'Tough' May holds off Brexit deal after Irish furore

Talks to go on, deal seen in coming days; Irish deal offers breakthrough to trade talks

British Prime Minister Theresa May failed to strike a Brexit divorce deal with EU negotiators in Brussels on Monday despite earlier reports of a breakthrough agreement that would have kept British-ruled Northern Ireland aligned with EU regulations.

Both sides said they should unlock talks on future trade relations in the coming days.

"We will reconvene before the end of the week and I am also confident that we will conclude this positively," May said after a lunch with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who also voiced confidence in overcoming outstanding obstacles.

He insisted the meeting, after days of intensive talks