Merkel: 'Close Bond' With UK Will Help Brexit

Angela Merkel has stressed that the UK must formally announce its intention to leave the EU before Brexit talks can begin.

However, the Chancellor said the "close bonds of partnership and friendship" between Germany and the UK remain intact despite the vote to leave the European Union.

Mrs Merkel said it was in everyone's interest for the UK to have a clear view on the type of relationship it wants with the trading bloc before Article 50 is invoked and formal Brexit talks commence.

During a joint news conference in Berlin, Mrs May confirmed her Government was taking time to determine its objectives before the two years of negotiations is triggered - and this will not be before the end of 2016.

Angela Merkel rolled out the red carpet for Theresa May in Berlin

In response, the German Chancellor warned no one wants a period of limbo before Article 50 is activated.

The Prime Minister stressed that she wanted the UK's departure to be orderly and constructive, and expressed hope that the country would secure the "closest relationship" with Germany after Brexit. 

Mrs May said she believed the referendum result was an indication that Britons wanted greater control over immigration, while retaining a good trade deal with Europe.

The PM told reporters that she defined "sustainable" levels of net migration as in the tens of thousands - considerably less than the hundreds of thousands of people currently coming to the UK each year.

This is Mrs May's first overseas trip as PM - and the red carpet was rolled out for her arrival in the German capital, with a military band playing the UK's national anthem

Sky's Sophy Ridge, in Berlin, said: "It was interesting just how warm the welcome was that Angela Merkel put on for the Prime Minister. Both women know just how important their relationship is going to be for both the UK and Germany."

The pair are set to have a working dinner on Wednesday night, with Mrs May travelling on to Paris to meet French President Francois Hollande on Thursday.

In addition to discussing the EU, Mrs May and Mr Hollande are expected to discuss co-operating on counter-terrorism measures in the wake of last week's terror attack in Nice.

The trip abroad came after Mrs May received widespread acclaim for her performance against Jeremy Corbyn at her first Prime Minister's Questions.

Merkel: 'Close Bond' With UK Will Help Brexit

Angela Merkel has stressed that the UK must formally announce its intention to leave the EU before Brexit talks can begin.

However, the Chancellor said the "close bonds of partnership and friendship" between Germany and the UK remain intact despite the vote to leave the European Union.

Mrs Merkel said it was in everyone's interest for the UK to have a clear view on the type of relationship it wants with the trading bloc before Article 50 is invoked and formal Brexit talks commence.

During a joint news conference in Berlin, Mrs May confirmed her Government was taking time to determine its objectives before the two years of negotiations is triggered - and this will not be before the end of 2016.

Angela Merkel rolled out the red carpet for Theresa May in Berlin

In response, the German Chancellor warned no one wants a period of limbo before Article 50 is activated.

The Prime Minister stressed that she wanted the UK's departure to be orderly and constructive, and expressed hope that the country would secure the "closest relationship" with Germany after Brexit. 

Mrs May said she believed the referendum result was an indication that Britons wanted greater control over immigration, while retaining a good trade deal with Europe.

The PM told reporters that she defined "sustainable" levels of net migration as in the tens of thousands - considerably less than the hundreds of thousands of people currently coming to the UK each year.

This is Mrs May's first overseas trip as PM - and the red carpet was rolled out for her arrival in the German capital, with a military band playing the UK's national anthem

Sky's Sophy Ridge, in Berlin, said: "It was interesting just how warm the welcome was that Angela Merkel put on for the Prime Minister. Both women know just how important their relationship is going to be for both the UK and Germany."

The pair are set to have a working dinner on Wednesday night, with Mrs May travelling on to Paris to meet French President Francois Hollande on Thursday.

In addition to discussing the EU, Mrs May and Mr Hollande are expected to discuss co-operating on counter-terrorism measures in the wake of last week's terror attack in Nice.

The trip abroad came after Mrs May received widespread acclaim for her performance against Jeremy Corbyn at her first Prime Minister's Questions.

Merkel: 'Close Bond' With UK Will Help Brexit

Angela Merkel has stressed that the UK must formally announce its intention to leave the EU before Brexit talks can begin.

