Documents containing Theresa May's detailed travel plans have been left on a train.
A schedule of the Prime Minister's trip to the North West and the address of a hotel she was due to stay in were among the details included in the papers.
Downing Street has launched an investigation into how the blunder, which has been branded a "serious security breach", can have occurred.
The documents were found in the first class compartment of a train heading to Edinburgh, the Daily Mirror reported.
The paper said plans for a call to the NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg and arrangements for a dinner in Altrincham were also included in the dossier.
Mrs May flew from RAF Northolt, west London, to Manchester before heading to a science park in Warrington for a visit on 23 January.
She was later due to travel by car to the Mere Hotel in Knutsford, Cheshire, and then to fly back to London.
It is not clear how the items came to be on a train.
Former royal bodyguard Inspector Ken Wharfe told the Mirror that leaving travel documents on a train was "inexcusable" and a "serious security breach".
A Government spokesman said: "We have been made aware of claims around a Government document and will investigate accordingly."
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Bus driver kills 34 speeding away from accident in Haiti
A bus driver has killed 34 people after ploughing into pedestrians while trying to speed away from a fatal accident in Haiti.
The incident began when the driver mowed down two pedestrians - killing one.
While trying to speed away he ran over a group of street musicians.
Officials have put the death toll at 34, with another 17 people injured.
Early reports suggested the driver had been taken to a police station - but it later emerged he had fled.
The collision happened in the Haitian city of Gonaives - about 90 miles outside Port-au-Prince - at 3am on Sunday.
Emergency workers took the injured to hospital, while police tried to control an angry crowd at the scene.
"The people who were not victims of the accident tried to burn the bus with the passengers inside," said Faustin Joseph, civic protection coordinator for the area.
"The bus, the passengers and the driver were all placed into the care of the local authorities."
The musicians were taking part in a rara parade, which involves playing traditional instruments and being joined by passers-by.
Haitian roads are dangerous and chaotic, with few rules observed by pedestrians and drivers.
The incident began when the driver mowed down two pedestrians - killing one.
While trying to speed away he ran over a group of street musicians.
Officials have put the death toll at 34, with another 17 people injured.
Early reports suggested the driver had been taken to a police station - but it later emerged he had fled.
The collision happened in the Haitian city of Gonaives - about 90 miles outside Port-au-Prince - at 3am on Sunday.
Emergency workers took the injured to hospital, while police tried to control an angry crowd at the scene.
"The people who were not victims of the accident tried to burn the bus with the passengers inside," said Faustin Joseph, civic protection coordinator for the area.
"The bus, the passengers and the driver were all placed into the care of the local authorities."
The musicians were taking part in a rara parade, which involves playing traditional instruments and being joined by passers-by.
Haitian roads are dangerous and chaotic, with few rules observed by pedestrians and drivers.
Web creator Sir Tim Berners-Lee wants crackdown on fake news
The inventor of the World Wide Web has expressed his fears about fake news, as he unveiled plans to tackle "unethical" political advertising and the harvesting of data.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee said in an open letter marking 28 years since his invention that the misuse of data has created a "chilling effect on free speech" and warned of "internet blind spots" that are corrupting democracy.
The British computer scientist, 61, said one problem is that most people get their news and information from a "handful" of social media sites and search engines, which are paid whenever someone clicks a link.
"The net result is that these sites show us content they think we'll click on - meaning that misinformation, or fake news, which is surprising, shocking, or designed to appeal to our biases, can spread like wildfire," Sir Tim added.
"And through the use of data science and armies of bots, those with bad intentions can game the system to spread misinformation for financial or political gain."
Companies and governments are using widespread data collection to "trample on our rights", leading to bloggers being arrested and killed by repressive regimes, he said.
"But even in countries where we believe governments have citizens' best interests at heart, watching everyone all the time is simply going too far," Sir Tim wrote.
"It creates a chilling effect on free speech and stops the web from being used as a space to explore important topics, such as sensitive health issues, sexuality or religion."
Sir Tim also hit out at politicians for targeting voters using sophisticated algorithms to tailor messages to ones they will support.
"Targeted advertising allows a campaign to say completely different, possibly conflicting things to different groups. Is that democratic?" he said.
Sir Tim, who submitted his original proposal for the web on 12 March 1989, urged people to lobby for greater protection laws and for Google and Facebook increase their efforts to tackle fake news.
He said the online "blind spot" in political campaigning must be closed, while alternative revenue streams must be looked at to ensure data is not sold so indiscriminately.
The Web Foundation, which Sir Tim set up in 2009, will work on these issues in a five-year strategy.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee said in an open letter marking 28 years since his invention that the misuse of data has created a "chilling effect on free speech" and warned of "internet blind spots" that are corrupting democracy.
