Jose.

The new Porsche Taycan has scored five stars in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash tests, coming second only to the Tesla Model X in its category ratings. The Taycan, tested in entry-level 4S guise and equipped with the Performance battery package, scored above 80% for both adult and child occupant safety, with Euro NCAP stating that “a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions”. The Tesla Model X, being tested for the first time since its UK launch in 2016, follows in the footsteps of the newer Model 3, which also achieved a five-star rating this year. Euro NCAP praised the electric SUV’s autonomous emergency braking system, claiming that collisions were “avoided or mitigated in most cases”. Also awarded five stars in NCAP’s penultimate testing round of 2019 were the new Ford Kuga, Renault Captur, Audi Q7, Subaru Forester, Ford Mondeo and the 2020 Skoda Octavia, tested in estate form. The Volkswagen Sharan and its Seat Alhambra sibling achieved four stars, with the Sharan penalised for a poor performance in the ‘side pole test’, in which the left-hand rear door detached during the impact, presenting what safety and security experts Thatcham described as "a risk of occupant ejection”. NCAP stated that, although the platform-sharing MPVs have been on sale in their current form since 2010, “the VW Group has done a fine job in keeping them up to date in terms of safety, with the addition of autonomous emergency braking and rear seatbelt load-limiters”. Rounding off the latest round of results is the facelifted Jeep Renegade, which scored three stars, making it the only car to achieve fewer than four stars in 2019. The small SUV’s low overall score is attributed largely to a 55% rating for its ability to protect vulnerable road users. Unlike the other models tested, autonomous emergency braking is not fitted as standard to the Renegade. Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen said: “Well done to Tesla and the other five-star performers for not only bringing best-in-class performance in testing but also for making safety systems accessible and standard across the European market. “It is also good to see manufacturers – Ford and Volkswagen in this case –standardising AEB and keeping safety up-to-date even for older cars, to the benefit of their customers.” The next round of crash test results will be released on 18 December 2019.

Nato leaders are meeting near London, as tensions between members threaten to overshadow a summit marking the military alliance's 70th birthday. The three-hour talks are expected to cover issues such as cyber-attacks and the strategic challenge posed by China. In opening remarks, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reminded members of the alliance's principle of "one for all, and all for one". Tuesday saw sharp exchanges between the US and French leaders over many topics. The highly choreographed anniversary gathering, intended to show unity, has been unable to hide deep differences between Nato members, BBC Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale reports. Although the 29-member bloc's future is not in doubt, there are disagreements over Turkey's recent military action in northern Syria, the levels of military spending by members and recent controversial comments by French President Emmanuel Macron that the alliance is "brain dead". At the start of the meeting at a luxury resort near Watford, Mr Johnson said: "As long as we stand together no-one can hope to defeat us." The gathering follows receptions held on Tuesday at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street. What happened on Tuesday? The first day of the special anniversary summit saw tensions bubble to the surface. US President Donald Trump and Mr Macron met for talks and in a news conference sparred over Nato's role, Turkey, and Islamic State group (IS) fighters. Ties between Mr Trump and Mr Macron were already strained amid a dispute over taxes and trade, and comments from the French president last month that the US commitment to the alliance was fading. Troubled Nato not in party mood In pictures: 70 years of Nato Mr Trump had earlier hit back by saying the French leader had been "very disrespectful" by describing Nato as "brain dead" in what he said were "nasty" comments. Mr Macron then said he stood by his words. On Tuesday, Mr Macron also attended a meeting in Downing Street with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Mr Johnson. Meanwhile, President Trump and Mr Johnson held unscheduled bilateral talks. Ahead of Wednesday's talks, Mr Trump tweeted they both had "talked about numerous subjects including Nato and trade." What is the background to tensions? Nato started out in 1949 with just 12 countries as members but having now expanded to a bloc of 29 it is increasingly difficult for the alliance to project a united front. Two key issues have loomed over this summit: defence spending - a longstanding issue of concern for the US, which militarily dominates the group - and relations between Turkey and other member states. Before departing for London, Mr Erdogan said he would oppose a Nato defence plan for the Baltic region if the bloc did not support Turkey over its fight against Kurdish groups in Syria it considers terrorists. But other leaders, including Mr Macron, have made clear they oppose such a move, not least because Kurdish-led forces drove IS militants out of a quarter of Syria with the help of a US-led multinational coalition. Turkey v Syria's Kurds explained Turkey's relations with other Nato members have been strained since it started a military offensive in Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria in October. That followed the decision by President Trump to withdraw US troops from the region, reportedly without consulting allies. "When I look at Turkey, they now are fighting against those who fought with us shoulder to shoulder against [IS]," the French president said alongside Mr Trump. Mr Erdogan's decision to buy the S-400 Russian missile defence system further exacerbated tensions. Mr Trump said he was "looking at" imposing sanctions over the deal while Mr Macron asked: "How is it possible to be a member of the alliance... and buy things from Russia?" What about the spending row? Since becoming US president in 2016, Donald Trump has frequently and forcefully criticised how much other Nato allies spend on defence. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced increased spending commitments ahead of the UK meeting and discussed the matter with President Trump on Tuesday. "We are making real progress, most importantly on the burden-sharing. And your leadership on defence spending is having a real impact," Mr Stoltenberg said at an appearance alongside the US president. He said Canada and European allies had added $130bn (£100bn) to defence budgets since 2016 and that this number would increase to $400bn by 2024. Nato estimates for 2019 show there are now eight countries - in addition to the US - meeting the target agreed by all Nato members to spend 2% or more of their gross domestic product (GDP, a measure of economic output) on defence. Reality Check: What does the US do for Nato? The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is the world's most powerful defence alliance It was set up in 1949, after World War Two, amid anxiety over Soviet expansion It was founded on the principle of collective defence between allies Originally had 12 members, but now has 29

Sanjay Kapoor's daughter Shanaya Kapoor recently made her le Bal des Débutantes in Paris with her parents in attendance, who shared photos and videos from the event. Seniors actor Sanjay Kapoor's daughter Shanaya made her debut at the le Bal des Débutantes in Paris, one of the biggest debutante balls in the world, this year. Shanaya looked gorgeous in a red ruffled Lecoanet Hemant gown with a plunging neckline. She was accompanied by Maximilian Hindmarch, who was her cavalier. Dad Sanjay Kapoor took to Instagram to share a video of the event where Shanaya could be seen entering the event. "So Proud of you," he wrote. Mother Maheep Kapoor, who was also present at the ceremony shared a behind the scenes picture of Shanaya posing. "That’s my girl," she wrote. In an earlier interview with the Hindustan Times, Sanjay had expressed his happiness on the occasion. “It feels great that Shanaya has been chosen to represent India. I will be escorting her down the stairs, and her first dance will be with me. This is very special for her, and I am sure she will cherish the experience. The best part is that she will get a chance to interact with people from all over the world and get an insight into their cultures,” he said. Shanaya Kapoor recently worked in cousin Janhvi Kapoor's film Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl as an assistant director. Her best friend, actress Ananya Panday had also made her le Bal debut with cousin Ahaan Panday in 2017.

