logo
Gal Gadot sports a bloodied face as she runs through central London while filming thriller The Runner after pro-Gaza demonstrations disrupt filming

Gal Gadot sports a bloodied face as she runs through central London while filming thriller The Runner after pro-Gaza demonstrations disrupt filming

Daily Mail​29-05-2025
Gal Gadot sported a bloody face as she filmed tense scenes for the upcoming action thriller The Runner in London on Thursday.
The actress, 39, had fake blood on the side of her face as she ran down the street near Temple tube station.
The Snow White star cut a casual figure in a blue top along with a pair of black leggings and red trainers.
At one point, the actress was seen hunched over near the tube station as her character appeared to catch her breath.
She carried a bottle of water and a light jacket with her while chatting with crew members in between takes.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
The Runner sees Gal play a successful London lawyer who is thrust into a dangerous chase across the city when her son is abducted.
She is forced to obey a series of mysterious demands from an unknown caller as she attempts to save her son.
The film, which will be distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, also stars Damien Lewis.
In recent weeks, police say demonstrators have repeatedly targeted filming locations of The Runner across the capital due to Gal's Israeli nationality.
Gal, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, has previously voiced strong support for Israel's invasion of Gaza, following the October 7 Hamas attacks - a stance that has sparked outrage among pro-Palestinian campaigners.
Officers from the Met were deployed on Wednesday to the central London set, aiming to identify suspects linked to earlier protests and to prevent fresh disruption.
They arrested five people for harassment and offences under Section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, which prohibits obstructing access to a workplace.
Of those arrested, two were wanted in connection with previous incidents, while three were detained for offences that occurred on Wednesday.
She carried a bottle of water and a light jacket with her while chatting with crew members in between takes
Superintendent Neil Holyoak, who led the operation, said: 'While we absolutely acknowledge the importance of peaceful protest, we have a duty to intervene where it crosses the line into serious disruption or criminality.
'We have been in discussions with the production company to understand the impact of the protests on their work and on any individuals involved.
'I hope today's operation shows we will not tolerate the harassment of or unlawful interference with those trying to go about their legitimate professional work in London.'
All five suspects remain in custody.
Despite the unrest, Gadot has been spotted back on set this week, filming scenes for the high-stakes thriller in the heart of London.
Meanwhile, in May Gal's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was hit by warring protestors amid ongoing controversy over her 'woke' film Snow White.
The actress, who plays the Evil Queen in the live action remake alongside Rachel Zegler's Snow White, looked delighted as she arrived to receive the accolade - but outside the barriers, drama was unfolding.
In dramatic video captured by, police were seen running after a member of the public amid claims 'a pro-Palestine protestor stole a pro-Israel protester's flag.'
Pro-Palestine protestors gathered outside the ceremony carrying signs reading: 'Heroes fight like Palestinians' and 'Viva Viva Palestina.' Israeli actress Gadot who formerly served in the IDF - is staunchly pro-Israel.
The unidentified man was seen being grabbed by police and pushed against a wall, as screams rang out from the crowd.
Recent claims emerged that a feud was brewing between Gadot and Zegler - who is pro-Palestine - over their opposing stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler was tellingly not in attendance at the ceremony.
Gal seemed unaware of the altercation unfolding outside as she posed with her husband Jaron Varsano and their four daughters, as well as Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel and Wonder Woman director Patti Jenkins.
In an interview published Tuesday with Variety, Gal spoke about how she felt compelled to speak out on politics after the October 7 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
She said: 'After October 7th [2023], I don't talk politics — because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics? I'm an artist. I want to entertain people. I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world.
'But on October 7th, when people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors, were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent.
'I'm not a hater. I'm a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz. And on the other side of my family, I'm eighth generation Israeli. I'm an indigenous person of Israel.
'I am all about humanity and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages. I am praying for better days for all,' she continues. 'I want everybody to have good life and prosperity, and the ability to raise their children in a safe environment.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thug who brutally knocked his girlfriend out in middle of the street in chilling attack caught on Ring doorbell footage is jailed
Thug who brutally knocked his girlfriend out in middle of the street in chilling attack caught on Ring doorbell footage is jailed

Daily Mail​

time25 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Thug who brutally knocked his girlfriend out in middle of the street in chilling attack caught on Ring doorbell footage is jailed

A thug has been jailed after shattering his girlfriend's eye socket in an unprovoked brutal street attack that left her unconscious. Thomas Jennings struck his partner with a mobile phone in a seemingly motiveless attack before throwing her to the floor and kicking her in the head. The sickening assault in Harbreck Grove, Liverpool on March 31 knocked her out, smashed her eye socket and broke her jaw. Career criminal Jennings, 30, left his girlfriend motionless in the street and began walking away before telling one witness: 'If you filmed me, I'll f****** burn your house down.' But he has now been jailed after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent to then-girlfriend Paula Richardson, who was found with a gash to her head and still suffers vision problems after undergoing surgery. Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday that Jennings assaulted Ms Richardson'on a residential street in broad daylight' after approaching her and repeatedly striking her with a mobile phone 'without hesitation'. 'You little slapper,' Jennings can be heard saying in the footage as he hits her across the face. 'You little f******, s***, get in the car now,' he yells, before he begins raining blows down on her as she begs him to 'please stop'. She then yells 'get off me' before Jennings aims a kick at her head, leaving her seemingly dazed, sitting upright. The second kick appears to knock her out. She lies motionless in the road as neighbours rush to help. Julian Nutter, defending Jennings during his latest appearance, told the court: 'We have a defendant here who has suffered mental health issues over a number of years, which may or may not have been drug related. 'We have a defendant who, for the first time, has been demonstrating remorse and has put forward an apology for what he has done. 'He is deeply ashamed for what he did to this lady. That is the first step on the road to reform, and he has taken it. 'What we have seen, there cannot be any excuse for. What he asked me to do is to repeat his apology, and that is the start of a very long path.' Jennings admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Sentencing, Recorder Mark Bradshaw said: 'This incident happened in the street in broad daylight. The footage we have all seen is, frankly, chilling. 'It appears that very little happened before you simply, without hesitation, struck her repeatedly to the head and face with a mobile phone used as a weapon. 'After she fell to the ground, you delivered two kicks to the head, the last of which rendered her unconscious. You then simply walked away. It was, in my judgement, a cowardly attack. 'It is plain that the consequences could have been far worse. It is fortunate for you that they were not. 'This offence represents an escalation in terms of your violent offending. You continued attacking someone who was lying on the floor and was defenceless. 'It is aggravated by the domestic context of the assault and the threats to the member of the public who tried to intervene.' Jennings, it can now be reported, has a long record of criminal behaviour: 36 convictions for 64 offences, including drugs and firearms offences. In 2020, he was jailed for 92 months after handling a weapon that was used in a shooting that later led to Mikey Rainsford, 20, being shot dead in a tit-for-tat act of gang violence. Jennings had provided a gun to another member of the so-called Kirkstone Riot Squad, Darren Russell, to shoot Lewis Gubb in September 2019. Gubb's associate, James Foy and his older brother Michael, then shot dead Mr Rainsford despite the fact he had no involvement in gangs. Both are serving life terms. On Jennings' latest offence, the judge added: 'It occurred while you were on licence for the weapons offences, leading to your second recall on those offences. 'I have regard to your significant mental health issues due to the passing of your mother. 'You have used drugs, which added to your anxiety and paranoia and caused suicidal thoughts. I take into account your difficult upbringing.' Jennings, appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a white Asics t-shirt, was jailed for four years and handed an extended licence period of three years.

How Soho House became the chicest venue for high society hedonism! Private club was Kate Moss' party spot of choice, hosted Harry and Meghan's first date and even turned away Kim Kardashian
How Soho House became the chicest venue for high society hedonism! Private club was Kate Moss' party spot of choice, hosted Harry and Meghan's first date and even turned away Kim Kardashian

Daily Mail​

time25 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

How Soho House became the chicest venue for high society hedonism! Private club was Kate Moss' party spot of choice, hosted Harry and Meghan's first date and even turned away Kim Kardashian

It began as a networking destination for 'creatives', but Soho House quickly became a favorite hangout for celebrities such as Liam Gallagher and model Kate Moss to let down their hair and enjoy a lavish night out on the town. Opened in 1995 in London by Nick Jones, who is married to TV and radio presenter Kirsty Young, the private members' club worked on attracting creative clientele instead of the bankers and financiers that dominated other social clubs. It appeared to be a huge success, and Jones's brand of louche luxury combined with great service has seen famous faces such as Tom Cruise, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa, rush to be a part of the ever-expanding club. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle even had their first date at a Soho House in London in July 2016, while before her wedding in 2018, the Duchess of Sussex was said to have enjoyed a stay at Soho's Cotswolds Farmhouse, dubbed the 'Butlins for toffs'. A membership at the club, priced at around £1,500 for global access, is thought to be a must-have for many of the world's elite - yet the chain is known to 'highly selective' about who it accepts as members. For instance, Kim Kardashian was famously thought to have been denied membership at the brand's West Hollywood venue (after they enforced a 'creativity over net worth' policy). It's unknown whether the reality TV star has since been made a member. Now with locations in New York, Miami, Austin, Chicago as well as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Barcelona and Paris, the brand shows no signs of slowing down. Further proof that the club's glory days are far from behind them is the announcement that the company is going private again in a $2.7billion (£2billion) deal led by New York-based MCR Hotels. A raft of existing shareholders, including Ron Burkle, Ivy Collection boss Richard Caring and founder Nick Jones, will retain their stakes in the company. A-list actor-turned-tech investor Ashton Kutcher will also invest in Soho House as part of the deal and will join the firm's board of directors. Founded by Nick Jones, the entrepreneur husband of Desert Island Discs presenter Kirsty Young, Soho House has for two decades been held up as the epitome of louche British cool. Formed in 1995 on London's Greek Street, the club started as a single space for local artists and actors to gather above Jones's restaurant Cafe Boheme. It has since turned into a sprawling global empire whose fans include socialites and celebrities from George and Amal Clooney to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. 'We wanted it to be creative and like-minded, and, for people who were at ease with themselves,' Jones said in a 2017 interview. It quickly expanded to clubs elsewhere in London, and opened its first US club in New York in 2003. In 2008, Jones sold an 80 per cent stake in the club to British businessman Richard Caring for $144 million. Four years later in 2012, US billionaire Ron Burkle bought 50 per cent of the company from Caring and Jones. Since then, the company has ramped up its expansion plans, and began offering workspaces and health products under its lifestyle brand Cowshed. In 2010, it opened its first Los Angeles club, and immediately became a celebrity spotters paradise. The Hollywood Reporter called it 'the most important club in Hollywood - a high-wattage magnet for A-listers and dealmakers', in 2015. The club forbids the taking of photos of VIP celebrity guests with phone cameras. One couple who surreptitiously tried to get guests David and Victoria Beckham into the background of their selfie had their memberships revoked. Now boasting 46 Soho Houses, the clubs often include communal areas, restaurants and cafes with some boasting cinemas and swimming pools. Movie stars including Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie have been spotted at the venues, while Kate Moss is reportedly a member. One of the New York locations was once featured in an episode of Sex and the City, when Samantha Jones, unable to get off the waiting list, posed as a member to gain pool access for her and her friends. Members are forbidden from identifying fellow members on social media. (They're not even allowed to describe Soho House events on social media.) Soho House previously paused new memberships during the coronavirus pandemic to allow people to socially distance at its clubs. There was also an effort to cull some members to capture its founding spirit and attract more creatives. The company announced it was purging 1,000 members in 2010 from its New York house with Jones saying he was 'trying to get the club back to its creative roots.' 'When I went there, it didn't have the right feel anymore. It has always been a creative, friendly place with a relaxed feel,' he said. 'If there are too many corporate types around then that atmosphere doesn't occur.' The application process to become a member is comprehensive, requiring prospective members to provide a biography, explain what they can contribute and whether they already know existing members. The club has a membership committee of those who already have access which make the call on who may join. Membership at the venues is famously exclusive and is now seen as a coveted status symbol for jet-setting international 'creatives'. The Soho House website explains: 'Unlike other members' clubs, which often focus on wealth and status, we aim to assemble communities of members that have something in common: namely, a creative soul.' Founder Jones stepped down from the day-to-day running of the company in 2022 as he recovered from prostate cancer. Staying on in a founder role, he said at the time he had been 'spending a lot more time in our houses' as he has the 'space to focus more attention on the clubs themselves.' Jones said: 'Over the last 27 years I have run Soho House and more recently MCG by always putting members at the heart of everything we do. I am so proud of what we have achieved and grateful to all the teams who have helped us get to where we are today. 'I am going back to doing what I did for many, years, which is the reason I went into business, giving people a good time, getting people to meet new people and creating lovely spaces.' Jones grew up in Cobham, Surrey, and went to Shiplake College, a boarding school in Oxfordshire. When he left school at 17 he decided on a career in catering as he was 'obsessed with food'. He is married to Kirsty Young, the former presenter of Desert Island Discs who was forced to step down for health reasons. Young has spoken about the 'severe, relentless' pain that forced her off the air waves having been struck by a combination of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain disorder fibromyalgia. She delighted fans with a return to screens during the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Yesterday, it was announced that Soho House has been sold for £2 billion in a deal backed by a Hollywood A-lister. The celebrity hotspot is being taken over by a group of investors, including Ashton Kutcher, in a deal worth around $2.7 billion (£2 billion). The hospitality group, which is based in London but listed on the New York Stock Exchange, confirmed shareholders in Soho House & Co will receive $9 (£6.64) per share in the business. New York-based hotel giant MCR Hotels is leading the consortium, also including private equity firm Apollo, which struck the deal to take the company private. It will pay £2 billion to snap up the business, including its $700m (£5.1m) debts. A raft of existing shareholders, including Ron Burkle, Ivy Collection boss Richard Caring and founder Nick Jones, will retain their stakes in the company. A-list actor-turned-tech investor Mr Kutcher will also invest in Soho House as part of the deal and will join the firm's board of directors. MCR boss Tyler Morse will also join the board as vice chairman following the takeover. The business currently runs 46 Soho House sites, eight Soho Works and Scorpios Beach Clubs in Mykonos and Bodrum. It also owns the Ned and numerous other hospitality businesses. Andrew Carnie, chief executive of Soho House & Co, said: 'This transaction reflects the strong confidence our existing and incoming shareholders have in the future of Soho House & Co, and the transformation we've led since becoming a public company. 'Since our IPO (initial public offering) in 2021, we've focused on building a stronger, more resilient business. 'I'm incredibly proud of what our teams have accomplished and am excited about our future, as we continue to be guided by our members and grounded in the spirit that makes Soho House so special.' Mr Morse said: 'All of us at MCR are excited to be part of the Soho House journey, helping to create more experiences, interactions and memories alongside friends and members. 'We have long admired Soho House for bringing together cultures from around the world into a global network of 46 houses, and we look forward to the continued growth of that fabric, starting with four new houses opening soon.'

How could stamp duty and council tax be replaced with new ‘property taxes'?
How could stamp duty and council tax be replaced with new ‘property taxes'?

The Independent

time27 minutes ago

  • The Independent

How could stamp duty and council tax be replaced with new ‘property taxes'?

Plans for a new tax on the sale of homes worth over £500,000 are reportedly being considered by the Treasury, potentially marking a major change to the stamp duty and council tax system. Ahead of the autumn Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves has asked officials to calculate how a new 'proportional' property tax would work in the UK. The overhaul would see a national property tax replace stamp duty on owner-occupied homes, sources told The Guardian. Council tax could also be replaced with a local property tax, helping to boost ailing local authority finances. The plans have reportedly drawn on the findings of a report from centre-right think tank Onward, published in August last year, which lays out criticism of stamp duty and council tax, and steps to replace them. Here's how the plans would change the UK tax landscape: What is stamp duty and how could it change? Under current rules, stamp duty is a levy paid by the buyer of residential property, varying based on the price of the property and whether it is their first purchase. Since April, first-time buyers have had to pay stamp duty when purchasing a home worth up to £300,000 thanks to 'stamp duty relief'. After this they will pay five per cent on the remaining amount, up to £500,000. Anything above this and the relief is voided. For anyone buying a second home, there is no stamp duty paid on the first £125,000, increasing to two per cent up to £250,000, five per cent up to £925,000, ten per cent up to £1.5m, and twelve per cent on everything above that. In 2023/24, the levy brought in £11.6 billion for the government. The speculated change would see this system change, introducing a new tax on the sale of a property when it is worth above £500,000. This levy would be proportionate to the property's value, and paid at a rate set by HMRC. This would be payable by the new owner of the property, only on the amount above £500,000. This would mean the owners of a property worth just over the threshold would pay a 'trivial' amount, Onward's report claims. Could council tax be replaced? Another mulled concept would see council tax replaced with a new local property tax, complimenting the 'national' property tax. It will be a tax on property value paid by the owner, the Onward report explains, and at a rate set by each local authority. This should be levied on values up to a cap of £500,000 in a bid to ensure that richest areas are not able to set far lower rates than those with less valuable properties. This would address a key criticism of the council tax system that how properties are valued is unfair and inaccurate. The 'band' of council tax that all properties pay is based on values last evaluated in 1990s, which have become drastically outdated in many places. The local property tax concept would instead see tax liable on properties based on their value at the last point they were sold, meaning valuation would be regularly updated. However, both of the proposed taxes have been criticised as a tax that will disproportionately hit people living in areas where property prices are higher. The effect would be particularly acute in London says Simon Gerrard, chairman of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents, who told The Independent that it would amount to a 'London tax'. He said: 'Rightmove's latest figures for August show that the average price of a property in London is now £666,983. Upping taxes for properties over £500K is not making the wealthy pay their fair share, it's a tax on ordinary Londoners.' No final decisions have been made on the plans, and the government has not commented publicly on their veracity.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store