Corbyn quits as Labour Party Leader. To know more watch

Labour Party Faces Worst Poll Failure

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-goes-head-to-head-with-buckethead-and-binface-in-uk-vote-262460">Boris Johnson</a> has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December&nbsp;12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority.

"All 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election,&nbsp;every single one of them,&nbsp;has pledged to me that if elected they will vote in Parliament to pass my Brexit deal so we can end the uncertainty and finally leave the EU," Johnson told the Telegraph newspaper in an interview published late on Saturday.

"I am offering a pact with the people: if you vote Conservative you can be 100 per cent&nbsp;sure a majority Conservative government will unblock Parliament and get Brexit done."

Johnson struck a last-minute Brexit deal with the European Union last month, as the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Voters in the 2016 referendum narrowly voted in favour of leaving the EU.

Commenting separately on his tax policy, the prime minister told the newspaper that tax cuts can boost the economy, but added that he is delaying plans to increase the 40 per cent&nbsp;tax rate threshold, stating that the aim is to first "lift the burden" for low-income groups.

"We do want to reduce the burden of taxation," Johnson said. "That's very much our ambition, but we won't do that until we have done more to lift the burden particularly on people on low incomes."

Opinion polls published on Saturday showed that Johnson's Conservatives have the highest level of support since 2017, with the party leading opposition Labour by 10-17 percentage points in four polls.

However, analysts have warned that Brexit, which has divided parties and their voters, could make the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-transition-period-will-not-be-extended-united-kingdom-pm-johnson-262314">result of the coming vote</a> highly unpredictable.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December 12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December 12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority. "All 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election, every single one of them, has pledged to me that if elected they will vote in Parliament to pass my Brexit deal so we can end the uncertainty and finally leave the EU," Johnson told the Telegraph newspaper in an interview published late on Saturday. "I am offering a pact with the people: if you vote Conservative you can be 100 per cent sure a majority Conservative government will unblock Parliament and get Brexit done." Johnson struck a last-minute Brexit deal with the European Union last month, as the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Voters in the 2016 referendum narrowly voted in favour of leaving the EU. Commenting separately on his tax policy, the prime minister told the newspaper that tax cuts can boost the economy, but added that he is delaying plans to increase the 40 per cent tax rate threshold, stating that the aim is to first "lift the burden" for low-income groups. "We do want to reduce the burden of taxation," Johnson said. "That's very much our ambition, but we won't do that until we have done more to lift the burden particularly on people on low incomes." Opinion polls published on Saturday showed that Johnson's Conservatives have the highest level of support since 2017, with the party leading opposition Labour by 10-17 percentage points in four polls. However, analysts have warned that Brexit, which has divided parties and their voters, could make the result of the coming vote highly unpredictable.

All Conservative election candidates pledge to back my Brexit deal: UK PM Boris Johnson

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said on Monday that his party would not contest 317 Conservative Party seats in the December 12 election but would contest nearly all other seats, a significant boost for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Brexit Party's Farage says will not challenge PM Johnson's Conservatives in 317 seats

Austrian conservatives won the most seats in <a href="Austrians vote in snap election with conservatives in lead">snap elections</a> 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 the opposition.

Kurz's&nbsp;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&nbsp;turnout estimated at 75.5 per cent.

Far-right falls

Kurz told jubilant supporters at party headquarters on Sunday evening the scale of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-acquits-austrian-student-on-terror-charge-249015">the victory</a> 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 --&nbsp;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&nbsp;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 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/possible-scenarios-in-austrias-upcoming-snap-elections-252098">new administration</a> 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 the 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 the 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

Austrians vote Sunday in snap elections, in which the conservatives look set to triumph but will have difficulties finding a partner to govern after a corruption scandal brought down their last coalition with the far-right.

The People's Party (OeVP) led by 33-year-old Sebastian Kurz is predicted to gain around 33 per cent, up slightly from the last elections two years ago but not enough to form a majority government.

Kurz has "nothing to win, but a lot to lose", according to an editorial in Die Presse daily on Saturday.

"Even with a nice plus on Sunday, it is more difficult for him than in 2017," it said, adding there was no partner that quite suited him anymore.

With 6.4 million people eligible to vote, polling stations open at 7 am &nbsp;(0500 GMT) and close at 5 pm (1500 GMT) when first projections are expected.&nbsp;

Far-right troubles

The parliamentary elections were brought about by the "Ibiza-gate" corruption scandal that engulfed Kurz's far-right coalition partner in May, after just 18 months in government together.

Experts have predicted "whizz-kid" Kurz could once again partner up with the Freedom Party (FPOe) in a re-run of the coalition that has been touted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and other nationalists as a model for all of Europe.

But fresh allegations of wrong-doing have shaken the far-right over the past week.

Prosecutors confirmed Thursday they were investigating Heinz-Christian Strache, who resigned as FPOe leader and vice-chancellor in May because of "Ibiza-gate", over fraudulent party expense claims.

The FPOe's current leader, Norbert Hofer, has said he won't tread "gently" if any wrong-doing is confirmed, leading to worries that supporters of Strache, who led the party for 14 years and remains influential, could stay away from the polls in protest.

Kurz himself has also warned that left-leaning parties could gain more than predicted and then band together to form a coalition without him.

"If there is just a little shift... then there will be a majority against us," Kurz told supporters at a final rally in Vienna on Saturday.

Climate matters&nbsp;

Unlike in 2017, the top voter concern is not immigration -- a welcome topic for Kurz and his former far-right allies -- but the climate.

Tens of thousands of people marched Friday in Vienna and other Austrian cities to demand the government fight climate change.

The protests were part of global demonstrations led by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and the biggest yet in the small Alpine country of 8.8 million inhabitants.

Against this backdrop, Austria's Greens -- who failed to get into parliament in 2017 in shock results -- look set to make the biggest inroads on Sunday.

They are tipped to gain around 13 per cent, up 10 percentage points from two years ago.

It remains to be seen if Kurz, a former law student who has enjoyed a rapid ascent through the ranks in Austrian politics, tries to woo them and another small party, the liberal NEOs, after Sunday to form a partnership.

Unsurprisingly given the reason the election was called, corruption in public life and party financing have also been prominent themes in the campaign, as well as more bread-and-butter issues like social care.

Another option for Kurz could be forming a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPOe).

With a predicted historic low of around 22 per cent, the SPOe was neck and neck with the FPOe before the troubles this week as the country's second strongest party.

Since World War II, either OeVP or SPOe have always governed, and for 44 years in total the two ruled together, but it was Kurz who ended their last partnership, leading to the 2017 polls.

Kurz has also floated the idea of ruling in a minority government. But this would potentially continue political uncertainty and could even trigger another election.

Either way, negotiations between parties are expected to take months again. Ultimately, President Alexander Van der Bellen, a former Greens leader, will need to approve any government.

The OeVP-FPOe government imploded in May when two German media outlets published footage filmed secretly on the Spanish resort island of Ibiza, showing Strache appearing to offer public contracts in exchange for campaign help from a fake Russian backer.

Austrians vote Sunday in snap elections, in which the conservatives look set to triumph but will have difficulties finding a partner to govern after a corruption scandal brought down their last coalition with the far-right.

Austrians vote Sunday in snap elections, in which the conservatives look set to triumph but will have difficulties finding a partner to govern after a corruption scandal brought down their last coalition with the far-right. The People's Party (OeVP) led by 33-year-old Sebastian Kurz is predicted to gain around 33 per cent, up slightly from the last elections two years ago but not enough to form a majority government. Kurz has "nothing to win, but a lot to lose", according to an editorial in Die Presse daily on Saturday. "Even with a nice plus on Sunday, it is more difficult for him than in 2017," it said, adding there was no partner that quite suited him anymore. With 6.4 million people eligible to vote, polling stations open at 7 am (0500 GMT) and close at 5 pm (1500 GMT) when first projections are expected. Far-right troubles The parliamentary elections were brought about by the "Ibiza-gate" corruption scandal that engulfed Kurz's far-right coalition partner in May, after just 18 months in government together. Experts have predicted "whizz-kid" Kurz could once again partner up with the Freedom Party (FPOe) in a re-run of the coalition that has been touted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and other nationalists as a model for all of Europe. But fresh allegations of wrong-doing have shaken the far-right over the past week. Prosecutors confirmed Thursday they were investigating Heinz-Christian Strache, who resigned as FPOe leader and vice-chancellor in May because of "Ibiza-gate", over fraudulent party expense claims. The FPOe's current leader, Norbert Hofer, has said he won't tread "gently" if any wrong-doing is confirmed, leading to worries that supporters of Strache, who led the party for 14 years and remains influential, could stay away from the polls in protest. Kurz himself has also warned that left-leaning parties could gain more than predicted and then band together to form a coalition without him. "If there is just a little shift... then there will be a majority against us," Kurz told supporters at a final rally in Vienna on Saturday. Climate matters Unlike in 2017, the top voter concern is not immigration -- a welcome topic for Kurz and his former far-right allies -- but the climate. Tens of thousands of people marched Friday in Vienna and other Austrian cities to demand the government fight climate change. The protests were part of global demonstrations led by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and the biggest yet in the small Alpine country of 8.8 million inhabitants. Against this backdrop, Austria's Greens -- who failed to get into parliament in 2017 in shock results -- look set to make the biggest inroads on Sunday. They are tipped to gain around 13 per cent, up 10 percentage points from two years ago. It remains to be seen if Kurz, a former law student who has enjoyed a rapid ascent through the ranks in Austrian politics, tries to woo them and another small party, the liberal NEOs, after Sunday to form a partnership. Unsurprisingly given the reason the election was called, corruption in public life and party financing have also been prominent themes in the campaign, as well as more bread-and-butter issues like social care. Another option for Kurz could be forming a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPOe). With a predicted historic low of around 22 per cent, the SPOe was neck and neck with the FPOe before the troubles this week as the country's second strongest party. Since World War II, either OeVP or SPOe have always governed, and for 44 years in total the two ruled together, but it was Kurz who ended their last partnership, leading to the 2017 polls. Kurz has also floated the idea of ruling in a minority government. But this would potentially continue political uncertainty and could even trigger another election. Either way, negotiations between parties are expected to take months again. Ultimately, President Alexander Van der Bellen, a former Greens leader, will need to approve any government. The OeVP-FPOe government imploded in May when two German media outlets published footage filmed secretly on the Spanish resort island of Ibiza, showing Strache appearing to offer public contracts in exchange for campaign help from a fake Russian backer.

Austrians vote in snap election with conservatives in lead

People's ability to think logically suffers when they are faced with arguments that go against their political belief systems, a study has found.

The research, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, also shows that when confronted with the unsound reasoning of opposing groups, people become better able to identify flawed logic.

The researchers from the University of Virginia and University of California, Irvine in the US studied ideological belief bias among 924 American liberals and conservatives from a website YourMorals.Org.

Visitors to the site evaluated the logical soundness of classically structured logical syllogisms supporting liberal or conservative beliefs. Of 16 syllogisms, half were structured as sound arguments, and half unsound.

On average, participants correctly judged 73 per cent of the syllogisms. However, their ability to judge correctly depended on their political views.

"Liberals were better at identifying flawed arguments supporting conservative beliefs and conservatives were better at identifying flawed arguments supporting liberal beliefs," said Anup Gampa from the University of Virginia.

The researchers also observed ideological belief bias effects among 1,489 participants from ProjectImplicit.Org. The participants in this study were trained in logical reasoning before evaluating political syllogisms using language similar to what they might encounter in popular media.

Even with the training, the ability to analyse arguments fell into the same patterns. They found similar patterns of bias in a nationally representative sample containing 1,109 liberals and conservatives.

In the era of fake news, these logical fallacies can be even more potent.

"When two sides don't share a common view of even seemingly objective facts, these differences become embedded in our collective reasoning ability," said Sean Wojcik from the University of California, Irvine.

"Our biases drive us apart not only in our disagreements about political and ideological worldviews, but also in our understanding of logic itself," said Wojcik.

Researchers not that in our political world, we might not be as vigilant as we think about the logical grounding of our own beliefs and "we might be unreasonably harsh about the logical grounding of the belief of those we disagree with."

Despite this, being able to hear the other side can open us to our own flawed arguments, they said.

People's ability to think logically suffers when they are faced with arguments that go against their political belief systems, a study has found. The research, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, also shows that when confronted with the unsound reasoning of opposing groups, people become better able to identify flawed logic.

People's ability to think logically suffers when they are faced with arguments that go against their political belief systems, a study has found. The research, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, also shows that when confronted with the unsound reasoning of opposing groups, people become better able to identify flawed logic. The researchers from the University of Virginia and University of California, Irvine in the US studied ideological belief bias among 924 American liberals and conservatives from a website YourMorals.Org. Visitors to the site evaluated the logical soundness of classically structured logical syllogisms supporting liberal or conservative beliefs. Of 16 syllogisms, half were structured as sound arguments, and half unsound. On average, participants correctly judged 73 per cent of the syllogisms. However, their ability to judge correctly depended on their political views. "Liberals were better at identifying flawed arguments supporting conservative beliefs and conservatives were better at identifying flawed arguments supporting liberal beliefs," said Anup Gampa from the University of Virginia. The researchers also observed ideological belief bias effects among 1,489 participants from ProjectImplicit.Org. The participants in this study were trained in logical reasoning before evaluating political syllogisms using language similar to what they might encounter in popular media. Even with the training, the ability to analyse arguments fell into the same patterns. They found similar patterns of bias in a nationally representative sample containing 1,109 liberals and conservatives. In the era of fake news, these logical fallacies can be even more potent. "When two sides don't share a common view of even seemingly objective facts, these differences become embedded in our collective reasoning ability," said Sean Wojcik from the University of California, Irvine. "Our biases drive us apart not only in our disagreements about political and ideological worldviews, but also in our understanding of logic itself," said Wojcik. Researchers not that in our political world, we might not be as vigilant as we think about the logical grounding of our own beliefs and "we might be unreasonably harsh about the logical grounding of the belief of those we disagree with." Despite this, being able to hear the other side can open us to our own flawed arguments, they said.

Strong political beliefs may hamper ability to think logically: Study

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-pm-may-holds-out-possibility-of-compromise-with-opposition-labour-party-208558">Theresa May</a> on Sunday conceded that concluding a Brexit deal with the main opposition will need "compromise on both sides" as she faced criticism for being inflexible.

The embattled leader opened negotiations this week with the Labour Party in a bid to end months of political crisis over her divorce deal struck with European leaders last year but repeatedly rejected by MPs.

However after several days of talks Labour complained May's team were rigid over her plan, while the talks sparked fury among some Conservatives who detest involving leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"We need to get a deal over the line and that's why we've been looking for new ways to find an agreement in parliament -- and that means cross-party talks," May said in a video recorded at her country retreat Chequers.

"There's a lot of things on which I disagree with the Labour Party on policy issues but on Brexit I think there are some things we agree on... so we're talking."

On the prospects of reaching a deal, the prime minister added: "It'll mean compromise on both sides."

Time is running out for May to end Britain's 46 years of European Union membership in an orderly manner.

She will head to an EU summit Wednesday seeking to secure another Brexit extension, until June 30, to prevent Britain crashing out the bloc at the end of next week with no deal.

The country's original March 29 departure date was delayed last month to April 12 amid the paralysis in parliament.

EU members, who must unanimously back any further delay, are growing increasingly impatient at the dysfunction in Westminster and want a clear plan to resolve it.

Depending on what May proposes, they could offer just a shorter postponement -- or a longer period of up to a year.

'Prepared to move' 
Negotiations between the government and Labour are set to resume next week after a weekend of exchanges "clarifying our position", according to shadow business secretary Rebecca Long Bailey.

One of the Labour team in the talks, she told the BBC the lack of compromise so far was "disappointing" but the mood was "quite positive and hopeful".

"We are currently waiting for the government to come back to us now to state whether they are prepared to move on any of their red lines," Long Bailey said.

Labour is pushing for a much closer post-Brexit alliance with the EU, including participation in a customs union.

May has previously dismissed the idea because it bars Britain from striking its own trade deals around the world.

Andrea Leadsom, a senior Brexiteer in her divided cabinet, said the government was talking to Labour "through gritted teeth".

She would not confirm if senior Tory eurosceptics would now accept a customs union, and hinted she would back a no-deal departure over a long delay.

"For me, whatever we deliver, it has to be Brexit," she told the BBC.&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday conceded that concluding a Brexit deal with the main opposition will need "compromise on both sides" as she faced criticism for being inflexible.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday conceded that concluding a Brexit deal with the main opposition will need "compromise on both sides" as she faced criticism for being inflexible. The embattled leader opened negotiations this week with the Labour Party in a bid to end months of political crisis over her divorce deal struck with European leaders last year but repeatedly rejected by MPs. However after several days of talks Labour complained May's team were rigid over her plan, while the talks sparked fury among some Conservatives who detest involving leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn. "We need to get a deal over the line and that's why we've been looking for new ways to find an agreement in parliament -- and that means cross-party talks," May said in a video recorded at her country retreat Chequers. "There's a lot of things on which I disagree with the Labour Party on policy issues but on Brexit I think there are some things we agree on... so we're talking." On the prospects of reaching a deal, the prime minister added: "It'll mean compromise on both sides." Time is running out for May to end Britain's 46 years of European Union membership in an orderly manner. She will head to an EU summit Wednesday seeking to secure another Brexit extension, until June 30, to prevent Britain crashing out the bloc at the end of next week with no deal. The country's original March 29 departure date was delayed last month to April 12 amid the paralysis in parliament. EU members, who must unanimously back any further delay, are growing increasingly impatient at the dysfunction in Westminster and want a clear plan to resolve it. Depending on what May proposes, they could offer just a shorter postponement -- or a longer period of up to a year. 'Prepared to move' Negotiations between the government and Labour are set to resume next week after a weekend of exchanges "clarifying our position", according to shadow business secretary Rebecca Long Bailey. One of the Labour team in the talks, she told the BBC the lack of compromise so far was "disappointing" but the mood was "quite positive and hopeful". "We are currently waiting for the government to come back to us now to state whether they are prepared to move on any of their red lines," Long Bailey said. Labour is pushing for a much closer post-Brexit alliance with the EU, including participation in a customs union. May has previously dismissed the idea because it bars Britain from striking its own trade deals around the world. Andrea Leadsom, a senior Brexiteer in her divided cabinet, said the government was talking to Labour "through gritted teeth". She would not confirm if senior Tory eurosceptics would now accept a customs union, and hinted she would back a no-deal departure over a long delay. "For me, whatever we deliver, it has to be Brexit," she told the BBC.

