Prime Minister Theresa May was in Brussels on Thursday to plead with EU leaders to change the Brexit divorce deal she negotiated last year, in order to get it through parliament, after they offered little hope they were willing to do so.

A cool handshake for the cameras with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker did little to conceal the tension, just 50 days before Britain could leave the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-wont-re-open-brexit-deal-hope-may-will-have-new-proposals-donald-tusk-195619">European Union</a> without measures in place to keep trade flowing freely.

Neither spoke, with one reporter shouting to the retreating leaders: "Is this hell, prime minister?" EU summit chair Donald Tusk said on Wednesday that Brexit promoters deserved "a special place in hell" - a blunt display of frustration in Brussels that drew condemnation from many in Britain.

The London parliament, which rejected May's agreement by the biggest majority in modern British history, has voted to renegotiate the deal, replacing a provision that some fear could keep British-ruled Northern Ireland under EU rules indefinitely.

EU leaders have repeatedly said it would be impossible to replace the provision, known as the "backstop" because it is required to ensure no hard border, once a focus for sectarian violence, between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland.

Unless parliament approves a deal, Britain is on course to leave the EU on March 29 with no transition arrangement in place, a scenario that many businesses say would be catastrophic for the economy. Other options could include delaying Brexit, holding a new referendum or cancelling it altogether.

May will return to parliament next week for a debate on the Brexit negotiations when lawmakers could again try to wrest control of the process from her, but a crunch vote on approving the Brexit deal is likely to come later in the month.

Both May's Conservative Party and the main opposition Labour Party are formally committed to carrying out Brexit following a 2016 referendum in which voters chose to leave the EU by a margin of 52-48 per cent. But both parties are deeply divided internally over how or even whether to do so.

In a letter to May released on Wednesday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn set out five conditions for Labour to support a deal. Those include a "permanent and comprehensive" customs union with the bloc, which May has ruled out.

Corbyn also demanded a close alignment with the single market, "unambiguous agreements" on future security arrangements and commitments on UK participation in EU agencies and funding programmes.

URGENT WORK

Before arriving in Brussels for talks with EU leaders, May acknowledged that her task would not be easy. A government source said a breakthrough on Thursday was not expected.

She will tell Juncker, Tusk and the European parliament's Antonio Tajani she wants to work "urgently" with them to secure changes to the deal reached in November.

Acknowledging that the agreement "was the product of much hard work and was negotiated in good faith", May will tell the leaders parliament had sent "an unequivocal message that change is required", according to her office.

"The government now wants urgently to work with the EU to secure such changes ... We must show determination and do what it takes to now get the deal over the line."

Tusk channelled the frustration in Brussels on Wednesday with unusually strong words, saying he wondered what "that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted Brexit, without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely."

British Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington played down the outburst: "I think Mr Tusk was venting yesterday," he told BBC radio.

"I would tell him it wasn't the most brilliant diplomacy in the world," Lidington said. "Anybody who has watched the House of Commons from time to time knows that intemperate and exaggerated language isn't something that only comes out of Brussels."

The main stumbling block to winning British parliamentary approval of the deal is the Northern Irish backstop, an insurance policy that requires some EU rules to operate in the British-ruled province unless another means can be agreed in future to guarantee a land border free from inspections.

Some lawmakers want May to remove the provision entirely, while others say they will accept a way for London to end it unilaterally, or legally-binding assurances that it would not lead to Britain being trapped in the EU's sphere indefinitely.

But the EU, and particularly Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar say they will not re-open the agreement. They argue that the political instability in Britain has only further proved the need for the backstop.

Prime Minister Theresa May was in Brussels on Thursday to plead with EU leaders to change the Brexit divorce deal she negotiated last year, in order to get it through parliament, after they offered little hope they were willing to do so.

Prime Minister Theresa May was in Brussels on Thursday to plead with EU leaders to change the Brexit divorce deal she negotiated last year, in order to get it through parliament, after they offered little hope they were willing to do so. A cool handshake for the cameras with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker did little to conceal the tension, just 50 days before Britain could leave the European Union without measures in place to keep trade flowing freely. Neither spoke, with one reporter shouting to the retreating leaders: "Is this hell, prime minister?" EU summit chair Donald Tusk said on Wednesday that Brexit promoters deserved "a special place in hell" - a blunt display of frustration in Brussels that drew condemnation from many in Britain. The London parliament, which rejected May's agreement by the biggest majority in modern British history, has voted to renegotiate the deal, replacing a provision that some fear could keep British-ruled Northern Ireland under EU rules indefinitely. EU leaders have repeatedly said it would be impossible to replace the provision, known as the "backstop" because it is required to ensure no hard border, once a focus for sectarian violence, between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland. Unless parliament approves a deal, Britain is on course to leave the EU on March 29 with no transition arrangement in place, a scenario that many businesses say would be catastrophic for the economy. Other options could include delaying Brexit, holding a new referendum or cancelling it altogether. May will return to parliament next week for a debate on the Brexit negotiations when lawmakers could again try to wrest control of the process from her, but a crunch vote on approving the Brexit deal is likely to come later in the month. Both May's Conservative Party and the main opposition Labour Party are formally committed to carrying out Brexit following a 2016 referendum in which voters chose to leave the EU by a margin of 52-48 per cent. But both parties are deeply divided internally over how or even whether to do so. In a letter to May released on Wednesday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn set out five conditions for Labour to support a deal. Those include a "permanent and comprehensive" customs union with the bloc, which May has ruled out. Corbyn also demanded a close alignment with the single market, "unambiguous agreements" on future security arrangements and commitments on UK participation in EU agencies and funding programmes. URGENT WORK Before arriving in Brussels for talks with EU leaders, May acknowledged that her task would not be easy. A government source said a breakthrough on Thursday was not expected. She will tell Juncker, Tusk and the European parliament's Antonio Tajani she wants to work "urgently" with them to secure changes to the deal reached in November. Acknowledging that the agreement "was the product of much hard work and was negotiated in good faith", May will tell the leaders parliament had sent "an unequivocal message that change is required", according to her office. "The government now wants urgently to work with the EU to secure such changes ... We must show determination and do what it takes to now get the deal over the line." Tusk channelled the frustration in Brussels on Wednesday with unusually strong words, saying he wondered what "that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted Brexit, without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely." British Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington played down the outburst: "I think Mr Tusk was venting yesterday," he told BBC radio. "I would tell him it wasn't the most brilliant diplomacy in the world," Lidington said. "Anybody who has watched the House of Commons from time to time knows that intemperate and exaggerated language isn't something that only comes out of Brussels." The main stumbling block to winning British parliamentary approval of the deal is the Northern Irish backstop, an insurance policy that requires some EU rules to operate in the British-ruled province unless another means can be agreed in future to guarantee a land border free from inspections. Some lawmakers want May to remove the provision entirely, while others say they will accept a way for London to end it unilaterally, or legally-binding assurances that it would not lead to Britain being trapped in the EU's sphere indefinitely. But the EU, and particularly Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar say they will not re-open the agreement. They argue that the political instability in Britain has only further proved the need for the backstop.

British PM May takes demand for Brexit renegotiation to Brussels

By Chris Stafford

Just 24 hours after suffering a historic defeat in parliament over her Brexit deal, the prime minister has survived a vote of no confidence in her government – thanks to the support of her backbench MPs. Up until this point, these same backbench MPs have been all too willing to vote against her and her Brexit deal.

The result was expected, given that a Conservative rebellion would have likely resulted in a general election that might have gone very badly for the party. Ousting the prime minister is less appealing when, instead of offering the potential for career advancement, there is a strong chance that it would instead lead to a demotion to the shadow cabinet.

With the very public plotting and scheming that has been displayed over Brexit, it is little wonder that British people have become profoundly mistrustful of their elected representatives and their motivations. What happens next is, therefore, crucial not only for the prime minister and the country but also the public’s faith in the nation’s democracy.

The way forward is not clear and many in the EU would like to know just what it is the UK actually wants. In an attempt to find out, May has promised to consult with leading parliamentarians over the way forward. She has been criticised for not doing this sooner and, while it could perhaps throw up a fresh idea to move things forward, it is hard to see what assurances the prime minister or the European Union can give that would placate anyone.

Re-open the negotiations?

Realistically speaking the only way to get the major changes on the controversial issues would be to re-open Brexit negotiations with the European Union and extend the article 50 period. While there is some support for the latter, the former has not been an acceptable option on the continent for some time now. That doesn’t appear likely to change.

Many prominent hard Brexit supporters have suggested that parliament’s dismissal of the deal will put the EU under pressure. They think Brussels will come back to the negotiating table once the screws are turned. But, as things stand, this looks like misplaced bravado and even wishful thinking.

To suggest that the defeat of the deal in parliament will somehow force the EU to waver is a perfect display of the flawed logic that created this situation in the first place. While the prospect of a no-deal Brexit is, of course, concerning to them, the remaining EU member states are prepared to weather the storm of a no-deal if they must. They would rather not have to, but if it is a choice between that or threatening the integrity of the single market and the European project itself, the choice is clear – and has been since before article 50 was even triggered.

A government cornered

Ultimately, if a new deal is well and truly off the table, there are a limited set of options the government can pursue. Brexit could be cancelled or it could be put to another referendum. Neither is likely to be popular options within the Conservative Party. More likely, it has been suggested that the government may keep making parliament vote on the deal, or some version of it, until it passes, although the legality of this is now in question. If the deal cannot get through the Commons, there may be no other option but to leave without a deal. Conservative MPs, therefore, need to either get behind the deal or resign themselves to endorsing a no-deal scenario.

It is also decision time for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party. Having failed to win the vote of no confidence and force their preferred option of a general election, they too have to either get behind the deal or consign the country to a no-deal scenario. That said, there is, of course, the ever-controversial option of a second referendum. Corbyn has resisted calls for this so far – but, with mounting pressure from MPs and the membership, as well as a desperate need for some distinctiveness on Brexit between the two major parties, it may prove hard to keep voting down the prime minister’s deal without offering a viable alternative.

Parliament takes back control

Having successfully showed their desire and ability to assert themselves in the Brexit process in parliament, the MPs themselves may be the key to ending the deadlock. There is the looming threat that they will seize complete control of the issue, legislating to prevent a no-deal scenario from even being possible.

Given the historic defeat over the Brexit deal, it is not implausible that such a move could get the support it needs. However, if the EU refuses to budge on the deal or the timing of Brexit, it is again hard to see where this would ultimately lead. Despite claims that Brexit would allow the UK to “take back control”, it still seems that it is the European Union that is very much in charge of the situation.

(Chris Stafford is Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/brexit-theresa-may-survives-confidence-vote-but-brussels-is-in-charge-now-109976">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Chris Stafford Just 24 hours after suffering a historic defeat in parliament over her Brexit deal, the prime minister has survived a vote of no confidence in her government – thanks to the support of her backbench MPs.

By Chris Stafford Just 24 hours after suffering a historic defeat in parliament over her Brexit deal, the prime minister has survived a vote of no confidence in her government – thanks to the support of her backbench MPs. Up until this point, these same backbench MPs have been all too willing to vote against her and her Brexit deal. The result was expected, given that a Conservative rebellion would have likely resulted in a general election that might have gone very badly for the party. Ousting the prime minister is less appealing when, instead of offering the potential for career advancement, there is a strong chance that it would instead lead to a demotion to the shadow cabinet. With the very public plotting and scheming that has been displayed over Brexit, it is little wonder that British people have become profoundly mistrustful of their elected representatives and their motivations. What happens next is, therefore, crucial not only for the prime minister and the country but also the public’s faith in the nation’s democracy. The way forward is not clear and many in the EU would like to know just what it is the UK actually wants. In an attempt to find out, May has promised to consult with leading parliamentarians over the way forward. She has been criticised for not doing this sooner and, while it could perhaps throw up a fresh idea to move things forward, it is hard to see what assurances the prime minister or the European Union can give that would placate anyone. Re-open the negotiations? Realistically speaking the only way to get the major changes on the controversial issues would be to re-open Brexit negotiations with the European Union and extend the article 50 period. While there is some support for the latter, the former has not been an acceptable option on the continent for some time now. That doesn’t appear likely to change. Many prominent hard Brexit supporters have suggested that parliament’s dismissal of the deal will put the EU under pressure. They think Brussels will come back to the negotiating table once the screws are turned. But, as things stand, this looks like misplaced bravado and even wishful thinking. To suggest that the defeat of the deal in parliament will somehow force the EU to waver is a perfect display of the flawed logic that created this situation in the first place. While the prospect of a no-deal Brexit is, of course, concerning to them, the remaining EU member states are prepared to weather the storm of a no-deal if they must. They would rather not have to, but if it is a choice between that or threatening the integrity of the single market and the European project itself, the choice is clear – and has been since before article 50 was even triggered. A government cornered Ultimately, if a new deal is well and truly off the table, there are a limited set of options the government can pursue. Brexit could be cancelled or it could be put to another referendum. Neither is likely to be popular options within the Conservative Party. More likely, it has been suggested that the government may keep making parliament vote on the deal, or some version of it, until it passes, although the legality of this is now in question. If the deal cannot get through the Commons, there may be no other option but to leave without a deal. Conservative MPs, therefore, need to either get behind the deal or resign themselves to endorsing a no-deal scenario. It is also decision time for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party. Having failed to win the vote of no confidence and force their preferred option of a general election, they too have to either get behind the deal or consign the country to a no-deal scenario. That said, there is, of course, the ever-controversial option of a second referendum. Corbyn has resisted calls for this so far – but, with mounting pressure from MPs and the membership, as well as a desperate need for some distinctiveness on Brexit between the two major parties, it may prove hard to keep voting down the prime minister’s deal without offering a viable alternative. Parliament takes back control Having successfully showed their desire and ability to assert themselves in the Brexit process in parliament, the MPs themselves may be the key to ending the deadlock. There is the looming threat that they will seize complete control of the issue, legislating to prevent a no-deal scenario from even being possible. Given the historic defeat over the Brexit deal, it is not implausible that such a move could get the support it needs. However, if the EU refuses to budge on the deal or the timing of Brexit, it is again hard to see where this would ultimately lead. Despite claims that Brexit would allow the UK to “take back control”, it still seems that it is the European Union that is very much in charge of the situation. (Chris Stafford is Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Theresa May survives confidence vote, but Brussels is in charge now

WION Dispatch: Thousands march in Brussels against UN migration pact

Watch: WION Your Story, 17th December, 2018

WION Your Story: Thousands march in Brussels against UN migration pact

Thousands march in Brussels against UN migration pact

Thousands of people marched in Brussels on Sunday against a UN&nbsp;pact aimed at fostering cooperation on migration, eclipsing a smaller demonstration in support of the deal, the signing of which brought down Belgium's government last week.

Police said some 5,500 people marched in the bigger protest, organised by Flemish right wing parties in the part of the capital where main European Union institutions are located.

A separate counter-demonstration of around 1,000 people, organised by left-wing groups and non-governmental organisations, took place in the city centre.

Belgian right-wing N-VA, which is the biggest party in parliament, pulled its ministers from the ruling coalition last week after Prime Minister Charles Michel refused its demand that he not sign the UN&nbsp;migration compact in Marrakesh.

Michel had secured a large parliamentary majority in favour of maintaining Belgium’s support of the UN&nbsp;text, with support from the opposition socialists and greens. Critics said the N-VA's move was the opening shot in a campaign before federal elections in May.

The UN&nbsp;pact was agreed in July by all 193 UN&nbsp;members except the United States, but only 164 formally signed it at the meeting last Monday.

It has run into criticism from European politicians who say it could increase immigration to Europe as the bloc has turned increasingly restrictive on accepting refugees and migrants alike since a 2015 spike in arrivals.

Ten countries, mostly in formerly Communist Eastern Europe, have pulled out of the non-binding pact.

With a record 21.3 million refugees globally, the United Nations began work on the pact after more than one million people arrived in Europe in 2015, many fleeing civil war in Syria and poverty in Africa. 
&nbsp;

Thousands of people marched in Brussels on Sunday against a UN pact aimed at fostering cooperation on migration, eclipsing a smaller demonstration in support of the deal, the signing of which brought down Belgium's government last week.

Thousands of people marched in Brussels on Sunday against a UN pact aimed at fostering cooperation on migration, eclipsing a smaller demonstration in support of the deal, the signing of which brought down Belgium's government last week. Police said some 5,500 people marched in the bigger protest, organised by Flemish right wing parties in the part of the capital where main European Union institutions are located. A separate counter-demonstration of around 1,000 people, organised by left-wing groups and non-governmental organisations, took place in the city centre. Belgian right-wing N-VA, which is the biggest party in parliament, pulled its ministers from the ruling coalition last week after Prime Minister Charles Michel refused its demand that he not sign the UN migration compact in Marrakesh. Michel had secured a large parliamentary majority in favour of maintaining Belgium’s support of the UN text, with support from the opposition socialists and greens. Critics said the N-VA's move was the opening shot in a campaign before federal elections in May. The UN pact was agreed in July by all 193 UN members except the United States, but only 164 formally signed it at the meeting last Monday. It has run into criticism from European politicians who say it could increase immigration to Europe as the bloc has turned increasingly restrictive on accepting refugees and migrants alike since a 2015 spike in arrivals. Ten countries, mostly in formerly Communist Eastern Europe, have pulled out of the non-binding pact. With a record 21.3 million refugees globally, the United Nations began work on the pact after more than one million people arrived in Europe in 2015, many fleeing civil war in Syria and poverty in Africa.

Belgian police detained more than 400 people on Saturday after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/paris-on-lockdown-as-yellow-vest-protests-hit-again-182474">"yellow vest" protesters inspired by riots in France</a> threw rocks and firecrackers and damaged shops and cars as they tried to reach official buildings in Brussels.

In the second violence of its kind in the capital in eight days, a crowd which police estimated at around 1,000 faced riot squads who used water cannon and tear gas to keep people away from the European Union headquarters and the nearby Belgian government quarter. Calm was restored after about five hours.

The movement in Belgium, inspired by the "gilets jaunes", or yellow vest, protests in neighbouring France over the past month, has given voice to complaints about the cost of living and demanded the removal of Belgium's centre-right coalition government, six months before a national election is due in May.

French police said more than 30,000 people demonstrated there and more than 30 people were injured in a second successive Saturday of violence in Paris.

Belgian protesters wearing the fluorescent yellow vests carried by all motorists for emergencies also briefly blocked a motorway near Belgium's border with France.

Belgian police detained more than 400 people on Saturday after "yellow vest" protesters inspired by riots in France threw rocks and firecrackers and damaged shops and cars as they tried to reach official buildings in Brussels.

Belgian police detained more than 400 people on Saturday after "yellow vest" protesters inspired by riots in France threw rocks and firecrackers and damaged shops and cars as they tried to reach official buildings in Brussels. In the second violence of its kind in the capital in eight days, a crowd which police estimated at around 1,000 faced riot squads who used water cannon and tear gas to keep people away from the European Union headquarters and the nearby Belgian government quarter. Calm was restored after about five hours. The movement in Belgium, inspired by the "gilets jaunes", or yellow vest, protests in neighbouring France over the past month, has given voice to complaints about the cost of living and demanded the removal of Belgium's centre-right coalition government, six months before a national election is due in May. French police said more than 30,000 people demonstrated there and more than 30 people were injured in a second successive Saturday of violence in Paris. Belgian protesters wearing the fluorescent yellow vests carried by all motorists for emergencies also briefly blocked a motorway near Belgium's border with France.

Brussels Police arrest hundreds in 'Yellow Vest' riot

Spain was standing between Theresa May and a Brexit deal as it threatened to derail an EU summit on Sunday if it does not get new assurances on having a say in the future of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-what-you-need-to-know-about-gibraltar-in-brexit-talks-178603">Gibraltar</a>.

As talks among Spanish, British and EU officials continued on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was ready to thwart his British counterpart May's hopes of seeing EU leaders sign off on promises of close ties with London after Britain leaves the bloc in March if he did not get his way.

EU diplomats and officials said there was still no clear breakthrough on Saturday morning, hours before some of the other leaders must set off for Brussels ahead of Sunday's breakfast summit -- few will be happy if plans change.

Brussels diplomats and representatives of other governments across Europe said they did not believe Madrid would upset the careful choreography of Sunday's summitry, when May and her 27 EU peers will fly in for a couple of hours in the morning. But they also heard strong words from Spanish ministers that left them unwilling to call Sanchez's bluff without further talks.

On a visit to Cuba, Sanchez said he had yet to receive assurances that any future decisions on Gibraltar would be decided in direct talks between London and Madrid.

"The guarantees are still not enough and Spain maintains its veto to Brexit. If there is a deal, then it will be lifted," he said when it was already late on Friday in Europe. "If there is no deal ... the European Council will most likely not take place."

Spain can expect its European allies to swing more clearly behind its 300-year-old claims to sovereignty over "The Rock", a British naval base on its southern coast that is home to some 30,000 people whose economy faces major questions after Brexit.

But demands that extensive treaty documentation recently agreed between Brussels and London be tweaked to give Spain a bigger say over its implementation in regard to Gibraltar face resistance from Britain and EU allies who are wary that the whole edifice of the long-negotiated deal might unravel.

"Proud People"

Diplomats said there was no doubting the passion behind the Spanish arguments when advisers to the 27 EU leaders met in Brussels on Friday to prepare the summit: "The Spanish are very proud people and this is absolutely important for them," one participant in the talks told Reuters.

"We have to have a solution. I am quite sure we will have one."

Some in Brussels stress that Sanchez is fighting a regional election in Andalusia, the province that abuts Gibraltar, next weekend and may want to play up the issue for home consumption.

For him to force the cancellation of the summit, or drag it out beyond the morning, would incur the wrath of his peers.

May is due to meet EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker on Saturday at 6 pm (1700 GMT), and diplomats say that should be the moment they confirm that the Gibraltar issue is settled. May will then meet summit chair Donald Tusk.

In Germany, a government spokesman was confident a solution would be found in time for Sunday's summit.

Berlin had earlier said there could be no more technical negotiations at the summit, and that Chancellor Angela Merkel could skip it if all the texts are not ready in advance.

The biggest obstacle to the Brexit accord overall is the vehement opposition in the British parliament. Without its approval, Britain could leave the bloc on March 29 without an agreement to mitigate economic and legal disruption.

Spain was standing between Theresa May and a Brexit deal as it threatened to derail an EU summit on Sunday if it does not get new assurances on having a say in the future of Gibraltar.

Spain was standing between Theresa May and a Brexit deal as it threatened to derail an EU summit on Sunday if it does not get new assurances on having a say in the future of Gibraltar. As talks among Spanish, British and EU officials continued on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was ready to thwart his British counterpart May's hopes of seeing EU leaders sign off on promises of close ties with London after Britain leaves the bloc in March if he did not get his way. EU diplomats and officials said there was still no clear breakthrough on Saturday morning, hours before some of the other leaders must set off for Brussels ahead of Sunday's breakfast summit -- few will be happy if plans change. Brussels diplomats and representatives of other governments across Europe said they did not believe Madrid would upset the careful choreography of Sunday's summitry, when May and her 27 EU peers will fly in for a couple of hours in the morning. But they also heard strong words from Spanish ministers that left them unwilling to call Sanchez's bluff without further talks. On a visit to Cuba, Sanchez said he had yet to receive assurances that any future decisions on Gibraltar would be decided in direct talks between London and Madrid. "The guarantees are still not enough and Spain maintains its veto to Brexit. If there is a deal, then it will be lifted," he said when it was already late on Friday in Europe. "If there is no deal ... the European Council will most likely not take place." Spain can expect its European allies to swing more clearly behind its 300-year-old claims to sovereignty over "The Rock", a British naval base on its southern coast that is home to some 30,000 people whose economy faces major questions after Brexit. But demands that extensive treaty documentation recently agreed between Brussels and London be tweaked to give Spain a bigger say over its implementation in regard to Gibraltar face resistance from Britain and EU allies who are wary that the whole edifice of the long-negotiated deal might unravel. "Proud People" Diplomats said there was no doubting the passion behind the Spanish arguments when advisers to the 27 EU leaders met in Brussels on Friday to prepare the summit: "The Spanish are very proud people and this is absolutely important for them," one participant in the talks told Reuters. "We have to have a solution. I am quite sure we will have one." Some in Brussels stress that Sanchez is fighting a regional election in Andalusia, the province that abuts Gibraltar, next weekend and may want to play up the issue for home consumption. For him to force the cancellation of the summit, or drag it out beyond the morning, would incur the wrath of his peers. May is due to meet EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker on Saturday at 6 pm (1700 GMT), and diplomats say that should be the moment they confirm that the Gibraltar issue is settled. May will then meet summit chair Donald Tusk. In Germany, a government spokesman was confident a solution would be found in time for Sunday's summit. Berlin had earlier said there could be no more technical negotiations at the summit, and that Chancellor Angela Merkel could skip it if all the texts are not ready in advance. The biggest obstacle to the Brexit accord overall is the vehement opposition in the British parliament. Without its approval, Britain could leave the bloc on March 29 without an agreement to mitigate economic and legal disruption.

Spain bars May's way to Brussels Brexit deal

British Prime Minister Theresa May was headed back to Brussels on Saturday to defend the planned Brexit divorce deal even as Spain threatened to boycott an EU summit meant to endorse it.

May has final day talks scheduled with EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk, although diplomats said the withdrawal agreement is finished and ready for EU leaders to approve on Sunday.

Nothing in the painful 17-month withdrawal process has gone smoothly, and on Friday, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned he might not attend if the leaders do not acknowledge that Madrid holds a veto over the fate of Gibraltar in any post-Brexit negotiation of new EU-UK ties.

Visiting Cuba, Sanchez said that Madrid must be allowed to negotiate directly with London on Gibraltar and give its specific assent to any changes to its relationship to the European Union in a future agreement between Britain and Brussels. &nbsp;

"If there's no agreement, it's very clear what will happen, there very probably won't be a European Council" summit, he said.

Gibraltar, a tiny rocky outcrop home to a port and around 30,000 people, is a British territory claimed by Spain and will be a bone of contention as London negotiates a new relationship with Brussels after Brexit day on March 29.&nbsp;

Luis Marco Aguiriano Nalda, Spain's secretary of state for European affairs, said Madrid wanted London to put in writing that it shared Madrid's interpretation of the negotiated Brexit deal texts regarding its stance on Gibraltar.

"We have demanded that it be published by the British authorities before the European Council on Sunday," said in Brussels.

In London, however, a Downing Street source said he did not know what document Aguiriano could be referring to and added: "We have negotiated on behalf of the whole of the UK family. That includes Gibraltar and the overseas territories."

In legal terms, Spain's disapproval would not halt the divorce settlement, but it would embarrass EU leaders keen to show that the 27 are united.

More uncertainty

And, as Aguiriano noted, any final relationship negotiated between London and Brussels after Brexit day on March 29 would have to be approved by all remaining member states -- giving Spain a de facto veto further down the line.

May is due in Brussels later on Saturday to see EU Commission president Juncker, head of the bloc's executive, and EU Council president Tusk, whose institution represents the member states.

But European diplomats told AFP no more substantive negotiations would take place and Sunday's summit would simply see leaders sign off on the fruit of 17 months of dialogue.

A European diplomat said the meeting's minutes would include language stressing the importance of Britain maintaining a level playing field in trade rules during the 21-month post-Brexit transition, and on fishing rights.

And the summit will make it clear that the European Council would take the lead over the Commission in negotiating future ties -- another measure to reassure Madrid that its voice will be heard before any final settlement is reached.

After that, May will still have to sell the deal to the British Parliament, an even greater political challenge.

May refused to say whether she would resign if parliament eventually votes down the divorce agreement that the EU is set to endorse on Sunday, alongside a shorter political framework to guide talks on future ties.

"If this deal does not go through, we are back at square one. What we end up with is more division and more uncertainty," she warned.&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May was headed back to Brussels on Saturday to defend the planned Brexit divorce deal even as Spain threatened to boycott an EU summit meant to endorse it.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was headed back to Brussels on Saturday to defend the planned Brexit divorce deal even as Spain threatened to boycott an EU summit meant to endorse it. May has final day talks scheduled with EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk, although diplomats said the withdrawal agreement is finished and ready for EU leaders to approve on Sunday. Nothing in the painful 17-month withdrawal process has gone smoothly, and on Friday, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned he might not attend if the leaders do not acknowledge that Madrid holds a veto over the fate of Gibraltar in any post-Brexit negotiation of new EU-UK ties. Visiting Cuba, Sanchez said that Madrid must be allowed to negotiate directly with London on Gibraltar and give its specific assent to any changes to its relationship to the European Union in a future agreement between Britain and Brussels. "If there's no agreement, it's very clear what will happen, there very probably won't be a European Council" summit, he said. Gibraltar, a tiny rocky outcrop home to a port and around 30,000 people, is a British territory claimed by Spain and will be a bone of contention as London negotiates a new relationship with Brussels after Brexit day on March 29. Luis Marco Aguiriano Nalda, Spain's secretary of state for European affairs, said Madrid wanted London to put in writing that it shared Madrid's interpretation of the negotiated Brexit deal texts regarding its stance on Gibraltar. "We have demanded that it be published by the British authorities before the European Council on Sunday," said in Brussels. In London, however, a Downing Street source said he did not know what document Aguiriano could be referring to and added: "We have negotiated on behalf of the whole of the UK family. That includes Gibraltar and the overseas territories." In legal terms, Spain's disapproval would not halt the divorce settlement, but it would embarrass EU leaders keen to show that the 27 are united. More uncertainty And, as Aguiriano noted, any final relationship negotiated between London and Brussels after Brexit day on March 29 would have to be approved by all remaining member states -- giving Spain a de facto veto further down the line. May is due in Brussels later on Saturday to see EU Commission president Juncker, head of the bloc's executive, and EU Council president Tusk, whose institution represents the member states. But European diplomats told AFP no more substantive negotiations would take place and Sunday's summit would simply see leaders sign off on the fruit of 17 months of dialogue. A European diplomat said the meeting's minutes would include language stressing the importance of Britain maintaining a level playing field in trade rules during the 21-month post-Brexit transition, and on fishing rights. And the summit will make it clear that the European Council would take the lead over the Commission in negotiating future ties -- another measure to reassure Madrid that its voice will be heard before any final settlement is reached. After that, May will still have to sell the deal to the British Parliament, an even greater political challenge. May refused to say whether she would resign if parliament eventually votes down the divorce agreement that the EU is set to endorse on Sunday, alongside a shorter political framework to guide talks on future ties. "If this deal does not go through, we are back at square one. What we end up with is more division and more uncertainty," she warned.

British PM Theresa May heads to Brussels as Spain threatens Brexit summit

Brussels officially rejected Italy's big-spending budget on Wednesday, clearing the path for unprecedented sanctions and deepening a bitter row with Rome's populist government. &nbsp;

The conclusion by the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, was harsh but expected, coming just weeks after it had sent back Italy's 2019 budget, in a historic first for the bloc.

Italy refused to back down after the Brussels ultimatum, setting the stage for Wednesday's final opinion that deplored "a marked backtracking" by Rome on past reforms.

"With what the Italian government has put on the table, we see a risk of the country sleepwalking into instability," Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis told a press conference in Brussels.

"We conclude that the opening of a debt-based excessive deficit procedure is... warranted," he added, referring to the EU's official process to punish member states for over-spending.

The coalition government made up of Salvini's League and anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), insists the budget will help kickstart growth in the eurozone's third largest economy and reduce debt.

But the EU says the Italian budget abandons belt-tightening for a spending spree that includes a basic monthly income for the unemployed and a pension boost.

With its opinion, EU member states now have two weeks to decide whether to allow the commission to trigger the excessive deficit procedure, a months-long process that could lead to fines.

Once activated, the process allows Rome the opportunity to negotiate and correct its ways before Brussels can inflict a sanction of up to 0.2 per cent of Italy's GDP.

Few in Europe expect that Italy's populist coalition will concede on the matter, at least until European elections next May, where the government hopes to ride a wave of anti-EU sentiment.

"Has the EU letter arrived? I am also waiting for Santa Claus," said the far-right deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, adding: "We will respond to the EU in an educated way."

Eyes on markets

All eyes now are on the markets, which could raise the pressure on Rome to kowtow to Brussels,and even split the ruling coalition in Italy.

"While the government's stance may be tenable in the short and medium-term, it will only be sustainable if market conditions don't deteriorate significantly," said Mujtaba Rahman, a political analyst at Eurasia Group.

The closely-watched "spread" -- the difference between yields on 10-year Italian government debt compared with those in benchmark Germany -- reached 316 basis points Wednesday, down from 326 late on Tuesday.

It has more than doubled since May when negotiations to form the coalition government in Rome began, but is lower than the roughly 400 mark that Italy argues is the danger zone.

In its budget, Italy intends to run a public deficit of 2.4 per cent of gross domestic product in 2019 -- three times the target of the government's centre-left predecessor -- and one of 2.1 per cent in 2020.

Brussels forecasts Italy's deficit will reach 2.9 per cent of GDP in 2019 and hit 3.1 per cent in 2020 -- breaching the EU's 3.0 per cent limit.

But Italy's big spending boost received a vouch of support from the OECD, the Paris-based organisation of developed countries.

"Does (the draft budget) question the sustainability of debt today? We don't think so. It is stabilising at its level," &nbsp;OECD chief economist Laurence Boone said.

"Obviously, there should not be a shock to growth, but for the time being (the debt) is stabilising."

Brussels officially rejected Italy's big-spending budget on Wednesday, clearing the path for unprecedented sanctions and deepening a bitter row with Rome's populist government.

Brussels officially rejected Italy's big-spending budget on Wednesday, clearing the path for unprecedented sanctions and deepening a bitter row with Rome's populist government. The conclusion by the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, was harsh but expected, coming just weeks after it had sent back Italy's 2019 budget, in a historic first for the bloc. Italy refused to back down after the Brussels ultimatum, setting the stage for Wednesday's final opinion that deplored "a marked backtracking" by Rome on past reforms. "With what the Italian government has put on the table, we see a risk of the country sleepwalking into instability," Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis told a press conference in Brussels. "We conclude that the opening of a debt-based excessive deficit procedure is... warranted," he added, referring to the EU's official process to punish member states for over-spending. The coalition government made up of Salvini's League and anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), insists the budget will help kickstart growth in the eurozone's third largest economy and reduce debt. But the EU says the Italian budget abandons belt-tightening for a spending spree that includes a basic monthly income for the unemployed and a pension boost. With its opinion, EU member states now have two weeks to decide whether to allow the commission to trigger the excessive deficit procedure, a months-long process that could lead to fines. Once activated, the process allows Rome the opportunity to negotiate and correct its ways before Brussels can inflict a sanction of up to 0.2 per cent of Italy's GDP. Few in Europe expect that Italy's populist coalition will concede on the matter, at least until European elections next May, where the government hopes to ride a wave of anti-EU sentiment. "Has the EU letter arrived? I am also waiting for Santa Claus," said the far-right deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, adding: "We will respond to the EU in an educated way." Eyes on markets All eyes now are on the markets, which could raise the pressure on Rome to kowtow to Brussels,and even split the ruling coalition in Italy. "While the government's stance may be tenable in the short and medium-term, it will only be sustainable if market conditions don't deteriorate significantly," said Mujtaba Rahman, a political analyst at Eurasia Group. The closely-watched "spread" -- the difference between yields on 10-year Italian government debt compared with those in benchmark Germany -- reached 316 basis points Wednesday, down from 326 late on Tuesday. It has more than doubled since May when negotiations to form the coalition government in Rome began, but is lower than the roughly 400 mark that Italy argues is the danger zone. In its budget, Italy intends to run a public deficit of 2.4 per cent of gross domestic product in 2019 -- three times the target of the government's centre-left predecessor -- and one of 2.1 per cent in 2020. Brussels forecasts Italy's deficit will reach 2.9 per cent of GDP in 2019 and hit 3.1 per cent in 2020 -- breaching the EU's 3.0 per cent limit. But Italy's big spending boost received a vouch of support from the OECD, the Paris-based organisation of developed countries. "Does (the draft budget) question the sustainability of debt today? We don't think so. It is stabilising at its level," OECD chief economist Laurence Boone said. "Obviously, there should not be a shock to growth, but for the time being (the debt) is stabilising."

Brussels rejects Italy budget, paves way for sanctions

Belgian police carried out a series of raids at football clubs and homes across the country on Wednesday and detained many people for questioning about financial fraud and possible match-fixing, Belgian prosecutors said.

A total of 44 searches were carried out at top Belgian clubs and residences, federal prosecutors said in a statement. At the same time, searches of 13 houses also took place in France, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia.

Prosecutors did not name any clubs or people. Belgian broadcasters VRT and RTBF said searches had taken place at leading teams including Anderlecht, Club Bruges and Standard Liege.

Prosecutors said the searches were related to an investigation launched at the end of 2017 into suspect financial transactions in the top Belgian league, with possible charges of criminal organisation, money laundering and corruption.

Some agents were suspected of hiding commissions on transfers, players' pay and other payments from the Belgian authorities, the prosecutors said.

"During the investigation, there were indications of possible influencing of matches in the 2017-2018 season," the prosecutors said.

The searches come after Belgium reached the World Cup semi-finals. Most of the national team squad now play abroad but previously played in the Belgian premier league, which is a major feeder of players for top European club sides.&nbsp;

Some of the house searches were carried out at the homes of club directors, football agents, referees, a former lawyer, a trainer, journalists and at an accountancy office.

"A large number of people have been deprived of their liberty and taken in for a thorough interrogation," the prosecutors said, adding that a judge would later decide who should be held in custody or formally arrested.

The searches abroad were chiefly at offices and residences of people used to set up the suspect transactions, the prosecutors said.

Belgian police carried out a series of raids at football clubs and homes across the country on Wednesday and detained many people for questioning about financial fraud and possible match-fixing, Belgian prosecutors said.

Belgian police carried out a series of raids at football clubs and homes across the country on Wednesday and detained many people for questioning about financial fraud and possible match-fixing, Belgian prosecutors said. A total of 44 searches were carried out at top Belgian clubs and residences, federal prosecutors said in a statement. At the same time, searches of 13 houses also took place in France, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia. Prosecutors did not name any clubs or people. Belgian broadcasters VRT and RTBF said searches had taken place at leading teams including Anderlecht, Club Bruges and Standard Liege. Prosecutors said the searches were related to an investigation launched at the end of 2017 into suspect financial transactions in the top Belgian league, with possible charges of criminal organisation, money laundering and corruption. Some agents were suspected of hiding commissions on transfers, players' pay and other payments from the Belgian authorities, the prosecutors said. "During the investigation, there were indications of possible influencing of matches in the 2017-2018 season," the prosecutors said. The searches come after Belgium reached the World Cup semi-finals. Most of the national team squad now play abroad but previously played in the Belgian premier league, which is a major feeder of players for top European club sides. Some of the house searches were carried out at the homes of club directors, football agents, referees, a former lawyer, a trainer, journalists and at an accountancy office. "A large number of people have been deprived of their liberty and taken in for a thorough interrogation," the prosecutors said, adding that a judge would later decide who should be held in custody or formally arrested. The searches abroad were chiefly at offices and residences of people used to set up the suspect transactions, the prosecutors said.

Belgian police raid top football clubs over fraud, match-fixing

Britain's foreign minister Boris Johnson warned that there could be a Brexit meltdown but it will be "all right in the end" and that US&nbsp;President Trump would take a tougher stance were he leading the talks, according to BuzzFeed.

Johnson's comments were secretly recorded at a dinner on Wednesday evening and released on Thursday by the news website hours after ministers found a compromise on a backstop Brexit plan for the Irish border.

Johnson said that Prime Minister Theresa May was beginning to take a harder line but that there would be a need for level-headedness as talks became more difficult in the months ahead.

"I think Theresa is going to go into a phase where we are much more combative with Brussels,” Johnson was recorded saying.

"You’ve got to face the fact there may now be a meltdown. OK? I don’t want anybody to panic during the meltdown. No panic. Pro bono publico, no bloody panic. It’s going to be all right in the end."

Johnson said US&nbsp;President Trump, who is locked in a battle over steel tariffs with European allies including Britain, would take a stronger approach if he were in charge of the negotiations.

"Imagine Trump doing Brexit,” said Johnson.

"He’d go in bloody hard… There’d be all sorts of breakdowns, all sorts of chaos. Everyone would think he’d gone mad. But actually you might get somewhere. It’s a very, very good thought."

A spokeswoman at May's Downing Street office did not offer an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

"I think Theresa is going to go into a phase where we are much more combative with Brussels,” Johnson said

Britain's foreign minister Boris Johnson warned that there could be a Brexit meltdown but it will be "all right in the end" and that US President Trump would take a tougher stance were he leading the talks, according to BuzzFeed. Johnson's comments were secretly recorded at a dinner on Wednesday evening and released on Thursday by the news website hours after ministers found a compromise on a backstop Brexit plan for the Irish border. Johnson said that Prime Minister Theresa May was beginning to take a harder line but that there would be a need for level-headedness as talks became more difficult in the months ahead. "I think Theresa is going to go into a phase where we are much more combative with Brussels,” Johnson was recorded saying. "You’ve got to face the fact there may now be a meltdown. OK? I don’t want anybody to panic during the meltdown. No panic. Pro bono publico, no bloody panic. It’s going to be all right in the end." Johnson said US President Trump, who is locked in a battle over steel tariffs with European allies including Britain, would take a stronger approach if he were in charge of the negotiations. "Imagine Trump doing Brexit,” said Johnson. "He’d go in bloody hard… There’d be all sorts of breakdowns, all sorts of chaos. Everyone would think he’d gone mad. But actually you might get somewhere. It’s a very, very good thought." A spokeswoman at May's Downing Street office did not offer an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

Brace for a possible 'Brexit meltdown' but don't panic, UK's Johnson cautions: Buzzfeed

British Prime Minister Theresa May will&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;publish her preferred fall-back plan to avoid a hard Irish border after Brexit, government sources said, seemingly having overcome opposition from eurosceptic ministers that prompted speculation of a possible resignation.

Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc.

May held separate face-to-face meetings&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;morning with Davis and fellow eurosceptics Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, and trade minister Liam Fox, her Downing Street office said.

Asked if she expected Davis to remain in his position at the end of the day, the prime minister's spokeswoman said: "Yes... of course."

The so-called backstop proposal would kick in only if no other solution were found to avoid customs checks between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, but there are fears if implemented that it would last indefinitely.

Davis was said to be concerned about the lack of an end date and was pushing for a provision stating that Britain can withdraw unilaterally from the arrangement -- something Brussels is unlikely to accept.

May's meetings with her ministers came just hours before the cabinet sub-committee charged with taking key decisions on Brexit was due to meet at lunchtime.

Downing Street sources initially said the committee was not going to talk about the backstop, implying it was already agreed in principle.

However, Davis told reporters&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;that it would, saying: "It would be improper of me to pre-empt the negotiation there, but I suspect it will be fairly decisive&nbsp;tomorrow."

Asked if he could stay in his job if the proposals did not have his explicit approval, he said: "That's a question I think for the prime minister to be honest."

Sarah O'Grady, a newspaper journalist and the wife of Davis's chief of staff, had tweeted early&nbsp;Thursday: "Backstop not backed up by DD. Crunch time."

The government insists that it has no intention of using the backstop, and will instead find a way to avoid border checks in Ireland through an overarching trade deal with the EU.

However, striking a new trade deal could take years.

The latest round of Brexit negotiations wrap&nbsp;on Friday, but hopes of a breakthrough at the next EU summit in Brussels at the end of this month are fading.

Both sides say they want to agree a deal by October, to allow time for it to be ratified before Brexit on&nbsp;March 29, 2019.

Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc

British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Thursday publish her preferred fall-back plan to avoid a hard Irish border after Brexit, government sources said, seemingly having overcome opposition from eurosceptic ministers that prompted speculation of a possible resignation. Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc. May held separate face-to-face meetings on Thursday morning with Davis and fellow eurosceptics Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, and trade minister Liam Fox, her Downing Street office said. Asked if she expected Davis to remain in his position at the end of the day, the prime minister's spokeswoman said: "Yes... of course." The so-called backstop proposal would kick in only if no other solution were found to avoid customs checks between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, but there are fears if implemented that it would last indefinitely. Davis was said to be concerned about the lack of an end date and was pushing for a provision stating that Britain can withdraw unilaterally from the arrangement -- something Brussels is unlikely to accept. May's meetings with her ministers came just hours before the cabinet sub-committee charged with taking key decisions on Brexit was due to meet at lunchtime. Downing Street sources initially said the committee was not going to talk about the backstop, implying it was already agreed in principle. However, Davis told reporters on Wednesday that it would, saying: "It would be improper of me to pre-empt the negotiation there, but I suspect it will be fairly decisive tomorrow." Asked if he could stay in his job if the proposals did not have his explicit approval, he said: "That's a question I think for the prime minister to be honest." Sarah O'Grady, a newspaper journalist and the wife of Davis's chief of staff, had tweeted early Thursday: "Backstop not backed up by DD. Crunch time." The government insists that it has no intention of using the backstop, and will instead find a way to avoid border checks in Ireland through an overarching trade deal with the EU. However, striking a new trade deal could take years. The latest round of Brexit negotiations wrap on Friday, but hopes of a breakthrough at the next EU summit in Brussels at the end of this month are fading. Both sides say they want to agree a deal by October, to allow time for it to be ratified before Brexit on March 29, 2019.

UK set to publish Brexit fall-back plan despite cabinet row

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies as lengthy questions left the 34-year-old American little time to answer.

Betraying little emotion, Zuckerberg apologised to leaders of the European Parliament in Brussels for a massive data leak, in his latest attempt to draw a line under the damaging scandal.

However, he avoided answering numerous specific questions, notably around opt-outs from targeted advertising, the sharing of data between Facebook and its messaging service WhatsApp, as well as Facebook's collection of data on non-users.

He spoke for over half an hour in total, mostly repeating assurances and descriptions of Facebook plans that he detailed to U.S. lawmakers during 10 hours of hearings in Washington last month. Though some questions were sharp, there was no chance for the Europeans to follow up if they felt the answers fell short.

Investment analysts heard little new and Facebook's share price showed no reaction to the event, holding at the level to which it has recovered after taking a hit on the scandal.

"I asked you six 'yes or no' questions I got not a single answer," said Philippe Lamberts of the Greens, one of 12 party leaders and lead legislators whose questions to Zuckerberg took up nearly half of a hearing - broadcast live after complaints about an original plan for a closed-door meeting.

Zuckerberg had agreed to meet the lawmakers to answer questions about how political consultancy Cambridge Analytica improperly got hold of the personal data of 87 million Facebook users, including up to 2.7 million in the EU.

"SORRY" AND SOUVENIRS

He used an initial 10-minute address to apologise. "That was a mistake and I am sorry for it," he said. Not enough was done to prevent the breach, he added, promising the company was now better prepared and was working on further improvements.

The dozen MEPs then asked their questions, ranging from the German conservative leader asking Zuckerberg why his giant firm should not be broken up as a monopoly to complaints from Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, and an ally of French nationalist Marine Le Pen, that Facebook was now biased against right-wing parties.

That left barely 10 more minutes of the allotted time for replies -- though Zuckerberg spoke for a further quarter hour before the Italian speaker of the legislature, President Antonio Tajani, brought a somewhat disorderly halt to proceedings.

Over shouted complaints and repeated questions, the Facebook CEO and his adviser promised follow-up written answers at least one lawmaker, Swedish liberal Cecilia Wikstrom, also found time to pose for a souvenir photo with the youthful tech supremo, who uncharacteristically wore a dark suit and tie for the occasion.

British Conservative Syed Kamall complained the hearing was a "get-out-of-jail-free card" for Zuckerberg and said Facebook's reluctance to detail some of its workings left regulators trying to "cure a disease without knowing what the illness is".

The MEPs also faced criticism. Dominique Deckmyn of Belgian paper De Standaard tweeted: "First, they used up all their time speaking to make themselves look good, then complained loudly that Zuckerberg had no time left to answer."

In his opening remarks, Zuckerberg said it had "become clear over the last couple of years that we haven't done enough to prevent the tools we've built from being used for harm as well."

"Whether it's fake news, foreign interference in elections or developers misusing people’s information, we didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibilities."

ECHO OF WASHINGTON

His comments echoed an apology last month to U.S. lawmakers. But questions remain over how Facebook let the leak happen and whether it is doing enough to prevent a recurrence.

Zuckerberg's appearance in Brussels came three days before tough new EU rules on data protection take effect. Companies will be subject to fines of up to 4 percent of global turnover for breaching them.

Zuckerberg said Facebook expected to be compliant with the EU rules, called the General Data Protection Regulation, when they come into force on Friday, stressing a commitment to Europe where Facebook will employ 10,000 people by the end of the year.

He avoided giving details about how non-Facebook users could stop the company from collecting their data, abruptly changing the subject to the company's relationship with third-party apps.

Last month, Facebook said it had no plans to build a tool to allow non-users to find out what the company knows about them, something that U.S. lawmakers had asked about.

Since the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook has suspended 200 apps from its platforms as it investigates third-party apps that have access to large quantities of user data. Zuckerberg said he expected more apps to be penalised.

Cambridge Analytica and its British parent, SCL Elections Ltd, have declared bankruptcy and closed down.

Zuckerberg said investments in security would significantly impact Facebook's profitability, but "keeping people safe will always be more important than maximising our profits".

Some European officials want a tougher line on big technology firms, however.

Facebook's compliance with the new EU data rules will be closely watched, as will its efforts to tackle the spread of fake news ahead of European Parliament elections next year.

"Some sort of regulation is important and inevitable," Zuckerberg said, but he echoed calls in the United States that innovation should not be stifled.

Zuckerberg will go on to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday but has so far declined to appear in front of British lawmakers.

&nbsp

However, Zuckerberg avoided answering numerous specific questions, notably around opt-outs from targeted advertising, the sharing of data between Facebook and its messaging service WhatsApp, as well as Facebook's collection of data on non-users

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies as lengthy questions left the 34-year-old American little time to answer. Betraying little emotion, Zuckerberg apologised to leaders of the European Parliament in Brussels for a massive data leak, in his latest attempt to draw a line under the damaging scandal. However, he avoided answering numerous specific questions, notably around opt-outs from targeted advertising, the sharing of data between Facebook and its messaging service WhatsApp, as well as Facebook's collection of data on non-users. He spoke for over half an hour in total, mostly repeating assurances and descriptions of Facebook plans that he detailed to U.S. lawmakers during 10 hours of hearings in Washington last month. Though some questions were sharp, there was no chance for the Europeans to follow up if they felt the answers fell short. Investment analysts heard little new and Facebook's share price showed no reaction to the event, holding at the level to which it has recovered after taking a hit on the scandal. "I asked you six 'yes or no' questions I got not a single answer," said Philippe Lamberts of the Greens, one of 12 party leaders and lead legislators whose questions to Zuckerberg took up nearly half of a hearing - broadcast live after complaints about an original plan for a closed-door meeting. Zuckerberg had agreed to meet the lawmakers to answer questions about how political consultancy Cambridge Analytica improperly got hold of the personal data of 87 million Facebook users, including up to 2.7 million in the EU. "SORRY" AND SOUVENIRS He used an initial 10-minute address to apologise. "That was a mistake and I am sorry for it," he said. Not enough was done to prevent the breach, he added, promising the company was now better prepared and was working on further improvements. The dozen MEPs then asked their questions, ranging from the German conservative leader asking Zuckerberg why his giant firm should not be broken up as a monopoly to complaints from Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, and an ally of French nationalist Marine Le Pen, that Facebook was now biased against right-wing parties. That left barely 10 more minutes of the allotted time for replies -- though Zuckerberg spoke for a further quarter hour before the Italian speaker of the legislature, President Antonio Tajani, brought a somewhat disorderly halt to proceedings. Over shouted complaints and repeated questions, the Facebook CEO and his adviser promised follow-up written answers at least one lawmaker, Swedish liberal Cecilia Wikstrom, also found time to pose for a souvenir photo with the youthful tech supremo, who uncharacteristically wore a dark suit and tie for the occasion. British Conservative Syed Kamall complained the hearing was a "get-out-of-jail-free card" for Zuckerberg and said Facebook's reluctance to detail some of its workings left regulators trying to "cure a disease without knowing what the illness is". The MEPs also faced criticism. Dominique Deckmyn of Belgian paper De Standaard tweeted: "First, they used up all their time speaking to make themselves look good, then complained loudly that Zuckerberg had no time left to answer." In his opening remarks, Zuckerberg said it had "become clear over the last couple of years that we haven't done enough to prevent the tools we've built from being used for harm as well." "Whether it's fake news, foreign interference in elections or developers misusing people’s information, we didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibilities." ECHO OF WASHINGTON His comments echoed an apology last month to U.S. lawmakers. But questions remain over how Facebook let the leak happen and whether it is doing enough to prevent a recurrence. Zuckerberg's appearance in Brussels came three days before tough new EU rules on data protection take effect. Companies will be subject to fines of up to 4 percent of global turnover for breaching them. Zuckerberg said Facebook expected to be compliant with the EU rules, called the General Data Protection Regulation, when they come into force on Friday, stressing a commitment to Europe where Facebook will employ 10,000 people by the end of the year. He avoided giving details about how non-Facebook users could stop the company from collecting their data, abruptly changing the subject to the company's relationship with third-party apps. Last month, Facebook said it had no plans to build a tool to allow non-users to find out what the company knows about them, something that U.S. lawmakers had asked about. Since the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook has suspended 200 apps from its platforms as it investigates third-party apps that have access to large quantities of user data. Zuckerberg said he expected more apps to be penalised. Cambridge Analytica and its British parent, SCL Elections Ltd, have declared bankruptcy and closed down. Zuckerberg said investments in security would significantly impact Facebook's profitability, but "keeping people safe will always be more important than maximising our profits". Some European officials want a tougher line on big technology firms, however. Facebook's compliance with the new EU data rules will be closely watched, as will its efforts to tackle the spread of fake news ahead of European Parliament elections next year. "Some sort of regulation is important and inevitable," Zuckerberg said, but he echoed calls in the United States that innovation should not be stifled. Zuckerberg will go on to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday but has so far declined to appear in front of British lawmakers.

Facebook face-off: EU gets little news from Zuckerberg about social network's data policies

Italy's president Wednesday summoned Giuseppe Conte as he prepared to announce whether he will appoint the little-known lawyer to lead a government formed by far-right and anti-establishment groups.

Italian media said claims that Conte had exaggerated his CV had delayed President Sergio Mattarella's decision on whether to approve him as premier.

Media also reported there were worries over the choice of an anti-euro economy minister by the parties, whose combative stance towards Brussels has caused fears for European financial stability.

But Mattarella's office later said Conte was summoned to the presidential palace at 1530 GMT.

The anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the anti-immigrant League nominated Conte, 54, for premier on Monday. But scandal soon struck over doubts about his claims to have studied at certain top world universities.

"Conte betrayed by his CV," ran a headline in left-leaning newspaper La Republicca.

"The CV affair is open, Conte is hanging in the balance," said Corriere della Sera.

The parties are seeking to form a coalition government in a bid to end two months of political deadlock following March's inconclusive general election.

Mattarella must agree to the parties' candidate and ministerial team before they can seek approval for the new government in parliament.

- CV controversy - 
Conte's official CV says that he "furthered his juridical studies" at Yale, New York University (NYU), Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, the Sorbonne and Cambridge, but some entries have been called into question.

NYU told AFP that their records did not "reflect Giuseppe Conte having been at the University as a student or having an appointment as a faculty member". It said he was granted permission to conduct research in the institution's law library between 2008 and 2014.

Cambridge University declined to give details about Conte.

Duquesne University told AFP he attended as part of an affiliation with Villa Nazareth, an exchange programme, and did legal research but "was not enrolled as a student".

Conte has yet to speak out publicly about the affair.

Five Star has defended him as its choice to head a cabinet in which M5S leader Luigi Di Maio and League chief Matteo Salvini are tipped to hold key posts.

"Conte is and absolutely remains Five Star and the League's prime ministerial candidate," state news agency ANSA quoted Di Maio as saying on Wednesday.

Salvini meanwhile defended the coalition's eurosceptic candidate for economy minister, Paolo Savona.

Minister for industry between 1993-94, Savona was staunchly opposed to the signing of the Maastricht Treaty and considers the euro a "German cage".

"He is an expert with a solid background of studies but made the mistake of daring to say that the EU as it is isn't working," Salvini said.

"Why do you even bother to let us vote if when the people ask for radical change you tell us to be careful?"

European officials have expressed worry that Italy could trigger a new eurozone crisis by refusing to stick to public spending and debt targets set by Brussels.

EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said on Wednesday that Italy must deliver a "credible" response on how it will reduce debt.

Italy has one of the eurozone's highest levels of government debt and lowest growth rates.

More than eight percent of its population lives in poverty, according to national statistics agency Istat.

Di Maio and Salvini's government programme pledges tax cuts and increased welfare spending to boost growth.

It also plans to speed up expulsions of illegal immigrants.

On Tuesday Salvini said there would have to be new elections if the coalition government was not given the go-ahead by Mattarella.

"Either we start and we begin the change or we may as well go back to the polls," he said in a live video on Facebook.

Cambridge University declined to give details about Conte.

Italy's president Wednesday summoned Giuseppe Conte as he prepared to announce whether he will appoint the little-known lawyer to lead a government formed by far-right and anti-establishment groups. Italian media said claims that Conte had exaggerated his CV had delayed President Sergio Mattarella's decision on whether to approve him as premier. Media also reported there were worries over the choice of an anti-euro economy minister by the parties, whose combative stance towards Brussels has caused fears for European financial stability. But Mattarella's office later said Conte was summoned to the presidential palace at 1530 GMT. The anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the anti-immigrant League nominated Conte, 54, for premier on Monday. But scandal soon struck over doubts about his claims to have studied at certain top world universities. "Conte betrayed by his CV," ran a headline in left-leaning newspaper La Republicca. "The CV affair is open, Conte is hanging in the balance," said Corriere della Sera. The parties are seeking to form a coalition government in a bid to end two months of political deadlock following March's inconclusive general election. Mattarella must agree to the parties' candidate and ministerial team before they can seek approval for the new government in parliament. - CV controversy - Conte's official CV says that he "furthered his juridical studies" at Yale, New York University (NYU), Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, the Sorbonne and Cambridge, but some entries have been called into question. NYU told AFP that their records did not "reflect Giuseppe Conte having been at the University as a student or having an appointment as a faculty member". It said he was granted permission to conduct research in the institution's law library between 2008 and 2014. Cambridge University declined to give details about Conte. Duquesne University told AFP he attended as part of an affiliation with Villa Nazareth, an exchange programme, and did legal research but "was not enrolled as a student". Conte has yet to speak out publicly about the affair. Five Star has defended him as its choice to head a cabinet in which M5S leader Luigi Di Maio and League chief Matteo Salvini are tipped to hold key posts. "Conte is and absolutely remains Five Star and the League's prime ministerial candidate," state news agency ANSA quoted Di Maio as saying on Wednesday. Salvini meanwhile defended the coalition's eurosceptic candidate for economy minister, Paolo Savona. Minister for industry between 1993-94, Savona was staunchly opposed to the signing of the Maastricht Treaty and considers the euro a "German cage". "He is an expert with a solid background of studies but made the mistake of daring to say that the EU as it is isn't working," Salvini said. "Why do you even bother to let us vote if when the people ask for radical change you tell us to be careful?" European officials have expressed worry that Italy could trigger a new eurozone crisis by refusing to stick to public spending and debt targets set by Brussels. EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said on Wednesday that Italy must deliver a "credible" response on how it will reduce debt. Italy has one of the eurozone's highest levels of government debt and lowest growth rates. More than eight percent of its population lives in poverty, according to national statistics agency Istat. Di Maio and Salvini's government programme pledges tax cuts and increased welfare spending to boost growth. It also plans to speed up expulsions of illegal immigrants. On Tuesday Salvini said there would have to be new elections if the coalition government was not given the go-ahead by Mattarella. "Either we start and we begin the change or we may as well go back to the polls," he said in a live video on Facebook.

Italy president summons PM candidate amid CV scandal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Bosnia on Sunday to hold his only election rally outside Turkey, while other EU countries have banned such events ahead of Ankara's presidential and parlimentary elections next month.

The capital Sarajevo was chosen for the event after countries such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands have barred Turkish politicians from holding such rallies, stoking tensions between Ankara and Brussels.

Turkey is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on June 24, with three million expatriate Turks allowed to vote, including 1.4 million in Germany.&nbsp;

Thousands of people, many wearing scarves and banners carrying pictures of the Turkish leader, and waving Turkish flags, converged on Sarajevo's largest sports venue, Zetra, where the rally was to be held.&nbsp;

And giant billboards welcomed Erdogan in Turkish and Bosnian.

Security was tight, with local media reporting that crowds of up to 20,000 were expected.&nbsp;

Rally for "Sultan Erdogan"

Despite the ban in other European countries, Bosnia had not been expected to stop Turkish politicians from campaigning on its soil, given the close ties between Bosnian Muslim leader Bakir Izetbegovic and his SDA party and Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).&nbsp;

According to Bosnian media, the AKP is planning to open a representative office in Bosnia soon.

"We will show that he (Erdogan) has friends and that there are those who are proud of him," Izetbegovic, the Muslim member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, told his supporters last week.

The Turkish leader was not liked in the West and there were many "who do not like him in this country", because "he is a powerful Muslim leader that we have not had for a long time," Izetbegovic argued.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, support was not unanimous.

In an ironic front page article, the daily newspaper Vecernji list asked whether, after the rally for "Sultan" Erdogan, Sarajevo might not soon be welcoming Russian leader Vladimir Putin or even Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

We will die for him

"Why hold a rally in Bosnia rather than in Turkey. Of course, I mind," pensioner Spomenka Beus, 74, told AFP.

But, Muhamed Yanik, a 20-year-old student, said he had travelled 28 hours by bus from Germany to see Erdogan.

"If he says so, we will die for him," Yanik said.&nbsp;

But others, such as theatre director Dino Mustafic, felt Erdogan's visit harked back to the colonial times of the Ottoman Empire, when the Balkans, notably Bosnia, were ruled by the Ottomans for more than four centuries until 1878.

The event would be an occasion for "poor local people to euphorically applaud their sultan," he tweeted.&nbsp;

Bosnian Serb leader Milord Dodik accused the Turkish leader of "interfering" in Bosnia's affairs.

Turkey has excellent relations with Bosnia and Turkish companies have played a major role in the country's reconstruction following its 1990s inter-ethnic war.

Erdogan has called snap presidential and parliamentary elections for June 24, bringing the polls forward by a year-and a half.&nbsp;

Half of Bosnia's 3.5 million citizens are Muslims, a third are Serbs, while Croats make some 15 percent of the population.

The rally, the only one Erdogan will attend outside Turkey, is due to start around 3:00 pm (1300 GMT).

His supporters are expected to arrive from all over Europe, from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Scandinavia, the Netherlands Switzerland, Italy or Hungary.

The expatriate European vote is generally a source of support Erdogan's AKP and officials are keen to rouse a strong turnout in Europe.

The early election in Turkey is set to accelerate its transition to the new presidential system with full executive powers which critics fear will lead to a one-man rule.

The capital Sarajevo was chosen for the event after countries such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands have barred Turkish politicians from holding such rallies, stoking tensions between Ankara and Brussels

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Bosnia on Sunday to hold his only election rally outside Turkey, while other EU countries have banned such events ahead of Ankara's presidential and parlimentary elections next month. The capital Sarajevo was chosen for the event after countries such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands have barred Turkish politicians from holding such rallies, stoking tensions between Ankara and Brussels. Turkey is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on June 24, with three million expatriate Turks allowed to vote, including 1.4 million in Germany. Thousands of people, many wearing scarves and banners carrying pictures of the Turkish leader, and waving Turkish flags, converged on Sarajevo's largest sports venue, Zetra, where the rally was to be held. And giant billboards welcomed Erdogan in Turkish and Bosnian. Security was tight, with local media reporting that crowds of up to 20,000 were expected. Rally for "Sultan Erdogan" Despite the ban in other European countries, Bosnia had not been expected to stop Turkish politicians from campaigning on its soil, given the close ties between Bosnian Muslim leader Bakir Izetbegovic and his SDA party and Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). According to Bosnian media, the AKP is planning to open a representative office in Bosnia soon. "We will show that he (Erdogan) has friends and that there are those who are proud of him," Izetbegovic, the Muslim member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, told his supporters last week. The Turkish leader was not liked in the West and there were many "who do not like him in this country", because "he is a powerful Muslim leader that we have not had for a long time," Izetbegovic argued. Nevertheless, support was not unanimous. In an ironic front page article, the daily newspaper Vecernji list asked whether, after the rally for "Sultan" Erdogan, Sarajevo might not soon be welcoming Russian leader Vladimir Putin or even Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. We will die for him "Why hold a rally in Bosnia rather than in Turkey. Of course, I mind," pensioner Spomenka Beus, 74, told AFP. But, Muhamed Yanik, a 20-year-old student, said he had travelled 28 hours by bus from Germany to see Erdogan. "If he says so, we will die for him," Yanik said. But others, such as theatre director Dino Mustafic, felt Erdogan's visit harked back to the colonial times of the Ottoman Empire, when the Balkans, notably Bosnia, were ruled by the Ottomans for more than four centuries until 1878. The event would be an occasion for "poor local people to euphorically applaud their sultan," he tweeted. Bosnian Serb leader Milord Dodik accused the Turkish leader of "interfering" in Bosnia's affairs. Turkey has excellent relations with Bosnia and Turkish companies have played a major role in the country's reconstruction following its 1990s inter-ethnic war. Erdogan has called snap presidential and parliamentary elections for June 24, bringing the polls forward by a year-and a half. Half of Bosnia's 3.5 million citizens are Muslims, a third are Serbs, while Croats make some 15 percent of the population. The rally, the only one Erdogan will attend outside Turkey, is due to start around 3:00 pm (1300 GMT). His supporters are expected to arrive from all over Europe, from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Scandinavia, the Netherlands Switzerland, Italy or Hungary. The expatriate European vote is generally a source of support Erdogan's AKP and officials are keen to rouse a strong turnout in Europe. The early election in Turkey is set to accelerate its transition to the new presidential system with full executive powers which critics fear will lead to a one-man rule.

Erdogan arrives for controversial election rally in Bosnia

Police closed down a street in southern Brussels in a major security operation involving specialist armed units on Thursday after a report of a possible murder.

A police spokeswoman denied media reports that an armed gunman was hiding in the area. She said that the special units of the federal police had been deployed after a Polish man reported that someone had been murdered in the morning.

Brussels is still on alert after suicide bombers killed 32 people at the airport and on the metro in March 2016.

Brussels is still on alert after suicide bombers killed 32 people at the airport and on the metro in March 2016

Police closed down a street in southern Brussels in a major security operation involving specialist armed units on Thursday after a report of a possible murder. A police spokeswoman denied media reports that an armed gunman was hiding in the area. She said that the special units of the federal police had been deployed after a Polish man reported that someone had been murdered in the morning. Brussels is still on alert after suicide bombers killed 32 people at the airport and on the metro in March 2016.

Belgian police set up security cordon after murder report

European Union leaders staked out opposing positions on the size and aims of the bloc`s budget on Friday ahead of tough negotiations to deal with a hole in Brussels` finances created by Britain`s planned departure next year.

In the summit debate, all EU states except Britain are expected to say whether they agree to increase the 2021-2027 budget to pay for new common policies on security, defence, and migration, at a time when Brexit will slash revenues to the common pot by 10-12 billion euros ($12-15 billion) a year.

&quot;I think we want to have new priorities, new policies, future-oriented policies, and if we cannot reduce to the right extent old policies then countries have to pay more,&quot; European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on arrival.

The executive Commission wants the budget to increase to 1.1-1.2 per cent of EU gross national income from 1.0 per cent now. It has proposed covering the gap left by Brexit with a mix of spending cuts and new sources of revenue.

But the 27 countries that will remain in the EU when Britain leaves are deeply divided over the proposal and officials do not expect any agreement on Friday.

The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, and Sweden - all of them net contributors to the budget - are most adamant in rejecting any increase in financing. All were allies of Britain in pushing through a cut in EU funding the last time the seven-year budget was set.

&quot;I think we are already paying quite a bit,&quot; Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters before the summit. &quot;So no increase, modernise. Britain is leaving so that part needs to be removed from the budget.&quot;

Finland and Belgium sympathise with that view.&nbsp;

Conditionality

But the Commission`s call for more money is likely to get a sympathetic ear in Germany, already the biggest net contributor to the EU budget and prepared to pay even more. Italy and France, the next biggest net contributors, are also ready to increase payments, albeit with certain conditions.

The three biggest EU countries also want to link EU payments to poorer eastern European countries to their respecting the rule of law and European &quot;solidarity&quot; - diplomatic jargon for sharing the burden of accepting migrants.

&nbsp;Poland, Hungary and others have resisted pressure to take in refugees from the Middle East or Africa, angering Germany, Italy and Sweden who have to deal with the bulk of the inflows alone.

The richer EU countries are also worried that nationalist-minded governments in Poland, Hungary and Romania do not respect the rule of law and EU values, undermining the independence of the judiciary and fundamental rights.

The Commission has opened a formal procedure against Poland to examine whether it is complying with its own constitution.

&quot;It is quite obvious that we need some conditionality,&quot; Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters when asked if EU money from the next budget should be linked to observing the rule of law and accepting migrants.

&quot;If you are a member of the European Union you are a full member, which comes with rights and obligations.&quot;

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose country is the biggest beneficiary of EU funds, said: &quot;We want (policies) that have so far worked well for Poland... to be continued.&quot; 
&nbsp;

European Union leaders staked out opposing positions on the size and aims of the bloc`s budget on Friday ahead of tough negotiations to deal with a hole in Brussels` finances created by Britain`s planned departure next year

European Union leaders staked out opposing positions on the size and aims of the bloc`s budget on Friday ahead of tough negotiations to deal with a hole in Brussels` finances created by Britain`s planned departure next year. In the summit debate, all EU states except Britain are expected to say whether they agree to increase the 2021-2027 budget to pay for new common policies on security, defence, and migration, at a time when Brexit will slash revenues to the common pot by 10-12 billion euros ($12-15 billion) a year. "I think we want to have new priorities, new policies, future-oriented policies, and if we cannot reduce to the right extent old policies then countries have to pay more," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on arrival. The executive Commission wants the budget to increase to 1.1-1.2 per cent of EU gross national income from 1.0 per cent now. It has proposed covering the gap left by Brexit with a mix of spending cuts and new sources of revenue. But the 27 countries that will remain in the EU when Britain leaves are deeply divided over the proposal and officials do not expect any agreement on Friday. The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, and Sweden - all of them net contributors to the budget - are most adamant in rejecting any increase in financing. All were allies of Britain in pushing through a cut in EU funding the last time the seven-year budget was set. "I think we are already paying quite a bit," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters before the summit. "So no increase, modernise. Britain is leaving so that part needs to be removed from the budget." Finland and Belgium sympathise with that view. Conditionality But the Commission`s call for more money is likely to get a sympathetic ear in Germany, already the biggest net contributor to the EU budget and prepared to pay even more. Italy and France, the next biggest net contributors, are also ready to increase payments, albeit with certain conditions. The three biggest EU countries also want to link EU payments to poorer eastern European countries to their respecting the rule of law and European "solidarity" - diplomatic jargon for sharing the burden of accepting migrants. Poland, Hungary and others have resisted pressure to take in refugees from the Middle East or Africa, angering Germany, Italy and Sweden who have to deal with the bulk of the inflows alone. The richer EU countries are also worried that nationalist-minded governments in Poland, Hungary and Romania do not respect the rule of law and EU values, undermining the independence of the judiciary and fundamental rights. The Commission has opened a formal procedure against Poland to examine whether it is complying with its own constitution. "It is quite obvious that we need some conditionality," Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters when asked if EU money from the next budget should be linked to observing the rule of law and accepting migrants. "If you are a member of the European Union you are a full member, which comes with rights and obligations." Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose country is the biggest beneficiary of EU funds, said: "We want (policies) that have so far worked well for Poland... to be continued."

EU leaders prepare for battle over post-Brexit budget

At least one armed man is holed up inside a building in Brussels, media reports said.

The building is reportedly in the forest area in Brussels. There are no reports of any injuries so far.

Reports said police have surrounded the area which is situated in&nbsp;Saint-Denis Square.

Armed officers blocked traffic while a helicopter hovered over the scene of the incident in the Forest district, an AFP journalist said.

&quot;At this stage it seems to be a private dispute. There is absolutely no link with terrorism,&quot; police said.

There are no reports of any injuries so far.

At least one armed man is holed up inside a building in Brussels, media reports said. The building is reportedly in the forest area in Brussels. There are no reports of any injuries so far. Reports said police have surrounded the area which is situated in Saint-Denis Square. Armed officers blocked traffic while a helicopter hovered over the scene of the incident in the Forest district, an AFP journalist said. "At this stage it seems to be a private dispute. There is absolutely no link with terrorism," police said.

1 armed man holed up in Brussels building; no terror link, says police

The European Commission said Thursday that US social media giants have made an effort to comply with EU consumer protection rules, but that Facebook and Twitter have not made all the required changes.

&quot;While Google&#39;s latest proposals appear to be in line with the requests made by consumer authorities, Facebook and, more significantly, Twitter, have only partially addressed important issues about their liability and about how users are informed of possible content removal or contract termination,&quot; the Commission, the EU&#39;s executive arm, said in a statement.

The three major internet companies had published on Thursday the changes they are making to comply with the demands of European regulators, which must be implemented in all languages &nbsp;by spring.

Some of those changes include having the right to withdraw from an online purchase; being able to lodge complaints in Europe rather than in California where the companies are based; and the platforms being responsible towards EU consumers in the same way as off-line services.

&quot;I am pleased that the enforcement of EU rules to protect consumers by national authorities is bearing fruit, as some companies are now making their platforms safer for consumers; however, it is unacceptable that this is still not complete and it is taking so much time,&quot; said Vera Jourova, European commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality.

The European Union&#39;s demands to the US internet giants were made in November 2016 following numerous complaints by consumers in Europe about being hit with fraud and scams when using their websites.

There were also concerns by consumer protection authorities about requesting the removal of illegal content.

The Commission said unlike Google, Facebook and Twitter have not set up deadlines to deal with the requests of national authorities.

Monique Goyens, director general of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), said the situation with the social media companies showed that the EU needs to update consumer law to strengthen sanction powers.

&quot;What this shows is that there is a need for real sanction powers when a company does not respect EU law,&quot; she said in a statement.

&quot;The incentive for companies to comply with the law is rather low. These fines should not be symbolic but a real deterrent, going up to a percentage of the company&rsquo;s annual worldwide turnover,&rdquo; she added.

The three major internet companies had published on Thursday the changes they are making to comply with the demands of European regulators, which must be implemented in all languages by spring

The European Commission said Thursday that US social media giants have made an effort to comply with EU consumer protection rules, but that Facebook and Twitter have not made all the required changes. "While Google's latest proposals appear to be in line with the requests made by consumer authorities, Facebook and, more significantly, Twitter, have only partially addressed important issues about their liability and about how users are informed of possible content removal or contract termination," the Commission, the EU's executive arm, said in a statement. The three major internet companies had published on Thursday the changes they are making to comply with the demands of European regulators, which must be implemented in all languages by spring. Some of those changes include having the right to withdraw from an online purchase; being able to lodge complaints in Europe rather than in California where the companies are based; and the platforms being responsible towards EU consumers in the same way as off-line services. "I am pleased that the enforcement of EU rules to protect consumers by national authorities is bearing fruit, as some companies are now making their platforms safer for consumers; however, it is unacceptable that this is still not complete and it is taking so much time," said Vera Jourova, European commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality. The European Union's demands to the US internet giants were made in November 2016 following numerous complaints by consumers in Europe about being hit with fraud and scams when using their websites. There were also concerns by consumer protection authorities about requesting the removal of illegal content. The Commission said unlike Google, Facebook and Twitter have not set up deadlines to deal with the requests of national authorities. Monique Goyens, director general of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), said the situation with the social media companies showed that the EU needs to update consumer law to strengthen sanction powers. "What this shows is that there is a need for real sanction powers when a company does not respect EU law," she said in a statement. "The incentive for companies to comply with the law is rather low. These fines should not be symbolic but a real deterrent, going up to a percentage of the company’s annual worldwide turnover,” she added.

Facebook, Twitter not fully complying with consumer rules: European Commission

The EU adopted red lines Monday for a transition period that binds Britain by the bloc&#39;s laws for nearly two years after Brexit without having any policy-making power.

The plan has sparked deep divisions in British Prime Minister Theresa May&#39;s government, with eurosceptic lawmakers saying it leaves Britain a &quot;vassal state&quot; of Brussels.

European affairs ministers took just two minutes to green-light instructions for the EU&#39;s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on the transition, which the bloc wants to run from March 29, 2019 -- when Britain leaves the EU -- until December 31, 2020.

Barnier&#39;s deputy Sabine Weyand said a meeting of European affairs ministers in Brussels &quot;adopts guidelines for Brexit negotiations within two minutes: status quo transition without institutional representation, lasting... to 31 December 2020&quot;.

The so-called negotiating directives say Britain would retain access to the EU&#39;s single market during that time, but in return must follow EU rules &quot;as if it were a member state&quot;, without any voting rights.

Irish European affairs minister Helen McEntee meanwhile ruled out Britain having any power to vet EU laws passed during the transition, the Financial Times newspaper reported, saying London could not be allowed to undermine the single market.&nbsp;

&quot;When the UK leaves the European Union they will not be a voice around the table,&quot; she said.

Transition talks with Barnier&#39;s counterpart David Davis could begin as early as this week, with the aim of completing them by March so negotiations on future trade ties can start, European sources said.

Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, whose country holds the EU&#39;s rotating presidency, meanwhile urged Britain to agree &quot;as soon as possible&quot; on the legal text of December&#39;s in-principle agreement on the terms of the divorce.

That deal paved the way for the EU and Britain to move on to discussing the transition.

Britain asked for a transition period of around two years to ease the impact of Brexit on people, public services and businesses, and to provide more time to conclude any eventual EU-UK trade pact.

But May&#39;s Downing Street office warned the talks could be tough.

&quot;This will be a negotiation and there will naturally be some distance in the detail of our starting positions,&quot; the prime minister&#39;s spokesman said.

With dangerous rifts emerging openly in May&#39;s government over the plan and eurosceptic MPs baying for blood, Davis and other top ministers tried to show a united front at the weekend.

Despite previous differences, Davis, finance minister Philip Hammond and business secretary Greg Clark wrote a joint letter saying the transition would be &quot;strictly time-limited&quot; and that Britain is still leaving the bloc.

But Jacob Rees-Mogg -- who leads a group of more than 50 Conservative Brexiteer MPs and made the &quot;vassal state&quot; comment -- warned that staying closely aligned to the EU risked reducing Brexit to a &quot;damage limitation exercise&quot;.

US President Donald Trump added to the pressure on May, saying in remarks aired Sunday that if he was in charge of the Brexit negotiations he would have &quot;negotiated it differently&quot; and taken a &quot;tougher stand&quot;.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian meanwhile touted his country as a post-Brexit alternative, telling Japanese businesses on Monday they must realise that Britain&#39;s EU days are &quot;over&quot;.

Some member states have called for the transition itself to be extendable if the EU and Britain have still not managed to sort out a future relationship deal when it ends in 2020.

But France has led opposition to the idea, and the guidelines say the transition must be &quot;clearly defined and precisely limited in time&quot;.

Davis is meanwhile on a collision course with the EU over his claim last week that Britain could negotiate and even sign its own free trade deals around the world during the transition period.

EU officials insist Britain can negotiate but not conclude any deals.

The plan has sparked deep divisions in British Prime Minister Theresa May's government, with eurosceptic lawmakers saying it leaves Britain a 'vassal state' of Brussels

The EU adopted red lines Monday for a transition period that binds Britain by the bloc's laws for nearly two years after Brexit without having any policy-making power. The plan has sparked deep divisions in British Prime Minister Theresa May's government, with eurosceptic lawmakers saying it leaves Britain a "vassal state" of Brussels. European affairs ministers took just two minutes to green-light instructions for the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on the transition, which the bloc wants to run from March 29, 2019 -- when Britain leaves the EU -- until December 31, 2020. Barnier's deputy Sabine Weyand said a meeting of European affairs ministers in Brussels "adopts guidelines for Brexit negotiations within two minutes: status quo transition without institutional representation, lasting... to 31 December 2020". The so-called negotiating directives say Britain would retain access to the EU's single market during that time, but in return must follow EU rules "as if it were a member state", without any voting rights. Irish European affairs minister Helen McEntee meanwhile ruled out Britain having any power to vet EU laws passed during the transition, the Financial Times newspaper reported, saying London could not be allowed to undermine the single market. "When the UK leaves the European Union they will not be a voice around the table," she said. Transition talks with Barnier's counterpart David Davis could begin as early as this week, with the aim of completing them by March so negotiations on future trade ties can start, European sources said. Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, meanwhile urged Britain to agree "as soon as possible" on the legal text of December's in-principle agreement on the terms of the divorce. That deal paved the way for the EU and Britain to move on to discussing the transition. Britain asked for a transition period of around two years to ease the impact of Brexit on people, public services and businesses, and to provide more time to conclude any eventual EU-UK trade pact. But May's Downing Street office warned the talks could be tough. "This will be a negotiation and there will naturally be some distance in the detail of our starting positions," the prime minister's spokesman said. With dangerous rifts emerging openly in May's government over the plan and eurosceptic MPs baying for blood, Davis and other top ministers tried to show a united front at the weekend. Despite previous differences, Davis, finance minister Philip Hammond and business secretary Greg Clark wrote a joint letter saying the transition would be "strictly time-limited" and that Britain is still leaving the bloc. But Jacob Rees-Mogg -- who leads a group of more than 50 Conservative Brexiteer MPs and made the "vassal state" comment -- warned that staying closely aligned to the EU risked reducing Brexit to a "damage limitation exercise". US President Donald Trump added to the pressure on May, saying in remarks aired Sunday that if he was in charge of the Brexit negotiations he would have "negotiated it differently" and taken a "tougher stand". French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian meanwhile touted his country as a post-Brexit alternative, telling Japanese businesses on Monday they must realise that Britain's EU days are "over". Some member states have called for the transition itself to be extendable if the EU and Britain have still not managed to sort out a future relationship deal when it ends in 2020. But France has led opposition to the idea, and the guidelines say the transition must be "clearly defined and precisely limited in time". Davis is meanwhile on a collision course with the EU over his claim last week that Britain could negotiate and even sign its own free trade deals around the world during the transition period. EU officials insist Britain can negotiate but not conclude any deals.

UK Brexit: European Union sets 2020 redline

Striking at one of the most severe questions posed to the rape victims, an exhibition at Belgium aims to prove that clothes have no role to play in inciting rape.&nbsp;

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The exhibition called &quot; Is It My Fault?&quot; is organised at the Centre Communautaire Maritime in Brussels.

It is organised with a motive to prove &quot;a person&#39;s outfit can never be seen as a mitigating circumstance or provocation by a rapist&quot; a media report said.&nbsp;

The exhibit features clothes worn by rape victims at the time of the sexual assault. Items such as pyjamas, tracksuits and also a child&#39;s My Little Pony shirt were borrowed from&nbsp;victim support CAW East Brabant.

Citing a training and counselling employee of CAW, the media report said that all the pieces were very normal&quot;.

The exhibition will continue till January 20.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The exhibition, called 'Is It My Fault?', is on at the Centre Communautaire Maritime and will continue till January 20

Striking at one of the most severe questions posed to the rape victims, an exhibition at Belgium aims to prove that clothes have no role to play in inciting rape. × The exhibition called " Is It My Fault?" is organised at the Centre Communautaire Maritime in Brussels. It is organised with a motive to prove "a person's outfit can never be seen as a mitigating circumstance or provocation by a rapist" a media report said. The exhibit features clothes worn by rape victims at the time of the sexual assault. Items such as pyjamas, tracksuits and also a child's My Little Pony shirt were borrowed from victim support CAW East Brabant. Citing a training and counselling employee of CAW, the media report said that all the pieces were very normal". The exhibition will continue till January 20.

To prove clothes do not incite rape, Brussels exhibition displays rape victims' clothes

Austria&#39;s new chancellor travelled to Brussels on Tuesday on his first foreign trip since being sworn in, aiming to dispel concerns that his coalition with the far right spells trouble for the European Union.

Responding to a letter on Monday from European Council President Donald Tusk that underlined EU worries, 31-year-old conservative leader Sebastian Kurz tweeted back that his new government would be &quot;clear pro-European and committed to making a positive contribution to the future development of the EU&quot;.

A day after he took office at the head of a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Kurz delivered that message in person to Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, whose EU executive has responded to October&#39;s election with little of the outrage that greeted the FPO&#39;s first taste of government in Austria 17 years ago.&nbsp;

At a joint news conference in Brussels, Juncker said he would judge Kurz&#39;s government by its deeds.&nbsp;

&quot;This government has a clear pro-European stance. That is what is important for me,&quot; Juncker said.

The FPO has distanced itself from its Nazi-apologist, anti-Semitic past, while surges in irregular immigration and militant attacks have pushed the European political mainstream rightward, leading to a much more muted reaction than in 2000.

But a French member of the Commission was wary: &quot;Things are doubtless different from the previous time, in 2000,&quot; tweeted Socialist former finance minister Pierre Moscovici.&nbsp;

&quot;But the presence of the far right in government is never without consequences.&quot;

Confirmation of the FPO&#39;s return to a share of power raises concern that small, wealthy Austria will be an intractable voice on EU asylum reform and efforts to increase the EU budget.

The bluntest criticism has been south of the Alps, where a plan to offer Austrian citizenship to people living in Italy&#39;s German-speaking border region has rekindled worries over old territorial arguments.

Iron fist, velvet glove

A junior foreign minister in Rome said the offer may be couched in a &quot;velvet glove of Europeanism&quot; but bore &quot;a whiff of the ethno-nationalist iron fist&quot;. 
Kurz assured Italians on Tuesday that he would consult Rome on the plan, which is a long-standing FPO policy, adding he would speak to Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.

For an EU battered by mounting nationalism that goes well beyond Brexit, there is concern too that criticism of Brussels in Vienna may help fuel the euroscepticism of former communist member states in Central Europe, including Poland, where the Commission is seriously considering imposing sanctions that were initially designed in response to the FPO`s rise early this century.

Speaking in Brussels, Kurz said he would make it Austria&#39;s task to bridge the gap between EU member states in the east and the west, adding his country would fight to stop illegal immigration into the EU.

In a letter of congratulation to Kurz, Tusk made clear his concerns about the new coalition in Austria:

&quot;I trust that the Austrian government will continue to play a constructive and pro-European role in the European Union,&quot; Tusk wrote, noting that Austria will from July enjoy six months of influence in Brussels as chair of EU ministerial councils.

Germany and France, the EU&#39;s lead powers, also indicated a vigilance about Austria in their comments on Monday which highlighted Kurz&#39;s pledges to foster European cooperation.&nbsp;

Kurz&#39;s visit to Brussels comes on the eve of an important Commission meeting on Wednesday, where Juncker&#39;s team will consider recommending sanctions on Poland for its continued defiance of warnings that its new laws on the judiciary are contrary to EU democratic standards.

&quot;We are in a difficult process, which I hope will turn out to be a process of convergence. But not all bridges to Poland will be burnt tomorrow,&quot; Juncker said.

At a joint news conference in Brussels, Juncker said he would judge Kurz's government by its deeds

Austria's new chancellor travelled to Brussels on Tuesday on his first foreign trip since being sworn in, aiming to dispel concerns that his coalition with the far right spells trouble for the European Union. Responding to a letter on Monday from European Council President Donald Tusk that underlined EU worries, 31-year-old conservative leader Sebastian Kurz tweeted back that his new government would be "clear pro-European and committed to making a positive contribution to the future development of the EU". A day after he took office at the head of a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Kurz delivered that message in person to Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, whose EU executive has responded to October's election with little of the outrage that greeted the FPO's first taste of government in Austria 17 years ago. At a joint news conference in Brussels, Juncker said he would judge Kurz's government by its deeds. "This government has a clear pro-European stance. That is what is important for me," Juncker said. The FPO has distanced itself from its Nazi-apologist, anti-Semitic past, while surges in irregular immigration and militant attacks have pushed the European political mainstream rightward, leading to a much more muted reaction than in 2000. But a French member of the Commission was wary: "Things are doubtless different from the previous time, in 2000," tweeted Socialist former finance minister Pierre Moscovici. "But the presence of the far right in government is never without consequences." Confirmation of the FPO's return to a share of power raises concern that small, wealthy Austria will be an intractable voice on EU asylum reform and efforts to increase the EU budget. The bluntest criticism has been south of the Alps, where a plan to offer Austrian citizenship to people living in Italy's German-speaking border region has rekindled worries over old territorial arguments. Iron fist, velvet glove A junior foreign minister in Rome said the offer may be couched in a "velvet glove of Europeanism" but bore "a whiff of the ethno-nationalist iron fist". Kurz assured Italians on Tuesday that he would consult Rome on the plan, which is a long-standing FPO policy, adding he would speak to Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. For an EU battered by mounting nationalism that goes well beyond Brexit, there is concern too that criticism of Brussels in Vienna may help fuel the euroscepticism of former communist member states in Central Europe, including Poland, where the Commission is seriously considering imposing sanctions that were initially designed in response to the FPO`s rise early this century. Speaking in Brussels, Kurz said he would make it Austria's task to bridge the gap between EU member states in the east and the west, adding his country would fight to stop illegal immigration into the EU. In a letter of congratulation to Kurz, Tusk made clear his concerns about the new coalition in Austria: "I trust that the Austrian government will continue to play a constructive and pro-European role in the European Union," Tusk wrote, noting that Austria will from July enjoy six months of influence in Brussels as chair of EU ministerial councils. Germany and France, the EU's lead powers, also indicated a vigilance about Austria in their comments on Monday which highlighted Kurz's pledges to foster European cooperation. Kurz's visit to Brussels comes on the eve of an important Commission meeting on Wednesday, where Juncker's team will consider recommending sanctions on Poland for its continued defiance of warnings that its new laws on the judiciary are contrary to EU democratic standards. "We are in a difficult process, which I hope will turn out to be a process of convergence. But not all bridges to Poland will be burnt tomorrow," Juncker said.

Austrian leader defends EU credentials in Brussels

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