France warned Wednesday it might vote against Britain's demand for an extension to its planned EU departure date unless Theresa May presents a credible exit strategy to fellow European leaders.

"A situation in which Mrs May is unable to deliver sufficient guarantees on the credibility of her strategy at the European Council meeting would lead to the request being refused and a preference for a no deal," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament.

The remarks upped the pressure on the British prime minister ahead of a meeting of European leaders in Brussels which begins Thursday where Brexit is set to top the agenda.

Le Drian said an extension to the March 29 deadline would only be granted if May agreed to three conditions.

First, that any extension only be given to approve an exit deal negotiated by May and the other 27 European Union members, which has twice been rejected by British lawmakers.

Secondly, that May not seek to renegotiate the deal.&nbsp;

And thirdly that Britain not participate in elections for the European Parliament which are scheduled for May 23-26.

France warned Wednesday it might vote against Britain's demand for an extension to its planned EU departure date unless Theresa May presents a credible exit strategy to fellow European leaders.

France warned Wednesday it might vote against Britain's demand for an extension to its planned EU departure date unless Theresa May presents a credible exit strategy to fellow European leaders. "A situation in which Mrs May is unable to deliver sufficient guarantees on the credibility of her strategy at the European Council meeting would lead to the request being refused and a preference for a no deal," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament. The remarks upped the pressure on the British prime minister ahead of a meeting of European leaders in Brussels which begins Thursday where Brexit is set to top the agenda. Le Drian said an extension to the March 29 deadline would only be granted if May agreed to three conditions. First, that any extension only be given to approve an exit deal negotiated by May and the other 27 European Union members, which has twice been rejected by British lawmakers. Secondly, that May not seek to renegotiate the deal. And thirdly that Britain not participate in elections for the European Parliament which are scheduled for May 23-26.

France warns it could vote against Brexit extension

Prime Minister Theresa May asked sceptical EU leaders on Wednesday to delay Brexit until June 30 as Britain's political crisis deepened just nine days before the scheduled departure date.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pound-slides-after-uk-requests-brexit-delay-204577">pound plunged on currency markets after the announcement</a>, as the European Commission advised EU leaders that a shorter delay to May 23 or a much longer one until at least the end of 2019 would be preferable.

Exactly 1,000 days on from Britain's seismic 2016 referendum vote to leave the European Union, a divorce deal negotiated with the EU by May is blocked in parliament and uncertainty grips the country.

May told a stormy session of parliament that she had written to EU President Donald Tusk "informing him that the UK seeks an extension... to June 30".

She was confronted with a barrage of criticism from Brexit hardliners who wanted her to stick to the March 29 departure date and pro-EU lawmakers who want a long delay that could allow for an overhaul of the strategy.

Faced with the potentially catastrophic impact of Britain leaving its biggest trading partner after 46 years with no agreement in place on March 29, May said she would try one last time to pass her deal through parliament.

If she fails a third time, May said parliament would have to decide what happened next -- but hinted that her own future was on the line.

"As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30," she said.

Delaying any longer would require Britain to hold European Parliament elections at the end of May, which she said would be "unacceptable".

May will travel to Brussels on Thursday for an EU summit where she will put her request in person to the other 27 EU leaders, who must unanimously approve any delay.

But European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said it was unlikely they would reach a decision without a clear signal from London on what MPs want, suggesting another meeting might be needed next week.

The commission, the EU's executive arm, said the June 30 date carried "serious legal and political risks".

Spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said Juncker in a phone-call on Wednesday "warned" May against proposing an extension date that was after European elections.

'End of the road'

After almost two years of talks, May and the EU struck a divorce agreement late last year, but MPs have overwhelmingly rejected it twice.

Her original plan to hold a third vote this week was dramatically blocked by Commons speaker John Bercow, who said May could not keep bringing the deal back to MPs without changes.

European leaders are now demanding Britain tells them clearly what it wants.

"As long as we don't know what Britain could say yes to, no decision can be taken on our side either," Juncker told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

He said the deal agreed was the final offer, warning: "Nothing more can be done, we've reached the end of the road.&nbsp;

"If other scenarios are being discussed, we'd need a new road."

Juncker said May needed to present Brussels with an agreement approved by parliament as well as "a clear timetable".

Given that this was unlikely before the summit's start on Thursday, "we will probably need to meet again next week".

The pound fell sharply on the news losing about half a pence in the space of 10 minutes after May announced the delay, bringing its loss for the day to around one per cent

'National humiliation'

Brexit-backing British newspapers echoed the general sense of frustration.

The Daily Mail's editorial read: "1,000 days of incompetence, betrayal and now national humiliation... how did victory turn to this?"

In the House of Commons, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn blamed the prime minister's "incompetence, failure and intransigence", saying she refused to accept her deal had failed.

May had previously warned MPs to expect a lengthy Brexit delay if her deal did not pass before this week's EU meeting.

But she opted for a short option after Brexit-backing ministers reportedly said they would not accept a long extension.

This is despite her own deputy, David Lidington, warning that a request for a short delay would likely be rejected by the EU, and could increase the chance of a "no deal".

"When will she develop a backbone and stand up to those who would take this nation to disaster?" Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Pete Wishart asked.

Prime Minister Theresa May asked sceptical EU leaders on Wednesday to delay Brexit until June 30 as Britain's political crisis deepened just nine days before the scheduled departure date.

Prime Minister Theresa May asked sceptical EU leaders on Wednesday to delay Brexit until June 30 as Britain's political crisis deepened just nine days before the scheduled departure date. The pound plunged on currency markets after the announcement, as the European Commission advised EU leaders that a shorter delay to May 23 or a much longer one until at least the end of 2019 would be preferable. Exactly 1,000 days on from Britain's seismic 2016 referendum vote to leave the European Union, a divorce deal negotiated with the EU by May is blocked in parliament and uncertainty grips the country. May told a stormy session of parliament that she had written to EU President Donald Tusk "informing him that the UK seeks an extension... to June 30". She was confronted with a barrage of criticism from Brexit hardliners who wanted her to stick to the March 29 departure date and pro-EU lawmakers who want a long delay that could allow for an overhaul of the strategy. Faced with the potentially catastrophic impact of Britain leaving its biggest trading partner after 46 years with no agreement in place on March 29, May said she would try one last time to pass her deal through parliament. If she fails a third time, May said parliament would have to decide what happened next -- but hinted that her own future was on the line. "As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30," she said. Delaying any longer would require Britain to hold European Parliament elections at the end of May, which she said would be "unacceptable". May will travel to Brussels on Thursday for an EU summit where she will put her request in person to the other 27 EU leaders, who must unanimously approve any delay. But European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said it was unlikely they would reach a decision without a clear signal from London on what MPs want, suggesting another meeting might be needed next week. The commission, the EU's executive arm, said the June 30 date carried "serious legal and political risks". Spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said Juncker in a phone-call on Wednesday "warned" May against proposing an extension date that was after European elections. 'End of the road' After almost two years of talks, May and the EU struck a divorce agreement late last year, but MPs have overwhelmingly rejected it twice. Her original plan to hold a third vote this week was dramatically blocked by Commons speaker John Bercow, who said May could not keep bringing the deal back to MPs without changes. European leaders are now demanding Britain tells them clearly what it wants. "As long as we don't know what Britain could say yes to, no decision can be taken on our side either," Juncker told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk. He said the deal agreed was the final offer, warning: "Nothing more can be done, we've reached the end of the road. "If other scenarios are being discussed, we'd need a new road." Juncker said May needed to present Brussels with an agreement approved by parliament as well as "a clear timetable". Given that this was unlikely before the summit's start on Thursday, "we will probably need to meet again next week". The pound fell sharply on the news losing about half a pence in the space of 10 minutes after May announced the delay, bringing its loss for the day to around one per cent 'National humiliation' Brexit-backing British newspapers echoed the general sense of frustration. The Daily Mail's editorial read: "1,000 days of incompetence, betrayal and now national humiliation... how did victory turn to this?" In the House of Commons, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn blamed the prime minister's "incompetence, failure and intransigence", saying she refused to accept her deal had failed. May had previously warned MPs to expect a lengthy Brexit delay if her deal did not pass before this week's EU meeting. But she opted for a short option after Brexit-backing ministers reportedly said they would not accept a long extension. This is despite her own deputy, David Lidington, warning that a request for a short delay would likely be rejected by the EU, and could increase the chance of a "no deal". "When will she develop a backbone and stand up to those who would take this nation to disaster?" Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Pete Wishart asked.

European Union leaders warn 'serious risks' as Theresa May seeks Brexit delay until June 30

The British pound fell Wednesday on simmering Brexit tensions after Prime Minister Theresa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/requested-brexit-delay-until-june-30-uk-pm-theresa-may-to-european-union-leaders-204557">May asked EU leaders to delay the nation's departure</a> until June 30.

On eve of an EU summit in Brussels, May told parliament that she has written to EU President Donald Tusk to ask for the withdrawal date to be moved from March 29.

The European Commission warned in an internal briefing note that delaying Brexit to June 30 would bring "serious legal and political risks".

The EU's executive arm instead urged leaders to choose instead a short delay to May 23 or a longer one at least until the end of this year.

At around 1300 GMT, sterling was down almost one percent in value, sliding to $1.3149, while the euro rose to 86.40 pence. The unit was already in negative territory prior to May's announcement.

Analysts expressed doubt that the delay extension would allow May's Conservative government sufficient time to resolve the crisis.

"The pound's Wednesday only got worse after the confirmation that Theresa May is seeking a short delay from the EU, one that arguably does not give the government enough time to get through a sterling-positive Brexit deal," Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell told AFP.

"It appears that, despite the various votes highlighting MPs unwilling to leave the EU without a deal, that kind of disastrous exit is still very much on the table."

Rebecca O'Keeffe, analyst at online broker Interactive Investor, was similarly downbeat.

"A short delay is being perceived as the worst of all possible worlds for the UK and sterling," she told AFP.

"Rather than resolve the crisis, it suggests that Mrs May is likely to undergo three more months of brinkmanship.

"This will represent one more damaging quarter for UK businesses, especially those who had already implemented plans to cope with an end-March Brexit date.

"So it really is no surprise that the pound is going down, as investors face the prospect of another three months of purgatory."

The British pound fell Wednesday on simmering Brexit tensions after Prime Minister Theresa May asked EU leaders to delay the nation's departure until June 30. On eve of an EU summit in Brussels, May told parliament that she has written to EU President Donald Tusk to ask for the withdrawal date to be moved from March 29.

The British pound fell Wednesday on simmering Brexit tensions after Prime Minister Theresa May asked EU leaders to delay the nation's departure until June 30. On eve of an EU summit in Brussels, May told parliament that she has written to EU President Donald Tusk to ask for the withdrawal date to be moved from March 29. The European Commission warned in an internal briefing note that delaying Brexit to June 30 would bring "serious legal and political risks". The EU's executive arm instead urged leaders to choose instead a short delay to May 23 or a longer one at least until the end of this year. At around 1300 GMT, sterling was down almost one percent in value, sliding to $1.3149, while the euro rose to 86.40 pence. The unit was already in negative territory prior to May's announcement. Analysts expressed doubt that the delay extension would allow May's Conservative government sufficient time to resolve the crisis. "The pound's Wednesday only got worse after the confirmation that Theresa May is seeking a short delay from the EU, one that arguably does not give the government enough time to get through a sterling-positive Brexit deal," Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell told AFP. "It appears that, despite the various votes highlighting MPs unwilling to leave the EU without a deal, that kind of disastrous exit is still very much on the table." Rebecca O'Keeffe, analyst at online broker Interactive Investor, was similarly downbeat. "A short delay is being perceived as the worst of all possible worlds for the UK and sterling," she told AFP. "Rather than resolve the crisis, it suggests that Mrs May is likely to undergo three more months of brinkmanship. "This will represent one more damaging quarter for UK businesses, especially those who had already implemented plans to cope with an end-March Brexit date. "So it really is no surprise that the pound is going down, as investors face the prospect of another three months of purgatory."

Pound slides after UK requests Brexit delay

Google was fined 1.49 billion euros ($1.7 billion) on Wednesday for blocking rival online search advertisers, the third large European Union antitrust penalty for the Alphabet business in two only years.

The European Commission, which said the fine accounted for 1.29 per cent of Google's turnover in 2018, said in a statement that the anti-competitive practices had lasted a decade.

"Google has cemented its dominance in online search adverts and shielded itself from competitive pressure by imposing anti-competitive contractual restrictions on third-party websites," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said.

The case concerned websites, such as of newspaper or travel sites, with a search function that produces search results and search adverts. Google's AdSense for Search provided such search adverts.

The misconduct included stopping publishers from placing any search adverts from competitors on their search results pages, forcing them to reserve the most profitable space on their search results pages for Google's adverts and a requirement to seek written approval from Google before making changes to the way in which any rival adverts were displayed.

The AdSense advertising case was triggered by a complaint from Microsoft in 2010. Both companies subsequently dropped complaints against each other in 2016.

Last year, Vestager imposed a record 4.34 billion euro fine on Google for using its popular Android mobile operating system to block rivals. This followed a 2.42 billion euro fine in June 2017 for hindering rivals of shopping comparison websites.

Google is now trying to comply with the order to ensure a level playing field with proposals to boost price comparison rivals and prompt Android users to choose their preferred browsers and search apps. Critics however are still not happy. ($1 = 0.8811 euros)

Google was fined 1.49 billion euros ($1.7 billion) on Wednesday for blocking rival online search advertisers, the third large European Union antitrust penalty for the Alphabet business in two only years.

Google was fined 1.49 billion euros ($1.7 billion) on Wednesday for blocking rival online search advertisers, the third large European Union antitrust penalty for the Alphabet business in two only years. The European Commission, which said the fine accounted for 1.29 per cent of Google's turnover in 2018, said in a statement that the anti-competitive practices had lasted a decade. "Google has cemented its dominance in online search adverts and shielded itself from competitive pressure by imposing anti-competitive contractual restrictions on third-party websites," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said. The case concerned websites, such as of newspaper or travel sites, with a search function that produces search results and search adverts. Google's AdSense for Search provided such search adverts. The misconduct included stopping publishers from placing any search adverts from competitors on their search results pages, forcing them to reserve the most profitable space on their search results pages for Google's adverts and a requirement to seek written approval from Google before making changes to the way in which any rival adverts were displayed. The AdSense advertising case was triggered by a complaint from Microsoft in 2010. Both companies subsequently dropped complaints against each other in 2016. Last year, Vestager imposed a record 4.34 billion euro fine on Google for using its popular Android mobile operating system to block rivals. This followed a 2.42 billion euro fine in June 2017 for hindering rivals of shopping comparison websites. Google is now trying to comply with the order to ensure a level playing field with proposals to boost price comparison rivals and prompt Android users to choose their preferred browsers and search apps. Critics however are still not happy. ($1 = 0.8811 euros)

Google fined $1.7 billion for search ad blocks in third European Union sanction

European Union leaders have not yet received a letter from British Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-theresa-may-to-urge-european-union-chief-donald-tusk-to-delay-brexit-ahead-of-brussels-summit-204363"> Theresa May requesting Brexit be postponed</a>, an official said Wednesday, on the eve of their summit.

