Trump military parade kicks off in DC
President Donald Trump is spending his 79th birthday attending a military parade dedicated to celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C.
Walking out to a mix of “Hail to the Chief” and “Happy Birthday,” the president took his seat in the viewing gallery alongside First Lady Melania Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and other officials.
At the conclusion of the parade, Trump addressed the crowd of attendees and boasted about the strength of the U.S. Army saying they “fight, fight, fight” and “win, win, win.”
Saturday’s parade is a rare moment for the U.S. – putting the strength of the military on full view with tanks, aircrafts, and soldiers walking through the nation’s capital for all to see. The last time American troops were on this kind of display was after the Gulf War in 1991.
The military parade got off to an early start due to impending weather, but got on nonetheless.
Parade attendees gathered around the capital, which is under tight security, to witness the historic moment.
At the same time, protesters around the country have gathered in major cities, protesting Trump’s controversial use of his executive power.
Watch: Trump boasts the US army as the greatest military force in the world
In photos: the Army’s 250th celebration in DC
Fireworks close out Army celebration
A large fireworks show over D.C. closed out the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Palantir, and more sponsor Army celebration
Various well-known corporations sponsored the Army’s 250th anniversary event in Washington, D.C., including Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Palantir, the UFC, Coinbase, Amazon, Boeing and more.
Lee Greenwood give rendition of his signature song
Lee Greenwood sang his signature song, “God Bless the USA” to close out the parade festivities.
The song has become closely associated with Trump because the president played it at nearly every single campaign stop and rally.
Trump calls America ‘hottest country right now’
In his remarks, the president flexed, “We’re the hottest country in the world right now.”
Trump emphasizes strength of military in speech
Trump is now giving a speech to the U.S. Army and attendees, thanking veterans for their service and emphasizing the strength of the U.S. Army.
The president boasted Army members “fight, fight, fight” and “win, win, win.”
‘Future’ of US Army features robot dogs
Parade marchers appeared in historical order, with the “future” of the U.S. Army coming in last – featuring robotic dogs.
Watch: Trump’s military parade marches in DC amid protests
Singer Warren Zeiders plays out the parade
At the conclusion of the parade, singer-songwriter Warren Zeiders is performing.
Skies are looking ominous – the weather calls for thunderstorms and rain.
Two skydivers die in ‘tragic accident’ at Devon airfield
Two skydivers have died in what has been described as a “tragic accident” at an airfield in Devon.
Emergency services were called to the area of Dunkeswell Aerodrome at around 1pm on Friday following concerns for the welfare of two people, who were in a tandem jump, according to The Sun.
The skydivers were confirmed dead at the scene, and their families have been informed, Devon and Cornwall Police told The Independent.
A police spokesman said: “Scene guards remain in place and enquiries are ongoing by the relevant agencies.”
Chief executive of British Skydiving, Robert Gibson, said in a statement: “Today, Friday 13 June 2025, British Skydiving has been notified of a tragic accident in which two jumpers lost their lives.
“Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends and the entire skydiving community.
“A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident.
“Once complete, a report – setting out the Board’s conclusions and any recommendations – will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the CAA, the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee (STC) and any other relevant authorities.
“No further details will be provided at this time. We respectfully ask for privacy for all those affected at this difficult time.”
The Independent has contacted the Civil Aviation Authority for comment.
The incident occurred at Dunkeswell Aerodrome, a former RAF site near the border of Somerset in the Blackdown Hills area of Devon.
Standing at 839ft above sea level, it is the highest licensed airfield in the UK and was originally established as a US naval base during the Second World War.
Anyone with information about the accident that could assist the authorities should call 101 or report via Devon and Cornwall Police’s website quoting 50250150193.
Additional reporting by SWNS
‘No Kings’ protests live: Thousands rally across US to protest Trump
“No Kings” demonstrations marched in hundreds of cities to protest what organizers describe as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian agenda, including recent immigration raids that have rattled communities across the country.
“The corruption has gone too far,” protest organizers wrote on their website. “No thrones. No crowns. No kings.”
Hundreds of thousands of people participated in the demonstrations, but no events were scheduled in Washington, D.C., where a military parade for the Army’s 250th anniversary is underway, coinciding with the president’s birthday.
The protests so far have not involved the kind of mass arrests and civil disobedience seen in Los Angeles over the last week, though there have been sporadic security threats, including protesters hit with vehicles in San Francisco and Virginia, as well as a threat against lawmakers in Texas that prompted the evacuation of the state capitol building.
