May forced to try again with Brexit agreement
LONDON — 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. In an emergency statement to the House of Commons, May accepted that the divorce deal she struck last month with EU leaders was likely to be rejected “by a significant margin” if the vote were held Tuesday as planned.
Protesters vow to keep up pressure on Macron
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron tried to reassert control over a nation wracked by increasingly violent protests with offers of tax relief for struggling workers and pensioners — and an exceptional admission Monday that “I might have hurt people with my words.” Even as Macron broke his silence on the protests in a brief televised address, yellow-vested demonstrators vowed to keep up the pressure on a man they see as arrogant, out-oftouch and “president of the rich.”
Pelosi, foes could break logjam
WASHINGTON — Democrats who have opposed Nancy Pelosi’s effort to become speaker next year want her to commit to limiting how long lawmakers could serve as House party leaders or committee chairs, people familiar with the discussions said Monday. Should Pelosi, D-Calif., and her foes reach agreement, it could move her toward the support she’ll need when the new House convenes Jan. 3 and votes on its new speaker.
Rat in school vending machine
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Students at a Florida high school found an unwelcome surprise in a vending machine: a rat climbing the rows of packaged snacks and drinks. Video of the rat shot by an 11thgrader quickly spread on social media among students at Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach.