On Friday, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and UK Labour leader Keir Starmer met aboard a train traveling from Poland to Ukraine, presenting a unified diplomatic front ahead of their scheduled visit to Kyiv on Saturday. Their presence comes amid growing international calls for Russia to agree to a ceasefire and enter negotiations. A video from inside the train has drawn attention online—not for its political symbolism, but due to a moment where a small white object is briefly visible on the table before Macron quickly moves it out of view. Some on social media have speculated that the object resembled a small bag of cocaine, especially as Merz is seen holding a small spoon. However, such speculation is unsupported. The object could plausibly be something mundane, such as a crumpled tissue or a piece of packaging, which in the context of a moving train and under artificial lighting, might easily be misinterpreted. Macron’s quick movement may reflect nothing more than a desire to clear the table during filming. Without concrete evidence, assigning sinister meaning risks distorting the real focus of the meeting: a coordinated effort to support Ukraine and press for peace.

Rosie Duffield, MP for Canterbury, wants an apology from Prime Minister Keir Starmer over her treatment by Labour Party leaders. She feels "hounded" over her views on gender and left the party in September after being re-elected as a Labour MP in July 2024. Duffield believes she was investigated, blocked, and barred from being a candidate for stating her views on biological sex, which are protected by law.

Prince William and Keir Starmer attended Pope Francis' funeral in Vatican City's St. Peter's Square, joining other world leaders for a moment of silence and the open-air service. Prince William, representing his father King Charles III, stood with Sir Keir, wearing a dark blue suit and black tie, and bowed his head during the moment of silence. He then met with clergy members before taking his seat in the basilica. The event saw 55 heads of state, 14 heads of government, and 12 reigning monarchs attend, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.

Keir Starmer is facing a rebellion from over a dozen Labour MPs who have signed a motion demanding that Donald Trump be banned from addressing Parliament during his planned state visit to the UK. The MPs argue it would be "inappropriate" for Trump to speak due to his record of misogyny, racism, and xenophobia, as well as his comments about Britain and stance on Ukraine.