Friday, 5 April 2019

May asks for Brexit extension to June 30; EU could offer a year

Political reporter(wp/reuters):::
British Prime Minister Theresa May wrote to Brussels on Friday asking for a delay of Brexit until up to June 30, while saying she aims to get Britain out of the EU earlier to avoid it participating in European elections.
But Donald Tusk, who chairs EU summits, has proposed a longer Brexit postponement of one year for Britain’s feuding politicians to agree and ratify a plan, EU officials said.
Any such extension would still require unanimous approval of the other 27 EU countries and some, notably France, suggested they wanted a better justification from London for its request.
Britain is now due to leave the EU in a week, but May has been forced to seek more time after Britain’s parliament repeatedly rejected her withdrawal agreement.
Her Conservative Party is deeply divided, as is the main opposition Labour Party, leading to a bewildering marathon of inconclusive votes in parliament that stretched Britain’s centuries-old unwritten constitution to its limits. Scenarios running the gamut from abandoning the EU abruptly with no deal to cancelling Brexit altogether have all gone down to defeat.
Obscure parliamentary procedures have been resurrected, providing daily drama from the House of Commons but making the future of Britain’s biggest change in generations no clearer.
After finally recognising that her minority Conservative government could not push through a Brexit deal on its own, May started talks this week with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in the hope of coming up with a cross-party solution.
But that means accepting the need for more time, including the possibility of Britain holding European Parliament elections on May 23, which May has long hoped to avoid at all cost.
“The United Kingdom proposes that this period should end on 30 June 2019,” May said in the letter.
“The government will want to agree a timetable for ratification that allows the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union before 23 May, 2019, and therefore cancel the European Parliament elections, but will continue to make responsible preparations to hold the elections should this not prove possible.”

CLIFF EDGE

But there seems to be little appetite in Brussels for an extension that could create another cliff edge in three months. May asked two weeks ago for an extension to June 30, and the EU turned her down.
Tusk, who will convene EU leaders on Wednesday, is planning to propose an extension of a year, senior EU officials said. As in May’s proposal, the extension could be halted early if Britain ratifies the withdrawal agreement.
“The only reasonable way out would be a long but flexible extension. I would call it a ‘flextension’,” an EU official said.
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“It seems to be a good scenario for both sides, as it gives the UK all the necessary flexibility, while avoiding the need to meet every few weeks to further discuss Brexit extensions.”
The drama in Britain’s parliament - where governments normally control business and rarely hold votes unless they will win - has no modern precedent.
One vote was the biggest government defeat in history. Another was won by a single vote after a lawmaker, on parole from prison, turned up with an ankle tag. One Conservative choked back tears and stormed off the party benches as he quit the party on the floor of the house.
Friday offered a respite, with no business scheduled in parliament. But more talks were planned between staff of May and Corbyn. May’s spokesman said there would be no time limit but the government’s aim was to produce a deal that could be ratified in time to leave the EU by May 22.

“TACTICAL MANOEUVRING”

France, which wants the EU to move on to other business including a package of reforms proposed by President Emmanuel Macron, indicated it was not ready to accept an extension unless Britain presented a clear plan for the future: “We’re not there today,” a source close to Macron told Reuters.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told reporters in Bucharest: “If we are not able to understand the reason why the UK is asking for an extension, we cannot give a positive answer.”
Other European politicians signalled they want to give Britain time to rethink, but were sceptical of May’s proposal to create another new hard deadline at the end of June.
Norbert Roettgen, head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament, backed Tusk’s proposal to allow up to a year. He said May’s deadline of June 30 made no sense and was motivated by “domestic tactical manoeuvring”.
Paul Ziemiak, secretary general of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, told Reuters Television he leaned “towards taking our time to sort things out ... More time also means more possibilities to talk about an orderly Brexit”.
Britain voted 52 percent to 48 percent to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum and its two main parties both committed to delivering that outcome. But they never settled on a plan for how to leave or what future relationship to seek.
May offered to quit last week to get her deal passed but it was defeated for a third time last Friday. That prompted her latest gamble: talks with Corbyn, a stunning about face after nearly three years of insisting that her terms were the only viable plan. The move split her cabinet and infuriated the most pro-Brexit wing of her Conservatives.
Labour too is divided. It is officially committed to leaving the EU but with closer ties than May has sought, including a customs union, which May has so far ruled out. Many Labour lawmakers also want to put any agreement to a second public vote, a potential path for Brexit to be rejected altogether.
Corbyn has been difficult to pin down on whether he would insist on a new referendum, but his deputy Tom Watson said the party would have difficulty backing any deal without one.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand (October 2018)

AUSTRALIA, FIJI, TONGA AND NEW ZEALAND (16th to 31st October 2018) Gifts received by TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex AUSTRALIA To From Description TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Albert Park Primary School Charity wristbands TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Butchulla Elder and Traditional Owner Fraser Island Three soft toys TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Darlinghurst Public School Scrapbook TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Dubbo Regional Council Soft toy elephant, a bib, baby milestone cards, a swaddle bag, a pair of sandals, a pair of baby's socks, two blankets, a baby wearing sling, two swaddle blankets, a sleep suit, a comforter, a pair of baby's slippers TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Elder of the Butchulla Four photographs and a print TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Elder of the Wurundjeri Book and two pin badges TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Elwood Primary School Two travel cups and two pin badges TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Girls Academy, Dubbo College Necklace and earrings, a t-shirt, a sports vest and a painted egg TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Government House Christmas tree decoration TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex H.E. General The Hon. David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex H.E. General The Hon. Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC, Governor-General of Australia and Lady Cosgrove Soft toy kangaroo and a pair of baby's boots TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex H.E. The Hon. Linda Dessau, AC, Governor of Victoria, and Mr. Anthony Howard QC Framed photograph TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toys TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Apron, pot holder and oven glove, coasters and two soft toys TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Australian Rules football TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's bib TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's bib TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's blanket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's blanket and a baby hat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's blanket and a board book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's body vest TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's body vest TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's bootees and a hat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's jumper TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's rattle TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's shawl TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's shawl TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's shawl TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's sleep suit TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's sleep suit TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's wrap TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pen TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baseball cap TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baseball cap and two soft toy kookaburras TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Bath towel, a hand towel and a flannel TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Bathi basket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Beach towel TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Beach towel TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Blanket and a rattle TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Board book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Board book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Board Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Board book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book and a pin badge TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book and a soft toy sheep TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book and baby's socks TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Boomerang TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Boomerang TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Boomerang TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Boxed book and a soft toy possum TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Buggy toy TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual CD TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual CD and a t-shirt TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Ceramic sculpture TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Ceramic vase and four pin badges TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Charity wristband TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Child's jumper TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Child's lifeguard outfit TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Child's painting TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Child's rugby kit TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Child's sundress TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Child's wet suit TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Christmas tree decoration TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Christmas tree ornament TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Commemorative coin and a scarf TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Commemorative medal TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Commemorative medal TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Commemorative token TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Copper decoration TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Didgeridoo TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Didgeridoo TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Drawing TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Drinks holder TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual DVD TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Kitchenware TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Four books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Drinks can holders TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy koalas TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed painting TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed photograph TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed print TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Gift set of toiletries TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Hair band TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Hand towel TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Hat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Keyring TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Knitted matinee jacket, a hat and bootees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Matinee jacket and a baby's hat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Matinee jacket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Matinee jacket, a hat and bootees and a t-shirt TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Neckerchief and woggle TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Necklace TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Necklace TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Painting on canvas board TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's bootees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's bootees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's bootees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's bootees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's bootees and a hat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's bootees and a tea towel TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's boots TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's socks TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's socks TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of pin badges TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pastel on paper and a painting on canvas TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pet toy TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Photograph TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Photograph book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Photograph frame TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Photographic print TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Photographic scrapbook TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pin badge TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pin badge TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pin badge TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pin badge TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Plaque TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Poster TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Print on wood TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Quilted play mat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Quilted wall-hanging and books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Scarf TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Scarf TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Scarf, a hat and a pair of baby's bootees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Scented candle TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Scented candle TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Hair accessories TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Set of teaspoons TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Shirt and a jumper TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby’s wraps TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy bunny TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy dingo TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy dingo TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy doll TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy echidna TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy emu TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy humpback whale TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy kangaroo TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy kangaroo TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy kangaroo TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy kangaroo sewing pattern TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy koala TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy koala TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy koala and a bookmark TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy koala, a baby's rattle and a swaddle blanket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy koala, two fabric baby books and a baby's sleep aid TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy numbat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy ram TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear and a baby's vest TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear and a sleep suit TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy wombat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy wombat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy wombat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Sports polo jersey and a t-shirt TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Sunhat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Swaddle blanket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Swaddle blanket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Tea towel TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Textile banner TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Three books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Three message sticks and a wooden tray TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Sports tops TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Hair accessory TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Tie and a scarf TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Toy storage box TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Travel neck rest TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual T-shirt and two baseball caps TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baby's body vests TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baby's cardigans TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baseball caps TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baseball caps TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baseball caps TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baseball caps TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two black baseball caps TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books and a soft toy possum TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two boxes of cards TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two bracelets TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two Christmas baubles TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two fabric aprons TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two keyrings TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two koala clips TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two Lego toys TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two pairs of baby's shoes TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two pairs of baby's socks TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two prints on canvas and a rugby ball TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two soft toy koalas TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two soft toy teddy bears TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two soft toy teddy bears TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two sports tops, a baby body vest, a bib, a hat and a soft toy wallaby TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two sweaters, two baseball caps and two charity wristbands TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two t-shirts TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two wooden clap sticks TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two wooden clap sticks TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Royal Flying Doctor Service Soft toy teddy bear, two baseball caps, two water bottles and a tote bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Royal Flying Doctor Service, South Eastern Division, Broken Hill Womens Auxiliary Inc. Christmas pudding TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Senior Elder of the Wurundjeri Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex St. Joseph's School Soft toy bumble bee TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex St. Kilda Primary School Two t-shirts, a child's t-shirt and a baby's bib TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex The Hon. Gladys Bevejiklian MP, Premier of New South Wales Soft toy koala TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex The Hon. John Barilaro MP, Deputy Premier New South Wales Pair of baby boots TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex The Hon. William Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition Party Framed watercolour TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex The Rt. Hon Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia Two books HRH The Duke of Sussex Clontarf Foundation, Dubbo Senior College Sports jersey HRH The Duke of Sussex Commander General of the Colombian Army Plaque HRH The Duke of Sussex Elder of the Wurundjeri Book HRH The Duke of Sussex H.E. General The Hon. Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC, Governor-General of Australia and Lady Cosgrove Akubra hat HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Baseball cap HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Book and a drinks can holder HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Book, a woollen hat, a neck tie and a bow tie HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Quilt, a laundry bag and a knitted flower HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Rugby ball HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual T-shirt HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Wooden boomerang and a pair of trainers HRH The Duke of Sussex Unknown Handkerchief and a tie HRH The Duke of Sussex Unknown T-shirt HRH The Duke of Sussex Unknown T-shirt HRH The Duchess of Sussex H.E. General The Hon. Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC, Governor-General of Australia and Lady Cosgrove Akubra hat HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Book HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Book HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Book, a pair of leggings, a woollen hat and a baby's body vest HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Handkerchief HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Painting on canvas HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of earrings HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Hair accessory HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Purse HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Quilt, a laundry bag and a knitted flower HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Scarf HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Scarf HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Scarf HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Selection of toiletries HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Set of four books HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Handbags HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Scarves HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual T-shirt HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books, a sleep suit, a swaddle suit, a soft toy koala, toiletries, tea and biscuits HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Two t-shirts Received on behalf of HRH The Prince of Wales Individual Book Received on behalf of TRH Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cambridge Individual Book Received on behalf of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge H.E. General The Hon. Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC, Governor-General of Australia and Lady Cosgrove Soft toy koala Received on behalf of Prince Louis of Cambridge H.E. General The Hon. Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC, Governor-General of Australia and Lady Cosgrove Soft toy platypus FIJI To From Description TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's body vest and a sleep suit TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baseball cap TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Fabric doll TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Folded masi cloth TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed artwork TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Photographic print TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Shopping bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two woven grass fans TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two woven grass fans TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Water bottle and two sarongs TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven grass and fabric clutch bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven grass bag containing traditional Fijian souvenirs TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven grass fan TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex The University of The South Pacific Braille Eye-Slate and a book HRH The Duke of Sussex H.E. Major General (Ret.) Jioji Konusi Konrote CF OF(Mil) MC SBSt.J MSD OMRI NOC, President of the Republic of Fiji iWau (Fijian war club) HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Tie HRH The Duchess of Sussex First Lady of Fiji, Madam Faga Sarote Necklace HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Masi tree bark flower hairpin HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Necklace HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual T-shirt TONGA To From Description TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauu of Tonga Roll of tapa cloth TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauu of Tonga Woven Tongan grass mat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u of Tonga Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u of Tonga Tongan wooden tapa beater and headrest TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Batik flower TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Box of toiletries TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Selection of vanilla products TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Table cloth and four placemats TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Tapa cloth sculpture TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Three posters TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two backpacks TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two ballpoint pens TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two posters TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two ta'ovala (Tongan grass skirts) TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven grass basket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven seagrass basket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Tupou College Tie and a pocket square HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Necklace and a bracelet HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Necklace HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Skirt and scarf NEW ZEALAND To From Description TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Commissioner of Police Commemorative medal and a pair of earrings TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Government House Carved wooden miniature Maori paddle TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toys TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual 1953 Coronation souvenir flag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's hat TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's bib TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's body vest TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's body vest and a baby's dress TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's Christmas stocking TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's t-shirt TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Baby's t-sh TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book and a woven grass bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Book, a woven flax bag, and a baby's body vest TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Brooch TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Buzzy Bee toy TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Buzzy Bee toy TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Cardboard model of an angel TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Crocheted bouquet of flowers and a knitted ball TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual DVD TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Eye cream and a lipstick TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Five books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Four hats TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Four pairs of baby's bootees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed photograph TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed photographic montage TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed poem TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed portrait TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Framed textile TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Knitted baby's dress TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Necklace TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Necklace TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Necklace TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Painted pebble TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby socks TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby trousers TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of baby's dungarees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of child's Wellington boots TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of earrings TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of Maori poi balls TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Pair of Maori poi balls, two Buzzy bee decorations, a baby's rattle, a pair of trainer socks, shells, two felt poppy brooches and painted pebbles TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Paper corsage TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Photograph scrapbook TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Photographic print TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Piece of paua shell TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Plaque TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Plaque TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Rugby ball TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Rugby shirt TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy Buzzy Bee TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy dog TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy doll TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy elephant TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy kiwi TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy kiwi TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy kiwi TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy monkey TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy rabbit TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy sheep TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy sheep TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Soft toy teddy bear TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Sports duffle bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Squishy ball TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Teething ring TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Three soft toy dolls TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual T-shirt TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual T-shirt, three pots of slime and a bottle of mist spray TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baby body vests and two tshirts TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baby's jumpers TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two ballpoint pens TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baseball caps TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two baseball caps and a book TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two books TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two commemorative coin presentations TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two scarves TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two soft toy dolls TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two soft toy dolls TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Two t-shirts TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Watercolour and collage TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Wooden heart plaque TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Wooden plinth TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Wooden presentation box TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woollen baby blanket TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven flax bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven grass bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven grass bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Individual Woven grass handbag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Manawhenua Ki Mohua (Ngati Tama, Ngati Rarua and Te Atiawa) Framed painting TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Mayor of Auckland Two books, a soft toy kiwi, a soft toy sheep, two pairs of baby trainers, three pairs of baby's bootees, five baby's hats, a pair of baby mittens, a pair of baby socks, a baby vest and a baby cardigan TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Motueka High School Baby's body vest and a pair of bootees TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Rotorua Primary School Pair of Maori poi balls, seven books and a woven flax bag TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex The Rt. Hon. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand Double vinyl record and a CD HRH The Duke of Sussex H.E. The Rt. Hon. Dame Patsy Reddy, Governor General of New Zealand Necklace HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Book HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Certificate HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Hooded jumper HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Pair of cufflinks HRH The Duke of Sussex Individual Sports jersey HRH The Duke of Sussex Motueka High School Pair of gloves HRH The Duke of Sussex Paramount Chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa, Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tukino VIII, on behalf of the people of Te Arawa, Rotorua He Tewhatewha (Traditional Maori weapon) HRH The Duke of Sussex The Hon. Simon Bridges MP, Leader of the Opposition Scarf HRH The Duchess of Sussex H.E. The Rt. Hon. Dame Patsy Reddy, Governor General of New Zealand Necklace HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Carved model of a silver fern HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual Hooded sports jumper HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual T-shirt HRH The Duchess of Sussex Individual T-shirt HRH The Duchess of Sussex Motueka High School Pair gloves HRH The Duchess of Sussex Ngati Whakaue on behalf of the Te Arawa people Maori korowai (cloak) HRH The Duchess of Sussex The Hon. Simon Bridges MP, Leader of the Opposition Snood HRH The Duchess of Sussex The Rt. Hon. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand Pair of earrings Received on behalf of HRH The Duke of Cambridge Individual Book Received on behalf of HRH The Duke of Cambridge Individual Sports jersey Received on behalf of TRH Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cambridge Individual Book Received on behalf of HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge Individual Book.