"I have a problem here because, to be frank, I have no new information to offer to you," the senior European official told a briefing for reporters ahead of the two-day European Council which will consider any request.

"We have not received a letter from Prime Minister May. We have not received the request from the UK on the extension of Article 50 in any other form," he said, despite reports that May plans to ask her colleagues for more time.

"For the moment, there is no request from the UK. Maybe it will come, maybe it won't come," he said, as May mulled whether to request a short extension to pass Brexit legislation or a long one to rethink Britain's strategy.

Without an extension, Britain will fall out of the European Union in nine days.&nbsp;

"What I can say now? ... I have no basis to speculate about length," the official said.

"I guess the 27 will have a debate on Brexit in light of the state of play of situation."

In London, a Downing Street official told the BBC <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-to-seek-short-brexit-delay-report-204503">May will be seeking a short delay to Brexit</a>.

"PM won't be asking for a long extension," it quoted a Downing Street official as saying on the eve of a summit with EU leaders in Brussels.

"There is a case for giving parliament a bit more time to agree a way forward, but the people of this country have been waiting nearly three years now.

"They are fed up with parliament's failure to take a decision and the PM shares their frustration."

Exasperated European leaders are demanding London to tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc on March 29, ending its 46-year membership without formal arrangements.

The British premier is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected the EU divorce deal for a second time.

She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be postponed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

European Union leaders have not yet received a letter from British Prime Minister Theresa May requesting Brexit be postponed, an official said Wednesday, on the eve of their summit.

European Union leaders have not yet received a letter from British Prime Minister Theresa May requesting Brexit be postponed, an official said Wednesday, on the eve of their summit. "I have a problem here because, to be frank, I have no new information to offer to you," the senior European official told a briefing for reporters ahead of the two-day European Council which will consider any request. "We have not received a letter from Prime Minister May. We have not received the request from the UK on the extension of Article 50 in any other form," he said, despite reports that May plans to ask her colleagues for more time. "For the moment, there is no request from the UK. Maybe it will come, maybe it won't come," he said, as May mulled whether to request a short extension to pass Brexit legislation or a long one to rethink Britain's strategy. Without an extension, Britain will fall out of the European Union in nine days. "What I can say now? ... I have no basis to speculate about length," the official said. "I guess the 27 will have a debate on Brexit in light of the state of play of situation." In London, a Downing Street official told the BBC May will be seeking a short delay to Brexit. "PM won't be asking for a long extension," it quoted a Downing Street official as saying on the eve of a summit with EU leaders in Brussels. "There is a case for giving parliament a bit more time to agree a way forward, but the people of this country have been waiting nearly three years now. "They are fed up with parliament's failure to take a decision and the PM shares their frustration." Exasperated European leaders are demanding London to tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc on March 29, ending its 46-year membership without formal arrangements. The British premier is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected the EU divorce deal for a second time. She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be postponed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

European Union still waiting for Brexit delay request

British Prime Minister Theresa May will write to EU President Donald Tusk with a plan for delaying Brexit beyond March 29, her spokesman said Tuesday, admitting the parliamentary deadlock had reached crisis levels.

The letter will be sent before May heads to a Brussels summit on Thursday, where she has already promised to seek what could be a lengthy postponement of Britain's exit from the European Union.

May had hoped to persuade MPs before then to back the divorce agreement she has struck with the EU, but her plan to hold a fresh vote was dramatically blocked by the speaker of the House of Commons.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306">As Brexit looms, </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306">UK</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306"> unemployment rate hits </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306">44-year</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306"> low</a>

Exasperated European leaders are now demanding London tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc in 10 days, ending its 46-year membership of the bloc without formal arrangements.

"If there's no decision and March 29 comes then it's no deal. If Britain decides on nothing then it chooses no deal," French Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau told reporters in Brussels.

May's letter to Tusk would come either later Tuesday or on Wednesday, her spokesman said, amid reports she will seek a 12-month delay.

"The prime minister will be writing to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, before European Council begins in relation to an extension of Article 50," the spokesman said.

May is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected her divorce deal for a second time.

She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be delayed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its 46-year membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

But she said that if MPs backed her deal this week, it might only be a short delay to ratify the text.

This plan was scuppered on Monday when Speaker John Bercow delivered a surprise ruling that she could not keep bringing her deal back to MPs without changes.

May had previously warned that without a deal, the EU might impose a lengthy delay.

Asked her view on the current deadlock, May's spokesman noted that she had previously warned MPs that rejecting her deal would spark a "crisis".

"I think events yesterday tell you that that situation has come to pass," he said.

Delay not automatic

Pro-Brexit newspapers condemned Bercow as the "Brexit Destroyer".

But May had been by no means certain of getting her deal through parliament this week, as many Brexit-supporting MPs believe it keeps Britain too closely aligned to the EU.

Talks continue aimed at persuading MPs in her Conservative party and their Northern Irish allies, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to back the text.

And there is speculation that any EU deal she strikes on delaying Brexit might be enough of a change to persuade Bercow to allow another vote on it next week.

In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "I will fight to the last hour of the deadline on March 29 for an orderly exit.&nbsp;

"We don't have a lot of time for it, but still have a few days."

But her Europe minister, Michael Roth, warned at a meeting of counterparts in Brussels: "I expect clear and precise proposals by the British government why such an extension is necessary."

This message was repeated by France's Loiseau, while an aide to French President Emmanuel Macron warned: "An extension is not for certain or automatic."

'Only deal on the table'

The speaker's ruling added further drama and complexity to an already chaotic Brexit process that has exposed deep rifts in parliament.

MPs still cannot agree how to implement the 2016 referendum, reflecting how voters remain divided almost three years after they voted 52 to 48 percent for Brexit.

May continues to insist that her agreement, covering citizens' rights, Britain's financial settlement, plans for the Irish border and for a post-Brexit transition period, is a good compromise.

She sought and obtained clarifications on the operation of the so-called Irish border "backstop" to appease some of her MPs, but some still want more.

Several Conservative MPs suggested that following Bercow's ruling, May must now return to the negotiating table, even at this late stage.

However, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay warned: "It is the only deal on the table from the EU -- the EU have been consistent on that.

"Either we back the prime minister's deal and get Brexit over the line or we risk either a softer Brexit or no Brexit at all."

British Prime Minister Theresa May will write to EU President Donald Tusk with a plan for delaying Brexit beyond March 29, her spokesman said Tuesday, admitting the parliamentary deadlock had reached crisis levels.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will write to EU President Donald Tusk with a plan for delaying Brexit beyond March 29, her spokesman said Tuesday, admitting the parliamentary deadlock had reached crisis levels. The letter will be sent before May heads to a Brussels summit on Thursday, where she has already promised to seek what could be a lengthy postponement of Britain's exit from the European Union. May had hoped to persuade MPs before then to back the divorce agreement she has struck with the EU, but her plan to hold a fresh vote was dramatically blocked by the speaker of the House of Commons. Also read: As Brexit looms, UK unemployment rate hits 44-year low Exasperated European leaders are now demanding London tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc in 10 days, ending its 46-year membership of the bloc without formal arrangements. "If there's no decision and March 29 comes then it's no deal. If Britain decides on nothing then it chooses no deal," French Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau told reporters in Brussels. May's letter to Tusk would come either later Tuesday or on Wednesday, her spokesman said, amid reports she will seek a 12-month delay. "The prime minister will be writing to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, before European Council begins in relation to an extension of Article 50," the spokesman said. May is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected her divorce deal for a second time. She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be delayed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its 46-year membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place. But she said that if MPs backed her deal this week, it might only be a short delay to ratify the text. This plan was scuppered on Monday when Speaker John Bercow delivered a surprise ruling that she could not keep bringing her deal back to MPs without changes. May had previously warned that without a deal, the EU might impose a lengthy delay. Asked her view on the current deadlock, May's spokesman noted that she had previously warned MPs that rejecting her deal would spark a "crisis". "I think events yesterday tell you that that situation has come to pass," he said. Delay not automatic Pro-Brexit newspapers condemned Bercow as the "Brexit Destroyer". But May had been by no means certain of getting her deal through parliament this week, as many Brexit-supporting MPs believe it keeps Britain too closely aligned to the EU. Talks continue aimed at persuading MPs in her Conservative party and their Northern Irish allies, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to back the text. And there is speculation that any EU deal she strikes on delaying Brexit might be enough of a change to persuade Bercow to allow another vote on it next week. In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "I will fight to the last hour of the deadline on March 29 for an orderly exit. "We don't have a lot of time for it, but still have a few days." But her Europe minister, Michael Roth, warned at a meeting of counterparts in Brussels: "I expect clear and precise proposals by the British government why such an extension is necessary." This message was repeated by France's Loiseau, while an aide to French President Emmanuel Macron warned: "An extension is not for certain or automatic." 'Only deal on the table' The speaker's ruling added further drama and complexity to an already chaotic Brexit process that has exposed deep rifts in parliament. MPs still cannot agree how to implement the 2016 referendum, reflecting how voters remain divided almost three years after they voted 52 to 48 percent for Brexit. May continues to insist that her agreement, covering citizens' rights, Britain's financial settlement, plans for the Irish border and for a post-Brexit transition period, is a good compromise. She sought and obtained clarifications on the operation of the so-called Irish border "backstop" to appease some of her MPs, but some still want more. Several Conservative MPs suggested that following Bercow's ruling, May must now return to the negotiating table, even at this late stage. However, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay warned: "It is the only deal on the table from the EU -- the EU have been consistent on that. "Either we back the prime minister's deal and get Brexit over the line or we risk either a softer Brexit or no Brexit at all."

UK's Theresa May to urge European Union chief Donald Tusk to delay Brexit ahead of Brussels summit

Days after China put on hold the listing of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/there-is-time-for-continued-consultations-issue-will-be-resolved-china-to-india-on-masood-azhars-blacklisting-203822"> Masood Azhar as a terrorist</a> in the UNSC, discussions&nbsp;have&nbsp;started in the European Union(EU) regarding designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) chief as a terrorist.

Confirming the development, Germany embassy spokesperson Hans Christian Winkler in Delhi told WION, "There are discussions for the listing of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/willing-to-hold-more-talks-with-india-on-blacklisting-masood-azhar-china-203655">&nbsp;Masood Azhar by European Union</a>. Germany as part of EU member state is also taking part in the discussion"

On 15th March, France announced it will be putting a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with European Union. 
&nbsp; 
A joint release by French foreign, interior and finance ministry said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree."

Barring China, all UNSC members had agreed to list Masood Azhar as a terrorist under the UN terror list. The proposal was moved by USA, France and UK and supported by 14 of the 15 UN Security Council Members. Australia, Bangladesh, Italy and Japan co-sponsored the move.

China in 2009, 2016, 2017 has put a hold on the listing of Masood Azhar. The hold this time continues for nine&nbsp;months before which Beijing has to take a&nbsp;decision on listing of Azhar.

JeM&nbsp;is the United Nations listed Pakistan-based terror group responsible for the Pulwama terror attack on 14th February that killed more 40 CRPF personnel.

Days after China put on hold the listing of Masood Azhar as a terrorist in the UNSC, discussions have started in the European Union(EU) regarding designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) chief as a terrorist.

Days after China put on hold the listing of Masood Azhar as a terrorist in the UNSC, discussions have started in the European Union(EU) regarding designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) chief as a terrorist. Confirming the development, Germany embassy spokesperson Hans Christian Winkler in Delhi told WION, "There are discussions for the listing of Masood Azhar by European Union. Germany as part of EU member state is also taking part in the discussion" On 15th March, France announced it will be putting a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with European Union. A joint release by French foreign, interior and finance ministry said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree." Barring China, all UNSC members had agreed to list Masood Azhar as a terrorist under the UN terror list. The proposal was moved by USA, France and UK and supported by 14 of the 15 UN Security Council Members. Australia, Bangladesh, Italy and Japan co-sponsored the move. China in 2009, 2016, 2017 has put a hold on the listing of Masood Azhar. The hold this time continues for nine months before which Beijing has to take a decision on listing of Azhar. JeM is the United Nations listed Pakistan-based terror group responsible for the Pulwama terror attack on 14th February that killed more 40 CRPF personnel.

European Union begins discussions on declaring Masood Azhar a terrorist

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-cancer-research-in-india-needs-mammoth-funding-157300">The death rate from cancer</a> has been falling for half a decade in the EU, researchers said Tuesday, although the overall number is expected to rise to 1.4 million this year due to an expanding population.

The chances of dying from cancer for men has dropped about six percent from 139 deaths per 100,000 males in 2014 to 131 this year, according to a paper in the Annals of Oncology medical journal.

For women, the improvement is 3.6 percent, from 86 deaths per 100,000 females to 83, the study showed.

However the total number of deaths is expected to increase to 1.4 million in 2019, a rise of nearly five percent from 1.35 million in 2014. Some 787,000 will be men and 621,900 women.&nbsp;

The study showed that lung cancer among women will this year claim more lives than breast cancer —&nbsp;96,800 against 92,800.

Lung cancer remains the most deadly form of the disease, with 279,000 combined deaths expected this year.

As for breast cancer, the study reports significant improvements since 2014 in the biggest EU countries. Britain leads the way with a 13 percent fall in the death rate, followed by France down 10 percent, German nine percent, Italy seven percent and Spain five percent.

Poland however showed a two percent increase, according to the study, written by professors Carlo La Vecchia of the University of Milan and Fabio Levi at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

"It is clear that despite the good news that death rates are declining in most cancers, the bad news is that, due to growing and aging populations, the number of people who will die from cancer is increasing," said professor Fabrice Andre of the Institut Gustave Roussy in the Paris region and Annals of Oncology editor.

"This represents a significant burden on society, and more needs to be done to prevent cancers occurring in the first place, particularly by reducing the numbers of people who smoke and are overweight."

The death rate from cancer has been falling for half a decade in the EU, researchers said Tuesday, although the overall number is expected to rise to 1.4 million this year due to an expanding population.

The death rate from cancer has been falling for half a decade in the EU, researchers said Tuesday, although the overall number is expected to rise to 1.4 million this year due to an expanding population. The chances of dying from cancer for men has dropped about six percent from 139 deaths per 100,000 males in 2014 to 131 this year, according to a paper in the Annals of Oncology medical journal. For women, the improvement is 3.6 percent, from 86 deaths per 100,000 females to 83, the study showed. However the total number of deaths is expected to increase to 1.4 million in 2019, a rise of nearly five percent from 1.35 million in 2014. Some 787,000 will be men and 621,900 women. The study showed that lung cancer among women will this year claim more lives than breast cancer — 96,800 against 92,800. Lung cancer remains the most deadly form of the disease, with 279,000 combined deaths expected this year. As for breast cancer, the study reports significant improvements since 2014 in the biggest EU countries. Britain leads the way with a 13 percent fall in the death rate, followed by France down 10 percent, German nine percent, Italy seven percent and Spain five percent. Poland however showed a two percent increase, according to the study, written by professors Carlo La Vecchia of the University of Milan and Fabio Levi at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. "It is clear that despite the good news that death rates are declining in most cancers, the bad news is that, due to growing and aging populations, the number of people who will die from cancer is increasing," said professor Fabrice Andre of the Institut Gustave Roussy in the Paris region and Annals of Oncology editor. "This represents a significant burden on society, and more needs to be done to prevent cancers occurring in the first place, particularly by reducing the numbers of people who smoke and are overweight."

Cancer deaths falling over last 5 years in European Union: Study

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-has-suspended-oil-exports-to-india-russia-and-china-main-destinations-azerbaijan-energy-ministry-204333">Venezuela has suspended oil exports to India, Russia and China main destinations: Azerbaijan energy ministry</a>

Venezuela has suspended its oil exports to India and views Russia and China as its main export destinations, Azerbaijan's energy ministry said on Tuesday, citing Venezuela's oil minister.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-building-in-brussels-evacuated-over-bomb-threat-204327">European Union building in Brussels evacuated over bomb threat</a>

Police today evacuated the European Union (EU) building in Brussels over a phone call threatening to blow up the building, reports said.

At least forty people have been evacuated at the EU headquarters, reports added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-building-in-brussels-evacuated-over-bomb-threat-204327">Gathering all details of Utrecht attack: Turkey President Erdogan</a>

Turkish intelligence services are investigating the gun attack in the Netherlands to determine whether it was a terror attack or a possible family dispute, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reincarnation-of-the-dalai-lama-should-follow-national-rules-china-204287">Video: Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow national rules, says China</a>

China Tuesday rejected the Dalai Lama's assertions that his successor could be from India and a nominee by Beijing would not be respected, saying the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has to be approved by the Communist government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-man-performs-emotional-haka-dance-to-pay-tribute-to-new-zealand-mosque-shooting-victims-204322">Watch: Man performs emotional 'haka dance' to pay tribute to New Zealand mosque shooting victims</a>

New Zealanders have shown a unique way of mourning and paying respects to those killed in horrifying gun attacks on two Christchurch mosques. In the shooting, over 50 people lost their lived on March 15.&nbsp;

Venezuela has suspended oil exports to India, Russia and China main destinations: Azerbaijan energy ministry Venezuela has suspended its oil exports to India and views Russia and China as its main export destinations, Azerbaijan's energy ministry said on Tuesday, citing Venezuela's oil minister.

Venezuela has suspended oil exports to India, Russia and China main destinations: Azerbaijan energy ministry Venezuela has suspended its oil exports to India and views Russia and China as its main export destinations, Azerbaijan's energy ministry said on Tuesday, citing Venezuela's oil minister. European Union building in Brussels evacuated over bomb threat Police today evacuated the European Union (EU) building in Brussels over a phone call threatening to blow up the building, reports said. At least forty people have been evacuated at the EU headquarters, reports added. Gathering all details of Utrecht attack: Turkey President Erdogan Turkish intelligence services are investigating the gun attack in the Netherlands to determine whether it was a terror attack or a possible family dispute, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday. Video: Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow national rules, says China China Tuesday rejected the Dalai Lama's assertions that his successor could be from India and a nominee by Beijing would not be respected, saying the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has to be approved by the Communist government. Watch: Man performs emotional 'haka dance' to pay tribute to New Zealand mosque shooting victims New Zealanders have shown a unique way of mourning and paying respects to those killed in horrifying gun attacks on two Christchurch mosques. In the shooting, over 50 people lost their lived on March 15.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Police today evacuated the European Union(EU) building in Brussels over a phone call threatening to blow up the building, reports said.

At least forty people have been evacuated at the EU headquarters, reports added.

Authorities have cordoned off the area and security has been beefed up.

Security personnel have also cordoned the area around European institutions in Brussels.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Police today evacuated the European Union(EU) building in Brussels over a phone call threatening to blow up the building, reports said. At least forty people have been evacuated at the EU headquarters, reports added.

Police today evacuated the European Union(EU) building in Brussels over a phone call threatening to blow up the building, reports said. At least forty people have been evacuated at the EU headquarters, reports added. Authorities have cordoned off the area and security has been beefed up. Security personnel have also cordoned the area around European institutions in Brussels.

European Union building in Brussels evacuated over bomb threat

Britain's opposition Labour Party would force a confidence vote in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/theresa-mays-brexit-deal-defeat-plunges-uk-into-complete-uncertainty-203013">Theresa May</a>'s government if the prime minister loses another vote on her Brexit withdrawal deal, leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Sunday.

May is expected to put her divorce deal with the European Union before parliament for a third time this week after lawmakers crushed it twice before.

'We've had one confidence vote already,'&nbsp;Corbyn told Sky News. 'The government is apparently going to bring its proposals once again to parliament this week. I suspect they'll be defeated again, the whole process they are doing is running down the clock.'

'I think at that point a confidence motion would be appropriate. At that point, we should say there has to be a general election.'

Britain's opposition Labour Party would force a confidence vote in Theresa May's government if the prime minister loses another vote on her Brexit withdrawal deal, leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Sunday.

Britain's opposition Labour Party would force a confidence vote in Theresa May's government if the prime minister loses another vote on her Brexit withdrawal deal, leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Sunday. May is expected to put her divorce deal with the European Union before parliament for a third time this week after lawmakers crushed it twice before. 'We've had one confidence vote already,' Corbyn told Sky News. 'The government is apparently going to bring its proposals once again to parliament this week. I suspect they'll be defeated again, the whole process they are doing is running down the clock.' 'I think at that point a confidence motion would be appropriate. At that point, we should say there has to be a general election.'

United Kingdom's Labour will force confidence motion if May's deal fails: Corbyn

A lawmaker from Britain's governing Conservatives quit his local party on Saturday because of clashes over Brexit, as the decision to leave the European Union continues to reshape loyalties in the country's politics.

Nick Boles has been critical of the threat to leave the EU without a deal and has faced calls from his local party to be removed from his job over his stance.

'I regret that my relationship with you should end in this way. But a politician without principles is worthless.'&nbsp;Boles said in a letter to his local party.

A lawmaker from Britain's governing Conservatives quit his local party on Saturday because of clashes over Brexit, as the decision to leave the European Union continues to reshape loyalties in the country's politics.

A lawmaker from Britain's governing Conservatives quit his local party on Saturday because of clashes over Brexit, as the decision to leave the European Union continues to reshape loyalties in the country's politics. Nick Boles has been critical of the threat to leave the EU without a deal and has faced calls from his local party to be removed from his job over his stance. 'I regret that my relationship with you should end in this way. But a politician without principles is worthless.' Boles said in a letter to his local party.

United Kingdom Conservative lawmaker Boles quits local party over Brexit

British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain's exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week.

Lawmakers approved by 412 votes to 202 a statement setting out the option to request a short delay if a Brexit deal can be agreed by March 20 — or a longer delay if no deal can be agreed in time.

Just 15 days before Britain is due to leave the European Union, May is using the threat of a long delay to push Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party finally to back her deal.

A new vote on her deal is likely next week, when those lawmakers will have to decide whether to back a deal they feel does not offer a clean break from the EU, or accept that Brexit could be watered down or even thwarted by a lengthy delay.

Earlier, lawmakers voted by 334 to 85 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-overwhelmingly-against-2nd-brexit-referendum-203391">against a second referendum on EU membership</a>. Most opposition Labour lawmakers did not back the measure and even campaigners for a so-called People's Vote said the time was not yet right for parliament to vote on the matter.

The government narrowly survived an attempt to give lawmakers control of the parliamentary agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of alternative Brexit options at a later date.

May's authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of humiliating parliamentary defeats and rebellions. But she has made clear her plan is still on the agenda, despite twice being rejected by an overwhelming majority in parliament, in January and again on Tuesday.

May's spokesman said earlier on Thursday that she would put her Brexit deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the EU, to another vote "if it was felt that it were worthwhile".

Seeking to win over dissenters, she has given rebellious Conservative lawmakers a thinly-veiled warning that a failure to back her plan could mean no Brexit at all.

Britons voted by 52-48 percent in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, a decision that has not only divided the main political parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society.

Sterling has swung more wildly this week than at any point since 2017, rising from below $1.30 to a nine-month high of almost $1.34 as investors bet Britain would avoid a no-deal Brexit. [GDP/]

British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain's exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week.

British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain's exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week. Lawmakers approved by 412 votes to 202 a statement setting out the option to request a short delay if a Brexit deal can be agreed by March 20 — or a longer delay if no deal can be agreed in time. Just 15 days before Britain is due to leave the European Union, May is using the threat of a long delay to push Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party finally to back her deal. A new vote on her deal is likely next week, when those lawmakers will have to decide whether to back a deal they feel does not offer a clean break from the EU, or accept that Brexit could be watered down or even thwarted by a lengthy delay. Earlier, lawmakers voted by 334 to 85 against a second referendum on EU membership. Most opposition Labour lawmakers did not back the measure and even campaigners for a so-called People's Vote said the time was not yet right for parliament to vote on the matter. The government narrowly survived an attempt to give lawmakers control of the parliamentary agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of alternative Brexit options at a later date. May's authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of humiliating parliamentary defeats and rebellions. But she has made clear her plan is still on the agenda, despite twice being rejected by an overwhelming majority in parliament, in January and again on Tuesday. May's spokesman said earlier on Thursday that she would put her Brexit deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the EU, to another vote "if it was felt that it were worthwhile". Seeking to win over dissenters, she has given rebellious Conservative lawmakers a thinly-veiled warning that a failure to back her plan could mean no Brexit at all. Britons voted by 52-48 percent in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, a decision that has not only divided the main political parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society. Sterling has swung more wildly this week than at any point since 2017, rising from below $1.30 to a nine-month high of almost $1.34 as investors bet Britain would avoid a no-deal Brexit. [GDP/]

British MPs vote overwhelmingly to delay Brexit 

France has decided to freeze the assets of Masood Azhar, chief of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed which claimed the responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel on February 14.

A joint release by French Foreign Ministry, Economy Ministry and the Interior Ministry said, "France has decided to sanction Masood Azhar at the national level by freezing his assets in application of the Monetary and Financial Code. A joint decree of the Ministries of the Interior, and Economy and Finance was published today in the Official Gazette."

France also said that it will ask the European Union to include Azhar in the list of people involved in terror attacks.

The release said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree."

France also said that it has "always been and always will be by India’s side" in the fight against terrorism. 
&nbsp; 
The development comes even as China on March 13 blocked the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under the United Nations Security Council's 1267 committee. This is the fourth time China has blocked the listing of Azhar under the UN terror list.

France has come as one of the major supports of India and backed New Delhi's counter-terror operations against JeM camps in Pakistan saying, it "recognises India’s legitimacy to ensure its security against cross-border terrorism" and asked, "Pakistan to put an end to the operations of terrorist groups established on its territory."

France has decided to freeze the assets of Masood Azhar, chief of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed which claimed the responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel on February 14.

France has decided to freeze the assets of Masood Azhar, chief of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed which claimed the responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel on February 14. A joint release by French Foreign Ministry, Economy Ministry and the Interior Ministry said, "France has decided to sanction Masood Azhar at the national level by freezing his assets in application of the Monetary and Financial Code. A joint decree of the Ministries of the Interior, and Economy and Finance was published today in the Official Gazette." France also said that it will ask the European Union to include Azhar in the list of people involved in terror attacks. The release said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree." France also said that it has "always been and always will be by India’s side" in the fight against terrorism. The development comes even as China on March 13 blocked the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under the United Nations Security Council's 1267 committee. This is the fourth time China has blocked the listing of Azhar under the UN terror list. France has come as one of the major supports of India and backed New Delhi's counter-terror operations against JeM camps in Pakistan saying, it "recognises India’s legitimacy to ensure its security against cross-border terrorism" and asked, "Pakistan to put an end to the operations of terrorist groups established on its territory."

France freezes JeM chief Masood Azhar's assets, will also take up his listing with EU

British MPs on Thursday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/third-vote-in-3rd-day-uk-parliament-to-vote-today-on-delaying-brexit-203364">voted massively against delaying leaving the EU</a> in order to hold a second Brexit referendum, dealing a major blow to pro-European campaigners urging a fresh public vote.

Only 85 MPs voted for the amendment and 334 voted against, while even supporters of a second referendum from the main opposition Labour Party abstained because they said the timing of the vote was not right.

The verdict is not binding on the government, which is in any case against holding another referendum.

However, more than half the total number of MPs voted against the motion, making clear the lack of support in the House of Commons for staging a second vote.

Barely two weeks before Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, Britain has yet to agree a plan on how to leave and parliament was voting Thursday on whether to ask Brussels for a delay to the departure date.

The People's Vote campaign, the main movement calling for another referendum, did not want the option brought before parliament, saying it was premature to move now — knowing it would be defeated.

In principle, Labour supports the idea of a second referendum, but asked its MPs to abstain.

However, 24 Labour MPs rebelled to vote for the motion.

The decision sparked some anger among pro-European MPs, who have long feared the Labour leadership's support for a second vote was political posturing.

'Absolutely spineless': SNP 
A letter signed by 32 mostly Labour second referendum-supporting MPs spelled out why they abstained on an amendment they knew was facing defeat.

"We need to bring colleagues who have concerns about a people's vote with us," it said.

"We will have the opportunity to... secure a people's vote within a matter of days.

"We are therefore agreeing to abstain... to give us the highest chance possible of securing a people's vote."

The vote cheered hardcore Brexiteers but left those who backed the amendment dismayed.

The motion was brought forward by MP Sarah Wollaston, who left the Conservative Party in protest over Brexit and now sits with the pro-EU Independent Group, chiefly formed of MPs who left Labour.

The group's Brexit spokeswoman Anna Soubry called the vote result "a betrayal of... the British public.

"The Independent Group will not give up. We will keep up the pressure for a people's vote on the final Brexit deal."

Ian Blackford, who leads the 35 Scottish National Party MPs, said Labour, in abstaining, were the midwives of Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit.

"An opportunity to drive forward the need for such a vote and Labour flunk it," he tweeted.

"Absolutely spineless."

Jacob Rees-Mogg, who leads the hardcore Conservative Brexiteers, said: "The so called 'losers' vote' has now been defeated in the House of Commons so it is off the table."

Remainers are planning a mass "put it to the people" rally on March 23 to demand a second Brexit referendum, with celebrities backing the cause.

British MPs on Thursday voted massively against delaying leaving the EU in order to hold a second Brexit referendum, dealing a major blow to pro-European campaigners urging a fresh public vote.

