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Over 100 Arrested Across UK in Protests Against Palestine Action Terrorism Ban

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LONDON (BN24) — More than 100 people were arrested across the United Kingdom on Saturday during a wave of protests opposing the government’s recent decision to designate the direct action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

Demonstrators gathered in cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Truro to protest the ban, which was announced two weeks ago by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper under the Terrorism Act 2000. In Parliament Square, central London, protesters held signs reading “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,” before many were led away by police officers—some in handcuffs, others physically carried from the scene.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed 55 people were arrested in Parliament Square for expressing support for the now-proscribed organisation. The arrests were made under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, which prohibits public displays of support for banned groups and carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison.

An additional nine individuals were detained for similar offenses during a separate pro-Palestine demonstration that marched along Whitehall. Greater Manchester Police reported 18 arrests related to the same charge, stating those in custody were being questioned.

In the southwest of England, Avon and Somerset Police said 17 people were arrested in Bristol, while Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the arrest of eight individuals near Truro Cathedral under the same legislation. Authorities said arrests were also made in recent weekends, with at least 70 people detained during prior demonstrations in Parliament Square.

The series of protests were organized in part by the activist coalition Defend Our Juries, which had previously stated that at least 120 people had already been arrested in recent weeks for challenging the ban.

Ahead of the demonstrations, the Metropolitan Police warned the public that supporting Palestine Action—whether through chanting, signage, or paraphernalia—could lead to arrest. The force referenced the punk rap duo Bob Vylan’s controversial “death to the IDF” chant at the Glastonbury Festival as an example of speech under scrutiny.

Home Secretary Cooper moved to outlaw Palestine Action following an incident at RAF Brize Norton on June 20, when two military Voyager aircraft were reportedly damaged in an act of sabotage that police say caused £7 million in damage. The government alleges the group was behind the attack.

The proscription makes it a criminal offense to be a member of, support, or promote Palestine Action. The law even extends to wearing a T-shirt or badge displaying the group’s name, which could result in up to six months in jail. More serious charges could carry sentences of up to 14 years.

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori is seeking to challenge the government’s decision. A High Court hearing to request permission for a judicial review of the ban is scheduled for Monday.

At Least 34 Dead After Tourist Boat Capsizes in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay Amid Storm Wipha

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HA LONG BAY, Vietnam (BN24) — At least 34 people, including several children, have died after a tourist boat capsized in Vietnam’s famed Ha Long Bay amid worsening weather brought on by Storm Wipha, according to state media.

The vessel, identified as the Wonder Sea, overturned on Saturday around 2 p.m. local time while carrying 53 people, including five crew members. Vietnamese rescue teams pulled 11 survivors from the water and had recovered 34 bodies by late Saturday evening, eight of them children, the state-run Vietnam News Agency reported. The search and rescue operation remains active.

The People’s Army Newspaper, citing local border guards, reported that most passengers were domestic tourists from Hanoi, including approximately 20 children. The authorities have not yet released full details about the identities or nationalities of the victims.

The tragedy unfolded as Storm Wipha churned through the South China Sea, sending heavy rains, powerful winds, and dangerous seas into Vietnam’s northern coast. The storm, which is the third typhoon to strike the region this year, is expected to make landfall early next week. According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, winds associated with Wipha reached sustained speeds of 63 mph (101 km/h), with gusts topping 68 mph (126 km/h) as the system passed south of Taiwan on Saturday.

Air travel disruptions across northern Vietnam were also reported. Noi Bai International Airport, serving Hanoi, said at least nine incoming flights were diverted and three outbound flights grounded due to the storm’s impact.

The deadly incident has cast a shadow over Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its emerald waters and limestone islands. It also raises questions about maritime safety procedures as extreme weather events become increasingly common in the region.

Local officials said the Wonder Sea was operating legally but are now investigating whether the boat’s operator adhered to weather warnings and safety regulations. Strong winds and turbulent waters likely contributed to the vessel’s sudden capsizing.

