London Protest Turns Violent

A large protest in London, organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson under the banner "Unite the Kingdom," turned violent on Saturday. The Metropolitan Police reported that between 110,000 and 150,000 people attended the rally, far exceeding initial expectations. The event, ostensibly a demonstration for free speech, focused heavily on anti-immigration sentiments, with some speakers promoting racist conspiracy theories.

Clashes erupted as protesters attempted to breach police cordons and reach counter-protesters participating in a "March Against Fascism," organized by Stand Up To Racism, which drew around 5,000 people. Law enforcement officers faced "unacceptable violence," including kicks, punches, and projectiles such as bottles and flares. Twenty-six officers were injured, four seriously, with injuries including broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, a prolapsed disc, and a head injury. At least 25 arrests were made for offenses including affray, violent disorder, and assault. Authorities have indicated that further arrests are expected as investigations continue.

The "Unite the Kingdom" march drew participants from across the UK, with many arriving by train and coach. Demonstrators carried Union flags, the St George's Cross, and flags of the United States and Israel. Some wore "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) hats, associating themselves with former US President Donald Trump. Speakers at the rally voiced concerns about migrants' rights, the "great replacement" theory, and unchecked migration into the UK. Elon Musk, the owner of X, also appeared via video, criticizing the UK government's handling of migration.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the attacks on police officers and affirmed that those involved in criminal activity would face the full force of the law. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist expressed his dismay at the violence, stating that while many protesters had a lawful right to protest, others were intent on violence.

China Counters US Sanctions Call

China has responded to calls from the US for NATO allies to impose sanctions on Beijing over its alleged support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China is committed to promoting peace talks and that "wars cannot solve problems, and sanctions would only complicate them". He emphasized multilateralism and adherence to the UN Charter.

The US has been increasing pressure on Western allies to impose tariffs on China, accusing it of enabling Russia's invasion of Ukraine by continuing to purchase Russian oil. Former US President Donald Trump proposed that NATO impose tariffs of 50% to 100% on China to help end the war.

In addition to these developments, China has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into US-made analog chips. This action is seen as a countermeasure against the US government's addition of Chinese companies to its sanctions list. The investigation will examine whether the measures the US has imposed on its domestically produced integrated circuits (ICs) are discriminatory.

Other Developments

• Charlie Kirk Killing: The recent killing of Charlie Kirk, a US political commentator, has had international repercussions. Tensions are high, with several people reportedly fired after a clampdown on speech related to the killing. The FBI Director has faced criticism for the agency's handling of the investigation.
• US-Israel Relations: Former US President Donald Trump has signaled a potential shift in policy regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas. He stated that the US would agree to additional sanctions on Moscow only when NATO allies cease purchasing Russian oil. Trump also claimed to have assured Qatar's leader that Israeli strikes against Hamas in Doha would not be repeated, despite threats from Netanyahu.
• EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: France's largest farm union, FNSEA, has called for a day of action on September 25 to protest against the planned EU-Mercosur free-trade deal with South American countries, as well as US tariffs.