European Council President Donald Tusk told Theresa May "the ball is now in your court" as the pair discussed Britain's exit from the European Union in Downing Street.
In a sign that Brussels is waiting for Mrs May to clarify when she will invoke Article 50 - the formal mechanism for exiting the bloc - Mr Tusk said it was a "crucial time" for the UK and the EU and that he wanted the process to start "as soon as possible".
The leaders of the other 27 EU nations will hold talks in Slovakia next week and Mr Tusk said they would "discuss the political consequences of Brexit" for Europe.
But he told the PM: "It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this - and especially for the start of the negotiations - we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50.
"This is the position shared by all 27 member states. To put it simply, the ball is now in your court.
"I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible.
"I have no doubt that at the end of the day our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations."
Mrs May said she wanted a "smooth" Brexit process and told Mr Tusk they had "serious issues" to discuss.
The meeting in Downing Street comes as the Prime Minister faces claims she is being vague and contradictory over the Government's position on staying in the European single market.
Mrs May has insisted she will not reveal her negotiating hand "prematurely" and won't give a "running commentary" on Brexit talks.
Earlier this week she rebuked Brexit Secretary David Davis forsuggesting that continued membership of the free trade zone was "very improbable".
Meanwhile, a former top EU lawyer has told Sky News he thinks the UKwill suffer economically for at least 15 years as a result of voting to leave the EU in June's referendum.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Vladimir Putin Is More Of A Leader Than Barack Obama, Says Donald Trump
Vladimir Putin is "far more" of a leader than Barack Obama, US presidential candidate Donald Trump has claimed.
The Republican nominee told a TV interviewer that the Russian president was "very much of a leader" who has "very strong control over his country".
Mr Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton were being quizzed separately on national security and military matters at a so-called Commander in Chief forum.
Speaking about Russia and Mr Putin's position, he said: "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader."
His comments follow a pledge that he would get his generals to provide a plan to defeat Islamic State within 30 days.
Mr Putin is helping his ally Bashar al Assad by providing military support for the Syrian regime in their civil war against rebels and militants including IS.
But there have been suggestions he has been conducting secret ground wars both in Syria and Ukraine.
NBC's Matt Lauer also asked Hillary Clinton why she should not be disqualified from running after using a private server to handle government emails while Secretary of State.
Mrs Clinton, while stressing she had not improperly handled classified information, said: "It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it."
The forum, which was held on board the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, did not see Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton go head to head.
The first debate between them is scheduled for 26 September.
Earlier, Mr Trump pledged to increase US military spending - already much higher than any other nation - with an active army of about 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter jets and a navy of 350 ships.
But he failed to say how it would be funded.
When asked how he expected to defeat IS, Mr Trump was vague, responding he didn't "want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is".
The US has for the last two years been leading an international coalition, including the UK, carrying out airstrikes in support of local forces on the ground in the battle against IS.
Lauer asked Mr Trump whether he would ask the same generals to devise an IS plan as those he had previously criticised for knowing less than him about the militant group.
Mr Trump replied: "Well, they'd probably be different generals, to be honest with you."
The Republican nominee went on to reveal that, during an apparently secret security briefing, he had been told Mr Obama had not followed the recommendations of his advisers.
He said: "I did learn that our leadership - Barack Obama - did not follow what our experts and our truly - when they call it intelligence, it's there for a reason - what our experts said to do."
The Republican nominee told a TV interviewer that the Russian president was "very much of a leader" who has "very strong control over his country".
Mr Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton were being quizzed separately on national security and military matters at a so-called Commander in Chief forum.
Speaking about Russia and Mr Putin's position, he said: "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader."
His comments follow a pledge that he would get his generals to provide a plan to defeat Islamic State within 30 days.
Mr Putin is helping his ally Bashar al Assad by providing military support for the Syrian regime in their civil war against rebels and militants including IS.
But there have been suggestions he has been conducting secret ground wars both in Syria and Ukraine.
NBC's Matt Lauer also asked Hillary Clinton why she should not be disqualified from running after using a private server to handle government emails while Secretary of State.
Mrs Clinton, while stressing she had not improperly handled classified information, said: "It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it."
The forum, which was held on board the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, did not see Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton go head to head.
The first debate between them is scheduled for 26 September.
Earlier, Mr Trump pledged to increase US military spending - already much higher than any other nation - with an active army of about 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter jets and a navy of 350 ships.
But he failed to say how it would be funded.
When asked how he expected to defeat IS, Mr Trump was vague, responding he didn't "want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is".
The US has for the last two years been leading an international coalition, including the UK, carrying out airstrikes in support of local forces on the ground in the battle against IS.
Lauer asked Mr Trump whether he would ask the same generals to devise an IS plan as those he had previously criticised for knowing less than him about the militant group.
Mr Trump replied: "Well, they'd probably be different generals, to be honest with you."
The Republican nominee went on to reveal that, during an apparently secret security briefing, he had been told Mr Obama had not followed the recommendations of his advisers.
He said: "I did learn that our leadership - Barack Obama - did not follow what our experts and our truly - when they call it intelligence, it's there for a reason - what our experts said to do."
MPs Could Move Out Of Crumbling Parliament For Six Years During Repairs
A committee is going to recommend that MPs are moved out of the Houses of Parliament for six years, allowing for extensive restoration work to take place.
In a report due to be released on Thursday, the Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster is expected to conclude that MPs should be rehomed in the Department of Health's building, while peers work in the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
The Times reports that the Prime Minister is in favour of the move, meaning that a parliamentary vote on the relocation is more likely to pass.
If approved, the committee's recommendation will be that the Houses of Parliament lie empty between 2022 and 2028.
A study into the condition of the Palace of Westminster last year uncovered potentially fatal fire hazards, large quantities of asbestos and leaking pipes.
It is likely that a six-year restoration would cost between £3bn and £4.3bn.
However, repairs would take about 32 years and could cost taxpayers as much as £7.1bn if they were completed while MPs and peers continued to sit in Parliament.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said Number 10 would respond after the publication of the committee's report.
In a report due to be released on Thursday, the Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster is expected to conclude that MPs should be rehomed in the Department of Health's building, while peers work in the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
The Times reports that the Prime Minister is in favour of the move, meaning that a parliamentary vote on the relocation is more likely to pass.
If approved, the committee's recommendation will be that the Houses of Parliament lie empty between 2022 and 2028.
A study into the condition of the Palace of Westminster last year uncovered potentially fatal fire hazards, large quantities of asbestos and leaking pipes.
It is likely that a six-year restoration would cost between £3bn and £4.3bn.
However, repairs would take about 32 years and could cost taxpayers as much as £7.1bn if they were completed while MPs and peers continued to sit in Parliament.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said Number 10 would respond after the publication of the committee's report.
Russian Jet 'Flew Within 10ft' Of US Spy Plane Over Black Sea
A Russian fighter jet came within 10ft of a US spy plane over the Black Sea in a manoeuvre branded "unsafe" by the Pentagon.
Defence officials claimed the Russian Su-27 fighter flew dangerously close to the US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft for 19 minutes on Wednesday as it was conducting routine operations in international airspace.
Moscow has insisted the intercept was performed "in strict accordance with international flight rules", with a defence ministry spokesman alleging the US aircraft had approached Russia's southern border twice.
Major General Igor Konashenkov said the US spy plane's transponders were switched off, meaning the aircraft could not be identified without close visual confirmation.
The intercept is likely to increase tensions between the US and Russia, with both countries currently at odds over Ukraine and the civil war in Syria.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said most interactions with Russian units in the area were safe and professional, but warned flying within 10ft of another aircraft "has the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions, and could result in a miscalculation or accident".
US defence secretary Ash Carter added: "Russia appears driven by misguided ambitions and misplaced fears.
