London, United Kingdom | AFP | New Prime Minister Boris Johnson sacked most of Britain’s cabinet on Wednesday as he took office vowing to get a new divorce deal with the European Union or leave without one by October 31. The former London mayor has pledged to break the political deadlock …
Read More »Facebook’s Libra currency under fire
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Facebook’s planned virtual unit Libra, already under heavy attack from US President Donald Trump and global regulators, faces scepticism among the wider cryptocurrency community as well. One theme — besides Brexit — dominated discussion among the movers and shakers from London’s financial technology or …
Read More »One in, one out: A tale of two Brexit MEPs
Dublin, Ireland | AFP | When the other new members of the European Parliament take their seats in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Barry Andrews will be sitting at home, unable to attend because of Brexit. Basking in the sun in Dublin, the 52-year-old Irish politician is on an unwanted holiday as he …
Read More »Boris Johnson challenges rival to back Brexit deadline
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Boris Johnson challenged his rival for Britain’s leadership on Tuesday to deliver Brexit by the end of October whatever happens, only to be accused once again of trying to avoid scrutiny. Johnson, the former foreign secretary and ex-mayor of London, is the favourite to succeed …
Read More »EU leaders warn next British PM: no Brexit renegotiation
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The EU’s top leaders Friday fired a Brexit warning to whoever wins the battle to become the next British prime minister, saying the existing divorce deal could not be changed. Hot favourite Boris Johnson will face foreign minister Jeremy Hunt in a run-off vote to decide …
Read More »Johnson faces Hunt in battle to be British PM
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Boris Johnson will face Jeremy Hunt in a run-off to become Britain’s next prime minister after a final ballot of MPs on Thursday, with the winner tasked with guiding the country through Brexit. In the fifth ballot of MPs in the governing Conservative Party, former …
Read More »Boris Johnson rejects ‘white flag’ of Brexit delays
London, United Kingdom | AFP | UK leadership race frontrunner Boris Johnson insisted Friday he would never raise the “white flag” of surrender and plead for a further delay of Brexit if no EU deal was ready by October 31. The former foreign minister also said he would replace the controversial …
Read More »Boris Johnson wins first round of UK leadership vote
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Boris Johnson overwhelmingly won the first round of voting Thursday in the race to replace outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May, with the field of candidates narrowed to seven from 10. The Brexit-backing former foreign minister picked up 114 of the 313 votes cast …
Read More »Candidates face first cull in battle to be British PM
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The 10 candidates running to replace Britain’s outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May face the first round of voting on Thursday — when at least one will get the chop. Conservative MPs hold their first secret ballot in the governing party’s leadership contest as they begin …
Read More »Johnson plays down no-deal Brexit as he launches bid to become PM
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Boris Johnson said Wednesday he would only take Britain out of the EU without a deal as a “last resort”, officially launching his campaign to be prime minister with a promise to unify a country still deeply divided over Brexit. The former foreign minister is …
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