
UK's ambassador in Washington says Trump ‘really does love Britain'
Peter Mandelson, the UK 's ambassador in Washington, anticipates a "warm reception" for Trump, stating the US president "really does love Britain" and "hugely admires it".
Due to the visit's timing during the political party conference season, Trump is not expected to address MPs and peers in Parliament, nor visit Buckingham Palace or have a ceremonial carriage ride.
Lord Mandelson described Trump as a "phenomenon" and a "unique politician" with a strong grasp of power and a quick understanding of issues.
Mandelson highlighted the UK -US trade deal, signed in May, which reduced car import tariffs, suggesting it was facilitated by the UK 's departure from the European Union.
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The Guardian
4 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘It's not fair': Crystal Palace fans march in protest at demotion from Europa League
Furious Crystal Palace supporters have demanded that Uefa reverse its decision to demote the FA Cup winners from the Europa League to the Conference League next season as they staged a protest march outside Selhurst Park on Tuesday evening. It was confirmed last week that Uefa's club financial control body had concluded Palace breached its multi-club ownership criteria, with the south London club expected to appeal to the court of arbitration for sport (Cas) against a decision that their chair, Steve Parish, described as 'probably one of the greatest injustices that has ever happened in European football'. Parish also revealed that the New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has passed the Premier League's owners' and directors' test that should enable him to complete his purchase of John Textor's 43% stake in the coming days. However, with Uefa deeming that move came too late to save them, having ruled that Textor's Eagle Football Holdings Ltd had controlling stakes over both French club Lyon and Palace, a protest organised by supporters' group the Holmesdale Fanatics was attended by hundreds of fans who marched from Norwood High Street to Palace's stadium. 'Uefa: morally bankrupt. Revoke the ruling now,' read a large banner at the front of the march, with another reading: 'Football: created by the poor, stolen by the rich.' 'It's not fair that we've won the oldest Cup competition in the world and then been demoted from the Europa League,' said Palace fan Josh Harness. 'We earned the right to be there and all we can do is show our support for the club. The delay over the decision also means we can't start planning for next season yet because we didn't know what competition we were going to be in.' The group behind the tifos that were on display at the Wembley FA Cup semi-final and final against Aston Villa and Manchester City respectively, the Fanatics had said it was 'time to act' and called on supporters 'of all teams to join us'. 'Those who are disillusioned with the state of modern football, those who are tired of the authorities favouring a small cartel of larger clubs all in the name of profit and those who want to bring football back to the fans, where it belongs,' said a statement announcing the protest. 'We must come together for our voice to be heard around Europe. This will not be an isolated action, but the beginning of the campaign against those responsible for the moral and financial corruption that has plagued the modern game. Let us remind Uefa and the Cas that this ruling can, and should, change.' A petition that calls on Uefa to restore Palace to the Europa League has also been signed by almost 3,000 people since being posted on Friday. Uefa rejected an attempt by Textor and fellow American co-owner David Blitzer – the majority shareholder of Danish club Brondby, who have also qualified for the Conference League – to place their shares in a blind trust because they had missed the March deadline. Use of a blind trust has enabled other clubs with the same owners to play together in a Uefa competition. Sources at the European governing body confirmed that it had cleared both clubs to play in the same competition having deemed that Blitzer does not have a decisive influence at Palace. However, writing on X over the weekend, Parish questioned the logic behind the current system. 'Let's put this 'THEY missed the deadline' nonsense to bed. Let's say Me, Josh, David and everyone other than Eagle football had placed our shares in a 'blind trust' before March 1st. Three random people would have had control of the club since then but by Uefa's interpretation of the rules we would still be out of the Europa League.'


Reuters
4 minutes ago
- Reuters
Tariff 'doom loop' hangs over global equities
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Telegraph
4 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Those demanding a ceasefire know nothing about the evil of Hamas
Despite predictions, a ceasefire in Gaza was not agreed while Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, was in Washington. The reason is clear: Hamas is making demands that Israel cannot possibly accept. This from a terrorist organisation that has been ripped apart in 20 months of fighting, having recently witnessed its primary sponsor, Iran, humbled to the point of impotence. Yet Hamas still thinks it is Israel that must surrender. It's like the Nazis calling on Eisenhower to pull back as the Allies crossed the Rhine in 1945. So what does Hamas want? The complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza and a guarantee that the war will permanently end, terms that have remained throughout the war. Despite the extent to which Israel has written it down, Hamas still remains a dangerous terrorist organisation with thousands of armed killers on the books. Of course the IDF can't withdraw in the face of that. As for a complete end to the war, Netanyahu has said he is willing to begin negotiations for a permanent cessation immediately any ceasefire begins. His terms are that Hamas must disarm, Gaza must be demilitarised and Hamas can no longer maintain any governing or military capability. One option might be for the remaining Hamas terrorists to leave, even with their weapons, and I am sure arrangements for that have already been made should they agree to it. If Netanyhu's conditions are not achieved through negotiation – and what are the chances of that? – Israel will have to go straight back to the fight after any ceasefire. Some have suggested Trump would not allow that. But we heard the same thing during the last two Gaza ceasefires. Remember how the experts thought Trump would never permit Israel to attack Iran and certainly would not join in? The reality was that Netanyahu and Trump were in complete lockstep and I suspect the same is true now over Gaza. Another of Hamas's truculent demands is ending aid delivery by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israel-backed organisation that has been distributing food directly to Gazans. They want all aid to be brought in by the UN and its affiliates. Of course they do: they can sway and exploit the UN. They can't control the GHF, which currently delivers the lion's share of all aid, bypassing the terrorists. It is telling that the GHF is such a major issue for Hamas. That's because it's work has been helping to break their stranglehold over the population. So what makes Hamas think it still has the muscle to dictate terms to the side that is so obviously winning the fight? It knows it is no longer popular among the citizens of Gaza. There have been some protests that were brutally smashed down. During a recent visit to the Strip I met around 100 Gazan civilians. Many of them openly told me how much they hate Hamas and want rid of them. So strong was their feeling, cheered by those around them, that I believe it's likely they are representative. The dreadful truth is that Hamas gets greater encouragement to continue fighting from widespread support in the West and the misguided and unjust condemnation of Israel from many political leaders and international institutions. How often do we hear people such as Keir Starmer demanding Israel stops fighting yet never making any demand on Hamas? The same is true of attitudes to the GHF. Starmer has also condemned them, as has the UN Secretary General, both speaking in unison with Hamas. And of course it is received wisdom in the West that the population must in no circumstances leave Gaza. Yet that would be the most humane option and should have happened long ago. The majority of Gazans I spoke to said they want to leave as soon as possible. That's hardly surprising given the misery, bloodshed and destruction brought on them by Hamas's war. Acquiescing with their wishes is obvious. But many in the international community apparently would rather civilians be further endangered than voluntarily and temporarily evacuated. Again, they and Hamas almost speak with one voice. Our leaders have helped to prolong the war and increase the killing. Instead of looking to reward terrorism by recognising a putative Palestinian state, Macron, Starmer and the rest should be helping to make Hamas give up hope and demand a ceasefire followed by a negotiated end to hostilities on Israel's terms.