After months of teasing the car, Jaguar has finally pulled the wraps off the 2020 F-Type facelift globally. But there's a surprise, this time around it unveiled the car in the form of a Hot Wheels scale model, a 1:64 model to be precise. The company decided that the best way to acquaint this new car with its employees is by driving it around. Well, the scale model was the best way to do that and of course, it had to navigate the 232-metre long Hot Wheels orange track laid out around Jaguar Land Rover's new Design Studio at Gaydon. The scale model navigated 25 loop-the-loops, three gravity-defying jumps and 44 corners along the custom-built track. In fact, the scale model did what the F-Type couldn't manage and that's reaching speeds of up to 482 kmph on the custom made track. But enough about that let's get into what all has changed. The new Jaguar F-Type facelift sports an evolved design and it is the front that sees the biggest of changes. The coupe now sports a new and larger single-frame grille flanked by slim pixel LED headlights, striking new clamshell bonnet, and revised front and rear bumpers with larger intakes The LED taillights with the signature J-theme continue to feature on the new F-Type, retaining the distinctive design language of the sports car. Inside, the changes are subtle and include a new digital instrument console as well as a larger touchscreen infotainment system that runs the new InControl Touch Pro interface. The overall quality of materials within the cabin has improved over the predecessor. Of course, there's Apple Carplay and Android Auto on offer as well. With respect to the powertrain options, the new Jaguar F-Type is available with a range of engines that includes the 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 296 bhp, along with the 3-litre Supercharged V6 with 375 bhp on tap. The range-topping F-Type R is offered with the 5-litre Supercharged V8 that is offered in 444 bhp and 567 bhp power options. The 567 bhp version will be exclusively offered with All-Wheel Drive for optimal performance. Jaguar says the new F-Type sprints from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.5 seconds. The new Jaguar F-Type is now available to order in the UK and will make its way to global markets by early 2020. India too can expect the coupe and convertible versions of the sports car to arrive sometime next year replacing the outgoing model. Expect the standard and the range-topping F-Type R to make its way to India with prices going up to ₹ 1 crore.

The US is preparing tariffs on $2.4bn (£1.85bn) worth of French exports as retaliation against the country's new digital services tax. The top US trade official said the new tax, which France approved in July, unfairly targets American tech giants. He said the potential tariffs were intended to deter other countries from taking similar steps. The items that could face tariffs at rates up to 100% include cheese, sparkling wine, make-up and handbags. The decision "sends a clear signal that the United States will take action against digital tax regimes that discriminate or otherwise impose undue burdens on US companies", said US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer. 'Growing protectionism' Mr Lighthizer announced the potential tariffs, which will now enter a public comment period, at the end of his office's investigation of the French tax. It found that the law - which taxes turnover instead of profit - was inconsistent with international tax norms and "unusually burdensome" for US tech firms. Mr Lighthizer said the US is exploring opening investigations into similar laws in Austria, Italy and Turkey. The UK has also taken steps towards a tech tax. "The USTR is focused on countering the growing protectionism of EU member states, which unfairly targets US companies, whether through digital services taxes or other efforts that target leading US digital services companies," he said. US attacks UK plan for digital services tax on tech giants France tech tax: What's being done to make internet giants pay more? France has long argued that taxes should be based on digital activity, not just where firms have their headquarters. Its new law imposes a 3% tax on sales of certain digital services that happen within its borders. It applies to any digital company with revenue of more than €750m ($850m; £670m) - of which at least €25m is generated in France. The tax will go into effect retroactively from early 2019 and is expected to raise about €400m this year. About 30 companies are expected to pay it, mostly US firms such as Alphabet, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft. Amazon has already responded by raising fees for French businesses by 3%. US tech companies say such laws force them to pay double tax. They say modernisation of tax rules should be an international effort, but those negotiations remain slow-going. The French government, which announced its law after an EU-wide proposal stalled, has said the tax will end if a similar measure is agreed internationally. Over the summer, President Donald Trump threatened to tax French wine over the issue - a plan that the French agriculture minister dismissed as "completely moronic". But some US business lobby groups had warned against tariffs because of fears of escalating another trade fight, despite their opposition to the French law. The US Chamber of Commerce, for example, said tariffs "may elicit additional rounds of retaliatory measures that represent a substantial risk to US economic growth and job creation". This expected retaliation from the US could make troubling reading for the UK party leaders. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn's flagship election pledge - to privatise the UK's broadband network - was to be funded, at least in part, by a tax on "multinationals". In the party's press release about the plans last month, "Amazon, Facebook and Google" were mentioned specifically. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also backed the idea, calling out the so-called "FAANG" stocks - Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google - as paying "virtually nothing". The Tory manifesto pledges its own Digital Services Tax to fund improvements in broadband infrastructure, among other things. Both leaders are capitalising on the growing momentum in Europe to tax tech firms based on their sales in a country - rather than profits, which are often funnelled through counties with a lower tax rate, such as Ireland. But while promising a "Google tax" sounds great on the campaign trail, it only strengthens the view in Washington that American success stories are being unfairly targeted. And the move today suggests the US is ready to start fighting back. Here's what might happen next: France has said it would drop its digital tax if Europe could, as a bloc, come up with an alternative that's consistent across the Union; a strength-in-numbers move that would be more difficult for the US to counteract. But the UK, post-Brexit, would be on its own - and needs to stay in Washington's good graces.

