Prime Minister Boris Johnson told European Council President Donald Tusk that Britain would be leaving the European Union on Oct. 31 whatever the circumstances, a British official said on Sunday after the two met at a G7 summit in France.

Ahead of the meeting, Tusk and Johnson had sparred over who would be to blame should Britain leave the EU on October&nbsp;31 without a divorce deal in place.

Johnson told Tusk that his preference remained to seek a deal with the EU, and repeated that he would still be willing to sit down and talk with the EU and member states, the official said.

"The PM repeated that we will be leaving the EU on the 31st of October whatever the circumstances, we must respect the referendum result," the official said.

The two will meet again at the United Nations General Assembly next month.

An EU official, who declined to be named, said the meeting had mainly restated known positions.

"We need input from their side. ... What we would ideally have been hoping for and looking for were new elements to unblock the situation, said an EU official. "But, it was absolutely cordial all the time. It was not difficult."

He added that it was reassuring that Johnson had reiterated he wanted to reach a deal.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told European Council President Donald Tusk that Britain would be leaving the European Union on Oct. 31 whatever the circumstances, a British official said on Sunday after the two met at a G7 summit in France.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told European Council President Donald Tusk that Britain would be leaving the European Union on Oct. 31 whatever the circumstances, a British official said on Sunday after the two met at a G7 summit in France. Ahead of the meeting, Tusk and Johnson had sparred over who would be to blame should Britain leave the EU on October 31 without a divorce deal in place. Johnson told Tusk that his preference remained to seek a deal with the EU, and repeated that he would still be willing to sit down and talk with the EU and member states, the official said. "The PM repeated that we will be leaving the EU on the 31st of October whatever the circumstances, we must respect the referendum result," the official said. The two will meet again at the United Nations General Assembly next month. An EU official, who declined to be named, said the meeting had mainly restated known positions. "We need input from their side. ... What we would ideally have been hoping for and looking for were new elements to unblock the situation, said an EU official. "But, it was absolutely cordial all the time. It was not difficult." He added that it was reassuring that Johnson had reiterated he wanted to reach a deal.

UK PM Boris Johnson told Tusk: We leave European Union on October 31 whatever the circumstances

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bahrain-honours-pm-modi-with-king-hamad-order-of-the-renaissance-245393">Bahrain honours PM Modi with King Hamad Order of the Renaissance</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (or for Development by the King of Bahrain.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bahrain-sign-4-mous-after-delegation-level-talks-245398">India, Bahrain sign four MoUs after delegation-level talks</a>

India and Bahrain on Saturday signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the field of culture, space, solar energy, and on the roll-out of RuPay card, following the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bahraini counterpart Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-police-fire-tear-gas-water-cannons-at-anti-g7-protesters-245391">French police fire tear gas, water cannons at anti-G7 protesters</a>

French riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Saturday to disperse anti-capitalism protesters in Bayonne, near the resort of Biarritz where President Emmanuel Macron and G7 nation allies were meeting for a three-day summit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-to-tell-trump-to-de-escalate-trade-tensions-245399">Boris Johnson urges Trump to remove 'considerable barriers' for UK trade</a>

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to remove the "considerable barriers" for UK companies seeking to export to the American market, saying they risked impeding a free-trade deal after Brexit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-new-fires-in-brazil-as-outrage-over-amazon-grows-245400">Hundreds of new fires in Brazil as outrage over Amazon grows</a>

Hundreds of new fires are raging in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, official data showed Saturday, as thousands of troops were made available to help fight the worst blazes in years following a global outcry.&nbsp;

Bahrain honours PM Modi with King Hamad Order of the Renaissance Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (or for Development by the King of Bahrain.

Bahrain honours PM Modi with King Hamad Order of the Renaissance Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (or for Development by the King of Bahrain. India, Bahrain sign four MoUs after delegation-level talks India and Bahrain on Saturday signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the field of culture, space, solar energy, and on the roll-out of RuPay card, following the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bahraini counterpart Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa. French police fire tear gas, water cannons at anti-G7 protesters French riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Saturday to disperse anti-capitalism protesters in Bayonne, near the resort of Biarritz where President Emmanuel Macron and G7 nation allies were meeting for a three-day summit. Boris Johnson urges Trump to remove 'considerable barriers' for UK trade British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to remove the "considerable barriers" for UK companies seeking to export to the American market, saying they risked impeding a free-trade deal after Brexit. Hundreds of new fires in Brazil as outrage over Amazon grows Hundreds of new fires are raging in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, official data showed Saturday, as thousands of troops were made available to help fight the worst blazes in years following a global outcry.

News brief: Big stories of the day

US President Donald Trump insisted on Sunday that he was getting along well with leaders at a G7 summit in France, but rifts emerged with his Western allies on issues ranging from his trade war with China to Iran, North Korea and Russia.

US President Donald Trump insisted on Sunday that he was getting along well with leaders at a G7 summit in France, but rifts emerged with his Western allies on issues ranging from his trade war with China to Iran, North Korea and Russia. The G7 gathering is taking place against a backdrop of worries about a global economic downturn and coincides with an era of international disunity across an array of matters. "Before I arrived in France, the Fake and Disgusting News as saying that relations with the 6 others countries in the G-7 are very tense and that the two days of meetings will be a disaster," Trump wrote on Twitter shortly before meeting new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "Well, we are having very good meetings, the Leaders are getting along very well, and our Country, economically, is doing great - the talk of the world!" Tensions were quickly on show, however, as the first full day of talks between the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States got underway in the Basque coast resort of Biarritz in southwest France. Before leaving Washington Trump stepped up his tariff war with Beijing in a battle between the world's two largest economies that has spooked financial markets, and called on US companies to move out of China. Britain's Johnson voiced concern on Saturday about creeping protectionism and said those who support tariffs "are at risk of incurring the blame for the downturn in the global economy". Sitting across from Trump on Sunday, he said, "We're in favour of trade peace on the whole, and dialling it down if we can." Asked if he was being pressed by allies to relent in his standoff with China, Trump said, "I think they respect the trade war." Niche issues Underlining the multilateral discord even before the summit got underway, Trump threatened the meeting's host, saying Washington would tax French wine "as they've never seen before" unless Paris dropped a digital tax on US technology companies. Leaping into the fray, European Council President Donald Tusk, who takes part in the G7 discussions, warned the EU would respond "in-kind" if Trump acted on his threat. "This may be the last moment to restore our political community," Tusk told reporters on Saturday, giving a bleak assessment of Western relations. Looking to broaden the scope of the debate, French President Emmanuel Macron has invited several African leaders to discuss problems facing their continent, while leaders from India, Australia, Chile, and Spain are due to attend a dinner on Sunday where the focus will be on the environment and other issues. However, senior US officials accused Macron of looking "to fracture the G7" by focusing on "niche issues" rather than major global concerns. France denied this, pointing to Sunday's initial session covering the economy, trade, and security - areas that used to draw easy consensus but are now sources of great friction. Trump upended last year's G7 meeting in Canada, walking out early and disassociating himself from the final communique. Differences over Iran, North Korea, Russia In Biarritz, Trump appeared to brush aside French efforts to mediate with Iran, saying that while he was happy for Macron to reach out to Tehran to defuse tensions he would carry on with his initiatives. European leaders have struggled to tamp down the brewing confrontation between Iran and the United States since Trump pulled his country out of Iran's internationally brokered 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on the Iranian economy. France said G7 leaders had agreed that Macron should hold talks and pass on messages to Iran. However, Trump, who has pushed a maximum pressure policy on Iran, distanced himself from the proposal, saying he had not even discussed it. Trump also appeared at odds with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over the seriousness of North Korea's series of short-range missile launches. Trump, who prizes his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, told reporters the launches did not violate an agreement and were in line with what others were doing. Abe, standing beside him, said they breached UN resolutions. The missile launches have complicated attempts to restart talks between US and North Korean negotiators over the future of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. There was also disagreement in Biarritz over Trump’s calls for Russia to be readmitted to the group of advanced economies. Russia was excluded from what used to be the G8 in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine’s Crimea and then backed an anti-Kiev rebellion in the industrial region of Donbas in eastern Ukraine. Johnson said G7 leaders had a "lively" discussion about Russia and Trump, asked if his case for Moscow to be brought back into the fold had made headway, said it was a "work in progress". At the start of the day, Trump said Britain would have a major trade deal with Washington after it leaves the European Union. Asked what his advice on Brexit was for Johnson, he replied, "He needs no advice, he is the right man for the job". While the transatlantic rift is the starkest, there are also deep divisions within the European camp, with Johnson making his G7 debut at a time when he is struggling to persuade EU capitals to renegotiate Britain's exit from the bloc, which Johnson has said will happen on October 31 come what may. Macron added to the internal EU strains by unexpectedly threatening on Friday to block an EU trade deal with a group of South American states over Brazil's handling of fires that are ravaging the Amazon rainforest. Germany and Britain both voiced deep concern about the fires but said shooting down the ambitious Mercosur trade accord would not help save the Amazon.

Beneath show of bonhomie, rifts emerge between Donald Trump and Western allies at G7 summit

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-very-worried-about-trade-tensions-tariff-hikes-245371">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson </a>on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to remove the "considerable barriers" for UK companies seeking to export to the American market, saying they risked impeding a free-trade deal after Brexit.

Speaking as the Group of Seven summit of top nations got underway in Biarritz, Johnson pointed to a string of UK products -- ranging from shower trays to Britain's beloved pork pies -- that he said were not allowed on the American market.

"I think there is a massive opportunity for Britain, but we must understand that it is not all going to be plain sailing," Johnson told reporters.

"There remain very considerable barriers in the US to British businesses which are not widely understood," he said, adding that he had raised this in telephone discussions with Trump, and would do so again when they meet for bilateral talks on Sunday morning.

"It is very important, if we are going to do a fantastic free trade deal, it is a free trade that works in the interests of British business," he said.

Johnson and other supporters of Britain's exit from the European Union see a trade deal with the US as key to making a success of Brexit, by creating new opportunities for British firms.

The issue could become a rare bone of contention between Johnson and Trump, with the pair having warm relations dating back to well before the British premier arrived in office last month.

Their meeting on Saturday will be their first face-to-face encounter since Johnson became prime minister.

In a flourish characteristic of Johnson, he complained in particular that Americans can't savour Britain's famed Melton Mowbray pork pies, which he said are sold even in Thailand and Iceland.

The pastries "are currently unable to enter the US market because of, I don't know, some sort of Food and Drug Administration restriction," he said, without specifying further.

"There are massive opportunities for UK companies to open up, to prise open the American market," he insisted.

"We intend to seize those opportunities but they are going to require our American friends to compromise and to open up their approach, because currently there are too many restrictions," he said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to remove the "considerable barriers" for UK companies seeking to export to the American market, saying they risked impeding a free-trade deal after Brexit.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to remove the "considerable barriers" for UK companies seeking to export to the American market, saying they risked impeding a free-trade deal after Brexit. Speaking as the Group of Seven summit of top nations got underway in Biarritz, Johnson pointed to a string of UK products -- ranging from shower trays to Britain's beloved pork pies -- that he said were not allowed on the American market. "I think there is a massive opportunity for Britain, but we must understand that it is not all going to be plain sailing," Johnson told reporters. "There remain very considerable barriers in the US to British businesses which are not widely understood," he said, adding that he had raised this in telephone discussions with Trump, and would do so again when they meet for bilateral talks on Sunday morning. "It is very important, if we are going to do a fantastic free trade deal, it is a free trade that works in the interests of British business," he said. Johnson and other supporters of Britain's exit from the European Union see a trade deal with the US as key to making a success of Brexit, by creating new opportunities for British firms. The issue could become a rare bone of contention between Johnson and Trump, with the pair having warm relations dating back to well before the British premier arrived in office last month. Their meeting on Saturday will be their first face-to-face encounter since Johnson became prime minister. In a flourish characteristic of Johnson, he complained in particular that Americans can't savour Britain's famed Melton Mowbray pork pies, which he said are sold even in Thailand and Iceland. The pastries "are currently unable to enter the US market because of, I don't know, some sort of Food and Drug Administration restriction," he said, without specifying further. "There are massive opportunities for UK companies to open up, to prise open the American market," he insisted. "We intend to seize those opportunities but they are going to require our American friends to compromise and to open up their approach, because currently there are too many restrictions," he said.

Boris Johnson urges Trump to remove 'considerable barriers' for UK trade

Sheer admiration, adoration! Trump, Boris Johnson all praise for each other at G7 Summit

US President Donald Trump on Sunday backed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the "right man" for Brexit and sent mixed signals about his trade war with China at a G7 summit dominated by worries about the global economy.

Johnson and Trump were on obviously friendly terms as they sat down for a working breakfast in the southern French resort of Biarritz where Group of Seven leaders are gathering this weekend.

"He's going to be a fantastic prime minister," Trump said in their first meeting since Johnson took office last month.&nbsp;

Asked what his advice was for Brexit, Trump replied,&nbsp;"He needs no advice. He's the right man for the job. I've been saying that for a long time."

In the lead-up to the talks, Johnson had appeared at pains to distance himself from Trump after facing accusations in the past of being too cosy with the American leader.

And at their meeting, Johnson again pressed a common message from European leaders at the summit about Trump's escalating trade war with China.

"Just to register a faint, sheep-like note of our view on the trade war -- we are in favour of trade peace on the whole," Johnson told Trump.

The 73-year-old US leader promised Johnson "very big trade deal, bigger than we've ever had", but couldn't resist another undiplomatic dig at the European Union.

Trump compared it to an "anchor around their ankle".&nbsp;

'Respect the trade war'

But to the relief of his partners, Trump also appeared to back off from a threatened further escalation in his battle with China.

"I think they respect the trade war. It has to happen," Trump told reporters.

