katya adler, bbc news, brussels. the european council's draft guidelines state that after britain leaves, no agreement on britain's future relationship with the eu may apply to gibraltar without agreement between madrid and london. earlier, i spoke to gibraltar‘s chief minister, fabian picardo, who said brexit was complicated enough without spain trying to complicate it further. well, i think it is clear that what spain has done is what she has traditionally done so she became a member of the european union. it is to use the eu, now in the context of the brexit negotiations, to steal a margin of her claim to the sovereignty of gibraltar. these are d raft sovereignty of gibraltar. these are draft outlines, we are ready see spain making emus she might have made as five minutes to midnight. with an agreement ready, she is doing that now. and frankly, i think it is singling out travolta unfairly. gibraltar is not the culprit of britain and should not be a victim of brexit. a letter from the scottish government formally r

katya adler, bbc news, brussels. theresa may said she'd negotiate for the whole of the uk, taking into account the interests of the nations and regions. well, let's see how her words have gone down. in a moment we'll be talking to chris buckler who's in county tyrone and sian lloyd in cardiff but first to our scotland editor sarah smith in edinburgh. scotland's first minister today said she does wish to reason a success with upcoming negotiations because a good uk deal is in scotland's interests, but she is not optimistic about that. she described the process as a leap in the dark. the scottish government have not been terribly impressed with the promise ofa terribly impressed with the promise of a significant increase in powers for the scottish parliament theresa may mention today because they said they haven't had any commitment on what powers might come to holyrood after brexit. of course nicola sturgeon is busy writing a letter of her own at the moment, one she will send to the prime minister making a formal requ

katya adler, bbc news, brussels.tions after britain leads the eu a big part of the negotiations. sally bundock can tell us more. yes. iam firmly sally bundock can tell us more. yes. i am firmly on brexit watch again today. the massive tart begins for departure. —— task. as you heard in those reports, there is a huge amount at stake for businesses both in the uk and across europe. the uk is he not remaining a part of the eu. it means a new trade relationship has to be formed. and it isa relationship has to be formed. and it is a relationship that is currently worth hundreds of billions of dollars a year. so a failure to strike a deal would be damaging to all sides. but who really has got the other hand? if we have a look at the other hand? if we have a look at the numbers, maybe we can draw some conclusions. in 2015, the uk exported $27a billion worth of goods and services to the eu. that's aa% of all the uk exports. it represents 13% of the entire british economy. that's look at it the other way. the eu exports are f

katya adler, bbc news, brussels.from the moment the letter was delivered to brussels, and the parties will have two years to conclude negotiations on britain's exit. so what happens next? on friday the european council will set out its proposals for the negotiations to come. a month later at a special eu summit the other 27 member states will debate — and then be asked to approve those proposals. the talking will then start, but big decisions may have to wait till after the french and german elections held in may and september. the negotiations should finish by october next year when the uk and eu parliaments would both vote on the final deal. that's the plan — but the path ahead is uncertain and there are no precedents for it. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins has been looking at the challenges ahead as the negotiations get under way. the europe which britain married into over a0 years ago looked and felt quite different. just nine states in a predominantly economic community. steadily membership grew, the

katya adler, bbc news, brussels.man. it's been serving drinks as more than 800 experts have been gathering in edinburghforthe european robotics forum. our technology correspondent rory cellan—jones was there and ordered a drink. so, i'm going to try this robot barman. but see how long it takes him to pour me a beer. i push... just as well. a reminder of our top story, the political theatre which has played out today over the healthcare ill in the us. republicans withdrew their health—care bill shortly before a vote in the us congress, forfailing to get enough support from within the president's own party. there is much more on the website on that story on our website. lots more to come on bbc world news. see you soon. hello. there will be some chilly nights this weekend. there will be frost for some of us as the weekend begins, but by day, it is done, sun, sun. what a glorious weekend if you're a fan of blue skies. high pressure right across the uk. the weather ingredients this weekend, because of high pressure, as y

