Six weeks after he took office and six weeks before he is due to lead Britain out of the European Union, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to meet Jean-Claude Junker.

On Monday, after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/underfire-pm-calls-up-hulk-claims-huge-brexit-progress-249824">comparing himself to berserk comic book super-smasher Hulk</a>, the British leader will enjoy a genteel working lunch with the EU Commission president.

Downing Street has confidently billed the Luxembourg visit as part of efforts to negotiate an orderly divorce from the union before an October 17 EU summit.

But Brussels has played down talk of a breakthrough, insisting Johnson has yet to suggest any "legally operable" proposal to revise a previous withdrawal accord.

Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier, who will join the leaders for their talks in Juncker's native Grand Duchy, has said he has "no reason to be optimistic".

And the European Parliament will this week vote on a resolution rejecting Johnson's demand that the so-called "Irish backstop" clause be stripped from the deal.

Johnson insists this measure, which temporarily keeps the UK in the EU customs union, has to go if he is to bring the agreement back to the House of Commons.

But the accord will also have to win the support of the other 27 EU leaders and the European Parliament if Britain is not to crash out with no deal on October 31.

And Johnson, in turn, boasts that he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than ask his European counterparts to postpone Brexit for a third time into next year.

It is difficult, then, to see what might come from Monday's lunch, which will be held behind closed doors with no plan for a joint statement afterwards.

Nevertheless, before leaving London, Johnson told the Mail on Sunday he was "very confident" of getting a new deal before the October 17 summit.

'Hulk smash!'

"A huge amount of progress is being made," he said, referring to "technical talks" on border procedures between his Brexit adviser David Frost and Barnier's team.&nbsp;

Johnson compared himself to Marvel comics hero Hulk, the rampaging mutant alter-ego of a mild-mannered nuclear scientist whose catchphrase is "Hulk smash!"&nbsp;

"The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets and he always escaped, no matter how tightly bound in he seemed to be," Johnson told the paper.

Johnson's strategy faces opposition at home, where rebel and opposition MPs have passed a law aimed at forcing him to seek a Brexit delay.

Britain's Supreme Court will rule this week on a bid to overturn Johnson's decision to suspend parliament and limit time to debate the crisis.

And on Wednesday, Barnier will address the European Parliament session in Strasbourg as MEPs vote to reaffirm and reinforce the EU Brexit stance.

Barnier previously briefed the leaders of political groups in the assembly on Thursday last week, and he had a downbeat message.

"I can't objectively tell you whether the contacts we have undertaken with Mr. Johnson's government will lead to an agreement between now and mid-October," he said.

After that meeting, the speaker of the parliament David Sassoli unveiled the Brexit resolution, which would insist that the backstop remain in the deal.

"The resolution says that if there is a no-deal departure, then that is entirely the responsibility of the United Kingdom," he said.

After his lunch with Juncker, Johnson is due to meet Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. The pair will hold a joint news conference. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Six weeks after he took office and six weeks before he is due to lead Britain out of the European Union, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to meet Jean-Claude Junker.

Six weeks after he took office and six weeks before he is due to lead Britain out of the European Union, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to meet Jean-Claude Junker. On Monday, after comparing himself to berserk comic book super-smasher Hulk, the British leader will enjoy a genteel working lunch with the EU Commission president. Downing Street has confidently billed the Luxembourg visit as part of efforts to negotiate an orderly divorce from the union before an October 17 EU summit. But Brussels has played down talk of a breakthrough, insisting Johnson has yet to suggest any "legally operable" proposal to revise a previous withdrawal accord. Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier, who will join the leaders for their talks in Juncker's native Grand Duchy, has said he has "no reason to be optimistic". And the European Parliament will this week vote on a resolution rejecting Johnson's demand that the so-called "Irish backstop" clause be stripped from the deal. Johnson insists this measure, which temporarily keeps the UK in the EU customs union, has to go if he is to bring the agreement back to the House of Commons. But the accord will also have to win the support of the other 27 EU leaders and the European Parliament if Britain is not to crash out with no deal on October 31. And Johnson, in turn, boasts that he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than ask his European counterparts to postpone Brexit for a third time into next year. It is difficult, then, to see what might come from Monday's lunch, which will be held behind closed doors with no plan for a joint statement afterwards. Nevertheless, before leaving London, Johnson told the Mail on Sunday he was "very confident" of getting a new deal before the October 17 summit. 'Hulk smash!' "A huge amount of progress is being made," he said, referring to "technical talks" on border procedures between his Brexit adviser David Frost and Barnier's team. Johnson compared himself to Marvel comics hero Hulk, the rampaging mutant alter-ego of a mild-mannered nuclear scientist whose catchphrase is "Hulk smash!" "The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets and he always escaped, no matter how tightly bound in he seemed to be," Johnson told the paper. Johnson's strategy faces opposition at home, where rebel and opposition MPs have passed a law aimed at forcing him to seek a Brexit delay. Britain's Supreme Court will rule this week on a bid to overturn Johnson's decision to suspend parliament and limit time to debate the crisis. And on Wednesday, Barnier will address the European Parliament session in Strasbourg as MEPs vote to reaffirm and reinforce the EU Brexit stance. Barnier previously briefed the leaders of political groups in the assembly on Thursday last week, and he had a downbeat message. "I can't objectively tell you whether the contacts we have undertaken with Mr. Johnson's government will lead to an agreement between now and mid-October," he said. After that meeting, the speaker of the parliament David Sassoli unveiled the Brexit resolution, which would insist that the backstop remain in the deal. "The resolution says that if there is a no-deal departure, then that is entirely the responsibility of the United Kingdom," he said. After his lunch with Juncker, Johnson is due to meet Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. The pair will hold a joint news conference.

Boris Johnson the Brexit 'Hulk' to meet EU's Jean-Claude Junker

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cautiously-optimistic-on-brexit-deal-says-pm-boris-johnson-ahead-of-eu-meeting-249472">Boris Johnson</a> was heckled on Friday by an audience member while he was delivering a speech at a convention in South Yorkshire in northern England.

The British PM was speaking on plans to give more powers to local authorities in the North of England during which the heckler interupted Johnson's speech for his decision to suspend parliament in the run-up to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-denies-lying-to-queen-in-brexit-crisis-249286">Brexit deadline</a>.

"I know the transformative potential of local accountable leadership. Someone with the power to sort out what matters most to local people," Johnson said when heckler interjeted and screamed, "Like our MPs Boris. Maybe get back to Parliament."

Johnson replied, "Yes, indeed. I'm all in favour of our MPs."

The unidentified man then demanded to know why the British prime minister wasn't in parliament fixing "the mess" he had created.&nbsp;

"Why are you not with them in parliament sorting out the mess that you have created," he said.

"I'm very happy to get back to parliament very soon"&nbsp;Johnson replied&nbsp;as he tried to return to his speech,

The heckler then again screamed, "Where's your accountability? Why don't you sort it out Boris, why don't you sort it out".

"What we want to see in this region is towns and communities able to represent that gentleman and sort out his needs," Johnson responded.

Johnson, a former London mayor who helped lead the campaign to leave the European Union, has angered his critics by suspending parliament for five weeks before Brexit.

The government has said it is a normal part of the process of launching a new legislative program, but Johnson's opponents have accused the prime minister of trying to prevent them scrutinising his Brexit plans.

Meanwhile, Johnson is scheduled to meet European Union chief Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg on Monday as he bids to broker a Brexit compromise ahead of the October 31 deadline.

Johnson will "hold talks with President Juncker on Brexit," his Downing Street office had said without providing further details.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was heckled on Friday by an audience member while he was delivering a speech at a convention in South Yorkshire in northern England.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was heckled on Friday by an audience member while he was delivering a speech at a convention in South Yorkshire in northern England. The British PM was speaking on plans to give more powers to local authorities in the North of England during which the heckler interupted Johnson's speech for his decision to suspend parliament in the run-up to the Brexit deadline. "I know the transformative potential of local accountable leadership. Someone with the power to sort out what matters most to local people," Johnson said when heckler interjeted and screamed, "Like our MPs Boris. Maybe get back to Parliament." Johnson replied, "Yes, indeed. I'm all in favour of our MPs." The unidentified man then demanded to know why the British prime minister wasn't in parliament fixing "the mess" he had created. "Why are you not with them in parliament sorting out the mess that you have created," he said. "I'm very happy to get back to parliament very soon" Johnson replied as he tried to return to his speech, The heckler then again screamed, "Where's your accountability? Why don't you sort it out Boris, why don't you sort it out". "What we want to see in this region is towns and communities able to represent that gentleman and sort out his needs," Johnson responded. Johnson, a former London mayor who helped lead the campaign to leave the European Union, has angered his critics by suspending parliament for five weeks before Brexit. The government has said it is a normal part of the process of launching a new legislative program, but Johnson's opponents have accused the prime minister of trying to prevent them scrutinising his Brexit plans. Meanwhile, Johnson is scheduled to meet European Union chief Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg on Monday as he bids to broker a Brexit compromise ahead of the October 31 deadline. Johnson will "hold talks with President Juncker on Brexit," his Downing Street office had said without providing further details.

'Get back to parliament': British PM Boris Johnson heckled during speech

Global regulators will question Facebook on Monday about its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebooks-libra-has-to-build-anti-money-laundering-anti-terror-financing-design-us-treasury-248861">Libra cryptocurrency</a>, amid concerns from European Union governments over the threat the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-needs-very-high-standard-for-libra-coin-us-treasury-steven-mnuchin-236268">digital currency</a>&nbsp;poses to financial stability, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Officials from 26 central banks, including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-question-facebook-over-plans-on-libra-cryptocurrency-236514">US</a>&nbsp;Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, will meet with representatives of Libra in Basel on Monday, the FT said, citing officials.

Libra's founders have also been invited to answer key questions about the currency's scope and design, FT said.

Facebook did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment outside regular business hours.

Countries including France and Germany have publicly criticised the social media giant's Libra project, saying it posed risks to EU states' sovereignty.

Global regulators will question Facebook on Monday about its Libra cryptocurrency, amid concerns from European Union governments over the threat the digital currency poses to financial stability, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Global regulators will question Facebook on Monday about its Libra cryptocurrency, amid concerns from European Union governments over the threat the digital currency poses to financial stability, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Officials from 26 central banks, including the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, will meet with representatives of Libra in Basel on Monday, the FT said, citing officials. Libra's founders have also been invited to answer key questions about the currency's scope and design, FT said. Facebook did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment outside regular business hours. Countries including France and Germany have publicly criticised the social media giant's Libra project, saying it posed risks to EU states' sovereignty.

Global regulators to question Facebook's Libra amid EU concerns: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson-under-fire-over-no-deal-brexit-assessment-249196">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-tells-parliament-you-can-tie-my-hands-but-i-will-not-delay-brexit-248705">Johnson</a> asked the British head of state to shutter parliament for five weeks from last Tuesday, claiming it was necessary ahead of rolling out a new domestic agenda.

The unusually long suspension -- known as prorogation -- was widely seen as a bid to thwart opposition to a no-deal departure on the October 31 Brexit date, and provoked uproar across the political spectrum as well as legal challenges.

Asked if he had misled Queen Elizabeth over his motives for the suspension, which will see the House of Commons closed until October 14, Johnson said, "Absolutely not".

Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said there was "no reason to be optimistic" about striking a possible divorce deal with Britain before a summit next month.

Johnson is adamant that the UK must leave the European Union on October 31 -- with or without a withdrawal agreement to smooth over the separation.

"We have no reason to be optimistic" that such an accord will be found in time for the crucial October 17-18 EU summit, Barnier told senior MEPs in Brussels.

Problems are mounting for Johnson, who finds himself increasingly boxed in on Brexit.

Johnson's government was forced Wednesday to release its no-deal Brexit contingency plans after a parliamentary vote.

Scotland's highest civil court on Wednesday sided with critics of the prorogation, ruling it was "unlawful" and intended to "stymie parliament".

Johnson's government has appealed against the decision and the case is set to be heard in Britain's Supreme Court next Tuesday.

In the meantime, parliament remains suspended.

Northern Ireland's High Court on Thursday dismissed several lawsuits filed there arguing the prorogation was illegal and that a no-deal Brexit would breach the terms of the province's 1998 peace accord.

Tom Brake, Brexit spokesman for the pro-EU opposition Liberal Democrats, said the government was withholding internal documents, messages and emails about the decision to prorogue parliament.

"I suspect that those documents... will confirm that the prime minister lied about the reason why," he told AFP.

"We all know that the reason he wanted to shut down parliament is because he didn't want parliament holding him to account."

'Worst-case scenario'

Johnson also vowed Thursday that Britain will be ready for a no-deal departure from the EU on October 31, despite his own government's assessment that planning remained "at a low level".

The prime minister insisted the government had been "massively accelerating" its preparations since the August 2 internal report, which was disclosed on Wednesday after MPs voted for its release.

He called the "Operation Yellowhammer" forecast, which warned of possible civil unrest and shortages of food and medicines following no deal, a "worst-case scenario".

"All the industries that matter will be ready for a no-deal Brexit," Johnson said.

The documents painted a grim picture of possible "public disorder and community tensions" as well as logjams at Channel ports, threatening supplies, after a no-deal departure.

Johnson hopeful of deal

Johnson took office in July promising to implement the referendum decision by leaving the EU on October 31 no matter what.

But he lost his parliamentary majority last week after a series of defections and expulsions from his governing Conservative Party amid opposition to his strident Brexit stance.

Ahead of the shutdown, lawmakers passed a law aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit, but Johnson has insisted Britain will still depart the EU on schedule.

The British leader wants to renegotiate the divorce terms struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which MPs have repeatedly rejected.

In particular, he wants to change the so-called backstop provisions, which concern ways to keep the Northern Irish border with the Republic of Ireland open in all scenarios.

But European leaders accuse him of offering no viable alternatives.

Officials in Brussels increasingly accuse Johnson of conducting a sham negotiation as political cover while planning to crash out without an accord.

And European parliamentary leaders insisted Thursday there could be no divorce deal without the backstop.

Johnson insisted he remained "very hopeful" of a deal.&nbsp;

"It will be hard, but I think we can get there," he said.

 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit. Johnson asked the British head of state to shutter parliament for five weeks from last Tuesday, claiming it was necessary ahead of rolling out a new domestic agenda. The unusually long suspension -- known as prorogation -- was widely seen as a bid to thwart opposition to a no-deal departure on the October 31 Brexit date, and provoked uproar across the political spectrum as well as legal challenges. Asked if he had misled Queen Elizabeth over his motives for the suspension, which will see the House of Commons closed until October 14, Johnson said, "Absolutely not". Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said there was "no reason to be optimistic" about striking a possible divorce deal with Britain before a summit next month. Johnson is adamant that the UK must leave the European Union on October 31 -- with or without a withdrawal agreement to smooth over the separation. "We have no reason to be optimistic" that such an accord will be found in time for the crucial October 17-18 EU summit, Barnier told senior MEPs in Brussels. Problems are mounting for Johnson, who finds himself increasingly boxed in on Brexit. Johnson's government was forced Wednesday to release its no-deal Brexit contingency plans after a parliamentary vote. Scotland's highest civil court on Wednesday sided with critics of the prorogation, ruling it was "unlawful" and intended to "stymie parliament". Johnson's government has appealed against the decision and the case is set to be heard in Britain's Supreme Court next Tuesday. In the meantime, parliament remains suspended. Northern Ireland's High Court on Thursday dismissed several lawsuits filed there arguing the prorogation was illegal and that a no-deal Brexit would breach the terms of the province's 1998 peace accord. Tom Brake, Brexit spokesman for the pro-EU opposition Liberal Democrats, said the government was withholding internal documents, messages and emails about the decision to prorogue parliament. "I suspect that those documents... will confirm that the prime minister lied about the reason why," he told AFP. "We all know that the reason he wanted to shut down parliament is because he didn't want parliament holding him to account." 'Worst-case scenario' Johnson also vowed Thursday that Britain will be ready for a no-deal departure from the EU on October 31, despite his own government's assessment that planning remained "at a low level". The prime minister insisted the government had been "massively accelerating" its preparations since the August 2 internal report, which was disclosed on Wednesday after MPs voted for its release. He called the "Operation Yellowhammer" forecast, which warned of possible civil unrest and shortages of food and medicines following no deal, a "worst-case scenario". "All the industries that matter will be ready for a no-deal Brexit," Johnson said. The documents painted a grim picture of possible "public disorder and community tensions" as well as logjams at Channel ports, threatening supplies, after a no-deal departure. Johnson hopeful of deal Johnson took office in July promising to implement the referendum decision by leaving the EU on October 31 no matter what. But he lost his parliamentary majority last week after a series of defections and expulsions from his governing Conservative Party amid opposition to his strident Brexit stance. Ahead of the shutdown, lawmakers passed a law aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit, but Johnson has insisted Britain will still depart the EU on schedule. The British leader wants to renegotiate the divorce terms struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which MPs have repeatedly rejected. In particular, he wants to change the so-called backstop provisions, which concern ways to keep the Northern Irish border with the Republic of Ireland open in all scenarios. But European leaders accuse him of offering no viable alternatives. Officials in Brussels increasingly accuse Johnson of conducting a sham negotiation as political cover while planning to crash out without an accord. And European parliamentary leaders insisted Thursday there could be no divorce deal without the backstop. Johnson insisted he remained "very hopeful" of a deal. "It will be hard, but I think we can get there," he said.

Boris Johnson denies lying to Queen in Brexit crisis

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-denies-lying-to-queen-in-brexit-crisis-249286">Boris Johnson</a> on Friday said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the possibility of a Brexit deal, noting a "good deal of progress" in talks with Brussels.

"There is the rough shape of a deal to be done... I am cautiously optimistic," Johnson said, speaking during a visit to Rotherham in northern England.

The latest comments came ahead of the scheduled meeting between Johnson and European Union chief&nbsp;Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg on Monday as he bids to broker a Brexit compromise ahead of the October 31&nbsp;deadline.

Johnson will "hold talks with President Juncker on Brexit," his Downing Street office had said without providing further details.

Meanwhile, the British pound gained one per cent against the dollar on&nbsp;Friday trading on speculation that the two sides were edging closer to a compromise over the contentious Irish border issue.

Watch: Both houses of UK parliament passed a law to stop 'No Deal Brexit' on 31st October

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However later in the day, the&nbsp;Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar cautioned that the gap between London and Brussels on reaching a Brexit deal was still "very wide".

"We are exploring what is possible,"&nbsp;Varadkar said adding,&nbsp;"The gap is very wide but we will fight for and work for" a deal, local media reported.

Johnson took office in July promising to implement the 2016 referendum decision by leaving the EU on October 31, even without a deal.

However, he lost his parliamentary majority last week after a series of defections and expulsions from his governing Conservative Party amid opposition to his strident Brexit stance.

The British leader wants to renegotiate the divorce terms struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which MPs have repeatedly rejected.

In particular, he wants to change the so-called backstop provisions, which concern ways to keep the Northern Irish border with the Republic of Ireland open in all scenarios.&nbsp;European leaders have accused the British prime minister&nbsp;offering no viable alternatives.

(With inputs from agencies)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the possibility of a Brexit deal, noting a "good deal of progress" in talks with Brussels.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the possibility of a Brexit deal, noting a "good deal of progress" in talks with Brussels. "There is the rough shape of a deal to be done... I am cautiously optimistic," Johnson said, speaking during a visit to Rotherham in northern England. The latest comments came ahead of the scheduled meeting between Johnson and European Union chief Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg on Monday as he bids to broker a Brexit compromise ahead of the October 31 deadline. Johnson will "hold talks with President Juncker on Brexit," his Downing Street office had said without providing further details. Meanwhile, the British pound gained one per cent against the dollar on Friday trading on speculation that the two sides were edging closer to a compromise over the contentious Irish border issue. Watch: Both houses of UK parliament passed a law to stop 'No Deal Brexit' on 31st October × However later in the day, the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar cautioned that the gap between London and Brussels on reaching a Brexit deal was still "very wide". "We are exploring what is possible," Varadkar said adding, "The gap is very wide but we will fight for and work for" a deal, local media reported. Johnson took office in July promising to implement the 2016 referendum decision by leaving the EU on October 31, even without a deal. However, he lost his parliamentary majority last week after a series of defections and expulsions from his governing Conservative Party amid opposition to his strident Brexit stance. The British leader wants to renegotiate the divorce terms struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which MPs have repeatedly rejected. In particular, he wants to change the so-called backstop provisions, which concern ways to keep the Northern Irish border with the Republic of Ireland open in all scenarios. European leaders have accused the British prime minister offering no viable alternatives. (With inputs from agencies)

Cautiously optimistic on Brexit deal, says PM Boris Johnson ahead of EU meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday warned the West against lifting sanctions on Russia as France pushes for rapprochement with Moscow.

But speaking on the sidelines of an annual forum in the capital Kiev, the 41-year-old leader told AFP that he had a "feeling" that Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to improve ties with Ukraine.

Addressing the Yalta European Strategy (YES) forum, Zelensky said that some of Ukraine's Western partners have considered lifting sanctions against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-and-ukraine-carry-out-prisoner-swap-trump-calls-it-first-giant-step-to-peace-248311">Russia.</a>

"Sometimes they think about lifting sanctions. You are losing money. Seriously?, I am sorry but we are losing people," Zelensky said, referring to Russia's annexation of Crimea and the Moscow-backed separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.

"Essentially, sanctions are a tax needed to maintain world order. A peace tax, if you will. And you know in the civilised world it's normal to pay taxes," he said.

"Sanctions should remain" until peace was restored in eastern Ukraine, Zelensky added.

In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and supported a separatist insurgency in Ukraine's industrial east. The conflict between Russia-backed fighters and Ukrainian troops has killed more than 13,000 people.

In response, the West has imposed sweeping economic sanctions targeting the Russian oil, defence and banking sectors as well as Russian officials over their alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

On Thursday, the European Union extended by six months sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian officials while economic penalties were extended in June.

French President Emmanuel Macron has in recent weeks pushed for a review of ties with Russia, indicating that more sanctions against Moscow were not in France's interests.

In a keynote speech to French ambassadors in late August, Macron said, "The European continent will never be stable, will never be secure, if we don't pacify and clarify our relations with Russia."

'Getting Crimea back'&nbsp;

Attempts to resolve the Ukraine crisis have been revived since the election in April of comedian-turned-president Zelensky.

The political novice fulfilled a key campaign promise by getting 35 detainees held by Russia sent home in a historic prisoner swap last weekend.

Paris has called for a new Ukraine summit of Putin, Zelensky and the French and German leaders to take place later this month.

Asked by AFP on the forum's sidelines if Putin was ready to make concessions, Zelensky said, "I don't know so far. I will understand this at our first meeting."

But he also said he had a "feeling" that Putin was ready to improve ties.

That feeling was based "on many things," he said. "From our (phone) calls to the political situation in the world on the whole."

Zelensky told the conference that work was underway to prepare a new prisoner swap with Russia.

He also said he would push for the return of Crimea but admitted it would be "the most complicated" issue.

"I'll be honest, we are thinking about it. We have several ideas," he said, declining to provide further details.

"We will fight to get Crimea back."

Zelensky added that he expected to meet with US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-steps-up-donald-trump-impeachment-probe-248698">Donald Trump </a>in Washington later this month.

The Kremlin has repeatedly said the return of Crimea to Ukraine is out of the question.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday warned the West against lifting sanctions on Russia as France pushes for rapprochement with Moscow. But speaking on the sidelines of an annual forum in the capital Kiev, the 41-year-old leader told AFP that he had a "feeling" that Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to improve ties with Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday warned the West against lifting sanctions on Russia as France pushes for rapprochement with Moscow. But speaking on the sidelines of an annual forum in the capital Kiev, the 41-year-old leader told AFP that he had a "feeling" that Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to improve ties with Ukraine. Addressing the Yalta European Strategy (YES) forum, Zelensky said that some of Ukraine's Western partners have considered lifting sanctions against Russia. "Sometimes they think about lifting sanctions. You are losing money. Seriously?, I am sorry but we are losing people," Zelensky said, referring to Russia's annexation of Crimea and the Moscow-backed separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine. "Essentially, sanctions are a tax needed to maintain world order. A peace tax, if you will. And you know in the civilised world it's normal to pay taxes," he said. "Sanctions should remain" until peace was restored in eastern Ukraine, Zelensky added. In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and supported a separatist insurgency in Ukraine's industrial east. The conflict between Russia-backed fighters and Ukrainian troops has killed more than 13,000 people. In response, the West has imposed sweeping economic sanctions targeting the Russian oil, defence and banking sectors as well as Russian officials over their alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. On Thursday, the European Union extended by six months sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian officials while economic penalties were extended in June. French President Emmanuel Macron has in recent weeks pushed for a review of ties with Russia, indicating that more sanctions against Moscow were not in France's interests. In a keynote speech to French ambassadors in late August, Macron said, "The European continent will never be stable, will never be secure, if we don't pacify and clarify our relations with Russia." 'Getting Crimea back' Attempts to resolve the Ukraine crisis have been revived since the election in April of comedian-turned-president Zelensky. The political novice fulfilled a key campaign promise by getting 35 detainees held by Russia sent home in a historic prisoner swap last weekend. Paris has called for a new Ukraine summit of Putin, Zelensky and the French and German leaders to take place later this month. Asked by AFP on the forum's sidelines if Putin was ready to make concessions, Zelensky said, "I don't know so far. I will understand this at our first meeting." But he also said he had a "feeling" that Putin was ready to improve ties. That feeling was based "on many things," he said. "From our (phone) calls to the political situation in the world on the whole." Zelensky told the conference that work was underway to prepare a new prisoner swap with Russia. He also said he would push for the return of Crimea but admitted it would be "the most complicated" issue. "I'll be honest, we are thinking about it. We have several ideas," he said, declining to provide further details. "We will fight to get Crimea back." Zelensky added that he expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington later this month. The Kremlin has repeatedly said the return of Crimea to Ukraine is out of the question.

Russia sanctions must remain in place: Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky

The British government`s plans for a no-deal Brexit warn of severe disruption to cross-Channel routes, affecting the supply of medicines and certain types of fresh foods, and say that protests and counter-protests will take place across the country, accompanied by a possible rise in public disorder.

The "Operation Yellowhammer" worst-case assumptions published on Wednesday were prepared on August&nbsp;2, the government said, nine days after Boris Johnson became prime minister, and form the basis of its no-deal planning.

The document, which looks at the worst that could happen if Britain leaves the European Union on October 31 without a deal, said public and business readiness for such an outcome would likely be low, in part because of continued political confusion in the run-up to Brexit day.

It said lorries could have to wait up to two and a half days to cross the English Channel and British citizens could be subject to increased immigration checks at EU border posts.

"Certain types of fresh food supply will decrease," it said. "There is a risk that panic buying will cause or exacerbate food supply disruption." 
It said the flow of traffic across the English channel could be reduced by as much as 60% on the first day after a no-deal Brexit. The worst disruption could last for up to three months.

Traffic queues could affect fuel deliveries, disrupting supplies in London and south-east England, and panic buying could cause shortages in other parts of the country, it said.

Cross-border financial services would be affected as would information-sharing between police and security services, according to the document.

Documents from Operation Yellowhammer were first published in the Sunday Times newspaper on August 18.

Michael Gove, the minister in charge of coordinating "no-deal" preparations, said then that the document was old and did not reflect current levels of preparedness.

He said on Wednesday that assumptions contained in the five-page published document were currently being reviewed, but they were the most recent complete iteration of the plans.

The opposition Labour Party said the document confirmed the severe risks of a no-deal Brexit.

"It is completely irresponsible for the government to have tried to ignore these stark warnings and prevent the public from seeing the evidence," said Labour`s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer.

"Boris Johnson must now admit that he has been dishonest with the British people about the consequence of a No Deal Brexit."

In releasing the document, Gove was acceding to a request from lawmakers. But he refused to make public the advice of government advisers about Johnson`s decision to prorogue, or suspend, parliament from Monday until October 14.

Scotland`s highest court of appeal ruled that decision was unlawful on Wednesday, prompting calls for lawmakers to return to work.

Gove said the publication of advice given to ministers would be an "inappropriate and disproportionate" use of parliamentary procedure, and the individuals would have no right to reply. 
&nbsp;

The British government`s plans for a no-deal Brexit warn of severe disruption to cross-Channel routes, affecting the supply of medicines and certain types of fresh foods, and say that protests and counter-protests will take place across the country, accompanied by a possible rise in public disorder.

The British government`s plans for a no-deal Brexit warn of severe disruption to cross-Channel routes, affecting the supply of medicines and certain types of fresh foods, and say that protests and counter-protests will take place across the country, accompanied by a possible rise in public disorder. The "Operation Yellowhammer" worst-case assumptions published on Wednesday were prepared on August 2, the government said, nine days after Boris Johnson became prime minister, and form the basis of its no-deal planning. The document, which looks at the worst that could happen if Britain leaves the European Union on October 31 without a deal, said public and business readiness for such an outcome would likely be low, in part because of continued political confusion in the run-up to Brexit day. It said lorries could have to wait up to two and a half days to cross the English Channel and British citizens could be subject to increased immigration checks at EU border posts. "Certain types of fresh food supply will decrease," it said. "There is a risk that panic buying will cause or exacerbate food supply disruption." It said the flow of traffic across the English channel could be reduced by as much as 60% on the first day after a no-deal Brexit. The worst disruption could last for up to three months. Traffic queues could affect fuel deliveries, disrupting supplies in London and south-east England, and panic buying could cause shortages in other parts of the country, it said. Cross-border financial services would be affected as would information-sharing between police and security services, according to the document. Documents from Operation Yellowhammer were first published in the Sunday Times newspaper on August 18. Michael Gove, the minister in charge of coordinating "no-deal" preparations, said then that the document was old and did not reflect current levels of preparedness. He said on Wednesday that assumptions contained in the five-page published document were currently being reviewed, but they were the most recent complete iteration of the plans. The opposition Labour Party said the document confirmed the severe risks of a no-deal Brexit. "It is completely irresponsible for the government to have tried to ignore these stark warnings and prevent the public from seeing the evidence," said Labour`s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer. "Boris Johnson must now admit that he has been dishonest with the British people about the consequence of a No Deal Brexit." In releasing the document, Gove was acceding to a request from lawmakers. But he refused to make public the advice of government advisers about Johnson`s decision to prorogue, or suspend, parliament from Monday until October 14. Scotland`s highest court of appeal ruled that decision was unlawful on Wednesday, prompting calls for lawmakers to return to work. Gove said the publication of advice given to ministers would be an "inappropriate and disproportionate" use of parliamentary procedure, and the individuals would have no right to reply.

UK's worst-case no-deal Brexit plan warns of food shortages, public disorder

The British government insisted Sunday that Boris Johnson would fight on as prime minister despite seeing a top cabinet ally quit and his do-or-die Brexit strategy blocked by parliament.

Johnson rose to power six weeks ago by injecting his trademark optimism into a ruling Conservative party that was cracking under the pressure of Britain's worst crisis in generations.

He now finds himself outflanked by pro-EU opponents and the country barrelling toward a chaotic October 31 breakup with its closest neighbours after 46 years.

Fears of Britain and the 27 EU nations splitting without a plan for what comes next were compounded when France threw up its hands at the possibility of another Brexit extension.

"In the current circumstances, it's no!" French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a Sunday political talk show in Paris.

"We are not going through this every three months," he said.

All 28 current EU leaders must approve what would be the third Brexit delay this year.

'One-page' Brexit plan&nbsp;

Johnson's awful run at home got worse with the resignation on Saturday of Conservative heavyweight Amber Rudd from her work and pensions post.

Rudd was a moderate member of former prime minister Theresa May's government whose endorsement Johnson coveted during his successful UK leadership challenge.

But Rudd said on Sunday that she could no longer be part of the team that oversees what both businesses and the markets fear would be a very messy "no-deal" divorce.

"When I asked Number 10 for a summary of what the plan was for actually getting a deal, I was sent a one-page summary," she told BBC television.

"I believe (Johnson) is trying to get a deal with the EU. I am just saying what I have seen in government is that there is this huge machine preparing for no-deal."

Johnson is adamant that he needs the no-deal threat to wrest a better agreement from Brussels at a leadership summit on October 17-18.

He is instead seeking to hold an early general election on October 15 that could give him a mandate to take Britain out on time and at any cost.

But parliament has mandated Johnson to seek an extension should his approach fail by October 19.

Lawmakers are also expected on Monday to block his call for a snap vote for a second time.

This appears to leave Johnson with few other options but to resign -- something two top ministers said on Sunday he would not do.

"The prime minister will not be resigning," interior minister Sajid Javid told the BBC.

"He will be keeping this government's promise to leave on the 31st."