Asked whether he was having second thoughts, he replied,&nbsp;"I have second thoughts about everything."&nbsp;

The Basque resort of Biarritz, which at this time of year usually teems with surfers and sunbathers, has been turned into a fortress for the G7 event with over 13,000 police on duty.

An anti-capitalism demonstration in nearby Bayonne turned ugly Saturday night when the crowd of several hundred tried to get through police barricades and was repelled with water cannon and tear gas.

Earlier on Saturday, organisers in the French border town of Hendaye said 15,000 people rallied in a peaceful march over the Bidassoa River towards the Spanish town of Irun.

G7 summits, gathering Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, were once a meeting of like-minded allies, but they have become a diplomatic battlefield in the Trump era.

"This may be the last moment to restore our political community," EU Council President Donald Tusk said on Saturday.

Iran divisions

Over an open dinner of red tuna at the foot of a landmark lighthouse in the famed surf town of Biarritz, the leaders began talks on Saturday night attempting to narrow their differences.

The US-China trade war, but also fires in the Amazon and the Iranian nuclear crisis, were on the menu.

"You did very well last night President Macron," Johnson told his French host as the leaders met for a session to discuss the world economy. "That was a difficult one."

In a sign of the difficulties, Macron thought he had agreed a common G7 position on Iran to try to find a way out of the current impasse that has seen tensions spiral in the Middle East.

Macron said in an interview to French television that they had "agreed on what to say to Iran".

But Trump, who has previously accused Macron of sending "mixed signals" to Iran, denied it.

"We’ll do our own outreach. But you can't stop people from talking. If they want to talk, they can talk," he said.

In a radical break from previous meetings of the elite club, there is to be no final statement at the end of the talks on Monday, an admission of lowered expectations.

Macron has also invited several world leaders from outside the G7 such as India's Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who will join the meeting on Sunday.

Macron is also pushing for action against fires in the Amazon rainforest, despite Brazilian right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro's angry response to what he sees as outside interference.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday backed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the "right man" for Brexit and sent mixed signals about his trade war with China at a G7 summit dominated by worries about the global economy.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday backed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the "right man" for Brexit and sent mixed signals about his trade war with China at a G7 summit dominated by worries about the global economy. Johnson and Trump were on obviously friendly terms as they sat down for a working breakfast in the southern French resort of Biarritz where Group of Seven leaders are gathering this weekend. "He's going to be a fantastic prime minister," Trump said in their first meeting since Johnson took office last month. Asked what his advice was for Brexit, Trump replied, "He needs no advice. He's the right man for the job. I've been saying that for a long time." In the lead-up to the talks, Johnson had appeared at pains to distance himself from Trump after facing accusations in the past of being too cosy with the American leader. And at their meeting, Johnson again pressed a common message from European leaders at the summit about Trump's escalating trade war with China. "Just to register a faint, sheep-like note of our view on the trade war -- we are in favour of trade peace on the whole," Johnson told Trump. The 73-year-old US leader promised Johnson "very big trade deal, bigger than we've ever had", but couldn't resist another undiplomatic dig at the European Union. Trump compared it to an "anchor around their ankle". 'Respect the trade war' But to the relief of his partners, Trump also appeared to back off from a threatened further escalation in his battle with China. "I think they respect the trade war. It has to happen," Trump told reporters. Asked whether he was having second thoughts, he replied, "I have second thoughts about everything." The Basque resort of Biarritz, which at this time of year usually teems with surfers and sunbathers, has been turned into a fortress for the G7 event with over 13,000 police on duty. An anti-capitalism demonstration in nearby Bayonne turned ugly Saturday night when the crowd of several hundred tried to get through police barricades and was repelled with water cannon and tear gas. Earlier on Saturday, organisers in the French border town of Hendaye said 15,000 people rallied in a peaceful march over the Bidassoa River towards the Spanish town of Irun. G7 summits, gathering Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, were once a meeting of like-minded allies, but they have become a diplomatic battlefield in the Trump era. "This may be the last moment to restore our political community," EU Council President Donald Tusk said on Saturday. Iran divisions Over an open dinner of red tuna at the foot of a landmark lighthouse in the famed surf town of Biarritz, the leaders began talks on Saturday night attempting to narrow their differences. The US-China trade war, but also fires in the Amazon and the Iranian nuclear crisis, were on the menu. "You did very well last night President Macron," Johnson told his French host as the leaders met for a session to discuss the world economy. "That was a difficult one." In a sign of the difficulties, Macron thought he had agreed a common G7 position on Iran to try to find a way out of the current impasse that has seen tensions spiral in the Middle East. Macron said in an interview to French television that they had "agreed on what to say to Iran". But Trump, who has previously accused Macron of sending "mixed signals" to Iran, denied it. "We’ll do our own outreach. But you can't stop people from talking. If they want to talk, they can talk," he said. In a radical break from previous meetings of the elite club, there is to be no final statement at the end of the talks on Monday, an admission of lowered expectations. Macron has also invited several world leaders from outside the G7 such as India's Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who will join the meeting on Sunday. Macron is also pushing for action against fires in the Amazon rainforest, despite Brazilian right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro's angry response to what he sees as outside interference.

Very big trade deal after Brexit, bigger than we've ever had: Trump's promise to UK PM Boris Johnson at G7

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-would-tax-french-wine-in-response-to-digital-tax-245250">US President Donald Trump</a> on Sunday said he was getting along well with his Western allies at a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trade-and-economy-in-focus-as-g7-leaders-get-down-to-work-245426">G7 summit in France</a>, dismissing reports of rifts among leaders as they prepared to discuss global trade woes.

The G7 gathering is taking place against a backdrop of growing worries about a global economic downturn and coincides with an era of international disunity across an array of issues that have strained decades-old allegiances.

"Before I arrived in France, the Fake and Disgusting News was saying that relations with the 6 others countries in the G-7 are very tense, and that the two days of meetings will be a disaster," Trump wrote on Twitter shortly before meeting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"Well, we are having very good meetings, the Leaders are getting along very well, and our Country, economically, is doing great - the talk of the world!"

However, major policy differences over trade protectionism, climate change, Iran and France's push for a universal tax on digital technology giants clouded the run-up to the summit in the Atlantic coastal resort of Biarritz.

Trump arrived in France just hours after escalating his trade war with China in a tit-for-tat battle between the world's two largest economies that has spooked financial markets.

"I am very worried about the way it's going, the growth of protectionism, of tariffs that we're seeing," the UK's Johnson said on Saturday.

"Those who support the tariffs are at risk of incurring the blame for the downturn in the global economy, irrespective of whether or not that is true."

Underlining the discord, Trump also threatened his host on the eve of the summit, saying the United States would tax French wine "like they've never seen before" unless Paris dropped a digital tax on US&nbsp;technology companies.

Leaping into the fray, European Council President Donald Tusk, who takes part in the G7 discussions, warned the EU would respond "in kind" if Trump acted on his threat.

"This may be the last moment to restore our political community," Tusk told reporters on Saturday, giving a bleak assessment of Western relations.

Looking to broaden the scope of the debate, Macron has invited several African leaders to discuss the problems facing their continent, while leaders from India, Australia, Chile and Spain are due to attend a dinner on Sunday where the focus will be on the environment and other issues.

Brexit squabbles

Trump up-ended last year's G7 summit in Canada, walking out of the meeting early and disassociating himself from the final communique having initially endorsed the document.

The delegations had barely arrived in Biarritz before differences were exposed, with senior US&nbsp;officials accusing the host, French President Emmanuel Macron, of looking "to fracture the G7" by focusing on "niche issues" rather than major global concerns.

France denied this, pointing to Sunday's initial session covering the economy, trade and security - areas that used to draw easy consensus but are now sources of great friction.

Overnight, Trump wrote on Twitter that lunch with Macron was the best meeting the pair had yet had, and that a meeting with world leaders on Saturday evening also "went very well."

France has got around the communique problem by doing away with the time-honoured document, deciding it was not worth even trying to find common language.

While the transatlantic rift is the most stark, there are also deep divisions within the European camp, with Johnson making his G7 debut at a time when he is struggling to persuade EU capitals to renegotiate Britain's exit from the bloc.

Johnson and Tusk, who are due to talk on Sunday, sparred ahead of the meeting over who would take the blame if Britain leaves the EU on October 31 without a Brexit agreement acceptable to both sides.

"I still hope that PM Johnson will not like to go down in history as Mr No Deal," said Tusk, who leads the political direction of the 28-nation EU.

Johnson later retorted that it would be Tusk himself who would carry that mantle if Britain could not secure a new withdrawal agreement.

Macron added to the internal EU strains by unexpectedly threatening on Friday to block an EU trade deal with a group of South American states over Brazil's handling of fires that are ravaging the Amazon rainforest.

Germany and Britain both voiced deep concern about the fires, but disagreed with Macron on how to respond, saying shooting down the ambitious Mercosur trade accord would not help save the Amazon.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was getting along well with his Western allies at a G7 summit in France, dismissing reports of rifts among leaders as they prepared to discuss global trade woes.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was getting along well with his Western allies at a G7 summit in France, dismissing reports of rifts among leaders as they prepared to discuss global trade woes. The G7 gathering is taking place against a backdrop of growing worries about a global economic downturn and coincides with an era of international disunity across an array of issues that have strained decades-old allegiances. "Before I arrived in France, the Fake and Disgusting News was saying that relations with the 6 others countries in the G-7 are very tense, and that the two days of meetings will be a disaster," Trump wrote on Twitter shortly before meeting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "Well, we are having very good meetings, the Leaders are getting along very well, and our Country, economically, is doing great - the talk of the world!" However, major policy differences over trade protectionism, climate change, Iran and France's push for a universal tax on digital technology giants clouded the run-up to the summit in the Atlantic coastal resort of Biarritz. Trump arrived in France just hours after escalating his trade war with China in a tit-for-tat battle between the world's two largest economies that has spooked financial markets. "I am very worried about the way it's going, the growth of protectionism, of tariffs that we're seeing," the UK's Johnson said on Saturday. "Those who support the tariffs are at risk of incurring the blame for the downturn in the global economy, irrespective of whether or not that is true." Underlining the discord, Trump also threatened his host on the eve of the summit, saying the United States would tax French wine "like they've never seen before" unless Paris dropped a digital tax on US technology companies. Leaping into the fray, European Council President Donald Tusk, who takes part in the G7 discussions, warned the EU would respond "in kind" if Trump acted on his threat. "This may be the last moment to restore our political community," Tusk told reporters on Saturday, giving a bleak assessment of Western relations. Looking to broaden the scope of the debate, Macron has invited several African leaders to discuss the problems facing their continent, while leaders from India, Australia, Chile and Spain are due to attend a dinner on Sunday where the focus will be on the environment and other issues. Brexit squabbles Trump up-ended last year's G7 summit in Canada, walking out of the meeting early and disassociating himself from the final communique having initially endorsed the document. The delegations had barely arrived in Biarritz before differences were exposed, with senior US officials accusing the host, French President Emmanuel Macron, of looking "to fracture the G7" by focusing on "niche issues" rather than major global concerns. France denied this, pointing to Sunday's initial session covering the economy, trade and security - areas that used to draw easy consensus but are now sources of great friction. Overnight, Trump wrote on Twitter that lunch with Macron was the best meeting the pair had yet had, and that a meeting with world leaders on Saturday evening also "went very well." France has got around the communique problem by doing away with the time-honoured document, deciding it was not worth even trying to find common language. While the transatlantic rift is the most stark, there are also deep divisions within the European camp, with Johnson making his G7 debut at a time when he is struggling to persuade EU capitals to renegotiate Britain's exit from the bloc. Johnson and Tusk, who are due to talk on Sunday, sparred ahead of the meeting over who would take the blame if Britain leaves the EU on October 31 without a Brexit agreement acceptable to both sides. "I still hope that PM Johnson will not like to go down in history as Mr No Deal," said Tusk, who leads the political direction of the 28-nation EU. Johnson later retorted that it would be Tusk himself who would carry that mantle if Britain could not secure a new withdrawal agreement. Macron added to the internal EU strains by unexpectedly threatening on Friday to block an EU trade deal with a group of South American states over Brazil's handling of fires that are ravaging the Amazon rainforest. Germany and Britain both voiced deep concern about the fires, but disagreed with Macron on how to respond, saying shooting down the ambitious Mercosur trade accord would not help save the Amazon.

Trump paints picture of unity at prickly G7 summit amid reports of rifts among leaders

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday that he was "very concerned" about the trade tensions between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-heaps-another-5-tariff-on-chinese-goods-in-latest-tit-for-tat-escalation-245211">US and China</a>, saying their tit-for-tat tariff hikes were harmful for the global economy.

"I'm very worried about the way it's going, the growth of protectionism, of tariffs that we're seeing," Johnson said as he arrived at the G7 summit in the French resort of Biarritz, where he was to make his full international debut as Britain's premier.

"Those who support tariffs are at risk of incurring the blame for the downturn in the global economy," he said. "This is not the way to proceed."&nbsp;

The question of tariffs is of particular concern for Johnson as he prepares to lead Britain out of the EU with the prospect of a no-deal Brexit on October 31 looking increasingly likely -- which experts warn would cost both sides dearly.&nbsp;

His remarks echoed earlier warnings from the European Union, which warned that the escalating trade spat between Washington and Beijing could drive economies around the world into recession.&nbsp;

"Trade wars will lead to recession, while trade deals will boost the economy," EU President Donald Tusk as G7 leaders descended on Biarritz for a three-day summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting the summit, also weighed in, saying trade tensions were "bad for everyone".

"We have to achieve some form of de-escalation, stabilise things, and avoid this trade war that is taking place all over," he said, just hours after Trump threatened to impose heavy punitive tariffs on France over its tax on US tech giants.&nbsp;

Trade disputes appear set to dominate the agenda of this year's G7 summit, with Tusk and Macron warning that an ambitious deal between the EU and Latin America's Mercosur bloc was at risk over Brazil's response to wildfires in the Amazon.

But Tusk also said the EU would respond in kind if the US imposed tariffs on French wine.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday that he was "very concerned" about the trade tensions between the US and China, saying their tit-for-tat tariff hikes were harmful for the global economy.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday that he was "very concerned" about the trade tensions between the US and China, saying their tit-for-tat tariff hikes were harmful for the global economy. "I'm very worried about the way it's going, the growth of protectionism, of tariffs that we're seeing," Johnson said as he arrived at the G7 summit in the French resort of Biarritz, where he was to make his full international debut as Britain's premier. "Those who support tariffs are at risk of incurring the blame for the downturn in the global economy," he said. "This is not the way to proceed." The question of tariffs is of particular concern for Johnson as he prepares to lead Britain out of the EU with the prospect of a no-deal Brexit on October 31 looking increasingly likely -- which experts warn would cost both sides dearly. His remarks echoed earlier warnings from the European Union, which warned that the escalating trade spat between Washington and Beijing could drive economies around the world into recession. "Trade wars will lead to recession, while trade deals will boost the economy," EU President Donald Tusk as G7 leaders descended on Biarritz for a three-day summit. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting the summit, also weighed in, saying trade tensions were "bad for everyone". "We have to achieve some form of de-escalation, stabilise things, and avoid this trade war that is taking place all over," he said, just hours after Trump threatened to impose heavy punitive tariffs on France over its tax on US tech giants. Trade disputes appear set to dominate the agenda of this year's G7 summit, with Tusk and Macron warning that an ambitious deal between the EU and Latin America's Mercosur bloc was at risk over Brazil's response to wildfires in the Amazon. But Tusk also said the EU would respond in kind if the US imposed tariffs on French wine.

UK's Boris Johnson 'very worried' about trade tensions, tariff hikes

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson may have taken a month to embark on his first trip abroad, but he was quick to make himself at home in President Emmanuel Macron's gilded palace, putting his feet up on the furniture. Watch this video to know more.

Boris Johnson puts his feet up in Macron's palace

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Paris on Thursday, a day after Berlin offered a glimmer of hope that an agreement could be reached to avoid a chaotic "no deal" Brexit.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Paris on Thursday, a day after Berlin offered a glimmer of hope that an agreement could be reached to avoid a chaotic "no deal" Brexit. On the second leg of his first foreign visit since taking office, Johnson will meet Emmannuel Macron at the Elysee palace to press home his message that elements of the UK's impending divorce from the European Union must be renegotiated. But Johnson is likely to face a tougher audience in Paris than in Berlin. Macron on Wednesday dismissed Johnson's demands that the EU reopen negotiations on the Irish border, saying that the bloc had always been clear it would not agree. "Renegotiation of the terms currently proposed by the British is not an option that exists, and that has always been made clear by (EU) President Tusk," Macron told reporters in Paris. At the weekend, all three European leaders will meet US President Donald Trump, a vocal supporter of both Brexit and Johnson, and the leaders of Canada, Italy and Japan at a G7 summit in the French seaside resort of Biarritz. The talks come after Merkel on Wednesday told Johnson in Berlin that an agreement could even be possible within "30 days" for Britain to leave the EU, if a solution could be found to the thorny issue of the Irish border. The British prime minister has been adamant that he will not accept the "backstop" border plan agreed under his predecessor Theresa May and warned that the UK will exit the EU on October 31, even at the cost of economic turmoil. The backstop is a mechanism to avoid border checks between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, part of the UK, with checkpoints there removed as part of a 1998 peace deal on the divided island. But critics have derided the plan because it would temporarily keep Britain in the EU customs union. In Berlin, Johnson again stressed his view that the backstop "has grave, grave defects for a sovereign, democratic country like the UK" and added that the provision "plainly has to go". Merkel said that the mechanism was always meant as a "fallback position" to protect the "integrity of the single market" for the period in which the other 27 EU members and London define their future relationship. In the search for a solution, she said, "we have said we would probably find it in the next two years, but maybe we can do it in the next 30 days, why not? Then we are one step further in the right direction". 'Blistering timetable' Johnson told Merkel that he welcomed the "very blistering timetable of 30 days," adding that "I'm more than happy with that". He added: "I just want to be absolutely clear with all our German friends and the German government that we in the UK want a deal, we seek a deal, and I believe we can do that." "Wir schaffen das," he quipped, borrowing Merkel's signature German phrase on managing the 2015 refugee influx that translates to "we can do it". Johnson, in a "do-or-die" gamble, has insisted Britain will leave the EU on October 31, no matter whether it has ironed out remaining differences with the bloc or not. Ahead of his Berlin visit, Johnson reaffirmed in a tweet that "we're going to leave the EU on October 31st and make this country the best in the world to live in". The message was adorned with a Union flag.

UK's Johnson to hold Brexit talks with Macron after Merkel offers glimmer of hope

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-chancellor-angela-merkel-says-trump-tweets-go-against-what-makes-america-great-237130">German Chancellor Angela&nbsp;Merkel</a>&nbsp;said on Thursday she had not set Britain a 30-day deadline to find a&nbsp;solution&nbsp;for the so-called Irish&nbsp;backstop, saying they could also&nbsp;have&nbsp;time&nbsp;until&nbsp;Oct.&nbsp;31, when Britain is due to leave the European Union.

"I said that what one&nbsp;can&nbsp;achieve in three or two years&nbsp;can&nbsp;also be achieved in 30 days. Better said, one must say that one&nbsp;can&nbsp;also achieve it by&nbsp;October&nbsp;31,"&nbsp;Merkel&nbsp;told a news conference in the Hague.

Merkel&nbsp;had suggested on&nbsp;Wednesday that<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-germany-hints-at-compromise-france-tells-uk-no-new-brexit-deal-244700"> Britain and the EU </a>could find a&nbsp;solution&nbsp;to the sticking point of the Irish&nbsp;backstop&nbsp;in the next 30 days, a possible signal she was willing to compromise with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday she had not set Britain a 30-day deadline to find a solution for the so-called Irish backstop, saying they could also have time until Oct.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday she had not set Britain a 30-day deadline to find a solution for the so-called Irish backstop, saying they could also have time until Oct. 31, when Britain is due to leave the European Union. "I said that what one can achieve in three or two years can also be achieved in 30 days. Better said, one must say that one can also achieve it by October 31," Merkel told a news conference in the Hague. Merkel had suggested on Wednesday that Britain and the EU could find a solution to the sticking point of the Irish backstop in the next 30 days, a possible signal she was willing to compromise with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

We can have until October 31 for Brexit backstop solution: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday challenged Britain to come up with alternatives to the Irish border backstop within 30 days, but French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned there would be no renegotiation of the Brexit deal.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday challenged Britain to come up with alternatives to the Irish border backstop within 30 days, but French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned there would be no renegotiation of the Brexit deal. More than three years after the United Kingdom voted to quit the European Union, it is still unclear on what terms - or indeed whether - the bloc's second-largest economy will leave the club it joined in 1973. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a Brexiteer who won the premiership a month ago, is betting that the threat of "no-deal" Brexit turmoil will convince Merkel and Macron that the EU should do a last-minute deal to suit his demands. Speaking beside Merkel at the German Chancellery, Johnson repeatedly said that the Irish border backstop - which is a protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement struck by his predecessor Theresa May - needed to be removed in full. "It was said we will probably find a solution in two years. But we could also find one in the next 30 days, why not?" Merkel, Europe's most powerful leader, said. Johnson confirmed that she had given him 30 days to come up with alternatives and said there was ample scope for a deal. The two leaders had a constructive dinner of tuna, venison and chocolate tart, a British source said. But just an hour after Merkel spoke, Macron said the demands made by Johnson for a renegotiation of the divorce deal, including the removal of the Irish backstop, were not workable as they currently stood. Johnson is due to meet Macron in Paris on Thursday. Asked about the distance between the positions of London and the other 27 members of the EU, Johnson said: "If we approach this with sufficient patience and optimism, we can get this done. It's in the final furlong generally when the horses change places and the winning deal appears." NO-deal Brexit? But with just over 10 weeks left until the scheduled departure, the EU has repeatedly said it will not renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement and that it will stand behind member state Ireland. As Johnson arrived, protesters outside the Chancellery gates shouted: "Stop Brexit". Johnson and Merkel smiled and they joked about the British premier's German language skills. Merkel has previously promised to discuss "practical solutions" to the Irish border insurance policy or "backstop" that Johnson says is unacceptable - but she has said the Withdrawal Agreement would not be reopened. The German leader has suggested solving the Irish border riddle as part of the declaration on post-Brexit ties - a possible way to avoid a no-deal Brexit. But France now believes no-deal Brexit is now the most likely Brexit scenario, said an official in Macron's office who cautioned that Berlin and Paris were united. "Have no doubt that the French and German positions -- and elsewhere -- are the same. There's not the thickness of a cigarette paper between us," the French official said. Once the nightmare scenario on the extreme edge of probability ranges, a 'no-deal' Brexit is now seen as a realistic possibility by both governments and investors. Amid the political turmoil in London, little is clear. The alternatives are a delay, a last-minute deal, an election or even cancelling Brexit. Trump and Macron In Washington, US President Donald Trump, who has been enthusiastic about Brexit but critical of May's negotiating strategy, offered Britain help while criticising the EU. "They have not treated the UK very well," he said. "That's a very tough bargain they are driving, the European Union. We are going to see if we can work something out." But Macron said a no-deal Brexit would be of Britain's own making, adding that any trade deal London cut with Washington would not mitigate the cost of crashing out of the bloc. "Can (the cost of a hard Brexit) be offset by the United States of America? No. And even if it were a strategic choice, it would be at the cost of a historic vassalisation of Britain," Macron said. Wrenching Britain out of the EU without a deal means there would be no arrangements to cover everything from post-Brexit pet passports to the trade arteries that pump capital, food and car parts between the two neighbours. Many investors say a no-deal Brexit would send shock waves through the world economy, hurt the economies of Britain and the EU, roil financial markets and weaken London's position as the pre-eminent international financial centre.

After Germany hints at compromise, France tells UK: No new Brexit deal

A no-deal Brexit seems the most likely scenario for Britain's departure from the European Union, a French presidential aide said Wednesday, a day before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-urges-merkel-to-budge-on-brexit-244587">Boris Johnson visits Paris</a> for talks with President Emmanuel Macron.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, rejected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-johnson-opening-brexit-bid-rip-out-the-irish-border-backstop-244376">Johnson's demand</a> that the so-called "backstop" mechanism to avoid border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland be scrapped.

And he also contradicted Johnson's claim that if Britain leaves the EU without a deal it would not have to pay $47 billion&nbsp;divorce bill that has already been negotiated.

"The scenario that is becoming the most likely is one of no deal," the official said ahead of the first meeting between Macron and Johnson since the British premier took office a month ago.&nbsp;

"The idea of saying 'there's not a deal, so I won't pay' does not work," the official said. "We cannot imagine that a country like the UK would back out of an international commitment."

The official added: "There's no magic wand that makes this bill disappear." &nbsp;

The French official said that a letter sent by Johnson to EU Council President Donald Tusk on Monday asking for what he called the "anti-democratic" backstop to be withdrawn "posed a problem" for the whole EU.&nbsp;

The backstop is a mechanism to avoid border checks between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, part of the UK, with checkpoints there removed as part of a 1998 peace deal on the divided island.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Wednesday of the economic impact of a chaotic no-deal Brexit, hours before she was to receive Johnson on his first foreign visit. 
&nbsp;

A no-deal Brexit seems the most likely scenario for Britain's departure from the European Union, a French presidential aide said Wednesday, a day before Boris Johnson visits Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron.

A no-deal Brexit seems the most likely scenario for Britain's departure from the European Union, a French presidential aide said Wednesday, a day before Boris Johnson visits Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, rejected Johnson's demand that the so-called "backstop" mechanism to avoid border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland be scrapped. And he also contradicted Johnson's claim that if Britain leaves the EU without a deal it would not have to pay $47 billion divorce bill that has already been negotiated. "The scenario that is becoming the most likely is one of no deal," the official said ahead of the first meeting between Macron and Johnson since the British premier took office a month ago. "The idea of saying 'there's not a deal, so I won't pay' does not work," the official said. "We cannot imagine that a country like the UK would back out of an international commitment." The official added: "There's no magic wand that makes this bill disappear." The French official said that a letter sent by Johnson to EU Council President Donald Tusk on Monday asking for what he called the "anti-democratic" backstop to be withdrawn "posed a problem" for the whole EU. The backstop is a mechanism to avoid border checks between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, part of the UK, with checkpoints there removed as part of a 1998 peace deal on the divided island. German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Wednesday of the economic impact of a chaotic no-deal Brexit, hours before she was to receive Johnson on his first foreign visit.

No-deal Brexit seems 'most likely' scenario: French presidential aide

British Government underlined the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan and added that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between the two neighbours.

This was said during a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-speaks-to-uk-pm-johnson-on-violent-protests-by-pak-group-outside-indian-mission-in-london-244512">conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM </a>Boris Johnson on Tuesday afternoon.

A UK Government readout said, "The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi discussed the current situation in Kashmir. The Prime Minister made clear that the UK views the issue of Kashmir is one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally. He underlined the importance of resolving issues through dialogue."

Both the leaders will be present at the G7 summit that will take place in France over the weekend and "ahead of the G7, the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi agreed on the importance of working together to tackle climate change and other threats to biodiversity", the UK government readout added.

Terror and trade was also discussed during the phone call with PM Modi highlighting how terror has plagued all parts of the world, including India and Europe

During the same conversation, PM Modi had raised the issue of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/overwhelmingly-peaceful-says-british-high-commission-on-protests-outside-indian-high-commission-in-london-243434">violent protests that took place in UK outside the Indian mission</a> by Pakistani and Khalistani groups on Independence Day.