British MPs on Thursday voted massively against delaying leaving the EU in order to hold a second Brexit referendum, dealing a major blow to pro-European campaigners urging a fresh public vote. Only 85 MPs voted for the amendment and 334 voted against, while even supporters of a second referendum from the main opposition Labour Party abstained because they said the timing of the vote was not right. The verdict is not binding on the government, which is in any case against holding another referendum. However, more than half the total number of MPs voted against the motion, making clear the lack of support in the House of Commons for staging a second vote. Barely two weeks before Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, Britain has yet to agree a plan on how to leave and parliament was voting Thursday on whether to ask Brussels for a delay to the departure date. The People's Vote campaign, the main movement calling for another referendum, did not want the option brought before parliament, saying it was premature to move now — knowing it would be defeated. In principle, Labour supports the idea of a second referendum, but asked its MPs to abstain. However, 24 Labour MPs rebelled to vote for the motion. The decision sparked some anger among pro-European MPs, who have long feared the Labour leadership's support for a second vote was political posturing. 'Absolutely spineless': SNP A letter signed by 32 mostly Labour second referendum-supporting MPs spelled out why they abstained on an amendment they knew was facing defeat. "We need to bring colleagues who have concerns about a people's vote with us," it said. "We will have the opportunity to... secure a people's vote within a matter of days. "We are therefore agreeing to abstain... to give us the highest chance possible of securing a people's vote." The vote cheered hardcore Brexiteers but left those who backed the amendment dismayed. The motion was brought forward by MP Sarah Wollaston, who left the Conservative Party in protest over Brexit and now sits with the pro-EU Independent Group, chiefly formed of MPs who left Labour. The group's Brexit spokeswoman Anna Soubry called the vote result "a betrayal of... the British public. "The Independent Group will not give up. We will keep up the pressure for a people's vote on the final Brexit deal." Ian Blackford, who leads the 35 Scottish National Party MPs, said Labour, in abstaining, were the midwives of Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit. "An opportunity to drive forward the need for such a vote and Labour flunk it," he tweeted. "Absolutely spineless." Jacob Rees-Mogg, who leads the hardcore Conservative Brexiteers, said: "The so called 'losers' vote' has now been defeated in the House of Commons so it is off the table." Remainers are planning a mass "put it to the people" rally on March 23 to demand a second Brexit referendum, with celebrities backing the cause.

British MPs vote overwhelmingly against holding second Brexit referendum

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-second-brexit-referendum-would-be-very-unfair-203380">US President Donald Trump</a> warned the European Union on Thursday of consequences that will be "severe economically" if Brussels fails to enter trade talks.

The comments came after the European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks with Washington, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war.

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports, which would hit German carmakers especially hard.

Pursuing a trade deal was the central part of a truce agreed in July when Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pledged no new tariffs following the US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

"The European Union treats us very, very unfairly," Trump told reporters at the White House.&nbsp;

"They're willing to talk to us. If they don't talk to us we'll do something that will be severe economically. We'll tariff a lot of their products coming in."

But he added, "It will probably work out. They're negotiating."

Juncker is working with the European Council on the parameters for negotiations with the United States.

While the parliament only has an advisory role, the setback underlines deep transatlantic divisions: Washington insists the talks include agriculture, but the EU has steadfastly refused.

Powerful Germany deeply wants the deal in order to placate Trump and avoid the auto tariffs that would punish the country's cherished exports, a prospect Chancellor Angela Merkel has labelled "frightening."

France is dragging its feet, fearing that entering trade negotiations with Trump could fire up domestic opposition just months ahead of European elections, set for May 22 to 26.

US President Donald Trump warned the European Union on Thursday of consequences that will be "severe economically" if Brussels fails to enter trade talks. The comments came after the European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks with Washington, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war.

US President Donald Trump warned the European Union on Thursday of consequences that will be "severe economically" if Brussels fails to enter trade talks. The comments came after the European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks with Washington, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports, which would hit German carmakers especially hard. Pursuing a trade deal was the central part of a truce agreed in July when Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pledged no new tariffs following the US tariffs on steel and aluminium. "The European Union treats us very, very unfairly," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They're willing to talk to us. If they don't talk to us we'll do something that will be severe economically. We'll tariff a lot of their products coming in." But he added, "It will probably work out. They're negotiating." Juncker is working with the European Council on the parameters for negotiations with the United States. While the parliament only has an advisory role, the setback underlines deep transatlantic divisions: Washington insists the talks include agriculture, but the EU has steadfastly refused. Powerful Germany deeply wants the deal in order to placate Trump and avoid the auto tariffs that would punish the country's cherished exports, a prospect Chancellor Angela Merkel has labelled "frightening." France is dragging its feet, fearing that entering trade negotiations with Trump could fire up domestic opposition just months ahead of European elections, set for May 22 to 26.

Trump warns of 'severe' consequences if EU won't hold trade talks

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-rushing-to-have-trade-deal-with-china-trump-203203">US President Donald Trump</a> on Thursday said he anticipated a "large scale" trade agreement with the United Kingdom, as the British government grapples with its Brexit deal with Europe and a possible delay.

Britain's break from the European Union would upend its trade relationships as it exits the bloc and is forced to go to the negotiating table to broker its own trade pacts with other countries, including the United States.

"My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!" Trump tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1106153554518130688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The US Trade Representative's office had said it would launch talks with Britain after its planned exit from the EU on March 29. Last month it laid out its objectives for a deal that included reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers for US industrial and agricultural goods.

Trump has made the US economy and trade a cornerstone of his presidency in line with his "America First" campaign and has sought to renegotiate pacts with China, Canada and Mexico as well as the EU.

With a little more than two weeks before Britain is due to leave the European Union with no firm agreement yet in place, Britain's parliament was due to vote on Thursday on seeking a last-minute Brexit delay after UK lawmakers twice rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he anticipated a "large scale" trade agreement with the United Kingdom, as the British government grapples with its Brexit deal with Europe and a possible delay.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he anticipated a "large scale" trade agreement with the United Kingdom, as the British government grapples with its Brexit deal with Europe and a possible delay. Britain's break from the European Union would upend its trade relationships as it exits the bloc and is forced to go to the negotiating table to broker its own trade pacts with other countries, including the United States. "My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!" Trump tweeted. My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 × The US Trade Representative's office had said it would launch talks with Britain after its planned exit from the EU on March 29. Last month it laid out its objectives for a deal that included reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers for US industrial and agricultural goods. Trump has made the US economy and trade a cornerstone of his presidency in line with his "America First" campaign and has sought to renegotiate pacts with China, Canada and Mexico as well as the EU. With a little more than two weeks before Britain is due to leave the European Union with no firm agreement yet in place, Britain's parliament was due to vote on Thursday on seeking a last-minute Brexit delay after UK lawmakers twice rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal.

As Britain grapples with Brexit, Trump eyes 'large scale' trade deal

EU leader Donald Tusk said Thursday that European capitals could approve a long delay to Brexit, in a last-ditch push to persuade <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-against-no-deal-brexit-next-up-is-vote-to-delay-leaving-203178">Prime Minister Theresa May</a> to change her negotiating red lines. &nbsp;&nbsp;

During consultations ahead of next week's EU summit, Tusk said he "will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it."

As president of the European Council, Tusk will be the host of the March 21 summit in Brussels that may be asked to decide whether to push back Britain's March 29 departure from the Union.

His tweeted intervention came as British MPs prepared the latest in a series of votes on Brexit, this time on whether to ask the EU for such an extension of the "Article 50" process.

May's government has said it plans to ask for a delay until June 30 if its parliament eventually votes to approve a draft withdrawal agreement already agreed with Europe, but twice massively rejected by lawmakers. &nbsp;

Tusk's support for a longer delay may encourage pro-divorce MPs fearful that a Brexit deal would "trap" London in the Union, to look again at May's proposed deal, which she insists is the best form of departure on offer.

But the EU leader's insistence on a "rethink" reflects Brussels' long-standing position that a softer Brexit is possible if May abandons red lines, especially her opposition to joining a customs union with Europe.

EU leader Donald Tusk said Thursday that European capitals could approve a long delay to Brexit, in a last-ditch push to persuade Prime Minister Theresa May to change her negotiating red lines.

EU leader Donald Tusk said Thursday that European capitals could approve a long delay to Brexit, in a last-ditch push to persuade Prime Minister Theresa May to change her negotiating red lines. During consultations ahead of next week's EU summit, Tusk said he "will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it." As president of the European Council, Tusk will be the host of the March 21 summit in Brussels that may be asked to decide whether to push back Britain's March 29 departure from the Union. His tweeted intervention came as British MPs prepared the latest in a series of votes on Brexit, this time on whether to ask the EU for such an extension of the "Article 50" process. May's government has said it plans to ask for a delay until June 30 if its parliament eventually votes to approve a draft withdrawal agreement already agreed with Europe, but twice massively rejected by lawmakers. Tusk's support for a longer delay may encourage pro-divorce MPs fearful that a Brexit deal would "trap" London in the Union, to look again at May's proposed deal, which she insists is the best form of departure on offer. But the EU leader's insistence on a "rethink" reflects Brussels' long-standing position that a softer Brexit is possible if May abandons red lines, especially her opposition to joining a customs union with Europe.

EU's Donald Tusk backs 'long' delay if Britain 'rethinks' Brexit

British lawmakers on Wednesday rejected leaving the European Union without a deal in any scenario, paving the way for a vote to delay Brexit to seek a way out of the country's worst political crisis in generations.

Lawmakers voted by 321 to 278 in favour of a motion that ruled out <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/orderly-brexit-in-everyones-interest-merkel-203142">a potentially disorderly 'no-deal' Brexit</a> under any circumstances.

It went further than the government's own planned motion, which noted that parliament did not want to leave without a deal on March 29, the leaving date set down in law, but stressed that the default legal position was to leave without a deal unless one was ratified by parliament.

While the approved motion has no legal force and ultimately may not prevent a no-deal exit after a possible delay, it carries considerable political force, especially as it demonstrated a substantial rebellion by members of May's own party.

After two-and-a-half years of negotiations and two failed attempts to pass a Brexit deal proposed by May, the vote against a no-deal exit still leaves undecided how, when and on what terms Britain will leave the club it joined in 1973.

After lawmakers crushed her deal for a second time on Tuesday, May said it was still the best option for leaving in an orderly fashion.

The pound spiked to the day's high and was headed for its biggest daily gain in 2019. [GBP/]

As the United Kingdom's three-year Brexit crisis spins towards its finale, diplomats and investors see four main options: a delay, May's deal passing at the last minute, an accidental no-deal exit or another referendum.

DELAY UNTIL WHEN?

If Britain does seek a delay, it will require the agreement of all the bloc's other 27 members.

The EU would prefer only a short extension, with the deadline of EU-wide parliamentary elections due May 24-26, although it is unclear that this would be long enough to solve the impasse in London.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc would need to know why Britain wanted to extend talks and that it was up to London to find a way out of the deadlock. The EU said there could be no more negotiations on the divorce terms.

As Brexit uncertainty spills into financial markets across the world, investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are offering different probabilities on the outcomes.

"We continue to see a 55 percent chance that a close variant of the prime minister’s Brexit deal is eventually ratified, after a three-month extension of Article 50," Goldman said. It gave a reversal of Brexit a 35 percent probability and a no-deal Brexit 10 percent.

Britons voted by 52-48 percent in 2016 to leave the bloc, a decision that has split the main political parties and exposed deep rifts in British society.

May's deal covers such things as citizens' rights, the status of the Irish border and Britain's divorce bill from the EU. It takes Britain out of the EU single market and customs union, common fisheries and farm policies and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. It also offers a status-quo transition period in which to negotiate trade arrangements.

Under a no-deal exit, there would be no transition period to soften the disruption to trade and regulations. Britain would quit the EU's 500 million-strong single market and customs union and fall back on World Trade Organisation rules, which could mean tariffs on many imports and exports.

British lawmakers on Wednesday rejected leaving the European Union without a deal in any scenario, paving the way for a vote to delay Brexit to seek a way out of the country's worst political crisis in generations.

British lawmakers on Wednesday rejected leaving the European Union without a deal in any scenario, paving the way for a vote to delay Brexit to seek a way out of the country's worst political crisis in generations. Lawmakers voted by 321 to 278 in favour of a motion that ruled out a potentially disorderly 'no-deal' Brexit under any circumstances. It went further than the government's own planned motion, which noted that parliament did not want to leave without a deal on March 29, the leaving date set down in law, but stressed that the default legal position was to leave without a deal unless one was ratified by parliament. While the approved motion has no legal force and ultimately may not prevent a no-deal exit after a possible delay, it carries considerable political force, especially as it demonstrated a substantial rebellion by members of May's own party. After two-and-a-half years of negotiations and two failed attempts to pass a Brexit deal proposed by May, the vote against a no-deal exit still leaves undecided how, when and on what terms Britain will leave the club it joined in 1973. After lawmakers crushed her deal for a second time on Tuesday, May said it was still the best option for leaving in an orderly fashion. The pound spiked to the day's high and was headed for its biggest daily gain in 2019. [GBP/] As the United Kingdom's three-year Brexit crisis spins towards its finale, diplomats and investors see four main options: a delay, May's deal passing at the last minute, an accidental no-deal exit or another referendum. DELAY UNTIL WHEN? If Britain does seek a delay, it will require the agreement of all the bloc's other 27 members. The EU would prefer only a short extension, with the deadline of EU-wide parliamentary elections due May 24-26, although it is unclear that this would be long enough to solve the impasse in London. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc would need to know why Britain wanted to extend talks and that it was up to London to find a way out of the deadlock. The EU said there could be no more negotiations on the divorce terms. As Brexit uncertainty spills into financial markets across the world, investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are offering different probabilities on the outcomes. "We continue to see a 55 percent chance that a close variant of the prime minister’s Brexit deal is eventually ratified, after a three-month extension of Article 50," Goldman said. It gave a reversal of Brexit a 35 percent probability and a no-deal Brexit 10 percent. Britons voted by 52-48 percent in 2016 to leave the bloc, a decision that has split the main political parties and exposed deep rifts in British society. May's deal covers such things as citizens' rights, the status of the Irish border and Britain's divorce bill from the EU. It takes Britain out of the EU single market and customs union, common fisheries and farm policies and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. It also offers a status-quo transition period in which to negotiate trade arrangements. Under a no-deal exit, there would be no transition period to soften the disruption to trade and regulations. Britain would quit the EU's 500 million-strong single market and customs union and fall back on World Trade Organisation rules, which could mean tariffs on many imports and exports.

British MPs vote against no-deal Brexit, next up is vote to delay leaving

How London reacted to defeat for Theresa May's Brexit deal

Theresa May's Brexit Deal rejected

By Chris Stafford

With just over two weeks to go until Brexit, Theresa May has once again failed to get her Brexit deal through parliament, leaving complete uncertainty about where the nation goes next. May lost the vote on her deal 391 to 242, a slightly higher level of support than in January but still a resounding defeat for a prime minister who increasingly appears to have lost control.

Following the defeat, the Prime Minister confirmed that MPs will now be able to vote on whether to oppose a no-deal Brexit. But she warned that the government would press ahead with planning for a no deal and that MPs would have to acknowledge that their vote does not change EU or UK law. If they fail to make a decision on what to do, no deal remains the default on March 29.

