US President Donald Trump said talk show host Jimmy Kimmel “should have been suspended a long time ago” for his remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s show was suspended after he said the “Maga gang” was trying to politicize Kirk’s death. Speaking in the UK, Trump said Kimmel was “fired for lack of talent” and had “bad ratings.” Democrats called the suspension an attack on free speech and an abuse of power. The FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, criticized Kimmel’s comments. Nexstar then pulled the show from its stations, and ABC suspended it indefinitely. (PC: BBC)

On September 18, 2025, telecommunications across Gaza were cut off after key network routes were targeted, resulting in a full blackout. At the same time, Israeli tanks moved into the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa neighbourhoods—strategic gateways to central Gaza City—while forces pressed forward in eastern suburbs. In the past 24 hours, at least 79 Palestinians were killed, mostly in Gaza City. Civilians, many displaced and sheltering among ruins, face worsening humanitarian conditions with curtailed aid, limited evacuation options and rising hunger. International concerns mount over escalation and civilian suffering. (PC: Reuters)

Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has described Gaza as a future “real estate bonanza,” saying the “demolition phase” is complete and now rebuilding can begin. He claimed a business plan is already with US President Donald Trump, involving dividing Gaza after the war. The idea echoes Trump’s earlier proposal to turn Gaza into a tourism hub, which was condemned internationally. Critics say it would involve forced displacement of Palestinians and violate international law. The UN estimates 92% of Gaza’s housing is destroyed. Smotrich, sanctioned abroad for incitement, also recently proposed annexing most of the West Bank. (PC: Getty Images)

The UK has deported the first migrant to France under the new “one in, one out” deal with Paris. The person, who crossed the Channel illegally, was flown back earlier today. Under the agreement, for every migrant returned, the UK will accept one legal asylum seeker from France. Officials say this is only the start, with more deportations planned as the scheme expands. Over 30,000 migrants have crossed the Channel illegally this year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the move shows Britain’s resolve to secure borders. Some earlier deportations were blocked by courts, prompting a review of current laws. (PC: PA)

ABC has suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after his remarks on the killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Kimmel accused the “Maga gang” of using the tragedy for political gain, drawing strong backlash. Donald Trump welcomed the suspension, calling it “great news for America.” Nexstar and Sinclair, two major broadcasters, also dropped his show. Hollywood figures like Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, and John Legend condemned the move as censorship. Fans outside the studio called it unfair. The Writers Guild of America said the suspension violated free speech. ABC said Kimmel had not been fired but benched indefinitely. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer later today at Chequers, as part of his second state visit to the UK. The visit has already led to a major pledge of £150bn in US investments. Ministers said the deal will bring “better jobs and a better future” for Britain. At a state banquet, Trump described the UK-US bond as “priceless and eternal,” while King Charles praised his role in peace efforts. The visit has also sparked protests in London. Reports suggest Starmer may announce recognition of Palestine after Trump departs. (PC: PA)

ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live after host Jimmy Kimmel's comments regarding the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel criticized MAGA supporters and President Donald Trump's response to Kirk's assassination, stating that "many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk." Following these remarks, Nexstar Communications Group, which operates 23 ABC affiliates, announced it would no longer air the show, prompting ABC's decision. President Trump praised the suspension, calling it "great news for America" and criticizing Kimmel's talent and ratings. (PC: Reuters)    

Donald Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom sparked large protests in London and Windsor. Demonstrators held banners reading “No to racism, no to Trump” and carried inflatable dolls mocking the US president. Human rights groups condemned the visit, accusing Trump of supporting “genocide of the Palestinian people.” Police said four protesters were arrested after projecting images of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle. The UK government staged official events away from central London to avoid clashes. Organisers, including Stop the War and Palestine Solidarity Campaign, urged the public to oppose Trump’s policies on racism, war, and climate. (PC: Al Jazeera)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has banned the use of the word “ice cream,” calling it a foreign influence. It must now be replaced with state-approved words like “eseukimo” or “eoreumboseungi,” meaning “ice confection.” The move is part of a wider campaign to remove Western and South Korean words from daily use, especially in tourism. Even “hamburger” is banned and renamed “double bread with ground beef.” Karaoke machines are now called “on-screen accompaniment machines.” Tour guides in Wonsan are undergoing strict training to use only approved terms, with critics warning against open objections due to fear of punishment. (PC: X)

A fake Pakistani football team of 22 men was caught in Japan and deported before they could play in any tournament. Japanese authorities found their documents to be fake on arrival. The men were trained to act like football players and carried forged papers. Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) later arrested them on suspicion of human trafficking. Officials named Malik Waqas as the main suspect. He set up a fake club called “Golden Football Trial” and charged each man PKR 4 million. Arrested on September 15, Waqas admitted to sending 17 men to Japan in 2024 using the same scam. (PC: X)