Foreign Office minister Alan Duncan, who quit on Monday, said Britain was being forced to work under a "dark cloud" caused by Brexit, setting out the reasons for his resignation in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May.

"It is tragic that just when we could have been the dominant intellectual and political force throughout Europe, and beyond, we have to spend every day working beneath the dark cloud of Brexit," he wrote in the letter, published on Twitter.

Foreign Office minister Alan Duncan, who quit on Monday, said Britain was being forced to work under a "dark cloud" caused by Brexit, setting out the reasons for his resignation in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May.

Foreign Office minister Alan Duncan, who quit on Monday, said Britain was being forced to work under a "dark cloud" caused by Brexit, setting out the reasons for his resignation in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May. "It is tragic that just when we could have been the dominant intellectual and political force throughout Europe, and beyond, we have to spend every day working beneath the dark cloud of Brexit," he wrote in the letter, published on Twitter.

Resigning UK minister: Sad that Britain has to work under Brexit 'dark cloud'

Britain's Finance Minister Philip Hammond said on Sunday he would resign on Wednesday before his expected sacking by the favourite to become Britain's next prime minister, Boris Johnson, takes office.

"I am sure I am not going to be sacked because I am going to resign before we get to that point," Hammond told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

"Assuming that Boris Johnson becomes prime minister, I understand that his conditions for serving in his government would include accepting a no-deal (EU) exit on the 31st of October. That is not something I could ever sign up to," he said.

British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt is also in the running for the country's top seat, after outgoing prime minister Theresa May leaves office on Wednesday.

Britain's Finance Minister Philip Hammond said on Sunday he would resign on Wednesday before his expected sacking by the favourite to become Britain's next prime minister, Boris Johnson, takes office.

Britain's Finance Minister Philip Hammond said on Sunday he would resign on Wednesday before his expected sacking by the favourite to become Britain's next prime minister, Boris Johnson, takes office. "I am sure I am not going to be sacked because I am going to resign before we get to that point," Hammond told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show. "Assuming that Boris Johnson becomes prime minister, I understand that his conditions for serving in his government would include accepting a no-deal (EU) exit on the 31st of October. That is not something I could ever sign up to," he said. British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt is also in the running for the country's top seat, after outgoing prime minister Theresa May leaves office on Wednesday.

Britain's Finance Minister Philip Hammond to resign on Wednesday over no-deal Brexit

With over a fortnight of school break kicking-off in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gibraltar-court-extends-detention-of-iran-tanker-for-30-days-britain-237138">Britain</a>, massive traffic jams are expected with over 13 million cars taking to the roads this weekend.&nbsp;

As per British media, with a 16-day-long school break commencing this weekend, five million cars alone were expected to cramp up <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/brexit-its-not-just-where-britains-going-that-matters-but-how-it-gets-there-236621">Britain</a>'s roads on Friday as families head out for their holidays.&nbsp;

As per a report published in the Daily Mail, this weekend will see 13 million cars on Britain's roads which is expected to cause an estimated 90 minute-long queuing up of automobiles in traffic jams.&nbsp;

While an estimated five million vehicles are expected to hit the roads in Britain on Saturday, the situation is expected to ease off a bit on Sunday will 3 million cars on the roads.&nbsp;

Not just this, collisions and breakdowns could worsen the traffic situation.&nbsp;

Partial closure of some rail lines over the weekend and disruption owing to railways engineering work on some sections in and around London are also to blame for the rush on the roads this weekend. &nbsp;

Not just the roads, the school break has also left the airports heaving with passengers as families set out to materialise their planned getaways.&nbsp;This summer is expected to be one of the busiest for the UK airspace on record with over 8,000 flights per day.

More and more people across Europe are planning getaways in the wake of summers getting too hot to handle this year.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/june-2019-was-the-hottest-june-on-record-across-the-globe-climate-report-237035">June 2019 was the hottest in 140 years</a>, setting a global record, according to the latest monthly global climate report released on Thursday by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as the Hawaii and US Gulf of Mexico regions, experienced their hottest Junes on record.

Heat waves like the ones currently gripping the United States, Europe and elsewhere are likely to become more frequent said a report released this week by the Union of Concerned Scientists, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

With over a fortnight of school break kicking-off in Britain, massive traffic jams are expected with over 13 million cars taking to the roads this weekend. As per British media, with a 16-day-long school break commencing this weekend, five million cars alone were expected to cramp up Britain's roads on Friday as families head out for their holidays.

With over a fortnight of school break kicking-off in Britain, massive traffic jams are expected with over 13 million cars taking to the roads this weekend. As per British media, with a 16-day-long school break commencing this weekend, five million cars alone were expected to cramp up Britain's roads on Friday as families head out for their holidays. As per a report published in the Daily Mail, this weekend will see 13 million cars on Britain's roads which is expected to cause an estimated 90 minute-long queuing up of automobiles in traffic jams. While an estimated five million vehicles are expected to hit the roads in Britain on Saturday, the situation is expected to ease off a bit on Sunday will 3 million cars on the roads. Not just this, collisions and breakdowns could worsen the traffic situation. Partial closure of some rail lines over the weekend and disruption owing to railways engineering work on some sections in and around London are also to blame for the rush on the roads this weekend. Not just the roads, the school break has also left the airports heaving with passengers as families set out to materialise their planned getaways. This summer is expected to be one of the busiest for the UK airspace on record with over 8,000 flights per day. More and more people across Europe are planning getaways in the wake of summers getting too hot to handle this year. June 2019 was the hottest in 140 years, setting a global record, according to the latest monthly global climate report released on Thursday by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as the Hawaii and US Gulf of Mexico regions, experienced their hottest Junes on record. Heat waves like the ones currently gripping the United States, Europe and elsewhere are likely to become more frequent said a report released this week by the Union of Concerned Scientists, news agency Reuters reported. (With inputs from Reuters)

13 million vehicles to cramp UK's roads this weekend as Britons take off to enjoy school break

With summer holidays beginning in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/glacier-the-size-of-britain-could-disappear-and-drown-low-lying-coasts-study-234708">Britain</a> this week, officials are redoubling efforts at the border to stop young people from being dragged into forced marriages.

At a Heathrow Airport arrivals gate, an AFP reporter watched as officials from a special task force comprising police, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-agents-prepare-to-arrest-thousands-migrants-live-in-fear-235693">immigration agents</a> and charity workers intercepted a family disembarking a flight from Bangalore, India.

A young woman in the group raised red flags because of bruises on her arm, while a 13-year-old girl appeared especially timid both indicators of potential coercion.

After speaking to family members individually, officials were satisfied that the family was traveling to Britain for a funeral and the bruising was due to a traffic accident.

But the officials also learned that the young woman's parents had recently found her a fiance in their home state of Kerala and that he, too, may travel to Britain.

Trained task force officers took the woman aside to brief her on her rights and to press upon her that forced marriage is illegal in Britain.

"She's (now) aware of consent, and that she can withdraw her consent at any time," Detective Sergeant Kate Bridger of the Metropolitan Police told her team after they questioned 72 of the 250 people on the Air India flight.

'No winners here'&nbsp;

Britain outlawed forced marriage in 2014, with a maximum jail term of seven years for offenders.

Figures from the interior ministry's forced marriage unit show 1,764 reported cases in 2018 &nbsp;a 47 percent increase from the year before.

The reported cases are thought to be the tip of the iceberg.

Most cases involve Britons being married against their will overseas, mainly in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

So the task force targeted passengers on flights to and from the Indian sub-continent as well as Middle East hub airports.

"It's not just a South Asian problem... it cuts across lots of different cultures and communities too," task force member detective sergeant Trudy Gittins told AFP.

Men were also affected, she said, as well as members of the LGBT community with cases of gay men forced to marry members of the opposite sex by their conservative families.

Cases in Britain have ranged from a two-year-old promised in a religious ceremony to marry into another family, to an 80-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer whose carer forced him into marriage to inherit his estate.

A third of the victims are younger than 18, and three-quarters are girls or women.

West Midlands Police last year secured the first conviction in England for forced marriage, with a woman jailed after her 13-year-old daughter was raped by her "fiance", a relative in Pakistan.

"There are no winners here this was her mum," said Gittins.

Senior officers said the emphasis of this week's operation was on prevention rather than prosecution.

"Our focus is not to criminalize parents or members of the extended family," said the Met's acting chief superintendent Parm Sandhu.&nbsp;

"Our focus is to safeguard young people."

Like being 'buried alive'

The task force is targeting Britain's busiest airports, stations and ports as the school holiday season gets underway a time when cases typically spike.

As team members gathered in a windowless room in the bowels of Heathrow, Gittins told them that victims have described being forced into marriage as being "buried alive".

"I want you to feel that statement today," she urged her colleagues.&nbsp;

Some of those greeted by the task force on arrival at Heathrow welcomed the initiative.

"We were very surprised, it's not something we've come across before," said Karan Shah, 31, with his wife on a three-week visit to Britain.

The couple had an arranged marriage to which both had agreed, he said, adding that in many parts of rural India forced marriages do still occur.

"It's very unfortunate so I give this a big thumbs up," said Shah.

With summer holidays beginning in Britain this week, officials are redoubling efforts at the border to stop young people from being dragged into forced marriages.

With summer holidays beginning in Britain this week, officials are redoubling efforts at the border to stop young people from being dragged into forced marriages. At a Heathrow Airport arrivals gate, an AFP reporter watched as officials from a special task force comprising police, immigration agents and charity workers intercepted a family disembarking a flight from Bangalore, India. A young woman in the group raised red flags because of bruises on her arm, while a 13-year-old girl appeared especially timid both indicators of potential coercion. After speaking to family members individually, officials were satisfied that the family was traveling to Britain for a funeral and the bruising was due to a traffic accident. But the officials also learned that the young woman's parents had recently found her a fiance in their home state of Kerala and that he, too, may travel to Britain. Trained task force officers took the woman aside to brief her on her rights and to press upon her that forced marriage is illegal in Britain. "She's (now) aware of consent, and that she can withdraw her consent at any time," Detective Sergeant Kate Bridger of the Metropolitan Police told her team after they questioned 72 of the 250 people on the Air India flight. 'No winners here' Britain outlawed forced marriage in 2014, with a maximum jail term of seven years for offenders. Figures from the interior ministry's forced marriage unit show 1,764 reported cases in 2018 a 47 percent increase from the year before. The reported cases are thought to be the tip of the iceberg. Most cases involve Britons being married against their will overseas, mainly in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. So the task force targeted passengers on flights to and from the Indian sub-continent as well as Middle East hub airports. "It's not just a South Asian problem... it cuts across lots of different cultures and communities too," task force member detective sergeant Trudy Gittins told AFP. Men were also affected, she said, as well as members of the LGBT community with cases of gay men forced to marry members of the opposite sex by their conservative families. Cases in Britain have ranged from a two-year-old promised in a religious ceremony to marry into another family, to an 80-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer whose carer forced him into marriage to inherit his estate. A third of the victims are younger than 18, and three-quarters are girls or women. West Midlands Police last year secured the first conviction in England for forced marriage, with a woman jailed after her 13-year-old daughter was raped by her "fiance", a relative in Pakistan. "There are no winners here this was her mum," said Gittins. Senior officers said the emphasis of this week's operation was on prevention rather than prosecution. "Our focus is not to criminalize parents or members of the extended family," said the Met's acting chief superintendent Parm Sandhu. "Our focus is to safeguard young people." Like being 'buried alive' The task force is targeting Britain's busiest airports, stations and ports as the school holiday season gets underway a time when cases typically spike. As team members gathered in a windowless room in the bowels of Heathrow, Gittins told them that victims have described being forced into marriage as being "buried alive". "I want you to feel that statement today," she urged her colleagues. Some of those greeted by the task force on arrival at Heathrow welcomed the initiative. "We were very surprised, it's not something we've come across before," said Karan Shah, 31, with his wife on a three-week visit to Britain. The couple had an arranged marriage to which both had agreed, he said, adding that in many parts of rural India forced marriages do still occur. "It's very unfortunate so I give this a big thumbs up," said Shah.

As holidays begin, UK looks out for forced marriages

By Simon Usherwood

We’re talking a lot about Brexit in Britain. Whether it’s our hopes or – more likely – our frustrations, it’s the subject that we never quite seem to escape from.

But take a step back and think what those conversations focus on: outcomes. I’m guessing many people have a pretty good idea of what their family, friends and colleagues would like the end point of this process to be. It’s no coincidence that more people identify as Leavers or Remainers than as members of political parties.

Probably much less clear is how the potential outcomes – leaving the EU without a deal, leaving with a deal or remaining – are going to come about. The referendum was an exercise in ends, not means.

The two campaigns fought for votes with sweeping promises, but no fixed single plan. The vote wasn’t like a general election, where the winners have to take office and make good on their manifesto. Instead, the incentive was for campaigners to say whatever would get people to send votes their way, and if they won then they’d decide what that meant.

That’s why most of the second half of 2016 was spent with politicians arguing that they knew what the people wanted from Brexit.

Making It Up As We Go

The referendum also failed to produce any consensus about what happened next: it was a decision that lacked a rationale and a roadmap. It’s one thing to say we want to take back control, but quite another to translate that into a practical course of action. And so we’ve had to make it up as we go along.

Of course, all politics is like this. The vagaries of life mean we’re never quite confronted with what we expected. But usually that happens within a fairly well-defined range of parameters, with a political system that can make improvised decisions on the basis of generally-agreed principles.

Brexit hasn’t fitted into that mould, for three reasons.

First, its scope is so broad that its implications touch on every area of our political, economic and social lives. Second, its novelty means that we lack useful benchmarks to judge our actions: in legal terms it might simply be leaving an international organisation, but it clearly goes far beyond that.

And third, the division that the referendum exposed and reinforced between different sections of British society have made it very hard to find common ground.

The upshot has been a growing willingness, from all sides, to do whatever it takes to secure the outcome they want. The UK has gone from being one of the more sedate political systems of the world to one where ever more creative takes on the constitutional and parliamentary procedure are being suggested.

Conservative leadership contender Boris Johnson has not ruled out proroguing, or shutting down, parliament in order to push through a no-deal Brexit. Meanwhile, the Conservative MP Dominic Grieve managed to get parliament to approve an amendment to a piece of legislation regarding Northern Ireland, which could make shutting down parliament more difficult. And the former prime minister, John Major, suggested he may take a future Johnson government to court to prevent parliament being shut down.

The Means Matter 
 
Brexit matters. The choice we eventually make will have profound implications for decades to come, both for the UK and for its place in the world. But that is precisely why it’s essential that the manner of taking that decision matters as much as the decision itself.

Already we see how distrust of the people and processes that have got us this far has poisoned our ability to progress. Whether you think campaigners broke the rules in the referendum or you think judges are enemies of the state or you feel the media is a cheerleader rather than a reporter of what’s happening, if we don’t trust the way we make the decisions, then we risk also losing trust in the decisions themselves.

All of which brings us to one of the bigger questions of politics: do the ends always justify the means?

History shows us that part of what makes a democracy work, and work in a sustainable way, is a consensus about rules. Constitutions embody and embed that consensus in a way that is different from other rules for precisely that reason.

But extraordinary exceptions have a habit of becoming the norm, as with the emergency powers given to governments post 9/11; the revolution justifies the counter-revolution. We can disagree on what to do, but we need to agree on how we make a decision between the choices facing us – leaving with a deal, leaving with no deal or remaining – otherwise we risk damaging everything that follows.

Usually, this is the point where the author offers a solution, but you’ll not get that here. It’s not for me to tell you what to do, beyond sitting down together and working together to see where our common ground lies. And if we find that our existing political processes won’t work to resolve this – for example, a general election – then we need to agree on new ones that do.

So as politicians and the public alike work on their plans this summer, they might want to reflect on not the “what” of Brexit, but also the “how”. Maybe that might make some of those Brexit conversations a bit more productive and enlightening.

(Simon Usherwood is Reader in Politics, University of Surrey)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/brexit-its-not-just-where-britains-going-that-matters-but-how-it-gets-there-120127">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Simon Usherwood We’re talking a lot about Brexit in Britain. Whether it’s our hopes or – more likely – our frustrations, it’s the subject that we never quite seem to escape from.

By Simon Usherwood We’re talking a lot about Brexit in Britain. Whether it’s our hopes or – more likely – our frustrations, it’s the subject that we never quite seem to escape from. But take a step back and think what those conversations focus on: outcomes. I’m guessing many people have a pretty good idea of what their family, friends and colleagues would like the end point of this process to be. It’s no coincidence that more people identify as Leavers or Remainers than as members of political parties. Probably much less clear is how the potential outcomes – leaving the EU without a deal, leaving with a deal or remaining – are going to come about. The referendum was an exercise in ends, not means. The two campaigns fought for votes with sweeping promises, but no fixed single plan. The vote wasn’t like a general election, where the winners have to take office and make good on their manifesto. Instead, the incentive was for campaigners to say whatever would get people to send votes their way, and if they won then they’d decide what that meant. That’s why most of the second half of 2016 was spent with politicians arguing that they knew what the people wanted from Brexit. Making It Up As We Go The referendum also failed to produce any consensus about what happened next: it was a decision that lacked a rationale and a roadmap. It’s one thing to say we want to take back control, but quite another to translate that into a practical course of action. And so we’ve had to make it up as we go along. Of course, all politics is like this. The vagaries of life mean we’re never quite confronted with what we expected. But usually that happens within a fairly well-defined range of parameters, with a political system that can make improvised decisions on the basis of generally-agreed principles. Brexit hasn’t fitted into that mould, for three reasons. First, its scope is so broad that its implications touch on every area of our political, economic and social lives. Second, its novelty means that we lack useful benchmarks to judge our actions: in legal terms it might simply be leaving an international organisation, but it clearly goes far beyond that. And third, the division that the referendum exposed and reinforced between different sections of British society have made it very hard to find common ground. The upshot has been a growing willingness, from all sides, to do whatever it takes to secure the outcome they want. The UK has gone from being one of the more sedate political systems of the world to one where ever more creative takes on the constitutional and parliamentary procedure are being suggested. Conservative leadership contender Boris Johnson has not ruled out proroguing, or shutting down, parliament in order to push through a no-deal Brexit. Meanwhile, the Conservative MP Dominic Grieve managed to get parliament to approve an amendment to a piece of legislation regarding Northern Ireland, which could make shutting down parliament more difficult. And the former prime minister, John Major, suggested he may take a future Johnson government to court to prevent parliament being shut down. The Means Matter Brexit matters. The choice we eventually make will have profound implications for decades to come, both for the UK and for its place in the world. But that is precisely why it’s essential that the manner of taking that decision matters as much as the decision itself. Already we see how distrust of the people and processes that have got us this far has poisoned our ability to progress. Whether you think campaigners broke the rules in the referendum or you think judges are enemies of the state or you feel the media is a cheerleader rather than a reporter of what’s happening, if we don’t trust the way we make the decisions, then we risk also losing trust in the decisions themselves. All of which brings us to one of the bigger questions of politics: do the ends always justify the means? History shows us that part of what makes a democracy work, and work in a sustainable way, is a consensus about rules. Constitutions embody and embed that consensus in a way that is different from other rules for precisely that reason. But extraordinary exceptions have a habit of becoming the norm, as with the emergency powers given to governments post 9/11; the revolution justifies the counter-revolution. We can disagree on what to do, but we need to agree on how we make a decision between the choices facing us – leaving with a deal, leaving with no deal or remaining – otherwise we risk damaging everything that follows. Usually, this is the point where the author offers a solution, but you’ll not get that here. It’s not for me to tell you what to do, beyond sitting down together and working together to see where our common ground lies. And if we find that our existing political processes won’t work to resolve this – for example, a general election – then we need to agree on new ones that do. So as politicians and the public alike work on their plans this summer, they might want to reflect on not the “what” of Brexit, but also the “how”. Maybe that might make some of those Brexit conversations a bit more productive and enlightening. (Simon Usherwood is Reader in Politics, University of Surrey) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Brexit: It’s not just where Britain’s going that matters, but how it gets there

Theresa May boogied away one of her last weekends as British prime minister, showing off some of her famously awkward dance moves to Abba hits such as "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia" at a festival.

In a video clip, she is shown dancing at the Henley Festival as her husband and other men in black tie swing their arms to the tunes.

May, whose premiership was riven by crises over Brexit and who was cast as robotic by opponents, occasionally sought to bring some humour to the job by performing dances in public.

She last year danced with school children in South Africa and then grooved onto stage at the Conservative Party conference to "Dancing Queen" - exhibiting a puzzling robotic hand movement that went viral on social media. 
&nbsp;

Theresa May boogied away one of her last weekends as British prime minister, showing off some of her famously awkward dance moves to Abba hits such as "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia" at a festival.

Theresa May boogied away one of her last weekends as British prime minister, showing off some of her famously awkward dance moves to Abba hits such as "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia" at a festival. In a video clip, she is shown dancing at the Henley Festival as her husband and other men in black tie swing their arms to the tunes. May, whose premiership was riven by crises over Brexit and who was cast as robotic by opponents, occasionally sought to bring some humour to the job by performing dances in public. She last year danced with school children in South Africa and then grooved onto stage at the Conservative Party conference to "Dancing Queen" - exhibiting a puzzling robotic hand movement that went viral on social media.

Dancing queen? Theresa May boogies to Abba in final days as British PM

British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt told his Iranian counterpart on Saturday (July 13) that Britain would facilitate the release of the detained Grace 1 oil tanker if Tehran gave guarantees it would not go to Syria.

UK to facilitate release of Iranian tanker if it gets Syria guarantees: Hunt

Britain deployed destroyer HMS Duncan to the Gulf to replace HMS Montrose on Friday (July 12), maintaining a continuous presence there during a time of heightened tension in the region. The warship sailed through Turkey's Bosphorus river on its way to the Persian Gulf. Relations between Tehran and the West have been increasingly strained after Britain seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar and London said HMS Montrose had to fend off Iranian vessels which sought to block a British-owned tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain deploys HMS Duncan to Gulf amid Iran tensions

Britain is not seeking to escalate the situation with Iran, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday, as tensions continue between London and Tehran over a seized Iranian tanker and the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Relations between Iran and the West have been increasingly strained after Britain seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar and London said the British Heritage, operated by oil company BP, had been approached by Iranian vessels in the strait between Iran and the Arabian peninsula.

"We are reacting to what is happening in a measured and careful way and we are being clear to Iran that we are not seeking to escalate this situation," Jeremy Hunt told Sky News.

Britain is not seeking to escalate the situation with Iran, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday, as tensions continue between London and Tehran over a seized Iranian tanker and the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain is not seeking to escalate the situation with Iran, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday, as tensions continue between London and Tehran over a seized Iranian tanker and the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Relations between Iran and the West have been increasingly strained after Britain seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar and London said the British Heritage, operated by oil company BP, had been approached by Iranian vessels in the strait between Iran and the Arabian peninsula. "We are reacting to what is happening in a measured and careful way and we are being clear to Iran that we are not seeking to escalate this situation," Jeremy Hunt told Sky News.

UK says it does not want to increase tension with Iran

Britain is sending second warship to the Gulf amid growing tensions with Iran after Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar. Watch this video to know more.

Iran tanker row: HMS Duncan to join HMS Montrose in the Gulf

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europe-needs-to-find-candidate-to-head-imf-france-233585">Bank of England governor Mark Carney</a> on Thursday gave outgoing IMF chief Christine Lagarde his warm support as she heads to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-central-bank-chief-draghi-brushes-off-donald-trumps-charge-of-currency-manipulation-228456">European Central Bank</a>, but evaded questions about whether he wants to succeed her.

The Canadian is due to end his posting in London at the end of January and has been judged by bookmakers as an early favorite to take over at the International Monetary Fund once Lagarde is confirmed at the Frankfurt-based ECB.

"I do want to take the opportunity to praise the role that Christine Lagarde has played and the leadership she's played at the IMF," Carney told a news conference marking the publication of the BoE's latest Financial Stability Report.

He said it had been an "absolute privilege" to serve as head of Britain's central bank, but declined to go further on what the future might hold.

The process to pick a new IMF managing director "should be open, transparent and merit-based, so there'll come a time when that process launches, and that's probably the right time to answer that question."

Carney also holds British and Irish passports, so would qualify to replace Lagarde under an arrangement whereby a European leads the IMF and an American the World Bank.&nbsp;

That convention has come under strain in recent years from developing economies demanding a greater say at the Washington-based institutions, although the American David Malpass was elected unopposed in April to head the World Bank.

Lagarde is leaving the IMF two years ahead of schedule after European Union leaders, at a summit this month, nominated her to succeed Mario Draghi as ECB president.&nbsp;

Draghi himself has been mentioned as a possible pick at the IMF. Other names in the mix include Bank of France governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau, EU finance commissioner Pierre Moscovici of France, and former British finance minister George Osborne.

Bank of England governor Mark Carney on Thursday gave outgoing IMF chief Christine Lagarde his warm support as she heads to the European Central Bank, but evaded questions about whether he wants to succeed her.

