Asian markets mostly rose but investor caution returned as the optimism fanned by Donald Trump's much-vaunted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-announces-partial-trade-deal-with-china-255358">China trade deal</a> wore off, while the pound was boosted by a report saying a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-on-october-31-a-priority-for-british-government-queen-255851">Brexit </a>deal was taking shape.

While Friday's mini agreement between the world's economic superpowers put off fresh tariffs and saw them reach common ground on some issues, observers pointed out it was light on detail and left other major levies in place.

And, despite Trump's insistence that the "phase one" agreement was "the greatest and biggest deal", Beijing said it wanted to hold more talks and called for a delay in more tariffs before it would sign.

Equity traders, who have been under pressure from the trade war as well as the slowing global economy and worries about Brexit among others, seized on the news and sent regional markets surging Monday.

But they struggled to build on that as questions swirled over the value of the deal.

"It has taken precisely one working day of the new week for optimism to fade about the US-China trade deal lite/mini/part one," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst for Asia-Pacific at OANDA.

"The rhetoric-high, but detail-light trade announcement in Washington DC on Friday has been tempered by China being both a lot more circumspect and requesting additional talks before signing an agreement."

He said that while he expected the two to hammer out something for Trump and counterpart Xi Jinping to sign before they are due to meet next month, "the pseudo-deal itself represents nothing more than a holding action".

"Everyone's a winner, but everything stays the same, as no progress on the hard stuff has occurred in reality."

Still, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday that officials would hold further talks by phone this week and next to finalise the deal, while he also defended it on CNBC.

"There is a fundamental agreement in principle," he said. "There are still some issues that need to be worked out in wording but I would say we have every expectation that phase one will close.

In early trade, Hong Kong and Sydney were each down 0.1 percent, and Shanghai slipped 0.6 percent.

Manila and Jakarta also fell but Tokyo jumped 1.7 percent by lunch as dealers returned from a long weekend to play catch-up with the rest of Asia.

Singapore, Seoul and Wellington were all 0.2 percent higher while Taipei added 0.4 percent.

On currency markets, the pound rebounded after Britain's Daily Telegraph said a divorce deal was taking shape,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-and-uk-bid-to-save-brexit-talks-before-key-summit-255299"> EU and British negotiators </a>hailing a positive day of talks on the Northern Ireland issue.

The paper quoted unnamed sources as saying there was "cautious optimism", while the BBC said the EU is considering holding an emergency summit to push through a possible deal. It said there was not enough time to get anything done before a summit set for this week.

The reports will come as welcome news after European officials played down the chances of an agreement that had been aired by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar last week.

Sterling was up against the dollar and euro on Tuesday, with David Kelly at JP Morgan Asset Management saying the Johnson-Varadkar talks had sparked a "whirlwind of diplomacy between the British government and the Europeans to try to come up with an agreement this week".

He added in a note: "While it is by no means certain that the UK and Europe can agree to a deal or that such a deal can make it through the UK parliament, there does appear to be recognition from the British side that any Brexit deal will have to treat Northern Ireland very differently from the rest of the UK.

"In the multiple permutations of Brexit endgames, this has reduced the risk of a damaging 'no deal' Brexit."

Asian markets mostly rose but investor caution returned as the optimism fanned by Donald Trump's much-vaunted China trade deal wore off, while the pound was boosted by a report saying a Brexit deal was taking shape.

Asian markets mostly rose but investor caution returned as the optimism fanned by Donald Trump's much-vaunted China trade deal wore off, while the pound was boosted by a report saying a Brexit deal was taking shape. While Friday's mini agreement between the world's economic superpowers put off fresh tariffs and saw them reach common ground on some issues, observers pointed out it was light on detail and left other major levies in place. And, despite Trump's insistence that the "phase one" agreement was "the greatest and biggest deal", Beijing said it wanted to hold more talks and called for a delay in more tariffs before it would sign. Equity traders, who have been under pressure from the trade war as well as the slowing global economy and worries about Brexit among others, seized on the news and sent regional markets surging Monday. But they struggled to build on that as questions swirled over the value of the deal. "It has taken precisely one working day of the new week for optimism to fade about the US-China trade deal lite/mini/part one," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst for Asia-Pacific at OANDA. "The rhetoric-high, but detail-light trade announcement in Washington DC on Friday has been tempered by China being both a lot more circumspect and requesting additional talks before signing an agreement." He said that while he expected the two to hammer out something for Trump and counterpart Xi Jinping to sign before they are due to meet next month, "the pseudo-deal itself represents nothing more than a holding action". "Everyone's a winner, but everything stays the same, as no progress on the hard stuff has occurred in reality." Still, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday that officials would hold further talks by phone this week and next to finalise the deal, while he also defended it on CNBC. "There is a fundamental agreement in principle," he said. "There are still some issues that need to be worked out in wording but I would say we have every expectation that phase one will close. In early trade, Hong Kong and Sydney were each down 0.1 percent, and Shanghai slipped 0.6 percent. Manila and Jakarta also fell but Tokyo jumped 1.7 percent by lunch as dealers returned from a long weekend to play catch-up with the rest of Asia. Singapore, Seoul and Wellington were all 0.2 percent higher while Taipei added 0.4 percent. On currency markets, the pound rebounded after Britain's Daily Telegraph said a divorce deal was taking shape, EU and British negotiators hailing a positive day of talks on the Northern Ireland issue. The paper quoted unnamed sources as saying there was "cautious optimism", while the BBC said the EU is considering holding an emergency summit to push through a possible deal. It said there was not enough time to get anything done before a summit set for this week. The reports will come as welcome news after European officials played down the chances of an agreement that had been aired by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar last week. Sterling was up against the dollar and euro on Tuesday, with David Kelly at JP Morgan Asset Management saying the Johnson-Varadkar talks had sparked a "whirlwind of diplomacy between the British government and the Europeans to try to come up with an agreement this week". He added in a note: "While it is by no means certain that the UK and Europe can agree to a deal or that such a deal can make it through the UK parliament, there does appear to be recognition from the British side that any Brexit deal will have to treat Northern Ireland very differently from the rest of the UK. "In the multiple permutations of Brexit endgames, this has reduced the risk of a damaging 'no deal' Brexit."

Asian markets edge up but caution keeps traders in check

It will be&nbsp;very&nbsp;difficult&nbsp;to&nbsp;secure&nbsp;a&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;agreement by&nbsp;next&nbsp;week&nbsp;with big gaps remaining in the British position,&nbsp;Irish&nbsp;Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday following a phone call with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson.

"I'll certainly work until the&nbsp;very&nbsp;last moment to&nbsp;secure&nbsp;that (a&nbsp;deal) but not at any cost... I think it will be&nbsp;very&nbsp;difficult&nbsp;to&nbsp;secure&nbsp;an agreement by&nbsp;next&nbsp;week, quite frankly," Varadkar told&nbsp;Irish&nbsp;national broadcaster RTE.

"Essentially what the United Kingdom has done is repudiated the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;that we negotiated in good faith with Prime Minister May's government over two years and has sort of put half of that now back on the table and are saying that's a concession and of course it isn't really. There are two big gaps."

Johnson has consistently said the United Kingdom will leave the EU on October&nbsp;31 with or without a&nbsp;deal, though a law passed by parliament demands he write a letter to the EU asking for a delay if he cannot strike an exit&nbsp;deal&nbsp;by October 19.

He has said he would abide by the law but <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-warns-european-union-he-will-not-delay-brexit-254136">Britain would leave the EU by the end of the month</a>, without explaining that contradiction. He has also repeatedly demanded an election but parliament has refused to grant one.

The European Union has accused Britain of playing a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-stake-is-not-winning-some-stupid-blame-game-tusk-to-pm-johnson-on-brexit-254552">"stupid blame game"</a> over&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;after a Downing Street source said a&nbsp;deal&nbsp;was essentially impossible because German Chancellor Angela Merkel had made unacceptable demands.

With just 22 days before the United Kingdom is due to leave the bloc, the future of&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;remains deeply uncertain as both London and Brussels position themselves to avoid blame for a delay or a disorderly no-deal&nbsp;Brexit.

It will be very difficult to secure a Brexit agreement by next week with big gaps remaining in the British position, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday following a phone call with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson.

It will be very difficult to secure a Brexit agreement by next week with big gaps remaining in the British position, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday following a phone call with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson. "I'll certainly work until the very last moment to secure that (a deal) but not at any cost... I think it will be very difficult to secure an agreement by next week, quite frankly," Varadkar told Irish national broadcaster RTE. "Essentially what the United Kingdom has done is repudiated the deal that we negotiated in good faith with Prime Minister May's government over two years and has sort of put half of that now back on the table and are saying that's a concession and of course it isn't really. There are two big gaps." Johnson has consistently said the United Kingdom will leave the EU on October 31 with or without a deal, though a law passed by parliament demands he write a letter to the EU asking for a delay if he cannot strike an exit deal by October 19. He has said he would abide by the law but Britain would leave the EU by the end of the month, without explaining that contradiction. He has also repeatedly demanded an election but parliament has refused to grant one. The European Union has accused Britain of playing a "stupid blame game" over Brexit after a Downing Street source said a deal was essentially impossible because German Chancellor Angela Merkel had made unacceptable demands. With just 22 days before the United Kingdom is due to leave the bloc, the future of Brexit remains deeply uncertain as both London and Brussels position themselves to avoid blame for a delay or a disorderly no-deal Brexit.

Irish PM says very difficult to secure Brexit deal by next week

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-calls-for-protection-of-amazon-rainforest-says-cant-afford-more-damage-to-source-of-oxygen-245080"> curb record fires </a>ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

"I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement.

"There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments."&nbsp;

Varadkar added Ireland "will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/amazon-rainforests-are-on-fire-destroying-the-lungs-of-the-earth-244927/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product.

He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs.

Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests.

Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year -- the highest number for any year since 2013.&nbsp;

The majority of the fires were in the Amazon.

Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region.

According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018.

Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned".

"Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 per cent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest - the lungs which produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen - is on fire. It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ActForTheAmazon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ActForTheAmazon</a> <a href="https://t.co/dogOJj9big">pic.twitter.com/dogOJj9big</a>
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1164617008962527232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In Ireland, Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers.