'Both sides' must compromise in cross-party Brexit talks: British PM May

Britain's government held out the possibility of compromise on Sunday with the opposition Labour Party to try to win support in parliament for leaving the European Union with a deal, just days before the latest Brexit date.

Prime Minister Theresa May, weaker than ever after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-against-all-alternative-brexit-options-206122">her Brexit deal was rejected by parliament three times</a>, has been forced to turn to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after giving up on winning over eurosceptics in her Conservative Party, whose opposition has hardened.

With Britain's departure now set for April 12, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-against-all-alternative-brexit-options-206122">May's government is running out of time</a> to get a deal through Britain's divided parliament, and must come up with a new plan to secure a new delay from EU leaders at a summit on Wednesday.

Britain's biggest shift in foreign and trade policy in more than 40 years is mired in uncertainty, with ministers saying Brexit may never happen, businesses worried the country could leave without a deal, and others just wanting to reverse it.

In a last-ditch bid to get her deal through parliament, May opened talks with Corbyn last week to try to strike a deal on Britain's future ties with the EU in exchange for his support for her divorce deal, the Withdrawal Agreement.

So far those talks have failed to yield any kind of accord, with Labour policy chiefs saying the government has yet to move from its "red lines", above all over a customs union, which sets tariffs for goods imported into the EU.

"Specifically provided we are leaving the European Union then it is important that we compromise, that's what this is about and it is through gritted teeth," said Andrea Leadsom, the Brexit-supporting leader of the House of Commons (lower house of parliament).

"But nevertheless the most important thing is to actually leave the EU," she told the BBC's Andrew Marr show, adding that May's proposal for a customs arrangement after Brexit was not too far from Labour's desire for a customs union.

But, while describing the talks so far as positive, Labour's business policy chief Rebecca Long-Bailey said there had as yet been no "real changes" to the deal.

"I think both sides are committed to working quite rigorously to compromise as much as possible so that we can provide that compromise Brexit deal that I think parliament desperately needs at the moment," she told the BBC.

Shami Chakrabarti, Labour's legal policy chief, was more blunt. "It's hard to imagine that we are going to make real progress now without either a general election or a second referendum on any deal she can get over the line in parliament," she told Sky News.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME

Britain voted by 52 to 48 per cent in 2016 to leave the EU, and parliament, May's cabinet and the country at large remain deeply polarised over the terms of Brexit and even whether to depart at all.

Despite the lack of convergence between the two major parties over a deal, there was one thing they did agree on - time is running out for Brexit to be secured.

May, who has been verbally mauled by members of her own party for turning to Labour, herself warned Brexit-supporting lawmakers that "the longer this takes, the greater the risk of the UK never leaving at all".

In an attempt to avoid falling out of the EU without a deal, she again heads to Brussels this week to ask for a further delay until June 30 — something EU leaders have said requires her setting out an alternative path to getting her deal approved.

Any extension would require unanimous approval from the other EU countries, all weary of Britain's Brexit indecision, and could come with conditions. EU summit chair Donald Tusk plans to propose an extension of a year, which could be shortened if Britain's parliament eventually ratifies the deal.

But even the threat of losing Brexit has so far failed to change the minds of hardline eurosceptic Conservative lawmakers, and some are now suggesting that Britain make the EU's life a misery if Britain is forced to accept a long delay.

"If we are forced to remain in we must be the most difficult member possible," Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the European Research Group, a Conservative eurosceptic group, told Sky News.

"When the multi-annual financial framework comes forward, if we're still in, this is our one in seven-year opportunity to veto the budget and to be really very difficult."

Britain's government held out the possibility of compromise on Sunday with the opposition Labour Party to try to win support in parliament for leaving the European Union with a deal, just days before the latest Brexit date.

Britain's government held out the possibility of compromise on Sunday with the opposition Labour Party to try to win support in parliament for leaving the European Union with a deal, just days before the latest Brexit date. Prime Minister Theresa May, weaker than ever after her Brexit deal was rejected by parliament three times, has been forced to turn to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after giving up on winning over eurosceptics in her Conservative Party, whose opposition has hardened. With Britain's departure now set for April 12, May's government is running out of time to get a deal through Britain's divided parliament, and must come up with a new plan to secure a new delay from EU leaders at a summit on Wednesday. Britain's biggest shift in foreign and trade policy in more than 40 years is mired in uncertainty, with ministers saying Brexit may never happen, businesses worried the country could leave without a deal, and others just wanting to reverse it. In a last-ditch bid to get her deal through parliament, May opened talks with Corbyn last week to try to strike a deal on Britain's future ties with the EU in exchange for his support for her divorce deal, the Withdrawal Agreement. So far those talks have failed to yield any kind of accord, with Labour policy chiefs saying the government has yet to move from its "red lines", above all over a customs union, which sets tariffs for goods imported into the EU. "Specifically provided we are leaving the European Union then it is important that we compromise, that's what this is about and it is through gritted teeth," said Andrea Leadsom, the Brexit-supporting leader of the House of Commons (lower house of parliament). "But nevertheless the most important thing is to actually leave the EU," she told the BBC's Andrew Marr show, adding that May's proposal for a customs arrangement after Brexit was not too far from Labour's desire for a customs union. But, while describing the talks so far as positive, Labour's business policy chief Rebecca Long-Bailey said there had as yet been no "real changes" to the deal. "I think both sides are committed to working quite rigorously to compromise as much as possible so that we can provide that compromise Brexit deal that I think parliament desperately needs at the moment," she told the BBC. Shami Chakrabarti, Labour's legal policy chief, was more blunt. "It's hard to imagine that we are going to make real progress now without either a general election or a second referendum on any deal she can get over the line in parliament," she told Sky News. RUNNING OUT OF TIME Britain voted by 52 to 48 per cent in 2016 to leave the EU, and parliament, May's cabinet and the country at large remain deeply polarised over the terms of Brexit and even whether to depart at all. Despite the lack of convergence between the two major parties over a deal, there was one thing they did agree on - time is running out for Brexit to be secured. May, who has been verbally mauled by members of her own party for turning to Labour, herself warned Brexit-supporting lawmakers that "the longer this takes, the greater the risk of the UK never leaving at all". In an attempt to avoid falling out of the EU without a deal, she again heads to Brussels this week to ask for a further delay until June 30 — something EU leaders have said requires her setting out an alternative path to getting her deal approved. Any extension would require unanimous approval from the other EU countries, all weary of Britain's Brexit indecision, and could come with conditions. EU summit chair Donald Tusk plans to propose an extension of a year, which could be shortened if Britain's parliament eventually ratifies the deal. But even the threat of losing Brexit has so far failed to change the minds of hardline eurosceptic Conservative lawmakers, and some are now suggesting that Britain make the EU's life a misery if Britain is forced to accept a long delay. "If we are forced to remain in we must be the most difficult member possible," Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the European Research Group, a Conservative eurosceptic group, told Sky News. "When the multi-annual financial framework comes forward, if we're still in, this is our one in seven-year opportunity to veto the budget and to be really very difficult."

Brexit: PM May holds out possibility of compromise with opposition Labour party

Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Theresa May had not moved far enough in crisis talks aimed at breaking the deadlock over Britain's exit from the European Union.

The United Kingdom was supposed to leave the EU last Friday, but, nearly three years after Britons narrowly voted for Brexit in a referendum, it is still unclear how, when or even whether it will quit the bloc it joined in 1973.

After her EU withdrawal deal was rejected three times by lawmakers, May invited Corbyn, a veteran socialist, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-may-to-meet-opposition-leader-corbyn-but-deal-could-tear-her-party-apart-207740">to talks in parliament to try to plot a way out of the crisis</a>.

"There hasn't been as much change as I expected," Corbyn, 69, said. "The meeting was useful but inconclusive."

Asked if May had accepted his preference for a post-Brexit customs union with the EU, he said: "We did have a discussion about all of that."

Corbyn is under pressure from some in his party not to agree a Brexit deal without ensuring that it can be confirmed or rejected in a new referendum that also offers the option to stay in the EU.

"I said: 'Look, this is a policy of our party that we would want to pursue the option of a public vote to prevent crashing out or prevent leaving on a bad deal,'" he said. "There was no agreement reached on that. We just put it there as one of the issues."

A Downing Street spokesman said the meeting, which lasted an hour and 40 minutes, had been "constructive, with both sides showing flexibility and a commitment to bring the current Brexit uncertainty to a close".

"We have agreed a programme of work to ensure we deliver for the British people, protecting jobs and security," he added.

May's overture to Corbyn, whose party has 245 out of 650 lawmakers, offers a possible way for her to secure a majority for an exit deal as she seeks a second short delay to Brexit.

But some in the Labour Party have cast her gambit as a trap aimed at scaring her own lawmakers into backing her thrice-defeated deal, or as a way to extend responsibility for the difficulties of Brexit to the Labour Party.

CORBYN AND MAY

May's last-ditch approach to Corbyn, who is loathed by many of her Conservatives and mocked by May herself as unfit to govern, provoked anger in her febrile party.

Two junior ministers quit on Wednesday - one of them from the Brexit department.

"It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal - cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life put British interests first - is better than 'no- deal'," Nigel Adams said as he resigned as a minister for Wales.

May turned to Labour after a hardcore eurosceptic group of her own Conservatives repeatedly rejected her divorce deal, saying it would leave Britain a 'vassal state'.

Using a nickname that plays on May's reputed robotic inflexibility, one Brexit-supporting Conservative lawmaker told Reuters: "The Maybot has gone haywire - we've got to find the 'off' switch."