In Los Angeles, police dispersed a large crowd using flash bang grenades, tear gas and officers on horseback.
In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz asked the public to refrain from attending demonstrations across the state as police searched for a suspect in the Saturday morning shooting of a state lawmaker and her husband.
A White House official dismissed the protests as a “complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance.”
ICYMI: What went down at today’s ‘No Kings’ protest
Today’s “No Kings” demonstrations are the largest mass gatherings against President Trump since the 2017 Women’s March, which took place shortly after the Republican’s first inauguration.
Rhian Lubin has this look at what happened across the country-spanning protests this time around.
Anger with Trump leads thousands to march for ‘No Kings’ as cops descend on marches
Police set up perimeters in downtown LA as protesters clear out
Protesters are beginning to leave an area in downtown Los Angeles after police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper balls to disperse a crowd gathering outside a federal building that was at the center of demonstrations against ICE and Trump’s anti-immigration agenda.
A mandatory curfew at 8 p.m. PST is two hours away, but the order is moot following the police order to disperse.
Following that order this afternoon, local and county officers began firing into the crowd and marching against demonstrators, with police on horseback swinging batons and officers pushing up against crowds with riot shields.
Some protesters kicked gas canisters back to police lines or pushed up against officers, but nothing compared to clashes last weekend. It does not appear any National Guard or Marines have faced off with demonstrators.
Protesters fire ‘commercial grade’ fireworks at police: LAPD
Protesters say police clear-out in Los Angeles caught them by surprise
Protesters in downtown Los Angeles say they were caught off guard when police ordered their dispersal from near a federal building and began using horses, flash bangs, rubber bullets, and tear gas to clear out a large crowd of activists.
Violet Martinez, 23, told The Los Angeles Times the response was unnecessary, and that he watched as police trampled demonstrators with their horses and hit people with rubber bullets.
“They put on their gas masks then began firing tear gas,” Martinez said. “There was no reason to do that.”
Update: One arrested in Texas after threat to lawmakers prompts Capitol evacuation
One person has been arrested in Texas for allegedly making a threat to Democratic lawmakers planning on attending a rally at the state Capitol building, a threat that caused police to evacuate the state complex earlier today, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
DPS told The Associated Press the individual was arrested after a traffic stop in La Grange, about 65 miles from Austin.
Police, protesters, media offer varying accounts of chaotic LA protest
We’re still sorting through the details of what is happening on the ground in Los Angeles, where a massive contingent of police has used riot weapons to clear out a large crowd of protesters near a federal building.
Police accused the crowd of failing to comply with a dispersal order around the federal complex, and later said in a statement, “People in the crowd are throwing rocks, bricks, bottles and other objects.”
Media members on the ground, and protesters themselves, said the demonstration around the area had been peaceful, and that there was no clear reason for the escalation in force.
PHOTOS: Demonstrators flee as Los Angeles police gas crowd
Police appeared to deploy riot-control weapons, including rubber bullets and tear gas, against a large crowd of protesters in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, after a dispersal order was given for a crowd outside a federal building complex.
Photos and videos of the scene captured scores of demonstrators fleeing a massive crowd of assembled officers, including police on horseback.
Trump official blasts ‘No Kings’ protests as ‘utter failure’
Predictably, the Trump administration doesn’t think all that highly of the “No Kings” protests across the country, which have brought hundreds of thousands of people into the streets to protest Trump and what critics see as the president’s authoritarian leanings.
“The so-called No Kings protests have been a complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance,” White House director of communications Steven Cheung wrote on X. “It is sad Democrats and liberals would rather support criminals and illegals instead of celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great U.S. Army and Flag Day.”
“But many more Americans are commemorating our brave military men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice and who those continue to serve our country,” he added.
Police reportedly use riot control weapons to disperse LA protesters
Los Angeles police reportedly are using horses, batons, smoke, and tear gas to clear out protesters downtown, after a dispersal order was issued following clashes with federal troops and activists outside a federal building.
“LAPD is now launching tear gas into the crowd outside federal building,” wrote People City’s Council, a widely followed X account tracking the protests.
Online news outlet Los Angeles Patch, meanwhile, shared a video of demonstrators fleeing riot police on horseback, which included an officer with what appears to be a rubber bullet-launcher in hand.
LAPD orders dispersal of tense protest around federal building
Los Angeles police have ordered demonstrators in front of a federal office complex to disperse.