May said this will be a free vote, meaning she will not whip her party into voting to support her. In announcing this, she noted that “just like the referendum there are strongly held and equally legitimate views on both sides”, suggesting that this is another attempt to keep her fragile party together and prevent any more resignations, at least in the short term.

There will then be a vote on March 14 on whether to extend the Brexit process beyond March 29. But in another warning, May said “this does not solve the problems we face”. If MPs vote to extend, she said, the EU will want to know what they intend to do with that time. Do they want to revoke Article 50 entirely? Do they want to hold a second referendum? At the latter question, a large number of MPs cheered – while others shouted “no!”.

May added that she also believes there is still a majority for a deal. No one can doubt her tenacity and staying power. While other ministers have been scrambling to save their own careers and distance themselves from the ongoing mess, the prime minister has been nothing but persistent. Once again, pressure has been mounting on her to resign and although it is doubtful that such an action would really solve anything after her Brexit deal was once again rejected by parliament, even May must be asking herself whether it is worth staying on.

Time to go? 
 
May’s run as prime minister cannot go into the history books as anything other than a failure. To be fair, her inheritance from David Cameron was pretty lousy – a divided party tasked with delivering a major political action that had barely been planned for at all. But the difficulty of this task was compounded by weak leadership, a lack of party discipline and numerous bad decisions. Her latest was to try to sell a minor concession from the EU as a last-minute victory to try and convince MPs to support her deal. Once again, they weren’t buying what she was selling.

Backbench MPs continue to stir up trouble from the sidelines, refusing to follow the party line and facing minimal repercussions for their disloyalty. May’s loss on this latest vote came after the European Research Group of backbenchers held a meeting in their so-called “star chamber”, agreeing to rebel en masse and further suggesting that May has lost control of her party.

The fact that May has managed to make her time as PM last nearly three years with all of this going on is pretty impressive. And there are no clear mechanisms to force her to step down if she decides not to. She has shown she can weather votes of no confidence and she is safe from another party leadership challenge until the end of the year. But following this latest rejection of her Brexit deal, it is hard to see what she can do next or why she would even want to go to all the effort.

Many suspect that May will simply get parliament to vote again, hoping that enough MPs will flinch at the last minute and vote for it to avoid a no deal Brexit. But while not as large as her first defeat, this loss was significant. And with her rivals once again sensing blood in the water, many people probably wouldn’t hold it against her if she just decided to abandon ship like so many before her and get a head start on the lucrative lecturing circuit that has served some of her predecessors so well.

Now what? 
 
We know that the majority of MPs don’t want a no deal, but in voting against May’s deal they have made that much more likely. A vote in parliament against a no deal Brexit has no direct effect on the EU and Jean-Claude Juncker has already warned that there will be no third negotiation. It would be foolish to assume that this is not sincere. That all just makes a no deal more, not less, likely.

Taking this into account, it, therefore, isn’t clear if extending Article 50 will achieve much more than delaying the inevitable. Despite constant assurances from prominent Leavers that the EU will see sense at the last minute and give Britain what it wants, the remarkable outward unity of the EU has not wavered in the nearly three years since the referendum.

The fact is that the EU isn’t prepared to give into unrealistic demands from the UK to the detriment of itself. Given that the EU hasn’t seen fit to amend the terms of the deal by now, it is hard to see that this will change. The EU will likely grant an extension because it won’t want to be seen as forcing a no deal situation, but the fact that an extension into May would likely see Britain having to participate in the next European Parliament elections raises issues for both sides.

Regardless of how well you think she has done in the job, there is little doubting that May has done more or less all she can as prime minister. Delivering Brexit was never going to be an easy task and it has proved all consuming. With other policies failing as a result and her party even more divided, it may now be time for her to her to retire from Number 10 and let her critics in the party make good on their claims that they could do it better.

 
&nbsp;(Chris Stafford is Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/theresa-may-loses-another-brexit-vote-is-it-time-she-just-gave-up-113294">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

 
&nbsp;

By Chris Stafford With just over two weeks to go until Brexit, Theresa May has once again failed to get her Brexit deal through parliament, leaving complete uncertainty about where the nation goes next.

By Chris Stafford With just over two weeks to go until Brexit, Theresa May has once again failed to get her Brexit deal through parliament, leaving complete uncertainty about where the nation goes next. May lost the vote on her deal 391 to 242, a slightly higher level of support than in January but still a resounding defeat for a prime minister who increasingly appears to have lost control. Following the defeat, the Prime Minister confirmed that MPs will now be able to vote on whether to oppose a no-deal Brexit. But she warned that the government would press ahead with planning for a no deal and that MPs would have to acknowledge that their vote does not change EU or UK law. If they fail to make a decision on what to do, no deal remains the default on March 29. May said this will be a free vote, meaning she will not whip her party into voting to support her. In announcing this, she noted that “just like the referendum there are strongly held and equally legitimate views on both sides”, suggesting that this is another attempt to keep her fragile party together and prevent any more resignations, at least in the short term. There will then be a vote on March 14 on whether to extend the Brexit process beyond March 29. But in another warning, May said “this does not solve the problems we face”. If MPs vote to extend, she said, the EU will want to know what they intend to do with that time. Do they want to revoke Article 50 entirely? Do they want to hold a second referendum? At the latter question, a large number of MPs cheered – while others shouted “no!”. May added that she also believes there is still a majority for a deal. No one can doubt her tenacity and staying power. While other ministers have been scrambling to save their own careers and distance themselves from the ongoing mess, the prime minister has been nothing but persistent. Once again, pressure has been mounting on her to resign and although it is doubtful that such an action would really solve anything after her Brexit deal was once again rejected by parliament, even May must be asking herself whether it is worth staying on. Time to go? May’s run as prime minister cannot go into the history books as anything other than a failure. To be fair, her inheritance from David Cameron was pretty lousy – a divided party tasked with delivering a major political action that had barely been planned for at all. But the difficulty of this task was compounded by weak leadership, a lack of party discipline and numerous bad decisions. Her latest was to try to sell a minor concession from the EU as a last-minute victory to try and convince MPs to support her deal. Once again, they weren’t buying what she was selling. Backbench MPs continue to stir up trouble from the sidelines, refusing to follow the party line and facing minimal repercussions for their disloyalty. May’s loss on this latest vote came after the European Research Group of backbenchers held a meeting in their so-called “star chamber”, agreeing to rebel en masse and further suggesting that May has lost control of her party. The fact that May has managed to make her time as PM last nearly three years with all of this going on is pretty impressive. And there are no clear mechanisms to force her to step down if she decides not to. She has shown she can weather votes of no confidence and she is safe from another party leadership challenge until the end of the year. But following this latest rejection of her Brexit deal, it is hard to see what she can do next or why she would even want to go to all the effort. Many suspect that May will simply get parliament to vote again, hoping that enough MPs will flinch at the last minute and vote for it to avoid a no deal Brexit. But while not as large as her first defeat, this loss was significant. And with her rivals once again sensing blood in the water, many people probably wouldn’t hold it against her if she just decided to abandon ship like so many before her and get a head start on the lucrative lecturing circuit that has served some of her predecessors so well. Now what? We know that the majority of MPs don’t want a no deal, but in voting against May’s deal they have made that much more likely. A vote in parliament against a no deal Brexit has no direct effect on the EU and Jean-Claude Juncker has already warned that there will be no third negotiation. It would be foolish to assume that this is not sincere. That all just makes a no deal more, not less, likely. Taking this into account, it, therefore, isn’t clear if extending Article 50 will achieve much more than delaying the inevitable. Despite constant assurances from prominent Leavers that the EU will see sense at the last minute and give Britain what it wants, the remarkable outward unity of the EU has not wavered in the nearly three years since the referendum. The fact is that the EU isn’t prepared to give into unrealistic demands from the UK to the detriment of itself. Given that the EU hasn’t seen fit to amend the terms of the deal by now, it is hard to see that this will change. The EU will likely grant an extension because it won’t want to be seen as forcing a no deal situation, but the fact that an extension into May would likely see Britain having to participate in the next European Parliament elections raises issues for both sides. Regardless of how well you think she has done in the job, there is little doubting that May has done more or less all she can as prime minister. Delivering Brexit was never going to be an easy task and it has proved all consuming. With other policies failing as a result and her party even more divided, it may now be time for her to her to retire from Number 10 and let her critics in the party make good on their claims that they could do it better. (Chris Stafford is Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham) (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.)

Theresa May's Brexit deal defeat plunges UK into complete uncertainty

British MPs will vote Wednesday on whether they want to avert a potentially chaotic "no-deal" exit from the EU, as business leaders warned the country was "staring down the precipice" after parliament rejected a divorce agreement.

Parliament is expected to vote against leaving the bloc without a deal -- although it remains the default option unless an alternative can be secured by the fast-approaching March 29 Brexit date.

MPs on Tuesday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-rejects-prime-minister-theresa-mays-brexit-deal-by-149-votes-202966">once again resoundingly rejected the withdrawal deal</a> agreed between Brussels and Prime Minister Theresa May, despite the embattled leader obtaining last-minute assurances from EU chiefs on key sticking points.

If a no-deal Brexit is rejected, MPs will vote on Thursday on whether to seek an extension to the departure process that would conclude its 46-year EU membership.

But European Union said it had done all it could and it was now up to Britain to decide what it wanted to do next.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Brussels will not rework the painstakingly-negotiated withdrawal agreement.

"It is the responsibility of the United Kingdom to tell us what it wants in a future relationship, what is its choice," Barnier told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"It's the question that must be answered even before any decision on an extension.

"Why would we prolong the negotiation? To do what? Because the... negotiation is finished, we have a treaty, it's there," he said, holding up the 585-page document.

This week's votes come two years after Britain set the clock ticking on its departure from the EU following a referendum in 2016 that has deeply divided both parliament and the entire country.

'Unenviable choices' 
The government, which is due to give an update on its budget on Wednesday, also announced a series of measures in case Britain crashes out without an agreement.

It said it would scrap tariffs on 87 percent of imports and would not apply customs checks on the border with Ireland.

The temporary plan is aimed at avoiding a jump in prices of EU imports and a disruption of supply chains immediately after Britain's departure.

Tariffs would be retained but reduced for some agricultural products such as beef, pork and dairy imports to protect British producers.

After Tuesday's defeat, May warned MPs: "Voting against leaving without a deal and for an extension does not solve the problems we face.

"Does it (parliament) wish to revoke Article 50?" she said, referring to the Brexit process. "Does it want to hold a second referendum? Or does it want to leave with a deal but not this deal?"

"These are unenviable choices but... they must now be faced."

Business facing 'precipice' 
Specifically, the House of Commons will vote Wednesday on whether it "declines to approve leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement", noting that no-deal "remains the default" unless the house and the EU ratify an agreement.

A group of lawmakers will put forward an alternative proposal to delay Brexit until May 22 and strike a series of interim agreements with the EU lasting until 2021.

Having briefed her cabinet on the next steps, May is due to face questions in parliament from 12 pm (1200 GMT).

She is later due to open debates on the major votes, which are expected from 7 pm (1900 GMT).

The pound enjoyed a slight uptick after Tuesday's sharp losses while London's stock market was steady Wednesday.

Catherine McGuinness, the City of London financial district's policy chief, said British business was now "staring down the precipice".

"Politicians of every hue must overcome their differences and make avoiding a no-deal Brexit the absolute priority," she said.

MPs first rejected the Brexit deal in January by a historic margin of 230 votes. Though some eurosceptics changed their minds, Tuesday's defeat was still by a hefty 149.

If MPs vote against a no-deal exit on Wednesday, and want to postpone Brexit, the other 27 EU nations would have to agree unanimously. Their next summit is on March 21-22.

British MPs will vote Wednesday on whether they want to avert a potentially chaotic "no-deal" exit from the EU, as business leaders warned the country was "staring down the precipice" after parliament rejected a divorce agreement.

British MPs will vote Wednesday on whether they want to avert a potentially chaotic "no-deal" exit from the EU, as business leaders warned the country was "staring down the precipice" after parliament rejected a divorce agreement. Parliament is expected to vote against leaving the bloc without a deal -- although it remains the default option unless an alternative can be secured by the fast-approaching March 29 Brexit date. MPs on Tuesday once again resoundingly rejected the withdrawal deal agreed between Brussels and Prime Minister Theresa May, despite the embattled leader obtaining last-minute assurances from EU chiefs on key sticking points. If a no-deal Brexit is rejected, MPs will vote on Thursday on whether to seek an extension to the departure process that would conclude its 46-year EU membership. But European Union said it had done all it could and it was now up to Britain to decide what it wanted to do next. The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Brussels will not rework the painstakingly-negotiated withdrawal agreement. "It is the responsibility of the United Kingdom to tell us what it wants in a future relationship, what is its choice," Barnier told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. "It's the question that must be answered even before any decision on an extension. "Why would we prolong the negotiation? To do what? Because the... negotiation is finished, we have a treaty, it's there," he said, holding up the 585-page document. This week's votes come two years after Britain set the clock ticking on its departure from the EU following a referendum in 2016 that has deeply divided both parliament and the entire country. 'Unenviable choices' The government, which is due to give an update on its budget on Wednesday, also announced a series of measures in case Britain crashes out without an agreement. It said it would scrap tariffs on 87 percent of imports and would not apply customs checks on the border with Ireland. The temporary plan is aimed at avoiding a jump in prices of EU imports and a disruption of supply chains immediately after Britain's departure. Tariffs would be retained but reduced for some agricultural products such as beef, pork and dairy imports to protect British producers. After Tuesday's defeat, May warned MPs: "Voting against leaving without a deal and for an extension does not solve the problems we face. "Does it (parliament) wish to revoke Article 50?" she said, referring to the Brexit process. "Does it want to hold a second referendum? Or does it want to leave with a deal but not this deal?" "These are unenviable choices but... they must now be faced." Business facing 'precipice' Specifically, the House of Commons will vote Wednesday on whether it "declines to approve leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement", noting that no-deal "remains the default" unless the house and the EU ratify an agreement. A group of lawmakers will put forward an alternative proposal to delay Brexit until May 22 and strike a series of interim agreements with the EU lasting until 2021. Having briefed her cabinet on the next steps, May is due to face questions in parliament from 12 pm (1200 GMT). She is later due to open debates on the major votes, which are expected from 7 pm (1900 GMT). The pound enjoyed a slight uptick after Tuesday's sharp losses while London's stock market was steady Wednesday. Catherine McGuinness, the City of London financial district's policy chief, said British business was now "staring down the precipice". "Politicians of every hue must overcome their differences and make avoiding a no-deal Brexit the absolute priority," she said. MPs first rejected the Brexit deal in January by a historic margin of 230 votes. Though some eurosceptics changed their minds, Tuesday's defeat was still by a hefty 149. If MPs vote against a no-deal exit on Wednesday, and want to postpone Brexit, the other 27 EU nations would have to agree unanimously. Their next summit is on March 21-22.

British MPs to vote today on whether they want no-deal Brexit

How will a no-deal Brexit impact the UK

British lawmakers crushingly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's deal to quit the European Union on Tuesday, thrusting Brexit into turmoil just 17 days before the planned departure date.

