BBC News Briefing

17 September, 2025

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. US President Donald Trump will attend a state banquet with the Royal Family in Windsor Castle as his state visit to the UK gets under way. My colleagues have all the details. Middle East correspondent Yolande Knell reports on the frantic race to save antiquities in Gaza. And finally, watch how a soda truck in Mexico failed to defy gravity.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

What to expect from Trump's state visit

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Viscount Henry Hood upon arrival at London Stansted Airport. Melania is wearing a full-length beige Burberry coat and black boots. Trump is wearing a black coat, white shirt and red tie. Viscount Hood is wearing a blue suit and purple tie. Two rows of RAF sldiers stand to attention on either side of the trio.

The president and the first lady's itinerary includes a carriage procession within the Windsor estate. Credit: Reuters

President Trump's second state visit to the UK will involve a mix of royal pageantry, trade talks and international politics. Here's everything you need to know. The president and the first lady spent the night in Winfield House - a stately home in central London that serves as the US ambassador's residence - ahead of a day of ceremony and spectacle, including meeting the King and a carriage procession. Trump will also visit to the late Queen's tomb, before the traditional state banquet. Anti-Trump protests have already started. On Tuesday, an image of him and late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was projected on the side of Windsor Castle, leading to four arrests.

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Royal touch: King Charles's involvement is seen as key to charming Trump, whose affection for the UK monarchy runs deep.

Heavy security: Trump is bringing with him dozens of staff and some serious hardware as part of a huge operation.

Watch: Political editor Chris Mason and North America editor Sarah Smith discuss what's at stake for both sides during the trip.

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NEWS FROM THE UK

US-UK relationship: Political editor Chris Mason looks at what the British government hopes to achieve during Trump's state visit.

Immigration deal: An Eritrean man who arrived by small boat has won a reprieve to temporarily block his removal to France.

Finlaggan fortress: A "forgotten" castle has been discovered on a Hebridean isle in western Scotland.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Saving Gaza's past from Israeli bombs

Image showing four volunteers carefully carry a colorful mosaic made of small tiles away from a building. The ground is dusty, and construction materials are scattered nearby

Unesco says it has verified damage to 110 sites of religious, historical and cultural importance due to the war.

The history of the Gaza Strip dates back more than 5,000 years, with several different civilisations leaving their mark. This vibrant cultural heritage is seen by many Palestinians as central to their identity. Despite the suffering of nearly two years of war, some have remained dedicated to saving Gaza’s past.

Watch and read