Corbyn, who voted against EU membership in a 1975 referendum, has said Brexit should include a customs union with the EU and access to its Single Market as well as protection for consumer and environmental standards and workers’ rights.

Many supporters want the party to throw its weight behind a second referendum. But some Labour lawmakers who represent areas that voted strongly to leave the EU not only reject this but also fear that such a 'soft' Brexit would be seen as a betrayal.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the government would accept a soft Brexit if parliament voted for it. Sterling hit its highest level since March 28.&nbsp;

May said on Tuesday she would seek "as short as possible" a delay to the current Brexit date of April 12.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said he believed EU leaders were open to further delay and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would "fight until the last minute" for an orderly British exit.

Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Theresa May had not moved far enough in crisis talks aimed at breaking the deadlock over Britain's exit from the European Union.

Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Theresa May had not moved far enough in crisis talks aimed at breaking the deadlock over Britain's exit from the European Union. The United Kingdom was supposed to leave the EU last Friday, but, nearly three years after Britons narrowly voted for Brexit in a referendum, it is still unclear how, when or even whether it will quit the bloc it joined in 1973. After her EU withdrawal deal was rejected three times by lawmakers, May invited Corbyn, a veteran socialist, to talks in parliament to try to plot a way out of the crisis. "There hasn't been as much change as I expected," Corbyn, 69, said. "The meeting was useful but inconclusive." Asked if May had accepted his preference for a post-Brexit customs union with the EU, he said: "We did have a discussion about all of that." Corbyn is under pressure from some in his party not to agree a Brexit deal without ensuring that it can be confirmed or rejected in a new referendum that also offers the option to stay in the EU. "I said: 'Look, this is a policy of our party that we would want to pursue the option of a public vote to prevent crashing out or prevent leaving on a bad deal,'" he said. "There was no agreement reached on that. We just put it there as one of the issues." A Downing Street spokesman said the meeting, which lasted an hour and 40 minutes, had been "constructive, with both sides showing flexibility and a commitment to bring the current Brexit uncertainty to a close". "We have agreed a programme of work to ensure we deliver for the British people, protecting jobs and security," he added. May's overture to Corbyn, whose party has 245 out of 650 lawmakers, offers a possible way for her to secure a majority for an exit deal as she seeks a second short delay to Brexit. But some in the Labour Party have cast her gambit as a trap aimed at scaring her own lawmakers into backing her thrice-defeated deal, or as a way to extend responsibility for the difficulties of Brexit to the Labour Party. CORBYN AND MAY May's last-ditch approach to Corbyn, who is loathed by many of her Conservatives and mocked by May herself as unfit to govern, provoked anger in her febrile party. Two junior ministers quit on Wednesday - one of them from the Brexit department. "It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal - cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life put British interests first - is better than 'no- deal'," Nigel Adams said as he resigned as a minister for Wales. May turned to Labour after a hardcore eurosceptic group of her own Conservatives repeatedly rejected her divorce deal, saying it would leave Britain a 'vassal state'. Using a nickname that plays on May's reputed robotic inflexibility, one Brexit-supporting Conservative lawmaker told Reuters: "The Maybot has gone haywire - we've got to find the 'off' switch." Corbyn, who voted against EU membership in a 1975 referendum, has said Brexit should include a customs union with the EU and access to its Single Market as well as protection for consumer and environmental standards and workers’ rights. Many supporters want the party to throw its weight behind a second referendum. But some Labour lawmakers who represent areas that voted strongly to leave the EU not only reject this but also fear that such a 'soft' Brexit would be seen as a betrayal. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the government would accept a soft Brexit if parliament voted for it. Sterling hit its highest level since March 28. May said on Tuesday she would seek "as short as possible" a delay to the current Brexit date of April 12. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said he believed EU leaders were open to further delay and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would "fight until the last minute" for an orderly British exit.

May meets opposition leader Corbyn to avoid no-deal Brexit, he says meeting 'useful but inconclusive'

British Prime Minister Theresa May was set to seek a Brexit compromise with opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-soldiers-used-labour-leader-photo-for-target-practice-army-says-its-probing-207709">Jeremy Corbyn</a> on Wednesday, a gamble that could see a European Union divorce deal finally clear parliament but also tear her party apart.

The United Kingdom was supposed to leave the EU last Friday, but, three years after Britons narrowly voted for Brexit in a referendum, it is still unclear how, when or even whether it will exit the bloc.

After her EU withdrawal deal was rejected three times by lawmakers, with parliament and her Conservative Party hopelessly divided over Brexit, May said she would talk to the Labour Party leader in a bid to overcome what is now a national crisis.

"There are actually a number of areas we agree on in relation to Brexit ... what we want to do now is to find a way forward that can command the support of this House and deliver on Brexit," May told parliament.

However, by approaching Corbyn, a veteran socialist loathed by many of May's Conservatives and mocked by May herself as unfit to govern, she risks further inflaming divisions in her party. One minister quit on Wednesday.

"It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal - cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life put British interests first - is better than 'no- deal'," Nigel Adams said as he resigned as a minister for Wales.

May turned to Labour after a hardcore eurosceptic group of Conservatives repeatedly rejected her divorce deal, saying it would leave Britain a 'vassal state'.

Labour wants to stay in a customs union with the EU, raising the likelihood of a "soft" Brexit option that keeps Britain's economy closely aligned to the world's biggest trading bloc.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the government would accept a soft Brexit if parliament voted for it.

Sterling hit its highest level since March 28.&nbsp;

SHORT DELAY?

May said on Tuesday she would seek "as short as possible" a delay to the current Brexit date of April 12, having repeatedly said she did not want Britain to have to take part in European Parliament elections on May 23.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said Ireland would support a delay but Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said there was currently no reason to agree an extension.

And European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Britain would not get any further short delays to Brexit unless its parliament ratified a deal by April 12 - the date set by EU leaders as the effective cut-off for avoiding the European Parliament elections.

"A 'no-deal' at midnight on the 12th of April is now a very likely scenario," he told the European Parliament.

He reiterated that Britain would not get a transition period to soften the impact of leaving the EU unless it ratified the exit deal: "UK will be affected more than EU because there is no such thing as a 'managed or negotiated no-deal' and there is no such thing as a 'no-deal transition'."

As things stand, Britain will still leave the EU on April 12 without a deal, a scenario many Conservative lawmakers would welcome, but that businesses fear could cause huge economic damage.

A survey of services firms ranging from banks to high-street hairdressers on Wednesday suggested the world's fifth-biggest economy was likely to shrink in the coming months because of Brexit uncertainty.

May and Corbyn will meet at 1330 GMT but may struggle to find a compromise position that can satisfy their own parties.

"I realise some of you will be concerned about the government discussing the way forward with the opposition," May said in a letter to Conservative lawmakers on Wednesday.

"However, with some colleagues unwilling to support the government ... this is the only way to deliver the smooth, orderly Brexit that we promised."

Conservative divisions over Europe are decades old and have led to the demise of three prime ministers: David Cameron, John Major and Margaret Thatcher.

'IT'S A TRAP'

Labour is also far from united. Corbyn, who voted against joining the bloc in 1975, has said Brexit should include a customs union with the EU and protection for consumer and environmental standards and workers’ rights.

Many supporters want the party to throw its weight behind a second referendum. But some Labour lawmakers who represent areas that voted strongly to leave the EU not only reject this but also fear that a 'soft' Brexit would be seen as a betrayal.

A Labour spokesman said the party was ready for serious discussion if May was ready to relax the 'red lines' she had so far set in negotiations.

Corbyn said any agreement that he struck with May - who has promised to resign if a Brexit deal is passed - must be set in law to guarantee that it could not be changed by any successor.

Pro-EU Labour lawmaker Ben Bradshaw warned: "It is clearly a trap designed to try to get May’s terrible deal through, which some people have fallen for, but Labour mustn’t."

It is also unclear where May's last-ditch bid will leave her minority government. The Democratic Unionist Party, the small Northern Irish party whose support she needs to govern, said it was wary of making any deal with a man whom many in May's party have demonised.

"I would simply counsel my government and my party and my prime minister: 'Stop, think very carefully what you are doing'," former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith told BBC TV.

"If you give legitimacy to a man that I think is genuinely not fit to run Britain and will do it damage, you will damage the very prospects of your own party and, most importantly for people like me, the prospects for our country."

