Just Stop Oil activists who sprayed Stonehenge cleared of charges

Three Just Stop Oil activists who took part in a protest in which Stonehenge was sprayed with orange powder have been found not guilty of criminal damage and causing a public nuisance.

It follows a trial at Salisbury Crown Court where they cited human rights law in their defence.

Then-Oxford University student Niamh Lynch, 23, and Rajan Naidu, 74, had been accused of using two colour blasters filled with cornflour, talc and an orange dye to spray the monument.

Salisbury Crown Court was told the pair – along with a third activist, Luke Watson, 36 – targeted Stonehenge as part of an ongoing fossil fuel protest by the Just Stop Oil group the day before the 2024 summer solstice.

About 15,000 people were due to gather and celebrate at the monument.

Naidu and Lynch had crossed the boundary ropes and trespassed into the area around the monument before launching the attack.

Watson had bought the equipment used in the attack and had driven his co-accused to Stonehenge that morning.

Prosecutors alleged the protest had been “carefully planned” and was filmed by other Just Stop Oil supporters and released publicly afterwards.

Simon Jones, prosecuting, said: “Putting it simply, we say they were all in it together.

“The prosecution say that this is an act of blatant and clear vandalism. The intention is undoubtedly to make a statement.”

After the attack, Naidu and Lynch, who were both wearing white Just Stop Oil t-shirts, sat down in silence in front of the stones until they were arrested by the police.

The court heard the stones were promptly cleaned. The costs of removing the powder totalled £620.

Mr Jones added: “Stonehenge is arguably the best recognised and architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world, built around 5,000 years ago.

“The site in Wiltshire is visited by members of the public from all over the world, providing both an education and spiritual experience.

“The stones are a protected ancient monument.”

The three defendants each denied charges of damaging an ancient protected monument and causing a public nuisance on June 19 2024.

The latter is a new statutory offence created by the 2022 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, which sparked a wave of Kill the Bill protests across the country.

They each accepted taking part in the protest and cited in their defence “reasonable excuse”, and their rights under Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights to freedom of speech and freedom to protest.

The defendants argued it was a peaceful protest, that the rights of others were not “greatly interfered with”, that care had been taken in choosing the type of powder to use, there was no lasting damage to the stones and that protesting about fossil fuels was a legitimate cause.

Judge Paul Dugdale told the jury in his legal directions they had to assess where the “balance lies” in the case and whether a conviction would be a “proportionate interference” with the defendants’ rights.

“In any society there will be those whose opinions we agree with and those whose opinions we disagree,” he said.

“The essence of a free society and freedom of speech is that everyone’s entitled to express their opinion even when we disagree with what they say.

“If individuals disagree with what our Government is doing on certain matters they are entitled to protest about the Government’s actions or inactions.

“All of this is the essence of our free society. It’s how our society has developed over the centuries and the reality is we are very fortunate to live in a free society.

“There are times when protecting the right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest can mean that activity that would otherwise be unlawful would be regarded as lawful by the court to protect those rights.”

The jury found Naidu, of Gosford Street, Birmingham; Lynch, of Norfolk Road, Turvey, Bedford; and Watson, of The Street, Manuden, Essex, each not guilty of the two charges after deliberating for six hours.

Hurricane Melissa death toll rises as trail of destruction disrupts aid efforts in Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa’s confirmed death toll has climbed to 49 after the storm wreaked destruction across much of the northern Caribbean.

Haiti reported at least 30 deaths with 20 people missing, after the slow-moving hurricane brought days of torrential rain to the island. At least 23 people, including 10 children, died in the southern town of Petit-Goave when a river burst its banks.

Jamaica confirmed 19 people had died, but said authorities were continuing search and rescue efforts on Thursday. The storm left hundreds of thousands of people without power and tore homes apart.

Vital aid was beginning to flow into the island, but disruption at regional airports meant supplies were being brought in by road, which has been rendered impassable in some places.

The storm may have cost around $50bn in damages so far, and recovery efforts could take a decade, forecaster AccuWeather said.

Melissa was moving slowly to the northeast on Friday, expected to continue through Saturday before a gradual slowdown later this weekend, the National Hurricane Center reports.

Dutch centrist party win election after beating far-right Wilders

The centrist D66 party has won Wednesday’s Dutch general election, news agency ANP reported on Friday, setting its 38-year-old leader, Rob Jetten, on course to become the Netherlands’ youngest prime minister.

With almost all votes counted, D66’s lead is now unassailable, placing it ahead of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) led by Geert Wilders, according to ANP, which compiles results from all municipalities.

D66 is expected to lead the initial round of talks to form a coalition government, a process typically spanning months. Securing around 18 per cent of the vote, the party will require at least three coalition partners to achieve a simple majority in the 150-seat Lower House of Parliament.

Mr Jetten is now poised to become the Netherlands‘ youngest and first openly gay prime minister. His party, the pro-EU and liberal D66, tripled its seat count with an upbeat campaign and a surge in advertising spending.

This shift was underpinned by polished messaging, enabling D66 to expand its focus beyond traditional social liberal themes like climate change and education.

Mr Jetten strategically engaged with divisive issues such as immigration and the housing crisis, successfully winning over some voters who had previously leaned towards right-wing parties.

Meanwhile, Wilders lost a large part of the support that had propelled him to a shock victory at the previous poll in 2023.

Still, the election turned into a nailbiter, as preliminary results indicated a narrow victory for D66, while the PVV briefly pulled ahead towards the end of the count.

Although all mainstream parties had already ruled out working with him, Wilders had said he would demand to have a first crack at forming a coalition if his party was confirmed to have the most votes.

Confirmation of the result will come on Monday, when mail ballots cast by Dutch residents living abroad are counted.

Additional reporting by AP.

Trump puts candy on kid’s costumed head at Halloween event – again

President Donald Trump greeted trick-or-treaters at the White House Halloween event on Thursday night — and once again placed candy on top of a child’s head.

The president, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, distributed candy for about an hour outside the White House, which was decked out in pumpkins, leaves, and other decorations for the event. The president was spotted placing a candy bar on top of a child’s light-up mask, in a moment that mirrored a viral incident from Halloween 2019, when the President placed candy on the head of a child dressed as a Minion.

The moment has already made the rounds on social media. In a post with hundreds of likes and reshares, one user uploaded today’s clip side-by-side with the 2019 viral moment.

“President Trump DOES IT AGAIN! He just recreated the time he placed a candy bar on a kid’s head for Halloween 6 years ago,” the user wrote. “We are SO BACK!”

Some trick-or-treaters appeared to be dressed as Trump himself, while others opted to be Secret Service agents or the Statue of Liberty. As the President and First Lady handed out candy, Halloween-themed tunes played in the background.

Trump also greeted two young kids who were in a wagon decorated with the McDonald’s drive-thru sign. The president notably operated a McDonald’s fryer last year for a campaign photo-op.

Several kids dressed as pumpkins, ballerinas and dinosaurs. Some trick-or-treaters also brought items for Trump to sign, including a golf ball and copies of Time magazine with covers that featured him.

Top White House officials, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, were also spotted with their families at the event.

Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs are reportedly driving up the prices of Halloween candy and costumes. His tariff hike on Chinese goods has resulted in tighter Halloween inventory and higher prices, The Independent previously reported.

The National Retail Federation also estimates that consumers are expected to spend a record $13.1bn this Halloween, which is up from $11.6bn last year and tops the previous 2023 record of $12.2bn.

When asked about the higher prices earlier this month, White House spokesperson Kush Desai told The Independent, “Real prosperity is good jobs, booming industry, and thriving communities for everyday Americans — not cheap Chinese imports.”

Andrew Tate’s boxing debut plunges a beloved sport to toxic new depths

Boxing is not, and has never been, a perfect sport. Even in the throes of an enthralling duel like Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley’s last Saturday night, you might find yourself shrinking into your sofa under the violence or bursting forth in rage at a controversial stoppage. It depends on your threshold for violence, but the violence itself is just one of many contentious layers to a complicated but beloved sport; politics, pain and crime have all historically contributed to the “Sweet Science”, which at times betrays both the adjective and noun in that sibilant title.

Yet there has always been enough to keep us going. Again, Parker versus Wardley – whatever you think about the referee’s call in the 11th round – was a beguiling exhibit of pugilism, one to replenish wavering fandom in some corners and ignite burgeoning interest in others. But it feels like boxing tends to give with one gloved hand and take with the other.

Thursday evening’s news is a stark example of the taking – of a vicious yanking. Andrew Tate will make his boxing debut in December, it was announced, as the British-American influencer fights TV personality Chase DeMoor in Dubai. The fight is due to be organised by Misfits, a promotion headed up by YouTuber KSI until (per Tate’s claims and KSI’s incensed tweets) Thursday, when Tate “ousted” KSI as Misfits CEO.

Let’s work through some facts, before we return to the feelings.

Tate, 38, is a former professional kickboxer with a record of 76 wins (32 knockouts), 9 losses and 1 draw, and he has also competed in mixed martial arts. His Misfits bout – a heavyweight contest – will mark his boxing debut. However, Tate is best known as an influencer. A self-described “misogynist” who flaunts his lavish lifestyle on social media, Tate has faced numerous allegations of rape and human trafficking.

Tate and his 37-year-old brother Tristan, who has also faced accusations of rape and human trafficking, both deny all of the allegations against them.

This May, the UK Crown Prosecution Service brought 21 charges against the brothers. The Service said Andrew faces 10 charges relating to three alleged victims – including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain – while Tristan faces 11 charges pertaining to one alleged victim, including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it had authorised the charges against the Tate brothers in 2024, before a warrant for their extradition from Romania, where they reside and are also under investigation. The brothers are also reported to be under investigation in the US.

Okay, back to feeling. You might take any of the above notes as reasons why Tate should not receive a platform to box, or even be allowed to box in the first place. The misogyny, the allegations, the investigations.

Yet one does not wish to sound naive. Boxing has long platformed alleged and convicted criminals (Mike Tyson, one of the most-famous people to have ever lived, let alone boxed, is a convicted rapist). Furthermore, money doesn’t just talk in boxing; it rants, raves, and ultimately rules the sport.

There will be an audience for Tate’s fight, and where there is an audience – even if it comprises disgusted-but-intrigued viewers, as well as genuine Tate fanboys – there will be profit.

Provisionally, Tate stands to benefit significantly from a boxing match not only due to any prospective purse for competing, but also because of his alleged role as Misfits CEO.

“Welcome to your new CEO, it wasn’t a hostile takeover but it was certainly planned,” said Tate in an announcement video, “and Mams [Taylor] and I are going to be working together to finally put Misfits where it belongs on the world stage. The largest disruptive force in sports entertainment history […] and considering that I’m the largest name on the planet, if I’m gonna fight on an organisation, why not fight on an organisation that I own a percentage of? It makes a lot of business sense.”

For anything that one could say to the contrary, it does indeed make business sense for Tate. But where is the common sense needed to halt this?

Tate’s involvement in boxing, should it go ahead, will plunge a divisive-but-dear sport to toxic new depths. Boxing has always had its problems, but it increasingly fails to resemble the sport that fans love.

Separately, Thursday brought news that world champion Gervonta Davis is facing a lawsuit over battery allegations from an ex-girlfriend – not for the first time. Davis, who is due to box YouTuber Jake Paul on 14 November, is yet to respond publicly to the allegations, but The Independent has approached him for comment.

Maybe this article is a scream into the wind. But won’t somebody please, please stop this madness?

Explore phone photography plus a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

When it comes to capturing moments that matter, it’s all about our mobiles, with an incredible 92.5 per cent of photos now taken on our phones. And whether you’re an experienced snapper or an enthusiastic amateur, when it comes to taking your images and videos to the next level, the new Samsung Galaxy S25 FE has all the spec and tech you need.

This sleek and impressively lightweight device is leading the way when it comes to real world AI performance, offering software designed to enhance your images and footage from image quality and clarity, to tone and colour, even in tricky conditions, such as low-light or busy, bustling places – meaning you get the perfect image and video every time. What’s more, the device’s functionality and editing features allows you to easily and seamlessly improve what you capture, meaning you can nail the perfect shot or clip every time.

Read on to find out more about the Galaxy S25 FE’s range of photo-first features – and how you can win one of your own…

Let’s start by delving into the assortment of camera options that come with the Galaxy S25 FE. There’s a triple lens set up on the rear of the body to offer varying focal lengths – a 50 MP Wide Camera, 8 MP Telephoto Camera with 3 x optical zoom and a 12 MP Ultra-Wide camera – meaning you get the exact frame you desire at the best possible quality.

Portrait mode is exceptional, beautifully capturing the essence of people, pets, nature and objects with equal splendour. The option of three different lenses and multiple zoom capabilities means you always get the perfect angle and crop – and whether you’re shooting during the day or when the sun goes down, the Galaxy S25 FE’s Night Mode means the results are clear and vivid.

Take strikingly detailed selfies thanks to a 12 MP front camera, which has regular and wide options, and a 20 per cent higher resolution than the previous model. There’s an equally lucid quality for the selfie video mode – so you can make yourself look just as good as your friends and family.

