As Italy reported more deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic, European Commission urged EU member states to extend the temporary ban on non-essential travel into union by one month until June 15.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-the-covid-19-pandemic-is-over-ready-for-review-under-who-china-297447">Also Read: After the COVID-19 pandemic is over, ready for review under WHO, says China</a>

The European Union said "the situation remains fragile both in Europe and in the world".

"We will have to gradually put an end to restrictions on free movement and internal border controls, before we can lift entry restrictions at the external borders and guarantee access to the EU for third country nationals," the EU's Home Affairs European Commissioner Ylva Johansson said.

Health officials in Italy said that 30,201 people had died of the virus with 217,185 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The United Kindom also witnessed a surge in the death toll with over 31,000 fatalities.

There are currently 212,626 cases of the virus in the United Kingdom which is next only to Spain and Italy in Europe. The United States has the most number of COVID-19&nbsp;cases with over 1.2 million cases.

France has witnessed 174, 918 cases of the virus with over 25,000 deaths. In Spain over 26,000 people have died due to the virus with the country still grappling with more than 221, 447 infected cases which is the highest in Europe.

As Italy reported more deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic, European Commission urged EU member states to extend the temporary ban on non-essential travel into union by one month until June 15.

As Italy reported more deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic, European Commission urged EU member states to extend the temporary ban on non-essential travel into union by one month until June 15. Also Read: After the COVID-19 pandemic is over, ready for review under WHO, says China The European Union said "the situation remains fragile both in Europe and in the world". "We will have to gradually put an end to restrictions on free movement and internal border controls, before we can lift entry restrictions at the external borders and guarantee access to the EU for third country nationals," the EU's Home Affairs European Commissioner Ylva Johansson said. Health officials in Italy said that 30,201 people had died of the virus with 217,185 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The United Kindom also witnessed a surge in the death toll with over 31,000 fatalities. There are currently 212,626 cases of the virus in the United Kingdom which is next only to Spain and Italy in Europe. The United States has the most number of COVID-19 cases with over 1.2 million cases. France has witnessed 174, 918 cases of the virus with over 25,000 deaths. In Spain over 26,000 people have died due to the virus with the country still grappling with more than 221, 447 infected cases which is the highest in Europe.

As Italy reports new deaths, European Commission urges member states to extend temporary non-essential travel ban

Leaders in three continents are cranking up the pressure on China. European Commission Chief has backed demand for a Covid-19 probe. Australia wants to back Taiwan's entry into the WHO. US President is considering stripping China of sovereign immunity.

Gravitas: 3 world leaders step up pressure on China

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced&nbsp;that EU is planning to spend&nbsp;€100 billion to stop firms in the European Union laying off staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/will-coronavirus-crisis-cost-your-paycheck-employment-290233" hreflang="en">Will coronavirus crisis cost your paycheck, employment?</a>

Leyen&nbsp;said the scheme, called Sure, is&nbsp;an example of ''European solidarity in action'', following&nbsp;criticism of a lack of support by EU member states&nbsp;for those most affected by the spread of Covid-19, including Italy and Spain.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-more-than-900-deaths-in-spain-for-second-day-death-rate-slows-290385" hreflang="en">Coronavirus pandemic: More than 900 deaths in Spain for second day; death rate slows</a>

She is confident the 27 member states would back her scheme, describing the EU’s budget as the ''Marshall plan for the crisis,'' in reference to the post-second world war fund that rebuilt Europe.

Ursula also apologised to the Italian people for the bloc’s lack of solidarity.

The EU’s executive branch stated that it is also&nbsp;proposing to borrow from the international markets and make loans to member state governments to allow them to fund short-time working schemes, under which employees work reduced hours with some of their salary paid by the state.

Such schemes were used by the European countries to get there economies back on track after the 2008 Depression.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that EU is planning to spend €100 billion to stop firms in the European Union laying off staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that EU is planning to spend €100 billion to stop firms in the European Union laying off staff during the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: Will coronavirus crisis cost your paycheck, employment? Leyen said the scheme, called Sure, is an example of ''European solidarity in action'', following criticism of a lack of support by EU member states for those most affected by the spread of Covid-19, including Italy and Spain. Also read: Coronavirus pandemic: More than 900 deaths in Spain for second day; death rate slows She is confident the 27 member states would back her scheme, describing the EU’s budget as the ''Marshall plan for the crisis,'' in reference to the post-second world war fund that rebuilt Europe. Ursula also apologised to the Italian people for the bloc’s lack of solidarity. The EU’s executive branch stated that it is also proposing to borrow from the international markets and make loans to member state governments to allow them to fund short-time working schemes, under which employees work reduced hours with some of their salary paid by the state. Such schemes were used by the European countries to get there economies back on track after the 2008 Depression.

EU proposes 'Sure plan' worth €100 billion to save jobs amid coronavirus crisis

Almost half of the world’s sandy beaches will have retreated significantly by the end of the century as a result of climate change, a new study has found.

Not only this but if the present situation continues, then by 2050, some coastlines can be unrecognizable from the condition with nearly 15 per cent facing severe erosion.

The study has been published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/14-unusual-beaches-around-the-world-102">14 unusual beaches around the world</a>

It was conducted by scientists from the European Commission's Joint Research Center, as well as universities in Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands.

According to&nbsp;the study, the sand erosion will endanger wildlife and can inflict a heavy toll on coastal settlements that will no longer have buffer zones to protect them from rising sea levels and storm surges.&nbsp;

In 30 years, they will destroy nearly 13.6 per cent of sandy coastlines identified from satellite images by scientists for the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission.&nbsp;

Watch: No sand, no beach, no problem: Beach Football in a landlocked Afghanistan

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They predict the situation will become even worse in the second half of the century, washing away an additional 25.7 per cent of Earth’s beaches.

Measures taken by governments worldwide to mitigate against the damage are predicted to become increasingly expensive and in a few cases unsustainable.

"We considered the threshold of 100 meters because if erosion exceeds 100 meters, then this means that most likely, the beach is going to disappear because most of the world's beaches are even narrower than 100 meters," said Michalis Vousdoukas, a coastal oceanographer and scientific officer at the European Commission who was a lead author of the study.&nbsp;

While the amount of beach lost will vary by location, the study found that many densely populated areas, including those along the US East Coast, South Asia and Central Europe can see witness shorelines retreat inland by nearly 100 meters by 2100.

Almost half of the world’s sandy beaches will have retreated significantly by the end of the century as a result of climate change, a new study has found. Not only this but if the present situation continues, then by 2050, some coastlines can be unrecognizable from the condition with nearly 15 per cent facing severe erosion.

Almost half of the world’s sandy beaches will have retreated significantly by the end of the century as a result of climate change, a new study has found. Not only this but if the present situation continues, then by 2050, some coastlines can be unrecognizable from the condition with nearly 15 per cent facing severe erosion. The study has been published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change. Also see: 14 unusual beaches around the world It was conducted by scientists from the European Commission's Joint Research Center, as well as universities in Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. According to the study, the sand erosion will endanger wildlife and can inflict a heavy toll on coastal settlements that will no longer have buffer zones to protect them from rising sea levels and storm surges. In 30 years, they will destroy nearly 13.6 per cent of sandy coastlines identified from satellite images by scientists for the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. Watch: No sand, no beach, no problem: Beach Football in a landlocked Afghanistan They predict the situation will become even worse in the second half of the century, washing away an additional 25.7 per cent of Earth’s beaches. Measures taken by governments worldwide to mitigate against the damage are predicted to become increasingly expensive and in a few cases unsustainable. "We considered the threshold of 100 meters because if erosion exceeds 100 meters, then this means that most likely, the beach is going to disappear because most of the world's beaches are even narrower than 100 meters," said Michalis Vousdoukas, a coastal oceanographer and scientific officer at the European Commission who was a lead author of the study. While the amount of beach lost will vary by location, the study found that many densely populated areas, including those along the US East Coast, South Asia and Central Europe can see witness shorelines retreat inland by nearly 100 meters by 2100.

Nearly half of world's beaches disappearing due to climate change: Study

The company will lay out its arguments against a 2.4-billion-euro ($2.6 billion) fine handed out by the European Commission during a three-day hearing at the General Court.

WION Wallet: EU Vs Google in court today

EU countries could ban telecoms operators deemed a security risk from critical parts of 5G infrastructure under guidelines issued Wednesday, amid US pressure to shut out Chinese giant Huawei.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-should-relook-implementation-of-huawei-in-5g-networks-urges-pompeo-277388">Also Read: UK should relook implementation of Huawei in 5G networks, urges Pompeo</a>

The EU plan, which closely mirrors rules set out Tuesday by Britain allowing a limited role for Huawei, stops short of barring the company from the next-generation communications network designed for near-instantaneous data transfers.

It leaves member states with the responsibility to ensure the safe rollout of 5G and warns them to screen operators carefully, saying security of the network will be critically important for the entire EU.

The so-called "toolbox" outlined by the European Commission avoids naming Huawei and does not call for an outright ban on any supplier.

But it urges countries to "assess the risk profile of suppliers (and)... apply relevant restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk" accordingly, including shutting them out of "key assets defined as critical and sensitive".

It also recommends EU states avoid "major dependency on a single supplier" and "dependency on suppliers considered to be high risk".

The guidelines are the fruit of months of agonising within the EU, which has struggled to find a middle way to balance Huawei's dominance in the 5G sector with the security concerns pressed by Washington.

Any bans on Huawei will now ultimately be up to individual member states, but the commission's middle road recommendations give cover to European capitals to resist pleas from Washington.

Huawei welcomed the guidelines, saying they would allow it to continue playing a role in Europe's 5G rollout.

"This non-biased and fact-based approach towards 5G security allows Europe to have a more secure and faster 5G network," the company said in a statement.

"Huawei has been present in Europe for almost 20 years and has a proven track record with regard to security. We will continue to work with European governments and industry to develop common standards to strengthen the security and reliability of the network."

Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner for the single market, said the bloc would not target any company, stressing that the new system was based on "objective criteria".

"We in Europe accept everyone but we have rules -- these rules are clear and exacting," he told reporters.

UK's&nbsp;announcement on Tuesday of a limited role for Huawei infuriated Washington, which says the company cannot be trusted with such important infrastructure because it is too close to the Beijing government.

