Trump to make Oval Office announcement amid speculation about health

President Donald Trump will make his first official appearance in a week on Tuesday afternoon amid speculation about his health online over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

The White House announced on Monday evening that the president would make an announcement from the Oval Office at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, with an official later adding that it was related to the Department of Defense.

Reports suggest that Trump will be announcing a relocation of U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama.

While the president was seen golfing at his course in Stirling, Virginia, over the weekend, he has not had an official engagement or public appearance since he held a marathon three-hour cabinet meeting on camera last Tuesday.

True to form, Trump continued to comment on current events via his Truth Social platform, despite his absence from the public eye.

Since Monday, he announced that Rudy Giuliani would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, complained about a one-sided trade relationship with India, appeared to question the veracity of vaccine data, and claimed that Washington, D.C., was now crime-free thanks to his National Guard intervention, whereas Chicago “is the murder capital of the world!”

Xi has never enjoyed such global prestige – thanks to Trump’s wrecking ball to the West

Xi Jinping has it all. From Donald Trump’s perspective, the Chinese leader is basking in sycophantic bonhomie from fellow global authoritarians while enjoying a parade of tanks and stealth bombers, massive missiles, lasers and mass marches of beautifully drilled infantry.

Xi’s international prestige is at an all-time high. And Trump gave it to him.

Xi could have been addressing his thoughts directly to the White House when he said, at Monday’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, that we are going through “turbulent change” and what is needed is an orderly “multipolar world”.

China, he believes, is the candidate to lead that multipolar world as first among equals, while Trump has swung a wrecking ball against the foundations of international law that underpin global security.

In the first months of his second term, the US president has attacked his own allies. He has echoed Vladimir Putin’s imperial ambitions by voicing threats against Canada and Denmark. He has also abandoned climate change and global democracy as strategic policies worth pushing.

In short, Trump has undermined the West. And that makes Xi not only look good but also makes him more powerful.

America is, along with Israel, abandoning democracy at home and ignoring international law abroad. Both attacked Iran without United Nations support. Both are involved in the relentless bombing of Gaza. Both are supportive of increasingly loopy ideas for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their homeland.

In his vision for the future, Xi told the SCO conference: “We should expand the scope of cooperation, make the most of each country’s unique strengths, and shoulder together the shared responsibility of promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.”

China is the biggest importer of Russian oil – Xi’s country funds Putin’s war along with the European Union, which still imports vast amounts of gas. Xi’s government supplies the Kremlin with the technology it needs for rockets and bombs, drones and communications.

But, unlike the US, China hasn’t gotten directly involved in any recent military conflicts. It didn’t invade Iraq illegally. It didn’t fight a futile war in Afghanistan. And it doesn’t carry out extrajudicial killings around the world in the name of pre-empting future attacks.

China plays a long game. It has hoovered up access to the world’s rare earth elements – producing 70 per cent, refining 90 per cent and holding 40 per cent of what we need to run the planet.

Unlike Trump, Xi is serious and statesmanlike. He’s cynical and unprincipled in the application of authoritarian capitalism – not unstable and economically illiterate. Xi understands, for example, that every cent of US-imposed import duties (tariffs) comes from America while Trump sincerely believes he is bringing in foreign money.

Russia and China are the West’s long-term threats or rivals. Russia has invaded Europe and Putin has said he wants more than just Ukraine. Xi is a direct threat to Taiwan.

China’s power is more economic – a slow and strategic spending of $30bn on port projects on every continent except Antarctica and wrapping 140 nations into its road, energy and digital infrastructure. It is second only to the US in terms of economic size.

But nine of the 25 biggest economies are in the European Union – include the UK and Switzerland and that makes 11 European states. Add Canada, Japan and Taiwan and pro-Western nations clearly bestride the globe.

However, Trump appears more comfortable in the company of men like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Putin and Narendra Modi, India’s Hindu nationalist prime minister. The latter leads the world’s biggest democracy but, like Trump, leans hard into populism with authoritarian tendencies.

Trump would not want to share the spotlight with Xi. But China is hosting the kind of gathering that Trump most wants to have. And Xi is emerging as the grown-up leader of a new global power bloc that binds his nation closer to Russia, India, and North Korea. Other Asian nations are sidling into his jet stream because the West, as led by Trump, is rudderless and downright weird.

The spectacle of Trump’s cabinet grovelling to the US president in three-hour sessions is reminiscent of the worst scenes of dictatorial theatre of the Soviet era and of China’s Cultural Revolution.

Europe can survive Trump and just as prestige has drained from Washington to Beijing, so it can be diverted to the continent. America’s loss does not have to be just China’s gain.

After all, Trump’s love of parades began not after being upstaged by Putin but being flattered by Emmanuel Macron and seeing France show off its colours along the Champs-Elysees.

Met Office issues warning for heavy rain as UK braces for flooding

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain covering parts of the UK on Wednesday.

Heavy rain is expected to cause travel disruption and flooding, with thunderstorms possible in some areas. Forecasters said the UK could see as much as 60mm of rainfall between the early hours of Wednesday morning and the afternoon, with the weather warning in place until 2pm.

The Met Office also warned coastal gales are “likely” along English Channel coasts, saying people should prepare for “heavy rain and strong winds” and potential power cuts in some places.

The warning covers the areas of Hampshire, Southampton, West Berkshire, and much of the South West and Wales, with wet and windy weather expected to set in during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Met Office said: “Heavy rain and strong winds will move northeast through the first part of Wednesday, followed by heavy showers and some thunderstorms, these becoming more isolated through the afternoon.

“Rainfall totals widely 20 to 30mm, but some places could see 40 to 60mm within a period of six to nine hours. Coastal gales are likely for a time, especially along English Channel coasts.”

People have been urged to plan journeys ahead of time and be aware that spray and flooding on roads could increase journey times, with those in areas at risk of flooding advised to prepare a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.

It comes after the Met Office confirmed summer 2025 to be the hottest on record in the UK. The country saw back-to-back heatwaves with the mean temperature from 1 June to 31 August sitting at 16.1C, which is 1.5C above the long-term average. This has smashed the previous record set in 2018 at 15.7C, although no new record high temperatures were recorded.

The highest temperature recorded was 35.8C in Faversham, Kent – well below the 40.3C recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire in July 2022.

But it looks set to be a rainy start to September, with the long-term effects of Hurricane Erin and Tropical Storm Fernand expected to last for the first half of the month. Brits could see seasonably warm temperatures alongside showers or long spells of rain.

The Met Office said: “Climate change has the power to turn previously unremarkable years into record-breaking ones, as baseline conditions steadily rise. This summer’s four heatwaves, which might once have passed as pleasant spells of warm weather, are made more prominent by the heightened backdrop that climate change creates.”

The forecaster has warned of “an unsettled first week of meteorological autumn”. On Tuesday, rain is expected to move eastwards across the southern counties of England and Wales. Elsewhere in the country will see a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers.

But cloud and rain is expected to develop overnight, with strong winds also setting in across the South. These are expected to continue, with “brisk winds and outbreaks of heavy rain” dominating the forecast on Wednesday. The Met Office said temperatures will remain near average at around 17C, but will be “tempered” by the strong winds.

Graham Linehan ‘arrested at Heathrow for posts about trans people’

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan said he was arrested at Heathrow airport over a series of posts about transgender people.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man in his fifties was arrested at Heathrow on Monday at 1pm on suspicion of inciting violence relating to posts on social media platform X (Twitter), as he arrived on an inbound American Airlines flight.

They did not confirm the identity of the figure, but added that after being taken into police custody, officers became concerned for his health and he was taken to hospital.

His condition was neither life-threatening nor life-changing, and he has now been bailed pending further investigation.

Linehan, 57, shared further details of the arrest on his blog, which he said occurred as he was returning from Arizona. He claimed to have “been flagged” and “arrested at an airport like a terrorist”.

“The moment I stepped off the plane at Heathrow, five armed police officers were waiting. Not one, not two – five,” he wrote. “They escorted me to a private area and told me I was under arrest for three tweets.”

He reshared the posts, which were originally posted in April, one of which called on people to “call the cops” on trans-identifying people and “if all else fails, punch him in the balls”.

Another post showed a crowd of people at a protest, many holding transgender and LGBT+ Pride flags, which he wrote over the top: “A photo you can smell.”

The third post he claimed had led to his arrest was in response to someone who commented under this photo, where he said: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F*** em.”

He claimed his belt, bag and devices were confiscated as he was shown to a small green-tiled cell with a bunk and silver toilet, and he was questioned about his posts, which he said “was a serious point made with a joke”.

When a nurse came to check on him, he claimed they found his blood pressure was in “stroke territory” because “the stress of being arrested for jokes was literally threatening my life”, which led him to be escorted to A&E.

He added that his single bail condition is that he is not to go on X, and he faces a further interview in October.

