The Brexit negotiatior for the European Parliament said on Thursday that the UK deciding to leave the European Union had caused a renewal of interest in the European project.

Speaking at an event at the London School of Economics, Guy Verhofstadt said that the EU had gained popularity since the UK's referendum last year.

In a wide ranging speech on Brexit, Verhofstadt also put forward a vision of an ever closer union of remaining European Union states including the chance to elect politicians at a European level, as opposed to just nationally.

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AGENCY POOL

London - 28 August 2017

1. Brexit negotiatior for the European Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, walking to lectern

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit negotiatior for the European Parliament

"I have to tell you that I also know why Theresa May gave her speech in Florence. I presume that I know it. I think she chose Florence because Florentine politics in the 15th Century made her feel at home I think. You know, backstabbing, betrayal, noble families fighting for power and so, and so on, so I think that this is an environment that she recognised very well."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit negotiatior for the European Parliament

"At the very beginning she referred to the renaissance as a period of history that defined what it meant to be European. Well that's exactly what the European Union is all about. The European Union, ladies and gentlemen is far more than a peace process after the Second World War, far more than the Franco-German reconciliation alone. The European Union is all about civilisation. It's in fact the political translation of that civilisation, of that European common culture and values. That is what this European Union is about."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit negotiatior for the European Parliament

"So criticising people for wanting to keep their European identity, accusing them of split allegiance is binary, is old fashioned. I think it's reductionist view on identity. I think it's perfectly possible but I look to the Mayor (of London, Sadiq Khan, in the audience), who has more experience, to be a Londoner, English, British, and European at the same time and there is no contradiction and that has nothing to do with split allegiance. So my message at the beginning of my intervention - watch out, beware of politicians who want to define your identity. The only reason they do so is to categorise people. To reduce you to your nationality, your ethnicity your religion and, split allegiance are two words that belong to the langauge of states that are in my opinion totalitarian, and not of democracies, not of democracies like Britain. In all democracies, people they find their own allegiance, define themselves how British, how European they feel and not the minister of foreign affairs, if I may say so (in reference to UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson)."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit negotiatior for the European Parliament

"I have to tell you very honestly, and I've said this already a few times but i want to repeat it here in London, but I continue to believe that Brexit is a very negative project, that it is in fact a waste of time and energy. The destruction of a strong political bond that made people on both sides of the channel richer freer than ever before. But we are democrats. We have to respect the outcome of the referendum. And more over we have to implement it and that is exactly what Europe will do and also will establish a new relationship, a new relationship between the European Union and the UK that hopefully will be beneficial for everybody, for both. And if you ask me the question, is there really, really, really, nothing positive you can say about Brexit, well I can say yes, there is something positive. It has opened people's eyes on the continent."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit negotiatior for the European Parliament

"There has been a fundamental shift in the thinking about Europe, in the heads of a number of people and leaders in Europe. And that is not to look anymore to Europe and the European Union as a bunch of nation-states, but as a genuine political community, as a democracy on a continental scale, and two proposals that I already defended a number of years ago but nobody believed to be realistic - they were dreams that would never realise themselves - are proof of that. The first proposal is the call, we have seen that I hope, for transnational list, the idea to turn the European Union into one big constituency and to give to all citizens in Europe two ballots - one to choose their own representative of their country in the parliament and the second one to elect a number of politicians on the European level, what in my opinion would make European politics more democratic and what will lift in fact this European democracy on a continental scale, what we absolutely need."

7. Verhofstadt being seated

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was the Conservative candidate "most likely" to get a Brexit deal through parliament, during his first formal pitch to party members.

Hunt made the claim during Saturday's "hustings" in Birmingham, which former London mayor Boris Johnson, the runaway favourite of Tory lawmakers, also took part in.

In his speech to voters, Hunt said if he won his party's leadership he would form a team consisting of different Conservative factions and Democratic Unionist Party members to negotiate a new deal with the European Union.

Hunt also told members he would allow the UK to leave the bloc without a deal on October 31 if necessary, but warned there would be economic risks in doing so.

Saturday's "hustings" is the first of more than a dozen such party meetings set to take place across Britain in coming days.

Johnson and Hunt are the final two from a field of 10 contenders that was winnowed down in a series of votes by party lawmakers. About 160,000 party members across Britain will decide who wins in a by-mail vote.

The winner of the runoff, due to be announced the week of July 22, will become the new Conservative leader and replace Theresa May as Britain's next prime minister.

POOL

Birmingham - 22 June 2019

1. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt walking onto stage, waving at crowd

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2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary:

"You know this Brexit debate we've had a lot of discussion about how we Brexit, but not enough discussion about who, who is the Prime Minister we trust to send to Brussels and lead us out of this crisis and if we send the wrong person, catastrophe awaits. If you choose me, I'll be the first Prime Minister who's been an entrepreneur by background. How many people here have setup their own business? Put up your hand, if you've setup. That's the Conservative family, lots and lots of hands going up. And what is it that we entrepreneurs do? We negotiate. If we send the wrong person, there's going to be no negotiation, no trust, no deal and if parliament stops that, maybe no Brexit. Send the right person and there's a deal to be done, send that right person and we can do what we all need to do, which is come back with something positive for our country."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary:

"I want to land an economic jumbo jet on Europe's doorstep. So when it comes to those trade talks they need us every bit as much as we need them."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary:

"And the second thing I promise you is I will never provoke a general election before we leave the European Union. I won't do it."

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary:

"The first issue that we have to do for this country before we do anything else is to solve the Brexit crisis and it's very important as Prime Minister that you only make promises, whether before you become Prime Minister or when you've become Prime Minister, that you're actually going to keep. And one of the reasons that we failed to get a deal to get through the House of Commons is because the EU stopped believing that the British government could deliver British parliament, so let me answer that question, the first thing I would do is put together a Brexit negotiating team, that will include for example the DUP, the ERG, the Brexit purists in our party, Scots Tories, Welsh Tories, One Nation Tories, a team of people, so the EU knew, whatever we were proposing, we could deliver through the parliament. Basic first rule in negotiation."

++BLACK FRAMES++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary:

"We don't know what the situation will be on the 31st of October, but if there is no prospect of a better deal, if the European Union have been as inflexible as you say, and if no deal is on the table then I will leave without a deal because we must keep our promise to the British people, but I would do so with a heavy heart because of the risks to businesses up and down the country and the risks to the Union."

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7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary:

"I am aiming heart and soul to get a deal, because yesterday, I was at an amazing company that manufactures steel wheels for off-road vehicles and they've got about half the European market sewn up. Their margins, it employs about 350 people, just outside Kidderminster, their margins are about 4%, a 10% tariff on the products would wipe them out, so there would be an economic impact of no deal. If that was the only way to deliver Brexit, then I'm afraid we would have to do that because that's what people have voted for and we are a democracy first and foremost, but I'll be aiming for a deal and I believe I'm the candidate that's most likely to get a deal."

++BLACK FRAMES++

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary:

"How would I persuade the Europeans to change their mind? It's going to be tough and I'm not going to sit here, as someone who wants to be Prime Minister and say it's going to be easy. But, talking to European leaders, I haven't met a single one who doesn't want to find a way through this and they say if you come back with different ideas, a different approach, and you can demonstrate that they can get through parliament then they'll listen and I think they would listen to a new British Prime Minister and I think that if we can get this right, we can get the deal we need."

++BLACK FRAMES++

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary:

"That weighing those difficult options up the political risk of no Brexit is far worse then the economic risk of no deal and I will take us out of the European Union in that situation."

++BLACK FRAMES++

10. Hunt walking off stage

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday said Brexit "must not impact" on the Northern Ireland peace process.

Kerry said reconciling the "economic opportunity" of the single market with questions of movement of people will be "a tough issue" to resolve.

Kerry also commented on the situation in Libya, but refused to be drawn on recent developments about the FBI's probe into democratic presidential candidate Hilary' Clintons emails.

He was speaking during a trip to Ireland where he was awarded the Tipperary International Peace Award.

Previous winners include Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton.

Tipperary - 30 October, 2016

++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

1. US Secretary of State John Kerry getting on stage and shaking hands

2. Sign reading (English) "Tipperary Peace Convention"

3. Kerry picking up prize

4. Cutaway of audience

5. Kerry speaking

6. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:

"So, I think what Europe has created stands in stark contrast to what had been considered normal for too many years. And I particularly say that with a note of caution as people navigate the shoals of Brexit and try to figure out the road ahead, which I hope will not turn its back on a project that has made such a difference to peaceful lives of human beings over such a long period of time."

7. Cutaway of audience

8. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:

"I am going to London because we are going to meet with our colleagues from various countries that are the stakeholders in Libya and try and strengthen the Government of National Accord, and try and prevent a civil war, and try and move the parties towards an agreement that can do what we ought to do, which is in a country of six million people, we ought to be able to do better than we are doing today. And we are going to try."

9. Cutaway of Peace Prize trophy

10. Various of Kerry at news conference

11. Cutaway of audience

12. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:

"The foreign minister (Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan) and I also discussed the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, which we had both reiterated along with colleagues across the Irish and British governments, must not impact the push for peace in Northern Ireland. That is critical. I also want to make it clear that on a personal level as well as (speaking as) a (US) Secretary of State and President Obama, we felt very strongly that leaving the European Union was not the way to go and we expressed that at the time, but the people of Britain voted. And so we are committed now to figure out how we answer some very tough questions, which is how do you maintain the economic opportunity that is so critical that came through the EU while at the same time reconciling the requirements for the movement of people with access to a single market. This is a tough issue and I can't tell you that I stand here today knowing exactly how that's going to be resolved. I just know it's tough."

13. Cutaway of audience

14. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:

"The FBI and the emails etcetera, the answer just very quickly is: No I haven't been notified of anything, no I haven't been requested of anything, no I'm not aware of the department being requested and I have no further comment to make whatsoever on a subject that is within purview of the department of justice and the FBI. They will have to respond to any and all other questions regarding this."

15. People listening

16. Kerry leaving

It's been 25 years since the Penallta Colliery fell silent: the river once black with soot is now green and nature has taken back its place in this valley in South Wales.

Eddie Cullen grew-up here in a family of miners and remembers the decline of the town and the sorrow at seeing the heart of his community torn away.

"Everyone was frightened when the pit shut," he says.

With dire poverty and high unemployment rates, South Wales has benefited from generous grants and financing schemes from the European Union to rejuvenate the area's economy.

Yet on 23 June - the day of the UK referendum - the region voted massively to leave the EU.

The modern highway connecting Brynmawr with other former coal-mining towns in the Valleys region of South Wales was partly funded by the European Union, replacing a three-lane road known for its many deadly accidents.

In Abbw Vale, where 62 percent voted out, EU funds have also been used to improve railway lines, open museums, schools and training centres built where the steel works once stood.

Paul Thomas, who voted 'remain', worries Brexit could jeopardise these achievements.

"There was going to be more development but we don't know what's going to happen now," he says.

But back in the old city centre retired truck driver John Thompson doesn't agree, saying that "there's been no benefit to this area at all"

"Leave" campaigners say many of the EU projects are gimmicky and haven't led to any tangible improvements for people.

Also, they consider the EU money as British money to begin with, since overall Britain contributes more money than it gets back from the EU.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, was one politician to go against the party's UK leader, Prime Minister David Cameron, and vote for Britain to quit the EU

Davies used the metaphor of an out-of-control car to describe the EU, saying that people used the referendum to effectively say "I want to get out, the way this car is driven, we're going to hit a brick wall."

But for one Welsh company, Brexit was the brick wall.

In Pontypridd, a town climbing up misty hillsides north of Cardiff, Jenny Hughes said her education consultancy firm lost three potential contracts the day after the referendum as European partners pulled out.

Even though Wales receives hundreds of millions of pounds annually in EU funding, more than half of the Welsh electorate voted for Britain to leave the EU.

Puzzling many analysts, the "leave" vote was strongest in deprived post-industrial areas that have arguably benefited the most from EU support.

"Wales might have shot itself in the foot," says Ed Poole, lecturer in politics at Cardiff University, explaining that Wales has been one of the biggest net beneficiaries of being in the European Union.

A study he co-authored before the vote estimated that Wales receives a net annual benefit of 245 million (British) pounds (327 million US dollars) from the EU budget, or about 79 pounds (105 US dollars) per head.

That compares with a net contribution of 151 pounds (201 US dollars) per head for all of the United Kingdom.

It's possible, Poole says, that some voters didn't fully understand the role of EU funds in supporting their communities - or chose to ignore it.

It's been 25 years since the Penallta Colliery fell silent: the river once black with soot is now green and nature has taken back its place in this valley in South Wales.

Eddie Cullen grew-up here in a family of miners and remembers the decline of the town and the sorrow at seeing the heart of his community torn away.

"Everyone was frightened when the pit shut," he says.

With dire poverty and high unemployment rates, South Wales has benefited from generous grants and financing schemes from the European Union to rejuvenate the area's economy.

Yet on 23 June - the day of the UK referendum - the region voted massively to leave the EU.

The modern highway connecting Brynmawr with other former coal-mining towns in the Valleys region of South Wales was partly funded by the European Union, replacing a three-lane road known for its many deadly accidents.

In Abbw Vale, where 62 percent voted out, EU funds have also been used to improve railway lines, open museums, schools and training centres built where the steel works once stood.

Paul Thomas, who voted 'remain', worries Brexit could jeopardise these achievements.

"There was going to be more development but we don't know what's going to happen now," he says.

But back in the old city centre retired truck driver John Thompson doesn't agree, saying that "there's been no benefit to this area at all"

"Leave" campaigners say many of the EU projects are gimmicky and haven't led to any tangible improvements for people.

Also, they consider the EU money as British money to begin with, since overall Britain contributes more money than it gets back from the EU.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, was one politician to go against the party's UK leader, Prime Minister David Cameron, and vote for Britain to quit the EU

Davies used the metaphor of an out-of-control car to describe the EU, saying that people used the referendum to effectively say "I want to get out, the way this car is driven, we're going to hit a brick wall."

But for one Welsh company, Brexit was the brick wall.

In Pontypridd, a town climbing up misty hillsides north of Cardiff, Jenny Hughes said her education consultancy firm lost three potential contracts the day after the referendum as European partners pulled out.

Even though Wales receives hundreds of millions of pounds annually in EU funding, more than half of the Welsh electorate voted for Britain to leave the EU.

Puzzling many analysts, the "leave" vote was strongest in deprived post-industrial areas that have arguably benefited the most from EU support.

"Wales might have shot itself in the foot," says Ed Poole, lecturer in politics at Cardiff University, explaining that Wales has been one of the biggest net beneficiaries of being in the European Union.

A study he co-authored before the vote estimated that Wales receives a net annual benefit of 245 million (British) pounds (327 million US dollars) from the EU budget, or about 79 pounds (105 US dollars) per head.

That compares with a net contribution of 151 pounds (201 US dollars) per head for all of the United Kingdom.

It's possible, Poole says, that some voters didn't fully understand the role of EU funds in supporting their communities - or chose to ignore it.

Hengoad - 29 June 2016

1. Various of abandoned coal mine

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Eddie Cullen, excavator driver:

"At first, everybody was frightened when the pit (coal mine) shut, but life has got to go on and we've still done well. There has been a lot of unemployment in Wales, but we've just got to travel further for the work, like me."

3. Cutaway of dog

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Eddie Cullen, excavator driver:

"Everybody has just had enough, you know. They want their identity back as a country, you know, rather than being run by people from outside the country."

5. Grafiti on abandoned coal mine reading (English) "Don't steal our heritage."

6. Various of abandoned coal mine

Near Brynmawr - 30 June 2016

7. Various of road sign indicating EU financing for the motorway

8. Traffic on motorway

Abbw Vale - 30 June 2016

9. Tilt down on piece of machinery from the old steel works that previously occupied site

10. Various of new college partially financed by the EU

11. Various of new recreational centre partially financed by the EU

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Thomas, occupational therapist:

"My dad worked at the steelworks. He used to come home and tell us when we were kids that he'd have to use a push bike to go from one end of the factory to the other end of the factory. Sadly it's gone now, but with the EU funding we've got the leisure centre now, we've got the college, we've got the school, we've got the hospital. There was going to be more development here, but we don't know what's going to happen now."

Near Brynmawr - 30 June 2016

13. Various of the town

14. Street in centre of town with sign reading (English) "Vote Leave."

15. Close of Welsh flag

16. SOUNDBITE (English) John Thompson, retired truck driver:

"I would say no. We haven't seen no benefit to this area at all. They do leave us a road now as you know, you've seen the sign, the European sign on it, but what you've got to think about is: they don't give us nothing. It's our money, part of our money coming back to us. We've given them the money and they just send some back to us. They don't give us nothing really."

Cardiff - 29 June 2016

17. View over Cardiff Bay with National Theatre Wales in foreground

18. Close of sign reading (English and Welsh) "National Assembly for Wales."

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader:

"Well, it's British money in the first place. It goes out there, and we leave 50 percent of that money out there and 50 percent comes back. So that's the narrative here. We are all for embracing cooperation with other countries, we are all for working as allies in national security and self-defence, but there comes a point where self-determination has to come into this as well."

20. Various of Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader:

"Very often, these schemes will seem to be managed by elites and ultimately not delivering for the communities that were supposed to benefit, and so people actually used the opportunity of the referendum to say 'whoa, stop the car, I want to get out, the way this car is driven, we're going to hit a brick wall."

Pontypridd - 29 June 2016

22. Various of Jenny Hughes, co-founder of Pontydysgu, a Welsh educational research institute, looking at the company website

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Jenny Hughes, co-founder of Pontydysgu:

"So, all of a sudden, we personally can't tender for anymore, but more particularly, our partners or consortia that we work with are saying now, 'well, actually we don't want to work with you' - they do want to work with us but they don't feel they can because they don't know what's going to happen."

24. Hughes at her desk

Cardiff - 29 June 2016

25. Various of Ed Poole, lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University, at his desk

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Ed Poole, lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University:

"I would say that unfortunately, in the long term, Wales might have shot itself in the foot on an economic basis."

27. Cutaway

28. SOUNDBITE (English) Ed Poole, lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University:

"It's not just the structural funds that benefit the poorest areas in Wales - that's to the tune of about 400 million (British) pounds (534 million US dollars) per year. It's also the agricultural policy, which is very specifically supporting small scale businesses, which is Wales' specialism because of the topography of Wales. It's about 260 million (pounds, 347 million US dollars) per year, and it's also access to the single market."

Merthyr Tydfil - 30 June 2016

29. Various of open-pit mine and surrounding landscape

Theresa May looked set to become Britain's next prime minister on Monday after her sole remaining rival, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom, withdrew from the race to lead the Conservative Party.

The new Conservative leader will replace David Cameron as prime minister.

He announced his resignation after the country voted in a referendum last month to leave the European Union. He had campaigned to stay in.

May, who also supported remaining in the EU, is one of the most experienced ministers in Cameron's Cabinet, serving in the notoriously difficult job of interior minister for six years.

If confirmed, the 59-year-old politician could become Britain's prime minister within days.

She would be the second woman to hold the job.

London - 11 July 2016

1. Set up shot of Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King's College London

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King's College London:

“So now that Andrea Leadsom has pulled out, you have a race with one contestant, and the influential 1922 Committee which decides these things on behalf of Conservative MPs, has said that now, Theresa May is the winner. So what needs to be sorted are the time scales for her taking over as leader of the party, and more importantly for most people, Prime Minister. But that contest is now over. Any thought there might have been among the commentariat that this means that Michael Gove can come back into the race, or we have to start again, that’s just not going to happen. The 1922 Committee has ruled. Their rules are binding and their rulings are binding, and so Theresa May has won the contest."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King's College London:

"As for timing, there has been a lot of speculation about the fact that David Cameron wanted to stay on in power because he wanted to go to the G20 for his great farewell in September. I think his mentioning of October as the deadline for having a leader was predicated on the fact he thought there would be a contest. Personally I think she will want to take over sooner rather than later, not least because in the current context - uncertainty over Brexit, uncertainty over currency markets - we need leadership, and one of the reasons we are having all this uncertainty is that we have essentially a lame duck Prime Minister now. So I think people inside of government will be saying to her 'take over as soon as possible and you can provide the leadership that is now lacking'."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King's College London:

"Obviously one of the first things that she's going to have to deal with is the question of Brexit and the aftermath of the referendum. Theresa May is on record as saying that she won't trigger Article 50 until next year. Now it remains to be seen whether that was predicated on the assumption that she wouldn't become Prime Minister until September or October, in which case I suppose it's feasible that she will do it earlier, or whether that was because she wanted enough time to think things through, to take soundings from other Europeans. We're in the middle of July now, most people are going to be on holiday in the other member states in August. It might be that she still sticks to that original timetable of next year sometime. She clearly was in no hurry to trigger Article 50."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King's College London:

"We do have this remarkable situation in British politics now where the people who led a fantastically successful campaign that got 17 million people to vote to leave the European Union have all but disappeared. The leaders of the leave campaign in the Labour party where always invisible in the Labour party, and they've reverted back into being invisible in the Labour party. In the Conservative party, the main figures, the Boris Johnsons, the Michael Goves have either pulled out or been beaten in the leadership contest. What will be interesting to see if who if any of them Theresa May decides to appoint as senior figures in her government."

9. Cutaway

The gap between the super-rich and the poorest half of the global population is even more stark than previously thought with just eight men, from Bill Gates to Mike Bloomberg, owning as much wealth as 3.6 billion people, according to a new Oxfam analysis on Monday.

Presenting its findings on the dawn of the annual gathering of the global political and business elites in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, Oxfam says the gap between rich and poor is much greater than it thought just a year ago and is urging leaders to do more than pay lip-service to the problem.

If not, it is warning that the public anger against these types of inequality will ratchet even higher and lead to even more seismic political changes akin to last year's victory by Donald Trump to be the next US president and Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

"Inequality is definitely getting worse in a lot of countries and you're seeing the super rich in particular move away from the rest society and that's really harmful," said Max Lawson, Oxfam's policy adviser.

"We need to see that money is spent on schools and not on more super-yachts," he added.

Last year's equivalent report showed that the richest 62 people on the planet owned as much wealth as the bottom half of the population.

However, Oxfam has revised that figure down to eight following new information, particularly related to China and India, accumulated by Swiss bank Credit Suisse.

Oxfam used Forbes' billionaires list that was last published in March 2016 to make its headline claim.

According to the Forbes list, Microsoft founder Gates is the richest man on the planet with net worth of 75 billion US dollars.

The others, in order of ranking, are Amancio Ortega, the Spanish founder of fashion house Inditex; financier Warren Buffett, Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim; Amazon boss Jeff Bezos; Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg; Oracle's Larry Ellison, and Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York.

Oxfam laid out a series of measures that it hopes will be enacted to help narrow the divide and reduce the raw public anger that many say lies behind the surprise successes of both Trump and those backing Brexit.

Measures that should be pursued include higher taxes on both wealth and income to ensure a more level playing field and to fund much-needed investments in public services and jobs, greater international cooperation by governments on ensuring workers are paid decent wages and the rich don't dodge their taxes.

And business leaders should commit to paying their fair share of taxes and to pay a living wage.

Max Lawson urged billionaires to "do the right thing," and to do "what Bill Gates has called on them to do, which is pay their taxes."

The ability of the rich to move their money around the world and avoid paying their fair share of taxes was further exposed last year in the leak of the so-called "Panama Papers," which revealed details of offshore accounts that helped rich foreigners shelter their wealth.

"We have a situation where billionaires are paying less tax often than their cleaner or their secretary," Lawson said. "That's crazy."

AP TELEVISION

Davos, Switzerland - 15 January 2017

1. Various wide, scenic shots of Davos

2. Davos town centre

3. Various of Rolex watch store

4. Pull from skier to wide exterior of hotel

5. Various exterior of Congress Centre of World Economic Forum, meeting sign, flags

AP TELEVISION

London, UK - 12 January 2017

6. Pan of office interior at charity Oxfam

7. Oxfam sign

8. Set up of Max Lawson, Policy Advisor for Oxfam

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Max Lawson, Policy Advisor for Oxfam:

"Inequality is definitely getting worse in a lot of countries and you're seeing the super rich, in particular, move away from the rest society and that's really harmful. It harms our politics, we've seen that impact on Brexit, on the (US President-elect Donald) Trump election, it's really damaging to our societies. And lots of people think that, but what they're not doing is trying to turn that around, and the super rich themselves and corporations are playing a key role in perpetuating this inequality crisis."

AP TELEVISION

FILE: New York, US - 13 December 2016

10. Bill Gates, US billionaire and business magnate, at Trump Tower following meeting with President-elect Trump

AP TELEVISION

London, UK - 12 January 2017

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Max Lawson, Policy Advisor for Oxfam:

"One thing Oxfam is calling on is for the world's billionaires to do the right thing and not the wrong thing. And what they could do, is what Bill Gates has called on them to do, which is to pay their taxes. Many, many billionaires pay hardly any tax, using tax havens to hide their money away. They should play by the rules like everybody else. We also think that billionaires should do a lot more to invest in the kinds of businesses that help ordinary people, so they stop chasing the profit. Another billions means nothing to them. You couldn't spend this money in a thousand life times. We need to see that money spent on schools and not on more super-yachts."

12. Cutaway of Lawson

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Max Lawson, Policy Advisor for Oxfam:

"The good news is that inequality is not inevitable, it can be fixed, and there are really simple, common sense ways to do that. The economy we have at the moment, which is the economy exclusively for the 'one percent,' is broken and we need to fix it. And there are countries that have done that. We've seen countries in the last 10 years that have bucked the trend and that are going in the other direction, and are reducing the gap between rich and poor. One thing they do is they get the rich to pay their tax. We've got a situation where billionaires are paying (proportionally) less tax often than their cleaner or their secretary. That's crazy. We're seeing wealth channelled upwards."

14. Cutaway of Lawson

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Max Lawson, Policy Advisor for Oxfam:

"We've now got Trump, saying he's on the side of ordinary people, appointing a cabinet of billionaires. So people can see there is a broken system, and I think people are getting more and more angry about that. What we need to see is solutions and not scapegoats. We need to see the common-sense answers that will make our world a more equal place."

POOL

FILE: Lima, Peru - 19 November 2016

16. Mark Zuckerberg, US billionaire and CEO of Facebook, speaking as Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski tries on a virtual reality headset

AP TELEVISION

FILE: Seattle, US - 18 June 2014

17. Jeff Bezos, US billionaire and CEO of Amazon, at product launch

POOL

FILE: Omaha, US - 1 August 2016

18. Warren Buffet, US billionaire and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, speaking at rally for US presidential nominee Hillary Clinton

AP TELEVISION

FILE: Mexico City, Mexico - 1 December 2016

19. Various of beginning of news conference featuring Carlos Slim, Mexican billionaire, and Michael Bloomberg, US billionaire and former Mayor of New York

20. Bloomberg speaking

AP TELEVISION

FILE: Mexico City, Mexico - 15 June 2016

21. Various of Slim

The UK's Justice Secretary Michael Gove said on Tuesday night he would continue in the Conservative Party's leadership race.

Gove also said he wouldn't support a snap general election if he becomes leader, saying that he believes the public want the government to get on with finalising the UK's arrangements for Brexit.

The Justice Secretary came third in the first round of voting in the Conservative leadership contest on Tuesday, receiving 48 votes.

Frontrunner Home Secretary Theresa May received 165 votes from fellow Conservative Party members of Parliament, while Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom received 66 votes.

Former British Defence Secretary Liam Fox was eliminated after receiving only 16 votes.

Fourth-placed British Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb withdrew from the race.

His decision leaves three candidates standing for the next round of voting Thursday.

The voting is scheduled to resume on Thursday, when the party's 330 legislators can choose from the remaining candidates.

The voting continues until two candidates remain.

At that point, the choice will be put to the entire Conservative Party membership.

The UK's Justice Secretary Michael Gove said on Tuesday night he would continue in the Conservative Party's leadership race.

Gove also said he wouldn't support a snap general election if he becomes leader, saying that he believes the public want the government to get on with finalising the UK's arrangements for Brexit.

The Justice Secretary came third in the first round of voting in the Conservative leadership contest on Tuesday, receiving 48 votes.

Frontrunner Home Secretary Theresa May received 165 votes from fellow Conservative Party members of Parliament, while Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom received 66 votes.

Former British Defence Secretary Liam Fox was eliminated after receiving only 16 votes.

Fourth-placed British Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb withdrew from the race.

His decision leaves three candidates standing for the next round of voting Thursday.

The voting is scheduled to resume on Thursday, when the party's 330 legislators can choose from the remaining candidates.

The voting continues until two candidates remain.

At that point, the choice will be put to the entire Conservative Party membership.

UK POOL

London - 5 July 2016

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Gove, UK MP and Justice Secretary, Conservative leadership contender:

"Well Theresa (May) is a formidable candidate and a great Home Secretary but I'm delighted by support that I've received from colleagues and it reflects the optimistic message that I've been arguing for. I believed in Britain leaving the European Union and I've argued for it for years. Now that it has I think the country deserves to have a leader who believes in Britain outside the European Union but one who also has experience at the highest level of government and a vision of how this country can be freer and fairer as well."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Gove, UK MP and Justice Secretary, Conservative leadership contender:

"We always said that whether or not we voted to leave or remain in the European Union there would be bumps in the road but now that we've voted to leave and voted in such numbers, what we can do is take back control of a number of areas where we can ensure that our economy has a brighter future. We can take back control, for example, of trade negotiations and it was already the case within days of our voting to leave that countries like Australia and New Zealand were falling over themselves to offer us new trade deals."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Gove, UK MP and Justice Secretary, Conservative leadership contender:

"I'm the candidate in this leadership election who believes most in the potential of this change in our status to unleash positive change not just in our economy but in our society as well."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Gove, UK MP and Justice Secretary, Conservative leadership contender:

"No I think the law is clear, I think there needs to be a general election in 2020 and I think that people want us to get on with delivering the change they voted for; not just a change in our relationship with the European Union but also the economic and social change that will make that work. Now some of those changes mean making our economy stronger, not just new trade deals but investing in science and helping people to own their own home. We also need action to help people on average, and below average wages who've suffered in the past because they haven't been fully involved, or fully participant in the increased prosperity that has been generated over the last few years. So, increased social justice, and an investment in innovation, that can ensure that we can make a success of this new chapter that Britain's embarking on."

With sparks flying from a welder at work behind him, Simon Boyd's voice rises as he explains why he believes the United Kingdom should leave the European Union even though his company, Reid Steel, has put up buildings across the 28-nation bloc, from the Netherlands to Poland and Italy.

The EU saddles smaller businesses with reams of unnecessary regulations, says Boyd, Managing Director of the UK's largest steel construction company, based in the southern town of Christchurch, England.

That dilutes Britain's reputation for quality and threatens the nation's sovereignty. But more importantly, he claims, it is costing companies like his.

The views of small business owners like Boyd will be key to the outcome of the 23 June referendum on Britain's EU membership, which polls show is still close.

The country's 5.4 million small and medium-size enterprises account for 99 percent of Britain's businesses and employ 15.6 million people, or half of those working in the private sector.

While the media has focused on the fact that most large companies back EU membership, opinion is divided among smaller firms.

When the Federation of Small Businesses surveyed its members last year, it found that 47 percent supported EU membership and 41 percent wanted to leave.

However, a February poll found that 42 percent said their votes could still be swayed.

"I think we have to take this opportunity," Boyd said with passion. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to take back control of our own destiny. From a business perspective the European Union has been very bad for us. We are over-regulated and held back as a result of that overregulation."

The federation has asked both campaigns to detail the economic costs and benefits of EU membership and of leaving the bloc.

Answering those questions is another matter, said Angus Armstrong, an economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

"No country the size of the United Kingdom has ever left such an integrated economic union," he said. "In other words, there is no precedent to look back upon and draw some lessons - so we're in uncharted territory here. Many people say they would like to have more facts. The difficulty is we haven't been here before."

The International Monetary Fund said this month that a vote to leave the EU would lead to a "protracted period of heightened uncertainty" as Britain would be forced to negotiate bilateral trade deals with its former European partners and countries around the world. That would trigger volatility in financial markets and slow economic growth, the fund said.

The Bank of England says a so-called Brexit would also weaken the pound, increasing the cost of imported goods and spurring inflation.

That uncertainty is likely to hit smaller businesses harder than others mainly by making it more difficult for them to get loans - banks tend to shun riskier loans during times of stress.

Uncertainty is exactly what frightens many small business owners, who don't have the resources of global conglomerates to adjust to dramatic changes.

Birmingham spice trader Jason Wouhra is one of the worried.

His family-run business, East End Foods, started out with a corner store that sold fresh chicken and grew into one of the largest importers of ethnic food ingredients in the UK.

He is voting to stay, in large part because he fears that a vote to leave would trigger a decade or more of trade negotiations.

"I'm not comfortable with the uncertainty of moving out," Wouhra said.

If Britain leaves the EU, Wouhra fears he would need to re-write all the labels on his company's products and repackage the boxes for every country he trades with.

"It would be a huge expense, possibly going into millions of pounds," he said.

But Boyd - who has 130 employees - argues that for smaller companies the benefits of leaving the EU far outweigh the risks of leaving.

Rather than profiting from the EU membership, Reid Steel is actually losing contracts in France because local rules require the company to have a type of insurance you can only buy if you're French, he said.

Moreover, Boyd believes that British companies "will be freer" if the UK leaves the union because they won't have to jump through the EU's regulatory hoops, he said.

With sparks flying from a welder at work behind him, Simon Boyd's voice rises as he explains why he believes the United Kingdom should leave the European Union even though his company, Reid Steel, has put up buildings across the 28-nation bloc, from the Netherlands to Poland and Italy.

The EU saddles smaller businesses with reams of unnecessary regulations, says Boyd, Managing Director of the UK's largest steel construction company, based in the southern town of Christchurch, England.

That dilutes Britain's reputation for quality and threatens the nation's sovereignty. But more importantly, he claims, it is costing companies like his.

The views of small business owners like Boyd will be key to the outcome of the 23 June referendum on Britain's EU membership, which polls show is still close.

The country's 5.4 million small and medium-size enterprises account for 99 percent of Britain's businesses and employ 15.6 million people, or half of those working in the private sector.

While the media has focused on the fact that most large companies back EU membership, opinion is divided among smaller firms.

When the Federation of Small Businesses surveyed its members last year, it found that 47 percent supported EU membership and 41 percent wanted to leave.

However, a February poll found that 42 percent said their votes could still be swayed.

"I think we have to take this opportunity," Boyd said with passion. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to take back control of our own destiny. From a business perspective the European Union has been very bad for us. We are over-regulated and held back as a result of that overregulation."

The federation has asked both campaigns to detail the economic costs and benefits of EU membership and of leaving the bloc.

Answering those questions is another matter, said Angus Armstrong, an economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

"No country the size of the United Kingdom has ever left such an integrated economic union," he said. "In other words, there is no precedent to look back upon and draw some lessons - so we're in uncharted territory here. Many people say they would like to have more facts. The difficulty is we haven't been here before."

The International Monetary Fund said this month that a vote to leave the EU would lead to a "protracted period of heightened uncertainty" as Britain would be forced to negotiate bilateral trade deals with its former European partners and countries around the world. That would trigger volatility in financial markets and slow economic growth, the fund said.

The Bank of England says a so-called Brexit would also weaken the pound, increasing the cost of imported goods and spurring inflation.

That uncertainty is likely to hit smaller businesses harder than others mainly by making it more difficult for them to get loans - banks tend to shun riskier loans during times of stress.

Uncertainty is exactly what frightens many small business owners, who don't have the resources of global conglomerates to adjust to dramatic changes.

Birmingham spice trader Jason Wouhra is one of the worried.

His family-run business, East End Foods, started out with a corner store that sold fresh chicken and grew into one of the largest importers of ethnic food ingredients in the UK.

He is voting to stay, in large part because he fears that a vote to leave would trigger a decade or more of trade negotiations.

"I'm not comfortable with the uncertainty of moving out," Wouhra said.

If Britain leaves the EU, Wouhra fears he would need to re-write all the labels on his company's products and repackage the boxes for every country he trades with.

"It would be a huge expense, possibly going into millions of pounds," he said.

But Boyd - who has 130 employees - argues that for smaller companies the benefits of leaving the EU far outweigh the risks of leaving.

Rather than profiting from the EU membership, Reid Steel is actually losing contracts in France because local rules require the company to have a type of insurance you can only buy if you're French, he said.

Moreover, Boyd believes that British companies "will be freer" if the UK leaves the union because they won't have to jump through the EU's regulatory hoops, he said.

AP TELEVISION

Christchurch - 23 May 2016

1. Various of steel welding

2. Wide of worker prepping cutting of steel

3. Various of steel cutting process

4. Various of Managing Director of Reid Steel Simon Boyd looking at construction plan

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Boyd, Managing Director, Reid Steel:

"I think we have to take this opportunity, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, to take back control of hour own destiny. From a business perspective the European Union has been very bad for us. We are over-regulated and held back as a result of that regulation."

6. Cutaway of Reid Steel sign on machinery

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Boyd, Managing Director, Reid Steel:

"We're the fifth biggest economy, we're the biggest trading partner, and I think outside the European Union, where the growing market is, where we export a lot of our product, we will be freer, we won't have all these regulatory hoops to jump through that nobody else on the world market has to jump through."

Birmingham - 18 May 2016

8. Various of rice being sifted through machine at East End Foods factory

9. Spice product on conveyer belt

10. Pan of worker with spices putting them into boxes

11. Various of spices and package assembling

12. Tracking shot of East End Foods cash and carry store

13. Various set ups of Jason Wouhra, East End Foods Chairman

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Jason Wouhra, East End Foods Chairman:

"The ease of trade within Europe is one of the key points from a business perspective. You're able to ship product all over the European Union without any problem. In terms of intellectual property, our trademarks are registered all over the world and the registrations within Europe were the easiest to put through because it's one application for the brand and cost-wise and efficientcy-wise that's excellent. So there are a lot of advantages in terms of the European perspective that help us as a business. And I'm not comfortable with the uncertainty of moving out to be honest."

15. Cutaway of shelves being stacked

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Jason Wouhra, East End Foods Chairman:

"No one actually knows how it will all transpire, but as an example, we do, East End Foods has 1,300 products in the portfolio. The labelling regulations are such that if they change, we would be in a position that we would have to re-label all of those products potentially, each label costing us a couple of thousand pounds (about 2,800 US dollars) to originate and then the costs of plastics, the cost of materials that we have to reinvest in, it would be a huge expense, possibly going into millions of pounds."

London - 16 May 2016

17. Various set ups of Dr Angus Armstrong, Director of Macroeconomics at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Angus Armstrong, Director of Macroeconomics, National Institute of Economic and Social Research:

"No country the size of the United Kingdom has ever left such an integrated economic union as the United Kingdom. In other words, there is no precedent to look back on and draw lessons – so we're in uncharted territory here. Many people say they would like to have more facts. The difficulty is we haven't been here before, and so necessarily there is a lot of uncertainty."

19. Cutaway

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Angus Armstrong, Director of Macroeconomics, National Institute of Economic and Social Research:

"The single market involves a single set of rules. Now for some people, those rules can be perhaps intrusive, and expensive. Many people point to certain rules, which they say cost UK businesses money. On the other hand, it means the same set of rules makes it easier to compete with European counterparts, so it means small companies don't have to worry about recognising different qualifications or being able to access European markets. On the one hand, you have the cost of higher regulations, on the other hand, you have access to a single market with very few barriers."

Birmingham - 18 May 2016

21. Various of flags outside East End Foods factory including St George's (England) and EU flag

WORLD 2017 PREDICTIONS

SOURCE: AP HORIZONS, LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY/POOL

RESTRICTIONS: HORIZONS CLIENTS AND AP LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 7:28

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

New York - 9 November 2016

1. Various of Trump fans celebrating

2. Wide of Trump and his family

3. Woman celebrating Trump's win

4. Trump and family walking on stage

5. People cheering Trump

6. Trump shaking hands with Mike Pence

Miami - 11 November 2016

7. Various of anti-Trump protests

New York - 1 December 2016

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Beth Ann Bovino, Chief U.S. Economist, S&P Global Ratings:

"In terms of the impact of the Trump presidency on growth, you have to keep in mind that right now campaign promises are just what they are, promises, they are not policies. So let's see what happens in terms of how they get through Congress and whether.. and basically what comes out at the end."

Washington - recent

9. Exterior of US Capitol

New York, US - 13 June 2014

10. New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) floor

US - Exact date and location unknown

11. Man filling up car at petrol station

New York - 1 December 2016

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Beth Ann Bovino, Chief U.S. Economist, S&P Global Ratings:

"If you look at the job gains now averaging around 180,000 per month for the year to date and the unemployment rate under 5 percent we have a rather strong jobs market, so in terms of actually pushing the unemployment rate down even further and strengthening the jobs market that might actually result in stronger inflation as well, making the fed likely having to move further."

Moscow, Russia — December 15, 2016

13. Various of Kremlin

14. Various of political analyst Masha Lipman looking at computer

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Masha Lipman, political analyst:

"We used to say that Putin is unpredictable and keeps his intentions and his plans as secret. Now we have at least one more person, who is unpredictable and this is the President of the United States - President-elect at this point, but of course in 2017, he will become the President of the United States. We still know very little about his policies. His appointments leave many shocked and speechless even, shaking heads in this belief. But what his policies are going to be is an open question. "

Aleppo, Syria - 15 December 2016

16. Wide of Aleppo outskirts

17. Wide of buses parked near evacuation area

18. Various of United Nations vehicles parked near evacuation centre

Bartella, Iraq - 21 October 2016

19. Various of Bartella, east of Mosul during fight against IS group

20. Various of Iraqi Special Forces

Cairo, Egypt - 13 December 2016

21. Set up of Dr. Saeed Sadek Political Sociology Professor at Future university in Cairo at office

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Saeed Sadek, Political Sociology Professor at Future university in Cairo:

"The only problem for the Iraqi people is of course they have this ethnic and religion sectarian conflict may continue and erupt here and there from fanatics on both sides, corruption and oil prices will also affect the Iraqi economy for 2017."

London, UK - 13 July 2016

23. Various of British flag on parliament

UK Pool

London - 27 June 2016

24. British PM Teresa May ( formerly Home Secretary) arriving at 10 Downing Street

AP Television

Berlin, Germany - 12 July 2016

25. Various of German newspaper headlines about Teresa May

26. Various of German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Berlin - 1 December 2016

27. Various of the German Parliament building (Bundestag)

28. Thorsten Benner, director of the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin, in his office

29. SOUNDBITE: (English), Thorsten Benner, director of the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin:

"The AFD (Alternative Fuer Deutschland) is actually taking away quite a few voters from the Christian Democrats. And it is a very unfortunate thing for Merkel to have a party formed to her right. That indeed is a vital threat to her political ambitions."

Surat, India - 5 December 2016

30. Various of men working in Indian diamond factory

New Delhi, India – 3 December 2016

31. Various of economist Veena Jha in her office

32. SOUNDBITE (English) Veena Jha, Economist:

"India has to consolidate its trade relationships within Asia. It has to look to Europe, without Britain, for a strong trade relationship. It has to solidify its relationships, particularly, with Germany, Netherlands, and France, which are the largest markets. It has to look to the US for an Indo-US free trade agreement and kind of a strategic partnership which has been talked about but has not been inked."

New Delhi, India – 7 November 2016

33. British Prime Minister Theresa May shakes hands with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during her official visit to India

Surat, India - 5 December 2016

34. Various street scenes in Surat

Rojama Mayong Village, Assam, India – 18 November 2016

35. A woman waiting to exchange defunct currency bills at a bank

Beijing, China - 30 November 2016

36. Various of Chinese Feng Shui master and astrologist Dong Yilin

37. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Dong Yilin, Chinese Feng Shui Master and Astrologist:

"In the year of the rooster, the Heavenly Stem (in Yi Qing) is fire and the Earthly Branch is gold and they are struggling with each other. It's like a process of burning gold and beating it into a craftwork. The craftwork is beautiful but it has to go through enormous hardships. Therefore, in the year of 2017, we will see many "turmoils" not only in China but also many other parts of the world like Europe and the US."

38. Close of compass

LEADIN

2016 has been a year of upheavals and upsets that some would prefer to forget.

So what can we expect in 2017? Will the year of the rooster change the world pecking order or will it be business as usual?

While analysts are mixed on what lies ahead, one Chinese fortune teller says the world can expect "turmoil".

STORYLINE

It was a result few people predicted, but one which will play a major role in shaping the year ahead.

Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th US President will be held on January 20th and it's expected to draw people of all persuasions to Washington whether it's to celebrate or commiserate.

His stunning election win sparked numerous protests, and it's provoked widespread speculation about the impact that some of his controversial campaign promises might have when he takes office in 2017.

Chief U.S. Economist with S&P Global Ratings, Beth Ann Bovino says there's still some uncertainty over what path he will take.

"In terms of the impact of the Trump presidency on growth, you have to keep in mind that right now campaign promises are just what they are, promises, they are not policies. So let's see what happens in terms of how they get through Congress and whether.. and basically what comes out at the end."

If there are no major shocks to the economy, growth is expected to be around 2.5 percent and more interest rate rises are likely, according to Bovino.

"If you look at the job gains now averaging around 180,000 per month for the year to date and the unemployment rate under 5 percent we have a rather strong jobs market, so in terms of pushing the unemployment rate down even further and strengthening the jobs market that might actually result in stronger inflation as well, making the fed likely having to move further," she says.

In light of CIA accusations of Russian hacking, Trump's relations with the Kremlin will come into focus in January.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee plans to hold an open hearing that will examine possible Russian meddling in November's presidential election.

Political analyst Masha Lipman says there are signs Moscow's relationship with Washington will thaw, but adds that both leaders are not giving much away just yet.

"We used to say that Putin is unpredictable and keeps his intentions and his plans as secret. Now we have at least one more person, who is unpredictable and this is the president of the United States — President-elect at this point, but of course in 2017, he will become the president of the United States. We still know very little about his policies. His appointments leave many shocked and speechless even, shaking heads in disbelief. But what his policies are going to be is an open question."

Lipman says the ongoing civil war in Syria means Trump and President Putin will need to make some tough choices.

Syria has been torn apart by more than five years of war - at the moment both countries support different sides.

Over the border, the Iraqi special forces are still battling the Islamic State group, also known as Daesh.

UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon says that "Daesh is now failing and controls less than 10 percent of Iraqi territory."

Political Sociology Professor at Future university in Cairo, Saeed Sadek says even if Daesh is eventually defeated, Iraq could still face many challenges.

"The only problem for the Iraqi people is off course they have this ethnic and religion sectarian conflict may continue and erupt here and there from fanatics on both sides corruption and oil prices will also affect the Iraqi economy for 2017," he says.