Royal Press(ENGLAND ROYAL FAMILY)

Wednesday, 3 April 2019

Clapham Common stabbing: Man charged with Gavin Garraway murder

Crime eporter(wp/bbc):::
An 18-year-old has been charged with the murder of a motorist who was stabbed to death in his car.
Gavin Garraway, 40, was driving near Clapham Common Tube station when he was attacked on Friday afternoon.
Zion Chiata is accused of killing Mr Garraway and will appear before magistrates later, Scotland Yard said.
A 14-year-old boy and 19-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder have been released under investigation, police said.
Mr Chiata, of Battersea, is further charged with possession of a bladed article, the Met added.
Father-of-three Mr Garraway, from Lambeth, died at the scene of the attack in Clapham Park Road, south-west London.

Fulham stab death: Man charged with murder of Nathaniel Armstrong

Nathaniel
Pic-Nathaniel Armstrong died at the scene before paramedics arrived
Crime reporter(wp/bbc):::
A man has been charged with the fatal stabbing of a man in south-west London.
Nathaniel Armstrong, 29, died at the scene of the attack in Gowan Avenue, Fulham, on 16 March.
Lovel Bailey, 29, of Bromwich Walk, Birmingham, has been charged with murder after being arrested at Gatwick Airport on Tuesday. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later.
Mr Armstrong's cousin Alex Beresford, Good Morning Britain's weatherman, said the victim was a "bright young man".

Crossrail delay report: 'Unacceptable' accountability

staff reporter(wp/bbc):::
here has been an "unacceptable" lack of accountability over the delays to Crossrail, a report has said.
Crossrail, Europe's biggest infrastructure project, had been due to open in December 2018, but will not now open fully until 2020 at the earliest.
Three emergency cash injections have seen the cost of the route rise from £14.8bn to £17.6bn.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said it "absolutely rejects" claims there was insufficient oversight.
Both the DfT and Transport for London (TfL) are joint sponsors of the project, which is run through an "arms-length" body, Crossrail Ltd.

'Warning signs ignored'

A report by the Commons' Public Accounts Committee found an "unacceptably laissez-faire" attitude to project costs from the overlapping organisations.
The DfT and Crossrail Ltd "are unable to fully explain how the programme has been allowed to unravel," the report found.
All three bodies were "unwilling to pinpoint responsibility to a single individual or entity", the committee said.
Four months before the line was due in December 2018 a delay was announcedto allow more time for testing.
A "fixation on a delivery deadline of December 2018" led to warning signs being missed or ignored when the programme was in trouble, the report said.
TfL estimates it will miss out on at least £20m in revenue due to the delay.
Elizabeth Line trains are already operating between Shenfield and Liverpool Street, and between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington.
When fully open, the project will help ease London's chronic congestion.
Trains will run from Reading and Heathrow in the west through 13 miles of new tunnels to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
Crossrail says the new line will connect Paddington to Canary Wharf in 17 minutes and described the 10-year project as "hugely complex".
An estimated 200 million passengers will use the new underground line annually, increasing central London rail capacity by 10% - the largest increase since World War Two.

UK-focused shares cheer potential further Brexit delay

Political reporter(wp/reuters):::
The prospect of a further delay to Brexit pushed up London’s midcap index and more domestically exposed sectors including banks and homebuilders on Wednesday, as it eased some fears of a disruptive no-deal departure.
The FTSE 250 bounced to a two-week high, climbing 0.6 percent in its fifth straight session of gains, while the exporter-heavy FTSE 100 lagged its European peers as the pound firmed.
Prime Minister Theresa May, after seven hours of cabinet meetings on Tuesday, said she would seek another Brexit delay beyond April 12 to try to agree a European Union divorce deal with the opposition Labour leader.
Dublin’s main index, seen as a gauge of Brexit jitters, added 0.6 percent on its fourth consecutive session of gains.
“None of this guarantees Britain won’t bumble out of the EU sans deal, especially given the frothing fury May’s cross-party olive branch has caused among the hard right of her Tory party. However, it is better than nothing,” said Spreadex Analyst Connor Campbell.
Although the default remained that Britain would leave the bloc without a deal, May’s move offered the prospect of keeping the UK in a much closer economic relationship with the EU after Brexit.
That boosted shares in housebuilders with blue-chips Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt all rising between 2 and 3 percent.
British banks including Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds and Barclays also thrived.
However, exporters felt the brunt of a stronger sterling and kept the main index in the red.
Burberry slipped 4.2 percent to be the biggest blue-chip faller as JP Morgan analysts slashed annual core profit estimates for the luxury goods brand on Brexit-related sterling volatility.
Topping the FTSE 250 leaderboard was transport company Stagecoach that surged 11 percent after it hiked its annual adjusted profit target on what it called “strong trading and positive progress” in the UK rail business.
The small-cap index saw some steep news-driven moves.
Superdry slumped another 12 percent as the return of its co-founder and former boss Julian Dunkerton as interim CEO prompted the majority of its board members to step down on Tuesday.
CMC Markets slid 7 percent to its lowest level on record as it forecast a plunge in net operating income for fiscal 2019 as new rules curbed client trading activity and announced the departure of its CFO.
Financial advisory firm Lighthouse surged 24.5 pct and was on course for its best day in nearly seven years after a 33 pence per share buyout offer from Quilter’s unit Intrinsic Financial.

May to meet Labour leader to try to break Brexit stalemate

Political reporter*wp/reuters):::
British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday to thrash out a Brexit compromise, a gamble that could finally see a European Union divorce deal agreed but also tear her party apart.
After her EU withdrawal deal was rejected three times by lawmakers, with parliament and her Conservative Party hopelessly divided over Brexit, May said on Tuesday she would reach out to Corbyn in a bid to break the impasse.
The United Kingdom was supposed to leave the EU last Friday, but three years after Britons backed leaving the bloc in a referendum, it is still unclear how, when or even if it will do so.
May has been unable to persuade a hardcore eurosceptic group of own lawmakers to back the divorce agreement she struck with the EU because they argued it did not provide a decisive break with Europe.
Her decision to seek another short delay to the current Brexit date of April 12 and turn instead for support from Labour, which wants to stay in a customs union with the EU, may make a “soft” Brexit more likely - one that keeps Britain’s economy closely aligned to the world’s biggest trading bloc.
Sterling rose on Wednesday over hopes for a “softer” Brexit, hitting its highest level since March 28.
“I personally think a customs union is highly undesirable,” Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told BBC radio.
“It is regrettable that what we have been saying for several months now is coming to pass, but that is the remorseless logic of not backing the prime minister’s deal.”
May’s decision to approach Corbyn, a veteran socialist deeply disliked by many Conservatives and mocked by May herself as unfit to govern, still leaves many questions unanswered.
She did not spell out how long a delay to Brexit she wanted, merely saying it should be “as short as possible and which ends when we pass a deal”. She has repeatedly said she did not want an extension which would see Britain having to take part in elections to the European Parliament on May 23.
European Council President Donald Tusk said the bloc should be patient with Britain as May tries to find a way forward but it was not certain how European leaders would view her request.
As it stands, Britain will still leave the EU on April 12 without a deal, something many Conservative lawmakers would like to happen but a scenario businesses fear could wreak chaos and cause huge economic damage.
A cross-party group of British lawmakers will try on Wednesday try to rush through legislation in parliament to make such an outcome impossible.

WHAT DOES LABOUR WANT?

Ahead of their talks, May and Corbyn said there would be no preconditions, but the leaders might well struggle to find a compromise position that can satisfy their own parties.
“This isn’t a blank cheque,” Barclay said.
The Conservatives have been divided over Europe for three decades, leading to the demise of three former prime ministers, David Cameron, John Major and Margaret Thatcher.
But Labour is far from united itself. Corbyn, who voted against joining the bloc in 1975, has previously set out a series of demands he wanted May to agree to before he would back her deal.
“Labour has put forward our proposals to ensure there is a customs union with the EU, access to vital markets and protections of our standards of consumer, environmental and workers’ rights,” he said on Tuesday.
However, many Labour supporters want the party to throw its weight behind a second referendum, while some Labour lawmakers, who represent areas that voted strongly to leave the EU, are fearful that they will be viewed as betraying such traditional voters if they do not strongly back Brexit.

IT’S A TRAP

“I thought momentarily last night May’s ‘offer’ might be genuine,” said one pro-EU Labour lawmaker Bradshaw.
“Having heard Barclay...it is clearly a trap designed to try to get May’s terrible deal through, which some people have fallen for, but Labour mustn’t,” he wrote on Twitter.
It is also unclear where May’s last-ditch attempt to get a Brexit deal through will ultimately leave her minority government.
She had already promised to step down if her withdrawal agreement was passed by parliament, although that failed to persuade all her lawmakers to back her, and her overture to Corbyn has alienated some Conservatives still further.
“She needs to take a long look in the mirror and for the good of our country, our democracy and the Conservative Party she needs to go now,” lawmaker Andrew Bridgen told Sky News.
The Democratic Unionist Party, the small Northern Irish party on whose support May relies on to govern, were also wary of her plans.
“It remains to be seen if sub-contracting out the future of Brexit to Jeremy Corbyn, someone whom the Conservatives have demonised for four years, will end happily,” the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said in a statement following May’s change of strategy.