British Prime Minister Theresa May was set to seek a Brexit compromise with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday, a gamble that could see a European Union divorce deal finally clear parliament but also tear her party apart.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was set to seek a Brexit compromise with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday, a gamble that could see a European Union divorce deal finally clear parliament but also tear her party apart. The United Kingdom was supposed to leave the EU last Friday, but, three years after Britons narrowly voted for Brexit in a referendum, it is still unclear how, when or even whether it will exit the bloc. After her EU withdrawal deal was rejected three times by lawmakers, with parliament and her Conservative Party hopelessly divided over Brexit, May said she would talk to the Labour Party leader in a bid to overcome what is now a national crisis. "There are actually a number of areas we agree on in relation to Brexit ... what we want to do now is to find a way forward that can command the support of this House and deliver on Brexit," May told parliament. However, by approaching Corbyn, a veteran socialist loathed by many of May's Conservatives and mocked by May herself as unfit to govern, she risks further inflaming divisions in her party. One minister quit on Wednesday. "It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal - cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life put British interests first - is better than 'no- deal'," Nigel Adams said as he resigned as a minister for Wales. May turned to Labour after a hardcore eurosceptic group of Conservatives repeatedly rejected her divorce deal, saying it would leave Britain a 'vassal state'. Labour wants to stay in a customs union with the EU, raising the likelihood of a "soft" Brexit option that keeps Britain's economy closely aligned to the world's biggest trading bloc. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the government would accept a soft Brexit if parliament voted for it. Sterling hit its highest level since March 28. SHORT DELAY? May said on Tuesday she would seek "as short as possible" a delay to the current Brexit date of April 12, having repeatedly said she did not want Britain to have to take part in European Parliament elections on May 23. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said Ireland would support a delay but Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said there was currently no reason to agree an extension. And European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Britain would not get any further short delays to Brexit unless its parliament ratified a deal by April 12 - the date set by EU leaders as the effective cut-off for avoiding the European Parliament elections. "A 'no-deal' at midnight on the 12th of April is now a very likely scenario," he told the European Parliament. He reiterated that Britain would not get a transition period to soften the impact of leaving the EU unless it ratified the exit deal: "UK will be affected more than EU because there is no such thing as a 'managed or negotiated no-deal' and there is no such thing as a 'no-deal transition'." As things stand, Britain will still leave the EU on April 12 without a deal, a scenario many Conservative lawmakers would welcome, but that businesses fear could cause huge economic damage. A survey of services firms ranging from banks to high-street hairdressers on Wednesday suggested the world's fifth-biggest economy was likely to shrink in the coming months because of Brexit uncertainty. May and Corbyn will meet at 1330 GMT but may struggle to find a compromise position that can satisfy their own parties. "I realise some of you will be concerned about the government discussing the way forward with the opposition," May said in a letter to Conservative lawmakers on Wednesday. "However, with some colleagues unwilling to support the government ... this is the only way to deliver the smooth, orderly Brexit that we promised." Conservative divisions over Europe are decades old and have led to the demise of three prime ministers: David Cameron, John Major and Margaret Thatcher. 'IT'S A TRAP' Labour is also far from united. Corbyn, who voted against joining the bloc in 1975, has said Brexit should include a customs union with the EU and protection for consumer and environmental standards and workers’ rights. Many supporters want the party to throw its weight behind a second referendum. But some Labour lawmakers who represent areas that voted strongly to leave the EU not only reject this but also fear that a 'soft' Brexit would be seen as a betrayal. A Labour spokesman said the party was ready for serious discussion if May was ready to relax the 'red lines' she had so far set in negotiations. Corbyn said any agreement that he struck with May - who has promised to resign if a Brexit deal is passed - must be set in law to guarantee that it could not be changed by any successor. Pro-EU Labour lawmaker Ben Bradshaw warned: "It is clearly a trap designed to try to get May’s terrible deal through, which some people have fallen for, but Labour mustn’t." It is also unclear where May's last-ditch bid will leave her minority government. The Democratic Unionist Party, the small Northern Irish party whose support she needs to govern, said it was wary of making any deal with a man whom many in May's party have demonised. "I would simply counsel my government and my party and my prime minister: 'Stop, think very carefully what you are doing'," former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith told BBC TV. "If you give legitimacy to a man that I think is genuinely not fit to run Britain and will do it damage, you will damage the very prospects of your own party and, most importantly for people like me, the prospects for our country."

Brexit: May to meet opposition leader Corbyn but a deal, if reached, could tear her party apart

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020.

Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should.

"I have said all along that somebody needs to run on the Republican side, if nothing else, to remind Republicans what it means to be conservative, what being a conservative really means, and what it means to be decent as well," he said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union."

Flake, who is leaving the Senate in January, warned that in his state of Arizona, a Republican bastion in the past, voters are rejecting candidates "tied at the hip with the president."

"And I think that we're seeing that elsewhere in the country as well. We're losing the suburbs," he said. "If we had a mass movement from the suburbs for people to move back to rural areas, then perhaps our Republican Party would have more of a future -- but not the way that we're going now."

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema was elected in this month's midterms to the Senate seat Flake is vacating, defeating Martha McSally, a former air force pilot who embraced Trump. &nbsp;

Trump has said he is "100 per cent" certain he will run for a second four-year term in 2020.

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020. Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should.

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020. Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should. "I have said all along that somebody needs to run on the Republican side, if nothing else, to remind Republicans what it means to be conservative, what being a conservative really means, and what it means to be decent as well," he said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union." Flake, who is leaving the Senate in January, warned that in his state of Arizona, a Republican bastion in the past, voters are rejecting candidates "tied at the hip with the president." "And I think that we're seeing that elsewhere in the country as well. We're losing the suburbs," he said. "If we had a mass movement from the suburbs for people to move back to rural areas, then perhaps our Republican Party would have more of a future -- but not the way that we're going now." Democrat Kyrsten Sinema was elected in this month's midterms to the Senate seat Flake is vacating, defeating Martha McSally, a former air force pilot who embraced Trump. Trump has said he is "100 per cent" certain he will run for a second four-year term in 2020.

Republican urges conservatives to run against Donald Trump in 2020

Paraguay will pick a new president in Sunday's election with the ruling Colorado Party expected to keep power but lose seats in Congress, which could complicate its pro-business agenda and raise the risk of higher taxes on the country's key farm sector.

Mario Abdo, a 46-year-old former senator who campaigned for the Colorado Party on an anti-corruption platform, supports current low-tax policies aimed at stimulating foreign investment and agricultural production in Paraguay, the world's No. 4 soybean exporter and a major supplier of beef.

Abdo has promised to fight pressure to raise taxes despite calls from the opposition for a levy on soybean exports. Polls show him 18 to 20 points ahead of candidate Efrain Alegre, a lawyer from the center-left GANAR coalition.

Outgoing president Horacio Cartes, who tried but failed to change the constitution to allow him to seek a second consecutive term, is running for a Senate seat on Sunday.

Abdo is the son of the private secretary of dictator Alfredo Stroessner, who ruled Paraguay with an iron hand for 35 years. Abdo, who was 16 when his father's regime ended in 1989, vows to respect human rights and democratic institutions if elected.

"My leadership style is not to impose my ideas," he recently said on television.

Grains-dependent Paraguay produced more than 10 million tonnes of soy last year and is trying to attract investment needed to reach its goal of 20 million tonnes by 2028.

Polls say Abdo's party is likely to lose some of the 20 seats it has in Paraguay's 45-member Senate, which last year debated a bill to slap a 10 percent tax on soybean exports.

"The push for an export tax will intensify after the election, which is likely to see the empowering of the Frente Guasu, a major proponent of the initiative, and a party which is expected to substantially increase its presence in Congress," said Thomaz Favaro, an analyst for consultancy Control Risks

Abdo may be forced to support the export tax in order to safeguard other parts of his investment-friendly agenda.

"Uncertainty over the level of taxation for the agriculture industry will thus likely persist in the short-to-medium term," Favaro said.

About 4.2 million Paraguayans are eligible to vote in the election. The new president will take office on August 15.

Paraguay will pick a new president in Sunday's election with the ruling Colorado Party expected to keep power

Paraguay will pick a new president in Sunday's election with the ruling Colorado Party expected to keep power but lose seats in Congress, which could complicate its pro-business agenda and raise the risk of higher taxes on the country's key farm sector. Mario Abdo, a 46-year-old former senator who campaigned for the Colorado Party on an anti-corruption platform, supports current low-tax policies aimed at stimulating foreign investment and agricultural production in Paraguay, the world's No. 4 soybean exporter and a major supplier of beef. Abdo has promised to fight pressure to raise taxes despite calls from the opposition for a levy on soybean exports. Polls show him 18 to 20 points ahead of candidate Efrain Alegre, a lawyer from the center-left GANAR coalition. Outgoing president Horacio Cartes, who tried but failed to change the constitution to allow him to seek a second consecutive term, is running for a Senate seat on Sunday. Abdo is the son of the private secretary of dictator Alfredo Stroessner, who ruled Paraguay with an iron hand for 35 years. Abdo, who was 16 when his father's regime ended in 1989, vows to respect human rights and democratic institutions if elected. "My leadership style is not to impose my ideas," he recently said on television. Grains-dependent Paraguay produced more than 10 million tonnes of soy last year and is trying to attract investment needed to reach its goal of 20 million tonnes by 2028. Polls say Abdo's party is likely to lose some of the 20 seats it has in Paraguay's 45-member Senate, which last year debated a bill to slap a 10 percent tax on soybean exports. "The push for an export tax will intensify after the election, which is likely to see the empowering of the Frente Guasu, a major proponent of the initiative, and a party which is expected to substantially increase its presence in Congress," said Thomaz Favaro, an analyst for consultancy Control Risks Abdo may be forced to support the export tax in order to safeguard other parts of his investment-friendly agenda. "Uncertainty over the level of taxation for the agriculture industry will thus likely persist in the short-to-medium term," Favaro said. About 4.2 million Paraguayans are eligible to vote in the election. The new president will take office on August 15.

Conservatives seen keeping power as Paraguay goes to the polls

British Prime Minister Theresa May faced negotiations with a small Northern Irish party to maintain her power after her Conservative Party lost its parliamentary majority in a catastrophic electoral gamble just days before Brexit talks are set to start.

May&#39;s Downing Street office said on Sunday she had spoken with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to discuss finalising a deal when parliament is reconvened next week.

&quot;We will welcome any such deal being agreed, as it will provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond,&quot; Downing Street said in a statement. &quot;As and when details are finalised both parties will put them forward,&quot; it said, referring to May&#39;s Conservative Party and the DUP.