The US has banned Huawei from its own 5G rollout because of security concerns and threatened to limit intelligence-sharing with London in the event of the firm winning a major role in Britain.

Britain, like the EU, plans to exclude risky operators from "sensitive" locations such as nuclear sites and military bases, but a US official insisted there was "no safe option for untrusted vendors to control any part of a 5G network".

Huawei is widely viewed as providing the most advanced alternative for super-fast data transfers behind technologies such as self-driving cars and remotely operated factory robots.

Along with European telecom companies Nokia and Ericsson, it is one of the few suppliers capable of building 5G networks.

The commission warned that 5G will offer "more potential entry points" for cyber attacks -- a growing threat as more and more critical services such as hospitals and power grids depend on data networks.

"5G will be a ground-breaking technology but it cannot come at the expense of the security of our internal market," commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas said in a statement.

"The toolbox is an important step in what must be a continuous effort in the EU's collective work to better protect our critical infrastructures."

Doubts about Huawei come amid a more general anxiety about Beijing's growing presence in the EU, where a growing number of countries in the east are opening the door to Chinese investment in infrastructure.

With the job of vetting prospective 5G suppliers left to member states, there will be questions about whether all have the capacity or political willingness to carry out the job thoroughly, particularly if it might involve embarrassing a major partner such as China.

EU countries could ban telecoms operators deemed a security risk from critical parts of 5G infrastructure under guidelines issued Wednesday, amid US pressure to shut out Chinese giant Huawei.

EU countries could ban telecoms operators deemed a security risk from critical parts of 5G infrastructure under guidelines issued Wednesday, amid US pressure to shut out Chinese giant Huawei. Also Read: UK should relook implementation of Huawei in 5G networks, urges Pompeo The EU plan, which closely mirrors rules set out Tuesday by Britain allowing a limited role for Huawei, stops short of barring the company from the next-generation communications network designed for near-instantaneous data transfers. It leaves member states with the responsibility to ensure the safe rollout of 5G and warns them to screen operators carefully, saying security of the network will be critically important for the entire EU. The so-called "toolbox" outlined by the European Commission avoids naming Huawei and does not call for an outright ban on any supplier. But it urges countries to "assess the risk profile of suppliers (and)... apply relevant restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk" accordingly, including shutting them out of "key assets defined as critical and sensitive". It also recommends EU states avoid "major dependency on a single supplier" and "dependency on suppliers considered to be high risk". The guidelines are the fruit of months of agonising within the EU, which has struggled to find a middle way to balance Huawei's dominance in the 5G sector with the security concerns pressed by Washington. Any bans on Huawei will now ultimately be up to individual member states, but the commission's middle road recommendations give cover to European capitals to resist pleas from Washington. Huawei welcomed the guidelines, saying they would allow it to continue playing a role in Europe's 5G rollout. "This non-biased and fact-based approach towards 5G security allows Europe to have a more secure and faster 5G network," the company said in a statement. "Huawei has been present in Europe for almost 20 years and has a proven track record with regard to security. We will continue to work with European governments and industry to develop common standards to strengthen the security and reliability of the network." Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner for the single market, said the bloc would not target any company, stressing that the new system was based on "objective criteria". "We in Europe accept everyone but we have rules -- these rules are clear and exacting," he told reporters. UK's announcement on Tuesday of a limited role for Huawei infuriated Washington, which says the company cannot be trusted with such important infrastructure because it is too close to the Beijing government. The US has banned Huawei from its own 5G rollout because of security concerns and threatened to limit intelligence-sharing with London in the event of the firm winning a major role in Britain. Britain, like the EU, plans to exclude risky operators from "sensitive" locations such as nuclear sites and military bases, but a US official insisted there was "no safe option for untrusted vendors to control any part of a 5G network". Huawei is widely viewed as providing the most advanced alternative for super-fast data transfers behind technologies such as self-driving cars and remotely operated factory robots. Along with European telecom companies Nokia and Ericsson, it is one of the few suppliers capable of building 5G networks. The commission warned that 5G will offer "more potential entry points" for cyber attacks -- a growing threat as more and more critical services such as hospitals and power grids depend on data networks. "5G will be a ground-breaking technology but it cannot come at the expense of the security of our internal market," commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas said in a statement. "The toolbox is an important step in what must be a continuous effort in the EU's collective work to better protect our critical infrastructures." Doubts about Huawei come amid a more general anxiety about Beijing's growing presence in the EU, where a growing number of countries in the east are opening the door to Chinese investment in infrastructure. With the job of vetting prospective 5G suppliers left to member states, there will be questions about whether all have the capacity or political willingness to carry out the job thoroughly, particularly if it might involve embarrassing a major partner such as China.

After UK, EU allows Huawei 5G with strict guidelines

Even as the European Union Parliament is all set to discuss resolutions on the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) &amp; Kashmir, the EU foreign office has said that it doesn't represent the official position and called New Delhi a key partner.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/entirely-internal-matter-india-on-european-union-parliament-setting-resolution-against-caa-276781">Also Read:&nbsp;'Entirely internal matter'-&nbsp;India on EU Parliament setting resolution against CAA</a>

EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, told WION, "Opinions expressed by the European Parliament and its members do not represent the official position of the European Union."

The official position of EU is that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan while comments on CAA are known yet.

The spokesperson was aware that the CAA is being assessed by India's Supreme Court for its constitutionality, explaining, "It is important to recall that these texts are only drafts tabled by various political groups in the European Parliament".

Six resolutions from different parties will be taken by EU Parliament later this week on Kashmir and CAA for discussion and&nbsp;vote.

Backing the Brussels-New Delhi partnership the spokesperson said: "India is a key partner for the EU to address global challenges and to jointly promote the rule-based multilateral order."

The 15th India-EU summit will take place on March 13 for which PM Modi will travel to Brussels.&nbsp;

French diplomatic sources said, for "France, a founding member of the European Union, the Citizenship Amendment Act is India’s internal political matter" and "European Parliament is an institution independent of member states and the European Commission."

The EU mission in Delhi earlier in the day stated, “The European Parliament is an independent institution, sovereign in the organization of its work and in its deliberations" and "the text referred to are draft resolution by political groups in the EP.”

Even as the European Union Parliament is all set to discuss resolutions on the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) & Kashmir, the EU foreign office has said that it doesn't represent the official position and called New Delhi a key partner.

Even as the European Union Parliament is all set to discuss resolutions on the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) & Kashmir, the EU foreign office has said that it doesn't represent the official position and called New Delhi a key partner. Also Read: 'Entirely internal matter'- India on EU Parliament setting resolution against CAA EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, told WION, "Opinions expressed by the European Parliament and its members do not represent the official position of the European Union." The official position of EU is that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan while comments on CAA are known yet. The spokesperson was aware that the CAA is being assessed by India's Supreme Court for its constitutionality, explaining, "It is important to recall that these texts are only drafts tabled by various political groups in the European Parliament". Six resolutions from different parties will be taken by EU Parliament later this week on Kashmir and CAA for discussion and vote. Backing the Brussels-New Delhi partnership the spokesperson said: "India is a key partner for the EU to address global challenges and to jointly promote the rule-based multilateral order." The 15th India-EU summit will take place on March 13 for which PM Modi will travel to Brussels. French diplomatic sources said, for "France, a founding member of the European Union, the Citizenship Amendment Act is India’s internal political matter" and "European Parliament is an institution independent of member states and the European Commission." The EU mission in Delhi earlier in the day stated, “The European Parliament is an independent institution, sovereign in the organization of its work and in its deliberations" and "the text referred to are draft resolution by political groups in the EP.”

Ahead of CAA, Kashmir resolutions in EU parliament, EU foreign office says doesn't reflect official position

The chief executive of Google parent company Alphabet on Monday backed an EU proposal to temporarily ban facial-recognition technology because of the possibility that it could be used for nefarious purposes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alphabet-googles-parent-company-now-a-1-trillion-enterprise-fourth-us-company-to-achieve-this-feat-274982">Also Read: Google's parent company now a $1 trillion enterprise</a>

"I think it is important that governments and regulations tackle it sooner rather than later and gives a framework for it," Sundar Pichai told a conference in Brussels organised by think tank Bruegel.

The European Commission, which acts as the EU executive, is taking a tougher line on artificial intelligence (AI) than the United States that would strengthen existing regulations on privacy and data rights, according to an 18-page proposal paper seen by Reuters.

Part of this includes a moratorium of up to five years on using facial recognition technology in public areas, to give the EU time to work out how to prevent abuses, the paper said.

"It can be immediate but maybe there's a waiting period before we really think about how it's being used," Pichai said. "It's up to governments to charter the course" for the use of such technology.

Pichai urged regulators to take a "proportionate approach" when drafting rules, days before the Commission is due to publish proposals on the issue.

Regulators are grappling with ways to govern AI, encouraging innovation while trying to curb potential misuse, as companies and law enforcement agencies increasingly adopt the technology.

There was no question AI needs to be regulated, Pichai said, but rulemakers should tread carefully.

"Sensible regulation must also take a proportionate approach, balancing potential harms with social opportunities. This is especially true in areas that are high risk and high value," he said.

Regulators should tailor rules according to different sectors, Pichai said, citing medical devices and self-driving cars as examples that require different rules.

He urged governments to align their rules and agree on core values.

Earlier this month, the US&nbsp;government published regulatory guidelines on AI aimed at limiting authorities' overreach, and urged Europe to avoid an aggressive approach.

Pichai said it was important to be clear-eyed about what could go wrong with AI, and that while it promised huge benefits there were real concerns about potential negative consequences.

One area of concern is so-called "deepfakes" - video or audio clips that have been manipulated using AI and which potentially could be created of any individual, saying anything in any setting.

Pichai said Google had released open datasets to help the research community build better tools to detect such fakes.

The world's most popular internet search engine said last month that Google Cloud was not offering general-purpose facial-recognition application programming interfaces (APIs) while it establishes policy and technical safeguards.

The chief executive of Google parent company Alphabet on Monday backed an EU proposal to temporarily ban facial-recognition technology because of the possibility that it could be used for nefarious purposes.

