INTERVIEW – RAHEEM KASSAM – Fellow, Claremont Institute – discussed the latest develoments in Brexit, Paris protests and the U.N. compact on migration.
- Theresa May Seeks Delay on Brexit Vote in Parliament. LONDON (AP) — Facing almost certain defeat, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday postponed a vote in Parliament on her Brexit deal, saying she would go back to European Union leaders to seek changes to the divorce agreement. May’s move threw Britain’s Brexit plans into disarray, intensified a domestic political crisis and battered the pound. With EU officials adamant the withdrawal deal was not up for renegotiation, the country does not know on what terms it will leave — and whether May will still be Britain’s leader when it does.
- Paris protests: Embattled French president Macron holds crisis talks in wake of latest violent clashes. Macron promises wage rise. France’s President Emmanuel Macron has promised a minimum wage rise and tax concessions in response to weeks of violent protests. France has seen four weekends of violent protests against fuel tax rises, living costs and other issues. Speaking in a televised address, Mr Macron condemned the violence but said the protesters’ anger was “deep, and in many ways legitimate”. The minimum wage would increase by €100 per month from 2019, he said. A planned tax increase for low-income pensioners would be cancelled, overtime pay would no longer be taxed, and employers would be encouraged to pay a tax-free end of year bonus to employees, he added.
