Trump military parade live: President celebrates 79th birthday
President Donald Trump spent his 79th birthday attending a military parade dedicated to celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C.
First 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.
Saturday’s parade was 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.
Thousands of parade attendees gathered around the capital, which was under tight security, to witness the historic moment. At the same time, protesters around the country gathered in major cities to oppose Trump’s controversial use of his executive power.
The president concluded the parade by addressing the crowd of attendees and military personnel, boasting about the strength of the U.S. Army and the nation as a whole.
After, Trump took his seat and watched a massive fireworks display over the Tidal Basin.
Trump team claims ‘over 250,000’ people attended military parade
Although online reports have mixed reviews about the number of attendees at the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, Trump’s communications director claims there were well over 250,000.
Steven Cheung, the White House Communications Director, wrote on X that, “Despite the threat of rain, over 250,000 patriots showed up.”
However, reports from the Associated Press, the New York Times, and Fox News do not describe the crowd as such.
It’s unclear how many people attended the parade.
Watch: The Independent speaks to Trump military parade goers
Parade featured different modes of transportation
The military parade featured uniforms, cars, tanks, planes, and more from different eras of the U.S. Army dating back to the Revolutionary War.
‘It’s about time’: Trump boasts about American military success as he celebrates birthday at DC parade
President Donald Trump boasted that it’s “about time” America celebrated its military success while addressing troops and the crowd at the parade in Washington, D.C.
“Every other country celebrates their victories,” Trump told soldiers at the parade to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary. “It’s about time America did too.”
The president talked up the might of the U.S. Army in his speech, which clocked in at 8 minutes—considerably shorter than most of his public addresses.
Rhian Lubin reports:
Trump boasts about American military success as he celebrates birthday at DC parade
Trump had wanted a military parade since his first presidential term
On the president’s 79th birthday, he finally experienced an event he had wanted to have since he was president in 2017 – a military parade.
During his first administration, Trump hoped to put together plans to hold a military parade after seeing a similar event in Paris. But due to opposition by his then-administration, it never came to fruition.
Trump got his birthday wish on Saturday, watching more than 6,000 U.S. Army soldiers march in downtown Washington D.C. for a display of the nation’s historic military.
Massive firework display concludes the parade celebrations
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.
Helicopter crash in northern Indian state kills 7 people
A helicopter crash at a Hindu pilgrimage site in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand killed seven people, including a child and the pilot, according to reports.
The helicopter carrying pilgrims of the Char Dham yatra from Kedarnath crashed near Rudraprayag’s Gaurikund early Sunday, the Indian Express reported, quoting officials.
The pilot and a child were among those killed, the newspaper reported, quoting Nilesh Bharne, IG Law and Order. “Around 5.20am on Sunday, the helicopter went missing after taking passengers from Kedarnath, en route to Guptkashi. It crashed in Gaurikund, leading to seven deaths. We are ascertaining the reason for the crash,” Mr Bharne said. The aircraft had taken off from Dehradun in Uttarakhand state and lost contact with air traffic control near Gaurikund, a mountainous area close to the Himalayan temple town.
The helicopter was run by airplane charter company Aryan Aviation. The helicopter was later found crashed between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund, Reuters reported. At least five people are feared dead, according to local media reports, though officials have not confirmed the toll.
Early reports suggest a technical malfunction and poor weather conditions may have caused the crash, according to Indian media outlets, though investigations are still underway.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he was praying for the safe recovery of all passengers.
“The extremely distressing news of a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district has been received. SDRF, local administration and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations,” he posted on X.
Helicopter services to Kedarnath are frequently used by pilgrims during the annual Char Dham Yatra season and are often impacted by fast-changing weather in the region.
This marks the fifth helicopter-related incident in the region since the Kedarnath pilgrimage season began in early May. Earlier this month, six people had a narrow escape when a helicopter for forced to make an emergency landing mid-way in Rudraprayag.
India’s aviation governing body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), suspended two operators for violations and tightened rules around helicopter operations.
Questions have often been raised about aviation safety and oversight in the hilly Himalayan region, especially during peak travel months.
The Kedarnath route has seen fatal accidents in the past. In October 2022, seven people died when a helicopter ferrying pilgrims crashed near the same area.
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 on Saturday 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.”
Millions of people were estimated to have joined the protests in over 2,000 communities, which took place the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C., for the Army’s 250th anniversary which coincided with the president’s birthday.
There was little of the kind of mass arrests and civil disobedience seen in Los Angeles over the last week, though there have been sporadic threats.
Vehicles struck protesters in San Francisco and Virginia, and a threat against lawmakers in Texas prompted the evacuation of the state capitol building, while a shooting in Salt Lake City near a march critically injured one person.
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 the suspect in the Saturday morning shooting of a pair of state lawmakers and their spouses.
A White House official dismissed the “No Kings” protests as a “complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance.”
As ‘No Kings’ protests raged, Trump discloses his princely earnings on merch
President Donald Trump made over $10 million in the last year selling watches, sneakers, bibles and guitars, but his stake in a cryptocurrency platform was the most profitable of all.
Trump’s financial disclosure report, released Friday by the Office of Government Ethics, lays bare the vast wealth of the president and his family.
The president has made $57,355,532 from his stake in World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency platform. His $TRUMP meme coin was not part of the disclosure report because it only launched in January, but is estimated to have earned $320 million in fees.
The president has also made millions in license fees, the 234-long disclosure report shows. By comparison, former President Joe Biden’s 2024 filing was 11 pages.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Trump’s made over $50 million from stake in crypto firm
Over 5 million appear at ‘No Kings’ protests: organizers
With demonstrations coming to an end around the country, organizers of the “No Kings” protests are estimating that more than 5 million people in 2,100 towns and cities across the country took part in the events.
“Thank you for making it clear that we won’t be ruled by fear,” Indivisible, one of the co-organizers of the protests, wrote in a statement on Bluesky.
Austin police struggle to clear protesters from downtown roadways
Austin, Texas, police are trying to clear protesters from the middle of the street in the downtown area.
“If you are participating in the gathering, please stay on the sidewalks and out of the roadways,” the Austin Police Department wrote on X. “For your own safety, please stay cautious and be aware of your surroundings.”
They’ve been asking the public to leave the roads for over an hour now.
Curfew takes effect in Los Angeles
A curfew is once again in place for large parts of Los Angeles, as unrest from anti-immigration raid protests in the city has dovetailed with Saturday’s “No Kings” protests.
Police have spent much of the last few hours trying to remove a shrinking contingent of demonstrators from the area near a federal building downtown, where a dispersal order was issued and officers used riot weapons on a large crowd of activists.
Where arrests have taken place during ‘No Kings’ protests
With demonstrations across the country winding down, it appears mass arrests were not a common feature of the “No Kings” protests, though some were taken into custody in smaller-scale incidents.
In Salt Lake City, a person of interest was arrested in a shooting near a march thought to have injured one person.
Bystanders heard police yell, “Gunman!” and “Man with rifle” during the Saturday evening incident.
In Nashville, counter-protester Elijah Millar, was reportedly charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly spitting at people and brandishing a firearm.
In Texas, a state trooper arrested a person accused of threatening Democratic lawmakers planning to attend a protest at the state capitol building, a threat which prompted an evacuation of the grounds.
Meanwhile, police arrested a California man, Edward Miranda, for allegedly posting an online threat to commit a shooting at a Palm Springs rally.
Two drivers were detained, in San Francisco and Culpeper, Virginia, respectively, for allegedly driving their vehicles into demonstrators.
Another person was arrested for disorderly conduct in Cleveland, while a woman in Portland, Maine, was arrested for allegedly throwing a water bottle at a police officer, and another demonstrator there was brought in for allegedly blowing an air horn too close to a police officer’s ear.
At a demonstration in Ocala, Florida, a man allegedly wearing a Proud Boys uniform was reportedly arrested for battery and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
In Madison, Wisconsin, meanwhile, three were arrested for vandalism.
More arrests may be coming in Los Angeles, where police clashed with a large crowd after issuing a dispersal order near a federal office downtown.
Police accused the demonstrators of attacking officers and holding an unlawful assembly, while reporters and protesters have said the gathering remained peaceful before police began using riot control weapons.
An engagement on the frontlines of LA protests
Journalist Sergio Olmos with CalMatters captured a couple’s proposal steps away from a line of officers in riot gear in downtown Los Angeles.
County deputies and LAPD officers have fired tear gas and pepper balls into crowds gathered near a federal building that has been the site of protests against Trump’s immigration agenda.
(She said yes.)
Drag queen performs to Rage Against the Machine in Texas
Drag queen and activist Bridgette Bandit performed a set to “Killing in the Name Of” by Rage Against the Machine during the “No Kings” protest at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.
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 seen clearing remaining protesters after LA curfew took effect
Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies were seen Saturday night using gas and firing crowd control rounds at a group of protesters who remain in downtown in spite of an 8pm curfew that is now in effect, as well as orders declaring the protests that took place there an unlawful assembly.
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.
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.
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
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.