Lawmakers voted against May's amended Brexit deal by 391 to 242 as her last-minute talks with EU chiefs on Monday to assuage her critics' concerns ultimately proved fruitless.

The vote puts the world's fifth largest economy in uncharted territory with no obvious way forward; exiting the EU without a deal, delaying the March 29 divorce date, a snap election or even another referendum are all now possible.

May might even try a third time to get parliamentary support in the hope that hardline eurosceptic lawmakers in her Conservative Party, the most vocal critics of her withdrawal treaty, might change their minds if it becomes more likely that Britain might stay in the EU after all.

While she lost, the margin of defeat was smaller than the record 230-vote loss her deal suffered in January.

Lawmakers will now vote on Wednesday on whether Britain should quit the world's biggest trading bloc without a deal, a scenario that business leaders warn would bring chaos to markets and supply chains, and other critics say could cause shortages of food and medicines.

May said the government would not instruct her own party's lawmakers how to vote. An opposition Labour Party spokesman said this meant she had "given up any pretence of leading the country".

Impasse

The prime minister, hoarse after Monday's late-night talks, told lawmakers: "Let me be clear. Voting against leaving without a deal and for an extension does not solve the problems we face."

She said parliament was now at an impasse: "Does it wish to revoke Article 50 (announcing an intention to leave the EU)? Does it want to hold a second referendum? Or does it want to leave with a deal, but not this deal?"

Sterling, which had earlier in the day fallen by 2 per cent to $1.3005, was trading at around $1.3086 shortly after the vote. [GBP/]

Supporters of Brexit argue that, while a "no-deal" divorce might bring some short-term instability, in the longer term it would allow the United Kingdom to thrive and forge beneficial trade deals across the world.

However, parliament is expected firmly to reject a "no-deal" Brexit as well, so lawmakers would then vote again on Thursday - on whether the government should request a delay to the leaving date to allow further talks.

Both May and the EU have already ruled out any other changes to the deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of tortuous negotiations.

'No third chance'

"There will be no third chance," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Monday. "There will be no further interpretations of the interpretations, no further assurances of the reassurances if the 'meaningful vote' tomorrow fails."

A spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk said he regretted the outcome of the vote, which had "significantly increased the likelihood of a 'no-deal' Brexit".

He said the EU would expect a credible justification for any request to delay Brexit.

Britons voted by 52-48 per cent in 2016 to leave the EU but the decision has not only divided the main parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society, bringing concerns about immigration and globalisation to the fore.

Many fear that Brexit will divide the West as it grapples with both the unconventional U.S. presidency of Donald Trump and growing assertiveness from Russia and China, leaving Britain economically weaker and with its security capabilities depleted.

Supporters say it allows Britain to control immigration and take advantage of global opportunities, striking new trade deals with the United States and others while still keeping close links to the EU, which, even without Britain, would be a single market of 440 million people.

British lawmakers crushingly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's deal to quit the European Union on Tuesday, thrusting Brexit into turmoil just 17 days before the planned departure date.

British lawmakers crushingly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's deal to quit the European Union on Tuesday, thrusting Brexit into turmoil just 17 days before the planned departure date. Lawmakers voted against May's amended Brexit deal by 391 to 242 as her last-minute talks with EU chiefs on Monday to assuage her critics' concerns ultimately proved fruitless. The vote puts the world's fifth largest economy in uncharted territory with no obvious way forward; exiting the EU without a deal, delaying the March 29 divorce date, a snap election or even another referendum are all now possible. May might even try a third time to get parliamentary support in the hope that hardline eurosceptic lawmakers in her Conservative Party, the most vocal critics of her withdrawal treaty, might change their minds if it becomes more likely that Britain might stay in the EU after all. While she lost, the margin of defeat was smaller than the record 230-vote loss her deal suffered in January. Lawmakers will now vote on Wednesday on whether Britain should quit the world's biggest trading bloc without a deal, a scenario that business leaders warn would bring chaos to markets and supply chains, and other critics say could cause shortages of food and medicines. May said the government would not instruct her own party's lawmakers how to vote. An opposition Labour Party spokesman said this meant she had "given up any pretence of leading the country". Impasse The prime minister, hoarse after Monday's late-night talks, told lawmakers: "Let me be clear. Voting against leaving without a deal and for an extension does not solve the problems we face." She said parliament was now at an impasse: "Does it wish to revoke Article 50 (announcing an intention to leave the EU)? Does it want to hold a second referendum? Or does it want to leave with a deal, but not this deal?" Sterling, which had earlier in the day fallen by 2 per cent to $1.3005, was trading at around $1.3086 shortly after the vote. [GBP/] Supporters of Brexit argue that, while a "no-deal" divorce might bring some short-term instability, in the longer term it would allow the United Kingdom to thrive and forge beneficial trade deals across the world. However, parliament is expected firmly to reject a "no-deal" Brexit as well, so lawmakers would then vote again on Thursday - on whether the government should request a delay to the leaving date to allow further talks. Both May and the EU have already ruled out any other changes to the deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of tortuous negotiations. 'No third chance' "There will be no third chance," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Monday. "There will be no further interpretations of the interpretations, no further assurances of the reassurances if the 'meaningful vote' tomorrow fails." A spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk said he regretted the outcome of the vote, which had "significantly increased the likelihood of a 'no-deal' Brexit". He said the EU would expect a credible justification for any request to delay Brexit. Britons voted by 52-48 per cent in 2016 to leave the EU but the decision has not only divided the main parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society, bringing concerns about immigration and globalisation to the fore. Many fear that Brexit will divide the West as it grapples with both the unconventional U.S. presidency of Donald Trump and growing assertiveness from Russia and China, leaving Britain economically weaker and with its security capabilities depleted. Supporters say it allows Britain to control immigration and take advantage of global opportunities, striking new trade deals with the United States and others while still keeping close links to the EU, which, even without Britain, would be a single market of 440 million people.

Britain in Brexit chaos: Parliament rejects Theresa May's European Union deal again

Air pollution causes 790,000 premature deaths every year in Europe and 8.8 million worldwide, doubling recent assessments, according to a study released on Monday.

Between 40 and 80 per cent of those excess deaths are caused by heart attacks, strokes and other types of cardiovascular disease underestimated up to now as a driver of smog-related mortality, researchers reported.

On average, a toxic cocktail of pollutants from vehicles, industry and agriculture shortens the lives of those who die prematurely by 2.2 years, they calculated.

"This means that air pollution causes more extra deaths a year than tobacco smoking, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates were responsible for an extra 7.2 million deaths in 2015," said senior author Thomas Munzel, a professor at the University Medical Centre Mainz in Germany.

"Smoking is avoidable, but air pollution is not."

Small and larger particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) have likewise been linked to drops in cognitive performance, labour productivity and educational outcomes.

The new study, published in the European Heart Journal, focused on Europe, but the updated statistical methods were also applied to the rest of the world.

"The revised number for China is 2.8 million deaths per year," more than two-and-a-half times current estimates, lead author Jos Lelieveld, a researcher at the Max-Plank Institute for Chemistry in Germany, told AFP by email.

Findings for non-European countries will be published separately, he said.&nbsp;

The scientists applied the new Global Exposure Mortality Model to a much-expanded epidemiological database -- with updated figures for population density, age, disease risk factors, causes of death -- to simulate the way in which natural and man-made chemicals interacts with the atmosphere, itself composed of gases.

By far, most deaths were attributed to microscopic particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter, known as PM2.5.&nbsp;

By comparison, the average human hair is 60-to-90 microns thick.

"New data has become available for fine particulate matter indicating that the hazardous health impact of PM2.5 are much larger than assumed previously," said Lelieveld.

Burning fossil fuels

The WHO has recommended that the density in the air of these dangerous microscopic particles should not exceed, on average, 10 microgrammes per cubic metre (35 mcg/m3) per year.

European Union standards are far more lax: 25 mcg/m3. But even at this level, several European countries regularly exceed this limit.

"The WHO standards over the last decades have become stricter," said European Environment Agency executive director Hans Bruyninckx, who was not involved in the study.

"We used to speak primarily about carcinogenic effects, or immediate impacts on the respiratory system," he told AFP. "But now we understand the link with cardio issues, brain related issues, and some reproductive issues."

Worldwide, the study found that air pollution causes an extra 120 deaths per year per 100,000 people.&nbsp;

In Europe, despite more stringent pollution controls than in most other regions, the figure is higher -- 133 deaths per 100,000 people.

"This is explained by the combination of poor air quality and dense population, which leads to exposure that is among the highest in the world," said lead author Jos Lelieveld, a researcher at the Max-Plank Institute for Chemistry, also in Mainz.

Even steeper rates of excess death in eastern Europe -- over 200 per year per 100,000 people, for example, in Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania -- were attributed to less advanced health care.

"Since most particulate matter and other air pollutants in Europe come from the burning of fossil fuels, we need to urgently switch to other sources for generating energy," said Lelieveld.&nbsp;

The 2017 Global Burden of Diseases study found that PM2.2.5 and ozone pollution caused some 4.5 million deaths in 2015, while European Environment Agency estimates, also based on 2015 data, calculated 480,000 premature deaths -- due to the three most toxic forms of air pollution -- in the European Union.

The new study "suggests earlier models underestimated the cardiovascular risk associated with air pollution, and we tend to agree," said Holly Shiels, a researcher in the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Manchester.

"The call for a reassessment of current UK and EU air quality regulations seem highly warranted."

Air pollution causes 790,000 premature deaths every year in Europe and 8.8 million worldwide, doubling recent assessments, according to a study released on Monday.

Air pollution causes 790,000 premature deaths every year in Europe and 8.8 million worldwide, doubling recent assessments, according to a study released on Monday. Between 40 and 80 per cent of those excess deaths are caused by heart attacks, strokes and other types of cardiovascular disease underestimated up to now as a driver of smog-related mortality, researchers reported. On average, a toxic cocktail of pollutants from vehicles, industry and agriculture shortens the lives of those who die prematurely by 2.2 years, they calculated. "This means that air pollution causes more extra deaths a year than tobacco smoking, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates were responsible for an extra 7.2 million deaths in 2015," said senior author Thomas Munzel, a professor at the University Medical Centre Mainz in Germany. "Smoking is avoidable, but air pollution is not." Small and larger particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) have likewise been linked to drops in cognitive performance, labour productivity and educational outcomes. The new study, published in the European Heart Journal, focused on Europe, but the updated statistical methods were also applied to the rest of the world. "The revised number for China is 2.8 million deaths per year," more than two-and-a-half times current estimates, lead author Jos Lelieveld, a researcher at the Max-Plank Institute for Chemistry in Germany, told AFP by email. Findings for non-European countries will be published separately, he said. The scientists applied the new Global Exposure Mortality Model to a much-expanded epidemiological database -- with updated figures for population density, age, disease risk factors, causes of death -- to simulate the way in which natural and man-made chemicals interacts with the atmosphere, itself composed of gases. By far, most deaths were attributed to microscopic particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter, known as PM2.5. By comparison, the average human hair is 60-to-90 microns thick. "New data has become available for fine particulate matter indicating that the hazardous health impact of PM2.5 are much larger than assumed previously," said Lelieveld. Burning fossil fuels The WHO has recommended that the density in the air of these dangerous microscopic particles should not exceed, on average, 10 microgrammes per cubic metre (35 mcg/m3) per year. European Union standards are far more lax: 25 mcg/m3. But even at this level, several European countries regularly exceed this limit. "The WHO standards over the last decades have become stricter," said European Environment Agency executive director Hans Bruyninckx, who was not involved in the study. "We used to speak primarily about carcinogenic effects, or immediate impacts on the respiratory system," he told AFP. "But now we understand the link with cardio issues, brain related issues, and some reproductive issues." Worldwide, the study found that air pollution causes an extra 120 deaths per year per 100,000 people. In Europe, despite more stringent pollution controls than in most other regions, the figure is higher -- 133 deaths per 100,000 people. "This is explained by the combination of poor air quality and dense population, which leads to exposure that is among the highest in the world," said lead author Jos Lelieveld, a researcher at the Max-Plank Institute for Chemistry, also in Mainz. Even steeper rates of excess death in eastern Europe -- over 200 per year per 100,000 people, for example, in Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania -- were attributed to less advanced health care. "Since most particulate matter and other air pollutants in Europe come from the burning of fossil fuels, we need to urgently switch to other sources for generating energy," said Lelieveld. The 2017 Global Burden of Diseases study found that PM2.2.5 and ozone pollution caused some 4.5 million deaths in 2015, while European Environment Agency estimates, also based on 2015 data, calculated 480,000 premature deaths -- due to the three most toxic forms of air pollution -- in the European Union. The new study "suggests earlier models underestimated the cardiovascular risk associated with air pollution, and we tend to agree," said Holly Shiels, a researcher in the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Manchester. "The call for a reassessment of current UK and EU air quality regulations seem highly warranted."

Air pollution causes 790,000 premature deaths every year in Europe, 8.8 million worldwide: Study

British Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-may-warns-mps-brexit-could-be-lost-if-they-vote-down-deal-202926">Theresa May's Brexit deal</a> was headed for defeat in a historic vote in parliament Tuesday, pitching Britain into the unknown just 17 days before it is scheduled to leave the European Union.

Parliament's failure to back the divorce terms could unleash economic chaos — it raises the risk of Britain severing ties with its biggest trade partner on March 29 without a deal after 46 years of EU membership.

May had dashed off to Strasbourg on Monday to wrest concessions from EU leaders in a last-gasp bid to win parliament's blessing in one of its most consequential votes in generations.

The British leader announced that she had secured the "legally binding changes" to the vexing issue of the Irish border that lawmakers had long sought.

But Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, who provides the government with independent legal advice, said the risk in the most contentious points of the 585-page withdrawal deal agreed with the EU "remains unchanged".

May's initial deal with Brussels on unwinding Britain's EU membership suffered an overwhelming defeat at the hands of MPs in January, with anti-Brexit MPs and hardliners forming an unlikely alliance.

The European Research Group of Brexit hardliners in May's Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which gives May her working majority in parliament, both came out against the deal on Tuesday.

The main opposition Labour Party also opposes it.

The pound reversed the gains it had made after May's announcement on Monday and tumbled after Cox's advice was released.

'Nothing has really changed' 
The so-called "backstop" solution for the Irish border — designed to avert sectarian violence from returning to Britain's Northern Ireland — is opposed by more ardent Brexit supporters.

They pressed May to secure the right for Britain to pull out of the arrangement or to make it time limited.&nbsp;

But Brussels has called it essential for preserving the bloc's external border after Brexit.

The DUP said in a statement that "sufficient progress has not been achieved at this time" and called for a "sensible deal".

The DUP's consent was seen as vital for swaying members of May's own party to soften their opposition and either back the deal or abstain in the vote.

But there was scant evidence of support for May's compromise in Conservative ranks.

"Nothing has really changed, and it is still a bad deal so unable to vote for this," Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns tweeted.