Linehan is already facing trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday over two separate charges. One is in relation to harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks on social media, and the other is for damaging Ms Brooks’s mobile phone in October. He denied the charges at a hearing on 12 May.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Monday, September 1, at 1pm, officers arrested a man at Heathrow airport after he arrived on an inbound American Airlines flight.

“The man in his fifties was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence. This is in relation to posts on X.

“After being taken to police custody, officers became concerned for his health and he was taken to hospital. His condition is neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

“He has now been bailed pending further investigation.”

In response to Linehan’s claim that he was arrested by armed officers, the force said: “The arrest was made by officers from the MPS aviation unit. It is routine for officers policing airports to carry firearms. These were not drawn or used at any point during the arrest.”

Gerard Depardieu to face trial for alleged rape of fellow actor

French film star Gerard Depardieu will face trial for allegedly raping actor Charlotte Arnould in 2018.

It is the latest blow to the 76-year-old’s reputation, after he was convicted of sexual assault in May for groping two other women on a film set.

Ms Arnould first accused Depardieu of rape in 2018.

She said the assaults occurred in his Paris home on two separate occasions when she was in her early 20s.

Depardieu has denied the allegations.

On Tuesday, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigating judge had ruled that the case should be sent before a court.

That came after Ms Arnould posted about the news on her Instagram account.

“I think I’m having trouble realising how huge this is. I’m relieved,” she wrote.

No court date was given for the trial.

Lawyers for Ms Arnould and Depardieu did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Depardieu rose to prominence in 1974 with Going Places and has starred in scores of French-language movies.

He has been at the centre of a growing number of sexual assault allegations in recent years.

Ms Arnould, 29, an actor and former ballet dancer known for her work in theatre and voice acting, was present in the courtroom in May when Depardieu was found guilty in the sexual assault case and handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence, which his lawyer said at the time he would appeal.

During that trial, Depardieu’s lawyer called her a liar in the courtroom.

In her Instagram post on Tuesday, Ms Arnould referred to those comments, calling Depardieu’s defence “outrageous and … absolutely unnecessary to uncover the truth.”

Though Ms Arnould’s case was initially dropped, it was reopened in 2020 and prosecutors requested a trial for Depardieu in 2022.

Ms Arnould has since become a vocal figure in France’s #MeToo movement, expressing solidarity with sexual assault victims and demanding accountability in the film industry.

Make the most of London this summer with this stadium experience

Whether you’re experiencing London for the first time or you’re a family with kids keen to create unforgettable memories during the holidays, a visit to this world-famous stadium in North London is a must.

After 90 years at their beloved Highbury stadium, Arsenal’s ambitions outgrew their original home and in 2006, the club opened the Emirates. With a seating capacity of over 60,000, the Emirates stadium is one of the largest in England. The sheer scale of this field of dreams must be seen to believed — and thanks to its easy-to-reach location, you can hop on a bus or train and get there in no time.

Once there, Arsenal’s award-winning tours open the doors to parts of the stadium that are usually off-limits to the public. For sightseers who prefer to go at their own pace and for those with little ones who tire easily, the club’s self-guided audio-visual tour is a great option.

Fans and families can take their time to soak in the atmosphere and stroll in the footsteps of footballing legends, imagining the roar of the crowd as you step into the players’ tunnel. Afterwards, feel the tension rise in the dugout and experience the best seats in the house in the directors’ box.

It’s a rare opportunity to glimpse the inner workings of a prestigious football club and explore normally restricted areas that also include the home and away dressing rooms, the media lounge and the exclusive members-only Diamond Club.

Available in seven languages on a state-of-the-art handheld device, the tour is narrated by Arsenal presenter David Frimpong, otherwise known as ‘Frimmy’, as well as featuring commentary from Arsenal legends Alex Scott and David Seaman.

As well as audio, the tour recreates the electric atmosphere of matchday using 360-degree augmented footage and includes brand new interactive elements. You can also take souvenir photos with iconic Arsenal trophies, including that of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The Arsenal Legend Stadium Tour is a more bespoke alternative to the self-guided tour, where visitors can explore the stadium for 90 minutes alongside an Arsenal hero. Tour guides include Nigel Winterburn and Perry Groves, as well as former women’s captain Faye White MBE.

During the tour, the Arsenal legend will share memories, anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the pitch, offering a unique insider’s perspective on life at the club. Expect plenty of humour, fascinating insights and a chance to hear back-room gossip straight from the legends themselves. There’s also a chance for a Q&A and photo opportunity with your Arsenal legend of choice.

