The US military achieves another scientific feat as its robotic co-pilot flies and lands Boeing 737 simulator aircraft

The US military achieves another scientific feat as its robotic co-pilot flies and lands Boeing 737 simulator aircraft

World Unknown   08:57

Another scientific breakthrough emerges from the US military, as its funded project invents a robotic co-pilot which managed to fly and land an aircraft Boeing 737 in flight simulator. The robotic project is named ALIAS (Aircrew Labour In-Cockpit Automation System), the robotic system can help a pilot fly and even land a Boeing 737.

The scientific feat was designed by Aurora Flight Sciences which is one of its research projects to support more automation on existing aircraft

The project was embarked on due to how expensive both civilian and military aircraft operations are, as it needs extreme and skilled experts are needed to react in the right direction during unforeseeable circumstances.

Taking the seat of the co-pilot, ALIAS makes use of machine vision to enable the computer running the automated system take and understand visual feedback as humans. Just like human beings, it can as well manipulate the flight control.

Just like the Amazon Alexa voice command assistant, it has the ability to recognise speech and synthesis, formulating responses to communicate with the pilot.

"Having successfully demonstrated on a variety of aircraft, ALIAS has proven its versatile automated flight capabilities," said John Wissler, Aurora's vice president of research and development.

"As we move towards fully automated flight from take-off to landing, we can reliably say that we have developed an automation system that enables significant reduction of crew workload."

The work was completed for a project for the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the US.

DARPA, is the US military's research wing, which supported projects that have been useful in non-military situations, including the ARPANET, the earliest predecessor of the internet.

The aims for ALIAS include it ultimately supporting the execution of an entire mission from take-off to landing, even in the face of serious aircraft system failures.

Nicola Sturgeon begs to have a say in Brexit negotiations

Nicola Sturgeon begs to have a say in Brexit negotiations

Politics Unknown   14:13

As the June snap general election draws closer, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon perfects plans to appeal to all Scottish voters to cast their votes in support of the Scottish National Party. This she claimed would indicate would put her in vantage position to place a strong demand to the PM to actively involve Scotland during Brexit talks.

The SNP leader is expected to say: “Now, more than ever, it is vital to have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland.

“Only then can we stop the Tories at Westminster bartering away Scotland's jobs and industries in Brexit negotiations.

"This election is not about giving Theresa May a free hand, it's about strengthening Scotland's hand, strengthening Scotland's hand against an unchecked Tory Government at Westminster, strengthening Scotland's hand in Brexit negotiations and strengthening our right to take our own decisions."

After the June 2016 Brexit referendum, the SNP leader renewed call for another Scottish indyref, as she is poised to ensure Scotland remained part of the EU single market even after Brexit.

Though during her appearance on the Andrew Marr show last Sunday, the First Minister said that Scotland may likely not join the EU even if it gains independence, but would prefer to be a member of the European free trade area.

This latest plea to the Scottish voting public comes after a recent survey reveals that Sturgeon’s nationalist cause could be under threat from the Conservatives, as they are fully ready to win a quarter of the Scotland’s 59 seats on June 8.

According to a Panel base survey 33 per cent of voters support Ruth Davidson’s party, with another poll by Survation found 28 per cent of Scots support the Tories.

In the past five General Elections after 1992, the Conservatives have failed to win more than one seat in Scotland.

British Foreign Secretary confirms that Britain has no plan to hinder EU defence co-operation

British Foreign Secretary confirms that Britain has no plan to hinder EU defence co-operation

World Unknown   13:37

In a swift reaction to the allegation levelled against him, the UK’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has come out to clear the air saying the UK is not seeking to block closer European Union military co-operation. Mr Johnson instead made affirmed that Britain is "not going to stand in their way".

Though he affirmed the UK’s concerns over "some of the language" he insisted that the UK would not look to reject efforts being made to forge deeper defence ties.

