Europe's most active volcano- Mount Etna has erupted sending plumes of ash into the sky, flight services have also been disrupted, this is the volcano's 50th eruption since the beginning of 2021.

Italy: Mount Etna spews ash and smoke, marks Europe's most active volcano

In a call, US President Joe Biden and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed strengthening European defences. &nbsp;

The statement said, the two leaders "discussed efforts to enable a stronger and more capable European defence while ensuring complementarity with NATO." &nbsp;

The two leaders are due to meet in Rome later this month. The statement said Biden looked forward to the chance to "take stock of the many areas of US-France cooperation, and reinforce our shared interests." The French presidency also issued a similar statement. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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This development comes as the US is looking to mend ties after the crisis over AUKUS row. &nbsp;

On September 22, the two presidents had last spoken to each other. It was their first conversation since the spat. &nbsp;

After the call, Macron ordered the French ambassador to return to the US. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Macron and Biden had vowed to initiate 'in-depth consultations' to bring back the friendship and confidence between the two countries. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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"The two leaders agreed that the situation would have benefitted from open consultations among allies on matters of strategic interest to France and our European partners," the statement reads. &nbsp;

Earlier, the French president had openly criticised Australia for ditching a submarine deal with the European nation for a new defence pact with the US and UK, especially without letting Macron know in advance. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a call, US President Joe Biden and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed strengthening European defences. The statement said, the two leaders "discussed efforts to enable a stronger and more capable European defence while ensuring complementarity with NATO.

In a call, US President Joe Biden and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed strengthening European defences. The statement said, the two leaders "discussed efforts to enable a stronger and more capable European defence while ensuring complementarity with NATO." The two leaders are due to meet in Rome later this month. The statement said Biden looked forward to the chance to "take stock of the many areas of US-France cooperation, and reinforce our shared interests." The French presidency also issued a similar statement. Also Read: US seeks to contain Beijing anger after Biden vows Taiwan defense This development comes as the US is looking to mend ties after the crisis over AUKUS row. On September 22, the two presidents had last spoken to each other. It was their first conversation since the spat. After the call, Macron ordered the French ambassador to return to the US. Macron and Biden had vowed to initiate 'in-depth consultations' to bring back the friendship and confidence between the two countries. Also Read | Indian-American Neera Tanden appointed Biden's staff secretary: Reports "The two leaders agreed that the situation would have benefitted from open consultations among allies on matters of strategic interest to France and our European partners," the statement reads. Earlier, the French president had openly criticised Australia for ditching a submarine deal with the European nation for a new defence pact with the US and UK, especially without letting Macron know in advance. (With inputs from agencies)

In call, Biden, Macron discuss strengthening European defences  

European leaders lined up to chastise Warsaw on Thursday for challenging the EU's legal foundations, but Poland's premier said he would not bow to "blackmail" as he joined a summit of the bloc's 27 nations.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he was ready to resolve disputes with Brussels, though many are worried that a stubborn ideological rift between eastern and western Europe poses an existential threat to the EU itself.

"A few days ago, the legal bedrock of our Union was challenged," European Parliament President David Sassoli said in a letter as the leaders gathered in Brussels for their summit.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-poland-spat-polish-pm-accuses-eu-of-blackmail-422078">&nbsp;EU-Poland spat: Polish PM accuses EU of 'blackmail'</a>

"This was not for the first time, of course, nor will it be the last. But never before has the Union been called into question so radically," the leader of the EU assembly said.

Long-running tensions between Poland's ruling nationalists and the bloc's liberal majority have spiked since Poland's Constitutional Tribunal ruled this month that elements of EU law were incompatible with the country's charter, challenging a central tenet of EU integration.

The dispute not only risks precipitating a new fundamental crisis for the bloc, which is still grappling with the aftermath of Brexit. It could deprive Poland of generous EU handouts.

'Clubs Have Rules'

"Some European institutions assume the right to decide on matters that have not been assigned to them," Morawiecki said as he went into the talks, which come two days after the executive European Commission threatened to take action against Warsaw.

"We will not act under the pressure of blackmail&nbsp;but we will of course talk about how to resolve the current disputes in dialogue."

His wealthier Western counterparts are particularly keen to prevent their governments' cash contributions to the EU benefiting socially conservative politicians who they see as undercutting human rights fixed in European laws.

"If you want to have the advantages of being in a club&nbsp;then you need to respect the rules," Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said. "You can't be a member of a club and say 'The rules don't apply to me'."

Leaders of countries from Ireland to France urged Warsaw to come back in line. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, referring to Poland's judicial overhaul that puts its courts under more government control, said it was difficult to see how new EU funding could be channelled to the eastern European country, adding: "We have to be tough".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-poses-serious-political-economic-security-technological-challenges-to-eu-421441">China poses serious political, economic, security, technological challenges to EU</a>

An EU official said Rutte stood firm when the matter was discussed at the summit, but most leaders said decisions on how to deal with Poland should be left to the European Commission.

Morawiecki's Law and Justice (PiS) party has raised the stakes in years of increasingly bitter feuds with the EU over a range of democratic principles, from the freedom of courts and media to the rights of women, migrants and LGBT people.

The Commission has for now barred Warsaw from tapping into the 36 billion euros of grants and loans it requested from EU funds to help its economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The top EU court may also slap more fines on Poland, the largest ex-communist EU country of 38 million people.

For the bloc, the latest twist in feuds with the eurosceptic PiS also comes at a sensitive time. The EU last year made a leap towards closer integration by agreeing on joint borrowing to raise 750 billion euros for post-pandemic economic recovery, overcoming stiff resistance from wealthy northern states.

No 'Polexit'

Morawiecki has dismissed the idea of "Polexit" - leaving the bloc - and popular support for membership remains at 88 per cent&nbsp;in Poland, which has benefited enormously from EU funding since it joined in 2004.

But Warsaw, backed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, wants to return powers to national capitals and has lashed out at what it says are excessive powers of the European Commission.

"Poland is one of the best European countries. There is no need for any sanctions, it's ridiculous," Orban said.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-passes-resolution-seeking-deeper-ties-with-taiwan-china-slams-move-422739">&nbsp;EU passes resolution seeking deeper ties with Taiwan; China slams move</a>

While many have grown increasingly frustrated at failed attempts to convince Warsaw to change tack, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned against isolating Poland.

"We have to find ways of coming back together," she said, adding that bringing multiple cases against Poland to the Court of Justice of the European Union was no solution.

Her sway, however, is weakened as the veteran of more than 100 summits during her 16 years in power visits Brussels for what may be her last gathering of EU leaders before she hands over to a new German chancellor.

European leaders lined up to chastise Warsaw on Thursday for challenging the EU's legal foundations, but Poland's premier said he would not bow to "blackmail" as he joined a summit of the bloc's 27 nations.

European leaders lined up to chastise Warsaw on Thursday for challenging the EU's legal foundations, but Poland's premier said he would not bow to "blackmail" as he joined a summit of the bloc's 27 nations. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he was ready to resolve disputes with Brussels, though many are worried that a stubborn ideological rift between eastern and western Europe poses an existential threat to the EU itself. "A few days ago, the legal bedrock of our Union was challenged," European Parliament President David Sassoli said in a letter as the leaders gathered in Brussels for their summit. Also Read | EU-Poland spat: Polish PM accuses EU of 'blackmail' "This was not for the first time, of course, nor will it be the last. But never before has the Union been called into question so radically," the leader of the EU assembly said. Long-running tensions between Poland's ruling nationalists and the bloc's liberal majority have spiked since Poland's Constitutional Tribunal ruled this month that elements of EU law were incompatible with the country's charter, challenging a central tenet of EU integration. The dispute not only risks precipitating a new fundamental crisis for the bloc, which is still grappling with the aftermath of Brexit. It could deprive Poland of generous EU handouts. 'Clubs Have Rules' "Some European institutions assume the right to decide on matters that have not been assigned to them," Morawiecki said as he went into the talks, which come two days after the executive European Commission threatened to take action against Warsaw. "We will not act under the pressure of blackmail but we will of course talk about how to resolve the current disputes in dialogue." His wealthier Western counterparts are particularly keen to prevent their governments' cash contributions to the EU benefiting socially conservative politicians who they see as undercutting human rights fixed in European laws. "If you want to have the advantages of being in a club then you need to respect the rules," Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said. "You can't be a member of a club and say 'The rules don't apply to me'." Leaders of countries from Ireland to France urged Warsaw to come back in line. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, referring to Poland's judicial overhaul that puts its courts under more government control, said it was difficult to see how new EU funding could be channelled to the eastern European country, adding: "We have to be tough". Also Read | China poses serious political, economic, security, technological challenges to EU An EU official said Rutte stood firm when the matter was discussed at the summit, but most leaders said decisions on how to deal with Poland should be left to the European Commission. Morawiecki's Law and Justice (PiS) party has raised the stakes in years of increasingly bitter feuds with the EU over a range of democratic principles, from the freedom of courts and media to the rights of women, migrants and LGBT people. The Commission has for now barred Warsaw from tapping into the 36 billion euros of grants and loans it requested from EU funds to help its economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The top EU court may also slap more fines on Poland, the largest ex-communist EU country of 38 million people. For the bloc, the latest twist in feuds with the eurosceptic PiS also comes at a sensitive time. The EU last year made a leap towards closer integration by agreeing on joint borrowing to raise 750 billion euros for post-pandemic economic recovery, overcoming stiff resistance from wealthy northern states. No 'Polexit' Morawiecki has dismissed the idea of "Polexit" - leaving the bloc - and popular support for membership remains at 88 per cent in Poland, which has benefited enormously from EU funding since it joined in 2004. But Warsaw, backed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, wants to return powers to national capitals and has lashed out at what it says are excessive powers of the European Commission. "Poland is one of the best European countries. There is no need for any sanctions, it's ridiculous," Orban said. Also Read | EU passes resolution seeking deeper ties with Taiwan; China slams move While many have grown increasingly frustrated at failed attempts to convince Warsaw to change tack, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned against isolating Poland. "We have to find ways of coming back together," she said, adding that bringing multiple cases against Poland to the Court of Justice of the European Union was no solution. Her sway, however, is weakened as the veteran of more than 100 summits during her 16 years in power visits Brussels for what may be her last gathering of EU leaders before she hands over to a new German chancellor.

EU leaders lambast Poland over its challenge to union

Alibaba shares surged by more than six per cent as reports suggested that billionaire Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba was seen in Europe. This was taken to be an indication that worst of China's regulatory crackdown for the tech-giant may be over.

Jack Ma has been keeping a low profile even since Chinese officials scuttled Ant Group's record-breaking IPO worth USD 37 billion last November. The crackdown from the Chinese state came after Jack Ma's speech last year criticising Chinese regulators.

Ma's presence in Spain -- for a "study tour of the agricultural industry and technology related to the environment" -- was reported by the South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba.

The paper said the 57-year-old, who retired from the role of Alibaba's chairman in 2019, was attending a series of business meetings in Europe.

It said he had also stayed in Hong Kong for "private time" with his family before his trip abroad, citing an anonymous source familiar with Ma's itinerary.

However, Alibaba spokesperson declined to comment as per Reuters.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-business-tycoon-jack-ma-reappears-in-hong-kong-420381">Chinese business tycoon Jack Ma reappears in Hong Kong</a>

But the news sent Alibaba's shares soaring, closing 6.67 percent higher in Hong Kong on Wednesday. So far this month, the firm's share price has surged 23 percent as hopes rise the company is now out of the dog house with authorities in Beijing.

That sentiment has also helped buoy Hong Kong's stock exchange, which has been hammered by China's regulatory crackdown in recent months.

The Hang Seng Index, one of the worst performers this year, is now up 10 percent since closing at a five-year low on October 6.&nbsp;

"It's getting clearer and clearer that the worst of Beijing's crackdowns are behind us, in particular in the technology sector as they were the first to suffer," Jackson Wong, asset management director at Amber Hill Capital, told Bloomberg News.&nbsp;

After Jack Ma's speech last year, Chinese authorities pulled Ant's IPO and followed up with an antitrust probe of Alibaba, eventually fining the company $2.75 billion.

Chinese authorities have also ordered Ant to undergo restructuring as a condition for reviving its IPO.

Ma disappeared towards the end of the last year but briefly resurfaced in January after a video clip showed him giving a speech to rural teachers as part of an event organised by his charity.

His trip to Spain is believed to be the first time he has travelled overseas since regulators went for Alibaba.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Alibaba shares surged by more than six per cent as reports suggested that billionaire Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba was seen in Europe. This was taken to be an indication that worst of China's regulatory crackdown for the tech-giant may be over.

Alibaba shares surged by more than six per cent as reports suggested that billionaire Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba was seen in Europe. This was taken to be an indication that worst of China's regulatory crackdown for the tech-giant may be over. Jack Ma has been keeping a low profile even since Chinese officials scuttled Ant Group's record-breaking IPO worth USD 37 billion last November. The crackdown from the Chinese state came after Jack Ma's speech last year criticising Chinese regulators. Ma's presence in Spain -- for a "study tour of the agricultural industry and technology related to the environment" -- was reported by the South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba. The paper said the 57-year-old, who retired from the role of Alibaba's chairman in 2019, was attending a series of business meetings in Europe. It said he had also stayed in Hong Kong for "private time" with his family before his trip abroad, citing an anonymous source familiar with Ma's itinerary. However, Alibaba spokesperson declined to comment as per Reuters. Also Read | Chinese business tycoon Jack Ma reappears in Hong Kong But the news sent Alibaba's shares soaring, closing 6.67 percent higher in Hong Kong on Wednesday. So far this month, the firm's share price has surged 23 percent as hopes rise the company is now out of the dog house with authorities in Beijing. That sentiment has also helped buoy Hong Kong's stock exchange, which has been hammered by China's regulatory crackdown in recent months. The Hang Seng Index, one of the worst performers this year, is now up 10 percent since closing at a five-year low on October 6. "It's getting clearer and clearer that the worst of Beijing's crackdowns are behind us, in particular in the technology sector as they were the first to suffer," Jackson Wong, asset management director at Amber Hill Capital, told Bloomberg News. After Jack Ma's speech last year, Chinese authorities pulled Ant's IPO and followed up with an antitrust probe of Alibaba, eventually fining the company $2.75 billion. Chinese authorities have also ordered Ant to undergo restructuring as a condition for reviving its IPO. Ma disappeared towards the end of the last year but briefly resurfaced in January after a video clip showed him giving a speech to rural teachers as part of an event organised by his charity. His trip to Spain is believed to be the first time he has travelled overseas since regulators went for Alibaba. (With inputs from agencies)

Jack Ma's reported Europe trip boosts Alibaba shares

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe. This is first such infrastructure in the Mediterranean.

The MoU was signed by Greek Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas and his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Shaker. The ceremony was held in Athens.

"Such an infrastructure, the first of its kind in the eastern Mediterranean, will enhance regional market integration between Greece and Egypt, between Europe and North Africa, allowing all parties to expand the participation of renewables in their respective generation mix thereby effectively combating the effects of climate change," said Skrekas.

"The electrical connection which we are considering today has many benefits to meet the country electricity needs including securing and stabilizing the electrical system for both countries, reducing reserve margins to cope with emergencies, and diversification of electrical energy sources," said Shaker.

"In Egypt during the last five or six years...we were suffering from a shortage of power supply, now we have a surplus of power supply," he added.

The deal has come as Greece, Cyprus and Israel plan to build the Euro-Asia Interconnector, the world's longest and deepest underwater power cable crossing the Mediterranean. The estimated cost of this is about USD 900 million.

The Greek-Egyptian memorandum establishes a high-level working group of senior officials, representatives of the power grid operators and energy regulators.

The group will examine means and financing for the implementation of the project and facilitate the timely granting of permits and approvals, necessary the feasibility studies, Skrekas said.

As part of the project, Cyprus is due to sign a similar agreement with Egypt on Saturday.

The agreement further strengthens ties between Greece and Egypt, which last year signed an accord on their maritime boundaries, giving them rights over natural resources.

(With inputs from agencies)

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe.

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe. This is first such infrastructure in the Mediterranean. The MoU was signed by Greek Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas and his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Shaker. The ceremony was held in Athens. "Such an infrastructure, the first of its kind in the eastern Mediterranean, will enhance regional market integration between Greece and Egypt, between Europe and North Africa, allowing all parties to expand the participation of renewables in their respective generation mix thereby effectively combating the effects of climate change," said Skrekas. "The electrical connection which we are considering today has many benefits to meet the country electricity needs including securing and stabilizing the electrical system for both countries, reducing reserve margins to cope with emergencies, and diversification of electrical energy sources," said Shaker. "In Egypt during the last five or six years...we were suffering from a shortage of power supply, now we have a surplus of power supply," he added. The deal has come as Greece, Cyprus and Israel plan to build the Euro-Asia Interconnector, the world's longest and deepest underwater power cable crossing the Mediterranean. The estimated cost of this is about USD 900 million. The Greek-Egyptian memorandum establishes a high-level working group of senior officials, representatives of the power grid operators and energy regulators. The group will examine means and financing for the implementation of the project and facilitate the timely granting of permits and approvals, necessary the feasibility studies, Skrekas said. As part of the project, Cyprus is due to sign a similar agreement with Egypt on Saturday. The agreement further strengthens ties between Greece and Egypt, which last year signed an accord on their maritime boundaries, giving them rights over natural resources. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece, Egypt agree to lay first subsea power link between Europe and Africa

US authorities are trying to cap the amount of salt food manufacturers and restaurants put in food. Many European countries already have salt limits. Palki Sharma tells you why India too must rethink the amount of salt and sugar it is consuming.

Gravitas: FDA issues salt guidelines for processed, restaurant food

In what can be a major relief for the European energy sector Russia has said that it will increase gas exports to the continent. The announcement by Russian president Vladimir Putin came as experts accuse Moscow of trying to profit from Europe's energy crisis. They say that gas prices have risen because Russia limited supplies.

Russia to increase gas exports to Europe

As per Europe's “red list” report, one in five bird species is now at risk. The BirdLife International analysis, which is based on observations of 544 native bird species, reveals that various birds of the European ecosystems are disappearing. Since the last report in 2015, three species have become regionally extinct in Europe.&nbsp;

These include Pallas’s sandgrouse, common buttonquail and pine bunting.

In total, 30 per cent of species assessed have shown population decline. At a European level, 13 per cent of birds are threatened with extinction and a further 6 per cent are near threatened. The data is based on millions of observations made since 1980.

Anna Staneva, interim head of conservation, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "The results are alarming but we are not surprised. We’re running out of time, the clock is ticking. We don’t want to see the dramatic changes we’re seeing now happening in the next five or 10 years."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-24-year-old-rumeysa-gelgi-titled-as-tallest-woman-living-420736">Also read |&nbsp;Turkey’s 24-year-old Rumeysa Gelgi titled as tallest woman living</a>

The findings, collected in 2019, are based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria applied at the regional level. They compile conclusions from the State of Nature in the EU 2013-2018 report, which found only a quarter of species have good conservation status.&nbsp;

Loss of habitat, intensification of agriculture, the overexploitation of resources, pollution and unsustainable forestry practices are included in the report. Climate crisis is also considered as a growing factor.&nbsp;

Staneva was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "These are big, large-scale threats which we call systemic threats, and they’re very much related to the way our society works and how we use resources."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-spotted-smiling-and-clapping-as-soldiers-lie-on-bed-of-nails-420694">Also read |&nbsp;Kim Jong Un spotted smiling and clapping as soldiers lie on bed of nails</a>

“It’s a signal that something is seriously going wrong around us. We need to change the way we live, that is the key message coming from our results.”

Another threatened species is the common swift. Rooks and common snipe are also now considered vulnerable due to sharp declines since 2015.&nbsp;

In order for the species to be placed in the near-threatened category, the population has to have declined by 25 per cent over three generations. When declines are greater than 30 per cent they enter the threatened category.

As per Europe's “red list” report, one in five bird species is now at risk. The BirdLife International analysis, which is based on observations of 544 native bird species, reveals that various birds of the European ecosystems are disappearing.

As per Europe's “red list” report, one in five bird species is now at risk. The BirdLife International analysis, which is based on observations of 544 native bird species, reveals that various birds of the European ecosystems are disappearing. Since the last report in 2015, three species have become regionally extinct in Europe. These include Pallas’s sandgrouse, common buttonquail and pine bunting. In total, 30 per cent of species assessed have shown population decline. At a European level, 13 per cent of birds are threatened with extinction and a further 6 per cent are near threatened. The data is based on millions of observations made since 1980. Anna Staneva, interim head of conservation, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "The results are alarming but we are not surprised. We’re running out of time, the clock is ticking. We don’t want to see the dramatic changes we’re seeing now happening in the next five or 10 years." Also read | Turkey’s 24-year-old Rumeysa Gelgi titled as tallest woman living The findings, collected in 2019, are based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria applied at the regional level. They compile conclusions from the State of Nature in the EU 2013-2018 report, which found only a quarter of species have good conservation status. Loss of habitat, intensification of agriculture, the overexploitation of resources, pollution and unsustainable forestry practices are included in the report. Climate crisis is also considered as a growing factor. Staneva was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "These are big, large-scale threats which we call systemic threats, and they’re very much related to the way our society works and how we use resources." Also read | Kim Jong Un spotted smiling and clapping as soldiers lie on bed of nails “It’s a signal that something is seriously going wrong around us. We need to change the way we live, that is the key message coming from our results.” Another threatened species is the common swift. Rooks and common snipe are also now considered vulnerable due to sharp declines since 2015. In order for the species to be placed in the near-threatened category, the population has to have declined by 25 per cent over three generations. When declines are greater than 30 per cent they enter the threatened category.

Europe: One in five bird species moving towards extinction

Europe is currently in the grip of an unfolding energy crisis. Natural gas prices have soared 600% so far this year which is now hitting key economical areas, take a look at this bulletin.

Europe: Natural gas prices soar by 600% in 2021

Thousands of refugees and migrants in Libya are trapped in a vicious cycle of cruelty. With little to no hope of finding safe and legal pathways out, they have been enduring unethical suffering in Libya. They risk their lives at sea seeking safety in Europe only to be intercepted, transferred back to Libya to endure the same abuses they sought to escape.

Thousands of refugees, migrants in Libya demand immediate deportation

Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country will continue to respect European law. Poland and the European Union are experiencing strained relations after Poland's Constitutional Tribunal held that parts of EU law were incompatible with Polish constitution.

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"All obligations arising from both primary and secondary European Union law remain in force and thus, will continue to be fully respected by Poland," said foreign ministry in a statement.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-calls-poland-court-ruling-attack-against-eu-419132">France calls Poland court ruling 'attack against EU'</a>

"The provisions of the Treaty of the European Union indicated in the judgment ...remain in force. What cannot be accepted are only the forms of their interpretation or application that violate the constitution."

Relations between Warsaw and Brussels were especially strained after Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki had welcomed Polish tribunal's decision.

This had led to heated exchange of words between Poland and EU.

France and Germany on Saturday, said in a joint statement that Poland had a legal and moral obligation to abide by the bloc's rules completely and unconditionally.

(Wion web team)

Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country will continue to respect European law. Poland and the European Union are experiencing strained relations after Poland's Constitutional Tribunal held that parts of EU law were incompatible with Polish constitution.

Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country will continue to respect European law. Poland and the European Union are experiencing strained relations after Poland's Constitutional Tribunal held that parts of EU law were incompatible with Polish constitution. × "All obligations arising from both primary and secondary European Union law remain in force and thus, will continue to be fully respected by Poland," said foreign ministry in a statement. Also Read | France calls Poland court ruling 'attack against EU' "The provisions of the Treaty of the European Union indicated in the judgment ...remain in force. What cannot be accepted are only the forms of their interpretation or application that violate the constitution." Relations between Warsaw and Brussels were especially strained after Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki had welcomed Polish tribunal's decision. This had led to heated exchange of words between Poland and EU. France and Germany on Saturday, said in a joint statement that Poland had a legal and moral obligation to abide by the bloc's rules completely and unconditionally. (Wion web team)

Poland-EU spat: Will respect European law, says Polish foreign ministry

The current energy crisis has kicked off a blame game between the world's superpowers. Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Europe for the current crisis saying that Europe was wrong to reduce the share of long-term deals in natural gas trade in favour of the spot market where prices have surged.

World's superpowers Russia, Europe blame each other

In a first, breaking a European record, more than 29 inches of rain, which is nearly two and a half feet, fell in a time span of 12 hours in Italy this week.

On Monday, a series of storms were seen in northwestern Italy, unleashing rainfall rates never before in entire Europe. Also, in

Oman, a rare tropical cyclone poured worth of rainfall, bringing deadly floods to the desert landscape that rarely experiences rain.

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🔴 ITALY 🇮🇹: Severe flooding in Parts Of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liguria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Liguria</a> Region!🚨 
 
☔️ 925.8 mm of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rain?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rain</a> fell in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rossiglione?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rossiglione</a>, central <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liguria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Liguria</a>,in 24 hrs &amp; 808 mm in 15 hrs! 
 
HOW CAN WE PRETEND THIS IS NORMAL?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FaceTheClimateEmergency?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FaceTheClimateEmergency</a><a href="https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GretaThunberg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ExtinctionR</a><a href="https://twitter.com/vanessa_vash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vanessa_vash</a> 
<a href="https://t.co/OSlmVuWF90">pic.twitter.com/OSlmVuWF90</a>
— AaravSeth🇮🇳 (@AaravSeth_) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaravSeth_/status/1445316408343031813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The commune of Rossiglione in Genoa, Liguria, was among the worst affected with the record deluge of 29.2in of rain on Monday. Usually, the region gets about 50 inches of rain in an entire year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italys-life-expectancy-drops-amid-covid-19-battle-411304">Also read |&nbsp;Italy's life expectancy drops amid COVID-19 battle</a>

Red alerts were issued across the regions of Liguria, Piedmont and Lombardy.

Katia Piccardo, mayor of Rossiglione, warned of a "very dangerous situation" as heavy rain took over the region.

"I'm back from the last inspection now. In these 72 endless hours, the hours of sleep can be counted on the fingers of one hand and interrupted by a thousand thoughts for my fellow citizens, for my land. We have a myriad of disasters and open fronts," she said.

In Cairo Montenotte, about 20 miles west of Rossiglione, a record 19.5 inches of rain fell in just six hours. The previous record was 18.5 inches.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/want-to-know-what-happens-inside-a-hurricane-this-actual-video-will-show-you-418616">Also read |&nbsp;Want to know what happens inside a hurricane? This actual video will show you</a>

As a result of excessive rains, several rivers broke their banks.&nbsp;

The Erro flooded areas of Pontinvrea, the Bormida river overflowed in Cairo Montenotte. Also, the Letimbro caused flooding in the city of Savona.

In a first, breaking a European record, more than 29 inches of rain, which is nearly two and a half feet, fell in a time span of 12 hours in Italy this week. On Monday, a series of storms were seen in northwestern Italy, unleashing rainfall rates never before in entire Europe.

In a first, breaking a European record, more than 29 inches of rain, which is nearly two and a half feet, fell in a time span of 12 hours in Italy this week. On Monday, a series of storms were seen in northwestern Italy, unleashing rainfall rates never before in entire Europe. Also, in Oman, a rare tropical cyclone poured worth of rainfall, bringing deadly floods to the desert landscape that rarely experiences rain. 🔴 ITALY 🇮🇹: Severe flooding in Parts Of #Liguria Region!🚨 ☔️ 925.8 mm of #rain fell in #Rossiglione, central #Liguria,in 24 hrs & 808 mm in 15 hrs! HOW CAN WE PRETEND THIS IS NORMAL?#FaceTheClimateEmergency@GretaThunberg @ExtinctionR@vanessa_vash pic.twitter.com/OSlmVuWF90 — AaravSeth🇮🇳 (@AaravSeth_) October 5, 2021 × The commune of Rossiglione in Genoa, Liguria, was among the worst affected with the record deluge of 29.2in of rain on Monday. Usually, the region gets about 50 inches of rain in an entire year. Also read | Italy's life expectancy drops amid COVID-19 battle Red alerts were issued across the regions of Liguria, Piedmont and Lombardy. Katia Piccardo, mayor of Rossiglione, warned of a "very dangerous situation" as heavy rain took over the region. "I'm back from the last inspection now. In these 72 endless hours, the hours of sleep can be counted on the fingers of one hand and interrupted by a thousand thoughts for my fellow citizens, for my land. We have a myriad of disasters and open fronts," she said. In Cairo Montenotte, about 20 miles west of Rossiglione, a record 19.5 inches of rain fell in just six hours. The previous record was 18.5 inches. Also read | Want to know what happens inside a hurricane? This actual video will show you As a result of excessive rains, several rivers broke their banks. The Erro flooded areas of Pontinvrea, the Bormida river overflowed in Cairo Montenotte. Also, the Letimbro caused flooding in the city of Savona.

Over two feet of rain in Italy sets new European record amid extreme climate conditions

Russian President Vladimir Putin is blaming Europe for its current energy crisis. Putin said that one of the factors influencing the prices was the termination of 'long-term contracts' in favour of the spot market.

Putin blames Europe for gas price crisis

The European Union said on Wednesday it would scrutinise its power market design and consider proposals to revamp EU regulation, as the bloc seeks to keep its plans to tackle climate change on track amid record-high energy costs.

European electricity and gas prices have rocketed higher this year as tight gas supplies have collided with strong demand in economies recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Soaring energy prices topped the EU's political agenda on Wednesday, with environment ministers and European Parliament each meeting to debate the issue, after EU country leaders discussed their response on Tuesday evening.

"There is no question that we need to take policy measures," EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson told the EU's parliament.

The crisis has divided countries over whether Brussels should intervene. The Commission will next week publish a menu of options for how governments and the EU could react.

Simson said the Commission would launch a study into whether the EU's power market was fit to deliver the bloc's planned transition to green energy. Spain and France have called for a revamp of EU electricity regulation to decouple the price of power from the cost of gas.

"We believe this framework is sound, but we see the challenges," Simson said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he and other countries had asked Brussels to offer an "audacious" response.

"We need extraordinary, innovative measures&nbsp;we have asked for a joint purchase of gas," he said.

Not all countries are convinced. EU regulators expect gas market conditions to ease in spring and some governments say the issue is best treated with national subsidies and tax breaks to cushion consumers from high bills - measures many countries have rolled out.

"It's mainly something for the member states to address," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.

"We should look at what Europe can do collectively. There are proposals - some wilder, others less wild."

The price spike has arrived as the EU prepares for a major upgrade of climate policies, stoking concerns among poorer central and eastern EU states that steps to increase the cost of polluting fuels could push more households into energy poverty.

Brussels is determined to ensure the price spike will not derail its plan to slash emissions and has proposed a multi-billion-euro fund to help poorer households invest in green options.

"Let's keep our eye on the ball. The problem here is the climate crisis," EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans said. "The quicker we move towards renewable energy, the quicker we can protect our citizens against high prices."

The European Union said on Wednesday it would scrutinise its power market design and consider proposals to revamp EU regulation, as the bloc seeks to keep its plans to tackle climate change on track amid record-high energy costs.

The European Union said on Wednesday it would scrutinise its power market design and consider proposals to revamp EU regulation, as the bloc seeks to keep its plans to tackle climate change on track amid record-high energy costs. European electricity and gas prices have rocketed higher this year as tight gas supplies have collided with strong demand in economies recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Soaring energy prices topped the EU's political agenda on Wednesday, with environment ministers and European Parliament each meeting to debate the issue, after EU country leaders discussed their response on Tuesday evening. "There is no question that we need to take policy measures," EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson told the EU's parliament. The crisis has divided countries over whether Brussels should intervene. The Commission will next week publish a menu of options for how governments and the EU could react. Simson said the Commission would launch a study into whether the EU's power market was fit to deliver the bloc's planned transition to green energy. Spain and France have called for a revamp of EU electricity regulation to decouple the price of power from the cost of gas. "We believe this framework is sound, but we see the challenges," Simson said. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he and other countries had asked Brussels to offer an "audacious" response. "We need extraordinary, innovative measures we have asked for a joint purchase of gas," he said. Not all countries are convinced. EU regulators expect gas market conditions to ease in spring and some governments say the issue is best treated with national subsidies and tax breaks to cushion consumers from high bills - measures many countries have rolled out. "It's mainly something for the member states to address," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. "We should look at what Europe can do collectively. There are proposals - some wilder, others less wild." The price spike has arrived as the EU prepares for a major upgrade of climate policies, stoking concerns among poorer central and eastern EU states that steps to increase the cost of polluting fuels could push more households into energy poverty. Brussels is determined to ensure the price spike will not derail its plan to slash emissions and has proposed a multi-billion-euro fund to help poorer households invest in green options. "Let's keep our eye on the ball. The problem here is the climate crisis," EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans said. "The quicker we move towards renewable energy, the quicker we can protect our citizens against high prices."

Soaring energy prices climb up EU's political agenda

Plans are afoot for connectivity from the Mediterranean to India via the Gulf. The plans involve countries like Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and India.

The foreign ministers of India, Israeli, Egyptian, Cyprus, Greece and others are expected to meet in Dubai at the 12th edition of the Sir Bani Yas Forum to further discuss the plan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/infra-projects-buddha-link-rights-of-tamils-dominate-shringlas-sri-lanka-visit-418297">Infra projects, Buddha link, rights of Tamils dominate Shringla's Sri Lanka visit</a>

The forum will meet from 12th to 14th November.

WION has learnt that the project focuses on building a corridor that connects India to the Gulf and West Asia to the Eastern Mediterranean, which will link the region to Europe and be a game-changer.

The foreign ministers' face-to-face meeting is expected to eliminate the roadblocks in this&nbsp;connectivity project, which currently is in the preliminary stages.

It is important to understand that three key countries in West Asia; Saudi Arabia, Israel and UAE who will also be a part of the discussion of the project, already have a close relationship with New Delhi.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-wants-trade-security-pact-with-india-says-foreign-secretary-liz-truss-417979">UK wants trade, security pact with India, says Foreign Secretary Liz Truss</a>

Several trilateral projects are also underway between India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;

The Abraham Accords of 2020, saw the normalisation of ties between Israel and UAE and since then both sides have increased engagements with each other including the presence of the Israel pavilion at the ongoing Dubai Expo.

India has been taking a lead in several connectivity initiatives, from the Chabahar port project in Iran that links it to Central Asia and beyond; to the Kaladan Multimodal project in the east that connects it to ASEAN countries.&nbsp;

Chabahar is also key to the International north-south transport corridor connecting Mumbai to Moscow.

Plans are afoot for connectivity from the Mediterranean to India via the Gulf. The plans involve countries like Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and India.

Plans are afoot for connectivity from the Mediterranean to India via the Gulf. The plans involve countries like Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and India. The foreign ministers of India, Israeli, Egyptian, Cyprus, Greece and others are expected to meet in Dubai at the 12th edition of the Sir Bani Yas Forum to further discuss the plan. Also read | Infra projects, Buddha link, rights of Tamils dominate Shringla's Sri Lanka visit The forum will meet from 12th to 14th November. WION has learnt that the project focuses on building a corridor that connects India to the Gulf and West Asia to the Eastern Mediterranean, which will link the region to Europe and be a game-changer. The foreign ministers' face-to-face meeting is expected to eliminate the roadblocks in this connectivity project, which currently is in the preliminary stages. It is important to understand that three key countries in West Asia; Saudi Arabia, Israel and UAE who will also be a part of the discussion of the project, already have a close relationship with New Delhi. Also read | UK wants trade, security pact with India, says Foreign Secretary Liz Truss Several trilateral projects are also underway between India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. The Abraham Accords of 2020, saw the normalisation of ties between Israel and UAE and since then both sides have increased engagements with each other including the presence of the Israel pavilion at the ongoing Dubai Expo. India has been taking a lead in several connectivity initiatives, from the Chabahar port project in Iran that links it to Central Asia and beyond; to the Kaladan Multimodal project in the east that connects it to ASEAN countries. Chabahar is also key to the International north-south transport corridor connecting Mumbai to Moscow.

Plans afoot for connectivity from Mediterranean to India via Gulf

A Syrian refugee puppet is trekking across Europe to raise awareness about the plight of refugee children. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis brings you the story of Amal.

The West Asia Post: Meet Amal, the refugee puppet on a mission

Rapid developments in tourism have taken a toll on Europe's oldest lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. With different groups battling for their interests, the lake's preservation has been put at stake. The lake is polluted to the utmost level.

Rapid developments in tourism take toll on Europe's oldest lake, Ohrid

France will freeze natural gas and electricity costs for consumers for the coming months amid growing concern about rising global energy prices, the prime minister announced.

Europe consuming more power due to onset of winter

Europe's BepiColombo mission has had its first encounter with Mercury, which happens to be the innermost planet of the Solar System.

The probe raced over the surface of mercury at an altitude of 200km, before heading back.

The controllers have planned a further five such flybys, each time using the gravitational tug of Mercury to trim the speed of the spacecraft.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hello Mercury! 🤩 
 
One of our first views of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mercury?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mercury</a>, taken ~10mins after close approach. More details and images to follow later today! <a href="https://t.co/6CH9vE8Z0f">https://t.co/6CH9vE8Z0f</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MercuryFlyby?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MercuryFlyby</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ExploreFarther?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ExploreFarther</a> <a href="https://t.co/hguRQbOGi5">pic.twitter.com/hguRQbOGi5</a>
— BepiColombo (@BepiColombo) <a href="https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1444219731188256772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The aim is for Bepi to be moving slow enough it can drop into a stable orbit. This should happen by the end of 2025. 
Bepi is two spacecraft in one. One part has been developed by the European Space Agency (Esa), the other part by the Japanese space agency (Jaxa).&nbsp;

For this first flyby, the timing of closest approach was calculated to be 23:34 GMT. At that moment, Bepi would have been moving with a velocity over 50km/s (30 miles/s) to the Sun.

The probe was busy snapping pictures. However, its high-resolution science cameras were not used as these cannot actually see anything currently because they are tucked inside the spacecraft stack.

Dave Rothery, a professor of planetary geosciences at the UK's Open University, was quoted by the BBC as saying, "I think we'll recognise Kuiper Crater. It's bright and has this big fan of ejecta rays."

He added, "We'll just have to wait and see. We know what should be in the field of view but given the lighting conditions and what these small cameras are capable of - there's some uncertainty."&nbsp;

Europe's BepiColombo mission has had its first encounter with Mercury, which happens to be the innermost planet of the Solar System. The probe raced over the surface of mercury at an altitude of 200km, before heading back.

Europe's BepiColombo mission has had its first encounter with Mercury, which happens to be the innermost planet of the Solar System. The probe raced over the surface of mercury at an altitude of 200km, before heading back. The controllers have planned a further five such flybys, each time using the gravitational tug of Mercury to trim the speed of the spacecraft. Hello Mercury! 🤩 One of our first views of #Mercury, taken ~10mins after close approach. More details and images to follow later today! https://t.co/6CH9vE8Z0f#MercuryFlyby #ExploreFarther pic.twitter.com/hguRQbOGi5 — BepiColombo (@BepiColombo) October 2, 2021 × The aim is for Bepi to be moving slow enough it can drop into a stable orbit. This should happen by the end of 2025. Bepi is two spacecraft in one. One part has been developed by the European Space Agency (Esa), the other part by the Japanese space agency (Jaxa). For this first flyby, the timing of closest approach was calculated to be 23:34 GMT. At that moment, Bepi would have been moving with a velocity over 50km/s (30 miles/s) to the Sun. The probe was busy snapping pictures. However, its high-resolution science cameras were not used as these cannot actually see anything currently because they are tucked inside the spacecraft stack. Dave Rothery, a professor of planetary geosciences at the UK's Open University, was quoted by the BBC as saying, "I think we'll recognise Kuiper Crater. It's bright and has this big fan of ejecta rays." He added, "We'll just have to wait and see. We know what should be in the field of view but given the lighting conditions and what these small cameras are capable of - there's some uncertainty."

Europe's BepiColombo mission had its first encounter with Mercury

For France’s venerable Socialist Party, languishing at 4% support before next year’s presidential elections, news of a surprise win last Sunday by its center-left counterpart in Germany offered a glimmer of hope.

The slim victory by Olaf Scholz and Germany’s Social Democratic Party, along with the expected return to power of Norway’s Labor Party following a recent win, have underscored the recent success of Europe’s long-embattled social democrats. If Scholz succeeds in forming a government, social democrats in Europe’s most powerful nation will join center-left governments in Spain, Portugal and the Nordic nations of Sweden, Denmark and Finland, as well as Norway.

Attention will then turn to France, where presidential elections are scheduled for next April. But in France, experts say, the social democrats’ hopes of a continentwide revival are likely to dim.

Socialist Party officials were nevertheless quick to seize on the German results as a sign that Europe’s political tides may be turning.

“Never assume the battle’s already lost,” the Socialists’ leader, Olivier Faure, said in a Twitter post. The party’s presidential candidate, Anne Hidalgo, noted that Scholz “had beaten the odds” thanks to policies common to both social democratic parties.

But it will take more than that to reverse the fortunes of a party that not so long ago utterly dominated French politics.

After months of hinting that she would run for president, Hidalgo, 62, the second-term mayor of Paris, finally announced her candidacy in mid-September. But instead of getting an expected bounce in the polls, her approval ratings have drifted lower.

Her polling is now far below not only the two favorites to meet in a showdown — President Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, of the far-right National Rally — but also well below candidates from the center-right and Éric Zemmour, a writer and TV star known for his far-right views, who is not yet an official candidate.

On the other side of the political spectrum, she trails the far-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon and is neck and neck with the newly designated presidential candidate of the Greens, Yannick Jadot, polls show.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/even-as-activists-accuse-country-of-illegal-deportation-greek-pm-says-essentially-crushed-migrant-smugglers-417461">Even as activists accuse country of illegal deportation, Greek PM says 'essentially crushed' migrant smugglers</a>

The Socialists’ collapse is even more noteworthy because, less than a decade ago, under the Socialist President François Hollande, the party controlled the Élysée Palace, both chambers of Parliament, a majority of big cities and nearly all the regions.

“Nine years ago, this party held all the cards,” said Pascal Delwit, a political scientist specializing in social democracy at the Free University of Brussels. “Nine years later, it has none.”

In what became a symbol of its fall, the Socialist Party had to abandon its longtime headquarters, in one of the toniest neighborhoods of Paris, for cheaper real estate in a suburb, or banlieue, that many members never bothered visiting.

Alain Bergounioux, a historian who is an expert on the Socialist Party, said that beyond crumbling at the ballot box, Socialists seem to have lost the ability to push forward their ideas and themes in a fast-moving political landscape.

“They really don’t influence the national debate any longer, as public opinion has shifted to the right,” Bergounioux said.

He added, “If it was premature to say that social democracy was dead, it would be overstating it to say that there is a renaissance.”

Seven months before the presidential elections, issues dear to the right — like immigration, crime and national identity — are dominating the political discourse. While Macron ran as a centrist in 2017, he has tacked right in a bid for the biggest slice of the electorate.

The focus on these themes has only increased in recent weeks, with the intense news media attention on a possible candidacy by Zemmour. Styling himself as a Trump-like populist outsider, he has been visiting different regions on a book tour that has doubled as a campaign. A poll released this week showed that his support among potential voters in the first round of the elections has kept climbing, to 13%, or just 3 percentage points below Le Pen.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/artificial-intelligence-completes-beethovens-unfinished-tenth-symphony-417463">Artificial intelligence completes Beethoven's unfinished tenth symphony</a>

France is an extreme, though revealing, example of the problems afflicting social democratic parties across Europe, experts say.

While social democratic parties have lost support nearly everywhere amid the political fragmentation on the continent, France’s Socialist Party was also decimated by Macron’s successful creation of his centrist La République en Marche party. Some Socialist leaders abandoned their old party to join Macron, who had served as Hollande’s economy minister. In forming his government, Macron also poached from the center-right, which was less weakened than the center-left and remains a force in French politics.

For decades, social democratic parties appealed to a core base of unionized, industrial workers and urban professionals with a vision of social justice and an equitable economy.

But many longtime French supporters felt betrayed by Hollande’s business-friendly policies as French Socialists, like their counterparts elsewhere, were unable to protect their traditional base from globalization.

While French Socialists hark back to their traditional values and now emphasize their commitment to the environment, their vision for society lacks a “strong spine,” Bergounioux said. In France, like elsewhere, the constituencies supporting social democratic parties tend to be made up of “aging, loyal voters who have voted for them their entire lives,” Delwit said.

In Germany and elsewhere in Europe, the recent success of social democratic parties rested on successful jockeying — and not on the attraction of a fresh social democratic vision, experts said.

Ernst Stetter, a member of the Social Democratic Party in Germany and former secretary-general of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, an umbrella group of social democratic think tanks across the continent, said the party’s victory last Sunday was “first and foremost a strategic victory” by Scholz.

As vice chancellor and finance minister in the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Scholz offered “change in continuity by offering a little bit more social programs, a little bit more on the environment and continuity in European and international affairs,” said Stetter, who is also an analyst at the Fondation Jean-Jaurès research institute in Paris.

Narrow as it was, Scholz’s victory represented “the center of the Social Democratic Party, not the left,” said Daniel Cohn-Bendit, a French-German politician and former Green member of the European Parliament.

Socialists in Spain, Portugal and the Nordic nations also owed their success to responding to local needs, not a common vision of social democracy, Cohn-Bendit said.

“On immigration policy, social democrats in Denmark are to the right of many centrist parties,” Cohn-Bendit said, referring to a series of hard-line immigration measures adopted by Denmark’s Social Democrats.

Following years of a rise in right-wing parties, social democrats now lead governments in Sweden, Finland and Denmark, and are poised to do so in Norway. But their hold on power is far more tenuous than in the past.

In Norway, the Labor Party, led by Jonas Gahr Stoere, came in first in last month’s parliamentary election, but won only a little more than one-quarter of the total seats, one of the party’s lowest scores on record. After talks to form a broad center-left coalition failed in recent days, Stoere is now expected to become prime minister of a minority government.

“There isn’t a new definition yet of what social democracy could be in today’s world,” Cohn-Bendit said.

Stetter said he, too, was skeptical of a broad revival of social democracy. Over the past decade, social democrats had worked unsuccessfully for a revival under the banner of the “Next Left,” he said.

Still, Stetter said he hoped that last Sunday’s election results in Germany could presage positive developments for social democrats in Europe.

“If Scholz succeeds in forming a government as a social democratic chancellor, there would be a dynamic force at the heart of Europe, and that could give energy to the French Socialist Party in the campaign period before the presidential elections in April,” Stetter said. “We have to remain optimistic.”

For France’s venerable Socialist Party, languishing at 4% support before next year’s presidential elections, news of a surprise win last Sunday by its center-left counterpart in Germany offered a glimmer of hope.

For France’s venerable Socialist Party, languishing at 4% support before next year’s presidential elections, news of a surprise win last Sunday by its center-left counterpart in Germany offered a glimmer of hope. The slim victory by Olaf Scholz and Germany’s Social Democratic Party, along with the expected return to power of Norway’s Labor Party following a recent win, have underscored the recent success of Europe’s long-embattled social democrats. If Scholz succeeds in forming a government, social democrats in Europe’s most powerful nation will join center-left governments in Spain, Portugal and the Nordic nations of Sweden, Denmark and Finland, as well as Norway. Attention will then turn to France, where presidential elections are scheduled for next April. But in France, experts say, the social democrats’ hopes of a continentwide revival are likely to dim. Socialist Party officials were nevertheless quick to seize on the German results as a sign that Europe’s political tides may be turning. “Never assume the battle’s already lost,” the Socialists’ leader, Olivier Faure, said in a Twitter post. The party’s presidential candidate, Anne Hidalgo, noted that Scholz “had beaten the odds” thanks to policies common to both social democratic parties. But it will take more than that to reverse the fortunes of a party that not so long ago utterly dominated French politics. After months of hinting that she would run for president, Hidalgo, 62, the second-term mayor of Paris, finally announced her candidacy in mid-September. But instead of getting an expected bounce in the polls, her approval ratings have drifted lower. Her polling is now far below not only the two favorites to meet in a showdown — President Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, of the far-right National Rally — but also well below candidates from the center-right and Éric Zemmour, a writer and TV star known for his far-right views, who is not yet an official candidate. On the other side of the political spectrum, she trails the far-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon and is neck and neck with the newly designated presidential candidate of the Greens, Yannick Jadot, polls show. ALSO READ | Even as activists accuse country of illegal deportation, Greek PM says 'essentially crushed' migrant smugglers The Socialists’ collapse is even more noteworthy because, less than a decade ago, under the Socialist President François Hollande, the party controlled the Élysée Palace, both chambers of Parliament, a majority of big cities and nearly all the regions. “Nine years ago, this party held all the cards,” said Pascal Delwit, a political scientist specializing in social democracy at the Free University of Brussels. “Nine years later, it has none.” In what became a symbol of its fall, the Socialist Party had to abandon its longtime headquarters, in one of the toniest neighborhoods of Paris, for cheaper real estate in a suburb, or banlieue, that many members never bothered visiting. Alain Bergounioux, a historian who is an expert on the Socialist Party, said that beyond crumbling at the ballot box, Socialists seem to have lost the ability to push forward their ideas and themes in a fast-moving political landscape. “They really don’t influence the national debate any longer, as public opinion has shifted to the right,” Bergounioux said. He added, “If it was premature to say that social democracy was dead, it would be overstating it to say that there is a renaissance.” Seven months before the presidential elections, issues dear to the right — like immigration, crime and national identity — are dominating the political discourse. While Macron ran as a centrist in 2017, he has tacked right in a bid for the biggest slice of the electorate. The focus on these themes has only increased in recent weeks, with the intense news media attention on a possible candidacy by Zemmour. Styling himself as a Trump-like populist outsider, he has been visiting different regions on a book tour that has doubled as a campaign. A poll released this week showed that his support among potential voters in the first round of the elections has kept climbing, to 13%, or just 3 percentage points below Le Pen. ALSO READ | Artificial intelligence completes Beethoven's unfinished tenth symphony France is an extreme, though revealing, example of the problems afflicting social democratic parties across Europe, experts say. While social democratic parties have lost support nearly everywhere amid the political fragmentation on the continent, France’s Socialist Party was also decimated by Macron’s successful creation of his centrist La République en Marche party. Some Socialist leaders abandoned their old party to join Macron, who had served as Hollande’s economy minister. In forming his government, Macron also poached from the center-right, which was less weakened than the center-left and remains a force in French politics. For decades, social democratic parties appealed to a core base of unionized, industrial workers and urban professionals with a vision of social justice and an equitable economy. But many longtime French supporters felt betrayed by Hollande’s business-friendly policies as French Socialists, like their counterparts elsewhere, were unable to protect their traditional base from globalization. While French Socialists hark back to their traditional values and now emphasize their commitment to the environment, their vision for society lacks a “strong spine,” Bergounioux said. In France, like elsewhere, the constituencies supporting social democratic parties tend to be made up of “aging, loyal voters who have voted for them their entire lives,” Delwit said. In Germany and elsewhere in Europe, the recent success of social democratic parties rested on successful jockeying — and not on the attraction of a fresh social democratic vision, experts said. Ernst Stetter, a member of the Social Democratic Party in Germany and former secretary-general of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, an umbrella group of social democratic think tanks across the continent, said the party’s victory last Sunday was “first and foremost a strategic victory” by Scholz. As vice chancellor and finance minister in the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Scholz offered “change in continuity by offering a little bit more social programs, a little bit more on the environment and continuity in European and international affairs,” said Stetter, who is also an analyst at the Fondation Jean-Jaurès research institute in Paris. Narrow as it was, Scholz’s victory represented “the center of the Social Democratic Party, not the left,” said Daniel Cohn-Bendit, a French-German politician and former Green member of the European Parliament. Socialists in Spain, Portugal and the Nordic nations also owed their success to responding to local needs, not a common vision of social democracy, Cohn-Bendit said. “On immigration policy, social democrats in Denmark are to the right of many centrist parties,” Cohn-Bendit said, referring to a series of hard-line immigration measures adopted by Denmark’s Social Democrats. Following years of a rise in right-wing parties, social democrats now lead governments in Sweden, Finland and Denmark, and are poised to do so in Norway. But their hold on power is far more tenuous than in the past. In Norway, the Labor Party, led by Jonas Gahr Stoere, came in first in last month’s parliamentary election, but won only a little more than one-quarter of the total seats, one of the party’s lowest scores on record. After talks to form a broad center-left coalition failed in recent days, Stoere is now expected to become prime minister of a minority government. “There isn’t a new definition yet of what social democracy could be in today’s world,” Cohn-Bendit said. Stetter said he, too, was skeptical of a broad revival of social democracy. Over the past decade, social democrats had worked unsuccessfully for a revival under the banner of the “Next Left,” he said. Still, Stetter said he hoped that last Sunday’s election results in Germany could presage positive developments for social democrats in Europe. “If Scholz succeeds in forming a government as a social democratic chancellor, there would be a dynamic force at the heart of Europe, and that could give energy to the French Socialist Party in the campaign period before the presidential elections in April,” Stetter said. “We have to remain optimistic.”

Europe’s social democrats show signs of life, but France poses a roadblock

As per French experts, Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in western Europe has shrunk by a metre since it was last measured.&nbsp;

Geographical experts said that after an expedition in mid-September, the mighty mountain in the heart of the French Alps was 4,807.81 metres high, lower than their last published estimate of 4,808.72 metres in 2017.

While speaking at a press conference, they said, "Now it’s up to climatologists, glaciologists and other scientists to look at all the data collected and put forward all the theories to explain this phenomenon."

The official height of Mont Blanc has been on a downward slide for over a decade as the highest reading was 4,810.90 metres in 2007.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-climate-change-everyones-business-for-the-present-and-the-future-generation-416831">Also read |&nbsp;Opinion | Climate Change: Everyone’s business for the present and the future generation</a>

The measurements are being taken regularly to create a model of the ice sheet and to feed a precise data bank which will be made available to all experts.&nbsp;The measurement expedition is carried out every two years. However, the experts revealed on Wednesday they did not publish the “exceptionally low” figure in 2019 of 4,806.03 metres.

Readings vary every year as the permanent layer of snow on the summit, which acts as a huge snowdrift changes with high winds and precipitation. "Since the dawn of time, the altitude of Mont Blanc has varied continuously,” the experts said. Also, the mountain has been losing an average of 13 centimetres in height annually since 2001.

As per French experts, Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in western Europe has shrunk by a metre since it was last measured. Geographical experts said that after an expedition in mid-September, the mighty mountain in the heart of the French Alps was 4,807.

As per French experts, Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in western Europe has shrunk by a metre since it was last measured. Geographical experts said that after an expedition in mid-September, the mighty mountain in the heart of the French Alps was 4,807.81 metres high, lower than their last published estimate of 4,808.72 metres in 2017. While speaking at a press conference, they said, "Now it’s up to climatologists, glaciologists and other scientists to look at all the data collected and put forward all the theories to explain this phenomenon." The official height of Mont Blanc has been on a downward slide for over a decade as the highest reading was 4,810.90 metres in 2007. Also read | Opinion | Climate Change: Everyone’s business for the present and the future generation The measurements are being taken regularly to create a model of the ice sheet and to feed a precise data bank which will be made available to all experts. The measurement expedition is carried out every two years. However, the experts revealed on Wednesday they did not publish the “exceptionally low” figure in 2019 of 4,806.03 metres. Readings vary every year as the permanent layer of snow on the summit, which acts as a huge snowdrift changes with high winds and precipitation. "Since the dawn of time, the altitude of Mont Blanc has varied continuously,” the experts said. Also, the mountain has been losing an average of 13 centimetres in height annually since 2001.

Mont Blanc has shrunk by almost 1 metre since its last measurement

France is set to sell 52 Caesar artillery guns to the Czech Republic in a deal worth 257 million euros ($301 million) as Paris pushes for greater European defence autonomy, an Armed Forces Ministry official said on Wednesday.

President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Europe needed to stop being naive when it comes to defending its interests and must build its own military capacity after sealing a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) frigate deal with Greece and penning a cooperation agreement.

Paris was plunged into a dispute with the United States, Australia and Britain earlier this month over a trilateral nuclear security deal which sank a multi-billion dollar French-designed submarine contract with Canberra.

"This (Czech deal) comes after a period of rapprochement with the Czech Republic that was marked on a strategic level, but also a vision that is closer to what European defence policy should be and should bring us," the official told reporters ahead of a visit by Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly to Prague on Thursday to sign the contract.

Most of the guns will be assembled in the Czech Republic.

France has also sought to bring European allies into military operations in the Sahel region of Africa where it has some 5,000 counter-terrorism troops fighting Islamist militants as part of efforts to encourage a broader European military strategy.

The Czechs are one of nine countries that has contributed special forces to a European contingent.

France is set to sell 52 Caesar artillery guns to the Czech Republic in a deal worth 257 million euros ($301 million) as Paris pushes for greater European defence autonomy, an Armed Forces Ministry official said on Wednesday.

France is set to sell 52 Caesar artillery guns to the Czech Republic in a deal worth 257 million euros ($301 million) as Paris pushes for greater European defence autonomy, an Armed Forces Ministry official said on Wednesday. President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Europe needed to stop being naive when it comes to defending its interests and must build its own military capacity after sealing a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) frigate deal with Greece and penning a cooperation agreement. Paris was plunged into a dispute with the United States, Australia and Britain earlier this month over a trilateral nuclear security deal which sank a multi-billion dollar French-designed submarine contract with Canberra. "This (Czech deal) comes after a period of rapprochement with the Czech Republic that was marked on a strategic level, but also a vision that is closer to what European defence policy should be and should bring us," the official told reporters ahead of a visit by Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly to Prague on Thursday to sign the contract. Most of the guns will be assembled in the Czech Republic. France has also sought to bring European allies into military operations in the Sahel region of Africa where it has some 5,000 counter-terrorism troops fighting Islamist militants as part of efforts to encourage a broader European military strategy. The Czechs are one of nine countries that has contributed special forces to a European contingent.

In European push, France to sell artillery guns to Czech Republic

Google has hit back against the European Union in court appealing a $5 billion antitrust fine. The European Commission has levied a record fine on Google in 2018 for monopolistic practices.

Google fights against record EU fine, slams regulators for ignoring Apple

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