Companies that embed <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-to-lift-veil-on-facebook-google-algorithms-to-protect-privacy-238610&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj_1rqzg9rjAhUWE4gKHUrPCC8QFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw34VfaQv_ls_AahMaLeR2np">Facebook's</a> "Like" button on their websites allowing users' personal data to be transferred to the US social network can be held liable for collecting the data, Europe's top court said on Monday.

Website plugins are a common feature of online retail as companies seek to promote their products on popular social networks, but critics fear the data transfer may breach privacy laws.

The ruling from the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) came after a German consumer body sued German online fashion retailer Fashion ID for breaching personal data protection rules via its use of the button on its site.

A German court subsequently sought guidance. ECJ judges said websites and Facebook share joint responsibility.

Under EU data privacy rules, a data controller determines why personal data must be collected and processed, as well as how, while a data processor only processes personal data on behalf of the controller and is usually a third-party company.

"The operator of a website that features a Facebook 'Like' button can be a controller jointly with Facebook in respect of the collection and transmission to Facebook of the personal data of visitors to its website," the judges said.

The German retailer benefited from a commercial advantage as the 'Like' button made its products more visible on Facebook, the court said, though it noted the company is not liable for how Facebook subsequently processes the data.

Facebook said the ruling sheds clarity on the issue.

"We are carefully reviewing the court's decision and will work closely with our partners to ensure they can continue to benefit from our social plugins and other business tools in full compliance with the law," Jack Gilbert, Facebook's associate general counsel, said in a statement.

The ruling is in line with strict data privacy laws adopted by the 28-country bloc last year, said Nils Rauer, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons.

"The court was right in assessing whether Fashion ID had an interest in collaborating with Facebook by way of embedding the 'Like' Button," Rauer said, adding plugins will continue to be popular notwithstanding the judgment.

"Personally, I do not think that companies will turn away from embedding 'Like' buttons due to the judgment. Presumably, they will pay more attention to the embedding process, by way of obtaining dedicated data privacy advice," Rauer said.

Companies that embed Facebook's "Like" button on their websites allowing users' personal data to be transferred to the US social network can be held liable for collecting the data, Europe's top court said on Monday.

Companies that embed Facebook's "Like" button on their websites allowing users' personal data to be transferred to the US social network can be held liable for collecting the data, Europe's top court said on Monday. Website plugins are a common feature of online retail as companies seek to promote their products on popular social networks, but critics fear the data transfer may breach privacy laws. The ruling from the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) came after a German consumer body sued German online fashion retailer Fashion ID for breaching personal data protection rules via its use of the button on its site. A German court subsequently sought guidance. ECJ judges said websites and Facebook share joint responsibility. Under EU data privacy rules, a data controller determines why personal data must be collected and processed, as well as how, while a data processor only processes personal data on behalf of the controller and is usually a third-party company. "The operator of a website that features a Facebook 'Like' button can be a controller jointly with Facebook in respect of the collection and transmission to Facebook of the personal data of visitors to its website," the judges said. The German retailer benefited from a commercial advantage as the 'Like' button made its products more visible on Facebook, the court said, though it noted the company is not liable for how Facebook subsequently processes the data. Facebook said the ruling sheds clarity on the issue. "We are carefully reviewing the court's decision and will work closely with our partners to ensure they can continue to benefit from our social plugins and other business tools in full compliance with the law," Jack Gilbert, Facebook's associate general counsel, said in a statement. The ruling is in line with strict data privacy laws adopted by the 28-country bloc last year, said Nils Rauer, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons. "The court was right in assessing whether Fashion ID had an interest in collaborating with Facebook by way of embedding the 'Like' Button," Rauer said, adding plugins will continue to be popular notwithstanding the judgment. "Personally, I do not think that companies will turn away from embedding 'Like' buttons due to the judgment. Presumably, they will pay more attention to the embedding process, by way of obtaining dedicated data privacy advice," Rauer said.

Companies using Facebook 'Like' button liable for data: European Union's top court

The head of Britain's big business lobby on Monday urged companies to shift to "an emergency footing" as the prospect of a no-deal <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-heads-to-scotland-as-local-leader-attacks-no-deal-brexit-239153&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiutpjF7tnjAhWB7WEKHeKNDyEQFjABegQIDRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3OqUTbUB56cP2qqKncGMY2">Brexit</a> becomes more likely.

The Confederation of British Industry in a report also warned that the European Union was less prepared than Britain for such an eventuality but said both sides were not ready.

CBI chief Carolyn Fairbairn wrote in The Times that a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/ditch-backstop-or-face-no-deal-brexit-uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson-tells-european-union-238918&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiutpjF7tnjAhWB7WEKHeKNDyEQFjAFegQIChAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1EJyANSaoRj6_5CH1Nhb7e">no-deal Brexit</a> had become a "serious possibility".

"Now is the time to shift to an emergency footing."

"While it's not possible to seal our economy from all the damage the floodwaters of no-deal will cause, we can lay down the sandbags and protect as much as we can," she said.

The CBI's head of EU negotiations Nicole Sykes, however, tweeted that it was "like putting sandbags down for a flood.

"Your kitchen's still going to be underwater but MAYBE we can save the bedroom upstairs," she wrote.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
So no, we're not ready. A lot needs to be done, by everyone. 
That leaves -would it make a difference? Yes. And we should do what we can. But it's like putting sandbags down for a flood. Your kitchen's still going to be underwater but MAYBE we can save the bedrooms upstairs (7/9) <a href="https://t.co/sKKhOxR81v">pic.twitter.com/sKKhOxR81v</a>
— Nicole Sykes (@NicoleSykes_) <a href="https://twitter.com/NicoleSykes_/status/1155587093055377409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The CBI report said: "The EU lags behind the UK in seeking to prevent the worst effects of a no-deal scenario.

"Although businesses have already spent billions on contingency planning for no-deal, they remain hampered by unclear advice, timelines, cost, and complexity," it said.

The report noted that larger companies in highly regulated areas such as financial services had prepared contingency plans but preparations in other sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing were lagging behind.

"There's a great deal more that the government, and firms, must do," Fairbairn said, calling in particular for a government information campaign to target smaller businesses that need the most help to prepare.

But she concluded that even with preparations in place "the shock of no-deal can only be reduced, not removed. It's a shock that will reverberate for years to come".

The head of Britain's big business lobby on Monday urged companies to shift to "an emergency footing" as the prospect of a no-deal Brexit becomes more likely. The Confederation of British Industry in a report also warned that the European Union was less prepared than Britain for such an eventuality but said both sides were not ready.

The head of Britain's big business lobby on Monday urged companies to shift to "an emergency footing" as the prospect of a no-deal Brexit becomes more likely. The Confederation of British Industry in a report also warned that the European Union was less prepared than Britain for such an eventuality but said both sides were not ready. CBI chief Carolyn Fairbairn wrote in The Times that a no-deal Brexit had become a "serious possibility". "Now is the time to shift to an emergency footing." "While it's not possible to seal our economy from all the damage the floodwaters of no-deal will cause, we can lay down the sandbags and protect as much as we can," she said. The CBI's head of EU negotiations Nicole Sykes, however, tweeted that it was "like putting sandbags down for a flood. "Your kitchen's still going to be underwater but MAYBE we can save the bedroom upstairs," she wrote. So no, we're not ready. A lot needs to be done, by everyone. That leaves -would it make a difference? Yes. And we should do what we can. But it's like putting sandbags down for a flood. Your kitchen's still going to be underwater but MAYBE we can save the bedrooms upstairs (7/9) pic.twitter.com/sKKhOxR81v — Nicole Sykes (@NicoleSykes_) July 28, 2019 × The CBI report said: "The EU lags behind the UK in seeking to prevent the worst effects of a no-deal scenario. "Although businesses have already spent billions on contingency planning for no-deal, they remain hampered by unclear advice, timelines, cost, and complexity," it said. The report noted that larger companies in highly regulated areas such as financial services had prepared contingency plans but preparations in other sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing were lagging behind. "There's a great deal more that the government, and firms, must do," Fairbairn said, calling in particular for a government information campaign to target smaller businesses that need the most help to prepare. But she concluded that even with preparations in place "the shock of no-deal can only be reduced, not removed. It's a shock that will reverberate for years to come".

No-deal Brexit had become a 'serious possibility': UK industry chief Carolyn Fairbairn

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/northkorean-boat-crosses-into-southkorean-waters-report-238917">North Korean boat crosses into South Korean waters: Report</a>

A North Korean boat with three crewmen crossed the de facto maritime border with South Korean and has been towed to a port, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday, citing the South's Joint Chiefs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ditch-backstop-or-face-no-deal-brexit-uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson-tells-european-union-238918">Ditch backstop or face no-deal Brexit: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tells European Union</a>

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cautioned the European Union on Saturday that the "anti-democratic" Irish backstop must be ditched if they were to strike a Brexit divorce deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/senior-congress-leader-jaipal-reddy-passes-away-238923">Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy passes away</a>

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy passed away at 1.30am. on Sunday in Hyderabad. He was 77.

Reddy had been unwell for the last few days and had been undergoing treatment at a hospital here.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-pledges-to-complete-rail-link-with-france-eu-official-says-238925">Italy pledges to complete rail link with France, EU official says</a>

Italy has written to the European Union pledging to complete a rail link with France, according to the European Parliament president David Sassoli.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-mallya-moves-supreme-court-seeking-stay-on-confiscation-of-properties-238928">Vijay Mallya moves Supreme Court seeking stay on confiscation of properties</a>

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya on Saturday moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the confiscation of properties owned by him and his relatives.

In his plea, Mallya has said that he wanted attachment of only those properties related to Kingfisher Airlines facing cases of alleged irregularities.

North Korean boat crosses into South Korean waters: Report A North Korean boat with three crewmen crossed the de facto maritime border with South Korean and has been towed to a port, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday, citing the South's Joint Chiefs.

North Korean boat crosses into South Korean waters: Report A North Korean boat with three crewmen crossed the de facto maritime border with South Korean and has been towed to a port, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday, citing the South's Joint Chiefs. Ditch backstop or face no-deal Brexit: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tells European Union British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cautioned the European Union on Saturday that the "anti-democratic" Irish backstop must be ditched if they were to strike a Brexit divorce deal. Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy passes away Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy passed away at 1.30am. on Sunday in Hyderabad. He was 77. Reddy had been unwell for the last few days and had been undergoing treatment at a hospital here. Italy pledges to complete rail link with France, EU official says Italy has written to the European Union pledging to complete a rail link with France, according to the European Parliament president David Sassoli. Vijay Mallya moves Supreme Court seeking stay on confiscation of properties Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya on Saturday moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the confiscation of properties owned by him and his relatives. In his plea, Mallya has said that he wanted attachment of only those properties related to Kingfisher Airlines facing cases of alleged irregularities.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Italy has written to the European Union pledging to complete a rail link with France, according to the European Parliament president David Sassoli.

The Italian commitment to the controversial project, which includes a 58-km (36-mile) tunnel through the Alps and is partly funded by the EU, was described as "good news" by Sassoli in a posting on Twitter on Saturday.

The completion of a high-speed rail link connecting the French city of Lyon with Turin, in northern Italy, has divided the Italian governing coalition.

The 5-Star Movement has long opposed the project, arguing that Italy should focus on upgrading the existing transport network.

Coalition partner, the League, favours completing the link, which is dubbed Treno Alta Velocità (TAV).

Earlier this week, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that blocking work on the rail link would cost Rome more than completing it, suggesting the works would be unblocked.

Italy had to make clear its stance on the project by the July 26 deadline set by the EU.

A large protest was held on Saturday against the project in Piedmont, where the main railway tunnel for the TAV is being excavated.

Police fired tear gas when a group of protesters tried to force security blocks and reach the entrance to the TAV construction site, ANSA newswire reported.

Italy has written to the European Union pledging to complete a rail link with France, according to the European Parliament president David Sassoli. The Italian commitment to the controversial project, which includes a 58-km (36-mile) tunnel through the Alps and is partly funded by the EU, was described as "good news" by Sassoli in a posting on Twitter on Saturday.

Italy has written to the European Union pledging to complete a rail link with France, according to the European Parliament president David Sassoli. The Italian commitment to the controversial project, which includes a 58-km (36-mile) tunnel through the Alps and is partly funded by the EU, was described as "good news" by Sassoli in a posting on Twitter on Saturday. The completion of a high-speed rail link connecting the French city of Lyon with Turin, in northern Italy, has divided the Italian governing coalition. The 5-Star Movement has long opposed the project, arguing that Italy should focus on upgrading the existing transport network. Coalition partner, the League, favours completing the link, which is dubbed Treno Alta Velocità (TAV). Earlier this week, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that blocking work on the rail link would cost Rome more than completing it, suggesting the works would be unblocked. Italy had to make clear its stance on the project by the July 26 deadline set by the EU. A large protest was held on Saturday against the project in Piedmont, where the main railway tunnel for the TAV is being excavated. Police fired tear gas when a group of protesters tried to force security blocks and reach the entrance to the TAV construction site, ANSA newswire reported.

Italy pledges to complete rail link with France, EU official says

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-is-a-massive-economic-opportunity-uk-prime-minister-johnson-238855">Boris Johnson cautioned the European Union</a> on Saturday that the "anti-democratic" Irish backstop must be ditched if they were to strike a Brexit divorce deal.

Johnson, since taking office on Wednesday, has repeatedly said that if the EU continues to refuse to renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by his predecessor Theresa May, then he will take Britain out on October&nbsp;31 without a deal.

His biggest demand is that the most hotly-contested element of the Brexit divorce agreement, the Irish border backstop, be struck out of the Withdrawal Agreement, a demand that has angered Ireland and perturbed other EU capitals.

"If we get rid of the backstop, whole and entire, then we are making a lot of progress," Johnson said, when asked if it was only the Irish border backstop that he wanted changed.

Speaking before a Stephenson's Rocket, a 19th-century steam locomotive, in the northern England city of Manchester, Johnson dedicated most of his speech to improving public services, transport and the internet and driving up economic growth.

"Our post-industrial towns have a proud, great heritage but an even greater future. Their best years lie ahead of them," he said, announcing new long-term rail links and promising immediate improvements to bus services.

That message, aimed at what Johnson called "left behind" towns, is seen as the early stages of an election campaign, even though Britain is not due a parliamentary election until 2022 and Johnson is adamant he will not hold one before Brexit.

His Conservative Party does not have a majority in parliament, is divided over how to deliver Brexit and under threat of a no-confidence vote when parliament returns in September.

Anti-Democratic

European leaders are prepared to talk with Britain's new leader over Brexit but have so far insisted they will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. Many EU diplomats think the United Kingdom will hold a snap election soon.

Johnson, who discussed Brexit with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Friday, brushed aside those concerns.

"My friends, I do not want a no-deal Brexit, that is not where we're aiming, but we have to face the fact that at the moment we're being told, as we have been told for the last three year 'rien ne va plus' - 'the deal is fixed' - and can't be changed. I doubt that," he said.

Nevertheless, investors fear a no-deal exit would send shock waves through global markets and hurt the world's economy.

Ireland is crucial to any Brexit solution.

Watch:&nbsp;Is Boris Johnson 'The British' Trump?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-boris-johnson-the-british-trump-238488/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The backstop is an insurance policy designed to prevent the return of border controls along the 500-km (300-mile) land border between Ireland and Britain's province of Northern Ireland that were ended by the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the question of the unification of Ireland and Northern Ireland would inevitably arise if Britain leaves the EU without a divorce deal on October&nbsp;31.

"The approach of the UK government is not going to be disengaged or aloof or waiting for them to come to us: we are going to try to solve this problem and we are going to do it in a spirit of friendship and cooperation," Johnson said.

"But we can't do it as long as that anti-democratic backstop, that backstop that seeks to divide our country, divide the UK, remains in place," he said. "We need to get it out and then we can make progress, I think."

The Withdrawal Agreement that May struck in November with the EU says the United Kingdom will remain in a customs union "unless and until" alternative arrangements are found to avoid a hard border.

Many British lawmakers oppose the prospect of being bound to EU rules and customs duties that would prevent Britain doing its own trade deals and leave it overseen by EU judges.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cautioned the European Union on Saturday that the "anti-democratic" Irish backstop must be ditched if they were to strike a Brexit divorce deal.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cautioned the European Union on Saturday that the "anti-democratic" Irish backstop must be ditched if they were to strike a Brexit divorce deal. Johnson, since taking office on Wednesday, has repeatedly said that if the EU continues to refuse to renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by his predecessor Theresa May, then he will take Britain out on October 31 without a deal. His biggest demand is that the most hotly-contested element of the Brexit divorce agreement, the Irish border backstop, be struck out of the Withdrawal Agreement, a demand that has angered Ireland and perturbed other EU capitals. "If we get rid of the backstop, whole and entire, then we are making a lot of progress," Johnson said, when asked if it was only the Irish border backstop that he wanted changed. Speaking before a Stephenson's Rocket, a 19th-century steam locomotive, in the northern England city of Manchester, Johnson dedicated most of his speech to improving public services, transport and the internet and driving up economic growth. "Our post-industrial towns have a proud, great heritage but an even greater future. Their best years lie ahead of them," he said, announcing new long-term rail links and promising immediate improvements to bus services. That message, aimed at what Johnson called "left behind" towns, is seen as the early stages of an election campaign, even though Britain is not due a parliamentary election until 2022 and Johnson is adamant he will not hold one before Brexit. His Conservative Party does not have a majority in parliament, is divided over how to deliver Brexit and under threat of a no-confidence vote when parliament returns in September. Anti-Democratic European leaders are prepared to talk with Britain's new leader over Brexit but have so far insisted they will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. Many EU diplomats think the United Kingdom will hold a snap election soon. Johnson, who discussed Brexit with US President Donald Trump on Friday, brushed aside those concerns. "My friends, I do not want a no-deal Brexit, that is not where we're aiming, but we have to face the fact that at the moment we're being told, as we have been told for the last three year 'rien ne va plus' - 'the deal is fixed' - and can't be changed. I doubt that," he said. Nevertheless, investors fear a no-deal exit would send shock waves through global markets and hurt the world's economy. Ireland is crucial to any Brexit solution. Watch: Is Boris Johnson 'The British' Trump? The backstop is an insurance policy designed to prevent the return of border controls along the 500-km (300-mile) land border between Ireland and Britain's province of Northern Ireland that were ended by the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the question of the unification of Ireland and Northern Ireland would inevitably arise if Britain leaves the EU without a divorce deal on October 31. "The approach of the UK government is not going to be disengaged or aloof or waiting for them to come to us: we are going to try to solve this problem and we are going to do it in a spirit of friendship and cooperation," Johnson said. "But we can't do it as long as that anti-democratic backstop, that backstop that seeks to divide our country, divide the UK, remains in place," he said. "We need to get it out and then we can make progress, I think." The Withdrawal Agreement that May struck in November with the EU says the United Kingdom will remain in a customs union "unless and until" alternative arrangements are found to avoid a hard border. Many British lawmakers oppose the prospect of being bound to EU rules and customs duties that would prevent Britain doing its own trade deals and leave it overseen by EU judges.

Ditch backstop or face no-deal Brexit: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tells European Union

Russian police arrested almost <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-arrested-at-moscow-protest-after-opposition-crackdown-238830">1,400 people as they gathered in Moscow</a> at the weekend to demand open elections, a monitor said, the biggest crackdown on a rally in the country in years.

Some 3,500 people took part in the unauthorised protest on Saturday, according to official figures, after authorities blocked prominent opposition candidates from taking part in city elections.

The meeting came a week after 22,000 took to the streets calling on authorities to reverse their decision ahead of the vote.

Police used batons on protesters as they tried to gather outside city hall on Saturday, and AFP reporters at the scene saw demonstrators with injuries.&nbsp;

The EU in a statement denounced the "disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters," which it said undermined "the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and assembly".&nbsp;

Amnesty International also condemned what it said was the use of excessive force by the police.&nbsp;

After the rally, last week investigators raided the homes and headquarters of a number of disqualified candidates. Top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was jailed for 30 days for calling the fresh protest.

Several would-be candidates were detained before or during the meeting on Saturday. Among them was Ilya Yashin, who called for another protest next weekend.&nbsp;

OVD-Info, an organisation that monitors protests, reported Sunday that 1,373 people were detained.&nbsp;

It said this was the highest number since mass demonstrations in 2012 when tens of thousands protested <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-detains-more-than-500-people-over-election-protest-monitor-238890">President Vladimir Putin's</a> return to the Kremlin after four years as prime minister.

The new protests come amid wider public anger over declining living standards that have hit Putin's approval ratings.

Elections to Moscow's 45-seat legislative body, currently controlled by the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, are due to be held in September.&nbsp;

While pro-Kremlin candidates enjoy the support of the state, independent candidates say they have been made to jump through countless hoops in order to get on the ballot for the city polls.

Following pickets last week, including outside the local election commission building, investigators said they were launching a criminal probe into obstructing the work of election officials.&nbsp;

If found guilty, organisers risk up to five years in prison.

Russian police arrested almost 1,400 people as they gathered in Moscow at the weekend to demand open elections, a monitor said, the biggest crackdown on a rally in the country in years.

Russian police arrested almost 1,400 people as they gathered in Moscow at the weekend to demand open elections, a monitor said, the biggest crackdown on a rally in the country in years. Some 3,500 people took part in the unauthorised protest on Saturday, according to official figures, after authorities blocked prominent opposition candidates from taking part in city elections. The meeting came a week after 22,000 took to the streets calling on authorities to reverse their decision ahead of the vote. Police used batons on protesters as they tried to gather outside city hall on Saturday, and AFP reporters at the scene saw demonstrators with injuries. The EU in a statement denounced the "disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters," which it said undermined "the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and assembly". Amnesty International also condemned what it said was the use of excessive force by the police. After the rally, last week investigators raided the homes and headquarters of a number of disqualified candidates. Top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was jailed for 30 days for calling the fresh protest. Several would-be candidates were detained before or during the meeting on Saturday. Among them was Ilya Yashin, who called for another protest next weekend. OVD-Info, an organisation that monitors protests, reported Sunday that 1,373 people were detained. It said this was the highest number since mass demonstrations in 2012 when tens of thousands protested President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin after four years as prime minister. The new protests come amid wider public anger over declining living standards that have hit Putin's approval ratings. Elections to Moscow's 45-seat legislative body, currently controlled by the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, are due to be held in September. While pro-Kremlin candidates enjoy the support of the state, independent candidates say they have been made to jump through countless hoops in order to get on the ballot for the city polls. Following pickets last week, including outside the local election commission building, investigators said they were launching a criminal probe into obstructing the work of election officials. If found guilty, organisers risk up to five years in prison.

Russian police arrest 1,400 people in Moscow election protest

An Italian coastguard vessel stranded in the Mediterranean with more than 130 migrants aboard has been allowed to dock in the eastern Sicilian port of Augusta but Rome on Sunday refused to let them disembark until a deal is struck with the EU.

"The Gregoretti berthed in the port of Augusta overnight, as is normal procedure for a military vessel. Now the EU has to act because the migration question concerns the whole continent," Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said in a statement.

Some 140 migrants, who had set off from Libya in two rickety boats, were picked up by Italian patrols on Thursday night and transferred to the Gregoretti ship.

The operation took place on the same day that at least 115 other migrants were believed to have drowned in a shipwreck off Libya -- the Mediterranean's deadliest tragedy this year, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Several migrants aboard the Gregoretti have already been evacuated for medical attention, including a seven-month pregnant woman, her two children and her partner.

However, Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has reiterated that the remaining migrants would not be able to leave the vessel until other European countries agree to take them in.

Salvini, also deputy prime minister, has taken a hard line against migrants rescued at sea being brought to Italy, which he says bears an unfair burden in the crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced last Monday that 14 EU members had approved a plan to redistribute refugees rescued in the Mediterranean, and eight said they would actively take part.

The proposal drew Salvini's because it still involved allowing migrants to disembark on his country's territory.&nbsp;

He said the agreement underscored a demand that Italy "continues to be the refugee camp of Europe".

Pope Francis on Sunday called on the international community to "act swiftly" to help avoid further deaths.

"I have learned with sorrow the news of the dramatic shipwreck that happened in recent days in the Mediterranean where dozens of migrants including women and children have lost their lives," he said Sunday during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter's Square.

"I am renewing my call that the international community act swiftly and decisively to avoid that such tragedies repeat themselves and guarantee the safety and dignity of all."

An Italian coastguard vessel stranded in the Mediterranean with more than 130 migrants aboard has been allowed to dock in the eastern Sicilian port of Augusta but Rome on Sunday refused to let them disembark until a deal is struck with the EU.

An Italian coastguard vessel stranded in the Mediterranean with more than 130 migrants aboard has been allowed to dock in the eastern Sicilian port of Augusta but Rome on Sunday refused to let them disembark until a deal is struck with the EU. "The Gregoretti berthed in the port of Augusta overnight, as is normal procedure for a military vessel. Now the EU has to act because the migration question concerns the whole continent," Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said in a statement. Some 140 migrants, who had set off from Libya in two rickety boats, were picked up by Italian patrols on Thursday night and transferred to the Gregoretti ship. The operation took place on the same day that at least 115 other migrants were believed to have drowned in a shipwreck off Libya -- the Mediterranean's deadliest tragedy this year, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Several migrants aboard the Gregoretti have already been evacuated for medical attention, including a seven-month pregnant woman, her two children and her partner. However, Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has reiterated that the remaining migrants would not be able to leave the vessel until other European countries agree to take them in. Salvini, also deputy prime minister, has taken a hard line against migrants rescued at sea being brought to Italy, which he says bears an unfair burden in the crisis. French President Emmanuel Macron announced last Monday that 14 EU members had approved a plan to redistribute refugees rescued in the Mediterranean, and eight said they would actively take part. The proposal drew Salvini's because it still involved allowing migrants to disembark on his country's territory. He said the agreement underscored a demand that Italy "continues to be the refugee camp of Europe". Pope Francis on Sunday called on the international community to "act swiftly" to help avoid further deaths. "I have learned with sorrow the news of the dramatic shipwreck that happened in recent days in the Mediterranean where dozens of migrants including women and children have lost their lives," he said Sunday during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter's Square. "I am renewing my call that the international community act swiftly and decisively to avoid that such tragedies repeat themselves and guarantee the safety and dignity of all."

Dozens of migrants still stuck on vessel in Italy port

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-intends-to-restart-activities-at-arak-heavy-water-nuclear-reactor-report-238974">Iran</a> said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement.

British authorities <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-ships-stranded-in-brazil-are-set-to-depart-officials-238954">detained an Iranian tanker</a> off the UK overseas territory of Gibraltar in early July on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria.

On July 19, a British-flagged tanker was impounded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards with its 23 crew aboard in the Strait of Hormuz, which was seen by the UK as a tit-for-tat move.

Arriving at the meeting in Vienna, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-deputy-foreign-minister-says-tehran-has-not-lost-any-drones-237039">Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi</a> linked the tanker row to discussions over the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Developments have occurred, such as the seizure of the tanker carrying Iranian oil in Gibraltar, which in our view is considered a breach of the JCPOA," Araghchi said in comments carried on Iranian state TV.

"Countries party to the JCPOA must not create any obstacles in the way of Iran exporting its oil," he added.

Araghchi was speaking as envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran gathered for talks in the Austrian capital, a month after a similar meeting failed to achieve a breakthrough.

Mounting tensions

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since last year when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-use-disputed-funds-of-25-billion-for-border-wall-238745">US President Donald Trump</a> pulled out of the accord that was aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme and imposed punishing sanctions.

Iran said in May it would disregard certain limits the JCPOA set on its nuclear programme and threatened to take further measures if remaining parties to the deal, especially European nations, did not help it circumvent the US sanctions.

Even before the latest tanker seizures, pressure had been mounting in the region with a string of incidents involving tankers and drones.

The US has said it brought down one and possibly two Iranian drones last week, and blamed Tehran for a series of mysterious attacks on tanker ships in strategic Gulf water.

Iran shot down an unmanned US aircraft in June, after which Trump announced that he had called off retaliatory airstrikes at the last minute because the resulting death toll would have been too high.

The US and Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of being behind multiple attacks on tankers in the Gulf in June, which Iran denies.

Efforts by European powers, notably France's President Emmanuel Macron, to salvage the nuclear deal have so far come to nothing.

The remaining signatories, however, have pledged to work towards a breakthrough at a future ministerial session, for which no date has yet been fixed.

Referring to the need for a "preparatory meeting before the ministerial-level meeting that will be necessary", one European diplomat told AFP it was "imperative to talk to the Iranians after the proven violations of their commitments".

The European Union said earlier this week the extraordinary meeting would be chaired by the secretary-general of the European External Action Service, Helga Schmid.

It said the talks were requested by Britain, France, Germany, and Iran and would examine issues linked to the implementation of the JCPOA. 
&nbsp;

Iran said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement.

Iran said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement. British authorities detained an Iranian tanker off the UK overseas territory of Gibraltar in early July on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria. On July 19, a British-flagged tanker was impounded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards with its 23 crew aboard in the Strait of Hormuz, which was seen by the UK as a tit-for-tat move. Arriving at the meeting in Vienna, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi linked the tanker row to discussions over the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Developments have occurred, such as the seizure of the tanker carrying Iranian oil in Gibraltar, which in our view is considered a breach of the JCPOA," Araghchi said in comments carried on Iranian state TV. "Countries party to the JCPOA must not create any obstacles in the way of Iran exporting its oil," he added. Araghchi was speaking as envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran gathered for talks in the Austrian capital, a month after a similar meeting failed to achieve a breakthrough. Mounting tensions Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since last year when US President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord that was aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme and imposed punishing sanctions. Iran said in May it would disregard certain limits the JCPOA set on its nuclear programme and threatened to take further measures if remaining parties to the deal, especially European nations, did not help it circumvent the US sanctions. Even before the latest tanker seizures, pressure had been mounting in the region with a string of incidents involving tankers and drones. The US has said it brought down one and possibly two Iranian drones last week, and blamed Tehran for a series of mysterious attacks on tanker ships in strategic Gulf water. Iran shot down an unmanned US aircraft in June, after which Trump announced that he had called off retaliatory airstrikes at the last minute because the resulting death toll would have been too high. The US and Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of being behind multiple attacks on tankers in the Gulf in June, which Iran denies. Efforts by European powers, notably France's President Emmanuel Macron, to salvage the nuclear deal have so far come to nothing. The remaining signatories, however, have pledged to work towards a breakthrough at a future ministerial session, for which no date has yet been fixed. Referring to the need for a "preparatory meeting before the ministerial-level meeting that will be necessary", one European diplomat told AFP it was "imperative to talk to the Iranians after the proven violations of their commitments". The European Union said earlier this week the extraordinary meeting would be chaired by the secretary-general of the European External Action Service, Helga Schmid. It said the talks were requested by Britain, France, Germany, and Iran and would examine issues linked to the implementation of the JCPOA.

Britain's seizure of oil tanker breach of ailing 2015 nuclear deal: Iran

About 115 people are missing and feared to have drowned and another 134 were rescued by Libyan coast guards and local fishermen after a wooden boat carrying migrants capsized off Libya, a Libyan navy official said on Thursday.

Earlier, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said that up to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-150-people-feared-dead-in-shipwreck-off-libya-unhcr-238504">150 people were feared dead</a>.

"The worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year has just occurred," UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said in a tweet.

There were about 250 people on board, mainly from Eritrea and other sub-Saharan Africa and Arab countries, when the boat capsized off the coast near Komas, east of the capital Tripoli, Libyan navy spokesman Ayoub Qassem said.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/libya-shipwreck-survivor-recounts-tragedy-238602/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Libya is a hub for migrants and refugees, many of whom try to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats.

The latest shipwreck takes the death toll of Mediterranean migrants to over 600 this year, putting 2019 on track to be the sixth year in a row with more than 1,000 deaths, UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said.

"Until we address the reasons why people take these dangerous boat journeys, sadly, this is unlikely to be the last tragedy like this that we see," he said.

Yaxley said survivors of the wreck were likely to be brought to two detention centres in Libya where they would face further risks, and he called for their immediate release.

"We know that inside these detention centres there's insufficient food, water, often unsanitary conditions, there have been widespread reports of human rights violations taking place," he said.

Libya says the migrants are illegally entering and leaving the country. It regularly detains them in centres that the UN says are effectively jails, exposing them to the added risk of being caught up in the country's civil war.

One detention centre in Tripoli was hit by an air strike earlier this month, killing more than 50 people. UNHCR subsequently said it had been closed, but rescued migrants have continued to be sent there.

Human rights activists have accused politicians in the European Union of turning a blind eye and letting people die rather than risk a voter backlash by appearing soft on immigration. Europe struggled to cope with an influx of more than one million refugees and migrants in 2015.

Italy, many African migrants' intended first destination, has taken a tough line since a populist government took office in 2018, and immediately sought to close the nation's ports to rescued migrants.

About 115 people are missing and feared to have drowned and another 134 were rescued by Libyan coast guards and local fishermen after a wooden boat carrying migrants capsized off Libya, a Libyan navy official said on Thursday.

About 115 people are missing and feared to have drowned and another 134 were rescued by Libyan coast guards and local fishermen after a wooden boat carrying migrants capsized off Libya, a Libyan navy official said on Thursday. Earlier, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said that up to 150 people were feared dead. "The worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year has just occurred," UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said in a tweet. There were about 250 people on board, mainly from Eritrea and other sub-Saharan Africa and Arab countries, when the boat capsized off the coast near Komas, east of the capital Tripoli, Libyan navy spokesman Ayoub Qassem said. Watch Video: Libya is a hub for migrants and refugees, many of whom try to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats. The latest shipwreck takes the death toll of Mediterranean migrants to over 600 this year, putting 2019 on track to be the sixth year in a row with more than 1,000 deaths, UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said. "Until we address the reasons why people take these dangerous boat journeys, sadly, this is unlikely to be the last tragedy like this that we see," he said. Yaxley said survivors of the wreck were likely to be brought to two detention centres in Libya where they would face further risks, and he called for their immediate release. "We know that inside these detention centres there's insufficient food, water, often unsanitary conditions, there have been widespread reports of human rights violations taking place," he said. Libya says the migrants are illegally entering and leaving the country. It regularly detains them in centres that the UN says are effectively jails, exposing them to the added risk of being caught up in the country's civil war. One detention centre in Tripoli was hit by an air strike earlier this month, killing more than 50 people. UNHCR subsequently said it had been closed, but rescued migrants have continued to be sent there. Human rights activists have accused politicians in the European Union of turning a blind eye and letting people die rather than risk a voter backlash by appearing soft on immigration. Europe struggled to cope with an influx of more than one million refugees and migrants in 2015. Italy, many African migrants' intended first destination, has taken a tough line since a populist government took office in 2018, and immediately sought to close the nation's ports to rescued migrants.

115 people feared drowned, 134 rescued after migrant boat capsize: Libya Navy

By Nicholas Allen

Boris Johnson has been confirmed as the Conservative Party’s new leader – and the UK’s next prime minister.

Johnson is the eighth post-war prime minister to take office midway through a parliament. The other eight premierships in that period began with victory in a general election.

There is nothing unusual in the mode of Johnson’s accession. The United Kingdom is a parliamentary system and governments derive their authority from being able to command the confidence of the House of Commons. There is no constitutional requirement for a new prime minister to have won an election.

Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, the next election is not due until May 2022. Everyone at Westminster knows this. But constitutional reality will not prevent demands for an early general election and for Johnson to win the backing of the country.

The arguments are well rehearsed. Voters at the last election were choosing a different prime minister and expecting them to serve a full term. The new man wants to do things that were not set out in the party’s manifesto. There should be an election without delay.

Oddly enough, the new Conservative leader made exactly this argument in 2007, when Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair. Johnson was seemingly indignant about Brown’s apparent belief that he could “just trample on the democratic will of the British people”.

He is likely to be reminded of this repeatedly. But could he yet avoid similar criticisms by, like Theresa May in April 2017, suprisingly calling a snap election?

Of the seven post-war prime ministers before Johnson who took office midway through a parliament, almost all toyed with going straight to the country. But only one, Anthony Eden, went ahead and did so. He succeeded Winston Churchill in early April 1955 and won a comfortable parliamentary majority the following month.

Among the remaining six, only Theresa May sought an election very much sooner than was strictly necessary. Her decision to do so, nine months after succeeding David Cameron, caught everyone by surprise. Unfortunately for May, the Conservatives increased their share of the vote but squandered their majority.

The outcome of the June 2017 election is likely to weigh heavy on Johnson’s mind. But so too will the fate of other prime ministers who, having taken office, deferred their chance of going to the country.

Damned if you don’t?

Alec Douglas-Home, prime minister for just short of a year, lost the 1964 general election. James Callaghan, who could have called an election in the autumn of 1978 when Labour was ahead in the polls, ducked the chance. A no confidence vote in the House of Commons triggered the 1979 election, which was won by the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher.

Brown similarly ducked an early election in the autumn of 2007. Having encouraged speculation, his decision not to go ahead contributed to a collapse in his authority. He went on to lose in 2010.

John Major fared better. He hoped that the passage of time would enable the Tories to recover from the Poll Tax debacle and Thatcher’s personal unpopularity. His strategy paid off with victory in 1992, albeit with a much reduced majority.

A summer vote? 
 
Recent newspaper reports suggest Johnson is gearing up for an election in the summer of 2020. The arguments for waiting at least a year are clear.

From his point of view, waiting will give him a chance to get a feel for the job. It will also give him a chance to experience the trappings of power. Becoming prime minister has been a lifelong ambition and Johnson will want to enjoy his prize.

From his party’s point of view, the polls currently don’t look good. Waiting would give the Tories time to see off the threat posed by the Brexit Party. Johnson has promised that the UK will leave the European Union at the end of October, with or without a deal. Once Britain is out, the Brexit Party will be redundant. Pro-Brexit voters, and their donations, might return in droves.

The time of year is a further argument against an immediate election. Party activists have planned their summer holidays. Many voters will be away. The disruption could be immense.

There is also the practical matter of securing an early election. Before the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, prime ministers could simply ask the Queen to dissolve parliament. Now they must secure the backing of at least two-thirds of all MPs or else engineer a successful vote of no confidence, ensuring there is no viable alternative government. Johnson will become prime minister on the day before parliament rises for its summer recess. There would be little time to act.

But there are also arguments for not waiting. Seeking an immediate election would enable Johnson to define himself as a leader with “gumption”, someone who is willing to take chances to break the present deadlock over Brexit. It would enable him to fend off talk of missing mandates and to avoid the charge of hypocrisy given his criticism of Brown back in 2007.

Seeking an immediate election could even counter the threat of a no confidence vote in the House of Commons. If only a handful of Tory MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit defect to the Liberal Democrats, Johnson will have no majority, even with the DUP’s support.

Moreover, the arrival of a new prime minister tends to give his or her party a bounce in the polls. Labour, which has its own troubles, would be caught on the hop. And Johnson would start an election off the back of his leadership campaign. He would be warmed up for the fight.

If the Conservatives were to win a snap election, Johnson would have a mandate for his vision of Brexit. His personal authority would be very great. This would matter enormously if it were necessary for him to accept some kind of compromise with the EU before October. It would be equally important if Britain were to leave the EU without a deal.

Of course, any prospect of winning would hinge on Johnson being able to persuade a large number of people presently backing the Brexit Party to support him. Like so much in British politics at present, Johnson’s confidence in his ability to persuade is a matter of pure speculation.

Indeed, any talk of early elections is necessarily speculative. As Thatcher wrote in her memoirs: “Calling an election is a big decision, and by constitutional convention is a matter for the prime minister alone.” Only Johnson knows his own mind – and maybe not even he. 
 
(Nicholas Allen is Reader in Politics, Royal Holloway) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-boris-johnson-call-an-early-election-what-new-prime-minister-will-be-thinking-as-he-weighs-up-whether-to-take-the-plunge-120702">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

By Nicholas Allen Boris Johnson has been confirmed as the Conservative Party’s new leader – and the UK’s next prime minister. Johnson is the eighth post-war prime minister to take office midway through a parliament.

By Nicholas Allen Boris Johnson has been confirmed as the Conservative Party’s new leader – and the UK’s next prime minister. Johnson is the eighth post-war prime minister to take office midway through a parliament. The other eight premierships in that period began with victory in a general election. There is nothing unusual in the mode of Johnson’s accession. The United Kingdom is a parliamentary system and governments derive their authority from being able to command the confidence of the House of Commons. There is no constitutional requirement for a new prime minister to have won an election. Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, the next election is not due until May 2022. Everyone at Westminster knows this. But constitutional reality will not prevent demands for an early general election and for Johnson to win the backing of the country. The arguments are well rehearsed. Voters at the last election were choosing a different prime minister and expecting them to serve a full term. The new man wants to do things that were not set out in the party’s manifesto. There should be an election without delay. Oddly enough, the new Conservative leader made exactly this argument in 2007, when Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair. Johnson was seemingly indignant about Brown’s apparent belief that he could “just trample on the democratic will of the British people”. He is likely to be reminded of this repeatedly. But could he yet avoid similar criticisms by, like Theresa May in April 2017, suprisingly calling a snap election? Of the seven post-war prime ministers before Johnson who took office midway through a parliament, almost all toyed with going straight to the country. But only one, Anthony Eden, went ahead and did so. He succeeded Winston Churchill in early April 1955 and won a comfortable parliamentary majority the following month. Among the remaining six, only Theresa May sought an election very much sooner than was strictly necessary. Her decision to do so, nine months after succeeding David Cameron, caught everyone by surprise. Unfortunately for May, the Conservatives increased their share of the vote but squandered their majority. The outcome of the June 2017 election is likely to weigh heavy on Johnson’s mind. But so too will the fate of other prime ministers who, having taken office, deferred their chance of going to the country. Damned if you don’t? Alec Douglas-Home, prime minister for just short of a year, lost the 1964 general election. James Callaghan, who could have called an election in the autumn of 1978 when Labour was ahead in the polls, ducked the chance. A no confidence vote in the House of Commons triggered the 1979 election, which was won by the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher. Brown similarly ducked an early election in the autumn of 2007. Having encouraged speculation, his decision not to go ahead contributed to a collapse in his authority. He went on to lose in 2010. John Major fared better. He hoped that the passage of time would enable the Tories to recover from the Poll Tax debacle and Thatcher’s personal unpopularity. His strategy paid off with victory in 1992, albeit with a much reduced majority. A summer vote? Recent newspaper reports suggest Johnson is gearing up for an election in the summer of 2020. The arguments for waiting at least a year are clear. From his point of view, waiting will give him a chance to get a feel for the job. It will also give him a chance to experience the trappings of power. Becoming prime minister has been a lifelong ambition and Johnson will want to enjoy his prize. From his party’s point of view, the polls currently don’t look good. Waiting would give the Tories time to see off the threat posed by the Brexit Party. Johnson has promised that the UK will leave the European Union at the end of October, with or without a deal. Once Britain is out, the Brexit Party will be redundant. Pro-Brexit voters, and their donations, might return in droves. The time of year is a further argument against an immediate election. Party activists have planned their summer holidays. Many voters will be away. The disruption could be immense. There is also the practical matter of securing an early election. Before the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, prime ministers could simply ask the Queen to dissolve parliament. Now they must secure the backing of at least two-thirds of all MPs or else engineer a successful vote of no confidence, ensuring there is no viable alternative government. Johnson will become prime minister on the day before parliament rises for its summer recess. There would be little time to act. But there are also arguments for not waiting. Seeking an immediate election would enable Johnson to define himself as a leader with “gumption”, someone who is willing to take chances to break the present deadlock over Brexit. It would enable him to fend off talk of missing mandates and to avoid the charge of hypocrisy given his criticism of Brown back in 2007. Seeking an immediate election could even counter the threat of a no confidence vote in the House of Commons. If only a handful of Tory MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit defect to the Liberal Democrats, Johnson will have no majority, even with the DUP’s support. Moreover, the arrival of a new prime minister tends to give his or her party a bounce in the polls. Labour, which has its own troubles, would be caught on the hop. And Johnson would start an election off the back of his leadership campaign. He would be warmed up for the fight. If the Conservatives were to win a snap election, Johnson would have a mandate for his vision of Brexit. His personal authority would be very great. This would matter enormously if it were necessary for him to accept some kind of compromise with the EU before October. It would be equally important if Britain were to leave the EU without a deal. Of course, any prospect of winning would hinge on Johnson being able to persuade a large number of people presently backing the Brexit Party to support him. Like so much in British politics at present, Johnson’s confidence in his ability to persuade is a matter of pure speculation. Indeed, any talk of early elections is necessarily speculative. As Thatcher wrote in her memoirs: “Calling an election is a big decision, and by constitutional convention is a matter for the prime minister alone.” Only Johnson knows his own mind – and maybe not even he. (Nicholas Allen is Reader in Politics, Royal Holloway) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Will new UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson call an early election?

How Will Boris Johnson's Elevation Impact UK's Ties With India, U.S. & The E.U. Inking trade deals and ensuring strong ties with India and the U.S. would be top priority for the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. But before that, he also has to ensure a safe exit from the European Union. And that Brexit process could leave the advantage in the hands of the U.S. and India. On #WionEdit, Palki analyses the immediate future of UK under Johnson

WION Edit: Johnson as PM: What future holds for the UK?

Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors Ltd on Thursday reported a bigger-than-expected quarterly loss that nearly doubled, as a slump in demand for cars continued at home, while plant shutdowns and delays due to Britain's planned exit from the European Union also hurt earnings.

India's biggest automaker by revenue said it lost 36.98 billion rupees ($535.93 million) in the quarter ended June 30, compared to a loss of 19.02 billion rupees a year ago. Revenue fell 7.7% to 608.30 billion rupees.

Analysts on an average expected Tata Motors to report a loss of 19.38 billion rupees in the quarter, according to Refinitiv data.

The results "primarily reflect lower revenue resulting from the weaker market conditions," the company said in a statement.

Revenue from Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, the company's biggest unit, fell 2.8% to 5.07 billion pounds ($6.34 billion).

The Indian auto sector has been plagued by slowing demand due to higher insurance costs and a credit squeeze in recent months, prompting many automakers such as the company's rival, Maruti Suzuki Ltd, to cut production on surging inventories.

Car sales indicate the broader economic consumption pattern, and Tata Motors is the first major automaker to report quarterly numbers, making it a key indicator for the industry's performance.

Passenger vehicle sales in June fell over 17%, data released by the industry's trade body earlier this month showed, resulting in an 18.4% fall for the first quarter as a whole.

Tata completed the $2.3 billion acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008, but the iconic British brand has been hit by a trend to move away from diesel cars, as well as political and trade uncertainty related to Brexit.

The company's shares closed down 4.6% in a broader <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nifty-sensex-close-lower-for-fifth-day-after-imf-cuts-growth-forecast-238177&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjs0u3xgdDjAhVSjuYKHQi9BtUQFjAAegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0D04CHTottvBnFs47brlNm">NSE market</a> that ended 0.17% lower.

Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors Ltd on Thursday reported a bigger-than-expected quarterly loss that nearly doubled, as a slump in demand for cars continued at home, while plant shutdowns and delays due to Britain's planned exit from the European Union also hurt earnings.

Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors Ltd on Thursday reported a bigger-than-expected quarterly loss that nearly doubled, as a slump in demand for cars continued at home, while plant shutdowns and delays due to Britain's planned exit from the European Union also hurt earnings. India's biggest automaker by revenue said it lost 36.98 billion rupees ($535.93 million) in the quarter ended June 30, compared to a loss of 19.02 billion rupees a year ago. Revenue fell 7.7% to 608.30 billion rupees. Analysts on an average expected Tata Motors to report a loss of 19.38 billion rupees in the quarter, according to Refinitiv data. The results "primarily reflect lower revenue resulting from the weaker market conditions," the company said in a statement. Revenue from Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, the company's biggest unit, fell 2.8% to 5.07 billion pounds ($6.34 billion). The Indian auto sector has been plagued by slowing demand due to higher insurance costs and a credit squeeze in recent months, prompting many automakers such as the company's rival, Maruti Suzuki Ltd, to cut production on surging inventories. Car sales indicate the broader economic consumption pattern, and Tata Motors is the first major automaker to report quarterly numbers, making it a key indicator for the industry's performance. Passenger vehicle sales in June fell over 17%, data released by the industry's trade body earlier this month showed, resulting in an 18.4% fall for the first quarter as a whole. Tata completed the $2.3 billion acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008, but the iconic British brand has been hit by a trend to move away from diesel cars, as well as political and trade uncertainty related to Brexit. The company's shares closed down 4.6% in a broader NSE market that ended 0.17% lower.

Tata Motors first-quarter loss nearly doubles, Jaguar Land Rover challenges continue

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-overhauls-cabinet-with-brexit-hardliners-238286">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> will meet his Brexiteer-dominated team of senior ministers for the first time on Thursday to plot how to persuade the European Union to agree to a new Brexit deal ahead of the Oct. 31 exit deadline.

Johnson's dramatic rise to Britain's top job sets the world's fifth-largest economy up for a showdown with the EU and a potential constitutional crisis or election at home, as lawmakers have vowed to thwart a no-deal Brexit.

Britain's new leader promised to do a new Brexit deal with the bloc within less than 99 days but warned that if EU leaders refused what he termed a "remote possibility" then Britain would leave without a deal, "no ifs or buts".

"I am convinced that we can do a deal," Johnson, 55, said on arrival No. 10 Downing Street, the premier's official residence, after meeting Queen Elizabeth who requested he form a government.

Johnson bets that the threat of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-liberal-democrats-elect-first-female-leader-jo-swinson-to-stop-brexit-237771">no-deal Brexit</a> will persuade the EU's biggest powers Germany and France to agree to revise the divorce deal that former Prime Minister Theresa May agreed to last November but failed to ratify.

The EU has so far repeatedly refused to countenance rewriting the Withdrawal Agreement part of the divorce deal but has said it could change the so-called "Political Declaration" on future ties.

The bloc has congratulated Johnson on his victory but was firm that it would not offer Britain better departure terms.

Sweeping Cull

Johnson, whose sported a sometimes shambolic persona in his rise to power, showed mettle in office, sweeping away his predecessor's government in one of the biggest culls of senior government jobs in recent British history.

"Night of the Blond Knives," said The Sun, Britain's most-read newspaper, about the colour of Johnson's dishevelled mop of hair. A total of 17 ministers in May's government either resigned or were sacked, creating a powerful new group of enemies in parliament.