This report comes as a it was told the UK was making some efforts to put the brakes on the planned command centre as a result of objections to it being mentioned as an" operational headquarters".

Upon his arrival for the summit in Brussels, Mr Johnson stressed that: "We understand the vital importance to us all as European countries working together to strengthen our defences.

"We all want to see our European friends and partners spending more on defence. If they can get up to 2%, that is terrific. We really want to encourage that as fast as possible.

"If they want to come together with other arrangements, we are not going to stand in their way.

"We are just working on some of the language to make sure that we get it totally right."

A lady who living disability benefit confronts Mrs May in the open, telling her £100 a month is not enough for her

A lady who living disability benefit confronts Mrs May in the open, telling her £100 a month is not enough for her

World Unknown   10:59

British Prime Minister confronted publicly by a furious lady living on disability benefit in Abingdon, Oxfordshire as she points out to Mrs May that: "I can't live on £100 a month."

She stopped Mrs May in the town's market, telling her the "fat cats get the money and us lot get nothing".

She added: "I'm talking about everybody. Everybody who's got mental health - and everybody who's got learning disabilities - I want them not to have their money taken away from them and being crippled."

Because so many people complain that the move from disability allowances to PIPs (Personal Independence Payment) has left them struggling to get by.

"I want my disability living allowance to come back, not have PIPs and get nothing. I can't live on £100 a month," Ms Mohan said.

"Who's going to help me?" she pleaded.

The exchange happened as the PM was walking through a market with the constituency's Tory candidate, Nicola Blackwood.

Mrs May made some efforts to reassure Ms Mohan, telling her: "Nicola can help you specifically. What I can do is ensure we're giving more help to people with mental health and learning disabilities.

"And that's exactly what we've done, we made an announcement the other day... When we look at the help we give to people with any disability, it's particularly we focus on those who are most in need."

PIPs payments currently vary from around £22 a week to £141.10, and depends on the severity of a person's disability.

When they were being introduced, the Institute for Fiscal Studies predicted 370,000 people would be affected, leaving them each an average of £3,500 worse off.

British PM to make workers' rights her priority if elected

British PM to make workers' rights her priority if elected

Politics Unknown   10:30

British Prime Minister Theresa May set to work out a "new deal for workers" as she is determined to propose safeguards for "gig economy" workers and new rights to be off work to care for relatives who may be in need.

The PM is making every effort to sell herself to the voting public that she is a leader who support all working people in the UK, as she also intend to raise the National Living Wage - currently £7.50 an hour - in line with average earnings until 2022.

The PM has once again reaffirmed that she is fully committed to protect the rights of all workers as enshrined in EU law, even after Brexit, as was outlined in her Article 50 triggering document.

According to the Conservatives the party’s manifesto promises - to be unveiled in full this week - would represent the "greatest expansion of workers' rights by any Conservative government".

Also included in the PM’s package is a commitment to protect workers' pensions in the wake of the BHS scandal; a new right to request leave for training purposes; a right to leave for workers who suffer the tragedy of losing a child; and the introduction of returnships for people coming back into work after a period of time off.

However, the PM’s effort to tone herself as the supporter of "ordinary working people" appears to have negated what is current on ground, as analysis suggests that low income working families face significant reductions in income as a result of planned cuts to benefits, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

The analysis found one million households with children and no one in work would be £3,000 worse off, while three million working households with children currently entitled to tax credits would be on average £2,500 worse off. A further four million households with children not entitled to tax credits would be £100 a year worse off.

Nevertheless, Andrew Gwynne, Labour's campaigns and elections chair, states that Mrs May was "taking working people for fools".

"Theresa May and her Tory government have failed to stand up for workers, with hundreds of thousands not being paid the money owed to them, thousands unable to get their case against their employer heard and hundreds of complaints of employment agency malpractice going un-investigated.

"The Tories have spent the last seven years prioritising the few, opposing Labour's proposals to give workers more rights and overseeing wage stagnation which has left people worse off."

Also speaking on the issue, Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor, was equally contemptuous.

"The Conservatives tried to ban workers from striking and were blocked by the Liberal Democrats in government," said the former business secretary, who clashed with No.10 over workers' rights in the coalition years.

"It's clear they aren't the party of workers' rights and that you can't trust them to care about you and your family."

Furthermore, Tim Roache, general secretary of the GMB union, was equally sceptical, saying "the greatest extensions of workers' rights by a Tory government frankly wouldn't be that hard to achieve given recent history".

He said the Tories should "end the public sector pay pinch" if they really want to prove the lot of working Britain, as he urged the Conservatives to "commit to a real living wage that people can live on without claiming benefits - all of which Labour has pledged to do".

Mr Roace also said: "And let's not forget, a lot of the problems working people face day in day out were caused by Tory austerity policies in the first place".

Pay rises in the public sector are capped at 1% a year until 2020, which could see 5.4 million public sector workers see a real-terms cut in their wages as a decade of pay restraint and high inflation eats into their living standards.

But Mrs May's proposals were given a cautious welcome by the Trade Union Congress, which described the measures as a "promising set of commitments", but said workers needed to see the details before they cast their votes.

Mrs May, on tour in southern England, will say on Monday: "There is only one leader that will put rights and opportunities for working families first.

"The choice is clear: economic stability and a better deal for workers under my Conservative team, or chaos under Jeremy Corbyn."

Recent survey reveals Mrs May and her party may get major votes from Leave voters

Recent survey reveals Mrs May and her party may get major votes from Leave voters

Politics Unknown   08:41

Political analysts have said that the upcoming snap general election my just be drawn along party line, but according to the voting pattern of the Brexit referendum where votes were made across party lines. Accordingly, it has been predicted that the Conservative Party could be having an overwhelming victory in the election.

A recently conducted opinion poll by YouGov reveals that 64% of the voting public see Brexit as one of the major challenges being faced by the UK, as it is fast becoming a unifying factor.

Data from the Financial Times have as a result separated the country’s voting population into three major groups as follows: the Hard Leavers, who want out the EU represent 45 per cent; the Hard Remainers, who want to stop Brexit represent 22 per cent, and the newest group the Re-Leavers — those who voted to Remain last summer but think the Government now has a duty to leave – represent up to 23 per cent voters.

Therefore, following the release of the above data, the Tories and Ukip, who have vowed to ensure Brexit is fully implemented, are now looking for voters from a pool of about 68 percent of voters, while Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Green are fighting for just 22 per cent of the electorate.

Accordingly, 7 0ut 10 Leavers determined to give their support to the PM and her party, while 45% of Re-Leavers have also decided to give their vote to the Tories.

This is because some voters have claimed that the position of the Labour Party regarding Brexit is not sceptical.

On the other hand, the Liberal Democrats anti-Brexit positon has also angered so many voters to turn their backs against the party, as they believe the country should carry out the implementation of its divorce arrangement from the EU, as its second referendum idea has been unpopular.

The report comes as Theresa May has urged voters to trust her as she vowed she will “try to say it as it is”.

Mrs May said: "Certainly that's my political philosophy”

"What it says on the tin is what they get."

While Nigel Farage has called for the Hard-Leaver voters to stay with Ukip as he warned that the Prime Minister may soften her positions.

He said: "The cat is out of the bag. She wants a big majority so she can soften the position in Brussels and we basically finish up being half in, half out.”*

Revealed, how motorists could be fined for paving way for emergency ambulance

Revealed, how motorists could be fined for paving way for emergency ambulance

News Unknown   08:32

How surprising it is for one to find him/herself found wanting for trying to pave the way for an emergency.

Rule 219 says: ”You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens, or flashing headlights, or traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights."

“When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs.

“If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road.

“Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb.

“Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you.”