An Indian government readout said, that Prime Minister Modi "drew attention to the challenges posed by vested interests pursuing their motivated agenda, including by violent means."

Adding, "In this context, he referred to the violence and vandalism perpetrated by a large mob against the High Commission of India in London on the last Independence Day of India."

The British Prime minister has regretted the incident and assured the safety of the Indian mission.

The readout said, Prime Minister Johnson "assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the High Commission, its personnel and visitors."

Thousands of protestors from Pakistani and Khalistani groups in London clashed violently with outside the Indian High Commission on India's Independence day even as the authorities tried to control the mob. Four people were arrested by the London authorities and one person was injured in the incident.

Though the Indian mission was informed that protest will take place and asked to take all precautionary measures, the scale at which it took place and dramatic visuals that were seen left many members of Indian diaspora shocked.

India has already taken up with the United Kingdom the violent protests which took place outside the Indian high commission on Independence day and conveyed its concerns on how the security of the mission was undermined.&nbsp;

British Government underlined the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan and added that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between the two neighbours. This was said during a conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM Boris Johnson on Tuesday afternoon.

British Government underlined the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan and added that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between the two neighbours. This was said during a conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM Boris Johnson on Tuesday afternoon. A UK Government readout said, "The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi discussed the current situation in Kashmir. The Prime Minister made clear that the UK views the issue of Kashmir is one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally. He underlined the importance of resolving issues through dialogue." Both the leaders will be present at the G7 summit that will take place in France over the weekend and "ahead of the G7, the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi agreed on the importance of working together to tackle climate change and other threats to biodiversity", the UK government readout added. Terror and trade was also discussed during the phone call with PM Modi highlighting how terror has plagued all parts of the world, including India and Europe During the same conversation, PM Modi had raised the issue of violent protests that took place in UK outside the Indian mission by Pakistani and Khalistani groups on Independence Day. An Indian government readout said, that Prime Minister Modi "drew attention to the challenges posed by vested interests pursuing their motivated agenda, including by violent means." Adding, "In this context, he referred to the violence and vandalism perpetrated by a large mob against the High Commission of India in London on the last Independence Day of India." The British Prime minister has regretted the incident and assured the safety of the Indian mission. The readout said, Prime Minister Johnson "assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the High Commission, its personnel and visitors." Thousands of protestors from Pakistani and Khalistani groups in London clashed violently with outside the Indian High Commission on India's Independence day even as the authorities tried to control the mob. Four people were arrested by the London authorities and one person was injured in the incident. Though the Indian mission was informed that protest will take place and asked to take all precautionary measures, the scale at which it took place and dramatic visuals that were seen left many members of Indian diaspora shocked. India has already taken up with the United Kingdom the violent protests which took place outside the Indian high commission on Independence day and conveyed its concerns on how the security of the mission was undermined.

Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan: UK PM Boris Johnson

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to his British counterpart Boris Johnson regarding the violence that took place outside Indian Embassy in London. Watch full video to know more.

PM Modi speaks to UK PM, raises concern over violence infront of Indian High Commission in London

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to tell German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday that unless she agrees to change the Brexit deal, Britain will leave the European Union on October 31 without a deal.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to tell German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday that unless she agrees to change the Brexit deal, Britain will leave the European Union on October 31 without a deal. More than three years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU, it is still unclear on what terms - or indeed whether - the bloc's second-largest economy will leave the club it joined in 1973. Johnson, a Brexiteer who won the premiership a month ago, is betting that the threat of 'no-deal' Brexit turmoil will convince Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron that the EU should do a last-minute divorce deal to suit his demands. But with just over 10 weeks left until the United Kingdom is due to leave, the EU has repeatedly said it will not renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, and that it will stand behind member state Ireland. Merkel on Tuesday said she was open to "practical solutions" to the Irish border insurance policy or 'backstop' that Johnson says is unacceptable - but that the Withdrawal Agreement was not to be reopened. Ahead of his first foreign trip as prime minister, Johnson said the EU was being "a bit negative" but that a deal could be done. If not, he said, then the United Kingdom would leave without one. Germany's top-selling daily Bild named Johnson the day’s "loser", saying he was "biting on granite" and that Merkel had already rejected his request for new negotiations. Once the nightmare scenario on the extreme edge of probability ranges, a 'no-deal' Brexit is now seen as a realistic possibility by both governments and investors. Amid the political turmoil in London, little is clear. The alternatives are a delay, a last-minute deal, an election or even cancelling Brexit. No deal? Wrenching the United Kingdom out of the EU without a deal means there would be no arrangements to cover everything from post-Brexit pet passports to the trade arteries that pump capital, food and car parts between the two neighbours. Many investors say a 'no-deal' Brexit would send shock waves through the world economy, hurt the economies of Britain and the EU, roil financial markets and weaken London’s position as the pre-eminent international financial centre. With such a gulf between the British government and the other 27 members of the EU - whose economy combined is worth $15.9 trillion - some diplomats said Johnson was using international diplomacy for domestic politics. Some fear that Johnson is setting up a confrontation with the EU that will allow him to reap domestic political capital from what he will cast as EU intransigence. "Spinning gold from straw has never yet worked. That is also true of Brexit," said Germany's Europe minister, Michael Roth. "Peace in Northern Ireland and the integrity of the internal market are non-negotiable for the EU." Johnson wrote a four-page letter to European Council President Donald Tusk on Monday asking the EU to axe the Irish border "backstop". EU leaders in Brussels and the other 27 member states issued a swift and unanimous rejection.

British Prime Minister Johnson urges Merkel to budge on Brexit

British officials will stop attending most EU meetings from September 1 except for those on "matters of ongoing national interest" such as security, the government said on Tuesday.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-uk-faces-food-fuel-and-drugs-shortages-in-no-deal-brexit-times-citing-official-documents-243834">Brexit</a> ministry said in a statement that the time spent preparing for the meetings in Brussels would be better used in readying the country for leaving the European Union on October 31.

"This decision reflects the fact that the UK's exit from the EU on 31 October is now very close and many of the discussions in EU meetings will be about the future of the union after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-immediately-end-freedom-of-movement-for-people-from-european-union-after-brexit-244264">UK</a> has left," the statement said.

The ministry added that it made sense to "unshackle officials from these EU meetings to enable them to better focus their talents on our immediate national priorities".

"This decision is not intended in any way to frustrate the functioning of the EU.

The UK's vote will be delegated in a way that does not obstruct the ongoing business of the remaining 27 EU members," it added.

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said: "From now on we will only go to the meetings that really matter, reducing attendance by over half and saving hundreds of hours".

The ministry said decisions on whether or not to attend a particular meeting would be made on a case by case basis.

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-parliament-cannot-stop-brexit-johnson-to-tell-macron-and-merkel-243838/amp">Boris Johnson</a>, who came to power nearly a month ago, has promised to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 with or without a divorce deal with Brussels.

EU officials have rejected Johnson's demand to scrap a key part of the draft deal which was agreed by his predecessor Theresa May and has been voted down by Britain's parliament.

British officials will stop attending most EU meetings from September 1 except for those on "matters of ongoing national interest" such as security, the government said on Tuesday.

British officials will stop attending most EU meetings from September 1 except for those on "matters of ongoing national interest" such as security, the government said on Tuesday. The Brexit ministry said in a statement that the time spent preparing for the meetings in Brussels would be better used in readying the country for leaving the European Union on October 31. "This decision reflects the fact that the UK's exit from the EU on 31 October is now very close and many of the discussions in EU meetings will be about the future of the union after the UK has left," the statement said. The ministry added that it made sense to "unshackle officials from these EU meetings to enable them to better focus their talents on our immediate national priorities". "This decision is not intended in any way to frustrate the functioning of the EU. The UK's vote will be delegated in a way that does not obstruct the ongoing business of the remaining 27 EU members," it added. Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said: "From now on we will only go to the meetings that really matter, reducing attendance by over half and saving hundreds of hours". The ministry said decisions on whether or not to attend a particular meeting would be made on a case by case basis. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who came to power nearly a month ago, has promised to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 with or without a divorce deal with Brussels. EU officials have rejected Johnson's demand to scrap a key part of the draft deal which was agreed by his predecessor Theresa May and has been voted down by Britain's parliament.

UK says to skip most European Union meetings from September 1: government

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has fired the opening salvo in his bid to renegotiate Britain's divorce from the European Union, demanding that an insurance policy for the Irish border be removed from the Brexit deal and replaced with a pledge.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has fired the opening salvo in his bid to renegotiate Britain's divorce from the European Union, demanding that an insurance policy for the Irish border be removed from the Brexit deal and replaced with a pledge. After more than three years of Brexit crisis, the United Kingdom is heading towards a showdown with the EU as Johnson has vowed to leave the bloc on October 31 without a deal unless it agrees to renegotiate the divorce terms. The bloc and its leaders have repeatedly refused to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement, which includes a protocol on the Irish border "backstop" that then-prime minister Theresa May agreed in November. In his opening bid to the EU ahead of meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel this week, Johnson wrote a four-page letter to European Council President Donald Tusk setting out his demands. "I propose that the backstop should be replaced with a commitment to put in place (alternative) arrangements as far as possible before the end of the transition period, as part of the future relationship," Johnson wrote. "Time is very short." A diplomat from one EU country told Reuters that Johnson's letter was "pure PR" and not meant to spur constructive talks but rather set the stage for a "blame game" with the EU. Irish source said Johnson had provided no detail on alternative proposals. In a call with Johnson, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar reiterated the EU's position that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be reopened. The riddle of what to do about Ireland's 500-km (300-mile) land border with the British province of Northern Ireland remains has repeatedly imperilled Brexit talks. The EU wants to ensure that its only land border with the United Kingdom after Brexit does not become a back door for goods to enter the EU's single market - which guarantees the free movement of goods, capital, services, and labour. But Ireland says checks could undermine the 1998 Good Friday agreement, which brought peace after more than 3,600 died in a three-decade conflict between unionists who wanted Northern Ireland to remain British and Irish nationalists who want Northern Ireland to join a united Ireland ruled from Dublin. And the United Kingdom does not want there to be any border - effective or virtual - between Britain and Northern Ireland. Johnson's government is propped up by Northern Irish unionists. Brexit showdown? The backstop was a compromise aimed at squaring the circle: it would keep the United Kingdom in a customs union with the EU until a better solution was found, and keep Northern Ireland aligned to the rules of the EU's single market. Johnson wrote that the backstop was anti-democratic and threatened the United Kingdom's sovereignty as the application of single-market rules in Northern Ireland could divide Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. "It presents the whole of the UK with the choice of remaining in a customs union and aligned with those rules, or of seeing Northern Ireland gradually detached from the UK economy across a very broad range of areas," Johnson said. "Both of those outcomes are unacceptable to the British government." He also argued that the backstop risked weakening the delicate balance between nationalists and unionists in Northern Ireland. He said the best solution was a pledge to put in place arrangements as far as possible before the end of the transition period, and that this could be agreed as part of a deal on Britain'sfuture relationship with the EU. Dublin does not accept the assertion that the backstop is a threat to peace, an Irish government source said, adding that, while the letter refers to alternative arrangements, it gives no detail of what these might be. Under the current text of the Withdrawal Agreement, the backstop would be invoked at the end of the transition period in 2020, creating a single EU-UK customs territory, including "level playing field" rules ensuring fair competition in areas such as environment, state aid, and labour standards. The clause is designed as a default mechanism to remain in place "unless and until" it is superseded by alternative arrangements that ensure the same outcome. Brexiteers fear that this would keep Britain dependent on rules set from Brussels over which they would have no say, and hinder their efforts to strike trade deals with third countries - one of the key benefits they see from leaving the EU in the first place. Some pro-Brexit politicians have said it would make Britain a "vassal state".

Irish backstop should be replaced: PM Johnson's Brexit bid to EU

Britain will face shortages of fuel, food, and medicine if it leaves the European Union without a transition deal, jamming ports and requiring a hard border in Ireland, official government documents leaked to the Sunday Times show.

Britain will face shortages of fuel, food, and medicine if it leaves the European Union without a transition deal, jamming ports and requiring a hard border in Ireland, official government documents leaked to the Sunday Times show. The Times said the forecasts compiled by the Cabinet Office set out the most likely aftershocks of a no-deal Brexit rather than the worst-case scenarios. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said it did not comment on leaked documents. The newspaper said up to 85 per cent of lorries using the main channel crossings 'may not be ready' for French customs, meaning disruption at ports would potentially last up to three months before the flow of traffic improves. The government also believes a hard border between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, an EU member, will be likely as current plans to avoid widespread checks will prove unsustainable, the Times said. "Compiled this month by the Cabinet Office under the codename Operation Yellowhammer, the dossier offers a rare glimpse into the covert planning being carried out by the government to avert a catastrophic collapse in the nation's infrastructure," the Times reported. "The file, marked "official-sensitive" requiring security clearance on a "need to know" basis is remarkable because it gives the most comprehensive assessment of the UK’s readiness for a no-deal Brexit." Asked about the Yellowhammer documents, energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News, "I think there's a lot of scaremongering around, and a lot of people are playing into 'Project Fear' ... We've got to prepare for no deal." "We will be fully prepared to leave without a deal on the 31st of October." The United Kingdom is heading towards a constitutional crisis at home and a showdown with the EU as Johnson has repeatedly vowed to leave the bloc on October 31 without a deal unless it agrees to renegotiate the Brexit divorce. After more than three years of Brexit dominating EU affairs, the bloc has repeatedly refused to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement which includes an Irish border insurance policy that Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, agreed in November. Brexit minister Stephen Barclay said on Twitter he had signed a piece of legislation which set in stone the repeal of the 1972 European Communities act - the laws which made Britain a member of the organisation now known as the EU. Though his move was largely procedural, in line with previously approved laws, Barclay said in a statement: "This is a clear signal to the people of this country that there is no turning back (from Brexit)." Recall parliament A group of more than 100 lawmakers wrote to Johnson calling for an emergency recall of parliament to discuss the situation. "We face a national emergency, and parliament must now be recalled in August and sit permanently until October 31 so that the voices of the people can be heard, and that there can be proper scrutiny of your government," the letter said. Johnson will this week tell French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the Westminster parliament cannot stop Brexit and a new deal must be agreed if Britain is to avoid leaving the EU without one. The prime minister is coming under pressure from politicians across the political spectrum to prevent a disorderly departure, with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn vowing this week to bring down Johnson's government in early September to delay Brexit. It is, however, unclear if lawmakers have the unity or power to use the British parliament to prevent a no-deal departure - likely to be the United Kingdom's most significant move since World War Two. Opponents of no-deal say it would be a disaster for what was once one of the West's most stable democracies. A disorderly divorce, they say, would hurt global growth, send shockwaves through financial markets and weaken London’s claim to be the world’s preeminent financial centre. Brexit supporters say there may be short-term disruption from a no-deal exit but that the economy will thrive if cut free from what they cast as a doomed experiment in integration that has led to Europe falling behind China and the United States.

UK faces food, fuel and drugs shortages in no-deal Brexit: Report

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-seeks-ukraine-progress-from-putin-in-rare-pre-g7-talks-243465">French President Emmanuel Macron</a> and German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the Westminster parliament cannot stop Brexit and a new deal must be agreed if Britain is to avoid leaving the EU without one.

In his first trip abroad as leader, Johnson is due to meet his European counterparts ahead of a G7 summit on August 24-26 in Biarritz, France.

He will say that Britain is leaving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/divided-european-union-taps-bulgarias-kristalina-georgieva-as-international-monetary-fund-candidate-240499">the European Union</a> on October 31, with or without a deal, and that the British parliament cannot block that, according to a Downing Street source.

The United Kingdom is heading towards a constitutional crisis at home and a showdown with the EU as Johnson has repeatedly vowed to leave the bloc on October 31 without a deal unless it agrees to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cannot-renegotiate-brexit-withdrawal-agreement-european-commission-president-juncker-to-pm-johnson-238496">renegotiate the Brexit divorce</a>.

After more than three years of Brexit dominating EU affairs, the bloc has repeatedly refused to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement which includes an Irish border insurance policy that Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, agreed in November.

The prime minister is coming under pressure from politicians across the political spectrum to prevent a disorderly departure, with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn vowing to bring down Johnson's government in early September to delay Brexit.

It is, however, unclear if lawmakers have the unity or power to use the British parliament to prevent a no-deal Brexit on October 31 likely to be the United Kingdom's most significant move since World War Two.

Opponents of no-deal say it would be a disaster for what was once one of the West's most stable democracies.

A disorderly divorce, they say, would hurt global growth, send shockwaves through financial markets and weaken London’s claim to be the world’s preeminent financial centre.

Brexit supporters say there may be short-term disruption from a no-deal exit but that the economy will thrive if cut free from what they cast as a doomed experiment in integration that has led to Europe falling behind China and the United States.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the Westminster parliament cannot stop Brexit and a new deal must be agreed if Britain is to avoid leaving the EU without one.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the Westminster parliament cannot stop Brexit and a new deal must be agreed if Britain is to avoid leaving the EU without one. In his first trip abroad as leader, Johnson is due to meet his European counterparts ahead of a G7 summit on August 24-26 in Biarritz, France. He will say that Britain is leaving the European Union on October 31, with or without a deal, and that the British parliament cannot block that, according to a Downing Street source. The United Kingdom is heading towards a constitutional crisis at home and a showdown with the EU as Johnson has repeatedly vowed to leave the bloc on October 31 without a deal unless it agrees to renegotiate the Brexit divorce. After more than three years of Brexit dominating EU affairs, the bloc has repeatedly refused to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement which includes an Irish border insurance policy that Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, agreed in November. The prime minister is coming under pressure from politicians across the political spectrum to prevent a disorderly departure, with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn vowing to bring down Johnson's government in early September to delay Brexit. It is, however, unclear if lawmakers have the unity or power to use the British parliament to prevent a no-deal Brexit on October 31 likely to be the United Kingdom's most significant move since World War Two. Opponents of no-deal say it would be a disaster for what was once one of the West's most stable democracies. A disorderly divorce, they say, would hurt global growth, send shockwaves through financial markets and weaken London’s claim to be the world’s preeminent financial centre. Brexit supporters say there may be short-term disruption from a no-deal exit but that the economy will thrive if cut free from what they cast as a doomed experiment in integration that has led to Europe falling behind China and the United States.

UK parliament cannot stop Brexit, Boris Johnson to tell Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel

British <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/is-anyone-really-going-to-buy-boris-johnsons-people-vs-politicians-election-campaign-242607">Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> came under pressure Sunday to immediately recall lawmakers from their summer holiday so parliament can debate Brexit.

More than 100 MPs have written to Johnson to urge him to reconvene and let them sit permanently until October 31, the date Britain is due to leave the European Union.

MPs are not due to return until September 3.

"Our country is on the brink of an economic crisis, as we career towards a no-deal Brexit," said the letter, signed by MPs and opposition party leaders who want to halt Britain's departure from the EU.

"We face a national emergency, and parliament must be recalled now."&nbsp;

Parliament is set to break up again shortly after it returns, with the main parties holding their annual conferences during the September break.

Johnson,&nbsp; whose government commands a one-seat majority, insists Britain must leave the EU on October 31, with or without a divorce deal with Brussels.

&nbsp;No-deal over Corbyn: poll&nbsp;

Labour main opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../uk-opposition-leader-jeremy-corbyn-seeks-to- oust-pm-boris-johnson-to-avoid-no-deal-brexit-243201">Jeremy Corbyn</a> wants to call a vote of no confidence in Johnson's government after parliament returns.

He hopes to take over as a temporary prime minister, seek an extension to Britain's EU departure date to stop a no-deal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../anti-brexit-party-reveals-candidates-for- emergency-uk-government-243338">Brexit</a>, and then call a general election.&nbsp;

"What we need is a government that is prepared to negotiate with the European Union so we don't have a crash-out on the 31st," Corbyn said Saturday.

"This government clearly doesn't want to do that."

However, a YouGov survey found that a majority would rather see a no-deal Brexit than the veteran leftist taking over and staging another referendum.

Some 48 per cent said they would rather Britain left the EU without a Brexit deal, with Jeremy Corbyn remaining in opposition.&nbsp;

Some 35 per cent said they would prefer Corbyn became prime minister and held a second referendum on Britain's EU membership.

Asked about leaving the EU without a deal, 49 per cent said they would consider it an unacceptable outcome, while 38 per cent said it would be acceptable.

Brexit shortages: report&nbsp;

Britain could face food, fuel and medicine shortages and chaos at its ports in a no-deal Brexit, The Sunday Times newspaper reported, citing a leaked government planning document.

There would likely be some form of hard border imposed on the island of Ireland, the document implied.

Rather than worst-case scenarios, the leaked document, compiled this month by the Cabinet Office ministry, spells out the likely ramifications of a no-deal Brexit, the broadsheet claimed.

The document said logjams could affect fuel distribution, while up to 85 per cent of trucks using the main ports to continental Europe might not be ready for French customs.

The availability of fresh food would be diminished and prices would go up, said the newspaper.

&nbsp;Balmoral trip&nbsp;

Meanwhile Johnson's girlfriend Carrie Symonds will accompany him when he goes to stay with Queen Elizabeth II at her private Scottish retreat.

The public relations expert will join Johnson at Balmoral next month, the domestic Press Association news agency reported, citing sources.

The monarch traditionally hosts the prime minister for a weekend in September.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came under pressure Sunday to immediately recall lawmakers from their summer holiday so parliament can debate Brexit. More than 100 MPs have written to Johnson to urge him to reconvene and let them sit permanently until October 31, the date Britain is due to leave the European Union.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came under pressure Sunday to immediately recall lawmakers from their summer holiday so parliament can debate Brexit. More than 100 MPs have written to Johnson to urge him to reconvene and let them sit permanently until October 31, the date Britain is due to leave the European Union. MPs are not due to return until September 3. "Our country is on the brink of an economic crisis, as we career towards a no-deal Brexit," said the letter, signed by MPs and opposition party leaders who want to halt Britain's departure from the EU. "We face a national emergency, and parliament must be recalled now." Parliament is set to break up again shortly after it returns, with the main parties holding their annual conferences during the September break. Johnson, whose government commands a one-seat majority, insists Britain must leave the EU on October 31, with or without a divorce deal with Brussels. No-deal over Corbyn: poll Labour main opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn wants to call a vote of no confidence in Johnson's government after parliament returns. He hopes to take over as a temporary prime minister, seek an extension to Britain's EU departure date to stop a no-deal Brexit, and then call a general election. "What we need is a government that is prepared to negotiate with the European Union so we don't have a crash-out on the 31st," Corbyn said Saturday. "This government clearly doesn't want to do that." However, a YouGov survey found that a majority would rather see a no-deal Brexit than the veteran leftist taking over and staging another referendum. Some 48 per cent said they would rather Britain left the EU without a Brexit deal, with Jeremy Corbyn remaining in opposition. Some 35 per cent said they would prefer Corbyn became prime minister and held a second referendum on Britain's EU membership. Asked about leaving the EU without a deal, 49 per cent said they would consider it an unacceptable outcome, while 38 per cent said it would be acceptable. Brexit shortages: report Britain could face food, fuel and medicine shortages and chaos at its ports in a no-deal Brexit, The Sunday Times newspaper reported, citing a leaked government planning document. There would likely be some form of hard border imposed on the island of Ireland, the document implied. Rather than worst-case scenarios, the leaked document, compiled this month by the Cabinet Office ministry, spells out the likely ramifications of a no-deal Brexit, the broadsheet claimed. The document said logjams could affect fuel distribution, while up to 85 per cent of trucks using the main ports to continental Europe might not be ready for French customs. The availability of fresh food would be diminished and prices would go up, said the newspaper. Balmoral trip Meanwhile Johnson's girlfriend Carrie Symonds will accompany him when he goes to stay with Queen Elizabeth II at her private Scottish retreat. The public relations expert will join Johnson at Balmoral next month, the domestic Press Association news agency reported, citing sources. The monarch traditionally hosts the prime minister for a weekend in September.

British MPs press Johnson to recall parliament over Brexit

&nbsp;A Conservative lawmaker at the centre of efforts to block a no-deal Brexit said on Saturday he was pessimistic about his chances because he and other party colleagues could not support a caretaker government led by opposition leader<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-opposition-leader-jeremy-corbyn-seeks-to-oust-pm-boris-johnson-to-avoid-no-deal-brexit-243201"> Jeremy Corbyn</a>.

With<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/is-anyone-really-going-to-buy-boris-johnsons-people-vs-politicians-election-campaign-242607"> Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> vowing to take Britain out of the European Union with or without a deal by Oct. 31, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-it-comes-to-a-hard-brexit-british-would-be-the-big-losers-european-unions-jean-claude-juncker-tells-britain-242089">anti-Brexit</a> politicians from all sides have been trying, and so far failing, to agree on a plan to stop it from happening.

Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, wants a caretaker government with himself as head, and then an election.

But other opponents of a no-deal Brexit worry that Corbyn, a staunch leftist, would not win enough support, prompting leaders of smaller parties to put forward their own suggestions as to who could lead a government long enough to delay Brexit.

Oliver Letwin, a lawmaker from Johnson's ruling Conservatives, was asked to lend his support to Corbyn this week, but he told BBC Radio on Saturday: "I don't think it's at all likely that a majority would be formed for that and I wouldn't be able to support that, no."

Asked to explain why, he said even an interim Corbyn-led government could do more damage than a disorderly exit from the world's biggest trading bloc.

Conservative opponents of a no-deal Brexit are deeply suspicious of Corbyn, whom they see as a dangerous Marxist intent on nationalising swathes of British industry and hiking state spending and taxes.

AGREEMENT ELUSIVE

"It's well worth having discussions with everybody across the House because there's probably a majority of MPs (Members of Parliament) who don't want to have a no-deal exit but the issue is can we get all of those MPs on some alternative proposition?

"I'm not terribly optimistic about all this because I don't see yet emerging an agreement on that," he said.

To form a new parliamentary majority with cross-party backing, Letwin said lawmakers would first have to agree on a strategy for Brexit, revealing the divisions that have hampered pro-EU politicians since they lost the 2016 referendum.

While some accept the result and want a negotiated withdrawal from the bloc to soften the economic impact, others are pushing for a second referendum in the hope of reversing the 2016 vote to leave the EU.

"There is a high likelihood, alas, that this country is going to leave without a deal on the 31st of October," Letwin said.

A Conservative lawmaker at the centre of efforts to block a no-deal Brexit said on Saturday he was pessimistic about his chances because he and other party colleagues could not support a caretaker government led by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn.

A Conservative lawmaker at the centre of efforts to block a no-deal Brexit said on Saturday he was pessimistic about his chances because he and other party colleagues could not support a caretaker government led by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. With Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowing to take Britain out of the European Union with or without a deal by Oct. 31, anti-Brexit politicians from all sides have been trying, and so far failing, to agree on a plan to stop it from happening. Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, wants a caretaker government with himself as head, and then an election. But other opponents of a no-deal Brexit worry that Corbyn, a staunch leftist, would not win enough support, prompting leaders of smaller parties to put forward their own suggestions as to who could lead a government long enough to delay Brexit. Oliver Letwin, a lawmaker from Johnson's ruling Conservatives, was asked to lend his support to Corbyn this week, but he told BBC Radio on Saturday: "I don't think it's at all likely that a majority would be formed for that and I wouldn't be able to support that, no." Asked to explain why, he said even an interim Corbyn-led government could do more damage than a disorderly exit from the world's biggest trading bloc. Conservative opponents of a no-deal Brexit are deeply suspicious of Corbyn, whom they see as a dangerous Marxist intent on nationalising swathes of British industry and hiking state spending and taxes. AGREEMENT ELUSIVE "It's well worth having discussions with everybody across the House because there's probably a majority of MPs (Members of Parliament) who don't want to have a no-deal exit but the issue is can we get all of those MPs on some alternative proposition? "I'm not terribly optimistic about all this because I don't see yet emerging an agreement on that," he said. To form a new parliamentary majority with cross-party backing, Letwin said lawmakers would first have to agree on a strategy for Brexit, revealing the divisions that have hampered pro-EU politicians since they lost the 2016 referendum. While some accept the result and want a negotiated withdrawal from the bloc to soften the economic impact, others are pushing for a second referendum in the hope of reversing the 2016 vote to leave the EU. "There is a high likelihood, alas, that this country is going to leave without a deal on the 31st of October," Letwin said.

Senior UK Conservative lawmaker says he could not back Jeremy Corbyn-led government

The leader of the anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats party said on Friday two senior lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition have indicated willingness to lead an emergency government to prevent a no-deal divorce with the European Union.

Given Prime Minister<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uks-johnson-tells-civil-servants-their-top-priority-is-preparing-for-no-deal-brexit-sky-241873"> Boris Johnson</a> wants to take Britain out of the EU on October&nbsp;31, with or without a negotiated transition, foes are plotting how to bring him down and stop a no-deal Brexit they say would be disastrous for the economy.

The main opposition party Labour's leader<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-opposition-leader-jeremy-corbyn-seeks-to-oust-pm-boris-johnson-to-avoid-no-deal-brexit-243201"> Jeremy Corbyn wants a no-confidence vote</a>, caretaker government with him as head, then an election, while the Liberal Democrats prefer to find alternative leaders for a unity government.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson told BBC radio on Friday that former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and ruling Conservative party veteran Ken Clarke had both told her they would be prepared to assume that role.

"They put public duty first and they don't want to see a no-deal Brexit," Swinson said.

"If the House of Commons asks them to lead an emergency government to get our country out of this Brexit mess and to stop us driving off that cliff to a <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/food-sector-is-absolutely-clear-that-a-no-deal-exit-is-a-disastrous-outcometrade-body-241342">no-deal</a>, then yes they are prepared to do that."

With Johnson staking his premiership on Brexit, the EU refusing to re-open a previously-negotiated withdrawal deal and a majority of lawmakers opposed to a no-deal divorce, Britain is heading for a parliamentary showdown and constitutional crisis.

Opponents of no deal say it would be a nightmare for what was once one of the West’s most stable democracies. A disorderly divorce, they say, would hurt global growth, send shockwaves through financial markets and weaken London’s claim to be the world’s preeminent financial centre.

Brexit supporters say there may be short-term disruption from a no-deal exit but that the economy will eventually thrive if cut free from what they cast as a doomed experiment in integration that has led to Europe falling behind China and the United States.

Labour wants a vote of no-confidence in the government shortly after parliament returns from its summer break on September&nbsp;3. Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News the government would win such a vote.

"I don't see Jeremy Corbyn being able to come together with the numbers, nor do I see any prospect of him leading a so-called national unity government," he said.

"He's the most unpopular leader of the opposition we've ever had and the idea that he's going to lead a unity government I think is ridiculous," he said.

The leader of the anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats party said on Friday two senior lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition have indicated willingness to lead an emergency government to prevent a no-deal divorce with the European Union.

The leader of the anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats party said on Friday two senior lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition have indicated willingness to lead an emergency government to prevent a no-deal divorce with the European Union. Given Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to take Britain out of the EU on October 31, with or without a negotiated transition, foes are plotting how to bring him down and stop a no-deal Brexit they say would be disastrous for the economy. The main opposition party Labour's leader Jeremy Corbyn wants a no-confidence vote, caretaker government with him as head, then an election, while the Liberal Democrats prefer to find alternative leaders for a unity government. Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson told BBC radio on Friday that former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and ruling Conservative party veteran Ken Clarke had both told her they would be prepared to assume that role. "They put public duty first and they don't want to see a no-deal Brexit," Swinson said. "If the House of Commons asks them to lead an emergency government to get our country out of this Brexit mess and to stop us driving off that cliff to a no-deal, then yes they are prepared to do that." With Johnson staking his premiership on Brexit, the EU refusing to re-open a previously-negotiated withdrawal deal and a majority of lawmakers opposed to a no-deal divorce, Britain is heading for a parliamentary showdown and constitutional crisis. Opponents of no deal say it would be a nightmare for what was once one of the West’s most stable democracies. A disorderly divorce, they say, would hurt global growth, send shockwaves through financial markets and weaken London’s claim to be the world’s preeminent financial centre. Brexit supporters say there may be short-term disruption from a no-deal exit but that the economy will eventually thrive if cut free from what they cast as a doomed experiment in integration that has led to Europe falling behind China and the United States. Labour wants a vote of no-confidence in the government shortly after parliament returns from its summer break on September 3. Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News the government would win such a vote. "I don't see Jeremy Corbyn being able to come together with the numbers, nor do I see any prospect of him leading a so-called national unity government," he said. "He's the most unpopular leader of the opposition we've ever had and the idea that he's going to lead a unity government I think is ridiculous," he said.

Anti-Brexit party reveals candidates for emergency UK government

Jeremy Corbyn urged anti-Boris Johnson MPs to make him Britain's caretaker prime minister to avoid a no-deal Brexit -- but his proposal met with a mixed response on Thursday.

The Labour main opposition leader said once in power, he would seek to delay Britain's October 31 exit date from the European Union and then call a general election.

Corbyn -- the only person who can trigger a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Johnson's government -- will do so after MPs return to parliament on September 3, if he feels sure of victory.

Conservative PM Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on October 31, without a divorce deal if one cannot be agreed with Brussels.

With time running out, MPs opposed to Brexit, or at least to a no-deal departure, are scrambling for viable plans to stop Johnson in his tracks.

In a letter to other opposition leaders and leading rebel Conservatives, Corbyn said his plan "can halt the serious threat of no deal, end the uncertainty and disarray, and allow the public to decide the best way ahead".

While the Scottish Nationalists, the second-biggest opposition party in parliament, welcomed the idea, the Liberal Democrats, the next-biggest, dismissed it as "nonsense", saying Corbyn could not lead the charge.

Corbyn has pursued so-called "constructive ambiguity" over Brexit -- and many of his own Labour MPs are queasy at the idea of the veteran leftist becoming prime minister.

Rebel Conservatives said they were happy to discuss the idea with Corbyn, Sky News television reported, while Greens and Welsh nationalists offered conditional support.

Lib Dem rejection

Johnson's government commands just a one-vote majority in parliament's lower House of Commons.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson urged MPs to back a law stopping Britain leaving the EU on October 31 without a deal, and request a delay to the departure date in order to hold another referendum.

She does want to oust Johnson through a no-confidence motion and install an emergency government.

But rather than Corbyn or even herself, she suggested it could be led by the longest-serving male or female MPs in the house.

She proposed Conservative former finance minister Ken Clarke or former Labour temporary leader Harriet Harman, as figures who are clearly not seeking long-term power.

Labour's business spokeswoman Rebecca Long-Bailey insisted Corbyn's plan was "the simplest and most democratic way of avoiding a no-deal situation".

She said the notion could prevent Johnson from calling a general election for after October 31.

"We have to stop no-deal," she told BBC radio.

- General election - 
A Downing Street spokesman said Corbyn would "overrule" the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU, and "wreck the economy".

If Johnson lost a vote of no confidence, that would trigger a 14-day period, by the end of which either he, or another figure, must be able to show they can command a majority in the Commons.

If not, a general election must be held -- with Johnson having sway over the date.

The Britain Elects opinion poll aggregator puts the Conservatives on 30 percent, with Labour on 25 percent, the Liberal Democrats on 18, the Brexit Party on 15 and the Greens on six percent.

Johnson succeeded Theresa May as leader of the governing Conservatives last month on a promise to take Britain out of the bloc by the twice-delayed deadline.

The British parliament three times rejected the separation terms May signed with her EU counterparts last year, triggering her downfall.

Johnson insisted Wednesday that Brussels had to give ground in order to avoid a sudden rupture in trade and diplomatic ties.

He said a "terrible collaboration" of Brussels and Brexit-blocking MPs was forcing Britain towards a no-deal exit.

"The more they think there's a chance Brexit can be blocked in parliament, the more adamant they are in sticking to their position," Johnson said of EU chiefs.

Jeremy Corbyn urged anti-Boris Johnson MPs to make him Britain's caretaker prime minister to avoid a no-deal Brexit -- but his proposal met with a mixed response on Thursday.

Jeremy Corbyn urged anti-Boris Johnson MPs to make him Britain's caretaker prime minister to avoid a no-deal Brexit -- but his proposal met with a mixed response on Thursday. The Labour main opposition leader said once in power, he would seek to delay Britain's October 31 exit date from the European Union and then call a general election. Corbyn -- the only person who can trigger a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Johnson's government -- will do so after MPs return to parliament on September 3, if he feels sure of victory. Conservative PM Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on October 31, without a divorce deal if one cannot be agreed with Brussels. With time running out, MPs opposed to Brexit, or at least to a no-deal departure, are scrambling for viable plans to stop Johnson in his tracks. In a letter to other opposition leaders and leading rebel Conservatives, Corbyn said his plan "can halt the serious threat of no deal, end the uncertainty and disarray, and allow the public to decide the best way ahead". While the Scottish Nationalists, the second-biggest opposition party in parliament, welcomed the idea, the Liberal Democrats, the next-biggest, dismissed it as "nonsense", saying Corbyn could not lead the charge. Corbyn has pursued so-called "constructive ambiguity" over Brexit -- and many of his own Labour MPs are queasy at the idea of the veteran leftist becoming prime minister. Rebel Conservatives said they were happy to discuss the idea with Corbyn, Sky News television reported, while Greens and Welsh nationalists offered conditional support. Lib Dem rejection Johnson's government commands just a one-vote majority in parliament's lower House of Commons. Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson urged MPs to back a law stopping Britain leaving the EU on October 31 without a deal, and request a delay to the departure date in order to hold another referendum. She does want to oust Johnson through a no-confidence motion and install an emergency government. But rather than Corbyn or even herself, she suggested it could be led by the longest-serving male or female MPs in the house. She proposed Conservative former finance minister Ken Clarke or former Labour temporary leader Harriet Harman, as figures who are clearly not seeking long-term power. Labour's business spokeswoman Rebecca Long-Bailey insisted Corbyn's plan was "the simplest and most democratic way of avoiding a no-deal situation". She said the notion could prevent Johnson from calling a general election for after October 31. "We have to stop no-deal," she told BBC radio. - General election - A Downing Street spokesman said Corbyn would "overrule" the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU, and "wreck the economy". If Johnson lost a vote of no confidence, that would trigger a 14-day period, by the end of which either he, or another figure, must be able to show they can command a majority in the Commons. If not, a general election must be held -- with Johnson having sway over the date. The Britain Elects opinion poll aggregator puts the Conservatives on 30 percent, with Labour on 25 percent, the Liberal Democrats on 18, the Brexit Party on 15 and the Greens on six percent. Johnson succeeded Theresa May as leader of the governing Conservatives last month on a promise to take Britain out of the bloc by the twice-delayed deadline. The British parliament three times rejected the separation terms May signed with her EU counterparts last year, triggering her downfall. Johnson insisted Wednesday that Brussels had to give ground in order to avoid a sudden rupture in trade and diplomatic ties. He said a "terrible collaboration" of Brussels and Brexit-blocking MPs was forcing Britain towards a no-deal exit. "The more they think there's a chance Brexit can be blocked in parliament, the more adamant they are in sticking to their position," Johnson said of EU chiefs.

UK opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn seeks to oust PM Boris Johnson to avoid no-deal Brexit

By Matthew Cole

Westminster is alive with speculation about an autumn general election, with advisers’ leave cancelled and the Treasury’s wallet open. But the last prime minister learned to her cost that those who start the campaign do not always determine its course.

Boris Johnson has not formally announced any such plan, but it is being heavily trailed. A general election could take place before, but in practice more likely after, a no-deal Brexit at the end of October. Johnson intends for the campaign to be fought on the theme of “the people versus the politicians”. He aims to present himself as the champion of popular opinion, as expressed in the 2016 referendum against a patronising and detached establishment. That appears to mean parliament, the courts and the media, all of whom, his team argues, are determined to frustrate the implementation of the 2016 EU referendum result.

This is a high-stakes strategy for which the current evidence looks good, but the historical precedents are more mixed.

Public opinion, as demonstrated in elections and polls, seems static since 2016. The nation is evenly divided between Leavers and Remainers, though now Remainers are divided between those resigned to defeat and those determined to seek a new referendum, and Leavers are split over the type of new relationship with the EU they would prefer.

Johnson hopes to unite Leavers by marginalising the Brexit Party. He also knows that Remain opinion is divided between Labour, the Liberal Democrats and other opposition parties. This could grant him a parliamentary majority, even with significantly less than half the vote (bear in mind, Tony Blair won a majority of 60 on 35% of the vote in 2005).

There are, however, serious problems here. One is Johnson himself. He is untested electorally at national level, and his initial bounce in the polls is no better than those enjoyed by Theresa May or Labour’s Gordon Brown when they took office. Both of these, of course, subsequently led their parties in disastrous election campaigns.

Johnson’s credentials as a man of the people are slim. He has been a politician for most of his adult life and spent his childhood at the school which has been the nursery of 20 prime ministers. Even before starting at that school, he was declaring his ambition to be “World King”. Boris is the consummate politician – he is an outsider only to everyday British life.

Johnson’s weaknesses in public and private life – his conduct as a member of the Bullingdon Club, various affairs, his failed multi-million pound Garden Bridge project in London, and the Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe gaffe – did not dent support amongst his admirers before his recent promotion. But as premier he may lack the consensus-building skills to resolve Brexit by reaching to a wider audience in a potentially volatile economic environment.

The dangers of division 
The history of populist, binary confrontational election campaigns in British politics also offers as much discouragement as hope to the prime minister.

In 1910, David Lloyd George’s Liberals ran a “peers versus the people” campaign in an attempt to pass a radical “people’s budget” which taxed the super-rich to pay for welfare benefits for the old, unemployed and sick. He hoped to paint the House of Lords as self-interested for blocking his budget, while they claimed they were exercising their right to veto a change in the role of the state for which Lloyd George had, in their view, no mandate.

The gamble ended in the Liberals losing their three-figure majority despite two elections in a year. A parliamentary stalemate eventually had to be resolved by the support of Irish MPs, and the Liberals never again governed alone.

Other campaigns have prompted more potent counter-claims or misread the public mood. In 1945 Churchill’s “Help him Finish the Job” slogan, referring to his war record, was successfully answered by Labour’s “Help THEM finish their job!” – a slogan used on images of servicemen looking to the future and the business of reconstruction.

And the Conservatives’ “New Labour, New Danger” campaign of 1997 was suspended because focus groups showed the public did not understand what was “new” about the threat posed by Blair. John Major also withdrew a Conservative party political broadcast depicting Blair in a Faust-like role with Peter Mandelson as Mephistopheles, saying “it would fail and it would deserve to fail”.

The deepest danger to Johnson’s proposed slogan is that “the people vs. the politicians” could easily be read as “the people vs. parliament”. The UK is not a Trump-style system of presidential rule, but an embedded parliamentary democracy, and voters – with a national memory going back to 1910 and even to the civil war – may not back him in enough numbers in such a fight. It was, after all, to protect the rights of parliament that many voted Leave.

It may be just over 390 years since Charles I’s arrogance towards parliament - dismissing it when it refused to accept his policies - proved fatal. Johnson might yet be sloganised not as the man of the people – but as “King Boris”. Perhaps the prime minister should be careful what he wishes for.

(Matthew Cole is Teaching Fellow, Department of History, University of Birmingham)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-anyone-really-going-to-buy-boris-johnsons-people-vs-the-politicians-election-campaign-121644">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Matthew Cole Westminster is alive with speculation about an autumn general election, with advisers’ leave cancelled and the Treasury’s wallet open. But the last prime minister learned to her cost that those who start the campaign do not always determine its course.

By Matthew Cole Westminster is alive with speculation about an autumn general election, with advisers’ leave cancelled and the Treasury’s wallet open. But the last prime minister learned to her cost that those who start the campaign do not always determine its course. Boris Johnson has not formally announced any such plan, but it is being heavily trailed. A general election could take place before, but in practice more likely after, a no-deal Brexit at the end of October. Johnson intends for the campaign to be fought on the theme of “the people versus the politicians”. He aims to present himself as the champion of popular opinion, as expressed in the 2016 referendum against a patronising and detached establishment. That appears to mean parliament, the courts and the media, all of whom, his team argues, are determined to frustrate the implementation of the 2016 EU referendum result. This is a high-stakes strategy for which the current evidence looks good, but the historical precedents are more mixed. Public opinion, as demonstrated in elections and polls, seems static since 2016. The nation is evenly divided between Leavers and Remainers, though now Remainers are divided between those resigned to defeat and those determined to seek a new referendum, and Leavers are split over the type of new relationship with the EU they would prefer. Johnson hopes to unite Leavers by marginalising the Brexit Party. He also knows that Remain opinion is divided between Labour, the Liberal Democrats and other opposition parties. This could grant him a parliamentary majority, even with significantly less than half the vote (bear in mind, Tony Blair won a majority of 60 on 35% of the vote in 2005). There are, however, serious problems here. One is Johnson himself. He is untested electorally at national level, and his initial bounce in the polls is no better than those enjoyed by Theresa May or Labour’s Gordon Brown when they took office. Both of these, of course, subsequently led their parties in disastrous election campaigns. Johnson’s credentials as a man of the people are slim. He has been a politician for most of his adult life and spent his childhood at the school which has been the nursery of 20 prime ministers. Even before starting at that school, he was declaring his ambition to be “World King”. Boris is the consummate politician – he is an outsider only to everyday British life. Johnson’s weaknesses in public and private life – his conduct as a member of the Bullingdon Club, various affairs, his failed multi-million pound Garden Bridge project in London, and the Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe gaffe – did not dent support amongst his admirers before his recent promotion. But as premier he may lack the consensus-building skills to resolve Brexit by reaching to a wider audience in a potentially volatile economic environment. The dangers of division The history of populist, binary confrontational election campaigns in British politics also offers as much discouragement as hope to the prime minister. In 1910, David Lloyd George’s Liberals ran a “peers versus the people” campaign in an attempt to pass a radical “people’s budget” which taxed the super-rich to pay for welfare benefits for the old, unemployed and sick. He hoped to paint the House of Lords as self-interested for blocking his budget, while they claimed they were exercising their right to veto a change in the role of the state for which Lloyd George had, in their view, no mandate. The gamble ended in the Liberals losing their three-figure majority despite two elections in a year. A parliamentary stalemate eventually had to be resolved by the support of Irish MPs, and the Liberals never again governed alone. Other campaigns have prompted more potent counter-claims or misread the public mood. In 1945 Churchill’s “Help him Finish the Job” slogan, referring to his war record, was successfully answered by Labour’s “Help THEM finish their job!” – a slogan used on images of servicemen looking to the future and the business of reconstruction. And the Conservatives’ “New Labour, New Danger” campaign of 1997 was suspended because focus groups showed the public did not understand what was “new” about the threat posed by Blair. John Major also withdrew a Conservative party political broadcast depicting Blair in a Faust-like role with Peter Mandelson as Mephistopheles, saying “it would fail and it would deserve to fail”. The deepest danger to Johnson’s proposed slogan is that “the people vs. the politicians” could easily be read as “the people vs. parliament”. The UK is not a Trump-style system of presidential rule, but an embedded parliamentary democracy, and voters – with a national memory going back to 1910 and even to the civil war – may not back him in enough numbers in such a fight. It was, after all, to protect the rights of parliament that many voted Leave. It may be just over 390 years since Charles I’s arrogance towards parliament - dismissing it when it refused to accept his policies - proved fatal. Johnson might yet be sloganised not as the man of the people – but as “King Boris”. Perhaps the prime minister should be careful what he wishes for. (Matthew Cole is Teaching Fellow, Department of History, University of Birmingham) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Is anyone really going to buy Boris Johnson’s ‘people vs politicians’ election campaign?

The United States would enthusiastically support a no-deal Brexit if that is what the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-it-comes-to-a-hard-brexit-british-would-be-the-big-losers-european-unions-jean-claude-juncker-tells-britain-242089">British government </a>decided to do, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Monday during a visit to London aimed at reassuring Britain over UK-US ties.

Bolton told British<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-to-meet-irelands-varadkar-over-brexit-report-242210"> Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> that President Donald Trump wants to see a successful British exit from the European Union on October 31 and that Washington will be ready to work fast on a US-UK free trade agreement.

Johnson wants the EU to renegotiate the terms of Britain's exit ahead of an October 31 departure date, but the EU says it will not alter the part of the deal Johnson says must be changed.

The impasse leaves Britain facing an exit without any formal transition period or legal agreement covering issues such as trade, data transfers and border policy.

"If that's the decision of the British government we will support it enthusiastically, and that's what I'm trying to convey. We're with you, we're with you," Bolton told reporters after his first day of meetings.

As Britain prepares to leave the European Union, its biggest geopolitical shift since World War Two, many diplomats expect London to become increasingly reliant on the United States.

Bolton, in London for two days of talks, is seeking an improved US-British relationship with Johnson after sometimes tense ties between Trump and Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May.

He said British officials had given him an unmistakable sense that they were determined to honour the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU. Bolton offered his support for this stance:

“The fashion in the European Union: When the people vote the wrong way from the way the elites want to go, it’s to make the peasants vote again and again until they get it right,” he said.

Trade deal

The central message Bolton was delivering is that the United States would help cushion Britain's exit from the EU with a free trade deal that is being negotiated by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and his British counterpart, Liz Truss.

Bolton said Britain and the United States could agree trade deals on a sector-by-sector basis, leaving more difficult areas in the trading relationship until later.

He said the ultimate aim was a comprehensive trade deal, but highlighted that financial services could be one of the more difficult industries to reach an agreement on.

Earlier a senior Trump administration official told travelling reporters the president had wanted to work with the May government on a trade deal but her government "didn't want do it. This government does. We're very happy about it."

Trump believes that "when it comes to trade negotiations the EU is worse than China, only smaller", the official said.

Johnson spoke to Trump on Monday, discussing Brexit, trade and economic issues, his office said. "They discussed global economic issues and trade, and the prime minister updated the president on Brexit," Downing Street said.

"The president expressed his appreciation for the United Kingdom's steadfast partnership in addressing global challenges and looks forward to meeting with him (Johnson) personally in the near future," the White House said.

Iran and China

Bolton had been expected to urge officials from Johnson's newly formed, eurosceptic government to align its policy on Iran more along the lines of the United States, which has pushed a much tougher line against Tehran since withdrawing from world powers' 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran.

But, after his meetings, Bolton said talks on some of these thornier diplomatic issues could wait.

Bolton said his message had been: "We're not here to pressure you on this ... We want to be helpful on Brexit."

Britain, one of three European partners to the deal along with Germany and France, has so far backed the EU in sticking with the accord known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

But the seizure of a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran last month has put pressure on London to consider a more robust stance.

British marines seized an Iranian vessel, which is suspected of smuggling oil to Syria, off the coast of Gibraltar on July 4. This month, Britain joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect merchant's vessels.

Trump has also sought Britain's help in getting tougher on the Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei out of concern that its next-generation 5G technology represent a national security risk. Washington wants its allies, including Britain, to avoid using equipment from Huawei.

The United States would enthusiastically support a no-deal Brexit if that is what the British government decided to do, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Monday during a visit to London aimed at reassuring Britain over UK-US ties.

The United States would enthusiastically support a no-deal Brexit if that is what the British government decided to do, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Monday during a visit to London aimed at reassuring Britain over UK-US ties. Bolton told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that President Donald Trump wants to see a successful British exit from the European Union on October 31 and that Washington will be ready to work fast on a US-UK free trade agreement. Johnson wants the EU to renegotiate the terms of Britain's exit ahead of an October 31 departure date, but the EU says it will not alter the part of the deal Johnson says must be changed. The impasse leaves Britain facing an exit without any formal transition period or legal agreement covering issues such as trade, data transfers and border policy. "If that's the decision of the British government we will support it enthusiastically, and that's what I'm trying to convey. We're with you, we're with you," Bolton told reporters after his first day of meetings. As Britain prepares to leave the European Union, its biggest geopolitical shift since World War Two, many diplomats expect London to become increasingly reliant on the United States. Bolton, in London for two days of talks, is seeking an improved US-British relationship with Johnson after sometimes tense ties between Trump and Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May. He said British officials had given him an unmistakable sense that they were determined to honour the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU. Bolton offered his support for this stance: “The fashion in the European Union: When the people vote the wrong way from the way the elites want to go, it’s to make the peasants vote again and again until they get it right,” he said. Trade deal The central message Bolton was delivering is that the United States would help cushion Britain's exit from the EU with a free trade deal that is being negotiated by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and his British counterpart, Liz Truss. Bolton said Britain and the United States could agree trade deals on a sector-by-sector basis, leaving more difficult areas in the trading relationship until later. He said the ultimate aim was a comprehensive trade deal, but highlighted that financial services could be one of the more difficult industries to reach an agreement on. Earlier a senior Trump administration official told travelling reporters the president had wanted to work with the May government on a trade deal but her government "didn't want do it. This government does. We're very happy about it." Trump believes that "when it comes to trade negotiations the EU is worse than China, only smaller", the official said. Johnson spoke to Trump on Monday, discussing Brexit, trade and economic issues, his office said. "They discussed global economic issues and trade, and the prime minister updated the president on Brexit," Downing Street said. "The president expressed his appreciation for the United Kingdom's steadfast partnership in addressing global challenges and looks forward to meeting with him (Johnson) personally in the near future," the White House said. Iran and China Bolton had been expected to urge officials from Johnson's newly formed, eurosceptic government to align its policy on Iran more along the lines of the United States, which has pushed a much tougher line against Tehran since withdrawing from world powers' 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran. But, after his meetings, Bolton said talks on some of these thornier diplomatic issues could wait. Bolton said his message had been: "We're not here to pressure you on this ... We want to be helpful on Brexit." Britain, one of three European partners to the deal along with Germany and France, has so far backed the EU in sticking with the accord known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. But the seizure of a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran last month has put pressure on London to consider a more robust stance. British marines seized an Iranian vessel, which is suspected of smuggling oil to Syria, off the coast of Gibraltar on July 4. This month, Britain joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect merchant's vessels. Trump has also sought Britain's help in getting tougher on the Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei out of concern that its next-generation 5G technology represent a national security risk. Washington wants its allies, including Britain, to avoid using equipment from Huawei.

US would enthusiastically support a UK choice for no-deal Brexit: Security adviser John Bolton

Britain's labour&nbsp;market&nbsp;showed unexpected strength in the second quarter, in sharp contrast with figures last week that showed the economy contracted over the same period as the country gears up for Brexit.

Total earnings growth including bonuses rose by an annual 3.7 per cent in the three months to June - the highest rate since June 2008 and up from 3.5 per cent in May, and line with forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists.

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-is-a-massive-economic-opportunity-uk-prime-minister-johnson-238855">&nbsp;jobs&nbsp;market&nbsp;has been a silver lining</a> for the economy since the Brexit vote in June 2016, something many economists have attributed to employers preferring to hire workers they can later lay off rather than making longer-term commitments to investment.

Tuesday's figures showed Britain created 115,000&nbsp;jobs&nbsp;in the second quarter, bringing the level of employment to a record 32.811 million, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

"The&nbsp;jobs&nbsp;market&nbsp;remains a source of strength for the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;economy, though it may now be reaching its peak," said Tej Parikh, chief economist at the Institute of Directors.

Sterling showed little reaction to the data, which tends to lag broader trends in the economy and had also appeared healthy in the lead-up to the financial crisis.

Excluding bonuses, annual pay growth picked up to 3.9 per cent from 3.6 per cent, the ONS said, compared with the poll forecast for growth of 3.8 per cent.

A little of the strength in the pay data reflected the unusual timing of annual pay rises for public health workers in 2018 when a larger-than-normal increase was deferred until July.

Some details pointed to tougher times ahead after data last week showed the economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.2 per cent in the three months to June.

The unemployment rate rose to 3.9 per cent, against expectations for it to hold steady 3.8 per cent, and while employment growth far exceeded forecasts, part-time rather than full-time&nbsp;jobs accounted entirely for the increase.

Output per hour, the headline measure of productivity, fell 0.6 per cent in annual terms - the fourth quarter of decline in a row and the longest such run since mid-2013.

Poor productivity is one of Britain's biggest economic challenges and, until recently, had contributed to a decade of weak pay growth.

The number of job vacancies, an indicator of future employment, fell to 820,000 in the three months to July from 824,000 in the period to June, the lowest level in more than a year.

Some recent surveys of companies have suggested employers are turning more cautious about hiring as new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the European Union on October 31, with or without a deal.

The Bank of England said this month it saw signs of a softening in labour&nbsp;market&nbsp;indicators.

Britain's labour market showed unexpected strength in the second quarter, in sharp contrast with figures last week that showed the economy contracted over the same period as the country gears up for Brexit.

Britain's labour market showed unexpected strength in the second quarter, in sharp contrast with figures last week that showed the economy contracted over the same period as the country gears up for Brexit. Total earnings growth including bonuses rose by an annual 3.7 per cent in the three months to June - the highest rate since June 2008 and up from 3.5 per cent in May, and line with forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists. The jobs market has been a silver lining for the economy since the Brexit vote in June 2016, something many economists have attributed to employers preferring to hire workers they can later lay off rather than making longer-term commitments to investment. Tuesday's figures showed Britain created 115,000 jobs in the second quarter, bringing the level of employment to a record 32.811 million, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. "The jobs market remains a source of strength for the UK economy, though it may now be reaching its peak," said Tej Parikh, chief economist at the Institute of Directors. Sterling showed little reaction to the data, which tends to lag broader trends in the economy and had also appeared healthy in the lead-up to the financial crisis. Excluding bonuses, annual pay growth picked up to 3.9 per cent from 3.6 per cent, the ONS said, compared with the poll forecast for growth of 3.8 per cent. A little of the strength in the pay data reflected the unusual timing of annual pay rises for public health workers in 2018 when a larger-than-normal increase was deferred until July. Some details pointed to tougher times ahead after data last week showed the economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.2 per cent in the three months to June. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9 per cent, against expectations for it to hold steady 3.8 per cent, and while employment growth far exceeded forecasts, part-time rather than full-time jobs accounted entirely for the increase. Output per hour, the headline measure of productivity, fell 0.6 per cent in annual terms - the fourth quarter of decline in a row and the longest such run since mid-2013. Poor productivity is one of Britain's biggest economic challenges and, until recently, had contributed to a decade of weak pay growth. The number of job vacancies, an indicator of future employment, fell to 820,000 in the three months to July from 824,000 in the period to June, the lowest level in more than a year. Some recent surveys of companies have suggested employers are turning more cautious about hiring as new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the European Union on October 31, with or without a deal. The Bank of England said this month it saw signs of a softening in labour market indicators.

UK jobs market shines, but clouds on the horizon

John Bolton, US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, arrived in London on Sunday for talks at which he is expected to urge Britain to toughen its stance on Iran and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-launches-first-product-with-own-operating-system-242084">Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei</a>.

As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union on October 31, its biggest geopolitical shift since World War Two, many diplomats expect London to become increasingly reliant on the United States.

Bolton’s two days of talks on Monday and Tuesday, to include a heavy focus on Brexit, reflect the Trump White House’s attempts to solidify ties with the new British government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-stupid-guy-donald-trump-renews-attack-on-uk-ambassador-theresa-may-234370">Trump’s strained relationship with former Prime Minister Theresa May</a>.

Bolton is expected to urge British officials to align policy on Iran more closely with that of Washington, which has pressured Tehran with ever-tightening sanctions after Trump withdrew the United States from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-any-external-military-presence-in-gulf-source-of-insecurity-241885">Iran nuclear deal</a>.

Britain has so far backed the European Union in sticking with the nuclear accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, but the seizure of a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz has put pressure on London to consider a tougher stance.

British marines seized an Iranian vessel, which is suspected of smuggling oil to Syria, off the coast of Gibraltar on July 4. This month, Britain joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect merchant vessels.

A senior Trump administration official said Bolton’s argument to the British will be that it would help add pressure on Iran if London would declare the JCPOA dead but that such a decision was not expected soon.

Trump has also pushed Britain to get tougher on China’s Huawei out of concern its next-generation 5G technology represents a national security risk. Washington wants its allies, including Britain, to avoid using equipment from Huawei.

Under former PM May, the British government decided in principle to give Huawei limited access to non-core parts of the 5G network, but the senior US official said Bolton hoped to find a friendlier audience on the topic from the Johnson government. A final British decision has not yet been taken.

Bolton plans to argue that Huawei is an arm of the Chinese government and that its hardware could be used to monitor communications that go through its system.

Trump and New York-born Johnson have spoken frequently on the phone since the new prime minister took power and Trump wants to seal a US-British free trade agreement in order to help cushion Britain when it exits the European Union.

The two leaders are to meet later this month at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France.

Bolton, who met last week in Washington with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, is to have lunch on Monday with Britain’s cabinet secretary, Mark Sedwill, and later meet at No. 10 Downing Street with Edward Lister, who is Johnson’s chief strategic adviser.&nbsp;

Later in the day, Bolton will meet Sajid Javid, Johnson's new finance minister.

On Tuesday, Bolton is due to meet Liz Truss, Britain’s international trade secretary, and Ben Wallace, the new defense secretary, as well as Steve Barclay, the minister for exiting the European Union, among other officials.&nbsp;

John Bolton, US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, arrived in London on Sunday for talks at which he is expected to urge Britain to toughen its stance on Iran and Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei.

John Bolton, US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, arrived in London on Sunday for talks at which he is expected to urge Britain to toughen its stance on Iran and Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei. As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union on October 31, its biggest geopolitical shift since World War Two, many diplomats expect London to become increasingly reliant on the United States. Bolton’s two days of talks on Monday and Tuesday, to include a heavy focus on Brexit, reflect the Trump White House’s attempts to solidify ties with the new British government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson after Trump’s strained relationship with former Prime Minister Theresa May. Bolton is expected to urge British officials to align policy on Iran more closely with that of Washington, which has pressured Tehran with ever-tightening sanctions after Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal. Britain has so far backed the European Union in sticking with the nuclear accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, but the seizure of a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz has put pressure on London to consider a tougher stance. British marines seized an Iranian vessel, which is suspected of smuggling oil to Syria, off the coast of Gibraltar on July 4. This month, Britain joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect merchant vessels. A senior Trump administration official said Bolton’s argument to the British will be that it would help add pressure on Iran if London would declare the JCPOA dead but that such a decision was not expected soon. Trump has also pushed Britain to get tougher on China’s Huawei out of concern its next-generation 5G technology represents a national security risk. Washington wants its allies, including Britain, to avoid using equipment from Huawei. Under former PM May, the British government decided in principle to give Huawei limited access to non-core parts of the 5G network, but the senior US official said Bolton hoped to find a friendlier audience on the topic from the Johnson government. A final British decision has not yet been taken. Bolton plans to argue that Huawei is an arm of the Chinese government and that its hardware could be used to monitor communications that go through its system. Trump and New York-born Johnson have spoken frequently on the phone since the new prime minister took power and Trump wants to seal a US-British free trade agreement in order to help cushion Britain when it exits the European Union. The two leaders are to meet later this month at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France. Bolton, who met last week in Washington with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, is to have lunch on Monday with Britain’s cabinet secretary, Mark Sedwill, and later meet at No. 10 Downing Street with Edward Lister, who is Johnson’s chief strategic adviser. Later in the day, Bolton will meet Sajid Javid, Johnson's new finance minister. On Tuesday, Bolton is due to meet Liz Truss, Britain’s international trade secretary, and Ben Wallace, the new defense secretary, as well as Steve Barclay, the minister for exiting the European Union, among other officials.

US security adviser John Bolton to urge tougher UK stance on Iran and China

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../who-is-boris-johnson-brexit-warrior-trumps- friend-chinas-frenemy-237975">Boris&nbsp;Johnson</a>&nbsp;has&nbsp;no&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;scheduled&nbsp;with his Irish counterpart Leo&nbsp;Varadkar&nbsp;to discuss Brexit,&nbsp;Johnson's&nbsp;spokesman&nbsp;said on Monday.

A report in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper said an offer to meet the Irish leader to talk about the so-called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/brexit-why-is-there-an-irish-backstop-188953">Irish backstop</a> had been accepted and dates were being discussed.

British&nbsp;Prime Minister Boris&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;has accepted an offer to&nbsp;meet&nbsp;Irish leader Leo&nbsp;Varadkar&nbsp;to discuss&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;and the Northern Irish backstop, the Sunday Telegraph said citing UK government sources.

"The UK has accepted&nbsp;Varadkar's offer to&nbsp;meet&nbsp;and dates are being discussed," a UK source told the newspaper.

Johnson&nbsp;has told the European Union there is no point in new talks on a withdrawal agreement unless negotiators are willing to drop the Northern Irish backstop agreed by his predecessor Theresa May.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-plays-brexit-hardball-with-stubborn-european-union-pound-falls-to-a-two-year-low-239235">The EU has said it is not prepared to reopen the divorce deal</a>&nbsp;it agreed with May, which includes the backstop, an insurance policy to prevent the return to a hard border between the British&nbsp;province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland.

May's agreement, rejected three times by the&nbsp;British&nbsp;parliament, says the United Kingdom will remain in a customs union 'unless and until' alternative arrangements are found to avoid a hard border.

The Telegraph said it was hoped a meeting&nbsp;between Johnson and Varadkar could take place before the G7 summit in France later in August.

The&nbsp;spokesman&nbsp;also said&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;had been clear he still wanted to get a Brexit deal but hoped the European Union understood the British government's determination to leave the bloc on October&nbsp;31, "no ifs or buts".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has no meeting scheduled with his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar to discuss Brexit, Johnson's spokesman said on Monday. A report in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper said an offer to meet the Irish leader to talk about the so-called Irish backstop had been accepted and dates were being discussed.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has no meeting scheduled with his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar to discuss Brexit, Johnson's spokesman said on Monday. A report in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper said an offer to meet the Irish leader to talk about the so-called Irish backstop had been accepted and dates were being discussed. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accepted an offer to meet Irish leader Leo Varadkar to discuss Brexit and the Northern Irish backstop, the Sunday Telegraph said citing UK government sources. "The UK has accepted Varadkar's offer to meet and dates are being discussed," a UK source told the newspaper. Johnson has told the European Union there is no point in new talks on a withdrawal agreement unless negotiators are willing to drop the Northern Irish backstop agreed by his predecessor Theresa May. The EU has said it is not prepared to reopen the divorce deal it agreed with May, which includes the backstop, an insurance policy to prevent the return to a hard border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland. May's agreement, rejected three times by the British parliament, says the United Kingdom will remain in a customs union 'unless and until' alternative arrangements are found to avoid a hard border. The Telegraph said it was hoped a meeting between Johnson and Varadkar could take place before the G7 summit in France later in August. The spokesman also said Johnson had been clear he still wanted to get a Brexit deal but hoped the European Union understood the British government's determination to leave the bloc on October 31, "no ifs or buts".

Irish backstop: No meeting scheduled between Johnson, Varadkar

The British government is&nbsp;concerned&nbsp;about the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../as-hong-kong-protesters-return-to-streets-for- tenth-week-riot-police-fire-tears-gas-into-rail-station-242309">latest&nbsp;violence&nbsp;</a>in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and wants calm from all sides, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.

Hong&nbsp;Kong's airport <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../over-100-flights-cancelled-as-hong-kong- protesters-launch-city-wide-strike-240696">cancelled all flights</a> on Monday, with authorities blaming demonstrators for the disruption of one of the world's busiest terminals, an escalation in anti-government protests in the former British colony.

Johnson's spokesman said the Britain wanted the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;government to engage with all parties in constructive dialogue.

The British government is concerned about the latest violence in Hong Kong and wants calm from all sides, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.

The British government is concerned about the latest violence in Hong Kong and wants calm from all sides, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday. Hong Kong's airport cancelled all flights on Monday, with authorities blaming demonstrators for the disruption of one of the world's busiest terminals, an escalation in anti-government protests in the former British colony. Johnson's spokesman said the Britain wanted the Hong Kong government to engage with all parties in constructive dialogue.

Want Hong Kong government to engage with all parties: UK

Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom Bob Blackman has written a letter to the newly-elected UK PM Boris Johnson regarding the Indian Governments decision of revoking article 370 in J&K.

Bob Blackman writes letter to UK PM regarding abrogation of article 370 in J&K

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