&nbsp;British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/boris-johnson-reshuffles-cabinet-brexit-loyalists-take-front-seats-238303&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjA79O8ydLjAhUz7HMBHSBKC5kQFjACegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2lliv6xaVvzExtS1l5Xb8r">Boris Johnson</a> has suggested getting a dog for his Downing Street office to join current resident Larry the Cat.

Johnson took office earlier this week, walking through the black front door of Number 10 Downing Street for the first time after setting out a desire to defy his critics over <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-johnsons-backstop-elimination-unacceptable-eu-chief-brexit-negotiator-michel-barnier-238484&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjA79O8ydLjAhUz7HMBHSBKC5kQFjAIegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Ur2IvhcbhgceNWXHYONZp">Brexit</a> and bring a decisive new leadership style to Britain's top job.

During an address to staff, he asked whether they would like a dog, a source with knowledge of the meeting said on Friday.

The staff replied with an enthusiastic "Yes".

Downing Street, the nerve centre of the British government for nearly 300 years, is already home to a brown and white tabby cat who carries the official title "Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office".

Appointed in 2011, Larry has outlasted two former prime ministers: David Cameron and Theresa May.

He has become a celebrity in his own right, with an unofficial Twitter account that uses some of the thousands of pictures taken by press photographers documenting his comings, goings, and territorial scraps with other departmental cats.

The source said no firm decisions on a dog had been taken and declined to comment on possible living arrangements alongside Larry.

"You can consider it a longer-term project," the source said.

Larry appears to be taking the news in his stride. He was seen lying on a window ledge in Downing Street for most of the morning, according to a Reuters witness.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested getting a dog for his Downing Street office to join current resident Larry the Cat. Johnson took office earlier this week, walking through the black front door of Number 10 Downing Street for the first time after setting out a desire to defy his critics over Brexit and bring a decisive new leadership style to Britain's top job.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested getting a dog for his Downing Street office to join current resident Larry the Cat. Johnson took office earlier this week, walking through the black front door of Number 10 Downing Street for the first time after setting out a desire to defy his critics over Brexit and bring a decisive new leadership style to Britain's top job. During an address to staff, he asked whether they would like a dog, a source with knowledge of the meeting said on Friday. The staff replied with an enthusiastic "Yes". Downing Street, the nerve centre of the British government for nearly 300 years, is already home to a brown and white tabby cat who carries the official title "Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office". Appointed in 2011, Larry has outlasted two former prime ministers: David Cameron and Theresa May. He has become a celebrity in his own right, with an unofficial Twitter account that uses some of the thousands of pictures taken by press photographers documenting his comings, goings, and territorial scraps with other departmental cats. The source said no firm decisions on a dog had been taken and declined to comment on possible living arrangements alongside Larry. "You can consider it a longer-term project," the source said. Larry appears to be taking the news in his stride. He was seen lying on a window ledge in Downing Street for most of the morning, according to a Reuters witness.

British PM Johnson eyes key appointment: A Downing Street dog

Britain's new Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/committed-to-leaving-eu-on-october-31-whatever-the-circumstances-pm-boris-johnson-in-parliament-238407">Boris Johnson urged the EU </a>on Thursday to "rethink" their opposition to renegotiating the current Brexit deal -- only to be immediately rebuffed by Brussels.&nbsp;

In a pugnacious parliamentary debut as leader, the former London mayor warned that the terms of the agreement struck by his predecessor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/buck-stops-here-prime-minister-boris-johnson-promises-new-deal-to-maximise-opportunities-of-brexit-238258">Theresa May were "unacceptable"</a> and would "sign away our economic independence".

"I hope that the EU... will rethink their current refusal to make any changes to the withdrawal agreement," Johnson told MPs.

"If they do not, we will of course have to leave the EU without an agreement," he added, vowing to "turbo-charge" preparations ahead of the latest deadline of October 31.

The former foreign secretary also threatened to withhold the £39 billion ($49 billion) divorce bill that Britain has previously said it owes the European Union and spend it instead on preparing for a no-deal outcome.