'Brexit could be lost' 
May warned lawmakers in a desperate last attempt to sway them that "Brexit could be lost" if they voted against her Tuesday.

"I think everybody needs to recognise, for those who genuinely want to deliver Brexit, that actually if this deal does not go through tonight, then this house risks no Brexit at all," May said.

Leaders across Europe also united behind a message that this was the best and final offer Britain could expect.

"There will be no third chance," European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said after his talks on Monday with May.

And German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that the EU was making "far-reaching proposals that take into account the concerns of Great Britain and to find answers for them".

No-deal and delay 
Another defeat would tee up additional votes on the way ahead that May has promised in a bid to preserve unity inside her fractured government.

One on Wednesday would decide whether Britain should simply leave on March 29 without any deal at all.

That option is fraught with economic dangers and is backed only by hardcore proponents of the divorce.

The "no-deal" scenario's likely defeat would lead to a vote on Thursday on requesting a delay to Brexit from the EU.

The other 27 nations would need to back the extension unanimously and decide how long it should be. Their leaders will meet in Brussels for a summit on March 21-22.

But any postponement may have to be short-lived.

Juncker on Monday said a delay beyond European Parliament elections at the end of May would mean Britain would have to take part in the polls.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal was headed for defeat in a historic vote in parliament Tuesday, pitching Britain into the unknown just 17 days before it is scheduled to leave the European Union.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal was headed for defeat in a historic vote in parliament Tuesday, pitching Britain into the unknown just 17 days before it is scheduled to leave the European Union. Parliament's failure to back the divorce terms could unleash economic chaos — it raises the risk of Britain severing ties with its biggest trade partner on March 29 without a deal after 46 years of EU membership. May had dashed off to Strasbourg on Monday to wrest concessions from EU leaders in a last-gasp bid to win parliament's blessing in one of its most consequential votes in generations. The British leader announced that she had secured the "legally binding changes" to the vexing issue of the Irish border that lawmakers had long sought. But Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, who provides the government with independent legal advice, said the risk in the most contentious points of the 585-page withdrawal deal agreed with the EU "remains unchanged". May's initial deal with Brussels on unwinding Britain's EU membership suffered an overwhelming defeat at the hands of MPs in January, with anti-Brexit MPs and hardliners forming an unlikely alliance. The European Research Group of Brexit hardliners in May's Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which gives May her working majority in parliament, both came out against the deal on Tuesday. The main opposition Labour Party also opposes it. The pound reversed the gains it had made after May's announcement on Monday and tumbled after Cox's advice was released. 'Nothing has really changed' The so-called "backstop" solution for the Irish border — designed to avert sectarian violence from returning to Britain's Northern Ireland — is opposed by more ardent Brexit supporters. They pressed May to secure the right for Britain to pull out of the arrangement or to make it time limited. But Brussels has called it essential for preserving the bloc's external border after Brexit. The DUP said in a statement that "sufficient progress has not been achieved at this time" and called for a "sensible deal". The DUP's consent was seen as vital for swaying members of May's own party to soften their opposition and either back the deal or abstain in the vote. But there was scant evidence of support for May's compromise in Conservative ranks. "Nothing has really changed, and it is still a bad deal so unable to vote for this," Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns tweeted. 'Brexit could be lost' May warned lawmakers in a desperate last attempt to sway them that "Brexit could be lost" if they voted against her Tuesday. "I think everybody needs to recognise, for those who genuinely want to deliver Brexit, that actually if this deal does not go through tonight, then this house risks no Brexit at all," May said. Leaders across Europe also united behind a message that this was the best and final offer Britain could expect. "There will be no third chance," European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said after his talks on Monday with May. And German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that the EU was making "far-reaching proposals that take into account the concerns of Great Britain and to find answers for them". No-deal and delay Another defeat would tee up additional votes on the way ahead that May has promised in a bid to preserve unity inside her fractured government. One on Wednesday would decide whether Britain should simply leave on March 29 without any deal at all. That option is fraught with economic dangers and is backed only by hardcore proponents of the divorce. The "no-deal" scenario's likely defeat would lead to a vote on Thursday on requesting a delay to Brexit from the EU. The other 27 nations would need to back the extension unanimously and decide how long it should be. Their leaders will meet in Brussels for a summit on March 21-22. But any postponement may have to be short-lived. Juncker on Monday said a delay beyond European Parliament elections at the end of May would mean Britain would have to take part in the polls.

UK parliament poised to vote down Theresa May's Brexit deal

The United Kingdom's attorney general has said the government's last-ditch legal changes to the Brexit agreement reduced but did not rule out the risk that the country could be indefinitely bound to the Irish backstop clause, jeopardizing the prime minister's ambitions to assuage rebellious party members as she puts the agreement to a parliamentary vote on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Geoffrey Cox, whose job it is to present the House of Commons with independent legal advice on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union before the so-called meaningful vote on Theresa May's deal, said in a statement, his opinion had not changed since he first brought it to the lower chamber of lawmaking last year.&nbsp;

"In my letter of 13 November 2018, I advised that the protocol [ie, the backstop] would endure indefinitely in international law and could not be brought to an end in the absence of a subsequent agreement," he said.

"This would remain the case even if parties were still negotiating many years later, and even if the parties believed that talks have clearly broken down and there was no prospect of a future relationship agreement."&nbsp;

The backstop, which looks to safeguard the soft border on the island of Ireland should Brexit talks collapse, proved hugely unpopular with pro-Brexit MPs in May's Conservative Party, who thought its potentially indefinite nature and the UK's inability to withdraw from it unilaterally, as per Cox's previous legal statement, eroded the UK's sovereignty and did not deliver a true withdrawal from the EU.&nbsp;

The Democratic Unionist Party, a right-wing outfit from Northern Ireland, also protested the backstop, saying it could keep the UK territory in Ireland bound to EU customs regulations to preserve the free-flowing border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state.&nbsp;

In a previous meaningful vote on Jan. 15, hardline Tories including Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the hardline pro-Brexit European Research Group, spearheaded a rebellion against May's deal and helped shoot it down by a House majority of 230; this historic defeat for a sitting UK PM was bellowed by a large number of MPs voting against Brexit altogether.&nbsp;

Soon after the defeat, the Commons passed an amendment requiring May to return to Brussels in search of legally-binding changes to the withdrawal agreement.&nbsp;

Speaking in Strasbourg following a meeting with EU leaders, May assured reporters she had secured the necessary legally-binding tweaks to ensure the UK would not be indefinitely tied to the backstop protocol, adding the government would also set out a mechanism which would "ultimately" allow the UK to unliterary "dis-apply" the measure should it see fit.&nbsp;

May was unable to reopen the withdrawal agreement itself, but revealed the changes as part of a "joint instrument with comparable legal weight."&nbsp;

In his statement, Cox said the legal add-ons could reduce the possibility the UK was indefinitely bound to the backstop.

The European Research Group, an affiliation of Tories who campaign for a harder Brexit, demanded the PM secure an ability to unilaterally abandon the backstop as part of her haul of legal alterations to the text.&nbsp;

But Cox contradicted that, too.&nbsp;

He said that, while in his political judgment that the EU and the UK would draw up a comprehensive plan to replace the backstop, the UK would nonetheless be unable to abandon the accord unilaterally.&nbsp;

"However, the legal risk remains unchanged that if through no such demonstrable failure of either party, but simply because of intractable differences, that situation does arise, the United Kingdom would have, at least while the fundamental circumstances remained the same, no internationally lawful means of exiting the Protocol’s arrangements, save by agreement," he said.&nbsp;

Cox delivered his legal advice to a full house at the Commons.&nbsp;

He earlier dismissed rumours that he had refused to change his legal advice following May's meetings with EU heads.&nbsp;

Responding to a suggestion to that end from prominent UK journalist Jon Snow, Cox replied on Twitter with a simple and quintessentially British message: "Bollocks."

His legal advice will likely dictate how the ERG decides to vote following Tuesday's debate.&nbsp;

If May loses once again, the Commons is scheduled to vote on two further motions: one on whether to embrace a no-deal Brexit and another on whether to extend the negotiations period, which had been set at two years, ending on Mar. 31.&nbsp;

Some 52 per cent of voters chose to leave the bloc in a referendum in June 2016.

The United Kingdom's attorney general has said the government's last-ditch legal changes to the Brexit agreement reduced but did not rule out the risk that the country could be indefinitely bound to the Irish backstop clause, jeopardizing the prime minister's ambitions to assuage rebellious party members as she puts the agreement to a parliamentary vote on Tuesday.

The United Kingdom's attorney general has said the government's last-ditch legal changes to the Brexit agreement reduced but did not rule out the risk that the country could be indefinitely bound to the Irish backstop clause, jeopardizing the prime minister's ambitions to assuage rebellious party members as she puts the agreement to a parliamentary vote on Tuesday. Geoffrey Cox, whose job it is to present the House of Commons with independent legal advice on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union before the so-called meaningful vote on Theresa May's deal, said in a statement, his opinion had not changed since he first brought it to the lower chamber of lawmaking last year. "In my letter of 13 November 2018, I advised that the protocol [ie, the backstop] would endure indefinitely in international law and could not be brought to an end in the absence of a subsequent agreement," he said. "This would remain the case even if parties were still negotiating many years later, and even if the parties believed that talks have clearly broken down and there was no prospect of a future relationship agreement." The backstop, which looks to safeguard the soft border on the island of Ireland should Brexit talks collapse, proved hugely unpopular with pro-Brexit MPs in May's Conservative Party, who thought its potentially indefinite nature and the UK's inability to withdraw from it unilaterally, as per Cox's previous legal statement, eroded the UK's sovereignty and did not deliver a true withdrawal from the EU. The Democratic Unionist Party, a right-wing outfit from Northern Ireland, also protested the backstop, saying it could keep the UK territory in Ireland bound to EU customs regulations to preserve the free-flowing border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state. In a previous meaningful vote on Jan. 15, hardline Tories including Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the hardline pro-Brexit European Research Group, spearheaded a rebellion against May's deal and helped shoot it down by a House majority of 230; this historic defeat for a sitting UK PM was bellowed by a large number of MPs voting against Brexit altogether. Soon after the defeat, the Commons passed an amendment requiring May to return to Brussels in search of legally-binding changes to the withdrawal agreement. Speaking in Strasbourg following a meeting with EU leaders, May assured reporters she had secured the necessary legally-binding tweaks to ensure the UK would not be indefinitely tied to the backstop protocol, adding the government would also set out a mechanism which would "ultimately" allow the UK to unliterary "dis-apply" the measure should it see fit. May was unable to reopen the withdrawal agreement itself, but revealed the changes as part of a "joint instrument with comparable legal weight." In his statement, Cox said the legal add-ons could reduce the possibility the UK was indefinitely bound to the backstop. The European Research Group, an affiliation of Tories who campaign for a harder Brexit, demanded the PM secure an ability to unilaterally abandon the backstop as part of her haul of legal alterations to the text. But Cox contradicted that, too. He said that, while in his political judgment that the EU and the UK would draw up a comprehensive plan to replace the backstop, the UK would nonetheless be unable to abandon the accord unilaterally. "However, the legal risk remains unchanged that if through no such demonstrable failure of either party, but simply because of intractable differences, that situation does arise, the United Kingdom would have, at least while the fundamental circumstances remained the same, no internationally lawful means of exiting the Protocol’s arrangements, save by agreement," he said. Cox delivered his legal advice to a full house at the Commons. He earlier dismissed rumours that he had refused to change his legal advice following May's meetings with EU heads. Responding to a suggestion to that end from prominent UK journalist Jon Snow, Cox replied on Twitter with a simple and quintessentially British message: "Bollocks." His legal advice will likely dictate how the ERG decides to vote following Tuesday's debate. If May loses once again, the Commons is scheduled to vote on two further motions: one on whether to embrace a no-deal Brexit and another on whether to extend the negotiations period, which had been set at two years, ending on Mar. 31. Some 52 per cent of voters chose to leave the bloc in a referendum in June 2016.

May's legal changes do not rule out indefinite backstop: UK Attorney General

British Prime Minister Theresa May's government on Monday secured a three-part package of changes from the EU to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/in-case-of-no-deal-brexit-eu-to-ask-britain-to-pay-close-to-50-billion-euros-202675">terms of its withdrawal deal</a>, hoping to win over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-in-peril-as-pm-may-faces-heavy-defeat-202425">sceptical MPs</a>.

As May sealed the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-may-rushes-to-strasbourg-to-find-a-deal-as-brexit-crunch-looms-202707">deal in Strasbourg </a>with EU leaders, her de facto deputy, David Lidington, updated parliament in London on the plans.

"This evening in Strasbourg the prime minister... (has) secured legally binding changes that strengthen and improve the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration," he said.

He said this should be enough to persuade MPs to vote for the agreement on Tuesday, just 17 days before Britain is scheduled to leave the EU.

"Tomorrow there will be a fundamental choice -- to vote for the improved deal or to plunge this country into a political crisis," he said.

Three new documents have been agreed to run alongside the withdrawal agreement, which governs Britain's exit terms, and the political declaration on future trade terms.

First is a "joint legally binding instrument" on the withdrawal text, which addresses the deal's controversial "backstop" plan to keep open the border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland.

This "provides confirmation that the EU cannot try to trap the UK in the backstop indefinitely, and that doing so would be an explicit breach" of commitments on both sides, Lidington said.

The backstop would keep Britain in a customs union with the EU if and until another way -- such as a new trade deal -- could be found to avoid checks on the Irish border.

If the EU failed to try to find an alternative to the backstop, Lidington said Britain could use this joint instrument "as the basis for a formal dispute through independent arbitration", and ultimately get the backstop suspended.

The document also emphasises that both Britain and the EU want to find an alternative to the backstop by December 2020.

Finally, the document would put assurances EU leaders about the temporary nature of the backstop "onto a legally binding footing", Lidington said.

A second document would supplement the political declaration, and outline commitments from both sides on moving swiftly to this new relationship.

Thirdly, Britain has put forward a "unilateral declaration" with legal status in international law emphasising the temporary nature of the backstop, Lidington said.

