London far-right rally draws over 100,000 with clashes breaking out : NPR

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2025

A demonstrator stands on the head of the South Bank lion that sits on the side of the Westminster Bridge, during a Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom march and rally in London, on Saturday.

Joanna Chan/AP

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Joanna Chan/AP

LONDON — A London march organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew more than 110,000 people and became unruly on Saturday as a small group of his supporters clashed with police officers who were separating them from counterprotesters.

Several officers were punched, kicked and struck by bottles tossed by people at the fringes of the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, Metropolitan Police said. Reinforcements with helmets and riot shields were deployed to support the 1,000-plus officers on duty.

Twenty-six police officers were injured — four who were seriously hurt, including broken teeth and a concussion, a possible broken nose and a spinal injury. At least 25 people were arrested for offenses including violent disorder, assaults and criminal damage, and the investigation continues, police said.

“There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence,” Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said. “They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.”

The rally drew an estimated crowd of between 110,000 and 150,000 people, far surpassing expectations, police said. The rival “March Against Fascism” protest organized by Stand Up To Racism had about 5,000 marchers.

Tommy Robinson speaks during the Unite the Kingdom march and rally near Westminster, London, on Saturday.

Joanna Chan/AP

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Joanna Chan/AP

Anti-migrant theme

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, founded the nationalist and anti-Islam English Defense League and is one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain.

The march was billed as a demonstration in support of free speech — with much of the rhetoric by influencers and several far-right politicians from across Europe aimed largely at the perils of migration, a problem much of the continent is struggling to control.

“We are both subject to the same process of the great replacement of our European people by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim culture, you and we are being colonized by our former colonies,” far-right French politician Eric Zemmour said.

Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and owner of the X platform who has waded into British politics several times this year, was beamed in by video and condemned the left-leaning U.K. government.

“There’s something beautiful about being British and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion, but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration,” he said.

Robinson told the crowd in a hoarse voice that migrants now had more rights in court than the “British public, the people that built this nation.”

The marches come at a time when the U.K. has been divided by debate over migrants crossing the English Channel in overcrowded inflatable boats to arrive on shore without authorization.

Numerous anti-migrant protests were held this summer outside hotels housing asylum-seekers following the arrest of an Ethiopian man who was later convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in a London suburb. Some of those protests became violent and led to arrests.

Sea of flags

Participants in the “Unite the Kingdom” march carried the St. George’s red-and-white flag of England and the union jack, the state flag of the United Kingdom, and chanted “we want our country back.”

U.K. flags have proliferated this summer across the U.K. — at events and on village lampposts — in what some have said is a show of national pride and others said reflects a tilt toward nationalism.

Supporters held signs saying “stop the boats,” “send them home,” and “enough is enough, save our children.”

At the counterprotest, the crowd held signs saying “refugees welcome” and “smash the far right,” and shouted “stand up, fight back.”

Robinson supporters chanted crude refrains about U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leader of the center-left Labour Party and also shouted messages of support for slain U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Several speakers paid tribute to Kirk, who was remembered in a moment of silence, followed by a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.”

One demonstrator held a sign saying: “Freedom of speech is dead. RIP Charlie Kirk.”

Crowd covered blocks of London

The crowd at one point stretched from Big Ben across the River Thames and around the corner beyond Waterloo train station, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile (around a kilometer).

The marches had been mostly peaceful, but toward the late afternoon, “Unite the Kingdom” supporters threw items at the rival rally and tried to break through barriers set up to separate the groups, police said. Officers had to use force to keep a crowd-control fence from being breached.

Counterprotesters heckled a man with blood pouring down his face who was being escorted by police from the group of Robinson supporters. It wasn’t immediately clear what happened to him.

While the crowd was large, it fell far short of the one of the biggest recent marches when a pro-Palestinian rally drew an estimated 300,000 people in November 2023.

Robinson had planned a “Unite the Kingdom” rally last October, but couldn’t attend after being jailed for contempt of court for violating a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him. He previously served jail time for assault and mortgage fraud.