The Conservatives won 318 House of Commons seats in the election, eight short of an outright majority. The DUP won 10 seats. May had called the snap election with a view to increasing the narrow majority she had inherited from her predecessor David Cameron. At the start of the campaign, she was enjoying poll leads of 20 points or more over the main opposition Labour Party.

But after a poor campaign and an unexpectedly stiff challenge from the opposition Labour Party under leader Jeremy Corbyn, her plan went disastrously wrong, leaving her unable to form a sustainable government without DUP support.

The timing is challenging, with Britain due to start negotiating the terms of its exit from the European Union with the bloc&#39;s 27 other members on June 19.

The Conservatives now plan to reach a so-called confidence and supply agreement with the DUP, which would involve it supporting a Conservative minority government on key votes in parliament but not forming a formal coalition.

After an initial round of discussions, Downing Street had said on Saturday that the &quot;principles of an outline agreement&quot; had been agreed with the DUP. The DUP itself later issued a statement saying the talks had been positive, but stopped short of confirming a deal had been sealed.

&quot;The DUP today (Saturday) held discussions with representatives of the Conservative Party in line with Arlene Foster&#39;s commitment to explore how we might bring stability to the nation at this time of great challenge,&quot; the party said.

&quot;The talks so far have been positive. Discussions will continue next week to work on the details and to reach agreement on arrangements for the new parliament.&quot;

(Reuters)

The Conservatives won 318 House of Commons seats in the election, eight short of an outright majority. The DUP won 10 seats

British Prime Minister Theresa May faced negotiations with a small Northern Irish party to maintain her power after her Conservative Party lost its parliamentary majority in a catastrophic electoral gamble just days before Brexit talks are set to start. May's Downing Street office said on Sunday she had spoken with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to discuss finalising a deal when parliament is reconvened next week. "We will welcome any such deal being agreed, as it will provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond," Downing Street said in a statement. "As and when details are finalised both parties will put them forward," it said, referring to May's Conservative Party and the DUP. The Conservatives won 318 House of Commons seats in the election, eight short of an outright majority. The DUP won 10 seats. May had called the snap election with a view to increasing the narrow majority she had inherited from her predecessor David Cameron. At the start of the campaign, she was enjoying poll leads of 20 points or more over the main opposition Labour Party. But after a poor campaign and an unexpectedly stiff challenge from the opposition Labour Party under leader Jeremy Corbyn, her plan went disastrously wrong, leaving her unable to form a sustainable government without DUP support. The timing is challenging, with Britain due to start negotiating the terms of its exit from the European Union with the bloc's 27 other members on June 19. The Conservatives now plan to reach a so-called confidence and supply agreement with the DUP, which would involve it supporting a Conservative minority government on key votes in parliament but not forming a formal coalition. After an initial round of discussions, Downing Street had said on Saturday that the "principles of an outline agreement" had been agreed with the DUP. The DUP itself later issued a statement saying the talks had been positive, but stopped short of confirming a deal had been sealed. "The DUP today (Saturday) held discussions with representatives of the Conservative Party in line with Arlene Foster's commitment to explore how we might bring stability to the nation at this time of great challenge," the party said. "The talks so far have been positive. Discussions will continue next week to work on the details and to reach agreement on arrangements for the new parliament." (Reuters)

Theresa May seeks deal with Northern Ireland party to cling to power in UK

A British author ate his book during a live TV show after his prediction that the opposition Labour party would poll less than 38 per cent votes went wrong.

Matthew Goodwin, 35, a professor of politics at the University of Kent, is the co-author of &#39;Brexit: Why Britain voted to leave the European Union&#39;.

He said in a tweet last month that he did not think Jeremy Corbyn&#39;s Labour party would poll 38 per cent in the general election on June 8. However, the Labour party won 40.3 per cent of the vote.

&quot;I&#39;m saying this out loud. I do not believe that Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, will poll 38%. I will happily eat my new Brexit book if they do,&quot; he had tweeted.

After the results came in, Goodwin was trolled by Labour supporters for his tweet.

Appearing on Sky News yesterday, he was asked if he is a man of his word, to which he replied: &quot;Well indeed I am. I was surprised that Jeremy Corbyn got two percentage points more than I had expected, and I did say that I would eat this book,&quot; Metro news reported.

&quot;Two percentage points makes a big difference, I am a man of my word, so what I am going to do is just sit here and eat my book, while you guys carry on,&quot; he said as he began eating pages of his book, the report said.

Goodwin scrunched up a piece of paper and uncomfortably shoved it into his mouth and said: &quot;It is actually a hardback, there are lots of chemicals but I have got to get through the whole thing.&quot;

He then gave a slightly sad thumbs up to the camera. Later, a Sky News producer tweeted that Goodwin did not swallow the page he was munching on, the report added.

(PTI)&nbsp;

After underestimating Corbyn's success by 2%, Goodwin delivered on his promise and chewed pages from his Brexit book

A British author ate his book during a live TV show after his prediction that the opposition Labour party would poll less than 38 per cent votes went wrong. Matthew Goodwin, 35, a professor of politics at the University of Kent, is the co-author of 'Brexit: Why Britain voted to leave the European Union'. He said in a tweet last month that he did not think Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party would poll 38 per cent in the general election on June 8. However, the Labour party won 40.3 per cent of the vote. "I'm saying this out loud. I do not believe that Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, will poll 38%. I will happily eat my new Brexit book if they do," he had tweeted. After the results came in, Goodwin was trolled by Labour supporters for his tweet. Appearing on Sky News yesterday, he was asked if he is a man of his word, to which he replied: "Well indeed I am. I was surprised that Jeremy Corbyn got two percentage points more than I had expected, and I did say that I would eat this book," Metro news reported. "Two percentage points makes a big difference, I am a man of my word, so what I am going to do is just sit here and eat my book, while you guys carry on," he said as he began eating pages of his book, the report said. Goodwin scrunched up a piece of paper and uncomfortably shoved it into his mouth and said: "It is actually a hardback, there are lots of chemicals but I have got to get through the whole thing." He then gave a slightly sad thumbs up to the camera. Later, a Sky News producer tweeted that Goodwin did not swallow the page he was munching on, the report added. (PTI)

Author eats his book on live TV after incorrect UK poll prediction

By Ankit Saproo

British PM Theresa May&#39;s decision to call for early snap elections in April was guided mainly by polls which pointed to a huge victory. However, as early results poured in it clearly revealed&nbsp;Britain was a different country two months ago.

Her political instinct was clearly out of sync with reality. A majority&nbsp;would have given her an entire five-year term to negotiate the Brexit process on her own terms.&nbsp;

In her speech announcing the early elections, May had said, &quot;It was with reluctance that I decided the country needs this election, but it is with strong conviction that I say it is necessary to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond.&quot;

A confident May even suggested to&nbsp;the British people that they should vote for the Conservative party&nbsp;if they want Brexit to be a success.&nbsp;Unfortunately, the election results out today prove&nbsp;her political instincts were&nbsp;clearly out of sync with reality.

What led to the failure?

Just like her predecessor ex-prime minister David Cameron, May was against Brexit but remained silent during the entire campaign leading up to the referendum on June 23, 2016.

David Cameron resigned as the Prime Minister&nbsp;after Britain voted in favour of Brexit.&nbsp;Theresa May, who was home secretary in the Cameron government, took over as the next Prime Minister and quickly became a votary of Brexit saying that it is what the people wanted. In the end, it was her &#39;Great Switch&#39; which was rejected by the British people.&nbsp;

On March 29, 2016, she won a major victory in the UK Parliament when the European Union Bill was passed by a huge majority with the support of the Labour party. The Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats had opposed the bill.

With the bipartisan support for the bill to initiate the process of UK&#39;s exit, Theresa May activated Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This was a major victory for the Theresa May-led government and gave her the confidence to go for what has been described as &quot;Hard Brexit&quot;.

In a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-signs-letter-that-will-start-brexit-13913">letter to the European Council President Donald Tusk</a>, Theresa May said that the Brexit referendum &quot;was a vote to restore, as we see it, our national self-determination&quot;.

Donald Tusk urged Theresa May not to let &quot;emotions&quot;&nbsp;get in the way of the negotiating process as it would lead to talks collapsing even before they start.

The appeal from the European Council President came after Theresa May accused Brussels of meddling in the election process and undermining British stance on the terms of negotiations governing Brexit.&nbsp;With her allegedly hard position on Brexit negotiations, she alienated most of UK&#39;s allies in the European Union.&nbsp;

What next?

With&nbsp;the Conservative party losing the majority in the House of Commons&nbsp;Theresa May is clearly handicapped, almost a lame duck when she leads the Brexit talks.

In fact, analysts are already hinting at the possibility of a new referendum on Brexit. The House is clearly divided after this historic verdict. Is this the beginning of the end of Brexit or end of a&nbsp;new beginning? &nbsp; &nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp;

May even went to the extent of suggesting that the British people should vote the Conservatives to power if they want Brexit to be a success, a report in The Guardian said

By Ankit Saproo British PM Theresa May's decision to call for early snap elections in April was guided mainly by polls which pointed to a huge victory. However, as early results poured in it clearly revealed Britain was a different country two months ago. Her political instinct was clearly out of sync with reality. A majority would have given her an entire five-year term to negotiate the Brexit process on her own terms. In her speech announcing the early elections, May had said, "It was with reluctance that I decided the country needs this election, but it is with strong conviction that I say it is necessary to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond." A confident May even suggested to the British people that they should vote for the Conservative party if they want Brexit to be a success. Unfortunately, the election results out today prove her political instincts were clearly out of sync with reality. What led to the failure? Just like her predecessor ex-prime minister David Cameron, May was against Brexit but remained silent during the entire campaign leading up to the referendum on June 23, 2016. David Cameron resigned as the Prime Minister after Britain voted in favour of Brexit. Theresa May, who was home secretary in the Cameron government, took over as the next Prime Minister and quickly became a votary of Brexit saying that it is what the people wanted. In the end, it was her 'Great Switch' which was rejected by the British people. On March 29, 2016, she won a major victory in the UK Parliament when the European Union Bill was passed by a huge majority with the support of the Labour party. The Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats had opposed the bill. With the bipartisan support for the bill to initiate the process of UK's exit, Theresa May activated Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This was a major victory for the Theresa May-led government and gave her the confidence to go for what has been described as "Hard Brexit". In a letter to the European Council President Donald Tusk, Theresa May said that the Brexit referendum "was a vote to restore, as we see it, our national self-determination". Donald Tusk urged Theresa May not to let "emotions" get in the way of the negotiating process as it would lead to talks collapsing even before they start. The appeal from the European Council President came after Theresa May accused Brussels of meddling in the election process and undermining British stance on the terms of negotiations governing Brexit. With her allegedly hard position on Brexit negotiations, she alienated most of UK's allies in the European Union. What next? With the Conservative party losing the majority in the House of Commons Theresa May is clearly handicapped, almost a lame duck when she leads the Brexit talks. In fact, analysts are already hinting at the possibility of a new referendum on Brexit. The House is clearly divided after this historic verdict. Is this the beginning of the end of Brexit or end of a new beginning? (WION)

Theresa May's gamble and why it failed

The UK&#39;s general election has seen the rise of that country&#39;s first ever female Sikh MP--Preet Gill has claimed a large victory in the peripheral seat of Birmingham Edgbaston. 
&nbsp; 
Indian-origin Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has become the first Turban wearing to be elected to the British Parliament&rsquo;s House of Commons in the UK General Elections.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Both the Sikh candidates, Gill and Dhesi &ndash; are from Jeremy Corbyn&rsquo;s Labour Party. 
&nbsp; 
Gill won a total of 24,124 votes, nearly 7,000 more votes than the Conservatives&#39; Caroline Squire, while Singh won the seat by polling 34,170 votes and defeated Conservative Party candidate by nearly 17,000 votes. 
&nbsp; 
Ms Gill, who has been a Labour councillor in Sandwell, said after being selected: &quot;I am delighted I have been given the opportunity to become next MP for Edgbaston, where I was born and raised. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;I want to engage with the people of Edgbaston and with hard work, passion and determination I think we can achieve great things together.&quot; 
&nbsp; 
Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation, was quoted by the BBC as saying: &quot;We are delighted to have the first Sikh woman MP in Preet Kaur Gill in Birmingham, Edgbaston.

&quot;She will be a fantastic MP, a credit to the Sikh community and an excellent role model.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
On a good note...Well done to Preet Kaur Shergill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi 
????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sikh?src=hash">#sikh</a> <a href="https://t.co/MJBjw69u48">pic.twitter.com/MJBjw69u48</a>
&mdash; Dings Singh (@Dingssingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dingssingh/status/873112776754946048">June 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Big up Preet Kaur Gill (first Female Sikh MP) &amp; Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (first turban wearing Sikh MP).Huge for the British Sikh community??
&mdash; Joel???????????? (@joelbruv) <a href="https://twitter.com/joelbruv/status/873165542881984512">June 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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History Made! UK elects its first Sikh female MP (Preet singh) &amp; its first turbaned Sikh MP (Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UKElection2017?src=hash">#UKElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/OfoWbu9Rdo">pic.twitter.com/OfoWbu9Rdo</a>
&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/873077707222859777">June 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Gill won a total of 24,124 votes, nearly 7,000 more votes than the Conservatives' Caroline Squire, while Singh won the seat by polling 34,170 votes and defeated Conservative Party candidate by nearly 17,000 votes

The UK's general election has seen the rise of that country's first ever female Sikh MP--Preet Gill has claimed a large victory in the peripheral seat of Birmingham Edgbaston. Indian-origin Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has become the first Turban wearing to be elected to the British Parliament’s House of Commons in the UK General Elections. Both the Sikh candidates, Gill and Dhesi – are from Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party. Gill won a total of 24,124 votes, nearly 7,000 more votes than the Conservatives' Caroline Squire, while Singh won the seat by polling 34,170 votes and defeated Conservative Party candidate by nearly 17,000 votes. Ms Gill, who has been a Labour councillor in Sandwell, said after being selected: "I am delighted I have been given the opportunity to become next MP for Edgbaston, where I was born and raised. "I want to engage with the people of Edgbaston and with hard work, passion and determination I think we can achieve great things together." Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation, was quoted by the BBC as saying: "We are delighted to have the first Sikh woman MP in Preet Kaur Gill in Birmingham, Edgbaston. "She will be a fantastic MP, a credit to the Sikh community and an excellent role model." On a good note...Well done to Preet Kaur Shergill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi ????? #sikh pic.twitter.com/MJBjw69u48 — Dings Singh (@Dingssingh) June 9, 2017 × Big up Preet Kaur Gill (first Female Sikh MP) & Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (first turban wearing Sikh MP).Huge for the British Sikh community?? — Joel???????????? (@joelbruv) June 9, 2017 × History Made! UK elects its first Sikh female MP (Preet singh) & its first turbaned Sikh MP (Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi) #UKElection2017 pic.twitter.com/OfoWbu9Rdo — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 9, 2017 ×

UK election: Preet Gill first female Sikh MP, Tanmanjeet Singh first turbaned lawmaker

Canada&#39;s main opposition Conservative Party elected Andrew Scheer as its leader Saturday to take on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the next election, expected in 2019.

Scheer, 38, is a lawmaker from western Saskatchewan province who has pledged to reduce government spending and trim deficits.

After a year of campaigning, he defeated 12 other hopefuls at a suspenseful party meeting outside Toronto.

Scheer now faces the difficult task of uniting two deeply divided wings of the party ahead of the next election.

He succeeds interim leader Rona Ambrose, who took over from then prime minister Stephen Harper after his defeat in the 2015 elections.

Harper was credited with uniting the right and breaking the Liberals&#39; stranglehold on power over most of the last century in Canada.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Scheer is a lawmaker from western Saskatchewan province who has pledged to reduce government spending and trim deficits

Canada's main opposition Conservative Party elected Andrew Scheer as its leader Saturday to take on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the next election, expected in 2019. Scheer, 38, is a lawmaker from western Saskatchewan province who has pledged to reduce government spending and trim deficits. After a year of campaigning, he defeated 12 other hopefuls at a suspenseful party meeting outside Toronto. Scheer now faces the difficult task of uniting two deeply divided wings of the party ahead of the next election. He succeeds interim leader Rona Ambrose, who took over from then prime minister Stephen Harper after his defeat in the 2015 elections. Harper was credited with uniting the right and breaking the Liberals' stranglehold on power over most of the last century in Canada. (AFP)

Canada's opposition Conservatives pick Scheer to run against Trudeau in 2019

Canadian scientists will be allowed to share their research with&nbsp;the media without first being designated official spokesmen, after the union representing public servants reached a tentative contract agreement, the<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/union-representing-public-servants-reaches-tentative-agreement"> National Post </a>reports.&nbsp;

Under the previous Conservative&nbsp;government,&nbsp;led by&nbsp;Prime Minister Stephen Harper,&nbsp;scientists who worked around climate change&nbsp;were forbidden from speaking to journalists about their work amid vast funding cuts, the National Post reports.&nbsp;

Stephen Harper&#39;s critics claimed it was an effort to &quot;muzzle&quot; scientists whose research was likely to undermine the government&#39;s position on climate change and on&nbsp;developing Alberta&#39;s tar sands.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says it has arrived at tentative agreements involving more than 18,000 public servants, according to the National Post.

(WION)

Canada's last Conservative administration was accused of 'muzzling' scientists likely to diverge from their position on climate change

Canadian scientists will be allowed to share their research with the media without first being designated official spokesmen, after the union representing public servants reached a tentative contract agreement, the National Post reports. Under the previous Conservative government, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, scientists who worked around climate change were forbidden from speaking to journalists about their work amid vast funding cuts, the National Post reports. Stephen Harper's critics claimed it was an effort to "muzzle" scientists whose research was likely to undermine the government's position on climate change and on developing Alberta's tar sands. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says it has arrived at tentative agreements involving more than 18,000 public servants, according to the National Post. (WION)

Canadian scientists, formerly 'muzzled', to be allowed to talk to media

Amid an outpouring of condemnation over President-elect Donald Trump&rsquo;s telephone conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, some prominent US conservatives are commending his decision to take her call.

Trump&rsquo;s conversation with Tsai on Friday broke decades of US diplomatic policy, risking a serious rift with China by calling into question one of Beijing&rsquo;s self-described &quot;core interests&quot;,the &quot;One China&quot; policy to which then-president Richard Nixon agreed in 1978.

No US president or president-elect has spoken to a Taiwanese leader since then. Some US conservatives however see no evil in the Friday call.

