Tony Blair announces resignation
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced that he would step down from office in June this year.

The 54-year-old Blair said he would tender his resignation on June 27 and also talked at length about his achievements since he came to power in 1997.

Blair said 1997 was a "moment for a new beginning, the sweeping away of all the detritus of the past.

Blair who went on to say that Britain was no more a follower, saw his approval ratings decline dramatically after he sent British troops to back the US-led military campaign in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Blair is expected to be succeeded by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.

Brown has been Tony Blair's chancellor since the two swept New Labour to power in 1997, is finally expected to succeed him in 10, Downing Street following Blair's resignation announcement today.

Brown, 56, is Britain's longest serving finance minister without a break.

During his 10 years in office, Brown is known to be to a workaholic. A son of a Presbyterian minister, Brown started university in Edinburgh at the age of 16, and after gaining a first-class degree in history, he went on to receive a doctorate.

He joined the Labour Party officially at the age of 18.
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Arcelor Mittal negotiates details of alliance with Nippon Steel
Tokyo: Nippon Steel is still in talks with Arcelor Mittal over details of their alliance, which would allow the former to use Nippon's automotive sheet technology.

Mittal, which is pushing into the high-end, automotive sheet steel market in Brazil, wants to use the technology globally, while Nippon Steel wants to impose regional restrictions, NHK said.

Nippon Steel last July reluctantly agreed to extend its technology-sharing agreement with Arcelor Mittal, after Mittal Steel acquired its ally Arcelor in a hostile bid.
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