"It lashes out, alleging that it fears for its own viability and future, even though no nation - not the United States, not the United Kingdom - seeks to defeat it or constrain its potential."
There have been a number of similar spats between the US and Russia over military manoeuvres this year.
In April, US officials claimed that two Russian warplanes flew "simulated attack profiles" near an American guided missile destroyer - coming so close to the USS Donald Cook that they created a "wake in the water".
Later that month, Moscow denied acting in an "unsafe and professional" manner after reportedly performing a high-speed barrel role as it intercepted a US aircraft - coming within about 100ft (30m) of the plane.
Defence officials claimed the Russian Su-27 fighter flew dangerously close to the US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft for 19 minutes on Wednesday as it was conducting routine operations in international airspace.
Moscow has insisted the intercept was performed "in strict accordance with international flight rules", with a defence ministry spokesman alleging the US aircraft had approached Russia's southern border twice.
Major General Igor Konashenkov said the US spy plane's transponders were switched off, meaning the aircraft could not be identified without close visual confirmation.
The intercept is likely to increase tensions between the US and Russia, with both countries currently at odds over Ukraine and the civil war in Syria.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said most interactions with Russian units in the area were safe and professional, but warned flying within 10ft of another aircraft "has the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions, and could result in a miscalculation or accident".
US defence secretary Ash Carter added: "Russia appears driven by misguided ambitions and misplaced fears.
"It lashes out, alleging that it fears for its own viability and future, even though no nation - not the United States, not the United Kingdom - seeks to defeat it or constrain its potential."
There have been a number of similar spats between the US and Russia over military manoeuvres this year.
In April, US officials claimed that two Russian warplanes flew "simulated attack profiles" near an American guided missile destroyer - coming so close to the USS Donald Cook that they created a "wake in the water".
Later that month, Moscow denied acting in an "unsafe and professional" manner after reportedly performing a high-speed barrel role as it intercepted a US aircraft - coming within about 100ft (30m) of the plane.
Liberty Media Buys Formula One Motor Racing In £6bn Deal
US firm Liberty Media has bought Formula One motor racing in a £6bn deal.
The takeover of the sport was confirmed by Liberty bosses after it was first reported by Sky News City Editor Mark Kleinman.
CVC Capital Partners is handing over its ownership after taking a controlling stake in 2005.
Liberty is backed by American media tycoon John Malone.
Sources have previously said the takeover will see the sport gain a public stock listing for the first time through a tracking stock called Liberty Media Group.
The takeover will yield a windfall of more than $400m (£300m) for veteran F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who owns a 5.3% stake.
Ecclestone will remain with F1, it has been confirmed - at least for a transitional period of a few years.
In a statement, he said: "I would like to welcome Liberty Media and Chase Carey to Formula One and I look forward to working with them."
A frenetic period for the ownership and management of F1 will see Carey, a former DirecTV and News Corporation executive, become chairman.
He continues to serve on the board of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox and is also a director of Sky plc, the owner of Sky News.
He said: "I greatly admire Formula One as a unique global sports entertainment franchise attracting hundreds of millions of fans each season from all around the world.
"I see great opportunity to help Formula One continue to develop and prosper for the benefit of the sport, fans, teams and investors alike."
The deal will take part in two parts.
The first tranche would involve the acquisition of an 18.7% stake of F1 and would not be subject to regulatory conditions.
The remainder of the deal would see Liberty Media Corp acquiring the remaining 81.3% of the company, which would be subject to the approval of certain regulators as well as the FIA, world motorsport's governing body.
Kleinman, who first broke the news of the impending takeover last month, said: "The overall deal may not be complete for a few months, but there's no doubt that this is a very significant moment for Formula One."
The takeover of the sport was confirmed by Liberty bosses after it was first reported by Sky News City Editor Mark Kleinman.
CVC Capital Partners is handing over its ownership after taking a controlling stake in 2005.
Liberty is backed by American media tycoon John Malone.
Sources have previously said the takeover will see the sport gain a public stock listing for the first time through a tracking stock called Liberty Media Group.
The takeover will yield a windfall of more than $400m (£300m) for veteran F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who owns a 5.3% stake.
Ecclestone will remain with F1, it has been confirmed - at least for a transitional period of a few years.
In a statement, he said: "I would like to welcome Liberty Media and Chase Carey to Formula One and I look forward to working with them."
A frenetic period for the ownership and management of F1 will see Carey, a former DirecTV and News Corporation executive, become chairman.
He continues to serve on the board of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox and is also a director of Sky plc, the owner of Sky News.
He said: "I greatly admire Formula One as a unique global sports entertainment franchise attracting hundreds of millions of fans each season from all around the world.
"I see great opportunity to help Formula One continue to develop and prosper for the benefit of the sport, fans, teams and investors alike."
The deal will take part in two parts.
The first tranche would involve the acquisition of an 18.7% stake of F1 and would not be subject to regulatory conditions.
The remainder of the deal would see Liberty Media Corp acquiring the remaining 81.3% of the company, which would be subject to the approval of certain regulators as well as the FIA, world motorsport's governing body.
Kleinman, who first broke the news of the impending takeover last month, said: "The overall deal may not be complete for a few months, but there's no doubt that this is a very significant moment for Formula One."
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Honey Trap Playboy Model Goes On The Run As Interpol Warrant Issued
A former Playboy model has gone on the run after being convicted of laying a honey trap as part of a murder plot against a mobster.
Former Miss Bosnia, Slobodanka Tosic, was found guilty in March of arranging a date with Djordje Zdrale in 2006 and betraying him to arch-rival Darko Elez.
Zdrale was wounded in a subsequent assassination attempt but managed to escape.
An appeal court upheld a two-and-a-half year sentence against 30-year-old Ms Tosic in July, but she has not come forward to serve her time.
The model, who appeared on the cover of Serbian Playboy in 2008 after moving to the neighbouring country, had been staying at her parents' house near Sarajevo, with some restrictions on her movement.
A spokesman for the tribunal that issued her sentence told the AFP news agency: "Upon a demand of the State Court of Bosnia-Hercegovina an Interpol arrest warrant was issued for Slobodanka Tosic."
The spokesman did not say why the warrant had not been issued earlier.
However, it is thought police have been looking for Ms Tosic in Bosnia.
Prosecutors described Darko Elez's syndicate as "one of the largest groups of organised crime" in Bosnia, while Tosic was shown to have links to it.
After police smashed it in September 2012, Elez was among 32 people charged with a number of gangland murders and raids on cash deliveries.
Elez was convicted of involvement in organised crime and jailed for nine years in Serbia.
Former Miss Bosnia, Slobodanka Tosic, was found guilty in March of arranging a date with Djordje Zdrale in 2006 and betraying him to arch-rival Darko Elez.
Zdrale was wounded in a subsequent assassination attempt but managed to escape.
An appeal court upheld a two-and-a-half year sentence against 30-year-old Ms Tosic in July, but she has not come forward to serve her time.
The model, who appeared on the cover of Serbian Playboy in 2008 after moving to the neighbouring country, had been staying at her parents' house near Sarajevo, with some restrictions on her movement.
A spokesman for the tribunal that issued her sentence told the AFP news agency: "Upon a demand of the State Court of Bosnia-Hercegovina an Interpol arrest warrant was issued for Slobodanka Tosic."
The spokesman did not say why the warrant had not been issued earlier.
However, it is thought police have been looking for Ms Tosic in Bosnia.
Prosecutors described Darko Elez's syndicate as "one of the largest groups of organised crime" in Bosnia, while Tosic was shown to have links to it.
After police smashed it in September 2012, Elez was among 32 people charged with a number of gangland murders and raids on cash deliveries.
Elez was convicted of involvement in organised crime and jailed for nine years in Serbia.
Apple Ditches Headphone Socket For iPhone 7
Apple's newest iPhone will be water resistant and come without a headphone socket, the firm has confirmed.
The tech giant announced the iPhone 7 and unveiled 10 major new features during a live conference in San Francisco on Wednesday.
Both the camera and speakers will be "hugely advanced," Apple chief executive Tim Cook confirmed at the event.
The phone will also have better graphics and a more responsive home button.
And, in what will be a huge plus for millions of users, battery life has been improved.
Following a leak on Twitter earlier in the day, most of the announcements didn't come as too much of a surprise to fans.
Several tweets about the new features, put out accidentally on Apple's recently-activated account before the official event, have since been deleted.
At the event, Mr Cook told the audience the iPhone had become the "industry gold standard" and the smartphone "by which all others are measured".
The new camera - particularly a second 'telephoto' lens on the larger iPhone 7 Plus - will enable people to create much better, sharper images, he said.
The removal of the headphone jack will perhaps be the biggest change for users.
New devices will come with earphones that connect to the iPhone's Lightning connection, currently used for charging and data transfer.
Adaptors will also be included to give traditional users the opportunity to connect with existing headphones.
However, those who want to go wireless will be able to do so using "breakthrough" wireless EarPods, called AirPods.
Sky technology correspondent Tom Cheshire said while he would miss his headphone jack, he was impressed by the advancement.
"AirPods, introduced as standard, open up a new way of interacting with our phones - aural augmented reality," he said.
"Like the film Her, we're plausibly at the beginning of a scenario where we wake up, put our headphones in and leave them in all day, using them with Siri to interact with the world."
The new phone will cost from $649 in the US and £599 in the UK, with the Plus 7 starting at $749 (£719 in the UK).
Storage capacity has been upgraded, starting at 32GB, and users who want more can choose between 128GB and 256GB.
It is available for pre-order from 9 September and on sale from 16 September.
A new version of the Apple Watch, called the Series 2 and with greater focus on health and exercise tracking, was also announced.
The tech giant announced the iPhone 7 and unveiled 10 major new features during a live conference in San Francisco on Wednesday.
Both the camera and speakers will be "hugely advanced," Apple chief executive Tim Cook confirmed at the event.
The phone will also have better graphics and a more responsive home button.
And, in what will be a huge plus for millions of users, battery life has been improved.
Following a leak on Twitter earlier in the day, most of the announcements didn't come as too much of a surprise to fans.
Several tweets about the new features, put out accidentally on Apple's recently-activated account before the official event, have since been deleted.
At the event, Mr Cook told the audience the iPhone had become the "industry gold standard" and the smartphone "by which all others are measured".
The new camera - particularly a second 'telephoto' lens on the larger iPhone 7 Plus - will enable people to create much better, sharper images, he said.
The removal of the headphone jack will perhaps be the biggest change for users.
New devices will come with earphones that connect to the iPhone's Lightning connection, currently used for charging and data transfer.
Adaptors will also be included to give traditional users the opportunity to connect with existing headphones.
However, those who want to go wireless will be able to do so using "breakthrough" wireless EarPods, called AirPods.
Sky technology correspondent Tom Cheshire said while he would miss his headphone jack, he was impressed by the advancement.
"AirPods, introduced as standard, open up a new way of interacting with our phones - aural augmented reality," he said.
"Like the film Her, we're plausibly at the beginning of a scenario where we wake up, put our headphones in and leave them in all day, using them with Siri to interact with the world."
The new phone will cost from $649 in the US and £599 in the UK, with the Plus 7 starting at $749 (£719 in the UK).
Storage capacity has been upgraded, starting at 32GB, and users who want more can choose between 128GB and 256GB.
It is available for pre-order from 9 September and on sale from 16 September.
A new version of the Apple Watch, called the Series 2 and with greater focus on health and exercise tracking, was also announced.
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