&quot;I would much rather have Donald Trump talking to President Tsai than to Cuba&#39;s Raul Castro or Iran&#39;s Hasan Rouhani,&quot; Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Trump&#39;s main challenger and a fierce critic during this year&#39;s Republican primary race, &nbsp;tweeted on Saturday.&nbsp;

&quot;This is an improvement.&quot;

President Barack Obama has spoken with Rouhani by phone, and met Castro on a trip to Cuba.

Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman under former president George W. Bush, didn&#39;t think that accepting the call was a bad idea.

&quot;China has been increasingly aggressive with us because they know we won&#39;t do anything meaningful about it,&quot; Fleischer tweeted. &quot;I don&#39;t mind Trump pushing back.&quot;

China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification under Beijing&#39;s rule, and any US move implying support for independence, even calling Tsai &quot;president,&quot; as Trump did in a tweet announcing the call,prompts grave offense in China.

But some critics thought that Trump had crossed a dangerous line.

&quot;What has happened in the last 48 hours is not a shift. These are major pivots in foreign policy w/out any plan. That&#39;s how wars start,&quot; tweeted Democratic Senator Chris Murphy.

Senior Trump aide Kellyanne Conway brushed aside the criticism, insisting that the call did not necessarily indicate a change of policy.

&quot;Senator Murphy&#39;s tweet is pretty incendiary,&quot; she told CNN late Friday. &quot;This is how wars are starting and it is a major policy shift because you get a phone call? That is pretty negative.&quot;

Asked whether Trump&#39;s decision to take Tsai&#39;s call was the result of a mistake by an inexperienced staff, she said the real estate billionaire was fully aware of the implications.

Trump&#39;s other defenders included Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton.

&quot;I commend President-elect Trump for his conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen, which reaffirms our commitment to the only democracy on Chinese soil,&quot; he said in a statement.

&quot;Obama breaks w/decades of US policy on Cuba &amp; gets endless fawning coverage,&quot; the conservative journalist Stephen Hayes tweeted. &quot;Trump breaks w/US policy by phoning Taiwan &amp; he&#39;s reckless?&quot;

Trump received criticism on another matter from an unexpected source on Friday: the outspoken former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who strongly supported him during his campaign.

A favorite of the powerful far-right Tea Party movement, Palin condemned Trump&#39;s deal with the Carrier air conditioner company this week to keep 1,100 jobs in Indiana instead of shipping hundreds to Mexico, in return for what the company said would be a $7 million tax-break package from the state.

&quot;When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent,&quot; Palin wrote on the website Young Conservatives.

&quot;We support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail.&quot;

Trump&#39;s transition team is believed to be considering Palin, a former Republican candidate for vice president, for a cabinet position.

During his presidential campaign, the Republican billionaire repeatedly threatened to slap tariffs on firms that decamped for Mexico, Asia and other regions with cheaper labor costs.

On Friday, Trump singled out another industrial company, tweeting, &quot;Rexnord of Indiana is moving to Mexico and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers. This is happening all over our country. No more!&quot;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(AFP)

Trump?s conversation with President Tsai of Taiwan on Friday broke decades of US diplomatic policy, risking a serious rift with China

Amid an outpouring of condemnation over President-elect Donald Trump’s telephone conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, some prominent US conservatives are commending his decision to take her call. Trump’s conversation with Tsai on Friday broke decades of US diplomatic policy, risking a serious rift with China by calling into question one of Beijing’s self-described "core interests",the "One China" policy to which then-president Richard Nixon agreed in 1978. No US president or president-elect has spoken to a Taiwanese leader since then. Some US conservatives however see no evil in the Friday call. "I would much rather have Donald Trump talking to President Tsai than to Cuba's Raul Castro or Iran's Hasan Rouhani," Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Trump's main challenger and a fierce critic during this year's Republican primary race, tweeted on Saturday. "This is an improvement." President Barack Obama has spoken with Rouhani by phone, and met Castro on a trip to Cuba. Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman under former president George W. Bush, didn't think that accepting the call was a bad idea. "China has been increasingly aggressive with us because they know we won't do anything meaningful about it," Fleischer tweeted. "I don't mind Trump pushing back." China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification under Beijing's rule, and any US move implying support for independence, even calling Tsai "president," as Trump did in a tweet announcing the call,prompts grave offense in China. But some critics thought that Trump had crossed a dangerous line. "What has happened in the last 48 hours is not a shift. These are major pivots in foreign policy w/out any plan. That's how wars start," tweeted Democratic Senator Chris Murphy. Senior Trump aide Kellyanne Conway brushed aside the criticism, insisting that the call did not necessarily indicate a change of policy. "Senator Murphy's tweet is pretty incendiary," she told CNN late Friday. "This is how wars are starting and it is a major policy shift because you get a phone call? That is pretty negative." Asked whether Trump's decision to take Tsai's call was the result of a mistake by an inexperienced staff, she said the real estate billionaire was fully aware of the implications. Trump's other defenders included Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton. "I commend President-elect Trump for his conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen, which reaffirms our commitment to the only democracy on Chinese soil," he said in a statement. "Obama breaks w/decades of US policy on Cuba & gets endless fawning coverage," the conservative journalist Stephen Hayes tweeted. "Trump breaks w/US policy by phoning Taiwan & he's reckless?" Trump received criticism on another matter from an unexpected source on Friday: the outspoken former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who strongly supported him during his campaign. A favorite of the powerful far-right Tea Party movement, Palin condemned Trump's deal with the Carrier air conditioner company this week to keep 1,100 jobs in Indiana instead of shipping hundreds to Mexico, in return for what the company said would be a $7 million tax-break package from the state. "When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent," Palin wrote on the website Young Conservatives. "We support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail." Trump's transition team is believed to be considering Palin, a former Republican candidate for vice president, for a cabinet position. During his presidential campaign, the Republican billionaire repeatedly threatened to slap tariffs on firms that decamped for Mexico, Asia and other regions with cheaper labor costs. On Friday, Trump singled out another industrial company, tweeting, "Rexnord of Indiana is moving to Mexico and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers. This is happening all over our country. No more!" (AFP)

US: Some conservatives praise Trump's Taiwan phone call

Australia has intercepted a boat of Vietnamese asylum-seekers, officials said today, as the government accused people-smugglers of using the upcoming election to drum up new business. 
 
Rhetoric around Canberra&#39;s controversial immigration policy has ramped up ahead of July 2 polls, and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has denounced a Labour opposition pledge to allow illegal migrants already in Australia to stay permanently. 
 
The Vietnamese boat was discovered north of Australia this month, with the 21 men, women and children on board processed at sea and then flown home, immigration minister Peter Dutton said. 
 
&quot;They claimed that they were wanting protection. It was found that they weren&#39;t owed protection and they were returned back to Vietnam,&quot; he said. 
 
Under Canberra&#39;s tough measures, asylum-seekers trying to reach Australia by boat are either sent back to where they departed or to remote Pacific island camps, where living conditions have been criticised. 
 
While Labour backs the policy of turning back illegal boat arrivals, it has said it would permanently settle the bulk of the 30,000 boatpeople who came ashore under the previous Labour governments of Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, most of which are still waiting to be processed. 
 
&quot;This will send an absolutely unequivocal signal to the people-smugglers that under a Labor government, anyone who manages to get to Australia on a boat will be able to stay here permanently,&quot; Turnbull told reporters. 
 
&quot;The people-smugglers are starting to market again and we know... they are marketing that there will be, or could be, a change of government in Australia and the way the opportunities to smuggle people to Australia will be open again.&quot; 
 
Since the start of its &quot;Operation Sovereign Borders&quot; in September 2013, the government has managed to halt the flood of boat arrivals, and drownings, that characterised previous Labour administrations. 
 
Turnbull said since the Conservatives came to power, 28 boats carrying 734 people have been turned back with no successful arrival in almost 700 days. 
 
(AFP)

The immigration minister said the 21 aboard did not need protection as claimed and sent them back to Vietnam

Australia has intercepted a boat of Vietnamese asylum-seekers, officials said today, as the government accused people-smugglers of using the upcoming election to drum up new business. Rhetoric around Canberra's controversial immigration policy has ramped up ahead of July 2 polls, and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has denounced a Labour opposition pledge to allow illegal migrants already in Australia to stay permanently. The Vietnamese boat was discovered north of Australia this month, with the 21 men, women and children on board processed at sea and then flown home, immigration minister Peter Dutton said. "They claimed that they were wanting protection. It was found that they weren't owed protection and they were returned back to Vietnam," he said. Under Canberra's tough measures, asylum-seekers trying to reach Australia by boat are either sent back to where they departed or to remote Pacific island camps, where living conditions have been criticised. While Labour backs the policy of turning back illegal boat arrivals, it has said it would permanently settle the bulk of the 30,000 boatpeople who came ashore under the previous Labour governments of Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, most of which are still waiting to be processed. "This will send an absolutely unequivocal signal to the people-smugglers that under a Labor government, anyone who manages to get to Australia on a boat will be able to stay here permanently," Turnbull told reporters. "The people-smugglers are starting to market again and we know... they are marketing that there will be, or could be, a change of government in Australia and the way the opportunities to smuggle people to Australia will be open again." Since the start of its "Operation Sovereign Borders" in September 2013, the government has managed to halt the flood of boat arrivals, and drownings, that characterised previous Labour administrations. Turnbull said since the Conservatives came to power, 28 boats carrying 734 people have been turned back with no successful arrival in almost 700 days. (AFP)

Australia intercepts Vietnam asylum-seeker boat

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