Yet Javid gave few specifics about what Johnson will do should parliament tell him to ask for an extension after turning down his election challenge.

"We have a plan, which is to stick to what we have been doing," Javid said.

Winning with voters

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab suggested that one option would be for the government to challenge parliament's potential delay request in court.

"It will be challenged in the courts," Raab told Sky News.

"What we are going to do with that legislation is test very carefully what it does and doesn’t require and that's not only the lawful thing to do, I think that's the responsible thing to do," Raab said.

And Johnson himself said in a letter to two Sunday newspapers that his government would "simply carry on" if his election call is turned down.

"We will surmount all the obstacles in our path," Johnson said.

"Whatever happens we will get ready to come out on October 31 and we will serve this country and its people with the energy and commitment they deserve."

That message still appears to be resonating with British voters.

Three separate polls published on Sunday showed Johnson's Conservatives either holding or extending their lead over the main opposition Labour Party to around 10 percentage points.

The British government insisted Sunday that Boris Johnson would fight on as prime minister despite seeing a top cabinet ally quit and his do-or-die Brexit strategy blocked by parliament.

The British government insisted Sunday that Boris Johnson would fight on as prime minister despite seeing a top cabinet ally quit and his do-or-die Brexit strategy blocked by parliament. Johnson rose to power six weeks ago by injecting his trademark optimism into a ruling Conservative party that was cracking under the pressure of Britain's worst crisis in generations. He now finds himself outflanked by pro-EU opponents and the country barrelling toward a chaotic October 31 breakup with its closest neighbours after 46 years. Fears of Britain and the 27 EU nations splitting without a plan for what comes next were compounded when France threw up its hands at the possibility of another Brexit extension. "In the current circumstances, it's no!" French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a Sunday political talk show in Paris. "We are not going through this every three months," he said. All 28 current EU leaders must approve what would be the third Brexit delay this year. 'One-page' Brexit plan Johnson's awful run at home got worse with the resignation on Saturday of Conservative heavyweight Amber Rudd from her work and pensions post. Rudd was a moderate member of former prime minister Theresa May's government whose endorsement Johnson coveted during his successful UK leadership challenge. But Rudd said on Sunday that she could no longer be part of the team that oversees what both businesses and the markets fear would be a very messy "no-deal" divorce. "When I asked Number 10 for a summary of what the plan was for actually getting a deal, I was sent a one-page summary," she told BBC television. "I believe (Johnson) is trying to get a deal with the EU. I am just saying what I have seen in government is that there is this huge machine preparing for no-deal." Johnson is adamant that he needs the no-deal threat to wrest a better agreement from Brussels at a leadership summit on October 17-18. He is instead seeking to hold an early general election on October 15 that could give him a mandate to take Britain out on time and at any cost. But parliament has mandated Johnson to seek an extension should his approach fail by October 19. Lawmakers are also expected on Monday to block his call for a snap vote for a second time. This appears to leave Johnson with few other options but to resign -- something two top ministers said on Sunday he would not do. "The prime minister will not be resigning," interior minister Sajid Javid told the BBC. "He will be keeping this government's promise to leave on the 31st." Yet Javid gave few specifics about what Johnson will do should parliament tell him to ask for an extension after turning down his election challenge. "We have a plan, which is to stick to what we have been doing," Javid said. Winning with voters Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab suggested that one option would be for the government to challenge parliament's potential delay request in court. "It will be challenged in the courts," Raab told Sky News. "What we are going to do with that legislation is test very carefully what it does and doesn’t require and that's not only the lawful thing to do, I think that's the responsible thing to do," Raab said. And Johnson himself said in a letter to two Sunday newspapers that his government would "simply carry on" if his election call is turned down. "We will surmount all the obstacles in our path," Johnson said. "Whatever happens we will get ready to come out on October 31 and we will serve this country and its people with the energy and commitment they deserve." That message still appears to be resonating with British voters. Three separate polls published on Sunday showed Johnson's Conservatives either holding or extending their lead over the main opposition Labour Party to around 10 percentage points.

Britain's Johnson vows to fight on despite Brexit blows

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received a fresh blow Saturday when senior minister Amber Rudd quit her work and pensions post in protest at his handling of the Brexit crisis.

Her resignation caps a miserable week for Johnson as he tries to steer his splintered country through its biggest political crisis since World War II.

Rudd was a moderate member of former prime minister Theresa May's government whose endorsement Johnson coveted during his successful UK leadership challenge in July.

But she said Saturday that she could no longer endorse Johnson's approach to negotiations with Brussels -- or handling of domestic politics.

"I have resigned from Cabinet and surrendered the Conservative Whip," Rudd tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I have resigned from Cabinet and surrendered the Conservative Whip. 
 
I cannot stand by as good, loyal moderate Conservatives are expelled. 
 
I have spoken to the PM and my Association Chairman to explain. 
 
I remain committed to the One Nation values that drew me into politics. <a href="https://t.co/kYmZHbLMES">pic.twitter.com/kYmZHbLMES</a>
— Amber Rudd MP (@AmberRuddHR) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmberRuddHR/status/1170429481879842817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I cannot stand by as good, loyal moderate Conservatives are expelled," she said referring to Johnson's decision to expel 21 MPs from the Conservative party for voting against the government on Brexit.

Rudd said in her resignation letter that she felt uneasy about Johnson's commitment to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 even if the two sides fail to reach a negotiated deal.

The 56-year-old said she had once viewed Johnson's threat of a messy "no-deal" divorce as a useful negotiating tactic to take with Brussels.

"However, I no longer believe leaving with a deal is the government's main objective," she wrote in her resignation letter.

"The government is expending a lot of energy to prepare for 'no deal' but I have not seen the same level of intensity go into our talks with the European Union."

'Government falling apart'

Johnson has been adamant that he will not seek a third Brexit delay this year.

He is instead seeking to hold an early general election on October 15 that could give him the mandate to take Britain out on time and at any cost.

Johnson said this week that he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than seek a Brexit extension until January that more moderate forces demand.

The main opposition Labour Party is plotting a strategy with smaller parliamentary groups that could leave Johnson with no other alternative but to seek an extension to the Brexit talks or resign.

They are expected to push through legislation Monday forcing Johnson to seek a Brexit delay from Brussels unless he can strike a deal at an EU summit next month.

They are also trying to make sure that a general election is held only after Johnson is forced to go back on his word and push Brexit back again.

Johnson has branded the delay bill a "surrender" that would allow the other 27 EU leaders to dictate the terms on which Britain leaves its closest neighbours after 46 years.

Both Labour leaders and rebel Conservatives praised Rudd's decision to walk away from Johnson.

"Everyone has a point beyond which they cannot be pushed," centrist Conservative MP Nick Boles tweeted.

"Amber Rudd has reached hers. How much more of the party he inherited will Johnson destroy before he has second thoughts or is stopped by his Cabinet colleagues?"

Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said Johnson was "being totally found out" six weeks into his job.

"Johnson government falling apart," Starmer tweeted.

But Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage -- an anti-EU populist who is trying to forge an election alliance with Johnson -- said the British leader made a mistake by taking Rudd on in the first place.

"Why did Boris give ministerial posts to all these Remainers in the first place?" Farage asked in a tweet.

"Confused thinking to say the least."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received a fresh blow Saturday when senior minister Amber Rudd quit her work and pensions post in protest at his handling of the Brexit crisis.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received a fresh blow Saturday when senior minister Amber Rudd quit her work and pensions post in protest at his handling of the Brexit crisis. Her resignation caps a miserable week for Johnson as he tries to steer his splintered country through its biggest political crisis since World War II. Rudd was a moderate member of former prime minister Theresa May's government whose endorsement Johnson coveted during his successful UK leadership challenge in July. But she said Saturday that she could no longer endorse Johnson's approach to negotiations with Brussels -- or handling of domestic politics. "I have resigned from Cabinet and surrendered the Conservative Whip," Rudd tweeted. I have resigned from Cabinet and surrendered the Conservative Whip. I cannot stand by as good, loyal moderate Conservatives are expelled. I have spoken to the PM and my Association Chairman to explain. I remain committed to the One Nation values that drew me into politics. pic.twitter.com/kYmZHbLMES — Amber Rudd MP (@AmberRuddHR) September 7, 2019 × "I cannot stand by as good, loyal moderate Conservatives are expelled," she said referring to Johnson's decision to expel 21 MPs from the Conservative party for voting against the government on Brexit. Rudd said in her resignation letter that she felt uneasy about Johnson's commitment to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 even if the two sides fail to reach a negotiated deal. The 56-year-old said she had once viewed Johnson's threat of a messy "no-deal" divorce as a useful negotiating tactic to take with Brussels. "However, I no longer believe leaving with a deal is the government's main objective," she wrote in her resignation letter. "The government is expending a lot of energy to prepare for 'no deal' but I have not seen the same level of intensity go into our talks with the European Union." 'Government falling apart' Johnson has been adamant that he will not seek a third Brexit delay this year. He is instead seeking to hold an early general election on October 15 that could give him the mandate to take Britain out on time and at any cost. Johnson said this week that he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than seek a Brexit extension until January that more moderate forces demand. The main opposition Labour Party is plotting a strategy with smaller parliamentary groups that could leave Johnson with no other alternative but to seek an extension to the Brexit talks or resign. They are expected to push through legislation Monday forcing Johnson to seek a Brexit delay from Brussels unless he can strike a deal at an EU summit next month. They are also trying to make sure that a general election is held only after Johnson is forced to go back on his word and push Brexit back again. Johnson has branded the delay bill a "surrender" that would allow the other 27 EU leaders to dictate the terms on which Britain leaves its closest neighbours after 46 years. Both Labour leaders and rebel Conservatives praised Rudd's decision to walk away from Johnson. "Everyone has a point beyond which they cannot be pushed," centrist Conservative MP Nick Boles tweeted. "Amber Rudd has reached hers. How much more of the party he inherited will Johnson destroy before he has second thoughts or is stopped by his Cabinet colleagues?" Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said Johnson was "being totally found out" six weeks into his job. "Johnson government falling apart," Starmer tweeted. But Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage -- an anti-EU populist who is trying to forge an election alliance with Johnson -- said the British leader made a mistake by taking Rudd on in the first place. "Why did Boris give ministerial posts to all these Remainers in the first place?" Farage asked in a tweet. "Confused thinking to say the least."

Fresh blow to Boris Johnson, top UK minister Amber Rudd resigns over handling of Brexit crisis

British finance minister Sajid Javid said on Sunday Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not ask for a Brexit delay at an EU summit next month, but will instead press to secure a deal to smooth Britain's departure from the bloc.

"First of all, the prime minister will go to the council meeting on the 17th and 18th (of October), he'll be trying to strike a deal. He absolutely will not be asking for an extension in that meeting," Javid told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

He said the bill to force the government to ask for an extension to Brexit talks only has Oct. 19 as a deadline for parliament to either back a deal or leaving without an agreement, and that that was the date the government was watching.

"The bill talks about the 19th (of October) being an important date and at that point we will consider our options but our policy is clear. It is unchanged, we will be leaving on Oct. 31," he said. "We will obey all laws because all governments should obey laws absolutely, but you will have to wait and see what happens then." 
&nbsp;

British finance minister Sajid Javid said on Sunday Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not ask for a Brexit delay at an EU summit next month, but will instead press to secure a deal to smooth Britain's departure from the bloc.

British finance minister Sajid Javid said on Sunday Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not ask for a Brexit delay at an EU summit next month, but will instead press to secure a deal to smooth Britain's departure from the bloc. "First of all, the prime minister will go to the council meeting on the 17th and 18th (of October), he'll be trying to strike a deal. He absolutely will not be asking for an extension in that meeting," Javid told the BBC's Andrew Marr show. He said the bill to force the government to ask for an extension to Brexit talks only has Oct. 19 as a deadline for parliament to either back a deal or leaving without an agreement, and that that was the date the government was watching. "The bill talks about the 19th (of October) being an important date and at that point we will consider our options but our policy is clear. It is unchanged, we will be leaving on Oct. 31," he said. "We will obey all laws because all governments should obey laws absolutely, but you will have to wait and see what happens then."

PM Boris Johnson will go to EU to seek a deal, not a Brexit delay: Finance minister

Iran's nuclear chief said on Sunday the European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal have failed to fulfil their commitments under the pact, a day after Tehran announced further breaches of limits on its nuclear activity set by the pact.

The deal curbed Iran's disputed nuclear programme in exchange for relief from sanctions but has unravelled since the United States withdrew last year and acted to strangle Iran's oil trade to push it into wider security concessions.

France, Germany and Britain have tried to launch a barter trade mechanism with Iran protecting it from US sanctions but have struggled to get it off the ground, and Tehran on Wednesday set a 60-day deadline for effective European action.

"Unfortunately the European parties have failed to fulfil their commitments... The deal is not a one-way street and Iran will act accordingly as we have done so far by gradually downgrading our commitments," said Ali Akbar Salehi, director of Iran's nuclear energy agency.

"Iran will continue to reduce its nuclear commitments as long as the other parties fail to carry out their commitments," Salehi said, speaking after meeting the acting head of the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA), Cornel Feruta, in Tehran on Sunday.

Feruta, whose non-proliferation inspectors monitor Iran's nuclear programme, also planned to see Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other senior Iranian officials.

The IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors will discuss Iran at a quarterly meeting that begins on Monday.

Since May, Iran has begun to breach caps on its nuclear capacity set by the deal in retaliation for US pressure on Iran to negotiate restrictions on its ballistic missile programme and support for proxy forces around the Middle East.

Iran says its retreat from terms of the deal is reversible if European signatories manage to restore its access to foreign trade promised under the nuclear deal but blocked by the reimposition of US sanctions.

"The actions they have taken are negative but not definitive. They can come back (to full compliance) and the path of dialogue is still open," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian said on Sunday.

Upping the ante in its stand-off with Washington, Tehran said on Saturday it was now capable of raising uranium enrichment past the 20% level of fissile purity and had launched advanced centrifuge machines in further breaches of the deal.

IAEA inspectors reported in July that Iran had cranked up enrichment to 4.5% purity, above the 3.7% cap suitable for civilian energy generation set by the 2015 accord.

Under the deal, Iran is allowed limited research and development on advanced centrifuges, which accelerate the production of fissile material that could, if enriched to the 90% threshold, be used to develop a nuclear bomb.

Iran's nuclear chief said on Sunday the European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal have failed to fulfil their commitments under the pact, a day after Tehran announced further breaches of limits on its nuclear activity set by the pact.

Iran's nuclear chief said on Sunday the European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal have failed to fulfil their commitments under the pact, a day after Tehran announced further breaches of limits on its nuclear activity set by the pact. The deal curbed Iran's disputed nuclear programme in exchange for relief from sanctions but has unravelled since the United States withdrew last year and acted to strangle Iran's oil trade to push it into wider security concessions. France, Germany and Britain have tried to launch a barter trade mechanism with Iran protecting it from US sanctions but have struggled to get it off the ground, and Tehran on Wednesday set a 60-day deadline for effective European action. "Unfortunately the European parties have failed to fulfil their commitments... The deal is not a one-way street and Iran will act accordingly as we have done so far by gradually downgrading our commitments," said Ali Akbar Salehi, director of Iran's nuclear energy agency. "Iran will continue to reduce its nuclear commitments as long as the other parties fail to carry out their commitments," Salehi said, speaking after meeting the acting head of the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA), Cornel Feruta, in Tehran on Sunday. Feruta, whose non-proliferation inspectors monitor Iran's nuclear programme, also planned to see Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other senior Iranian officials. The IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors will discuss Iran at a quarterly meeting that begins on Monday. Since May, Iran has begun to breach caps on its nuclear capacity set by the deal in retaliation for US pressure on Iran to negotiate restrictions on its ballistic missile programme and support for proxy forces around the Middle East. Iran says its retreat from terms of the deal is reversible if European signatories manage to restore its access to foreign trade promised under the nuclear deal but blocked by the reimposition of US sanctions. "The actions they have taken are negative but not definitive. They can come back (to full compliance) and the path of dialogue is still open," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian said on Sunday. Upping the ante in its stand-off with Washington, Tehran said on Saturday it was now capable of raising uranium enrichment past the 20% level of fissile purity and had launched advanced centrifuge machines in further breaches of the deal. IAEA inspectors reported in July that Iran had cranked up enrichment to 4.5% purity, above the 3.7% cap suitable for civilian energy generation set by the 2015 accord. Under the deal, Iran is allowed limited research and development on advanced centrifuges, which accelerate the production of fissile material that could, if enriched to the 90% threshold, be used to develop a nuclear bomb.

Iran's nuclear chief: EU has failed to fulfil 2015 deal commitments

The government has appointed Therese Coffey as work and pensions minister, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said on Sunday.

Coffey replaces Amber Rudd, who resigned on Saturday in protest at Johnson's handling of the country's departure from the European Union.

Her resignation caps a miserable week for Johnson as he tries to steer his splintered country through its biggest political crisis since World War II.

Rudd was a moderate member of former prime minister Theresa May's government whose endorsement Johnson coveted during his successful UK leadership challenge in July.

But she said Saturday that she could no longer endorse Johnson's approach to negotiations with Brussels -- or handling of domestic politics.

"I have resigned from Cabinet and surrendered the Conservative Whip," Rudd tweeted.

Rudd said in her resignation letter that she felt uneasy about Johnson's commitment to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 even if the two sides fail to reach a negotiated deal.

The 56-year-old said she had once viewed Johnson's threat of a messy "no-deal" divorce as a useful negotiating tactic to take with Brussels.

The government has appointed Therese Coffey as work and pensions minister, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said on Sunday. Coffey replaces Amber Rudd, who resigned on Saturday in protest at Johnson's handling of the country's departure from the European Union.

The government has appointed Therese Coffey as work and pensions minister, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said on Sunday. Coffey replaces Amber Rudd, who resigned on Saturday in protest at Johnson's handling of the country's departure from the European Union. Her resignation caps a miserable week for Johnson as he tries to steer his splintered country through its biggest political crisis since World War II. Rudd was a moderate member of former prime minister Theresa May's government whose endorsement Johnson coveted during his successful UK leadership challenge in July. But she said Saturday that she could no longer endorse Johnson's approach to negotiations with Brussels -- or handling of domestic politics. "I have resigned from Cabinet and surrendered the Conservative Whip," Rudd tweeted. Rudd said in her resignation letter that she felt uneasy about Johnson's commitment to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 even if the two sides fail to reach a negotiated deal. The 56-year-old said she had once viewed Johnson's threat of a messy "no-deal" divorce as a useful negotiating tactic to take with Brussels.

Therese Coffey appointed UK work and pensions minister: PM's office

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-kicks-off-election-campaign-as-parliament-blocks-no-deal-brexit-247762">Boris Johnson</a> said Thursday he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than delay Brexit beyond next month, as he urged opposition lawmakers who oppose his plan to support an early election.

MPs in the House of Commons this week passed a bill that could stop Johnson taking Britain out of the European Union without a divorce deal with Brussels.

But they also rejected his call for a snap election to resolve the political deadlock that has characterised the past three years since the 2016 referendum vote for Brexit.

In a speech in northern England, Johnson said "I'd rather be dead in a ditch" than ask the EU for a Brexit delay.

"We must come out of the EU on October 31," the Conservative leader said, just hours after suffering a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnsons-brother-quits-uk-government-247779">fresh blow with the resignation of his brother</a> from the government.

Watch: British PM Boris Johnson's brother Jo Johnson quits as MP

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The speech, at a police academy in the city of Wakefield, was marred at the end by the apparent collapse of a police cadet standing behind him.

The event was intended to be the first step of an election campaign before MPs rejected the poll in a vote on Wednesday night.

The vote left Johnson in limbo, his Brexit plan in tatters but with no way out after his parliamentary majority was destroyed by a Conservative party rebellion over the issue.

As a result, his government announced it would try again to force an election with a House of Commons vote on Monday, and he challenged the opposition Labour party to back it.

Brexit 'divides families'

He expressed regret about his brother Jo's resignation as a junior universities minister a few hours earlier, which only reinforced the sense of a government in crisis.

Jo Johnson had strongly opposed Brexit, and in his resignation statement blamed the "unresolvable tension" between "family loyalty and the national interest".

The prime minister paid tribute to his "fantastic" service, and acknowledged they disagreed on Brexit, "an issue that obviously divides families and divides everybody".

Jo Johnson announced he would not stand at the next election as an MP, another loss to the governing Conservative party, which this week lost its parliamentary majority.

The premier expelled 21 Tory MPs for rebelling over his Brexit plan, while another one dramatically defected to the pro-European Liberal Democrats.

'Not solve the problem'

The legislation against a "no-deal" Brexit must still pass the House of Lords, but Johnson has accepted that it almost certainly will become law.

It would force him to ask the EU to delay Brexit to January 31 should an EU summit in Brussels on October 17-18 fail to produce a deal, or if MPs fail to endorse "no deal".

The pound surged to a one-month high against the dollar on rising market hopes that Britain can avoid a disorderly end to 46 years of EU membership next month.

Johnson, who took office in July promising to deliver Brexit in all circumstances, is hoping to regain the initiative with an election before the EU summit.

An opinion poll conducted by YouGov on Monday and Tuesday showed his Conservatives leading Labour by 35 to 25 per cent.

The pro-European Liberal Democrats were on 16 per cent while the Brexit Party of populist Nigel Farage was in fourth place with 11 per cent.

But while Labour wants an election, it is wary of holding one before October 31, which could give Johnson a majority with which to push through his plan.

"We're now consulting on whether it's better to go long, therefore, rather than to go short," finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC radio.

Johnson insists he wants a divorce deal with the EU but says the terms agreed by his predecessor Theresa May are unacceptable.

The EU has refused to reopen the text while also complaining that Johnson has yet to come up with any new ideas.

Like the Johnsons, the British parliament and the public remain divided over Brexit, and the prime minister's scepticism about a delay is shared by some across the Channel.

"We can see that another six months would not solve the problem," France's European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin said on Thursday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than delay Brexit beyond next month, as he urged opposition lawmakers who oppose his plan to support an early election.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than delay Brexit beyond next month, as he urged opposition lawmakers who oppose his plan to support an early election. MPs in the House of Commons this week passed a bill that could stop Johnson taking Britain out of the European Union without a divorce deal with Brussels. But they also rejected his call for a snap election to resolve the political deadlock that has characterised the past three years since the 2016 referendum vote for Brexit. In a speech in northern England, Johnson said "I'd rather be dead in a ditch" than ask the EU for a Brexit delay. "We must come out of the EU on October 31," the Conservative leader said, just hours after suffering a fresh blow with the resignation of his brother from the government. Watch: British PM Boris Johnson's brother Jo Johnson quits as MP × The speech, at a police academy in the city of Wakefield, was marred at the end by the apparent collapse of a police cadet standing behind him. The event was intended to be the first step of an election campaign before MPs rejected the poll in a vote on Wednesday night. The vote left Johnson in limbo, his Brexit plan in tatters but with no way out after his parliamentary majority was destroyed by a Conservative party rebellion over the issue. As a result, his government announced it would try again to force an election with a House of Commons vote on Monday, and he challenged the opposition Labour party to back it. Brexit 'divides families' He expressed regret about his brother Jo's resignation as a junior universities minister a few hours earlier, which only reinforced the sense of a government in crisis. Jo Johnson had strongly opposed Brexit, and in his resignation statement blamed the "unresolvable tension" between "family loyalty and the national interest". The prime minister paid tribute to his "fantastic" service, and acknowledged they disagreed on Brexit, "an issue that obviously divides families and divides everybody". Jo Johnson announced he would not stand at the next election as an MP, another loss to the governing Conservative party, which this week lost its parliamentary majority. The premier expelled 21 Tory MPs for rebelling over his Brexit plan, while another one dramatically defected to the pro-European Liberal Democrats. 'Not solve the problem' The legislation against a "no-deal" Brexit must still pass the House of Lords, but Johnson has accepted that it almost certainly will become law. It would force him to ask the EU to delay Brexit to January 31 should an EU summit in Brussels on October 17-18 fail to produce a deal, or if MPs fail to endorse "no deal". The pound surged to a one-month high against the dollar on rising market hopes that Britain can avoid a disorderly end to 46 years of EU membership next month. Johnson, who took office in July promising to deliver Brexit in all circumstances, is hoping to regain the initiative with an election before the EU summit. An opinion poll conducted by YouGov on Monday and Tuesday showed his Conservatives leading Labour by 35 to 25 per cent. The pro-European Liberal Democrats were on 16 per cent while the Brexit Party of populist Nigel Farage was in fourth place with 11 per cent. But while Labour wants an election, it is wary of holding one before October 31, which could give Johnson a majority with which to push through his plan. "We're now consulting on whether it's better to go long, therefore, rather than to go short," finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC radio. Johnson insists he wants a divorce deal with the EU but says the terms agreed by his predecessor Theresa May are unacceptable. The EU has refused to reopen the text while also complaining that Johnson has yet to come up with any new ideas. Like the Johnsons, the British parliament and the public remain divided over Brexit, and the prime minister's scepticism about a delay is shared by some across the Channel. "We can see that another six months would not solve the problem," France's European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin said on Thursday.

'I'd rather be dead in a ditch' than delay Brexit: British PM Boris Johnson

As Britain stares at another election, PM Johnson said that he wasn't contemplating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-opposition-parties-discuss-pm-johnsons-brexit-election-gamble-247990">resigning over the Brexit deal</a> which has got entangled in Parliament.

"That is not a hypothesis I'm willing to contemplate," Johnson said when asked by a reporter on whether he would resign over the Brexit row.

The European Union has set October 31 as the deadline for Britain to exit entity, however, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-in-election-mode-as-he-visits-scotland-after-brexit-setbacks-247908">British Parliament is adamant </a>Johnson cannot walk out with a no-deal. On Thursday, the British prime minister had said he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than delay Brexit.

The House of Commons had voted against Johnson's no-deal Brexit plan on Wednesday as Britain continued to reel in indecision. Johnson is now contemplating snap polls, however, the British Parliament has been adamant against it, despite this, Johnson has put himself on election mode.

"Boris will argue that it is now time for the people to decide after parliament has failed them, so we can resolve this once and for all," a spokesman for the prime minister said,&nbsp;adding," Jeremy Corbyn continues not only to block Brexit but is now also stopping the people from having their say by refusing a general election."

Britain in a referendum had voted against staying in the European Union in 2016 leading to the resignation of former prime minister Cameron, later Theresa May resigned as her party lost confidence in her to deliver Brexit.

Johnson was the face of "Vote Leave" campaign during the refrendum.

On Wednesday, the British Parliament had voted 329 to 300 forcing the government not to leave the EU without a deal allowing a three-month Brexit delay.

As Britain stares at another election, PM Johnson said that he wasn't contemplating resigning over the Brexit deal which has got entangled in Parliament. "That is not a hypothesis I'm willing to contemplate," Johnson said when asked by a reporter on whether he would resign over the Brexit row.

As Britain stares at another election, PM Johnson said that he wasn't contemplating resigning over the Brexit deal which has got entangled in Parliament. "That is not a hypothesis I'm willing to contemplate," Johnson said when asked by a reporter on whether he would resign over the Brexit row. The European Union has set October 31 as the deadline for Britain to exit entity, however, the British Parliament is adamant Johnson cannot walk out with a no-deal. On Thursday, the British prime minister had said he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than delay Brexit. The House of Commons had voted against Johnson's no-deal Brexit plan on Wednesday as Britain continued to reel in indecision. Johnson is now contemplating snap polls, however, the British Parliament has been adamant against it, despite this, Johnson has put himself on election mode. "Boris will argue that it is now time for the people to decide after parliament has failed them, so we can resolve this once and for all," a spokesman for the prime minister said, adding," Jeremy Corbyn continues not only to block Brexit but is now also stopping the people from having their say by refusing a general election." Britain in a referendum had voted against staying in the European Union in 2016 leading to the resignation of former prime minister Cameron, later Theresa May resigned as her party lost confidence in her to deliver Brexit. Johnson was the face of "Vote Leave" campaign during the refrendum. On Wednesday, the British Parliament had voted 329 to 300 forcing the government not to leave the EU without a deal allowing a three-month Brexit delay.

Not a hypothesis I'm willing to contemplate, Johnson on resignation over Brexit

By Chris Stafford

Despite repeatedly insisting he didn’t want a general election, Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, has now tried and failed to get parliament to support one. It now looks like he’ll try again or seek a vote by some other route. Having lost his majority and control of parliament, a general election seems almost inevitable now. The big question, though, is when it will happen.

Johnson and his allies would prefer the vote to happen before October 31 – the date the UK is currently due to leave the European Union. Everyone else wants to wait until after that date.

Holding the vote before October 31 would allow Johnson to claim the Brexit high ground and hopefully nullify the threat of the Brexit Party, saying that only a vote for the Conservatives will get the UK out by Halloween. If he manages to win the election, he can then organise further votes in parliament, overriding those of the past few days and allowing him to take the UK out of the EU without a deal.

Why is Labour Holding Back?

Despite having been pushing for a general election for a long time now, Jeremy Corbyn is now hanging back. The reason for this apparent change of heart is that, at this point in time, many are concerned that a general election may play into Johnson’s hands. If Labour waits and triggers an election so that it takes place after October 31, it means that an extension may have already been granted by the EU. The UK would then, in their view, be safe from a “no-deal” until at least the end of the year.

Politically, it also makes more sense for Labour to hold off on supporting an election for a little while longer. If an extension is granted and a general election is held in November or afterwards, Johnson will have broken his key promise of getting the UK out by October 31. That leaves him more vulnerable to losing votes to the Brexit Party.

Plus, if the past few days are anything to go by, Johnson and his team may have imploded even further by then. He has kicked 21 MPs out of his party and his own brother has quit the government. Things are looking difficult for the prime minister.

How to Call It

Since the introduction of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, if a prime minister wants to call an election before the scheduled date, they need two-thirds of MPs in parliament to vote for it. Johnson tried this on September 4 and failed.

Alternatively, a general election could be triggered by a vote of no confidence in the government. If the motion is successful, a general election will be triggered after 14 days if no new government with the support of parliament can be formed. There is talk that Labour may try to do this soon, however, the chances of it happening may be limited by debate on opposition benches as to exactly when the election should be.

But it has even been suggested that Johnson may call a vote of no confidence in himself. If he can manage to “lose” that, he can try to prevent a new government being formed and force a general election.

Is no-deal Off The Table?

A no-deal Brexit is still very much a possibility, but current events make it less likely for the time being. With no government majority in parliament, the ability of the prime minister to pursue no deal is severely limited. This is assuming Johnson plays by the rules, of course.

 
(Chris Stafford is Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk-general-election-when-and-how-could-it-happen-123027">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Chris Stafford Despite repeatedly insisting he didn’t want a general election, Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, has now tried and failed to get parliament to support one.

By Chris Stafford Despite repeatedly insisting he didn’t want a general election, Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, has now tried and failed to get parliament to support one. It now looks like he’ll try again or seek a vote by some other route. Having lost his majority and control of parliament, a general election seems almost inevitable now. The big question, though, is when it will happen. Johnson and his allies would prefer the vote to happen before October 31 – the date the UK is currently due to leave the European Union. Everyone else wants to wait until after that date. Holding the vote before October 31 would allow Johnson to claim the Brexit high ground and hopefully nullify the threat of the Brexit Party, saying that only a vote for the Conservatives will get the UK out by Halloween. If he manages to win the election, he can then organise further votes in parliament, overriding those of the past few days and allowing him to take the UK out of the EU without a deal. Why is Labour Holding Back? Despite having been pushing for a general election for a long time now, Jeremy Corbyn is now hanging back. The reason for this apparent change of heart is that, at this point in time, many are concerned that a general election may play into Johnson’s hands. If Labour waits and triggers an election so that it takes place after October 31, it means that an extension may have already been granted by the EU. The UK would then, in their view, be safe from a “no-deal” until at least the end of the year. Politically, it also makes more sense for Labour to hold off on supporting an election for a little while longer. If an extension is granted and a general election is held in November or afterwards, Johnson will have broken his key promise of getting the UK out by October 31. That leaves him more vulnerable to losing votes to the Brexit Party. Plus, if the past few days are anything to go by, Johnson and his team may have imploded even further by then. He has kicked 21 MPs out of his party and his own brother has quit the government. Things are looking difficult for the prime minister. How to Call It Since the introduction of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, if a prime minister wants to call an election before the scheduled date, they need two-thirds of MPs in parliament to vote for it. Johnson tried this on September 4 and failed. Alternatively, a general election could be triggered by a vote of no confidence in the government. If the motion is successful, a general election will be triggered after 14 days if no new government with the support of parliament can be formed. There is talk that Labour may try to do this soon, however, the chances of it happening may be limited by debate on opposition benches as to exactly when the election should be. But it has even been suggested that Johnson may call a vote of no confidence in himself. If he can manage to “lose” that, he can try to prevent a new government being formed and force a general election. Is no-deal Off The Table? A no-deal Brexit is still very much a possibility, but current events make it less likely for the time being. With no government majority in parliament, the ability of the prime minister to pursue no deal is severely limited. This is assuming Johnson plays by the rules, of course. (Chris Stafford is Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

UK general election: when and how could it happen?