Most of Johnson's senior appointees are Brexit supporters.

Sajid Javid, 49, was named as his finance minister. He is a eurosceptic who voted to remain in the 2016 referendum.

Others are avowed Brexiteers: Priti Patel was appointed interior minister, Dominic Raab was appointed foreign minister and Stephen Barclay remained as Brexit minister.

Johnson also appointed Dominic Cummings, the campaign director of the official Brexit Vote Leave campaign, as a senior adviser in Downing Street.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet his Brexiteer-dominated team of senior ministers for the first time on Thursday to plot how to persuade the European Union to agree to a new Brexit deal ahead of the Oct.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet his Brexiteer-dominated team of senior ministers for the first time on Thursday to plot how to persuade the European Union to agree to a new Brexit deal ahead of the Oct. 31 exit deadline. Johnson's dramatic rise to Britain's top job sets the world's fifth-largest economy up for a showdown with the EU and a potential constitutional crisis or election at home, as lawmakers have vowed to thwart a no-deal Brexit. Britain's new leader promised to do a new Brexit deal with the bloc within less than 99 days but warned that if EU leaders refused what he termed a "remote possibility" then Britain would leave without a deal, "no ifs or buts". "I am convinced that we can do a deal," Johnson, 55, said on arrival No. 10 Downing Street, the premier's official residence, after meeting Queen Elizabeth who requested he form a government. Johnson bets that the threat of a no-deal Brexit will persuade the EU's biggest powers Germany and France to agree to revise the divorce deal that former Prime Minister Theresa May agreed to last November but failed to ratify. The EU has so far repeatedly refused to countenance rewriting the Withdrawal Agreement part of the divorce deal but has said it could change the so-called "Political Declaration" on future ties. The bloc has congratulated Johnson on his victory but was firm that it would not offer Britain better departure terms. Sweeping Cull Johnson, whose sported a sometimes shambolic persona in his rise to power, showed mettle in office, sweeping away his predecessor's government in one of the biggest culls of senior government jobs in recent British history. "Night of the Blond Knives," said The Sun, Britain's most-read newspaper, about the colour of Johnson's dishevelled mop of hair. A total of 17 ministers in May's government either resigned or were sacked, creating a powerful new group of enemies in parliament. Most of Johnson's senior appointees are Brexit supporters. Sajid Javid, 49, was named as his finance minister. He is a eurosceptic who voted to remain in the 2016 referendum. Others are avowed Brexiteers: Priti Patel was appointed interior minister, Dominic Raab was appointed foreign minister and Stephen Barclay remained as Brexit minister. Johnson also appointed Dominic Cummings, the campaign director of the official Brexit Vote Leave campaign, as a senior adviser in Downing Street.

British PM Boris Johnson's top team meet to plot Brexit gambit

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said Wednesday that he was looking forward to working with incoming prime minister Boris Johnson to agree Britain's orderly departure.

But Michel Barnier made it clear that Brussels has no plans to renegotiate the divorce deal it signed with Johnson's predecessor <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pleased-to-hand-over-charge-to-boris-johnson-says-theresa-may-in-british-parliament-238188&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjy6pLQ0s3jAhUfTI8KHf_NDzkQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LcJNVgJS908UB58BjSmTf">Theresa May</a> in November last year.

"It's a very important moment for the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-a-divisive-politician-with-do-or-die-pledge-over-brexit-237944&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjy6pLQ0s3jAhUfTI8KHf_NDzkQFjAFegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1nKzV0cGQqoP_TqmQkzmPM">Brexit</a>. We look forward to hearing what the new prime minister Boris Johnson wants. What are the choices of the UK? Is it an orderly Brexit?" Barnier told the BBC.

"The 'no deal' will never be the choice of the EU, but we are prepared... we will work all along the next few weeks or months with the new UK government in the best possible way, in a very constructive spirit to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement."

Asked what he thinks of Johnson, who has demanded the deal be reopened, Barnier said he had only met him once, at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, and added: "We will work with him. I think he is clever."&nbsp;

Earlier, Barnier had briefed the European Parliament's Brexit steering group, under former Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt. The MEPs also stuck to Brussels' line that the withdrawal agreement will not be renegotiated.

"This is our position it is impossible to change our position," group member Antonio Tajani told reporters.

But the MEPS reiterated that they would support EU leaders if they decide to rewrite an accompanying non-binding political declaration to seek "a more ambitious future EU-UK partnership".

WATCH:&nbsp;What drove Boris Johnson to the top?

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A closer future relation could ensure "the Irish backstop would not be necessary", the group's statement said. Johnson insists the backstop must be removed from the withdrawal agreement, an idea rejected by EU capitals.

The group congratulated Johnson but warned that recent statements, not least those made during the Conservative Party leadership campaign, have greatly increased the risk of a disorderly exit of the UK.

And they warned that a disorderly or no-deal Brexit -&nbsp;which Johnson has said he will pursue if the deal is not rewritten before October 31 - would be "very damaging".

"Such an exit will not be mitigated by any form of arrangements or mini deals between the EU and the UK."

The Brexit Steering Group "recalls that there is no transition period without a withdrawal agreement," it said.

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said Wednesday that he was looking forward to working with incoming prime minister Boris Johnson to agree Britain's orderly departure.

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said Wednesday that he was looking forward to working with incoming prime minister Boris Johnson to agree Britain's orderly departure. But Michel Barnier made it clear that Brussels has no plans to renegotiate the divorce deal it signed with Johnson's predecessor Theresa May in November last year. "It's a very important moment for the Brexit. We look forward to hearing what the new prime minister Boris Johnson wants. What are the choices of the UK? Is it an orderly Brexit?" Barnier told the BBC. "The 'no deal' will never be the choice of the EU, but we are prepared... we will work all along the next few weeks or months with the new UK government in the best possible way, in a very constructive spirit to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement." Asked what he thinks of Johnson, who has demanded the deal be reopened, Barnier said he had only met him once, at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, and added: "We will work with him. I think he is clever." Earlier, Barnier had briefed the European Parliament's Brexit steering group, under former Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt. The MEPs also stuck to Brussels' line that the withdrawal agreement will not be renegotiated. "This is our position it is impossible to change our position," group member Antonio Tajani told reporters. But the MEPS reiterated that they would support EU leaders if they decide to rewrite an accompanying non-binding political declaration to seek "a more ambitious future EU-UK partnership". WATCH: What drove Boris Johnson to the top? × A closer future relation could ensure "the Irish backstop would not be necessary", the group's statement said. Johnson insists the backstop must be removed from the withdrawal agreement, an idea rejected by EU capitals. The group congratulated Johnson but warned that recent statements, not least those made during the Conservative Party leadership campaign, have greatly increased the risk of a disorderly exit of the UK. And they warned that a disorderly or no-deal Brexit - which Johnson has said he will pursue if the deal is not rewritten before October 31 - would be "very damaging". "Such an exit will not be mitigated by any form of arrangements or mini deals between the EU and the UK." The Brexit Steering Group "recalls that there is no transition period without a withdrawal agreement," it said.

European Union will work with 'clever' Johnson: Barnier

Outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May issued a parting shot to opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday, using her final weekly parliamentary question session to suggest he follow her lead and quit his job. May, who will officially hand over to her successor Boris Johnson later on Wednesday, is stepping down after just over three years in the job, having failed to deliver Britain's exit from the European Union.

British PM May's parting shot for Labour's Corbyn: your time is up

Iran's foreign minister accused Washington of "US economic terrorism" during a visit to Managua, Nicaragua on Tuesday (July 22), declaring that countries were turning away from the dollar-based global economy. U.S.-Iranian tensions have escalated since U.S. President Donald Trump decided last year to abandon the nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to curtail its atomic programme in return for relief from economic sanctions crippling its economy. To avoid the collapse of the deal after Washington's withdrawal, the European Union is trying to set up a barter-based trade conduit with Iran to avoid US sanctions. Whilst the payment system is still being finalized, Zarif said it showed movement away from using the American dollar as an international standard.

After Trump slamming, Iran says US bullying them

The European Union (EU) is ready to hit the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-first-half-revenue-up-about-30-despite-us-ban-237956">United States with extra tariffs</a> on goods worth 35 billion euros if Washington slaps duties on its cars, its trade chief said Tuesday.

The warning by EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom came as she said a plan by Europe and the United States to reach a limited trade deal was at a standstill.

Malmstrom's stark statement to newly elected MEPs in Brussels was a reminder that transatlantic tensions remained high despite Washington's trade war with China dominating attention.&nbsp;

"We will not accept any managed trade, quotas or voluntary export restraints and, if there were to be tariffs, we would have a rebalancing list," Malmstrom told a committee meeting in European Parliament.

"It is already basically prepared worth 35 billion euros. I hope we don't have to use that one," she said.

US President Donald Trump is still considering imposing punishing duties on automobile imports on national security grounds -- a justification that Malmstrom said was wildly unfounded.

"We welcome the decision by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-against-oil-companies-illegal-china-237917">US not to impose yet duties</a> on cars and car parts," she said.&nbsp;

"But of course the very notion that European cars can be a national security threat to the US is, of course, absurd," she added.

The comments were made almost a year to the day after European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and Trump thrashed out a trade truce in the White House.

This followed a bitter round of tit-for-tat tariffs, that remain in place, after the US sparked the row by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium from Europe.

Negotiating a limited trade deal was the heart of the truce, but Malmstrom said the US was unwilling to move forward with talks.

"The United States are not ready to start them if agriculture is not included which is a red line for us," she said.

"So for the moment nothing happens here," she said.

The European Union (EU) is ready to hit the United States with extra tariffs on goods worth 35 billion euros if Washington slaps duties on its cars, its trade chief said Tuesday.

The European Union (EU) is ready to hit the United States with extra tariffs on goods worth 35 billion euros if Washington slaps duties on its cars, its trade chief said Tuesday. The warning by EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom came as she said a plan by Europe and the United States to reach a limited trade deal was at a standstill. Malmstrom's stark statement to newly elected MEPs in Brussels was a reminder that transatlantic tensions remained high despite Washington's trade war with China dominating attention. "We will not accept any managed trade, quotas or voluntary export restraints and, if there were to be tariffs, we would have a rebalancing list," Malmstrom told a committee meeting in European Parliament. "It is already basically prepared worth 35 billion euros. I hope we don't have to use that one," she said. US President Donald Trump is still considering imposing punishing duties on automobile imports on national security grounds -- a justification that Malmstrom said was wildly unfounded. "We welcome the decision by the US not to impose yet duties on cars and car parts," she said. "But of course the very notion that European cars can be a national security threat to the US is, of course, absurd," she added. The comments were made almost a year to the day after European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and Trump thrashed out a trade truce in the White House. This followed a bitter round of tit-for-tat tariffs, that remain in place, after the US sparked the row by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium from Europe. Negotiating a limited trade deal was the heart of the truce, but Malmstrom said the US was unwilling to move forward with talks. "The United States are not ready to start them if agriculture is not included which is a red line for us," she said. "So for the moment nothing happens here," she said.

European Union threatens duties on 35 billion euros in US goods

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnsons-stance-on-iran-trump-huawei-and-the-economy-237951">Boris Johnson</a>, the Brexiteer who has promised to lead Britain out of the European Union with or without a deal by the end of October, will replace Theresa May as prime minister after winning the leadership of the Conservative Party on Tuesday.

His convincing victory catapults the United Kingdom towards a showdown with the EU and towards a constitutional crisis at home, as British lawmakers have vowed to bring down any government that tries to leave the bloc without a divorce deal.

Johnson, the face of the 2016 Brexit referendum, won the votes of 92,153 members of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-wins-conservative-party-leadership-race-set-to-become-uk-pm-237941">Conservative party</a>, almost twice the 46,656 won by his rival, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

May will leave office on Wednesday after going to Buckingham Palace to see Queen Elizabeth, who will formally appoint Johnson before he enters Downing Street.

"We are going to get Brexit done on Oct. 31, and we are going to take advantage of all the opportunities it will bring in a new spirit of 'can do'," Johnson, 55, said after the result was announced.

"Like some slumbering giant, we are going to rise and ping off the guy-ropes of self-doubt and negativity."

Johnson said the mantra of his leadership campaign had been to "deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat (opposition Labour leader) Jeremy Corbyn and that is what we are going to do".

Within half an hour of his victory, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/congratulations-to-boris-johnson-on-becoming-the-new-pm-of-uk-he-will-be-great-donald-trump-237983">US President Donald Trum</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-a-divisive-politician-with-do-or-die-pledge-over-brexit-237944">p</a> had tweeted his congratulations, adding: "He will be great!".

The men have recently been complimentary about each other yet Trump is one of the many world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, about whom Johnson has previously made derogatory remarks. In 2015, he accused Trump, then a candidate for office, of "stupefying ignorance" that made him unfit to be president.

The victory for one of Britain's most flamboyant politicians places an avowed Brexit supporter in charge of the government for the first time since the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU in the shock 2016 referendum.

But Johnson is known for his ambition, untidy blond hair, flowery oratory and cursory command of policy detail takes office at one of the most tumultuous junctures in post-World War Two British history.

The pound has fallen sharply in recent weeks on fears of a no-deal Brexit, and stands near $1.24, around its lowest level for two years. With Johnson's win already priced in, it was little changed on Tuesday.

Divided Kingdom

The 2016 Brexit referendum showed the United Kingdom divided about much more than the European Union, and has fuelled soul-searching about everything from regional secession and immigration to capitalism, the legacy of empire, and modern Britishness.

Brexit, which has already toppled two Conservative prime ministers, will dominate.

Johnson has pledged to negotiate a new Brexit divorce deal with the EU to secure a smooth transition out of the EU before Oct. 31. But if the bloc refuses, as it insists it will, he has promised to leave anyway, "do or die", on the current agreed date of Oct. 31, Halloween.

It is a step that many investors and economists say would send shock waves through world markets and tip the world's fifth-largest economy into recession or even chaos.

The EU said a no-deal Brexit would be a tragedy for both parties but again said the withdrawal deal was not up for negotiation.

"We look forward to working constructively with PM Johnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement and achieve an orderly Brexit," tweeted the bloc's negotiator, Michel Barnier.

A Brexit without a divorce deal would also weaken London’s position as the pre-eminent international financial centre while jolting the northern European economy.

Johnson's Conservatives have no majority in parliament and need the support of 10 lawmakers from Northern Ireland's Brexit-backing Democratic Unionist Party to govern.

Even then, the majority is wafer-thin - and some lawmakers have threatened to bring down the government, a step that would probably deepen Britain's political crisis and lead to an election.

'PM Boris'

The rise of Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, often referred to as simply "Boris", to the top of British politics is the grandest twist so far in a career that has taken him from journalism via TV-show fame, comedy and scandal into the political brinkmanship of Britain’s Brexit crisis.

Born in New York, Johnson was educated at Eton, Britain’s most exclusive school, and at Balliol College, Oxford. He began his career at a management consultancy in the City of London but dropped out after a week.

He then turned to journalism but was sacked from the Times newspaper for making up quotes.

Hired by the Daily Telegraph, Johnson infuriated European officials and delighted then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher by lampooning the European Economic Community with a host of sometimes misleading reports from Brussels.

After entering politics, he was sacked from the Conservative Party’s policy team while in opposition for lying about an extramarital affair. He and his wife announced last year they were to divorce and he is currently in a relationship with the party's former communications chief, Carrie Symonds.

But his sometimes shambolic personal appearance and disarmingly self-deprecating persona have allowed him to survive both gaffes and scandal. He served two terms as London mayor, from 2008 to 2016.

His embrace of a court jester role has won over many Britons, fed up of what many see as an out-of-touch political establishment too centred on a London elite. But critics say he lacks the gravitas the job requires.

"He has shown time and time again that he isn’t fit to be the prime minister of our country," Jo Swinson, leader of the pro-EU Liberal Democrat party.

In 2016, Johnson became one of the most recognisable faces of the Brexit campaign, which won the referendum by 52 per cent to 48 per cent, but faced accusations of making misleading claims to win support, most notably by stating that Britain would be 350 million pounds ($440 million) a week better off outside the EU.

"I know that there will be people around the place who will question the wisdom of your decision, and there may be some people here who still wonder what they have done," Johnson told party members after his victory was announced.

"I will just point out to you that no one party, no party has a monopoly of wisdom."

Boris Johnson, the Brexiteer who has promised to lead Britain out of the European Union with or without a deal by the end of October, will replace Theresa May as prime minister after winning the leadership of the Conservative Party on Tuesday.

Boris Johnson, the Brexiteer who has promised to lead Britain out of the European Union with or without a deal by the end of October, will replace Theresa May as prime minister after winning the leadership of the Conservative Party on Tuesday. His convincing victory catapults the United Kingdom towards a showdown with the EU and towards a constitutional crisis at home, as British lawmakers have vowed to bring down any government that tries to leave the bloc without a divorce deal. Johnson, the face of the 2016 Brexit referendum, won the votes of 92,153 members of the Conservative party, almost twice the 46,656 won by his rival, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. May will leave office on Wednesday after going to Buckingham Palace to see Queen Elizabeth, who will formally appoint Johnson before he enters Downing Street. "We are going to get Brexit done on Oct. 31, and we are going to take advantage of all the opportunities it will bring in a new spirit of 'can do'," Johnson, 55, said after the result was announced. "Like some slumbering giant, we are going to rise and ping off the guy-ropes of self-doubt and negativity." Johnson said the mantra of his leadership campaign had been to "deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat (opposition Labour leader) Jeremy Corbyn and that is what we are going to do". Within half an hour of his victory, US President Donald Trump had tweeted his congratulations, adding: "He will be great!". The men have recently been complimentary about each other yet Trump is one of the many world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, about whom Johnson has previously made derogatory remarks. In 2015, he accused Trump, then a candidate for office, of "stupefying ignorance" that made him unfit to be president. The victory for one of Britain's most flamboyant politicians places an avowed Brexit supporter in charge of the government for the first time since the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU in the shock 2016 referendum. But Johnson is known for his ambition, untidy blond hair, flowery oratory and cursory command of policy detail takes office at one of the most tumultuous junctures in post-World War Two British history. The pound has fallen sharply in recent weeks on fears of a no-deal Brexit, and stands near $1.24, around its lowest level for two years. With Johnson's win already priced in, it was little changed on Tuesday. Divided Kingdom The 2016 Brexit referendum showed the United Kingdom divided about much more than the European Union, and has fuelled soul-searching about everything from regional secession and immigration to capitalism, the legacy of empire, and modern Britishness. Brexit, which has already toppled two Conservative prime ministers, will dominate. Johnson has pledged to negotiate a new Brexit divorce deal with the EU to secure a smooth transition out of the EU before Oct. 31. But if the bloc refuses, as it insists it will, he has promised to leave anyway, "do or die", on the current agreed date of Oct. 31, Halloween. It is a step that many investors and economists say would send shock waves through world markets and tip the world's fifth-largest economy into recession or even chaos. The EU said a no-deal Brexit would be a tragedy for both parties but again said the withdrawal deal was not up for negotiation. "We look forward to working constructively with PM Johnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement and achieve an orderly Brexit," tweeted the bloc's negotiator, Michel Barnier. A Brexit without a divorce deal would also weaken London’s position as the pre-eminent international financial centre while jolting the northern European economy. Johnson's Conservatives have no majority in parliament and need the support of 10 lawmakers from Northern Ireland's Brexit-backing Democratic Unionist Party to govern. Even then, the majority is wafer-thin - and some lawmakers have threatened to bring down the government, a step that would probably deepen Britain's political crisis and lead to an election. 'PM Boris' The rise of Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, often referred to as simply "Boris", to the top of British politics is the grandest twist so far in a career that has taken him from journalism via TV-show fame, comedy and scandal into the political brinkmanship of Britain’s Brexit crisis. Born in New York, Johnson was educated at Eton, Britain’s most exclusive school, and at Balliol College, Oxford. He began his career at a management consultancy in the City of London but dropped out after a week. He then turned to journalism but was sacked from the Times newspaper for making up quotes. Hired by the Daily Telegraph, Johnson infuriated European officials and delighted then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher by lampooning the European Economic Community with a host of sometimes misleading reports from Brussels. After entering politics, he was sacked from the Conservative Party’s policy team while in opposition for lying about an extramarital affair. He and his wife announced last year they were to divorce and he is currently in a relationship with the party's former communications chief, Carrie Symonds. But his sometimes shambolic personal appearance and disarmingly self-deprecating persona have allowed him to survive both gaffes and scandal. He served two terms as London mayor, from 2008 to 2016. His embrace of a court jester role has won over many Britons, fed up of what many see as an out-of-touch political establishment too centred on a London elite. But critics say he lacks the gravitas the job requires. "He has shown time and time again that he isn’t fit to be the prime minister of our country," Jo Swinson, leader of the pro-EU Liberal Democrat party. In 2016, Johnson became one of the most recognisable faces of the Brexit campaign, which won the referendum by 52 per cent to 48 per cent, but faced accusations of making misleading claims to win support, most notably by stating that Britain would be 350 million pounds ($440 million) a week better off outside the EU. "I know that there will be people around the place who will question the wisdom of your decision, and there may be some people here who still wonder what they have done," Johnson told party members after his victory was announced. "I will just point out to you that no one party, no party has a monopoly of wisdom."

'I say all the doubters, we are going to energize the country and get the Brexit done': Boris Johnson

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday heralded the selection of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-wins-conservative-party-leadership-race-set-to-become-uk-pm-237941">Boris Johnson</a> as the new leader of Britain's governing Conservative Party and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-a-divisive-politician-with-do-or-die-pledge-over-brexit-237944">United Kingdom's next prime minister</a>, in a possible sign of warmer relations between the two allies.

"Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great!" Trump said in a post on Twitter shortly after Johnson's election.

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Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1153628242529722369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Trump has had tense relations with outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May despite being hosted for a state visit. Ties were further strained this month following leaked messages by the British ambassador to Washington that referred to Trump; the official later quit.

The US president has repeatedly praised Johnson, the flamboyant former London mayor and pro-Brexit champion who has been compared to the Republican US president, a former reality television host and real estate developer known for his unconventional, combative approach to politics.

On the other hand, the European Union's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Tuesday the bloc was ready to work with incoming <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnsons-stance-on-iran-trump-huawei-and-the-economy-237951">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> for an orderly Brexit.

"We look forward to working constructively with PM Johnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement and achieve an orderly Brexit," Barnier said on Twitter.

"We are ready also to rework the agreed declaration on a new partnership," he said, referring to the political declaration that accompanies the withdrawal agreement.

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We look forward to working constructively w/ PM <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BorisJohnson</a> when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement and achieve an orderly <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brexit</a>. We are ready also to rework the agreed Declaration on a new partnership in line with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUCO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EUCO</a> guidelines.
— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichelBarnier/status/1153623849357008902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

PM Theresa May also extended her regards, the tweet read&nbsp;"Many congratulations to @BorisJohnson on being elected leader of @Conservatives - we now need to work together to deliver a Brexit that works for the whole UK and to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of government. You will have my full support from the backbenches."

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Many congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BorisJohnson</a> on being elected leader of <a href="https://twitter.com/Conservatives?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Conservatives</a> - we now need to work together to deliver a Brexit that works for the whole UK and to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of government. You will have my full support from the back benches.
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) <a href="https://twitter.com/theresa_may/status/1153622066157015041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday heralded the selection of Boris Johnson as the new leader of Britain's governing Conservative Party and the United Kingdom's next prime minister, in a possible sign of warmer relations between the two allies.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday heralded the selection of Boris Johnson as the new leader of Britain's governing Conservative Party and the United Kingdom's next prime minister, in a possible sign of warmer relations between the two allies. "Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great!" Trump said in a post on Twitter shortly after Johnson's election. Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2019 × Trump has had tense relations with outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May despite being hosted for a state visit. Ties were further strained this month following leaked messages by the British ambassador to Washington that referred to Trump; the official later quit. The US president has repeatedly praised Johnson, the flamboyant former London mayor and pro-Brexit champion who has been compared to the Republican US president, a former reality television host and real estate developer known for his unconventional, combative approach to politics. On the other hand, the European Union's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Tuesday the bloc was ready to work with incoming British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for an orderly Brexit. "We look forward to working constructively with PM Johnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement and achieve an orderly Brexit," Barnier said on Twitter. "We are ready also to rework the agreed declaration on a new partnership," he said, referring to the political declaration that accompanies the withdrawal agreement. We look forward to working constructively w/ PM @BorisJohnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement and achieve an orderly #Brexit. We are ready also to rework the agreed Declaration on a new partnership in line with #EUCO guidelines. — Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) July 23, 2019 × PM Theresa May also extended her regards, the tweet read "Many congratulations to @BorisJohnson on being elected leader of @Conservatives - we now need to work together to deliver a Brexit that works for the whole UK and to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of government. You will have my full support from the backbenches." Many congratulations to @BorisJohnson on being elected leader of @Conservatives - we now need to work together to deliver a Brexit that works for the whole UK and to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of government. You will have my full support from the back benches. — Theresa May (@theresa_may) July 23, 2019 ×

Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming new UK PM, he will be great: Trump

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-bracing-to-become-britains-brexit-prime-minister-237375">Britain's next prime minister</a> will face an overflowing inbox when he takes office on July 24: delivering Brexit, building a relationship with Donald Trump, deciding what to do about Iran and governing without a majority in parliament.

The winner of the Conservative party leadership contest will be announced on Tuesday and should take office as prime minister on Wednesday.

Boris Johnson, leader of the 2016 campaign to leave the European Union, is the front-runner to succeed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-may-quits-as-party-leader-starting-succession-race-225177">Theresa May</a>. His rival is Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who voted "remain" in the Brexit referendum but has repeatedly promised to take Britain out of the EU.

Below are the most urgent tasks the winner will have to tackle:

1) Governing

To <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-brexit-minister-urges-european-union-to-reopen-withdrawal-deal-talks-234121">deliver Brexit</a>, one of the most divisive policies in decades, the new premier will have to show he can win votes in parliament and govern after three years of political crisis.

But he could face a vote of no confidence in the 650-seat parliament as early as his second day in office if the main opposition Labour Party calls one.

On its own, the ruling Conservative Party does not have the majority needed for the new prime minister to survive such a vote, relying under May on the support of 10 allied Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) lawmakers to govern.

Even if the DUP backed the new prime minister in a confidence vote, a handful of Conservative lawmakers have threatened to vote against their party if Britain looks set for a no-deal Brexit.

Failure to clear this first hurdle would collapse the government and could trigger a general election.

2) Brexit

Both Hunt and Johnson want to renegotiate a new deal with the EU, ditching parts of the accord May struck with Brussels last year, which was rejected by parliament three times.

The EU has repeatedly said it will not renegotiate the legally binding part of that deal, the 'Withdrawal Agreement' which sets out a transition period to smooth Britain's exit.

The problem for the next prime minister is that the withdrawal agreement contains the most contentious part of the exit deal an insurance policy to prevent border controls between EU member Ireland and British province Northern Ireland.

EU negotiators are ready to explore several options with the new prime minister, but these fall well short of what Johnson and Hunt say they want.

Hunt and Johnson want to ditch the so-called backstop; the EU says it has to stay.

If Britain cannot negotiate a new deal, or parliament rejects whatever the new leader brings back from Brussels, the country will be headed for an unmanaged exit from the EU a so-called no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31.

Johnson and Hunt both say they have to make sure Britain is fully prepared for such an outcome because it is an important negotiating tool and they cannot rule out that it may happen.

Britain had conducted substantial work toward preparing for no-deal ahead of the original Brexit deadline of March 29, but as the date approached many expressed concern that those preparations were incomplete and had stagnated.

3) Trump and the United States

The new prime minister will need a good relationship with the United States, Britain's closest military ally and a major export market, to help mitigate any impact of stepping away from the EU its biggest trading partner.

But relations between Britain and the United States have suffered in recent weeks after the leak of confidential memos from the British ambassador to Washington which reportedly described Donald Trump's administration as inept.

How the new leader moves on from the spat which saw Trump respond angrily and the ambassador resigns could set the tone for transatlantic ties during a critical period for Britain.

Both sides say they want to agree on a swift and comprehensive free trade agreement after Britain leaves the EU, but political will is likely to determine how quickly that can be done.

4) Iran and China

The United States and European allies are pulling in different directions over the best approach to Iran's nuclear programme, leaving Britain with a difficult choice about who to align with.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards seized the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, in apparent retaliation for the British capture of an Iranian tanker two weeks earlier.

Allies are watching closely to see whether the new British leader will move towards the United States and away from the EU over Iran policy.

The new prime minister will also have to decide what role Chinese technology firm Huawei will be given in British communications infrastructure, with Trump warning that the security risks are high and could endanger intelligence ties.

That decision could also set the course of relations with China, one of Britain's top targets when it comes to building stronger trading ties outside the EU.

5) Beyond Brexit

While the next prime minister's first test will be to deliver Brexit, he will have to craft a viable long-term vision of post-Brexit Britain that can win over voters, investors and international allies.

Ultimately, the new leader will have to decide what sort of economy the United Kingdom wants and how it will pitch that to the world while choosing between aligning with either European or American regulations.

Britain's next prime minister will face an overflowing inbox when he takes office on July 24: delivering Brexit, building a relationship with Donald Trump, deciding what to do about Iran and governing without a majority in parliament.

Britain's next prime minister will face an overflowing inbox when he takes office on July 24: delivering Brexit, building a relationship with Donald Trump, deciding what to do about Iran and governing without a majority in parliament. The winner of the Conservative party leadership contest will be announced on Tuesday and should take office as prime minister on Wednesday. Boris Johnson, leader of the 2016 campaign to leave the European Union, is the front-runner to succeed Theresa May. His rival is Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who voted "remain" in the Brexit referendum but has repeatedly promised to take Britain out of the EU. Below are the most urgent tasks the winner will have to tackle: 1) Governing To deliver Brexit, one of the most divisive policies in decades, the new premier will have to show he can win votes in parliament and govern after three years of political crisis. But he could face a vote of no confidence in the 650-seat parliament as early as his second day in office if the main opposition Labour Party calls one. On its own, the ruling Conservative Party does not have the majority needed for the new prime minister to survive such a vote, relying under May on the support of 10 allied Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) lawmakers to govern. Even if the DUP backed the new prime minister in a confidence vote, a handful of Conservative lawmakers have threatened to vote against their party if Britain looks set for a no-deal Brexit. Failure to clear this first hurdle would collapse the government and could trigger a general election. 2) Brexit Both Hunt and Johnson want to renegotiate a new deal with the EU, ditching parts of the accord May struck with Brussels last year, which was rejected by parliament three times. The EU has repeatedly said it will not renegotiate the legally binding part of that deal, the 'Withdrawal Agreement' which sets out a transition period to smooth Britain's exit. The problem for the next prime minister is that the withdrawal agreement contains the most contentious part of the exit deal an insurance policy to prevent border controls between EU member Ireland and British province Northern Ireland. EU negotiators are ready to explore several options with the new prime minister, but these fall well short of what Johnson and Hunt say they want. Hunt and Johnson want to ditch the so-called backstop; the EU says it has to stay. If Britain cannot negotiate a new deal, or parliament rejects whatever the new leader brings back from Brussels, the country will be headed for an unmanaged exit from the EU a so-called no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31. Johnson and Hunt both say they have to make sure Britain is fully prepared for such an outcome because it is an important negotiating tool and they cannot rule out that it may happen. Britain had conducted substantial work toward preparing for no-deal ahead of the original Brexit deadline of March 29, but as the date approached many expressed concern that those preparations were incomplete and had stagnated. 3) Trump and the United States The new prime minister will need a good relationship with the United States, Britain's closest military ally and a major export market, to help mitigate any impact of stepping away from the EU its biggest trading partner. But relations between Britain and the United States have suffered in recent weeks after the leak of confidential memos from the British ambassador to Washington which reportedly described Donald Trump's administration as inept. How the new leader moves on from the spat which saw Trump respond angrily and the ambassador resigns could set the tone for transatlantic ties during a critical period for Britain. Both sides say they want to agree on a swift and comprehensive free trade agreement after Britain leaves the EU, but political will is likely to determine how quickly that can be done. 4) Iran and China The United States and European allies are pulling in different directions over the best approach to Iran's nuclear programme, leaving Britain with a difficult choice about who to align with. Iranian Revolutionary Guards seized the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, in apparent retaliation for the British capture of an Iranian tanker two weeks earlier. Allies are watching closely to see whether the new British leader will move towards the United States and away from the EU over Iran policy. The new prime minister will also have to decide what role Chinese technology firm Huawei will be given in British communications infrastructure, with Trump warning that the security risks are high and could endanger intelligence ties. That decision could also set the course of relations with China, one of Britain's top targets when it comes to building stronger trading ties outside the EU. 5) Beyond Brexit While the next prime minister's first test will be to deliver Brexit, he will have to craft a viable long-term vision of post-Brexit Britain that can win over voters, investors and international allies. Ultimately, the new leader will have to decide what sort of economy the United Kingdom wants and how it will pitch that to the world while choosing between aligning with either European or American regulations.

Five urgent tasks for Britain's new prime minister

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-shinzo-abe-calls-for-strengthing-ties-with-india-221913">Japan</a> stands ready to take all possible steps flexibly and without hesitation when downside risks to the economy emerge, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, as simmering Sino-US trade war clouds the outlook for the export-reliant economy.

Speaking on Monday after his ruling coalition kept a solid majority in upper house elections, Abe pledged to continue to make the economy his top priority, to put a decisive end to roughly two decades of deflation.

China's slowing economy, its trade war with the United States and spreading protectionism have led to a seventh straight monthly fall in Japan's exports and weakened factory output, threatening to derail the world's third-largest economy.