The site has been a focus of protests for days, and on Saturday, as “No Kings” events took place across the country, activists confronted federal troops outside the complex, shouting, “Shame on you!” as they were pushed back with riot shields.
Russell goads Verstappen: ‘I’ve got more points to play with!’
George Russell threw down the gauntlet to Max Verstappen ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix after snatching pole position from the Dutchman.
Russell produced a scintillating final lap in qualifying to clinch his first pole of the season, pipping Verstappen by 0.160 seconds, with championship leader Oscar Piastri is third.
Russell and Verstappen, arch rivals from their feud last year, clashed on track last time out in Spain. The Dutchman was penalised for causing a collision, demoting him from fifth to 10th and resulting in three F1 penalty points.
Verstappen is now one penalty point away from a race ban and Russell could not help but goad the Red Bull driver ahead of the grand prix and turn one on Sunday.
Asked about the start, Russell replied: “I’ve got a few more points on my licence to play with! Let’s see, let’s see!
“Today was awesome to get the pole. That last lap was one of the most exhilarating laps of my lap, every corner I was going one-tenth quicker.
“P1 was a real surprise, so chuffed with it.”
Verstappen, however, was satisfied with his work in qualifying as he beat both McLaren drivers to the front-row.
“I felt quite good all weekend, car was in a good window, this track is cool,” he said.
“You need to be efficient on the straights, overall I’m very happy with qualifying.
“I’d always pick P1, we’ll see what we can do tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow we can have a solid race.”
Lando Norris finished down in seventh, while Russell’s teammate Kimi Antonelli will start in fourth.
Norris, whose championship challenge has been derailed by errors in qualifying, made a mistake on his first run in Q1 and had to abort the final right-left chicane.
“So, Lando let’s just reset and remember your braking references,” Norris was told by his race engineer, Will Joseph.
Norris’s error handed the advantage to both Verstappen and Piastri, with the former holding a 0.025 seconds advantage over the Australian.
Norris came round again but he was 0.377sec off the pace with his father, Adam Norris, grimacing in the back of the McLaren garage.
On to the final runs and it was Piastri who went fastest only to be usurped by Verstappen and then Russell.
Norris, who trails Piastri by 10 points in the standings, was a distant 0.726 behind Russell and half-a-second adrift of Piastri in the other McLaren to deal another blow to the Briton’s title hopes.
Lewis Hamilton starts fifth, with Fernando Alonso in sixth and Charles Leclerc in eighth.
The race on Sunday starts at 7pm (BST).
Additional reporting by PA
Win a Wilderness Festival luxury package for two
Music fans can win a luxury package for two to this year’s Wilderness Festival, all courtesy of Audi.
Wilderness returns this year to the picturesque nature reserve at Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, and will be headlined by rock band Supergrass, Nineties rave duo Orbital, and Brit Award-winning, Grammy-nominated indie-rock duo Wet Leg.
Completing the headliner lineup are Basement Jaxx, who are making their return to live shows for the first time in over a decade, as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking album, Remedy.
The winner will receive a pair of complimentary festival tickets and boutique accommodation in a luxury cabin for two. They will also be treated to an Audi Kitchen experience and, for the ultimate luxury, your own private chauffeur to take you and your guest to the festival and return journey.
Enter the prize draw here.
Wilderness Festival is known for its eclectic music lineup, which this year includes performances from pop singer Lapsley, singer-songwriter Bess Atwell, Scottish musician Jacob Alon and DJ Craig Charles.
At The Sanctuary and Spa, guests will discover an oasis of calm, whether that means taking part in disco yoga or a workshop to explore your sensuality. Highlights include boating, massage treatments, sauna rituals, hot tubs, a wild sauna, Wim Hof method ice baths and wild swimming.
Gourmet food offerings can be found at Ben Quinn’s long table banquet in the woods, a once-in-a-lifetime experience set in the woods and lit by chandeliers. There, Quinn and his team will serve up a feast of flavour cooked right in front of you five courses of carefully curated, responsibly sourced, local and seasonal ingredients.
Elsewhere, attendees can join a number of talks, comedy sets and conversations, from Food Stories with Jay Rayner to a live recording of Jamie Laing’s podcast, Great Company.
Comedian, writer and NHS doctor Matthew Hutchinson will share a sharp and moving look at life on the frontline of British healthcare, while cultural historian Tiffany Watt Smith will uncover a bold and fascinating alternative history of female friendship.
The prize draw will open for entries at 3pm (BST) on 7 May 2025 and close at 3pm BST on 17 June 2025. Only one entry per person is permitted for the Prize Draw. Terms and conditions apply.
Man arrested over shooting murder of two Scots outside Spanish bar
A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of two Scots outside an Irish pub in southern Spain.
Eddie Lyons Jr and Ross Monaghan died after a gunman opened fire outside Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol earlier this month.
On Friday, officers from Merseyside Police arrested a 44-year-old man on behalf of Spanish authorities on two counts of murder.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday for extradition proceedings and will remain in custody.
A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said a 44-year-old man was arrested on Friday “in the Liverpool area on behalf of the Spanish authorities for two counts of murder”.
“The operation was supported by officers from the NCA’s National Extradition Unit,” the spokesperson said.
“The individual appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, June 14, for the commencement of extradition proceedings. He was remanded in custody.”
The attack took place around 11pm when a car pulled up outside the bar and a masked man got out before opening fire as the two men stood outside.
The gunman fled in the car, and both men died at the scene.
At the time, Police Scotland said the attack did not appear to be linked with a series of criminal acts by rival groups in Scotland, and that any speculation was “not helpful” to the investigation.
The statement read: “The investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola is being carried out by Spanish police.
“Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police where requested, however, at this time, we have no officers deployed within Spain.
“There is currently no intelligence to suggest the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge.
“Any misinformation or speculation linking the events in Spain is not helpful to the ongoing investigations in either country.
“There is also nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland.”
Operation Portaledge is investigating a suspected gang feud linked with a number of shootings, firebombings and assaults in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas since March.
More than 40 people have been arrested in connection with the incidents.
Prince William’s friend Sunjay Kapur dies after ‘swallowing bee’
Sunjay Kapur, Prince William’s friend and Aureus polo team owner, has died after having a heart attack during a polo match.
Guards Polo Club issued a statement about Kapur’s death on Friday on Instagram, noting he died “after becoming unwell when playing in a match at Smith’s Lawn” in Windsor. On Thursday, he was playing for the Sujan Indian Tigers polo team in the Cartier Trophy Semi-Finals when he fell ill.
“The Club sends its deepest condolences to his wife, Priya Sachdev, his children, the wider Kapur family and his Aureus team-mates,” the organization wrote in the caption.
His death was also confirmed by Sona Comstar, where Kapur worked as Chairman and Non-Executive Director. The automotive company noted that the 53-year-old died “of a sudden heart attack” on Thursday.
However, the heart attack was reportedly triggered by a freak accident. According to The Mirror, a bee stung Kapur in the mouth during the polo match, sending him into anaphylactic shock, before his heart stopped. He then collapsed on Smith’s Lawn, according to the outlet.
A witness told The Telegraph that before he collapsed, Kapur said: “I’ve swallowed something.”
Anaphylactic shock is a type of anaphylaxis, “a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction,” according to the Mayo Clinic. When someone goes into shock due to anaphylaxis, their “blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking breathing.”
A friend of Kapur also issued a statement about the businessman’s death to Telegraph Sport, saying: “He will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends but the local community around his club as he employed so many people and made so many friends – he was fun, kind and generous.”
“He didn’t distinguish between his grooms or high net worth friends – when he had a party, everyone was invited and everyone was equal.”
In 2015, Kapur inherited Sona Comstar from his father, Dr Surinder Kapur, who founded the company in 1987. Sona Comstar has nine factories spread across India, China, Mexico, Serbia, and the US, according to Forbes. The publication also noted that Sunjay Kapur had an estimated net worth of $1.2bn.
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Sona Comstar also paid tribute to Kapur in its statement, writing: “A visionary leader, Mr. Kapur played a pivotal role in shaping Sona Comstar into a global mobility technology company built on innovation, sustainability, and purpose. His passion, foresight, and relentless commitment to excellence inspired everyone who had the privilege of working with him.”
An avid polo player, Kapur was known to play with members of the British royal family, including Prince William. The team Kapur owned, Aureus Polo, also paid tribute, calling him the “life and soul” of the team.
Kapur was married to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor from 2003 to 2016. The pair welcomed two children, Samaira, 20, and Kiaan, 14. In 2017, he married model Priya Sachdev, and they welcomed a son, Azarias, seven.
Only hours before his death, Kapur issued an emotional statement on X about the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed all but one of the 242 passengers onboard.
“Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad,” he wrote on X. “My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.”
The Independent has contacted a representative for Prince William and the Guards Polo Club for comment.