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Vitali Klitschko tells Sky News his message to Donald Trump | World News

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Vitali Klitschko tells Sky News his message to Donald Trump | World News

Vitali Klitschko has urged Donald Trump “to be on the side of Ukraine” during peace talks with Russia – but the mayor of Kyiv admitted to Sky News he sometimes finds the president’s messaging hard to understand.

Speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, the former world heavyweight boxing champion said it was “critically important” to have Washington on his country’s side in its battle against Russia.

Asked if he is confident the US president will support Ukraine‘s attempts to hold as much of its territory as possible during peace negotiations, Mr Klitschko said: “It’s the United States, it’s very important. It’s critically important.”

He argued the US could secure wider stability by supporting Kyiv, adding: “If we defend our national interest, if we’re talking about the peace, if we’re talking about democracy, the Trump administration has to be on the side of Ukraine.

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“Ukraine is the largest country in Europe and the stability in the largest countries in Europe can bring the stability of the whole region.”

But asked if he trusts Mr Trump, Mr Klitschko – who has been mayor of the capital since 2014 – had to take a lengthy pause before saying: “I try to trust him, but sometimes I don’t understand clearly the messages from President Trump regarding peace in Ukraine. Peace in Ukraine is very important.”

The state of peace talks

US-brokered peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv are ongoing, and the latest round took place in Geneva earlier this week.

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White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that “meaningful progress” had been made – but speaking in his nightly address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was dissatisfied with the talks.

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Zelenskyy has said he is displeased with the latest peace talks. Pic: Reuters

“As of today, we cannot say that the result is sufficient,” the Ukrainian president said. “The military discussed certain issues seriously ‌and substantively.

“Sensitive political matters, possible compromises and the necessary meeting of leaders have not yet been sufficiently addressed.”

Mr Klitschko told Sky News any peace deal should not be a “capitulation agreement”.

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Ukraine battles to keep Russia banned from football

Speaking to Reuters news agency on the condition of anonymity, five of Europe’s intelligence chiefs this week said they believe Russia does not want to end the war quickly.

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Four claimed Moscow is using the peace talks to push for sanctions relief and business deals, with one stating: “Russia is not seeking a peace agreement. They are seeking their strategic goals, and those have not changed.”

Russia and Ukraine launch overnight strikes

Mr Klitschko’s comments came after Kyiv said on Saturday morning that it had struck an industrial site deep inside Russia.

Ukraine said it hit a Russian plant manufacturing ballistic missiles in the remote Udmurtia region.

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Alexander Brechalov, the region’s governor, ​said there had been “damage and injuries” after a site was attacked overnight with drones.

Residents look at a building hit by a Russian drone strike in Odesa on Saturday. Pic: Reuters
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Residents look at a building hit by a Russian drone strike in Odesa on Saturday. Pic: Reuters

Russia also attacked Ukraine overnight into Saturday, launching 120 drones and one ballistic missile, Ukraine’s air force said.

Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa region, said drones had damaged civilian and energy infrastructure facilities, including a secondary school and an energy company’s warehouses.

Two people were injured, he said in a statement on Telegram.

Watch the full interview with Vitali Klitschko on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips at 8.30am.

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Helen Flanagan supported by former Corrie stars in Bolton

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Helen Flanagan supported by former Corrie stars in Bolton

The former Coronation Street star, best known for playing Rosie Webster, took her last bow in The Memory of Water at the Octagon on February 21, cheered on by her former on-screen mum and sister.

Sally Dynevor, who has played Sally Webster since 1986, and Brooke Vincent, who portrayed Sophie Webster for 15 years, reunited with Helen away from the cobbles as they attended the closing night of the darkly comic family drama.

The trio shared many of Corrie’s most memorable Webster family storylines over the years, from teenage rebellion and family fallouts to illness and relationship drama, making the Bolton reunion a nostalgic moment for fans.

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The Webster women’s reunion came as Helen completed her run in Shelagh Stephenson’s The Memory of Water, a poignant and sharply funny play centred on three sisters who reunite at their childhood home on the eve of their mother’s funeral.

The drama explores themes of grief, sibling rivalry and the fragility of memory, including the impact of their mother’s Alzheimer’s, blending biting humour with emotional revelations.

The production’s closing night brought a familiar Coronation Street reunion to Bolton, as Dynevor and Vincent turned out to support their former co-star.

For fans of the long-running ITV soap, it marked a full-circle moment – with Flanagan returning to her North West roots on stage at one of the region’s best-known theatres.

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Six Nations 2026: Wales loss to Scotland gut-wrenching – Dewi Lake

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Dewi Lake after Wales' defeat by Scotland

Tandy enjoyed an autumn win against Japan but was agonisingly close to a first statement victory of his reign.

Wales led at half-time for the first time since under his charge and were 20-5 and 23-12 in front at times of the second half. But ultimately they were left with just a losing bonus-point.

“I’m bitterly disappointed not to win the game but have massive pride in the group,” said Tandy.

“That was a step in the right direction but we’ve got to be better next time. There was a lot to like in the first half with how we attacked the game. That was excellent.”

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After French fans took over Principality Stadium in round two, Tandy hailed the impact of the home backing from a crowd of 70,649 inside the Principality Stadium.

“The support today was incredible. There are lots of questions asked about the crowds, but they were unbelievable,” said Tandy.

“Everyone felt it. The players gave them something to cheer about, but ultimately they got behind the team. It’s a snapshot of what we want to be.”

Scarlets pair Taine Plumtree and Sam Costelow look unlikely to play again in the tournament.

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Back-row Plumtree (shoulder) and fly-half Costelow (lower leg) are to undergo scans on Monday.

“Sam doesn’t look good,” said Tandy.

“He’s been through a lot in his Wales career with not being involved in the autumn but we backed him to come back in and he really took that opportunity.

“He was fantastic with the way he drove the team forward in that first half. It’s such a shame for him that it ended with injury.”

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‘Terrible beauty Scotland reverse the narrative on extraordinary day’

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Storyville: The Price of Gold

Wales? Brilliant but beaten, losers on the day but with so much to build on – and a little bit to complain about, too. If that Turner try ended up being the decisive moment in the game there was another moment, on 64 minutes, that could have filled that slot.

Wales were ahead 23-19 at the time. Into the Scotland 22 they went and won a penalty. They could have backheeled it over, had it stood, which it didn’t. The TMO got involved and a call was made against Tomos Williams for a croc roll on Rory Darge that didn’t look like a croc roll.

Penalty reversed. A shot for 26-19 gone. Turner drove over soon after and that was that. Back from the cliff edge Scotland stepped and into the coming weeks they go with France to play at home and Ireland away.

A formidable finale to their tournament, but at least they’re alive and not without hope of achieving something tangible. Whatever happens against France they will be playing for a Triple Crown in Dublin. They haven’t won it since 1990.

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What is it about this fixture that produces such hair-raisers? What is it about those Scotland jerseys that makes the Welsh believe in themselves?

From the get-go, they were terrific. Scotland forced things and got found out. They tried to go wide at every turn, but got smashed. Even when Joe Hawkins was binned after five minutes Wales grew stronger. Carre scored while they were down to 14. Those awful Welsh starts in so many recent Test matches? Forget it.

Scotland coughed up chances, then scored one, then conceded another. They had little composure and no control. Wales would not allow it. Sam Costelow made it 17-5 after half an hour. Red flags all over the place now.

Townsend didn’t hang about. Thirty-five minutes played and he hauled off Nathan McBeth, his loosehead, and Max Williamson, one of his locks. Fortunes did not change, not immediately. Scotland’s looseness carried on. So did the Welsh scoring; 20-5 now.

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Fatalism kicks in at that point. Here we go again. Another Cardiff catastrophe. Jungle drums beating. Townsend must go. Everybody must go.

Huw Jones, one of the most formidable attackers in the history of the Scotland team, dropped a ball with the try-line close at hand. When the likes of Jones are making a mess of things you start to fear the worst. You crank up the obits.

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Donald Trump announces he will raise new global tariffs to 15%

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Manchester Evening News

He took to Truth Social to announce the new tariffs

Donald Trump has announced he will up the global tariffs to 15 per cent after the Supreme Court struck down his previous import taxes.

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The latest tariffs are up from those Trump announced just last night, declaring that there would be a 10% global tariff on “all countries”. After the court ruled he did not have the emergency power to impose many sweeping tariffs, Trump signed an executive order on Friday night that enabled him to bypass Congress and impose the 10pc tax.

Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs”, imposed on most of the rest of the world last April under an emergency powers law, were overturned by the US Supreme Court on Friday (February 20) in a blow to the president’s economic agenda. Speaking last night, Trump said he was “absolutely ashamed” of justices who voted to strike down his tariffs and called the ruling “deeply disappointing”.

Under the order Trump signed on Friday night, the 10pc tariff was scheduled to take effect from February 24.

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The tariffs can only remain in place for around five months, 150 days, before the administration must seek congressional approval before they can be extended. The tariffs will be the maximum amount allowed by US law.

In a post on Truth social today, Trump wrote: “Based on a thorough, detailed, and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision on Tariffs issued yesterday, after MANY months of contemplation, by the United States Supreme Court, please let this statement serve to represent that I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10pc Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of which have been “ripping” the U.S. off for decades, without retribution (until I came along!), to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15pc level.

“During the next short number of months, the Trump Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again – GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

In addition to the temporary tariffs, the president said on Friday that he was also pursuing tariffs through other sections of federal law which require an investigation by the Commerce Department.

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Earlier today, Sir Ed Davey has insisted that the UK Government should sue US President Donald Trump for $100 billion for damages caused to the UK by trade tariffs.

The Lib Dem leader branded Mr Trump the “most dangerous, damaging US president of modern times” as he welcomed a “brilliant” decision by the US Supreme Court on Friday which struck down trade tariffs imposed by the president last April.

Sir Ed told the Scottish Liberal Democrats conference that the UK Government should now take legal action against the White House.

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Security incident sees police put cordons in place as public asked to avoid area

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Belfast Live

PSNI said a number of cordons are in place

A security incident is currently taking place in Co Derry.

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Police have issued a warning to the public to stay away while the incident is taking place.

A spokesperson from PSNI said: “Police are currently at the scene of a security alert in the Oakland Terrace area of Upperlands, Maghera.

READ MORE: Public urged to stay away as police deal with stabbing incidentREAD MORE: Gallery: Co Armagh business left with ‘over 1m in damages’ after fire

“A number of cordons are in place at the junctions with Culnady Road and Well Lane.

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“Please avoid the area.”

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Chelsea FC: How many games will Wesley Fofana miss after Burnley red card?

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Chelsea FC: How many games will Wesley Fofana miss after Burnley red card?

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana is facing a suspension after being sent off in the 1-1 draw against Burnley.

Referee Lewis Smith wasted no time in brandishing a second yellow card for the Frenchman, who was booked in the first half for a foul on Hannibal.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior, in response to the red card, immediately brought on Tosin Adarabioyo for Cole Palmer in an attempt to shore up the defence.

Later on Rosenior introduced three more defenders in Jorrel Hato, Josh Acheampong and Mamadou Sarr – for his Premier League debut – as the Blues attempted to hold on to the lead given to them by Joao Pedro in the fourth minute.

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Those decisions would backfire on the Blues boss as Burnley took full advantage of the extra man, with Zian Flemming heading home Ward-Prowse’s corner in stoppage time to earn a priceless point for the visitors.

How many games will Wesley Fofana miss?

Due to Fofana being sent off for two bookable offences, he will serve a one-game suspension.

Had he been dismissed for violent conduct, then a minimum three-match ban would have been his punishment.

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Gemma Bissix to return to EastEnders as Clare Bates for ’emotional reunion’

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Gemma Bissix to return to EastEnders as Clare Bates for ’emotional reunion’

EastEnders has worked with Dementia UK for the ongoing storyline, which has also seen returns from popular characters such as Debbie Bates, Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) in the form of hallucinations, as Nigel experiences worsening dementia symptoms.

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Eleven protesters arrested in Manchester city centre

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Bolton man arrested in fraud investigation by Yorkshire police

The demonstrations, including a Britain First march and counter-protests, took place across central Manchester and prompted a major policing operation..

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that nine of those arrested remain in custody.

Of the 11 arrests, two men were held on suspicion of breaching the peace, two for assaulting emergency workers, and four for public order offences.

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One of those arrested on public order grounds was later de-arrested and served with a summons.

Another man, detained under the Crime and Disorder Act, was also de-arrested and issued a dispersal notice.

Other arrests included one man for assault and another for breaching a dispersal notice.

A section 34 dispersal order remained in place until 8pm tonight, allowing officers to direct people to leave the area.

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Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson, gold commander for the operation, said:

“Manchester was expected to be extremely busy today, with multiple planned protests in the city centre as well as several football matches.

“We put extra officers on duty to support people’s right to protest peacefully while reducing the impact on the wider public.

“Thanks to the efforts of our officers on the ground and the planning done with our partners, hundreds of people from a range of groups were able to come together safely, with no significant issues reported.

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“Greater Manchester is a place where people can confidently and lawfully express their views, while ensuring that residents, workers, and visitors can go about their day feeling safe.”

The force confirmed that the policing operation involved additional resources, pre-prepared plans, and coordination with partner agencies to manage the day’s events.

The protests were part of a wider day of events that included several football matches.