"Uncertainty remains over the global economic outlook such as trade frictions and Britain's exit from the European Union," Abe told a news conference. "We'll respond to downside risks without hesitation and take flexible and all possible steps.

"Based on a stable political basis, the Abe cabinet will take more aggressive and bold economic measures than ever."

Japanese policymakers are counting on solid domestic demand to offset the external headwinds, but a scheduled hike in sales tax, to 10 per cent from 8 per cent now, threatens that scenario, analysts say.

Abe has twice delayed the planned hike since the previous tax increase to 8 per cent, from 5 per cent, dealt a severe blow to private consumption, which accounts for about 60 per cent of the economy, and triggered a deep economic downturn.

To prevent a repeat of the tax hike pain, Abe's government has earmarked 2 trillion yen ($18.53 billion) in stimulus measures in this fiscal year's budget including free education, shopping vouchers, tax breaks on car and housing purchases.

"We will underpin domestic consumption which accounts for the bulk of the economy by taking sufficient measures," Abe said.

Late on Sunday, Abe said he would take economic stimulus steps if there was a risk of the economy faltering.

With monetary policy stretched, after more than six years of easy money has dried up the bond market and squeezed banks' profit margins, analysts say Japan must fight the next recession with fiscal stimulus through a combination of monetary easing.

"If the economy falls into a recession, Japan would resort to a large-scale fiscal stimulus with the Bank of Japan effectively financing debt through its yield curve control," said Ryutaro Kono, chief economist at BNP Paribas Securities.

($1=107.9300 yen)

Japan stands ready to take all possible steps flexibly and without hesitation when downside risks to the economy emerge, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, as simmering Sino-US trade war clouds the outlook for the export-reliant economy.

Japan stands ready to take all possible steps flexibly and without hesitation when downside risks to the economy emerge, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, as simmering Sino-US trade war clouds the outlook for the export-reliant economy. Speaking on Monday after his ruling coalition kept a solid majority in upper house elections, Abe pledged to continue to make the economy his top priority, to put a decisive end to roughly two decades of deflation. China's slowing economy, its trade war with the United States and spreading protectionism have led to a seventh straight monthly fall in Japan's exports and weakened factory output, threatening to derail the world's third-largest economy. "Uncertainty remains over the global economic outlook such as trade frictions and Britain's exit from the European Union," Abe told a news conference. "We'll respond to downside risks without hesitation and take flexible and all possible steps. "Based on a stable political basis, the Abe cabinet will take more aggressive and bold economic measures than ever." Japanese policymakers are counting on solid domestic demand to offset the external headwinds, but a scheduled hike in sales tax, to 10 per cent from 8 per cent now, threatens that scenario, analysts say. Abe has twice delayed the planned hike since the previous tax increase to 8 per cent, from 5 per cent, dealt a severe blow to private consumption, which accounts for about 60 per cent of the economy, and triggered a deep economic downturn. To prevent a repeat of the tax hike pain, Abe's government has earmarked 2 trillion yen ($18.53 billion) in stimulus measures in this fiscal year's budget including free education, shopping vouchers, tax breaks on car and housing purchases. "We will underpin domestic consumption which accounts for the bulk of the economy by taking sufficient measures," Abe said. Late on Sunday, Abe said he would take economic stimulus steps if there was a risk of the economy faltering. With monetary policy stretched, after more than six years of easy money has dried up the bond market and squeezed banks' profit margins, analysts say Japan must fight the next recession with fiscal stimulus through a combination of monetary easing. "If the economy falls into a recession, Japan would resort to a large-scale fiscal stimulus with the Bank of Japan effectively financing debt through its yield curve control," said Ryutaro Kono, chief economist at BNP Paribas Securities. ($1=107.9300 yen)

Japan's Shinzo Abe vows flexible steps in case of downside economic risks

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-would-do-great-job-as-british-pm-donald-trump-237196">Boris Johnson</a> is expected to become Britain's next prime minister this week, vowing to deliver Brexit on October 31 come what may, in the face of fierce opposition in parliament.

The former London mayor is the runaway favourite to win the governing Conservative Party's leadership contest and replace <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dancing-queen-theresa-may-boogies-to-abba-in-final-days-as-british-pm-236201">Prime Minister Theresa May</a> on Wednesday.

The postal ballot of 160,000 grassroots party members is expected to return Johnson, 55, as the new Conservative leader over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-jeremy-hunt-to-contest-conservative-leadership-michael-gove-eliminated-in-final-ballot-229043">Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt</a> when the result is announced on Tuesday.

Any remaining ballots must be delivered by the Monday 5:00pm (1600 GMT) deadline. Bookmakers give Hunt around a one in 15 chance of victory.

While Johnson spent a relatively trouble-free Saturday, Hunt, his successor in the Foreign Office, was dealing with Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf.

The threat to the majority&nbsp;

The centre-right Conservatives command a razor-thin majority in parliament's lower <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-parliament-remains-divided-on-brexit-options-207308">House of Commons</a> and Johnson's opponents both within and outside the party are keen to scupper his leadership.

Johnson has vowed to take Britain out of the European Union on October 31, with or without a divorce deal.

Opponents of Brexit, and especially of a no-deal departure, are plotting moves against Johnson.

Some Conservatives have hinted they are prepared to bring down their own government rather than accept leaving the EU without a deal.

Justice Secretary David Gauke said he would quit the government if Johnson became prime minister.

He told The Sunday Times newspaper that a no-deal Brexit would trigger national "humiliation".&nbsp;

The broadsheet reported that up to six europhile Conservative MPs were considering defecting to the centrist, pro-EU Liberal Democrats should Johnson win leaving him without a Commons majority.

'Right side of history'&nbsp;

Pro-EU protesters rallied in central London on Saturday in anticipation of Johnson taking office.

The "No to Boris, yes to Europe" protest saw a giant balloon of Johnson inspired by the similar blimp of US President Donald Trump flying outside parliament.

"I want to be on the right side of history. I think anybody who considers Brexit to be a good solution, really hasn't considered the facts," demonstrator Tamara Bishop told AFP.

Claire Payton said of Johnson: "He's going to be appalling."

Michael Fowler, wearing an EU-flag beret, added: "He is a chancer that will say anything, promise anything and then do whatever suits him. Which might be completely the opposite to what he's promised."

'Good relationship': Trump&nbsp;

Trump said he spoke to Johnson on Thursday.

"He is going to do a great job," the president said Friday.

Trump renewed his criticism of May, saying she had done "a very poor job" with Brexit and predicted that Johnson would fix the "disaster".&nbsp;

"He's a different kind of a guy, but they say I'm a different kind of a guy too. We get along well. I think we'll have a very good relationship," Trump told reporters.

After a month-long campaign, the winner of the contest will be announced on Tuesday as the new Conservative Party leader.

May will answer questions in parliament as prime minister for the final time on Wednesday before heading to Buckingham Palace to tender her resignation to Queen Elizabeth II, the head of state.

The sovereign will then invite the new Conservative leader to form an administration.

May, who took office following the seismic 2016 Brexit referendum, has vowed to be "absolutely" loyal to her successor.

She will remain in parliament as the MP for her Maidenhead constituency in southern England.

"It is important that we have a Conservative government, particularly given the nature of the opposition we have," she told the Daily Express newspaper.

The Labour main opposition is riven with in-fighting over Brexit, anti-Semitism and veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

"I will be doing everything I can to make sure that we have a Conservative government," said May.

The 62-year-old added that initially she would "take some time off, have a holiday and adjust to the new world".

Boris Johnson is expected to become Britain's next prime minister this week, vowing to deliver Brexit on October 31 come what may, in the face of fierce opposition in parliament.

Boris Johnson is expected to become Britain's next prime minister this week, vowing to deliver Brexit on October 31 come what may, in the face of fierce opposition in parliament. The former London mayor is the runaway favourite to win the governing Conservative Party's leadership contest and replace Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday. The postal ballot of 160,000 grassroots party members is expected to return Johnson, 55, as the new Conservative leader over Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt when the result is announced on Tuesday. Any remaining ballots must be delivered by the Monday 5:00pm (1600 GMT) deadline. Bookmakers give Hunt around a one in 15 chance of victory. While Johnson spent a relatively trouble-free Saturday, Hunt, his successor in the Foreign Office, was dealing with Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf. The threat to the majority The centre-right Conservatives command a razor-thin majority in parliament's lower House of Commons and Johnson's opponents both within and outside the party are keen to scupper his leadership. Johnson has vowed to take Britain out of the European Union on October 31, with or without a divorce deal. Opponents of Brexit, and especially of a no-deal departure, are plotting moves against Johnson. Some Conservatives have hinted they are prepared to bring down their own government rather than accept leaving the EU without a deal. Justice Secretary David Gauke said he would quit the government if Johnson became prime minister. He told The Sunday Times newspaper that a no-deal Brexit would trigger national "humiliation". The broadsheet reported that up to six europhile Conservative MPs were considering defecting to the centrist, pro-EU Liberal Democrats should Johnson win leaving him without a Commons majority. 'Right side of history' Pro-EU protesters rallied in central London on Saturday in anticipation of Johnson taking office. The "No to Boris, yes to Europe" protest saw a giant balloon of Johnson inspired by the similar blimp of US President Donald Trump flying outside parliament. "I want to be on the right side of history. I think anybody who considers Brexit to be a good solution, really hasn't considered the facts," demonstrator Tamara Bishop told AFP. Claire Payton said of Johnson: "He's going to be appalling." Michael Fowler, wearing an EU-flag beret, added: "He is a chancer that will say anything, promise anything and then do whatever suits him. Which might be completely the opposite to what he's promised." 'Good relationship': Trump Trump said he spoke to Johnson on Thursday. "He is going to do a great job," the president said Friday. Trump renewed his criticism of May, saying she had done "a very poor job" with Brexit and predicted that Johnson would fix the "disaster". "He's a different kind of a guy, but they say I'm a different kind of a guy too. We get along well. I think we'll have a very good relationship," Trump told reporters. After a month-long campaign, the winner of the contest will be announced on Tuesday as the new Conservative Party leader. May will answer questions in parliament as prime minister for the final time on Wednesday before heading to Buckingham Palace to tender her resignation to Queen Elizabeth II, the head of state. The sovereign will then invite the new Conservative leader to form an administration. May, who took office following the seismic 2016 Brexit referendum, has vowed to be "absolutely" loyal to her successor. She will remain in parliament as the MP for her Maidenhead constituency in southern England. "It is important that we have a Conservative government, particularly given the nature of the opposition we have," she told the Daily Express newspaper. The Labour main opposition is riven with in-fighting over Brexit, anti-Semitism and veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. "I will be doing everything I can to make sure that we have a Conservative government," said May. The 62-year-old added that initially she would "take some time off, have a holiday and adjust to the new world".

Boris Johnson bracing to become Britain's Brexit Prime Minister

Opponents of Britain`s exit from the EU hoisted a "Boris blimp" portraying the UK`s likely next prime minister as a crying child as they demonstrated outside parliament on Saturday.

Boris Johnson, a former London mayor, has been one of the figureheads of the movement to take Britain out of the EU and has pledged to complete the schism by the end of October.

Inspired by the orange blimp of a baby Donald Trump that mocked the US&nbsp;President during his visit to London last month, the balloon featured Johnson in a t-shirt emblazoned with a red bus and the figure 350 million pounds, referring to his promise of clawing back cash from Brussels to spend on Britain`s state health service instead.
<img alt="Blimp depicting Boris Johnson" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9345f465-4410-4cfb-b663-431239975a08" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2019-07-20T153858Z_1_LYNXNPEF6J0BE_RTROPTP_4_BRITAIN-EU-MARCH.JPG" /><img alt="Blimp depicting Boris Johnson" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c80a2e48-2b52-4adf-8a79-02c9bf3e5107" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2019-07-20T153858Z_1_LYNXNPEF6J0BG_RTROPTP_4_BRITAIN-EU-MARCH.JPG" />
Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation two months ago after failing to win parliamentary approval for the exit deal she had negotiated with Brussels and her successor will be announced next week.

Johnson, who is widely expected to replace her, has pledged to leave the EU with or without a transition deal on October&nbsp;31.

Brexit without a divorce deal would abruptly wrench the world`s fifth-largest economy away from the bloc. Critics say this would undermine global growth, buffet financial markets and weaken London`s position as the pre-eminent international financial centre.

Opponents of Britain`s exit from the EU hoisted a "Boris blimp" portraying the UK`s likely next prime minister as a crying child as they demonstrated outside parliament on Saturday.

Opponents of Britain`s exit from the EU hoisted a "Boris blimp" portraying the UK`s likely next prime minister as a crying child as they demonstrated outside parliament on Saturday. Boris Johnson, a former London mayor, has been one of the figureheads of the movement to take Britain out of the EU and has pledged to complete the schism by the end of October. Inspired by the orange blimp of a baby Donald Trump that mocked the US President during his visit to London last month, the balloon featured Johnson in a t-shirt emblazoned with a red bus and the figure 350 million pounds, referring to his promise of clawing back cash from Brussels to spend on Britain`s state health service instead. Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation two months ago after failing to win parliamentary approval for the exit deal she had negotiated with Brussels and her successor will be announced next week. Johnson, who is widely expected to replace her, has pledged to leave the EU with or without a transition deal on October 31. Brexit without a divorce deal would abruptly wrench the world`s fifth-largest economy away from the bloc. Critics say this would undermine global growth, buffet financial markets and weaken London`s position as the pre-eminent international financial centre.

'Boris blimp' takes to the London skies in pro-EU protest

The chance that Britain will leave the European Union without a deal is the highest since October 2017, economists polled by Reuters say, as arch-Brexiteer Boris Johnson looks set to take over as prime minister next week.

Johnson was the face of the 2016 campaign to quit the EU and has said he would be willing to leave on October&nbsp;31 without a deal. The median forecast of that happening was 30% in the July 15-18 poll, up from 25% last month and 15% in May.

"The likelihood of a Boris Johnson premiership and the rhetoric which has surfaced during the campaign suggests that this outcome is more likely than we previously believed," said Peter Dixon at Commerzbank.

With Jeremy Hunt, Johnson's rival for the premiership, also keen to display his credentials as a hard Brexiteer, sterling &lt;GBP=&gt; has plunged this week to lows not seen in over two years as investors price in the growing risk of a disorderly Brexit.

Lawmakers voted on Thursday to make it harder for the next prime minister to try to force a no-deal Brexit, giving some support to sterling, and a strong majority of economists polled still think the two sides will eventually settle on a free-trade deal, as they have since late 2016, when Reuters first started asking the question.

But in second place this month was the more extreme option of leaving without a deal and trading under World Trade Organization rules.

The third most likely outcome was the other compromise option of Britain remaining a member of the European Economic Area, paying into the EU budget to maintain access to the single market yet having no say over policy.

Fourth place went to cancelling Brexit.

Hold it

As the chance of a hard Brexit has increased, so has the likelihood of a recession. The median forecast for one in the coming year was 30% and of one in the next two years was 35%, up from 25% and 30% respectively in June's poll.

Growth forecasts remained modest, with the economy expected to expand 0.3-0.4% per quarter through to the end of next year.

Those forecasts were either left unchanged or lowered, so what has shifted are expectations about what the Bank of England will do with interest rates.

No change is now expected to the bank rate, which has sat at 0.75% for nearly a year, until 2021 at the earliest. In June's poll, a 25 basis point hike was expected in the third quarter of next year.

"While the UK consumer price inflation backdrop appears relatively benign, the fact that wage growth is holding up suggests&nbsp;it's too early to be thinking about rate cuts," said James Smith at ING.

"But the increasing uncertainty surrounding Brexit suggests policy tightening is equally unlikely this year."

Only 27 of 76 economists polled now expect an increase to Bank Rate before the end of next year, compared to 36 of 69 last month. On the flip side, nine of 76 are expecting a cut by end-2020 compared to five of 69 in June.

The Royal Bank of Canada, a primary dealer of British government bonds, changed its call earlier this month and said the BoE would be forced to cut interest rates this year because of rising risks to Britain from Brexit and global trade tensions.

"We don't necessarily share the view that the UK economy will see a substantial pick-up in growth even in a smooth Brexit," RBC economists Peter Schaffrik and Cathal Kennedy said in a note to clients.

Monetary Policy Committee member Gertjan Vlieghe said in a speech at Thomson Reuters last week that the Bank might need to cut interest rates almost to zero after a no-deal Brexit.

That shift in sentiment echoes expectations for other major central banks. The European Central Bank is likely to cut its deposit rate later this year and there are widespread expectations the United States Federal Reserve will cut at its meeting this month.

But unlike its peers, the BoE has less to worry about when focussing on its mandate for price stability.

The slump in sterling has driven up prices in import-reliant Britain and the economists who were polled expected inflation to hover around the Bank's target for the next three years at least, the poll found.

The chance that Britain will leave the European Union without a deal is the highest since October 2017, economists polled by Reuters say, as arch-Brexiteer Boris Johnson looks set to take over as prime minister next week.

The chance that Britain will leave the European Union without a deal is the highest since October 2017, economists polled by Reuters say, as arch-Brexiteer Boris Johnson looks set to take over as prime minister next week. Johnson was the face of the 2016 campaign to quit the EU and has said he would be willing to leave on October 31 without a deal. The median forecast of that happening was 30% in the July 15-18 poll, up from 25% last month and 15% in May. "The likelihood of a Boris Johnson premiership and the rhetoric which has surfaced during the campaign suggests that this outcome is more likely than we previously believed," said Peter Dixon at Commerzbank. With Jeremy Hunt, Johnson's rival for the premiership, also keen to display his credentials as a hard Brexiteer, sterling <GBP=> has plunged this week to lows not seen in over two years as investors price in the growing risk of a disorderly Brexit. Lawmakers voted on Thursday to make it harder for the next prime minister to try to force a no-deal Brexit, giving some support to sterling, and a strong majority of economists polled still think the two sides will eventually settle on a free-trade deal, as they have since late 2016, when Reuters first started asking the question. But in second place this month was the more extreme option of leaving without a deal and trading under World Trade Organization rules. The third most likely outcome was the other compromise option of Britain remaining a member of the European Economic Area, paying into the EU budget to maintain access to the single market yet having no say over policy. Fourth place went to cancelling Brexit. Hold it As the chance of a hard Brexit has increased, so has the likelihood of a recession. The median forecast for one in the coming year was 30% and of one in the next two years was 35%, up from 25% and 30% respectively in June's poll. Growth forecasts remained modest, with the economy expected to expand 0.3-0.4% per quarter through to the end of next year. Those forecasts were either left unchanged or lowered, so what has shifted are expectations about what the Bank of England will do with interest rates. No change is now expected to the bank rate, which has sat at 0.75% for nearly a year, until 2021 at the earliest. In June's poll, a 25 basis point hike was expected in the third quarter of next year. "While the UK consumer price inflation backdrop appears relatively benign, the fact that wage growth is holding up suggests it's too early to be thinking about rate cuts," said James Smith at ING. "But the increasing uncertainty surrounding Brexit suggests policy tightening is equally unlikely this year." Only 27 of 76 economists polled now expect an increase to Bank Rate before the end of next year, compared to 36 of 69 last month. On the flip side, nine of 76 are expecting a cut by end-2020 compared to five of 69 in June. The Royal Bank of Canada, a primary dealer of British government bonds, changed its call earlier this month and said the BoE would be forced to cut interest rates this year because of rising risks to Britain from Brexit and global trade tensions. "We don't necessarily share the view that the UK economy will see a substantial pick-up in growth even in a smooth Brexit," RBC economists Peter Schaffrik and Cathal Kennedy said in a note to clients. Monetary Policy Committee member Gertjan Vlieghe said in a speech at Thomson Reuters last week that the Bank might need to cut interest rates almost to zero after a no-deal Brexit. That shift in sentiment echoes expectations for other major central banks. The European Central Bank is likely to cut its deposit rate later this year and there are widespread expectations the United States Federal Reserve will cut at its meeting this month. But unlike its peers, the BoE has less to worry about when focussing on its mandate for price stability. The slump in sterling has driven up prices in import-reliant Britain and the economists who were polled expected inflation to hover around the Bank's target for the next three years at least, the poll found.

Chance of no-deal Brexit rises as Johnson leads Hunt: Poll

European law enforcement agencies set to lose the ability to tap criminals' mobile devices with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-soon-to-issue-5g-license-as-it-enters-crucial-period-223979">launch of 5G technology</a> must be brought into discussions earlier when communications networks are modernised, the new head of Europol told Reuters.

Appealing to EU leaders for greater powers to fight tech-savvy criminals, Catherine De Bolle said its member states do not yet have the domestic regulations or technology to fill the policing gap that will open up when 4G networks become obsolete.

"It is one of the most important investigative tools that police officers and services have, so we need this in the future," she said in an interview, giving the example of locating a child who has been kidnapped.

European police authorities are now able to listen to and track wanted criminals using mobile communication devices on the 4G network, but "we cannot use them in the 5G network," De Bolle said.

She said European law enforcement agencies were brought into talks on the 5G transition among tech companies and policymakers too late. That meant that officials were now being forced to seek ways to limit the damage when police are stripped of critical surveillance capabilities under 5G.

The comments came as Europol released a report on crime-fighting in the digital era, called "Do Criminals Dream of Electric Sheep," which described the adoption by criminals of new encrypted communication tools, 3-D printing technology and hacking capabilities that target potential victims online.

It highlighted the ability of terrorists to use self-driving cars or drones as weapons, artificial intelligence that can spread fake news and high-speed quantum computing that may help crack encryption codes.

'Web-based criminality'

Police agencies "were not vocal enough" when policy makers and commercial businesses were discussing 5G technology, and De Bolle is sounding the alarm to avoid a repeat.

"The biggest risk is that we are not enough aware of the developments on a technological level and we have to be ahead on this. We have to understand what is going on and we have to try to provide answers to it," she said.

"So we need to be at the table where they discuss the technological development, where they discuss standardisation."

Europol opened in 1999 as Europe's collective policing agency and combats cross-border organised crime, terrorism, and cybercrime in the bloc. It has 900 staff based in The Hague.

The agency is in discussions in Brussels to double its budget from this year's 138 million euros ($155 million) by 2027, largely to revamp its cybercrime capabilities, De Bolle said, detailing the new report.

"The area we are working in and the technological evolution we are dealing with - the innovation used by criminals, the web-based criminality - it is huge," said De Bolle, who joined Europol in May 2018 from the Belgian police force.

She made the case for Europol to become a platform for modernising EU police forces by developing digital tools and technology.

To do that, Europol would need greater political and financial support from European institutions. In the next seven-year EU budget period from 2021 to 2027 "we need a doubling of the money we have today," she said.

($1 = 0.8909 euros)

European law enforcement agencies set to lose the ability to tap criminals' mobile devices with the launch of 5G technology must be brought into discussions earlier when communications networks are modernised, the new head of Europol told Reuters.

European law enforcement agencies set to lose the ability to tap criminals' mobile devices with the launch of 5G technology must be brought into discussions earlier when communications networks are modernised, the new head of Europol told Reuters. Appealing to EU leaders for greater powers to fight tech-savvy criminals, Catherine De Bolle said its member states do not yet have the domestic regulations or technology to fill the policing gap that will open up when 4G networks become obsolete. "It is one of the most important investigative tools that police officers and services have, so we need this in the future," she said in an interview, giving the example of locating a child who has been kidnapped. European police authorities are now able to listen to and track wanted criminals using mobile communication devices on the 4G network, but "we cannot use them in the 5G network," De Bolle said. She said European law enforcement agencies were brought into talks on the 5G transition among tech companies and policymakers too late. That meant that officials were now being forced to seek ways to limit the damage when police are stripped of critical surveillance capabilities under 5G. The comments came as Europol released a report on crime-fighting in the digital era, called "Do Criminals Dream of Electric Sheep," which described the adoption by criminals of new encrypted communication tools, 3-D printing technology and hacking capabilities that target potential victims online. It highlighted the ability of terrorists to use self-driving cars or drones as weapons, artificial intelligence that can spread fake news and high-speed quantum computing that may help crack encryption codes. 'Web-based criminality' Police agencies "were not vocal enough" when policy makers and commercial businesses were discussing 5G technology, and De Bolle is sounding the alarm to avoid a repeat. "The biggest risk is that we are not enough aware of the developments on a technological level and we have to be ahead on this. We have to understand what is going on and we have to try to provide answers to it," she said. "So we need to be at the table where they discuss the technological development, where they discuss standardisation." Europol opened in 1999 as Europe's collective policing agency and combats cross-border organised crime, terrorism, and cybercrime in the bloc. It has 900 staff based in The Hague. The agency is in discussions in Brussels to double its budget from this year's 138 million euros ($155 million) by 2027, largely to revamp its cybercrime capabilities, De Bolle said, detailing the new report. "The area we are working in and the technological evolution we are dealing with - the innovation used by criminals, the web-based criminality - it is huge," said De Bolle, who joined Europol in May 2018 from the Belgian police force. She made the case for Europol to become a platform for modernising EU police forces by developing digital tools and technology. To do that, Europol would need greater political and financial support from European institutions. In the next seven-year EU budget period from 2021 to 2027 "we need a doubling of the money we have today," she said. ($1 = 0.8909 euros)

Police need intercept tools as mobile networks develop: Europol

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

The European Union's (EU) powerful antitrust authority launched an in-depth <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-workers-in-germany-strike-over-pay-verdi-union-says-236173">investigation into Amazon</a> on Wednesday, amid suspicions the US-based online behemoth misuses merchant data hosted on its website.

The formal investigation opens a new chapter in the European Union's campaign to curtail the dominance of US tech firms with Google, Facebook and Apple also regular targets of regulators in Brussels.

"I have... decided to take a very close look at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-warehouse-workers-in-minnesota-set-walkout-on-prime-day-234450">Amazon's business practices</a> and its dual role as marketplace and retailer (and) to assess its compliance with EU competition rules," the EU's antitrust commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

At the heart of the case is Amazon's service to third party merchants who use the world's biggest online retailer to access customers and broaden their reach.

In providing this service, Amazon "continuously collects data about the activity on its platform", the commission said.

Preliminary findings, according to the statement, indicate that Amazon "appears to use competitively sensitive information -- about marketplace sellers, their products and transactions on the marketplace."&nbsp;

The investigation, which has no deadline, is likely to be the final offensive by Vestager against big tech before the end of her current mandate on October 31.

In an email to AFP, Amazon said: "We will cooperate fully with the European Commission and continue working hard to support businesses of all sizes and help them grow."

In some areas, insurgents and religious leaders tell communities that vaccines are a Western conspiracy aiming to sterilise Muslim children, or that such programmes are an elaborate cover for Western or Afghan government spies.

Last year, the Taliban warned the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that the group would no longer protect its workers.

The threat forced the ICRC to significantly scale back its Afghan operations.

The European Union's (EU) powerful antitrust authority launched an in-depth investigation into Amazon on Wednesday, amid suspicions the US-based online behemoth misuses merchant data hosted on its website.

The European Union's (EU) powerful antitrust authority launched an in-depth investigation into Amazon on Wednesday, amid suspicions the US-based online behemoth misuses merchant data hosted on its website. The formal investigation opens a new chapter in the European Union's campaign to curtail the dominance of US tech firms with Google, Facebook and Apple also regular targets of regulators in Brussels. "I have... decided to take a very close look at Amazon's business practices and its dual role as marketplace and retailer (and) to assess its compliance with EU competition rules," the EU's antitrust commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement. At the heart of the case is Amazon's service to third party merchants who use the world's biggest online retailer to access customers and broaden their reach. In providing this service, Amazon "continuously collects data about the activity on its platform", the commission said. Preliminary findings, according to the statement, indicate that Amazon "appears to use competitively sensitive information -- about marketplace sellers, their products and transactions on the marketplace." The investigation, which has no deadline, is likely to be the final offensive by Vestager against big tech before the end of her current mandate on October 31. In an email to AFP, Amazon said: "We will cooperate fully with the European Commission and continue working hard to support businesses of all sizes and help them grow." In some areas, insurgents and religious leaders tell communities that vaccines are a Western conspiracy aiming to sterilise Muslim children, or that such programmes are an elaborate cover for Western or Afghan government spies. Last year, the Taliban warned the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that the group would no longer protect its workers. The threat forced the ICRC to significantly scale back its Afghan operations.

European Union launches probe into Amazon's use of merchant data

By Simon Usherwood

We’re talking a lot about Brexit in Britain. Whether it’s our hopes or – more likely – our frustrations, it’s the subject that we never quite seem to escape from.

But take a step back and think what those conversations focus on: outcomes. I’m guessing many people have a pretty good idea of what their family, friends and colleagues would like the end point of this process to be. It’s no coincidence that more people identify as Leavers or Remainers than as members of political parties.

Probably much less clear is how the potential outcomes – leaving the EU without a deal, leaving with a deal or remaining – are going to come about. The referendum was an exercise in ends, not means.

The two campaigns fought for votes with sweeping promises, but no fixed single plan. The vote wasn’t like a general election, where the winners have to take office and make good on their manifesto. Instead, the incentive was for campaigners to say whatever would get people to send votes their way, and if they won then they’d decide what that meant.

That’s why most of the second half of 2016 was spent with politicians arguing that they knew what the people wanted from Brexit.

Making It Up As We Go

The referendum also failed to produce any consensus about what happened next: it was a decision that lacked a rationale and a roadmap. It’s one thing to say we want to take back control, but quite another to translate that into a practical course of action. And so we’ve had to make it up as we go along.

Of course, all politics is like this. The vagaries of life mean we’re never quite confronted with what we expected. But usually that happens within a fairly well-defined range of parameters, with a political system that can make improvised decisions on the basis of generally-agreed principles.

Brexit hasn’t fitted into that mould, for three reasons.

First, its scope is so broad that its implications touch on every area of our political, economic and social lives. Second, its novelty means that we lack useful benchmarks to judge our actions: in legal terms it might simply be leaving an international organisation, but it clearly goes far beyond that.

And third, the division that the referendum exposed and reinforced between different sections of British society have made it very hard to find common ground.

The upshot has been a growing willingness, from all sides, to do whatever it takes to secure the outcome they want. The UK has gone from being one of the more sedate political systems of the world to one where ever more creative takes on the constitutional and parliamentary procedure are being suggested.

Conservative leadership contender Boris Johnson has not ruled out proroguing, or shutting down, parliament in order to push through a no-deal Brexit. Meanwhile, the Conservative MP Dominic Grieve managed to get parliament to approve an amendment to a piece of legislation regarding Northern Ireland, which could make shutting down parliament more difficult. And the former prime minister, John Major, suggested he may take a future Johnson government to court to prevent parliament being shut down.

The Means Matter 
 
Brexit matters. The choice we eventually make will have profound implications for decades to come, both for the UK and for its place in the world. But that is precisely why it’s essential that the manner of taking that decision matters as much as the decision itself.

Already we see how distrust of the people and processes that have got us this far has poisoned our ability to progress. Whether you think campaigners broke the rules in the referendum or you think judges are enemies of the state or you feel the media is a cheerleader rather than a reporter of what’s happening, if we don’t trust the way we make the decisions, then we risk also losing trust in the decisions themselves.

All of which brings us to one of the bigger questions of politics: do the ends always justify the means?

History shows us that part of what makes a democracy work, and work in a sustainable way, is a consensus about rules. Constitutions embody and embed that consensus in a way that is different from other rules for precisely that reason.

But extraordinary exceptions have a habit of becoming the norm, as with the emergency powers given to governments post 9/11; the revolution justifies the counter-revolution. We can disagree on what to do, but we need to agree on how we make a decision between the choices facing us – leaving with a deal, leaving with no deal or remaining – otherwise we risk damaging everything that follows.

Usually, this is the point where the author offers a solution, but you’ll not get that here. It’s not for me to tell you what to do, beyond sitting down together and working together to see where our common ground lies. And if we find that our existing political processes won’t work to resolve this – for example, a general election – then we need to agree on new ones that do.

So as politicians and the public alike work on their plans this summer, they might want to reflect on not the “what” of Brexit, but also the “how”. Maybe that might make some of those Brexit conversations a bit more productive and enlightening.

(Simon Usherwood is Reader in Politics, University of Surrey)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/brexit-its-not-just-where-britains-going-that-matters-but-how-it-gets-there-120127">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Simon Usherwood We’re talking a lot about Brexit in Britain. Whether it’s our hopes or – more likely – our frustrations, it’s the subject that we never quite seem to escape from.

By Simon Usherwood We’re talking a lot about Brexit in Britain. Whether it’s our hopes or – more likely – our frustrations, it’s the subject that we never quite seem to escape from. But take a step back and think what those conversations focus on: outcomes. I’m guessing many people have a pretty good idea of what their family, friends and colleagues would like the end point of this process to be. It’s no coincidence that more people identify as Leavers or Remainers than as members of political parties. Probably much less clear is how the potential outcomes – leaving the EU without a deal, leaving with a deal or remaining – are going to come about. The referendum was an exercise in ends, not means. The two campaigns fought for votes with sweeping promises, but no fixed single plan. The vote wasn’t like a general election, where the winners have to take office and make good on their manifesto. Instead, the incentive was for campaigners to say whatever would get people to send votes their way, and if they won then they’d decide what that meant. That’s why most of the second half of 2016 was spent with politicians arguing that they knew what the people wanted from Brexit. Making It Up As We Go The referendum also failed to produce any consensus about what happened next: it was a decision that lacked a rationale and a roadmap. It’s one thing to say we want to take back control, but quite another to translate that into a practical course of action. And so we’ve had to make it up as we go along. Of course, all politics is like this. The vagaries of life mean we’re never quite confronted with what we expected. But usually that happens within a fairly well-defined range of parameters, with a political system that can make improvised decisions on the basis of generally-agreed principles. Brexit hasn’t fitted into that mould, for three reasons. First, its scope is so broad that its implications touch on every area of our political, economic and social lives. Second, its novelty means that we lack useful benchmarks to judge our actions: in legal terms it might simply be leaving an international organisation, but it clearly goes far beyond that. And third, the division that the referendum exposed and reinforced between different sections of British society have made it very hard to find common ground. The upshot has been a growing willingness, from all sides, to do whatever it takes to secure the outcome they want. The UK has gone from being one of the more sedate political systems of the world to one where ever more creative takes on the constitutional and parliamentary procedure are being suggested. Conservative leadership contender Boris Johnson has not ruled out proroguing, or shutting down, parliament in order to push through a no-deal Brexit. Meanwhile, the Conservative MP Dominic Grieve managed to get parliament to approve an amendment to a piece of legislation regarding Northern Ireland, which could make shutting down parliament more difficult. And the former prime minister, John Major, suggested he may take a future Johnson government to court to prevent parliament being shut down. The Means Matter Brexit matters. The choice we eventually make will have profound implications for decades to come, both for the UK and for its place in the world. But that is precisely why it’s essential that the manner of taking that decision matters as much as the decision itself. Already we see how distrust of the people and processes that have got us this far has poisoned our ability to progress. Whether you think campaigners broke the rules in the referendum or you think judges are enemies of the state or you feel the media is a cheerleader rather than a reporter of what’s happening, if we don’t trust the way we make the decisions, then we risk also losing trust in the decisions themselves. All of which brings us to one of the bigger questions of politics: do the ends always justify the means? History shows us that part of what makes a democracy work, and work in a sustainable way, is a consensus about rules. Constitutions embody and embed that consensus in a way that is different from other rules for precisely that reason. But extraordinary exceptions have a habit of becoming the norm, as with the emergency powers given to governments post 9/11; the revolution justifies the counter-revolution. We can disagree on what to do, but we need to agree on how we make a decision between the choices facing us – leaving with a deal, leaving with no deal or remaining – otherwise we risk damaging everything that follows. Usually, this is the point where the author offers a solution, but you’ll not get that here. It’s not for me to tell you what to do, beyond sitting down together and working together to see where our common ground lies. And if we find that our existing political processes won’t work to resolve this – for example, a general election – then we need to agree on new ones that do. So as politicians and the public alike work on their plans this summer, they might want to reflect on not the “what” of Brexit, but also the “how”. Maybe that might make some of those Brexit conversations a bit more productive and enlightening. (Simon Usherwood is Reader in Politics, University of Surrey) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Brexit: It’s not just where Britain’s going that matters, but how it gets there

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until <a href="Iranian missiles ">Iranian missiles </a>"land on European soil".

"It seems there are those in Europe who will not wake up until Iranian nuclear missiles land on European soil. By then it will be too late," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Twitter account.

His comments came as European foreign ministers held crisis talks Monday on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, after breaches by Tehran, including enrichment above the 3.67 percent ceiling set by the deal.

But EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the steps taken by Tehran were reversible and that the other parties to the deal did not regard Iranian breaches up to now as "significant non-compliance".

The deal promised economic benefits and sanctions relief to Iran, but US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed tough punitive measures against the Islamic republic.

Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving the sanctions relief it believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive uranium enrichment work.

Last week, Netanyahu warned that Israeli fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran", his country's arch-foe.

Netanyahu fiercely opposed the nuclear accord and had urged his ally Trump to withdraw from it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until Iranian missiles "land on European soil".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until Iranian missiles "land on European soil". "It seems there are those in Europe who will not wake up until Iranian nuclear missiles land on European soil. By then it will be too late," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Twitter account. His comments came as European foreign ministers held crisis talks Monday on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, after breaches by Tehran, including enrichment above the 3.67 percent ceiling set by the deal. But EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the steps taken by Tehran were reversible and that the other parties to the deal did not regard Iranian breaches up to now as "significant non-compliance". The deal promised economic benefits and sanctions relief to Iran, but US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed tough punitive measures against the Islamic republic. Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving the sanctions relief it believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive uranium enrichment work. Last week, Netanyahu warned that Israeli fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran", his country's arch-foe. Netanyahu fiercely opposed the nuclear accord and had urged his ally Trump to withdraw from it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasts European Union for trying to save Iran nuclear deal

The remaining parties to the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-grants-visa-to-irans-javad-zarif-for-united-nation-meeting-this-week-sources-236046&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi1ocnt-rjjAhVT-WEKHf-gCNAQFjAGegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XnDcqJYQmlBGDMAurg3Hn">Iran nuclear deal</a> do not see Tehran's breaches as significant and do not intend for now to trigger the pact's dispute mechanism, preferring more diplomacy to ease the crisis, the EU foreign policy chief said on Monday.

She spoke at the end of a European Union foreign ministers meeting after Britain said there was only a "small window" of time to salvage the deal, while Iran warned it would ramp up uranium enrichment if the EU failed to do more to that end.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-hits-out-at-us-in-iaea-meet-234819&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjepLeD_LjjAhXXBIgKHbVUAt04MhAWMAR6BAgDEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw1PH9R6SLIOtEtvmC-3HUS5">US-Iranian tensions</a> have escalated since US President Donald Trump decided last year to abandon the nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to curtail its atomic program in return for relief from economic sanctions crippling its economy.

The EU ministers drew no conclusions on what action should next be taken to head off a feared US-Iranian conflict. But by suggesting that Iran's non-compliance was not significant, it could anger the United States, which last week warned it would intensify sanctions on Iran over its breaches, and it did prompt an immediate outcry from Israel, Iran's regional arch-enemy.

"For the time being, none of the parties to the agreement has signalled their intention to invoke this article," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told a news conference in Brussels, referring to a mechanism to punish non-compliance.

"(It) means that none of them for the moment, for the time being with the current data we have had in particular from the (UN nuclear watchdog) IAEA, (consider Iran's) non-compliance...to be significant non-compliance."

Nuclear breches

IAEA inspectors last week confirmed Iran is now enriching uranium to 4.5% fissile purity, above the 3.67% limit set by its deal, the second breach in as many weeks after Tehran exceeded limits on its stock of low enriched uranium.

The level at which Iran is now refining uranium is still well below the 20% purity of enrichment Iran reached before the deal, and the 90% needed to yield bomb-grade nuclear fuel. Low-enriched uranium provides fuel for civilian power plants.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said earlier in the day that Iran remained "a good year away from developing a nuclear bomb". He told reporters in Brussels: "There is still some closing, but a small window to keep the deal alive."

Under the terms of the deal, if any party believes another is not upholding their commitments they can refer the issue to a Joint Commission comprising Iran, Russia, China, the three European powers, and the European Union.

This activates a dispute mechanism that could eventually end with a restoration of global, UN sanctions against Iran. Mogherini said a joint commission meeting was possible, although when and at what level had yet to be decided.

She indicated that for now the EU would focus on diplomatic efforts to save the nuclear deal, which signatories in 2015 touted as essential to ward off the risk of a wider Middle East war jeopardising global energy supplies.

"The deal is not in good health, but it's still alive. We hope and we invite Iran to reverse these steps and go back to full compliance with the agreement," Mogherini, adding that they were all reversible.

'Appeasement'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the EU's response on Monday, saying it recalled failed diplomacy with Nazi Germany in the run-up to World War Two.

"(It) reminds me of the European appeasement of the 1930s," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

"Then, too, there were those who stuck their head in the sand and did not see the approaching danger," said Netanyahu, who has often cast Iran's nuclear projects as a mortal menace to Israel and the wider world. Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb.

The Brussels gathering had been called to flesh out ways of convincing Iran and the United States to reduce tensions and start a dialogue amid fears the 2015 deal is close to collapse.

Fears of direct US.-Iranian conflict have risen since May with several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, Iran's downing of a US surveillance drone, and a plan for US air strikes on Iran last month that Trump called off at the last minute.

In reaction to the reimposition of tough US sanctions, which have notably targeted Iran's vital oil revenue stream, Tehran has cut some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

That led the European parties to the pact, France, Britain and Germany, to warn Tehran not to shred the deal's terms.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom suggested the Europeans would leave the door open for diplomacy but that Tehran should exercise restraint.

"It improves their chances of having a good discussion with the EU and other partners in the JCPOA (Iran deal)," she told reporters. "We encourage them to use all diplomatic means and create new diplomatic channels ...to de-escalate the tense situation. We have to use every opportunity to keep the deal."

The Islamic Republic's nuclear energy agency said Tehran would return to the situation before the nuclear deal unless European countries fulfilled their obligations.

"These actions are not taken out of stubbornness but to give diplomacy a chance," agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.

"And if the Europeans and America don't want to fulfil their commitments we will create a balance in this deal by reducing commitments and return the situation to four years ago."

Iran says the European countries must do more to guarantee it the trade and investment dividends it was due to receive in return for UN-monitored limits to its nuclear capacity under the deal.

Trade mechanism

The Europeans are also trying to set up Instex, a barter-based trade conduit with Iran, but an equivalent Iranian mechanism has yet to start. Should the mechanism go ahead it would initially only deal in products such as pharmaceuticals and foods, which are not subject to US sanctions.

Mogherini also said the shareholders of Instex, which now includes 10 EU members, were considering whether to include oil, something that until now has been ruled out given the threat of US blowback.

Iran has said Instex must include oil sales or provide substantial credit facilities for it to be beneficial.

The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal do not see Tehran's breaches as significant and do not intend for now to trigger the pact's dispute mechanism, preferring more diplomacy to ease the crisis, the EU foreign policy chief said on Monday.

The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal do not see Tehran's breaches as significant and do not intend for now to trigger the pact's dispute mechanism, preferring more diplomacy to ease the crisis, the EU foreign policy chief said on Monday. She spoke at the end of a European Union foreign ministers meeting after Britain said there was only a "small window" of time to salvage the deal, while Iran warned it would ramp up uranium enrichment if the EU failed to do more to that end. US-Iranian tensions have escalated since US President Donald Trump decided last year to abandon the nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to curtail its atomic program in return for relief from economic sanctions crippling its economy. The EU ministers drew no conclusions on what action should next be taken to head off a feared US-Iranian conflict. But by suggesting that Iran's non-compliance was not significant, it could anger the United States, which last week warned it would intensify sanctions on Iran over its breaches, and it did prompt an immediate outcry from Israel, Iran's regional arch-enemy. "For the time being, none of the parties to the agreement has signalled their intention to invoke this article," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told a news conference in Brussels, referring to a mechanism to punish non-compliance. "(It) means that none of them for the moment, for the time being with the current data we have had in particular from the (UN nuclear watchdog) IAEA, (consider Iran's) non-compliance...to be significant non-compliance." Nuclear breches IAEA inspectors last week confirmed Iran is now enriching uranium to 4.5% fissile purity, above the 3.67% limit set by its deal, the second breach in as many weeks after Tehran exceeded limits on its stock of low enriched uranium. The level at which Iran is now refining uranium is still well below the 20% purity of enrichment Iran reached before the deal, and the 90% needed to yield bomb-grade nuclear fuel. Low-enriched uranium provides fuel for civilian power plants. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said earlier in the day that Iran remained "a good year away from developing a nuclear bomb". He told reporters in Brussels: "There is still some closing, but a small window to keep the deal alive." Under the terms of the deal, if any party believes another is not upholding their commitments they can refer the issue to a Joint Commission comprising Iran, Russia, China, the three European powers, and the European Union. This activates a dispute mechanism that could eventually end with a restoration of global, UN sanctions against Iran. Mogherini said a joint commission meeting was possible, although when and at what level had yet to be decided. She indicated that for now the EU would focus on diplomatic efforts to save the nuclear deal, which signatories in 2015 touted as essential to ward off the risk of a wider Middle East war jeopardising global energy supplies. "The deal is not in good health, but it's still alive. We hope and we invite Iran to reverse these steps and go back to full compliance with the agreement," Mogherini, adding that they were all reversible. 'Appeasement' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the EU's response on Monday, saying it recalled failed diplomacy with Nazi Germany in the run-up to World War Two. "(It) reminds me of the European appeasement of the 1930s," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "Then, too, there were those who stuck their head in the sand and did not see the approaching danger," said Netanyahu, who has often cast Iran's nuclear projects as a mortal menace to Israel and the wider world. Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb. The Brussels gathering had been called to flesh out ways of convincing Iran and the United States to reduce tensions and start a dialogue amid fears the 2015 deal is close to collapse. Fears of direct US.-Iranian conflict have risen since May with several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, Iran's downing of a US surveillance drone, and a plan for US air strikes on Iran last month that Trump called off at the last minute. In reaction to the reimposition of tough US sanctions, which have notably targeted Iran's vital oil revenue stream, Tehran has cut some of its nuclear commitments under the deal. That led the European parties to the pact, France, Britain and Germany, to warn Tehran not to shred the deal's terms. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom suggested the Europeans would leave the door open for diplomacy but that Tehran should exercise restraint. "It improves their chances of having a good discussion with the EU and other partners in the JCPOA (Iran deal)," she told reporters. "We encourage them to use all diplomatic means and create new diplomatic channels ...to de-escalate the tense situation. We have to use every opportunity to keep the deal." The Islamic Republic's nuclear energy agency said Tehran would return to the situation before the nuclear deal unless European countries fulfilled their obligations. "These actions are not taken out of stubbornness but to give diplomacy a chance," agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said. "And if the Europeans and America don't want to fulfil their commitments we will create a balance in this deal by reducing commitments and return the situation to four years ago." Iran says the European countries must do more to guarantee it the trade and investment dividends it was due to receive in return for UN-monitored limits to its nuclear capacity under the deal. Trade mechanism The Europeans are also trying to set up Instex, a barter-based trade conduit with Iran, but an equivalent Iranian mechanism has yet to start. Should the mechanism go ahead it would initially only deal in products such as pharmaceuticals and foods, which are not subject to US sanctions. Mogherini also said the shareholders of Instex, which now includes 10 EU members, were considering whether to include oil, something that until now has been ruled out given the threat of US blowback. Iran has said Instex must include oil sales or provide substantial credit facilities for it to be beneficial.

Nuclear deal parties not ready to launch dispute mechanism against Iran, prefer more diplomacy: European Union

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Monday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-iran-ready-to-talks-to-us-if-sanctions-lifted-report-235898">Iran's actions</a> were "profoundly destabilising" but said he wanted to reduce tensions in the Middle East, ahead of talks with his European Union counterparts.

"Heading to Brussels for urgent talks on how to reduce tensions with Iran," Hunt tweeted.&nbsp;

"Their approach to Mid East has been profoundly destabilising but we want to reduce not raise tensions over Grace 1 and avoid a nuclearised region.&nbsp;

"But a deal is a deal and if one side breaches it..."

European Union foreign ministers are meeting to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-ditched-iran-deal-to-spite-obama-new-memo-leak-claims-235625">discuss the 2015 deal</a> over Iran's nuclear programme, as tensions further intensify between Tehran and the United States.

Washington has pulled out of the deal, to the dismay of its European allies who also signed the accord.

Angered that its beleaguered <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-iran-ready-to-talks-to-us-if-sanctions-lifted-report-235898">economy is not receiving the sanctions</a> relief it believes was promised under the deal, Iran has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-declines-to-set-united-states-uranium-production-quotas-235511">intensified its sensitive uranium</a> enrichment work, prompting warnings from Washington.

Watch: Iran to raise uranium enrichment limit from 3.6% to 5%

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Britain was drawn into the row when officials in its tiny territory of Gibraltar seized an Iranian oil tanker, "Grace One", earlier this month.

US officials believe the tanker was destined for Syria to deliver oil, in violation of sanctions, but Tehran reacted with anger.

In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday, Hunt said the tanker would be released following guarantees on its destination.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Monday that Iran's actions were "profoundly destabilising" but said he wanted to reduce tensions in the Middle East, ahead of talks with his European Union counterparts.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Monday that Iran's actions were "profoundly destabilising" but said he wanted to reduce tensions in the Middle East, ahead of talks with his European Union counterparts. "Heading to Brussels for urgent talks on how to reduce tensions with Iran," Hunt tweeted. "Their approach to Mid East has been profoundly destabilising but we want to reduce not raise tensions over Grace 1 and avoid a nuclearised region. "But a deal is a deal and if one side breaches it..." European Union foreign ministers are meeting to discuss the 2015 deal over Iran's nuclear programme, as tensions further intensify between Tehran and the United States. Washington has pulled out of the deal, to the dismay of its European allies who also signed the accord. Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving the sanctions relief it believes was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified its sensitive uranium enrichment work, prompting warnings from Washington. Watch: Iran to raise uranium enrichment limit from 3.6% to 5% × Britain was drawn into the row when officials in its tiny territory of Gibraltar seized an Iranian oil tanker, "Grace One", earlier this month. US officials believe the tanker was destined for Syria to deliver oil, in violation of sanctions, but Tehran reacted with anger. In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday, Hunt said the tanker would be released following guarantees on its destination.

Ahead of European Union talks, UK calls for reduced tensions with Iran

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