With rescue efforts still underway and questions remaining about the incident, authorities have vowed a full inquiry while families mourn the loss of dozens in what has become one of Vietnam’s deadliest maritime disasters in recent years.

Oleksandr Usyk Knocks Out Daniel Dubois at Wembley to Reclaim Undisputed Heavyweight Crown

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LONDON (BN24) — Ukrainian boxing star Oleksandr Usyk reclaimed his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion Saturday night after delivering a crushing fifth-round knockout to Britain’s Daniel Dubois in front of a roaring crowd at Wembley Stadium.

Usyk, 38, floored Dubois with a thunderous right hook midway through the round, then sealed the bout with a precise left to the chin, sending the 27-year-old Briton to the canvas and ending the fight in decisive fashion. The victory marked Usyk’s second time claiming the undisputed heavyweight title, further solidifying his place in the sport’s elite ranks.

The bout was billed as a redemption match for Dubois, who had suffered a controversial loss to Usyk in 2023 in Krakow, Poland. In that fight, Dubois was penalized for an alleged low blow in the fifth round — a moment that sparked debate throughout boxing circles. Heading into Saturday’s contest, Dubois had promised that Usyk would face a “different” fighter this time. But the Ukrainian champion, carrying the hopes of a war-weary nation and joined at ringside by Ukrainian military veterans, proved once again why he remains unbeaten in his professional career.

With this win, Usyk unified the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, reclaiming the belt he had vacated last year. Dubois had captured the vacant IBF title in September with a knockout win over Anthony Joshua, but his brief reign came to an abrupt end at Wembley. The loss makes Dubois the latest in a string of top British heavyweights — including Tyson Fury and Joshua — to fall to the undefeated Usyk.

Usyk entered the ring with his signature focus, accompanied by a small group of wounded Ukrainian veterans, a symbolic gesture as his homeland continues to battle Russia’s ongoing invasion. The moment brought added weight to the occasion, transforming the showdown into more than just a title fight.

With Wembley Stadium packed and tensions high, Dubois attempted to press early, but Usyk’s technical mastery, timing, and movement quickly overwhelmed the younger fighter. By round five, Usyk had found his rhythm, unloading a devastating right before finishing with a left hook that left no doubt.

The win reaffirms Usyk’s dominance in the heavyweight division and continues his meteoric rise from cruiserweight king to heavyweight legend. As chants of “Usyk! Usyk!” echoed throughout the venue, the Ukrainian stood tall — once again at the pinnacle of the boxing world.

Clashes Erupt Again in Syria’s Druze Heartland as Ceasefire Falters

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SWEIDA, Syria (BN24) — Sectarian violence reignited Saturday in southern Syria’s Druze-majority region, where machine gun fire and mortar blasts echoed through Sweida despite a government-declared ceasefire aimed at halting nearly a week of deadly unrest.

The renewed clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin tribes erupted as government forces tried to assert control in the volatile province. Shells struck surrounding villages, and gunfire rang out in the city, Reuters reporters on the ground said. No immediate casualty toll was confirmed, but a local hospital reported dozens of injuries.

The breakdown in the truce comes as interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s Islamist-led government grapples with maintaining authority in the wake of the December ousting of longtime strongman Bashar Assad. Sweida, long a center of Druze resistance, has become a flashpoint for intercommunal fighting and a test of the new administration’s ability to stabilize the fractured nation.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated at least 940 people have died in the Sweida clashes since they began last week, though the number could not be independently verified.

Al-Sharaa blamed the escalation on revenge attacks carried out by Druze gunmen and pointed fingers at Israeli involvement, saying airstrikes carried out this week had deepened the crisis and threatened Syrian unity. “The Israeli intervention pushed the country into a dangerous phase that threatened its stability,” he said in a televised address.

Israel confirmed it conducted airstrikes in southern Syria and on the Defense Ministry in Damascus, claiming it was acting in defense of the Druze — a religious minority that also has a significant presence in Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denounced Al-Sharaa’s response, accusing him of enabling persecution against minorities.

“In Al-Sharaa’s Syria, it is very dangerous to be a member of a minority — Kurd, Druze, Alawite, or Christian,” Saar posted on X.

U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkiye, announced that Washington and Israel had brokered a ceasefire agreement. But by Saturday, the fighting had already resumed.

Barrack called on all communities — including Druze, Bedouins, Sunnis and others — to “build a new and united Syrian identity.” The U.S. continues to back Al-Sharaa’s central government despite growing concerns about sectarian violence under its rule, while Israel remains wary of Islamist dominance in Damascus.

Government forces were reportedly granted temporary access to Sweida under an Israeli-brokered deal, but their presence only further stoked tensions, with reports of direct clashes with Druze gunmen in the city’s outskirts.

Inside Sweida, the regional hospital was overwhelmed by casualties. Dr. Omar Obeid, the hospital’s director, described the influx of wounded and dead.

“All the injuries are from bombs — chest wounds, shrapnel to limbs, it’s constant,” Obeid said. “There’s no space left, and no end in sight.”

Residents of nearby villages said mortar fire continued throughout Saturday afternoon. “We thought the ceasefire would bring calm,” said Mansour Namour, a villager near Sweida. “But the shells haven’t stopped.”

Syria’s Interior Ministry said it had begun deploying security forces in the region to enforce order. But critics say the government has lost the trust of local populations, especially among minorities who see the current leadership as sectarian and repressive.

Al-Sharaa vowed Syria would remain whole and warned against “partition, secession or sectarian incitement.” Still, as fighting raged on and rival powers clashed over influence, the country’s southern front remained on the edge.

Man Wearing Weight-Training Chain Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine in New York

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NEW YORK (BN24) — A 61-year-old man died after being violently pulled into an MRI machine at a Long Island imaging center when the magnetic field locked onto a heavy weight-training chain around his neck, according to police and his wife.

The fatal incident occurred Wednesday afternoon inside the Nassau Open MRI facility in New Hyde Park while a scan was in progress. Authorities said the machine’s powerful magnet activated while the man was in the room, drawing him forcefully by the 20-pound chain and slamming him into the MRI device. He died from his injuries Thursday afternoon, Nassau County Police said.

The man’s name has not been publicly released pending official notification, though his wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, identified him in an emotional interview with News 12 Long Island as Keith McAllister.

Jones-McAllister said she had been undergoing a knee MRI and had asked a technician to bring in her husband for assistance. She recounted that the staff member allowed McAllister into the room, despite the fact that he was still wearing the heavy metal chain, which the couple had previously joked about with staff.

“When he got close to me, the machine switched him around and pulled him in,” she told News 12, holding back tears. “He waved goodbye to me and then his whole body went limp in my arms.”

She described a desperate moment as she pleaded with the technician to shut off the MRI. The technician tried to help her pull him off the machine, she said, but the magnetic force was too strong. McAllister reportedly suffered multiple heart attacks after being freed and was later pronounced dead.

Calls to Nassau Open MRI on Friday were not returned. The facility declined to comment.

This is not the first fatality in New York involving the magnetic force of an MRI machine. In 2001, 6-year-old Michael Colombini died after an oxygen tank was pulled into an MRI chamber at Westchester Medical Center. That tragedy led to a $2.9 million legal settlement for the boy’s family and prompted safety reforms across many U.S. hospitals.

Experts emphasize that MRI scanners generate strong magnetic fields capable of turning certain metals into dangerous projectiles. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering states the magnets can “fling a wheelchair across the room” and exert powerful forces on iron, steel, and other magnetizable materials.

The Nassau County Police Department continues to investigate the incident, including whether standard safety protocols were followed at the imaging center. The facility has not indicated whether staff involved have been suspended or disciplined.

Jones-McAllister expressed disbelief and heartbreak at the apparent lapse in safety.

“He should never have been allowed in there with that chain,” she said. “This didn’t have to happen.”

Israeli Gunfire Kills 32 Palestinians at U.S.-Linked Gaza Aid Sites, Health Officials Say

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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (BN24) — Israeli troops opened fire on crowds of Palestinians attempting to reach food aid distribution sites in southern Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens more, Gaza health authorities said, as scenes of chaos and desperation played out near facilities operated by a U.S.- and Israeli-backed humanitarian group.

The violence unfolded near multiple aid hubs set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a new initiative supported by the U.S. and Israel, which seeks to replace the longstanding U.N.-led aid delivery system. Israel has accused Hamas of diverting U.N. supplies — a charge the U.N. has denied.

According to local witnesses and hospital officials, Israeli forces fired live rounds and machine-gun fire mounted on tanks and drones at unarmed civilians converging on the aid sites near Khan Younis and Rafah. Many of the victims had been waiting for food before dawn when the gunfire began.

“The occupation opened fire at us indiscriminately,” said Mahmoud Mokeimar, who was among the crowd near Khan Younis. “We were just trying to survive.”

One witness, Akram Aker, said the shooting occurred between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. as desperate civilians — mostly young men — approached the center. “They encircled us and started firing directly,” he said.

Sanaa al-Jaberi, an aid seeker, described the terror as people broke into a run when gunfire erupted. “Is this food or death?” she cried, clutching an empty bag.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received 25 bodies and 70 wounded, with head and chest gunshot wounds reported among the majority. A separate incident near another GHF hub in Rafah claimed seven more lives, including a woman. Medical workers said they were overwhelmed and lacked essential supplies, with patients — including children — being treated on the floor.

The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots overnight near Rafah when a group approached a secure area, but claimed the distribution center was closed at the time. The army did not directly address the deaths in Khan Younis. GHF stated there were no disturbances at their sites and warned civilians not to arrive in the early morning hours.

Meanwhile, multiple Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 24 more people on Saturday, including children and women, according to Gaza hospitals. Victims included displaced families in Gaza City, the family of a police official in central Gaza, and civilians struck while traveling in carts or gathered on major roads.

Israel’s military confirmed hitting around 90 targets across Gaza in the past 24 hours but did not comment on specific casualties.

The territory’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. More than 2 million Palestinians are trapped in dire conditions, and aid distribution is often disorganized and dangerous. At GHF sites, food boxes are simply dropped on the ground, sparking stampedes among starving crowds.

The Gaza Health Ministry says over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive since the war began in October 2023, after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in a cross-border assault. Israel says around 50 hostages remain in captivity, though fewer than half are believed to be alive.

Despite ongoing ceasefire talks in Qatar, no breakthrough has been reached. In Tel Aviv, relatives of hostages renewed calls for a deal, with thousands rallying and marching to the U.S. Embassy branch to demand an end to the war.

Meanwhile, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned an arson attack by suspected Israeli settlers on a Palestinian church in Taybeh, calling it an “act of terror.” The incident adds to a surge in settler violence in the territory since the Gaza war began.

The Associated Press

At Least 30 Injured After Driver Plows Into Crowd Outside Los Angeles Music Venue

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LOS ANGELES (BN24) — A chaotic and violent scene unfolded early Saturday in East Hollywood when a car careened into a crowd outside a popular music venue, injuring at least 30 people and prompting a massive emergency response. The driver, who authorities say intentionally rammed into the group, was later shot during a confrontation and remains hospitalized in surgery. The suspected shooter fled the scene and is still at large.

The crash occurred around 2 a.m. near the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, outside The Vermont, a live music venue. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, 23 victims were transported to hospitals, including seven in critical condition and six in serious condition. More than a dozen others were treated at the scene.

Police said the crash followed an altercation involving the driver, who had allegedly been removed from a nearby business shortly before he returned in a vehicle and drove into a crowd of patrons, valet workers, and street vendors gathered outside the venue.

As the vehicle came to a stop, bystanders dragged the driver from the car and began to assault him. During the melee, the driver was shot by an unidentified male who fled on foot. The Los Angeles Police Department described the suspect as a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing around 180 pounds, bald, wearing a blue jersey, and possibly armed with a silver revolver. Authorities say he was last seen heading westbound from Vermont Avenue.

The motive for the crash remains under investigation, but LAPD sources told ABC News that the driver will face charges of assault with a deadly weapon. The shooting occurred after the driver struck the crowd, not before, according to initial findings.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Saturday. “The hearts of Angelenos are with all of the victims impacted this morning — a full investigation into what happened is underway.” She also thanked the more than 100 fire and police personnel who responded swiftly to the incident.

The Vermont issued a statement expressing sorrow over the crash and said it was working closely with investigators. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred early Saturday morning outside our venue. Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time,” the venue said.

Authorities deployed 124 fire personnel to the scene to assist with triage and transportation of the injured. The crowd at the time included concertgoers, food vendors from a nearby taco stand, and valet staff.

The LAPD is continuing its investigation into both the crash and the shooting. No arrests have been made in connection with the gunfire.

‘Gangster Granny’ Jailed for Running UK-Wide £80M Cocaine Empire With Family

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LONDON (BN24) — A 65-year-old woman known as “gangster granny” has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for leading a sprawling cocaine distribution ring across the UK, involving her own children and relatives in a drug empire that trafficked nearly a tonne of Class A drugs valued at £80 million.

Deborah Mason, also nicknamed “Queen Bee” by her criminal network, was described by prosecutors as the operational force behind the family-run syndicate. On Friday, Woolwich Crown Court sentenced Mason and seven accomplices to a combined 106.5 years in prison after convicting them of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

According to police and court testimony, Mason maintained encrypted communications with an upstream cocaine supplier known as “Bugsy” and coordinated deliveries from ports like Harwich to dozens of destinations across England, including Cardiff, Bradford, Rotherham, Leicester, and Southend. Over the course of seven months, the gang moved vast quantities of imported cocaine, often using vehicles to transport the drugs while taking along young children to mask suspicion.

Mason reportedly used her profits to fund a lavish lifestyle, including designer accessories like a Gucci collar and lead for her cat and plans for cosmetic surgery trips to Turkey. During the operation, she was also receiving over £50,000 annually in public assistance benefits, the court heard.

“You were effectively the site foreman working under the direction of a site manager,” said Judge Philip Shorrock during sentencing. “As a mother, you should have been setting an example for your children, not corrupting them.”

Prosecutor Charlotte Hole said Mason actively recruited her sister, children, and their partners into the operation, building a network of at least ten people. Though there was no evidence of coercion, the group was “motivated by financial benefit,” she said. Each member earned more than £1,000 per day, according to estimates by the Metropolitan Police.

Mason was involved in 20 drug runs herself, moving 356 kilograms of cocaine. She was sentenced alongside:

  • Roseanne Mason, 29 – 11 years
  • Demi Bright, 30 – 11 years
  • Lillie Bright, 26 – 13 years
  • Anita Slaughter, 44 – 13 years
  • Demi Kendall, 31 – 13 years and 6 months
  • Reggie Bright, 24 – 15 years
  • Tina Golding, 66 – 10 years

Several of the convicted gang members, including Reggie Bright and Demi Kendall, also pleaded guilty to charges of possessing criminal property and additional drug supply offenses after police seized cocaine and over £15,000 in cash.

Chloe Hodgkin, 23, who is currently pregnant, will be sentenced at a later date.

The case highlights what police called a “brazen” criminal enterprise that ran for months before its collapse. Authorities warned the public against glamorizing the gang’s lifestyle, noting the devastating effects of the drug trade on communities and families.

