Latest news with #LancasterHouse
Bloomberg
9 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
China and US Holding Second Day of Trade Talks in London
The US and China resumed talks into a second day in London, with financial markets on edge as the world's largest economies try to agree to allow exports of key tech and industrial goods and avoid escalating their trade war. The teams led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng were reconvening Tuesday just after 10:40 a.m. at Lancaster House. The Georgian-era mansion near Buckingham Palace has hosted major addresses by UK prime ministers, speeches by central bank governors and parties for Britain's royal family.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
US, China Trade Talks to Continue Tuesday After Day One Wraps
Trade talks between the US and China will continue into a second day, according to a US official, as the two sides look to ease tensions over shipments of technology and rare earth elements. Representatives for both nations ended their first day of negotiations in London after more than six hours of discussions at Lancaster House, a 19th century mansion near Buckingham Palace. The talks concluded around 8 p.m. London time. The advisers will meet again Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the British capital, the official said.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
The ‘Keynote Speaker'
A keynote speaker is typically the main speaker at an event, conference or meeting, and their speech is often the highlight of the program. Therefore, the keynote speaker has to be chosen carefully with the following characteristics in mind: Expertise: Keynote speakers are often experts in their field, with a deep understanding of the topic they are speaking about. Charisma: A good keynote speaker is engaging, charismatic, and able to hold the audience's attention. Inspiration: Keynote speakers often aim to inspire and motivate their audience, leaving a lasting impression. Storytelling: Many keynote speakers use storytelling techniques to make their message more relatable. Unfortunately, Pakistan has a dearth of meaningful keynote speakers. Some great speakers of yore are still around, but slowly losing their relevance. The young generation wants to hear new ideas and concepts. They want verve, vibe and excitement. But the people who know rarely speak and those that speak rarely know. The current restrictions on free expression have become a worldwide trend. But amusing anecdotes abound. At the height of the decolonization era, circa 1956, Lancaster House London was a happening place. One evening, a leader of a large African state, soon to be independent, was the chief guest and keynote speaker at a dinner. He was seated to the right of the British Prime Minister as per tradition. Seated next to him was a London matron, a highly influential politician. In an effort to keep the African leader engaged she quietly asked him 'You like soupee, soupee?' (when the soup was served). He nodded his head yes, yes. So on as the meal progressed. 'You like fishy, fishy?' 'You like sweety, sweety?' (dessert). After dinner it was the African leader's turn to speak. He walked to the rostrum and delivered a 20-minute address in immaculate English. A standing ovation. He returned to his seat, turned to the lady and asked politely 'you like speechee, speechee?' Winston Churchill was an epic orator (much has been written on the subject in this newspaper). One of his lesser-known quips –Churchill absolutely did not like Harold MacMillan. It was mutual. One afternoon Churchill was standing outside Westminster with two party colleagues. A London taxi pulled up. Churchill remarked, 'aah an empty taxi. Soon Harold MacMillian will emerge'. Keynote speakers should hail from a wide spectrum, depending on the host organization: Industry Experts: Specialist in a particular field sharing knowledge and insights. Thought leaders: Visionaries who challenged conventional wisdom and offer new perspectives. Motivational speakers: Speakers who focus on inspiring and motivating their audience. Celebrity speakers: Well-known personalities who share their experiences and insights. As the Executive Director of the Management Association of Pakistan (2000 - 2008) I constantly faced the dilemma of credible keynote speakers. Two instances stand out. In September 2001, MAP (Management Association of Pakistan) had invited Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman of Emirates Airlines. I had cultivated Maurice very carefully as a supporter of MAP and Pakistan. After the seminar Maurice Flanagan and myself were to fly to Islamabad. The next morning Maurice was to have a serious meeting with President Pervaiz Musharraf and his team. The agenda: to increase the intake of aviation professionals from Pakistan into Emirates Airlines. A significant step. The Karachi event was planned for 14 September 2001. Unfortunately, the New York event happened on 9/11. Our event in Karachi was cancelled. Much later MAP was planning a major seminar on geopolitics. I had written to Mr. Colin Powell, the then secretary of state of US government, but was not hopeful of a response. Eventually, we (MAP) did receive a letter from Secretary Powell, signed by him, politely declining the event due to prior commitments, but committing to sending a senior official from the State Department. I later learned that Secretary Powell's office made an inquiry from the US Embassy in Islamabad/Karachi about the credentials of the Management Association. They received positive feedback. Secretary Powell passed away a few years ago. RIP. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Times Letters: Mixed success of Starmer's reset with the EU
Sir, The much-vaunted EU-UK summit turned out to be more of a beginning than an end. For all the talk of agricultural deals, defence industrial co-operation, pet passports and working together to combat irregular migration, precious little was signed at Lancaster House yesterday. Rather, the two sides have agreed to work together to put flesh on the bones of these areas for further co-operation. Not that this is a criticism: simply recognising how much more could be done to improve the relationship is an achievement in itself. But it is one that should be viewed in the context of the clear asymmetry that the talks revealed. Two substantive deals were actually signed. The first allowed the EU access to UK fishing waters until 2038; the
Sky News
19-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Politics latest: Minister claims UK-EU deal could add £90bn to British economy - but PM faces backlash over fishing
The deal is done - but what's in it? Sir Keir Starmer has finally come to a post-Brexit deal with the European Union after lengthy negotiations - and a fair few difficult sticking points. The reset deal was finalised at around 7am after a long night of negotiations, with European leaders now joining Starmer at Lancaster House. What's been confirmed by Downing Street today UK holidaymakers will be able to use more eGates in Europe; Pets will also be able to travel more easily, with the return of "pet passports" for British cats and dogs; A new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement will make it easier for food and drink to be imported and exported - and likely cause a fall in prices. Downing Street said some routine checks on animal and plant products will be "removed completely"; The UK will also be able to sell various products, such as burgers and sausages, back into the EU again; There will be "closer co-operation on emissions" through linking our respective Emissions Trading Systems, No 10 said. This will "improve the UK's energy security and avoid businesses being hit by the EU's carbon tax due to come in next year"; British steel exports will be protected from new EU rules and restrictive tariffs, through a bespoke arrangement for the UK that will save UK steel £25m per year; The UK will "enter talks" about access to EU "facial images data" for the first time. Downing Street says this will "enhance" the UK's ability to "catch dangerous criminals". This is additional to what we knew this morning: The EU wanted permanent access to UK waters for fishing, but they have agreed to access for 12 years; There will be no change to the current access for UK fishing communities, with no reduction in British quotas or increase in the amount the EU is allowed to catch; Talks are continuing on a youth mobility scheme to allow people aged 18-30 in the UK and the EU to move freely between countries for a limited period of time; Agreement of a Security and Defence Partnership, which will pave the way for the UK defence industry to participate in the EU's proposed new £150bn defence fund. The prime minister said it is now "time to look forward". "To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people."
