Elizabeth Piper

EU leaders tell Britain to exit swiftly, markets steadier | Reuters

LONDON/BRUSSELS European leaders told Britain on Tuesday to act quickly to resolve the political and economic confusion unleashed by its vote to leave the European Union last week, after the IMF said the uncertainty could put pressure on global economic growth. Sterling and world stock markets recovered slightly on Tuesday but investor confidence remains fragile despite policymakers saying they will take all necessary measures to protect their economies. Last week's referendum wiped a record $3 trillion off the value of global shares and sterling fell to its lowest level in 31 years against the U.S.

Labour's Khan becomes first Muslim mayor of London after bitter campaign | Reuters

LONDON Sadiq Khan, the son of a bus driver, became London's first Muslim mayor on Friday, seeing off a Conservative challenger who attempted to link him to extremism and securing a much-needed victory for his opposition Labour Party. As New York mayor Bill de Blasio sent his congratulations, Khan had yet to receive official notification of his victory, which would go some way to soothing the wounds of Labour which suffered losses in Thursday's other local elections. Dealt a crushing blow in Scotland, where it came third behind the Scottish National Party and Britain's ruling Conservatives, Labour did better than expected in England, saving its left-leaning leader from an early challenge.

Britain's Labour set to take London after bitter mayoral campaign | Reuters

LONDON Sadiq Khan, a Muslim opposition lawmaker, is on course to be elected London's mayor on Thursday, loosening the ruling Conservatives' hold on Britain's financial centre after a campaign marred by charges of anti-Semitism and extremism. The fight to run the British capital has pitted the Labour Party's Khan, 45, the son of a bus driver who grew up in public housing, against Conservative Zac Goldsmith, 41, the elite-educated son of a billionaire financier. But rather than their social backgrounds, it has been accusations of smears over Khan's Muslim faith and anti-Semitism in the Labour Party that have dominated the campaign to replace Conservative Boris Johnson as mayor of the city of 8.6 million people which is usually known for its tolerance