Included with every tour ticket is entry into Arsenal’s interactive museum situated right next door to the stadium. Chart the club’s evolution from humble origins in Woolwich in 1886 to its modern powerhouse status with a global following of over 100 million fans.

The museum features two impressive video theatres, showing highlights from the club’s origins to the present day as well as twenty major displays of Arsenal’s proud history. Feast your eyes on silverware from the club’s most successful eras, Michael Thomas’s boots from Anfield 1989 and Jens Lehmann’s goalkeeper gloves worn for every league match of the unbeaten Invincibles season in 2003/4.

For lifelong Gooners, it’s a trip down memory lane. For families and tourists, it’s an eye-opening lesson in why football matters so much to the UK and is the perfect outing to experience London at its most authentic.

This content is brought to you by Living360, a digital lifestyle destination keeping you up to date with health and fitness, food and drink, homes and gardens, beauty, travel, finance trends and more.

Jaguar Land Rover production ‘severely disrupted’ by cyberattack

Jaguar Land Rover has been “severely disrupted” due to a cyber incident which targeted its vehicle production and retail services.

The car manufacturer said it took “immediate action” to mitigate the impact of the hack, and is currently working to restart operations.

There is currently no evidence that any customer data has been stolen.

A statement from the firm read: “JLR has been impacted by a cyber incident. We took immediate action to mitigate its impact by proactively shutting down our systems.

“We are now working at pace to restart our global applications in a controlled manner.

“At this stage there is no evidence any customer data has been stolen but our retail and production activities have been severely disrupted.”

It is not yet known who is responsible for the attack, and comes in the wake of several cyberattacks against major companies including Marks and Spencer, Co-op and Harrods.

M&S stopped online sales for around six weeks after a ransomware attack and warned that the incident could cost it around £300 million.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the car manufacturer’s Merseyside factory has been shut and workers have been told not to come in.

Tata Motors, which owns JLR, has also reported what it called a global “IT incidence” to the Indian stock exchange.

It’s a further blow to the luxury carmaker after their profits nearly halved after a slump in sales and a hit from US trade tariffs.

The group reported a 49.4 per cent plunge in underlying pre-tax profits to £351 million in its first quarter to the end of June.

Trump trolls Biden with plans for ‘very controversial’ new portrait

After paving over the luscious turf of the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump has announced another addition to the iconic outdoor space: a portrait of his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Trump, who has amassed an increasing collection of self-portraits, teased the new painting on Monday after unveiling plans for a “Presidential Wall of Fame” during an interview with conservative news outlet the Daily Caller. However, when it comes to a piece about his immediate predecessor, it is not clear how serious Trump is being.

“We’re doing what’s called the Presidential Wall of Fame,” Trump said, showing off presidential portraits in gold frames he plans to display to the publication’s White House Correspondent Reagan Reese in the Oval Office.

With Hotel California blaring from the speakers, the president escorted Reese through the Rose Garden before retreating to his office to share more about the “very controversial” Biden portrait.

“You’re going to put President Biden up too?” the reporter asked.

“Okay – show it,” Trump said. “We put up a picture of the autopen.”

“Oh, that’s hilarious,” Reese replied, before Trump pivoted to insist the 2020 election was rigged and mistakenly declared that Biden had “stage nine” cancer. Biden revealed his stage four prostate cancer diagnosis in May, which carries a Gleason score of nine.

While the president did not reveal precisely where he wants the portrait to hang, he said that the black-and-white painting is being “prepared” before it goes “up in about two weeks.”

“This is going to be very controversial,” Trump said.

“It’s going to be funny,” Reese replied.

It remained unclear whether Trump’s comments about the autopen painting were made in jest or whether Biden would ultimately be included.

Trump and other Republicans have accused Biden’s staff of making decisions on behalf of the Democrat by using the autopen when he was unaware.

The tool allows staffers or assistants to place the president’s signature on an official document without requiring a “wet signature”, one physically made with ink on paper.

The president has called the allegations a “tremendous scandal” and claimed that Biden “knew nothing about what he was signing.”

Trump and his supporters have theorized that Biden’s frequent use of the autopen, a commonly used practice among presidents and officials, is directly correlated to his alleged mental decline.

Biden denied the allegations, telling The New York Times in July that he made “every decision” but used the autopen to sign off on certain documents, such as clemency and pardons issued at the end of his term.