It's a race against time, but the UK is running around in circles. The deadline for Brexit is less than 2 months away and instead of making final arrangements to leave the European Union the UK might be inching closer to another election.

Gravitas: UK headed for a snap election?

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday ordered all limits on nuclear research and development to be lifted, the country's third step in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-on-a-meeting-with-irans-rouhani-anything-is-possible-247640">scaling down its commitments to a 2015 deal</a> with world powers.

His announcement came shortly after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-president-hassan-rouhani-set-to-make-new-cut-in-nuclear-commitments-247582">US hit the Islamic Republic with further sanctions</a>, the latest in a series of punitive measures including an embargo on Iranian oil exports.

Iran and three European countries -- Britain, France and Germany -- have been engaged in talks to reduce tensions and save the nuclear deal that has been unravelling since US President Donald Trump withdrew from it in May last year.

But late Wednesday, Rouhani made good on a declared intention to take another step away from the multilateral deal signed with the permanent five United Nations Security Council powers and Germany (P5+1).&nbsp;

"I, as of now, announce the third step," he said on state television.&nbsp;

"The atomic energy organisation (of Iran) is ordered to immediately start whatever is needed in the field of research and development, and abandon all the commitments that were in place regarding research and development," he said.

He referred to "expansions in the field of research and development, centrifuges, different types of new centrifuges, and whatever we need for enrichment".

Iran in July abandoned two other nuclear commitments: to keep its stockpile of enriched uranium below 300-kilogrammes, and a 3.67-percent cap on the purity of its uranium stocks.

Rouhani had earlier on Wednesday told a cabinet meeting: "I don't think that... we will reach a deal".

But the Iranian president had also said Tehran and the European powers had been getting closer to an agreement on a way to resolve burning issues.

"If we had 20 issues of disagreement with the Europeans in the past, today there are three issues," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron, meeting Trump last month in France, encouraged him to offer economic incentives for Tehran and dangled the possibility of a summit between the US and Iranian presidents.&nbsp;

Trump made clear Wednesday that he was still interested in meeting Rouhani when the Iranian leader visits New York for the annual UN General Assembly.

"Sure, anything is possible," Trump told reporters.

US firm on sanctions

But Rouhani has already ruled out a summit without sanctions relief, and on Wednesday the Trump administration issued its third set of sanctions on Iran in less than a week.

In the latest salvo, the Treasury Department put on its blacklist a shipping network of 16 entities, 10 people and 11 vessels that it said was selling oil on behalf of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards' Qods Force.

The network sold more than $500 million worth of oil this spring, mostly to Syria, benefitting both President Bashar al-Assad and militant Lebanese allies Hezbollah, the Treasury Department said.

A US official said that the move showed Washington's position on relaxing sanctions -- and warned that more would come.

"We can't make it any more clear that we are committed to this campaign of maximum pressure and we are not looking to grant any exceptions or waivers," Brian Hook, the State Department coordinator on Iran, told reporters.

Iran has said it will resume full compliance with the nuclear deal if it reaches a deal with France on a $15-billion credit line, which Tehran would repay once it resumes oil exports.

The US is currently trying to block such shipments with unilateral sanctions.

Hook stopped short of criticising the credit line itself, saying there was no "concrete" proposal.

'Part' of tanker crew freed

Speaking days after a trip to France, deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi ruled out renegotiation of the 2015 accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Returning to full implementation of the JCPOA is subject to receiving $15 billion over a period of four months, otherwise the process of Iran reducing its commitments will continue," said Araghchi, quoted by the state news agency IRNA.

Hawks in the Trump administration adamantly oppose any easing of pressure, saying their goal is not only to contain Iran's nuclear programme but to curb the clerical state's influence across the Middle East.

Iran had long threatened to carry out a third set of nuclear countermeasures by Friday unless other parties to the deal offset the effect of US sanctions in return for its continued compliance.

Tensions rose significantly in July since Iran took the first two steps away from the nuclear deal and seized a British-flagged tanker -- the Stena Impero -- in the Strait of Hormuz for "failing to respect international maritime rules".

But some members of the crew of this Swedish-owned tanker have been released, Stockholm said late Wednesday.

"A part of the crew of the Stena Impero... has been released," Sweden's foreign ministry said in a message to AFP, without giving details of how many of the crew had been freed.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday ordered all limits on nuclear research and development to be lifted, the country's third step in scaling down its commitments to a 2015 deal with world powers.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday ordered all limits on nuclear research and development to be lifted, the country's third step in scaling down its commitments to a 2015 deal with world powers. His announcement came shortly after the US hit the Islamic Republic with further sanctions, the latest in a series of punitive measures including an embargo on Iranian oil exports. Iran and three European countries -- Britain, France and Germany -- have been engaged in talks to reduce tensions and save the nuclear deal that has been unravelling since US President Donald Trump withdrew from it in May last year. But late Wednesday, Rouhani made good on a declared intention to take another step away from the multilateral deal signed with the permanent five United Nations Security Council powers and Germany (P5+1). "I, as of now, announce the third step," he said on state television. "The atomic energy organisation (of Iran) is ordered to immediately start whatever is needed in the field of research and development, and abandon all the commitments that were in place regarding research and development," he said. He referred to "expansions in the field of research and development, centrifuges, different types of new centrifuges, and whatever we need for enrichment". Iran in July abandoned two other nuclear commitments: to keep its stockpile of enriched uranium below 300-kilogrammes, and a 3.67-percent cap on the purity of its uranium stocks. Rouhani had earlier on Wednesday told a cabinet meeting: "I don't think that... we will reach a deal". But the Iranian president had also said Tehran and the European powers had been getting closer to an agreement on a way to resolve burning issues. "If we had 20 issues of disagreement with the Europeans in the past, today there are three issues," he said. French President Emmanuel Macron, meeting Trump last month in France, encouraged him to offer economic incentives for Tehran and dangled the possibility of a summit between the US and Iranian presidents. Trump made clear Wednesday that he was still interested in meeting Rouhani when the Iranian leader visits New York for the annual UN General Assembly. "Sure, anything is possible," Trump told reporters. US firm on sanctions But Rouhani has already ruled out a summit without sanctions relief, and on Wednesday the Trump administration issued its third set of sanctions on Iran in less than a week. In the latest salvo, the Treasury Department put on its blacklist a shipping network of 16 entities, 10 people and 11 vessels that it said was selling oil on behalf of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards' Qods Force. The network sold more than $500 million worth of oil this spring, mostly to Syria, benefitting both President Bashar al-Assad and militant Lebanese allies Hezbollah, the Treasury Department said. A US official said that the move showed Washington's position on relaxing sanctions -- and warned that more would come. "We can't make it any more clear that we are committed to this campaign of maximum pressure and we are not looking to grant any exceptions or waivers," Brian Hook, the State Department coordinator on Iran, told reporters. Iran has said it will resume full compliance with the nuclear deal if it reaches a deal with France on a $15-billion credit line, which Tehran would repay once it resumes oil exports. The US is currently trying to block such shipments with unilateral sanctions. Hook stopped short of criticising the credit line itself, saying there was no "concrete" proposal. 'Part' of tanker crew freed Speaking days after a trip to France, deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi ruled out renegotiation of the 2015 accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Returning to full implementation of the JCPOA is subject to receiving $15 billion over a period of four months, otherwise the process of Iran reducing its commitments will continue," said Araghchi, quoted by the state news agency IRNA. Hawks in the Trump administration adamantly oppose any easing of pressure, saying their goal is not only to contain Iran's nuclear programme but to curb the clerical state's influence across the Middle East. Iran had long threatened to carry out a third set of nuclear countermeasures by Friday unless other parties to the deal offset the effect of US sanctions in return for its continued compliance. Tensions rose significantly in July since Iran took the first two steps away from the nuclear deal and seized a British-flagged tanker -- the Stena Impero -- in the Strait of Hormuz for "failing to respect international maritime rules". But some members of the crew of this Swedish-owned tanker have been released, Stockholm said late Wednesday. "A part of the crew of the Stena Impero... has been released," Sweden's foreign ministry said in a message to AFP, without giving details of how many of the crew had been freed.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani orders lifting of all nuclear research and development limits

British Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-government-gives-up-trying-to-stop-brexit-delay-bill-in-parliament-247721"> Boris Johnson</a> was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-government-gives-up-trying-to-stop-brexit-delay-bill-in-parliament-247721">European Union</a>.

As the United Kingdom spins towards an election, Brexit remains up in the air more than three years after Britons voted to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum. Options range from a turbulent 'no-deal' exit to abandoning the whole endeavour.

After wresting control of the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, an alliance of opposition parties and rebels expelled from Johnson's Conservative party voted to force him to seek a three-month delay to Brexit rather than leaving without a deal on October 31, the date now set in law.

Behind the sound and the fury of the Brexit crisis, an election now beckons for a polarised country.

The main choices on offer are Johnson's radical insistence on leaving the EU on October 31, come what may, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's hard-left socialist vision, coupled with a promise of a fresh referendum with an option to stay in the EU.

"Boris will argue that it is now time for the people to decide after parliament has failed them, so we can resolve this once and for all," a spokesman for the prime minister said.

"Jeremy Corbyn continues not only to block Brexit but is now also stopping the people from having their say by refusing a general election."

The opposition Labour Party cast Johnson's language - including calling Corbyn a "chicken" - as pathetic, said he was trying to act like US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, and compared him to a 3-year-old toddler having a tantrum.

An election adds a new twist to a Brexit crisis that has for three years overshadowed European Union affairs, eroded Britain's reputation as a stable pillar of the West and seen sterling twitch in tune to the probability of a 'no-deal' exit.

Asked if Brexit would happen on October 31, Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings told Reuters: "Trust the people."

Against the dollar, the pound fell 0.3 per cent to $1.2211, after jumping 1.4 per cent on Wednesday in the sense that the prospect of a 'no-deal' exit had receded. UBS Global Wealth Management said sterling could rally to $1.30 if Brexit was delayed until January 2020 and an election was held after October.&nbsp;

'Trust the people'

Johnson, the face of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, has pushed for an election on October 15, two weeks before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, though opposition parties are debating which date they would accept.

"We are saying, yeah, bring on a general election, of course," said John McDonnell, the Labour Party's second most powerful man.

"We will ensure that happens after we have got the legislation to protect against a 'no-deal' Brexit. But we will consult and do it on at the date on which we will think will have the maximum advantage against a 'no-deal'," he said.

While sterling rose on parliament's bid to block a no-deal exit, an election before Brexit would allow him, if he won, to repeal the blocking bill, which was passed by 329-300 and then 327-299 in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The law will pass the upper house, the Lords, by Friday evening.

Johnson's finance minister, Sajid Javid, opened up the possibility of a change to the October 15 date but said the government could strike a renegotiated Brexit deal with Brussels and get it through parliament before October 31.

But the EU, and Germany and France in particular, have repeatedly called on Britain to make specific proposals on how it wants to change the agreement struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, in November.

Diplomats said an election campaign would halt any Brexit talks with the EU and expressed frustration with the turmoil of British politics at such an important juncture in European history.

"The UK side continues to produce chaos and it is very hard to predict anything," said one EU diplomat.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the European Union.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the European Union. As the United Kingdom spins towards an election, Brexit remains up in the air more than three years after Britons voted to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum. Options range from a turbulent 'no-deal' exit to abandoning the whole endeavour. After wresting control of the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, an alliance of opposition parties and rebels expelled from Johnson's Conservative party voted to force him to seek a three-month delay to Brexit rather than leaving without a deal on October 31, the date now set in law. Behind the sound and the fury of the Brexit crisis, an election now beckons for a polarised country. The main choices on offer are Johnson's radical insistence on leaving the EU on October 31, come what may, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's hard-left socialist vision, coupled with a promise of a fresh referendum with an option to stay in the EU. "Boris will argue that it is now time for the people to decide after parliament has failed them, so we can resolve this once and for all," a spokesman for the prime minister said. "Jeremy Corbyn continues not only to block Brexit but is now also stopping the people from having their say by refusing a general election." The opposition Labour Party cast Johnson's language - including calling Corbyn a "chicken" - as pathetic, said he was trying to act like US President Donald Trump, and compared him to a 3-year-old toddler having a tantrum. An election adds a new twist to a Brexit crisis that has for three years overshadowed European Union affairs, eroded Britain's reputation as a stable pillar of the West and seen sterling twitch in tune to the probability of a 'no-deal' exit. Asked if Brexit would happen on October 31, Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings told Reuters: "Trust the people." Against the dollar, the pound fell 0.3 per cent to $1.2211, after jumping 1.4 per cent on Wednesday in the sense that the prospect of a 'no-deal' exit had receded. UBS Global Wealth Management said sterling could rally to $1.30 if Brexit was delayed until January 2020 and an election was held after October. 'Trust the people' Johnson, the face of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, has pushed for an election on October 15, two weeks before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, though opposition parties are debating which date they would accept. "We are saying, yeah, bring on a general election, of course," said John McDonnell, the Labour Party's second most powerful man. "We will ensure that happens after we have got the legislation to protect against a 'no-deal' Brexit. But we will consult and do it on at the date on which we will think will have the maximum advantage against a 'no-deal'," he said. While sterling rose on parliament's bid to block a no-deal exit, an election before Brexit would allow him, if he won, to repeal the blocking bill, which was passed by 329-300 and then 327-299 in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The law will pass the upper house, the Lords, by Friday evening. Johnson's finance minister, Sajid Javid, opened up the possibility of a change to the October 15 date but said the government could strike a renegotiated Brexit deal with Brussels and get it through parliament before October 31. But the EU, and Germany and France in particular, have repeatedly called on Britain to make specific proposals on how it wants to change the agreement struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, in November. Diplomats said an election campaign would halt any Brexit talks with the EU and expressed frustration with the turmoil of British politics at such an important juncture in European history. "The UK side continues to produce chaos and it is very hard to predict anything," said one EU diplomat.

British PM Boris Johnson kicks off election campaign as parliament blocks no-deal Brexit

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-in-limbo-after-mps-reject-his-brexit-plan-elections-247654">Boris Johnson's government</a> abandoned attempts in the upper house of parliament to block a law aimed at stopping the country from leaving the European Union without a deal.

The move paved the way for Johnson being required to ask the EU for a three-month extension to the Brexit deadline, if he fails to reach a renegotiated transition deal with the bloc by the middle of October.

Johnson has said he is opposed to an extension and that he is prepared to take Britain out of the EU without a deal if necessary.

Conservative Party members of the upper house of parliament had tabled a series of amendments in an attempt to run down the clock on the delay bill and prevent it being passed before parliament is suspended on Monday.

But in the early hours of Thursday, the government in the upper house, known as the House of Lords, announced it was dropping its opposition to the legislation.

Richard Newby, an opposition member of the Lords, who had taken his duvet to parliament in preparation to spend the night discussing the law, said the government dropped its opposition after suffering heavy defeats on some of the proposed amendments.

"There was a realisation by those on the other side that this was more than usually stupid, and they were looking stupid, and we needed to find a way forward," he told BBC Radio.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government abandoned attempts in the upper house of parliament to block a law aimed at stopping the country from leaving the European Union without a deal.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government abandoned attempts in the upper house of parliament to block a law aimed at stopping the country from leaving the European Union without a deal. The move paved the way for Johnson being required to ask the EU for a three-month extension to the Brexit deadline, if he fails to reach a renegotiated transition deal with the bloc by the middle of October. Johnson has said he is opposed to an extension and that he is prepared to take Britain out of the EU without a deal if necessary. Conservative Party members of the upper house of parliament had tabled a series of amendments in an attempt to run down the clock on the delay bill and prevent it being passed before parliament is suspended on Monday. But in the early hours of Thursday, the government in the upper house, known as the House of Lords, announced it was dropping its opposition to the legislation. Richard Newby, an opposition member of the Lords, who had taken his duvet to parliament in preparation to spend the night discussing the law, said the government dropped its opposition after suffering heavy defeats on some of the proposed amendments. "There was a realisation by those on the other side that this was more than usually stupid, and they were looking stupid, and we needed to find a way forward," he told BBC Radio.

UK government gives up trying to stop Brexit delay bill in parliament

Leaving the European Union without a trade deal would cost Britain at least $16 billion in lost EU sales, and probably far more after accounting for indirect effects and other markets, a report by the U.N. trade agency UNCTAD said on Tuesday (September 3).

"No deal" Brexit would cost at least $16 billion in UK sales to the EU – U.N.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-loses-parliamentary-majority-ahead-of-brexit-vote-247433">British lawmakers defeated Boris Johnson in parliament</a> on Tuesday in a bid to prevent him taking Britain out of the EU without a divorce agreement, prompting the prime minister to announce that he would immediately push for a snap election.

The government was defeated by 328 to 301 on a motion put forward by opposition parties and rebel lawmakers in Johnson`s party - who had been warned they would be kicked out of the Conservative Party if they defied the government.

More than three years after the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to leave the European Union, the defeat leaves the course of Brexit unresolved, with possible outcomes still ranging from a turbulent `no-deal` exit to abandoning the whole endeavour.

Watch-- Brexit: Johnson government loses working majority ahead of crucial vote

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Tuesday`s victory is only the first hurdle for lawmakers, enabling them to take control of parliamentary business.

On Wednesday they will seek to pass a law forcing Johnson to ask the EU to delay Brexit - for a third time - until January&nbsp;31 unless he has a deal approved by parliament beforehand on the terms and manner of the exit.

It puts Johnson in a similar bind to that faced by his predecessor Theresa May, who failed three times to get the backing of lawmakers for the Withdrawal Agreement that she had negotiated with the EU. Johnson took over from her six weeks ago with a promise that his more robust approach would force a better deal out of the EU that would satisfy parliament.&nbsp;

The 21 Conservative rebels who now face expulsion from the party include Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Britain`s World War Two leader Winston Churchill, and two former finance ministers - Philip Hammond and Kenneth Clarke.&nbsp;

"I don`t want an election, but if MPs vote tomorrow to stop negotiations and compel another pointless delay to Brexit, potentially for years, then that would be the only way to resolve this," Johnson told parliament after the vote.

"I can confirm that we are tonight tabling a motion under the Fixed Term Parliament Act."

Economic Disruption

In an historic showdown between prime minister and parliament, Johnson`s opponents said they wanted to prevent him playing Russian roulette with a country once touted as a confident pillar of Western economic and political stability.

They argue that nothing can justify the risk of a `no-deal` Brexit that would cut economic ties overnight with Britain`s biggest export market and inevitably bring huge economic dislocation.

Johnson cast the challenge as an attempt to force Britain to surrender to the EU just as he hopes to secure concessions on the terms of the divorce, helped by the threat to walk out without one. Ahead of the vote, he said would never accept another delay to Brexit beyond October&nbsp;31.&nbsp;

"Parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels," Johnson said. "Because tomorrow’s bill would hand control of the negotiations to the EU."

Johnson`s government will now seek to hold a vote on Wednesday to approve an early election, most likely on October 14. This would pit the avowed Brexiteer against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist.&nbsp;

In the Brexit maelstrom, though, it was unclear whether opposition parties would support such a move - which requires the support of two-thirds of the 650-seat House of Commons.

Corbyn has long demanded an election as the best way out of the crisis, but many of those seeking to prevent a `no-deal` Brexit say Johnson could time the poll to ensure that parliament cannot prevent an October 31 departure - with or without a deal.

After the vote, Corbyn told Johnson that he must get the Brexit delay bill that will be discussed on Wednesday passed before trying to call an election. 
Divided Kingdom.

The 2016 Brexit referendum showed a United Kingdom divided about much more than the European Union, and has fuelled soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to capitalism, empire and modern Britishness.

It has also triggered civil war inside both of Britain`s main political parties as dozens of lawmakers put what they see as the United Kingdom`s fate above that of party loyalty.

Just as Johnson began speaking, he lost his working majority in parliament when one of his own Conservative lawmakers, Phillip Lee, crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the pro-EU Liberal Democrats.

The pound, which has gyrated to the twists and turns of Brexit since the 2016 referendum and is highly sensitive to the prospect of a `no-deal` exit, had briefly dipped as low as $1.1959 before the vote in parliament. Barring a minutes-long "flash crash" in October 2016, sterling has not regularly traded at such low levels since 1985.&nbsp;

Fears of a `no-deal` Brexit were rising elsewhere.

The European Commission said such a scenario was a "very distinct possibility" and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was the most likely scenario.

In a document seen by Reuters, the European Commission set out proposals to be published on Wednesday to provide financial help for EU businesses, workers and farmers if Britain crashes out of the bloc without any agreement.

It restated its view that a `no-deal` divorce would hit the British economy much harder than that of the EU.

The UN trade agency UNCTAD said it would cost Britain at least $16 billion in lost exports to the EU, plus a further substantial sum in indirect costs.

The US investment bank JPMorgan said an election would make a no-deal Brexit more likely.

British lawmakers defeated Boris Johnson in parliament on Tuesday in a bid to prevent him taking Britain out of the EU without a divorce agreement, prompting the prime minister to announce that he would immediately push for a snap election.

British lawmakers defeated Boris Johnson in parliament on Tuesday in a bid to prevent him taking Britain out of the EU without a divorce agreement, prompting the prime minister to announce that he would immediately push for a snap election. The government was defeated by 328 to 301 on a motion put forward by opposition parties and rebel lawmakers in Johnson`s party - who had been warned they would be kicked out of the Conservative Party if they defied the government. More than three years after the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to leave the European Union, the defeat leaves the course of Brexit unresolved, with possible outcomes still ranging from a turbulent `no-deal` exit to abandoning the whole endeavour. Watch-- Brexit: Johnson government loses working majority ahead of crucial vote × Tuesday`s victory is only the first hurdle for lawmakers, enabling them to take control of parliamentary business. On Wednesday they will seek to pass a law forcing Johnson to ask the EU to delay Brexit - for a third time - until January 31 unless he has a deal approved by parliament beforehand on the terms and manner of the exit. It puts Johnson in a similar bind to that faced by his predecessor Theresa May, who failed three times to get the backing of lawmakers for the Withdrawal Agreement that she had negotiated with the EU. Johnson took over from her six weeks ago with a promise that his more robust approach would force a better deal out of the EU that would satisfy parliament. The 21 Conservative rebels who now face expulsion from the party include Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Britain`s World War Two leader Winston Churchill, and two former finance ministers - Philip Hammond and Kenneth Clarke. "I don`t want an election, but if MPs vote tomorrow to stop negotiations and compel another pointless delay to Brexit, potentially for years, then that would be the only way to resolve this," Johnson told parliament after the vote. "I can confirm that we are tonight tabling a motion under the Fixed Term Parliament Act." Economic Disruption In an historic showdown between prime minister and parliament, Johnson`s opponents said they wanted to prevent him playing Russian roulette with a country once touted as a confident pillar of Western economic and political stability. They argue that nothing can justify the risk of a `no-deal` Brexit that would cut economic ties overnight with Britain`s biggest export market and inevitably bring huge economic dislocation. Johnson cast the challenge as an attempt to force Britain to surrender to the EU just as he hopes to secure concessions on the terms of the divorce, helped by the threat to walk out without one. Ahead of the vote, he said would never accept another delay to Brexit beyond October 31. "Parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels," Johnson said. "Because tomorrow’s bill would hand control of the negotiations to the EU." Johnson`s government will now seek to hold a vote on Wednesday to approve an early election, most likely on October 14. This would pit the avowed Brexiteer against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist. In the Brexit maelstrom, though, it was unclear whether opposition parties would support such a move - which requires the support of two-thirds of the 650-seat House of Commons. Corbyn has long demanded an election as the best way out of the crisis, but many of those seeking to prevent a `no-deal` Brexit say Johnson could time the poll to ensure that parliament cannot prevent an October 31 departure - with or without a deal. After the vote, Corbyn told Johnson that he must get the Brexit delay bill that will be discussed on Wednesday passed before trying to call an election. Divided Kingdom. The 2016 Brexit referendum showed a United Kingdom divided about much more than the European Union, and has fuelled soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to capitalism, empire and modern Britishness. It has also triggered civil war inside both of Britain`s main political parties as dozens of lawmakers put what they see as the United Kingdom`s fate above that of party loyalty. Just as Johnson began speaking, he lost his working majority in parliament when one of his own Conservative lawmakers, Phillip Lee, crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the pro-EU Liberal Democrats. The pound, which has gyrated to the twists and turns of Brexit since the 2016 referendum and is highly sensitive to the prospect of a `no-deal` exit, had briefly dipped as low as $1.1959 before the vote in parliament. Barring a minutes-long "flash crash" in October 2016, sterling has not regularly traded at such low levels since 1985. Fears of a `no-deal` Brexit were rising elsewhere. The European Commission said such a scenario was a "very distinct possibility" and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was the most likely scenario. In a document seen by Reuters, the European Commission set out proposals to be published on Wednesday to provide financial help for EU businesses, workers and farmers if Britain crashes out of the bloc without any agreement. It restated its view that a `no-deal` divorce would hit the British economy much harder than that of the EU. The UN trade agency UNCTAD said it would cost Britain at least $16 billion in lost exports to the EU, plus a further substantial sum in indirect costs. The US investment bank JPMorgan said an election would make a no-deal Brexit more likely.

Opponents of 'no-deal' Brexit defeat PM Johnson, who promises an election

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson challenged his Labour rival Jeremy Corbyn to vote in favour of an early election on October 15 on Wednesday.

In a heated parliamentary debate, Johnson said that if Corbyn voted in favour of a draft law against the government's Brexit strategy then he should also support an election to "allow the people of this country to have their view".

The Conservative leader said he wanted an early general election on<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-lose-16-billion-in-eu-exports-in-case-of-no-deal-brexit-un-247458"> October 15 if lawmakers vote</a> against him again on Wednesday and force him to seek a three-month Brexit extension from Brussels with a new law.

"I will never allow that," Johnson said, calling the draft law a "surrender bill".

Watch Video:

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The European Commission also on Wednesday said the risk of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-loses-parliamentary-majority-ahead-of-brexit-vote-247433">no-deal Brexit</a> had increased, warning that it saw no alternative to the current withdrawal deal.

On Tuesday, the British prime minister suffered a defeat in parliament when he lost his wafer thin majority and rebel Conservatives joined opposition MPs in voting against a no-deal departure.

"Humiliation for Johnson as Tory rebels turn against him," read the front page of the left-wing Guardian newspaper, while The Independent wrote: "Johnson loses control".

But political historians say the current fractures - and the response to them - are different.

Johnson got some respite on Wednesday when a court in Scotland ruled that his decision to suspend parliam

The Conservatives, one of the world's oldest and most successful political parties, have long been dominated by divisions over Britain's relationship with Europe.

The issue contributed to Margaret Thatcher's 1990 resignation after 11 years in power, while directly causing ex-premiers David Cameron and Theresa May to step down in the past four years.

Johnson got some respite on Wednesday when a court in Scotland ruled that his decision to suspend parliament for over a month starting next week was lawful.

The 75 parliamentarians behind the legal challenge accused Johnson of curbing opposition attempts to block his Brexit strategy and bring down his government.

A similar case will be heard in London on Thursday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson challenged his Labour rival Jeremy Corbyn to vote in favour of an early election on October 15 on Wednesday. In a heated parliamentary debate, Johnson said that if Corbyn voted in favour of a draft law against the government's Brexit strategy then he should also support an election to "allow the people of this country to have their view".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson challenged his Labour rival Jeremy Corbyn to vote in favour of an early election on October 15 on Wednesday. In a heated parliamentary debate, Johnson said that if Corbyn voted in favour of a draft law against the government's Brexit strategy then he should also support an election to "allow the people of this country to have their view". The Conservative leader said he wanted an early general election on October 15 if lawmakers vote against him again on Wednesday and force him to seek a three-month Brexit extension from Brussels with a new law. "I will never allow that," Johnson said, calling the draft law a "surrender bill". Watch Video: The European Commission also on Wednesday said the risk of a no-deal Brexit had increased, warning that it saw no alternative to the current withdrawal deal. On Tuesday, the British prime minister suffered a defeat in parliament when he lost his wafer thin majority and rebel Conservatives joined opposition MPs in voting against a no-deal departure. "Humiliation for Johnson as Tory rebels turn against him," read the front page of the left-wing Guardian newspaper, while The Independent wrote: "Johnson loses control". But political historians say the current fractures - and the response to them - are different. Johnson got some respite on Wednesday when a court in Scotland ruled that his decision to suspend parliam The Conservatives, one of the world's oldest and most successful political parties, have long been dominated by divisions over Britain's relationship with Europe. The issue contributed to Margaret Thatcher's 1990 resignation after 11 years in power, while directly causing ex-premiers David Cameron and Theresa May to step down in the past four years. Johnson got some respite on Wednesday when a court in Scotland ruled that his decision to suspend parliament for over a month starting next week was lawful. The 75 parliamentarians behind the legal challenge accused Johnson of curbing opposition attempts to block his Brexit strategy and bring down his government. A similar case will be heard in London on Thursday.

Brexit row: UK PM Johnson proposes early election on October 15

Italy's head of state is set to sign off on a new government on Wednesday after two rival political parties agreed an unlikely coalition that is expected to improve ties with the European Union and adopt a softer stance on immigration.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who led the outgoing administration, is expected to unveil his new cabinet lineup and seek a new mandate from President Sergio Mattarella as early as Wednesday morning.

The alliance between the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), formerly sworn enemies, followed a month of political upheaval triggered by the sudden collapse of the previous ruling alliance.

The far-right League party of outgoing Interior Minister Matteo Salvini pulled out of its coalition with the 5-Star party, declaring it unworkable and calling for early elections in the hope that Salvini could return to power a prime minister.

Salvini's gambit backfired badly, ushering in a new alliance that is expected to soften his confrontational stance on EU budget rules, which he blamed for Italy's weak economy, and his crackdown on migrants arriving by boat from Africa.

Once Mattarella agrees to Conte's cabinet, the prime minister will then have to win confidence votes in both houses of parliament before the government can officially start work.

5-Star and PD unveiled on Tuesday a shared, 26-point policy programme for their mooted coalition, putting an expansionary 2020 budget at the top of their agenda but pleasing markets with a pledge draft a budget that would not endanger public finances.

The coalition cleared its final hurdle on Tuesday night when members of 5-Star approved the marriage in an online vote.

The key post of economy minister may go to the PD's Roberto Gualtieri, now head of the European Parliament's economic affairs commission, or to Dario Scannapieco, a former Treasury official who is vice president of the European Investment Bank, 5-Star and PD sources said.

Another name being considered for the job is former Bank of Italy Deputy Governor Salvatore Rossi, the sources said.

5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio, who served as deputy prime minister, industry minister and labour minister in the previous administration, may become foreign minister in the new government, the sources added.

PD's president and former prime minister Paolo Gentiloni could be named as EU commissioner.

Italy's head of state is set to sign off on a new government on Wednesday after two rival political parties agreed an unlikely coalition that is expected to improve ties with the European Union and adopt a softer stance on immigration.

Italy's head of state is set to sign off on a new government on Wednesday after two rival political parties agreed an unlikely coalition that is expected to improve ties with the European Union and adopt a softer stance on immigration. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who led the outgoing administration, is expected to unveil his new cabinet lineup and seek a new mandate from President Sergio Mattarella as early as Wednesday morning. The alliance between the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), formerly sworn enemies, followed a month of political upheaval triggered by the sudden collapse of the previous ruling alliance. The far-right League party of outgoing Interior Minister Matteo Salvini pulled out of its coalition with the 5-Star party, declaring it unworkable and calling for early elections in the hope that Salvini could return to power a prime minister. Salvini's gambit backfired badly, ushering in a new alliance that is expected to soften his confrontational stance on EU budget rules, which he blamed for Italy's weak economy, and his crackdown on migrants arriving by boat from Africa. Once Mattarella agrees to Conte's cabinet, the prime minister will then have to win confidence votes in both houses of parliament before the government can officially start work. 5-Star and PD unveiled on Tuesday a shared, 26-point policy programme for their mooted coalition, putting an expansionary 2020 budget at the top of their agenda but pleasing markets with a pledge draft a budget that would not endanger public finances. The coalition cleared its final hurdle on Tuesday night when members of 5-Star approved the marriage in an online vote. The key post of economy minister may go to the PD's Roberto Gualtieri, now head of the European Parliament's economic affairs commission, or to Dario Scannapieco, a former Treasury official who is vice president of the European Investment Bank, 5-Star and PD sources said. Another name being considered for the job is former Bank of Italy Deputy Governor Salvatore Rossi, the sources said. 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio, who served as deputy prime minister, industry minister and labour minister in the previous administration, may become foreign minister in the new government, the sources added. PD's president and former prime minister Paolo Gentiloni could be named as EU commissioner.

Italian PM to set seal on new government, unveil new cabinet

By Paul Whiteley and Harold D Clarke

After a showdown between prime minister Boris Johnson and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit, the UK appears on course for an election in a matter of weeks.

Much parliamentary action will now play out to determine exactly when the vote will take place. The government remains eager to ensure the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) by October 31. Oppositions parties are eager to ensure this does not happen in a no-deal scenario. But developments at Westminster mean an election at some point soon is almost certain. The key question, therefore, what might the outcome of such an election be in such unpredictable times?

We have considered the results across 138 polls conducted between November 4, 2018, and August 22 2019.

All polls contain a combination of information and noise, the latter resulting from errors in sampling, in interviewing and in other factors which are an inherent part of survey methodology. By “pooling the polls” the figure maximises the information and minimises the noise because the samples are very large and rogue polls which happen by chance do not dominate the picture.

Both Conservative and Labour support declined markedly in the run-up to the European Parliament elections on May 23. Since then, Conservative fortunes have partially revived, but party support is only in the low 30 per cent range – nearly 10 per cent less than its vote in the 2017 general election.

Labour is in even worse shape, languishing in the low to mid-20s. Polls on voting intentions go back as far as the 1930s, but it is safe to say that such a car crash in support for both major parties has never been seen before. So we are in uncharted territory.

The major parties’ poll numbers indicate that, in a two-party contest, the apparent “Boris bounce” in Conservative vote intentions would very likely deliver a majority in the House of Commons.

One important reason why Labour has fallen so far behind is the large decline in Jeremy Corbyn’s popularity since the 2017 general election. His approval ratings then were around 45 per cent. But by August this year they had fallen below 20 per cent and are now very stable from one poll to the next. A large majority of voters appear to have reached the conclusion that he is not up to the job of being prime minister. Negative public feelings about Corbyn are bound to be a drag on his party’s efforts to close the gap with the Conservatives.

Lib Dem Threat

The real problem for the Conservatives is not Labour but the continuing popularity of the Liberal Democrats and the Brexit Party. The Liberal Democrats are now consistently polling in the high teens – twice what previously had been typical. In the 2015 general election, the Liberal Democrats’ vote collapsed and the Conservatives took 27 seats from them. While the Liberal Democrats recovered a little in the subsequent 2017 general election, they still only had 12 MPs.

The situation has now completely changed. If the current surge in Liberal Democrat voting intentions holds, there is a good chance that the party will win back all of the seats it lost to the Conservatives in 2015. In addition, the Lib Dems are likely to win extra seats from disgruntled Conservative Remainers who will defect in response to the Conservative’s hard-line stance on Brexit.

It is true that the Liberal Democrats will take votes from Labour as well as the Conservatives, but the policy distance between the Lib Dems and Labour on relations with the EU is now much smaller than it is with the Conservatives. The danger for the Conservatives is that Remainers are likely to vote tactically as a result, supporting the Liberal Democrats in seats in the West Country, for example, and Labour in seats in the North-East and Merseyside.

What of the Brexit Party?

There is a narrative which suggests that Brexit Party support will collapse in a forthcoming election much like UKIP’s did in 2017. But this ignores a key difference between Brexit Party and Conservative supporters. In our national survey conducted shortly after the European elections, 78 per cent of Brexit Party identifiers wanted to leave the EU with no deal. This compared with only 46 per cent of Conservative identifiers who wanted this outcome.

In a rally in London, Nigel Farage committed his party to no deal. He was quick to point out that Johnson had voted for Theresa May’s agreement when it came up for the third time in parliament – and was therefore not to be trusted. The Prime Minister is taking a very hard line against Conservative rebels by threatening to remove the whip from them, but at the same time he is arguing that he wants a deal with the EU – something which is an anathema to the Brexit party supporters.

This lack of trust in the prime minister to deliver a no-deal Brexit puts him in a tricky situation – he needs most of the Brexit Party supporters to produce a no-deal outcome. Given his insistence that he is still seeking a deal with Brussels, Johnson is unlikely to win Brexit Party voters until there is actually a no-deal Brexit.

The Brexit Party will not take seats in a snap election, but it could easily stymie the Conservatives’ chances of winning.

The prime minister has had to seek an early election since the alternative was to stagger on without a majority and with parliamentary action to stop a no-deal Brexit becoming a reality. The campaign hasn’t formally begun yet, but the posturing is underway. The outcome, though, remains very difficult to predict.

(Paul Whiteley is Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex; Harold D Clarke is Ashbel Smith Professor, the University of Texas at Dallas)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk-general-election-if-so-heres-what-the-polls-are-telling-us-122759">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Paul Whiteley and Harold D Clarke After a showdown between prime minister Boris Johnson and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit, the UK appears on course for an election in a matter of weeks.

By Paul Whiteley and Harold D Clarke After a showdown between prime minister Boris Johnson and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit, the UK appears on course for an election in a matter of weeks. Much parliamentary action will now play out to determine exactly when the vote will take place. The government remains eager to ensure the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) by October 31. Oppositions parties are eager to ensure this does not happen in a no-deal scenario. But developments at Westminster mean an election at some point soon is almost certain. The key question, therefore, what might the outcome of such an election be in such unpredictable times? We have considered the results across 138 polls conducted between November 4, 2018, and August 22 2019. All polls contain a combination of information and noise, the latter resulting from errors in sampling, in interviewing and in other factors which are an inherent part of survey methodology. By “pooling the polls” the figure maximises the information and minimises the noise because the samples are very large and rogue polls which happen by chance do not dominate the picture. Both Conservative and Labour support declined markedly in the run-up to the European Parliament elections on May 23. Since then, Conservative fortunes have partially revived, but party support is only in the low 30 per cent range – nearly 10 per cent less than its vote in the 2017 general election. Labour is in even worse shape, languishing in the low to mid-20s. Polls on voting intentions go back as far as the 1930s, but it is safe to say that such a car crash in support for both major parties has never been seen before. So we are in uncharted territory. The major parties’ poll numbers indicate that, in a two-party contest, the apparent “Boris bounce” in Conservative vote intentions would very likely deliver a majority in the House of Commons. One important reason why Labour has fallen so far behind is the large decline in Jeremy Corbyn’s popularity since the 2017 general election. His approval ratings then were around 45 per cent. But by August this year they had fallen below 20 per cent and are now very stable from one poll to the next. A large majority of voters appear to have reached the conclusion that he is not up to the job of being prime minister. Negative public feelings about Corbyn are bound to be a drag on his party’s efforts to close the gap with the Conservatives. Lib Dem Threat The real problem for the Conservatives is not Labour but the continuing popularity of the Liberal Democrats and the Brexit Party. The Liberal Democrats are now consistently polling in the high teens – twice what previously had been typical. In the 2015 general election, the Liberal Democrats’ vote collapsed and the Conservatives took 27 seats from them. While the Liberal Democrats recovered a little in the subsequent 2017 general election, they still only had 12 MPs. The situation has now completely changed. If the current surge in Liberal Democrat voting intentions holds, there is a good chance that the party will win back all of the seats it lost to the Conservatives in 2015. In addition, the Lib Dems are likely to win extra seats from disgruntled Conservative Remainers who will defect in response to the Conservative’s hard-line stance on Brexit. It is true that the Liberal Democrats will take votes from Labour as well as the Conservatives, but the policy distance between the Lib Dems and Labour on relations with the EU is now much smaller than it is with the Conservatives. The danger for the Conservatives is that Remainers are likely to vote tactically as a result, supporting the Liberal Democrats in seats in the West Country, for example, and Labour in seats in the North-East and Merseyside. What of the Brexit Party? There is a narrative which suggests that Brexit Party support will collapse in a forthcoming election much like UKIP’s did in 2017. But this ignores a key difference between Brexit Party and Conservative supporters. In our national survey conducted shortly after the European elections, 78 per cent of Brexit Party identifiers wanted to leave the EU with no deal. This compared with only 46 per cent of Conservative identifiers who wanted this outcome. In a rally in London, Nigel Farage committed his party to no deal. He was quick to point out that Johnson had voted for Theresa May’s agreement when it came up for the third time in parliament – and was therefore not to be trusted. The Prime Minister is taking a very hard line against Conservative rebels by threatening to remove the whip from them, but at the same time he is arguing that he wants a deal with the EU – something which is an anathema to the Brexit party supporters. This lack of trust in the prime minister to deliver a no-deal Brexit puts him in a tricky situation – he needs most of the Brexit Party supporters to produce a no-deal outcome. Given his insistence that he is still seeking a deal with Brussels, Johnson is unlikely to win Brexit Party voters until there is actually a no-deal Brexit. The Brexit Party will not take seats in a snap election, but it could easily stymie the Conservatives’ chances of winning. The prime minister has had to seek an early election since the alternative was to stagger on without a majority and with parliamentary action to stop a no-deal Brexit becoming a reality. The campaign hasn’t formally begun yet, but the posturing is underway. The outcome, though, remains very difficult to predict. (Paul Whiteley is Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex; Harold D Clarke is Ashbel Smith Professor, the University of Texas at Dallas) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

UK general election? If so, here’s what the polls are telling us

Prime Minister Boris Johnson implicitly warned lawmakers on Monday that he would seek an election if they tied his hands on Brexit, ruling out ever countenancing a further delay to Britain's departure from the European Union.

Johnson's promise to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union on October 31 with or without a divorce deal has propelled the nation towards constitutional crisis and confrontation with the bloc's 27 other members.

With less than 60 days before a possible no-deal exit, an alliance of opposition lawmakers are plotting with rebels in Johnson's ruling Conservative Party to block that and force him to delay Brexit for three months.

But Johnson, who made his name as an EU-bashing journalist in Brussels before entering politics, said he would never do that, after his predecessor Theresa May twice postponed Brexit.

"I want everybody to know there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay, we are leaving on 31st October, no ifs or buts," Johnson said in a hastily-organised statement at a lectern outside Number 10 Downing Street.

"We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises," Johnson added. "I don't want an election. You don't want an election. Let's get on with the people's agenda."

Watch: Carrie Lam - Never tendered a resignation to Beijing

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Britain's Brexit dilemma is its most consequential political decision since World War Two.

Opponents of a no-deal exit say it would be a disaster for the economy, while Brexit supporters are eager to cut Britain free from what they see as a doomed experiment in integration that has seen Europe fall behind China and the United States.

Johnson, the face of the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 referendum, said that if lawmakers voted to delay Brexit they would "plainly chop the legs out from under the UK position and make any further negotiation absolutely impossible".

If parliament defeats the government on Brexit, a vote on holding an election will be held on Wednesday with an election date of Oct. 14, according to a senior government source.

Big stakes

The intervention by Johnson was part of the high-stakes political chess game over Brexit ahead of parliament's return from its summer break on Tuesday.

Rebels and opponents of the government say Johnson is betting on an election that he will cast as being forced on him by opponents of Brexit in parliament.

Lawmakers opposed to a no-deal Brexit will seek on Tuesday to take control of parliamentary time on Wednesday to pass legislation which would force Johnson to seek a three-month delay to Brexit.

More than three years since the United Kingdom voted 52-48% to leave the EU, it is still unclear on what terms, or indeed whether, Brexit will take place.

After Johnson's enforcers warned rebels they would be kicked out of the party if they defied him, speculation mounted he would call for an election just days before an EU summit due on Oct. 17-18.

Under British law, two-thirds of lawmakers must support holding an early election, and Johnson is not certain to get that backing.

The United Kingdom has held a variety of extraordinary votes in recent years. In 2014, Scots rejected independence in a referendum; in 2015, then prime minister David Cameron won a surprise majority on a pledge to hold an EU referendum but lost the referendum the following year.

After winning the top job in the chaos following the referendum, May bet on a 2017 snap election but lost her majority. Johnson took over from May in July after she failed three times to get a Brexit deal through parliament.

No-deal Brexit closer?

The default position is that Britain will leave on October 31 without a deal unless a divorce agreement is struck with the bloc and ratified by the British parliament or legislation is passed to delay or revoke the departure notice.

JP Morgan said in a research note it believed Monday's developments made a no-deal more likely as it increased the chances of an election and opinion polls suggest Johnson could win an election campaigning for a no-deal mandate.

Johnson, 55, has cast rebels as EU "collaborators" who are undermining the government's negotiating hand in seeking a withdrawal agreement by blunting his threat of a no-deal Brexit.

"Their (the government's) strategy, to be honest, is to lose this week and then seek a general election," said David Gauke, a former justice minister who is one of the rebel Conservative lawmakers.

Johnson has a working majority of just one seat in the 650-seat lower house of parliament and British media suggested about 20 Conservative lawmakers were prepared to rebel against him.

An election would open up three main options: a Brexit-supporting government under Johnson, a Labour government led by veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn or a hung parliament that could lead to a coalition or minority government of some kind.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson implicitly warned lawmakers on Monday that he would seek an election if they tied his hands on Brexit, ruling out ever countenancing a further delay to Britain's departure from the European Union.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson implicitly warned lawmakers on Monday that he would seek an election if they tied his hands on Brexit, ruling out ever countenancing a further delay to Britain's departure from the European Union. Johnson's promise to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union on October 31 with or without a divorce deal has propelled the nation towards constitutional crisis and confrontation with the bloc's 27 other members. With less than 60 days before a possible no-deal exit, an alliance of opposition lawmakers are plotting with rebels in Johnson's ruling Conservative Party to block that and force him to delay Brexit for three months. But Johnson, who made his name as an EU-bashing journalist in Brussels before entering politics, said he would never do that, after his predecessor Theresa May twice postponed Brexit. "I want everybody to know there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay, we are leaving on 31st October, no ifs or buts," Johnson said in a hastily-organised statement at a lectern outside Number 10 Downing Street. "We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises," Johnson added. "I don't want an election. You don't want an election. Let's get on with the people's agenda." Watch: Carrie Lam - Never tendered a resignation to Beijing × Britain's Brexit dilemma is its most consequential political decision since World War Two. Opponents of a no-deal exit say it would be a disaster for the economy, while Brexit supporters are eager to cut Britain free from what they see as a doomed experiment in integration that has seen Europe fall behind China and the United States. Johnson, the face of the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 referendum, said that if lawmakers voted to delay Brexit they would "plainly chop the legs out from under the UK position and make any further negotiation absolutely impossible". If parliament defeats the government on Brexit, a vote on holding an election will be held on Wednesday with an election date of Oct. 14, according to a senior government source. Big stakes The intervention by Johnson was part of the high-stakes political chess game over Brexit ahead of parliament's return from its summer break on Tuesday. Rebels and opponents of the government say Johnson is betting on an election that he will cast as being forced on him by opponents of Brexit in parliament. Lawmakers opposed to a no-deal Brexit will seek on Tuesday to take control of parliamentary time on Wednesday to pass legislation which would force Johnson to seek a three-month delay to Brexit. More than three years since the United Kingdom voted 52-48% to leave the EU, it is still unclear on what terms, or indeed whether, Brexit will take place. After Johnson's enforcers warned rebels they would be kicked out of the party if they defied him, speculation mounted he would call for an election just days before an EU summit due on Oct. 17-18. Under British law, two-thirds of lawmakers must support holding an early election, and Johnson is not certain to get that backing. The United Kingdom has held a variety of extraordinary votes in recent years. In 2014, Scots rejected independence in a referendum; in 2015, then prime minister David Cameron won a surprise majority on a pledge to hold an EU referendum but lost the referendum the following year. After winning the top job in the chaos following the referendum, May bet on a 2017 snap election but lost her majority. Johnson took over from May in July after she failed three times to get a Brexit deal through parliament. No-deal Brexit closer? The default position is that Britain will leave on October 31 without a deal unless a divorce agreement is struck with the bloc and ratified by the British parliament or legislation is passed to delay or revoke the departure notice. JP Morgan said in a research note it believed Monday's developments made a no-deal more likely as it increased the chances of an election and opinion polls suggest Johnson could win an election campaigning for a no-deal mandate. Johnson, 55, has cast rebels as EU "collaborators" who are undermining the government's negotiating hand in seeking a withdrawal agreement by blunting his threat of a no-deal Brexit. "Their (the government's) strategy, to be honest, is to lose this week and then seek a general election," said David Gauke, a former justice minister who is one of the rebel Conservative lawmakers. Johnson has a working majority of just one seat in the 650-seat lower house of parliament and British media suggested about 20 Conservative lawmakers were prepared to rebel against him. An election would open up three main options: a Brexit-supporting government under Johnson, a Labour government led by veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn or a hung parliament that could lead to a coalition or minority government of some kind.

