Brexit

Politico Europe reports: U.K. government plans to backtrack on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement will break international law, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told the House of Commons Tuesday. The Financial Times reported Monday that sections of the Internal Market Bill, due to be published Wednesday, will override sections of the divorce deal Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the EU …

Business Insider reports: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to overwrite key parts of the Brexit withdrawal deal he agreed with the EU last year as he insists that leaving all existing trade arrangements without a fresh deal at the end of the year would be a “good outcome” for Britain. The prime minister intends to “eliminate the legal force …

The Telegraph reports: Nigel Farage urged Republicans to donate to Bernie Sanders’ campaign to boost Donald Trump’s re-election chance as he addressed America’s largest gathering of grassroots conservatives on Friday. “You should be backing Bernie Sanders, you should be campaigning for Bernie Sanders, you should be donating money to Bernie Sanders,” he told the audience at the Conservative Political Action …

Politico Europe reports: The U.K. government will not create a visa route for low-skilled migrants and temporary workers in its post-Brexit immigration system, which will give “top priority” to those with the highest skills, including scientists, engineers and academics. A policy paper published Tuesday evening outlines plans for a new points-based system after EU freedom of movement ends in December. …

The BBC reports: The UK has officially left the European Union after 47 years of membership – and more than three years after it voted to do so in a referendum. The historic moment, which happened at 23:00 GMT, was marked by both celebrations and anti-Brexit protests. Candlelit vigils were held in Scotland, which voted to stay in the EU, …

Agence France-Presse reports: Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Friday said she was ready to step up the campaign for Scottish independence, as Brexit has set the country on the “wrong road.” In a speech in Edinburgh, the leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) said Britain’s departure from the European Union was a “pivotal moment” for the U.K. …

The BBC reports: The UK will leave the EU at 23:00 GMT, ending 47 years of membership. In a video message to be released an hour earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will call Brexit – which follows more than three years of political wrangling – a “new dawn”. A series of events including marches, celebrations and candlelit vigils will be …

A Brexit battle has unfolded on Britain’s pop charts: Comedian Dominic Frisby is in a singles chart race as the UK prepares to leave the European Union. On the eve of the UK’s multiple-times-delayed exit from the bloc, he is currently sitting at both number 2 and number 3 in download singles charts with different versions of the same song, …

The European Review reports: A new survey has found that 87 percent of pharmacists are concerned about the supply of medicines to the UK after Brexit on 31 January. Conducted by Medicspot and supported by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), the findings show that 84 percent of pharmacists believe that their pharmacy will be impacted by the UK’s departure from …

The Guardian reports: Britain’s departure from the EU on 31 January was set in stone in a historic moment for the nation as MEPs in Brussels ratified the withdrawal agreement before breaking out in a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. As the president of the European parliament, David Sassoli, announced the result of the vote, with 621 in favour to …

The Irish Times reports: Companies in the North are continuing to stockpile as the UK’s official departure date from the EU on January 31st approaches and a significant percentage of companies view the “Boris Brexit deal” as “detrimental to business”, a new survey shows. The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, which has a 1,200-strong membership that employs 100,000 people, said …

Politico Europe reports: Boris Johnson has unveiled plans to mark January 31 with a light show, a countdown and a special address. No. 10 will mark the U.K.’s exit at 11 p.m. with a light display in Westminster, which will include a countdown clock projected onto the black bricks of Downing Street. Other buildings on Whitehall will also be lit …

NPR reports: Britain’s House of Commons has given final approval to the bill authorizing the country’s departure from the European Union, paving the way for Brexit at the end of the month. Lawmakers voted 330-231 on Thursday to pass the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill. It will become law once it is approved by Parliament’s upper chamber, the House of Lords, …

Politico Europe reports: Boris Johnson called on Britons to put aside their differences and “turn the page” in his 2020 New Year’s message. The U.K. prime minister said it was time to end the “division, rancor and uncertainty,” in an acknowledgment of the public divide over Brexit. “Let’s make this the moment when we put the divisions behind us,” he …

The Associated Press reports: Queen Elizabeth II plans to acknowledge that both Britain and her family have endured a difficult year by saying during her Christmas message that it has been a “bumpy” time. The pre-recorded message will be broadcast in Britain and the Commonwealth nations on Christmas Day. She is thought to be referring both to Britain’s tortuous path …

The Independent reports: MPs have approved the government’s EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill at the second reading stage, with 358 votes in favour, and 234 against. Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal has cleared its first Commons hurdle with a thumping majority of 124, putting the UK on course to leave the EU on 31 January. Boris Johnson has been accused of breaking …

Reuters reports: The British parliament will vote on Boris Johnson’s deal to leave the European Union on Friday, a move the prime minister described as delivering on his promise to “get the Brexit vote wrapped up for Christmas” after his landslide election victory. After suffering several defeats in the previous parliament, Johnson now enjoys a large majority and should face …

The Associated Press reports: Labour politicians have begun jostling to become the next leader of the British opposition party in the wake of its crushing defeat in last week’s national election. Keir Starmer, the party’s spokesman on Brexit issues, and senior lawmaker Yvette Cooper were among those suggesting Wednesday they were considering a run to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the …

Reuters reports: Prime Minister Boris Johnson will welcome 109 new Conservative lawmakers to parliament on Monday, promising to honour his election pledges to get Brexit done as soon as possible and boost funding to the state health service. After winning a commanding majority in last week’s election, Johnson will seek to speed up the approval by parliament of his withdrawal …

Reuters reports: Britain was speeding toward Brexit on Friday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a crushing election victory, ending three years of uncertainty since the country decided to leave the bloc. Johnson is now free to lead his country swiftly out of the vast trading bloc, but faces the daunting task of negotiating trade deals around the world, not …