2017 will also see Britain set the wheels in motion for its exit from the European Union.

Prime Minister Teresa May has set a March deadline to start Brexit and will face 2 years of tense debate as she tries to get the UK the best deals on trade.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Britain faces "rough" and "hard" negotiation. But Merkel also faces a fight for her own survival with elections later in the year.

Germany will elect the members of the Bundestag, as the German parliament is called, after the summer in 2017.

Merkel's Christian Democrats are currently in a coalition government with the Social Democrats (SPD).

However, the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPI) in Berlin says there has been a right wing backlash because of her policy welcoming Syrian refugees.

"The AFD (Alternative Fuer Deutschland) party is actually taking away quite a few voters from the Christian Democrats. And it is a very unfortunate thing for Merkel to have a party formed to her right. That indeed is a vital threat to her political ambitions," says GPPI director Thorsten Benner.

While the West slows, the one jewel in the world economic crown is likely to be India as its growth outperforms the rest of the world.

Veena Jha, an economist and policy analyst, says India's economy is now growing faster than China and the country must seek new markets.

She says Britain could be the biggest loser because Brexit will slow Indian investment in the UK as it looks elsewhere.

"India has to consolidate its trade relationships within Asia. It has to look to Europe, without Britain, for a strong trade relationship. It has to solidify its relationships, particularly, with Germany, Netherlands, and France, which are the largest markets. It has to look to the US for an Indo-US free trade agreement and kind of a strategic partnership which has been talked about but has not been inked."

However there could be hiccups as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi moves towards a cashless society, promoting digital transactions instead to curb the black market.

However the coins fall, 2017 is the Chinese Year of the Rooster which begins on January 28th. The Rooster is the sign of dawn and awakening, but it also means that triumph can only be achieved at the price of hard work.

Chinese Feng Shui Master and Astrologist Dong Yilin says many countries will face huge challenges with their economies.

"In the year of rooster, the Heavenly Stem (in Yi Qing) is fire and the Earthly Branch is gold and they are struggling with each other. It's like a process of burning gold and beating it into a craftwork. The craftwork is beautiful but it has to go through enormous hardships. Therefore, in the year of 2017, we will see many "turmoils" not only in China but also many other parts of the world like the Europe and the US."

One thing's for certain, a busy 2017 awaits whatever way the compass points.

====

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A leading politics and foreign affairs expert says it's not impossible that the United Kingdom may yet turn its back on the outcome of the referendum on European Union membership and choose to remain within the group.

A leading politics and foreign affairs expert says it's not impossible that the United Kingdom may yet turn its back on the outcome of the referendum on European Union membership and choose to remain within the group.

London – 28 June 2016

1. Soft focus Big Ben

2. Various of shop selling England memorabilia on Westminster Bridge

3. Pan from Westminster Bridge to Parliament

4. Close of Parliament

5. People crossing bridge

6. Set up shot of Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, Kings College London

7. Mid of Menon

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs:

"The beauty about the current situation is that nothing seems to be impossible. So I wouldn't rule anything out at this point including the United Kingdom staying in the European Union. I think it would be a very difficult thing to pull off, and I think a lot of things would have to happen first, but at this moment don't discount anything."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs: (Question - what are the chances of Parliament ignoring the referendum?)

"Very slim I'd say because parliament are ultimately elected by the people. Over 50 percent of the 70 percent who voted, voted to leave, and I think for both major parties, Conservative and Labour, such a high proportion of their voters voted to leave that if they were to so blatantly disregard the vote they would face electoral punishment afterwards. Particularly Labour where UKIP is pushing them hard in many of its northern heartlands."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs: (Question - can't parliament just re-run the referendum like with Maastricht and Ireland?)

"We've seen it with the Danes as well, back with the Maastricht treaty. Short answer is I think, no. And the reason is in all those cases what happened was the other member states fiddled with the text of the treaty and said 'OK, here a slightly revised version, do you want to try again'. I don't think you can do that with British membership because A, I think we got all we could have got in February, and B there is nothing significant about the terms of our membership you could change before having a second vote. Thirdly I just think if you say, OK ,we didn't like the result of the first vote, we're going to give you another chance, if you think that part of this vote is based on distrust for and dislike of politicians, that's just going to get worse if you ignore the result."

13. Cutaway

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs: (Question - if there was a general election, could a party run on a Bremain ticket?)

"I supposed it's just about conceivable, but it's only the Lib Dems that could actually do that. Both the Conservatives and Labour party have significant numbers of leavers in their ranks. If either of them did that, they might attact support from elsewhere but they're also going to haemorrhage some of their own supporters who voted for Britain to leave."

15. Mid of media outside Parliament

China said it hopes the UK and EU will work out a "win-win deal" for the UK's departure from the EU, following Prime Minister Theresa May's unveiling of an exit strategy.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that China supports the integration process of Europe and that it will continue to maintain good relations with the UK.

In response to a survey issued by the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham), which stated that 81 percent of companies feel "less welcome in China" up from 77 percent last year, Hua Chunying said the figures from the Chinese side told a different story.

Statistics compiled by China's Ministry of Commerce and quoted by Hua Chunying show that US investment in China increased by over 50 percent in the last year.

Discussing US-Taiwan relations, Hua Chunying said that China is against Taiwan sending a delegation to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump and urged the US to not allow Taiwan's attendance.

Taiwanese delegation leader and former Premier Yu Shyi-kun departed for Washington DC on Monday together with politicians from both Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the opposition Nationalists.

Trump angered Beijing and upset decades of diplomatic precedent by talking by phone with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen shortly after winning November's presidential election.

Beijing - 18 January 2017

1. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman arriving at news conference

2. Wide of media

3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

"We hope the UK and the EU can reach a win-win deal through negotiations. As I said yesterday, China has always supported the integration process of Europe. We believe a prosperous, stable and open Europe serves the common interests of all parties. China is also willing to continue to push forward the construction of the partnership with Europe on peace, reform, growth and civilization. In the meantime, we also attach great importance to the relationship with the UK. We think highly of the position and role of the UK. We will continue to foster the co-operation of mutual benefit with the UK on the basis of mutual respect and win-win."

4. Cutaway of journalist

5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

"I have a figure that may seem contradictory. According to the statistics of China's Ministry of Commerce, the actual investment of the US in China increased by 52.6 percent. It shows that China is still very attractive to US investors."

6. Cutaway of journalist

7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

"Our position is very clear. China is against the Taiwanese authorities sending anyone to the US with any excuse to conduct activities aiming at disturbing and sabotaging China-US relations. We urge the relevant departments of the US not to allow the so-called delegation to come to the US to attend the Presidential inauguration, and not to have any official contact with Taiwan. China's position has been delivered to the US administration and Mr. Trump's team with accuracy."

8. Cutaway of journalist

9. End of news conference

Germany's Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that it is important to find a good and quick solution for the exit of the United Kingdom.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier made his comments during his introduction at a discussion on Europe at the German Foreign Ministry.

After telling the audience that the British decision had to be respected, he also added that the day of the UK's referendum result when a majority of British voters opted to leave the EU had been "a very bitter day".

But Steinmeier was clear about the need to "find a good and quick solution for everybody, acceptable to all sides, for the exit of the United Kingdom".

Germany's Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that it is important to find a good and quick solution for the exit of the United Kingdom.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier made his comments during his introduction at a discussion on Europe at the German Foreign Ministry.

After telling the audience that the British decision had to be respected, he also added that the day of the UK's referendum result when a majority of British voters opted to leave the EU had been "a very bitter day".

But Steinmeier was clear about the need to "find a good and quick solution for everybody, acceptable to all sides, for the exit of the United Kingdom".

Berlin - 28 June 2016

1. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier walking to podium

2. Camera

3. Close of event programme

4. SOUNDBITE (German) Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister:

"This is not what I had wished for, but we have to accept this decision, we have to respect it. But still I think it is right and honest to say that for the European Union as a whole, this Thursday of last week was a very bitter day."

5. Audience

6. SOUNDBITE (German) Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister:

"Now in the coming weeks and months what will be important is to hopefully find a good and quick solution for everybody, acceptable to all sides, for the exit of the United Kingdom. And I continue to say that we cannot afford an extended limbo situation. I hope that we will soon have clarity, at least about the roadmap on which we have to agree."

7. Wide of Steinmeier speaking

8. SOUNDBITE (German) Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister:

"The further development of European integration has to become manifest in concrete projects that are for the benefit of the citizens of Europe and that reach out to them. I believe this is the only way we can regain trust that has been lost."

9. Audience

10. Steinmeier walking away from podium

French President Francois Hollande said Tuesday that talks on a landmark trade deal between the US and European Union are unbalanced and cannot be completed before President Barack Obama leaves office.

It's the latest blow to the proposed free-trade zone that would encompass half the world economy.

There's resistance on both continents, and the talks are complicated by Britain's exit from the European Union and upcoming presidential elections in the US and France.

Hollande also criticised Turkey's military intervention in Syria and warned Russia not to become a protagonist in the war.

He said he could understand Turkey's concern about protecting its borders and fighting the Islamic State group, but questioned actions against Kurdish rebels allied with the US-led coalition against the extremists. France is part of that coalition.

Paris - 30 August 2016

1. French President Francois Hollande arriving and walking up on stage

2. Wide of Hollande and French ambassadors

3. SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Hollande, French president:

"Discussions, at the moment, on the treaty between Europe and the United States, TAFTA (Transatlantic Free Trade Area) for some, TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) for others - transatlantic treaties. These discussions cannot lead to an agreement by the end of the year. The negotiations have become bogged down, positions have not been respected. The imbalance is obvious, so the best thing is for us to lucidly note this, instead of extending a discussion that cannot be completed on this basis. It's best to make everyone aware that France cannot agree on a treaty that will have been prepared without the indispensable basis for a positive conclusion. France prefers to look things in the face and not to harbour the illusion that we can come to an agreement before the end of the current term of the President of the United States (Barack Obama)."

