
Hidden meanings in the royals' outfits as they welcome the Macrons - including King Charles's not-so-subtle message of love amid Emmanuel and Brigitte's 'frosty' appearance
The Macrons landed at RAF Northolt in London earlier today and were met on the tarmac by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
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BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
Concerns Peterborough will lose identity if councils merge
Options for a new-look council system have been discussed as part of local government re-organisation seven authorities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been working together to identify viable options, which could see Peterborough merge with neighbouring councillors are arguing for a "Greater Peterborough" option, which would see Peterborough merge with part of northern Huntingdonshire only, to help it preserve the city's discussions follow a national government requirement to replace district, county and city councils with a simpler unitary, single-council system. Original plans put forward by the county's councils suggested there should be two new unitary authorities covering the whole county, with different options being North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling and Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes - both Labour - expressed concerns that including Peterborough as part of a "mega council" would make it harder for local areas to focus on their own needs and proposed there should be three councils across Cambridgeshire, with one based on Greater Cambridge, one based on Greater Peterborough and one focusing on rural Mid Cambridgeshire, the Local Democracy Reporting Service would see Peterborough merge with part of northern Huntingdonshire. At a full council meeting on Wednesday, the options were discussed and while a number of members supported the Greater Peterborough option, Conservative group leader Wayne Fitzgerald labelled it "opportunistic" and "last-minute".He said: "In Fenland, they'll have a completely different view to us. In Huntingdon, they don't want anything to do with us whatsoever, the liberals would rather go south. So, I suspect what will happen is this will be imposed upon us."A final proposal is set to be submitted at the end of November and the government will then decide how the councils should be councils are expected to be in place from April 2028. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.


Metro
16 minutes ago
- Metro
Starmer should give Trump a warm welcome - then a £14m bill
Donald Trump jets into Scotland today on a visit which is 'private', according to White House officials. Yet despite that label, he nonetheless intends to make you – the British taxpayer – foot an expected £14million bill. So here's my suggestion: Starmer should shake the man's hand and then pass on the invoice. It's simple. If the President of the United States wants to make a personal pilgrimage to his luxury golf resorts in Scotland, he's free to do so. But if he wishes to take advantage of our stretched to the limit public services so he can fund his circus during an onslaught of budget cuts, crumbling infrastructure, and exhausted police officers, then he can forget it. The bloke's a billionaire! He can afford it. He should pay his way just like any other showman on a world tour. Craig Munro breaks down Westminster chaos into easy to follow insight, walking you through what the latest policies mean to you. Sent every Wednesday. Sign up here. Trump's relationship with Scotland has always been strained, at best. Long before he was President, long before the MAGA hats, indictments, and the endless motorcades, he was already deeply unpopular here. His expansion of Menie Golf Course was met with fervent opposition from residents. Local farmers were threatened with forced purchase orders. And there's that glorious moment comedian Janey Godley welcomed then-candidate Trump to Scotland in 2016 by holding up a banner that read: 'Trump is a c**t'? This time around, we're being told his visit is unofficial, yet our leaders are queuing up to meet him. Starmer is to be flown up to Aberdeen to reportedly 'refine' a recent US-UK trade deal. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video First Minister John Swinney says he is meeting the President to 'protect and promote the interests of Scotland'. I think the interests of Scotland are protected by billing Trump for police overtime, airspace shut downs, motorway closures, and operational disruption the visit will entail. After all, we're continually being reminded there is 'no magic money tree'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is already warning she will have to make tough decisions (aka tax rises) in the next Budget again. And yet there's nothing tough about the decision of politicians to block their diaries and drain the public purse to accommodate a man who is extravagantly wealthy and extravagantly divisive. Trump does not need to be welcomed with sycophantic deference. Trump needs to be welcomed with boundaries. Because the minute you give him an inch, he'll take the whole fairway. Just ask Cole Palmer, after he intruded on Chelsea's Club World Cup trophy lift by seemingly refusing to move away from the spotlight. This OAP day out is a horrific incentive for a man whose name is much on everybody's lips when it comes to mayhem, corruption, and conspiracy. Epstein anybody? For a man under investigation for mishandling confidential documents and whose election has been based on authoritarian campaign rhetoric. When you think about it, Trump will probably respect being charged. He's in the WWE Hall of Fame for a reason – he loves conflict. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video So what better way to earn his grudging admiration than to stand up for ourselves, rather than grovelling? Our squeamish politicians need to stop bootlicking. Presidential away days never come without that hefty price tag, even when it's not a proper state visit like this one. Trump's last trip to the UK in 2018 cost the taxpayer £14.8 million, which was partly used for his jaunt around Turnberry. His four day visit saw thousands of police deployed, mass protests in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and a security operation of such size as to be comparable with that of a conventional state visit. This time also shall not be any different – perhaps worse, considering he has become even less stable. Scotland Police has already confirmed that this is a 'complex' operation, with extra resources being pulled from across the UK. That, alone, is dozens of precious hours our brilliant officers can't spend solving real crimes. A place where his name is emblazoned in gold letters on our landscape, despite sensational disapproval and ongoing concerns about how much these properties are contributing to the economy. We shouldn't dismiss the views of you and me, too. Everybody gets what he represents: division, authoritarianism, and a transactional politics in which loyalty is bought through economic self harm and truth can be junked. So why are we, as a country, so keen to appease him? We can respect his office, without the costly symbolism. More Trending If the PM wants to demonstrate strength on the world stage, it will not be from photoshoots alongside Trump on an exclusive golf course. It will be from treating him as what he is – an elderly grandpa on a private getaway. We need to be serious about financial prudence, we need to be serious about valuing our public services, and then we start by asking the most glaring question of all: why on earth are we spending millions to go and fetch the world's most powerful tourist? So go ahead and shake the man's hand if you must, Prime Minister. But then, after he hops back onto Air Force One, send over the invoice. Make it clear: the UK won't pick up the bill for foreign billionaires. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: My lover praised my oral skills – but I wasn't happy MORE: Trump 'called Epstein 'the greatest' in note inside book he gave to him' MORE: Search for 'migrant hotels near me' has rocketed – it's chilling


The Independent
16 minutes ago
- The Independent
Trump's visit to Scotland is in ‘public interest', says Chancellor
The visit of US President Donald Trump to Scotland is in the 'public interest', Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said. Mr Trump is due to touch down in Scotland on Friday evening ahead of a four-day visit, during which he will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney. His meeting with Sir Keir is seen as a chance to refine the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month. Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport on Friday morning, the Chancellor talked up the importance of the visit. 'It's in Britain's national interest to have strong relations with the US administration and as a result of both that long-term special relationship, but actually more importantly, the work that our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has done in building that relationship with President Trump has meant that we were the first country in the world to secure a trade deal,' she said. 'That has a tangible benefit for people here in Scotland, whether it is people working in the Scotch whisky industry or people working in the defence sector like here at Rolls-Royce, that trade deal means lower tariffs than any country in the world on things that we send to the US.' Ms Reeves dodged a question relating to senior ministers – including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray – supporting a motion when in opposition in 2019 calling for the president's first state visit to be cancelled and accusing him of 'misogyny, racism and xenophobia'. Mr Trump is expected to visit both of his golf clubs in Scotland – in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire – during the visit, which has been described as 'private' by the White House, before leaving on Tuesday. His presence is likely to spark protests across the country, with Police Scotland being forced to request aid from other forces to help increase manpower for the trip. In a carefully worded statement ahead of the visit, Mr Swinney said the focus it will bring to Scotland will allow people to have their voice heard on issues including 'war and peace, justice and democracy'. Speaking to the PA news agency on Friday, the First Minister said his meeting with Mr Trump would present an opportunity to 'essentially speak out for Scotland' on issues like trade and the increase of business from the United States in Scotland. 'But there are clearly also significant international issues upon which the people of Scotland have a view and want to have that view expressed by their First Minister,' he said. 'That relates to the awfulness of the situation in Gaza and the unbearable human suffering that is going on in Gaza. 'I want to make sure that those concerns and those views are expressed to the President of the United States. 'We have that opportunity, and I intend to take that opportunity to make sure that Scotland's voice is heard.' Mr Swinney also urged all of those set to protest against the President's visit to do so 'peacefully and to do so within the law'.