As per the official website, World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 every year to raise awareness about the incurable AIDS caused by the spread of HIV infection. World AIDS Day, which was first observed in 1988, was the first among the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO, approximately 37.9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2018. Of these, only 79% received testing, 62% received treatment and 53% were able to suppress HIV with no risk of infecting others. In June 2019, 24.5 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy in an attempt to control HIV infection. What is HIV and how is it different from AIDS? Putting in the simplest terms, AIDS is a disease and HIV is the virus which causes it. HIV or human immunodeficiency virus targets the immune system and weakens people's defense systems against infections. Victims lose their inbuilt ability to fight disease though immune system and highly rely on medicines. It is not necessary that a person who is HIV positive is AIDS positive as well. When HIV infection reaches the highest or most advanced stage due to no treatment, it is called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. As per the official website, World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. So this World AIDS day, let’s pledge to spread as much awareness about HIV as possible and make efforts to reduce the menace of this deadly infection.

It’s easy sticking to what you know, but some #ride5000miles members have bucked the trend this year and taken the plunge with something different. Gordon Hill, 49, from Dumfries, chopped in his 2003 Suzuki GSX1400 for a BMW R1200GS Rallye. A huge change from a four-cylinder naked, Gordon opted for the boxer-twin adventure bike after a miserable ride back from the 2019 Isle of Man TT, saying: "We got off the ferry at midnight and I had to ride two-and-a-half hours home in the rain on a naked bike. That’s when I decided I had to get more protection." Despite early concerns about height and weight, he added: "The Suzuki was comfortable, but this is in a different league altogether. I’ve done more miles this year than in the last three years on the GSX. It’s recharged my passion for bikes!" Another rider changing styles is Richard Bentham, 54, from Bristol, who swapped his Kawasaki ZZR600 for an upright Z900 in April of this year. "I just got that new bike bug earlier this year," he said. "I just couldn’t resist. "On an older machine, there’s always a job to do; a brake to strip or some carbs to balance, whereas on a new bike you just get on and ride it and then just give it a wash," he added. "I’ve got no regrets. I’m thrilled to bits with it and that new bike feeling hasn’t worn off. I’ve actually given up my company car, so I’m riding 12 months of the year, which is more than I was using the ZZR, because of that ease of use." And Sutton-based, Sam Beech, 38, sold his Harley-Davidson Fat Bob after five years for a Triumph Thruxton R. Sam said: "When I first got on the Thruxton, I felt like a giraffe on a pair of unicycles but it is now beginning to click. "My girlfriend was somewhat perturbed about the lack of pillion so I have fitted pegs and bought a two-up seat."

The woman killed in Friday's London Bridge attack has been named by police as Saskia Jones. The 23-year-old Cambridge University graduate, from Stratford-upon-Avon, was fatally stabbed alongside another ex-student, Jack Merritt. The boss of the venue where the attack began which killed the pair said "the building turned into a nightmare". Toby Williamson, of Fishmongers' Hall, said staff who fought attacker Usman Khan believed he was wearing a bomb. Two men took chairs, fire extinguishers and narwhal tusks, which were hanging on the wall, to fend off Khan, driving him out of the building. Khan, 28, a convicted terrorist who was released from prison in December 2018, was later shot dead by police on London Bridge. The families of Mr Merritt and Ms Jones have both paid tribute to their loved ones. In a statement, Mr Merritt's family described him as a "talented boy" who "died doing what he loved". "Jack lived his principles; he believed in redemption and rehabilitation, not revenge, and he always took the side of the underdog. "Jack was an intelligent, thoughtful and empathetic person. "We know Jack would not want this terrible, isolated incident to be used as a pretext by the government for introducing even more draconian sentences on prisoners, or for detaining people in prison for longer than necessary," the statement read. Ms Jones' family said their daughter, from Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, had a "great passion" for supporting victims of criminal justice. "Saskia was a funny, kind, positive influence at the centre of many people's lives," the family statement read. "She had a wonderful sense of mischievous fun and was generous to the point of always wanting to see the best in all people. "She was intent on living life to the full and had a wonderful thirst for knowledge, enabling her to be the best she could be. "This is an extremely painful time for the family. Saskia will leave a huge void in our lives and we would request that our privacy is fully respected." Media captionLondon Bridge attack: 'Pinball bomb with added knives' Cambridge University's vice-chancellor said he was "devastated to learn that among the victims were staff and alumni". Professor Stephen J Toope said the victims were taking part in an event "to mark five years of the university's Learning Together programme" - which focuses on prisoner rehabilitation. London Bridge attack victim had 'lust for life' 'Heroes' praised for confronting bridge attacker Why was the London Bridge attacker out of prison? What we know about the London Bridge attacker He added: "What should have been a joyous opportunity to celebrate the achievements of this unique and socially transformative programme, hosted by our Institute of Criminology, was instead disrupted by an unspeakable criminal act. "Among the three people injured, whose identities have not been publicly released, is a member of university staff. "Our university condemns this abhorrent and senseless act of terror." Image captionVice-chancellor Professor Stephen J Toope said he only met Jack Merritt once but was "impressed by his charm". Speaking to the BBC, Prof Toope said the fact Mr Merritt was killed by someone he was trying to help "is the greatest tragedy of all". "I have profound sadness for the family," he added. "This is an attack on our community and it was intended, in such, to produce a form of terror and sadness - and it has clearly done that." Media captionVideo footage shows moment London Bridge attacker was apprehended Speaking about the chain of events inside Fishmongers' Hall on Friday, where Khan launched his fatal attack, chief executive Mr Williamson praised the bravery of his staff who intervened to stop the attacker, hailing their actions as "extraordinary things done by ordinary people". "There was a scream, there was blood. People thought it was an exercise at first," Mr Williamson told the BBC. He recounted how two men, named as Lukasz and Andy, "used fire extinguishers, chairs and narwhal tusks ripped off the wall" to take the fight back to Khan "They took a decision, one that enough was enough. They were determined it wasn't going to go on." "They are two of the most humble people... but in the heat of the moment, people do extraordinary things. "I am very proud to know them." Image captionFloral tributes have been laid on the south side of London Bridge Earlier in the day, hundreds attended a service at Southwark Cathedral for the victims of Friday's attack on London Bridge. The Dean of Southwark Cathedral, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, said many people were struggling with what happened. On Friday, the cathedral was put into lockdown as people ran away from London Bridge. As crowds ran towards the cathedral, Mr Nunn recalled having "that sense of déjà vu", adding that it brought back memories of the nearby attack in Borough Market two years ago, which left eight dead and 48 injured. Image captionThe Dean of Southwark Cathedral said Friday's attack brought back memories of the London Bridge terror attack in 2017 Image captionPrayers were held for the victims of the London Bridge attack Speaking at Sunday's service, Mr Nunn said "memories have been stirred and wounds have been re-opened". He added: "What seemed to have been put to the back of people's minds has now been brought to the fore. "We have to stand with them. We have to help bear their pain but also speak to that pain with words of hope." Mr Nunn, too, praised the bravery of the people who confronted Khan as he carried out his attack. "Every event of this nature produces stories of such selfless acts of bravery." Image captionLondon Bridge was cordoned for most of the weekend while forensic officers searched the scene Dr Vin Diwaker, medical director for the NHS in London, gave an update on the conditions of the three people who were injured in the attack. He said: "One of the people injured in the London Bridge incident has now been able to return home. "Two people remain in a stable condition and continue to receive expert care in hospital." Media captionThomas Gray spoke to BBC 5 Live about how he helped to stop the London Bridge attacker Over the weekend counter-terrorism officers searched a house in Stafford linked to Khan and another property in Stoke-on-Trent. On Sunday night, Staffordshire Police said a 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with a "review of existing licence conditions of convicted terrorism offenders". The man was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts, but Staffordshire Police added there was no information to suggest the man was involved in the London Bridge attack. Image captionVehicles abandoned as the attack unfolded on Friday have since been removed, the Met Police has said. Friday's attack comes after the UK's terrorism threat level was downgraded on 4 November from "severe" to "substantial", meaning that attacks were thought to be "likely" rather than "highly likely". The terror threat level is reviewed every six months by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, which makes recommendations independent of government.

