United Kingdom

LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union accused Britain of playing a “stupid blame game” over Brexit on Tuesday after a Downing Street source said a deal was essentially impossible because German Chancellor Angela Merkel had made unacceptable demands.

With just 23 days before the United Kingdom is due to leave the bloc, the future of Brexit remains deeply uncertain and both London and Brussels are positioning themselves to avoid blame for a delay or a disorderly no-deal Brexit.

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri repeatedly refused to answer questions on Monday about whether she had an intimate relationship with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London.

The Sunday Times has reported that when Johnson was mayor he failed to declare close personal links to Arcuri, who received thousands of pounds in public business funding and places on official trade trips.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Monday, buoyed by hopes of progress in U.S.-China trade talks and supported by challenges to supply facing major exporters.

Brent crude LCOc1 rose 52 cents or 0.9% to $58.89 a barrel by 1215 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 was at $53.45, up 64 cents or 1.2%.

Both futures contracts ended last week with a more than 5% decline after dismal manufacturing data from the United States and China, with the trade row between the world’s top economies undermining global economic prospects.

LONDON (Reuters) - A Scottish court on Monday rejected a bid by campaigners seeking an order to force British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask for a Brexit delay if he has not struck a deal with the European Union in less than two weeks’ time.

The court concluded there was no need to take any pre-emptive action against Johnson because he had given legal assurances that he would abide by a law compelling him to ask the EU for an extension if no divorce deal had been agreed.

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the European Union on Monday that the Brexit ball was in its court and that the bloc should now urgently discuss in detail his proposal for breaking the deadlock in talks ahead of Britain’s departure on Oct. 31.

With just 24 days to go before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, both sides are positioning themselves to avoid blame for a delay or a disorderly no-deal Brexit.

LONDON (AP) — London Police say they’ve arrested 21 climate change activists over the past few days as the Extinction Rebellion group attempts to draw attention to global warming.

The capital’s Metropolitan Police say the arrests on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance took place Saturday and Sunday.

The arrests come as protesters in Berlin and Amsterdam blocked roads ahead of what is being described as widespread demonstrations. Further protests are taking place Monday in London.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s housing minister Robert Jenrick said speculation that the government could ask another EU member state to veto a request to extend Article 50 to ensure Brexit happened on Oct. 31 was “tittle-tattle”.

“I have not heard any serious talk of that beyond the speculation that I have seen in the papers, so I think that, with all due respect, is just tittle-tattle,” he said on Sky News’ Sophie Ridge on Sunday program.

EDINBURGH, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tens of thousands of Scottish independence supporters marched in Edinburgh on Saturday, as calls grow for a fresh vote on Scotland breaking away from the United Kingdom with Brexit scheduled for within weeks.

The demonstrators, many carrying Scottish flags, some wearings kilts and a few playing musical instruments – including bagpipes – set off from Holyrood Park in the heart of the Scottish capital.

Some chanted “What do we want? Independence” as the throng of people made its way up the city’s famous Royal Mile.

(Reuters) - The European Union has rejected a British request to hold Brexit talks this weekend, British media reported, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated his commitment to leaving the bloc on Oct. 31 despite the possibility of not reaching an exit deal.

The European Commission said that Johnson’s new Brexit proposals do not provide any basis for finalising a separation agreement, according to Sky News.

LONDON, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- One of the recent leading Conservative contenders to be Britain's prime minister announced Friday he is to quit parliament and will bid to become the next mayor of London.

Rory Stewart announced he was resigning as an MP by deciding not to stand in the next election. Hours later came the dramatic announcement that he will stand as an independent candidate in next May's election to choose the Mayor of London.

Sadiq Khan currently holds the job and is favorite to win a second four-year term, having in 2016 succeeded Boris Johnson.