Latest news with #Briti
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Lando Norris pips McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri to Belgian Grand Prix pole
Lando Norris will start from pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix in his bid to seal a hat-trick of consecutive victories after beating championship rival Oscar Piastri to top spot. Norris finished third, a place behind McLaren team-mate Piastri in the earlier sprint race at Spa-Francorchamps, but the British driver bounced back to secure his second pole in three races. Charles Leclerc took third for Ferrari but team-mate Lewis Hamilton's weekend took another nightmare twist after he qualified only 16th. Max Verstappen - who won the first Formula One race staged following Christian Horner's dismissal as Red Bull team principal in Saturday's 15-lap dash - was fourth, one position clear of Williams' Alex Albon, with George Russell sixth for Mercedes. Piastri extended his championship advantage over Norris from eight points to nine and appeared to hold the upper hand over his team-mate heading into qualifying. However, Norris delivered with his first lap of Q3 to hold a near two-tenth advantage over Piastri heading into the concluding runs and - although he failed to improve, and Piastri did - it was enough to take first place as he looks to build on his wins in Austria and Silverstone. Norris qualified six tenths behind Piastri in Friday's qualifying and he said: "Everyone was quite worried after yesterday. But I was always confident, so it is nice to get back on top. "The car has been flying all weekend and Oscar and I have been pushing each other a lot. You can see each other's strengths and weaknesses (on the shared team data) so that makes it a tough battle." Rain is forecast for Sunday's 44-lap race, and Norris continued: "I prefer it to stay dry. But I don't mind if it is wet, or dry, or somewhere in the middle. I just hope it is an exciting race." Hamilton, who started 18th and finished 15th in the earlier sprint race earlier, was eliminated in Q1 for Sunday's main event after his best lap was chalked off by the stewards. The seven-time world champion thought he had done enough to haul his Ferrari into the next phase of qualifying when he posted the seventh best time. But moments later, his lap was deleted after he was adjudged to have run all four wheels of his Ferrari off the circuit at Raidillon. That dropped him way down the order. "Is everything OK?" Hamilton asked on the radio. "Track limits," replied Hamilton's race engineer, Ricardo Adami. "Am I out?" Hamilton replied. "Lap time is deleted, P16," came the response. There was no response from the 40-year-old who is left to reflect on another sobering result of his difficult start to life at Ferrari. Hamilton, who spun in qualifying for the sprint, enters Sunday's race without a podium for Ferrari - the deepest he has gone into a season in his career without a top-three finish. Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli, also failed to emerge from Q1 and will start 18th, with both Aston Martins on the final row of the grid following a dismal qualifying session for the British team. Fernando Alonso will line up from 19th, with team-mate Lance Stroll 20th and last. Ollie Bearman finished an impressive seventh in the sprint, but then qualified 12th as he complained the start of his final lap was compromised by Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Desperate Royals Tried to Censor Leaked King's Funeral Plans
Buckingham Palace's top aides are in a tailspin after leaked plans for the death of King Charles made it into the media—sparking a huge censorship operation to 'contain the spill.' The leak to The Daily Telegraph revealed details including how Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, would be central to the current British monarch's funeral—something officials are actively planning as he battles cancer. It comes despite the public fracturing of the king's relationship with his younger son, who has also been at loggerheads with brother William. Prince William will have become king by the time of Charles' funeral. Plans for the funeral, code-named 'London Bridge,' are the most sensitive of royal secrets, meticulously planned by courtiers and ultimately overseen by the king himself. When the Telegraph published the revelations on its front page with the headline 'Prince Harry and Meghan at heart of King's funeral plans,' it was the first substantive insight British papers had given their readers into an event of world significance. But as soon as it was published, courtiers began an extraordinary operation to stop word of any future reconciliation spreading, even though the Daily Beast can disclose that the leak originated from within Buckingham Palace's planning operation. Insiders say the remarkable episode offers an insight into the kind of 'iron fist in a velvet glove' activities that take place behind the curtain of the British royal family as it seeks to control the narrative around the institution. Multiple sources have told the Daily Beast that the king's most senior spin doctor, Tobyn Andreae, 'had a meltdown on the phone' to editors at The Telegraph, a reliably pro-monarchy publication, about its London Bridge story. 'These new details about London Bridge, including that Harry and Meghan will be invited for central roles and that the mourning period will be shortened, had found their way to the Telegraph exclusively,' said a well-placed Fleet Street source. 'There was a conversation with the palace's communications team ahead of publication. Tobyn [Andreae] was very, very, unhappy. He was involved directly and lobbied the Telegraph for more than 24 hours to try and influence the timing and terms of publication.' But, explained a second source, a senior journalist with knowledge of the situation, its editors did not 'wish to be controlled.' That 'went down badly' with Andreae, who was 'very resistant to the publication.' The source said, 'There was a heated phone call. In the end, the view was taken that the paper needed to protect its editorial independence, and it decided to publish its scoop when it wanted to, which from Tobyn's [Andreae's] point of view was premature.' It was then, however, that a censorship operation swung into action, according to a source who said Andraea tried to 'contain the spill.' Andreae used a WhatsApp text message group with other journalists who cover the royal family for British newspapers and television networks—a group known as the 'royal rota'—to trash the Telegraph story and say there would be consequences for any outlet that used the information. In one message seen by the Daily Beast, marked 'not for reporting in any form,' Andreae, a former senior editor at the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, criticized the article as 'unconscionable' and 'downright offensive,' given King Charles is currently battling cancer, and warned that outlets which repeated its detail were 'unlikely to receive assistance' in future. In what Andreae described as a 'gentle advisory' message to the group, which has around 15 members, and the 'international rota' group, which has around 30, he wrote: 'While we won't be drawn on the details or accuracy of the claims, the bridges plans are not yet finalised and there is no active planning underway outside of the entirely routine business you will all be familiar takes place for all family members. 'Speculation about demise planning is deeply distasteful in normal circumstances—but downright offensive given that HMK [His Majesty the King] is living with cancer, continuing with treatment… and doing extremely well on it, as you will all have seen from past weeks and months. 'This sort of article is therefore unconscionable, no matter how 'sensitively framed'. It is also a breach of the clear understanding that in order to for us to be able to assist media with operational planning, royal reporters do not write speculative pieces about Bridges planning, whatever the source.' Andreae's threat of removed 'assistance', sent to the influential group of royal rota correspondents, had the intended effect. No other British outlet repeated the details printed in the Telegraph, despite its reputation as an establishment newspaper with reliable royal sources. Some of the details were repeated in the U.S. media. Alongside claims about the Sussexes, the paper revealed that King Charles' 'lifelong dedication to the environment is expected to be recognised with the incorporation of sustainable elements wherever possible,' and that the period of national mourning would last from the day of his death to the day of his funeral, rather than an additional week as was the case when Queen Elizabeth II died in Sept. 2022. The censorship bid was mounted before another bombshell hit the royals: a further leak, this time of a supposed 'peace summit' between the king's courtiers and Prince Harry's aides. Late Saturday, details of a meeting Andreae had at an exclusive London club, of which he is a member, with Meredith Maines, who runs general and media operations for the Sussexes in the U.S., and Liam Maguire, who runs their communications operation in the U.K., appeared in an exclusive report in the Mail on Sunday. Images of the summit were captured in long-lens photographs taken by a well-informed photographer from the paper, whose publisher Harry is presently suing for allegedly hacking his phone and other unlawful information gathering dating back 30 years. The paper denies the allegations. Buckingham Palace and The Daily Telegraph failed to respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the Sussexes said they never comment on London Bridge planning.