UK PM Boris Johnson threatens election ahead of Brexit battle in parliament

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatened to expel rebel lawmakers from his Conservative Party if they thwart his Brexit plans by voting to prevent a no-deal exit from the European Union.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatened to expel rebel lawmakers from his Conservative Party if they thwart his Brexit plans by voting to prevent a no-deal exit from the European Union. Johnson's promise to leave the EU on October 31 with or without a divorce agreement has propelled the United Kingdom towards a constitutional crisis and a showdown with the 27 other members of the bloc, with an election one of the possibilities. Conservative Party rebels are plotting with opposition parties to take control of parliament and tie the government's hands with legislation that would block a no-deal exit from the EU which they say would be ruinous to the economy. With just over 24 hours until parliament returns on Tuesday from its summer break, Johnson's enforcers warned rebels that if they voted against the government they would be giving control of parliament to Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. "If they fail to vote with the government on Tuesday they will be destroying the government’s negotiating position and handing control of parliament to Jeremy Corbyn," said a source in the whips office, which is responsible for party discipline. "Any Conservative MP (member of parliament) who does this will have the whip withdrawn and will not stand as Conservative candidates in an election," the source said. More than three years since the United Kingdom voted 52-48% in a referendum to leave the European Union, it is still unclear on what terms, or indeed whether, Brexit will take place. Corbyn, Labour's veteran socialist leader, will say on Monday he is ready to do everything possible to stop a no-deal Brexit, describing it as a final attempt to pull "our country back from the brink". Election? In the parliamentary chess game over Brexit, it is also unclear what Johnson's response will be if the alliance of rebel Conservative lawmakers and opposition parties succeed in defeating the government. Johnson, the face of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, has cast rebels as EU "collaborators" who are undermining the government's negotiating hand by blunting his threat of a no-deal Brexit. "Their (the government's) strategy, to be honest, is to lose this week and then seek a general election," said David Gauke, a former justice minister who is one of the rebel Conservative lawmakers. An election is one of the options under consideration, BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said. House of Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said any wise party would prepare for an election and that the rebel legislation would be considered a matter of confidence in the government. "It is important for the government to establish the confidence of the House of Commons and this is essentially a confidence matter: Who should control the legislative agenda, Jeremy Corbyn or Boris Johnson?" Rees-Mogg said. An election would open up three main options: a Brexit-supporting government under Johnson, a Labour government led by Corbyn or a hung parliament that could lead to a coalition or minority government of some kind. After Johnson moved to suspend parliament ahead of Brexit, opponents of a no-deal exit are seeking to overturn his decision in the courts. Hearings are due on Sept. 3, Sept. 5 and Sept. 6. Nick Boles, a former Conservative who now sits as an independent member of parliament, said the rebels would seek to force the government to ask the EU for a Brexit delay if it was unable to ratify a revised Withdrawal Agreement by a certain date in October.

British PM Johnson threatens Brexit rebels with party expulsion

Iran said on Monday it would further reduce its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal if European parties failed to shield Tehran's economy from sanctions reimposed by the United States after Washington quit the accord last year.

Iran said on Monday it would further reduce its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal if European parties failed to shield Tehran's economy from sanctions reimposed by the United States after Washington quit the accord last year. "It is meaningless to continue unilateral commitments to the deal if we don't enjoy its benefits as promised by the deal's European parties," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart in Moscow. Iran has said it will breach the deal's limits on its nuclear activities one by one, ratcheting up pressure on the countries who still hope to save it. Tehran has threatened to take further steps by September 6, such as enriching uranium to 20% or restarting mothballed centrifuges, machines that purify uranium for use as fuel in power plants or, if very highly enriched, in weapons. Tehran is prepared to take a "stronger step" in reducing its commitments under the deal with world powers if European countries don't take action to save the pact, its foreign ministry's spokesman said on Monday. "The third step has been designed and will be stronger than the first and second steps to create balance between Iran's rights and commitments to the JCPOA," state news agency IRNA quoted the foreign ministry's spokesman Abbas Mousavi as saying on Monday. However, Iran had earlier stressed that these steps are "reversible" if the European signatories of the pact fulfilled their obligations. President Donald Trump last year exited the accord between Iran and six world powers aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme, which the West suspected sought to make a nuclear weapon, in exchange for the lifting of many international sanctions on Tehran. Washington has also reimposed sanctions on exports of Iranian oil. Iran denies ever having sought a nuclear weapon. Also, Iran's government spokesman said on Monday that Iran and France's views on the deal have moved closer, mainly after phone cal/ls between President Hassan Rouhani and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. "Fortunately the points of views have become closer on many issues and now technical discussions are being held on ways to carry out the Europeans' commitments (in the nuclear deal)," the spokesman, Ali Rabiei, said in remarks carried by state television. He did not go into details. Two Iranian officials and one diplomat told Reuters on Aug. 25 that Iran wants to export a minimum of 700,000 barrels per day of its oil and ideally up to 1.5 million bpd if the West wants to negotiate with Tehran to save the nuclear deal. "Iran's oil should be purchased and its money accessible," Rabiei said on Monday. Iran's oil exports have plummeted because of the U.S. sanctions, which also make it difficult for the country to receive payments through banks.

Iran warns EU over nuclear commitments as deadline for further steps looms

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders here on Friday and discussed issues of mutual interests concerning both countries.

Jaishankar said he appreciated his Belgian counterpart's high regard for India to boost bilateral ties.

"A warm reception by Belgian Dy. PM and FM @dreynders. Appreciate his high regard for India and commitment to building our bilateral relations," he tweeted after the meeting.

Earlier, Jaishankar said that India is willing to discuss outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.

He made the remarks during his meeting with European Union (EU) Commissioner Christos Stylianides after the latter reiterated the bloc's stance that New Delhi and Islamabad need to re-open dialogue through diplomatic channels for the de-escalation of tensions in the Kashmir region.

The two leaders further shared their expectations for better governance and greater development in the regions of Jammu&amp;Kashmir, and Ladakh, as well as their perspectives on the recent developments about the situation in Afghanistan and Iran.

The External Affairs Minister also met EU's Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini.&nbsp;

Both leaders emphasised the need for renouncing hostility, terror, and violence by Pakistan to build normal neighbourly relations with India.

Jaishankar arrived in Belgium on Thursday following the successful completion of his three-nation tour to Russia, Hungary, and Poland.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders here on Friday and discussed issues of mutual interests concerning both countries.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders here on Friday and discussed issues of mutual interests concerning both countries. Jaishankar said he appreciated his Belgian counterpart's high regard for India to boost bilateral ties. "A warm reception by Belgian Dy. PM and FM @dreynders. Appreciate his high regard for India and commitment to building our bilateral relations," he tweeted after the meeting. Earlier, Jaishankar said that India is willing to discuss outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally in an atmosphere free of terror and violence. He made the remarks during his meeting with European Union (EU) Commissioner Christos Stylianides after the latter reiterated the bloc's stance that New Delhi and Islamabad need to re-open dialogue through diplomatic channels for the de-escalation of tensions in the Kashmir region. The two leaders further shared their expectations for better governance and greater development in the regions of Jammu&Kashmir, and Ladakh, as well as their perspectives on the recent developments about the situation in Afghanistan and Iran. The External Affairs Minister also met EU's Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini. Both leaders emphasised the need for renouncing hostility, terror, and violence by Pakistan to build normal neighbourly relations with India. Jaishankar arrived in Belgium on Thursday following the successful completion of his three-nation tour to Russia, Hungary, and Poland.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discusses bilateral ties with Belgian counterpart

Thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland protested on Saturday against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament for about a month before the deadline for the country to leave the European Union.

Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on October&nbsp;31 with or without a deal on future relations with the bloc. The move to shut parliament for around a month in the period before that will hinder efforts by his opponents to stop him.

About 2,000 people gathered outside his office in Downing Street, chanting: "Liar Johnson, shame on you!"

A sign read: "#StopTheCoup. Defend our Democracy. Save our future."

The government says it is usual for parliament to be suspended before a new prime minister outlines his policy programme in a Queen's speech, now scheduled for Oct. 14. His supporters also say parliament usually breaks in late September, when the main political parties hold their annual conferences.

But his critics say the suspension, known as a prorogation, is unusually long and describe the move as a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the time that lawmakers will have to debate before Britain leaves the EU at the end of October.

Opposition lawmakers want to prevent the shutdown of parliament and pass legislation to avoid a no-deal Brexit when they return from summer recess on Tuesday.

As well as London, protests were scheduled in other major cities in the four nations of the United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

About 100 people protested outside the city hall in Belfast, the capital of the Northern Ireland, which has become a particular focus in the Brexit negotiations as it has the United Kingdom's only land border with the European Union.

The "backstop" insurance policy, part of the withdrawal agreement negotiated between the EU and Britain's former prime minister and which aims to keep the border with Ireland open, has become the main sticking point in negotiations.

Johnson wants the backstop removed, saying it could leave Northern Ireland operating under different regulatory rules than the rest of the United Kingdom. The EU and Ireland say Britain has yet to come up with acceptable alternatives.

A court case being heard in Belfast next week aims to block Johnson's suspension of parliament on the grounds that a no-deal Brexit would breach the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to the British-run province of Northern Ireland.

Protesters said the government had failed to take into account the importance of the border issue.

"The thing that scares me most is they have no appreciation of what is important for Northern Ireland. We are not on their radar," said Graham Glendinning, 49, a software worker.

"The border means nothing to them and they don’t give two hoots about it."

Thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland protested on Saturday against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament for about a month before the deadline for the country to leave the European Union.

Thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland protested on Saturday against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament for about a month before the deadline for the country to leave the European Union. Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 with or without a deal on future relations with the bloc. The move to shut parliament for around a month in the period before that will hinder efforts by his opponents to stop him. About 2,000 people gathered outside his office in Downing Street, chanting: "Liar Johnson, shame on you!" A sign read: "#StopTheCoup. Defend our Democracy. Save our future." The government says it is usual for parliament to be suspended before a new prime minister outlines his policy programme in a Queen's speech, now scheduled for Oct. 14. His supporters also say parliament usually breaks in late September, when the main political parties hold their annual conferences. But his critics say the suspension, known as a prorogation, is unusually long and describe the move as a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the time that lawmakers will have to debate before Britain leaves the EU at the end of October. Opposition lawmakers want to prevent the shutdown of parliament and pass legislation to avoid a no-deal Brexit when they return from summer recess on Tuesday. As well as London, protests were scheduled in other major cities in the four nations of the United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. About 100 people protested outside the city hall in Belfast, the capital of the Northern Ireland, which has become a particular focus in the Brexit negotiations as it has the United Kingdom's only land border with the European Union. The "backstop" insurance policy, part of the withdrawal agreement negotiated between the EU and Britain's former prime minister and which aims to keep the border with Ireland open, has become the main sticking point in negotiations. Johnson wants the backstop removed, saying it could leave Northern Ireland operating under different regulatory rules than the rest of the United Kingdom. The EU and Ireland say Britain has yet to come up with acceptable alternatives. A court case being heard in Belfast next week aims to block Johnson's suspension of parliament on the grounds that a no-deal Brexit would breach the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to the British-run province of Northern Ireland. Protesters said the government had failed to take into account the importance of the border issue. "The thing that scares me most is they have no appreciation of what is important for Northern Ireland. We are not on their radar," said Graham Glendinning, 49, a software worker. "The border means nothing to them and they don’t give two hoots about it."

Thousands protest British PM Johnson's move to suspend parliament

India is willing to discuss outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally in an atmosphere free of terror and violence, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

The remark was made during the minister's meeting with European Union Commissioner Christos Stylianides after the latter reiterated the EU's stance that New Delhi and Islamabad need to re-open dialogue through diplomatic channels for the de-escalation of tensions in the Kashmir region.

The two leaders further shared their expectations for better governance and greater development in the regions of Jammu&amp;Kashmir, and Ladakh, as well as their perspectives on the recent developments about the situation in Afghanistan and Iran.

India is willing to discuss outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally in an atmosphere free of terror and violence, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

India is willing to discuss outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally in an atmosphere free of terror and violence, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. The remark was made during the minister's meeting with European Union Commissioner Christos Stylianides after the latter reiterated the EU's stance that New Delhi and Islamabad need to re-open dialogue through diplomatic channels for the de-escalation of tensions in the Kashmir region. The two leaders further shared their expectations for better governance and greater development in the regions of Jammu&Kashmir, and Ladakh, as well as their perspectives on the recent developments about the situation in Afghanistan and Iran.

India willing to discuss outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally: Jaishankar

A legal challenge seeking to place an interim block on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/remain-alliance-can-it-halt-brexit-and-beat-boris-johnson-240152">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a>'s order to suspend parliament will be heard in a Northern Irish court next week, a judge said on Friday.

Johnson's decision this week to suspend parliament for more than a month before Brexit has enraged opponents who have taken to the courts in Edinburgh, Belfast, and London to try to stop him.

At a hearing in Belfast's High Court, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan set September 6 for the presentation of legal argument on the interim injunction that is being sought by a rights activist seeking to have the suspension reversed.

A more substantive case launched by the same activist, Raymond McCord, is due on September 16 against any withdrawal from the European Union without a divorce deal, citing fears that a chaotic Brexit could wreck the Northern Ireland peace process.

McCord's legal team argued on Thursday that a no-deal Brexit would breach the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to the British-run province and the suspension was both unconstitutional and a threat to the two decades of peace since.

His solicitor, Ciaran O'Hare, also said they would push to have the suspension hearing earlier than September 6.

"The prime minister wants to get his own way without concern for the people of Northern Ireland and the peace process," McCord, who was also behind a 2016 Northern Ireland challenge to Brexit, told reporters.

McCord's son was murdered by pro-British loyalist militants in 1997 before the peace deal largely ended three decades of violence between Irish nationalists seeking a united Ireland and pro-British unionists that killed 3,600 people.

Police on both sides of the border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland fear the return of any customs posts after Brexit would create a target for the small number of militant groups still active in the province.

A Scottish court earlier on Friday rejected a request to place an interim block on the order to suspend parliament but said it would hear full arguments next week.

Former British Prime Minister John Major also applied on Friday to join legal action to try to block the suspension in a case that will be heard in London on September 5.

A legal challenge seeking to place an interim block on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's order to suspend parliament will be heard in a Northern Irish court next week, a judge said on Friday.

A legal challenge seeking to place an interim block on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's order to suspend parliament will be heard in a Northern Irish court next week, a judge said on Friday. Johnson's decision this week to suspend parliament for more than a month before Brexit has enraged opponents who have taken to the courts in Edinburgh, Belfast, and London to try to stop him. At a hearing in Belfast's High Court, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan set September 6 for the presentation of legal argument on the interim injunction that is being sought by a rights activist seeking to have the suspension reversed. A more substantive case launched by the same activist, Raymond McCord, is due on September 16 against any withdrawal from the European Union without a divorce deal, citing fears that a chaotic Brexit could wreck the Northern Ireland peace process. McCord's legal team argued on Thursday that a no-deal Brexit would breach the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to the British-run province and the suspension was both unconstitutional and a threat to the two decades of peace since. His solicitor, Ciaran O'Hare, also said they would push to have the suspension hearing earlier than September 6. "The prime minister wants to get his own way without concern for the people of Northern Ireland and the peace process," McCord, who was also behind a 2016 Northern Ireland challenge to Brexit, told reporters. McCord's son was murdered by pro-British loyalist militants in 1997 before the peace deal largely ended three decades of violence between Irish nationalists seeking a united Ireland and pro-British unionists that killed 3,600 people. Police on both sides of the border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland fear the return of any customs posts after Brexit would create a target for the small number of militant groups still active in the province. A Scottish court earlier on Friday rejected a request to place an interim block on the order to suspend parliament but said it would hear full arguments next week. Former British Prime Minister John Major also applied on Friday to join legal action to try to block the suspension in a case that will be heard in London on September 5.

Brexit: Northern Irish court sets September 6 for challenge to parliament suspension

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