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JPMorgan Chase admits closing Trump’s accounts after Capitol riot

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JPMorgan Chase admits closing Trump's accounts after Capitol riot

NEW YORK (AP) — JPMorgan Chase acknowledged for the first time that it closed the bank accounts of President Donald Trump and several of his businesses in the political and legal aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol, the latest development in a legal saga between the president and the nation’s biggest bank over the issue known as “debanking.”

The acknowledgment came in a court filing submitted this week in Trump’s lawsuit against the bank and its leader, Jamie Dimon. The president sued for $5 billion, alleging that his accounts were closed for political reasons, disrupting his business operations.

“In February 2021, JPMorgan informed Plaintiffs that certain accounts maintained with JPMorgan’s CB and PB would be closed,” JPMorgan’s former chief administrative officer Dan Wilkening wrote in the court filing. The “PB” and “CB” stands for JPMorgan’s private bank and commercial bank.

Until now, JPMorgan has never admitted it closed the president’s accounts in writing after Jan. 6. The bank would only speak hypothetically about when the bank closes accounts and its reasons for closing accounts, citing bank privacy laws.

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A spokeswoman for the bank declined to comment beyond what the bank said in its legal filings.

Trump originally sued JPMorgan in Florida state court, where Trump’s primary residence is now located. The filings this week are part of an effort by JPMorgan Chase to have the case both moved from state to federal court and to have the jurisdiction of the case moved to New York, which is where the bank accounts were located and where Trump kept much of his business operations until recently.

Trump originally accused the bank of trade libel and violating state and federal unfair and deceptive trade practices.

In the original lawsuit, Trump said he tried to raise the issue personally with Dimon after the bank sent him notices that JPMorgan would close his accounts, and that Dimon assured Trump he would figure out what was happening. The lawsuit alleges Dimon failed to follow up with Trump.

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Further, Trump’s lawyers allege that JPMorgan placed the president and his companies on a reputational “blacklist” that both JPMorgan and other banks use to keep clients from opening accounts with them in the future. The blacklist has yet to be defined by the president’s lawyers.

“If and when Plaintiffs explain what they mean by this “blacklist,” JPMorgan will respond accordingly,” the bank’s lawyers said in a filing.

JPMorgan has previously said that while it regrets that Trump felt the need to sue the bank, the lawsuit has no merit.

The issue of debanking is at the center of the case. Debanking occurs when a bank closes the accounts of a customer or refuses to do business with a customer in the form of loans or other services. Once a relatively obscure issue in finance, debanking has become a politically charged issue in recent years, with conservative politicians arguing that banks have discriminated against them and their affiliated interests.

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“In a devastating concession that proves President Trump’s entire claim, JPMorgan Chase admitted to unlawfully and intentionally de-banking President Trump, his family, and his businesses, causing overwhelming financial harm,” the president’s lawyers said in a statement. President Trump is standing up for all those wrongly debanked by JPMorgan Chase and its cohorts, and will see this case to a just and proper conclusion.”

Debanking first became a national issue when conservatives accused the Obama administration of pressuring banks to stop extending services to gun stores and payday lenders under “Operation Choke Point.”

Trump and other conservative figures have alleged that banks cut them off from their accounts under the umbrella term of “reputational risk” after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Since Trump came back into office, the president’s banking regulators have moved to stop any banks from using “reputational risk” as a reason for denying service to customers.

This is not the first lawsuit Trump has filed against a big bank alleging that he was debanked. The Trump Organization sued credit card giant Capital One in March 2025 for similar reasons and allegations. The case is ongoing.

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A66 near Darlington to close overnight for six weeks

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A66 near Darlington to close overnight for six weeks

From February 22, National Highways will begin work on the A66 Neasham roundabout and the A66 Morton Palms roundabout.

The scheme will also see the resurfacing of the A66 approaches to both roundabouts. The overnight programme will run between 8pm and 6am.

The A66 Neasham Road roundabout near Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

National Highways said: “We need to resurface the A66 Neasham roundabout and the A66 Morton Palms roundabout. We’ll also be resurfacing the A66 approaches to both roundabouts.

“To do this work safely, we’ll be using a variety of traffic management control measures, including traffic lights with convoy running and some road closures with diversions.

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“There will also be a mandatory reduction of the speed limit to 40mph for the duration of the work.

“Some of this work will be noisy, and we apologise in advance for any disruption caused.”

Drivers can expect traffic lights with convoy running during some phases of the scheme, along with full road closures and signed diversions at other times.

A mandatory 40mph speed limit will be in place for the duration of the works.

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Motorists are being urged to plan and allow extra time for journeys while the improvements are carried out.

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