The United Kingdom may formally recognize Palestine as an independent state this Sunday afternoon, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to make the announcement.
The Starmer administration had earlier signaled in July that recognition would be considered if Israel failed to commit to a ceasefire in Gaza and to a long-term peace framework under a two-state solution.
Tel Aviv has strongly criticized the move. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said such recognition would “reward terrorism.”
Meanwhile, France, Canada, Australia, Portugal, and Luxembourg have already declared their intention to recognize Palestine.

A cyberattack on Collins Aerospace, a provider of check-in and boarding systems, disrupted operations at major European airports including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin on September 20. Automated systems went offline, causing flight delays and cancellations. Airports implemented manual check-in and boarding procedures while the provider works to resolve the issue. Frankfurt and Zurich airports were reportedly unaffected. Passengers are advised to confirm flight status with airlines before traveling.

The Bank of England has kept its key interest rate unchanged at 4 percent, ending a series of five consecutive cuts since August last year. The central bank highlighted that inflationary pressures have eased, supported by tight monetary policy, though wage growth remains a key factor. The UK economy is growing slowly, with some labor market slack and spare capacity. Future monetary policy adjustments will depend on the underlying trend of inflation to achieve the 2 percent medium-term target.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Britain on Tuesday night for what is being described as an unprecedented second state visit. The trip is expected to see the signing of multiple investment agreements between Washington and London.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would use Trump’s visit to highlight the strengthening of the “special relationship” between the two nations. Ahead of the visit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves jointly announced the creation of a “Transatlantic Taskforce.”

King Charles will formally welcome Trump on Wednesday, while Starmer is set to host him at the prime minister’s countryside residence, Chequers, on Thursday. Starmer is also arranging meetings with leading business groups to promote Britain as an attractive destination for U.S. investment.

Ukraine will require at least $120 billion next year to continue resisting Russian aggression, and the same amount will be necessary even if the war ends, said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Currently, Ukraine spends nearly one-third of its GDP on defense and relies heavily on tens of billions in Western aid to sustain its economy. Shmyhal warned:
“If we fall behind in defense spending, Ukraine risks losing more territory to Russia.”

He urged that frozen Russian assets in the West be confiscated to fund Ukraine’s defense needs. Moscow responded sharply, calling any such move “outright theft” with “serious consequences.”

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested using frozen Russian assets as collateral for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine, though clarified that the EU’s 27 member states would not directly seize the funds.

Shabana Mahmood, a British-born politician of Pakistani heritage, has made history by becoming the UK’s first Muslim woman to serve as Home Secretary. Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed her after a cabinet reshuffle following Deputy PM Angela Rayner’s resignation. Mahmood, previously Justice Secretary, pledged to prioritize citizens’ safety. Born in Birmingham in 1980, she studied law at Oxford and worked as a barrister before entering politics. Elected MP for Birmingham Ladywood in 2024, she has been rising steadily within Labour ranks.

Russia launched a cruise missile attack on Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv early Sunday, marking the first time the building has been hit since Moscow’s 2022 military invasion. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed the damage to the roof and upper floors. The Ukrainian Air Force reported over 800 drones and missiles were deployed overnight, hitting 37 locations while 8 intercepted missiles and drones fell elsewhere. The attack continues to spread fear among civilians.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has turned down Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to meet in Moscow, citing ongoing missile strikes and shelling in his country. Instead, he has invited Putin to Kyiv. The Kremlin insists Zelensky was invited for “talks, not surrender.” Recent days have seen intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, including over 1,300 drones, 900 guided bombs, and around 50 missile strikes across 14 regions. Zelensky emphasizes Kyiv as the only safe venue for discussions.

Thousands took to the streets of London demanding the lifting of the ban on Palestine Action Group. The protest, organized by “Defend Our Juries,” drew around 1,500 demonstrators.

Clashes erupted when police moved in, with more than 425 protesters arrested. Eyewitnesses reported baton charges, protesters thrown to the ground, and arbitrary arrests for holding placards saying “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Press Association reports noted police brutality, including one protester bleeding from the face after arrest. Police later claimed officers were subjected to “unprecedented violence, including punches, kicks, spitting, and stone-throwing.”

UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has resigned following a tax investigation into her recent £800,000 apartment purchase in Hove, which revealed an unpaid stamp duty of around £40,000. Though she acted in good faith, the independent inquiry confirmed she breached ministerial ethical standards. Rayner cited personal challenges, including divorce and childcare, in her resignation. Her departure creates a leadership gap in both government and the Labour Party, drawing criticism from opponents and posing challenges for party leader Keir Starmer.

Ukraine has declined Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer for peace talks in Moscow. Putin suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could attend if he wished, but Ukraine noted at least seven other countries—including Hungary, Switzerland, and Turkey—have offered to host negotiations. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized Zelensky is ready for talks anytime but accused Putin of making deliberately unacceptable proposals. Putin, meanwhile, questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as president, citing the end of his five-year term and lack of elections due to martial law.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed a proposal for a 40-kilometer buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces, saying it does not reflect modern warfare. He argued that today’s conflict, driven by drones, already creates a de facto buffer zone near the front lines. His remarks came after reports that European leaders were exploring the idea to halt fighting or reach a long-term deal. Zelensky stressed that only those unaware of current military realities would suggest such a measure.

The UK has banned Israeli government representatives from attending DSEI UK 2025, one of the world’s largest arms fairs, citing Israel’s escalating military actions in Gaza. The exhibition will run from September 9–12 in London. While Israeli defense firms may still join privately, the absence of official representation sparked outrage from Israel’s defense ministry, which called the move discriminatory and withdrew entirely. Britain signaled the ban could be lifted if Israel pledges to follow international law in occupied Palestinian territories.

Russia has unleashed one of its most devastating drone strikes on Ukraine, causing widespread damage to energy infrastructure and leaving more than 100,000 households without electricity, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed.

According to Zelensky, Russia deployed nearly 100 drones overnight, targeting power plants and other key energy facilities. A school in Kharkiv and a high-rise building in Kherson were also hit.

Ukraine’s Energy Ministry condemned the strikes as part of Moscow’s ongoing strategy to cripple civilian infrastructure ahead of winter. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian military official admitted that Russian troops briefly entered the Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time, though their advance was halted.

A Reuters journalist has resigned in protest following the killing of media workers in Israeli strikes on Gaza.

Valerie Zink, a contract journalist with Reuters for eight years, snapped her company ID card and posted its photo on Facebook, announcing her resignation. She accused the news agency of siding with Israel despite the brutal deaths of her colleagues.

Zink pointed out that slain journalist Anas al-Sharif, who once won Reuters a Pulitzer Prize, was falsely labeled as a Hamas member and terrorist in reports instead of being honored. Her resignation has sparked debate over media n