Britain's former deputy prime minister John Prescott, who served under Tony Blair and with him helped transform the country's Labour Party, has died aged 86, his family said on Thursday.

"We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away yesterday (Wednesday) at the age of 86," a statement read.

Blair, the privately educated lawyer who appointed working-class Prescott to help appease the Labour left as he moved the party to the centre ground, said he was "devastated" at Prescott's death.&nbsp;

"There was no one quite like him in British politics," he told BBC radio.

As well as being a prominent figure on the domestic stage, Prescott led negotiations for Britain for the 1997 international Kyoto Protocol on climate change.&nbsp;

Former US vice president and leading environmentalist Al Gore paid tribute to a "dear friend" and said he would be "forever grateful for his commitment to solving the climate crisis".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-summit-at-rio-de-janeiro-outcome-and-impact-777974">G20 summit at Rio de Janeiro: Outcome and impact&nbsp;</a>

"He fought like hell to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol and was an unwavering champion of climate action for decades to come," he said in a statement.

“He possessed an inherent ability to connect with people about the issues that mattered to them -- a talent that others spend years studying and cultivating, but that was second nature," he added.&nbsp;

Gordon Brown, who succeeded Blair as prime minister, called Prescott a "colossus" and "titan of the Labour movement".&nbsp;

He said he was "probably the first government minister to see the importance of the environment", adding that the 1997 Kyoto agreement had to be attributed to "John's hard work with Al Gore".

Keir Starmer, who became Labour's first prime minister since 2010 after a landslide general election win in July, called Prescott "a true giant of the Labour movement".

<h2>'Proud trade unionist'</h2>

"He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. During a decade as deputy prime minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation," he added.

"So much of John's work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow. From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime."

Prescott, a former merchant seaman and trade union activist who served as a member of parliament for Hull in northern England for four decades, died "peacefully" at a care home, his wife Pauline, and two sons said.

"He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery," they added.

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Prescott, who was appointed to the House of Lords, suffered a stroke in 2019 and had been suffering from Alzheimer's. He stopped being a member of the upper chamber of parliament in July because of his health problems.

Plain-speaking, Prescott served for 10 years as Blair's deputy following Labour's landslide 1997 general election win. During a campaign stop in north Wales he punched a protester who threw an egg at him.

But he also acted as a mediator between Blair and his finance minister Gordon Brown, who also helmed the transformation of Labour in the 1990s and who had designs on power.

Prescott's brief included the environment and transport.

Blair said in a 2007 letter to Prescott that he saw his role as "smoothing out colleagues and sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting".

"The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality... got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy," he told him.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Britain's former deputy prime minister John Prescott, who served under Tony Blair and with him helped transform the country's Labour Party, has died aged 86, his family said on Thursday.

Britain's former deputy prime minister John Prescott, who served under Tony Blair and with him helped transform the country's Labour Party, has died aged 86, his family said on Thursday. "We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away yesterday (Wednesday) at the age of 86," a statement read. Blair, the privately educated lawyer who appointed working-class Prescott to help appease the Labour left as he moved the party to the centre ground, said he was "devastated" at Prescott's death. "There was no one quite like him in British politics," he told BBC radio. As well as being a prominent figure on the domestic stage, Prescott led negotiations for Britain for the 1997 international Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Former US vice president and leading environmentalist Al Gore paid tribute to a "dear friend" and said he would be "forever grateful for his commitment to solving the climate crisis". Also read | G20 summit at Rio de Janeiro: Outcome and impact "He fought like hell to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol and was an unwavering champion of climate action for decades to come," he said in a statement. “He possessed an inherent ability to connect with people about the issues that mattered to them -- a talent that others spend years studying and cultivating, but that was second nature," he added. Gordon Brown, who succeeded Blair as prime minister, called Prescott a "colossus" and "titan of the Labour movement". He said he was "probably the first government minister to see the importance of the environment", adding that the 1997 Kyoto agreement had to be attributed to "John's hard work with Al Gore". Keir Starmer, who became Labour's first prime minister since 2010 after a landslide general election win in July, called Prescott "a true giant of the Labour movement". 'Proud trade unionist' "He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. During a decade as deputy prime minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation," he added. "So much of John's work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow. From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime." Prescott, a former merchant seaman and trade union activist who served as a member of parliament for Hull in northern England for four decades, died "peacefully" at a care home, his wife Pauline, and two sons said. "He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery," they added. Also read | Musk and Ramaswamy led DOGE plan to stop work-from-home for federal employees Prescott, who was appointed to the House of Lords, suffered a stroke in 2019 and had been suffering from Alzheimer's. He stopped being a member of the upper chamber of parliament in July because of his health problems. Plain-speaking, Prescott served for 10 years as Blair's deputy following Labour's landslide 1997 general election win. During a campaign stop in north Wales he punched a protester who threw an egg at him. But he also acted as a mediator between Blair and his finance minister Gordon Brown, who also helmed the transformation of Labour in the 1990s and who had designs on power. Prescott's brief included the environment and transport. Blair said in a 2007 letter to Prescott that he saw his role as "smoothing out colleagues and sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting". "The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality... got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy," he told him. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

