Michel Barnier has written to Mark Francois and told the Chair of the Eurosceptic European Research Group of Tory MPs that Brexit isn't worth it. Mr Francois had sent the EU's chief negotiator an open letter, which he titled a "missive from a free country", on June 29. "While nobody has been able to demonstrate to me the added value of leaving the most integrated economic and free trade area in the world, I have always respected the UK's decision to withdraw from the EU," Mr Barnier said in reply. "In this same spirit we approach the ongoing negotiations with your great - and indeed free - country." Mr Barnier warned Mr Francois that the EU would hold Boris Johnson to the joint Political Declaration and that Brussels was adamant that the European Court of Justice must have the final say on the interpretation of EU law. The Political Declaration, which is a non-binding document setting out the broad outline of the free trade agreement, was "agreed by your prime minister and voted for by the House of Commons,including yourself," Mr Barnier added. He said the level playing field guarantees the EU demands were necessary. Mr Barnier said that the EU would not agree a free trade deal without an agreement on fishing and described progress in negotiations as "disappointing". "We will continue to work with determination to conclude the negotiations with success as we continue to believe that this can be done despite the short time available, which is the choice of your government." Mr Barnier said, referring to the UK's refusal to extend the transition period. The French politician and commission official told Mr Francois it was a "pleasure" to hear from UK elected representatives. "Having been an elected representative for many years myself I value the crucial role you play in scrutinising and holding your government to account," he said In response, Mr Francois told the Telegraph that he was grateful for the "charming billet doux". He said, "As he rightly acknowledged, we are now a free country - and indeed very happy to be so." He added that the political declaration was "indicative and not legally binding - as Michel knows well. Nevertheless, I’m delighted that further talks are now agreed. As he often reminds us, 'the clock is ticking.'” UK and EU officials met in London this week and will meet again in Brussels next week as the try to break the deadlock in the trade negotiations. "This week’s discussions confirm that significant divergences remain between the EU and GB. We will continue working with patience, respect and determination," Mr Barnier tweeted on Thursday.

The 30-second ad by President Donald Trump's reelection campaign ends with “You won't be safe in Joe Biden's America,” emblazoned across a flickering hellscape. It blames a push by some progressive activists to defund the police as “violent crime has exploded.” With recent shootings that have killed children and dozens of other people in cities with large Black populations like New York, Atlanta and Chicago, the GOP is trying to play offense, ominously.

Protesters who have clashed with authorities in the Pacific Northwest are not just confronting local police. The Department of Homeland Security has deployed officers in tactical gear from around the country, and from more than a half dozen federal law enforcement agencies and departments, to Portland, Oregon, as part of a surge aimed at what a senior official said were people taking advantage of demonstrations over the police killing of George Floyd to commit violence and vandalism. “Once we surged federal law enforcement officers to Portland, the agitators quickly got the message,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.

The U.S. Roman Catholic Church used a special and unprecedented exemption from federal rules to amass at least $1.4 billion in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid, with many millions going to dioceses that have paid huge settlements or sought bankruptcy protection because of clergy sexual abuse cover-ups. The church’s haul may have reached -- or even exceeded -- $3.5 billion, making a global religious institution with more than a billion followers among the biggest winners in the U.S. government’s pandemic relief efforts, an Associated Press analysis of federal data released this week found. Houses of worship and faith-based organizations that promote religious beliefs aren’t usually eligible for money from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The U.S. Roman Catholic Church used a special and unprecedented exemption from federal rules to amass at least $1.4 billion in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid, with many millions going to dioceses that have paid huge settlements or sought bankruptcy protection because of clergy sexual abuse cover-ups. The church’s haul may have reached -- or even exceeded -- $3.5 billion, making a global religious institution with more than a billion followers among the biggest winners in the U.S. government’s pandemic relief efforts, an Associated Press analysis of federal data released this week found. Houses of worship and faith-based organizations that promote religious beliefs aren’t usually eligible for money from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced the state's 86th lawsuit against the Trump administration during a virtual news conference.

But Davis does see a path forward: empathy and becoming educated on one another’s experiences.

Iconic hip-hop producer and Alicia Keys’s husband, Swizz Beatz, isn’t afraid to tell his guy friends he loves them.

Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino Is 'Having the Time of His Life' in Prison

With athletes in America's biggest sports leagues raking in salaries worth $300 million and more, is it time to reign in the big spending or do superstars deserve the big bucks they make?

Animal rights activists have repeatedly called for college sports teams to stop using real animals as their mascots. Are these complaints fair or an overreaction?

Has the U.S. women's soccer team done enough to warrant salaries that match their male counterparts? The 360 gives you all the angles on heavily-debated topics in the news.

President Trump’s reelection bid has had a rough few weeks, with challenges coming from both his stewardship of the presidency and past controversies that may be catching up with him.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Congress on Thursday he did not know who gave the widely denounced order to clear peaceful antiracism protesters from Lafayette Park, across the White House, early last month.

Joe Biden proposed a sweeping plan aimed at boosting U.S. manufacturing on Thursday, the first plank of an economic recovery agenda that his campaign is expected to roll out in the coming weeks.