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Judge Tosses Trump’s Copyright Lawsuit Against Bob Woodward, Simon & Schuster Over Interview Audiobook

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NEW YORK (BN24) — A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s high-profile copyright lawsuit against journalist Bob Woodward and publishing giant Simon & Schuster, ruling that Trump failed to demonstrate he holds any legal ownership over the interview recordings featured in the 2022 audiobook The Trump Tapes.

U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe of the Southern District of New York issued the ruling Friday, declaring that Trump’s legal team did not plausibly argue that he has a copyright claim over the 20 interviews he voluntarily gave to Woodward between 2016 and 2020. The audiobook, compiled and released by Woodward in 2022, featured those interviews in full and became a major political flashpoint.

While the judge gave Trump 30 days to submit an amended complaint, Gardephe emphasized in his 81-page ruling that “it appears unlikely” Trump could make a credible case that he shares authorship or ownership rights in the recordings.

Trump filed the lawsuit in January 2023, seeking nearly $50 million in damages. He claimed the recordings were used without his permission and constituted “protected material” not intended for public distribution. His legal team argued that Woodward’s use of the interviews—originally conducted for Woodward’s books including Rage—violated copyright protections.

Woodward and Simon & Schuster dismissed the suit as meritless from the outset and vowed to defend their right to publish. On Friday, the publisher welcomed the ruling.

“We’re very pleased the Court agreed with us and dismissed the case,” Simon & Schuster said in a statement.

The ruling landed the same day Trump filed an unrelated lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, escalating his ongoing legal battles with major media organizations. The former president, who is once again running for office, has repeatedly clashed with journalists and publishers over their portrayals of his presidency and public comments.

In the courtroom, Judge Gardephe made clear that consent to interviews does not equate to shared ownership over the recordings. His ruling noted that Trump offered no substantial legal precedent supporting his claim to joint authorship, and Woodward’s work stood as a product of independent journalism.

With the dismissal, Trump faces a decision on whether to try to revive the claim with new legal arguments or abandon the challenge altogether. For now, the case marks another failed effort in his broader campaign against the media’s use of his own words.

Astronomer CEO Placed on Leave After Viral Coldplay Concert Video Sparks Internal Investigation

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NEW YORK (BN24) — Tech company Astronomer has placed CEO Andy Byron on leave after a video from a Coldplay concert showing him embracing a colleague went viral online, prompting the firm’s board to launch a formal internal investigation into the incident.

The footage, taken at Coldplay’s Wednesday night performance at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, appeared on the stadium’s Jumbotron and captured Byron closely embracing Kristin Cabot, the company’s chief people officer, who also oversees human resources. When the two noticed the camera, they quickly separated, with Byron ducking out of frame. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin added to the moment’s awkwardness by joking on the microphone, “Whoa, look at these two—either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

The video quickly exploded across social media platforms, with online sleuths identifying both Byron and Cabot. Memes and parodies soon followed, amplifying public interest and scrutiny.

In a statement released late Friday, Astronomer confirmed Byron had been placed on leave and that cofounder and chief product officer Pete DeJoy would serve as interim CEO while the company conducts a full review.

“Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability,” the company said in its official statement, adding that the board “has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.”

The company also addressed the wave of misinformation that emerged in the aftermath of the video’s release, including the incorrect identification of a third individual seen in the clip and the circulation of a parody social media account falsely claiming to represent Byron.

Founded in New York, Astronomer is best known in the tech world for its work with data orchestration and cloud-based tools. The sudden thrust into viral spotlight over a personal incident has now placed its leadership culture under scrutiny.

CNN has reached out to representatives for both Coldplay and Astronomer for additional comment. Neither Byron nor Cabot have issued public statements regarding the incident.

As the investigation proceeds, the viral moment continues to generate debate over executive behavior, privacy in public spaces, and how quickly the internet can turn a fleeting concert moment into a professional crisis.

Source: CNN

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