At least three die attempting to cross Channel from France amid rescue operation

The summer race riots were sparked by a mass stabbing at a dance class in Southport, where Axel Rudakubana killed three children and injured eight others. Misinformation online falsely accused the attacker of being an asylum seeker, leading to widespread unrest and division. Nearly 450 people have been sentenced for offenses related to the riots, with authorities clarifying that the suspect was originally from Cardiff. Full Article

French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that France may need to surpass NATO's 2 percent GDP defense spending target, particularly if the U.S. military withdraws from Europe. Macron emphasized the importance of preparing for potential scenarios without American support and urged European countries to invest in their defense industry to create continental champions. He criticized the fragmentation of Europe's weapons-makers and highlighted the need for simplification and integration in the defense sector, as seen in Germany...

Your support helps The Independent cover important stories like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. Donations enable journalists to report from the ground, providing unbiased coverage for all Americans. In Donald Trump's second term inauguration, he outlined a radical agenda, vowing to put America first, scrap diversity measures, and focus on oil production while also threatening tariffs and international conflicts. Full Article

Emily Damari, a British-Israeli national, was among the first three hostages freed from Gaza by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel after 15 months in captivity. She expressed gratitude to her family and supporters, and joy at being reunited with loved ones, despite losing two fingers during her abduction. Celebrations ensued in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank as the ceasefire saw the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and...

Debra Tice, mother of American journalist Austin Tice who was abducted in Syria, met with rebel leader Ahmed al-Shara in Damascus, expressing hope for progress in finding her son. Despite no new information on Austin's whereabouts, she remains optimistic that the new leadership will assist in locating him. Former US officials believe Austin escaped captivity but was recaptured by Syrian intelligence, and Debra Tice criticized the Biden administration for not negotiating harder for his release....

Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old from Banks, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to 16 offenses, including three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder after a meticulously planned rampage at a dance class in Southport. The victims, Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged 6 to 9, were killed in the attack. Rudakubana was referred to the government anti-extremism scheme Prevent three times before the murders due to concerns about his fixation...