Just hours later, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned that Johnson's demands were "unacceptable", in an email to member state ambassadors seen by AFP that described his speech as "rather combative".

"PM Johnson has stated that if an agreement is to be reached it goes by way of eliminating the backstop," Barnier wrote, referring to a contentious element of the current deal to keep the Irish border open under all scenarios.&nbsp;

"This is, of course, unacceptable and not within the mandate of the European Council."

With Britain's position appearing to harden, Johnson will talk by telephone with the president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker later on Thursday.

A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on Barnier's comments, adding: "It's day one."

Johnson addressed a raucous session of parliament, in which he was repeatedly shouted down by opposition MPs, a day after initiating a radical overhaul of the cabinet.

Purging more than half the ministers in May's team, he installed what some have described as the most right-wing British government in decades.

The 55-year-old has assembled a team of social conservatives and Brexit hardliners who argue that leaving the EU after 46 years without an agreement will be less painful than economists warn.

The markets were relieved by the appointment of former Deutsche Bank Sajid Javid as finance chief.

The pound held steady against the dollar and euro as traders waited for Johnson's first policy moves.

Other appointments were more divisive.

Brexit hardliner Dominic Raab became foreign secretary and Jacob Rees-Mogg -- leader of a right-wing faction of Conservatives who helped bring about May's demise -- as the government's parliament representative.

New interior minister Priti Patel has previously expressed support for the death penalty and voted against same-sex marriage.

Johnson argues that his threat of a chaotic end to Britain's EU involvement will force Brussels to relent and give London better terms that would let it pursue trade deals with powers such as China and the United States.

Brexit backers in Parliament had accused May of ignoring voters' wishes by promising to keep the UK tied to the bloc's economic rules if necessary to preserve a free-flowing border between EU member Ireland and Britain's Northern Ireland.

Johnson's solution for the frontier revolves around proposals that have been rejected as either unworkable or insufficient by both EU and Irish leaders.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar -- his heavily trade-dependent nation standing to lose most from a messy EU-UK split -- reiterated Thursday his call for compromise.

"I hope that the new UK prime minister hasn't chosen no deal," he said.

Johnson will have the backing of his governing Conservative party but not the nation in his first days in office.

He beat the now-former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt by a two-to-one margin in a vote held by fewer than 160,000 paying members of the Conservatives.

But a YouGov survey found his approval rating in Britain as a whole at just 31 per cent.&nbsp;Johnson is also immediately confronted by issues beyond Brexit.

Iran's seizure last Friday of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf thrusts him into the middle of the Islamic republic's escalating standoff with US President Donald Trump.

Johnson boasts a friendship with Trump that his doubters criticise but supporters say could boost Britain's chances of clinching a post-Brexit trade deal with the United States.

Britain's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the EU on Thursday to "rethink" their opposition to renegotiating the current Brexit deal -- only to be immediately rebuffed by Brussels.