On Thanksgiving this year, Priyanka Chopra joined her husband Nick Jonas and his family in the US. Last year, Nick came to India and had a Thanksgiving family dinner with Priyanka's family. Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she is thankful for everything in her life and all the blessings attached to it. The actress shared her thoughts as she sent in good wishes on Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving this year, Priyanka joined her husband Nick Jonas and his family in the US. Last year, Nick came to India and had a Thanksgiving family dinner with Priyanka's family. The couple later tied the knot on December 1, 2018. "Happy thanksgiving to everyone celebrating.. I'm so thankful for life and all the blessings attached to it. Love and joy always," she posted, along with a cozy picture with her husband and pop icon. Earlier this week, Priyanka surprised Nick with a German shepherd puppy as an early anniversary gift. In an interview to etonline.com earlier this year, Priyanka had revealed that she is clueless about what she will do on her first wedding anniversary. "I don't know (what we're going to do for our one-year anniversary). I asked and I was told, 'Why do you ask so many questions?' I was like, 'OK, you plan it'. But I was just (wondering) what are we going to do and he was just like, 'Don't ask'. So I said, OK," she said.

DETROIT — Perched at the top of McLaren Automotive's product lineup is the Ultimate Series, an elite group of hypercars built in scarce production runs with prices that start in the high six figures. That's far out of reach for most of the North American vehicle market, but McLaren is expanding the segment rapidly — to tantalize buyers who can reach them. Last month, McLaren took the wraps off the Elva roadster, a $1.82 million nameplate that will have a run of only 399 vehicles. The Elva marks the third Ultimate Series nameplate the brand has introduced since the P1 gas-electric hybrid launched in 2013 with a production run of 375 cars. "P1s were about $1 million, $1.1 million in the U.S.," recalled McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt during a stop in Detroit. "And we thought at that point, 'Hey, you know, we might come back into the segment every 10 years.' " But the reception for the P1 prompted McLaren to speed up that timeline. "The Ultimate segment, which is a several-million-pound segment, is much stronger, much healthier," Flewitt told Automotive News. "McLaren has gained much stronger credibility in that segment, and more quickly than we had planned." McLaren followed up the P1 with the P1 GTR, a track-only variant with a sold-out run of just 58 vehicles. In 2018, production began on the Senna, which had a starting price of nearly $1 million. At the time, it was McLaren's most-powerful road-legal car, and also its lightest. The production run of 500 vehicles was sold out as soon as McLaren announced it in late 2017. The company then added a GTR variant, limited to just 75 cars, which also sold out. "You've got to seduce people," Flewitt said. "People really have to want it to spend a million pounds ($1.29 million) on a motor car. You've got to produce something that is not just technically special, but it's emotionally appealing. And if you do, and your brand is trusted, that credibility builds." The company's new Ultimate Series Speedtail may be the strongest test of that philosophy to date. The futuristic Speedtail, with a three-seat layout paying homage to the iconic McLaren F1 of the 1990s, carries the highest starting price in McLaren's portfolio, at around $2.3 million. Its production is limited to 106 vehicles, which mirrors the number of F1s built. Speedtail deliveries begin in January, but the model was sold out before it was even officially announced in late 2016, before it had been given an official name. The high-end sensation isn't lost on Flewitt. "It's wonderful that customers have the confidence in McLaren that they basically signed up for that car two and a half years before we were even putting it into production," he said. The addition of Ultimate Series models takes place as the British exotic brand records substantial sales growth. McLaren sold 4,806 vehicles globally in 2018, up from 1,654 in 2015. Such numbers are almost rounding errors for some automotive brands. And the Ultimate Series totals are even smaller. But Flewitt said that McLaren is benefiting from something else. "We're playing in a market segment that's all about exclusivity," Flewitt said. "I come from a traditional automotive background, and volume was the defining thing. How many cars you made defined your success." But volume, he said, "is almost an irrelevant measure for us." Exclusivity and volume work against each other. McLaren could've sold more P1s and Sennas had it built more, he said, but larger production runs might have had an adverse impact on demand. "We announce a limited-run car like Speedtail, 106 cars, and they sell out. And you think, 'Should have I done 150?' "But the reality is that you could pick too high a number and it would dampen demand. People wouldn't want it because it wasn't exclusive," said Flewitt. "It's a bit of an art form. "The high price, the low volume and the exclusivity [are] part of the appeal for people, without a doubt." Each Ultimate Series model was developed to serve a different purpose. The Senna is seen as a track car that happens to be road legal. The 1,035-hp gasoline-electric hybrid Speedtail, with luxurious interior materials and room for three inside, along with precision aerodynamics, is viewed as a hypercar and grand tourer built into one. The most recent addition, the Elva, is the most extreme yet. It has a carbon-fiber chassis and body but has no roof, windscreen, side windows or even an audio system — all in an effort to be McLaren's lightest car to date. "We're very often pushing boundaries. We're very often setting targets for ourselves that we don't actually know how to meet yet," Flewitt said. "We're going to meet that target through the development of the car, which keeps our cars at the edge in terms of performance."

One of the people stabbed to death in Friday's attack at London Bridge has been named as 25-year-old University of Cambridge graduate, Jack Merritt. He was one of two people killed when 28-year-old Usman Khan launched the attack at a Cambridge University conference on prisoner rehabilitation. Khan, who had been jailed over a terror plot, was shot dead by police after members of the public restrained him. Mr Merritt was described by his father on Twitter as a "beautiful spirit". A woman who died in the attack - declared by officers as a terrorist incident - has not yet been named. Three others were injured. Mr Merritt, from Cambridge, was a course coordinator for Learning Together, a prisoners' rehabilitation programme which was hosting the conference at Fishmongers' Hall, at the north end of London Bridge. Khan had been one of dozens of people - including students and offenders - at the event. LIVE: Investigations continue after London Bridge attack London Bridge: What we know so far 'Heroes' praised for confronting bridge attacker What we know about the London Bridge attacker Mr Merritt's father, David, said on Twitter that he was a "a beautiful spirit who always took the side of the underdog". "Jack spoke so highly of all the people he worked with & he loved his job," he added. Mr Merritt studied for a bachelor's degree in law at the University of Manchester, graduating in 2016. He went on to study at the University of Cambridge, where he worked in the criminology department running Learning Together. Audrey Ludwig, who knew Mr Merritt through work, said his "deep commitment to prisoner education and rehabilitation was deeply impressive". "I send condolences to his family, colleagues and the prisoners' group," she added. Another friend said Mr Merrit was "incredibly witty and intelligent, with more lust for life than many our age and a determination to make his mark in the world". Rapper Dave also paid tribute to Mr Merritt, saying he had "dedicated his life to helping others". The Streatham-born rapper said it was "genuinely an honour to have met someone like you" and he would "never ever forget" everything the law graduate had "done for us". Dave's Mercury Prize-winning album was inspired by rehabilitation therapy his brother Christopher Omoregie has received as he serves a life sentence for murder. The Metropolitan Police said the attack is believed to have started inside Fishmongers Hall at 13:58 GMT on Friday, before continuing onto London Bridge itself, where Khan was shot by armed officers. Khan was known to the authorities, having been convicted of a terrorism offence in 2012. He was released from prison in December 2018 subject to an "extensive list of licence conditions", Met Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said. Mr Basu said, on Saturday, that "to the best of my knowledge, he was complying with those conditions". One of the conditions was that Khan was obliged to take part in the government's desistance and disengagement programme - the purpose of which is the rehabilitation of people who have been involved in terrorism. Mr Basu said officers had been working "flat out" to try to establish the "full circumstances" of the stabbing. He praised the "incredible acts of bravery" by members of the emergency services and the public who intervened - even after they realised Khan was wearing a "very convincing" fake explosive vest. Mr Basu added officers had found no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the attack. NHS chief executive Simon Stevens said three victims remained in hospital following the attack - two in a stable condition and one with less serious injuries. Police carried out searches at two addresses in Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent as part of the investigation. Staffordshire Police's Deputy Ch Con, Nick Baker, said it was "vitally important everyone remains alert but not alarmed".

The name given to the Friday following Thanksgiving in the US is considered to be the beginning of Christmas Shopping season since 1952. Black Friday often sees shops opening early or even at midnight for prospective buyers. A number of stores offer a wide range of sales on Black Friday for consumers. One of the busiest shopping days in US, the term Black Friday first appeared in Philadelphia as well as in the journal, Factory Management and Maintenance. The former referred to it to explain the heavy influx of traffic and pedestrians that would occur the day after Thanksgiving. On the other hand, the latter called it the practice of workers calling in sick on the day after Thanksgiving so that they can have four days of holiday, including the weekend. Historically, the day may be called the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and linked with the Santa Claus Parades, since Christmas is the next major holiday following Thanksgiving in the West. Over the years, the term has gained prominence on the internet as well. Called Cyber Black Friday, it was created in 2009 by 2009 by eCoupons.com after observing that online retailers launched their holiday sales before Cyber Monday to compete with the Black Friday frenzy. While Cyber Friday is a comparatively new coinage, the Cyber Monday sales predate it by a few years. It was started in 2005, while Cyber Black Friday can trace its origin back to 2009. Despite its celebratory inclination, there have been reports of violence occurring among shoppers over the years.

FRANKFURT -- Daimler will cut at least 10,000 jobs worldwide over the next three years, following others in the industry as they cut costs to invest in electric vehicles while grappling with weakening sales. Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz, revealed the 3 percent cut in its workforce on Friday after reaching an agreement on its plans with labor unions. It marks the third announcement on cost cuts this week by a major German automaker. In Germany, where the largest number of Daimler employees are based, workers will be offered severance payments and early retirement, Daimler said in a news release. Staff reductions would be in the low five-digits, or at least 10,000 people, according to Wilfried Porth, a board member in charge of human resources. The company employed 304,680 staff at the end of the third quarter. Daimler had said on Nov. 14 that it plans to reduce headcount at its Mercedes-Benz cars division to help manage the disruptive shift to self-driving and electric cars. The job cuts are aimed at saving more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) by the end of 2022. The cuts include eliminating 1,100 leadership positions worldwide, or about 10 percent of its management. "The automotive industry is in the middle of the biggest transformation in its history," Daimler said on Friday. In addition to the job cuts, employees will be offered the possibility to work fewer hours. There will be a squeeze on the use of temporary workers. German automakers are intensifying their efforts to reduce costs to fund the heavy investments needed for electric cars and autonomous vehicle technologies. Audi said on Tuesday that it plans to cut about 15 percent of its German workforce to protect its profitability. BMW is reducing bonuses for workers to cut labor costs, but has said it will avoid "drastic measures." Daimler's job cuts come after new CEO Ola Kallenius warned that returns may remain depressed for the next two years. His target for 2020 of at least 4 percent operating return on sales at the main Mercedes cars unit disappointed investors, coming in at less than half of what French mass-market automaker PSA Group generated in the first half of this year. The terms of Daimler’s existing collective bargaining agreement, including a scheduled pay raise next year, remain unaffected by the cutbacks, the automaker’s works council said in a separate statement.