4. Journalist taking notes on computer

5. SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Hollande, French president:

"Today it's Turkey who has decided to deploy part of its army on Syrian territory to defend itself from Daesh (an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group, or IS), which is completely understandable after the attacks that this country has suffered; to control its borders, which it has maybe even admitted to; but also to carry out military action against the Kurds, who themselves fight against the Islamic State group with the support of the coalition. These multiple, contradictory interventions carry the risk of a general inflammation, so the absolute urgency is a halt to fighting and a return to negotiations."

6. Close of photographer

7. SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Hollande, French president:

"This decision is irreversible and we must address its consequences. Once out (of the European Union), the United Kingdom won't be able to participate in European decisions - who could understand it - and won't be able to access the single market unless it accepts (the European Union's) four freedoms, especially the freedom of movement. If it accepts all the regulations, and even the budgetary contribution. I know these are difficult decisions to take for the government of Theresa May. She is asking for time, for an extension, to prepare the negotiation, most likely. But we won't be able to delay the activation of article 50, and risk causing uncertainty and instability. That wouldn't be good for the United Kingdom and would be unacceptable for Europe. For France, everything must be concluded by 2019. This is the time we must give for preparations and mainly for the negotiation."

8. Hollande leaving stage, audience applauding

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her hope that the UK votes to remain within the European Union on Thursday as voters headed to the polls in the country's referendum on membership.

Speaking after a meeting with her Austrian counterpart in Berlin, Merkel also stressed that Europe should respond in a calm and inclusive way to whatever result emerges from the UK.

Austrain Chancellor Christian Kern echoed Merkel's positive message saying "with our (Europe's) principles, we will find a solution".

More than 46 million people are registered to vote in Thursday's plebiscite, which asks: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?"

Polls are open until 10 p.m. (2100GMT), with results due early Friday.

Merkel and Kern were speaking ahead of an already-scheduled EU summit starting next Tuesday, the first to take place in the aftermath of the referendum.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her hope that the UK votes to remain within the European Union on Thursday as voters headed to the polls in the country's referendum on membership.

Speaking after a meeting with her Austrian counterpart in Berlin, Merkel also stressed that Europe should respond in a calm and inclusive way to whatever result emerges from the UK.

Austrain Chancellor Christian Kern echoed Merkel's positive message saying "with our (Europe's) principles, we will find a solution".

More than 46 million people are registered to vote in Thursday's plebiscite, which asks: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?"

Polls are open until 10 p.m. (2100GMT), with results due early Friday.

Merkel and Kern were speaking ahead of an already-scheduled EU summit starting next Tuesday, the first to take place in the aftermath of the referendum.

Berlin - 23 June 2016

1. Wide of news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern

2. Cutaway of cameraman

3. SOUNDBITE (German) Angela Merkel, German Chancellor:

"Overall, I think discussions must now be continued with 28 (countries) if possible and otherwise with all countries - that would be 27 - but my hopes are pinned on it possibly being able to remain 28."

4. Cutaway of cameramen

5. Merkel and Kern

6. SOUNDBITE (German) Christian Kern, Austrian Chancellor:

"You know the (American author) Mark Twain quote and in this case here you can modify it a bit - 'The report of Europe's downfall has been greatly exaggerated,' (refers to Twain quote: 'The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated'), and I think with our principles, we will find a solution."

7. Wide of Merkel and Kern

For years, Germany's populist parties on the left and right have been against the European Union, some even calling for Germany to leave the bloc.

Now, after UK citizens voted to leave the EU, populists on the right think their time has come.

On the left, the successors of former East Germany's communist party don't want to leave, but they want to put any major decision under the direct control of a national plebiscite, especially current negotiations over free trade agreements with Canada and the United States.

A "Dexit" vote in Germany faces another hurdle: radical fringe groups used such plebiscites to wreak havoc during the Weimar era, paving the way for Hitler's rise to power.

So, after the war, West Germany's founders made sure that couldn't happen again by including only limited provisions for a national referendum in the constitution.

The only time Germany can hold a plebiscite now is under two circumstances - if the constitution itself or if the territories of the states making up the republic, are to be changed.

Unlike in several other EU member states where public support for a national vote on EU membership is growing, Germans are still overwhelmingly in favour of staying in.

Latest polls have shown that more than 83 percent of voters are for Germany to remain in the EU.

Even though most ordinary Germans feel they are footing the bill to bail out Greece and a few other EU members that use the Euro currency, they still see the EU as largely positive.

They enjoy the ability to travel, work and study anywhere in Europe and are keenly aware that the birth of the EU after World War Two ushered in a period of peace that is unprecedented in European history.

Germany may never hold a referendum on the EU.

But a minority of angry voters, including many conservatives, could try to turn next year's general election into one, making a vote for radical fringe parties a vote of protest against Germany's established pro-European parties.

For years, Germany's populist parties on the left and right have been against the European Union, some even calling for Germany to leave the bloc.

Now, after UK citizens voted to leave the EU, populists on the right think their time has come.

On the left, the successors of former East Germany's communist party don't want to leave, but they want to put any major decision under the direct control of a national plebiscite, especially current negotiations over free trade agreements with Canada and the United States.

A "Dexit" vote in Germany faces another hurdle: radical fringe groups used such plebiscites to wreak havoc during the Weimar era, paving the way for Hitler's rise to power.

So, after the war, West Germany's founders made sure that couldn't happen again by including only limited provisions for a national referendum in the constitution.

The only time Germany can hold a plebiscite now is under two circumstances - if the constitution itself or if the territories of the states making up the republic, are to be changed.

Unlike in several other EU member states where public support for a national vote on EU membership is growing, Germans are still overwhelmingly in favour of staying in.

Latest polls have shown that more than 83 percent of voters are for Germany to remain in the EU.

Even though most ordinary Germans feel they are footing the bill to bail out Greece and a few other EU members that use the Euro currency, they still see the EU as largely positive.

They enjoy the ability to travel, work and study anywhere in Europe and are keenly aware that the birth of the EU after World War Two ushered in a period of peace that is unprecedented in European history.

Germany may never hold a referendum on the EU.

But a minority of angry voters, including many conservatives, could try to turn next year's general election into one, making a vote for radical fringe parties a vote of protest against Germany's established pro-European parties.

Berlin - 4 July 2016

1. Close of EU flag outside German Parliament

2. Various of people on street

3. Head of the Berlin wing of the AfD (Alternative for Germany party) Georg Pazderski ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

4. Close of AfD sign, reading: (German) "More freedom. Less Brussels."

5. SOUNDBITE (German) Georg Pazderski, Berlin head of far-right party AfD:

"Of course we should have a referendum about a membership in the European Union. If nothing less because the public is saying they are in favour of being in the European Union and then at least German politicians could go to Brussels with more confidence and pursue reforms in the European Union in the way that's not possible now. Now they always have to assume that the German people will criticize everything."

Berlin - 5 July 2016

6. German Parliament seen through window

7. German flag

8. Head of the Left party faction "Die Linke" Sahra Wagenknecht

9. Close of party sign, reading: (German) "Die Linke. Consequently for a new social idea."

10. SOUNDBITE (German) Sahra Wagenknecht, head of the Left party faction "Die Linke":

"We have been demanding for a long time that we enhance our representative democracy with direct democracy so that important issues like European treaties and trade deals like TTIP (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the EU and US) and CETA (the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU) can't be decided without asking people first. And at the moment that's not possible in our constitution. But the constitution was amended several times already and that would be a progressive change."

FILE: Hanover - 23 April, 2016

11. Various of people protesting against TTIP and CETA, while US President Barak Obama and Angela Merkel opened the Hanover fair

Berlin - 6 July, 2016

12. Christian Pestalozza walking

13. SOUNDBITE (German) Christian Pestalozza, expert on German constitutional law at the Freie Universitaet Berlin:

"The issue of a referendum was discussed in 1948 and 49 during the constitutional convention but there were concerns that it would open the door for demagogues who would mislead people into making certain decisions. These wouldn't be decisions based on facts but populist decisions. And we saw what can happen in the Weimar Republic when these decisions led to violence in the streets. We shouldn't do that."

14. Pan from man walking to Pestalozza

15. SOUNDBITE (German) Christian Pestalozza, expert on German constitutional law at the Freie Universitaet Berlin:

"Now that all of the state constitutions have regulated this in detail it's about time we do the same in the federal constitution. And then will see if people make use of it. Maybe nobody is interested and they won' make use of it at all. But one could at least make the offer."

16. Various of people at market

17. SOUNDBITE (German) Eva Maria Wittke, Berlin resident:

"In this case (about EU) we shouldn't have a referendum, it's not good."

18. SOUNDBITE (German) Stefan Luetke, Berlin resident:

"Germany should remain in the European Union. I think that the British shot themselves in their knee. I'm against a referendum in Germany."

19. SOUNDBITE (German) Christa Krabbe, Hamburg resident:

"I think there is a lot not working well (in the EU) and we can't continue this way. But the important elements that make this community strong are forgotten. We have to do something about that and explain it to the people."

20. Various of people on street

21. SOUNDBITE (German) Christian Pestalozza, expert on German constitutional law at the Freie Universitaet Berlin:

"There is no reason why we should vote about the EU now because every reasonable human sees that even though the EU comes with burdens and regulations it guarantees peace within the member states."

