The chief of British-based Formula 1 outfit Mercedes Toto Wolff said on Saturday the United Kingdom crashing out of the European Union without a deal would harm his business.

The chief of British-based Formula 1 outfit Mercedes Toto Wolff said on Saturday the United Kingdom crashing out of the European Union without a deal would harm his business. The default legal position is that Britain leaves the EU on October 31 unless the other 27 member states agree to a delay. Business and markets across the continent fear the shock of a sudden Brexit that even the government's own assessment says would cause economic damage. "It's clear that it will harm us in a way because our businesses live with the 'just in time' concept of product supplies," Wolff said. "But we are going to get our head around it. "As a team, we put a lot of effort into understanding what the potential impact could be and we are ready for whatsoever outcome." If the UK leaves the Customs Union, it could cause delays for the movement of freight between Britain and Europe where nine of this year's races and most of the pre-season take place. Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer said his Silverstone-based outfit were "planning for the worst case, that being a no-deal Brexit." "I think we've put some plans in place to cope with that and we're hoping for the best case. "Only time will tell. But I think we’re well prepared to keep going if Brexit does happen, sooner rather than later, and there is no deal." Team staff are also likely to face uncertainty. McLaren's German team boss Andreas Seidl said he had already been given a guarantee he can stay in Britain. "As a team, we simply did our homework and prepared for every possible scenario. I'm sure that whatever happens in the next weeks and months there will be solutions in place and we will keep going racing." str/iwd/nr © Agence France-Presse

Brexit no deal would 'harm' team, says Mercedes chief Wolff

The European Union agreed on Friday to London's request for a Brexit deadline extension but set no new departure date, giving Britain's divided parliament time to decide on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call for a snap election.

The European Union agreed on Friday to London's request for a Brexit deadline extension but set no new departure date, giving Britain's divided parliament time to decide on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call for a snap election. "There was full agreement on the need for an extension," an EU official said after ambassadors to the 27 countries staying in the bloc met to discuss postponing Britain's exit, less than a week before the current deadline of Oct. 31. "Work will continue over the weekend" and envoys will meet again in Brussels on Monday or Tuesday, the person said. A day after admitting that he will not meet his "do or die" deadline of Oct. 31, Johnson said it was up to the EU to decide on an extension. "Of course October 31 is still possible - we could leave on Oct. 31 - unfortunately it depends on what the EU says," he said, adding that if opponents frustrate his bid for an election on Dec. 12 his minority government would not engage in pointless "Brexitology" in parliament. The EU envoys had been due to discuss the length of a third delay to Brexit but diplomats decided to hold off to let events play out in London. One EU diplomat said France pressed the other 26 to wait and favoured a delay until Nov. 15 or Nov. 30 to keep pressure on the British parliament to approve Johnson's deal or face a disorderly Brexit. "Everyone wanted a decision today. But France had a problem with that and wanted to wait until Monday/Tuesday to see what happens in London," the diplomat said. A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron said: "France wants a justified and proportionate extension. However, we have nothing of the sort so far. We must show the British that it is up to them to clarify the situation and that an extension is not a given." Macron has previously managed to sway the bloc's extension decisions, meaning options range from two weeks to the three months - to Jan. 31, 2020 - requested by Johnson, or longer should it be clear that Britain is headed for an election. Any delay can only be granted unanimously and it could come as little as 60 hours before Britain is due to leave. Blank date According to a draft document seen by Reuters ahead of Friday's meeting, a delay was to be granted "with the view to allowing for the finalisation of the ratification" of the divorce agreement sealed with Johnson last week. The draft text left the Brexit date blank, but said the split could take place earlier if ratification was completed, an idea dubbed a flexible extension or "flextension". A two-tier delay was also on the cards, meaning one decision might come with two possible dates for Brexit, depending on if and when the deal is ratified. "This extension excludes any reopening of the Withdrawal Agreement," the draft decision said, reminding Britain it would remain a full, paying member state until it leaves and should not seek to stall EU decisions. The EU is intent on preventing the most damaging no-deal split, but it is also tired of the intractable divorce. A joke in that spirit was being shared among EU diplomats: "The year is 2192. The British prime minister visits Brussels to ask for an extension of the Brexit deadline. No one remembers where this tradition originated, but every year it attracts many tourists from all over the world." More than three years after Britons voted 52%-48% to be the first country to leave the European project, the future of Brexit is unclear and the country bitterly divided. Johnson won the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party in July with a pledge to get Brexit done by Oct. 31, but parliament's rejection of his timetable on Tuesday means he will fail to do that. His predecessor Theresa May resigned after parliament defeated her Brexit deal three times, forcing delays from an initial Brexit date of March 29. Johnson told opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn he would give parliament more time to approve his Brexit deal by Nov. 6 if lawmakers back a December election in a vote on Monday, his third attempt at forcing a snap poll. Corbyn replied he would wait to see what the EU does on a Brexit delay before deciding which way to vote, repeating that he could only back an election when the risk of a no-deal Brexit was off the table. It is not clear how Corbyn will respond now the EU has shelved its decision on a new Brexit date. A spokesman for Johnson said he would push ahead with plans to leave the EU if lawmakers reject a pre-Christmas election. Ladbrokes said betting odds indicated an election in 2020.