Two members of the public have died after an attack on London Bridge in which police also shot dead a man. The Met Police has declared the attack a terrorist incident. The suspect, who died at the scene, was believed to have been wearing a hoax explosive device, police said. Videos on social media appear to show a group of passers-by holding down a man on the bridge. A firearms officer arrives, seems to indicate to the group to get clear, and fires a shot. Details are still emerging and Neil Basu, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said the force was keeping an open mind over the motive. He said officers were called to a stabbing at a premises near the bridge just before 14:00. London Bridge: What we know so far Follow the latest updates BBC journalist John McManus, who was at the scene as it unfolded, said he had seen a struggle on the bridge, with several men restraining one man. Police then arrived quickly and a number of shots were fired at him, he said. In footage shared on social media, the man could be seen being pinned down by members of the public. Another man in a suit could be seen running from him, having apparently retrieved a large knife. Mr Basu told a press conference: "A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from City of London police and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene." He added that a "wide cordon remains in place" following the incident. Mr Basu said: "Officers continue to carry out extensive searches in the area to ensure there is no further threat to the public. There was no intelligence of anything about to happen, sources say, and police reacted to events as they unfolded. At the start of this month, the UK threat level was lowered from severe to substantial - reflecting an assessment from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre that an attack was likely rather than highly likely because of a relative decline in activity. The challenge for police and security services is that low-tech attacks - involving knives or vehicles - and often carried out by lone actors can be hard to spot in advance since they involve relatively little preparation and communication. But in the wake of previous incidents in both the UK and other countries, police have been prepared for this kind of incident and seem to have been fast to intervene, taking few chances, although members of the public were also involved in restraining the individual. The priority for police and MI5 now will be establishing the identity of the individual, whether he had any links or associations and whether there is any ongoing related threat. Mr Basu said the force would have extra police patrols across the capital. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who returned to Downing Street from his constituency, said the emergency services and members of the public who intervened "represent the very best of our country". He said: "This country will never be cowed or divided or intimidated by this sort of attack and our values, our British values, will prevail." London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that a number of people were injured in the attack, some of them "seriously". He thanked the members of the public who showed "breathtaking heroism" in running towards danger - "not knowing what confronted them". The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it has begun a mandatory investigation into the shooting. London Bridge station is currently closed and no trains will be stopping there for now, British Transport Police has said. 'Get off and run' Witnesses have spoken to the BBC about what they saw. Amanda Hunter, who was on a bus on London Bridge at the time, said: "All of a sudden [it] stopped and there was some commotion and I looked out the window and I just saw these three police officers going over to a man… "It seemed like there was something in his hand, I'm not 100% sure. But then one of the police officers shot him." Bus driver Mustafa Salih, 62, was travelling from Borough High Street towards London Bridge where he saw emergency vehicles and the police cordon. He told BBC London: "A police officer came up to me and said 'turn off your engine, get off and run'. "I looked up and I could see a crowd of people coming towards me. "One woman was crying. I ran back down to Borough High Street. It was all very scary as we did not know what was happening." London Bridge was the scene of another attack, on 3 June 2017, in which eight people were killed and many more injured. This latest attack comes after the UK's terrorism threat level was downgraded on 4 November from "severe" to "substantial", meaning that attacks were thought to be "likely" rather than "highly likely". The terror threat level is reviewed every six months by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, which makes recommendations independent of government.

Bollywood actress Yami Gautam is celebrating her 31st birthday on Thursday. Apart from the Hindi film industry, the Kaabil actress has also appeared in several Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Malayalam and Tamil films as well. In an old interview to IANS, Yami had revealed that she loves the fact that her birthday falls close to the end of the year. "I love the fact that my birthday comes at the end of each year. I love to look back and be grateful for the year gone by and make my plans ahead of what each New Year will have in store for me," she had said. The actress, who has spent seven years in films, had started her acting career with the TV industry. She then went on to mark her big Bollywood debut in Shoojit Sircar's 2012 film Vicky Donor, which was a big success. Yami also has an active Instagram account through which she keeps her 10 million followers updated about her life. On her birthday, let's take a look at 5 gorgeous pictures of the actress from her Instagram feed. 1) Mood, indeed Yami knows how to fix your mid-week blues with a bright picture. She's looking absolutely lovely in the cute yellow gown with a thigh high slit. 2) That '60s look Yami surely has the confidence to pull of every look with poise and elegance. Her role of Pari in the recently released Bala, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, has won a lot of hearts. 3) The blue hue Her semi-formal look, set against a green background is giving the perfect urban chic vibe. She has completed her look with loose wavy curls and red hot heels, and chose to keep her makeup subtle. 4) Believer How pretty does Yami look in this picture? On a very positive note, the actress has captioned the picture as,” Always believe something good is about to happen.” 5) That infectious smile The actress' smile can surely steal a thousand hearts!