Berlin - 4 July 2016

22. Wide exterior of German Parliament

23. Writing on Parliament building, reading: (German) "To the German People"

China reacted to the result of the UK's EU referendum on Friday after British voters opted to leave the European Union.

Speaking at a regular briefing, the spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying said that China respected the results of the poll, and hoped to continue relations with the European Union and the United Kingdom.

China reacted to the result of the UK's EU referendum on Friday after British voters opted to leave the European Union.

Speaking at a regular briefing, the spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying said that China respected the results of the poll, and hoped to continue relations with the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Beijing - 24 June 2016

1. Wide of Hua Chunying, Spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, walking to stage

2. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Hua Chunying, Spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"China too note of the results of the referendum of the UK leaving the European Union. We want to express our respect towards the decision taken by the UK citizens. China will always conduct relations with the EU and with the UK with a strategic vision and long-term angle. We support the sovereignty principles of the development of Europe. We hope that the UK and the EU will reach an agreement as soon as possible. A stable and prosperous Europe benefits all sides."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Hua Chunying, Spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"In our view, all sides need to face the reality, which means a European Union without the United Kingdom, and a United Kingdom which has left the EU. We hope that an agreement will be reached through dialogue. If other nations want to follow the UK example, I cannot comment on that, but what I can say is that China has a clear position towards the EU and the process of integration of the European Union. China supports this process, we want to see the EU play a positive and active role in the international arena. We have full confidence in relations between China and the EU."

5.Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Hua Chunying, Spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"China always respects the sovereignty of all nations to choose their own path of development. So this is the choice taken by the UK citizens, by Prime Minister (David) Cameron, therefore we want to express our respect of that decision."

7. Reporter

8 . Hua Chunying leaves podium

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4042548

British Premier David Cameron's cabinet arrived on Monday to 10 Downing Street for a meeting with the prime minister, following Thursday's referendum vote in which Britons decided to leave the European Union.

Only Britain can invoke Article 50 of the EU treaty, which triggers the formal process by which the country would leave the union.

Departing Prime Minister David Cameron has signaled that that could take several months, while many European leaders want it to come immediately.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4042548

British Premier David Cameron's cabinet arrived on Monday to 10 Downing Street for a meeting with the prime minister, following Thursday's referendum vote in which Britons decided to leave the European Union.

Only Britain can invoke Article 50 of the EU treaty, which triggers the formal process by which the country would leave the union.

Departing Prime Minister David Cameron has signaled that that could take several months, while many European leaders want it to come immediately.

UK POOL

London - 27 June 2016

1. Home Secretary Theresa May arriving

2. Justice Secretary Michael Gove arriving

3. Scotland Secretary David Mundell arriving

4. International Development Secretary Justine Greening (on left) and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin (on right) arriving

5. Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary Sajid Javid arriving

6. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt arriving

7. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan (on the right) and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Liz Truss arriving

British Premier David Cameron's cabinet arrived on Monday to 10 Downing Street for a meeting with the prime minister, following Thursday's referendum vote in which Britons decided to leave the European Union.

Only Britain can invoke Article 50 of the EU treaty, which triggers the formal process by which the country would leave the union.

Departing Prime Minister David Cameron has signaled that that could take several months, while many European leaders want it to come immediately.

British Premier David Cameron's cabinet arrived on Monday to 10 Downing Street for a meeting with the prime minister, following Thursday's referendum vote in which Britons decided to leave the European Union.

Only Britain can invoke Article 50 of the EU treaty, which triggers the formal process by which the country would leave the union.

Departing Prime Minister David Cameron has signaled that that could take several months, while many European leaders want it to come immediately.

UK POOL

London - 27 June 2016

1. Home Secretary Theresa May arriving

2. Justice Secretary Michael Gove arriving

3. Scotland Secretary David Mundell arriving

4. International Development Secretary Justine Greening (on left) and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin (on right) arriving

5. Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary Sajid Javid arriving

6. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt arriving

7. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan (on the right) and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Liz Truss arriving

The prime ministers of four Central European countries said on Wednesday that they shared a common interest in the United Kingdom (UK) staying inside the European Union (EU) after the forthcoming referendum.

The leaders of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - known as the Visegrad Group, or V4 - were speaking at a news conference in Prague.

Britons will vote on their future in the EU in a referendum on 23 June.

The prime ministers of four Central European countries said on Wednesday that they shared a common interest in the United Kingdom (UK) staying inside the European Union (EU) after the forthcoming referendum.

The leaders of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - known as the Visegrad Group, or V4 - were speaking at a news conference in Prague.

Britons will vote on their future in the EU in a referendum on 23 June.

Prague - 8 June 2016

1. Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Group (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia; also known as V4) arriving at news conference

2. Various of media

3. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Bohuslav Sobotka, Czech Prime Minister:

"The decisive (moment) for the EU (European Union) will be the upcoming referendum where the British voters will decide whether they remain in the EU or not. Now I believe it would be a great loss for the EU and for the UK (United Kingdom) should the Britons go their own way. Their departure would weaken the whole European Union."

4. Various of news conference

5. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Robert Fico, Slovakian Prime Minister:

++TRANSLATION PROVIDED AT SOURCE++

"I think, based on what I have observed not only in Slovakia but also in other countries, that there are conditions for further fragmentation of the EU. Let's not fool ourselves in thinking that there are two equal options - further integration and further fragmentation. I think the first option offers better options for the whole European Union."

6. Various of news conference

7. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Beata Szydlo, Polish Prime Minister:

++TRANSLATION PROVIDED AT SOURCE++

"The same goes for the United Kingdom. There was a debate about how to help the UK to ensure that the decisions that will be made in 12 days would be good for the EU and also for us. And we all think the UK in the EU is something very valuable and something that we need."

8. Various of news conference

The chief of the NATO military alliance on Wednesday said that Britain remaining in the European Union was key for trans-Atlantic security and common efforts to fight violent extremism.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told The Associated Press that it was "up to the people of Great Britain to decide whether to remain or leave".

But, he added, "a strong UK in a strong Europe" was not only beneficial for Britain, but also for NATO.

Stoltenberg said that to face a daunting array of contemporary security threats, "we need a strong Europe and a strong NATO together".

He added that "the UK is key in making sure that that happens".

Stoltenberg spoke to The AP in Brussels, a day before British voters cast their ballot in a referendum on EU membership.

The chief of the NATO military alliance on Wednesday said that Britain remaining in the European Union was key for trans-Atlantic security and common efforts to fight violent extremism.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told The Associated Press that it was "up to the people of Great Britain to decide whether to remain or leave".

But, he added, "a strong UK in a strong Europe" was not only beneficial for Britain, but also for NATO.

Stoltenberg said that to face a daunting array of contemporary security threats, "we need a strong Europe and a strong NATO together".

He added that "the UK is key in making sure that that happens".

Stoltenberg spoke to The AP in Brussels, a day before British voters cast their ballot in a referendum on EU membership.

Brussels - 22 June 2016

1. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg

2. Close of NATO flag

3. Stoltenberg being interviewed by AP journalist John Dahlberg

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General

"It is up to the people of Great Britain to decide whether to remain or leave, but what I can do is to tell you what matters for NATO: and a strong UK in a strong Europe is good for UK but is also good for NATO, because it matters what the UK does. The United Kingdom is the biggest provider of forces, military forces, among European and NATO allies. And especially when we are faced with so much uncertainty, so much unpredictability, with terrorist threats, with a more assertive Russia in the east, then I believe that a more fragmented Europe will be something which will only add to the uncertainty which surrounds us."

5. Close of NATO Warsaw Summit logo

6. Stoltenberg cutaway

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General

"Of course you can be a good member of NATO, but there are so many challenges where we need enhanced cooperation between the European Union and NATO. And since the United Kingdom is the biggest European NATO ally when it comes to forces, military capabilities, it really matters what the UK does. And the United Kingdom is a leader, both inside NATO, but also inside the European Union, when it comes to pushing for enhanced cooperation between NATO and the European Union, but also being a strong advocate for the trans-Atlantic cooperation. So in that sense, the United Kingdom is a bridge between the United States and Europe, but also between NATO and the European Union. And this is important, because neither the European Union nor NATO has all of the tools in the toolkit to address the many different challenges we face, with this blurred line between war and peace, with what we call hybrid-warfare, terrorist threats, cyber-threats and all of the instability in our neighborhood. So therefor we need a strong Europe and a strong NATO together to address all these challenges and the UK is key in making sure that that happens."

8. Various of Stoltenberg

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General

"We are ready to have a meeting before... sorry... a meeting of the Russia/NATO Council before the Warsaw Summit. I am not certain whether that is possible to have before the summit, but hopefully we will be able to have it shortly after the summit. We are now in dialogue with Russia on the agenda, on the modalities. The important thing is that we need the NATO/Russia Council to have a chance of political dialogue open with Russia and especially when tensions are high. It is important that we talk, that we meet and that we do whatever we can to prevent misunderstandings, miscalculations, and try to reduce tensions. And we had a meeting of the NATO/Russia Council a few weeks ago. I think that was a very useful meeting. We discussed Ukraine, we addressed military activities, transparency, but also Afghanistan. We didn't solve all the problems, but at least we were able to sit down together and have a frank and open discussion and I think that is important, especially when we are faced with so many challenges and problems as we are faced with now."

10. Exterior of NATO headquarters

11. NATO flag

12. United Kingdom flag flying outside NATO headquarters