EU agrees Brexit extension but sets no date as UK squabbles over election

British authorities have assured the Indian government that it will leave no stone unturned to fend off vandalism in front of the Indian High Commission like earlier after India raised the matter with British authorities.&nbsp;

"We have got some indication from the UK government that they are aware of our concerns in this regard...we have been told that this time around they will be taking adequate steps to prevent representation of such incidents that happened earlier", Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.&nbsp;

UK authorities are also alert this time. A British high commission spokesperson said, "We respect the right to protest within the law but strongly condemn any damage caused to diplomatic missions. The safety and security of diplomatic missions in the UK, and their staff is of utmost concern and we fully recognise our obligations under the Vienna Convention."

"We have been and remain in close contact with the Indian High Commission in London to emphasise this,” he added.

Pakistan backed groups are planning to stage a massive protest on October 27 on the occasion of Diwali near the Indian high commission.&nbsp;

The Scotland Yard has denied permission to protest, given the fact that last time there was vandalisation of the property. This is the third time Pakistani groups are planning major protest following the revocation of special status tor Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

India has also asked foreign countries to act on so-called "Kashmir cell" at various Pakistan high commissions, indulging in propaganda.

"Government of Pakistan has set up Kashmir cells in all their missions across the world. The main objective of these cells is to incite the local population with a nationality where they belong to and objective is to radicalise through false propaganda," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson.&nbsp;

" We hope countries where Kashmir cells are, they do realise that they are very dangerous" since they "inciting violence and they should be closed," he added.&nbsp;

British authorities have assured the Indian government that it will leave no stone unturned to fend off vandalism in front of the Indian High Commission like earlier after India raised the matter with British authorities.

British authorities have assured the Indian government that it will leave no stone unturned to fend off vandalism in front of the Indian High Commission like earlier after India raised the matter with British authorities. "We have got some indication from the UK government that they are aware of our concerns in this regard...we have been told that this time around they will be taking adequate steps to prevent representation of such incidents that happened earlier", Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. UK authorities are also alert this time. A British high commission spokesperson said, "We respect the right to protest within the law but strongly condemn any damage caused to diplomatic missions. The safety and security of diplomatic missions in the UK, and their staff is of utmost concern and we fully recognise our obligations under the Vienna Convention." "We have been and remain in close contact with the Indian High Commission in London to emphasise this,” he added. Pakistan backed groups are planning to stage a massive protest on October 27 on the occasion of Diwali near the Indian high commission. The Scotland Yard has denied permission to protest, given the fact that last time there was vandalisation of the property. This is the third time Pakistani groups are planning major protest following the revocation of special status tor Jammu and Kashmir. India has also asked foreign countries to act on so-called "Kashmir cell" at various Pakistan high commissions, indulging in propaganda. "Government of Pakistan has set up Kashmir cells in all their missions across the world. The main objective of these cells is to incite the local population with a nationality where they belong to and objective is to radicalise through false propaganda," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson. " We hope countries where Kashmir cells are, they do realise that they are very dangerous" since they "inciting violence and they should be closed," he added.

UK assures protection to Indian mission from pro-Pakistan protesters during Diwali 

Almost every adult in the United Kingdom (UK) could receive a payout of up to £300 from Mastercard after a court ruling paved the way for a £14bn class action lawsuit.

The claim alleges 46 million people paid higher prices in shops than they should have due to high card fees.

Former financial ombudsman Walter Merricks - who is behind the claim - is trying to bring the class action on behalf of all individuals over 16 who were resident in the UK for at least three months between 1992 and 2008 and who bought an item or service from a UK business which accepted Mastercard, reported BBC.

He alleges that fees which Mastercard charged businesses for accepting payments from consumers, known as interchange fees, led to UK consumers paying higher prices on purchases from businesses that accepted Mastercard, the report added.

If the £14bn was awarded and divided between the 46 million eligible people the payout would amount to £300 each.

Mastercard said it continued to "disagree fundamentally with the basis of the claim".

"This decision is not a final ruling and the proposed claim is not approved to move forward; rather, the court has simply said a rehearing on certain issues should happen," it added.

The financial services firm said it was seeking permission to appeal against the ruling to the Supreme Court.

Almost every adult in the United Kingdom (UK) could receive a payout of up to £300 from Mastercard after a court ruling paved the way for a £14bn class action lawsuit.

Almost every adult in the United Kingdom (UK) could receive a payout of up to £300 from Mastercard after a court ruling paved the way for a £14bn class action lawsuit. The claim alleges 46 million people paid higher prices in shops than they should have due to high card fees. Former financial ombudsman Walter Merricks - who is behind the claim - is trying to bring the class action on behalf of all individuals over 16 who were resident in the UK for at least three months between 1992 and 2008 and who bought an item or service from a UK business which accepted Mastercard, reported BBC. He alleges that fees which Mastercard charged businesses for accepting payments from consumers, known as interchange fees, led to UK consumers paying higher prices on purchases from businesses that accepted Mastercard, the report added. If the £14bn was awarded and divided between the 46 million eligible people the payout would amount to £300 each. Mastercard said it continued to "disagree fundamentally with the basis of the claim". "This decision is not a final ruling and the proposed claim is not approved to move forward; rather, the court has simply said a rehearing on certain issues should happen," it added. The financial services firm said it was seeking permission to appeal against the ruling to the Supreme Court.

Court ruling may pave way for every adult in UK a payout of up to £300 from Mastercard 

British MP's vote on 8 alternatives, agree on none

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Brexit no deal would 'harm' team, says Mercedes chief Wolff

EU agrees Brexit extension but sets no date as UK squabbles over election

UK assures protection to Indian mission from pro-Pakistan protesters during Diwali

Court ruling may pave way for every adult in UK a payout of up to £300 from Mastercard

British MP's vote on 8 alternatives, agree on none