The traffic rule also instructs motorists not to ignore street signs and pay attention to road around them.

Entering a bus lane or running a red light to get out of the way of an ambulance or emergency service vehicle could land you a fee.

This has been confirmed by Blue Light Aware, the public could be fined if they use the wrong way to let 999 vehicles pass. Stating that drivers of police cars, fire engines, and ambulances have been trained to avoid situations that could lead to such occuring.

Its website said: “That’s why, on most occasions, an emergency vehicle needing to make progress across a traffic light junction would not put itself behind another vehicle in the traffic light queue, but would, where the road layout and traffic conditions permit, move out to present itself and its intention to cross the junction.

“Of course, there will be times when there simply is no room for an emergency service vehicle to get past, or perhaps its crew are activated by their control room to respond to an emergency while they are waiting with everyone else at the traffic lights.

“On these occasions, they know that other motorists are not allowed to ‘jump’ the red light, and the emergency vehicle would ideally not activate its sirens and lights until it was safe for the vehicle in front to cross the solid white line at the junction.

“On the (hopefully) rare occasions that a blue light vehicle, in ’emergency mode’, is sitting behind another vehicle at a red traffic light, it’s important to appreciate that it would be both very dangerous and illegal for the other vehicle to move across the solid white line.

“The exception to this is that a uniformed police officer can direct a motorist through a red traffic signal.”

David Davis insists the UK will not need the ECJ after Brexit

David Davis insists the UK will not need the ECJ after Brexit

World Unknown   08:05

ITV host asserts even after the Britain finally leaves the EU, the European courts would still be necessary.

This was said as reaction to the Brexit Secretary David Davis, after he stated that the UK would no longer need the services of the European Courts, as he attacks those saying British courts were good enough to sort out the effect Brexit.

The Brexit was also resolute about a rational deal over the rights of all EU nationals living in the UK, and British nationals living in other EU nations.

 Mr Davis also confirmed how he will "have an argument" with Michel Barnier on how to deal with EU citizens after Brexit.

On his part, Mr Barnier has also said that the European Court of Justice "must absolutely" oversee the rights of EU citizens in the UK after the country leaves the bloc.

Conversely, Mr Davis ripped into this red line and said Britain will not stand for it ahead of his planned meeting with Mr Barnier at the end of June.

He told Peston: "There will be arguments over fine detail such as whether the European Court of Justice oversees these rights after we've left."

When pressed by Peston on the "need for the ECJ", Mr Davis hit back: "We are not prepared to accept that. We'll have an argument about that.

"The simple truth is that we are leaving, we are going to be outside the reach of the European court. We do not want the ECJ getting involved in our affairs.

"I take slight offence to the idea that the Supreme Court couldn't oversee this. We have very good courts in this country."

 Britain's Secretary for leaving the EU stressed that the British public voted for a future without the single market, the customs union, the European Court of Justice, and returned control over immigration.

Mr Davis added: "Both sides knew that if we leave, we leave it all!

"We are seeking a comprehensive free trade agreement covering all products and alls services, and a customs agreement to go along that.

"We want the most beneficial economic outcome while respecting the referendum."

Later in the interview, Mr Davis mocked those who claimed a bad deal with the EU was better than no deal.

He told Peston: "Nobody wants no deal, but you need the option. We have to the option to walk away, or else we will be blackmailed.

"When you go buy a house and say I will buy this house no matter what, you'll be charged a fortune!"

Find below some useful information about the application or renewal of a child’s British passport.

Find below some useful information about the application or renewal of a child’s British passport.

News Unknown   08:11

 Children’s passport varies in many ways from that adult passport in terms of cost it is cheaper to get and also lasts half the time of an adult passport.

For any British citizen to travel abroad, a passport is a must have, thus, parents can file an application for their children’s passport from birth till they are 15 years of age.

Though there is Fast Track service for those needing it urgently, under normal circumstances, it takes only three weeks to get it ready.