Britain's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the EU on Thursday to "rethink" their opposition to renegotiating the current Brexit deal -- only to be immediately rebuffed by Brussels. In a pugnacious parliamentary debut as leader, the former London mayor warned that the terms of the agreement struck by his predecessor Theresa May were "unacceptable" and would "sign away our economic independence". "I hope that the EU... will rethink their current refusal to make any changes to the withdrawal agreement," Johnson told MPs. "If they do not, we will of course have to leave the EU without an agreement," he added, vowing to "turbo-charge" preparations ahead of the latest deadline of October 31. The former foreign secretary also threatened to withhold the £39 billion ($49 billion) divorce bill that Britain has previously said it owes the European Union and spend it instead on preparing for a no-deal outcome. Just hours later, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned that Johnson's demands were "unacceptable", in an email to member state ambassadors seen by AFP that described his speech as "rather combative". "PM Johnson has stated that if an agreement is to be reached it goes by way of eliminating the backstop," Barnier wrote, referring to a contentious element of the current deal to keep the Irish border open under all scenarios. "This is, of course, unacceptable and not within the mandate of the European Council." With Britain's position appearing to harden, Johnson will talk by telephone with the president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker later on Thursday. A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on Barnier's comments, adding: "It's day one." Johnson addressed a raucous session of parliament, in which he was repeatedly shouted down by opposition MPs, a day after initiating a radical overhaul of the cabinet. Purging more than half the ministers in May's team, he installed what some have described as the most right-wing British government in decades. The 55-year-old has assembled a team of social conservatives and Brexit hardliners who argue that leaving the EU after 46 years without an agreement will be less painful than economists warn. The markets were relieved by the appointment of former Deutsche Bank Sajid Javid as finance chief. The pound held steady against the dollar and euro as traders waited for Johnson's first policy moves. Other appointments were more divisive. Brexit hardliner Dominic Raab became foreign secretary and Jacob Rees-Mogg -- leader of a right-wing faction of Conservatives who helped bring about May's demise -- as the government's parliament representative. New interior minister Priti Patel has previously expressed support for the death penalty and voted against same-sex marriage. Johnson argues that his threat of a chaotic end to Britain's EU involvement will force Brussels to relent and give London better terms that would let it pursue trade deals with powers such as China and the United States. Brexit backers in Parliament had accused May of ignoring voters' wishes by promising to keep the UK tied to the bloc's economic rules if necessary to preserve a free-flowing border between EU member Ireland and Britain's Northern Ireland. Johnson's solution for the frontier revolves around proposals that have been rejected as either unworkable or insufficient by both EU and Irish leaders. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar -- his heavily trade-dependent nation standing to lose most from a messy EU-UK split -- reiterated Thursday his call for compromise. "I hope that the new UK prime minister hasn't chosen no deal," he said. Johnson will have the backing of his governing Conservative party but not the nation in his first days in office. He beat the now-former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt by a two-to-one margin in a vote held by fewer than 160,000 paying members of the Conservatives. But a YouGov survey found his approval rating in Britain as a whole at just 31 per cent. Johnson is also immediately confronted by issues beyond Brexit. Iran's seizure last Friday of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf thrusts him into the middle of the Islamic republic's escalating standoff with US President Donald Trump. Johnson boasts a friendship with Trump that his doubters criticise but supporters say could boost Britain's chances of clinching a post-Brexit trade deal with the United States.

PM Johnson's backstop elimination unacceptable: EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier

Theresa May has delivered a farewell speech in Downing Street before tendering her resignation to the Queen. Watch full video to know more.

Theresa May bidding farewell before new PM takes office

Thousands of people protested in central London on Tuesday against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-promises-uk-pm-theresa-may-very-substantial-trade-deal-after-brexit-224218">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>'s pomp-laden state visit to Britain, but numbers were well down on the tens of thousands who gathered to oppose his visit last year.

Protesters shouted, banged drums and waved placards at what organizers called a "Carnival of Resistance" in Trafalgar Square while Prime Minister Theresa May was in talks with Trump a short distance away at her residence in Downing Street.

The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, was due to address the rally later on Tuesday.

Among Britons, Trump is one of the least-liked foreign leaders, with just 21% of people surveyed by YouGov having a "positive opinion" of him. Among women, that figure fell to 14%.

The tone at the protest was set by a large statue of Trump sitting on a golden lavatory with his trousers around his ankles, while placards read: "Trump stay out! We are quite capable of cocking up our own politics", "Free Melania!" and "Lock him in the tower".

"Trump is an ignorant, 70-year-old man who has lived a life of privilege," said Anna Fenton, 23, a marketing manager from London carrying a sign reading "Ugh, where do I even start?"

Fenton said she was protesting to show solidarity with "people that Trump's language and policies have harmed", including women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Eleven women dressed in red cloaks and white wimples as characters from Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale stood in silent protest outside the National Gallery.

The crowd, several thousand strong, was well down on the numbers who protested when Trump first visited Britain as president in July 2018.

There were small pockets of support. A few men wearing red caps with "Make America Great Again" walked among the crowd. Trump supporters said the protests against him were an insult to the leader of the United Kingdom's most powerful ally.

Trump baby blimp

A giant inflatable blimp depicting Trump as a sneering baby in a diaper flew outside the British parliament, remaining airborne as the president held talks with May.

Trump and his wife Melania arrived on Monday for a three-day state visit that included a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace on Monday evening.

Corbyn, who turned down an invitation to the banquet, said the protest rally was an "opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he's attacked in America, around the world and in our own country".

The protesters have been kept away from Trump, with roads closed around Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.

Trump said he was "loved" in Britain despite the protests. He said he was closer to Britain than any other American leader, citing his mother's Scottish roots and the two golf courses he owns in the country.

"Tremendous crowds of good wishers and people that love our country," he said in a tweet on Monday.

"Haven't seen any protests yet, but I'm sure the Fake News will be working hard to find them. Great love all around."

Opposition in Britain to Trump's presidency has been stoked by his ban on travel to the United States from several mainly Muslim countries, his decision to quit a global deal on combating climate change, and his criticism of British politicians such as London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Thousands of people protested in central London on Tuesday against US President Donald Trump's pomp-laden state visit to Britain, but numbers were well down on the tens of thousands who gathered to oppose his visit last year.

Thousands of people protested in central London on Tuesday against US President Donald Trump's pomp-laden state visit to Britain, but numbers were well down on the tens of thousands who gathered to oppose his visit last year. Protesters shouted, banged drums and waved placards at what organizers called a "Carnival of Resistance" in Trafalgar Square while Prime Minister Theresa May was in talks with Trump a short distance away at her residence in Downing Street. The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, was due to address the rally later on Tuesday. Among Britons, Trump is one of the least-liked foreign leaders, with just 21% of people surveyed by YouGov having a "positive opinion" of him. Among women, that figure fell to 14%. The tone at the protest was set by a large statue of Trump sitting on a golden lavatory with his trousers around his ankles, while placards read: "Trump stay out! We are quite capable of cocking up our own politics", "Free Melania!" and "Lock him in the tower". "Trump is an ignorant, 70-year-old man who has lived a life of privilege," said Anna Fenton, 23, a marketing manager from London carrying a sign reading "Ugh, where do I even start?" Fenton said she was protesting to show solidarity with "people that Trump's language and policies have harmed", including women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Eleven women dressed in red cloaks and white wimples as characters from Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale stood in silent protest outside the National Gallery. The crowd, several thousand strong, was well down on the numbers who protested when Trump first visited Britain as president in July 2018. There were small pockets of support. A few men wearing red caps with "Make America Great Again" walked among the crowd. Trump supporters said the protests against him were an insult to the leader of the United Kingdom's most powerful ally. Trump baby blimp A giant inflatable blimp depicting Trump as a sneering baby in a diaper flew outside the British parliament, remaining airborne as the president held talks with May. Trump and his wife Melania arrived on Monday for a three-day state visit that included a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace on Monday evening. Corbyn, who turned down an invitation to the banquet, said the protest rally was an "opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he's attacked in America, around the world and in our own country". The protesters have been kept away from Trump, with roads closed around Buckingham Palace and Downing Street. Trump said he was "loved" in Britain despite the protests. He said he was closer to Britain than any other American leader, citing his mother's Scottish roots and the two golf courses he owns in the country. "Tremendous crowds of good wishers and people that love our country," he said in a tweet on Monday. "Haven't seen any protests yet, but I'm sure the Fake News will be working hard to find them. Great love all around." Opposition in Britain to Trump's presidency has been stoked by his ban on travel to the United States from several mainly Muslim countries, his decision to quit a global deal on combating climate change, and his criticism of British politicians such as London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Thousands protest against Trump in London but fewer than last year

British Prime Minister Theresa May will&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;publish her preferred fall-back plan to avoid a hard Irish border after Brexit, government sources said, seemingly having overcome opposition from eurosceptic ministers that prompted speculation of a possible resignation.

Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc.

May held separate face-to-face meetings&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;morning with Davis and fellow eurosceptics Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, and trade minister Liam Fox, her Downing Street office said.

Asked if she expected Davis to remain in his position at the end of the day, the prime minister's spokeswoman said: "Yes... of course."

The so-called backstop proposal would kick in only if no other solution were found to avoid customs checks between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, but there are fears if implemented that it would last indefinitely.

Davis was said to be concerned about the lack of an end date and was pushing for a provision stating that Britain can withdraw unilaterally from the arrangement -- something Brussels is unlikely to accept.

May's meetings with her ministers came just hours before the cabinet sub-committee charged with taking key decisions on Brexit was due to meet at lunchtime.

Downing Street sources initially said the committee was not going to talk about the backstop, implying it was already agreed in principle.

However, Davis told reporters&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;that it would, saying: "It would be improper of me to pre-empt the negotiation there, but I suspect it will be fairly decisive&nbsp;tomorrow."

Asked if he could stay in his job if the proposals did not have his explicit approval, he said: "That's a question I think for the prime minister to be honest."

Sarah O'Grady, a newspaper journalist and the wife of Davis's chief of staff, had tweeted early&nbsp;Thursday: "Backstop not backed up by DD. Crunch time."

The government insists that it has no intention of using the backstop, and will instead find a way to avoid border checks in Ireland through an overarching trade deal with the EU.

However, striking a new trade deal could take years.

The latest round of Brexit negotiations wrap&nbsp;on Friday, but hopes of a breakthrough at the next EU summit in Brussels at the end of this month are fading.

Both sides say they want to agree a deal by October, to allow time for it to be ratified before Brexit on&nbsp;March 29, 2019.

Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc

British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Thursday publish her preferred fall-back plan to avoid a hard Irish border after Brexit, government sources said, seemingly having overcome opposition from eurosceptic ministers that prompted speculation of a possible resignation. Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc. May held separate face-to-face meetings on Thursday morning with Davis and fellow eurosceptics Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, and trade minister Liam Fox, her Downing Street office said. Asked if she expected Davis to remain in his position at the end of the day, the prime minister's spokeswoman said: "Yes... of course." The so-called backstop proposal would kick in only if no other solution were found to avoid customs checks between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, but there are fears if implemented that it would last indefinitely. Davis was said to be concerned about the lack of an end date and was pushing for a provision stating that Britain can withdraw unilaterally from the arrangement -- something Brussels is unlikely to accept. May's meetings with her ministers came just hours before the cabinet sub-committee charged with taking key decisions on Brexit was due to meet at lunchtime. Downing Street sources initially said the committee was not going to talk about the backstop, implying it was already agreed in principle. However, Davis told reporters on Wednesday that it would, saying: "It would be improper of me to pre-empt the negotiation there, but I suspect it will be fairly decisive tomorrow." Asked if he could stay in his job if the proposals did not have his explicit approval, he said: "That's a question I think for the prime minister to be honest." Sarah O'Grady, a newspaper journalist and the wife of Davis's chief of staff, had tweeted early Thursday: "Backstop not backed up by DD. Crunch time." The government insists that it has no intention of using the backstop, and will instead find a way to avoid border checks in Ireland through an overarching trade deal with the EU. However, striking a new trade deal could take years. The latest round of Brexit negotiations wrap on Friday, but hopes of a breakthrough at the next EU summit in Brussels at the end of this month are fading. Both sides say they want to agree a deal by October, to allow time for it to be ratified before Brexit on March 29, 2019.

UK set to publish Brexit fall-back plan despite cabinet row

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British PM Johnson eyes key appointment: A Downing Street dog

PM Johnson's backstop elimination unacceptable: EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier

Theresa May bidding farewell before new PM takes office

Thousands protest against Trump in London but fewer than last year

UK set to publish Brexit fall-back plan despite cabinet row