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Buccaneers vs. Texans: Baker Mayfield leads late 11-play, 80-yard TD drive to stun Houston, 20-19

Published

28 minutes ago

September 16, 2025

Frank Schwab

In Week 1, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense didn’t do a lot, but Baker Mayfield came up huge when it mattered for a win.

After two weeks, it’s a trend.

The Buccaneers hadn’t scored in the second half when the Houston Texans scored just before the two-minute warning to take a 19-14 lead. Tampa Bay was without both tackles and protection was a big issue. And even though the offense was bad for 28 minutes of the second half, it did enough in the final two minutes to win.

Mayfield, who took big hits and was slow to get up on a couple occasions, kept the game alive with a big scramble on fourth-and-10 in the final two minutes. Then he marched Tampa Bay into position for Rachaad White to run for a 2-yard touchdown with six seconds left to give the Buccaneers a dramatic 20-19 win over the Houston Texans.

Last week, Mayfield threw a game-winning touchdown in the final minute to beat the Atlanta Falcons. That’s a dramatic way to go 2-0.

Mayfield has been good for the Buccaneers ever since they signed him to a bargain contract in 2023. So far this season Mayfield has been great when the Buccaneers needed it most.

Baker Mayfield’s legs helped keep the Bucs undefeated this season after winning on the road against the Texans on Monday night. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

(Alex Slitz via Getty Images)

Texans score first but Bucs take lead

The Buccaneers led 14-10 at halftime, but it was a tough half for them.

Offensive tackle Luke Goedeke left with a lower leg injury, leaving the Buccaneers without both of their stellar tackles. Tristan Wirfs hasn’t played yet this season due to a knee injury. Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey suffered a pectoral injury and his night was done.

The good news is the Buccaneers kept making plays despite injuries in the first half. They got off to a slow start when Nico Collins made a tremendous catch for a touchdown and a 7-0 Houston lead, but Mayfield was sharp. He had touchdowns to Ryan Miller and impressive rookie Emeka Egbuka. The Buccaneers’ defense played well, with the Texans struggling to establish any run game, and Collins’ touchdown was Houston’s last one of the first half.

The Buccaneers still had plenty to worry about, particularly in protecting Mayfield against a very good pass rush, but at least they had the lead.

Bucs D keeps them in it

The Buccaneers had a tough time on offense to start the second half. Eventually, their injuries on the offensive line became a major problem. The Bucs’ defense did its best to maintain the lead.

The Bucs had a big goal-line stand early in the fourth quarter. Stroud completed a few passes downfield and got Houston to the 1-yard line. But Chubb was stopped short on second down, Collins had a pass go off his hands on third down and then Stroud overthrew Collins as he rolled out to his left on fourth down.

Houston’s defense also kept the Texans in the game. Then Houston’s special teams made two huge plays. Bucs punter Riley Dixon took too long against the Texans’ rush and had a punt blocked. Houston took over at Tampa Bay’s 35-yard line with a little more than six minutes left, trailing 14-10. But the Texans had an errant pass from Stroud, a run for nothing and then on third down Stroud threw a pass that should have been picked off by linebacker Lavonte David, hitting him right in the hands before he dropped it. The Texans settled for a 53-yard field goal. Then Jaylin Noel’s long punt return, in which officials picked up a flag for a block in the back or holding, set up Chubb’s touchdown and the lead with just over two minutes remaining.

The Texans had to get one more stop, and the Buccaneers’ offense was limited due to protection issues. But the Bucs got a drive going. Mayfield had Egbuka deep downfield but Egbuka dropped a pass that hit his hands. That seemed to end Tampa’s hopes but Mayfield saved the drive by scrambling for a first down on fourth-and-10. Bucky Irving had a 22-yard gain on a dumpoff pass, making multiple tacklers miss. A couple passes later and the Buccaneers handed to White, who scored up the middle to take the lead with nine seconds left.

Tampa Bay has been on the edge of a couple losses so far this season. Mayfield has shown his value to the Buccaneers in those tense spots.