Bank of England governor Mark Carney on Thursday gave outgoing IMF chief Christine Lagarde his warm support as she heads to the European Central Bank, but evaded questions about whether he wants to succeed her. The Canadian is due to end his posting in London at the end of January and has been judged by bookmakers as an early favorite to take over at the International Monetary Fund once Lagarde is confirmed at the Frankfurt-based ECB. "I do want to take the opportunity to praise the role that Christine Lagarde has played and the leadership she's played at the IMF," Carney told a news conference marking the publication of the BoE's latest Financial Stability Report. He said it had been an "absolute privilege" to serve as head of Britain's central bank, but declined to go further on what the future might hold. The process to pick a new IMF managing director "should be open, transparent and merit-based, so there'll come a time when that process launches, and that's probably the right time to answer that question." Carney also holds British and Irish passports, so would qualify to replace Lagarde under an arrangement whereby a European leads the IMF and an American the World Bank. That convention has come under strain in recent years from developing economies demanding a greater say at the Washington-based institutions, although the American David Malpass was elected unopposed in April to head the World Bank. Lagarde is leaving the IMF two years ahead of schedule after European Union leaders, at a summit this month, nominated her to succeed Mario Draghi as ECB president. Draghi himself has been mentioned as a possible pick at the IMF. Other names in the mix include Bank of France governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau, EU finance commissioner Pierre Moscovici of France, and former British finance minister George Osborne.

Bank of England boss dodges International Monetary Fund speculation

Russia on Thursday blamed Washington for the escalation in tensions with Tehran after Britain said Iranian ships had attempted to impede a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-flagged-tanker-stopped-in-gulf-safe-and-well-maritime-trade-official-233543">British oil tanker in Gulf</a> waters.

"The situation is very concerning," said Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, quoted by news agency RIA Novosti.

"The reasons for this are clear. This is Washington's deliberate, premeditated course to exacerbate tensions."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists he was aware that "such an incident allegedly took place" but also of Tehran's denial.

"As before, we call on everyone to behave with restraint in the Persian Gulf in order not to exacerbate the situation," he said, calling for dialogue.

Britain said the confrontation on Wednesday saw three Iranian boats attempt to "impede the passage" of a commercial vessel called British Heritage, which is owned by British energy giant BP.

This led a British warship moving between the three boats and warning them off, UK defence ministry officials said.

The incident followed Britain's detention off the coast of Gibraltar on July 4 of an Iranian oil tanker allegedly destined for Syria.

Ryabkov on Thursday called Britain's actions "outrageous" saying that they violated not only international law but also European Union internal legislation.

Russia on Thursday blamed Washington for the escalation in tensions with Tehran after Britain said Iranian ships had attempted to impede a British oil tanker in Gulf waters.

Russia on Thursday blamed Washington for the escalation in tensions with Tehran after Britain said Iranian ships had attempted to impede a British oil tanker in Gulf waters. "The situation is very concerning," said Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, quoted by news agency RIA Novosti. "The reasons for this are clear. This is Washington's deliberate, premeditated course to exacerbate tensions." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists he was aware that "such an incident allegedly took place" but also of Tehran's denial. "As before, we call on everyone to behave with restraint in the Persian Gulf in order not to exacerbate the situation," he said, calling for dialogue. Britain said the confrontation on Wednesday saw three Iranian boats attempt to "impede the passage" of a commercial vessel called British Heritage, which is owned by British energy giant BP. This led a British warship moving between the three boats and warning them off, UK defence ministry officials said. The incident followed Britain's detention off the coast of Gibraltar on July 4 of an Iranian oil tanker allegedly destined for Syria. Ryabkov on Thursday called Britain's actions "outrageous" saying that they violated not only international law but also European Union internal legislation.

Russia blames United States over Gulf tanker incident

Iran has pressed Britain to release the captured Iranian oil tanker and called its seizure "maritime piracy", Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday. British Royal Marines impounded the tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday on suspicion it was carrying oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. Iran denies the vessel was headed to Syria, where the government of President Bashar al-Assad is an ally of Tehran.

Iran urges UK to free captured oil tanker, calling it 'maritime piracy'

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-unions-donald-tusk-asks-european-parliament-to-approve-von-der-leyen-233027"> European Union</a> said Monday it was "extremely concerned" by Iranian plans to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal, calling on Tehran to reverse course.

Iran said Sunday it would breach the cap "in a few hours" and on Monday announced it had passed 4.5 percent enrichment well above the 3.7 percent limit.

It first announced its intention to reduce compliance with the deal in May, a year after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-seeks-to-override-supreme-court-ruling-on-census-233448">US President Donald Trump</a> unilaterally withdrew from the pact and reimposed crippling sanctions.

"We strongly urge Iran to stop and reverse all activities that are inconsistent with the commitments made under the JCPOA," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters.&nbsp;

The JCPOA or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action gave Iran relief from punishing sanctions in return for setting strict limits on its nuclear activities.

The remaining signatories &nbsp;Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and orld say the deal is the best way to stop Iran developing atomic weapons.

"We are extremely concerned by the announcement made over the weekend by Iran regarding the start of the uranium enrichment above the limit of 3.7 percent," Kocijancic said.

The EU will await a report from the UN's atomic energy authority and consult other signatories to the deal before deciding on future steps, Kocijancic said.

Britain, France, and Germany have sought to save the deal by creating a special mechanism called INSTEX to sidestep US sanctions so Iran can keep trading.

But the mechanism is still not operational six months after its launch and Tehran has grown increasingly frustrated at Europe's failure to act effectively.

Brussels officials see the latest announcements from Iran as a bid to pressure the West into doing more to help.

"The situation is extremely difficult for them domestically they are running out of humanitarian supplies," an EU source told AFP.

"They want to preserve the agreement, but they want the benefits they were promised."

The steps Iran has taken so far increasing enrichment and breaching a limit on uranium reserves can be reversed, the source said.

However, if Iran went above five percent of enrichment, the situation would be more serious, officials warn.

The European Union said Monday it was "extremely concerned" by Iranian plans to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal, calling on Tehran to reverse course.

The European Union said Monday it was "extremely concerned" by Iranian plans to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal, calling on Tehran to reverse course. Iran said Sunday it would breach the cap "in a few hours" and on Monday announced it had passed 4.5 percent enrichment well above the 3.7 percent limit. It first announced its intention to reduce compliance with the deal in May, a year after US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the pact and reimposed crippling sanctions. "We strongly urge Iran to stop and reverse all activities that are inconsistent with the commitments made under the JCPOA," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters. The JCPOA or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action gave Iran relief from punishing sanctions in return for setting strict limits on its nuclear activities. The remaining signatories Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and orld say the deal is the best way to stop Iran developing atomic weapons. "We are extremely concerned by the announcement made over the weekend by Iran regarding the start of the uranium enrichment above the limit of 3.7 percent," Kocijancic said. The EU will await a report from the UN's atomic energy authority and consult other signatories to the deal before deciding on future steps, Kocijancic said. Britain, France, and Germany have sought to save the deal by creating a special mechanism called INSTEX to sidestep US sanctions so Iran can keep trading. But the mechanism is still not operational six months after its launch and Tehran has grown increasingly frustrated at Europe's failure to act effectively. Brussels officials see the latest announcements from Iran as a bid to pressure the West into doing more to help. "The situation is extremely difficult for them domestically they are running out of humanitarian supplies," an EU source told AFP. "They want to preserve the agreement, but they want the benefits they were promised." The steps Iran has taken so far increasing enrichment and breaching a limit on uranium reserves can be reversed, the source said. However, if Iran went above five percent of enrichment, the situation would be more serious, officials warn.

European Union 'strongly urges' Iran to stop nuclear enrichment

US President Donald Trump hit back on Sunday and the UK launched an inquiry after leaked memos revealed Britain's ambassador in the US had described the president and his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-top-envoy-in-us-says-trump-executive-inept-report-233737">White House as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional"</a>.

Trump said Ambassador Kim Darroch had "not served the UK well" and that he and his administration were "not big fans" of the envoy.

Darroch had said Trump's presidency could "crash and burn" and "end in disgrace", according to a cache of secret cables and briefing notes sent back to Britain seen by the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

"We don't really believe this administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction-riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept," Darroch allegedly wrote in one dispatch.

The paper said the most damning comments by Darroch described Trump, who was received by Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit to Britain just last month, as "insecure" and "incompetent".

A memo sent following the controversial visit said the president and his team had been "dazzled" by the visit but warned Britain might not remain "flavour of the month" because "this is still the land of America First".

He reportedly wrote that the "vicious infighting and chaos" inside the White House -- widely reported in the US but dismissed by Trump as "fake news" -- was "mostly true".

Asked about the leak, Trump told reporters in the US: "The ambassador has not served the UK well, I can tell you that.

"We are not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well. So I can understand it, and I can say things about him but I won't bother."

The UK foreign ministry said it would carry out a formal investigation into the leak.

Jeremy Hunt, the foreign minister, distanced himself from Darroch's remarks, saying: "It's really important to say that the ambassador was doing his job as an ambassador which is to give frank reports and personal opinions about what's happening in the country where he works, and that's his job to send back those reports but they are personal opinions, not the opinions of the British Government, not my opinion.

"And we continue to think that under President Trump the United States administration is both highly effective and the best possible friend of Britain on the international stage."

From 2017 to now

Darroch is one of Britain's most experienced diplomats whose posting in Washington began in January, 2016, prior to Trump winning the presidency.

The Mail on Sunday said the memos, likely leaked by someone within Britain's sprawling civil service, cover a period beginning in 2017.

In one of the most recent reported dispatches filed on June 22, Darroch criticised Trump's fraught foreign policy on Iran, which has prompted fears in global capitals of a military conflict, as "incoherent" and "chaotic".

He allegedly said the president's assertion that he called off retaliatory missile strikes against the Iranian regime after a US drone was shot down because it risked killing 150 Iranians, "doesn't stand up".

"It's more likely that he was never fully on board and that he was worried about how this apparent reversal of his 2016 campaign promises would look come 2020," Darroch reportedly stated, referring to the next presidential election.

Britain's Foreign Office did not dispute the veracity of the memos.

"The British public would expect our ambassadors to provide ministers with an honest, unvarnished assessment of the politics in their country," a spokeswoman said.&nbsp;

"Their views are not necessarily the views of ministers or indeed the government," she added, noting "we pay them to be candid".&nbsp;

"Our team in Washington have strong relations with the White House and no doubt that these will withstand such mischievous behaviour," the spokeswoman said of the potential fallout from the leak.

US President Donald Trump hit back on Sunday and the UK launched an inquiry after leaked memos revealed Britain's ambassador in the US had described the president and his White House as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional".

US President Donald Trump hit back on Sunday and the UK launched an inquiry after leaked memos revealed Britain's ambassador in the US had described the president and his White House as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional". Trump said Ambassador Kim Darroch had "not served the UK well" and that he and his administration were "not big fans" of the envoy. Darroch had said Trump's presidency could "crash and burn" and "end in disgrace", according to a cache of secret cables and briefing notes sent back to Britain seen by the Mail on Sunday newspaper. "We don't really believe this administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction-riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept," Darroch allegedly wrote in one dispatch. The paper said the most damning comments by Darroch described Trump, who was received by Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit to Britain just last month, as "insecure" and "incompetent". A memo sent following the controversial visit said the president and his team had been "dazzled" by the visit but warned Britain might not remain "flavour of the month" because "this is still the land of America First". He reportedly wrote that the "vicious infighting and chaos" inside the White House -- widely reported in the US but dismissed by Trump as "fake news" -- was "mostly true". Asked about the leak, Trump told reporters in the US: "The ambassador has not served the UK well, I can tell you that. "We are not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well. So I can understand it, and I can say things about him but I won't bother." The UK foreign ministry said it would carry out a formal investigation into the leak. Jeremy Hunt, the foreign minister, distanced himself from Darroch's remarks, saying: "It's really important to say that the ambassador was doing his job as an ambassador which is to give frank reports and personal opinions about what's happening in the country where he works, and that's his job to send back those reports but they are personal opinions, not the opinions of the British Government, not my opinion. "And we continue to think that under President Trump the United States administration is both highly effective and the best possible friend of Britain on the international stage." From 2017 to now Darroch is one of Britain's most experienced diplomats whose posting in Washington began in January, 2016, prior to Trump winning the presidency. The Mail on Sunday said the memos, likely leaked by someone within Britain's sprawling civil service, cover a period beginning in 2017. In one of the most recent reported dispatches filed on June 22, Darroch criticised Trump's fraught foreign policy on Iran, which has prompted fears in global capitals of a military conflict, as "incoherent" and "chaotic". He allegedly said the president's assertion that he called off retaliatory missile strikes against the Iranian regime after a US drone was shot down because it risked killing 150 Iranians, "doesn't stand up". "It's more likely that he was never fully on board and that he was worried about how this apparent reversal of his 2016 campaign promises would look come 2020," Darroch reportedly stated, referring to the next presidential election. Britain's Foreign Office did not dispute the veracity of the memos. "The British public would expect our ambassadors to provide ministers with an honest, unvarnished assessment of the politics in their country," a spokeswoman said. "Their views are not necessarily the views of ministers or indeed the government," she added, noting "we pay them to be candid". "Our team in Washington have strong relations with the White House and no doubt that these will withstand such mischievous behaviour," the spokeswoman said of the potential fallout from the leak.