UK former deputy prime minister John Prescott dies at 86

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has served three terms, is set to travel to China for five days for a personal visit, according to a media report. This visit, at the age of 74, marks&nbsp;Sharif's first international trip since his return to Pakistan in October last year, following a self-imposed exile in the UK lasting four years.

Accompanying him on this trip will be Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as reported by Geo News on Monday (April 22). The purpose of Sharif's visit is primarily for a medical checkup, confirmed by sources within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Additionally, during his stay, the former prime minister is believed to hold meetings related&nbsp;to development projects in the Punjab province and to engage with Chinese company owners.

Notably, Sharif's travel plans come after a high court granted him permission in November 2019 to travel abroad for medical treatment, based on urgent health concerns.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/russia-warns-pakistani-rice-ban-over-violation-in-phytosanitary-requirements-713618">Also read |&nbsp;Russia warns of ban on Pakistani rice imports over violation in phytosanitary requirements</a>

<h2>Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi's fiasco continues</h2>

Doctors have confirmed that Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, does not have any major health issues, dispelling claims that she was being given food laced with poison.

Bibi is currently held under house arrest at the Bani Gala residence, which has been converted into a sub-jail. In January, both Bibi and Khan were sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption case.

Following the verdict, Bibi surrendered at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail and was subsequently taken into custody. Later, she was transferred to her Bani Gala residence after it was designated as a sub-jail.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-newly-elected-jamaat-e-islami-chief-announces-anti-government-movement-712953">Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan: Newly-elected Jamaat-e-Islami chief announces anti-government movement</a>

Despite allegations from both Bibi and Khan regarding the poisoning of Bibi's food, a report revealed that a comprehensive medical examination conducted in the presence of Khan's trusted family physician, Dr&nbsp;Asim Yousuf, concluded that she only had a minor gastric issue.