This would clarify that Britain believes there is nothing in the Brexit deal to stop it seeking to exit the backstop if the EU fails to live up to its commitments to find a replacement.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's government on Monday secured a three-part package of changes from the EU to the terms of its withdrawal deal, hoping to win over sceptical MPs.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's government on Monday secured a three-part package of changes from the EU to the terms of its withdrawal deal, hoping to win over sceptical MPs. As May sealed the deal in Strasbourg with EU leaders, her de facto deputy, David Lidington, updated parliament in London on the plans. "This evening in Strasbourg the prime minister... (has) secured legally binding changes that strengthen and improve the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration," he said. He said this should be enough to persuade MPs to vote for the agreement on Tuesday, just 17 days before Britain is scheduled to leave the EU. "Tomorrow there will be a fundamental choice -- to vote for the improved deal or to plunge this country into a political crisis," he said. Three new documents have been agreed to run alongside the withdrawal agreement, which governs Britain's exit terms, and the political declaration on future trade terms. First is a "joint legally binding instrument" on the withdrawal text, which addresses the deal's controversial "backstop" plan to keep open the border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. This "provides confirmation that the EU cannot try to trap the UK in the backstop indefinitely, and that doing so would be an explicit breach" of commitments on both sides, Lidington said. The backstop would keep Britain in a customs union with the EU if and until another way -- such as a new trade deal -- could be found to avoid checks on the Irish border. If the EU failed to try to find an alternative to the backstop, Lidington said Britain could use this joint instrument "as the basis for a formal dispute through independent arbitration", and ultimately get the backstop suspended. The document also emphasises that both Britain and the EU want to find an alternative to the backstop by December 2020. Finally, the document would put assurances EU leaders about the temporary nature of the backstop "onto a legally binding footing", Lidington said. A second document would supplement the political declaration, and outline commitments from both sides on moving swiftly to this new relationship. Thirdly, Britain has put forward a "unilateral declaration" with legal status in international law emphasising the temporary nature of the backstop, Lidington said. This would clarify that Britain believes there is nothing in the Brexit deal to stop it seeking to exit the backstop if the EU fails to live up to its commitments to find a replacement.

UK, EU agree three-part deal on Brexit deal

The future of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-in-peril-as-pm-may-faces-heavy-defeat-202425">Britain's exit from the European Union</a> hung in the balance on Tuesday as lawmakers prepared to vote on a divorce deal after Prime Minister Theresa May won last-minute assurances from the European Union.

Scrambling to plot an orderly path out of the Brexit maze just days before the United Kingdom is due to leave, May rushed to Strasbourg on Monday to agree 'legally binding' assurances with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

British lawmakers, who on January 15 voted 432-202 against her deal, were on Tuesday studying the assurances with lawyers. The government's top lawyer, Geoffrey Cox, is due to give his opinion on Tuesday ahead of the vote due around 1900 GMT.

"We have secured legal changes," May said in a late night news conference in Strasbourg beside Juncker, 17 days before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on March 29.

May said the assurances created an arbitration channel for any disputes on the backstop, "entrenches in legally-binding form" existing commitments that it will be temporary and binds the UK and EU to starting work on replacing the backstop with other arrangements by December 2020.

After two-and-a-half years of haggling since the 2016 Brexit referendum, Juncker cautioned this was the last chance for Britain. "It is this deal or Brexit might not happen at all," he said.

Sterling rose 1.5 percent against the dollar and to a near two-year high against the euro.

If lawmakers vote down May's deal, she has promised a vote on Wednesday on whether to leave without a deal and, if they reject that, then a vote on whether to ask for a limited delay to Brexit.

The United Kingdom's labyrinthine crisis over EU membership is approaching its finale with an array of possible outcomes, including a delay, a last-minute deal, a no-deal Brexit, a snap election or even another referendum.

Brexit will pitch the world's fifth largest economy into the unknown and many fear it will divide the West as it grapples with both the unconventional U.S. presidency of Donald Trump and growing assertiveness from Russia and China.

BREXIT VOTE

Supporters of Brexit say while the divorce might bring some short-term instability, in the longer term it will allow the United Kingdom to thrive and also enable deeper EU integration without such a powerful reluctant member.

Brexit-supporting lawmakers in May's party had accused her of botching the negotiations with Brussels. Many Brexiteers fear the backstop, aimed at avoiding controls on the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland, could trap the United Kingdom in the EU's orbit indefinitely.

May announced three documents - a joint instrument, a joint statement and a unilateral declaration - which she said were aimed at addressing the Irish backstop, the most contentious part of the divorce deal she agreed with the EU in November.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis welcomed the requirement to make alternative arrangements for the backstop, the date and the international arbitration.

"All those things together, make this just about, just about acceptable to me but it depends very, very heavily on a robust, clear response from (Attorney General Geoffrey) Cox," Davis told Talk Radio. "If Geoffrey Cox is at all equivocal about it then I think it will fall again."

The immediate reaction was cautious from Brexit-supporting lawmakers and from the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which props up May's minority government.

"We will be taking appropriate advice, scrutinising the text line by line and forming our own judgement," a DUP spokesman said.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of a faction in May’s Conservative Party demanding a clean break from the EU, also said he was waiting for legal advice. "This has been desperately rushed," he told the BBC. "I think it would be better to have the vote tomorrow when people had more mature consideration."

The motion put forward by the government said the joint instrument "reduces the risk" that the United Kingdom would be trapped in the backstop.

If the backstop comes into force and talks on the future relationship break down, May said the unilateral declaration she announced would make clear there was nothing to stop London from moving to leave the backstop.

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve, an opponent of Brexit, said the changes to May's deal did not make a material difference.

The future of Britain's exit from the European Union hung in the balance on Tuesday as lawmakers prepared to vote on a divorce deal after Prime Minister Theresa May won last-minute assurances from the European Union.

The future of Britain's exit from the European Union hung in the balance on Tuesday as lawmakers prepared to vote on a divorce deal after Prime Minister Theresa May won last-minute assurances from the European Union. Scrambling to plot an orderly path out of the Brexit maze just days before the United Kingdom is due to leave, May rushed to Strasbourg on Monday to agree 'legally binding' assurances with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. British lawmakers, who on January 15 voted 432-202 against her deal, were on Tuesday studying the assurances with lawyers. The government's top lawyer, Geoffrey Cox, is due to give his opinion on Tuesday ahead of the vote due around 1900 GMT. "We have secured legal changes," May said in a late night news conference in Strasbourg beside Juncker, 17 days before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on March 29. May said the assurances created an arbitration channel for any disputes on the backstop, "entrenches in legally-binding form" existing commitments that it will be temporary and binds the UK and EU to starting work on replacing the backstop with other arrangements by December 2020. After two-and-a-half years of haggling since the 2016 Brexit referendum, Juncker cautioned this was the last chance for Britain. "It is this deal or Brexit might not happen at all," he said. Sterling rose 1.5 percent against the dollar and to a near two-year high against the euro. If lawmakers vote down May's deal, she has promised a vote on Wednesday on whether to leave without a deal and, if they reject that, then a vote on whether to ask for a limited delay to Brexit. The United Kingdom's labyrinthine crisis over EU membership is approaching its finale with an array of possible outcomes, including a delay, a last-minute deal, a no-deal Brexit, a snap election or even another referendum. Brexit will pitch the world's fifth largest economy into the unknown and many fear it will divide the West as it grapples with both the unconventional U.S. presidency of Donald Trump and growing assertiveness from Russia and China. BREXIT VOTE Supporters of Brexit say while the divorce might bring some short-term instability, in the longer term it will allow the United Kingdom to thrive and also enable deeper EU integration without such a powerful reluctant member. Brexit-supporting lawmakers in May's party had accused her of botching the negotiations with Brussels. Many Brexiteers fear the backstop, aimed at avoiding controls on the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland, could trap the United Kingdom in the EU's orbit indefinitely. May announced three documents - a joint instrument, a joint statement and a unilateral declaration - which she said were aimed at addressing the Irish backstop, the most contentious part of the divorce deal she agreed with the EU in November. Former Brexit Secretary David Davis welcomed the requirement to make alternative arrangements for the backstop, the date and the international arbitration. "All those things together, make this just about, just about acceptable to me but it depends very, very heavily on a robust, clear response from (Attorney General Geoffrey) Cox," Davis told Talk Radio. "If Geoffrey Cox is at all equivocal about it then I think it will fall again." The immediate reaction was cautious from Brexit-supporting lawmakers and from the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which props up May's minority government. "We will be taking appropriate advice, scrutinising the text line by line and forming our own judgement," a DUP spokesman said. Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of a faction in May’s Conservative Party demanding a clean break from the EU, also said he was waiting for legal advice. "This has been desperately rushed," he told the BBC. "I think it would be better to have the vote tomorrow when people had more mature consideration." The motion put forward by the government said the joint instrument "reduces the risk" that the United Kingdom would be trapped in the backstop. If the backstop comes into force and talks on the future relationship break down, May said the unilateral declaration she announced would make clear there was nothing to stop London from moving to leave the backstop. Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve, an opponent of Brexit, said the changes to May's deal did not make a material difference.

UK parliament to vote tonight on Prime Minister May's tweaked Brexit deal

British Prime Minister Theresa May rushed to Strasbourg on Monday to seek concessions from the European Union in a last-ditch attempt to avoid another humiliating defeat in the parliament of her deal to exit the bloc.

Just 18 days before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, there is still no ratified divorce deal and talks with the bloc stalled over the weekend as May felt she was unable to break the political deadlock in London.

In a day of frenetic diplomacy ahead of a Tuesday parliamentary vote on her deal, May spoke to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in an effort to find a way through the Brexit maze.

May, who rejected a Brexit compromise hashed out in Brussels on Saturday, left for Strasbourg on Monday.

"Please don’t assume this points to a deal," a British official said. "It means there is the basis for a further face to face discussion as part of the talks."

May's spokesman said a "meaningful" parliamentary vote on her deal would go ahead, even though talks with the EU are deadlocked, and the motion to be voted on would be published later on Monday.

European officials expressed frustration with May's attempts to secure concessions with so little time left before Britain is due to leave on March 29.

The British parliament voted to reject May's deal in January by 230 votes, the biggest margin of defeat in modern British history. She has promised a new vote on Tuesday, hoping to deliver last-minute changes that would win over lawmakers.

If she loses that vote, she has promised to allow lawmakers further votes on whether to leave with no deal at all, or whether to ask for a delay in the deadline.

EU ambassadors were told by the bloc's Brexit negotiators that a possible compromise was on the table but May was unable to convince her ministers so she turned it down.

Sterling see-sawed on Brexit news, falling in early trade on speculation that May could cancel the vote in parliament, but later surged on news that May would travel to Strasbourg and could have a deal. It was trading at $1.3140 at 1500 GMT.

The United Kingdom’s tortuous crisis over EU membership is approaching its finale with an extraordinary array of outcomes still possible, including a delay, a last-minute deal, a no-deal Brexit, a snap election or even another referendum. The country voted to leave the EU in a 2016 plebiscite.

The ultimate outcome remains unclear, though Brexit will define the United Kingdom's prosperity for generations to come.

Brexit in peril?

May hopes to secure changes to the so-called Irish backstop, an insurance policy to prevent the return of a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Many British lawmakers object to the backstop on the grounds that it could leave Britain subject to EU rules indefinitely or cleave Northern Ireland away from the rest of the United Kingdom.

The EU has repeatedly said it does not want to reopen the divorce deal, and the British government's top lawyer has failed to find a legal fix.

"We're very clear that the Withdrawal Agreement can't change but we want to try to be helpful in terms of providing the clarity and reassurance that's needed in Westminster that the backstop is intended to be temporary," Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said. "No one is looking to trap anyone anywhere."

In Brussels, diplomats and officials said Britain would face EU demands for billions of euros in cash if it fails to strike a Brexit deal.

With no major changes yet secured, Brexit-supporting lawmakers said May's deal would be defeated again on Tuesday.

"We will essentially be voting on exactly the same Withdrawal Agreement that we voted on last time and in very simple terms: if you ask the same question you are likely to get pretty much the same answer," said Mark Francois, a pro-Brexit lawmaker in May's Conservative Party.

Nigel Dodds, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, a Northern Irish group that props up May's minority government, and Steve Baker, a leading figure in the eurosceptic faction of her Conservative Party, said she was heading for defeat.

Yvette Cooper, an opposition Labour Party lawmaker who has led efforts to hand parliament more control over Brexit, said parliament would try to take control of the exit process if May was unable to build a consensus.

British Prime Minister Theresa May rushed to Strasbourg on Monday to seek concessions from the European Union in a last-ditch attempt to avoid another humiliating defeat in the parliament of her deal to exit the bloc.

British Prime Minister Theresa May rushed to Strasbourg on Monday to seek concessions from the European Union in a last-ditch attempt to avoid another humiliating defeat in the parliament of her deal to exit the bloc. Just 18 days before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, there is still no ratified divorce deal and talks with the bloc stalled over the weekend as May felt she was unable to break the political deadlock in London. In a day of frenetic diplomacy ahead of a Tuesday parliamentary vote on her deal, May spoke to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in an effort to find a way through the Brexit maze. May, who rejected a Brexit compromise hashed out in Brussels on Saturday, left for Strasbourg on Monday. "Please don’t assume this points to a deal," a British official said. "It means there is the basis for a further face to face discussion as part of the talks." May's spokesman said a "meaningful" parliamentary vote on her deal would go ahead, even though talks with the EU are deadlocked, and the motion to be voted on would be published later on Monday. European officials expressed frustration with May's attempts to secure concessions with so little time left before Britain is due to leave on March 29. The British parliament voted to reject May's deal in January by 230 votes, the biggest margin of defeat in modern British history. She has promised a new vote on Tuesday, hoping to deliver last-minute changes that would win over lawmakers. If she loses that vote, she has promised to allow lawmakers further votes on whether to leave with no deal at all, or whether to ask for a delay in the deadline. EU ambassadors were told by the bloc's Brexit negotiators that a possible compromise was on the table but May was unable to convince her ministers so she turned it down. Sterling see-sawed on Brexit news, falling in early trade on speculation that May could cancel the vote in parliament, but later surged on news that May would travel to Strasbourg and could have a deal. It was trading at $1.3140 at 1500 GMT. The United Kingdom’s tortuous crisis over EU membership is approaching its finale with an extraordinary array of outcomes still possible, including a delay, a last-minute deal, a no-deal Brexit, a snap election or even another referendum. The country voted to leave the EU in a 2016 plebiscite. The ultimate outcome remains unclear, though Brexit will define the United Kingdom's prosperity for generations to come. Brexit in peril? May hopes to secure changes to the so-called Irish backstop, an insurance policy to prevent the return of a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Many British lawmakers object to the backstop on the grounds that it could leave Britain subject to EU rules indefinitely or cleave Northern Ireland away from the rest of the United Kingdom. The EU has repeatedly said it does not want to reopen the divorce deal, and the British government's top lawyer has failed to find a legal fix. "We're very clear that the Withdrawal Agreement can't change but we want to try to be helpful in terms of providing the clarity and reassurance that's needed in Westminster that the backstop is intended to be temporary," Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said. "No one is looking to trap anyone anywhere." In Brussels, diplomats and officials said Britain would face EU demands for billions of euros in cash if it fails to strike a Brexit deal. With no major changes yet secured, Brexit-supporting lawmakers said May's deal would be defeated again on Tuesday. "We will essentially be voting on exactly the same Withdrawal Agreement that we voted on last time and in very simple terms: if you ask the same question you are likely to get pretty much the same answer," said Mark Francois, a pro-Brexit lawmaker in May's Conservative Party. Nigel Dodds, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, a Northern Irish group that props up May's minority government, and Steve Baker, a leading figure in the eurosceptic faction of her Conservative Party, said she was heading for defeat. Yvette Cooper, an opposition Labour Party lawmaker who has led efforts to hand parliament more control over Brexit, said parliament would try to take control of the exit process if May was unable to build a consensus.

Theresa May rushes to Strasbourg to find a deal as Brexit crunch looms

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