For all British nationals residing in the UK, they can either apply, renew or update thier child’s passport online https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport or via post.

Or else parents can collect a paper form from the nearest Post Office and post it or use the Check and Send service.

Children aged 12 or over, will need to complete section six of the form. Also, a counter-signatory will need to sign the form if:

·         they’re aged 11 or under

·         they’ve never had a British passport before

·         they can’t be recognised from the photo in their old passport

·         their old passport has been lost, stolen or damaged

Along with the application form, you’ll have to send in passport photos and identification documents.

The same passport photo rules apply for a child’s passport as to an adult’s. Therefore, the submission of original identification documents is needed as an evidence that the child is indeed a British national e.g. birth certificate.

Meanwhile, a 15 year old child, who is going to be 16 within the next three weeks, must apply for a 10-year adult passport.

But the HM Passport Office advises: “Your child can use their child passport until it expires, even if they’re over 18.”

Finally, the cost of getting a child’s passport if done online or by post is £46, while those using the Post Office Passport Check and Send service, will pay £55.75. Which can be paid by credit card, debit card, cheque or postal order.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson places a demand on Brussels to pay the ‘ridiculous’ Brexit divorce bill

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson places a demand on Brussels to pay the ‘ridiculous’ Brexit divorce bill

Politics Unknown   07:51

Britain spits fire, as Boris talks about the possibility of Brussels being forced to pay the controversial Brexit divorce bill, accusing the EU of making every move to “bleed this country white”. An opinion which is at variance with the claim of EU leaders against the UK.

According to his analysis, which may after be correct, as every assets is matched against liabilities, even in everyday business practice. Saying that it is possible for Britain to “definitely” walk away without paying any penny, because the country’s share of the bloc’s assets may be very well enough that Brussels may even pay into the UK’s treasury.

Asked whether he agreed with former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith that Britain might end up receiving a payment, Mr Johnson told the Daily Telegraph: "I do, I think there are very good arguments.

"There are assets, I don't want to get too much into the detail of the negotiation but there are assets that we share, that we have paid for over the years and there will need to be a proper computation of the value of those assets.

"I certainly think the bill that's been presented at the moment is absurd."

Mr Johnson speaking further condemned the "shameful" leaking of details of a Downing Street meeting between Prime Minister Theresa May, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier showed "Brussels is ruthless in its negotiating techniques".

Accusing the EU of "trying it on", he said: "They are going to try to bleed this country white with their bill.

"The logic behind this bill is absolutely preposterous. We could definitely walk away."

The Foreign Secretary also warned about the likelihood of Russian interfering in the upcoming general election, saying it is a "realistic possibility", and claimed Russian president Vladimir Putin would "rejoice" if Jeremy Corbyn got into Number 10.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "I think it is a realistic possibility. Clearly we think that is what he (Mr Putin) did in America, it's blatantly obvious that's what he did in France. In the western Balkans he is up to all sorts of sordid enterprises, so we have to be vigilant."

Mr Johnson suggested Mr Putin's motive was "to undermine faith in democracy altogether and to discredit the whole democratic process".

Michael Barnier's Brexit speech slammed by Irish politicians in parliament

Michael Barnier's Brexit speech slammed by Irish politicians in parliament

Politics Unknown   13:01

Despite his landmark speech delivered on the floor of the Irish parliament, Michael Barnier has given several condemnations from different politicians in Ireland after a careful look into details of his speech.

Moments after ending his speech, which cautioned that Brexit will come “at a cost” for all member states of the EU, a small number of nonplussed members of the Irish parliament gave a slam.

Socialist TD Richard Boyd Barrett took annoyance at the measures forced on Ireland after the bailout during the country’s economic crash, explaining it had inflicted “cruel and absolutely vicious austerity” on the country.

The politician also went further to lambast the EU chief negotiator and his colleagues in Brussels of working to achieve a “Fortress Europe” at the detriment of individual member states.

The TD said: "This week 350 refugees drowned in the Mediterranean because of the EU’s ‘Fortress Europe’ policies."

Thus, he refused to accept the EU’s right to negotiate outright with the UK, instead calling for an Irish referendum on whether or not to accept the final exit deal.

He said: "I don’t trust the European Union, Mr Barnier, to do a deal which will vindicate the need and aspirations of this country."

In a similar vein, Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein’s leader in the Republic and TD for Louth, also gave his criticism against Mr Barnier’s assertion which states that a good deal will be reached between Ireland and England.

He warned Mr Barnier: “Brexit will affect our entire island if we let it. It is already having a major negative effect.”

He said in light of challenges posed by Brexit, including the potential reintroduction of a hard border, Northern Ireland should be granted special status and be allowed to remain in the EU.

Mr Adams also called for a referendum on whether Ireland should accept the terms of the final Brexit deal agreed between Mr Barnier and the UK - further chipping away at Mr Barnier's right to negotiate on behalf of an entire union of states.

Good news for HIV positive patients, as they can live up to 78 with ART

Good news for HIV positive patients, as they can live up to 78 with ART

News Unknown   09:12

A new study has shown how young HIV-positive patients being given the latest treatments can now live a "near-normal" life expectancy.

This latest useful information was disclosed in The Lancet, a medical journal written by scientists saying that a 20-year-old who starts antiretroviral treatment (ART) from 2010 can now live up to 78 years as any other person.

Though the patient would have died about 10 years younger if they had started the treatment in 1995, says the report.

Speaking with Sky News, Professor Jonathan Stern who co-authored the study stated that recent medical advances signifies that an HIV patient "taking one pill every day could expect near-normal life expectancy".

Prof Sterne also looked ahead to the prospect of eventually eradicating the virus completely, saying: "People who are treated are no longer infectious, or far less likely to transmit their HIV" when they are taking ART.

However, ART, a blend of three or more drugs that block the virus from reproducing and help repair the damaged immune system, need to be taken for life.

The ART drugs were widely announced 20 years ago which brought about a dramatic and instant reductions in the number of deaths linked to HIV, which can lead to AIDS if left untreated.

He  further that efforts being made to destigmatising the disease played a major part in people seeking help, as well as increasing the quality of life for those living with HIV.

One major example, was that of the 'Diana moment' in 1987, when Princess Diana held the hand of an AIDS patient in pictures that were broadcast across the world, was an early first step in removing the stigma associated with HIV.

The report also stated that despite the impressive treatments recorded so far, the life expectancy rate of those who got the virus via drugs does not improve as much as in other groups.

Nevertheless, putting into account all age groups, the life expectancy for patients remains lower than the general population.

Michael Barnier assures the Irish people that Brussel with work hard to protect their interest post-Brexit

Michael Barnier assures the Irish people that Brussel with work hard to protect their interest post-Brexit

World Unknown   08:52

Delivering his speech to both houses of the Irish parliament yesterday, Michael Barnier again reassured the people of Ireland how he try his possible best to avoid a hard during Brexit.

He used the moment to also acknowledge saying: "I am fully aware that some member states will be more affected than others.

"I want to reassure the Irish people: in this negotiation Ireland's interest will be the Union's interest ... Brexit changes the external borders of the EU.

"I will work with you to avoid a hard border."

In addressing both houses of parliament, Mr Barnier was given a privilege normally only afforded to visiting heads of state and prime ministers, joining luminaries like Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton.

He further stated that there was no reason why the EU and Britain cannot maintain a "strong relationship" post Brexit, but Brexit will unavoidably have costs.

Resounding comments made last week, Mr Barnier said Brexit would "come at a cost" to both the UK and the remaining 27 members of the EU, but his objective was to reach a "fair deal" with London.