On top of the incredible camera functionality, the Galaxy S25 FE boasts trailblazing AI tech – because even the best photo in the world can be improved with a few little tweaks, right? Introducing Photo Assist*: improve your images using the Generative Edit function, which lets you move around, or even remove, people and objects in your photos – so you can wave goodbye to photobombers once and for all. Or leave it to AI to make the decisions with ‘Suggest Erase’ to instantly remove people and objects that may be crowding your background. Equally, you can fill spaces that look too empty: the AI-powered function will analyse surrounding imagery to create a suitable filler. You can also resize and reposition people or objects to create fun, abstract and quirky images.

Want to get even more creative? Lean into the Sketch to Image** function which allows you to generate new additions to your existing photos. Open up your chosen photo and start sketching simple drawings directly onto the image and let AI Image Generation do the rest, as it fills the space with your chosen item or even a person. Want some surfers in that edgy picture of crashing waves? A heart-shaped cloud in that stunning azure sky? Sketch them in and let Galaxy AI do the rest.

While the Galaxy S25 FE already has a very impressive Night Mode, it can always be tricky capturing the exact shot you want without sunlight. This is where Enhanced Nightography comes in. The smartphone’s AI-powered image processing ProVisual Engine will analyse the scenes in the photos and videos to automatically enhance the visual quality, while Object Awareness can recognise faces and lighting and use that information to optimise skin tones and enhance clarity – making skin look true-to-life whenever you’re shooting.

And it’s not only about making things look better. The Audio Eraser*** function will make your videos sound better too. It works by removing unwanted background noises and disturbances post filming, with the result a more clear and focused final cut.

Aside from the innovative camera and AI features, the Galaxy S25 FE is an all-round impressive smartphone. The stylish design is available in four colours – Navy, Jetblack, Icyblue and White – all with Premium Haze matte finish and rare curved edges. While the body may be the slimmest and most lightweight FE model to date (disclaimer, compared to previous models) – just 7.4 mm thin and 190 grams light – the robust build is encased with Corning® Gorilla® and Glass Victus®+ for drop protection and has an enhanced aluminium frame. The device also boasts an IP68 rating**** for dust and water resistance – the highest rating available.

When it comes to battery life, you’re looking at a 4900mAh capacity† offering up to a whopping 28 hours of video playback, and you can power up the battery to 65 per cent in just 30 minutes with fast-wired charging. Expect smooth and immersive gaming and multimedia viewing thanks to a screen resolution of 6.7” FHD+ and up to 120HZ display refresh rate.

While the Galaxy S25 FE’s AI tech in terms of photos and videos may mean a world of endless creation, the integrated AI capabilities don’t end there. Lean into Gemini to get all the information you could need in real time, ‘Circle to Search with Google’ lets you trace information direct from the pictures and videos on your screen‡, while ‘Browse Assist’ instantly summarises web content and ‘Writing Assist’§ works to polish up your notes and communication. Meanwhile the AI-powered Now Bar◊ delivers helpful daily summaries and weather information to your homescreen so you can schedule the perfect moment to get out and shoot.

For your chance to win one of these game-changing devices, and capture your moments in style, simply fill out the form below.

18+, UK residents only. Promotion closes at 23:59 GMT on Sunday 30th November 2025. Winners will be drawn at random from all entries received by the closing date. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. Usual promotional rules apply, see independent.co.uk/rules For further information, please write to Customer Care, The Independent, Alphabeta, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AH

By opting in to receive marketing communications from Samsung, you agree to our [Terms of Use] and [Privacy Policy] and consent to receive a varying number of marketing messages via email.

To find out more about the Samsung S25 FE visit Samsung

*Samsung account login is required. Requires network connection.

**Samsung account login and network connection may be required for certain AI features.

***Samsung account login required. Six types of sound can be detected; voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. Results may vary depending on audio source & condition of the video.

**** IP68 rating based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use.

† Typical value tested under third party laboratory condition. Rated minimum capacity of S25 FE is 4755 mAh.

‡ Requires network connection. Results may vary depending on visual match.

§ Samsung account login is required. Requires a network connection. Must meet length requirements to activate feature. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

◊ Network connection required.

Starmer paid to keep necklace from Trump but turned down Arsenal shirt

Sir Keir Starmer paid to keep a necklace he received from Donald Trump during the US president’s state visit, it has emerged, but did not fork out for a football shirt gifted by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger earlier this year.

Details released by the Cabinet Office on Thursday show that the prime minister was given the personalised necklace, along with cufflinks and a golf club, by the president, while his wife was given a pair of cowboy boots.

No 10 could not immediately say on Friday how much Sir Keir had paid for the gift, but the necklace was the only item he chose to keep, with the other gifts being held by Downing Street.

Asked on Friday how much the PM had paid for the jewellery, a spokesperson for the prime minister said: “As with all gifts, we publish them transparently, and if they were held by the department or purchased by the minister.”

No details were available about how the necklace was personalised, and when asked why the prime minister had felt that he wanted to pay for this gift, the spokesperson pointed to the rules as set out in the ministerial code around gifts and hospitality.

But it has also emerged that Sir Keir declined to purchase a replica trophy, a football shirt and a football gifted by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in April, despite being a keen supporter of the north London club.

Ministers must declare any gift they receive worth more than £140, and either hand it to their department or pay the difference between that amount and the item’s value if they wish to keep it.

Sir Keir, like other prime ministers, has generally declined to purchase gifts from world leaders, including previous items given to him by Mr Trump.

The PM and Lady Starmer hosted Mr Trump and his wife Melania at Chequers, the prime minister’s country retreat, in September following the president’s stay with the King and Queen at Windsor Castle.

They presented the president with a ministerial red box and gave the first lady a silk scarf.

In July, during the president’s visit to Scotland, Sir Keir was given a bottle of special edition whisky, while during a trip to Washington in February he was given a framed football shirt by Mr Trump. Both items were retained by Downing Street.

In September, Sir Keir was given a rugby league shirt, leather boots and beer by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, clothes by publisher Conde Nast, and a wooden carving by Palestinian president Mahmood Abbas, none of which he paid to keep.

Details of ministers’ gifts and hospitality are released regularly by the government.

In July, UEFA and the Football Association offered the PM and a guest a ticket including food and drinks to the final of the Women’s Euros.

Earlier this year, the PM purchased a hamper he had received from Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, but he did not buy the bottle of rum he was given by the prime minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, or the decorative marble plate from India’s PM Narendra Modi.

Expert warns deadly Black Widow spiders could invade UK

A reptile expert has shared his fears that a deadly spider species could invade the UK.

Chris Newman, Director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, said he is worried that the Black Widow spider could “become established” in this country.

Black Widow spiders are around 1.5 inches long and identified by the red, hourglass-shaped mark on their abdomens.

Because they are found in more temperate parts of the world, they would be able to withstand the colder climate in the UK.

The charity director said his team recently collected dozens of Australian black widows found at the Dartford Crossing in a shipment from Japan.

Mr Newman told The Independent: “Black Widows come from a very wide habitat and they have already become established in Japan, where temperatures are similar to the UK. So there is a concern that Black Widow spiders could become an invasive species here.”

The venom in the spider’s bite is reported to be 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s. In humans, bites produce muscle aches, nausea, and a paralysis of the diaphragm that can make breathing difficult.

Mr Newman said “for the average healthy human, they are not likely to be life-threatening,” however, it can be fatal for children and the elderly.

The charity director also raised concerns about the Brazilian Wandering spider, which he said he has seen for the first time in 30 years in a pack of bananas.

They are common in South America, and can also be very dangerous. Luckily, because they are used to warmer temperatures, they “cannot be established here”.

He said: “Every year we will see four or five scary looking spiders in banana packets, but they are actually harmless.

“The likelihood you will find a Brazilian Wandering spider is extremely remote, but we still need to take it seriously because it is very dangerous.”

Mr Newman said the Brazilian Wandering spider is normally found at ports of entry and shipments. They recently found one in a shipment of electronic parts, but unlike common belief, it is “not typically found in fruit over vegetable” and is more likely to be found in “industrial parts” from South America.

“The lesson is: if you are buying bananas, wash them carefully. Make sure there’s nothing there before you put them on the dinner table,” he said, adding: “I want people to know that if they do find something they think is dangerous, there is help out there.

“Our line is available 24/7. We can quickly identify if is this something that is harmless or harmful.

“If it is harmless, we can easily deal with that. But if we identify that the spider is harmful, we can give advice on how to keep people safe in the meantime.”

Advising what to do if you are bitten by one of the two deadly spider species, he said: “Don’t try and do any old home remedies. Keep that part of the body still. Try to keep as calm as possible and seek medical help straight away.”

A Defra spokesperson said: “We are constantly assessing for new risks and threats and we are committed to keeping invasive plants and animals out of the UK.

“We advise all travellers to be careful to ensure their clothing, equipment and luggage is free from any stowaways that could accidentally introduce invasive species, pests or diseases.”