In a conservative war-torn country, where women are generally considered taboo to dance in front of men, a recently formed dance troupe breaks up the frontiers in sama dancing with female dancers.

Afghanistan: Female dancer breaks taboo, stands up for equality

The head of Canada's main opposition Conservatives quit on Thursday after losing an October election to Liberal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-trudeau-unveils-new-cabinet-with-focus-on-domestic-issues-263495">Prime Minister Justin Trudeau</a>, leaving the party in search of a more effective leader.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chastened-trudeau-to-reach-out-to-opponents-after-canada-election-blow-rules-out-coalition-257800">Andrew Scheer</a> said his resignation was "the best thing for our Conservative Party," adding that he would stay on in his role until a replacement was chosen. Scheer, 40, is a fiscal and social conservative who was first elected at age 25.

Scheer was under pressure over his failure to beat Trudeau, who opinion polls showed was vulnerable after a series of scandals. When pictures of Trudeau in blackface emerged during the campaign, Scheer got a bump in the polls that faded before election day.

It is unclear when the party will elect another leader. The country's most prominent Conservative, Alberta government head Jason Kenney, has no intention of running, said a well-placed Conservative source.

Dustin van Vugt, the Conservatives' executive director, denied a report by Global News saying Scheer quit after it was discovered he had secretly used party money to pay for private schooling for his children.

Van Vugt said the party did indeed pay school costs, but he said all the proper procedures had been followed.

Former Conservative Cabinet minister Peter MacKay, lawmaker Erin O'Toole, now the party's critic for foreign affairs, and former interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose are other potential leadership candidates.

Garry Keller, Ambrose's former chief of staff, said Scheer would have faced a battle to hold onto his job.

"He either had to decide to fight to the end through a leadership race, or he could leave on his own volition. If he had stayed on, it would have been a bloody fight," said Keller.&nbsp;

October's election was the second in a row that the Conservatives lost to Trudeau.

Although <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-election-justin-trudeau-clings-to-power-but-loses-some-of-his-lustre-257402">Scheer won more votes</a>, his support was concentrated in Western provinces that have fewer parliamentary seats than Quebec and Ontario, where Trudeau prevailed.

Conservative critics complained Scheer's personal opposition to abortion and his reluctance to champion gay rights had hurt him among those who live in the eastern provinces of Canada.

"I felt it was time to put my family first," Scheer, a father of five, said when he announced his decision.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-leaders-including-trudeau-macron-caught-mocking-trump-on-camera-266158">Trudeau</a>, who has three children, thanked Scheer for his service and said he understood the difficulties of balancing the job with a family.

Trudeau lost his majority in the election and now must govern with the support of at least one opposition party. One senior Liberal source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, said chaos in the opposition was always good for the government.

But another well-placed Liberal said a leadership change could be problematic.

The resignation "relieves some of the short-term pressures, but the key question is, who replaces Scheer? If it's a superstar, then we have a problem", said the source.

The head of Canada's main opposition Conservatives quit on Thursday after losing an October election to Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, leaving the party in search of a more effective leader.

The head of Canada's main opposition Conservatives quit on Thursday after losing an October election to Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, leaving the party in search of a more effective leader. Andrew Scheer said his resignation was "the best thing for our Conservative Party," adding that he would stay on in his role until a replacement was chosen. Scheer, 40, is a fiscal and social conservative who was first elected at age 25. Scheer was under pressure over his failure to beat Trudeau, who opinion polls showed was vulnerable after a series of scandals. When pictures of Trudeau in blackface emerged during the campaign, Scheer got a bump in the polls that faded before election day. It is unclear when the party will elect another leader. The country's most prominent Conservative, Alberta government head Jason Kenney, has no intention of running, said a well-placed Conservative source. Dustin van Vugt, the Conservatives' executive director, denied a report by Global News saying Scheer quit after it was discovered he had secretly used party money to pay for private schooling for his children. Van Vugt said the party did indeed pay school costs, but he said all the proper procedures had been followed. Former Conservative Cabinet minister Peter MacKay, lawmaker Erin O'Toole, now the party's critic for foreign affairs, and former interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose are other potential leadership candidates. Garry Keller, Ambrose's former chief of staff, said Scheer would have faced a battle to hold onto his job. "He either had to decide to fight to the end through a leadership race, or he could leave on his own volition. If he had stayed on, it would have been a bloody fight," said Keller. October's election was the second in a row that the Conservatives lost to Trudeau. Although Scheer won more votes, his support was concentrated in Western provinces that have fewer parliamentary seats than Quebec and Ontario, where Trudeau prevailed. Conservative critics complained Scheer's personal opposition to abortion and his reluctance to champion gay rights had hurt him among those who live in the eastern provinces of Canada. "I felt it was time to put my family first," Scheer, a father of five, said when he announced his decision. Trudeau, who has three children, thanked Scheer for his service and said he understood the difficulties of balancing the job with a family. Trudeau lost his majority in the election and now must govern with the support of at least one opposition party. One senior Liberal source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, said chaos in the opposition was always good for the government. But another well-placed Liberal said a leadership change could be problematic. The resignation "relieves some of the short-term pressures, but the key question is, who replaces Scheer? If it's a superstar, then we have a problem", said the source.

Leader of Canada's main opposition party quits after loss to Justin Trudeau

The leader of Britain's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-leaders-welcome-brexit-clarity-from-conservative-victory-267987">pro-European Union</a> Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, lost her parliamentary seat to the Scottish National Party on Friday.

The Liberal Democrats had hoped to win over 'remain' voters by pledging to overturn Britain's 2016 vote to leave the EU but an exit poll predicted they would gain just one seat in parliament compared to the last national election in 2017.

Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-beckons-as-uks-johnson-coasts-to-commanding-win-267999"> Boris Johnson's Conservatives</a> are on course to win a large majority after voters backed his bid to deliver Brexit on January&nbsp;31. The SNP are predicted to win 50 of the 59 seats in Scotland.

"Some will be celebrating the wave of nationalism that is sweeping on both sides of the border," said Swinson, who only Liberal Democrat leader in July. "These are very significant results for the future of our country."

Swinson, who held the seat of East Dunbartonshire from 2005-2015 and then regained it in 2017, lost by just 149 votes.

She did not say whether she would be stepping down as leader of the Liberal Democrats, who were in coalition with the Conservatives from 2010-2015, but said she would be making further remarks later on Friday.

"I still believe that we as a country can be warm and generous, inclusive and open and that by working together with our nearest neighbours we can achieve so much more," she said.

"Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for these values that guide our liberal movement: openness, fairness, inclusivity. We will stand up for hope."

The leader of Britain's pro-European Union Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, lost her parliamentary seat to the Scottish National Party on Friday. The Liberal Democrats had hoped to win over 'remain' voters by pledging to overturn Britain's 2016 vote to leave the EU but an exit poll predicted they would gain just one seat in parliament compared to the last national election in 2017.

The leader of Britain's pro-European Union Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, lost her parliamentary seat to the Scottish National Party on Friday. The Liberal Democrats had hoped to win over 'remain' voters by pledging to overturn Britain's 2016 vote to leave the EU but an exit poll predicted they would gain just one seat in parliament compared to the last national election in 2017. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives are on course to win a large majority after voters backed his bid to deliver Brexit on January 31. The SNP are predicted to win 50 of the 59 seats in Scotland. "Some will be celebrating the wave of nationalism that is sweeping on both sides of the border," said Swinson, who only Liberal Democrat leader in July. "These are very significant results for the future of our country." Swinson, who held the seat of East Dunbartonshire from 2005-2015 and then regained it in 2017, lost by just 149 votes. She did not say whether she would be stepping down as leader of the Liberal Democrats, who were in coalition with the Conservatives from 2010-2015, but said she would be making further remarks later on Friday. "I still believe that we as a country can be warm and generous, inclusive and open and that by working together with our nearest neighbours we can achieve so much more," she said. "Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for these values that guide our liberal movement: openness, fairness, inclusivity. We will stand up for hope."

UK Liberal Democrat leader Swinson loses seat to Scottish National Party

How the mighty fell: Biggest upsets in the UK election

The Saudi capital burst into life with the cheers of young fans of Korean pop group BTS as they performed in the kingdom seeking to transform its ultra-conservative image.

The seven members of the wildly popular K-pop band were sweating it out as they danced and sang Friday night in front of thousands of Saudis and expatriates in Riyadh's 70,000-capacity King Fahd International Stadium.&nbsp;

"I am very happy that they are here in Saudi Arabia for the first time," said a young girl, Amira, who wore a veil loosely over her head.&nbsp;

"I hope that there will more of these kinds of concerts," she told AFP.&nbsp;

Another young Saudi, who asked not to be named, said she was happy that her country was "opening up to pop music".&nbsp;

She added that she was a big fan of BTS songs and that they had "personally touched" her.&nbsp;

Many welcomed the group's decision to perform in Saudi Arabia, which has loosened decades-old restrictions on entertainment as part of a push to improve its image and attract tourists in a broader plan to diversify its economy away from oil.

But others criticised BTS for performing in the kingdom due to its oft-criticised human rights record and targeting of dissidents and homosexuals.

While the contentious liberalisation drive has also seen women gain some more freedoms, including being able to drive and travel more independently, the crackdown on rights campaigners and dissidents has intensified at the same time.

As Saudi Arabia boosts its entertainment offering, its record has put off some artists, including rapper Nicki Minaj, who pulled out of the Jeddah World Fest in July, citing human rights concerns.

Janet Jackson, 50 Cent and Chris Brown were among artists who did not turn down the kingdom's invitation to perform.&nbsp;

<h2>'Supporting our country'&nbsp;</h2>

But fans on Friday were excited about the prospect of future events, as children and their parents waited in anticipation outside the stadium in the kingdom that rarely pulsates to the beats of pop songs and throngs of young people.

"This concert means a lot to me," said Mohammed, who had the green Saudi flag tied around his shoulders. &nbsp;

"I feel like this is supporting our country and our economy. Also, that we are showing everyone that we welcome everyone," added the young man, who said he was an amateur YouTuber who produces art and music.

Nearby was a group of three Filipinos, who made the trip from Jeddah, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) west of Riyadh.&nbsp;

"We've been waiting for such an event for so long," one of the young women told AFP before she bolted with her friends to listen to their "favourite" song.&nbsp;

The Saudi capital burst into life with the cheers of young fans of Korean pop group BTS as they performed in the kingdom seeking to transform its ultra-conservative image.

The Saudi capital burst into life with the cheers of young fans of Korean pop group BTS as they performed in the kingdom seeking to transform its ultra-conservative image. The seven members of the wildly popular K-pop band were sweating it out as they danced and sang Friday night in front of thousands of Saudis and expatriates in Riyadh's 70,000-capacity King Fahd International Stadium. "I am very happy that they are here in Saudi Arabia for the first time," said a young girl, Amira, who wore a veil loosely over her head. "I hope that there will more of these kinds of concerts," she told AFP. Another young Saudi, who asked not to be named, said she was happy that her country was "opening up to pop music". She added that she was a big fan of BTS songs and that they had "personally touched" her. Many welcomed the group's decision to perform in Saudi Arabia, which has loosened decades-old restrictions on entertainment as part of a push to improve its image and attract tourists in a broader plan to diversify its economy away from oil. But others criticised BTS for performing in the kingdom due to its oft-criticised human rights record and targeting of dissidents and homosexuals. While the contentious liberalisation drive has also seen women gain some more freedoms, including being able to drive and travel more independently, the crackdown on rights campaigners and dissidents has intensified at the same time. As Saudi Arabia boosts its entertainment offering, its record has put off some artists, including rapper Nicki Minaj, who pulled out of the Jeddah World Fest in July, citing human rights concerns. Janet Jackson, 50 Cent and Chris Brown were among artists who did not turn down the kingdom's invitation to perform. 'Supporting our country' But fans on Friday were excited about the prospect of future events, as children and their parents waited in anticipation outside the stadium in the kingdom that rarely pulsates to the beats of pop songs and throngs of young people. "This concert means a lot to me," said Mohammed, who had the green Saudi flag tied around his shoulders. "I feel like this is supporting our country and our economy. Also, that we are showing everyone that we welcome everyone," added the young man, who said he was an amateur YouTuber who produces art and music. Nearby was a group of three Filipinos, who made the trip from Jeddah, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) west of Riyadh. "We've been waiting for such an event for so long," one of the young women told AFP before she bolted with her friends to listen to their "favourite" song.

K-Pop's BTS rocks out in ultra-conservative Saudi

Austrian conservatives won the most seats in snap elections Sunday, putting their 33-year-old leader Sebastian Kurz on track to retake power but forcing him into tough coalition negotiations after a corruption scandal sent his erstwhile far-right allies preparing for opposition.

Kurz's People's Party (OeVP) gained 37 per cent, up almost six percentage points from the last election two years ago, but not enough to form a government on its own, according to projections based on partial results.

Kurz's former allies, the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), were the biggest losers of the night, falling 10 percentage points to around 16 per cent following the spectacular "Ibiza-gate" corruption scandal in May.

The affair brought down the OeVP-FPOe coalition after just 18 months in government and triggered Sunday's snap poll.

The Greens were also big winners as climate change rose to the top of voters' concerns, securing around 14 per cent of the vote.

That means they will be viable coalition partners for a new government, but Green leader Werner Kogler said on Sunday evening that in order to consider working with Kurz, the party would need to see "radical change" from the right-wing policies pursued by the previous coalition.

The centre-left Social Democrats look set for their worst-ever result on around 22 per cent of the vote, with the liberal NEOS party winning around eight per cent.

A total of 6.4 million people were eligible to vote in the small Alpine country, with turnout estimated at 75.5 per cent.

Far-right falls&nbsp;

Kurz told jubilant supporters at party headquarters on Sunday evening the scale of the victory had left him "almost speechless", but gave few clues as to his next moves.

