EU offers Britain choice of short Brexit delays

The European Union has offered Britain a choice of short delays to its departure from the European Union, postponing Brexit, due March 29, until at least mid-April.

The bloc said it will extend the deadline until May 22 if Britain's Parliament approves Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal next week.

If it is rejected, the UK has until April 12 to "indicate a way forward." There has been no immediate response from May, who had been seeking a delay until June 30.

Earlier, European Council President Donald Tusk said the bloc has unanimously agreed on a response to Britain's request for a delay to Brexit, and Austria's leader said the bloc was offering an extension.

May has been seeking a three-month delay to Britain's departure. The EU has been considering shorter timeframes.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said the bloc's decision averts the chance of a no-deal Brexit on March 29, the date scheduled for Britain's departure. He did not say how much time the bloc was offering.