Mr Barnier said: "If we put things in the right order, if we negotiate with mutual respect, without any kind of aggressivity ... if we are open to finding solutions, there is no reason why a strong Europe cannot maintain a strong relationship with the UK."

Knowing that Brexit poses particular issues to Ireland, he said: "I want to reassure the Irish people: in this negotiation Ireland's interest will be the union's interest.

"We are in this negotiation together and a united EU will be here for you."

He repeated the EU's position that the issue of the UK-Ireland border, citizens' rights and "the financial settlement" must be the first priorities for talks.

"We first must make sufficient progress on these points before we start discussing the future of our relationship with the UK.

"The sooner this will happen, the better.

"If the conditions are right, a close partnership with the UK is in everybody's interest. And in Ireland's interest in particular."

EU chief negotiator Michael Barnier begs for a friendly and ambitious Brexit negotiations with Britain

EU chief negotiator Michael Barnier begs for a friendly and ambitious Brexit negotiations with Britain

Politics Unknown   08:40

With the look of things it is becoming apparent that that after all the heated threats and counter threats from both parties, the European Union and the United Kingdom may sheath their swords in order to have an itch free negotiation for a better future relationships.

It was on Thursday afternoon when Michael Barnier while addressing the Irish parliament released statements for his ambitious hopes for closest possible future relationships between the UK and the EU, which analysts term a landmark speech.

Making his open conciliatory speech, the EU chief Brexit negotiator rejected “aggressive” eurocrats as he begged both Brussels and Westminster to take away any poison from the Brexit negotiations. Saying he received with deep regret the decision of the British people to exit the bloc, however, such a decision should not be allowed to destroy the long standing friendliness between the EU and the UK.

Mr Barnier told Irish MPs: “I am convinced that Ireland will play a major role in these changes…as a bridge across the Atlantic, as a supporter of the future relationship that we need to build with the UK.

“We want these negotiations to succeed, I want us to reach a deal. The UK has been a member of the EU for 44 years it should remain a close partner.

“We’ll need to negotiate a bold and ambitious but also fair free trade agreement. We will also need the same ambition for our research and innovation networks and for the fights against climate change.

“We need the same ambition in the field of our internal and external security, whether it’s the fight against terrorism, the exchange of information, or cyber security.

“We need the same ambition on foreign policy, on international cooperation and development. Tomorrow our international partners should be able to turn to the EU and to the UK and find in them strong and united advocates of our shared European values.”

Also in a sideswipe at both Downing Street and Brussels, he added: “If we negotiate with mutual respect without any kind of aggression, nicely, if we’re open to finding solutions there’s no reason why our strong Europe cannot maintain a close relationship with the strong UK.”

His stance was resonated by Irish Taioseach Enda Kenny, who called for a “scoping out” of future relations between Britain and the rest of the EU “as soon as possible”.

Thus, Mr Kenny, seen as one of the UK’s key allies in the talks, said: “This is a political challenge and we will have to be both flexible and imaginative to deal with it.

“Our objective is for a close and positive future relationship with the UK and we’re pleased therefore the guidelines say the EU wants an ambitious agreement not just in economic terms but also in areas such as security.”

Mr Barnier talking up the prospects of a good Brexit deal, also warned: “But let’s also be clear, Brexit will come at a cost also to us the 27.

“The UK’s departure from the EU will have consequences. We have the duty to speak the truth. We have together the duty to speak the truth.”  

Labour Party's electoral manifesto leaked

Labour Party's electoral manifesto leaked

Politics Unknown   11:18

Below are some of the promises included in the manifesto of the Labour Party which were revealed in a leaked document.

The Party is planning to re-nationalise energy companies in the United Kingdom, railways and the Royal Mail.

Work round the clock to achieve a "nuclear-free world" and "extremely cautious" about using Britain's nuclear deterrent.

Only send British armed forces into combat if "all other options have been exhausted".

The manifesto also says the party’s leader Mr Corbyn will scrap tuition fees, rule out a "no deal" Brexit and refuse to set a migration target, but keep Trident despite Mr Corbyn's personal opposition to its renewal.

The party’s manifestoes were leak on the eve of a meeting to agree the manifesto to be attended by Labour's national executive, shadow cabinet, policy forum, trade union leaders and backbench committee of MPs.

The proposals, already being dismissed by critics as a return to the 1970s, include:

·         A pledge to nationalise energy firms, railways, bus firms and Royal Mail

·          Income tax increases for those earning more than £80,000 a year

·         Ensuring 60% of the UK's energy comes from renewable sources by 2030

·         Companies with government contracts would only be allowed to pay their highest earner 20 times more than the lowest

·         Fines for businesses that pay their staff high wages and a business levy on profits

It was also included in the manifesto that, the party would inject extra £6 billion annually for the NHS and another £1.6 billion annually for social care.

The total scrapping of university tuition fees to encourage more students into the university, make town halls to build 100,000 new council houses for the British people, under a new Department for Housing. And offer thousands of homes to rough sleepers and cap private rent increase during inflation.

Create a new Ministry of Labour that will supervise the biggest boost to workers’ rights in decades, while planned hikes to the pension age beyond 66 will not go ahead.

It also contains measures already announced including £5bn to end "Tory schools cuts", 10,000 extra police officers and a £250bn capital investment programme to upgrade British infrastructure.

Despite the big spending pledges, the manifesto includes a commitment to get rid of the deficit and balance Britain's day-to-day budget by the end of the next Parliament.

The extra spending will be almost entirely funded by new taxes for big corporations and rich individuals, the manifesto suggests.

The draft manifesto states: "University tuition is free in many northern European countries, and under a Labour government it will be free in Britain too."

Mr Corbyn has previously suggested the measure would cost £7bn and could be funded through higher corporation tax. There will also be £1bn invested in culture and the arts.

The pledges to boost workers' and trade union rights include the doubling of paternity leave on increased pay; a right to a contract for those working 12 hours a week or more; and an assumption that workers are employees unless a firm can prove otherwise.

On defence the manifesto says: "Any prime minister should be extremely cautious about ordering the use of weapons of mass destruction which would result in the indiscriminate killing of millions of innocent civilians."

On immigration, the manifesto says Labour will make "no false promises" as the Tories have done.

Instead it states "our economy needs migrant workers to keep going" and vows to abandon rules which stop British citizens from bringing in spouses from outside Europe unless they earn £18,600-a-year.

That 'minimum income threshold' will be dropped, and replaced with a new obligation to live in Britain without relying on public funds or benefits.

Instead it vows to crack down on bosses who try to undercut wages with migrant workers or recruit exclusively from abroad.

The manifesto will delight Labour left-wingers who have spent decades calling for the party to be more radical, but critics are bound to compare it to the Michael Foot manifesto of 1983, notoriously dismissed by the late Gerald Kaufman as "the longest suicide note in history".

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn told Sky News: "We do not comment on leaks. We will announce our policies in our manifesto, which is our plan to transform Britain for the many, not the few."

A Conservative spokesman said: "This is a total shambles. Jeremy Corbyn's plans to unleash chaos on Britain have been revealed.

"The commitments in this dossier will rack up tens of billions of extra borrowing for our families and will put Brexit negotiations at risk.

"Jobs will be lost, families will be hit and our economic security damaged for a generation if Jeremy Corbyn and the coalition of chaos are ever let anywhere near the keys to Downing Street."

For the Liberal Democrats, Tom Brake said: "This manifesto became meaningless the day Jeremy Corbyn ordered his MPs to vote with the Conservatives and UKIP to give Theresa May a blank cheque on Brexit.

"Labour supporters should have hope that someone will stand up to Theresa May's divisive Brexit deal, but it won't be Jeremy Corbyn."

Source: Sky News, May 2017