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The Chinese Embassy in the UK Photo: the official website of the Chinese Embassy in the UKThe White House has reportedly warned Downing Street against allowing a Chinese embassy to be built near sensitive London financial centers, according to UK media. A Chinese expert said that the warn appears more like an emotional response to the recent growing China-UK and even China-European ties, noting that as China and the US are currently in a critical period of trade negotiations, it is hoped that the US side will demonstrate sincerity in the talks.China has been trying to redevelop former Royal Mint buildings near the Tower of London since it bought the site in 2018, the Times said.This project, however, faced setbacks in subsequent years due to anti-China forces manipulating public opinion in the UK.As China-UK engagement progresses, a shift in the situation has now emerged.Within a fortnight of British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves returning from an official visit to China this year, both Scotland Yard and Tower Hamlets council dropped their objections to the project, according to the Times.However, so-called fresh security concerns have been raised about the complex at Royal Mint Court because of its proximity to a sensitive hub of critical communication cables that could be susceptible to attack, according to UK media.A senior US official was quoted as claiming that "the US is deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications of one of our closest allies," per Times.US president Donald Trump has previously urged Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer to deny permission for the embassy and the issue has been raised in the trade negotiations, per the Times.Britain is locked in talks with the US about how to implement the trade deal that was signed last month. They have until July 9 to agree to a deal to avoid UK steel producers from being hit with a new 50 percent import tariffs, the Times reported.Asked what impact approving the super embassy would have on the US trade deal, the White House official appeared to issue a veiled threat. The UK media reported that "The US expects that all decisions will be taken with national security interests of both US and UK in mind and after thorough mitigation as recommended and approved by counterintelligence professionals. "Diplomats claimed that the Trump administration would have reservations about sharing intelligence with the UK if the embassy opened, according to the report.

Tata Steel will be beginning the construction of its state-of-the-art electric arc furnace (EAF) facility at Port Talbot, Wales, in July 2025, with production expected to commence by 2027. The company confirmed in its FY24-25 annual report that all key approvals for the $1.5 billion project are now in place.Backed by 500 million pounds in funding from the UK government, the project marks a major step in Tata Steel’s journey towards low-carbon steel production. Once operational, the EAF is projected to produce 3.2 million tonnes of low-emission steel annually and cut over 50 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions over the next decade.“We are now transitioning to decarbonised and state-of-the-art EAF-based steelmaking by FY2027-28, supported by 500 million pounds in the UK Government funding,” Tata Steel CEO & MD T V Narendran and executive director & CFO Koushik Chatterjee said in the company’s report.The decommissioning of two ageing blast furnaces at Port Talbot has already been completed, and the company has shifted to a downstream-focused model, using steel substrate sourced from its operations in India, the Netherlands, and other suppliers to serve its UK customers.“We have exited from steelmaking through the end-of-life heavy end assets in Port Talbot, and moved to a downstream model using imported substrate from India, the Netherlands and other external sources,,” a senior official explained.Tata Steel is also eyeing major cost rationalisation, aiming to reduce fixed costs from 762 million pounds in FY25 to 540 million pounds in the following year. This will be achieved through optimisation of input costs, streamlining of downstream operations, and IT modernisation.Chairman N Chandrasekaran said the company is firmly on track with its green transition. “ The decommissioning of two blast furnaces at Port Talbot, has cleared the way for the next-generation Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) project, supported by the UK government,” he said.The EAF facility will also make use of locally available scrap metal, further reinforcing the company’s move to a more sustainable and circular production model.

This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. LONDON: The UK will announce an extension of its ban on "destructive" seabed trawling to more than half of protected English seas at an UN Ocean Conference on Monday, its environment minister said. "Tomorrow at the UN Ocean Conference in France, I'll announce the government's plans to ban bottom trawling across 41 protected areas of English seas spanning 30,000 square kilometres," or 11,600 square miles, environment minister Steve Reed wrote in the Observer newspaper on Sunday.There are currently 181 Marine Protected Areas, covering 93,000 square kilometres (km2), or 40 per cent of English waters.Around 18,000 km2 of those waters are currently protected, a number that would rise to 48,000 km2 under the government's plans. "This will help conserve vulnerable underwater life and allow the seabed to recover from the damage caused by this destructive practice," Reed wrote.He said bottom trawling, in which heavy nets are pulled along the seabed, was "destroying the most vulnerable areas of our oceans". "Our seas will be irreversibly damaged if we don't act urgently," he wrote.World leaders started gathering on the French Riviera on Sunday ahead of the summit to tackle a deepening crisis in the oceans driven by overfishing, climate change and pollution.The United Nations says oceans face an "emergency" and the leaders gathering in Nice will be under pressure to commit money and stronger protections for the seas and the people who depend on them.

Scientists have issued an urgent warning to festivalgoers over a terrifying new drug that is sweeping the country. Nitazenes are ultra-powerful synthetic opioids, similar to fentanyl, which can be up to 500 times stronger than heroin. Originally used by criminals to supercharge weak heroin, nitazenes are now being cut into common party drugs and even pharmaceuticals. However, the big difference between nitazenes and heroin is that the synthetic variants are significantly stronger and much more deadly. This service was entirely legal until 2023 when the Conservative-led Home Office suddenly moved to block festivals from testing drugs.