Before the election, Kurz -- a former law student, who has enjoyed a rapid ascent through the ranks to become the youngest-ever chancellor in 2017 -- said he would keep all options open.

"It is a big responsibility. We accept this trust humbly and respectfully, and I promise we will do our best to honour this trust," Kurz said.

The FPOe took a bigger hit than expected from the "Ibiza-gate" scandal which brought down its long-time leader Heinz-Christian Strache, and was followed by a fresh investigation against him announced in the past week -- this time over alleged fraudulent expense claims.

FPOe leader Norbert Hofer, a former aircraft engineer who took over from Strache, told Austrian media that he believed Sunday's result meant the party would not take part in coalition talks and that it was "preparing for opposition".

Previously, a renewed coalition with the far-right -- touted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and other nationalists as a model for all of Europe -- &nbsp;had looked a likely outcome.

Rebrand for Kurz?

The Greens failed to make it into parliament in the last election in 2017, in a shock result, but have staged an impressive recovery, with an especially strong showing in Austria's big cities.

The Greens' gains put Kurz in a tough spot if he wants to try to woo them and rebrand himself as fighting climate change rather than immigration.&nbsp;

"The Greens could be an opportunity for Kurz to jump on the environment bandwagon while also getting the green wave under control," political analyst Thibault Muzergues from the International Republican Institute told AFP, pointing out that the OeVP in the more rural Salzburg and Tyrol regions already worked with the Greens.

"For Kurz the important thing will be to know who he will be able to best control and who poses a danger for him," he added.

Forming a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPOe) is another option.&nbsp;

Since World War II, either the OeVP or SPOe have always been in government, and for 44 years in total the two have ruled together.

But it was Kurz who ended their last "grand coalition", leading to the 2017 election.

Kurz has also floated the idea of ruling in a minority government. But this could bring political uncertainty or even trigger another election.

A new administration could take months to emerge.

On Sunday President Alexander Van der Bellen, a former Greens leader, said initial discussions between the parties would take place in the coming weeks.

Van der Bellen said he would "strive to make sure... that trust is rebuilt" after "Ibiza-gate".

The OeVP-FPOe government imploded in May when two German media outlets published footage filmed secretly on the Spanish resort island of Ibiza, showing then FPOe leader Strache appearing to offer public contracts in exchange for campaign help from a fake Russian backer.

Austrian conservatives won the most seats in snap elections Sunday, putting their 33-year-old leader Sebastian Kurz on track to retake power but forcing him into tough coalition negotiations after a corruption scandal sent his erstwhile far-right allies preparing for opposition.

Austrian conservatives won the most seats in snap elections Sunday, putting their 33-year-old leader Sebastian Kurz on track to retake power but forcing him into tough coalition negotiations after a corruption scandal sent his erstwhile far-right allies preparing for opposition. Kurz's People's Party (OeVP) gained 37 per cent, up almost six percentage points from the last election two years ago, but not enough to form a government on its own, according to projections based on partial results. Kurz's former allies, the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), were the biggest losers of the night, falling 10 percentage points to around 16 per cent following the spectacular "Ibiza-gate" corruption scandal in May. The affair brought down the OeVP-FPOe coalition after just 18 months in government and triggered Sunday's snap poll. The Greens were also big winners as climate change rose to the top of voters' concerns, securing around 14 per cent of the vote. That means they will be viable coalition partners for a new government, but Green leader Werner Kogler said on Sunday evening that in order to consider working with Kurz, the party would need to see "radical change" from the right-wing policies pursued by the previous coalition. The centre-left Social Democrats look set for their worst-ever result on around 22 per cent of the vote, with the liberal NEOS party winning around eight per cent. A total of 6.4 million people were eligible to vote in the small Alpine country, with turnout estimated at 75.5 per cent. Far-right falls Kurz told jubilant supporters at party headquarters on Sunday evening the scale of the victory had left him "almost speechless", but gave few clues as to his next moves. Before the election, Kurz -- a former law student, who has enjoyed a rapid ascent through the ranks to become the youngest-ever chancellor in 2017 -- said he would keep all options open. "It is a big responsibility. We accept this trust humbly and respectfully, and I promise we will do our best to honour this trust," Kurz said. The FPOe took a bigger hit than expected from the "Ibiza-gate" scandal which brought down its long-time leader Heinz-Christian Strache, and was followed by a fresh investigation against him announced in the past week -- this time over alleged fraudulent expense claims. FPOe leader Norbert Hofer, a former aircraft engineer who took over from Strache, told Austrian media that he believed Sunday's result meant the party would not take part in coalition talks and that it was "preparing for opposition". Previously, a renewed coalition with the far-right -- touted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and other nationalists as a model for all of Europe -- had looked a likely outcome. Rebrand for Kurz? The Greens failed to make it into parliament in the last election in 2017, in a shock result, but have staged an impressive recovery, with an especially strong showing in Austria's big cities. The Greens' gains put Kurz in a tough spot if he wants to try to woo them and rebrand himself as fighting climate change rather than immigration. "The Greens could be an opportunity for Kurz to jump on the environment bandwagon while also getting the green wave under control," political analyst Thibault Muzergues from the International Republican Institute told AFP, pointing out that the OeVP in the more rural Salzburg and Tyrol regions already worked with the Greens. "For Kurz the important thing will be to know who he will be able to best control and who poses a danger for him," he added. Forming a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPOe) is another option. Since World War II, either the OeVP or SPOe have always been in government, and for 44 years in total the two have ruled together. But it was Kurz who ended their last "grand coalition", leading to the 2017 election. Kurz has also floated the idea of ruling in a minority government. But this could bring political uncertainty or even trigger another election. A new administration could take months to emerge. On Sunday President Alexander Van der Bellen, a former Greens leader, said initial discussions between the parties would take place in the coming weeks. Van der Bellen said he would "strive to make sure... that trust is rebuilt" after "Ibiza-gate". The OeVP-FPOe government imploded in May when two German media outlets published footage filmed secretly on the Spanish resort island of Ibiza, showing then FPOe leader Strache appearing to offer public contracts in exchange for campaign help from a fake Russian backer.

Conservatives win Austria election as far-right tumbles

British lawmakers opposed to a no-deal Brexit will attempt to pass a law this week to stop Prime Minister Boris Johnson from letting Britain crash out of the European Union on October&nbsp;31, the opposition Labour Party's Brexit spokesman said.

Senior minister Michael Gove refused, however, to guarantee the government would abide by any such legislation.

Johnson has pledged to deliver Brexit with or without a deal, but opposition lawmakers - and several from his own Conservatives - want to push through legislation to rule out no-deal before parliament is suspended in just over a week's time.

Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said the plan, which will be published on Tuesday, had one "very simple" aim - to stop Johnson taking Britain out of the EU without a deal.

"Obviously, if we are at the 31st of October, that will require an extension," Starmer told the BBC's Andrew Marr on Sunday.

"But I think this should be a very short, simple exercise designed to ensure we don't crash out without a deal."