katya adler, bbc news, brussels.e its reaction to britain's departure from europe. calling president trump a ‘leader in the effort to call brexit‘, his press secretary sean spicer said the administration hopes britain will retain its place on the world's stage. we respect the will of the british electorate and her majesty's government in taking steps departing the eu whatever future the uk/eu relationship looks like we want the uk to remain a strong leader in europe and for both the eu and uk to remain strong leaders globally. we quickly take you now to south korea where you can see just then the former president has jumped into a black car which is moving in a cavalcade with protesters and supporters around her. she is going toa supporters around her. she is going to a hearing in the capital to hear whether an arrest warrant for her, alleged involvement in the corruption scandal which has engulfed the country earlier this month, the former president lost her immunity and was dismissed from her post when the constitu

katya adler, bbc news, brussels. let's assess the significance of today and what lies ahead.our europe editor katya adler in brussels, but first our political editor laura kuenssberg is with me. what have we learned today about what the next two years are going to bring? i think the tone of theresa may's letter which was, we love you, but we're very sorry we're leaving, tells us she is worried enough about the resistance she will face, she knows she has to butter them up. she had to set out a more conservatory tone that show she's aware this is going to be very difficult and also plenty of hints in their shoes where there will have to be give and take, compromise. that's not what he's been the tone in the days and months since the referendum. it is also very clear she's not just since the referendum. it is also very clear she's notjust going to play nice. the fact theresa may gave theissue play nice. the fact theresa may gave the issue of security such prominence in the letter to other eu leaders today was notable. she's made this point before, privately to eu leaders and pub

katya adler, bbc news, brussels.cking from the moment the letter of article 50 was delivered today and there will be two years to negotiate. what happens nextnext? on friday, the european council will set out proposals. a month later, at a summit, the other 27 states will debate and then be asked to approve. then they will talk. first, the french and german elections to be held in may and september. negotiations should finish by october next year. the uk and the european parliament will vote on it. that is the plan. but there is no precedent for it. james robbins has been looking at the challenges ahead as the negotiations get under way. the europe which britain married into over a0 years ago looked and felt quite different. just nine states in a predominantly economic community. steadily, membership grew, the ties that bind reached further and further across europe. the project became more political, the union ever deeper, until british voters opted for divorce. but that very complexity makes cutting the ties and ag

katya adler, bbc news, brussels. a brief look at some of the day's other other news stories.ttempted murder after a car was driven at high speed towards crowds in antwerp's shopping district yesterday. no—one was injured. the suspect is a tunisian man. police say they also found a gun and knives in the car. the former egyptian president, hosni mubarak, has been released, after six years in detention following his fall from power six years ago. the 88—year—old was being held in a military hospital. earlier this month, judges cleared him of any involvement in the deaths of protestors during the arab spring in 2011. millions of phone and broadband customers could be in line for automatic compensation payments, if they suffer poor service from providers. the plan has been announced by the telecoms regulator, 0fcom. currently only a small number of customers receive compensation. 0fcom will make a final decision before the end of the year. the assault on so—called islamic state is gaining ground, on two fronts — in iraq, where the attack on mosul continues, and also in syria. in n

katya adler, bbc news, brussels. now on bbc news, it is time for the travel show.ears after independence, this emerging world power of more thani billion this emerging world power of more than i billion people this emerging world power of more thani billion people is still changing. iam thani billion people is still changing. i am on a journey to two extremes changing. i am on a journey to two extre m es of changing. i am on a journey to two extremes of this vast subcontinent. it is crystal. hard crystals. white sold. i've got to taste it. i began in good rat in the far worse. this is january incredible. it is pretty crowded. and this week, i have travelled 2000 miles over to the north—east. i am on the banks of this mighty river. and i about to go toa this mighty river. and i about to go to a very spiritual place. it is one of india's lesser—known regions, we are of india's lesser—known regions, we a re really of india's lesser—known regions, we are really high out. and just a right is the with bangladesh. —— the border with. a country that prides itself on tradit

hi, i'm katya adler, the bbc‘s europe editor.ad to say about that? thank you very much for speaking to us today. how will you feel on wednesday when that letter of notification, the formal letter of notification, arrives here in brussels? i will be sad, as i was sad when the vote, the referendum took place in britain. for me, it's a tragedy. i'm everything but in a hostile mood when it comes to britain. we will negotiate in a friendly way, in a firmware, and we are not naive. in a firm way, and we are not naive. so will there be a fee to pay? it will be reflecting former commitments by the british government and by the british parliament. there will be no sanctions, no punishment, nothing of that kind. i am strongly committed to preserving the rights of europeans living in britain and for the british people living on the european continent. this is not about bargaining. this is about respecting human dignity. jean—claude juncker there. we'll be answering all your questions on the triggering of article 50 with our editors at the b

he was speaking to our europe editor katya adler ahead of celebrations marking the eu's 60th birthdaye leaders of the eu. coming to rome for the clouds 60th anniversary. the timing of this birthday bash is awkward. just as one of the eu's most influential members, the uk prepares to leave. jean—claude juncker is the president of the european commission, which will be the lead eu negotiator in brexit talks. in brussels, just before leaving for rome, jean—claude juncker said theresa may would be mr the weekend. 0n juncker said theresa may would be mr the weekend. on saturday, there will bea the weekend. on saturday, there will be a celebration. the leaders of 27 member states will be there. u nfortu nately, yes. member states will be there. unfortunately, yes. not 28, 20 seven. that will be an elephant in the room, isn't it? that theresa may will not be there? her absence will be felt. i like her as a person. i am deeply respecting the british people and the british nation. you cannot forget that the european continent has a duty when it comes to britain, because without charge oi’ to b

back to laura in downing street in a moment, but first to our europe editor katya adler brussels.delivered tomorrow, to be hand—delivered tomorrow, the response in brussels will be what? look, this is a huge moment for the eu. up until now this is a union thatis eu. up until now this is a union that is only ever been growing, with european countries east north, south, east and west knocking the door and asking to be let in. now one of its most influential members is banging at that door demanding to be let out. this is a huge blow this, but mix without regret at seeing britain go is a growing sense of determination here that any new deal has to be in the eu's interests. so as soon as the uk's letter arrives here tomorrow, the eu will roll up its metaphorical sleeves. yes, it says it wants to keep a close and friendly relationship with the uk, it says it doesn't want to punish britain, but these will be complex and tough negotiations. any eurocrat i speak to believe that the government's aim to believe that the government's aim to get this divorce deal plus a brand—new trade deal w

katya adler, bbc news, brussels.eeping tax avoidance probe. dutch investigators say they have received information about 50,000 suspects and reported the seizure of paintings, a gold bar and jewellery and have arrested two people. they have not named the bank but credits lease has been contacted. —— credit suisse. but credits lease has been contacted. -- credit suisse. it is switzerland second largest bank but also a huge player in the global financing and it has admitted that its branches in paris, amsterdam and london were raided... credit suisse asset visited. .. and london were raided... credit suisse asset visited... and that london were raided... credit suisse asset visited. .. and that they were cooperating fully. the dutch also visited all make raided a bank in holland and confiscated not money but goods. it is a classic trick with trying to hide your assets are investing in jewellery, with trying to hide your assets are investing injewellery, painting, gold bars. so today it looks like a very, very big inves

we‘rejoined by our europe editor katya adler from brussels. welcome, hi there.he foreign secretary borisjohnson, it the same on the eu side, there is more one negotiator, there is one name that you do need to remember, shell barnier. he is the lead negotiator for the eu. shell barnier. he is the lead negotiatorfor the eu. the mainly sitting there with david davis. he has a formidable reputation, at least in the city of london, he was seen as least in the city of london, he was seen as being very tough indeed. he says he is going to be friendly and fair -- says he is going to be friendly and fair —— michel barnier. but not naive. what'll happen with people who live and work in the uk? naive. what'll happen with people who live and work in the uk7m naive. what'll happen with people who live and work in the uk? it is a very good question, it applies to lots of people of course. 3 million european citizens who live in the uk, 1.5 million british citizens who live all across the european union. luckily this is something that both sides agree on. in theory at least, t

from brussels here's our europe editor, katya adler.carpet to celebrate. eu leaders are gathering in rome for the birthday bash. the timing's a little awkward, of course, just as one of the club's most influential members — the uk — prepares to leave. jean—claudejuncker is the president of the european commission, which will be the lead eu negotiator in brexit talks. in brussels, just before leaving for rome, mrjuncker told me theresa may would be sorely missed this weekend. on saturday, there will be a celebration. the leaders of 27 member states will be there. u nfortu nately, yes. not 28, only 27. that surely is going to be the elephant in the room though, the fact that theresa may is not there. she is not an elephant. her absence... no, no. i like her as a person. i am deeply respecting the british people, the british nation. we are not in a hostile mood when it comes to brexit. we'll negotiate in a friendly way, a fair way. fair and friendly, 0k. so, what about the £50 billion the commission demands britain pays before it leaves eu

he was speaking to our europe editor katya adler, who's in brussels.ayment before deal you —— uk leads the eu still in contention? not from his perspective, he almost spluttered when he said to me britain cannot walk away from the eu, attending its never been a member. he said when it comes to the right of european citizens living in the uk or uk citizens living in the uk or uk citizens living in the uk or uk citizens living across the youth he was personally committed to protecting their rights, they could not be used as a bargaining chip and as for that exit bill he said it was not a punishment but again, he said the british government and the british parliament had signed up to financial commitments and they would have to honour them, he said, before leaving. there will be no sanctions, no punishment, nothing of that kind but britain has to know, i suppose, that the government does know it, they have to honour the commitments and the former commitments. to the tune of £50 billion? is around that. that's not the main story, we have to calculate scien

from brussels, here's our europe editor, katya adler. promo material and the red carpet to celebrate. eu leaders are gathering in rome for the birthday bash. the timing's a little awkward, of course, just as one of the club's most influential members — the uk — prepares to leave. jean—claudejuncker is the president of the european commission, which will be the lead eu negotiator in brexit talks. in brussels, just before leaving for rome, mrjuncker told me theresa may would be sorely missed this weekend. on saturday, there will be a celebration. the leaders of 27 member states will be there. u nfortu nately, yes. not 28, only 27. that surely is going to be the elephant in the room though, the fact that theresa may is not there. she is not an elephant. her absence... no, no. i like her as a person. i am deeply respecting the british people, the british nation. we are not in a hostile mood when it comes to brexit. we'll negotiate in a friendly way, a fair way. fair and friendly, ok. so, what about the £50 billion the commission demands brit

trade deal at one and the same time, while the eu wants the money settled first. 0ur europe editor katya adlerhow any progress will be made if both sides aren't prepared to bargain. well, that is all part of how we negotiate. how do you square that circle? everybody starts with his own interest and tries to former lead his own to interest in the best possible way —— his own interests. so how do you have that, that trade with the parallel of divorce? the determination of the eu will be based on a careful analysis of theresa may's letter. there can be no future settlement if we are not very clear on how the divorce settle m e nt very clear on how the divorce settlement is going to be. well, donald tusk, the european council president who took receipt of the prime minister's letter today, must now weigh the interests of the 27 remaining countries that form the council and come up with an opening position. he has promised his first response by friday. so, here it is. six pages. the notification from prime minister theresa may, triggering article 50. and formally starting the negotiations of the un