The chief executive of Google parent company Alphabet on Monday backed an EU proposal to temporarily ban facial-recognition technology because of the possibility that it could be used for nefarious purposes. Also Read: Google's parent company now a $1 trillion enterprise "I think it is important that governments and regulations tackle it sooner rather than later and gives a framework for it," Sundar Pichai told a conference in Brussels organised by think tank Bruegel. The European Commission, which acts as the EU executive, is taking a tougher line on artificial intelligence (AI) than the United States that would strengthen existing regulations on privacy and data rights, according to an 18-page proposal paper seen by Reuters. Part of this includes a moratorium of up to five years on using facial recognition technology in public areas, to give the EU time to work out how to prevent abuses, the paper said. "It can be immediate but maybe there's a waiting period before we really think about how it's being used," Pichai said. "It's up to governments to charter the course" for the use of such technology. Pichai urged regulators to take a "proportionate approach" when drafting rules, days before the Commission is due to publish proposals on the issue. Regulators are grappling with ways to govern AI, encouraging innovation while trying to curb potential misuse, as companies and law enforcement agencies increasingly adopt the technology. There was no question AI needs to be regulated, Pichai said, but rulemakers should tread carefully. "Sensible regulation must also take a proportionate approach, balancing potential harms with social opportunities. This is especially true in areas that are high risk and high value," he said. Regulators should tailor rules according to different sectors, Pichai said, citing medical devices and self-driving cars as examples that require different rules. He urged governments to align their rules and agree on core values. Earlier this month, the US government published regulatory guidelines on AI aimed at limiting authorities' overreach, and urged Europe to avoid an aggressive approach. Pichai said it was important to be clear-eyed about what could go wrong with AI, and that while it promised huge benefits there were real concerns about potential negative consequences. One area of concern is so-called "deepfakes" - video or audio clips that have been manipulated using AI and which potentially could be created of any individual, saying anything in any setting. Pichai said Google had released open datasets to help the research community build better tools to detect such fakes. The world's most popular internet search engine said last month that Google Cloud was not offering general-purpose facial-recognition application programming interfaces (APIs) while it establishes policy and technical safeguards.

No question artificial intelligence needs to be regulated: Sundar Pichai

Police detained 185 protesters in central <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finally-british-lawmakers-approve-historic-brexit-deal-273275">Brussels</a> on Saturday after the environmental protest group <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-davos-summit-greta-thunberg-calls-for-real-climate-action-274917">Extinction Rebellion</a> staged demonstrations at a car show in protest at the auto industry's role in CO2 emissions that cause climate change.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-davos-summit-greta-thunberg-calls-for-real-climate-action-274917">Ahead of Davos summit, Greta Thunberg calls for 'real climate action'</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUGreenDeal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EUGreenDeal</a> transformation is unprecedented. 
 
The Just Transition Mechanism will support those that need to make bigger efforts by: 
👨‍💻 Offering re-skilling opportunities 
💼 Investing in new firms, SMEs and start-ups 
⚡ Improving energy infrastructure 
🌱Creating new jobs <a href="https://t.co/Qz5VC5Tsfe">pic.twitter.com/Qz5VC5Tsfe</a>
— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) <a href="https://twitter.com/EU_Commission/status/1218458002501652480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The protest came only days after the European Commission unveiled ideas on how to finance its flagship Green Deal project that aims to make the European Union a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/four-indian-airports-receive-international-recognition-for-reducing-emissions-273223">CO2</a> emissions-neutral area by 2050, in part through the transformation of the car industry.

<img alt="Demonstrators lie in a street during a protest of the climate action group Extinction Rebellion at Brussels Motor Show in Brussels" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="007d7cc5-e6ee-44ee-a78a-e98a36a03ba3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2816%29_7.jpg" /> 
[ Demonstrators lie in a street during a protest of the climate action group Extinction Rebellion in Brussels (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

A member and former spokesman for the group, Christophe Meierhans, said Extinction Rebellion targeted the car industry because it told: "a lot of lies in order to sell more cars".

One protester, his face covered with black paint, chanted "Shell kills" referring to the oil company Royal Dutch Shell before lying down in front of the company's stall, while other protesters gathered around wearing face masks with the company's logo.

<img alt="Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest of the climate action group Extinction Rebellion " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="678e258c-54a6-49f2-a0a6-a45c90f1dc9f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2815%29_8.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest of the climate action group Extinction Rebellion at Brussels Motor Show in Brussels (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The protesters were quickly taken away by police and the show's security personnel briefly blocked access to the area.

Later, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-at-mercy-of-politics-in-2020-experts-warn-273582">demonstrators</a> carried out a "die-in" outside the show's entrance and were also removed by police without resisting arrest.

The show's organizers said in a statement they expected 500,000 visitors to visit the 10-day car show, the largest of its kind in the country.

Police detained 185 protesters in central Brussels on Saturday after the environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion staged demonstrations at a car show in protest at the auto industry's role in CO2 emissions that cause climate change.

Police detained 185 protesters in central Brussels on Saturday after the environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion staged demonstrations at a car show in protest at the auto industry's role in CO2 emissions that cause climate change. Also Read: Ahead of Davos summit, Greta Thunberg calls for 'real climate action' The #EUGreenDeal transformation is unprecedented. The Just Transition Mechanism will support those that need to make bigger efforts by: 👨‍💻 Offering re-skilling opportunities 💼 Investing in new firms, SMEs and start-ups ⚡ Improving energy infrastructure 🌱Creating new jobs pic.twitter.com/Qz5VC5Tsfe — European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) January 18, 2020 × The protest came only days after the European Commission unveiled ideas on how to finance its flagship Green Deal project that aims to make the European Union a CO2 emissions-neutral area by 2050, in part through the transformation of the car industry. [ Demonstrators lie in a street during a protest of the climate action group Extinction Rebellion in Brussels (Courtesy: Reuters) ] A member and former spokesman for the group, Christophe Meierhans, said Extinction Rebellion targeted the car industry because it told: "a lot of lies in order to sell more cars". One protester, his face covered with black paint, chanted "Shell kills" referring to the oil company Royal Dutch Shell before lying down in front of the company's stall, while other protesters gathered around wearing face masks with the company's logo. [ Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest of the climate action group Extinction Rebellion at Brussels Motor Show in Brussels (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The protesters were quickly taken away by police and the show's security personnel briefly blocked access to the area. Later, demonstrators carried out a "die-in" outside the show's entrance and were also removed by police without resisting arrest. The show's organizers said in a statement they expected 500,000 visitors to visit the 10-day car show, the largest of its kind in the country.

Police detain 185 climate protesters at Brussels Motor Show

The European Commission has announced plans to ban the use of facial recognition in public areas for at least five years.

According to the officials, regulators want to stop the technology from being misused, BBC reported.

The facial recognition technology is mostly used by police forces around the world to curate watch lists, based on the CCTV footage.

According to BBC, exceptions will be made in this regard for reasons pertaining to security, research, and development.

In an 18-page document, the European Commission suggested new rules within existing regulations about privacy and data rights.

The Commission has suggested the creation of an authority to monitor new rules. Within the dictate of the proposal, rules will be imposed on both the developers and users of artificial intelligence.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="facial" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0b3d592e-fe32-4ee1-be8d-f782f20c5f0d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_32.jpg" /> 
Image: AI (artificial intelligence) security cameras with facial recognition technology are seen at the 14th China International Exhibition on Public Safety and Security at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 24, 2019 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The ban is expected to last between three and five years, and as BBC reported is "a sound methodology for assessing the impacts of this technology and possible risk management measures could be identified and developed".

There has major global outcry over the use of artificial intelligence and the role played by facial recognition and the data it gathers. Campaigners in the UK want the police to stop using facial recognition for public surveillance.

Recently, King’s Cross, a major rail hub, was at the centre of controversy when it was found that the owners were employing recognition technology without the informed consent of the public.&nbsp;

Many activists and campaigners feel that the facial technology, as it exists presently, is only partially accurate, highly intrusive and circumvents many fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens across democracies, like the right to privacy. &nbsp;

BBC reported that a recent study found facial recognition algorithms are racially incongruent. For clarity, the technology less accurate at identifying black and Asian faces compared with white faces.

<h6><img alt="facial" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="45bebe0b-f01d-45c0-8812-ca57de10478a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_19.jpg" /> 
Image: A construction worker walks past facial recognition screens at the entrance to the terminal building of the new Beijing Daxing International Airport, in Beijing on March 1, 2019 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

China has been stepping up its public surveillance programmes with the help of facial recognition technologies. For instance, recently, the government had been tracking certain people in Shanghai's pharmacies for buying certain drugs.

As part of this scheme, people who intend to buy certain medicines, such as ones with psychotropic substances, will be forced to verify their identity using facial recognition technology.&nbsp;

China has been clamping down on drugs and this is the latest move in its aspiration to halt the production of illegal drugs.&nbsp;

And even though the West has shown reservations with facial recognition technology, China has embraced it with open arms.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/racial-bias-found-in-facial-recognition-tools-us-government-study-269383">Racial bias found in facial recognition tools: US government study</a>

The European Commission has announced plans to ban the use of facial recognition in public areas for at least five years. According to the officials, regulators want to stop the technology from being misused, BBC reported.

The European Commission has announced plans to ban the use of facial recognition in public areas for at least five years. According to the officials, regulators want to stop the technology from being misused, BBC reported. The facial recognition technology is mostly used by police forces around the world to curate watch lists, based on the CCTV footage. According to BBC, exceptions will be made in this regard for reasons pertaining to security, research, and development. In an 18-page document, the European Commission suggested new rules within existing regulations about privacy and data rights. The Commission has suggested the creation of an authority to monitor new rules. Within the dictate of the proposal, rules will be imposed on both the developers and users of artificial intelligence. Image: AI (artificial intelligence) security cameras with facial recognition technology are seen at the 14th China International Exhibition on Public Safety and Security at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 24, 2019 | AFP The ban is expected to last between three and five years, and as BBC reported is "a sound methodology for assessing the impacts of this technology and possible risk management measures could be identified and developed". There has major global outcry over the use of artificial intelligence and the role played by facial recognition and the data it gathers. Campaigners in the UK want the police to stop using facial recognition for public surveillance. Recently, King’s Cross, a major rail hub, was at the centre of controversy when it was found that the owners were employing recognition technology without the informed consent of the public. Many activists and campaigners feel that the facial technology, as it exists presently, is only partially accurate, highly intrusive and circumvents many fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens across democracies, like the right to privacy. BBC reported that a recent study found facial recognition algorithms are racially incongruent. For clarity, the technology less accurate at identifying black and Asian faces compared with white faces. Image: A construction worker walks past facial recognition screens at the entrance to the terminal building of the new Beijing Daxing International Airport, in Beijing on March 1, 2019 | AFP China has been stepping up its public surveillance programmes with the help of facial recognition technologies. For instance, recently, the government had been tracking certain people in Shanghai's pharmacies for buying certain drugs. As part of this scheme, people who intend to buy certain medicines, such as ones with psychotropic substances, will be forced to verify their identity using facial recognition technology. China has been clamping down on drugs and this is the latest move in its aspiration to halt the production of illegal drugs. And even though the West has shown reservations with facial recognition technology, China has embraced it with open arms. Also read: Racial bias found in facial recognition tools: US government study

European Union considering five-year ban on facial recognition technology at public places

Thousands&nbsp;of people, including&nbsp;judges&nbsp;and lawyers from many <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-urges-member-states-to-step-up-preparations-in-case-brexit-talks-fail-152932">EU member</a> states, marched through Warsaw on Saturday to&nbsp;protest&nbsp;against&nbsp;what they say are government attempts to curb the powers of the judiciary in Poland.