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Donald Trump in turmoil as Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer adds fuel to his fears
Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years behind bars in the States, has appealed to America's Supreme Court to have her conviction overturned Attorneys for Ghislaine Maxwell have fuelled Donald Trump's fears she may speak out, saying he would 'be surprised' if he knew his lawyers were demanding her sentence not be overturned. Last week, the President's Department of Justice controversially announced that no charges would be brought against Jeffrey Epstein 's high-profile associates, including Prince Andrew. The move has sparked an unprecedented backlash against Trump from within his MAGA supporters, who are furious that no one other than Maxwell, once a close friend of the US leader, has faced justice. Some of his outraged supporters have even burned their red 'Make America Great Again'. The president himself has since repeatedly lashed out at being asked why no charges have been brought. Convicted sex trafficker Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years behind bars in the States, has appealed to America's Supreme Court to have her conviction overturned. Her lawyers argue that a 2007 non-prosecution agreement in Florida between Epstein and the US government protected her. But a federal appeals court already ruled against the 63-year-old, and Trump's Department of Justice is now calling on the Supreme Court to do the same. The move has led Maxwell's lawyer, David Markus, to question whether the President knows his attorneys are arguing to keep her locked up. Last week, the Mirror revealed how the president has been left panicked that Maxwell may break her silence and reveal details of his past ties to Epstein. Many Americans believe the Epstein files that Trump had promised to release in full were suddenly shut down after Elon Musk named the US leader as being identified within them. Now, Markus has added more fuel to the fire by saying he believes Trump would not stop Maxwell's conviction from being quashed due to the non-prosecution agreement. He said: 'I would be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal. He's the ultimate dealmaker, and I'm sure he'd agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it." The lawyer added: 'With all the talk about who's being prosecuted and who isn't, it's especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the US government made and broke.' The president's concern is that Maxwell may now decide to speak about his friendship with Epstein in an effort to restore her reputation or retaliate against those she believes left her to take the fall. While Trump has denied any wrongdoing and insists he severed ties with Epstein years before the financier's 2019 arrest, the pair frequently socialised in the early 2000s, including at Mar-a-Lago. Maxwell attended events at several of Trump's properties during the same period. The Mirror previously reported how the caged British socialite was considering asking her old pal, the president, for a pardon, as he is in the White House. Trump was a long-time associate of Epstein and Maxwell and was famously videotaped at a party discussing the appearance of young girls who were present during a conversation with the late paedophile. During his first term in the White House, he was concerned by a US newspaper story in July 2020 about her arrest. It quoted a friend of Epstein as describing Maxwell as believing herself to be "protected by the intelligence communities she and [Epstein] helped with information ... by Prince Andrew, President Clinton and even by President Trump," whom they described as having been "well-known to be an acquaintance of her and Epstein's". According to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman's book about Trump, Confidence Man, the US leader tackled his advisers about the story at an Oval Office meeting. "You see that article in the Post today that mentioned me?" he asked aides. When they didn't react, Trump pressed them further, asking: "She say anything about me?" Maxwell, the Oxford-educated daughter of crooked tycoon Robert Maxwell, was once a fixture in the same Palm Beach and New York elite circles as Trump. The president has acknowledged knowing her for years, and the pair were frequently seen together at high-society events in the 1990s and 2000s. When Maxwell was first arrested, Trump's response raised eyebrows. "I just wish her well," he said during a White House briefing. "I've met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they [Maxwell and Epstein] lived in Palm Beach," he added. "But I wish her well, whatever it is." The remarks had many questioning just how deep their connection ran. The FBI's decision to end its Epstein probe came as Attorney General Pam Bondi, appointed by the president, faces growing scrutiny over contradictory statements she has made about the case. In February, she confirmed the existence of a non-public list of Epstein's alleged clients, saying there were "tens of thousands of videos and documents" still held by the FBI, some of which allegedly showed "horrific crimes involving minors." However, last week, Trump's US Department of Justice stated that it had concluded its review and had "no further information" to share with the public. The abrupt reversal prompted questions for the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Bondi, saying: "She was referring to the entirety of all of the paperwork, all of the paper, in relation to Jeffrey Epstein's crimes… and I'll let her speak to that." The contradiction intensified criticism that the Trump administration has failed Epstein's victims, many of whom have accused the justice system of protecting the powerful while offering only one conviction.
