Latest Brexit news in 300 words: from Barnier to new Irish plan
EU's chief negotiator believes Brexit deal can be struck in next two months

Michel Barnier has said it is “realistic” to believe that a Brexit deal can be agreed between the bloc and the UK within the next two months.
The European Union’s chief negotiator added that he is aiming to “reach an agreement on the first stage of the negotiation within six or eight weeks” - news that saw the pound jump in value, The Guardian reports.
During a meeting in Salzburg next week, EU leaders are expected to announce that a special Brexit summit will take place in November in order to wrap up the terms of the deal.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Talks over the next seven days, culminating with a council of the EU27’s Europe ministers next Tuesday, will determine how generous European leaders will be to May in Austria,” adds The Times.
Brexiteers to publish alternative Irish border plan
Publication of the Brexiteers’ 140-page alternative plan for Brexit is on hold, but the group will reveal its proposal for the Irish border “later in the week”, a Tory source told Politico.
“May has been appalling at allowing the border to wreck the negotiations,” the source added.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Sun reports that Brexiteers want “flying squads” of tax inspectors to roam all over Northern Ireland carrying out customs checks. “Arch-Euroskeptics believe a hard border with the EU could be avoided by ‘Inland Clearance’, that would see goods made for export subject to spot checks from officials in factories and at arrival destinations,” the newspaper says.
TUC keeps option of second referendum open
Delegates at the Trade Union Congress conference have voted overwhelmingly to keep the option of a second referendum open, albeit with serious reservations.
The decision by the unions “will trigger more demands” at the Labour Party Conference from those urging Corbyn to “back a so-called people's vote”, says Sky News.
-
Groypers: the alt-right group pulled into the foreground
The Explainer The network is led by alt-right activist Nick Fuentes
-
10 concert tours to see this upcoming fall
The Week Recommends Concert tour season isn't over. Check out these headliners.
-
How to put student loan payments on pause
The Explainer If you are starting to worry about missing payments, deferment and forbearance can help
-
Why can't France hold on to its prime ministers?
Today's Big Question Spiralling debt, ageing population and cultural refusal to accept budget cuts – despite high welfare spending – have been turbocharged by Emmanuel Macron
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Entente cordiale: will state visit help UK-French relations get over Brexit?
Today's Big Question The King, a keen Francophile who has a warm relationship with Emmanuel Macron, will play a key role in state visit
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Brexit 'reset' deal: how will it work?
In Depth Keir Stamer says the deal is a 'win-win', but he faces claims that he has 'surrendered' to Brussels on fishing rights
-
Are we entering the post-Brexit era?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer's 'big bet' with his EU reset deal is that 'nobody really cares' about Brexit any more
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?
Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans