Londoners will get to see two versions of Donald Trump next week: the 45th president of the United States and a 20-foot-high inflatable version that is orange and wearing a nappy.
Mr Trump will be in the city for a meeting with Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Theresa May and protesters are planning a “stop Trump” march through central London. Flying above them will be the rotund baby-faced spoof with small hands and what organisers describe as a “malevolent face”.
The protesters’ request to fly the balloon on July 13 originally was rejected by the mayor’s office, which said it did not qualify as a protest. But London mayor Sadiq Khan later approved it after thousands signed a petition.
The mayor's office said that it "supports the right to peaceful protest and understands that this can take many different forms."
Leo Murray, one of the protest organisers, told Sky News: “Following a huge groundswell of public support for our plan, it looks like City Hall has rediscovered its sense of humour. Trump Baby will fly!”
After the London protest, organisers say they plan to send the balloon on a “world tour”. In a crowdfunding request, they wrote that they want the balloon to shadow the president, “haunting the skies – and hopefully the dreams – of the stain on the office of President that is Donald Trump Senior.”
The White House has brushed aside questions about protests during Mr Trump’s trip.
“Look, we see protesters every day standing out front of the White House,” deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley told reporters earlier this week. “What the president is going to do is go into these meetings with the mindset to protect the American people, to stand with our partners and allies.”
The London protesters still need approval from the Metropolitan Police and National Air Traffic Service for it to fly and “ensure all protests are carried out safely and securely.”
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
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The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
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Director: Tim Burton
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