From buttoned-up coats to modest midi dresses, and classic checks to elegant evening gowns, Meghan appears to be borrowing liberally from Kate’s style playbook, in a game of royal fashion déjà vu. Gone are the days of floppy fedoras and trilbies, in their place are elegant fascinators, structured pillboxes and tilted brims, staples of Kate’s royal wardrobe. We saw this look before when the Princess of Wales wore a similar style from Smythe during a royal visit to Essex in 2018. Dressed down in white shirts, belted bootcut jeans and flowing wavy hairstyles, both Meghan and Kate channeled western chic. In 2016 Meghan wore her own version of the style to an Instagram dinner in Toronto.

The Pope celebrated Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square in front of tens of thousands of faithful, and asked the Holy Spirit to “break down barriers and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred”. The Pope also condemned wars which “are plaguing our world”, and asked the Holy Spirit for “the gift of peace”. Soon after becoming Pope, Leo pledged to work for unity and peace. His first message: “Peace be with you all,” set the importance of peace as a pillar of his papacy. He has also appealed for a genuine and just peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza.

The actor, who is the son of late reality star Jade Goody and former footballer Jeff Brazier, was named runner up of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. Brazier, who plays Freddie Slater in the BBC soap, will leave Albert Square by the end of this year, reports The Sun. A BBC spokesperson told Newsquest: “We can confirm Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.”Bobby Brazier to leave EastEnders role after 4 yearsA TV insider told The Sun that EastEnders bosses met with Bobby at a time when he was already thinking about making his exit. They added: “The timing of the decision worked for both, but his final scenes are not for a while yet. Ahead of last year's Soccer Aid football match, Bobby trained with his dad Jeff but he won't be taking part in the charity event this year.

Mr Yusuf said his decision to stand down had been the result of “exhaustion” and working for 11 months “without a day off”. Party leader Nigel Farage, speaking to the Sunday Times newspaper alongside Mr Yusuf, said the former chairman will now effectively be doing “four jobs”, though his title has not yet been decided. Mr Yusuf said he was quitting Reform following the latest in a series of internal rows, in which he described a question to the Prime Minister concerning a ban on burkas from his party’s newest MP as “dumb”. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said Zia Yusuf has done a ‘brilliant job’ for the party (Jonathan Brady/PA)On Sunday, it was put to Mr Tice that it does not look very professional for Reform’s chairman to be in, out, then back in again. So it’s great news he’s with us.”Meanwhile, shadow home secretary Chris Philp called Reform UK a “protest party” and said it is offering “populist policies that are essentially Liz Truss on steroids”.

John Giddings, who has run the Isle of Wight Festival since it restarted in 2002, said performers need to be able to “deliver” to a crowd and not just keep their attention on a phone screen. The 72-year-old, who represents artists ranging from Blondie to Phil Collins, told the PA news agency: “It’s gut feeling, really. “But you’ve got to be prepared for everything and it’s quality of performance, really. “I do know artists who’ve had a million views on TikTok who can’t sell 300 tickets at a club in London. “It’s the most satisfying thing ever to provide entertainment for people.”The Isle of Wight Festival 2025, which is being headlined by Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake, runs from June 19 to 22 at Seaclose Park, Newport.

Not only does this minimise the risk of accidents, but incorrectly letting an ambulance pass could result in a fine of up to £1,000. The Highway Code instructs motorists to give way to vehicles with flashing lights, including police cars, fire engines, ambulances and emergency doctors. But if you break the law while doing so, for example by entering a yellow box junction or bus lane, or by driving through a red light, penalties may be severe. Not only can you be fined, but some offences can also add three penalty points to your licence. The Highway Codes states: "You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens, or flashing headlights, or traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights."

Eng vs WI: When and where to watch in India? Liam Dawson bowled a Player of the Match spell and scalped 4 wickets for 20 runs in his four overs. England won the next two games by three and seven wickets, respectively.The second T20I between England and West Indies will be broadcast live Sony Sports 1. The fixture will be streamed live on SonyLiv and FanCode apps.The match will start at 7:00 pm IST. The toss will take place at 6:30 pm IST.From Bristol, the action will move to Southampton for the third T20I.

Self Portrait blew what little goodwill listeners had left for Dylan out of the water. Self Portrait started it all. Every release Dylan has made since Self Portrait has served the self, not the audience, not the message of the times, but the pursuit of completing Dylan. Those little flickers of the past, the slight connections, are what keep Self Portrait frustratingly relevant for Dylan. They spoke with their cash, catapulting Self Portrait to the top of the charts in the UK and fourth, close enough, in the United States.

The American musician was joined on stage by the 82-year-old Beatles star during the second of two shows at Anfield stadium on Saturday, with Sir Paul then providing vocals as the pair played the band’s Can’t Buy Me Love. Sir Paul McCartney previously performed with Bruce Springsteen at Glastonbury in 2022 (Danny Lawson/PA)Footage shared on social media showed the surprised crowd cheering loudly as Sir Paul was introduced, before he then playfully pointed at Springsteen and the pair shared an embrace. Before he left the stage after their performance, Sir Paul addressed the crowd and reportedly said: “Thank you, Scousers.”The two men have previously performed together on several occasions, most notably when Sir Paul delivered a headline set at Glastonbury in 2022. Announced as a surprise all the way from the east coast of America, Springsteen joined Sir Paul, who became the festival’s oldest solo headliner, as they played hits Glory Days and I Wanna Be Your Man on the Pyramid Stage. In 2012, Sir Paul had joined Springsteen on stage at the end of the singer’s headline slot at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park, London, but both stars found their microphones cut off before they could address the crowds after exceeding the curfew.