Leader Live
04-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Government ‘confident' it can implement US deal in time to protect steel sector
US president Donald Trump exempted the UK from the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium that came into effect on Wednesday morning, saying he would 'provide different treatment' after the deal struck between London and Washington last month. The decision means that British steel exports will continue to face a 25% levy from America, rather than the higher rate, while negotiations continue on bringing the agreement into effect. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'As a result of our landmark deal with the US, UK steel won't be subject to additional tariffs. 'My Government will always protect British businesses and British jobs.' But the situation could still change again in July, when the US is set to either increase the tariffs to 50% or introduce the quotas in the US-UK agreement, effectively eradicating the tax, depending on whether the deal is implemented. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the BBC's Today programme on Wednesday she was 'really confident' that her Cabinet colleagues had the 'ability' and 'determination' to 'ensure that we are protecting British businesses and that we can get on and implement the trade deals we have agreed'. Ms Alexander said the Government would be introducing legislation 'to ensure that that happens', although this could take the form of regulations rather than a full Bill. Meanwhile, the head of industry body UK Steel, Gareth Stace, urged the Government to 'apply rocket boosters' to negotiations with the US on implementing the deal. Mr Stace said Mr Trump's decision to keep tariffs on British steel at 25% was a 'welcome pause' but warned that continuing uncertainty was making US customers 'dubious over whether they should even risk making UK orders'. The Government has pledged to keep working with the US to get the agreement up and running and the 25% tariff rate 'removed'. Those negotiations saw a meeting between Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and US trade representative Jamieson Greer in Paris on Tuesday at which the two men committed to working closely to implement the deal. President Trump just signed a proclamation raising tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by 50% to protect U.S. steel and national security.🇺🇸 THE GOLDEN AGE IS HERE! — The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 3, 2025 A spokesperson said: 'The UK was the first country to secure a trade deal with the US earlier this month and we remain committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors, including steel as part of our plan for change. 'We're pleased that as a result of our agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs. We will continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the 25% US tariffs on steel removed.' The Conservatives have said that Labour's 'botched negotiations have left businesses in limbo'. Shadow business and trade secretary Andrew Griffith said: 'Keir Starmer stood in front of the nation and insisted to the British public that his Labour government had achieved a trade deal with the US – and now one month later our industries face a fresh tariffs blow. 'So once again it seems that Keir Starmer's promise was just like the rest: hollow and broken. Labour's botched negotiations have left businesses in limbo and this country simply cannot afford their continuing failure.'
South Wales Guardian
04-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Government ‘confident' it can implement US deal in time to protect steel sector
US president Donald Trump exempted the UK from the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium that came into effect on Wednesday morning, saying he would 'provide different treatment' after the deal struck between London and Washington last month. The decision means that British steel exports will continue to face a 25% levy from America, rather than the higher rate, while negotiations continue on bringing the agreement into effect. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'As a result of our landmark deal with the US, UK steel won't be subject to additional tariffs. 'My Government will always protect British businesses and British jobs.' But the situation could still change again in July, when the US is set to either increase the tariffs to 50% or introduce the quotas in the US-UK agreement, effectively eradicating the tax, depending on whether the deal is implemented. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the BBC's Today programme on Wednesday she was 'really confident' that her Cabinet colleagues had the 'ability' and 'determination' to 'ensure that we are protecting British businesses and that we can get on and implement the trade deals we have agreed'. Ms Alexander said the Government would be introducing legislation 'to ensure that that happens', although this could take the form of regulations rather than a full Bill. Meanwhile, the head of industry body UK Steel, Gareth Stace, urged the Government to 'apply rocket boosters' to negotiations with the US on implementing the deal. Mr Stace said Mr Trump's decision to keep tariffs on British steel at 25% was a 'welcome pause' but warned that continuing uncertainty was making US customers 'dubious over whether they should even risk making UK orders'. The Government has pledged to keep working with the US to get the agreement up and running and the 25% tariff rate 'removed'. Those negotiations saw a meeting between Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and US trade representative Jamieson Greer in Paris on Tuesday at which the two men committed to working closely to implement the deal. President Trump just signed a proclamation raising tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by 50% to protect U.S. steel and national security.🇺🇸 THE GOLDEN AGE IS HERE! — The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 3, 2025 A spokesperson said: 'The UK was the first country to secure a trade deal with the US earlier this month and we remain committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors, including steel as part of our plan for change. 'We're pleased that as a result of our agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs. We will continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the 25% US tariffs on steel removed.' The Conservatives have said that Labour's 'botched negotiations have left businesses in limbo'. Shadow business and trade secretary Andrew Griffith said: 'Keir Starmer stood in front of the nation and insisted to the British public that his Labour government had achieved a trade deal with the US – and now one month later our industries face a fresh tariffs blow. 'So once again it seems that Keir Starmer's promise was just like the rest: hollow and broken. Labour's botched negotiations have left businesses in limbo and this country simply cannot afford their continuing failure.'