The British computer scientist, 61, said one problem is that most people get their news and information from a "handful" of social media sites and search engines, which are paid whenever someone clicks a link.
"The net result is that these sites show us content they think we'll click on - meaning that misinformation, or fake news, which is surprising, shocking, or designed to appeal to our biases, can spread like wildfire," Sir Tim added.
"And through the use of data science and armies of bots, those with bad intentions can game the system to spread misinformation for financial or political gain."
Companies and governments are using widespread data collection to "trample on our rights", leading to bloggers being arrested and killed by repressive regimes, he said.
"But even in countries where we believe governments have citizens' best interests at heart, watching everyone all the time is simply going too far," Sir Tim wrote.
"It creates a chilling effect on free speech and stops the web from being used as a space to explore important topics, such as sensitive health issues, sexuality or religion."
Sir Tim also hit out at politicians for targeting voters using sophisticated algorithms to tailor messages to ones they will support.
"Targeted advertising allows a campaign to say completely different, possibly conflicting things to different groups. Is that democratic?" he said.
Sir Tim, who submitted his original proposal for the web on 12 March 1989, urged people to lobby for greater protection laws and for Google and Facebook increase their efforts to tackle fake news.
He said the online "blind spot" in political campaigning must be closed, while alternative revenue streams must be looked at to ensure data is not sold so indiscriminately.
The Web Foundation, which Sir Tim set up in 2009, will work on these issues in a five-year strategy.
Boris Johnson warns Russia is up to 'all sorts of dirty tricks'
Boris Johnson has warned that Russia is capable of undermining the democratic process and is up to "all sorts of dirty tricks".
His comments come as spy chiefs warn British political party leaders about the threat of Russian hacking at the next general election.
A senior Government source has confirmed to Sky News a cyber security summit will be held to discuss fears of interference from Moscow.
Officials at GCHQ, the UK's eavesdropping agency, fear Russian hackers could steal and leak internal emails or publish private databases of voters' political views, according to the Sunday Times.
The National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of GCHQ, offered in the letter to party leaders to help strengthen the parties' security systems, the newspaper said.
"You will be aware of the coverage of events in the United States, Germany and elsewhere reminding us of the potential for hostile action against the UK political system," the letter from chief executive Ciaran Martin reportedly stated.
"This is not just about the network security of political parties' own systems.
"Attacks against our democratic processes go beyond this and can include attacks on parliament, constituency offices, think tanks and pressure groups and individuals' email accounts."
Fears over potential Russian interference have heightened in recent months, amid allegations of meddling in the electoral processes of a number of countries.
US spy chiefs have accused Moscow of trying to influence November's presidential election.
His comments come as spy chiefs warn British political party leaders about the threat of Russian hacking at the next general election.
A senior Government source has confirmed to Sky News a cyber security summit will be held to discuss fears of interference from Moscow.
Officials at GCHQ, the UK's eavesdropping agency, fear Russian hackers could steal and leak internal emails or publish private databases of voters' political views, according to the Sunday Times.
The National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of GCHQ, offered in the letter to party leaders to help strengthen the parties' security systems, the newspaper said.
"You will be aware of the coverage of events in the United States, Germany and elsewhere reminding us of the potential for hostile action against the UK political system," the letter from chief executive Ciaran Martin reportedly stated.
"This is not just about the network security of political parties' own systems.
"Attacks against our democratic processes go beyond this and can include attacks on parliament, constituency offices, think tanks and pressure groups and individuals' email accounts."
Fears over potential Russian interference have heightened in recent months, amid allegations of meddling in the electoral processes of a number of countries.
US spy chiefs have accused Moscow of trying to influence November's presidential election.
Theresa May to trigger Brexit as early as Tuesday - sources
Theresa May is set to trigger Britain's exit from the EU as early as Tuesday next week as Labour peers indicated they were ready to pass her Brexit bill.
A senior Labour source told Sky News there was an "80 to 90% chance" that the EU Notification of Withdrawal Bill would clear the upper chamber by midnight on Monday, paving the way for the Prime Minister to formally trigger Article 50.
On Monday, the House of Commons is expected to vote down two amendments added to the Brexit bill by peers, with the Government insistent that the legislation be passed unamended.
It will then be passed back to the House of Lords, where there is little appetite to challenge the Commons again on the legislation.
:: What happens when Article 50 is triggered?
One Labour peer told Sky News that such a move would be too "politically risky". However, another source cautioned that the way David Davis responded to the amendments in the House of Commons on Monday was crucial.
"If he treats the House of Lords with disrespect, it won't be straightforward," said the source. "If he ignores the Lords' amendments and concerns then the 10% comes into play."
The swift passing of legislation would give the Prime Minister the power to formally trigger Article 50 on Tuesday when she updates MPs on last week's EU Council summit.
