LONDON Trevor Plouffe Jersey , May 29 (Xinhua) -- Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, both contenders in just 10 days to win the keys to 10 Downing Street faced a tough grilling Monday at the hands of a presenter known as the Rottweiler of broadcasting.
Prime Minister May has refused to take part in any live studio debates with other party leaders in the run up to the June 8 general election. It was the first time each leader had faced a live audience during the election campaign.
May and the leader of the main opposition Labour Party are used to facing each other across the floor of the House of Commons for the weekly battle known as Prime Minister's Question time.
This time the questions were put to the pair by veteran political broadcaster Jeremy Paxman.
Famed for his brutal quizzing, until his departure from the BBC, of politicians on the Newsnight program, the veteran interrogator returned to the small screen to challenge, one by one Adeiny Hechavarria Jersey , Corbyn and May.
Pulling no punches, and determined to take no prisoners, Paxman fired difficult questions at the two main figures in British politics.
May has been the clear favorite, but with Labour catching up, one of them will take up residence in Downing Street on June 9.
Paxman's razor sharp tongue asked May, a supporter of remain in last year's European Union referendum Corey Dickerson Jersey , whether she had now changed her mind. He wanted, but failed, to get May to answer in the affirmative. Instead she insisted she sound deliver the Brexit the majority of British people voted for.
Pressed to say Yes to a question about her willingness to walk away from the Brexit negotiations unless there is a good deal, May repeated her message that no deal is better than a bad deal. She invited Paxman to read into that what he wished too.
May failed to win the studio audience over to controversial policies she is planning on care for the elderly and how it would be paid for.
Proposed tough policies by May on pensions and care, have seen the Conservatives lose the massive lead they had until the past week over Corbyn and Labour.
Paxman, being scrupulously fair Matt Duffy Jersey , gave Corbyn a tough ride as well, quizzing him about his approach to bringing down immigration levels, and whether he would fire nuclear warheads if he becomes prime minister. He even dodged a question on whether he would abolish the British monarchy.
Party campaign managers will now spend hours pondering on who won the battle of the airwaves, May, Corbyn or maybe even Paxman. Most early comments gave different answers, seemingly dependent on political alligences Kevin Kiermaier Jersey , but the real judges will be Britain's 46 million voters.
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by Jamal Hashim, Shaalan Ahmed
MOSUL, Iraq, May 28 (Xinhua) -- It is the early days of the holy month of Ramadan. Everybody seeks for pleasure of Ramadan's traditional games, buying new clothes and different kinds of food for Iftar (break the daylight fasting).
Ramadan is an Islamic religious observance of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins with the sight of the new moon and continues for 30 days.
For Muslims Chris Archer Jersey , Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the Islamic year. They all respect Ramadan which is characterized by fasting through the entire month from dawn until sunset, as they refrain from eating, drinking and all sinful thoughts and deeds.
However, for the people of the battleground city of Mosul, Ramadan's traditions are still luxuries although many of the residents feel they have somehow regained the special taste of the holy month as life is returning to normal.
"No way to compare Ramadan this year with the previous Ramadan. We were living in prison. Everything was forbidden; I can't go to market alone and I must wear hijab," said Um Karam Lucas Duda Jersey , in her 40s, as she was walking without hijab at a popular market in one of the newly-liberated neighborhoods from the extremist Islamic State (IS) militants.
The fasting month of Ramadan has its special taste and smell with Iraqis, who used to spend its long nights with much of fun and traditional activities.
"I love Ramadan because it makes me feel connected in myself, with my family and with my people. I am happy to bring my life back, like before Daesh (IS group), and I will be happier if the security forces free all the remaining areas in Mosul and all Iraq from the rule of the terrorist group Evan Longoria Jersey ," Karam told Xinhua while shopping for food and juices for Iftar table of her family.
Traditionally, the life in Ramadan used to be more like celebrations, when all family members and sometimes friends would gather to break their fast at Iftar, which is normally a rich evening meal for breaking the dawn-to-sunset fast, with a variety of dishes.
Also in Ramadan tradition, families sometimes go for a walk to the crowded thoroughfare in their neighborhoods Wade Boggs Jersey , and some youngsters would gather at ice cream shops or at coffee houses to play games only played in Ramadan.
In Mosul, the residents were deprived from Ramadan's traditions and relaxation and were forced to follow the brutal rules of the extremist IS group.
Nowadays in the liberated areas people have started to regain their old nights of fun in Ramadan. Not exactly like they wish, but this is the beginning.