Carmaker Audi is to cut 9,500 of its 61,000 jobs in Germany between now and 2025 to make more money available for electric vehicles and digital working. The cuts - which aim to save €6bn (£5.1bn) - will be achieved through an early retirement programme. But the Volkswagen-owned firm also said its move into electric cars would mean the creation of up to 2,000 jobs. It comes less than a fortnight after Daimler said it would cut more than 1,000 jobs by the end of 2022. The car industry is facing a downturn in key markets, including China, as well as increased costs as it meets tougher European Union emissions regulations and the costly switch to electric vehicles. Audi saw falling sales, revenues and operating profits in the first nine months of 2019. In a statement, the carmaker said the job cuts would "take place along the demographic curve - in particular through employee turnover and a new, attractive early retirement programme". "The company must become lean and fit for the future, which means that some job profiles will no longer be needed and new ones will be created." The carmaker said it would guarantee the jobs of operational workers until 2029. Former Audi boss charged in VW dieselgate scandal Audi brings Disney VR to back seat Audi fined £700m over diesel emissions scandal It added that it would continue to train young people and maintain its number of apprentices and student trainees over the next three years. Speaking about the extension of the job guarantee for the workforce, spokesman Peter Mosch said: "We have reached an important milestone. "The jobs of our core workforce are secure. The extension of the employment guarantee is a great success in difficult times. In addition, the upcoming electrification of the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants. underscores the long-term success of both German sites." Like its rivals, Audi is spending billions of euros on new technologies, including battery-electric and hybrid vehicles, connectivity and autonomous driving. But the firm last year also had to pay an €800m fine over its role in the "dieselgate" emissions scandal scandal that started at parent company VW. It is not just German carmakers that are facing sluggish growth. Car parts suppliers Bosch and Continental have announced thousands of job cuts. And it comes against the wider backdrop of a slowing German economy, which has narrowly avoided a recession. Audi has sailed through some stormy seas over the past few years, but now it's setting its sights on a new horizon. The upmarket VW Group brand was at the heart of the diesel emissions cheating scandal, which erupted in 2015. Its former chief executive, Rupert Stadler, has been charged with fraud over his alleged role in the affair. Now, like its parent, Audi is focusing on the future - and working flat out to develop electric cars. It has already launched the E-tron, the first of 20 battery-powered models due to appear by 2025. But developing electric cars that people actually want to drive costs money. No surprise then that Audi is trying to streamline its operations and slim down its workforce. Competition in the electric car market is heating up rapidly. Within the next few years we could even see a battle for survival among the traditional mainstream carmakers, as they adapt to what will soon become a very different environment. Being lean could be a big advantage.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he stands by comments he made three weeks ago when he described Nato as "brain dead". He said members of the alliance needed a "wake-up call" as they were no longer co-operating on a range of key issues. In a 7 November interview, Mr Macron stressed what he saw as a waning commitment to the transatlantic alliance by its main guarantor, the US. Allies said at the time they disagreed with his assessment. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Macron "used drastic words" and said she did not think "such sweeping judgements are necessary". Mr Macron has been at the forefront of moves to boost defence co-operation among European countries. Does the US contribute too much to Nato? What is Nato? He has also criticised Nato's failure to respond to the offensive by Turkey - also a Nato member - in northern Syria. The Nato alliance was established at the start of the Cold War to bolster Western European and North American security. What did the French president say? Mr Macron was speaking at a news conference with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, a week before alliance leaders meet in the UK for its 70th anniversary. "I totally stand by raising these ambiguities because I believe it was irresponsible of us to keep talking about financial and technical matters given the stakes we currently face," he said. "A wake-up call was necessary. I'm glad it was delivered, and I'm glad everyone now thinks we should rather think about our strategic goals." President Macron is not one for backing down and he insists that his criticism of Nato has had an impact. This was "a wake-up call" to the alliance he said. It needed to stop solely talking about money - who spends what - and turn to crucial issues like the purpose and goals of the organisation. In his view his remarks have done Nato a service. His condemnation of some governments' unilateral decision-making - a reference to Washington's precipitate pull-back in north eastern Syria and the accompanying Turkish military operation there - suggests that next week's brief Nato summit, outside London, should be an interesting one. With this gathering very much in mind, the Nato Secretary General has announced a new division of the contributions each ally makes towards Nato's central budget. The US will pay less and Germany will pay more. The hope is that this will encourage Mr Trump to moderate his usual tirade against his European allies. Watch this space. He said Nato needed to clarify who or what the alliance stood against, adding that he disagreed that Russia or China were the enemies. "I want a discussion between allies on a concrete commitment to the fight against terrorism in the Sahel and the Middle East," he said. Mr Macron was speaking two days after 13 French soldiers were killed in a helicopter collision during an operation against jihadists in Mali. On Turkey, he said that Ankara could not expect solidarity from Nato allies while launching its Syria offensive as a "fait accompli". In the original interview with the London-based Economist, he said European members had to "reassess the reality of what Nato is in the light of the commitment of the United States". The French leader urged Europe to start thinking of itself as a "geopolitical power" to ensure it remained "in control" of its destiny. What's the issue with Nato? President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to pull most US forces out of north-eastern Syria in October took European Nato members by surprise. The move opened the way for Turkey to push into Syria and create what it termed a security zone along its border. Kurdish forces, who had been helping the US fight the Islamic State (IS) group, were expelled from the area. Mr Trump has frequently accused European Nato members of failing to provide their fair share of military spending and for relying too heavily on the US for their defence. How did Nato come about? The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was created in 1949 to counter the threat from the Soviet Union as the Communist country sought to expand its power in Europe. The Soviet Union, an ally in World War Two against Nazi Germany, became an adversary of the West during the Cold War. It set up its own Warsaw Pact military alliance, including the then Communist countries of eastern Europe, in 1955. That alliance was dissolved shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and former Warsaw Pact countries, though not Russia, became Nato members in the years following. Originally set up to promote "stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area", Nato was faced with finding a new purpose after the demise of the Soviet Union. From the mid-1990s, Nato forces were deployed on missions in the former Yugoslavia, launching air strikes to push Serbia out of Kosovo, and in Afghanistan, where the alliance took control of peacekeeping operations. But as Nato has expanded, it has struggled to overcome Russian concerns that the alliance poses a threat on its borders.

Singer Camila Cabello visited the Kensington Palace last year to meet and celebrate this year’s Teen Hero Awards finalists and she had a royal confession to make about her visit. Singer Camila Cabello visited the Kensington Palace last year to meet and celebrate this year’s Teen Hero Awards finalists and she had a royal confession to make about her visit. In an interview to BBC Radio 1, the Senorita singer admitted that she was “triple doggy dared” by the show’s host Greg James. James provoked her to steal something from the palace as a way to commemorate her visit — and the singer, admittedly, couldn’t resist. James, who was with Camila on the visit, recalled, “We’re about to meet William and Kate and I said, ‘Steal something.’ I said, ‘Steal that pencil,'” “And I was like, ‘You triple doggy dare me?” Cabello asked, to which James agreed. “You can not do a triple doggy dare,” she continued. “If there’s anything I’ve learned in my life, it’s that. So I did it.” However, that wasn’t the end to the anecdote. Apparently, after Camila successfully stole the pencil, James decided to throw her under the bus. He wickedly called her out by announcing 'She stole a pencil!' And in a hurry to conceal her deed, the Havanna singer put the pencil in her mother’s purse. Admitting to her guilt, the singer finally said, "So, I'm sorry. I still have it. I'm sorry, William, and I'm sorry, Kate." Her confession also got a quirky response from the royals. Take a look:

UK car production could be cut by more than a third if the UK withdraws from the EU without an "ambitious" trade deal, an industry body has warned. Analysis commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) predicts that falling back on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules would add £3.2bn a year to car making costs. Car prices would rise and annual output could fall to as little as one million by 2024, the data by AutoAnalysis said. The UK made 1.52 million cars in 2018. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said falling back on WTO rules for imported components and car exports would result in a level of cost increases that the industry would not be able to absorb without prices rises and production cuts. He used the body's annual dinner on Tuesday to call for an "ambitious, world-beating Brexit trade deal to maintain the sector's competitiveness and ability to deliver innovation, productivity and prosperity for Britain". Car industry gloom as UK production falls further Mr Hawes said the industry needs "frictionless trade free of tariffs, with regulatory alignment and continued access to talent". He went on: "A close trading relationship is essential to unlock investment so we can deliver our goals: cleaner air, zero carbon emissions, and the ability to go on building our products and marketing them globally. "Rather than producing two million cars a year by 2020, a no trade deal, WTO tariff worst case scenario could see us making just a million," he said. He predicted that production of new models that would have been made in the UK could be moved "to more competitive and welcoming production locations". UK car manufacturing has already seen its weakest first nine months of a year since 2011, falling by 15.6% year-on-year. Honda and Ford have announced plant closures this year but both blamed factors other than Brexit. Peugeot has said a decision to keep open its Vauxhall car factory in the UK is dependent on the final terms of Brexit. Mr Hawes said automotive was one of the UK's most valuable economic assets, directly responsible for putting food on the tables of 168,000 British workers and their families. "The next government must deliver the ambition, the competitive business environment and the commitment needed to keep automotive in Britain," he said.

The US will legally designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups, President Donald Trump says. The move would enable a wider scope of US action. Mr Trump also said he had told Mexico the US was ready to "go in and clear out" the cartels. In response Mexico's foreign minister said his country would not allow any "violation of national sovereignty". Earlier this month Mr Trump vowed to "wage war on the drug cartels" after a deadly attack on US citizens in Mexico. The victims - three women and six children who were Mormons of dual US-Mexican nationality - were killed in an ambush while travelling through a remote area of northern Mexico on 4 November. How a US Mormon family ended up dead in Mexico First funerals held for Mexico ambush victims How dangerous is Mexico? Officials said it may have been a case of mistaken identity, but relatives of the victims said the killers must have known whom they were targeting. After the attack the victims' community, the LeBarons, petitioned the White House to list the cartels as terror groups, saying: "They are terrorists and it's time to acknowledge it." Media captionPresident Trump tells Bill O'Reilly about his plan to designate cartels as terror groups What did Trump say? Conservative media figure Bill O'Reilly asked President Trump on Tuesday whether he was going to designate the cartels as terror groups and "start hitting them with drones". The president said: "They will be designated... I have been working on that for the last 90 days. You know, designation is not that easy, you have to go through a process, and we are well into that process." He added that he had told Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador that the US was willing to launch operations against the cartels inside Mexico. "I've already offered him to let us go in and clean it out and he so far has rejected the offer but at some point something has to be done," Mr Trump said. What would the designation mean? When a group is designated as a terrorist organisation in the US, it becomes illegal for people in the US to knowingly offer support. Its members are also banned from entering the US. If they are already in the US, they face being deported. Mexico's most-wanted: A guide to the drug cartels 'I spent eight months working for a drug cartel' Drug lord 'El Chapo' found guilty in US If financial institutions discover they have funds connected to the group, they are required to block the money and alert the US Treasury Department. Some analysts suggest that the designation could affect the supply of weapons to the cartels from the US. Earlier this year a US government study traced more than 150,000 firearms including assault rifles back from Mexican criminals to gun shops and factories in the US. Under anti-terror laws, those who purchase the guns in the US for the cartels could face much heavier penalties. Other analysts suggest such a designation could complicate possible Mexican government negotiations with cartels as well as efforts by US agencies and NGOs to support peace moves. How has Mexico responded? Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Mexico had made clear to the US its rejection of any violation of its sovereignty. He also said Mexico was committed to tackling transnational organised crime. "Mutual respect is the basis for cooperation," Mr Ebrard said. A foreign ministry statement said Mr Ebrard would discuss the issue with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Mexico wants measures to reduce the flow of weapons and money from the US to the cartels as well as efforts to stop the movement of drugs across its territory towards the US, the statement said. On Monday Mr López Obrador told journalists Mexico would not accept foreign intervention against the cartels. "Our problems will be solved by Mexicans. We don't want any interference from any foreign country," he said. How powerful are the cartels? Mexico's brutal drug war claims tens of thousands of lives every year, as powerful trafficking groups battle for territory and influence. In 2017 more than 30,000 people were killed in the country, with the murder rate having more than tripled since 2006. The cartels control vast areas and are also responsible for political corruption, assassinations and kidnappings. Earlier this week at least 13 police officers were killed in an ambush in the western state of Michoacán. The attack is believed to have been carried out by the Jalisco New Generation cartel. In a now-notorious incident in October, hundreds of gunmen from the Sinaloa cartel overpowered security forces in the Sinaloa state capital Culiacán, taking troops hostage and eventually forcing the government to release a captured cartel leader Ovidio Guzmán. President López Obrador has opted for a non-confrontational approach to the cartels, instead making tackling inequality central to his efforts under a policy dubbed "abrazos, no balazos" - hugs not bullets. But this policy has come in for criticism after Mexican security forces were so comprehensively outgunned in Culiacán. The US government has described the Sinaloa Cartel as one of the largest drug-trafficking organisations in the world. In July its former leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán was sentenced to life in prison following one of the most high-profile trials in recent US history. But the group continues to make billions of dollars from trafficking illicit narcotics to the US, Europe and Asia, experts say. Meanwhile the Jalisco cartel is believed to have assets worth more than $20bn (£15.5bn) and is one of the main distributors of synthetic drugs on the continent, the US says. It has gained notoriety for attacks on security forces and public officials, including the downing of an army helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade.