal workers being on the premises in November 2023, according to the meeting minutes, but claimed that the July 2024 incident “had more to it”. The PLH claims this worker came to the country having been sponsored by an IT company that went bust so he was out of work. They suggested the man is “like a son” to them and provided free food to him as he had nowhere to go and believes he “has a duty towards him”.
The PLH tried to suggest that the panel suspend the licence for just one month, claiming this would already “be crippling” to the business but the panel would “never see him again” as they had no other sanctions against them. However, under questioning the PLH admitted that there had been issues at another premises they own and they were forced to pay a £30,000 fine.
Ultimately, the panel didn’t feel the option of a suspension and additional conditions imposed on the licence “would be an appropriate remedy”. It determined that it “did not have the confidence in the PLH’s ability to comply with his legal obligations and had no option but to use their powers to revoke the licence.”
(Local Democracy Reporting Service)
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FILE PHOTO: US president Donald Trump meets with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said India and Russia seem to have been "lost" to China after their leaders met with Chinese president Xi Jinping this week, expressing his annoyance at New Delhi and Moscow as Beijing pushes a new world order.
"Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!" Trump wrote in a social media post accompanying a photo of the three leaders together at Xi's summit in China.
"I don't think we have," he said. "I've been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia. And I let them know that."
Asked about Trump's social media post, India's foreign ministry told reporters in New Delhi that it had no comment. The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment and representatives for the Kremlin could not be immediately reached.
Xi hosted more than 20 leaders of non-Western countries for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Chinese port city of Tianjin, including Russian president Vladimir Putin and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
Putin and Modi were seen holding hands at the summit as they walked toward Xi before all three men stood side by side.
"I'll always be friends with Modi," Trump told reporters. "He's a great prime minister. He's great. I'll always be friends, but I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment. But India and the US have a special relationship. There's nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion."
"Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate president Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties," the Indian prime minister said in an X post early on Saturday (6).
India and the US have a "very positive ... forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership," Modi said.
Trump has chilled US-India ties amid trade tensions and other disputes. Trump this week said he was "very disappointed" in Putin but not worried about growing Russia-China ties.
Trump has been frustrated at his inability to convince Russia and Ukraine to reach an end to their war, more than three years after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
He told reporters on Thursday (4) night at the White House that he planned to talk to Putin soon.