Brussels' next top official Ursula von der Leyen presents her top&nbsp;team&nbsp;to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/microsoft-increases-data-protection-responsibilities-for-european-union-262842">European Parliament</a> on Wednesday, hoping to finally put a difficult transition behind her.

The&nbsp;incoming&nbsp;president of the European Commission had hoped to take office a month ago but was thwarted by wrangling over the membership of her executive&nbsp;team.

The former German defence minister&nbsp;faces&nbsp;a daunting brief when her mandate starts on December 1, with the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;at loggerheads with Washington over trade, climate and Iran, while it grapples with a sluggish economy and frets about Russia.

The 61-year-old, a veteran from Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU party, also has to contend with growing divisions between her old boss and French President Emmanuel Macron as the&nbsp;EU's vaunted "Franco-German motor" misfires.

But first, she must convince MEPs in Strasbourg to give their backing to a&nbsp;team&nbsp;drawn from each of 27 member states, all of them bar Britain, which plans to leave the bloc.

Her own appointment to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the commission was approved in July with only nine votes more than she needed, a narrow margin in&nbsp;EU&nbsp;politics.

Three of her initial nominees to the commission were rejected during the parliamentary confirmation process, an unprecedented snub, weakening her authority from the outset.

Nevertheless,&nbsp;EU&nbsp;diplomats and parliamentary leaders are cautiously optimistic she will clear Wednesday's hurdle, a public&nbsp;vote&nbsp;of MEPs at 12:30 pm.

"We will be united in our support for the commission," vowed Manfred Weber, head of the parliament's centre-right EPP bloc and himself a disappointed former presidential hopeful.

Weber was one of a small group of so-called "Spitzenkandidats" or lead candidates representing party blocs that MEPs had hoped would provide the eventual commission leader.

But&nbsp;EU&nbsp;member state leaders, spearheaded by Macron, overturned this experiment in a parliamentary democracy and imposed an outside choice.

The&nbsp;vote&nbsp;to confirm Von der Leyen was conducted by secret ballot, allowing many MEPs to&nbsp;vote&nbsp;against her in protest at the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;leaders' political tactics.

But Wednesday's roll-call to approve the commission as a whole will be conducted openly, helping the main centre-right, social democratic and liberal factions to whip support.

The leader of the Socialists and Democrats group, Iratxe Garcia Perez, noted that pressure from the left had forced von der Leyen to commit to a broad-based political platform.

Brexit cloud

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-threatens-to-deport-european-union-citizens-failing-to-comply-residency-deadline-262035">The commission</a> has members from across the political spectrum, and von der Leyen altered plans to name one portfolio "Protecting our European Way of Life",&nbsp;a title seen by many as too close to the rhetoric of the far-right.

Twelve out of 27 of the members will be women, not quite the parity that was promised but the highest number ever in the European Commission.

"We'll have the most progressive commission of recent times, the most equal and its political priorities will include those our group finds essential," Garcia Perez said.

There will nevertheless be opposition. The parliament's eurosceptic, far-left and right-wing populist parties will&nbsp;vote&nbsp;against, and the Greens have said they will abstain.

Five French socialists will also sit on their hands. "We won't sign a blank cheque," declared MEP Raphael Glucksmann.

And there is one more potential cloud hanging over the investiture: the absence of a British commissioner.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is determined to pull Britain out of the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;on January 31, after Brexit was repeatedly delayed amid wrangling in Westminster over the divorce terms.

But in the meantime he has refused to fill Britain's seat on the commission, citing advice from officials that he cannot make such an appointment during an&nbsp;election&nbsp;campaign.

Some Brussels lawyers are concerned that&nbsp;EU&nbsp;directives may be subject to legal challenge if the commission is not properly constituted with a full 28-member complement.

But von der Leyen's&nbsp;team&nbsp;hope that their threat to launch a legal challenge to London's decision will prove they made a good faith attempt to follow the treaty.

Brussels' next top official Ursula von der Leyen presents her top team to the European Parliament on Wednesday, hoping to finally put a difficult transition behind her.

Brussels' next top official Ursula von der Leyen presents her top team to the European Parliament on Wednesday, hoping to finally put a difficult transition behind her. The incoming president of the European Commission had hoped to take office a month ago but was thwarted by wrangling over the membership of her executive team. The former German defence minister faces a daunting brief when her mandate starts on December 1, with the EU at loggerheads with Washington over trade, climate and Iran, while it grapples with a sluggish economy and frets about Russia. The 61-year-old, a veteran from Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU party, also has to contend with growing divisions between her old boss and French President Emmanuel Macron as the EU's vaunted "Franco-German motor" misfires. But first, she must convince MEPs in Strasbourg to give their backing to a team drawn from each of 27 member states, all of them bar Britain, which plans to leave the bloc. Her own appointment to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the commission was approved in July with only nine votes more than she needed, a narrow margin in EU politics. Three of her initial nominees to the commission were rejected during the parliamentary confirmation process, an unprecedented snub, weakening her authority from the outset. Nevertheless, EU diplomats and parliamentary leaders are cautiously optimistic she will clear Wednesday's hurdle, a public vote of MEPs at 12:30 pm. "We will be united in our support for the commission," vowed Manfred Weber, head of the parliament's centre-right EPP bloc and himself a disappointed former presidential hopeful. Weber was one of a small group of so-called "Spitzenkandidats" or lead candidates representing party blocs that MEPs had hoped would provide the eventual commission leader. But EU member state leaders, spearheaded by Macron, overturned this experiment in a parliamentary democracy and imposed an outside choice. The vote to confirm Von der Leyen was conducted by secret ballot, allowing many MEPs to vote against her in protest at the EU leaders' political tactics. But Wednesday's roll-call to approve the commission as a whole will be conducted openly, helping the main centre-right, social democratic and liberal factions to whip support. The leader of the Socialists and Democrats group, Iratxe Garcia Perez, noted that pressure from the left had forced von der Leyen to commit to a broad-based political platform. Brexit cloud The commission has members from across the political spectrum, and von der Leyen altered plans to name one portfolio "Protecting our European Way of Life", a title seen by many as too close to the rhetoric of the far-right. Twelve out of 27 of the members will be women, not quite the parity that was promised but the highest number ever in the European Commission. "We'll have the most progressive commission of recent times, the most equal and its political priorities will include those our group finds essential," Garcia Perez said. There will nevertheless be opposition. The parliament's eurosceptic, far-left and right-wing populist parties will vote against, and the Greens have said they will abstain. Five French socialists will also sit on their hands. "We won't sign a blank cheque," declared MEP Raphael Glucksmann. And there is one more potential cloud hanging over the investiture: the absence of a British commissioner. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is determined to pull Britain out of the EU on January 31, after Brexit was repeatedly delayed amid wrangling in Westminster over the divorce terms. But in the meantime he has refused to fill Britain's seat on the commission, citing advice from officials that he cannot make such an appointment during an election campaign. Some Brussels lawyers are concerned that EU directives may be subject to legal challenge if the commission is not properly constituted with a full 28-member complement. But von der Leyen's team hope that their threat to launch a legal challenge to London's decision will prove they made a good faith attempt to follow the treaty.

European Commission's president-elect faces final vote

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-coalition-in-crisis-talks-after-european-union-vote-debacle-221923">German Chancellor Angela Merkel </a>called on European countries on Wednesday to agree on a common approach towards China and the rollout of the next-generation 5G mobile network.

Some German lawmakers want to exclude <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/united-states-formally-charges-chinas-huawei-with-bank-fraud-stealing-trade-secrets-193545">China's Huawei </a>from 5G contracts, following warnings by the United States that this could lead to spying for Beijing. Huawei denies the allegations made by Washington.

Merkel prefers security standards to be the yardstick rather than singling out individual firms.

"One of the biggest dangers is that individual countries in Europe will have their own policies towards China and then mixed signals will be sent out," she told lawmakers in a budget debate in the Bundestag lower house on Wednesday.

"That would be disastrous not for China but for us in Europe," Merkel said, adding Germany and France must try to agree on a common approach first and a Europe-wide solution could be developed from that.

France will not follow the United States and exclude Huawei from its 5G network but will have the power to vet all equipment makers for any potential security threat, a minister said on Monday.

"It is undisputed that we need high-security standards in the expansion of 5G but just as we must define that for ourselves, we must also discuss it with other European partners," Merkel said.

All the telecom operators in Germany, which have close trading ties with China, are customers of Huawei and have warned that banning it would delay the launch of 5G networks.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on European countries on Wednesday to agree on a common approach towards China and the rollout of the next-generation 5G mobile network.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on European countries on Wednesday to agree on a common approach towards China and the rollout of the next-generation 5G mobile network. Some German lawmakers want to exclude China's Huawei from 5G contracts, following warnings by the United States that this could lead to spying for Beijing. Huawei denies the allegations made by Washington. Merkel prefers security standards to be the yardstick rather than singling out individual firms. "One of the biggest dangers is that individual countries in Europe will have their own policies towards China and then mixed signals will be sent out," she told lawmakers in a budget debate in the Bundestag lower house on Wednesday. "That would be disastrous not for China but for us in Europe," Merkel said, adding Germany and France must try to agree on a common approach first and a Europe-wide solution could be developed from that. France will not follow the United States and exclude Huawei from its 5G network but will have the power to vet all equipment makers for any potential security threat, a minister said on Monday. "It is undisputed that we need high-security standards in the expansion of 5G but just as we must define that for ourselves, we must also discuss it with other European partners," Merkel said. All the telecom operators in Germany, which have close trading ties with China, are customers of Huawei and have warned that banning it would delay the launch of 5G networks.

Merkel wants Europe to aim for joint stance on China and 5G

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tata-steel-plans-to-cut-jobs-across-european-operations-262953">Tata&nbsp;Steel plans to cut</a> up to 3,000 jobs across its European operations, the company said on Monday, as the sector wrestles with excess supply, weak demand and high costs.

Earlier, a source close to the discussions told Reuters around 3,000 people would be affected after the group's European chief executive Henrik Adam said&nbsp;Tata&nbsp;was planning to announce job cuts across the European business without giving figures.

In a statement,&nbsp;Tata&nbsp;said it was urgently seeking to improve performance by increasing sales of higher value products, efficiency gains and reducing employment costs by cutting employee numbers by up to 3,000 across its European operations.

Around two-thirds of the job losses are expected to be office-based roles, it said.

Indian-owned&nbsp;Tata&nbsp;Steel, which launched a transformation programme in June to strengthen its European business, has operations including steelmaking in the Netherlands and Wales and downstream operations across Europe.

There will be no plant closures,&nbsp;Tata&nbsp;said, adding the aim was to shield&nbsp;Tata&nbsp;Steel Europe from challenges, such as weak demand, excess capacity and trade issues, and to become cash positive by the end of its financial year ending March 2021.

European steelmakers largely blame China for the extent of a surplus in the market, but the world's biggest steelmaker says it has made its own deep cuts to capacity.

Tata's quest to boost profitability follows a European anti-trust decision to block a joint venture with Germany's Thyssenkrupp.

Tata&nbsp;said in a statement challenging market conditions had been made "worse by the use of Europe as a dumping ground for the world's excess capacity".

In the first six months of its financial year starting April 2019,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tata-steel-reports-rs-3302-crore-q2-profit-260445">Tata&nbsp;Steel</a> Europe reported a drop of 90 per cent&nbsp;in EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation).

Britain last week said Chinese steelmaker Jingye has signed a provisional deal to buy British Steel, which went into compulsory liquidation in May.

The agreement is politically resonant ahead of British elections as job opportunities have become a major issue. If confirmed, the rescue could save thousands of jobs.

ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker, has idled a series of plants across Europe.

Eurofer, which represents the European steel industry, said in an email job losses were "a worrying and upsetting trend" caused by global overcapacity and hesitant demand.

It urged EU policymakers "to help stabilise the EU market by warding off import surges and supporting vital steel sector workers during this challenging period".

Tata Steel plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs across its European operations, the company said on Monday, as the sector wrestles with excess supply, weak demand and high costs.

Tata Steel plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs across its European operations, the company said on Monday, as the sector wrestles with excess supply, weak demand and high costs. Earlier, a source close to the discussions told Reuters around 3,000 people would be affected after the group's European chief executive Henrik Adam said Tata was planning to announce job cuts across the European business without giving figures. In a statement, Tata said it was urgently seeking to improve performance by increasing sales of higher value products, efficiency gains and reducing employment costs by cutting employee numbers by up to 3,000 across its European operations. Around two-thirds of the job losses are expected to be office-based roles, it said. Indian-owned Tata Steel, which launched a transformation programme in June to strengthen its European business, has operations including steelmaking in the Netherlands and Wales and downstream operations across Europe. There will be no plant closures, Tata said, adding the aim was to shield Tata Steel Europe from challenges, such as weak demand, excess capacity and trade issues, and to become cash positive by the end of its financial year ending March 2021. European steelmakers largely blame China for the extent of a surplus in the market, but the world's biggest steelmaker says it has made its own deep cuts to capacity. Tata's quest to boost profitability follows a European anti-trust decision to block a joint venture with Germany's Thyssenkrupp. Tata said in a statement challenging market conditions had been made "worse by the use of Europe as a dumping ground for the world's excess capacity". In the first six months of its financial year starting April 2019, Tata Steel Europe reported a drop of 90 per cent in EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation). Britain last week said Chinese steelmaker Jingye has signed a provisional deal to buy British Steel, which went into compulsory liquidation in May. The agreement is politically resonant ahead of British elections as job opportunities have become a major issue. If confirmed, the rescue could save thousands of jobs. ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker, has idled a series of plants across Europe. Eurofer, which represents the European steel industry, said in an email job losses were "a worrying and upsetting trend" caused by global overcapacity and hesitant demand. It urged EU policymakers "to help stabilise the EU market by warding off import surges and supporting vital steel sector workers during this challenging period".

Tata Steel plans to cut up to 3,000 European jobs due to excess supply, meagre demand

British no-frills airline<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-men-detained-after-easyjet-flight-diverted-to-cologne-16684"> EasyJet</a> on Tuesday made initial steps to reduce its carbon footprint, offsetting emissions from all flights in an industry first&nbsp;and revealing research into greener engines.

"I am proud that we have announced that from today we will be the world's first major airline to operate net-zero carbon flights across our whole network," said Chief Executive Johan Lundgren in a results statement.

"We are doing this by offsetting the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-unveils-17-trillion-climate-plan-to-end-us-carbon-emissions-by-2050-224374">carbon emissions</a> from the fuel used for all of our flights.

"We recognise that offsetting is only an interim measure, but we want to take action on our carbon emissions now."

The carrier announced the news, expected to cost it around £25 million ($32 million, 29 million euros) in 2020, alongside a modest drop in annual profit as the short-haul sector faced challenging trade.

The carrier added its priority was to work on reducing its carbon footprint in the short term while researching new greener technology in the longer term.

"Through carbon offsetting, EasyJet will invest in projects to reduce carbon and carbon equivalents from the atmosphere," it said.

"EasyJet will compensate&nbsp;for every tonne of CO2 emitted&nbsp;from fuel used for its flights by ensuring there is one tonne less in the atmosphere."

The airline added it would do this by either "reducing CO2 by physically removing it from the air, eg by planting more trees, or by avoiding the release of additional CO2".

EasyJet also said Tuesday that its annual profit after taxation dipped 2.5 per cent to £349 million in the 12 months to the end of September, citing "challenging market conditions".

But revenues jumped 8.3 per cent to £6.4 billion on the back of record passenger numbers.

EasyJet also unveiled a joint research project with Airbus, as part of industry-wide moves towards carbon neutrality.

"The airline will also continue its&nbsp;long-term work to support the development of new technology, including electric planes so that European aviation can move towards becoming net-zero carbon."

It added: "As part of this work,&nbsp;the EasyJet and Airbus partnership has been established,&nbsp;to jointly research the opportunities and challenges of introducing hybrid and electric aircraft for short-haul flying&nbsp;in Europe."&nbsp;

British no-frills airline EasyJet on Tuesday made initial steps to reduce its carbon footprint, offsetting emissions from all flights in an industry first and revealing research into greener engines.

British no-frills airline EasyJet on Tuesday made initial steps to reduce its carbon footprint, offsetting emissions from all flights in an industry first and revealing research into greener engines. "I am proud that we have announced that from today we will be the world's first major airline to operate net-zero carbon flights across our whole network," said Chief Executive Johan Lundgren in a results statement. "We are doing this by offsetting the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all of our flights. "We recognise that offsetting is only an interim measure, but we want to take action on our carbon emissions now." The carrier announced the news, expected to cost it around £25 million ($32 million, 29 million euros) in 2020, alongside a modest drop in annual profit as the short-haul sector faced challenging trade. The carrier added its priority was to work on reducing its carbon footprint in the short term while researching new greener technology in the longer term. "Through carbon offsetting, EasyJet will invest in projects to reduce carbon and carbon equivalents from the atmosphere," it said. "EasyJet will compensate for every tonne of CO2 emitted from fuel used for its flights by ensuring there is one tonne less in the atmosphere." The airline added it would do this by either "reducing CO2 by physically removing it from the air, eg by planting more trees, or by avoiding the release of additional CO2". EasyJet also said Tuesday that its annual profit after taxation dipped 2.5 per cent to £349 million in the 12 months to the end of September, citing "challenging market conditions". But revenues jumped 8.3 per cent to £6.4 billion on the back of record passenger numbers. EasyJet also unveiled a joint research project with Airbus, as part of industry-wide moves towards carbon neutrality. "The airline will also continue its long-term work to support the development of new technology, including electric planes so that European aviation can move towards becoming net-zero carbon." It added: "As part of this work, the EasyJet and Airbus partnership has been established, to jointly research the opportunities and challenges of introducing hybrid and electric aircraft for short-haul flying in Europe."

EasyJet announces steps toward zero-carbon future

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/european-union-concerned-by-irans-nuclear-deal-breach-261502">Europe's threat</a> to trigger a mechanism that could reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran marks a significant breakdown in diplomacy to try to save the 2015 nuclear deal and could presage its death knell, diplomats say.

Britain, France and Germany have sought to salvage the pact, under which Iran undertook to curtail its uranium enrichment programme in return for relief from sanctions crippling its economy since the United States withdrew last year.

But the three European powers have failed to make good on the trade and investment dividends promised to Iran under the deal as they have been unable to shield Tehran from renewed US&nbsp;sanctions that have strangled its vital oil trade.

That has prompted Iran to renege step by step from its non-proliferation commitments under the deal.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uranium-particles-detected-at-undeclared-site-in-iran-iaea-report-261503">U.N. nuclear watchdog (IAEA)</a> confirmed on Monday that Iran had resumed enriching uranium in its underground Fordow plant and was rapidly accelerating enrichment with a variety of advanced centrifuge machines also banned by the deal.

The move has alarmed European powers that had previously dismissed Tehran's breaches, such as exceeding the cap on stockpiles of enriched uranium and on the fissile purity of enrichment, as insignificant and reversible.

Britain, France, and Germany raised the prospect of a restoration of international sanctions for the first time late on Monday after a meeting of foreign ministers in Paris, saying they were ready "to consider all mechanisms ... including the dispute resolution mechanism".

Under the terms of the 2015 deal, if any party believes another is not upholding their commitments they can refer the issue to a Joint Commission comprising Iran, Russia, China, the three European powers, and the European Union.

If the complaining party cannot resolve the matter at the Commission level, it could then notify the U.N. Security Council, which must vote within 30 days on a resolution on continuing Iran's sanctions relief.

If this is not adopted within that time span, sanctions that were in place under previous U.N. resolutions would be reimposed - known as a "snapback" - unless the Council decided otherwise.

"We don't want to pull out of the (deal) too soon, but equally we cannot sit back. The Russians and the Chinese are not going to trigger this, but us, as Europeans, will have to take a stance at some point," said a European diplomat.

"It is not if but when, unless Iran pulls back, but even then, they are gaining (nuclear) knowledge by spinning these centrifuges, so we have to react."

Enrichment is the main pathway towards producing fuel that detonates a nuclear bomb, though Iran has refined to a fissile purity of 4.5 per cent&nbsp;- roughly suitable for electricity generation - far below the bomb-grade threshold of 90 per cent.

European disquiet has been exacerbated by the detention of an IAEA inspector at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility at the end of October, contrary to stipulations in the deal that Iran must grant daily access to the site as requested.

Diplomats said a meeting of the parties to the accord would take place over the next week to discuss latest developments. However, they say, the Europeans are unlikely to trigger the mechanism before January when Iran is due to announce its next round of steps away from compliance with the deal.

"What we're now seeing is the dismantling of the JCPOA," said another diplomat, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the agreement is formally known.

"We haven't decided on launching the mechanism, because we need to be sure of how it will help us in trying to defuse tensions. The questions we're asking is when, how, and whether it benefits us to do it?"

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated on Tuesday that Iran had itself launched the complaint mechanism and it was ceasing to heed its deal commitments because the Europeans had failed to protect it from US&nbsp;sanctions.

The deal's objective was to extend the time Iran would need to accumulate enough fissile material for an atom bomb, if it sought one - something sometimes referred to as "breakout time" to about a year from 2-3 months.

"We're now entering a phase where Iran's actions have a serious impact on the breakout time," said another EU diplomat, adding that the window to bring Iran and the United States back to the negotiating table was very small now.

Europe's threat to trigger a mechanism that could reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran marks a significant breakdown in diplomacy to try to save the 2015 nuclear deal and could presage its death knell, diplomats say.

Europe's threat to trigger a mechanism that could reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran marks a significant breakdown in diplomacy to try to save the 2015 nuclear deal and could presage its death knell, diplomats say. Britain, France and Germany have sought to salvage the pact, under which Iran undertook to curtail its uranium enrichment programme in return for relief from sanctions crippling its economy since the United States withdrew last year. But the three European powers have failed to make good on the trade and investment dividends promised to Iran under the deal as they have been unable to shield Tehran from renewed US sanctions that have strangled its vital oil trade. That has prompted Iran to renege step by step from its non-proliferation commitments under the deal. The U.N. nuclear watchdog (IAEA) confirmed on Monday that Iran had resumed enriching uranium in its underground Fordow plant and was rapidly accelerating enrichment with a variety of advanced centrifuge machines also banned by the deal. The move has alarmed European powers that had previously dismissed Tehran's breaches, such as exceeding the cap on stockpiles of enriched uranium and on the fissile purity of enrichment, as insignificant and reversible. Britain, France, and Germany raised the prospect of a restoration of international sanctions for the first time late on Monday after a meeting of foreign ministers in Paris, saying they were ready "to consider all mechanisms ... including the dispute resolution mechanism". Under the terms of the 2015 deal, if any party believes another is not upholding their commitments they can refer the issue to a Joint Commission comprising Iran, Russia, China, the three European powers, and the European Union. If the complaining party cannot resolve the matter at the Commission level, it could then notify the U.N. Security Council, which must vote within 30 days on a resolution on continuing Iran's sanctions relief. If this is not adopted within that time span, sanctions that were in place under previous U.N. resolutions would be reimposed - known as a "snapback" - unless the Council decided otherwise. "We don't want to pull out of the (deal) too soon, but equally we cannot sit back. The Russians and the Chinese are not going to trigger this, but us, as Europeans, will have to take a stance at some point," said a European diplomat. "It is not if but when, unless Iran pulls back, but even then, they are gaining (nuclear) knowledge by spinning these centrifuges, so we have to react." Enrichment is the main pathway towards producing fuel that detonates a nuclear bomb, though Iran has refined to a fissile purity of 4.5 per cent - roughly suitable for electricity generation - far below the bomb-grade threshold of 90 per cent. European disquiet has been exacerbated by the detention of an IAEA inspector at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility at the end of October, contrary to stipulations in the deal that Iran must grant daily access to the site as requested. Diplomats said a meeting of the parties to the accord would take place over the next week to discuss latest developments. However, they say, the Europeans are unlikely to trigger the mechanism before January when Iran is due to announce its next round of steps away from compliance with the deal. "What we're now seeing is the dismantling of the JCPOA," said another diplomat, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the agreement is formally known. "We haven't decided on launching the mechanism, because we need to be sure of how it will help us in trying to defuse tensions. The questions we're asking is when, how, and whether it benefits us to do it?" Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated on Tuesday that Iran had itself launched the complaint mechanism and it was ceasing to heed its deal commitments because the Europeans had failed to protect it from US sanctions. The deal's objective was to extend the time Iran would need to accumulate enough fissile material for an atom bomb, if it sought one - something sometimes referred to as "breakout time" to about a year from 2-3 months. "We're now entering a phase where Iran's actions have a serious impact on the breakout time," said another EU diplomat, adding that the window to bring Iran and the United States back to the negotiating table was very small now.

