France’s president Emmanuel Macron has said that Brexit negotiations will not be able to progress unless three key issues have been resolved: the border with Ireland, the rights of European Union citizens and the so-called “divorce bill”.
Mr Macron made the comments hours after British Prime Minister Theresa May proposed a two-year transitional period after the UK leaves the EU in 2019 in an attempt to break the Brexit deadlock during a speech in Florence on Friday.
Mrs May promised that Britain would honour its existing financial commitments during the transition, while also offering more legal protections for EU citizens residing in the UK.
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Although he acknowledged that the speech showed “a will”, Mr Macron said further clarity was needed when it came to the three main points of Britain leaving the bloc.
"The signals sent by the British Prime Minister show a will", he told the French press.
"Before we move forward, we want to clarify matters concerning the settlement of European citizens, the financial terms of exit and the question of Ireland.
"If these three points are not clarified, we will not be able to advance on the rest."
Speaking from the United Nations in New York, Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney said Mrs May’s speech was a “positive contribution” but said there was still “a lot of work” to be done.
“The speech is a positive contribution towards making progress on phase one issues – citizens’ rights, the financial settlement and Irish issues,” Mr Coveney said.
“This is needed to enable the UK and the EU to move forward to the important next phase, but it is clear that there are still many outstanding issues and a lot of work is still required before European leaders can make a decision that parallel discussions on the EU’s future relationship with the UK can begin.
“The key thing now is that today’s comments by Prime Minister May are translated into deliverables across the negotiating table in Brussels.”
Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, gave a cautious welcome to Mrs May's speech, describing it as "constructive" and saying it shows "a willingness to move forward, as time is of the essence".
Schedule for show courts
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Kei Nishikori (9) v Sergiy Stakhovsky
Qiang Wang v Venus Williams (10)
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Heather Watson v Anastasija Sevastova (18)
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
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Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
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Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
TWISTERS
Director:+Lee+Isaac+Chung
Starring:+Glen+Powell,+Daisy+Edgar-Jones,+Anthony+Ramos
Rating:+2.5/5
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
ODI FIXTURE SCHEDULE
First ODI, October 22
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Second ODI, October 25
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Third ODI, October 29
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
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Company name: Klipit
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Funding: $4 million
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