Trump hits back at Britain's ambassador in US, says 'not served the UK well'

Britain scrambled on Monday to stem damage to its relations with Washington and find the leaker of cables in which the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-hits-back-at-britains-ambassador-in-us-says-not-served-the-uk-well-233860">UK ambassador</a> called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-seeks-to-override-supreme-court-ruling-on-census-233448">US President Donald Trump</a> "inept".

The confidential telegrams from ambassador Kim Darroch created a political firestorm in London after their publication in the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

One of them called the Trump administration "uniquely dysfunctional" while another characterized the US leader as "incompetent" and "insecure".

Their release came just a month after Trump's state visit to Britain during which he visibly enjoyed himself while dining with Queen Elizabeth II and touring Buckingham Palace with his family.

They also threatened to complicate London's efforts to strike a new trade deal with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dysfunctional-inept-britains-trade-minister-liam-fox-to-apologise-to-ivanka-over-leaked-memo-233969">Washington</a> that could help mitigate potential damage from Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.

Trump fired back by saying that people in his administration were "not big fans" of London's man in Washington.

"The ambassador has not served the UK well, I can tell you that," Trump told reporters on Sunday.

"We are not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well. So I can understand it, and I can say things about him but I won't bother."

Very serious consequences

UK officials took turns defending Darroch as a professional who was carrying out his duties by providing "frank" assessments of the latest developments in the White House.

"We need to find out how it happened, not least to give confidence to our teams all over the world that they can continue to give us their frank assessments," Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Monday.

"I hope we get to the bottom of it, and of course there will be very serious consequences if and when we find out who was responsible."

The Daily Telegraph newspaper said such memos are seen by up to 100 people working in the Foreign Office and other government departments.

"But it would require a single official or minister to have access to the whole cache, inevitably casting the spotlight on senior ministers," it wrote.

The immediate suspicion of the London papers fell on Brexit-backing players in a power struggle within Britain's governing Conservative Party.

British politics are in for a major revamp once Prime Minister Theresa May ends her three-year spell in power later this month.

Brexiteer former foreign minister Boris Johnson is the favorite to replace her in a leadership contest against Hunt.

The winner will get to appoint his own US envoy by the time Darroch's term expires at the end of the year.

But commentators note the official widely tipped for the Washington job was less enthusiastic about Brexit than Johnson or some members of his team.

"There have been reports that Mark Sedwill, the current cabinet secretary, is being lined up for the position," The Guardian's diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour wrote.

But Trump "may be suspicious of Sedwill, and would prefer a true Brexit".

Wintour wrote that Sedwill "may not fill that bill, but Nigel Farage who pretty openly campaigned for the job before Darroch's appointment in 2016 does".

Farage is an anti-EU populist whose new Brexit Party won nearly a third of the vote in European elections in May, and has met Trump several times.

Farage on Monday called Darroch's memos "pretty irresponsible" but played down interest in the Washington Post.

"I'm not a diplomat, and I think that's quite an understatement," he told BBC radio.

But Farage added that he "could be very useful" in forging a better relationship "with an administration that contains friends of mine".

Britain scrambled on Monday to stem damage to its relations with Washington and find the leaker of cables in which the UK ambassador called US President Donald Trump "inept".

Britain scrambled on Monday to stem damage to its relations with Washington and find the leaker of cables in which the UK ambassador called US President Donald Trump "inept". The confidential telegrams from ambassador Kim Darroch created a political firestorm in London after their publication in the Mail on Sunday newspaper. One of them called the Trump administration "uniquely dysfunctional" while another characterized the US leader as "incompetent" and "insecure". Their release came just a month after Trump's state visit to Britain during which he visibly enjoyed himself while dining with Queen Elizabeth II and touring Buckingham Palace with his family. They also threatened to complicate London's efforts to strike a new trade deal with Washington that could help mitigate potential damage from Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. Trump fired back by saying that people in his administration were "not big fans" of London's man in Washington. "The ambassador has not served the UK well, I can tell you that," Trump told reporters on Sunday. "We are not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well. So I can understand it, and I can say things about him but I won't bother." Very serious consequences UK officials took turns defending Darroch as a professional who was carrying out his duties by providing "frank" assessments of the latest developments in the White House. "We need to find out how it happened, not least to give confidence to our teams all over the world that they can continue to give us their frank assessments," Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Monday. "I hope we get to the bottom of it, and of course there will be very serious consequences if and when we find out who was responsible." The Daily Telegraph newspaper said such memos are seen by up to 100 people working in the Foreign Office and other government departments. "But it would require a single official or minister to have access to the whole cache, inevitably casting the spotlight on senior ministers," it wrote. The immediate suspicion of the London papers fell on Brexit-backing players in a power struggle within Britain's governing Conservative Party. British politics are in for a major revamp once Prime Minister Theresa May ends her three-year spell in power later this month. Brexiteer former foreign minister Boris Johnson is the favorite to replace her in a leadership contest against Hunt. The winner will get to appoint his own US envoy by the time Darroch's term expires at the end of the year. But commentators note the official widely tipped for the Washington job was less enthusiastic about Brexit than Johnson or some members of his team. "There have been reports that Mark Sedwill, the current cabinet secretary, is being lined up for the position," The Guardian's diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour wrote. But Trump "may be suspicious of Sedwill, and would prefer a true Brexit". Wintour wrote that Sedwill "may not fill that bill, but Nigel Farage who pretty openly campaigned for the job before Darroch's appointment in 2016 does". Farage is an anti-EU populist whose new Brexit Party won nearly a third of the vote in European elections in May, and has met Trump several times. Farage on Monday called Darroch's memos "pretty irresponsible" but played down interest in the Washington Post. "I'm not a diplomat, and I think that's quite an understatement," he told BBC radio. But Farage added that he "could be very useful" in forging a better relationship "with an administration that contains friends of mine".

Britain hunts for leaker of cables calling Donald Trump 'inept'

Britain's interior minister Sajid Javid will this week formally endorse <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-race-for-no-10-uks-johnson-and-hunt-vow-to-splash-the-cash-231797">Boris Johnson</a> to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and the country's next prime minister, the Sunday Times reported.

Johnson is the frontrunner in a contest with foreign minister Jeremy Hunt to be the next leader. Voting is due to close on July 22, with the winner set to be announced the following day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/genius-or-joker-british-prime-minister-favourite-boris-johnson-set-to-face-the-world-231110">Johnson has pledged</a> to leave the European Union with or without a deal on October&nbsp;31 if he becomes prime minister, while Hunt has said that he would, if absolutely necessary, go for a no-deal Brexit.

The Sunday Times said Javid has positioned himself to be Johnson's finance minister, taking over from current finance minister Philip Hammond.

It reported that in a speech on Tuesday, Javid will say: "Trust in our democracy will be at stake if we don't make October&nbsp;31 a 'deal or no deal' deadline. To prepare that, we are agreed on the need for ramped-up no-deal preparations, including a budget."

Watch:&nbsp;'I take personal responsibility for the vote to leave the EU', says Boris Johnson

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/boris-johnson-i-take-personal-responsibility-for-the-vote-to-leave-the-eu-231915/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The newspaper also said that Johnson would visit the United States before the end of September to meet President Donald Trump.

Britain's interior minister Sajid Javid will this week formally endorse Boris Johnson to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and the country's next prime minister, the Sunday Times reported.

Britain's interior minister Sajid Javid will this week formally endorse Boris Johnson to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and the country's next prime minister, the Sunday Times reported. Johnson is the frontrunner in a contest with foreign minister Jeremy Hunt to be the next leader. Voting is due to close on July 22, with the winner set to be announced the following day. Johnson has pledged to leave the European Union with or without a deal on October 31 if he becomes prime minister, while Hunt has said that he would, if absolutely necessary, go for a no-deal Brexit. The Sunday Times said Javid has positioned himself to be Johnson's finance minister, taking over from current finance minister Philip Hammond. It reported that in a speech on Tuesday, Javid will say: "Trust in our democracy will be at stake if we don't make October 31 a 'deal or no deal' deadline. To prepare that, we are agreed on the need for ramped-up no-deal preparations, including a budget." Watch: 'I take personal responsibility for the vote to leave the EU', says Boris Johnson The newspaper also said that Johnson would visit the United States before the end of September to meet President Donald Trump.

UK interior minister Sajid Javid to endorse Boris Johnson as prime minister: Report

Iran has broken the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal and must immediately stop and reverse its activities, news agency Reuters reported quoting a spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said on Sunday.

Iran on Sunday said it will begin enriching uranium beyond a 3.67 per cent cap set by a landmark nuclear deal.&nbsp;

Iran has also threatened to abandon more nuclear commitments in '60 days'.

"Iran has broken the terms of the JCPoA," the Foreign Office spokesman said, refering to the deal's formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"While the UK remains fully committed to the deal, Iran must immediately stop and reverse all activities inconsistent with its obligations. We are coordinating with other JCPoA participants regarding the next steps under the terms of the deal, including a Joint Commission."

Iran has broken the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal and must immediately stop and reverse its activities, news agency Reuters reported quoting a spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said on Sunday.

Iran has broken the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal and must immediately stop and reverse its activities, news agency Reuters reported quoting a spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said on Sunday. Iran on Sunday said it will begin enriching uranium beyond a 3.67 per cent cap set by a landmark nuclear deal. Iran has also threatened to abandon more nuclear commitments in '60 days'. "Iran has broken the terms of the JCPoA," the Foreign Office spokesman said, refering to the deal's formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "While the UK remains fully committed to the deal, Iran must immediately stop and reverse all activities inconsistent with its obligations. We are coordinating with other JCPoA participants regarding the next steps under the terms of the deal, including a Joint Commission."

Britain urges Iran to reverse its nuclear activities after Islamic republic breaks terms of 2015 nuclear deal 

Britain's ambassador in the United States has described <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-promises-to-reduce-us-drug-prices-to-worlds-lowest-233452">President Donald Trump</a> and his administration as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional", according to leaked diplomatic memos published by the Mail on Sunday.

Ambassador Kim Darroch reportedly said Trump's presidency could "crash and burn" and "end in disgrace", in the cache of secret cables and briefing notes sent back to Britain seen by the newspaper.

"We don't really believe this administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept," Darroch allegedly wrote in one dispatch.

The paper said the most damning comments by Darroch described Trump, who was received by Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit to Britain just last month, as "insecure" and "incompetent".

A memo sent following the controversial visit said the president and his team had been "dazzled" by the visit but warned Britain might not remain "flavour of the month" because "this is still the land of America First".

He reportedly wrote that the "vicious infighting and chaos" inside the White House -- widely reported in the US but dismissed by Trump as "fake news" -- was "mostly true".

Darroch is one of Britain's most experienced diplomats whose posting in Washington DC&nbsp;began in January, 2016, prior to Trump winning the presidency.

The Mail on Sunday said the memos, likely leaked by someone within Britain's sprawling civil service, cover a period beginning in 2017.

In one of the most recent reported dispatches filed on June 22 Darroch criticised Trump's fraught foreign policy on Iran, which has prompted fears in global capitals of a military conflict, as "incoherent" and "chaotic".

He allegedly said the president's assertion, that he called off retaliatory missile strikes against the Iranian regime after a US drone was shot down because it risked killing 150 Iranians, "doesn't stand up".

"It's more likely that he was never fully on board and that he was worried about how this apparent reversal of his 2016 campaign promises would look come 2020," Darroch reportedly stated, referring to the next presidential election.

Britain's Foreign Office did not dispute the veracity of the memos.

"The British public would expect our ambassadors to provide ministers with an honest, unvarnished assessment of the politics in their country," a spokeswoman said.&nbsp;

"Their views are not necessarily the views of ministers or indeed the government," she added, noting "we pay them to be candid".&nbsp;

"Our team in Washington have strong relations with the White House and no doubt that these will withstand such mischievous behaviour," the spokeswoman said of the potential fallout from the leak.

Britain's ambassador in the United States has described President Donald Trump and his administration as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional", according to leaked diplomatic memos published by the Mail on Sunday.

Britain's ambassador in the United States has described President Donald Trump and his administration as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional", according to leaked diplomatic memos published by the Mail on Sunday. Ambassador Kim Darroch reportedly said Trump's presidency could "crash and burn" and "end in disgrace", in the cache of secret cables and briefing notes sent back to Britain seen by the newspaper. "We don't really believe this administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept," Darroch allegedly wrote in one dispatch. The paper said the most damning comments by Darroch described Trump, who was received by Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit to Britain just last month, as "insecure" and "incompetent". A memo sent following the controversial visit said the president and his team had been "dazzled" by the visit but warned Britain might not remain "flavour of the month" because "this is still the land of America First". He reportedly wrote that the "vicious infighting and chaos" inside the White House -- widely reported in the US but dismissed by Trump as "fake news" -- was "mostly true". Darroch is one of Britain's most experienced diplomats whose posting in Washington DC began in January, 2016, prior to Trump winning the presidency. The Mail on Sunday said the memos, likely leaked by someone within Britain's sprawling civil service, cover a period beginning in 2017. In one of the most recent reported dispatches filed on June 22 Darroch criticised Trump's fraught foreign policy on Iran, which has prompted fears in global capitals of a military conflict, as "incoherent" and "chaotic". He allegedly said the president's assertion, that he called off retaliatory missile strikes against the Iranian regime after a US drone was shot down because it risked killing 150 Iranians, "doesn't stand up". "It's more likely that he was never fully on board and that he was worried about how this apparent reversal of his 2016 campaign promises would look come 2020," Darroch reportedly stated, referring to the next presidential election. Britain's Foreign Office did not dispute the veracity of the memos. "The British public would expect our ambassadors to provide ministers with an honest, unvarnished assessment of the politics in their country," a spokeswoman said. "Their views are not necessarily the views of ministers or indeed the government," she added, noting "we pay them to be candid". "Our team in Washington have strong relations with the White House and no doubt that these will withstand such mischievous behaviour," the spokeswoman said of the potential fallout from the leak.

UK's top envoy in US says Trump executive 'inept': Report

Iran demanded Friday that Britain immediately release an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-decision-excellent-supertanker-was-laden-with-iran-oil-bound-for-syria-us-233122">oil tanker it has detained in Gibraltar</a>, accusing it of acting at the bidding of the United States.

A senior foreign ministry official "described the UK move as unacceptable" in a meeting with British ambassador Rob Macaire, who had been summoned to hear a formal protest, the ministry said in a statement.

He "called for the immediate release of the oil tanker, given that it has been seized at the request of the US, based on the information currently available", the statement added.

Authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip at the western entrance to the Mediterranean, said they suspected the tanker was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.

The detention of the 330-metre Grace 1 vessel comes at a sensitive time in Iran-EU ties as the bloc mulls how to respond to Tehran announcing it is poised to breach the uranium enrichment limit it agreed to in a troubled 2015 nuclear deal.

The Grace 1 tanker was halted in the early hours of Thursday by police and customs agencies in Gibraltar, aided by a detachment of British Royal Marines.

The ship was detained four kilometres&nbsp;south of Gibraltar in what it considers British waters, although Spain, which lays claim to the territory, says they are Spanish.

It was boarded when it slowed down in a designated area used by shipping agencies to ferry goods to vessels.

"We have reason to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas refinery in Syria," Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement.

"That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria.

"We have detained the vessel and its cargo," Picardo said.

At US request

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell told reporters the vessel was detained at the request of the United States.

In a statement, Britain's Foreign Office said "we welcome this firm action by the Gibraltarian authorities, acting to enforce the EU Syria Sanctions regime".

European Union sanctions against war-torn Syria have been in force since late 2011.

The 28-member bloc has imposed sanctions on Syrian officials including government ministers over their role in the "violent repression" of civilians.

It has frozen the assets of around 70 entities and introduced an embargo on Syrian oil, investment restrictions and a freeze on Syrian central bank assets within the EU.

The tanker's detention comes just days after Iran announced it would exceed the uranium enrichment limit set up as part of the 2015 deal to avoid it building up to the level required for a nuclear warhead.

Tehran took the action in response to Washington abandoning the nuclear deal last year and hitting Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions with biting sanctions.

The unilateral move has sent tensions in the Gulf soaring as the administration of President Donald Trump forges ahead with a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran in coordination with its Middle East allies Israel and Saudi Arabia.

White House National Security Advisor John Bolton, a champion of the hawkish policy towards Tehran, applauded the interception of the supertanker.

"Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace I laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions," Bolton tweeted.&nbsp;

According to specialised shipping trade publication Lloyd's List, which analyses vessel-tracking data, the 1997-built ship is laden with Iranian oil.

It reported that the ship loaded oil off Iran in April and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

Iran demanded Friday that Britain immediately release an oil tanker it has detained in Gibraltar, accusing it of acting at the bidding of the United States. A senior foreign ministry official "described the UK move as unacceptable" in a meeting with British ambassador Rob Macaire, who had been summoned to hear a formal protest, the ministry said in a statement.

Iran demanded Friday that Britain immediately release an oil tanker it has detained in Gibraltar, accusing it of acting at the bidding of the United States. A senior foreign ministry official "described the UK move as unacceptable" in a meeting with British ambassador Rob Macaire, who had been summoned to hear a formal protest, the ministry said in a statement. He "called for the immediate release of the oil tanker, given that it has been seized at the request of the US, based on the information currently available", the statement added. Authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip at the western entrance to the Mediterranean, said they suspected the tanker was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. The detention of the 330-metre Grace 1 vessel comes at a sensitive time in Iran-EU ties as the bloc mulls how to respond to Tehran announcing it is poised to breach the uranium enrichment limit it agreed to in a troubled 2015 nuclear deal. The Grace 1 tanker was halted in the early hours of Thursday by police and customs agencies in Gibraltar, aided by a detachment of British Royal Marines. The ship was detained four kilometres south of Gibraltar in what it considers British waters, although Spain, which lays claim to the territory, says they are Spanish. It was boarded when it slowed down in a designated area used by shipping agencies to ferry goods to vessels. "We have reason to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas refinery in Syria," Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement. "That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria. "We have detained the vessel and its cargo," Picardo said. At US request Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell told reporters the vessel was detained at the request of the United States. In a statement, Britain's Foreign Office said "we welcome this firm action by the Gibraltarian authorities, acting to enforce the EU Syria Sanctions regime". European Union sanctions against war-torn Syria have been in force since late 2011. The 28-member bloc has imposed sanctions on Syrian officials including government ministers over their role in the "violent repression" of civilians. It has frozen the assets of around 70 entities and introduced an embargo on Syrian oil, investment restrictions and a freeze on Syrian central bank assets within the EU. The tanker's detention comes just days after Iran announced it would exceed the uranium enrichment limit set up as part of the 2015 deal to avoid it building up to the level required for a nuclear warhead. Tehran took the action in response to Washington abandoning the nuclear deal last year and hitting Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions with biting sanctions. The unilateral move has sent tensions in the Gulf soaring as the administration of President Donald Trump forges ahead with a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran in coordination with its Middle East allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. White House National Security Advisor John Bolton, a champion of the hawkish policy towards Tehran, applauded the interception of the supertanker. "Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace I laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions," Bolton tweeted. According to specialised shipping trade publication Lloyd's List, which analyses vessel-tracking data, the 1997-built ship is laden with Iranian oil. It reported that the ship loaded oil off Iran in April and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

Iran demands Britain release oil tanker held in Gibraltar

Britain's Prince Harry honoured his late mother Princess Diana, who died in a Paris car crash 20 years ago, whilst speaking at a mentoring event in London on Tuesday.

Britain's Prince Harry remembers Diana at mentoring summit

Britain warned China on Tuesday that there would be serious consequences if the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/investigate-criminal-responsibility-of-violent-offenders-china-to-hong-kong-authorities-232227">Sino-British declaration on Hong Kong </a>was not honoured, saying Britain stood behind the people in the former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-condemns-extremely-violent-protests-232173">British colony</a>.

China has condemned violent demonstrations in Hong Kong as an "undisguised challenge" to the 'one country, two systems' formula under which the city is ruled which allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including the freedom to protest.

"The UK signed an internationally binding legal agreement in 1984 that enshrines the 'one country, two systems rule', enshrines the basic freedoms of the people of Hong Kong and we stand four square behind that agreement, four square behind the people of Hong Kong," British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said.

"There will be serious consequences if that internationally binding legal agreement were not to be honoured," he told BBC TV. 
 
Watch: Hong Kong police evacuate protesters from the legislative chamber

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-police-evacuate-protesters-from-chamber-232300/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Protesters, angry about proposed legislation allowing extraditions to mainland China, smashed their way into Hong Kong's legislature on Monday, with police using tear gas to disperse them.

Hunt urged the Hong Kong authorities that any repression would exacerbate people's concerns.

"We in the UK condemn violence on all sides, and many people who strongly support the pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong will have been deeply dismayed by the scenes they saw on TV last night," Hunt said.

"But, we urge the authorities not to use what happened as a pretext for repression, but rather to understand the root causes of what happened which is a deep-seated concern by people in Hong Kong that their basic freedoms are under attack."

Britain warned China on Tuesday that there would be serious consequences if the Sino-British declaration on Hong Kong was not honoured, saying Britain stood behind the people in the former British colony.

Britain warned China on Tuesday that there would be serious consequences if the Sino-British declaration on Hong Kong was not honoured, saying Britain stood behind the people in the former British colony. China has condemned violent demonstrations in Hong Kong as an "undisguised challenge" to the 'one country, two systems' formula under which the city is ruled which allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including the freedom to protest. "The UK signed an internationally binding legal agreement in 1984 that enshrines the 'one country, two systems rule', enshrines the basic freedoms of the people of Hong Kong and we stand four square behind that agreement, four square behind the people of Hong Kong," British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said. "There will be serious consequences if that internationally binding legal agreement were not to be honoured," he told BBC TV. Watch: Hong Kong police evacuate protesters from the legislative chamber Protesters, angry about proposed legislation allowing extraditions to mainland China, smashed their way into Hong Kong's legislature on Monday, with police using tear gas to disperse them. Hunt urged the Hong Kong authorities that any repression would exacerbate people's concerns. "We in the UK condemn violence on all sides, and many people who strongly support the pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong will have been deeply dismayed by the scenes they saw on TV last night," Hunt said. "But, we urge the authorities not to use what happened as a pretext for repression, but rather to understand the root causes of what happened which is a deep-seated concern by people in Hong Kong that their basic freedoms are under attack."

UK warns China of serious consequences if Hong Kong rights not honoured

What's common between the right wing Tories in Britain, the centrist Congress in India & the centre-left Democrats in the U.S.? They all lure voters with waivers. But are these big promises even feasible? Don't they betray the narrow vision of the respective parties and the leaders? Here's a report.

Gravitas: Loan Waiver: Big promises, Narrow vision

Anti-government protesters laid siege to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-protests-chinas-army-to-be-handed-prime-harbour-in-hong-kong-231230">Hong Kong's parliament </a>on Monday as the territory marked its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-protests-erupt-in-hong-kong-on-china-handover-anniversary-231871">China handover anniversary</a>, smashing windows, battling police armed with pepper spray and plunging the city further into crisis.

The angry scenes ramped up tensions in the financial hub which has been rocked by three weeks of historic demonstrations against a hugely unpopular bill that would allow<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-news-outlets-say-controversial-extradition-bill-may-be-suspended-227232"> extraditions</a> to the Chinese mainland.

Watch: Anniversary Protests begin in Hong Kong

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/anniversary-protests-begin-in-hong-kong-232053/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Tens of thousands of democracy activists staged another large, peaceful march through the city on Monday afternoon, calling for the city's pro-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-marks-19th-anniversary-of-handover-while-tensions-with-beijing-run-high-1560">Beijing</a> leader to step down and reverse what they see as years of sliding freedoms.

But that rally was overshadowed by small groups of mainly young, masked protesters who seized roads and tried to break into the legislature, sparking renewed clashes with police after two weeks of relative calm.

Under blazing summer skies, the young demonstrators made multiple attempts to smash into the building, using a metal cart as a battering ram and wielding steel poles to prize open gaps in the reinforced windows.&nbsp;

Riot police inside the building wore gas masks as they squirted pepper spray at protesters, who unfurled umbrellas to shield themselves.

The anti-government demonstrators eventually managed to prise open a hole in the reinforced glass at the main entrance. But police retreated behind heavy metal shutters that locked down the rest of the building.

"We know that this is breaking the law, but we have no choice," a 24-year-old protester surnamed Cheung told AFP.&nbsp;

Years of fears

The huge rallies over the last three weeks are the latest expression of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city's freedoms and culture with the help of the financial hub's pro-Beijing leaders.

But the increasingly hardline tactics from some protesters have alienated some, with a large counter-rally in support of the police taking place on Sunday.&nbsp;

Although<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-try-to-smash-way-into-hong-kongs-legislative-council-231945"> Hong Kong</a> returned from British to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, it is still administered separately under an arrangement known as "one country, two systems".

The city enjoys rights and liberties unseen on the autocratic mainland, but many residents fear Beijing is already reneging on that deal.

Activists have organized a march every handover anniversary, calling for greater democratic freedoms such as the right to elect the city's leader.

They have mustered large crowds in recent years including a two-month occupation of parts of the city centre in 2014 &nbsp;but have failed to win any concessions from Beijing.

"When I heard that there are clashes outside (parliament), I was very worried," Amy Siu, a 37-year-old accountant taking part in the rally, told AFP. "I'm worried about the youngsters' safety. I hope they can be rational."

"I would not blame the young people, I blame the government," added an 80-year-old protester who gave his surname Yeung.

This year's rally is framed by unprecedented anti-government protests of the past three weeks that have drawn millions, with the public anger over police use of tear gas and rubber bullets.

The spark for the current wave of protests was an attempt by chief executive Carrie Lam to pass the Beijing-backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/extradition-bill-fury-likely-to-fuel-numbers-at-hong-kong-annual-rally-231787">extradition law</a>, which she has now postponed following the public backlash.

But she has resisted calls to permanently shelve the law or step down.&nbsp;

As a result, the demonstrations have morphed into a wider movement against her administration and Beijing.&nbsp;

Champagne toasts &amp; flags&nbsp;

Lam, who has kept out of the public eye since her climb down and has record low approval ratings attended a flag-raising ceremony early Monday, marking the moment the city returned to Chinese ownership 22 years ago.&nbsp;

But she and other dignitaries watched from indoors due to "inclement weather" the first time in the ceremony's history.

Her speech stuck to the conciliatory tone she has used in recent weeks.

"What happened in recent months has caused conflicts and disputes between the government and residents," Lam said. "It has made me fully understand that as a politician, I need to be aware and accurately grasp the feelings of the people."

She then raised a champagne toast alongside cabinet officials and two of her predecessors.

Police said 13 officers were also sent to hospital after being doused by an "unknown liquid" from protesters while the government released a statement condemning protesters for using "extreme violence."

But activists have vowed to keep up their civil disobedience campaign.

"Whatever happens we won't lose heart," Jason Chan, a 22-year-old accountant added. "Resistance is not a matter of a day or a week, it is long term."

Anti-government protesters laid siege to Hong Kong's parliament on Monday as the territory marked its China handover anniversary, smashing windows, battling police armed with pepper spray and plunging the city further into crisis.

Anti-government protesters laid siege to Hong Kong's parliament on Monday as the territory marked its China handover anniversary, smashing windows, battling police armed with pepper spray and plunging the city further into crisis. The angry scenes ramped up tensions in the financial hub which has been rocked by three weeks of historic demonstrations against a hugely unpopular bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland. Watch: Anniversary Protests begin in Hong Kong Tens of thousands of democracy activists staged another large, peaceful march through the city on Monday afternoon, calling for the city's pro-Beijing leader to step down and reverse what they see as years of sliding freedoms. But that rally was overshadowed by small groups of mainly young, masked protesters who seized roads and tried to break into the legislature, sparking renewed clashes with police after two weeks of relative calm. Under blazing summer skies, the young demonstrators made multiple attempts to smash into the building, using a metal cart as a battering ram and wielding steel poles to prize open gaps in the reinforced windows. Riot police inside the building wore gas masks as they squirted pepper spray at protesters, who unfurled umbrellas to shield themselves. The anti-government demonstrators eventually managed to prise open a hole in the reinforced glass at the main entrance. But police retreated behind heavy metal shutters that locked down the rest of the building. "We know that this is breaking the law, but we have no choice," a 24-year-old protester surnamed Cheung told AFP. Years of fears The huge rallies over the last three weeks are the latest expression of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city's freedoms and culture with the help of the financial hub's pro-Beijing leaders. But the increasingly hardline tactics from some protesters have alienated some, with a large counter-rally in support of the police taking place on Sunday. Although Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, it is still administered separately under an arrangement known as "one country, two systems". The city enjoys rights and liberties unseen on the autocratic mainland, but many residents fear Beijing is already reneging on that deal. Activists have organized a march every handover anniversary, calling for greater democratic freedoms such as the right to elect the city's leader. They have mustered large crowds in recent years including a two-month occupation of parts of the city centre in 2014 but have failed to win any concessions from Beijing. "When I heard that there are clashes outside (parliament), I was very worried," Amy Siu, a 37-year-old accountant taking part in the rally, told AFP. "I'm worried about the youngsters' safety. I hope they can be rational." "I would not blame the young people, I blame the government," added an 80-year-old protester who gave his surname Yeung. This year's rally is framed by unprecedented anti-government protests of the past three weeks that have drawn millions, with the public anger over police use of tear gas and rubber bullets. The spark for the current wave of protests was an attempt by chief executive Carrie Lam to pass the Beijing-backed extradition law, which she has now postponed following the public backlash. But she has resisted calls to permanently shelve the law or step down. As a result, the demonstrations have morphed into a wider movement against her administration and Beijing. Champagne toasts & flags Lam, who has kept out of the public eye since her climb down and has record low approval ratings attended a flag-raising ceremony early Monday, marking the moment the city returned to Chinese ownership 22 years ago. But she and other dignitaries watched from indoors due to "inclement weather" the first time in the ceremony's history. Her speech stuck to the conciliatory tone she has used in recent weeks. "What happened in recent months has caused conflicts and disputes between the government and residents," Lam said. "It has made me fully understand that as a politician, I need to be aware and accurately grasp the feelings of the people." She then raised a champagne toast alongside cabinet officials and two of her predecessors. Police said 13 officers were also sent to hospital after being doused by an "unknown liquid" from protesters while the government released a statement condemning protesters for using "extreme violence." But activists have vowed to keep up their civil disobedience campaign. "Whatever happens we won't lose heart," Jason Chan, a 22-year-old accountant added. "Resistance is not a matter of a day or a week, it is long term."

Violent clashes as Hong Kong marks China handover anniversary

Britain's lead <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-against-all-alternative-brexit-options-206122">Brexit</a> negotiator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-mays-deal-or-long-brexit-delay-uks-chief-negotiator-overheard-saying-in-bar-197142">Olly Robbins</a> will leave his role in government shortly after briefing the new prime minister, The Sunday Times reported.

Robbins had been criticised by Brexiteers for helping negotiate Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-has-irrefutable-evidence-russia-behind-attack-on-skripal-theresa-may-to-putin-at-g20-231275">Theresa May</a>'s Brexit deal, which has been rejected by lawmakers.

Robbins is overdue a move and is prepared to stay and do a smooth handover, a source told Reuters.

In a further possible change, Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill is being lined up to become the new British ambassador in Washington under a Boris Johnson administration according to the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

Former foreign minister Johnson and current foreign minister Jeremy Hunt are battling each other to succeed Theresa May as prime minister and finally deliver Brexit which has been delayed until Oct. 31.

Johnson, the frontrunner, has a transition team which is preparing to invite EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the bloc's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to London to reopen talks, according to the Mail on Sunday.

Former leadership contenders Matt Hancock and Sajid Javid are lobbying to become finance minister whilst Liz Truss is being lined up to be the next business minister and former Brexit minister Dominic Raab is being earmarked as transport minister, according to the newspaper.

Brexit minister Stephen Barclay is "increasingly safe" is in his role, the newspaper said.

Meanwhile, Hunt has suggested he would take a tough line on the 39-billion pound ($50 billion) Brexit bill owed to Brussels if there is a failure to agree the terms of Britain's exit from the bloc.

"If we leave without a deal, I will not hand over a penny more than is legally required of us," he told the Sunday Times newspaper.

He would also not agree to stay in a customs union with the EU and plans to abolish the Brexit ministry and hand over responsibility to the international trade ministry, according to the newspaper.

Britain's lead Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins will leave his role in government shortly after briefing the new prime minister, The Sunday Times reported. Robbins had been criticised by Brexiteers for helping negotiate Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal, which has been rejected by lawmakers.

Britain's lead Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins will leave his role in government shortly after briefing the new prime minister, The Sunday Times reported. Robbins had been criticised by Brexiteers for helping negotiate Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal, which has been rejected by lawmakers. Robbins is overdue a move and is prepared to stay and do a smooth handover, a source told Reuters. In a further possible change, Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill is being lined up to become the new British ambassador in Washington under a Boris Johnson administration according to the Sunday Telegraph newspaper. Former foreign minister Johnson and current foreign minister Jeremy Hunt are battling each other to succeed Theresa May as prime minister and finally deliver Brexit which has been delayed until Oct. 31. Johnson, the frontrunner, has a transition team which is preparing to invite EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the bloc's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to London to reopen talks, according to the Mail on Sunday. Former leadership contenders Matt Hancock and Sajid Javid are lobbying to become finance minister whilst Liz Truss is being lined up to be the next business minister and former Brexit minister Dominic Raab is being earmarked as transport minister, according to the newspaper. Brexit minister Stephen Barclay is "increasingly safe" is in his role, the newspaper said. Meanwhile, Hunt has suggested he would take a tough line on the 39-billion pound ($50 billion) Brexit bill owed to Brussels if there is a failure to agree the terms of Britain's exit from the bloc. "If we leave without a deal, I will not hand over a penny more than is legally required of us," he told the Sunday Times newspaper. He would also not agree to stay in a customs union with the EU and plans to abolish the Brexit ministry and hand over responsibility to the international trade ministry, according to the newspaper.

United Kingdom Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins to leave role: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/government-has-become-dictatorship-hong-kong-protestors-call-on-supporters-to-rally-outside-parliament-225932">Hong Kong</a> is gearing up for an annual pro-democracy march on Monday, the anniversary of its handover to Beijing, that could draw large crowds amid widespread anger over an extradition bill that has already seen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mass-protests-protect-hong-kongs-legal-autonomy-from-china-for-now-228567">millions take to the streets</a>.

In recent years, the anniversary of the handover of the former British colony in 1997 has been marked by deepening despondency about what many residents see as increasing meddling by the mainland and the erosion of freedoms.

Beijing denies interfering but for many Hong Kong residents a proposed extradition law, that would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial, is the latest step in a relentless march towards mainland control.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, writing in his blog on Sunday, appealed for calm ahead of Monday`s rally and said the government has learned from its mistakes.&nbsp;

"It is imperative to restore social order and tranquillity as soon as possible, stabilize the business environment and bring Hong Kong back on track," he said.

Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has apologised for the upheaval, has not been seen in public since June 18.

The turmoil comes at a delicate time for Beijing, which is already grappling with a trade war with Washington, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

"If Hong Kong is no longer an international city, Hong Kong will perish," former opposition lawmaker Margaret Ng said at a rally late on Friday. 
"It`s our responsibility to let the world know."

Lam, who is backed by Beijing, promoted and then suspended the extradition bill after some of the biggest and most violent protests in the city in decades against it.

While Lam, in her decision to suspend the bill, said she had heard the people "loud and clear", she stopped short of activists` demands to scrap it and rejected calls to step down.

Activists are also demanding the government drop all charges against those arrested during the latest protests, charge police with what they describe as excessive use of force and stop referring to the demonstrations as a riot, a term than can bring a heavier jail sentence.

In scenes that grabbed global headlines on June 12, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters near the heart of the financial centre, sending plumes of smoke billowing among some of the world`s tallest skyscrapers.

In heavy rain and sweltering heat of around 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) on Sunday, thousands rallied in a show of support for the police, with some waving the Chinese national flag.

Former police chief Tang King-shing said he felt hurt when he saw protesters besiege police headquarters earlier in the week, adding it was as if "all the police`s contributions had been forgotten."

Organisers of Monday`s anniversary march say they are confident that anger over the city government`s failure to withdraw the extradition bill will fuel numbers.

The extradition bill has reignited a protest movement that had lost steam after pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 failed to wrestle concessions from Beijing and led to the arrests of hundreds of activists.&nbsp;

More than a million people have taken to the streets at times over the past three weeks to vent their anger and frustration at Lam, posing the greatest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

Local media reported that a 21-year-old Hong Kong student who fell to her death from an apartment building on Saturday had left behind a note opposing the extradition law.

Threat and fear

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including freedom of protest and a much-cherished independent judiciary.

Opponents of the extradition bill see it as a threat to the rule of law and fear it would put them at the mercy of China`s justice system where human rights are not guaranteed.

After promises that post-handover Hong Kong would enjoy autonomy, Beijing`s squeeze has fuelled resentment and in 2014 sparked pro-democracy protests that paralysed parts of the city for 79 days.&nbsp;

The failure of those protests to wrestle concessions on democracy, coupled with prosecutions of at least 100 protesters, most of them young, had discouraged many activists from going back to the streets - until recent weeks.

The turnout at the handover protest in 2018 was one of the lowest ever after Hong Kong`s opposition lost steam following the disqualification of pro-democracy legislators and the jailing of some of the most prominent activists.

Hong Kong is gearing up for an annual pro-democracy march on Monday, the anniversary of its handover to Beijing, that could draw large crowds amid widespread anger over an extradition bill that has already seen millions take to the streets.

Hong Kong is gearing up for an annual pro-democracy march on Monday, the anniversary of its handover to Beijing, that could draw large crowds amid widespread anger over an extradition bill that has already seen millions take to the streets. In recent years, the anniversary of the handover of the former British colony in 1997 has been marked by deepening despondency about what many residents see as increasing meddling by the mainland and the erosion of freedoms. Beijing denies interfering but for many Hong Kong residents a proposed extradition law, that would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial, is the latest step in a relentless march towards mainland control. Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, writing in his blog on Sunday, appealed for calm ahead of Monday`s rally and said the government has learned from its mistakes. "It is imperative to restore social order and tranquillity as soon as possible, stabilize the business environment and bring Hong Kong back on track," he said. Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has apologised for the upheaval, has not been seen in public since June 18. The turmoil comes at a delicate time for Beijing, which is already grappling with a trade war with Washington, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea. "If Hong Kong is no longer an international city, Hong Kong will perish," former opposition lawmaker Margaret Ng said at a rally late on Friday. "It`s our responsibility to let the world know." Lam, who is backed by Beijing, promoted and then suspended the extradition bill after some of the biggest and most violent protests in the city in decades against it. While Lam, in her decision to suspend the bill, said she had heard the people "loud and clear", she stopped short of activists` demands to scrap it and rejected calls to step down. Activists are also demanding the government drop all charges against those arrested during the latest protests, charge police with what they describe as excessive use of force and stop referring to the demonstrations as a riot, a term than can bring a heavier jail sentence. In scenes that grabbed global headlines on June 12, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters near the heart of the financial centre, sending plumes of smoke billowing among some of the world`s tallest skyscrapers. In heavy rain and sweltering heat of around 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) on Sunday, thousands rallied in a show of support for the police, with some waving the Chinese national flag. Former police chief Tang King-shing said he felt hurt when he saw protesters besiege police headquarters earlier in the week, adding it was as if "all the police`s contributions had been forgotten." Organisers of Monday`s anniversary march say they are confident that anger over the city government`s failure to withdraw the extradition bill will fuel numbers. The extradition bill has reignited a protest movement that had lost steam after pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 failed to wrestle concessions from Beijing and led to the arrests of hundreds of activists. More than a million people have taken to the streets at times over the past three weeks to vent their anger and frustration at Lam, posing the greatest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Local media reported that a 21-year-old Hong Kong student who fell to her death from an apartment building on Saturday had left behind a note opposing the extradition law. Threat and fear Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including freedom of protest and a much-cherished independent judiciary. Opponents of the extradition bill see it as a threat to the rule of law and fear it would put them at the mercy of China`s justice system where human rights are not guaranteed. After promises that post-handover Hong Kong would enjoy autonomy, Beijing`s squeeze has fuelled resentment and in 2014 sparked pro-democracy protests that paralysed parts of the city for 79 days. The failure of those protests to wrestle concessions on democracy, coupled with prosecutions of at least 100 protesters, most of them young, had discouraged many activists from going back to the streets - until recent weeks. The turnout at the handover protest in 2018 was one of the lowest ever after Hong Kong`s opposition lost steam following the disqualification of pro-democracy legislators and the jailing of some of the most prominent activists.

Extradition bill fury likely to fuel numbers at Hong Kong annual rally

Loose cannon or influential statesman - what kind of British prime minister would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-says-he-is-serious-about-no-deal-brexit-threat-230167">Boris Johnson</a> make on the world stage? Judging by his time as foreign secretary, possibly both.

When Johnson was given the foreign job in 2016, after Britain voted to leave the EU, he was viewed as an unlikely choice by politicians and public alike given his tendency to court controversy with gaffes, oddball jokes and off-the-cuff remarks.

The early days seemed to confirm the worst fears of those who saw the Conservative lawmaker as an unsuitable diplomat, at a critical time when Britain needed to forge new political and commercial ties with a slew of countries.

What should have been a routine conference in Italy, the "Mediterranean Dialogues Forum" aimed at building relations with leading envoys from the West and Middle East, instead turned into something of a diplomatic incident.

Johnson made headlines by going off-script and accusing Saudi Arabia, an important regional ally, of acting as a puppeteer in proxy wars under the guise of religion.

The backlash was swift from Prime Minister Theresa May, who said his comments did not reflect "actual policy", dishing out what a government source described as a shocking and very public "cuffing" for a senior minister.

Now May is stepping down over her failure to extract Britain from the European Union. Johnson, a leader of the Brexit campaign, is the overwhelming favourite to become leader of the governing Conservative Party next month, which would also make him prime minister.

The 55-year-old, famous for his messy mop of blond hair and dishevelled style, has turned upper-class English eccentricity into a political asset in Britain and perfected a personal brand based on a comic talent and a seemingly shambolic style.

His critics say this robs him of statesman-like gravity, arguing that it's difficult to take seriously a man who once said the chance of him becoming prime minister was about as likely as finding Elvis on Mars.

However, two of Johnson's aides and another veteran Conservative who knows him said that he was often misunderstood and that beneath his blustering, self-confident demeanour was a shy, serious man focused on his goals.

He is a natural introvert, two sources close his team told Reuters, adding that his shyness is often construed as arrogance, and he needs a lot of time alone before speaking in public - distinctively at odds with the public perception of Johnson being a natural, unscripted showman.

"Before speaking to a room, he needs to corral himself," said the veteran Conservative. "It's not a performance but it saps him of energy. He just needs to summon up the energy."

One aide, a government source and an EU diplomat also pointed to an influential, but behind-the-scenes, role he played as foreign secretary following the poisoning of a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, by a nerve agent last year in England.

One government source said Johnson had put his "shoulder to the wheel" to win international support for sanctions and Russian diplomatic expulsions from a long list of countries.

A senior European diplomat agreed that he was "professional" in this role, which attracted little publicity.

"People in Brussels didn't take Boris seriously back then," the diplomat said. "In March last year, he showed he could drop the clownish personality, he showed a will to discuss the Skripal affair in the most serious terms and to make the point to his counterparts that they needed to back Britain on this."

Irreverent insurgent

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, to give his full name, is something of an enigma at home and abroad.

He is man of apparent contradictions, with his privileged background and bursts of Latin phrases seemingly at odds with his popular appeal when elected mayor of left-leaning London in 2008 with the biggest personal mandate in British history.

He is one of those rare politicians to be most commonly referred to by most members of the public by their first names.

Like US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, he can emerge unscathed from gaffes and scandals that would sink any normal public figure. Other offensive remarks he has made include calling black people "piccaninnies" and saying Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes".

"Boris is a flawed character and flaky but most politicians are underneath," said Ed Costelloe, chair of the campaign group Conservative Grassroots. "It would be lovely to have Mother Theresa as prime minister, but it ain't going to happen."

In fact, some people love him all the more because he appears to be an irreverent insurgent who defies the media training of polished politics, shooting from the hip with comic timing and flair. Others seem to give him more leeway.

After his incendiary comments on Saudi Arabia, for example, two British officials said his words had not in fact gone down badly in Riyadh. "The Saudis appreciated his buffoonery, they understand his kind of humour," said one of the officials.

The biggest task ahead, should he become leader, would be withdrawal talks with the EU, which has said it will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by May in November - a deal that was repeatedly rejected by British lawmakers and led to the original Brexit date of March 29 being pushed back.

Johnson has offended many in Europe, with remarks such as suggesting Italy should help with a Brexit deal to avoid losing out on sales of Prosecco sparkling wine and declaring it was "bollocks" to say that freedom of movement was a founding principle of the EU.

Yet the British government sources said his ability to wrestle changes to the deal from Brussels, as he has demanded, would come down to whether he can carry the support of British lawmakers and end a stalemate that has incensed EU officials.

"His success depends on whether the EU believes he can actually command a majority," said one of the sources. "The thing about the PM was that they just didn't believe she could ever get it through so were never going to give any more ground. If they think Boris can get it through, they might shift."

It's all about Brexit

Johnson has cast himself as the only leadership candidate who can deliver Brexit on the next deadline of Oct. 31 - with or without a deal.

The sources close his team said he was approaching his bid in a similarly quiet way to the Skripal manoeuvring. He has built support through behind-the-scenes talks with lawmakers rather through media appearances and speeches - and had been conspicuously absent from public sight until this week.

He has been listening closely to the counsel of his closest aides and veteran election strategist Lynton Crosby, who is not officially on the payroll but is offering advice.

Johnson's strategy of steering clear of the airwaves and avoiding public head-to-head debates has been carefully thought through as part of a leadership campaign in the works for months in anticipation of May's announcement five weeks ago that she would step down, said the sources.

The plan appeared uncharacteristic for a man who made his name by being highly visible, including appearing in comedy shows and one of Britain's best-loved TV soap operas.

He even drew accusations from his only remaining leadership rival, Jeremy Hunt, of being a coward for avoiding head-to-head debates. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said she found Johnson's decision to ignore live TV debates "very odd".

The strategy was partly borne of the fact that Johnson is widely viewed as a near-certainty to win the party leadership, and become prime minister, barring an unforeseen catastrophe.

Foreign Secretary Hunt voted to stay in the European Union in 2016, which is likely to count against him among the around 160,000 party members who will choose the winner and are mainly pro-Brexit.

However, Johnson was forced to veer from the gameplan and break cover this week when he was faced with exactly the kind of negative publicity his team had hoped to avoid, after a neighbour called the police upon hearing Johnson and his girlfriend shouting and smashing plates.

Police found no cause for action, but the story dominated the front pages of Britain's newspapers, with some questioning Johnson's character and past - he is divorcing his second wife and has had several reported affairs.

Following the furore, he changed gear and launched into a media blitz on TV and radio.

Nonetheless, few in his party believe anything can seriously impede his cruise to 10 Downing Street.

"Boris is still well ahead with the membership who will ultimately decide who the next prime minister is," said Conservative lawmaker and Johnson supporter Andrew Bridgen.

"The overriding issue is Brexit and unfortunately Jeremy voted remain." 
&nbsp;

Loose cannon or influential statesman - what kind of British prime minister would Boris Johnson make on the world stage? Judging by his time as foreign secretary, possibly both.

Loose cannon or influential statesman - what kind of British prime minister would Boris Johnson make on the world stage? Judging by his time as foreign secretary, possibly both. When Johnson was given the foreign job in 2016, after Britain voted to leave the EU, he was viewed as an unlikely choice by politicians and public alike given his tendency to court controversy with gaffes, oddball jokes and off-the-cuff remarks. The early days seemed to confirm the worst fears of those who saw the Conservative lawmaker as an unsuitable diplomat, at a critical time when Britain needed to forge new political and commercial ties with a slew of countries. What should have been a routine conference in Italy, the "Mediterranean Dialogues Forum" aimed at building relations with leading envoys from the West and Middle East, instead turned into something of a diplomatic incident. Johnson made headlines by going off-script and accusing Saudi Arabia, an important regional ally, of acting as a puppeteer in proxy wars under the guise of religion. The backlash was swift from Prime Minister Theresa May, who said his comments did not reflect "actual policy", dishing out what a government source described as a shocking and very public "cuffing" for a senior minister. Now May is stepping down over her failure to extract Britain from the European Union. Johnson, a leader of the Brexit campaign, is the overwhelming favourite to become leader of the governing Conservative Party next month, which would also make him prime minister. The 55-year-old, famous for his messy mop of blond hair and dishevelled style, has turned upper-class English eccentricity into a political asset in Britain and perfected a personal brand based on a comic talent and a seemingly shambolic style. His critics say this robs him of statesman-like gravity, arguing that it's difficult to take seriously a man who once said the chance of him becoming prime minister was about as likely as finding Elvis on Mars. However, two of Johnson's aides and another veteran Conservative who knows him said that he was often misunderstood and that beneath his blustering, self-confident demeanour was a shy, serious man focused on his goals. He is a natural introvert, two sources close his team told Reuters, adding that his shyness is often construed as arrogance, and he needs a lot of time alone before speaking in public - distinctively at odds with the public perception of Johnson being a natural, unscripted showman. "Before speaking to a room, he needs to corral himself," said the veteran Conservative. "It's not a performance but it saps him of energy. He just needs to summon up the energy." One aide, a government source and an EU diplomat also pointed to an influential, but behind-the-scenes, role he played as foreign secretary following the poisoning of a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, by a nerve agent last year in England. One government source said Johnson had put his "shoulder to the wheel" to win international support for sanctions and Russian diplomatic expulsions from a long list of countries. A senior European diplomat agreed that he was "professional" in this role, which attracted little publicity. "People in Brussels didn't take Boris seriously back then," the diplomat said. "In March last year, he showed he could drop the clownish personality, he showed a will to discuss the Skripal affair in the most serious terms and to make the point to his counterparts that they needed to back Britain on this." Irreverent insurgent Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, to give his full name, is something of an enigma at home and abroad. He is man of apparent contradictions, with his privileged background and bursts of Latin phrases seemingly at odds with his popular appeal when elected mayor of left-leaning London in 2008 with the biggest personal mandate in British history. He is one of those rare politicians to be most commonly referred to by most members of the public by their first names. Like US President Donald Trump, he can emerge unscathed from gaffes and scandals that would sink any normal public figure. Other offensive remarks he has made include calling black people "piccaninnies" and saying Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes". "Boris is a flawed character and flaky but most politicians are underneath," said Ed Costelloe, chair of the campaign group Conservative Grassroots. "It would be lovely to have Mother Theresa as prime minister, but it ain't going to happen." In fact, some people love him all the more because he appears to be an irreverent insurgent who defies the media training of polished politics, shooting from the hip with comic timing and flair. Others seem to give him more leeway. After his incendiary comments on Saudi Arabia, for example, two British officials said his words had not in fact gone down badly in Riyadh. "The Saudis appreciated his buffoonery, they understand his kind of humour," said one of the officials. The biggest task ahead, should he become leader, would be withdrawal talks with the EU, which has said it will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by May in November - a deal that was repeatedly rejected by British lawmakers and led to the original Brexit date of March 29 being pushed back. Johnson has offended many in Europe, with remarks such as suggesting Italy should help with a Brexit deal to avoid losing out on sales of Prosecco sparkling wine and declaring it was "bollocks" to say that freedom of movement was a founding principle of the EU. Yet the British government sources said his ability to wrestle changes to the deal from Brussels, as he has demanded, would come down to whether he can carry the support of British lawmakers and end a stalemate that has incensed EU officials. "His success depends on whether the EU believes he can actually command a majority," said one of the sources. "The thing about the PM was that they just didn't believe she could ever get it through so were never going to give any more ground. If they think Boris can get it through, they might shift." It's all about Brexit Johnson has cast himself as the only leadership candidate who can deliver Brexit on the next deadline of Oct. 31 - with or without a deal. The sources close his team said he was approaching his bid in a similarly quiet way to the Skripal manoeuvring. He has built support through behind-the-scenes talks with lawmakers rather through media appearances and speeches - and had been conspicuously absent from public sight until this week. He has been listening closely to the counsel of his closest aides and veteran election strategist Lynton Crosby, who is not officially on the payroll but is offering advice. Johnson's strategy of steering clear of the airwaves and avoiding public head-to-head debates has been carefully thought through as part of a leadership campaign in the works for months in anticipation of May's announcement five weeks ago that she would step down, said the sources. The plan appeared uncharacteristic for a man who made his name by being highly visible, including appearing in comedy shows and one of Britain's best-loved TV soap operas. He even drew accusations from his only remaining leadership rival, Jeremy Hunt, of being a coward for avoiding head-to-head debates. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said she found Johnson's decision to ignore live TV debates "very odd". The strategy was partly borne of the fact that Johnson is widely viewed as a near-certainty to win the party leadership, and become prime minister, barring an unforeseen catastrophe. Foreign Secretary Hunt voted to stay in the European Union in 2016, which is likely to count against him among the around 160,000 party members who will choose the winner and are mainly pro-Brexit. However, Johnson was forced to veer from the gameplan and break cover this week when he was faced with exactly the kind of negative publicity his team had hoped to avoid, after a neighbour called the police upon hearing Johnson and his girlfriend shouting and smashing plates. Police found no cause for action, but the story dominated the front pages of Britain's newspapers, with some questioning Johnson's character and past - he is divorcing his second wife and has had several reported affairs. Following the furore, he changed gear and launched into a media blitz on TV and radio. Nonetheless, few in his party believe anything can seriously impede his cruise to 10 Downing Street. "Boris is still well ahead with the membership who will ultimately decide who the next prime minister is," said Conservative lawmaker and Johnson supporter Andrew Bridgen. "The overriding issue is Brexit and unfortunately Jeremy voted remain."

Genius or joker? British prime minister favourite Boris Johnson set to face the world

Britain on Thursday became the world's first major economy to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-sets-deadline-for-carbon-neutrality-by-2050-226488"> adopt the tough new target</a> of lowering fossil fuel emissions to a level of net zero by 2050.

Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore signed the order paper enacting the legislation after it passed both houses of parliament without a vote earlier this week.

"The UK kick-started the Industrial Revolution, which was responsible for economic growth across the globe but also for increasing emissions," Skidmore said in a statement.

"Today we're leading the world yet again in becoming the first major economy to pass new laws to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 while remaining committed to growing the economy."

The deadline is more ambitious than Britain's previous policy of cutting emissions by 80 per cent over the same period.

Finance minister Philip Hammond has reportedly warned it could <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-biggest-firms-foresee-1-trillion-climate-cost-hit-224236">cost more than £1.0 trillion</a> ($1.3 trillion, 1.1 trillion euros) to cut the 2050 target to net zero.

Britain's top advisory body on climate change this year said the net zero target could be achieved within a budget of 1.0-2.0 per cent of gross domestic product by 2050.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) added the deadline would require the rapid rollout of new policies such as making all new cars and vans electric by 2035 and quadrupling low-carbon electricity production.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/climate-apartheid-between-rich-and-poor-looms-united-nation-expert-warns-230621">'Climate apartheid' between rich and poor looms, United Nation expert warns</a>

The CCC said there would be a greater than 50 per cent chance of limiting the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius -- the "safe" limit identified by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- if Britain's move was replicated across the world.

"We're pioneering the way for other countries to follow in our footsteps driving prosperity by seizing the economic opportunities of becoming a greener economy," Skidmore said.

The government definition of "net zero" means that emissions are balanced by schemes to offset them.

These include planting trees or using technology to capture and store carbon emitted from burning coal and oil.&nbsp;

Natural gas is a less-polluting fossil fuel that some economists see as a temporary option industries could adopt towards the net zero target.

Britain is also part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme -- a so-called "cap and trade" mechanism that has come under heavy criticism from environmental campaigners.

It tries to lower emissions by setting a price for carbon. Nations that exceed their emissions "cap" can purchase the non-used portions allocated to low-emitting nations.

Environmental campaigners say pollution has no national borders and that emissions trading does nothing to lower the global amount of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere.

Britain on Thursday became the world's first major economy to adopt the tough new target of lowering fossil fuel emissions to a level of net zero by 2050. Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore signed the order paper enacting the legislation after it passed both houses of parliament without a vote earlier this week.

Britain on Thursday became the world's first major economy to adopt the tough new target of lowering fossil fuel emissions to a level of net zero by 2050. Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore signed the order paper enacting the legislation after it passed both houses of parliament without a vote earlier this week. "The UK kick-started the Industrial Revolution, which was responsible for economic growth across the globe but also for increasing emissions," Skidmore said in a statement. "Today we're leading the world yet again in becoming the first major economy to pass new laws to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 while remaining committed to growing the economy." The deadline is more ambitious than Britain's previous policy of cutting emissions by 80 per cent over the same period. Finance minister Philip Hammond has reportedly warned it could cost more than £1.0 trillion ($1.3 trillion, 1.1 trillion euros) to cut the 2050 target to net zero. Britain's top advisory body on climate change this year said the net zero target could be achieved within a budget of 1.0-2.0 per cent of gross domestic product by 2050. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) added the deadline would require the rapid rollout of new policies such as making all new cars and vans electric by 2035 and quadrupling low-carbon electricity production. Also read: 'Climate apartheid' between rich and poor looms, United Nation expert warns The CCC said there would be a greater than 50 per cent chance of limiting the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius -- the "safe" limit identified by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- if Britain's move was replicated across the world. "We're pioneering the way for other countries to follow in our footsteps driving prosperity by seizing the economic opportunities of becoming a greener economy," Skidmore said. The government definition of "net zero" means that emissions are balanced by schemes to offset them. These include planting trees or using technology to capture and store carbon emitted from burning coal and oil. Natural gas is a less-polluting fossil fuel that some economists see as a temporary option industries could adopt towards the net zero target. Britain is also part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme -- a so-called "cap and trade" mechanism that has come under heavy criticism from environmental campaigners. It tries to lower emissions by setting a price for carbon. Nations that exceed their emissions "cap" can purchase the non-used portions allocated to low-emitting nations. Environmental campaigners say pollution has no national borders and that emissions trading does nothing to lower the global amount of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere.

Britain adopts 2050 net zero emissions target

The renovations undertaken by Prince Harry and Meghan to turn Frogmore Cottage into their family home came at a price of 2.4 million pounds, or about $3 million, for British taxpayers, according to figures released today by the Royal Household.

How much does the world spend on royalty

Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has won Mauritania's presidential election with an absolute majority. Watch full video to know more.

Mauritania's Ghazouani declared presidential vote winner

The leader of Britain's main opposition party has questioned whether the government had evidence to back up its accusations that Iran was behind attacks on oil tankers in the entrance to the Gulf, and warned against escalating tensions.

Britain on Friday joined the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-blames-iran-for-thursdays-attacks-227216">United States</a> in blaming Iran for attacks on two tankers, raising fears of a broader military confrontation in a vital passageway for the world's oil industry.

Iran has denied any involvement.

"Without credible evidence about the tanker attacks, the government's rhetoric will only increase the threat of war," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote on Twitter late on Friday.

"Britain should act to ease tensions in the Gulf, not fuel a military escalation that began with US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement," he added," he said, referring to Washington's withdrawal from a 2015 pact to curb Tehran's nuclear plans.

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, who is one of the leading candidates to succeed British Prime Minister Theresa May after she announced she would step down, described Corbyn's comments as "pathetic and predictable".

"Why can he never bring himself to back British allies, British intelligence or British interests," Hunt said.

On Friday, the United States released video footage they say shows Iranian special forces removing an unexploded mine from one of the tankers.

Dominic Raab, another candidate to be the next Conservative leader, said Corbyn's comments show he is unfit to lead Britain.

"Corbyn allows his anti-American prejudice to skew his moral compass and political judgment," he said.

Corbyn last year was criticised by opponents and lawmakers in his own party after he questioned the government's decision to blame Russia for a nerve toxin attack on a former double agent in England.

The leader of Britain's main opposition party has questioned whether the government had evidence to back up its accusations that Iran was behind attacks on oil tankers in the entrance to the Gulf, and warned against escalating tensions.

The leader of Britain's main opposition party has questioned whether the government had evidence to back up its accusations that Iran was behind attacks on oil tankers in the entrance to the Gulf, and warned against escalating tensions. Britain on Friday joined the United States in blaming Iran for attacks on two tankers, raising fears of a broader military confrontation in a vital passageway for the world's oil industry. Iran has denied any involvement. "Without credible evidence about the tanker attacks, the government's rhetoric will only increase the threat of war," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote on Twitter late on Friday. "Britain should act to ease tensions in the Gulf, not fuel a military escalation that began with US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement," he added," he said, referring to Washington's withdrawal from a 2015 pact to curb Tehran's nuclear plans. British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, who is one of the leading candidates to succeed British Prime Minister Theresa May after she announced she would step down, described Corbyn's comments as "pathetic and predictable". "Why can he never bring himself to back British allies, British intelligence or British interests," Hunt said. On Friday, the United States released video footage they say shows Iranian special forces removing an unexploded mine from one of the tankers. Dominic Raab, another candidate to be the next Conservative leader, said Corbyn's comments show he is unfit to lead Britain. "Corbyn allows his anti-American prejudice to skew his moral compass and political judgment," he said. Corbyn last year was criticised by opponents and lawmakers in his own party after he questioned the government's decision to blame Russia for a nerve toxin attack on a former double agent in England.

British opposition leader questions Iran accusations

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