Last month&nbsp;Poland's&nbsp;lower house of parliament approved a draft law that would allow&nbsp;judges&nbsp;who question the government's reforms to be&nbsp;disciplined.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commission-could-slap-3-billion-euro-fine-on-italy-for-excessive-debt-deputy-pm-salvini-222359">European Commission</a> has said the&nbsp;planned legislation would imperil the rule of law, deepening a standoff with the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.

<img alt="Poland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="074ac4f8-ea55-428c-9c28-ce3e284197fa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_16.jpg" />

In 2017 the European Parliament invoked Article 7 of its governing treaty&nbsp;against&nbsp;Poland for persistently flouting democratic rules, the first time it had used the procedure.

The latest legislation was drawn up after some&nbsp;judges&nbsp;questioned the independence of peers nominated by a panel set up by the PiS-dominated parliament after nationalists won the 2015 elections.

PiS says the new law is necessary to make the judiciary more efficient.

But critics say it will curb the&nbsp;judges' independence, putting pressure on them to rule in favour of government policies.&nbsp;Poland's&nbsp;Supreme Court said in December Warsaw could end up leaving the EU over the dispute.

Saturday's&nbsp;protest, tagged as "1,000 Robes March", was headed by a group of&nbsp;judges&nbsp;wearing robes and carrying banners that read "The right to independence" and "The right to Europe".

<img alt="Poland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f93d813a-e0a0-40b9-8fd2-ec246e15e77e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%285%29_15.jpg" />

"It is not usual for us to go out in robes to&nbsp;protest&nbsp;against&nbsp;depriving people of their right to courts," said Krystian Markiewicz, President of the Polish&nbsp;Judges&nbsp;Association Iustitia, one of the march organisers.

"We are doing this for the citizens."

Judges&nbsp;from 22 European countries, including Germany, France, and Spain, participated in the&nbsp;protest, Iustitia said.

The march started in front of the Supreme Court, passed the president's office and ended at the parliament building to symbolise the principle of separation of powers, which the organisers say is now under threat.

"The situation is very serious, at least in our judgment, and that's why we are here," Jose Igreja Matos, President of the European Association of&nbsp;Judges, told Reuters.

A government spokesman told Reuters: "We believe that the bills that are being adopted in Poland regulate the stability of the legal system."

Ahead of the march, a PiS spokesman was quoted by private broadcaster TVN24 as saying that&nbsp;judges&nbsp;should not get involved in politics.

"We've come here to support Polish&nbsp;judges. We are here for the rule of law, not for politics," John MacMenamin, a judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland, told a press conference ahead of the&nbsp;protest.

The upper house of parliament where the opposition has a slim majority could reject the draft legislation, but the PiS-controlled lower house would still have the power to overturn any changes.

Thousands of people, including judges and lawyers from many EU member states, marched through Warsaw on Saturday to protest against what they say are government attempts to curb the powers of the judiciary in Poland.

Thousands of people, including judges and lawyers from many EU member states, marched through Warsaw on Saturday to protest against what they say are government attempts to curb the powers of the judiciary in Poland. Last month Poland's lower house of parliament approved a draft law that would allow judges who question the government's reforms to be disciplined. The European Commission has said the planned legislation would imperil the rule of law, deepening a standoff with the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party. In 2017 the European Parliament invoked Article 7 of its governing treaty against Poland for persistently flouting democratic rules, the first time it had used the procedure. The latest legislation was drawn up after some judges questioned the independence of peers nominated by a panel set up by the PiS-dominated parliament after nationalists won the 2015 elections. PiS says the new law is necessary to make the judiciary more efficient. But critics say it will curb the judges' independence, putting pressure on them to rule in favour of government policies. Poland's Supreme Court said in December Warsaw could end up leaving the EU over the dispute. Saturday's protest, tagged as "1,000 Robes March", was headed by a group of judges wearing robes and carrying banners that read "The right to independence" and "The right to Europe". "It is not usual for us to go out in robes to protest against depriving people of their right to courts," said Krystian Markiewicz, President of the Polish Judges Association Iustitia, one of the march organisers. "We are doing this for the citizens." Judges from 22 European countries, including Germany, France, and Spain, participated in the protest, Iustitia said. The march started in front of the Supreme Court, passed the president's office and ended at the parliament building to symbolise the principle of separation of powers, which the organisers say is now under threat. "The situation is very serious, at least in our judgment, and that's why we are here," Jose Igreja Matos, President of the European Association of Judges, told Reuters. A government spokesman told Reuters: "We believe that the bills that are being adopted in Poland regulate the stability of the legal system." Ahead of the march, a PiS spokesman was quoted by private broadcaster TVN24 as saying that judges should not get involved in politics. "We've come here to support Polish judges. We are here for the rule of law, not for politics," John MacMenamin, a judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland, told a press conference ahead of the protest. The upper house of parliament where the opposition has a slim majority could reject the draft legislation, but the PiS-controlled lower house would still have the power to overturn any changes.

Thousands protest against Poland's plan to discipline judges

France's competition authority has fined Google $167 million for unclear advertising linked to web searches and resorting to anti-competitive behaviour.

In a strongly worded statement, the French authority asked Google to clarify the operating rules of its Google Ads advertising platform and the procedures for suspending the accounts of certain advertisers.

"Google holds an extraordinarily dominant position in search-based advertising, with a market share of between 90 and 100 per cent, said &nbsp;Isabelle de Silva, the chief of the French authority, adding,"when you have great power, you also have great responsibilities".

The competition body sought clear rules from Google and said that it could not be applied in "an erratic way".

"Uncertainty about the rules framework for advertisers may have discouraged the development of innovative sites", the competition authority said.

The development comes as Google faces backlash in several European countries over tax and privacy concerns. &nbsp;Last month the search giant had informed that it had updated how it handled political ads.

The US search giant said its rules ban any advertiser, including those with political messages, from making demonstrably false claims. Google said it will also limit targeting of political ads to general categories such as age, gender, or postal code level location.

"It's against our policies for any advertiser to make a false claim, whether it's a claim about the price of a chair or a claim that you can vote by text message, that election day is postponed, or that a candidate has died," Google ads product management vice president Scott Spencer had said.&nbsp;

Google had said it would begin changes in Britain and throughout the EU by year-end and around the world year next year.

In March, the European Commission had fined Google $1.7 billion for blocking rival online search advertisers. The European Commission had said that the anti-competitive practice had lasted a decade.

"Google has cemented its dominance in online search adverts and shielded itself from competitive pressure by imposing anti-competitive contractual restrictions on third-party websites," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said while castigating the US company.

France's competition authority has fined Google $167 million for unclear advertising linked to web searches and resorting to anti-competitive behaviour. In a strongly worded statement, the French authority asked Google to clarify the operating rules of its Google Ads advertising platform and the procedures for suspending the accounts of certain advertisers.

France's competition authority has fined Google $167 million for unclear advertising linked to web searches and resorting to anti-competitive behaviour. In a strongly worded statement, the French authority asked Google to clarify the operating rules of its Google Ads advertising platform and the procedures for suspending the accounts of certain advertisers. "Google holds an extraordinarily dominant position in search-based advertising, with a market share of between 90 and 100 per cent, said Isabelle de Silva, the chief of the French authority, adding,"when you have great power, you also have great responsibilities". The competition body sought clear rules from Google and said that it could not be applied in "an erratic way". "Uncertainty about the rules framework for advertisers may have discouraged the development of innovative sites", the competition authority said. The development comes as Google faces backlash in several European countries over tax and privacy concerns. Last month the search giant had informed that it had updated how it handled political ads. The US search giant said its rules ban any advertiser, including those with political messages, from making demonstrably false claims. Google said it will also limit targeting of political ads to general categories such as age, gender, or postal code level location. "It's against our policies for any advertiser to make a false claim, whether it's a claim about the price of a chair or a claim that you can vote by text message, that election day is postponed, or that a candidate has died," Google ads product management vice president Scott Spencer had said. Google had said it would begin changes in Britain and throughout the EU by year-end and around the world year next year. In March, the European Commission had fined Google $1.7 billion for blocking rival online search advertisers. The European Commission had said that the anti-competitive practice had lasted a decade. "Google has cemented its dominance in online search adverts and shielded itself from competitive pressure by imposing anti-competitive contractual restrictions on third-party websites," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said while castigating the US company.

France fines Google $167 million over search engine ads

"Fundamental solutions" are needed in the coming decade to avert uncontrolled climate change that could cause extreme heat waves in Europe, according to a report released on Wednesday (December 3) by the European Union Environmental Agency (EEA).

Without urgent action, yearly extreme heat waves await Europeans, EU agency says

European Union lawmakers gave final approval to German conservative Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday to take over at the helm of the bloc's executive European Commission from December 1.

Ursula von der Leyen: 1st woman chief of European Union

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

German conservative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commissions-president-elect-faces-final-vote-264765">Ursula von der Leyen</a> told the European Parliament on Wednesday that fighting climate change was an "existential" challenge and she would ensure money was provided to help adapt economies to lower fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking ahead of a final vote in the chamber to confirm her as European Commission president from December&nbsp;1, and also confirm the other Commission members, von der Leyen said: "We don't have a moment to waste any more on fighting climate change."

She said that the transition towards "climate neutrality" by mid-century had to be achieved in a "sustainable way", meaning it must keep onboard workers, regions, and governments that still rely on coal for jobs, energy needs, and economic growth.

"It must be inclusive or it will not happen at all," she said.

German conservative Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday that fighting climate change was an "existential" challenge and she would ensure money was provided to help adapt economies to lower fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

German conservative Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday that fighting climate change was an "existential" challenge and she would ensure money was provided to help adapt economies to lower fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking ahead of a final vote in the chamber to confirm her as European Commission president from December 1, and also confirm the other Commission members, von der Leyen said: "We don't have a moment to waste any more on fighting climate change." She said that the transition towards "climate neutrality" by mid-century had to be achieved in a "sustainable way", meaning it must keep onboard workers, regions, and governments that still rely on coal for jobs, energy needs, and economic growth. "It must be inclusive or it will not happen at all," she said.

Incoming European union chief vows to fight 'existential' climate risks

Microsoft&nbsp;said on Monday it was updating the&nbsp;privacy&nbsp;provisions of its commercial cloud contracts after&nbsp;European regulators found its deals with&nbsp;European Union institutions failed to protect&nbsp;data&nbsp;in line with&nbsp;EU&nbsp;law.

The EDPS, the&nbsp;EU's&nbsp;data&nbsp;watchdog, opened an investigation in April to assess whether&nbsp;Microsoft's contracts with the&nbsp;European Commission and other&nbsp;EU&nbsp;institutions met&nbsp;data&nbsp;protection rules. It raised concerns about compliance in October.

In a statement on its website addressing the issue,&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;said: "We will increase our&nbsp;data&nbsp;protection responsibilities for a subset of processing that&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;engages in when we provide enterprise services."

The company, the only major cloud provider to offer such&nbsp;terms&nbsp;in the&nbsp;European Economic Area and beyond, expects to offer the new provisions to public sector and enterprise customers in early 2020.

Microsoft said on Monday it was updating the privacy provisions of its commercial cloud contracts after European regulators found its deals with European Union institutions failed to protect data in line with EU law.

Microsoft said on Monday it was updating the privacy provisions of its commercial cloud contracts after European regulators found its deals with European Union institutions failed to protect data in line with EU law. The EDPS, the EU's data watchdog, opened an investigation in April to assess whether Microsoft's contracts with the European Commission and other EU institutions met data protection rules. It raised concerns about compliance in October. In a statement on its website addressing the issue, Microsoft said: "We will increase our data protection responsibilities for a subset of processing that Microsoft engages in when we provide enterprise services." The company, the only major cloud provider to offer such terms in the European Economic Area and beyond, expects to offer the new provisions to public sector and enterprise customers in early 2020.

Microsoft increases data protection responsibilities for European Union

'Mailbox 200': Ex-Soviet town used for dumping radioactive waste could poison millions

As the British Parliament gets ready to vote on Brexit tonight, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-parliament-speaker-john-bercow-blocks-holding-of-new-vote-on-brexit-deal-257365">European Commission chief </a>Jean-Claude Juncker said the European body had done everything it could to make sure UK's departure from the European body is "orderly".

Addressing the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker said: "At least we can look ourselves in the eyes and say that we have done all in our power to make sure that this departure is orderly."&nbsp;

British parliamentarians will be voting today on the 115-page Withdrawal Agreement Bill and then vote on the government's extremely tight timetable for approving the legislation. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-adamant-on-brexit-deadline-despite-delay-request-257170">Prime Minister Johnson has</a> vowed to exit the European by October 31.

"We need now to watch events in Westminster very closely," Juncker said. "It's not possible, not imaginable that this (European) parliament will ratify the agreement before Westminster will have ratified the agreement," European Commission President Juncker added.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brexit-deal-uk-speaker-refuses-to-allow-the-brexit-vote-257434/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

PM Johnson is battling to pull Britain out of the European Union as Parliament has repeatedly rejected his call for a no-deal. The United Kingdom had voted 52%-48% to leave the European Union in 2016, however, the path to Brexit has led to the resignation of two ministers - Cameron and Theresa May - with Johnson intent on walking out even if the 28-nation union offers no deal, a move bitterly contested by British lawmakers.

"It is obvious that the result of these consultations will very much depend on what the British parliament decides, or doesn’t decide. We should be ready for every scenario," Juncker told the European Parliament.

PM Johnson cannot afford a defeat of either vote tonight which is likely to delay his Brexit plan even as Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told the EU parliament that another delay was on the cards.

Ahead of the vote in Parliament, the British pound fell from Monday's five-month peaks at $1.2936 Tuesday, down from $1.2960 late in New York on Monday as the country awaits the verdict on Brexit by lawmakers tonight.

As the British Parliament gets ready to vote on Brexit tonight, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said the European body had done everything it could to make sure UK's departure from the European body is "orderly".

As the British Parliament gets ready to vote on Brexit tonight, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said the European body had done everything it could to make sure UK's departure from the European body is "orderly". Addressing the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker said: "At least we can look ourselves in the eyes and say that we have done all in our power to make sure that this departure is orderly." British parliamentarians will be voting today on the 115-page Withdrawal Agreement Bill and then vote on the government's extremely tight timetable for approving the legislation. Prime Minister Johnson has vowed to exit the European by October 31. "We need now to watch events in Westminster very closely," Juncker said. "It's not possible, not imaginable that this (European) parliament will ratify the agreement before Westminster will have ratified the agreement," European Commission President Juncker added. Watch Video: PM Johnson is battling to pull Britain out of the European Union as Parliament has repeatedly rejected his call for a no-deal. The United Kingdom had voted 52%-48% to leave the European Union in 2016, however, the path to Brexit has led to the resignation of two ministers - Cameron and Theresa May - with Johnson intent on walking out even if the 28-nation union offers no deal, a move bitterly contested by British lawmakers. "It is obvious that the result of these consultations will very much depend on what the British parliament decides, or doesn’t decide. We should be ready for every scenario," Juncker told the European Parliament. PM Johnson cannot afford a defeat of either vote tonight which is likely to delay his Brexit plan even as Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told the EU parliament that another delay was on the cards. Ahead of the vote in Parliament, the British pound fell from Monday's five-month peaks at $1.2936 Tuesday, down from $1.2960 late in New York on Monday as the country awaits the verdict on Brexit by lawmakers tonight.

Ahead of Brexit vote, EU says 'done all in our power' for 'orderly departure'

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday (October 9) called on Turkey to stop its military operation in northeast Syria, adding it could not lead to 'good results.' Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: EU urges Turkey to show restraint

Britain has still not proposed any workable alternatives to the Northern Ireland "backstop" provisions of its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-the-brexit-hulk-to-meet-eus-jean-claude-junker-249883">Brexit withdrawal</a> agreement, the EU said Monday after talks between bloc chief Jean-Claude Juncker and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The first face-to-face encounter between Johnson and European Commission president Juncker failed to yield any major breakthrough, although Downing Street insisted it had been a "constructive meeting".

Johnson says <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-liberal-democrat-leader-says-her-party-will-not-support-any-brexit-deal-249809">Britain will not agree</a> to a divorce deal that includes the backstop, a provision which temporarily keeps the UK in the EU customs union to keep the Irish border open, and will not delay Brexit beyond October 31, even if it means leaving with no deal.

Juncker's office said he used the lunch meeting in Luxembourg to reiterate the EU view that it is Britain's responsibility to come up with a workable alternative to he backstop, which was agreed by Johnson's predecessor Theresa May but rejected by MPs.

"President Juncker recalled that it is the UK's responsibility to come forward with legally operational solutions that are compatible with the Withdrawal Agreement," a statement from Juncker's office said.

"President Juncker underlined the Commission's continued willingness and openness to examine whether such proposals meet the objectives of the backstop. Such proposals have not yet been made."

Alongside the main meeting, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also held talks with British Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay.

A small but noisy clutch of anti-Brexit protesters greeted Johnson as he arrived and left the talks, singing the "Ode to Joy" EU anthem, waving flags and chanting slogans.

With just six weeks to go before Brexit day, the two sides have agreed to step up the pace of talks, Downing Street said, with negotiators to start meeting "soon" on a daily basis rather than twice a week as at present.

"It was agreed that talks should also take place at a political level between Michel Barnier and the Brexit Secretary, and conversations would also continue between President Juncker and the prime minister," a spokesperson said.

Britain has still not proposed any workable alternatives to the Northern Ireland "backstop" provisions of its Brexit withdrawal agreement, the EU said Monday after talks between bloc chief Jean-Claude Juncker and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Britain has still not proposed any workable alternatives to the Northern Ireland "backstop" provisions of its Brexit withdrawal agreement, the EU said Monday after talks between bloc chief Jean-Claude Juncker and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The first face-to-face encounter between Johnson and European Commission president Juncker failed to yield any major breakthrough, although Downing Street insisted it had been a "constructive meeting". Johnson says Britain will not agree to a divorce deal that includes the backstop, a provision which temporarily keeps the UK in the EU customs union to keep the Irish border open, and will not delay Brexit beyond October 31, even if it means leaving with no deal. Juncker's office said he used the lunch meeting in Luxembourg to reiterate the EU view that it is Britain's responsibility to come up with a workable alternative to he backstop, which was agreed by Johnson's predecessor Theresa May but rejected by MPs. "President Juncker recalled that it is the UK's responsibility to come forward with legally operational solutions that are compatible with the Withdrawal Agreement," a statement from Juncker's office said. "President Juncker underlined the Commission's continued willingness and openness to examine whether such proposals meet the objectives of the backstop. Such proposals have not yet been made." Alongside the main meeting, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also held talks with British Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay. A small but noisy clutch of anti-Brexit protesters greeted Johnson as he arrived and left the talks, singing the "Ode to Joy" EU anthem, waving flags and chanting slogans. With just six weeks to go before Brexit day, the two sides have agreed to step up the pace of talks, Downing Street said, with negotiators to start meeting "soon" on a daily basis rather than twice a week as at present. "It was agreed that talks should also take place at a political level between Michel Barnier and the Brexit Secretary, and conversations would also continue between President Juncker and the prime minister," a spokesperson said.

Still no workable alternative from UK on Northern Ireland 'backstop' provision: EU

Tech giant Amazon is under the radar of the European Union. The antitrust regulators have opened up an investigation into Amazon. The probe will assess if Amazon misuses sensitive data of the independent merchants. Watch this video to know more.

EU to investigate Amazon marketplace

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen secured European parliamentary approval on Tuesday to become the first female European Commission president after she won over socialists and liberals with her vision of a greener, fairer and rule-based Europe.

Gaining the support of both groups, on top of endorsement by her fellow conservatives, is expected to give her legitimacy, allowing her to tackle controversial issues such as climate change, trade and maintaining democracy in the bloc.

Rejection by the European legislature would have been a painful blow for the bloc, beset by challenges ranging from trade to Brexit and erosion of democratic norms, and a headache for EU leaders who would have to come up with another candidate in a month.

As head of the EU executive, von der Leyen will be in charge of trade negotiations, economic and climate policy for 500 million Europeans and antitrust rulings involving powerful tech giants.

She secured 383 votes to 327 against, the speaker of the assembly, David Sassoli, said. The threshold was 374.

"The trust you placed in me is the confidence you placed in Europe. Your confidence in a united and strong Europe, from east to west, from south to north," the German conservative said. "It`s a big responsibility and my work starts now."

"Let us work together constructively because the endeavour is a united and strong Europe," said von der Leyen, who will take up her new role on November 1.

The liberal group Renew Europe and the Socialists and Democrats Group had earlier announced support for the 60-year-old, who this week resigned as German defence minister, regardless of the EU lawmakers' decision.

Earlier on Tuesday, von der Leyen set out her climate goals, going further than current targets, in a bid to convince both socialists and liberals. She had already pledged the ambitious targets in letters to the two groups the previous day.

"Our most pressing challenge is keeping our planet healthy. This is the greatest responsibility and opportunity of our times. I want Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050," she told EU lawmakers.

She added she would propose a Green Deal for Europe in her first 100 days in office, turn parts of the European Investment Bank into a Climate Bank and introduce a Carbon Border Tax.

Von der Leyen promised to defend the rule of law, took aim at U.S. tech giants` low tax bill in Europe and said she would update EU-wide norms for tackling the migrant issue.

"We need to address the legitimate concerns of many and look at how we can overcome our differences," she said.

In her biggest cross-party promise, von der Leyen offered to help allow the chamber the right to propose new legislation - currently the Commission`s prerogative.

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen secured European parliamentary approval on Tuesday to become the first female European Commission president after she won over socialists and liberals with her vision of a greener, fairer and rule-based Europe.

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen secured European parliamentary approval on Tuesday to become the first female European Commission president after she won over socialists and liberals with her vision of a greener, fairer and rule-based Europe. Gaining the support of both groups, on top of endorsement by her fellow conservatives, is expected to give her legitimacy, allowing her to tackle controversial issues such as climate change, trade and maintaining democracy in the bloc. Rejection by the European legislature would have been a painful blow for the bloc, beset by challenges ranging from trade to Brexit and erosion of democratic norms, and a headache for EU leaders who would have to come up with another candidate in a month. As head of the EU executive, von der Leyen will be in charge of trade negotiations, economic and climate policy for 500 million Europeans and antitrust rulings involving powerful tech giants. She secured 383 votes to 327 against, the speaker of the assembly, David Sassoli, said. The threshold was 374. "The trust you placed in me is the confidence you placed in Europe. Your confidence in a united and strong Europe, from east to west, from south to north," the German conservative said. "It`s a big responsibility and my work starts now." "Let us work together constructively because the endeavour is a united and strong Europe," said von der Leyen, who will take up her new role on November 1. The liberal group Renew Europe and the Socialists and Democrats Group had earlier announced support for the 60-year-old, who this week resigned as German defence minister, regardless of the EU lawmakers' decision. Earlier on Tuesday, von der Leyen set out her climate goals, going further than current targets, in a bid to convince both socialists and liberals. She had already pledged the ambitious targets in letters to the two groups the previous day. "Our most pressing challenge is keeping our planet healthy. This is the greatest responsibility and opportunity of our times. I want Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050," she told EU lawmakers. She added she would propose a Green Deal for Europe in her first 100 days in office, turn parts of the European Investment Bank into a Climate Bank and introduce a Carbon Border Tax. Von der Leyen promised to defend the rule of law, took aim at U.S. tech giants` low tax bill in Europe and said she would update EU-wide norms for tackling the migrant issue. "We need to address the legitimate concerns of many and look at how we can overcome our differences," she said. In her biggest cross-party promise, von der Leyen offered to help allow the chamber the right to propose new legislation - currently the Commission`s prerogative.

Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen voted new European Commission president

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commission-could-slap-3-billion-euro-fine-on-italy-for-excessive-debt-deputy-pm-salvini-222359">European Commission</a> lowered its estimates on Wednesday for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/eurozone-inflation-falls-sharply-amid-slowdown-fears-224221">eurozone growth</a> and inflation, saying uncertainty over US trade policy posed a major risk to the bloc.

In its quarterly economic forecasts, the European Union's executive arm said prices would grow less than previously predicted, pushing the inflation rate further off the European Central Bank's target of close to but less than 2 per cent.

The commission confirmed its prediction that economic growth in the euro zone would slow this year to 1.2 per cent from 1.9 per cent in 2018. It also revised down its estimate for next year's growth, which is now seen at 1.4 per cent instead of the 1.5 per cent forecast in May.

Risks for the bloc have increased, the commission said, and mostly come from "the elevated uncertainty" around United States' trade policy, as Washington keeps threatening punitive tariffs on a broad range of EU products.

Fears of increased trade tensions "could also trigger a shift in global risk sentiment at times when valuations appear stretched across many asset classes", the EU economics commissioner Pierre Moscovici told a news conference

"This could lead to rapid tightening of global financial conditions," he added.

The weaker economic outlook contributed to a downward revision of inflation expectations, the commission said, cutting its estimate to 1.3 per cent for this year and next from the 1.4 per cent it previously estimated for both years.

This year's forecast matches the ECB's projection, but for 2020 the commission's estimate is lower than the 1.4 per cent rate forecast by the central bank in its latest projections, released in June. That could give the ECB a reason to push ahead with fresh stimulus.

The commission confirmed the economic slowdown in the euro zone was mostly caused by weaker growth in Germany, the euro zone's largest economy, and Italy, its third largest.

German growth will slow to 0.5 per cent this year, in line with earlier predictions, after reaching 1.4 per cent in 2018. Growth is expected to return to 1.4 per cent next year, less than the 1.5 per cent the commission predicted earlier.

Forecasts for Italy remained unchanged, reiterating its economy will barely grow this year, seeing the worst growth rate in the whole EU. Next year's growth is expected to accelerate to 0.7 per cent but remain the slowest in the bloc.

France's economy will expand 1.3 per cent this year and 1.4 per cent in 2020, the commission estimated, leaving unchanged its forecast for this year but lowering the estimate for the next, earlier seen at 1.5 per cent.

The commission maintained unchanged its forecasts for Britain, whose economy is foreseen growing 1.3 per cent this year and next. However, the projection does not take into account possible trade disruptions caused by a no-deal Brexit.

The European Commission lowered its estimates on Wednesday for eurozone growth and inflation, saying uncertainty over US trade policy posed a major risk to the bloc.

The European Commission lowered its estimates on Wednesday for eurozone growth and inflation, saying uncertainty over US trade policy posed a major risk to the bloc. In its quarterly economic forecasts, the European Union's executive arm said prices would grow less than previously predicted, pushing the inflation rate further off the European Central Bank's target of close to but less than 2 per cent. The commission confirmed its prediction that economic growth in the euro zone would slow this year to 1.2 per cent from 1.9 per cent in 2018. It also revised down its estimate for next year's growth, which is now seen at 1.4 per cent instead of the 1.5 per cent forecast in May. Risks for the bloc have increased, the commission said, and mostly come from "the elevated uncertainty" around United States' trade policy, as Washington keeps threatening punitive tariffs on a broad range of EU products. Fears of increased trade tensions "could also trigger a shift in global risk sentiment at times when valuations appear stretched across many asset classes", the EU economics commissioner Pierre Moscovici told a news conference "This could lead to rapid tightening of global financial conditions," he added. The weaker economic outlook contributed to a downward revision of inflation expectations, the commission said, cutting its estimate to 1.3 per cent for this year and next from the 1.4 per cent it previously estimated for both years. This year's forecast matches the ECB's projection, but for 2020 the commission's estimate is lower than the 1.4 per cent rate forecast by the central bank in its latest projections, released in June. That could give the ECB a reason to push ahead with fresh stimulus. The commission confirmed the economic slowdown in the euro zone was mostly caused by weaker growth in Germany, the euro zone's largest economy, and Italy, its third largest. German growth will slow to 0.5 per cent this year, in line with earlier predictions, after reaching 1.4 per cent in 2018. Growth is expected to return to 1.4 per cent next year, less than the 1.5 per cent the commission predicted earlier. Forecasts for Italy remained unchanged, reiterating its economy will barely grow this year, seeing the worst growth rate in the whole EU. Next year's growth is expected to accelerate to 0.7 per cent but remain the slowest in the bloc. France's economy will expand 1.3 per cent this year and 1.4 per cent in 2020, the commission estimated, leaving unchanged its forecast for this year but lowering the estimate for the next, earlier seen at 1.5 per cent. The commission maintained unchanged its forecasts for Britain, whose economy is foreseen growing 1.3 per cent this year and next. However, the projection does not take into account possible trade disruptions caused by a no-deal Brexit.

Euro zone growth, inflation outlook cut as risks from US trade grow

Greece's conservative prime minister-elect Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed that the country would "proudly" enter a post-bailout period of "jobs, security and growth" after winning a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-things-to-know-about-greeces-july-7-vote-233712">landslide victory in Sunday's general election</a>.

Official results showed Mitsotakis on track to crush leftist premier Alexis Tsipras, who oversaw austerity measures after Greece's dramatic rescue by international creditors in the European debt crisis.

"A painful cycle has closed," Mitsotakis said in a televised address, adding that Greece would "proudly raise its head again" on his watch.

"I will not fail to honour your hopes," he said as early congratulation calls came from outgoing European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

With official results from 94 per cent of polling stations, New Democracy scored a crushing victory by nearly 40 per cent -- its best score in over a decade -- to 31.5 per cent for Tsipras's leftist Syriza party.

"I want to see this people prosper. I want to see the children who left to return," he later told party supporters.

Mitsotakis will be sworn in as Greece's new prime minister on Monday.

Tsipras had earlier admitted defeat after over four years in power that saw Greece emerge from its third bailout.

The 44-year-old warned that his Syriza party would "dynamically" resist efforts to scale back the party's pro-labour reforms.

If the results are confirmed, the 51-year-old Harvard graduate and former McKinsey consultant Mitsotakis will have a majority of 158 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament. Tsipras's party will have 86 seats.

The final number will depend on how smaller parties fare. They need at least 3.0 per cent of the vote to enter parliament.

A family affair

New Democracy was last in power in 2014, in coalition with the Greek socialists.

Mitsotakis is a scion of one of Greece's top political families.

He is the son of former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, one of the country's longest-serving parliamentarians.&nbsp;

His sister is former minister Dora Bakoyannis, Athens's first female mayor. And new Athens mayor Costas Bakoyannis, elected in May, is his nephew.

Sunday's election was Greece's third in as many months, and the first held in midsummer since 1928.

In May, New Democracy beat Syriza by nearly 9.5 points in European parliament elections. A week later, it completed a near-sweep of Greek regions in local elections.

After that, Tsipras was forced to call an early general election. His term was scheduled to end in the autumn.

'Chance to recover'

Greece's youngest premier in more than a century, Tsipras had trailed in the polls for months amid widespread dissatisfaction over high taxes.

"Greece is exiting 10 years of crisis and the new government will have the heavy task to give a chance to the country to recover completely or to sink", 36-year-old Aphrodite told AFP, as she cast her vote in the bohemian downtown Athens neighbourhood of Exarcheia.

"I hope that from tomorrow we will be able to breathe with relief. To take a deep breath, if Mitsotakis does what he promises," added Athinodoros, a 48-year-old self-employed worker.

Tsipras has accused Mitsotakis -- who was part of a 2012-2014 crisis government -- of "disastrous" mismanagement that brought hundreds of thousands of job losses and business failures.

Mitsotakis has now pledged to create "better" jobs through growth, foreign investment and tax cuts and to "steamroll" obstacles to business.

Tsipras -- who reduced unemployment and raised the minimum wage for the first time since 2012 -- was criticised for campaigning as an anti-austerity crusader before eventually accepting a third EU bailout and the economic cutbacks that entailed.

In parts of the country, there was also a backlash against a controversial agreement with North Macedonia that ended a bitter 27-year dispute over the country's name.

New parties

The new smaller parties fighting to secure representation are Greek Solution, a nationalist party formed by TV salesman Kyriakos Velopoulos, and MeRA25, an anti-austerity party founded by maverick economist and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis.

According to the exit polls, Varoufakis's party could elect nine lawmakers.

Greek Solution could end up with 10 deputies, while neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn looks likely to be shut out of parliament for the first time since 2012.

Golden Dawn, until recently Greece's third-ranking party, is in steep decline amid an ongoing trial for the 2013 murder of an anti-fascist rapper, allegedly carried out with the knowledge of senior Golden Dawn members.

Mitsotakis has promised to hit the ground running. A Eurogroup finance meeting on Monday will convene to discuss the state of Greece's economy after tax cuts rolled out by Tsipras in May.

Greece's conservative prime minister-elect Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed that the country would "proudly" enter a post-bailout period of "jobs, security and growth" after winning a landslide victory in Sunday's general election.

Greece's conservative prime minister-elect Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed that the country would "proudly" enter a post-bailout period of "jobs, security and growth" after winning a landslide victory in Sunday's general election. Official results showed Mitsotakis on track to crush leftist premier Alexis Tsipras, who oversaw austerity measures after Greece's dramatic rescue by international creditors in the European debt crisis. "A painful cycle has closed," Mitsotakis said in a televised address, adding that Greece would "proudly raise its head again" on his watch. "I will not fail to honour your hopes," he said as early congratulation calls came from outgoing European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. With official results from 94 per cent of polling stations, New Democracy scored a crushing victory by nearly 40 per cent -- its best score in over a decade -- to 31.5 per cent for Tsipras's leftist Syriza party. "I want to see this people prosper. I want to see the children who left to return," he later told party supporters. Mitsotakis will be sworn in as Greece's new prime minister on Monday. Tsipras had earlier admitted defeat after over four years in power that saw Greece emerge from its third bailout. The 44-year-old warned that his Syriza party would "dynamically" resist efforts to scale back the party's pro-labour reforms. If the results are confirmed, the 51-year-old Harvard graduate and former McKinsey consultant Mitsotakis will have a majority of 158 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament. Tsipras's party will have 86 seats. The final number will depend on how smaller parties fare. They need at least 3.0 per cent of the vote to enter parliament. A family affair New Democracy was last in power in 2014, in coalition with the Greek socialists. Mitsotakis is a scion of one of Greece's top political families. He is the son of former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, one of the country's longest-serving parliamentarians. His sister is former minister Dora Bakoyannis, Athens's first female mayor. And new Athens mayor Costas Bakoyannis, elected in May, is his nephew. Sunday's election was Greece's third in as many months, and the first held in midsummer since 1928. In May, New Democracy beat Syriza by nearly 9.5 points in European parliament elections. A week later, it completed a near-sweep of Greek regions in local elections. After that, Tsipras was forced to call an early general election. His term was scheduled to end in the autumn. 'Chance to recover' Greece's youngest premier in more than a century, Tsipras had trailed in the polls for months amid widespread dissatisfaction over high taxes. "Greece is exiting 10 years of crisis and the new government will have the heavy task to give a chance to the country to recover completely or to sink", 36-year-old Aphrodite told AFP, as she cast her vote in the bohemian downtown Athens neighbourhood of Exarcheia. "I hope that from tomorrow we will be able to breathe with relief. To take a deep breath, if Mitsotakis does what he promises," added Athinodoros, a 48-year-old self-employed worker. Tsipras has accused Mitsotakis -- who was part of a 2012-2014 crisis government -- of "disastrous" mismanagement that brought hundreds of thousands of job losses and business failures. Mitsotakis has now pledged to create "better" jobs through growth, foreign investment and tax cuts and to "steamroll" obstacles to business. Tsipras -- who reduced unemployment and raised the minimum wage for the first time since 2012 -- was criticised for campaigning as an anti-austerity crusader before eventually accepting a third EU bailout and the economic cutbacks that entailed. In parts of the country, there was also a backlash against a controversial agreement with North Macedonia that ended a bitter 27-year dispute over the country's name. New parties The new smaller parties fighting to secure representation are Greek Solution, a nationalist party formed by TV salesman Kyriakos Velopoulos, and MeRA25, an anti-austerity party founded by maverick economist and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis. According to the exit polls, Varoufakis's party could elect nine lawmakers. Greek Solution could end up with 10 deputies, while neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn looks likely to be shut out of parliament for the first time since 2012. Golden Dawn, until recently Greece's third-ranking party, is in steep decline amid an ongoing trial for the 2013 murder of an anti-fascist rapper, allegedly carried out with the knowledge of senior Golden Dawn members. Mitsotakis has promised to hit the ground running. A Eurogroup finance meeting on Monday will convene to discuss the state of Greece's economy after tax cuts rolled out by Tsipras in May.

Greece polls: Opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis wins, vows to make country 'proud'

European Council President Donald Tusk praised an agreement to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lagarde-temporarily-steps-down-as-imf-chief-american-economist-david-lipton-named-interim-leader-232570">assign two senior EU jobs</a> on to women for the first time.

"After all, Europe is a woman," he told a news conference after three day of tortuous talks between 28 EU leaders on assigning the bloc's top jobs exposed their deepening divisions.

Tusk said the appointment of Germany's defence minister Ursula von der Leyen to lead the next European Commission still needed approval from the European Parliament.

He also said he was "absolutely sure" that France's Christine Lagarde would be an independent new head of the European Central Bank.

European Union leaders agreed on Tuesday to name France's Christine Lagarde as the new head of the European Central Bank and sealed a deal on filling the EU's other top four jobs after marathon talks that have exposed deep divisions in the bloc.

Three days of summit negotiations that at times looked close to collapse ended with a deal that now must be approved by the European Parliament and was immediately rejected by the socialist and green bloc in the assembly in Strasbourg.

Leaders hope the decision to nominate two women, Lagarde and German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, to the top of EU decision-making for the first time will send a positive message and repair damage wrought by such a fractious summit, diplomats said.

Lagarde, once France's first woman finance minister and since 2011 head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is a strong advocate of female empowerment, although she has no direct, active monetary policy experience.

The biggest task for Lagarde, who had previously denied any interest in an EU job, will be to revive the eurozone economy.

"Christine Lagarde will ... be a perfect president of the European Central Bank," Tusk said. "I am absolutely sure that she will be a very independent president ..."

European Council President Donald Tusk praised an agreement to assign two senior EU jobs on to women for the first time. "After all, Europe is a woman," he told a news conference after three day of tortuous talks between 28 EU leaders on assigning the bloc's top jobs exposed their deepening divisions.

European Council President Donald Tusk praised an agreement to assign two senior EU jobs on to women for the first time. "After all, Europe is a woman," he told a news conference after three day of tortuous talks between 28 EU leaders on assigning the bloc's top jobs exposed their deepening divisions. Tusk said the appointment of Germany's defence minister Ursula von der Leyen to lead the next European Commission still needed approval from the European Parliament. He also said he was "absolutely sure" that France's Christine Lagarde would be an independent new head of the European Central Bank. European Union leaders agreed on Tuesday to name France's Christine Lagarde as the new head of the European Central Bank and sealed a deal on filling the EU's other top four jobs after marathon talks that have exposed deep divisions in the bloc. Three days of summit negotiations that at times looked close to collapse ended with a deal that now must be approved by the European Parliament and was immediately rejected by the socialist and green bloc in the assembly in Strasbourg. Leaders hope the decision to nominate two women, Lagarde and German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, to the top of EU decision-making for the first time will send a positive message and repair damage wrought by such a fractious summit, diplomats said. Lagarde, once France's first woman finance minister and since 2011 head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is a strong advocate of female empowerment, although she has no direct, active monetary policy experience. The biggest task for Lagarde, who had previously denied any interest in an EU job, will be to revive the eurozone economy. "Christine Lagarde will ... be a perfect president of the European Central Bank," Tusk said. "I am absolutely sure that she will be a very independent president ..."

After all, Europe is a woman, says EU president Tusk after top jobs deal

Two women have won the backing of the EU's leaders to head the European commission and European Central Bank. Watch full video to know more.

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen may become first European Commission President

The European Commission on Wednesday said a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-launches-uk-leadership-bid-as-mps-warn-on-brexit-226479">no-deal Brexit was "very much possible"</a> as it updated its contingency preparations and told countries, companies and people to be ready for the expected economic fallout.

The European Union's executive said it would pay particular attention in coming months to crucial areas including citizens rights, financial services, transport and fisheries, ahead of Britain's departure from the bloc, now due on October 31.

Its latest review of the EU's no-deal plans comes as Britain's Conservative Party is picking a new prime minister to replace <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-agrees-brexit-trade-deal-with-south-korea-225990">Theresa May</a>, defeated by her inability to pass through the UK parliament the deal she secured with the bloc seven months ago.

Some possible successors have said Britain would leave the EU at the end of October, deal or no deal.

"In light of the continued uncertainty in the United Kingdom regarding the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement ... and the overall domestic political situation, a 'no-deal' scenario on 1 November 2019 very much remains possible – although undesirable – outcome," the Commission said.

"The Commission considers that a withdrawal of the United Kingdom without an agreement remains a possible outcome, with all its negative economic consequences."

The Brussels-based executive, which leads Brexit negotiations with London on behalf of the bloc's other 27 member states, said contingency measures already in place remain "fit for purpose".

"Nevertheless, the Commission will continue to monitor political developments and assess if any extension of the adopted measures will be needed," it added.

They include EU plans to extend current access to fishing waters and prolong safety clearances for rail, road and air transport between the bloc and the UK if London reciprocates.

They also offer visa-free travel to UK citizens and a year-long extension of cooperation in some financial services.

The European Commission on Wednesday said a no-deal Brexit was "very much possible" as it updated its contingency preparations and told countries, companies and people to be ready for the expected economic fallout.

The European Commission on Wednesday said a no-deal Brexit was "very much possible" as it updated its contingency preparations and told countries, companies and people to be ready for the expected economic fallout. The European Union's executive said it would pay particular attention in coming months to crucial areas including citizens rights, financial services, transport and fisheries, ahead of Britain's departure from the bloc, now due on October 31. Its latest review of the EU's no-deal plans comes as Britain's Conservative Party is picking a new prime minister to replace Theresa May, defeated by her inability to pass through the UK parliament the deal she secured with the bloc seven months ago. Some possible successors have said Britain would leave the EU at the end of October, deal or no deal. "In light of the continued uncertainty in the United Kingdom regarding the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement ... and the overall domestic political situation, a 'no-deal' scenario on 1 November 2019 very much remains possible – although undesirable – outcome," the Commission said. "The Commission considers that a withdrawal of the United Kingdom without an agreement remains a possible outcome, with all its negative economic consequences." The Brussels-based executive, which leads Brexit negotiations with London on behalf of the bloc's other 27 member states, said contingency measures already in place remain "fit for purpose". "Nevertheless, the Commission will continue to monitor political developments and assess if any extension of the adopted measures will be needed," it added. They include EU plans to extend current access to fishing waters and prolong safety clearances for rail, road and air transport between the bloc and the UK if London reciprocates. They also offer visa-free travel to UK citizens and a year-long extension of cooperation in some financial services.

No-deal Brexit is very much possible: European Union executive

Steel is being diverted to Europe as a result of US&nbsp;25 per cent tariffs and the European Union needs to act, the European steel industry chiefs say a letter sent to EU leaders and EU institutions.

There has been a sudden downturn in the European steel industry's prospects, underpinned by long-term trends, 45 chief executives representing around 90 per cent&nbsp;of the EU's steel output said in the letter.

"Global overcapacity in steel and the use of the EU market as a dumping ground for the world's excess capacity are at the root of the problem," they said in the letter sent on Monday and seen by Reuters.

Steel imports into the EU have more than doubled since 2013 while demand had increased only marginally and is seen falling in 2019, they said.

The European Commission is currently reviewing its "safeguard" measures designed to limit incoming steel and prevent a surge of imports as a result of Washington's 25% import tariffs, which have effectively closed the U.S. market.

These safeguard measures should be tightened, the steel chiefs said.

Currently, quotas are set at the average level of imports in 2015-2017 plus 5%, with further 5% hikes envisaged on July 1 and a year later. Beyond these quotas, 25% tariffs apply.

The steel bosses urged EU countries, the European Parliament and the European Commission to convene an emergency meeting with the industry to discuss solutions.

The signatories include the chiefs and regional chiefs of steel and stainless steel producers ArcelorMittal, ThyssenKrupp, Tata Steel and Acerinox.

ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, announced production cuts twice in May, while British Steel collapsed into liquidation.

Steel is being diverted to Europe as a result of US 25 per cent tariffs and the European Union needs to act, the European steel industry chiefs say a letter sent to EU leaders and EU institutions.

Steel is being diverted to Europe as a result of US 25 per cent tariffs and the European Union needs to act, the European steel industry chiefs say a letter sent to EU leaders and EU institutions. There has been a sudden downturn in the European steel industry's prospects, underpinned by long-term trends, 45 chief executives representing around 90 per cent of the EU's steel output said in the letter. "Global overcapacity in steel and the use of the EU market as a dumping ground for the world's excess capacity are at the root of the problem," they said in the letter sent on Monday and seen by Reuters. Steel imports into the EU have more than doubled since 2013 while demand had increased only marginally and is seen falling in 2019, they said. The European Commission is currently reviewing its "safeguard" measures designed to limit incoming steel and prevent a surge of imports as a result of Washington's 25% import tariffs, which have effectively closed the U.S. market. These safeguard measures should be tightened, the steel chiefs said. Currently, quotas are set at the average level of imports in 2015-2017 plus 5%, with further 5% hikes envisaged on July 1 and a year later. Beyond these quotas, 25% tariffs apply. The steel bosses urged EU countries, the European Parliament and the European Commission to convene an emergency meeting with the industry to discuss solutions. The signatories include the chiefs and regional chiefs of steel and stainless steel producers ArcelorMittal, ThyssenKrupp, Tata Steel and Acerinox. ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, announced production cuts twice in May, while British Steel collapsed into liquidation.

European Union needs to act on steel imports in wake of United States tariffs: Industry

The European Commission could impose a 3 billion euro fine on Italy for breaking EU rules due to its rising debt and structural deficit levels, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on Tuesday.

Salvini, whose far-right League party triumphed in European elections on Sunday, said he would use “all my energies” to fight what he said were outdated and unfair European fiscal rules.

Two euro zone officials told Reuters on Monday that Brussels was likely to start disciplinary steps against Italy on June 5 over its public finances.

A warning letter from the Commission is expected to be sent to Rome this week.

“Let’s see if we get this letter where they give us a fine for debt accumulated over the past and tell us to pay 3 billion euros,” Salvini said in an interview with RTL radio.

The European Commission could impose a 3 billion euro fine on Italy for breaking EU rules due to its rising debt and structural deficit levels, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on Tuesday.

The European Commission could impose a 3 billion euro fine on Italy for breaking EU rules due to its rising debt and structural deficit levels, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on Tuesday. Salvini, whose far-right League party triumphed in European elections on Sunday, said he would use “all my energies” to fight what he said were outdated and unfair European fiscal rules. Two euro zone officials told Reuters on Monday that Brussels was likely to start disciplinary steps against Italy on June 5 over its public finances. A warning letter from the Commission is expected to be sent to Rome this week. “Let’s see if we get this letter where they give us a fine for debt accumulated over the past and tell us to pay 3 billion euros,” Salvini said in an interview with RTL radio.

European Commission could slap 3 billion euro fine on Italy for excessive debt: Deputy PM Salvini

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-said-to-be-preparing-to-sue-us-government-report-201063">Huawei, in the spotlight</a> over the security risks of its telecom equipment gear, urged governments, the telecoms industry and regulators on Tuesday to work together to create a common set of cybersecurity standards.

The call by Huawei Chairman Ken Hu came as the world’s largest telecoms equipment maker opened a cybersecurity centre in Brussels, allowing its customers and governments to test Huawei’s source code, software and product solutions.&nbsp;

The company has similar facilities in Britain, Bonn, Dubai, Toronto and Shenzhen.&nbsp;

"The fact is that both the public and private sectors lack a basic common understanding of this issue. As a result, different stakeholders have different expectations and there is no alignment of responsibilities," Hu told a news conference.&nbsp;

"As a whole, the industry lacks a unified set of technical standards for security, as well as systems for verification. This is complicated by globalisation of the value chain," he said.

Hu said a common standard, verified legally and technically, would help create trust in the industry.&nbsp;

Hu, who met with European Commission digital chief Andrus Ansip on Monday, said they had discussed the possibility of setting up a cybersecurity standard along the lines of the GDPR, the landmark EU data protection law adopted last year which gives Europeans more control over their online information and applies to all companies that do business with Europeans.

Huawei, in the spotlight over the security risks of its telecom equipment gear, urged governments, the telecoms industry and regulators on Tuesday to work together to create a common set of cybersecurity standards.

Huawei, in the spotlight over the security risks of its telecom equipment gear, urged governments, the telecoms industry and regulators on Tuesday to work together to create a common set of cybersecurity standards. The call by Huawei Chairman Ken Hu came as the world’s largest telecoms equipment maker opened a cybersecurity centre in Brussels, allowing its customers and governments to test Huawei’s source code, software and product solutions. The company has similar facilities in Britain, Bonn, Dubai, Toronto and Shenzhen. "The fact is that both the public and private sectors lack a basic common understanding of this issue. As a result, different stakeholders have different expectations and there is no alignment of responsibilities," Hu told a news conference. "As a whole, the industry lacks a unified set of technical standards for security, as well as systems for verification. This is complicated by globalisation of the value chain," he said. Hu said a common standard, verified legally and technically, would help create trust in the industry. Hu, who met with European Commission digital chief Andrus Ansip on Monday, said they had discussed the possibility of setting up a cybersecurity standard along the lines of the GDPR, the landmark EU data protection law adopted last year which gives Europeans more control over their online information and applies to all companies that do business with Europeans.

Huawei calls for common cybersecurity standards amidst concerns

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