However, some European sources remained sceptical that the Prime Minister would go for such a tight timetable, given that she would risk a diplomatic upset by triggering Article 50 immediately before the Dutch elections on Wednesday.
:: Why Mars bar fans should be worried about Brexit
William Cash, a leading Brexiteer, told Sky News it might be more "tactful" for Mrs May to wait until the actual polling day to trigger Article 50 in order to avoid the appearance of interfering in the Dutch election.
Geert Wilders, the leader of the far right Party for Freedom, has hailed Britain's vote to leave the European Union as a "patriotic spring" during his election campaign, and could try to turn Britain's Article 50 moment to his advantage in the final hours of campaigning.
Downing Street has committed to triggering Article 50 by the end of March but has refused to give a date.
The House of Lords passed the Brexit bill back to the Commons last week with two amendments: one guaranteed the rights of EU citizens to remain in the EU while the second called on the Government to give parliament a "meaningful vote" on the final deal.
However, David Davis, the Brexit secretary, on Saturday warned colleagues not to support either amendment amid rumours that up to 20 Tory MPs could rebel on the second amendment.
:: Brexit - your guide to the jargon
"I will be asking MPs to send the legislation back to the House of Lords in its original form so that we can start building a global Britain and a strong new partnership with the EU," said Mr Davis.
"By a majority of four to one, MPs passed straightforward legislation allowing the Government to move ahead with no strings attached."
Meanwhile, European leaders are also preparing for formal Brexit negotiations to begin within days and have pencilled in a gathering to respond to Britain's formal letter of notification.
Enda Kenny, Ireland's prime minister, told reporters the EU 27 had provisionally set a meeting in early April to agree a framework for exit talks.
He said: "The next meeting is to be on 6 April, provided that the (British) prime minister (Theresa May) moves Article 50, I think by 15 March.
"There will be a response immediately from the European Council, and there will be guidelines issued by the European Council within 48 hours. And the European Council meeting to adopt those guidelines will be on 6 April."
On Friday, Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, and Baroness Smith, shadow leader of the House of Lords, wrote to the Prime Minister urging her to "reflect and reconsider on the overwhelming case to act" on the two amendments tabled by peers.
A senior Labour source told Sky News there was an "80 to 90% chance" that the EU Notification of Withdrawal Bill would clear the upper chamber by midnight on Monday, paving the way for the Prime Minister to formally trigger Article 50.
On Monday, the House of Commons is expected to vote down two amendments added to the Brexit bill by peers, with the Government insistent that the legislation be passed unamended.
It will then be passed back to the House of Lords, where there is little appetite to challenge the Commons again on the legislation.
:: What happens when Article 50 is triggered?
One Labour peer told Sky News that such a move would be too "politically risky". However, another source cautioned that the way David Davis responded to the amendments in the House of Commons on Monday was crucial.
"If he treats the House of Lords with disrespect, it won't be straightforward," said the source. "If he ignores the Lords' amendments and concerns then the 10% comes into play."
The swift passing of legislation would give the Prime Minister the power to formally trigger Article 50 on Tuesday when she updates MPs on last week's EU Council summit.
However, some European sources remained sceptical that the Prime Minister would go for such a tight timetable, given that she would risk a diplomatic upset by triggering Article 50 immediately before the Dutch elections on Wednesday.
:: Why Mars bar fans should be worried about Brexit
William Cash, a leading Brexiteer, told Sky News it might be more "tactful" for Mrs May to wait until the actual polling day to trigger Article 50 in order to avoid the appearance of interfering in the Dutch election.
Geert Wilders, the leader of the far right Party for Freedom, has hailed Britain's vote to leave the European Union as a "patriotic spring" during his election campaign, and could try to turn Britain's Article 50 moment to his advantage in the final hours of campaigning.
Downing Street has committed to triggering Article 50 by the end of March but has refused to give a date.
The House of Lords passed the Brexit bill back to the Commons last week with two amendments: one guaranteed the rights of EU citizens to remain in the EU while the second called on the Government to give parliament a "meaningful vote" on the final deal.
However, David Davis, the Brexit secretary, on Saturday warned colleagues not to support either amendment amid rumours that up to 20 Tory MPs could rebel on the second amendment.
:: Brexit - your guide to the jargon
"I will be asking MPs to send the legislation back to the House of Lords in its original form so that we can start building a global Britain and a strong new partnership with the EU," said Mr Davis.
"By a majority of four to one, MPs passed straightforward legislation allowing the Government to move ahead with no strings attached."
Meanwhile, European leaders are also preparing for formal Brexit negotiations to begin within days and have pencilled in a gathering to respond to Britain's formal letter of notification.
Enda Kenny, Ireland's prime minister, told reporters the EU 27 had provisionally set a meeting in early April to agree a framework for exit talks.
He said: "The next meeting is to be on 6 April, provided that the (British) prime minister (Theresa May) moves Article 50, I think by 15 March.
"There will be a response immediately from the European Council, and there will be guidelines issued by the European Council within 48 hours. And the European Council meeting to adopt those guidelines will be on 6 April."
On Friday, Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, and Baroness Smith, shadow leader of the House of Lords, wrote to the Prime Minister urging her to "reflect and reconsider on the overwhelming case to act" on the two amendments tabled by peers.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Shopping mall in Germany closed over fears of imminent terror attack
A shopping centre in Germany has been ordered to stay closed after a tip-off that a terror attack was planned for today.
The Limbecker Platz centre in the city of Essen, western Germany, was shut on Saturday morning as more than 100 police officers, many of them armed, searched the complex.
The mall, which is one of the biggest in the region and can attract up to 60,000 shoppers on Saturdays, will remain closed all day and the nearest underground station has also been shut.
A police spokesman said: "We received during the course of yesterday some very serious indications from security circles that an attack was planned for today and would be carried out, so we were forced to take these measures."
Separately, police said in a statement: "The shopping centre will be closed all Saturday due to security concerns. The police has concrete information regarding a possible attack."
The nature of the threat has not been revealed by police.
The disruption comes just a few days after several people were injured when a man armed with an axe attacked commuters at Dusseldorf railway station.
The man was arrested and is being questioned but so far police have not said whether the incident was a terror attack
Germany is on high alert after an attack last December on a Christmas market in Berlin when a truck rammed into pedestrians killing 12 people and Islamic State claimed responsibility.
Earlier in 2016 three people were injured in an attack on a Sikh temple in Essen by radicalised German-born Muslim teenagers.
Security officials estimate there are some 10,000 radical Islamists in Germany.
The Limbecker Platz centre in the city of Essen, western Germany, was shut on Saturday morning as more than 100 police officers, many of them armed, searched the complex.
The mall, which is one of the biggest in the region and can attract up to 60,000 shoppers on Saturdays, will remain closed all day and the nearest underground station has also been shut.
A police spokesman said: "We received during the course of yesterday some very serious indications from security circles that an attack was planned for today and would be carried out, so we were forced to take these measures."
Separately, police said in a statement: "The shopping centre will be closed all Saturday due to security concerns. The police has concrete information regarding a possible attack."
The nature of the threat has not been revealed by police.
The disruption comes just a few days after several people were injured when a man armed with an axe attacked commuters at Dusseldorf railway station.
The man was arrested and is being questioned but so far police have not said whether the incident was a terror attack
Germany is on high alert after an attack last December on a Christmas market in Berlin when a truck rammed into pedestrians killing 12 people and Islamic State claimed responsibility.
Earlier in 2016 three people were injured in an attack on a Sikh temple in Essen by radicalised German-born Muslim teenagers.
Security officials estimate there are some 10,000 radical Islamists in Germany.
BT agrees to legal separation of Openreach in deal with regulator
The telecoms regulator says BT has agreed to a "legal separation" of its Openreach division, in a move aimed at addressing competition concerns.
Ofcom said the deal - which stops short of a full split - meant the company's infrastructure unit will become a "distinct, legally separate company with its own board, within the BT Group".
It goes some way to addressing the demands of BT's rivals, including Sky PLC - the owner of Sky News - which claim Openreach favours BT's own retail business and harms their customers' interests as a result.
They had called for a full split on competition grounds.
Openreach builds and maintains the tens of millions of copper and fibre lines that run from telephone exchanges to homes and businesses across the UK.
BT and its competitors rely on these to service their business and domestic customers.
Ofcom, which had demanded the separation in November, said while Openreach would remain part of the BT Group it would have a separate board and brand identity from BT, though its chief executive and chairman would be accountable to BT's boss in some areas.
It expected 32,000 staff to formally transfer to Openreach later this year once consultation processes and pension arrangements had been completed.
The head of Ofcom, Sharon White, warned the watchdog would "carefully monitor" performance once the separation took place.
Ofcom said the deal - which stops short of a full split - meant the company's infrastructure unit will become a "distinct, legally separate company with its own board, within the BT Group".
It goes some way to addressing the demands of BT's rivals, including Sky PLC - the owner of Sky News - which claim Openreach favours BT's own retail business and harms their customers' interests as a result.
They had called for a full split on competition grounds.
Openreach builds and maintains the tens of millions of copper and fibre lines that run from telephone exchanges to homes and businesses across the UK.
BT and its competitors rely on these to service their business and domestic customers.
It expected 32,000 staff to formally transfer to Openreach later this year once consultation processes and pension arrangements had been completed.
The head of Ofcom, Sharon White, warned the watchdog would "carefully monitor" performance once the separation took place.
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