European concerns raise prospect of renewed U.N. sanctions on Iran

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls on Europe to develop new weapons. Watch video to know more.

Angela Merkel Calls on Europe to Develop New Weapons

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-sees-lifting-of-un-arms-embargo-in-2020-as-huge-political-goal-261506">Iran accused European nations of hypocrisy</a> on Tuesday for criticising its latest step back from a nuclear deal while failing to fulfil their commitments of relief from US sanctions.

But President Hassan Rouhani made no mention of a new report from the UN nuclear watchdog that reveals that its inspectors detected uranium particles of man-made origin at an undeclared site in Iran.

Britain, France, Germany and the EU have been trying to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal since the US unilaterally withdrew from it in May last year and began reimposing sanctions.

A year after the US pullout from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran began reducing its commitments to the deal hoping to win concessions from those still party to the accord.

Iran's latest measure came last week when engineers began feeding uranium hexafluoride gas into mothballed enrichment centrifuges at the underground Fordow plant south of Tehran.

In a joint statement on Monday, Britain, France, Germany and the European Union said Iran's decision to restart activities at Fordow was "inconsistent" with a 2015 nuclear deal.

"The E3/EU have fully upheld their JCPOA commitments, including sanctions-lifting as foreseen under the JCPOA," they said.

"It is now critical that Iran upholds its JCPOA commitments and works with all JCPOA participants to de-escalate tensions."

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hit back on Tuesday,&nbsp;

"'Fully upheld commitments under JCPOA' YOU? Really?" he tweeted.

Zarif said Iran had already "triggered and exhausted" a dispute resolution mechanism in the troubled accord.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass had on Monday threatened the use of "all the mechanisms laid down in the agreement" to make Iran comply with its obligations under the JCPOA.

'We waited'

On Tuesday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uranium-particles-detected-at-undeclared-site-in-iran-iaea-report-261503">Rouhani said Iran only began scaling back its nuclear commitments</a> a year after the US withdrawal to give the other parties time to make up for it.

"We waited for a year," Rouhani told a televised news conference.

"Nobody in the world can blame us by saying 'Why are you abandoning your commitments under the JCPOA today and why have you launched Fordow today?'" he said.

"This is a problem that the enemy has created for us," he said, referring to Iran's arch-foe the United States.

Iran's approach, he said, was to take "the path of resistance and perseverance" by reducing commitments under the JCPOA and engaging in negotiations.

"We are negotiating with the world... they are giving us proposals, we're giving them proposals. Up until today, I have not accepted the proposals I've been given."

Rouhani made no mention of the uranium particles the International Atomic Energy Agency said its inspectors had detected at an undeclared site in Iran.

In a report seen by AFP on Monday, the watchdog said its inspectors had "detected natural uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at a location in Iran not declared to the agency."&nbsp;

The particles are understood to be the product of uranium which has been mined and undergone initial processing, but not enriched.

While the IAEA itself has not named the site in question, diplomatic sources have previously said the agency has been posing questions to Iran relating to a site where Israel has alleged secret atomic activity in the past.

Britain, France, Germany and the EU said that they were "extremely concerned".

Iran accused European nations of hypocrisy on Tuesday for criticising its latest step back from a nuclear deal while failing to fulfil their commitments of relief from US sanctions.

Iran accused European nations of hypocrisy on Tuesday for criticising its latest step back from a nuclear deal while failing to fulfil their commitments of relief from US sanctions. But President Hassan Rouhani made no mention of a new report from the UN nuclear watchdog that reveals that its inspectors detected uranium particles of man-made origin at an undeclared site in Iran. Britain, France, Germany and the EU have been trying to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal since the US unilaterally withdrew from it in May last year and began reimposing sanctions. A year after the US pullout from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran began reducing its commitments to the deal hoping to win concessions from those still party to the accord. Iran's latest measure came last week when engineers began feeding uranium hexafluoride gas into mothballed enrichment centrifuges at the underground Fordow plant south of Tehran. In a joint statement on Monday, Britain, France, Germany and the European Union said Iran's decision to restart activities at Fordow was "inconsistent" with a 2015 nuclear deal. "The E3/EU have fully upheld their JCPOA commitments, including sanctions-lifting as foreseen under the JCPOA," they said. "It is now critical that Iran upholds its JCPOA commitments and works with all JCPOA participants to de-escalate tensions." Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hit back on Tuesday, "'Fully upheld commitments under JCPOA' YOU? Really?" he tweeted. Zarif said Iran had already "triggered and exhausted" a dispute resolution mechanism in the troubled accord. German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass had on Monday threatened the use of "all the mechanisms laid down in the agreement" to make Iran comply with its obligations under the JCPOA. 'We waited' On Tuesday, Rouhani said Iran only began scaling back its nuclear commitments a year after the US withdrawal to give the other parties time to make up for it. "We waited for a year," Rouhani told a televised news conference. "Nobody in the world can blame us by saying 'Why are you abandoning your commitments under the JCPOA today and why have you launched Fordow today?'" he said. "This is a problem that the enemy has created for us," he said, referring to Iran's arch-foe the United States. Iran's approach, he said, was to take "the path of resistance and perseverance" by reducing commitments under the JCPOA and engaging in negotiations. "We are negotiating with the world... they are giving us proposals, we're giving them proposals. Up until today, I have not accepted the proposals I've been given." Rouhani made no mention of the uranium particles the International Atomic Energy Agency said its inspectors had detected at an undeclared site in Iran. In a report seen by AFP on Monday, the watchdog said its inspectors had "detected natural uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at a location in Iran not declared to the agency." The particles are understood to be the product of uranium which has been mined and undergone initial processing, but not enriched. While the IAEA itself has not named the site in question, diplomatic sources have previously said the agency has been posing questions to Iran relating to a site where Israel has alleged secret atomic activity in the past. Britain, France, Germany and the EU said that they were "extremely concerned".

Iran accuses Europeans of hypocrisy over nuclear deal

Spain's Socialists faced tough talks to form a government on Monday after the party emerged on top but weakened from a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-separatists-block-spain-france-highway-261375">repeat election</a> which produced an even more divided parliament and propelled far-right Vox into third place.

Neither the left nor the right bloc is anywhere near an absolute majority in the 350-seat assembly following Sunday's polls, prolonging a political deadlock in the eurozone's fourth-largest economy after a similar result in the previous general election in April.

The "elections did not solve the difficulties in achieving a governing majority. On the contrary, (they) worsened them," top-selling daily newspaper El Pais wrote in an editorial.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez triggered the repeat polls, Spain's fourth in four years, after his Socialists failed to reach an agreement with other parties to forge a parliamentary majority in April.

But his gamble resulted in the party winning just 120 parliamentary seats,&nbsp;three fewer than in April,&nbsp;while far-left Podemos party slumped to 35 seats from 42 the last time around.

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias urged the left to unite this time and said he was willing to start negotiating with Sanchez. However, their two parties together would still need the support of several smaller parties to build a working majority of 176 seats in parliament.

The main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP) recovered from its worst-ever showing in April, finishing second with 88 seats, up from 66, while Vox was the biggest winner.

It won 52 seats,&nbsp;more than doubling the 24 it took during its April parliamentary debut in the most significant showing by a far-right faction since Spain's return to democracy following dictator Francisco Franco's death in 1975.

'Practically impossible'

The deepening Catalan separatist crisis played squarely into the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spains-far-right-doubles-seats-in-hung-parliament-difficult-talks-ahead-261232">hands of the far-right</a>, which has vowed to clamp down aggressively on Catalonia's independence drive.

Catalonia was rocked by days of mass, sometimes violent, pro-independence rallies after Spain's Supreme Court on October 14 sentenced nine politicians and activists to jail for up to 13 years for their role in a failed secession bid in 2017.

"My hypothesis is it will be practically impossible to form a government in Spain... It will be harder than in the past," said Joan Botella, a political science professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (AUB).

"All parties have a rival to their left, another rival to their right, and that blocks strategic options," he added.

Business-friendly Ciudadanos, which had been another option as a governing partner for the Socialists, suffered a drubbing, winning just 10 seats, down from 57.

On Monday, Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera resigned, saying it was "the responsible thing to do".

'Change in criteria'

The Socialist have hinted they would like to govern in a minority and have appealed for "generosity" and a "sense of responsibility" to allow it to do so.

"We ask for a change in criteria from everyone, of generosity in the interests of this country," Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo said in an interview with public television.

The Socialist Party is already pressuring the PP to abstain from voting during a confidence vote in parliament to allow it to form a government.

But Eurasia analyst Frederic Santini said that given the improved performance of the right bloc, the "PP's leadership will now likely be more comfortable with the idea of a new election...and therefore even more reluctant to back a Socialist government."

Oriol Bartomeus, another AUB political scientist, said the PP was "threatened by the rise of Vox, and as a result has much less incentive to join forces with the Socialists."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-votes-in-repeat-general-election-amid-catalonia-tensions-261157">Spain has been mired in political paralysis for four years</a> since Podemos and Ciudadanos entered parliament following a December 2015 election that shattered the decades-long hegemony of the Socialists and the PP.

Spain's Socialists faced tough talks to form a government on Monday after the party emerged on top but weakened from a repeat election which produced an even more divided parliament and propelled far-right Vox into third place.

Spain's Socialists faced tough talks to form a government on Monday after the party emerged on top but weakened from a repeat election which produced an even more divided parliament and propelled far-right Vox into third place. Neither the left nor the right bloc is anywhere near an absolute majority in the 350-seat assembly following Sunday's polls, prolonging a political deadlock in the eurozone's fourth-largest economy after a similar result in the previous general election in April. The "elections did not solve the difficulties in achieving a governing majority. On the contrary, (they) worsened them," top-selling daily newspaper El Pais wrote in an editorial. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez triggered the repeat polls, Spain's fourth in four years, after his Socialists failed to reach an agreement with other parties to forge a parliamentary majority in April. But his gamble resulted in the party winning just 120 parliamentary seats, three fewer than in April, while far-left Podemos party slumped to 35 seats from 42 the last time around. Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias urged the left to unite this time and said he was willing to start negotiating with Sanchez. However, their two parties together would still need the support of several smaller parties to build a working majority of 176 seats in parliament. The main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP) recovered from its worst-ever showing in April, finishing second with 88 seats, up from 66, while Vox was the biggest winner. It won 52 seats, more than doubling the 24 it took during its April parliamentary debut in the most significant showing by a far-right faction since Spain's return to democracy following dictator Francisco Franco's death in 1975. 'Practically impossible' The deepening Catalan separatist crisis played squarely into the hands of the far-right, which has vowed to clamp down aggressively on Catalonia's independence drive. Catalonia was rocked by days of mass, sometimes violent, pro-independence rallies after Spain's Supreme Court on October 14 sentenced nine politicians and activists to jail for up to 13 years for their role in a failed secession bid in 2017. "My hypothesis is it will be practically impossible to form a government in Spain... It will be harder than in the past," said Joan Botella, a political science professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (AUB). "All parties have a rival to their left, another rival to their right, and that blocks strategic options," he added. Business-friendly Ciudadanos, which had been another option as a governing partner for the Socialists, suffered a drubbing, winning just 10 seats, down from 57. On Monday, Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera resigned, saying it was "the responsible thing to do". 'Change in criteria' The Socialist have hinted they would like to govern in a minority and have appealed for "generosity" and a "sense of responsibility" to allow it to do so. "We ask for a change in criteria from everyone, of generosity in the interests of this country," Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo said in an interview with public television. The Socialist Party is already pressuring the PP to abstain from voting during a confidence vote in parliament to allow it to form a government. But Eurasia analyst Frederic Santini said that given the improved performance of the right bloc, the "PP's leadership will now likely be more comfortable with the idea of a new election...and therefore even more reluctant to back a Socialist government." Oriol Bartomeus, another AUB political scientist, said the PP was "threatened by the rise of Vox, and as a result has much less incentive to join forces with the Socialists." Spain has been mired in political paralysis for four years since Podemos and Ciudadanos entered parliament following a December 2015 election that shattered the decades-long hegemony of the Socialists and the PP.

Spain's fourth election in four years fails to break deadlock

Vandals desecrated more than 80 graves at a Jewish cemetery in the western Danish town of Randers, police said Sunday.

"More than 80 gravestones were daubed with green graffiti and some were overturned" at the Ostre Kirkegard cemetery, a statement said.

"There are no symbols or words written on the gravestones but the paint has been daubed on them," the Ritzau news agency quoted police spokesman Bo Christensen as saying.

Police said a complaint had been made Saturday but they did not know when the vandalism had occurred.

The Randers burial ground dates back to the early 19th century when the town's 200-strong Jewish community was Denmark's largest outside the capital Copenhagen, which is today home to most of the country's 6,000 Jews.

Copenhagen's Great Synagogue was targeted in a 2015 shooting which saw one security officer killed after an earlier attack on a conference on freedom of expression also left one person dead.

Five police were injured in the twin attacks which saw the police gun down 22-year-old perpetrator Omar El-Hussein, a Danish citizen of Palestinian origin.

Vandals desecrated more than 80 graves at a Jewish cemetery in the western Danish town of Randers, police said Sunday. "More than 80 gravestones were daubed with green graffiti and some were overturned" at the Ostre Kirkegard cemetery, a statement said.

Vandals desecrated more than 80 graves at a Jewish cemetery in the western Danish town of Randers, police said Sunday. "More than 80 gravestones were daubed with green graffiti and some were overturned" at the Ostre Kirkegard cemetery, a statement said. "There are no symbols or words written on the gravestones but the paint has been daubed on them," the Ritzau news agency quoted police spokesman Bo Christensen as saying. Police said a complaint had been made Saturday but they did not know when the vandalism had occurred. The Randers burial ground dates back to the early 19th century when the town's 200-strong Jewish community was Denmark's largest outside the capital Copenhagen, which is today home to most of the country's 6,000 Jews. Copenhagen's Great Synagogue was targeted in a 2015 shooting which saw one security officer killed after an earlier attack on a conference on freedom of expression also left one person dead. Five police were injured in the twin attacks which saw the police gun down 22-year-old perpetrator Omar El-Hussein, a Danish citizen of Palestinian origin.

Jewish graves desecrated in Denmark

Europe "must stand up for democracy and freedom, for human rights and tolerance", Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday as Germany commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Such values "must always be lived out and defended anew," Merkel told political leaders and European guests at a ceremony, warning that these freedoms cannot be taken for granted.

Speaking in the Reconciliation Chapel on the former "death strip" that ran alongside the wall, the chancellor said that the barrier that divided communist East from democratic West was "history".

Merkel herself grew up in East Germany and was a scientist working in Berlin on November 9, 1989.

The&nbsp;communist authorities finally opened border crossings that day "teaches us that no wall that shuts people out and limits freedom is so tall or broad that it cannot be broken through," Merkel said.

The chancellor and guests including the presidents of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia had earlier been invited to stick roses through holes in a section of wall still standing at the Bernauer Strasse memorial, just north of central Berlin.

Groups of schoolchildren from around Europe, including war-torn Ukraine, also spoke in their native languages to the leaders about the emotions the anniversary wakens for them.

Europe "must stand up for democracy and freedom, for human rights and tolerance", Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday as Germany commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Europe "must stand up for democracy and freedom, for human rights and tolerance", Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday as Germany commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Such values "must always be lived out and defended anew," Merkel told political leaders and European guests at a ceremony, warning that these freedoms cannot be taken for granted. Speaking in the Reconciliation Chapel on the former "death strip" that ran alongside the wall, the chancellor said that the barrier that divided communist East from democratic West was "history". Merkel herself grew up in East Germany and was a scientist working in Berlin on November 9, 1989. The communist authorities finally opened border crossings that day "teaches us that no wall that shuts people out and limits freedom is so tall or broad that it cannot be broken through," Merkel said. The chancellor and guests including the presidents of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia had earlier been invited to stick roses through holes in a section of wall still standing at the Bernauer Strasse memorial, just north of central Berlin. Groups of schoolchildren from around Europe, including war-torn Ukraine, also spoke in their native languages to the leaders about the emotions the anniversary wakens for them.

On Berlin Wall anniversary, Merkel urges Europe to defend 'democracy, freedom'

The European Union's largest states are pushing for the establishment of a new supervisory authority that would take over from states the oversight of money laundering at financial firms, after a series of scandals at the bloc's banks.

In a joint statement, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Latvia said the 28-country EU needed a "central supervisor" to tackle the flow of dirty money within the bloc's financial system.

The move comes after European lenders were shut down over money laundering in Latvia, Malta and Cyprus, while top banks from the Baltic and Northern Europe were involved in dodgy transactions worth billions of euros of Russian dirty money through the Estonian branch of Danske Bank, in what is seen as the worst money-laundering scandal on the continent.

The need for an EU supervisor emerged after repeated failures by national watchdogs at spotting and countering money laundering, the statement said.

"Where large financial interests are at stake, there is a risk of national supervisors being influenced directly or indirectly by supervised institutions or interest groups," the statement said.

The six countries said the new supervisor could be a new body or an existing watchdog, the European Banking Authority (EBA), which would need to be beefed up.

The call for change comes just few months after the bloc has agreed to overhaul EBA's mandate to give the watchdog new powers to tackle money laundering.

That reform, proposed by EU finance commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, a former prime minister of Latvia, quickly appeared as insufficient to many observers.

The move marks a major shift in Germany's position. While France, Italy and Spain have been calling for months for stronger rules against money laundering, Berlin had opposed more ambitious changes in recent overhauls.

The six states also call for new anti-money laundering rules, in what would be the sixth review of those provisions, just one year after their latest overhaul was agreed in a reform now judged as "not decisive" by the six countries.

Existing rules should be merged into a single piece of legislation directly applicable in EU states, the statement said, reversing the existing system that allows countries to adapt EU money-laundering rules to national prerogatives.

That has caused lenient application of the rules in several states that, the statement says, could offer "arbitrage opportunities" to lure financial firms.

The move comes after EU finance ministers discussed a reform of money-laundering rules at a meeting last month and before another gathering in December when a common EU stance is expected to be adopted on the matter.

The Finnish presidency of the bloc prepared in October a draft of the paper that should be adopted in December, which called for changes similar to those contained in the six-country statement.

The European Union's largest states are pushing for the establishment of a new supervisory authority that would take over from states the oversight of money laundering at financial firms, after a series of scandals at the bloc's banks.

The European Union's largest states are pushing for the establishment of a new supervisory authority that would take over from states the oversight of money laundering at financial firms, after a series of scandals at the bloc's banks. In a joint statement, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Latvia said the 28-country EU needed a "central supervisor" to tackle the flow of dirty money within the bloc's financial system. The move comes after European lenders were shut down over money laundering in Latvia, Malta and Cyprus, while top banks from the Baltic and Northern Europe were involved in dodgy transactions worth billions of euros of Russian dirty money through the Estonian branch of Danske Bank, in what is seen as the worst money-laundering scandal on the continent. The need for an EU supervisor emerged after repeated failures by national watchdogs at spotting and countering money laundering, the statement said. "Where large financial interests are at stake, there is a risk of national supervisors being influenced directly or indirectly by supervised institutions or interest groups," the statement said. The six countries said the new supervisor could be a new body or an existing watchdog, the European Banking Authority (EBA), which would need to be beefed up. The call for change comes just few months after the bloc has agreed to overhaul EBA's mandate to give the watchdog new powers to tackle money laundering. That reform, proposed by EU finance commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, a former prime minister of Latvia, quickly appeared as insufficient to many observers. The move marks a major shift in Germany's position. While France, Italy and Spain have been calling for months for stronger rules against money laundering, Berlin had opposed more ambitious changes in recent overhauls. The six states also call for new anti-money laundering rules, in what would be the sixth review of those provisions, just one year after their latest overhaul was agreed in a reform now judged as "not decisive" by the six countries. Existing rules should be merged into a single piece of legislation directly applicable in EU states, the statement said, reversing the existing system that allows countries to adapt EU money-laundering rules to national prerogatives. That has caused lenient application of the rules in several states that, the statement says, could offer "arbitrage opportunities" to lure financial firms. The move comes after EU finance ministers discussed a reform of money-laundering rules at a meeting last month and before another gathering in December when a common EU stance is expected to be adopted on the matter. The Finnish presidency of the bloc prepared in October a draft of the paper that should be adopted in December, which called for changes similar to those contained in the six-country statement.

European Union heavyweight states push for joint supervisor against money laundering

As divisions grow at the European Central Bank over continued interest rate cuts, at least one indicator appears to side with policymakers who are arguing for tighter monetary policy: household savings rates.

Interest rate doves,&nbsp;policymakers who favour looser monetary policy to keep the economy moving, argue that ever-lower interest rates disincentivise households from saving so that they spend and invest more.

But policymakers and investors alike are beginning to question whether that effect has limits once interest rates go below zero per cent, which may instead create even more anxiety about economic health. Negative rates meanwhile raise costs for European banks, hurting their ability to lend.

As the following graphic shows, household savings rates in the European Union have fallen in tandem with the German 10-year bond yield ever since the ECB cut rates at the height of the sovereign debt crisis. But in the past two years, that trend appears to have broken down, with savings rates moving substantially higher even as long-term borrowing rates plumbed ever-deeper below zero.

In September, the ECB cut its already negative key deposit rate further into sub-zero territory,&nbsp;a move that has laid bare growing divisions and pushback from some policymakers.

Austrian central bank governor Robert Holzmann said on Thursday the ECB should raise interest rates as soon as possible, as negative rates send the wrong signal to savers.

"It's really sending the signal that we've reached the stage where cutting rates further cannot be the solution anymore," said Didier Saint-Georges, managing director at French asset manager Carmignac.

As divisions grow at the European Central Bank over continued interest rate cuts, at least one indicator appears to side with policymakers who are arguing for tighter monetary policy: household savings rates.

As divisions grow at the European Central Bank over continued interest rate cuts, at least one indicator appears to side with policymakers who are arguing for tighter monetary policy: household savings rates. Interest rate doves, policymakers who favour looser monetary policy to keep the economy moving, argue that ever-lower interest rates disincentivise households from saving so that they spend and invest more. But policymakers and investors alike are beginning to question whether that effect has limits once interest rates go below zero per cent, which may instead create even more anxiety about economic health. Negative rates meanwhile raise costs for European banks, hurting their ability to lend. As the following graphic shows, household savings rates in the European Union have fallen in tandem with the German 10-year bond yield ever since the ECB cut rates at the height of the sovereign debt crisis. But in the past two years, that trend appears to have broken down, with savings rates moving substantially higher even as long-term borrowing rates plumbed ever-deeper below zero. In September, the ECB cut its already negative key deposit rate further into sub-zero territory, a move that has laid bare growing divisions and pushback from some policymakers. Austrian central bank governor Robert Holzmann said on Thursday the ECB should raise interest rates as soon as possible, as negative rates send the wrong signal to savers. "It's really sending the signal that we've reached the stage where cutting rates further cannot be the solution anymore," said Didier Saint-Georges, managing director at French asset manager Carmignac.

Rising European savings could undermine case for negative rates

A slowdown in economic growth in the eurozone since last year may be sharper than expected, but that does not necessarily mean a recession is looming, Klaus Regling, head of the euro zone's bailout fund, said on Tuesday.

"We are in a phase of slowdown but not of recession," Regling told a conference in Nicosia.

The euro zone's gross domestic product expanded by 0.2 per cent&nbsp;in the second quarter, after a 0.4 per cent&nbsp;expansion in the first three months of the year, Eurostat data in September showed.

It confirms a gloomy outlook for the 19-nation currency bloc which is facing twin threats and uncertainty from Brexit and global trade wars.

Regling, who heads the European Stability Mechanism, an organisation which offers aid to faltering euro area economies, said the eurozone had strong economic fundamentals and that growth was close to potential.

"We have to remember that not every cyclical slowdown leads to a recession, and not every recession implies another crisis," Regling said.

"It is important to look at the underlying dynamics. This slowdown in growth relates mainly to external factors, while domestic demand remains resilient."

He said the single currency area was better equipped now to deal with any future crises than it was a decade ago, but that more could be done to strengthen its financial architecture.

Common deposit insurance, a fiscal capacity for macroeconomic stabilisation,&nbsp;what he described as a key element missing in the architecture of the eurozone,&nbsp;and the need to create a European 'safe asset' should be discussed, Regling said.

A slowdown in economic growth in the eurozone since last year may be sharper than expected, but that does not necessarily mean a recession is looming, Klaus Regling, head of the euro zone's bailout fund, said on Tuesday.

A slowdown in economic growth in the eurozone since last year may be sharper than expected, but that does not necessarily mean a recession is looming, Klaus Regling, head of the euro zone's bailout fund, said on Tuesday. "We are in a phase of slowdown but not of recession," Regling told a conference in Nicosia. The euro zone's gross domestic product expanded by 0.2 per cent in the second quarter, after a 0.4 per cent expansion in the first three months of the year, Eurostat data in September showed. It confirms a gloomy outlook for the 19-nation currency bloc which is facing twin threats and uncertainty from Brexit and global trade wars. Regling, who heads the European Stability Mechanism, an organisation which offers aid to faltering euro area economies, said the eurozone had strong economic fundamentals and that growth was close to potential. "We have to remember that not every cyclical slowdown leads to a recession, and not every recession implies another crisis," Regling said. "It is important to look at the underlying dynamics. This slowdown in growth relates mainly to external factors, while domestic demand remains resilient." He said the single currency area was better equipped now to deal with any future crises than it was a decade ago, but that more could be done to strengthen its financial architecture. Common deposit insurance, a fiscal capacity for macroeconomic stabilisation, what he described as a key element missing in the architecture of the eurozone, and the need to create a European 'safe asset' should be discussed, Regling said.

Eurozone slowdown doesn't mean recession: ESM's Regling

Protesters in two towns in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-approves-controversial-migration-law-259324">northern Greece</a> took to the streets Sunday to rally against the transfer of migrants from the Greek islands to sites on the mainland.

"They should leave. We have had enough," an inhabitant of Yannitsa told the Skai broadcasting group as several dozen people tried to prevent the dawn arrival of 60 asylum-seekers from the islands of Lesbos and Samos.

Around 60 other migrants have already been relocated to Yannitsa and "we have had many problems," the local resident said.

The migrants finally managed to leave their bus as police looked on, and occupy rooms at hotels in the town.

To the east in Serres, another protest was held against the arrival of around 20 migrants.

Over the weekend, roughly 900 people were transferred from Greek islands to sites on the mainland, and the government has said it wants to relocate 20,000 by the end of the year.

Ten days ago, inhabitants of Nea Vrasna prevented 380 asylum-seekers from reaching hotels by stoning their buses, which turned around and headed to another relocation site in central Greece.

The country has again become a key point of entry for migrants to Europe, possibly owing to a new policy from neighbouring Turkey, which threatened in September to ease border controls if it did not receive more international aid.

In the past four months "40,000 migrants and refugees have arrived," junior minister Georges Koumoutsakos told Skai in an interview.

"We have to show solidarity with border regions that have borne the brunt" of the influx he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-camps-near-capacity-as-refugees-face-long-wait-for-asylum-259734">Greek figures</a> show that more than 34,000 people now live in miserable conditions on five islands that in theory can host 6,300 while they register as asylum-seekers.

On Friday, lawmakers approved a law that tightens asylum procedures and is aimed at easing "a state of prolonged paralysis," according to conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who said the country was trying to clear nearly 70,000 pending requests.

He accused Turkey and the previous centre-left Greek government for the spike in migrant arrivals.

Protesters in two towns in northern Greece took to the streets Sunday to rally against the transfer of migrants from the Greek islands to sites on the mainland. "They should leave.

Protesters in two towns in northern Greece took to the streets Sunday to rally against the transfer of migrants from the Greek islands to sites on the mainland. "They should leave. We have had enough," an inhabitant of Yannitsa told the Skai broadcasting group as several dozen people tried to prevent the dawn arrival of 60 asylum-seekers from the islands of Lesbos and Samos. Around 60 other migrants have already been relocated to Yannitsa and "we have had many problems," the local resident said. The migrants finally managed to leave their bus as police looked on, and occupy rooms at hotels in the town. To the east in Serres, another protest was held against the arrival of around 20 migrants. Over the weekend, roughly 900 people were transferred from Greek islands to sites on the mainland, and the government has said it wants to relocate 20,000 by the end of the year. Ten days ago, inhabitants of Nea Vrasna prevented 380 asylum-seekers from reaching hotels by stoning their buses, which turned around and headed to another relocation site in central Greece. The country has again become a key point of entry for migrants to Europe, possibly owing to a new policy from neighbouring Turkey, which threatened in September to ease border controls if it did not receive more international aid. In the past four months "40,000 migrants and refugees have arrived," junior minister Georges Koumoutsakos told Skai in an interview. "We have to show solidarity with border regions that have borne the brunt" of the influx he added. Greek figures show that more than 34,000 people now live in miserable conditions on five islands that in theory can host 6,300 while they register as asylum-seekers. On Friday, lawmakers approved a law that tightens asylum procedures and is aimed at easing "a state of prolonged paralysis," according to conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who said the country was trying to clear nearly 70,000 pending requests. He accused Turkey and the previous centre-left Greek government for the spike in migrant arrivals.

Two Greek towns protest migrant transfers

The situation for migrants in camps on Greek islands is "explosive" and "on the edge of catastrophe", the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights said Thursday.

Greece has once again become the main point of entry for people seeking asylum in Europe and it is struggling to accommodate them despite the availability of EU funds.

"The situation of migrants, including asylum seekers, in the Greek Aegean islands, has dramatically worsened over the past 12 months," Dunja Mijatovic told reporters at the end of a five-day visit.

"Urgent measures are needed to address the desperate conditions in which thousands of human beings are living. What we see in practice is telling me that human rights are not respected. This is an unacceptable situation," she said.

With parliament scheduled to approve a tougher new migration law later Thursday, the government has said it has some 75,000 asylum requests to process.&nbsp;

Mijatovic said there are an estimated 100,000 refugees and migrants in the country.

Despite regular relocations to the mainland, there are over 34,000 people living in overcrowded Greek island camps.&nbsp;

The government has pledged to move 20,000 of them to camps on the mainland before the end of the year.

'Struggle for survival'

Mijatovic, who visited camps on the islands of Lesbos and Samos and in Corinth, said she was "appalled" by the unhygienic conditions in which asylum-seekers live on the islands.

"There is a crying lack of medical care and sanitation in the vastly overcrowded camps I have visited. People queue for hours to get food and to go to bathrooms when they exist," she said.

"On Samos, families are chipping away rocks to make some space on steep hillsides to set up their makeshift shelters, often made by trees they cut themselves. This no longer has anything to do with the reception of asylum seekers. This has become a struggle for survival."

Mijatovic urged Greek authorities to accelerate transfers out of the islands and boost local hospitals which are currently unable to handle the strain.

She also called on other EU states to help in more ways than just financially, by accepting more asylum-seekers, particularly unaccompanied minors who now number over 4,000.

"The solidarity Greece needs is not there… I'm talking about real actions, other European countries taking the responsibility as well," she said.

"People are suffering tremendously. It's not something I can continue watching without raising my voice...what I can assess is that there is not enough political will" among "certain" other EU states, the commissioner said.

"In a way, we are failing to show that Europe is still a place where human rights are respected. It's not just Greece."

In her home country of Bosnia, there are some 10,000 asylum-seekers in a camp near a minefield, Mijatovic said.

Greece's new conservative government, which took over in July, has vowed to tighten asylum rules, step up naval patrols to deter migrant boats and to send 10,000 people back to Turkey next year.

There have been clashes between different migrant groups and between migrants and the police.&nbsp;

The Greek parliament on Thursday is to adopt a new migration law enshrining the policy changes, but Mijatovic says the draft she saw "raises concerns from a human rights perspective."

Human rights groups have also criticised the bill, saying it introduces stricter rules for receiving asylum seekers, delays access to the right to work, narrows the definition of family, and imposes more burdens on torture victims in being recognised as such.

The situation for migrants in camps on Greek islands is "explosive" and "on the edge of catastrophe", the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights said Thursday.

The situation for migrants in camps on Greek islands is "explosive" and "on the edge of catastrophe", the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights said Thursday. Greece has once again become the main point of entry for people seeking asylum in Europe and it is struggling to accommodate them despite the availability of EU funds. "The situation of migrants, including asylum seekers, in the Greek Aegean islands, has dramatically worsened over the past 12 months," Dunja Mijatovic told reporters at the end of a five-day visit. "Urgent measures are needed to address the desperate conditions in which thousands of human beings are living. What we see in practice is telling me that human rights are not respected. This is an unacceptable situation," she said. With parliament scheduled to approve a tougher new migration law later Thursday, the government has said it has some 75,000 asylum requests to process. Mijatovic said there are an estimated 100,000 refugees and migrants in the country. Despite regular relocations to the mainland, there are over 34,000 people living in overcrowded Greek island camps. The government has pledged to move 20,000 of them to camps on the mainland before the end of the year. 'Struggle for survival' Mijatovic, who visited camps on the islands of Lesbos and Samos and in Corinth, said she was "appalled" by the unhygienic conditions in which asylum-seekers live on the islands. "There is a crying lack of medical care and sanitation in the vastly overcrowded camps I have visited. People queue for hours to get food and to go to bathrooms when they exist," she said. "On Samos, families are chipping away rocks to make some space on steep hillsides to set up their makeshift shelters, often made by trees they cut themselves. This no longer has anything to do with the reception of asylum seekers. This has become a struggle for survival." Mijatovic urged Greek authorities to accelerate transfers out of the islands and boost local hospitals which are currently unable to handle the strain. She also called on other EU states to help in more ways than just financially, by accepting more asylum-seekers, particularly unaccompanied minors who now number over 4,000. "The solidarity Greece needs is not there… I'm talking about real actions, other European countries taking the responsibility as well," she said. "People are suffering tremendously. It's not something I can continue watching without raising my voice...what I can assess is that there is not enough political will" among "certain" other EU states, the commissioner said. "In a way, we are failing to show that Europe is still a place where human rights are respected. It's not just Greece." In her home country of Bosnia, there are some 10,000 asylum-seekers in a camp near a minefield, Mijatovic said. Greece's new conservative government, which took over in July, has vowed to tighten asylum rules, step up naval patrols to deter migrant boats and to send 10,000 people back to Turkey next year. There have been clashes between different migrant groups and between migrants and the police. The Greek parliament on Thursday is to adopt a new migration law enshrining the policy changes, but Mijatovic says the draft she saw "raises concerns from a human rights perspective." Human rights groups have also criticised the bill, saying it introduces stricter rules for receiving asylum seekers, delays access to the right to work, narrows the definition of family, and imposes more burdens on torture victims in being recognised as such.

Migrants on Greek islands 'on edge of catastrophe': Council of Europe

Liverpool won a court battle with shirt manufacturers New Balance on Friday, paving the way to sign a lucrative new deal with Nike from the 2020/2021 season.

A judge ruled in favour of the European champions' case that New Balance could not match Nike's enormous distribution network and promise to market Liverpool via "superstar athletes and influencers" such as LeBron James, Serena Williams and Canadian rapper Drake.

New Balance claimed to have triggered a clause in the current deal which would allow them to maintain the contract for another five years come June 1, 2020, if it matched the terms of any competitor's offer.

Nike's £30 million-a-year offer for the next five years falls short of the reported £40 million New Balance currently pay per season.

However, Liverpool will also earn royalties of 20 per cent on all net sales of merchandise barring footwear plus bonuses for winning the Champions League and Premier League.

According to a report in The Athletic, Liverpool hopes to bank £60-£70 million in total per year from the Nike deal.

Mr Justice Teare found that "the New Balance offer on marketing was less favourable to Liverpool FC than the Nike offer" as the company could not match Nike's offer to use "global superstar athletes".

"It must follow that Liverpool FC is not obliged to enter into a new agreement with New Balance," the judge said.

In a statement, a Liverpool spokesman said: "Liverpool FC is pleased with the judge's decision to rule in favour of the club following the legal dispute with our current kit supplier, New Balance.

"We will continue with New Balance for the current season, in combination with preparing next season's Liverpool kits with our new supplier."

&nbsp;

Liverpool won a court battle with shirt manufacturers New Balance on Friday, paving the way to sign a lucrative new deal with Nike from the 2020/2021 season. A judge ruled in favour of the European champions' case that New Balance could not match Nike's enormous distribution network and promise to market Liverpool via "superstar athletes and influencers" such as LeBron James, Serena Williams and Canadian rapper Drake.

Liverpool won a court battle with shirt manufacturers New Balance on Friday, paving the way to sign a lucrative new deal with Nike from the 2020/2021 season. A judge ruled in favour of the European champions' case that New Balance could not match Nike's enormous distribution network and promise to market Liverpool via "superstar athletes and influencers" such as LeBron James, Serena Williams and Canadian rapper Drake. New Balance claimed to have triggered a clause in the current deal which would allow them to maintain the contract for another five years come June 1, 2020, if it matched the terms of any competitor's offer. Nike's £30 million-a-year offer for the next five years falls short of the reported £40 million New Balance currently pay per season. However, Liverpool will also earn royalties of 20 per cent on all net sales of merchandise barring footwear plus bonuses for winning the Champions League and Premier League. According to a report in The Athletic, Liverpool hopes to bank £60-£70 million in total per year from the Nike deal. Mr Justice Teare found that "the New Balance offer on marketing was less favourable to Liverpool FC than the Nike offer" as the company could not match Nike's offer to use "global superstar athletes". "It must follow that Liverpool FC is not obliged to enter into a new agreement with New Balance," the judge said. In a statement, a Liverpool spokesman said: "Liverpool FC is pleased with the judge's decision to rule in favour of the club following the legal dispute with our current kit supplier, New Balance. "We will continue with New Balance for the current season, in combination with preparing next season's Liverpool kits with our new supplier."

Liverpool set for Nike deal after winning New Balance case

Romania's prime minister-designate on Thursday unveiled a minority government line-up with only a slim chance of winning parliamentary approval, &nbsp;prolonging political uncertainty in the poor, corruption-plagued EU country.

President Klaus Iohannis last week tasked Ludovic Orban, chief of the National Liberal Party (PNL), to form a new government after the previous Social Democratic Party (PSD) &nbsp;administration lost a no-confidence vote.

"We are in a moment in which we need a government to put Romania on the right track", Orban told a press conference flanked by his 17 cabinet members, all but two from his party.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/romania-government-faces-collapse-in-no-confidence-vote-254858">The new cabinet</a> needs the approval of parliament, which is a challenge, given that PNL holds only 96 of the 465 seats, leaving it well short of the 233 majority threshold after talks with several other parties failed.

Orban, 56, a former transport minister,&nbsp;wants a confidence vote to take place next week, while the PSD, which has 201 seats and says it will not back the new government -- is trying to delay it until early November.

If he does survive, his government will likely be a transitional one until late 2020 when the next parliamentary elections are scheduled.

The new ministers are all from PNL except for four-star general Nicolae Ciuca who takes on defence and career diplomat Bogdan Aurescu, nominated as foreign minister.

Among its priorities, the government aims to keep the annual budget deficit under three per cent of GDP, the EU limit, and to reverse "harmful" judicial reforms introduced by the PSD.

Since taking power in late 2016, the PSD government faced massive protests and criticism from Brussels over the reforms seen as helping politicians to escape corruption sentences.

The liberals also intend to nominate a new European Commissioner after social democrat Rovana Plumb was rejected by the European Parliament.

The political crisis in Romania comes one month before the first round of presidential elections, scheduled for November 10.

Incumbent Iohannis, himself a liberal, seeks a second term with the support of the PNL and is a clear favourite.

Romania's prime minister-designate on Thursday unveiled a minority government line-up with only a slim chance of winning parliamentary approval, prolonging political uncertainty in the poor, corruption-plagued EU country.

Romania's prime minister-designate on Thursday unveiled a minority government line-up with only a slim chance of winning parliamentary approval, prolonging political uncertainty in the poor, corruption-plagued EU country. President Klaus Iohannis last week tasked Ludovic Orban, chief of the National Liberal Party (PNL), to form a new government after the previous Social Democratic Party (PSD) administration lost a no-confidence vote. "We are in a moment in which we need a government to put Romania on the right track", Orban told a press conference flanked by his 17 cabinet members, all but two from his party. The new cabinet needs the approval of parliament, which is a challenge, given that PNL holds only 96 of the 465 seats, leaving it well short of the 233 majority threshold after talks with several other parties failed. Orban, 56, a former transport minister, wants a confidence vote to take place next week, while the PSD, which has 201 seats and says it will not back the new government -- is trying to delay it until early November. If he does survive, his government will likely be a transitional one until late 2020 when the next parliamentary elections are scheduled. The new ministers are all from PNL except for four-star general Nicolae Ciuca who takes on defence and career diplomat Bogdan Aurescu, nominated as foreign minister. Among its priorities, the government aims to keep the annual budget deficit under three per cent of GDP, the EU limit, and to reverse "harmful" judicial reforms introduced by the PSD. Since taking power in late 2016, the PSD government faced massive protests and criticism from Brussels over the reforms seen as helping politicians to escape corruption sentences. The liberals also intend to nominate a new European Commissioner after social democrat Rovana Plumb was rejected by the European Parliament. The political crisis in Romania comes one month before the first round of presidential elections, scheduled for November 10. Incumbent Iohannis, himself a liberal, seeks a second term with the support of the PNL and is a clear favourite.

Romania's liberals present minority government

Companies' demand for bank loans held up in the eurozone in the third quarter, the European Central Bank found in a survey published Tuesday, in a mildly positive sign amid fears of a slowdown.

"Net demand for loans to enterprises remained broadly unchanged in the third quarter," the ECB said in its quarterly survey of 144 banks across the single currency area.

But the steady interest in loans disappointed financial firms' hopes earlier this year that the third quarter would bring growth in demand.

"Demand slightly increased for loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises, but decreased for loans to large firms," the ECB added.

Many of the central bank's measures to stimulate the economy in recent years have aimed at increasing bank lending, a more significant factor for growth in Europe than other advanced economies like the US.

But the Frankfurt institution and organisations like the International Monetary Fund were forced to slash eurozone growth forecasts in recent weeks, as external factors such as trade wars and Brexit weigh on the bloc.

ECB economists now expect an expansion of 1.1 per cent this year and 1.2 per cent in 2020.

It was unclear Tuesday whether British MPs would vote through a last-minute divorce deal with the European Union.

And a truce in the US' damaging trade conflict with China remains elusive, while Washington last week slapped new tariffs on $7.5 billion of EU imports.

The ECB in September responded to slowing growth and mounting risks with a fresh and controversial big-bang package of measures.

It relaunched mass bond-buying and further lowered a key interest rate into negative territory.

Even before then, banks reported in the third-quarter survey that "the ECB's negative deposit facility rate continued to contribute to an increase in lending volumes and a decrease in lending rates" for companies and households.

Looking elsewhere in the results, lenders said they eased slightly the criteria they use to evaluate potential home mortgage and business borrowers in July-September.

But they tightened up the terms and conditions in their loan contracts for both companies and home buyers over the same period.

Companies' demand for bank loans held up in the eurozone in the third quarter, the European Central Bank found in a survey published Tuesday, in a mildly positive sign amid fears of a slowdown.

Companies' demand for bank loans held up in the eurozone in the third quarter, the European Central Bank found in a survey published Tuesday, in a mildly positive sign amid fears of a slowdown. "Net demand for loans to enterprises remained broadly unchanged in the third quarter," the ECB said in its quarterly survey of 144 banks across the single currency area. But the steady interest in loans disappointed financial firms' hopes earlier this year that the third quarter would bring growth in demand. "Demand slightly increased for loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises, but decreased for loans to large firms," the ECB added. Many of the central bank's measures to stimulate the economy in recent years have aimed at increasing bank lending, a more significant factor for growth in Europe than other advanced economies like the US. But the Frankfurt institution and organisations like the International Monetary Fund were forced to slash eurozone growth forecasts in recent weeks, as external factors such as trade wars and Brexit weigh on the bloc. ECB economists now expect an expansion of 1.1 per cent this year and 1.2 per cent in 2020. It was unclear Tuesday whether British MPs would vote through a last-minute divorce deal with the European Union. And a truce in the US' damaging trade conflict with China remains elusive, while Washington last week slapped new tariffs on $7.5 billion of EU imports. The ECB in September responded to slowing growth and mounting risks with a fresh and controversial big-bang package of measures. It relaunched mass bond-buying and further lowered a key interest rate into negative territory. Even before then, banks reported in the third-quarter survey that "the ECB's negative deposit facility rate continued to contribute to an increase in lending volumes and a decrease in lending rates" for companies and households. Looking elsewhere in the results, lenders said they eased slightly the criteria they use to evaluate potential home mortgage and business borrowers in July-September. But they tightened up the terms and conditions in their loan contracts for both companies and home buyers over the same period.

Eurozone firms keep borrowing as growth fears mount

European Union leaders were on Sunday considering a request by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-sends-unsigned-letter-seeking-brexit-delay-256989">Prime Minister Boris Johnson to delay Britain's departure from the bloc,</a> which he was forced to make after MPs refused to back his Brexit deal.

Johnson has pinned his premiership on getting Britain out of the European Union on October 31, more than three years after the 2016 referendum vote for Brexit.

But the House of Commons on Saturday refused to support a divorce deal he struck with Brussels last week, triggering a law demanding he asks to delay Brexit to avoid the risk of a damaging "no-deal" exit.

The Conservative leader duly sent a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk late Saturday asking for the required three-month delay, but did not sign it.

He sent a second letter, signed, warning that "a further extension would damage the interests of the UK and our EU partners".

A defiant Johnson had earlier told MPs: "I will not negotiate a delay with the EU."

Tusk said he would begin consulting EU leaders "on how to react", a process one diplomat said could take a few days.

Johnson has already spoken to the leaders of France, Germany and the Netherlands to press his case, and Paris warned Saturday that a Brexit delay was "in nobody's interest".

Votes loom next week

In the meantime, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-urges-united-kingdom-to-explain-brexit-plan-as-soon-as-possible-256956">Johnson will bring forward legislation</a> that he hopes would nevertheless allow Brexit on October 31.

MPs voted to withhold approval for his divorce deal unless and until the legislation required to ratify the treaty is passed through parliament.

The government is seeking a new vote on its deal on Monday, although this may fall foul of parliamentary procedure.

If it introduces the treaty implementation bill on Monday, however, MPs could be called to vote as early as Tuesday.

Johnson wrote to Tusk that he was "confident" he could get it through before the of the month.

However, the main opposition Labour Party has condemned the deal as a "sell-out", while Johnson's Northern Irish allies are opposed to its arrangements for the province.

'House of fools'

Johnson sent the letter to Brussels after a day of high drama in the Commons, which staged its first Saturday sitting in 37 years to debate his Brexit deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-to-delay-brexit-deal-decision-256944">He urged MPs to end years of uncertainty</a> that has weighed on the economy and divided the nation, but they refused, warning his deal would leave Britain worse off.

"Why won't they let us leave?" lamented the Brexit-backing Sunday Express newspaper.

The Mail on Sunday led with the headline "The House of Fools", warning MPs had "subjected us to yet more agonising delay".

The Brexit date has already been pushed back twice, to the fury of those who wanted to chart their own course and abandon the European project after nearly 50 years.

But there was also jubilation at the vote among tens of thousands of protesters who gathered outside parliament on Saturday to demand a new referendum to reverse Brexit.

"That's really good, that's one step away from Brexit," demonstrator Philip Dobson told AFP.

"Reject Brexit", "Put It To The People" and "Stop This Madness" read some of the placards at the mass march, where many protesters also waved EU flags.

No-deal fears

Johnson took office in July vowing to leave the EU on October 31 come what may.

But MPs fearful of the risks of a "no-deal" departure sought to bind his hands, with a law demanding he delay Brexit if he failed to get an agreement approved by October 19.

The amendment passed Saturday is designed specifically to avoid this scenario.

MPs had feared they might pass the Brexit deal but then get bogged down with the laws needed to implement it, risking Britain accidentally crashing out of the EU at the end of the month.

European Union leaders were on Sunday considering a request by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to delay Britain's departure from the bloc, which he was forced to make after MPs refused to back his Brexit deal.

European Union leaders were on Sunday considering a request by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to delay Britain's departure from the bloc, which he was forced to make after MPs refused to back his Brexit deal. Johnson has pinned his premiership on getting Britain out of the European Union on October 31, more than three years after the 2016 referendum vote for Brexit. But the House of Commons on Saturday refused to support a divorce deal he struck with Brussels last week, triggering a law demanding he asks to delay Brexit to avoid the risk of a damaging "no-deal" exit. The Conservative leader duly sent a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk late Saturday asking for the required three-month delay, but did not sign it. He sent a second letter, signed, warning that "a further extension would damage the interests of the UK and our EU partners". A defiant Johnson had earlier told MPs: "I will not negotiate a delay with the EU." Tusk said he would begin consulting EU leaders "on how to react", a process one diplomat said could take a few days. Johnson has already spoken to the leaders of France, Germany and the Netherlands to press his case, and Paris warned Saturday that a Brexit delay was "in nobody's interest". Votes loom next week In the meantime, Johnson will bring forward legislation that he hopes would nevertheless allow Brexit on October 31. MPs voted to withhold approval for his divorce deal unless and until the legislation required to ratify the treaty is passed through parliament. The government is seeking a new vote on its deal on Monday, although this may fall foul of parliamentary procedure. If it introduces the treaty implementation bill on Monday, however, MPs could be called to vote as early as Tuesday. Johnson wrote to Tusk that he was "confident" he could get it through before the of the month. However, the main opposition Labour Party has condemned the deal as a "sell-out", while Johnson's Northern Irish allies are opposed to its arrangements for the province. 'House of fools' Johnson sent the letter to Brussels after a day of high drama in the Commons, which staged its first Saturday sitting in 37 years to debate his Brexit deal. He urged MPs to end years of uncertainty that has weighed on the economy and divided the nation, but they refused, warning his deal would leave Britain worse off. "Why won't they let us leave?" lamented the Brexit-backing Sunday Express newspaper. The Mail on Sunday led with the headline "The House of Fools", warning MPs had "subjected us to yet more agonising delay". The Brexit date has already been pushed back twice, to the fury of those who wanted to chart their own course and abandon the European project after nearly 50 years. But there was also jubilation at the vote among tens of thousands of protesters who gathered outside parliament on Saturday to demand a new referendum to reverse Brexit. "That's really good, that's one step away from Brexit," demonstrator Philip Dobson told AFP. "Reject Brexit", "Put It To The People" and "Stop This Madness" read some of the placards at the mass march, where many protesters also waved EU flags. No-deal fears Johnson took office in July vowing to leave the EU on October 31 come what may. But MPs fearful of the risks of a "no-deal" departure sought to bind his hands, with a law demanding he delay Brexit if he failed to get an agreement approved by October 19. The amendment passed Saturday is designed specifically to avoid this scenario. MPs had feared they might pass the Brexit deal but then get bogged down with the laws needed to implement it, risking Britain accidentally crashing out of the EU at the end of the month.

European Union mulls Johnson's reluctant Brexit delay request

The European Parliament expects the new European Union Commission to start work with at least a month's delay after MEPs rejected three candidate-commissioners, the institution's spokesman said Wednesday.

"Parliament willing to vote on time to allow new Commission to start December 1," spokesman Jaume Duch tweeted. The new Commission had been due to take office on November 1.

Duch added a call for the "rapid appointment of the new three commissioners-designate".

The effective delay means that outgoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/european-union-orders-emergency-anti-trust-measures-against-chip-maker-broadcom-256260">EU president Jean-Claude Juncker's</a> commission will remain in power for at least a month longer than expected.

The postponement came as the new Commission's incoming president, Ursula von der Leyen, cast around for new candidates from France, Hungary and Romania to be put forward to join her 27-strong executive team.

MEPs displayed an unprecedented flexing of muscle during the confirmation hearings for the three original candidates from those countries this month. The MEPs said they were unsuitable to take up their portfolios due to various alleged financial irregularities and other issues.

That made a delay all but inevitable, given EU procedures and the time needed for von der Leyen to accept new candidates, have them grilled in the parliament, and for the new commission to step out as one.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/eurozone-september-inflation-unexpectedly-revised-down-to-08-256241">A European Parliament vote</a> is required as part of the approval process.&nbsp;

But Ska Keller, the co-president of the Green group in the parliament, said: "There will be no vote on the Commission in October, because three commissioners are still missing."

Von der Leyen, formerly Germany's defence minister, has said she aims to lead a "geopolitical Commission" that will be ambitious on tackling climate change, stand up for its place in the world, and "protect the European way of life".

The European Parliament expects the new European Union Commission to start work with at least a month's delay after MEPs rejected three candidate-commissioners, the institution's spokesman said Wednesday.

The European Parliament expects the new European Union Commission to start work with at least a month's delay after MEPs rejected three candidate-commissioners, the institution's spokesman said Wednesday. "Parliament willing to vote on time to allow new Commission to start December 1," spokesman Jaume Duch tweeted. The new Commission had been due to take office on November 1. Duch added a call for the "rapid appointment of the new three commissioners-designate". The effective delay means that outgoing EU president Jean-Claude Juncker's commission will remain in power for at least a month longer than expected. The postponement came as the new Commission's incoming president, Ursula von der Leyen, cast around for new candidates from France, Hungary and Romania to be put forward to join her 27-strong executive team. MEPs displayed an unprecedented flexing of muscle during the confirmation hearings for the three original candidates from those countries this month. The MEPs said they were unsuitable to take up their portfolios due to various alleged financial irregularities and other issues. That made a delay all but inevitable, given EU procedures and the time needed for von der Leyen to accept new candidates, have them grilled in the parliament, and for the new commission to step out as one. A European Parliament vote is required as part of the approval process. But Ska Keller, the co-president of the Green group in the parliament, said: "There will be no vote on the Commission in October, because three commissioners are still missing." Von der Leyen, formerly Germany's defence minister, has said she aims to lead a "geopolitical Commission" that will be ambitious on tackling climate change, stand up for its place in the world, and "protect the European way of life".

New European Union Commission delayed by month

Thousands of people, some shouting "Erdogan terrorist", took to the streets of Paris and other European cities on Saturday in protest at the Turkish <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-new-syrian-exodus-unfolds-some-fear-they-will-never-go-home-255529">assault on Kurds in Syria</a>.

Protesters marching under the Kurdish green, red and yellow flag waved placards reading "Trump = serial killer" or calling Turkish President Recep Tayyip <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-bans-weapons-sales-to-turkey-over-syria-offensive-255539">Erdogan "the true leader of Daesh,"</a> the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State jihadist group.

Organisers said "more than 20,000 people" took part in the demonstration in Paris after Ankara stepped up its assault on Kurdish-held border towns in northeastern Syria on Saturday, defying mounting threats of international sanctions.

"Turkey is invading Rojava (the self-proclaimed Kurdish zone in northeast Syria) and Europe is watching," they shouted as they marched towards Chatelet in central Paris. Police in the capital estimated 4,000 people had taken part.

In France, a spokesman for one Kurdish group called for US and European Union sanctions against Turkey.

There were similar protests in other French cities including Marseille, Strasbourg -- the seat of the European parliament -- Bordeaux, Lille and Grenoble.

The Turkish offensive began on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump ordered American troops to pull back from the border.

Trump has faced a storm of criticism for abandoning a loyal ally in the US-led campaign against the Islamic State group.

Pro-Kurdish protests were also held across Germany with more than 10,000 participants in Cologne, according to news agency DPA.&nbsp;

Several hundred demonstrated in the Hungarian capital Budapest outside the Turkish and US embassies, chanting &nbsp;"Trump-Orban-Erdogan dictators!". Viktor Orban is Hungary's populist right-wing prime minister.

Scores of Kurds also marched through Cyprus’s capital Nicosia, with one protester holding up a banner that read: "Do not be an accomplice to the genocide of the Kurdish nation."

'Ethnic cleansing'

Thousands marched in Vienna while in Athens, some 1,800 people according to police tried to march on the Turkish embassy, shouting "Erdogan terrorist".

A similar protest was held in Zurich's old quarter to the strains of Kurdish music. "Turkish army out of Kurdistan", the protesters cried. "Stop terror."

About 5,000 people marched to the Swedish parliament in Stockholm. Similar protests were staged in The Hague, Warsaw and Brussels.&nbsp;

"Turkey is trying to carry out ethnic cleansing and reinforce jihadism ... to make the West kneel," said Agit Polat, spokesman for the Kurdish Democratic Council in France, speaking in Paris.

Watch video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-edit-what-led-to-trumps-syria-u-turn-255071/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Since the beginning of the Turkish army invasion operation, dormant Daesh cells have committed attacks.

"At all costs, there must be concrete economic sanctions from the European Union and the United States vis-avis Turkey," he added.

Polat also urged France to recall its ambassador to Turkey.&nbsp;

Several French politicians from leftist to green took part in the Paris march.

"It is historical nonsense what is happening in the north-east of Syria because they are the most faithful allies of France," said Eric Coquerel, a lawmaker for the radical left France Unbowed party.

Just hours before Paris announced the measure, Green Party senator Esther Benbassa called on France to suspend the sale of arms to Turkey -- a measure already announced by Finland, Germany, Norway and The Netherlands.

Thousands of people, some shouting "Erdogan terrorist", took to the streets of Paris and other European cities on Saturday in protest at the Turkish assault on Kurds in Syria.

Thousands of people, some shouting "Erdogan terrorist", took to the streets of Paris and other European cities on Saturday in protest at the Turkish assault on Kurds in Syria. Protesters marching under the Kurdish green, red and yellow flag waved placards reading "Trump = serial killer" or calling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "the true leader of Daesh," the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State jihadist group. Organisers said "more than 20,000 people" took part in the demonstration in Paris after Ankara stepped up its assault on Kurdish-held border towns in northeastern Syria on Saturday, defying mounting threats of international sanctions. "Turkey is invading Rojava (the self-proclaimed Kurdish zone in northeast Syria) and Europe is watching," they shouted as they marched towards Chatelet in central Paris. Police in the capital estimated 4,000 people had taken part. In France, a spokesman for one Kurdish group called for US and European Union sanctions against Turkey. There were similar protests in other French cities including Marseille, Strasbourg -- the seat of the European parliament -- Bordeaux, Lille and Grenoble. The Turkish offensive began on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump ordered American troops to pull back from the border. Trump has faced a storm of criticism for abandoning a loyal ally in the US-led campaign against the Islamic State group. Pro-Kurdish protests were also held across Germany with more than 10,000 participants in Cologne, according to news agency DPA. Several hundred demonstrated in the Hungarian capital Budapest outside the Turkish and US embassies, chanting "Trump-Orban-Erdogan dictators!". Viktor Orban is Hungary's populist right-wing prime minister. Scores of Kurds also marched through Cyprus’s capital Nicosia, with one protester holding up a banner that read: "Do not be an accomplice to the genocide of the Kurdish nation." 'Ethnic cleansing' Thousands marched in Vienna while in Athens, some 1,800 people according to police tried to march on the Turkish embassy, shouting "Erdogan terrorist". A similar protest was held in Zurich's old quarter to the strains of Kurdish music. "Turkish army out of Kurdistan", the protesters cried. "Stop terror." About 5,000 people marched to the Swedish parliament in Stockholm. Similar protests were staged in The Hague, Warsaw and Brussels. "Turkey is trying to carry out ethnic cleansing and reinforce jihadism ... to make the West kneel," said Agit Polat, spokesman for the Kurdish Democratic Council in France, speaking in Paris. Watch video: "Since the beginning of the Turkish army invasion operation, dormant Daesh cells have committed attacks. "At all costs, there must be concrete economic sanctions from the European Union and the United States vis-avis Turkey," he added. Polat also urged France to recall its ambassador to Turkey. Several French politicians from leftist to green took part in the Paris march. "It is historical nonsense what is happening in the north-east of Syria because they are the most faithful allies of France," said Eric Coquerel, a lawmaker for the radical left France Unbowed party. Just hours before Paris announced the measure, Green Party senator Esther Benbassa called on France to suspend the sale of arms to Turkey -- a measure already announced by Finland, Germany, Norway and The Netherlands.

Thousands protest in Europe against Turkey's assault on Syria

Turkey angrily rejected on October 10, international criticism of its attack on a Kurdish militia in Syria, reporting progress by its forces on the second day of an operation that world powers fear could further destabilise a region in turmoil.

Turkey Invades Syria: Erdogan threatens to send Syrian refugees to Europe

Indian stocks followed their Asian peers lower on Thursday, as the United States said it would slap tariffs on European goods, adding to slowdown worries at a time when the US-China trade war is already hurting global economic growth.

The United States said on Wednesday it would slap tariffs on Europe-made planes, liquor, and cheese as punishment for illegal EU aircraft subsidies.

The move follows tariffs levied by the United States and China on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods in their more than year-old trade war, which has disrupted supply chains and weighed on global markets.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.63 per cent by 0427 GMT.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-defends-e-cigarette-ban-in-court-with-attack-on-juul-253200">India</a>'s broader NSE Nifty was down 0.30 per cent at 11,325.60, while the benchmark BSE <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sensex-closes-362-points-lower-yes-bank-plunges-by-22-253060">Sensex</a> had fallen by 0.32 per cent to 38,183.36.

While metal stocks led Indian stock indexes lower, shares in lender Yes Bank recovered after a bruising fall to a more than one-decade low earlier this week.

The Nifty metals index fell 2.35 per cent, with Hindalco Industries Ltd declining the most down 4.5 per cent

Yes Bank shares rose 22.5 per cent and were on course for their best one-day gain in six months after Chief Executive Officer Ravneet Gill said before the opening bell that the lender was on a firm financial footing.

Indian stocks followed their Asian peers lower on Thursday, as the United States said it would slap tariffs on European goods, adding to slowdown worries at a time when the US-China trade war is already hurting global economic growth.

Indian stocks followed their Asian peers lower on Thursday, as the United States said it would slap tariffs on European goods, adding to slowdown worries at a time when the US-China trade war is already hurting global economic growth. The United States said on Wednesday it would slap tariffs on Europe-made planes, liquor, and cheese as punishment for illegal EU aircraft subsidies. The move follows tariffs levied by the United States and China on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods in their more than year-old trade war, which has disrupted supply chains and weighed on global markets. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.63 per cent by 0427 GMT. India's broader NSE Nifty was down 0.30 per cent at 11,325.60, while the benchmark BSE Sensex had fallen by 0.32 per cent to 38,183.36. While metal stocks led Indian stock indexes lower, shares in lender Yes Bank recovered after a bruising fall to a more than one-decade low earlier this week. The Nifty metals index fell 2.35 per cent, with Hindalco Industries Ltd declining the most down 4.5 per cent Yes Bank shares rose 22.5 per cent and were on course for their best one-day gain in six months after Chief Executive Officer Ravneet Gill said before the opening bell that the lender was on a firm financial footing.

Sensex, Nifty slip as United States widens trade war to Europe; Yes Bank recovers

30 years in: Tracing the history of gay marriage

Germany's foreign minister on Monday called for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-will-leave-eu-on-october-31-finance-minister-javid-says-252779">European unity</a> 30 years after thousands of East Germans escaped communism via the West German embassy in Prague.

As the Iron Curtain began to fall in September 1989, East Germans crossed the border into then Czechoslovakia, the only country to which they could travel visa-free, and sought the safety of the embassy.

On September 30, 1989, West German foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher stepped onto the embassy balcony and told the refugees they were finally free -- a famous sentence drowned out by a chorus of cheers.

"No one in Germany will ever forget this moment, this speech," current German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters in Prague on Monday.

Speaking later at the embassy, Maas <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commissions-juncker-says-britain-will-be-responsible-if-no-brexit-deal-252324">called on Europeans</a> to preserve their unity.

"We must not allow new ditches to be dug in Europe, be they between the east and the west or the north and the south," he said.

"How else are we to face the great global challenges like globalisation, climate change, digitalisation or migration?"

Genscher -- who himself escaped East Germany in 1952 -- convinced the hardline Communist regime to accept the mass exodus.

About 15,000 East Germans fled to the West via Prague before East Germany opened the iBerlin Wall dividing the city on November 9, 1989.&nbsp;

The entire Soviet bloc crumbled within two years, while former Czechoslovakia split in 1993 in two to form the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Genscher died aged 89 in 2016.

Maas said it made sense "to risk something for liberty, equality, democracy because none of these can be taken for granted."

"That applies today, in the era of populist seducers and nationalist ideologists, as much as it did back then," he added.

Germany's foreign minister on Monday called for European unity 30 years after thousands of East Germans escaped communism via the West German embassy in Prague. As the Iron Curtain began to fall in September 1989, East Germans crossed the border into then Czechoslovakia, the only country to which they could travel visa-free, and sought the safety of the embassy.

Germany's foreign minister on Monday called for European unity 30 years after thousands of East Germans escaped communism via the West German embassy in Prague. As the Iron Curtain began to fall in September 1989, East Germans crossed the border into then Czechoslovakia, the only country to which they could travel visa-free, and sought the safety of the embassy. On September 30, 1989, West German foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher stepped onto the embassy balcony and told the refugees they were finally free -- a famous sentence drowned out by a chorus of cheers. "No one in Germany will ever forget this moment, this speech," current German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters in Prague on Monday. Speaking later at the embassy, Maas called on Europeans to preserve their unity. "We must not allow new ditches to be dug in Europe, be they between the east and the west or the north and the south," he said. "How else are we to face the great global challenges like globalisation, climate change, digitalisation or migration?" Genscher -- who himself escaped East Germany in 1952 -- convinced the hardline Communist regime to accept the mass exodus. About 15,000 East Germans fled to the West via Prague before East Germany opened the iBerlin Wall dividing the city on November 9, 1989. The entire Soviet bloc crumbled within two years, while former Czechoslovakia split in 1993 in two to form the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Genscher died aged 89 in 2016. Maas said it made sense "to risk something for liberty, equality, democracy because none of these can be taken for granted." "That applies today, in the era of populist seducers and nationalist ideologists, as much as it did back then," he added.

Germany urges European unity 30 years after 'Prague exodus'

Honda Motor Co Ltd said on Monday it would phase out all diesel cars by 2021 in favour of models with electric propulsion systems, as the Japanese automaker moves to electrify all of its European cars by 2025.

By next year, according to European Union emission targets, CO2 must be cut to 95 gram per km for 95 per cent of cars from the current 120.5-gram average, a figure that has increased of late as consumers spurn fuel-efficient diesel and embrace SUVs.

All new cars in the EU must be compliant in 2021.

For Honda, declining demand for diesel vehicles and tougher emissions regulations have clouded its manufacturing prospects in Europe.

Honda said in February it would close its only British car plant in 2021 with the loss of up to 3,500 jobs.

Japan’s No.&nbsp;3 automaker has said it would cut the number of car model variations to a third of current offerings by 2025, reducing global production costs by 10 per cent&nbsp;and redirecting those savings towards advanced research and development.

Honda Motor Co Ltd said on Monday it would phase out all diesel cars by 2021 in favour of models with electric propulsion systems, as the Japanese automaker moves to electrify all of its European cars by 2025.

Honda Motor Co Ltd said on Monday it would phase out all diesel cars by 2021 in favour of models with electric propulsion systems, as the Japanese automaker moves to electrify all of its European cars by 2025. By next year, according to European Union emission targets, CO2 must be cut to 95 gram per km for 95 per cent of cars from the current 120.5-gram average, a figure that has increased of late as consumers spurn fuel-efficient diesel and embrace SUVs. All new cars in the EU must be compliant in 2021. For Honda, declining demand for diesel vehicles and tougher emissions regulations have clouded its manufacturing prospects in Europe. Honda said in February it would close its only British car plant in 2021 with the loss of up to 3,500 jobs. Japan’s No. 3 automaker has said it would cut the number of car model variations to a third of current offerings by 2025, reducing global production costs by 10 per cent and redirecting those savings towards advanced research and development.

Honda to cease diesel vehicle sales in Europe by 2021

&nbsp;Saudi Aramco has emerged from attacks on its oil facilities "stronger than ever", Chief Executive Amin Nasser told employees in a message, adding that full oil production would resume by the end of this month.

The September 14 attacks on the Abqaiq and Khurais plants, some of the kingdom's biggest, caused raging fires and significant damage that halved the crude output of the world's top oil exporter, by shutting down 5.7 million barrels per day of production.

"The fires that were intended to destroy Saudi Aramco had an unintended consequence: they galvanized 70,000 of us around a mission to rebound quickly and confidently, and Saudi Aramco has come out of this incident stronger than ever," Nasser said in the internal message, on the occasion of the Saudi national day, to be celebrated on September 23.

"Every second counts in moments like these, and had we not acted quickly to contain the fires and undertake rapid restoration efforts, the impact on the oil market and the global economy would have been far more devastating."

Six days after the assault, which hit at the heart of the Saudi energy industry and intensified a decades-long struggle with arch-rival Iran, the state oil giant Aramco invited reporters on Friday to observe the damage and the repair efforts.

Thousands of employees and contractors have been pulled from other projects to work around the clock to bring production back. Aramco is shipping equipment from the United States and Europe to rebuild the damaged facilities, Aramco officials told reporters.

Aramco already brought back part of the lost production and will return to the pre-attacks level end of September, Nasser said.

"Not a single shipment to our international customers has been missed or cancelled as a result of the attacks, and we will continue to fulfill our mission of providing the energy the world needs," he said in the message, seen by Reuters. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia had used its reserves to maintain oil supply flows to customers abroad and inside the kingdom.

Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attacks but a US official said they originated from southwestern Iran. Tehran, which supports the Houthis, has denied any involvement in the attacks.

Saudi Arabia says 18 drones and three missiles were fired at Abqaiq, the world's largest oil processing facility, while the Khurais facility was hit by four missiles.

No casualties were reported at either site even though thousands of workers and contractors work and live in the area.

Saudi Aramco has emerged from attacks on its oil facilities "stronger than ever", Chief Executive Amin Nasser told employees in a message, adding that full oil production would resume by the end of this month.

Saudi Aramco has emerged from attacks on its oil facilities "stronger than ever", Chief Executive Amin Nasser told employees in a message, adding that full oil production would resume by the end of this month. The September 14 attacks on the Abqaiq and Khurais plants, some of the kingdom's biggest, caused raging fires and significant damage that halved the crude output of the world's top oil exporter, by shutting down 5.7 million barrels per day of production. "The fires that were intended to destroy Saudi Aramco had an unintended consequence: they galvanized 70,000 of us around a mission to rebound quickly and confidently, and Saudi Aramco has come out of this incident stronger than ever," Nasser said in the internal message, on the occasion of the Saudi national day, to be celebrated on September 23. "Every second counts in moments like these, and had we not acted quickly to contain the fires and undertake rapid restoration efforts, the impact on the oil market and the global economy would have been far more devastating." Six days after the assault, which hit at the heart of the Saudi energy industry and intensified a decades-long struggle with arch-rival Iran, the state oil giant Aramco invited reporters on Friday to observe the damage and the repair efforts. Thousands of employees and contractors have been pulled from other projects to work around the clock to bring production back. Aramco is shipping equipment from the United States and Europe to rebuild the damaged facilities, Aramco officials told reporters. Aramco already brought back part of the lost production and will return to the pre-attacks level end of September, Nasser said. "Not a single shipment to our international customers has been missed or cancelled as a result of the attacks, and we will continue to fulfill our mission of providing the energy the world needs," he said in the message, seen by Reuters. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia had used its reserves to maintain oil supply flows to customers abroad and inside the kingdom. Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attacks but a US official said they originated from southwestern Iran. Tehran, which supports the Houthis, has denied any involvement in the attacks. Saudi Arabia says 18 drones and three missiles were fired at Abqaiq, the world's largest oil processing facility, while the Khurais facility was hit by four missiles. No casualties were reported at either site even though thousands of workers and contractors work and live in the area.

Saudi Aramco has emerged from attacks 'stronger than ever': CEO

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