it's the eve of the 60th anniversary of the eu and our bbc europe editor, katya adler, has travelled, jean—claude juncker. she began by asking him to reflect on the significance of the moment for both europe and great britain. it isa for both europe and great britain. it is a failure and a tragedy. with all this excitement about the breadth of process finally starting on wednesday at pretty much the same time that the european union turned 60 years old, what does the european commission president have to say about that? how would you feel on wednesday when the letter of notification arrives here in brussels? i will be sad, notification arrives here in brussels? iwill be sad, asi notification arrives here in brussels? iwill be sad, as i was sad when the referendum took place in britain. for me it is a tragedy. iam in britain. for me it is a tragedy. i am everything but in a hostile mood when it comes to britain. we will negotiate in a frank way, fairway and we're not naive. will there be a fee to pay? it will be a bill reflecting former commitments by the british government, the briti

katya adler, our europe editor, thank you. sirtim adler, our europe editor, thank you.homas. on friday, thousands of people will be up and down this country raising funds and awareness for brain tumour research. many of these people will know people who have had brain tumours. yet, brain tumour research only receives about one centre will research funding for cancer, yet it kills, it is a bigger category of children than people under a0. will the prime ministerjoin me in raising awareness and discuss what we can do to increase funding? this isa we can do to increase funding? this is a very important area. i believe in this area the uk does have a good record on research for brain tumours. he is absolutely right. the people who are raising funds for this important cause should be commended. many of them will have had personal experience in one way or another. i think it is important that we recognise that there are many killers out there which do not often receive the publicity and support of others and we should recognise their importance and commend those who are raisi

throughout the day, we'll be speaking with our europe editor katya adler and economics editor kamal ahmedill meet scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon later today for the first time since she rejected calls for a second referendum on scottish independence. the prime minister's visit is part of a tour of all four nations of the uk before the process of leaving the european union formally begins on wednesday. the home secretary, amber rudd, will meet european ministers today to discuss ways of preventing further terrorist attacks. she's called for the authorities to be given access to encrypted messaging services. the westminster attacker, khalid masood, may have used whatsapp shortly before he began his assault. the government is to respond to fears a police risk assessment form has been used in a "racist" way to target grime artists. promoters and licensees in many areas are asked to complete a form 696 before hosting some music events featuring "djs and mcs". culture minister matt hancock is set to raise concerns with mayor sadiq khan about the use of the form in london. the met pol

we‘ll be talking to our europe editor katya adler in a moment.tter from nicola sturgeon to theresa may. let‘s talk about that with our scotland editor, sarah smith. the crucial letter makes a formal request to the prime minister on independence. the scottish government have released a picture tonight of nicola sturgeon sitting on the sofa, hearst shoes kicked off, her legs tucked underneath her, as she‘s putting the final touches to the letter. couldn‘t be more different than the very formal portrait of theresa may signing the article 50 letter in downing street. very different images, and believe me, that is no accident. but while the picture might look quite casual, the picture might look quite casual, the contents of this letter are not. we are deeply serious. in it, the first minister asserts that she has a clear mandate to ask for another referendum since the scottish parliament voted to back her arduous day, and she repeats her request for a vote in 18—24 months‘ time. she says by of the brexit deal will be clear. but she knows what the pri

katya adler, bbc news, brussels.or, john pienaar, is in downing street tonight. theresa may wanted parallel talks on divorce and trade. she hasn't got that. what's the reaction been? well, downing street never really expected donald tusk‘s first response to be especially encouraging and it wasn't. the reaction has been pretty cordial, marking time and hoping somehow to turn the negotiations britain's way when they get started. as for those negotiations, when they start, ministers will begin confident they can secure the rights of eu nationals in this country and brits tougher. borisjohnson has posted a message on twitter this evening pledging britain to be rock like in support of gibraltar over spanish claims of sovereignty. ministers will have to seek understanding, respecting the wishes of people there and without spain in the words of one minister to me, losing too much face. tougher still is the financial settlement. any big deal will meet a wall of resistance from tory ha rd will meet a wall of resistance from t