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The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York has been disrupted by protests over the conflict in Gaza for the second year running.

The steady rain drenching the city didn’t put New Yorkers off celebrating the 98th running of the event, with ponchos and umbrellas much in evidence amid the traditional assortment of balloons, floats, live performances, and marching bands.

But New York City police said they arrested 21 people after protesters sat down and tried to block the parade route just ahead of the Ronald McDonald float.

People protest during the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, U.S., November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
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Gaza protesters at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York. Pic: Reuters

They were carrying Palestinian flags and a banner with the message: “Don’t Celebrate Genocide” and “Arms embargo now!”

After the group ignored a request to leave, a team of bicycle-riding officers arrived and clashes occurred before they were moved on, a Reuters witness said.

People protesting against Israel’s war in Gaza also interrupted last year’s parade.

Police officers detain a protester during the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, U.S., November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
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Police officers detaining a protester. Pic: Reuters

The annual event was still well attended, despite the weather and protest disruption.

Kylie Minogue and Jennifer Hudson were among the singers performing and the festivities were rounded off by Santa Claus arriving on a giant sleigh.

Hip-hop artists and a country duo were also among the performers, along with The Temptations, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, and Glow star Alison Brie.

Spider-Man balloon flies during the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, U.S., November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
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The new Spider-Man balloon. Pic: Reuters

A child attends the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, U.S., November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
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Steady rain didn’t spoil things for spectators. Pic: Reuters

A man dressed as Santa Claus gestures during the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, U.S., November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
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Pic: Reuters

The parade featured new versions of Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse among its 17 giant, helium-filled character balloons.

The 22 themed floats included a homage to Big Apple coffee and bagels, while another celebrated the Bronx Zoo’s 125th anniversary with representations of a tiger, a giraffe, a zebra, and a gorilla.

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Disney’s Minnie Mouse balloon flies during the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, U.S., November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
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Minnie Mouse. Pic: Reuters

The SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary balloon flies during the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, U.S., November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
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SpongeBob SquarePants and Gary. Pic: Reuters

The procession followed a 2.5 mile (4km) route from West 77th Street and Central Park West on Manhattan’s Upper West Side to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street.

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Elon Musk steps up attacks on Trump once again – as the president fights back

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Elon Musk steps up attacks on Trump once again - as the president fights back

Elon Musk has stepped up his attacks on Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill – weeks after a spectacular fallout between the world’s richest man and the US president.

Following weeks of relative silence after clashing with Mr Trump over his “big beautiful bill”, the billionaire vowed to unseat politicians who support it.

In a post on X, Musk said those who had campaigned on cutting spending but then backed the bill “should hang their heads in shame”.

He added: “And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”

Musk also threatened to put their faces on a poster which said “liar” and “voted to increase America’s debt” by $5trn (£3.6trn).

The posts attracted a swift reply from Mr Trump, who claimed the billionaire “may get more subsidy than any human being in history” for his electric car business.

“Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”

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Elon’s dad on the Musk-Trump bust-up

Musk spent at least $250m (£182m) supporting Mr Trump in his presidential campaign and then led the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which sacked about 120,000 federal employees.

He has argued the legislation would greatly increase the US national debt and wipe out the savings he claimed he achieved through DOGE.

As the Senate discussed the package, Musk called it “utterly insane and destructive”.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said the bill’s massive spending indicated “we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!”

“Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people,” he wrote.

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Musk previously said some of his social media posts during his dramatic fallout with Mr Trump “went too far”.

He had shared a series of posts on X, including one that described Mr Trump’s tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination”.

He also claimed, in a since-deleted post, that the president appeared in files relating to the disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

But Musk later wrote: “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”

In response, the president told the New York Post: “I thought it was very nice that he did that.”

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What’s in Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’?

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What's in Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'?

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

Martha Kelner and Mark Stone break down what’s in Donald Trump’s huge tax and spending bill. He’s trying to sign it into law by the end of the week.

They also discuss the State Department’s decision to revoke US visas for British band Bob Vylan after their Glastonbury performance.

If you’ve got a question you’d like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.

You can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.

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Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Donald Trump next week amid calls for Gaza ceasefire

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Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Donald Trump next week amid calls for Gaza ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be meeting Donald Trump next Monday, according to US officials.

The visit on 7 July comes after Mr Trump suggested it was possible a ceasefire in Gaza could be reached within a week.

On Sunday, he wrote on social media: “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!”

At least 60 people killed across Gaza on Monday, in what turned out to be some of the heaviest attacks in weeks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, with US President Donald Trump. Pic: Reuters
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Benjamin Netanyahu, left, with Donald Trump during a previous meeting. Pic: Reuters

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, 56,500 people have been killed in the 20-month war.

The visit by Mr Netanyahu to Washington has not been formally announced and the officials who said it would be going ahead spoke on condition of anonymity.

An Israeli official in Washington also confirmed the meeting next Monday.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was in constant communication with the Israeli government.

She said Mr Trump viewed ending the war in Gaza and returning remaining hostages held by Hamas as a top priority.

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The war in Gaza broke out in retaliation for Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw a further 250 taken hostage.

An eight-week ceasefire was reached in the final days of Joe Biden’s US presidency, but Israel resumed the war in March after trying to get Hamas to accept new terms on next steps.

Talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled over whether the war should end as part of any ceasefire.

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