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Where to watch Raiders vs. Chargers: Prediction, odds, TV, live streaming for ‘Monday Night Football’

Published

2 hours ago

September 16, 2025

Zachary Pereles

It’s a clash of the two NFL teams that have moved most recently when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Las Vegas Raiders as the second part of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader in Week 2.

The Chargers come in on a high — and well-rested — after defeating the Chiefs, 27-21, on Sept. 5 in São Paulo, Brazil. Justin Herbert was fantastic, throwing for 318 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions and completing nearly 74% of his passes. Herbert spread the ball out to eight different pass-catchers, with four — Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Tyler Conklin — recording at least 50 receiving yards. Herbert also converted a key third down with his legs to seal the game.

Click here to bet Chargers vs. Raiders at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users get $200 in bonus bets and over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket:

The Raiders are also 1-0 after a rainy 20-13 Week 1 win over the Patriots. In his team debut, Geno Smith threw for 362 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and prized rookie running back Ashton Jeanty scored in his team debut. Star tight end Brock Bowers reeled in five catches for 103 yards but left with a knee injury, and his status is up in the air.

Here’s where you can watch Monday night’s game, followed by keys to the game and a prediction.

Where to watch Chargers at Raiders live

When: Monday, Sept. 15 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
TV channel: ESPN | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Odds: Chargers -3 | O/U 46.5 (via FanDuel)

Chargers at Raiders: What to know

Bowers injury looms large: Coming off a 112-catch, 1,194-yard rookie season, Bowers was having a big Week 1 before taking an awkward hit to the knee from Craig Woodson at the end of a 38-yard catch-and-run late in the third quarter. He played one more snap but was clearly hobbled, and he did not return after that. If Bowers cannot play, expect Michael Mayer and Jakobi Meyers to feature in the passing game.

First-round rookie running backs face off: Jeanty (No. 6 overall) and Omarion Hampton (No. 22 overall) were the first two running backs selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, they face each other. Jeanty managed just 38 yards on 19 carries, but he did find the end zone. Hampton fared slightly better yardage-wise with 48 yards on 15 carries but did not score.

Coaching rivalry renewed: This will be the 10th meeting between Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll, though their first with their current teams. Carroll (then with the Seahawks) had a 5-4 record against Harbaugh’s 49ers, including a 23-17 NFC Championship in the 2013 season. Overall, Carroll has defeated Harbaugh three straight times.

Chargers at Raiders pick

The surprise star of the Raiders’ Week 1 win was the defense, which sacked Drake Maye four times and intercepted him off once.

But the Chargers’ offense is a much tougher test. Herbert looked outstanding in Week 1, and so did his weapons. Herbert has won his last three starts against the Raiders, including a 346-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 18 last year. This year’s Raiders are better than last year’s, but not quite good enough.

Pick: Chargers 27, Raiders 20 (Chargers -3, over 46.5)

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Texans vs. Buccaneers live updates, score, highlights as both defenses making plays after high-scoring start

Published

3 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Jared Dubin

At halftime of “Monday Night Football,” the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers lead the Houston Texans by a score of 14-10.

The Texans opened the game with a quick, efficient drive that ended with a touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins, which was the team’s first touchdown of the year. Tampa answered right back with a touchdown drive of its own, with Baker Mayfield finding Ryan Miller over the top of the defense for a score.

Houston moved the ball well on its next drive, but ultimately stalled out in the red zone and had to settle for a field goal. The Bucs came right back with yet another touchdown drive, culminated by Emeka Egbuka finding the end zone on a screen pass from 15 yards out to give Tampa a lead for the first time.

Neither team could get much going after those four game-opening scoring drives, as they traded punts for the remainder of the half. Houston briefly looked like it had a chance to re-take the lead, but a sack knocked the Texans off course. In the end, the score remained 14-10 Tampa going into the break.

Will the Bucs improve to 2-0, or will the Texans come back to get to 1-1? We’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, keep it locked to our live blog throughout the rest of the evening as we update you with stats, scores and highlights.