However, the Chancellor said the "close bonds of partnership and friendship" between Germany and the UK remain intact despite the vote to leave the European Union.

Mrs Merkel said it was in everyone's interest for the UK to have a clear view on the type of relationship it wants with the trading bloc before Article 50 is invoked and formal Brexit talks commence.

During a joint news conference in Berlin, Mrs May confirmed her Government was taking time to determine its objectives before the two years of negotiations is triggered - and this will not be before the end of 2016.

Angela Merkel rolled out the red carpet for Theresa May in Berlin

In response, the German Chancellor warned no one wants a period of limbo before Article 50 is activated.

The Prime Minister stressed that she wanted the UK's departure to be orderly and constructive, and expressed hope that the country would secure the "closest relationship" with Germany after Brexit. 

Mrs May said she believed the referendum result was an indication that Britons wanted greater control over immigration, while retaining a good trade deal with Europe.

The PM told reporters that she defined "sustainable" levels of net migration as in the tens of thousands - considerably less than the hundreds of thousands of people currently coming to the UK each year.

This is Mrs May's first overseas trip as PM - and the red carpet was rolled out for her arrival in the German capital, with a military band playing the UK's national anthem

Sky's Sophy Ridge, in Berlin, said: "It was interesting just how warm the welcome was that Angela Merkel put on for the Prime Minister. Both women know just how important their relationship is going to be for both the UK and Germany."

The pair are set to have a working dinner on Wednesday night, with Mrs May travelling on to Paris to meet French President Francois Hollande on Thursday.

In addition to discussing the EU, Mrs May and Mr Hollande are expected to discuss co-operating on counter-terrorism measures in the wake of last week's terror attack in Nice.

The trip abroad came after Mrs May received widespread acclaim for her performance against Jeremy Corbyn at her first Prime Minister's Questions.

Merkel: 'Close Bond' With UK Will Help Brexit

Angela Merkel has stressed that the UK must formally announce its intention to leave the EU before Brexit talks can begin.

However, the Chancellor said the "close bonds of partnership and friendship" between Germany and the UK remain intact despite the vote to leave the European Union.

Mrs Merkel said it was in everyone's interest for the UK to have a clear view on the type of relationship it wants with the trading bloc before Article 50 is invoked and formal Brexit talks commence.

During a joint news conference in Berlin, Mrs May confirmed her Government was taking time to determine its objectives before the two years of negotiations is triggered - and this will not be before the end of 2016.

Angela Merkel rolled out the red carpet for Theresa May in Berlin

In response, the German Chancellor warned no one wants a period of limbo before Article 50 is activated.

The Prime Minister stressed that she wanted the UK's departure to be orderly and constructive, and expressed hope that the country would secure the "closest relationship" with Germany after Brexit. 

Mrs May said she believed the referendum result was an indication that Britons wanted greater control over immigration, while retaining a good trade deal with Europe.

The PM told reporters that she defined "sustainable" levels of net migration as in the tens of thousands - considerably less than the hundreds of thousands of people currently coming to the UK each year.

This is Mrs May's first overseas trip as PM - and the red carpet was rolled out for her arrival in the German capital, with a military band playing the UK's national anthem

Sky's Sophy Ridge, in Berlin, said: "It was interesting just how warm the welcome was that Angela Merkel put on for the Prime Minister. Both women know just how important their relationship is going to be for both the UK and Germany."

The pair are set to have a working dinner on Wednesday night, with Mrs May travelling on to Paris to meet French President Francois Hollande on Thursday.

In addition to discussing the EU, Mrs May and Mr Hollande are expected to discuss co-operating on counter-terrorism measures in the wake of last week's terror attack in Nice.

The trip abroad came after Mrs May received widespread acclaim for her performance against Jeremy Corbyn at her first Prime Minister's Questions.

Flash Floods Warning As Thunderstorms Hit UK

The sweltering heat of the hottest day of the year so far has been replaced with severe thunderstorms in parts of the UK.

Temperatures peaked at 33.5C (92.3F) at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Tuesday afternoon.

However, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for Wednesday across all regions other than southwest England, London and southeast England.

In the Western Isles, 31mm of rain fell in an intense burst.

The Met Office warned some places could see more than 50mm in a few hours.

It said the risk of localised heavy downpours, frequent lightning, hail and gusty winds could lead to some flooding of homes, businesses and transport systems - as well as power outages.

People enjoying the warm weather on the beach in Torquay, Devon, on Tuesday

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "There will be a sunny, warm and dry start over central, southern and eastern parts of England this morning.

"But elsewhere it will be cloudy with intense thundery rain across eastern Ireland, northwest Wales, northern England and parts of Scotland.

"The thunderstorms will continue to push north-eastwards through this afternoon, clearing from most of Ireland and Wales by midday.

"However, torrential downpours, bringing large hail, gusty winds, high rainfall totals and frequent lightning are still likely over northern England and Scotland through the early part of this afternoon."

She said temperatures are still expected to remain high across the country, peaking at 31C (88F).

The heatwave is feared to have cost the lives of several people.

A 16-year-old boy died while playing with friends in the River Etherow near Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.

Staffordshire Police issued a warning to people to stay safe in the hot weather after a 46-year-old man died after jumping into a canal in Burton-on-Trent on Monday night.

A soldier died while training in Brecon in Wales on Tuesday. However, the cause of his death is yet to be determined.

A body was recovered from Lammas Lake in Wraysbury, Surrey, on Tuesday evening after police received reports of concern for the safety of a man in the water. However, it is uncertain if his death was related to the weather.

Flash Floods Warning As Thunderstorms Hit UK

The sweltering heat of the hottest day of the year so far has been replaced with severe thunderstorms in parts of the UK.

Temperatures peaked at 33.5C (92.3F) at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Tuesday afternoon.

However, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for Wednesday across all regions other than southwest England, London and southeast England.

In the Western Isles, 31mm of rain fell in an intense burst.

The Met Office warned some places could see more than 50mm in a few hours.

It said the risk of localised heavy downpours, frequent lightning, hail and gusty winds could lead to some flooding of homes, businesses and transport systems - as well as power outages.

People enjoying the warm weather on the beach in Torquay, Devon, on Tuesday

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "There will be a sunny, warm and dry start over central, southern and eastern parts of England this morning.

"But elsewhere it will be cloudy with intense thundery rain across eastern Ireland, northwest Wales, northern England and parts of Scotland.

"The thunderstorms will continue to push north-eastwards through this afternoon, clearing from most of Ireland and Wales by midday.

"However, torrential downpours, bringing large hail, gusty winds, high rainfall totals and frequent lightning are still likely over northern England and Scotland through the early part of this afternoon."

She said temperatures are still expected to remain high across the country, peaking at 31C (88F).

The heatwave is feared to have cost the lives of several people.

A 16-year-old boy died while playing with friends in the River Etherow near Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.

Staffordshire Police issued a warning to people to stay safe in the hot weather after a 46-year-old man died after jumping into a canal in Burton-on-Trent on Monday night.

A soldier died while training in Brecon in Wales on Tuesday. However, the cause of his death is yet to be determined.

A body was recovered from Lammas Lake in Wraysbury, Surrey, on Tuesday evening after police received reports of concern for the safety of a man in the water. However, it is uncertain if his death was related to the weather.

Man Arrested After Death Of Geordie Shore Star

Aimee Spencer fell from a first floor window in Brighton on 11 July

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a glamour model who appeared in the reality TV series Geordie Shore died in a fall from a block of flats.

Aimee Spencer, 27, suffered critical injuries after she fell from a first floor window in Chichester Terrace just after 9am on Monday 11 July in Brighton, East Sussex.

Ms Spencer - known by her stage name Carla Mai - died from her injuries a week later at the city's Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The 28-year-old suspect is from Brighton.

A woman, also 28, has been detained on suspicion of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.

Both have been bailed until 5 September.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of how she fell from the window."    

Daria Spencer wrote on Twitter: "I can't believe that my sister has left us.

"She put up a fantastic fight and I will love her forever. Rip."