Gove, one of Johnson's key ministers who is coordinating no-deal contingency plans, said he believed a majority of lawmakers would back the prime minister and defeat the attempt.

"We know the prime minister is making progress with our European friends and allies in attempting to secure a deal, and I don't believe that people will want to erect a roadblock in his way," he said.

Asked whether the government would abide by any legislation passed to prevent a no-deal Brexit on October&nbsp;31, Gove said: "Let's see what the legislation is that (Starmer) puts forward."

Starmer said later it was "breathtaking" for ministers not to confirm the government would comply with legislation passed lawfully. "No government is above the law," he said on Twitter.

National interest

David Gauke, a former British justice secretary and a Johnson critic, said he would meet the prime minister on Monday to hear his plan to deliver a Brexit deal he could support.

But Gauke said he was prepared to disobey Conservative discipline and be expelled by the party if he was not persuaded.

"Sometimes there is a point where you have to judge between your own personal interests and the national interest, and the national interest has to come first," he told Sky News. "But I hope it doesn't come to that."

Sky News reported later on Sunday, however, that Johnson cancelled the meeting with Gauke because of a 'diary clash".

Johnson told the Sunday Times that those backing the opposition to no-deal risked there being no Brexit at all.

"Are you going to side with those who want to scrub the democratic verdict of the people — and plunge this country into chaos?" he said.

"Or are you going to side with those of us who want to get on, deliver on the mandate of the people and focus with absolute, laser-like precision on the domestic agenda? That's the choice."

Johnson has demanded the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU be changed to remove the Irish "backstop" - an insurance policy designed to maintain an open border between EU member Ireland and the UK's Northern Ireland.

Gove said German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron had indicated after talks with Johnson that the agreement - "which they had said was a block of marble that could not be altered" - was now capable of being changed.

But the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said the backstop had to stay to protect the integrity of the EU single market.

"The backstop is the maximum amount of flexibility that the EU can offer to a non-member state," he wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

Gove said preparations for no-deal were progressing and that there would be no shortages of fresh food, although there could be price rises. "Some prices (of food) may go up, other prices will come down," he said.

The British Retail Consortium, a group representing the sector, said Gove's assertion was "categorically untrue".

"The availability of fresh foods will be impacted as a result of checks and delays at the border," the BRC said.

British lawmakers opposed to a no-deal Brexit will attempt to pass a law this week to stop Prime Minister Boris Johnson from letting Britain crash out of the European Union on October 31, the opposition Labour Party's Brexit spokesman said.

British lawmakers opposed to a no-deal Brexit will attempt to pass a law this week to stop Prime Minister Boris Johnson from letting Britain crash out of the European Union on October 31, the opposition Labour Party's Brexit spokesman said. Senior minister Michael Gove refused, however, to guarantee the government would abide by any such legislation. Johnson has pledged to deliver Brexit with or without a deal, but opposition lawmakers - and several from his own Conservatives - want to push through legislation to rule out no-deal before parliament is suspended in just over a week's time. Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said the plan, which will be published on Tuesday, had one "very simple" aim - to stop Johnson taking Britain out of the EU without a deal. "Obviously, if we are at the 31st of October, that will require an extension," Starmer told the BBC's Andrew Marr on Sunday. "But I think this should be a very short, simple exercise designed to ensure we don't crash out without a deal." Gove, one of Johnson's key ministers who is coordinating no-deal contingency plans, said he believed a majority of lawmakers would back the prime minister and defeat the attempt. "We know the prime minister is making progress with our European friends and allies in attempting to secure a deal, and I don't believe that people will want to erect a roadblock in his way," he said. Asked whether the government would abide by any legislation passed to prevent a no-deal Brexit on October 31, Gove said: "Let's see what the legislation is that (Starmer) puts forward." Starmer said later it was "breathtaking" for ministers not to confirm the government would comply with legislation passed lawfully. "No government is above the law," he said on Twitter. National interest David Gauke, a former British justice secretary and a Johnson critic, said he would meet the prime minister on Monday to hear his plan to deliver a Brexit deal he could support. But Gauke said he was prepared to disobey Conservative discipline and be expelled by the party if he was not persuaded. "Sometimes there is a point where you have to judge between your own personal interests and the national interest, and the national interest has to come first," he told Sky News. "But I hope it doesn't come to that." Sky News reported later on Sunday, however, that Johnson cancelled the meeting with Gauke because of a 'diary clash". Johnson told the Sunday Times that those backing the opposition to no-deal risked there being no Brexit at all. "Are you going to side with those who want to scrub the democratic verdict of the people — and plunge this country into chaos?" he said. "Or are you going to side with those of us who want to get on, deliver on the mandate of the people and focus with absolute, laser-like precision on the domestic agenda? That's the choice." Johnson has demanded the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU be changed to remove the Irish "backstop" - an insurance policy designed to maintain an open border between EU member Ireland and the UK's Northern Ireland. Gove said German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron had indicated after talks with Johnson that the agreement - "which they had said was a block of marble that could not be altered" - was now capable of being changed. But the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said the backstop had to stay to protect the integrity of the EU single market. "The backstop is the maximum amount of flexibility that the EU can offer to a non-member state," he wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. Gove said preparations for no-deal were progressing and that there would be no shortages of fresh food, although there could be price rises. "Some prices (of food) may go up, other prices will come down," he said. The British Retail Consortium, a group representing the sector, said Gove's assertion was "categorically untrue". "The availability of fresh foods will be impacted as a result of checks and delays at the border," the BRC said.

UK lawmakers against no-deal Brexit to bring forward legislation

Conservative and Unionist Parties to pick Next PM. Theresa May to leave PM Office next week

Gravitas: With May's Exit, What Happens to Brexit?

A group of 19 Catholic priests and academics have appealed to bishops to declare <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-appeals-for-evacuation-of-refugees-in-libya-camps-214149">Pope Francis </a>a heretic, in the latest ultra-conservative broadside against the pontiff over a range of topics from communion for the divorced to religious diversity.

The most prominent of the group is Father Aidan Nichols, a 70-year-old British priest of the Dominican order who has written many books and is one of most recognised theologians in the English-speaking world. The others are less well known.

"We take this measure as a last resort to respond to the accumulating harm caused by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-urges-libya-peace-return-of-refugees-to-syria-212319">Pope</a> Francis's words and actions over several years, which have given rise to one of the worst crises in the history of the Catholic Church," they said in a 20-page open letter.

The letter attacks Francis for allegedly softening the Church's stance on a range of subjects. They say he has not been outspoken enough against abortion and has been too welcoming to homosexuals and too accommodating to Protestants and Muslims.

It was published on Tuesday by LifeSiteNews, a conservative Catholic website that often is a platform for attacks on the pope. Last year, it ran a document by the Vatican's former ambassador to Washington, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, calling on the pope to resign.

A Vatican spokesman had no comment on the letter, which includes dozens of footnotes, Bible verses, pronouncements by previous popes, and a separate bibliography. The letter invites people to join an on-line signature drive.

Addressing the bishops, the letter says "We therefore request that your Lordships urgently address the situation of Pope Francis's public adherence to heresy."

It asks them to "publicly to admonish Pope Francis to abjure the heresies that he has professed".

A significant part of the letter concentrates on "Amoris Laetitia" (The Joy of Love), a 2016 papal document that is a cornerstone of Francis' attempt to make the 1.3 billion-member Church more inclusive and less condemning.

ULTRA CONSERVATIVES TAKE AIM

In it, Francis called for a Church that is less strict and more compassionate towards any "imperfect" members, such as those who divorced and later remarry in civil ceremonies.

Under Church law they cannot receive communion unless they abstain from sex with their new partner, because their first marriage is still valid in the eyes of the Church, unless they have received an annulment. The Church does not allow divorce.

Francis has opened the door to some exceptions, allowing the decision whether the person can be fully re-integrated and receive communion to be made by a priest or bishop jointly with the individual on a case-by-case basis.

After Amoris Laetitia was published, four conservative publicly challenged the pope, accusing him of sowing confusion on important moral issues. He has thus far not responded to their demands that he clear up their doubts.

The new letter lists pages of what it calls "Evidence for Pope Francis being guilty of the delict (crime) of heresy".

It attacks him for having once said that the intentions of Martin Luther, the father of the Protestant Reformation, "were not mistaken". It says he has not condemned abortion strongly enough and is too lenient with homosexual Catholics.

The letter criticised Francis for signing a joint statement with Lutherans in 2016 in which the pope said Catholics were grateful for the "theological gifts" of the Reformation.

It also attacked the pope for a common statement with a prominent Muslim leader in Abu Dhabi in February which said that the pluralism and diversity of religions was "willed by God". Conservatives say the Roman Catholic Church is the only true one and that members are called to convert others to it.

The letter launches personal attacks on 22 people, nearly all of them current or past Church figures, asserting that their association with the pope supports their accusation of heresy.

A group of 19 Catholic priests and academics have appealed to bishops to declare Pope Francis a heretic, in the latest ultra-conservative broadside against the pontiff over a range of topics from communion for the divorced to religious diversity.

A group of 19 Catholic priests and academics have appealed to bishops to declare Pope Francis a heretic, in the latest ultra-conservative broadside against the pontiff over a range of topics from communion for the divorced to religious diversity. The most prominent of the group is Father Aidan Nichols, a 70-year-old British priest of the Dominican order who has written many books and is one of most recognised theologians in the English-speaking world. The others are less well known. "We take this measure as a last resort to respond to the accumulating harm caused by Pope Francis's words and actions over several years, which have given rise to one of the worst crises in the history of the Catholic Church," they said in a 20-page open letter. The letter attacks Francis for allegedly softening the Church's stance on a range of subjects. They say he has not been outspoken enough against abortion and has been too welcoming to homosexuals and too accommodating to Protestants and Muslims. It was published on Tuesday by LifeSiteNews, a conservative Catholic website that often is a platform for attacks on the pope. Last year, it ran a document by the Vatican's former ambassador to Washington, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, calling on the pope to resign. A Vatican spokesman had no comment on the letter, which includes dozens of footnotes, Bible verses, pronouncements by previous popes, and a separate bibliography. The letter invites people to join an on-line signature drive. Addressing the bishops, the letter says "We therefore request that your Lordships urgently address the situation of Pope Francis's public adherence to heresy." It asks them to "publicly to admonish Pope Francis to abjure the heresies that he has professed". A significant part of the letter concentrates on "Amoris Laetitia" (The Joy of Love), a 2016 papal document that is a cornerstone of Francis' attempt to make the 1.3 billion-member Church more inclusive and less condemning. ULTRA CONSERVATIVES TAKE AIM In it, Francis called for a Church that is less strict and more compassionate towards any "imperfect" members, such as those who divorced and later remarry in civil ceremonies. Under Church law they cannot receive communion unless they abstain from sex with their new partner, because their first marriage is still valid in the eyes of the Church, unless they have received an annulment. The Church does not allow divorce. Francis has opened the door to some exceptions, allowing the decision whether the person can be fully re-integrated and receive communion to be made by a priest or bishop jointly with the individual on a case-by-case basis. After Amoris Laetitia was published, four conservative publicly challenged the pope, accusing him of sowing confusion on important moral issues. He has thus far not responded to their demands that he clear up their doubts. The new letter lists pages of what it calls "Evidence for Pope Francis being guilty of the delict (crime) of heresy". It attacks him for having once said that the intentions of Martin Luther, the father of the Protestant Reformation, "were not mistaken". It says he has not condemned abortion strongly enough and is too lenient with homosexual Catholics. The letter criticised Francis for signing a joint statement with Lutherans in 2016 in which the pope said Catholics were grateful for the "theological gifts" of the Reformation. It also attacked the pope for a common statement with a prominent Muslim leader in Abu Dhabi in February which said that the pluralism and diversity of religions was "willed by God". Conservatives say the Roman Catholic Church is the only true one and that members are called to convert others to it. The letter launches personal attacks on 22 people, nearly all of them current or past Church figures, asserting that their association with the pope supports their accusation of heresy.

Conservatives want Catholic bishops to declare pope a heretic

A top member of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party will tell her in the coming week that she must step down by the end of June or her lawmakers will try again to depose her, the Sunday Times reported, without citing sources.

May survived a vote of no confidence in December and although party rules mean lawmakers cannot challenge her again until a year has passed, lawmaker Graham Brady will tell her the rules will be changed unless she quits, the newspaper said.

Brady, who chairs the Conservative Party’s influential 1922 Committee of backbench lawmakers, will tell her that 70 percent of her members of parliament want her to resign over her handling of Brexit, the Sunday Times said.

Britain was originally due to leave the European Union on March 29, but that deadline was pushed back to April 12 and then again to Oct. 31 as May failed to break an impasse in parliament on the terms of Brexit.

A top member of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party will tell her in the coming week that she must step down by the end of June or her lawmakers will try again to depose her, the Sunday Times reported, without citing sources.

A top member of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party will tell her in the coming week that she must step down by the end of June or her lawmakers will try again to depose her, the Sunday Times reported, without citing sources. May survived a vote of no confidence in December and although party rules mean lawmakers cannot challenge her again until a year has passed, lawmaker Graham Brady will tell her the rules will be changed unless she quits, the newspaper said. Brady, who chairs the Conservative Party’s influential 1922 Committee of backbench lawmakers, will tell her that 70 percent of her members of parliament want her to resign over her handling of Brexit, the Sunday Times said. Britain was originally due to leave the European Union on March 29, but that deadline was pushed back to April 12 and then again to Oct. 31 as May failed to break an impasse in parliament on the terms of Brexit.

UK PM May to be told to quit by top Conservative: Report

President Donald Trump has stepped up his drive to fill courts across the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-heads-to-final-vote-on-kavanaugh-supreme-court-nomination-169893">United States with conservative judges</a> in an effort to woo voters on the right ahead of the midterm congressional elections.

Coming off his success in appointing two judges strongly aligned with Republican ideology to the Supreme Court, Trump is duplicating that move in federal circuit and district courts -- the next two levels in the US justice system.

"I have been there less than two years and I have two of them," Trump boasted in an election rally on Monday in Texas, referring to Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the conservative justices who have tilted the Supreme Court strongly toward the right.

"We have a record number of circuit court judges for the time we have been in office," he added. "We expect to go to the all-time record."

The US Constitution empowers the president to make lifetime appointments of judges to all three levels of federal courts, where nearly 900 judges serve. Each needs to be confirmed by the Senate, however.

Since taking office in January 2017, Trump has obtained the confirmation of 84 federal judges, compared to 43 in the same period for his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama.

Trump has nominated some 50 more, who are awaiting the Senate's green light.

Trump's former White House counsel Don McGahn said they have consciously chosen some of the most conservative people possible for the positions.

"Some folks that are kind of too hot for prime-time," he described them. "The kind of people that make some people nervous."

Impact already felt&nbsp;

Democrats are angry, but have been powerless to do anything about it because they are a minority in the Senate.

The senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Dianne Feinstein, pointed out that her committee was the only one holding hearings before the midterms.&nbsp;

"Republicans are breaking every norm to stack the courts with young, ideological nominees who will undermine the rights and protections of all Americans for generations to come," she said.

And Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said in a tweet, "The Trump Administration is trying to pack the courts for years to come. We will fight this."

If Republicans retain control of the Senate in the November midterm elections as expected, Trump could have the opportunity to fill another 150 vacant posts over the next two years.

The new judges are already having an impact on US society, for instance by shooting down a complaint on racial discrimination in the workplace, and supporting the removal of limits to election campaign donations, both positions backed by Republicans.

"I think it's a huge thing," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said last week. "We can feel a difference in some of the circuits (appeals courts) already."

Trump calls the effort a major achievements of his presidency.

"These appointments are going to be one of the most important things, if not the most important thing, we do," he said.

Election issue

Ahead of the November 6 election -- in which Republicans are fighting to retain control of the two chambers of Congress -- Trump's judicial appointments are galvanizing conservative voters.

Evangelical Christians and traditional conservatives were originally skeptical of billionaire Trump, given his record of political opportunism and seeming agnosticism.

But he won their support in the 2016 presidential election by promising to appoint a committed conservative to the Supreme Court who would oppose abortion and support broad gun ownership rights.

The opportunity to stack the courts with conservatives was greater than usual when he took office: for the previous two years, Republicans in Congress had blocked dozens of Obama's nominees, leaving 107 judgeships vacant.

The Republican Senate quickly began confirming Trump's court picks. Even in their fervor, however, they did not get everyone through: one candidate withdrew when his legal shortcomings became evident; another was dropped after his former writings in support of the Ku Klux Klan were brought to light.

Unprecedented power grab'

With Republicans worried they could lose their majority in the November 6 vote, they have bent the rules in Congress to accelerate confirmations.

Fifteen were approved in one day in mid-October just ahead of the Senate going on break.

And even while it is officially in recess for the election, the Senate Judiciary Committee continues to hold confirmation hearings with nominees, angering Democrats.

"It is an unprecedented power grab that flies in the face of Senators' constitutional duty to advise and consent on judicial nominees and makes a mockery of our Constitution and justice system," said Jill Dash, vice president of the liberal-leaning American Constitution Society. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump has stepped up his drive to fill courts across the United States with conservative judges in an effort to woo voters on the right ahead of the midterm congressional elections.

President Donald Trump has stepped up his drive to fill courts across the United States with conservative judges in an effort to woo voters on the right ahead of the midterm congressional elections. Coming off his success in appointing two judges strongly aligned with Republican ideology to the Supreme Court, Trump is duplicating that move in federal circuit and district courts -- the next two levels in the US justice system. "I have been there less than two years and I have two of them," Trump boasted in an election rally on Monday in Texas, referring to Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the conservative justices who have tilted the Supreme Court strongly toward the right. "We have a record number of circuit court judges for the time we have been in office," he added. "We expect to go to the all-time record." The US Constitution empowers the president to make lifetime appointments of judges to all three levels of federal courts, where nearly 900 judges serve. Each needs to be confirmed by the Senate, however. Since taking office in January 2017, Trump has obtained the confirmation of 84 federal judges, compared to 43 in the same period for his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama. Trump has nominated some 50 more, who are awaiting the Senate's green light. Trump's former White House counsel Don McGahn said they have consciously chosen some of the most conservative people possible for the positions. "Some folks that are kind of too hot for prime-time," he described them. "The kind of people that make some people nervous." Impact already felt Democrats are angry, but have been powerless to do anything about it because they are a minority in the Senate. The senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Dianne Feinstein, pointed out that her committee was the only one holding hearings before the midterms. "Republicans are breaking every norm to stack the courts with young, ideological nominees who will undermine the rights and protections of all Americans for generations to come," she said. And Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said in a tweet, "The Trump Administration is trying to pack the courts for years to come. We will fight this." If Republicans retain control of the Senate in the November midterm elections as expected, Trump could have the opportunity to fill another 150 vacant posts over the next two years. The new judges are already having an impact on US society, for instance by shooting down a complaint on racial discrimination in the workplace, and supporting the removal of limits to election campaign donations, both positions backed by Republicans. "I think it's a huge thing," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said last week. "We can feel a difference in some of the circuits (appeals courts) already." Trump calls the effort a major achievements of his presidency. "These appointments are going to be one of the most important things, if not the most important thing, we do," he said. Election issue Ahead of the November 6 election -- in which Republicans are fighting to retain control of the two chambers of Congress -- Trump's judicial appointments are galvanizing conservative voters. Evangelical Christians and traditional conservatives were originally skeptical of billionaire Trump, given his record of political opportunism and seeming agnosticism. But he won their support in the 2016 presidential election by promising to appoint a committed conservative to the Supreme Court who would oppose abortion and support broad gun ownership rights. The opportunity to stack the courts with conservatives was greater than usual when he took office: for the previous two years, Republicans in Congress had blocked dozens of Obama's nominees, leaving 107 judgeships vacant. The Republican Senate quickly began confirming Trump's court picks. Even in their fervor, however, they did not get everyone through: one candidate withdrew when his legal shortcomings became evident; another was dropped after his former writings in support of the Ku Klux Klan were brought to light. Unprecedented power grab' With Republicans worried they could lose their majority in the November 6 vote, they have bent the rules in Congress to accelerate confirmations. Fifteen were approved in one day in mid-October just ahead of the Senate going on break. And even while it is officially in recess for the election, the Senate Judiciary Committee continues to hold confirmation hearings with nominees, angering Democrats. "It is an unprecedented power grab that flies in the face of Senators' constitutional duty to advise and consent on judicial nominees and makes a mockery of our Constitution and justice system," said Jill Dash, vice president of the liberal-leaning American Constitution Society.

With eye on vote, Trump stacks US courts with conservatives

Turkey`s broadcasting watchdog has fined a TV station nearly one million lira ($266,000) over footage of young girls dancing in shorts in a talent competition after viewers complained of &quot;child abuse&quot;, a board member said on Thursday. 
 
Citing moral dangers for the children, it penalised TV8 channel for footage in the &quot;Yetenek Sizsiniz&quot; (&quot;You Got Talent&quot;) programme which showed a group of girls, aged from 7 to 11, who peformed in shorts and tank tops, the board member who did not want to be named told Reuters. 
 
The move by the Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) is likely to further anger government critics, who accuse President Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted ruling AK Party of trying to roll back secularism and civil rights for minorities, gay people and women. 
 
Last year, hundreds of Turkish women marched in Istanbul to protest against violence and threats from men demanding they dress more conservatively.

RTUK ruled that the footage had violated its ethical broadcast regulations and fined the channel 2 percent of its advertising revenues, amounting almost to 1 million lira. 
 
The regulations state that &quot;programmes which contain content that could harm the physical, mental and moral development of children and youth cannot be broadcast&quot;. 
 
RTUK said in a report that it had received complaints that the channel had exploited the children in an &quot;immoral&quot; show. 
 
&quot;There were reactions from citizens for making minor children, aged 7-8, dance half-naked for ratings, amounting to child abuse,&quot; the report said. 
 
Turkey`s Family and Social Policies Ministry said the children were &quot;dancing with clothes that were not appropriate for their age and development level.&quot; 
 
Hurriyet newspaper said RTUK also fined several music channels for broadcasting a music video which it described as &quot;one tick below an erotic film.&quot; 
 
The video of the &quot;Sifir Tolerans&quot; (&quot;Zero Tolerance&quot;) song by Belgium-born singer Hadise depicts the artist in intimate scenes with her male co-star. The video includes scenes of the singer in a bed with the male actor and in a bathtub.

<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sui9MKrDnQk" width="560"></iframe>

"Yetenek Sizsiniz" ("You Got Talent") programme showed a group of girls, aged from 7 to 11, performing in shorts and tank tops

Turkey`s broadcasting watchdog has fined a TV station nearly one million lira ($266,000) over footage of young girls dancing in shorts in a talent competition after viewers complained of "child abuse", a board member said on Thursday. Citing moral dangers for the children, it penalised TV8 channel for footage in the "Yetenek Sizsiniz" ("You Got Talent") programme which showed a group of girls, aged from 7 to 11, who peformed in shorts and tank tops, the board member who did not want to be named told Reuters. The move by the Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) is likely to further anger government critics, who accuse President Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted ruling AK Party of trying to roll back secularism and civil rights for minorities, gay people and women. Last year, hundreds of Turkish women marched in Istanbul to protest against violence and threats from men demanding they dress more conservatively. RTUK ruled that the footage had violated its ethical broadcast regulations and fined the channel 2 percent of its advertising revenues, amounting almost to 1 million lira. The regulations state that "programmes which contain content that could harm the physical, mental and moral development of children and youth cannot be broadcast". RTUK said in a report that it had received complaints that the channel had exploited the children in an "immoral" show. "There were reactions from citizens for making minor children, aged 7-8, dance half-naked for ratings, amounting to child abuse," the report said. Turkey`s Family and Social Policies Ministry said the children were "dancing with clothes that were not appropriate for their age and development level." Hurriyet newspaper said RTUK also fined several music channels for broadcasting a music video which it described as "one tick below an erotic film." The video of the "Sifir Tolerans" ("Zero Tolerance") song by Belgium-born singer Hadise depicts the artist in intimate scenes with her male co-star. The video includes scenes of the singer in a bed with the male actor and in a bathtub.

Turkish council fines TV channel over girls in shorts in talent show

London: Stock markets traded within sight of their highest levels this year on Wednesday as the prospect of stimulative economic policy across the developed world eased immediate concern over Britain&#39;s vote to leave the European Union. 
 
The swift moves by the Conservative Party that see Theresa May replacing David Cameron as prime minister on Wednesday have helped fund a recovery that, aside from sterling itself, has wiped out the negative reaction to the June 23 vote. 
 
Asian markets outside Japan gained another third of a percent to come within a hair&#39;s breadth of the year&#39;s highs from April, while European shares rose 0.2 percent, on course for their fifth straight day of gains. 
 
Traders say that concerns over the economic and political impact of what promise to be torturous exit talks between London and Brussels have not gone away, but they are certainly on the back burner for a moment. 
 
U.S. stock futures showed Wall Street set to build further on record highs hit on Tuesday. Expectations that sterling&#39;s fall will help British companies has London&#39;s FTSE index at its highest since last August. 
 
&quot;This is a short term relief rally thanks to some certainty around the swift handover to a new PM,&quot; said Tobias Davis, Head of Corporate Treasury Sales at Western Union in London. 
 
&quot;The path ahead still looks incredibly challenging. Equities are only rallying thanks to negative yields across most of the curve in Swiss, German and Japanese markets. In reality, the economic landscape is deteriorating.&quot; 
 
Sterling, whose 14 percent fall made it one of the main victims of last month&#39;s referendum, hit its highest in more than a week at $1.3340. 
 
But for every blip higher for the pound at the moment there are more sellers ready to bet it will fall further in the months ahead and it quickly fell back to stand just 0.2 percent stronger on the day at $1.3280. 
 
The yen, investors&#39; go-to currency in times of market stress was also up half a percent against the euro and dollar after falling sharply on the back of Japan&#39;s move into another round of stimulative policy. 
 
The debate among currency traders around Thursday&#39;s Bank of England meeting is also now not whether it will cut interest rates but by how much -- some measure of the concern over the economy&#39;s fate for the rest of the year. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m struck at the enthusiasm of all and sundry to tell us that European and U.S. growth rates will hardly be affected by the UK post-referendum slowdown,&quot; Societe Generale&#39;s Kit Juckes said in a note to clients. 
 
&quot;That flies in the face of the increased correlation of major economies&#39; growth rates in an ever more connected world.&quot; 
 
Stimulus 
In commodities, oil prices dropped after industry group American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a surprise build of 2.2 million barrels in US crude stockpiles last week. [O/R] 
 
Brent crude futures fell 1.6 percent to $47.71 after surging roughly 5 percent on Tuesday on broad improvement in risk sentiment. 
 
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered a new round of fiscal stimulus spending, as expected, after an election victory on Sunday. His meeting with former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, a proponent of &quot;helicopter money&quot; policies - printing money and directly handing it to the private sector to stimulate the economy - fuelled speculation that some of the stimulus plan could be funded by Bank of Japan easing. 
 
The European Central Bank is also widely expected to take a dovish stance when it holds its policy review a week later. 
 
&quot;After being faced with the prospect of a major slowdown in global activity in the wake of the Brexit vote, governments and central banks worldwide are now expected to do their utmost to reassure markets and provide stimulus,&quot; wrote Angus Nicholson, market analyst at IG in Melbourne. 
 
(Reuters)

Swift moves by the Conservative Party that see Theresa May replacing David Cameron as prime minister have helped fund a recovery

London: Stock markets traded within sight of their highest levels this year on Wednesday as the prospect of stimulative economic policy across the developed world eased immediate concern over Britain's vote to leave the European Union. The swift moves by the Conservative Party that see Theresa May replacing David Cameron as prime minister on Wednesday have helped fund a recovery that, aside from sterling itself, has wiped out the negative reaction to the June 23 vote. Asian markets outside Japan gained another third of a percent to come within a hair's breadth of the year's highs from April, while European shares rose 0.2 percent, on course for their fifth straight day of gains. Traders say that concerns over the economic and political impact of what promise to be torturous exit talks between London and Brussels have not gone away, but they are certainly on the back burner for a moment. U.S. stock futures showed Wall Street set to build further on record highs hit on Tuesday. Expectations that sterling's fall will help British companies has London's FTSE index at its highest since last August. "This is a short term relief rally thanks to some certainty around the swift handover to a new PM," said Tobias Davis, Head of Corporate Treasury Sales at Western Union in London. "The path ahead still looks incredibly challenging. Equities are only rallying thanks to negative yields across most of the curve in Swiss, German and Japanese markets. In reality, the economic landscape is deteriorating." Sterling, whose 14 percent fall made it one of the main victims of last month's referendum, hit its highest in more than a week at $1.3340. But for every blip higher for the pound at the moment there are more sellers ready to bet it will fall further in the months ahead and it quickly fell back to stand just 0.2 percent stronger on the day at $1.3280. The yen, investors' go-to currency in times of market stress was also up half a percent against the euro and dollar after falling sharply on the back of Japan's move into another round of stimulative policy. The debate among currency traders around Thursday's Bank of England meeting is also now not whether it will cut interest rates but by how much -- some measure of the concern over the economy's fate for the rest of the year. "I'm struck at the enthusiasm of all and sundry to tell us that European and U.S. growth rates will hardly be affected by the UK post-referendum slowdown," Societe Generale's Kit Juckes said in a note to clients. "That flies in the face of the increased correlation of major economies' growth rates in an ever more connected world." Stimulus In commodities, oil prices dropped after industry group American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a surprise build of 2.2 million barrels in US crude stockpiles last week. [O/R] Brent crude futures fell 1.6 percent to $47.71 after surging roughly 5 percent on Tuesday on broad improvement in risk sentiment. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered a new round of fiscal stimulus spending, as expected, after an election victory on Sunday. His meeting with former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, a proponent of "helicopter money" policies - printing money and directly handing it to the private sector to stimulate the economy - fuelled speculation that some of the stimulus plan could be funded by Bank of Japan easing. The European Central Bank is also widely expected to take a dovish stance when it holds its policy review a week later. "After being faced with the prospect of a major slowdown in global activity in the wake of the Brexit vote, governments and central banks worldwide are now expected to do their utmost to reassure markets and provide stimulus," wrote Angus Nicholson, market analyst at IG in Melbourne. (Reuters)

Brexit, what Brexit? Global shares near 2016 highs

British leadership contender Andrea Leadsom said the UK could pull out of the European Union as early as next year following last week&#39;s referendum vote to leave the bloc. 
 
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Leadsom said she had a fast-track policy for leaving and that only someone who had herself voted to leave the EU could be trusted to take the country out of Europe. 
 
Limited extracts of the interview, without direct quotes on her comments about the timing of an exit, were released by the paper on Saturday. 
 
Leadsom, 53, has emerged as the top pro-Brexit contender to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron as leader of the ruling Conservative party, according to newspapers. 
 
The front runner, interior minister Theresa May, was a supporter of the campaign to stay in the EU, which some political analysts believe may count against her. 
 
The newspaper quoted Leadsom, who is expected to announce her candidacy on Monday, as saying she admired the leadership qualities and toughness of former Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher who drove notoriously hard bargains with EU leaders during her time in office in the 1980s. 
 
&quot;I think that&#39;s an ideal combination and I do like to think that&#39;s where I am,&quot; she said. 
 
Cameron said he would resign following voters&#39; rejection of his campaign to stay in the EU, and lawmakers have to whittle down the five contenders to replace him to just two before Conservative party members take a final vote, expected in early September. 
 
(Reuters)

Leadsom has emerged as the top pro-Brexit contender to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron as leader of the ruling Conservative party

British leadership contender Andrea Leadsom said the UK could pull out of the European Union as early as next year following last week's referendum vote to leave the bloc. In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Leadsom said she had a fast-track policy for leaving and that only someone who had herself voted to leave the EU could be trusted to take the country out of Europe. Limited extracts of the interview, without direct quotes on her comments about the timing of an exit, were released by the paper on Saturday. Leadsom, 53, has emerged as the top pro-Brexit contender to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron as leader of the ruling Conservative party, according to newspapers. The front runner, interior minister Theresa May, was a supporter of the campaign to stay in the EU, which some political analysts believe may count against her. The newspaper quoted Leadsom, who is expected to announce her candidacy on Monday, as saying she admired the leadership qualities and toughness of former Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher who drove notoriously hard bargains with EU leaders during her time in office in the 1980s. "I think that's an ideal combination and I do like to think that's where I am," she said. Cameron said he would resign following voters' rejection of his campaign to stay in the EU, and lawmakers have to whittle down the five contenders to replace him to just two before Conservative party members take a final vote, expected in early September. (Reuters)

PM contender Leadsom says UK could leave EU next year

Seven members of Britain&#39;s opposition Labour Party said on Sunday they had withdrawn support for the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, plunging the party into crisis in the wake of Britain&#39;s vote to leave the European Union. 
 
Corbyn sacked Hilary Benn as Labour&#39;s foreign policy chief today after he said he had lost confidence in the leadership. Gloria de Piero, Heidi Alexander, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray all announced they were withdrawing support and stepping down from Corbyn&#39;s &#39;shadow cabinet&#39;. 
 
Sky News television reported that Lilian Greenwood and Kerry Mccarthy had also resigned. 
 
Several said in statements that they doubted Corbyn&#39;s ability to lead the party to victory in the country&#39;s next parliamentary election. 
 
A vote must take place within months after Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Friday he would step down by October after Britain voted to leave the European Union. 
 
(Reuters)

Gloria de Piero, Heidi Alexander, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray announced they were withdrawing support and resigning from shadow cabinet

Seven members of Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Sunday they had withdrawn support for the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, plunging the party into crisis in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the European Union. Corbyn sacked Hilary Benn as Labour's foreign policy chief today after he said he had lost confidence in the leadership. Gloria de Piero, Heidi Alexander, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray all announced they were withdrawing support and stepping down from Corbyn's 'shadow cabinet'. Sky News television reported that Lilian Greenwood and Kerry Mccarthy had also resigned. Several said in statements that they doubted Corbyn's ability to lead the party to victory in the country's next parliamentary election. A vote must take place within months after Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Friday he would step down by October after Britain voted to leave the European Union. (Reuters)

Seven of Labour withdraw support from Corbyn

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