The report stated that Bibi spent six hours at a private hospital in Islamabad for diagnostic tests, including an endoscopy. While she declined to undergo a blood test, she did undergo ultrasound, ECHO, and ECG tests. According to sources from the hospital, all medical reports for the former first lady were cleared by the doctors.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has served three terms, is set to travel to China for five days for a personal visit, according to a media report.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has served three terms, is set to travel to China for five days for a personal visit, according to a media report. This visit, at the age of 74, marks Sharif's first international trip since his return to Pakistan in October last year, following a self-imposed exile in the UK lasting four years. Accompanying him on this trip will be Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as reported by Geo News on Monday (April 22). The purpose of Sharif's visit is primarily for a medical checkup, confirmed by sources within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Additionally, during his stay, the former prime minister is believed to hold meetings related to development projects in the Punjab province and to engage with Chinese company owners. Notably, Sharif's travel plans come after a high court granted him permission in November 2019 to travel abroad for medical treatment, based on urgent health concerns. Also read | Russia warns of ban on Pakistani rice imports over violation in phytosanitary requirements Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi's fiasco continues Doctors have confirmed that Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, does not have any major health issues, dispelling claims that she was being given food laced with poison. Bibi is currently held under house arrest at the Bani Gala residence, which has been converted into a sub-jail. In January, both Bibi and Khan were sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption case. Following the verdict, Bibi surrendered at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail and was subsequently taken into custody. Later, she was transferred to her Bani Gala residence after it was designated as a sub-jail. Also read | Pakistan: Newly-elected Jamaat-e-Islami chief announces anti-government movement Despite allegations from both Bibi and Khan regarding the poisoning of Bibi's food, a report revealed that a comprehensive medical examination conducted in the presence of Khan's trusted family physician, Dr Asim Yousuf, concluded that she only had a minor gastric issue. The report stated that Bibi spent six hours at a private hospital in Islamabad for diagnostic tests, including an endoscopy. While she declined to undergo a blood test, she did undergo ultrasound, ECHO, and ECG tests. According to sources from the hospital, all medical reports for the former first lady were cleared by the doctors. (With inputs from agencies)

Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to fly to China for medical checkup, report says

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said that he was not only an 'accidental prime minister' of India but also the country's accidental 'finance minister.'

"I have been termed as an accident prime minister of the country, but I think that I was also an accidental finance minister," he said after the launch of his book 'Changing India' in Delhi on Tuesday.

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Former Prime Minister Singh went on to add that while he was criticised for being a "silent" prime minister, he never shied away from speaking to the press.

"People say I was a silent prime minister, but I think these volumes (his book) speak for themselves. I was not the prime minister who was afraid of talking to the press. I met the press regularly. In every foreign tour, I had press conferences in the plane or after landing," he noted.

Singh further noted that when he was India's Finance Minister in 1991, he was successful in helping turn a crisis into a "great opportunity."

"Life has been a great adventure and an enterprise, which I relish. I have no regrets. I will never be able to return what my country gave me. Some part of life has been smooth sailing and there were some hiccups," he noted.

Singh, who has been very critical of the BJP-led Central government for destroying the economy through the implementation of Goods and Services Tax and&nbsp;demonetisation, said that despite all the hiccups and hurdles, India will rise to be a superpower.

"This country is destined to be a major power. The thrust of India's economic policy has not changed for the last 25 years," he added.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said that he was not only an 'accidental prime minister' of India but also the country's accidental 'finance minister.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said that he was not only an 'accidental prime minister' of India but also the country's accidental 'finance minister.' "I have been termed as an accident prime minister of the country, but I think that I was also an accidental finance minister," he said after the launch of his book 'Changing India' in Delhi on Tuesday. #WATCH: Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh speaks of the time he was appointed as the Finance Minister in the govt led by PV Narasimha Rao, says "People say I was accidental Prime Minister, I was also accidental Finance Minister". pic.twitter.com/HVJyOoAZEa — ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2018 × Former Prime Minister Singh went on to add that while he was criticised for being a "silent" prime minister, he never shied away from speaking to the press. "People say I was a silent prime minister, but I think these volumes (his book) speak for themselves. I was not the prime minister who was afraid of talking to the press. I met the press regularly. In every foreign tour, I had press conferences in the plane or after landing," he noted. Singh further noted that when he was India's Finance Minister in 1991, he was successful in helping turn a crisis into a "great opportunity." "Life has been a great adventure and an enterprise, which I relish. I have no regrets. I will never be able to return what my country gave me. Some part of life has been smooth sailing and there were some hiccups," he noted. Singh, who has been very critical of the BJP-led Central government for destroying the economy through the implementation of Goods and Services Tax and demonetisation, said that despite all the hiccups and hurdles, India will rise to be a superpower. "This country is destined to be a major power. The thrust of India's economic policy has not changed for the last 25 years," he added.

Not just PM, I was also accidental finance minister: Manmohan Singh 