They fear their sector -&nbsp;already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit -&nbsp;will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact. 
&nbsp;

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday. "I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement. "There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments." Varadkar added Ireland "will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal. Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product. He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs. Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests. Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year -- the highest number for any year since 2013. The majority of the fires were in the Amazon. Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region. According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018. Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires. French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned". "Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 per cent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter. Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest - the lungs which produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen - is on fire. It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days! #ActForTheAmazon pic.twitter.com/dogOJj9big — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 22, 2019 × In Ireland, Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers. They fear their sector - already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit - will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Now, Ireland may block EU-Mercosur deal over Amazon fire

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-calls-for-protection-of-amazon-rainforest-says-cant-afford-more-damage-to-source-of-oxygen-245080"> fires ravaging the Amazon</a>, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

"I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement.

"There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments."&nbsp;

Varadkar added Ireland "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-calls-for-free-stable-trade-environment-warns-of-slowing-global-economy-231600">will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions</a>" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal.

Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product.

He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs.

Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests.

Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year the highest number for any year since 2013.&nbsp;

The majority of the fires were in the Amazon.

Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region.

According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018.

Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned".

"Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter.&nbsp;

In Ireland Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers.

They fear their sector already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday. "I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement. "There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments." Varadkar added Ireland "will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal. Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product. He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs. Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests. Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year the highest number for any year since 2013. The majority of the fires were in the Amazon. Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region. According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018. Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires. French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned". "Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter. In Ireland Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers. They fear their sector already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Ireland may withold EU-Mercosur deal support over Amazon fires: PM

Britain will never impose physical checks on its border with Ireland, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised his Irish counterpart on Tuesday, while repeating that current plans for the frontier after Brexit were unacceptable.

The land border between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland will become part of the bloc's external frontier once Britain leaves the European Union, and how it is managed is hugely controversial.

In his first phone call with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar since taking office last week, Johnson said he emphasised that "the UK under no circumstances will have checks at the border in Northern Ireland".

But speaking to the media afterwards, he warned that unless Brussels dropped its commitment to the current "backstop" plan to keep open the frontier, Britain would leave the EU without a deal on October 31.

"If they really can't do it then clearly we have to get ready for a no-deal exit," Johnson said on a trip to Wales, adding: "It's up to the EU, this is their call."

Removing checks on the border was considered a key factor in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, after years of violence over British control.

But after Brexit, it is expected to be policed as an external frontier unless new arrangements are found.

The backstop is included in a divorce deal the EU agreed with Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, which parliament has rejected three times.

In their phone call, Varadkar repeated the EU position that the backstop was "necessary" and that the deal could not be renegotiated, his office said.

He "explained that the EU was united in its view that the withdrawal agreement could not be reopened", it said.

The backstop would keep Britain aligned with EU trade rules to keep the frontier open and free-flowing, but Johnson believes there is an alternative.

"We have all the sorts of technological solutions that are necessary to do it," he said in Wales but added that this should be dealt with after Britain leaves the EU.

Varadkar conceded that alternative arrangements could replace the backstop in the future but "thus far satisfactory options have yet to be identified and demonstrated", his office said.

He invited Johnson to Dublin and the two men agreed to stay in touch, both offices said.

They also discussed the need to restore the devolved government in Northern Ireland, which has been suspended since January 2017 in a dispute between the two main parties that share power.

Britain will never impose physical checks on its border with Ireland, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised his Irish counterpart on Tuesday, while repeating that current plans for the frontier after Brexit were unacceptable.

Britain will never impose physical checks on its border with Ireland, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised his Irish counterpart on Tuesday, while repeating that current plans for the frontier after Brexit were unacceptable. The land border between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland will become part of the bloc's external frontier once Britain leaves the European Union, and how it is managed is hugely controversial. In his first phone call with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar since taking office last week, Johnson said he emphasised that "the UK under no circumstances will have checks at the border in Northern Ireland". But speaking to the media afterwards, he warned that unless Brussels dropped its commitment to the current "backstop" plan to keep open the frontier, Britain would leave the EU without a deal on October 31. "If they really can't do it then clearly we have to get ready for a no-deal exit," Johnson said on a trip to Wales, adding: "It's up to the EU, this is their call." Removing checks on the border was considered a key factor in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, after years of violence over British control. But after Brexit, it is expected to be policed as an external frontier unless new arrangements are found. The backstop is included in a divorce deal the EU agreed with Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, which parliament has rejected three times. In their phone call, Varadkar repeated the EU position that the backstop was "necessary" and that the deal could not be renegotiated, his office said. He "explained that the EU was united in its view that the withdrawal agreement could not be reopened", it said. The backstop would keep Britain aligned with EU trade rules to keep the frontier open and free-flowing, but Johnson believes there is an alternative. "We have all the sorts of technological solutions that are necessary to do it," he said in Wales but added that this should be dealt with after Britain leaves the EU. Varadkar conceded that alternative arrangements could replace the backstop in the future but "thus far satisfactory options have yet to be identified and demonstrated", his office said. He invited Johnson to Dublin and the two men agreed to stay in touch, both offices said. They also discussed the need to restore the devolved government in Northern Ireland, which has been suspended since January 2017 in a dispute between the two main parties that share power.

UK's Boris Johnson promises Irish PM Leo Varadkar no physical border checks

Sterling hit a two-year low on Monday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government said it now assumed there would be a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/no-deal-brexit-had-become-a-serious-possibility-cbi-chief-carolyn-fairbairn-239206&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi9xcXFitrjAhVO7mEKHQlcAkYQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw07JQut3Vw9Gy2-8QTnDxFn">no-deal Brexit</a> because a "stubborn" European Union was refusing to renegotiate their divorce.

Many investors say a no-deal Brexit would send shock waves through the world economy, tip Britain's economy into a recession, roil financial markets and weaken London's position as the pre-eminent international financial centre.

The pound, which was trading at $1.50 on the day of the 2016 referendum, dropped 0.4% to $1.2325, the lowest level since March 2017.

Johnson bets that the threat of a no-deal Brexit will persuade the EU's biggest powers - Germany and France - to agree to revise the divorce deal that Theresa May agreed to last November but failed three times to push through the British parliament.

The 27 other EU members, though, say publicly and privately that the divorce settlement - including the Irish border backstop - is not up for barter. Many EU diplomats say an election is highly likely.

"There must be some change from the EU and if the EU is not willing to move at all we must be ready to give the country some finality," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-should-respect-international-laws-britains-foreign-minister-239218">Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab</a> said, adding that London was "turbo-charging" no-deal preparations.

Raab said the United Kingdom wanted a deal but repeatedly cast the bloc as "stubborn". Asked if he was threatening the EU - whose $15.9 trillion economy is nearly six times that of the United Kingdom's - Raab said: "I am not doing any threatening."

Hedge funds increased their net short sterling positions to the highest level in nearly a year. And in a sign investors are scrambling for protection against currency swings around the time of the October 31 exit, three-month implied volatility surged to a four-month high.

Johnson has told EU leaders he will sit down for Brexit talks when they indicate they are ready to shift on the divorce deal, otherwise Britain will prepare for leaving without a deal, his spokeswoman said on Monday.

Our&nbsp;Union

Differences over Brexit have strained the bonds that tie the United Kingdom. While the country voted 52-48 to leave in 2016, Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU while Wales and England vote to leave.

The question of the unification of Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland will inevitably arise if Britain leaves the European Union without a divorce deal on October 31, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said.

Varadkar also suggested that a so-called hard Brexit could undermine Scotland's place in the United Kingdom.

Johnson makes his first visit to Scotland as prime minister on Monday, as his Conservative Party's leader there said she would refuse to support a no-deal Brexit.

"Our Union is the most successful political and economic union in history. We are a global brand and together we are safer, stronger and more prosperous," Johnson said in a statement ahead of the visit.

"So as we prepare for our bright future after Brexit, it's vital we renew the ties that bind our United Kingdom."

Johnson's promise to deliver Brexit, with or without a deal, has put him at odds with some in his party who oppose a "no-deal" exit - including its Scottish leader Ruth Davidson.

Gordon Brown, a Scot and a former prime minister, said this month that Johnson could be the United Kingdom's last prime minister as he could be on a collision course with Scottish nationalists.

Last week, Scotland's nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon wrote to Johnson telling him his Brexit plans would hurt the Scottish economy and that she would continue preparations for a second independence referendum.

Sterling hit a two-year low on Monday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government said it now assumed there would be a no-deal Brexit because a "stubborn" European Union was refusing to renegotiate their divorce.

Sterling hit a two-year low on Monday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government said it now assumed there would be a no-deal Brexit because a "stubborn" European Union was refusing to renegotiate their divorce. Many investors say a no-deal Brexit would send shock waves through the world economy, tip Britain's economy into a recession, roil financial markets and weaken London's position as the pre-eminent international financial centre. The pound, which was trading at $1.50 on the day of the 2016 referendum, dropped 0.4% to $1.2325, the lowest level since March 2017. Johnson bets that the threat of a no-deal Brexit will persuade the EU's biggest powers - Germany and France - to agree to revise the divorce deal that Theresa May agreed to last November but failed three times to push through the British parliament. The 27 other EU members, though, say publicly and privately that the divorce settlement - including the Irish border backstop - is not up for barter. Many EU diplomats say an election is highly likely. "There must be some change from the EU and if the EU is not willing to move at all we must be ready to give the country some finality," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, adding that London was "turbo-charging" no-deal preparations. Raab said the United Kingdom wanted a deal but repeatedly cast the bloc as "stubborn". Asked if he was threatening the EU - whose $15.9 trillion economy is nearly six times that of the United Kingdom's - Raab said: "I am not doing any threatening." Hedge funds increased their net short sterling positions to the highest level in nearly a year. And in a sign investors are scrambling for protection against currency swings around the time of the October 31 exit, three-month implied volatility surged to a four-month high. Johnson has told EU leaders he will sit down for Brexit talks when they indicate they are ready to shift on the divorce deal, otherwise Britain will prepare for leaving without a deal, his spokeswoman said on Monday. Our Union Differences over Brexit have strained the bonds that tie the United Kingdom. While the country voted 52-48 to leave in 2016, Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU while Wales and England vote to leave. The question of the unification of Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland will inevitably arise if Britain leaves the European Union without a divorce deal on October 31, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said. Varadkar also suggested that a so-called hard Brexit could undermine Scotland's place in the United Kingdom. Johnson makes his first visit to Scotland as prime minister on Monday, as his Conservative Party's leader there said she would refuse to support a no-deal Brexit. "Our Union is the most successful political and economic union in history. We are a global brand and together we are safer, stronger and more prosperous," Johnson said in a statement ahead of the visit. "So as we prepare for our bright future after Brexit, it's vital we renew the ties that bind our United Kingdom." Johnson's promise to deliver Brexit, with or without a deal, has put him at odds with some in his party who oppose a "no-deal" exit - including its Scottish leader Ruth Davidson. Gordon Brown, a Scot and a former prime minister, said this month that Johnson could be the United Kingdom's last prime minister as he could be on a collision course with Scottish nationalists. Last week, Scotland's nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon wrote to Johnson telling him his Brexit plans would hurt the Scottish economy and that she would continue preparations for a second independence referendum.

UK plays hardball with 'stubborn' European Union, pound tumbles to a 28-month low on Brexit woes

Ireland will not allow the Northern Ireland "backstop" clause in Britain's EU withdrawal agreement to be dropped because doing so would be as big a threat to the country as Britain leaving without a deal, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Saturday.

While it is "alarming" that leading contenders to replace Theresa May as Britain's Prime Minister are increasingly threatening a no-deal Brexit, Ireland was 100 per cent certain the European Union would not allow the backstop to go, he said.

Leadership contenders, including front-runner Boris Johnson, have called for the controversial Irish clause that is designed to avoid border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland to be changed or scrapped. They have said Britain would be prepared to leave without a deal if there was no compromise.

"To me, no backstop is effectively the same as no-deal because what the backstop is is ... a legally operable guarantee that we will never see a hard border emerge again," Varadkar told RTE radio. "If we don't have that, that is no deal."

How to manage the land border between EU-member Ireland and British-run Northern Ireland - including an emergency "backstop" solution to prevent the return of extensive frontier controls - has proven the most contentious element of Britain's planned exit from the European Union.

Varadkar again rejected a proposal for a time limit on the Northern Ireland clause, saying a backstop with a time limit is "not a backstop."

He said that Ireland remained open to the possibility of alternative arrangements that would allow an open border with Northern Ireland while protecting the European Union's single market - something Johnson has suggested may offer a solution.

But Varadkar said that would only be a possibility once the technologies required had been demonstrated to work effectively.

"What people are saying is give up the backstop, which we know will work legally and operationally in return for something that doesn't yet exist but might exist in the future ... I can't do that to the border communities," Varadkar said.

Varadkar said he was looking forward to sitting down with May's replacement, but said the next prime minister should not expect a better Brexit deal.

"The fact that the failure of the House Of Commons to ratify the withdrawal agreement somehow means they are going to get a better deal, that is just not how the European Union works," he said.

Ireland will not allow the Northern Ireland "backstop" clause in Britain's EU withdrawal agreement to be dropped because doing so would be as big a threat to the country as Britain leaving without a deal, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Saturday.

Ireland will not allow the Northern Ireland "backstop" clause in Britain's EU withdrawal agreement to be dropped because doing so would be as big a threat to the country as Britain leaving without a deal, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Saturday. While it is "alarming" that leading contenders to replace Theresa May as Britain's Prime Minister are increasingly threatening a no-deal Brexit, Ireland was 100 per cent certain the European Union would not allow the backstop to go, he said. Leadership contenders, including front-runner Boris Johnson, have called for the controversial Irish clause that is designed to avoid border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland to be changed or scrapped. They have said Britain would be prepared to leave without a deal if there was no compromise. "To me, no backstop is effectively the same as no-deal because what the backstop is is ... a legally operable guarantee that we will never see a hard border emerge again," Varadkar told RTE radio. "If we don't have that, that is no deal." How to manage the land border between EU-member Ireland and British-run Northern Ireland - including an emergency "backstop" solution to prevent the return of extensive frontier controls - has proven the most contentious element of Britain's planned exit from the European Union. Varadkar again rejected a proposal for a time limit on the Northern Ireland clause, saying a backstop with a time limit is "not a backstop." He said that Ireland remained open to the possibility of alternative arrangements that would allow an open border with Northern Ireland while protecting the European Union's single market - something Johnson has suggested may offer a solution. But Varadkar said that would only be a possibility once the technologies required had been demonstrated to work effectively. "What people are saying is give up the backstop, which we know will work legally and operationally in return for something that doesn't yet exist but might exist in the future ... I can't do that to the border communities," Varadkar said. Varadkar said he was looking forward to sitting down with May's replacement, but said the next prime minister should not expect a better Brexit deal. "The fact that the failure of the House Of Commons to ratify the withdrawal agreement somehow means they are going to get a better deal, that is just not how the European Union works," he said.

Brexit: Irish PM says no backstop as bad for Ireland as no deal

Voters were called out for a third day in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-elections-five-things-to-watch-220958"> EU parliamentary elections</a> on Saturday as populists hoped to win a major breakthrough and disrupt European politics for the next five years.

Polls were open in Malta, Slovakia and Latvia, with most of the bloc's 28 member states -- including big players Germany, France and Italy -- to vote on Sunday.

More than 400 million people are eligible to elect 751 members of the European Parliament with the first official results to be announced late Sunday once voting in all EU countries is over.

Polling has shown for months that populists and the anti-immigration far right could make big gains in the vote, which will also help determine who replaces Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the European Commission as well as other top jobs.

An exit poll after voting in the Netherlands on Thursday, however, showed a surprise victory for pro-EU socialists, giving hope to establishment forces elsewhere in the bloc that the populist tide could be limited.

"To all our friends across Europe still campaigning, this one is for you too!" said Dutchman Frans Timmermans, the lead socialist candidate and one of the main contenders to replace Juncker.

Europhiles also had reason to cheer from an exit poll in Ireland that suggested Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael party, which is committed to closer EU integration, was in the lead.

Turnout is a major concern in the EU elections, with voters in Slovakia historically the least interested, having just 13 per cent show up for the last polls five years ago.

Analysts said Slovakia would most likely send one far-right MEP to Strasbourg, where Czech voters -- who were voting for a second day on Saturday -- seemed set to hand victory to the ruling ANO, polls suggested.

Britain voted on Thursday, a day before Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-annouces-resignation-over-brexit-deal-221263">Theresa May announced her resignation</a> following a months-long Brexit crisis, though the result will not be revealed until Sunday.

The Brexit Party, which was only set up this year by veteran eurosceptic MEP Nigel Farage, is expected to score a resounding win in the UK vote.

Britain was never supposed to have participated in the EU vote but May was forced to do so after delaying Brexit beyond the original date of March 29 because the UK parliament refused to approve the divorce deal.

'Shaping the future'&nbsp;

On the far right, Matteo Salvini of Italy's anti-immigrant League and Marine Le Pen of France's National Rally (RN) want their Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group to become the third largest in Brussels. The League has topped opinion polls in Italy.

Le Pen is seeking to strike a big blow to Emmanuel Macron's French presidency by overtaking his pro-European party Republic on the Move (LREM) and denying the young leader's ambition to shake up the EU.

Polls give her RN party a slight edge, with around 25 per cent support against Macron's 22.5 per cent.

"It is hard to overstate the importance of this week's European Parliament elections," said Mujtaba Rahman of the Eurasia Group.

"Besides determining the composition of the next Parliament, the results will also be critical in shaping the future character and profile of the European Union," he said.

The establishment is expected to remain strong in several countries, with voters from Spain to the former Soviet Baltic states showing solid backing for the EU.

In Germany, surveys put Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party -- a heavyweight in the EU-wide centre-right EPP group -- in the first place, with the Greens second.

Voters were called out for a third day in EU parliamentary elections on Saturday as populists hoped to win a major breakthrough and disrupt European politics for the next five years.

Voters were called out for a third day in EU parliamentary elections on Saturday as populists hoped to win a major breakthrough and disrupt European politics for the next five years. Polls were open in Malta, Slovakia and Latvia, with most of the bloc's 28 member states -- including big players Germany, France and Italy -- to vote on Sunday. More than 400 million people are eligible to elect 751 members of the European Parliament with the first official results to be announced late Sunday once voting in all EU countries is over. Polling has shown for months that populists and the anti-immigration far right could make big gains in the vote, which will also help determine who replaces Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the European Commission as well as other top jobs. An exit poll after voting in the Netherlands on Thursday, however, showed a surprise victory for pro-EU socialists, giving hope to establishment forces elsewhere in the bloc that the populist tide could be limited. "To all our friends across Europe still campaigning, this one is for you too!" said Dutchman Frans Timmermans, the lead socialist candidate and one of the main contenders to replace Juncker. Europhiles also had reason to cheer from an exit poll in Ireland that suggested Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael party, which is committed to closer EU integration, was in the lead. Turnout is a major concern in the EU elections, with voters in Slovakia historically the least interested, having just 13 per cent show up for the last polls five years ago. Analysts said Slovakia would most likely send one far-right MEP to Strasbourg, where Czech voters -- who were voting for a second day on Saturday -- seemed set to hand victory to the ruling ANO, polls suggested. Britain voted on Thursday, a day before Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation following a months-long Brexit crisis, though the result will not be revealed until Sunday. The Brexit Party, which was only set up this year by veteran eurosceptic MEP Nigel Farage, is expected to score a resounding win in the UK vote. Britain was never supposed to have participated in the EU vote but May was forced to do so after delaying Brexit beyond the original date of March 29 because the UK parliament refused to approve the divorce deal. 'Shaping the future' On the far right, Matteo Salvini of Italy's anti-immigrant League and Marine Le Pen of France's National Rally (RN) want their Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group to become the third largest in Brussels. The League has topped opinion polls in Italy. Le Pen is seeking to strike a big blow to Emmanuel Macron's French presidency by overtaking his pro-European party Republic on the Move (LREM) and denying the young leader's ambition to shake up the EU. Polls give her RN party a slight edge, with around 25 per cent support against Macron's 22.5 per cent. "It is hard to overstate the importance of this week's European Parliament elections," said Mujtaba Rahman of the Eurasia Group. "Besides determining the composition of the next Parliament, the results will also be critical in shaping the future character and profile of the European Union," he said. The establishment is expected to remain strong in several countries, with voters from Spain to the former Soviet Baltic states showing solid backing for the EU. In Germany, surveys put Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party -- a heavyweight in the EU-wide centre-right EPP group -- in the first place, with the Greens second.

European Union votes as populists seek historic breakthrough

European leaders agreed with Britain on Thursday to delay <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-may-says-view-on-second-brexit-referendum-has-not-changed-209308">Brexit</a> by up to six months, saving the continent from what could have been a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leaders-meet-to-decide-another-brexit-delay-209279">chaotic no-deal departure</a> at the end of the week.

The deal struck during late night talks in Brussels means that if London remains in the EU after May 22, British voters will have to take part in European elections.

Prime Minister Theresa May and the other 27 EU leaders "have agreed to a flexible extension until 31 October", European Council president Donald Tusk said in a tweet.&nbsp;

"This means additional six months for the UK to find the best possible solution."

France's President Emmanuel Macron was the strongest voice opposing a long extension, but most leaders backed it and the French had to settle for a promise that the delay will be reviewed at an EU summit on June 21.

Most of the leaders gathered for the emergency summit, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had backed a plan for Brexit to be postponed for up to a year.

But as the talks went into Thursday morning, Macron -- with backing from Belgium, Austria and some smaller EU states -- held out for a short delay of only a few weeks and demanded solid guarantees that London would not interfere in EU business during that time.

May has already said that if Britain is still an EU member when the European parliamentary election begins on May 23, UK voters will take part. But some EU leaders are unconvinced that she is sincere, despite one official telling reporters her presentation had been "solid".

Without a postponement, Britain would have ended its 46-year membership of the EU at midnight (2200 GMT) on Friday with no deal, risking economic chaos on both sides of the Channel.&nbsp;

May agreed to a divorce deal with the EU last November but MPs in London have rejected it three times, forcing her to turn to the main opposition Labour party in a bid to find a way through.

'As soon as possible'

But these talks are moving slowly, and the prime minister is under intense pressure from hardline Brexit supporters in her Conservative party not to compromise.

As she arrived, May said she wanted to leave the EU "as soon as possible".

"I've asked for an extension to June 30 but what is important is that any extension enables us to leave at the point at which we ratify the withdrawal agreement," she said.

She said she still hoped to leave the EU on May 22, the last day before Britain must hold European Parliament elections.

For as long as Britain is in the EU, it must take part in bloc elections for them to be valid.

EU leaders have already agreed one delay to Brexit, from March 29 to April 12, and Tusk has warned there is "little reason to believe" the British parliament can ratify May's deal by June 30.

A draft copy of the summit conclusions seen by AFP before the leaders sat down to finalise it said, "an extension should last only as long as necessary and, in any event, no longer than."

"If the withdrawal agreement is ratified by both parties before this date, the withdrawal will take place on the first day of the following month," the draft stated.

EU members want to ensure that a semi-detached Britain does not seek leverage in Brexit talks by intervening in choosing the next head of the European Commission or the next multi-year EU budget.

May's ministers have begun cross-party talks with Labour on a compromise to get the withdrawal agreement through the House of Commons.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wants Britain to commit to remaining within the EU customs union, an idea that many in Europe would be keen to accommodate.

"We would be generous in negotiating that, understanding that the UK couldn't be a silent partner in such an arrangement -- it would have to have a say in decisions being made," Irish premier Leo Varadkar said as he arrived at the summit.

European leaders agreed with Britain on Thursday to delay Brexit by up to six months, saving the continent from what could have been a chaotic no-deal departure at the end of the week.

European leaders agreed with Britain on Thursday to delay Brexit by up to six months, saving the continent from what could have been a chaotic no-deal departure at the end of the week. The deal struck during late night talks in Brussels means that if London remains in the EU after May 22, British voters will have to take part in European elections. Prime Minister Theresa May and the other 27 EU leaders "have agreed to a flexible extension until 31 October", European Council president Donald Tusk said in a tweet. "This means additional six months for the UK to find the best possible solution." France's President Emmanuel Macron was the strongest voice opposing a long extension, but most leaders backed it and the French had to settle for a promise that the delay will be reviewed at an EU summit on June 21. Most of the leaders gathered for the emergency summit, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had backed a plan for Brexit to be postponed for up to a year. But as the talks went into Thursday morning, Macron -- with backing from Belgium, Austria and some smaller EU states -- held out for a short delay of only a few weeks and demanded solid guarantees that London would not interfere in EU business during that time. May has already said that if Britain is still an EU member when the European parliamentary election begins on May 23, UK voters will take part. But some EU leaders are unconvinced that she is sincere, despite one official telling reporters her presentation had been "solid". Without a postponement, Britain would have ended its 46-year membership of the EU at midnight (2200 GMT) on Friday with no deal, risking economic chaos on both sides of the Channel. May agreed to a divorce deal with the EU last November but MPs in London have rejected it three times, forcing her to turn to the main opposition Labour party in a bid to find a way through. 'As soon as possible' But these talks are moving slowly, and the prime minister is under intense pressure from hardline Brexit supporters in her Conservative party not to compromise. As she arrived, May said she wanted to leave the EU "as soon as possible". "I've asked for an extension to June 30 but what is important is that any extension enables us to leave at the point at which we ratify the withdrawal agreement," she said. She said she still hoped to leave the EU on May 22, the last day before Britain must hold European Parliament elections. For as long as Britain is in the EU, it must take part in bloc elections for them to be valid. EU leaders have already agreed one delay to Brexit, from March 29 to April 12, and Tusk has warned there is "little reason to believe" the British parliament can ratify May's deal by June 30. A draft copy of the summit conclusions seen by AFP before the leaders sat down to finalise it said, "an extension should last only as long as necessary and, in any event, no longer than." "If the withdrawal agreement is ratified by both parties before this date, the withdrawal will take place on the first day of the following month," the draft stated. EU members want to ensure that a semi-detached Britain does not seek leverage in Brexit talks by intervening in choosing the next head of the European Commission or the next multi-year EU budget. May's ministers have begun cross-party talks with Labour on a compromise to get the withdrawal agreement through the House of Commons. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wants Britain to commit to remaining within the EU customs union, an idea that many in Europe would be keen to accommodate. "We would be generous in negotiating that, understanding that the UK couldn't be a silent partner in such an arrangement -- it would have to have a say in decisions being made," Irish premier Leo Varadkar said as he arrived at the summit.

European Union gives Britain six-month delay to Brexit date

Irish PM Varadkar says deal 'can be done' on Brexit

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday said he believed "a deal can be done" to avoid a disorderly British exit from the EU, after a meeting with a key ally of British Prime Minister Theresa May that he said went very well.

Varadkar later hosted May for a formal dinner in Dublin that an Irish official described as "very warm" - in contrast to a relatively chilly reception given to May in Brussels earlier this week.

Varadkar said talks with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party in Belfast in the afternoon showed there was "more that unites us than divides us when it comes to Brexit," unusually conciliatory language in what has often been an acrimonious relationship.

The DUP, which props up May's government, has been one of the fiercest critics of Britain's exit deal with the European Union, which parliament in London has rejected and more particularly the contentious "backstop" championed by Varadkar.

The provision is an insurance policy meant to keep the border between Ireland, a euro zone member, and the British-run province of Northern Ireland open under any and all circumstances. The DUP says its terms are unacceptable as they would undermine trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

The EU has said it will not remove the provision or re-open the legally binding Brexit deal agreed with Britain over two years, but has said it is ready to rework the political declaration that accompanies it.

After the meeting, DUP leader Arlene Foster said she had a "good engagement" with Varadkar and that the DUP wanted "to be as helpful as we can to try and get a deal that works for the United Kingdom and also works for the European Union."

She declined to comment on the detail of the talks, saying both sides needed space to complete discussions.

The support of the DUP's 10 members of parliament is seen as key to May's winning over sceptical members of her Conservative party and securing parliamentary approval for the withdrawal agreement.

Asked by Irish state broadcaster RTE how he envisaged a deal could be done between Britain and the EU after weeks of stalemate, Varadkar cited the common ground between the Irish government and the DUP.

Both sides, he said, wanted to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland, ensure Britain left with a deal and enabled frictionless trade.

"Often when you share all the major objectives, it is possible to come to a solution," Varadkar said.

"I think that on balance we will secure a deal - whether it will be by the end of March or after an extension I can't say," he added.

Speaking ahead of his dinner with May, which included cured salmon, beef fillet and a selection of Irish cheeses, Varadkar said the meeting was aimed at seeing "confidence and trust restored."

An Irish official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the meeting would not involve any formal negotiations, which are being led by Brussels.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday said he believed "a deal can be done" to avoid a disorderly British exit from the EU, after a meeting with a key ally of British Prime Minister Theresa May that he said went very well.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday said he believed "a deal can be done" to avoid a disorderly British exit from the EU, after a meeting with a key ally of British Prime Minister Theresa May that he said went very well. Varadkar later hosted May for a formal dinner in Dublin that an Irish official described as "very warm" - in contrast to a relatively chilly reception given to May in Brussels earlier this week. Varadkar said talks with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party in Belfast in the afternoon showed there was "more that unites us than divides us when it comes to Brexit," unusually conciliatory language in what has often been an acrimonious relationship. The DUP, which props up May's government, has been one of the fiercest critics of Britain's exit deal with the European Union, which parliament in London has rejected and more particularly the contentious "backstop" championed by Varadkar. The provision is an insurance policy meant to keep the border between Ireland, a euro zone member, and the British-run province of Northern Ireland open under any and all circumstances. The DUP says its terms are unacceptable as they would undermine trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. The EU has said it will not remove the provision or re-open the legally binding Brexit deal agreed with Britain over two years, but has said it is ready to rework the political declaration that accompanies it. After the meeting, DUP leader Arlene Foster said she had a "good engagement" with Varadkar and that the DUP wanted "to be as helpful as we can to try and get a deal that works for the United Kingdom and also works for the European Union." She declined to comment on the detail of the talks, saying both sides needed space to complete discussions. The support of the DUP's 10 members of parliament is seen as key to May's winning over sceptical members of her Conservative party and securing parliamentary approval for the withdrawal agreement. Asked by Irish state broadcaster RTE how he envisaged a deal could be done between Britain and the EU after weeks of stalemate, Varadkar cited the common ground between the Irish government and the DUP. Both sides, he said, wanted to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland, ensure Britain left with a deal and enabled frictionless trade. "Often when you share all the major objectives, it is possible to come to a solution," Varadkar said. "I think that on balance we will secure a deal - whether it will be by the end of March or after an extension I can't say," he added. Speaking ahead of his dinner with May, which included cured salmon, beef fillet and a selection of Irish cheeses, Varadkar said the meeting was aimed at seeing "confidence and trust restored." An Irish official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the meeting would not involve any formal negotiations, which are being led by Brussels.

Irish prime minister says Brexit deal 'can be done' to avoid disorderly British exit from EU

The Irish parliament on Thursday passed legislation allowing abortions for the first time, following a landmark referendum earlier this year, a move hailed by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as a "historic moment".

The new legislation permits terminations to be carried out up to 12 weeks of pregnancy -- or in conditions where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman.

It would also allow terminations in cases of foetal abnormality which could lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth.

"Historic moment for Irish women. Thanks to all who supported," said Varadkar, who supported the referendum in May in which 66 per cent voted to overturn a constitutional ban on abortions.

Some 170,000 Irish women have been forced to travel to neighbouring Britain for abortions since 1980.

Ireland is a predominantly Catholic country but the influence of the Church has waned in recent years.

The change means Malta is now the only European Union country to totally ban abortion.

"Just over 200 days ago, you, the people of Ireland, voted to repeal the 8th so we could care for women with compassion," Health Minister Simon Harris said on Twitter after the bill passed the upper house.

"Today we have passed the law to make this a reality. A vote to end lonely journeys, end the stigma and support women’s choices in our own country."

The Irish health service is now being primed to provide the first abortions to women in January.

The only step remaining in the legislative process is the ceremonial signing of the bill into law by President Michael D. Higgins.

The vote to repeal the abortion ban followed a vigorously mobilised pro-choice campaign.

"I want to thank the campaigners who fought for 35 years to change a nation, to change hearts and minds," Harris said in a statement.

"I want to thank the minority who fought the battle in here when it was convenient for the majority to ignore."

"We welcome the passage of this bill, and fully appreciate the importance of its enactment by year’s end so that abortion services can begin in January," said Colm O Gorman, head of Amnesty International Ireland.

"Women have waited 35 years for this, the daily violations of their human rights must come to an end."

However, he said some concerns remained over conditions outlined in the bill -- which has been the subject of sustained and emotional parliamentary debate in recent weeks.

The Irish parliament on Thursday passed legislation allowing abortions for the first time, following a landmark referendum earlier this year, a move hailed by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as a "historic moment".

The Irish parliament on Thursday passed legislation allowing abortions for the first time, following a landmark referendum earlier this year, a move hailed by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as a "historic moment". The new legislation permits terminations to be carried out up to 12 weeks of pregnancy -- or in conditions where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman. It would also allow terminations in cases of foetal abnormality which could lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth. "Historic moment for Irish women. Thanks to all who supported," said Varadkar, who supported the referendum in May in which 66 per cent voted to overturn a constitutional ban on abortions. Some 170,000 Irish women have been forced to travel to neighbouring Britain for abortions since 1980. Ireland is a predominantly Catholic country but the influence of the Church has waned in recent years. The change means Malta is now the only European Union country to totally ban abortion. "Just over 200 days ago, you, the people of Ireland, voted to repeal the 8th so we could care for women with compassion," Health Minister Simon Harris said on Twitter after the bill passed the upper house. "Today we have passed the law to make this a reality. A vote to end lonely journeys, end the stigma and support women’s choices in our own country." The Irish health service is now being primed to provide the first abortions to women in January. The only step remaining in the legislative process is the ceremonial signing of the bill into law by President Michael D. Higgins. The vote to repeal the abortion ban followed a vigorously mobilised pro-choice campaign. "I want to thank the campaigners who fought for 35 years to change a nation, to change hearts and minds," Harris said in a statement. "I want to thank the minority who fought the battle in here when it was convenient for the majority to ignore." "We welcome the passage of this bill, and fully appreciate the importance of its enactment by year’s end so that abortion services can begin in January," said Colm O Gorman, head of Amnesty International Ireland. "Women have waited 35 years for this, the daily violations of their human rights must come to an end." However, he said some concerns remained over conditions outlined in the bill -- which has been the subject of sustained and emotional parliamentary debate in recent weeks.

'Historic moment': Irish parliament votes to legalise abortion

By:&nbsp;Fiona de Londras*

I write this sitting in a small cafe in Ranelagh, a prosperous part of Dublin. It is early on Saturday morning and, although you wouldn’t think it just by walking down the street, I may have woken in a new Ireland.

If exit polls are to be believed, an overwhelming majority of Irish people have voted to repeal the 8th amendment of the national constitution. The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll suggested 68 per cent of voters chose to repeal the amendment against 32 per cent who were opposed. Another, by RTE, put the repeal vote at 69.4 per cent. The result is due to become clear around mid-morning.

This insidious, cruel and harmful provision was inserted in 1983 as a preemptive strike against women’s liberation. It has reduced women in pregnancy to a constitutional being with the right only not to die and the obligation to sacrifice all else to bring the foetus to term.

The sanitised story of the 8th amendment is that it recognises the right to life of the foetus with due regard to the equal right to life of the pregnant woman. The lived reality of this constitutional story is more than 170,000 journeys across the Irish Sea to access abortion, thousands of illegal abortions through self-administration of the abortion pill, and countless women "caught out" and becoming mothers when they did not want to.

It is part of a long, difficult and deliberate construction of Irish womanhood as linked inextricably to motherhood, of sex as stigma, and of establishment attempts to use the force of the law to keep us in our nation-building, post-colonial place.

No freedom without the freedom of women

Now men and women, the young and the old, parents and those without children, politicians (including those considered conservative), and generations of activists who always believed we would finally unshackle ourselves from this constitutional confinement have cast votes to usher in a country of free women and girls.

The path ahead will be bumpy and hard. As in every other country, the forces that oppose sexual freedom, bodily autonomy and women's ethical agency will continue to do so. And they remain powerful. But they can no longer rely on a constitutional text to fuel their mission.

Under the next 36th amendment to the constitution "provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy". That legislation will, should the count back up the exit polling, go through the political process and hopefully be completed by the end of the year.

Until then we will continue to rely with gratitude on the kindness and care of doctors and nurses in the UK and elsewhere to provide the healthcare Irish women need. Today, as I watch the votes being counted, nine women will get on planes and go to London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester for their abortions. But they will go knowing they are among the last.

Ni&nbsp;saoirse go saoirse na mban (There is no freedom until the freedom of women).

Professor of Global Legal Studies, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham

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)

The path ahead will be bumpy and hard. As in every other country, the forces that oppose sexual freedom, bodily autonomy and women's ethical agency will continue to do so

By: Fiona de Londras* I write this sitting in a small cafe in Ranelagh, a prosperous part of Dublin. It is early on Saturday morning and, although you wouldn’t think it just by walking down the street, I may have woken in a new Ireland. If exit polls are to be believed, an overwhelming majority of Irish people have voted to repeal the 8th amendment of the national constitution. The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll suggested 68 per cent of voters chose to repeal the amendment against 32 per cent who were opposed. Another, by RTE, put the repeal vote at 69.4 per cent. The result is due to become clear around mid-morning. This insidious, cruel and harmful provision was inserted in 1983 as a preemptive strike against women’s liberation. It has reduced women in pregnancy to a constitutional being with the right only not to die and the obligation to sacrifice all else to bring the foetus to term. The sanitised story of the 8th amendment is that it recognises the right to life of the foetus with due regard to the equal right to life of the pregnant woman. The lived reality of this constitutional story is more than 170,000 journeys across the Irish Sea to access abortion, thousands of illegal abortions through self-administration of the abortion pill, and countless women "caught out" and becoming mothers when they did not want to. It is part of a long, difficult and deliberate construction of Irish womanhood as linked inextricably to motherhood, of sex as stigma, and of establishment attempts to use the force of the law to keep us in our nation-building, post-colonial place. No freedom without the freedom of women Now men and women, the young and the old, parents and those without children, politicians (including those considered conservative), and generations of activists who always believed we would finally unshackle ourselves from this constitutional confinement have cast votes to usher in a country of free women and girls. The path ahead will be bumpy and hard. As in every other country, the forces that oppose sexual freedom, bodily autonomy and women's ethical agency will continue to do so. And they remain powerful. But they can no longer rely on a constitutional text to fuel their mission. Under the next 36th amendment to the constitution "provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy". That legislation will, should the count back up the exit polling, go through the political process and hopefully be completed by the end of the year. Until then we will continue to rely with gratitude on the kindness and care of doctors and nurses in the UK and elsewhere to provide the healthcare Irish women need. Today, as I watch the votes being counted, nine women will get on planes and go to London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester for their abortions. But they will go knowing they are among the last. Ni saoirse go saoirse na mban (There is no freedom until the freedom of women). Professor of Global Legal Studies, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham 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)

Opinion: Ireland abortion referendum - voters have freed women from this insidious law

Ireland on Saturday voted to erase the stigma and burden of shame from hundreds of thousands of women who secretly had abortions, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said.

Speaking after a landslide referendum in favour of repealing the republic's ban on abortions, Varadkar said Ireland had emerged from the shadows and come of age.

"Today is a historic day for Ireland. A quiet revolution has taken place," he said in a speech at Dublin Castle, where the referendum result was declared, showing 66 per cent had voted to repeal the constitutional ban on abortions.

"We as a people have spoken. And we say that we trust women and we respect women and their decisions.

"No more doctors telling their patients there is nothing that can be done for them in their own country. No more lonely journeys across the Irish Sea.

"No more stigma. The veil of secrecy is lifted. No more isolation. The burden of shame is gone."

Varadkar, 39, was given a rock star welcome by cheering crowds packed into the castle forecourt to hear the final result of the referendum.

He said Ireland would now provide compassion and medical care for women in crisis pregnancies instead of turning a blind eye.

He told No voters feeling cut adrift that Ireland was the same country they knew, "just a little more tolerant, open and respectful".

Wrenching pain' of mistreatment

Ireland's constitution was amended in 1983 to ban abortions. Saturday's referendum result will likely see the amendment repealed before the year is out.

"For 35 years we have hidden the reality of crisis pregnancies behind our laws. We have hidden our conscience behind the constitution," said Varadkar.

"This majority decision changes all that."

He said Saturday would be remembered as the day that historically deeply socially conservative Ireland "stepped out from under the last of our shadows and into the light.

"The day we came of age as a country. The day we took our place among the nations of the world."

He ended his speech saying: "The wrenching pain of decades of mistreatment of Irish women cannot be unlived. However, today we have ensured that it does not have to be lived again."

Varadkar, Ireland's first gay prime minister, came to power last year in what was seen as another major milestone for diversity in Ireland. He took over as leader of the centre-right Fine Gael party, leading a minority government.

Born to an Indian father and an Irish mother, Varadkar was a hospital doctor before becoming a family doctor in 2010.

He changed his position on abortion after hearing of two particular cases during his time as health minister from 2014 to 2016, which convinced him terminations should not be banned in the Irish constitution.

As he left Dublin Castle, he stopped for selfies and chatted with the handful of Yes-supporters still in the forecourt.

Speaking after a landslide referendum in favour of repealing the republic's ban on abortions, Varadkar said Ireland had emerged from the shadows and come of age

Ireland on Saturday voted to erase the stigma and burden of shame from hundreds of thousands of women who secretly had abortions, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said. Speaking after a landslide referendum in favour of repealing the republic's ban on abortions, Varadkar said Ireland had emerged from the shadows and come of age. "Today is a historic day for Ireland. A quiet revolution has taken place," he said in a speech at Dublin Castle, where the referendum result was declared, showing 66 per cent had voted to repeal the constitutional ban on abortions. "We as a people have spoken. And we say that we trust women and we respect women and their decisions. "No more doctors telling their patients there is nothing that can be done for them in their own country. No more lonely journeys across the Irish Sea. "No more stigma. The veil of secrecy is lifted. No more isolation. The burden of shame is gone." Varadkar, 39, was given a rock star welcome by cheering crowds packed into the castle forecourt to hear the final result of the referendum. He said Ireland would now provide compassion and medical care for women in crisis pregnancies instead of turning a blind eye. He told No voters feeling cut adrift that Ireland was the same country they knew, "just a little more tolerant, open and respectful". Wrenching pain' of mistreatment Ireland's constitution was amended in 1983 to ban abortions. Saturday's referendum result will likely see the amendment repealed before the year is out. "For 35 years we have hidden the reality of crisis pregnancies behind our laws. We have hidden our conscience behind the constitution," said Varadkar. "This majority decision changes all that." He said Saturday would be remembered as the day that historically deeply socially conservative Ireland "stepped out from under the last of our shadows and into the light. "The day we came of age as a country. The day we took our place among the nations of the world." He ended his speech saying: "The wrenching pain of decades of mistreatment of Irish women cannot be unlived. However, today we have ensured that it does not have to be lived again." Varadkar, Ireland's first gay prime minister, came to power last year in what was seen as another major milestone for diversity in Ireland. He took over as leader of the centre-right Fine Gael party, leading a minority government. Born to an Indian father and an Irish mother, Varadkar was a hospital doctor before becoming a family doctor in 2010. He changed his position on abortion after hearing of two particular cases during his time as health minister from 2014 to 2016, which convinced him terminations should not be banned in the Irish constitution. As he left Dublin Castle, he stopped for selfies and chatted with the handful of Yes-supporters still in the forecourt.

Irish PM hails abortion referendum result; says, 'abortion stigma is gone'

Ireland will hold a referendum on May 25 on whether to alter its constitution to legalise abortion, Health Minister Simon Harris said on Wednesday.

The move follows the Irish Senate voting in favour of holding the poll by a wide margin Tuesday night.

"Referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment will take place on Friday, 25th May. The people will have their say," Harris tweeted.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar last year won leadership of the governing centre-right Fine Gael party after campaigning on same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws in the overwhelmingly Catholic country.

The election of Varadkar, Ireland's first openly gay leader, was seen as a watershed moment on the socially conservative island.

The referendum will take place exactly three months before the visit of Pope Francis, the first visit to the country by a pontiff since John Paul II went there in 1979.

The Eighth Amendment of the Irish constitution recognises the equal right to life of the unborn and the mother.

Abortion is illegal unless there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, and a woman convicted of having an illegal termination faces 14 years imprisonment.

However, women are free to travel abroad for abortions and thousands do so every year, mainly to England.

Amnesty International welcomed the announcement, calling it "a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Ireland to put in place laws which respect the #humanrights of women & girls".

Leaders from the Church of Ireland, an Anglican denomination, urged voters "to think through the issues involved carefully".

"There is, for Christians, a very clear witness in the Scriptures that all human life, including before physical birth, has a sacred dignity in the eyes of God," they said.

There have already been five referendums related to the issue, the first in 1983.

But in recent years the Irish parliament had stalled proposals to hold another poll, as well as legislation to relax the laws allowing abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.

The move follows the Irish Senate voting in favour of holding the poll by a wide margin Tuesday night

Ireland will hold a referendum on May 25 on whether to alter its constitution to legalise abortion, Health Minister Simon Harris said on Wednesday. The move follows the Irish Senate voting in favour of holding the poll by a wide margin Tuesday night. "Referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment will take place on Friday, 25th May. The people will have their say," Harris tweeted. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar last year won leadership of the governing centre-right Fine Gael party after campaigning on same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws in the overwhelmingly Catholic country. The election of Varadkar, Ireland's first openly gay leader, was seen as a watershed moment on the socially conservative island. The referendum will take place exactly three months before the visit of Pope Francis, the first visit to the country by a pontiff since John Paul II went there in 1979. The Eighth Amendment of the Irish constitution recognises the equal right to life of the unborn and the mother. Abortion is illegal unless there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, and a woman convicted of having an illegal termination faces 14 years imprisonment. However, women are free to travel abroad for abortions and thousands do so every year, mainly to England. Amnesty International welcomed the announcement, calling it "a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Ireland to put in place laws which respect the #humanrights of women & girls". Leaders from the Church of Ireland, an Anglican denomination, urged voters "to think through the issues involved carefully". "There is, for Christians, a very clear witness in the Scriptures that all human life, including before physical birth, has a sacred dignity in the eyes of God," they said. There have already been five referendums related to the issue, the first in 1983. But in recent years the Irish parliament had stalled proposals to hold another poll, as well as legislation to relax the laws allowing abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.

Ireland to hold May 25 referendum on legalising abortion

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Saturday that he would campaign for a liberalisation of the country&#39;s restrictive abortion laws ahead of a referendum in the coming months, adding that his views on the issue had evolved.&nbsp;

Varadkar&#39;s government plans to hold the referendum as soon as May to loosen some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. His Fine Gael party has agreed to let individual members campaign on either side of the debate.&nbsp;

While the country remains overwhelmingly Catholic - a complete ban on abortion was only lifted in 2013 - public opinion has become far more socially liberal in recent years.&nbsp;

Varadkar, a medical doctor by training, in 2014 described himself as pro-life, but also said that the rules in Ireland, where terminations are only allowed in cases where the mother&#39;s life is in danger, were too tight.&nbsp;

&quot;I believe Ireland&#39;s abortion laws are too restrictive and need to be liberalised,&quot; Varadkar said in an interview with BBC radio on Saturday. &quot;I&#39;ll be campaigning for them to be changed.&quot;

Asked about his previous position, Varadkar said that his views had evolved in recent years.&nbsp;

&quot;I think sometimes that pro-life and pro-choice can be misunderstood ... I think even people who are in favour of abortion in certain circumstances are pro-life,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;These terms pro-life and pro-choice don&#39;t really comprehend the complexity of this issue, which is a very private and personal one and one, I think, that contains a lot of grey areas.&quot;

Ireland has yet to decide the exact wording of the referendum. A cross-party parliamentary committee last month recommended that the state legislature to allow terminations with no restrictions up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy, a more liberal position than some had anticipated.

An opinion poll on Friday found that a majority of Irish voters would support a proposal to allow abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy, but that many older voters opposed the change.

Varadkar's government plans to hold the referendum as soon as May to loosen some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Saturday that he would campaign for a liberalisation of the country's restrictive abortion laws ahead of a referendum in the coming months, adding that his views on the issue had evolved. Varadkar's government plans to hold the referendum as soon as May to loosen some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. His Fine Gael party has agreed to let individual members campaign on either side of the debate. While the country remains overwhelmingly Catholic - a complete ban on abortion was only lifted in 2013 - public opinion has become far more socially liberal in recent years. Varadkar, a medical doctor by training, in 2014 described himself as pro-life, but also said that the rules in Ireland, where terminations are only allowed in cases where the mother's life is in danger, were too tight. "I believe Ireland's abortion laws are too restrictive and need to be liberalised," Varadkar said in an interview with BBC radio on Saturday. "I'll be campaigning for them to be changed." Asked about his previous position, Varadkar said that his views had evolved in recent years. "I think sometimes that pro-life and pro-choice can be misunderstood ... I think even people who are in favour of abortion in certain circumstances are pro-life," he said. "These terms pro-life and pro-choice don't really comprehend the complexity of this issue, which is a very private and personal one and one, I think, that contains a lot of grey areas." Ireland has yet to decide the exact wording of the referendum. A cross-party parliamentary committee last month recommended that the state legislature to allow terminations with no restrictions up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy, a more liberal position than some had anticipated. An opinion poll on Friday found that a majority of Irish voters would support a proposal to allow abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy, but that many older voters opposed the change.

Irish Prime Minister says he will campaign for liberalisation of abortion laws

Ireland&#39;s minority government looked set to collapse on Friday after the party propping it up submitted a motion of no confidence in the deputy prime minister, weeks before a summit on Britain&#39;s plans to leave the European Union. 
 
The crisis is likely to lead to an election next month or in January and may complicate the December 14-15 Brexit summit. 
 
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar is due to play a major role in the talks, telling EU leaders whether Ireland believes sufficient progress has been made on the future border between EU-member Ireland and Britain&#39;s province of Northern Ireland.

The border is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move the talks onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants.

Varadkar is now likely to go into the summit as a lame duck prime minister or in the middle of an election campaign.&nbsp;

The head of opposition party Fianna Fail Micheal Martin said his party had submitted a motion of no-confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald over her handling of a legal case involving a police whistleblower.

Martin told state broadcaster RTE an election &quot;can be avoided if the government takes action&quot; by asking Fitzgerald to resign. But the government said this would not happen.

Varadkar and Martin are due to meet later on Friday.

&quot;At a time when issues and decisions will need to be made that will reverberate in our country for decades to come, the prospect of either an election taking place or a government not being in place afterwards is actually unconscionable,&quot; Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told RTE.

&quot;These are historic decisions ... The agenda that is at play here is one of political interest. We need to be aware of the consequences of the approach that Fianna Fail are taking here,&quot; the usually calm Donohoe fumed.

Asked if Varadkar could seek to dissolve parliament on Friday, Donohoe said that was a matter for the prime minister.&nbsp;

Junior Finance Minister Michael D`Arcy told Reuters he believed there would be an election before Christmas and a source familiar with the party`s planning said it had begun to make preparations on Friday for an election.&nbsp;

Border debate

As well as the border, the other issues Brussels wants resolved before talks move on to trade arrangements are Britain&#39;s financial settlement on leaving the bloc and the rights of EU citizens living in Britain.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier assured Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney on Friday that the EU would defend Dublin&#39;s position in talks with Britain over the coming weeks.

&quot;Strong solidarity with Ireland,&quot; Barnier wrote on Twitter. &quot;Irish issues are EU issues.&quot;

Coveney told parliament on Thursday the government was not yet ready to allow the talks to move on to trade issues and needed more clarity from London.

Fianna Fail`s Martin said Varadkar could still take part in the EU summit and that parliament would be united in supporting him. But the collapse would inevitably distract Varadkar and could undermine his standing during the talks.&nbsp;

University College Dublin politics professor David Farrell said Varadkar may be tempted to take a hard line against the United Kingdom in the talks in a bid to shore up support among voters who are overwhelmingly against Brexit.&nbsp;

&quot;I suppose the only card he can try and play to distract from the crazy shenanigans around the causes of this election is leadership in Europe,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Christmas election 
 
An election in December or January would be dominated by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, two centre-right parties that differ little on policy but have been bitter foes for decades.&nbsp;

But it would also present an opportunity for Irish nationalists Sinn Fein to see if leader Gerry Adam`s decision last week to step down will boost its support. While Sinn Fein has said it wants to enter government, the two largest parties have ruled out doing a deal with the party, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).&nbsp;

Since Varadkar`s appointment as Fine Gael leader six months ago, his party has narrowly led Fianna Fail in opinion polls that suggest both parties would increase their support but struggle to form anything but another minority government.&nbsp;

The Fianna Fail move comes after Fitzgerald admitted she was made aware of an attempt to discredit a police whistleblower in a 2015 email, but failed to act. Fine Gael say she adhered to due process. 
The case relates to a whistleblower who alleged widespread misconduct in the force. His treatment by the authorities led in 2014 to the resignations of the then police commissioner and justice minister.

Ireland's minority government looked set to collapse on Friday after the party propping it up submitted a motion of no confidence in the deputy prime minister

Ireland's minority government looked set to collapse on Friday after the party propping it up submitted a motion of no confidence in the deputy prime minister, weeks before a summit on Britain's plans to leave the European Union. The crisis is likely to lead to an election next month or in January and may complicate the December 14-15 Brexit summit. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar is due to play a major role in the talks, telling EU leaders whether Ireland believes sufficient progress has been made on the future border between EU-member Ireland and Britain's province of Northern Ireland. The border is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move the talks onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants. Varadkar is now likely to go into the summit as a lame duck prime minister or in the middle of an election campaign. The head of opposition party Fianna Fail Micheal Martin said his party had submitted a motion of no-confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald over her handling of a legal case involving a police whistleblower. Martin told state broadcaster RTE an election "can be avoided if the government takes action" by asking Fitzgerald to resign. But the government said this would not happen. Varadkar and Martin are due to meet later on Friday. "At a time when issues and decisions will need to be made that will reverberate in our country for decades to come, the prospect of either an election taking place or a government not being in place afterwards is actually unconscionable," Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told RTE. "These are historic decisions ... The agenda that is at play here is one of political interest. We need to be aware of the consequences of the approach that Fianna Fail are taking here," the usually calm Donohoe fumed. Asked if Varadkar could seek to dissolve parliament on Friday, Donohoe said that was a matter for the prime minister. Junior Finance Minister Michael D`Arcy told Reuters he believed there would be an election before Christmas and a source familiar with the party`s planning said it had begun to make preparations on Friday for an election. Border debate As well as the border, the other issues Brussels wants resolved before talks move on to trade arrangements are Britain's financial settlement on leaving the bloc and the rights of EU citizens living in Britain. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier assured Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney on Friday that the EU would defend Dublin's position in talks with Britain over the coming weeks. "Strong solidarity with Ireland," Barnier wrote on Twitter. "Irish issues are EU issues." Coveney told parliament on Thursday the government was not yet ready to allow the talks to move on to trade issues and needed more clarity from London. Fianna Fail`s Martin said Varadkar could still take part in the EU summit and that parliament would be united in supporting him. But the collapse would inevitably distract Varadkar and could undermine his standing during the talks. University College Dublin politics professor David Farrell said Varadkar may be tempted to take a hard line against the United Kingdom in the talks in a bid to shore up support among voters who are overwhelmingly against Brexit. "I suppose the only card he can try and play to distract from the crazy shenanigans around the causes of this election is leadership in Europe," he said. Christmas election An election in December or January would be dominated by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, two centre-right parties that differ little on policy but have been bitter foes for decades. But it would also present an opportunity for Irish nationalists Sinn Fein to see if leader Gerry Adam`s decision last week to step down will boost its support. While Sinn Fein has said it wants to enter government, the two largest parties have ruled out doing a deal with the party, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Since Varadkar`s appointment as Fine Gael leader six months ago, his party has narrowly led Fianna Fail in opinion polls that suggest both parties would increase their support but struggle to form anything but another minority government. The Fianna Fail move comes after Fitzgerald admitted she was made aware of an attempt to discredit a police whistleblower in a 2015 email, but failed to act. Fine Gael say she adhered to due process. The case relates to a whistleblower who alleged widespread misconduct in the force. His treatment by the authorities led in 2014 to the resignations of the then police commissioner and justice minister.

Irish government set to fall weeks before Brexit summit

Ireland&#39;s first openly-gay prime minister Leo Varadkar participated in Montreal&#39;s Gay Pride parade with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on August 20.

On Twitter, PM Varadkar, who is on a three-day visit to Canada, posted pictures and videos of the event which was attended by thousands of participants.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Kicking off Montreal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pride?src=hash">#Pride</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/CanadianPM">@CanadianPM</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FierteMTL?src=hash">#FierteMTL</a> ! ???? ???? ???&zwj;?? <a href="https://t.co/tf1L0czFV9">pic.twitter.com/tf1L0czFV9</a>
&mdash; Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) <a href="https://twitter.com/campaignforleo/status/899309076013871104">August 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A big thank you to <a href="https://twitter.com/CanadianPM">@CanadianPM</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FierteMTLPride">@FierteMTLPride</a> for such a great welcome in Montreal today <a href="https://t.co/0j5MHtXPGh">pic.twitter.com/0j5MHtXPGh</a>
&mdash; Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) <a href="https://twitter.com/campaignforleo/status/899431571656232961">August 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

PM Varadkar, who took office in June, is the first foreign head of government to join a Canadian pride celebration, Justin Trudeau said.

The two heads of government earlier discussed a range of issues including the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Brexit, abortion and human rights.

At a joint news conference, Mr Varadkar said he discussed the issue of abortion with PM Trudeau during their bilateral talks.&nbsp;

He said that he wanted to hold a referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution early next year.&nbsp;

The 1983 law protects the right to life of a foetus, and outlaws abortion except in exceptional circumstances.

The Canadian PM said he shared PM Varadkar&#39;s perspective that reproductive rights were human rights.

Trudeau vowed &quot;strength through diversity&quot; in the face of recent attacks in Spain and Burkina Faso.

&quot;These recent acts of terror are despicable,&quot; the Canadian leader said. &quot;They seek to divide the global community, aiming to pit neighbour against neighbour.

 
&nbsp;

PM Varadkar is the first foreign head of government to join a Canadian pride celebration, Trudeau said

Ireland's first openly-gay prime minister Leo Varadkar participated in Montreal's Gay Pride parade with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on August 20. On Twitter, PM Varadkar, who is on a three-day visit to Canada, posted pictures and videos of the event which was attended by thousands of participants. Kicking off Montreal #Pride with @CanadianPM - #FierteMTL ! ???? ???? ???‍?? pic.twitter.com/tf1L0czFV9 — Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) August 20, 2017 × A big thank you to @CanadianPM and @FierteMTLPride for such a great welcome in Montreal today pic.twitter.com/0j5MHtXPGh — Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) August 21, 2017 × PM Varadkar, who took office in June, is the first foreign head of government to join a Canadian pride celebration, Justin Trudeau said. The two heads of government earlier discussed a range of issues including the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Brexit, abortion and human rights. At a joint news conference, Mr Varadkar said he discussed the issue of abortion with PM Trudeau during their bilateral talks. He said that he wanted to hold a referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution early next year. The 1983 law protects the right to life of a foetus, and outlaws abortion except in exceptional circumstances. The Canadian PM said he shared PM Varadkar's perspective that reproductive rights were human rights. Trudeau vowed "strength through diversity" in the face of recent attacks in Spain and Burkina Faso. "These recent acts of terror are despicable," the Canadian leader said. "They seek to divide the global community, aiming to pit neighbour against neighbour.

Watch: Canada PM Trudeau, Irish counterpart Varadkar at Montreal Pride Parade

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Saturday that it was &quot;only a matter of time&quot; before Northern Ireland legalises same-sex marriage, as he attended a gay pride event in Belfast. 
 
&quot;It is, of course, a decision for the Northern Ireland Assembly, but I am confident that like other western European countries they will make that decision in due course,&quot; said Varadkar, Ireland&#39;s first openly gay leader who took office in June. 
 
Northern Ireland is the only part of Britain where same-sex marriage remains illegal, and the largest political party in the province, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), is deeply opposed. 
 
The DUP, which has strong Protestant Christian fundamentalist roots, has consistently blocked the measure in the devolved assembly in Belfast. 
 
However, the party has been relatively restrained about Varadkar`s participation in the Pride event, with DUP leader Arlene Foster saying it was &quot;his own business&quot;. 
 
The Republic of Ireland, a traditionally Catholic country, voted to allow same-sex marriage in a historic referendum in 2015. 
 
Varadkar attended a Pride breakfast in Belfast although other commitments prevented him from staying for the parade through the city centre, which this year will include uniformed police officers for the first time. 
&nbsp;

Leo Varadkar said he was confident that like other western European countries, the Northern Ireland Assembly would take its decision in due course

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Saturday that it was "only a matter of time" before Northern Ireland legalises same-sex marriage, as he attended a gay pride event in Belfast. "It is, of course, a decision for the Northern Ireland Assembly, but I am confident that like other western European countries they will make that decision in due course," said Varadkar, Ireland's first openly gay leader who took office in June. Northern Ireland is the only part of Britain where same-sex marriage remains illegal, and the largest political party in the province, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), is deeply opposed. The DUP, which has strong Protestant Christian fundamentalist roots, has consistently blocked the measure in the devolved assembly in Belfast. However, the party has been relatively restrained about Varadkar`s participation in the Pride event, with DUP leader Arlene Foster saying it was "his own business". The Republic of Ireland, a traditionally Catholic country, voted to allow same-sex marriage in a historic referendum in 2015. Varadkar attended a Pride breakfast in Belfast although other commitments prevented him from staying for the parade through the city centre, which this year will include uniformed police officers for the first time.

Gay marriage 'only matter of time'?in North Ireland: Irish PM

Ireland&#39;s governing Fine Gael party elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader on Friday, choosing the gay, 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant to succeed Enda Kenny as prime minister in a striking sign of the country&#39;s rapid social change.

Varadkar overcame ministerial colleague Simon Coveney as expected, winning an overwhelming majority among the centre-right party&#39;s lawmakers who hope the straight-talking Dubliner can lead them to third successive term for the first time.

Bar an unexpected development, Varadkar will be voted in as prime minister when parliament next sits on June 13 and become the once-staunchly Catholic country&#39;s first openly gay premier and the youngest person ever to hold the office.

&quot;If my election today shows anything, it is that prejudice has no hold in this Republic,&quot; Varadkar said to huge applause in a speech at Dublin&#39;s Mansion House, where Ireland&#39;s parliament first sat almost a century ago.

&quot;I know when my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt that he ever dreamed that one day his son would grow up to be its leader and despite his differences, his son would be judged by his actions not his identity.

&quot;Every proud parent in Ireland today can dream big dreams for their children,&quot; Varadkar said.

His election marks another chapter in the social change that has swept through the country of 4.6 million people that only decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 but became the first country to adopt gay marriage via a popular vote in 2015.

It also shows another face of modern-day Ireland. Varadkar&#39;s father Ashok, who like his son is a doctor, was born in Mumbai in India. He met his wife Miriam, an Irish nurse, in England in the 1970s before moving to Ireland where Varadkar was born.

The generational shift from Kenny, 66, who led the party for 15 years and has been prime minister since 2011, will likely be matched with Varadkar&#39;s cabinet choices. Paschal Donohoe, 42, is expected to be promoted to finance minister, replacing the retiring Michael Noonan.

Varadkar&#39;s opponents, who hope his blunt style will prove a liability rather than an asset to Fine Gael, were quick to claim that the current social protection minister -- who recently led a campaign against &quot;welfare cheats&quot; -- would move the government to the right.

&quot;Leo Varadkar is a Tory. Fine Gael will be dragged even further to right under his leadership and that can only mean further hardship for ordinary people,&quot; Gerry Adams, president of the left-wing Sinn Fein opposition party said in a statement.

Challenges ahead: Brexit, constraints of minority rule

Supporters, on the other hand, excitedly compare their new leader to charismatic Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and new French President Emmanuel Macron, anticipating a rebound from last year&#39;s disappointing election where they only returned to power as the senior party in a fragile minority government.

Fine Gael has already received a bounce, regaining its standing as the most popular party in most opinion polls and Varadkar has pledged to hit the ground running with promises of increased infrastructure spending and further income tax cuts.

However, despite inheriting the fastest-growing economy in Europe,&nbsp;he will have less room to boost spending and cut taxes in his first budget than Kenny enjoyed in each of his last two as Ireland seeks its first balanced budget in a decade.

He will also face the diplomatic and economic challenge of Brexit, which is set to impact neighbouring Ireland more than any other European Union country due to its close trading links with Britain and land border with British-run Northern Ireland.

The constraints of minority rule, where Fine Gael relies on the backing of rival Fianna Fail on key votes, could also act as a brake on his ambitions, and while Varadkar has ruled out an early election, analysts are alive to the possibility.

&quot;Having Leo Varadkar at the helm in the next election probably sets Fine Gael up better than under Enda Kenny, I think that&#39;s a safe bet but everyone watching Irish politics knows this is to all extents and purposes a zombie government,&quot; said David Farrell, politics professor at University College Dublin.

&quot;I think the fact that he will be so tightly constrained would suggest that on balance going for an early election may be best for him. Cut and run during a honeymoon, on his terms, might be the way to go.&quot;

(Reuters)

Ireland's governing Fine Gael party elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader on Friday

Ireland's governing Fine Gael party elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader on Friday, choosing the gay, 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant to succeed Enda Kenny as prime minister in a striking sign of the country's rapid social change. Varadkar overcame ministerial colleague Simon Coveney as expected, winning an overwhelming majority among the centre-right party's lawmakers who hope the straight-talking Dubliner can lead them to third successive term for the first time. Bar an unexpected development, Varadkar will be voted in as prime minister when parliament next sits on June 13 and become the once-staunchly Catholic country's first openly gay premier and the youngest person ever to hold the office. "If my election today shows anything, it is that prejudice has no hold in this Republic," Varadkar said to huge applause in a speech at Dublin's Mansion House, where Ireland's parliament first sat almost a century ago. "I know when my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt that he ever dreamed that one day his son would grow up to be its leader and despite his differences, his son would be judged by his actions not his identity. "Every proud parent in Ireland today can dream big dreams for their children," Varadkar said. His election marks another chapter in the social change that has swept through the country of 4.6 million people that only decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 but became the first country to adopt gay marriage via a popular vote in 2015. It also shows another face of modern-day Ireland. Varadkar's father Ashok, who like his son is a doctor, was born in Mumbai in India. He met his wife Miriam, an Irish nurse, in England in the 1970s before moving to Ireland where Varadkar was born. The generational shift from Kenny, 66, who led the party for 15 years and has been prime minister since 2011, will likely be matched with Varadkar's cabinet choices. Paschal Donohoe, 42, is expected to be promoted to finance minister, replacing the retiring Michael Noonan. Varadkar's opponents, who hope his blunt style will prove a liability rather than an asset to Fine Gael, were quick to claim that the current social protection minister -- who recently led a campaign against "welfare cheats" -- would move the government to the right. "Leo Varadkar is a Tory. Fine Gael will be dragged even further to right under his leadership and that can only mean further hardship for ordinary people," Gerry Adams, president of the left-wing Sinn Fein opposition party said in a statement. Challenges ahead: Brexit, constraints of minority rule Supporters, on the other hand, excitedly compare their new leader to charismatic Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and new French President Emmanuel Macron, anticipating a rebound from last year's disappointing election where they only returned to power as the senior party in a fragile minority government. Fine Gael has already received a bounce, regaining its standing as the most popular party in most opinion polls and Varadkar has pledged to hit the ground running with promises of increased infrastructure spending and further income tax cuts. However, despite inheriting the fastest-growing economy in Europe, he will have less room to boost spending and cut taxes in his first budget than Kenny enjoyed in each of his last two as Ireland seeks its first balanced budget in a decade. He will also face the diplomatic and economic challenge of Brexit, which is set to impact neighbouring Ireland more than any other European Union country due to its close trading links with Britain and land border with British-run Northern Ireland. The constraints of minority rule, where Fine Gael relies on the backing of rival Fianna Fail on key votes, could also act as a brake on his ambitions, and while Varadkar has ruled out an early election, analysts are alive to the possibility. "Having Leo Varadkar at the helm in the next election probably sets Fine Gael up better than under Enda Kenny, I think that's a safe bet but everyone watching Irish politics knows this is to all extents and purposes a zombie government," said David Farrell, politics professor at University College Dublin. "I think the fact that he will be so tightly constrained would suggest that on balance going for an early election may be best for him. Cut and run during a honeymoon, on his terms, might be the way to go." (Reuters)

Indian origin Leo Varadkar becomes Irish PM-in-waiting in social, generational shift

An Indian-origin Irish minister who is openly gay could very well be Ireland&#39;s next prime minister, The <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/openly-gay-minister-of-indian-origin-could-be-ireland-s-next-pm/story-xWbGDzDVBGUtHnVHuHzQsO.html">Hindustan Times</a> reports.

Leo Varadkar,&nbsp;38, is&nbsp;the leader of the Fine Gael political party and the minister of social protection. He is Dublin born, the son of a retired Indian doctor and an Irish mother, Hindustan Times reports.

A new poll earlier this week by Claire Byrne Live&nbsp;placed the current housing minister, Simon Coveney, at only 23 per cent support to lead the Fine Gael party, while Varadkar was preferred&nbsp;by 35 per cent of respondents.

Varadkar was also given the best odds by an online bookmaker, Paddy Power Betfair, which placed his odds to be the next prime minister at 4/11, th Hindustan Times reported.

But a poll of Irish Independent readers showed a different result altogether: 40 per cent preferred Coveney, while Varadkar came second with 33 per cent.

Reports suggested the possibility that Ireland&#39;s&nbsp;current prime minister, Enda Kenny, could step down after meeting Donald Trump on March 17; as he has been embroiled in controversy after an Irish police officer claimed that influential people were being charged with various offences but not prosecuted, The Hindustan Times reports.

Should Varadkar become&nbsp;prime minister, it would likely be a major change for Ireland, one of the last countries in the European Union to decriminalise homosexuality. Ireland only recognised same sex marriage in 2015.

Varadkar opened up about being&nbsp;homosexual&nbsp;in a January 2015 <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/leo-varadkar-i-am-a-gay-man-minister-says-1.2070189" target="_blank">interview</a>&nbsp;with RTE&nbsp;Radio 1,&nbsp;on his 36th birthday.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s not something that defines me. I&#39;m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politiciain for that matter. It&#39;s just part of who I am, it doesn&#39;t define me, it is part of my character I suppose,&quot; he said at the time.

(WION)

It would be a large social change for Ireland, which only decriminalised same sex marriage in 2015, one of the last EU countries to do so

An Indian-origin Irish minister who is openly gay could very well be Ireland's next prime minister, The Hindustan Times reports. Leo Varadkar, 38, is the leader of the Fine Gael political party and the minister of social protection. He is Dublin born, the son of a retired Indian doctor and an Irish mother, Hindustan Times reports. A new poll earlier this week by Claire Byrne Live placed the current housing minister, Simon Coveney, at only 23 per cent support to lead the Fine Gael party, while Varadkar was preferred by 35 per cent of respondents. Varadkar was also given the best odds by an online bookmaker, Paddy Power Betfair, which placed his odds to be the next prime minister at 4/11, th Hindustan Times reported. But a poll of Irish Independent readers showed a different result altogether: 40 per cent preferred Coveney, while Varadkar came second with 33 per cent. Reports suggested the possibility that Ireland's current prime minister, Enda Kenny, could step down after meeting Donald Trump on March 17; as he has been embroiled in controversy after an Irish police officer claimed that influential people were being charged with various offences but not prosecuted, The Hindustan Times reports. Should Varadkar become prime minister, it would likely be a major change for Ireland, one of the last countries in the European Union to decriminalise homosexuality. Ireland only recognised same sex marriage in 2015. Varadkar opened up about being homosexual in a January 2015 interview with RTE Radio 1, on his 36th birthday. "It's not something that defines me. I'm not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politiciain for that matter. It's just part of who I am, it doesn't define me, it is part of my character I suppose," he said at the time. (WION)

Indian-origin, openly gay minister could be Ireland's next prime minister

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