Britain should be allowed to unilaterally revoke its departure notice from the European Union, an adviser to the bloc's highest court said on Tuesday, before a landmark ruling in the coming weeks.

The non-binding opinion for the European Court of Justice (ECJ) comes as the British parliament begins five days of debate on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-business-will-be-able-to-bring-in-high-skilled-workers-post-brexit-pm-may-180653">Prime Minister Theresa May</a>'s proposed Brexit deal with the EU before voting on it next Tuesday.

"Advocate General (Manuel) Campos Sanchez-Bordona proposes that the Court of Justice should declare that Article 50 ... allows the unilateral revocation of the notification of the intention to withdraw from the EU," the ECJ said.

"That possibility continues to exist until such time as the withdrawal agreement is formally concluded," it said in a statement, meaning Britain would have to notify the EU that it has changed its mind before Brexit day, on March 29, 2019.

"The Advocate General emphasises that withdrawal from an international treaty, which is the reverse of treaty-making power, is by definition a unilateral act of a state party and a manifestation of its sovereignty," the court also said.

"A member state which decides to withdraw is to notify the European Council of 'its intention' - and not of its decision - to withdraw, and such an intention may change," it added. "It would be illogical to force that member state to withdraw from the EU in order to then have to negotiate its accession."

The court, which tends to follow the advocate general's opinion in its final decisions, did not give an exact date for the ruling but it is expected in the coming weeks.

OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT

May has agreed to an exit pact and an outline of future EU-UK ties with the other 27 states staying on together after Brexit. But the proposed accord still needs the endorsement of the British parliament, where it faces stiff opposition.

The other EU states, as well as the bloc's executive, want any revocation of Britain's withdrawal notice to require the consent of the bloc, fearing that, otherwise, Britain or other would be leavers could use this tactic to win concessions.

Tuesday's opinion rejects that argument but says that "good faith and sincere cooperation must also be observed" in any withdrawal of the exit notice.

The case was brought before the ECJ by Scottish politicians opposed to Brexit. They hope it could pave the way for a potential second Brexit referendum, giving voters the option to remain in the EU.

"That puts the decision about our future back into the hands of our own elected representatives," said Jo Maugham, one of the lawyers involved in the case.

Both May and the EU have said that, if the British parliament votes this offer down, Britain would risk crashing out of the bloc with no deal in place to mitigate the damage. May says it would risk not delivering the Brexit that the British people voted for.

But the tentative deal is also opposed by advocates of a sharp break from the EU and she is struggling to get enough backing for it, even within her own party.

"Every effort is being made on both sides of the Channel to stop Brexit," prominent 'Leave' campaigner Nigel Farage said after the ECJ statement.

Britain should be allowed to unilaterally revoke its departure notice from the European Union, an adviser to the bloc's highest court said on Tuesday, before a landmark ruling in the coming weeks.

Britain should be allowed to unilaterally revoke its departure notice from the European Union, an adviser to the bloc's highest court said on Tuesday, before a landmark ruling in the coming weeks. The non-binding opinion for the European Court of Justice (ECJ) comes as the British parliament begins five days of debate on Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed Brexit deal with the EU before voting on it next Tuesday. "Advocate General (Manuel) Campos Sanchez-Bordona proposes that the Court of Justice should declare that Article 50 ... allows the unilateral revocation of the notification of the intention to withdraw from the EU," the ECJ said. "That possibility continues to exist until such time as the withdrawal agreement is formally concluded," it said in a statement, meaning Britain would have to notify the EU that it has changed its mind before Brexit day, on March 29, 2019. "The Advocate General emphasises that withdrawal from an international treaty, which is the reverse of treaty-making power, is by definition a unilateral act of a state party and a manifestation of its sovereignty," the court also said. "A member state which decides to withdraw is to notify the European Council of 'its intention' - and not of its decision - to withdraw, and such an intention may change," it added. "It would be illogical to force that member state to withdraw from the EU in order to then have to negotiate its accession." The court, which tends to follow the advocate general's opinion in its final decisions, did not give an exact date for the ruling but it is expected in the coming weeks. OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT May has agreed to an exit pact and an outline of future EU-UK ties with the other 27 states staying on together after Brexit. But the proposed accord still needs the endorsement of the British parliament, where it faces stiff opposition. The other EU states, as well as the bloc's executive, want any revocation of Britain's withdrawal notice to require the consent of the bloc, fearing that, otherwise, Britain or other would be leavers could use this tactic to win concessions. Tuesday's opinion rejects that argument but says that "good faith and sincere cooperation must also be observed" in any withdrawal of the exit notice. The case was brought before the ECJ by Scottish politicians opposed to Brexit. They hope it could pave the way for a potential second Brexit referendum, giving voters the option to remain in the EU. "That puts the decision about our future back into the hands of our own elected representatives," said Jo Maugham, one of the lawyers involved in the case. Both May and the EU have said that, if the British parliament votes this offer down, Britain would risk crashing out of the bloc with no deal in place to mitigate the damage. May says it would risk not delivering the Brexit that the British people voted for. But the tentative deal is also opposed by advocates of a sharp break from the EU and she is struggling to get enough backing for it, even within her own party. "Every effort is being made on both sides of the Channel to stop Brexit," prominent 'Leave' campaigner Nigel Farage said after the ECJ statement.

Britain can revoke Brexit unilaterally: EU court adviser

European officials said that G20 nations had agreed to commit to reforming the World Trade Organization in a preliminary draft of the communique due to be released at the end of a two-day meeting of the bloc on Saturday.

An EU official said the language currently being negotiated for the communique said leaders support reforms needed to improve the WTO.

The language on multilateral trade had been a sticking point for the United States, which insisted the communique say the multilateral trading system was not working, the official added.

"We reiterate that trade is beneficial for utility, innovation, growth and employment, and we reiterate that the multilateral trading system is the framework in which we are all working and committed," the official said.

"But for the US&nbsp;to acknowledge that, they had to get something in return, which was to say that this multilateral trading system does not work anymore, and does not meet the challenges that it has to meet," the official added.

The officials also said the wording on climate change was "a little bit more than the status quo but not backtracking" and the language around steel was kept to a minimum so leaders could reach an agreement.

Regarding migration, the language would also be kept to a minimum.

"It's a disappointment and we'll not hide our disappointment. But at least we have it," the official said.

The communique still needs final endorsement from member nations.

European officials said that G20 nations had agreed to commit to reforming the World Trade Organization in a preliminary draft of the communique due to be released at the end of a two-day meeting of the bloc on Saturday.

European officials said that G20 nations had agreed to commit to reforming the World Trade Organization in a preliminary draft of the communique due to be released at the end of a two-day meeting of the bloc on Saturday. An EU official said the language currently being negotiated for the communique said leaders support reforms needed to improve the WTO. The language on multilateral trade had been a sticking point for the United States, which insisted the communique say the multilateral trading system was not working, the official added. "We reiterate that trade is beneficial for utility, innovation, growth and employment, and we reiterate that the multilateral trading system is the framework in which we are all working and committed," the official said. "But for the US to acknowledge that, they had to get something in return, which was to say that this multilateral trading system does not work anymore, and does not meet the challenges that it has to meet," the official added. The officials also said the wording on climate change was "a little bit more than the status quo but not backtracking" and the language around steel was kept to a minimum so leaders could reach an agreement. Regarding migration, the language would also be kept to a minimum. "It's a disappointment and we'll not hide our disappointment. But at least we have it," the official said. The communique still needs final endorsement from member nations.

G20 nations agree on reforming WTO: European officials

Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has a conflict of interest over EU funds received by companies in which he is a beneficiary and should cut ties with the firms, according to a European Commission legal opinion seen by Reuters.

Babis, who before becoming premier in December 2017 served as finance minister since 2014, denied any wrongdoing on Saturday following publication of media reports about the confidential document, which is meant to inform decisions by the European Union's executive.

The legal opinion said "the situation of Mr Babis qualifies as a conflict of interest," which could require the reimbursement of EU funds and should be remedied by severing links to the involved companies.

It said Babis was the "sole beneficiary" of two trusts into which shares of Agrofert and the Agrofert group were transferred.

The companies, through a network of dozens of agriculture, chemical and food-processing businesses, received EU funds worth 82 million euros ($92 million) in 2017 and many more in previous years.

"I'm in no conflict of interest, I act strictly by the law," Babis told Reuters on Saturday.

"I don't control or direct the trust funds, because I don't even have time for it, being fully occupied by the prime ministerial job," he said, adding that he had not seen the European Commission legal opinion.

The document, however, said that even if he were not in a position of control, the situation would still qualify as a conflict of interest "because he has an interest in the economic success" of those companies.

It suggested the setting up of a blind trust as a way to end the conflict of interest, but underlined that Czech authorities were primarily in charge of taking action.

Babis and his family should "sever all relations" with the two companies to address his conflict of interest, the opinion said. Babis' wife is one of the beneficial owners of the trust funds and sits in the board that oversees their management, the EU legal document says.

A spokesman for Agrofert said the company had no information about any investigation and had not been contacted about the matter.

"We will wait for an official statement from the European Commission. Andrej Babis did everything that the Czech legal system required," the spokesman added.

A spokesman for the European Commission was not immediately available for a comment.

Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has a conflict of interest over EU funds received by companies in which he is a beneficiary and should cut ties with the firms, according to a European Commission legal opinion seen by Reuters.

Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has a conflict of interest over EU funds received by companies in which he is a beneficiary and should cut ties with the firms, according to a European Commission legal opinion seen by Reuters. Babis, who before becoming premier in December 2017 served as finance minister since 2014, denied any wrongdoing on Saturday following publication of media reports about the confidential document, which is meant to inform decisions by the European Union's executive. The legal opinion said "the situation of Mr Babis qualifies as a conflict of interest," which could require the reimbursement of EU funds and should be remedied by severing links to the involved companies. It said Babis was the "sole beneficiary" of two trusts into which shares of Agrofert and the Agrofert group were transferred. The companies, through a network of dozens of agriculture, chemical and food-processing businesses, received EU funds worth 82 million euros ($92 million) in 2017 and many more in previous years. "I'm in no conflict of interest, I act strictly by the law," Babis told Reuters on Saturday. "I don't control or direct the trust funds, because I don't even have time for it, being fully occupied by the prime ministerial job," he said, adding that he had not seen the European Commission legal opinion. The document, however, said that even if he were not in a position of control, the situation would still qualify as a conflict of interest "because he has an interest in the economic success" of those companies. It suggested the setting up of a blind trust as a way to end the conflict of interest, but underlined that Czech authorities were primarily in charge of taking action. Babis and his family should "sever all relations" with the two companies to address his conflict of interest, the opinion said. Babis' wife is one of the beneficial owners of the trust funds and sits in the board that oversees their management, the EU legal document says. A spokesman for Agrofert said the company had no information about any investigation and had not been contacted about the matter. "We will wait for an official statement from the European Commission. Andrej Babis did everything that the Czech legal system required," the spokesman added. A spokesman for the European Commission was not immediately available for a comment.

EU document says Czech PM in conflict of interest over Brussels funds

Britain`s post-Brexit immigration system will enable businesses to bring in high-skilled workers from the rest of the world, but firms should also do more to train up young British people, Prime Minister Theresa May said.

Immigration was a major issue in the 2016 vote to leave the European Union and May has promised to end the free movement of EU citizens to live in Britain.

The government is due to publish a policy paper soon setting out how the new immigration system will work, and many businesses are worried about their ability to hire staff with the right skills post-Brexit.

"We are talking to business about their needs ... What I hope to see and what I`m sure we will be seeing is opportunities for young people in the UK, opportunities for training and skilling young people in the UK," May told reporters at the G20 summit in Argentina.

"We recognise that there are businesses who want to bring people in from the rest of the world, particularly in highly skilled areas and our immigration system will reflect that."

In September, a government-commissioned report recommended Britain should not give preferential treatment to EU workers in its post-Brexit immigration system but should prioritise the higher-skilled.&nbsp;

Britain`s post-Brexit immigration system will enable businesses to bring in high-skilled workers from the rest of the world, but firms should also do more to train up young British people, Prime Minister Theresa May said.

Britain`s post-Brexit immigration system will enable businesses to bring in high-skilled workers from the rest of the world, but firms should also do more to train up young British people, Prime Minister Theresa May said. Immigration was a major issue in the 2016 vote to leave the European Union and May has promised to end the free movement of EU citizens to live in Britain. The government is due to publish a policy paper soon setting out how the new immigration system will work, and many businesses are worried about their ability to hire staff with the right skills post-Brexit. "We are talking to business about their needs ... What I hope to see and what I`m sure we will be seeing is opportunities for young people in the UK, opportunities for training and skilling young people in the UK," May told reporters at the G20 summit in Argentina. "We recognise that there are businesses who want to bring people in from the rest of the world, particularly in highly skilled areas and our immigration system will reflect that." In September, a government-commissioned report recommended Britain should not give preferential treatment to EU workers in its post-Brexit immigration system but should prioritise the higher-skilled.

UK business will be able to bring in high-skilled workers post-Brexit: PM May

Members of the French parliament voted in favour of a ban on parents smacking their children, falling into line with the majority of European Union member states, although there will be no punishment for breaking the law.

The civil code will be updated to state that parental authority must be exercised without violence and that parents may not resort to "physical, verbal or psychological violence, nor to corporal punishment or humiliation".

The ban was approved in a thinly attended National Assembly in a session that began late Thursday evening, with 51 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions.

It reverses parental rights to discipline children using corporal punishment granted under Napoleon in the early 1800s.

"We know that routine violence in child rearing could have its consequences on the child, and also on the adolescent and the adult that he or she will become," said Elsa Faucillon from the Democratic and Republican Left party.

The ban was proposed by France's gender equality minister, Marlene Schiappa, who told Le Parisien newspaper that parents are wrong to believe that shouting, slapping or twisting children's ears are appropriate ways to assert authority.

French First Lady Brigitte Macron also supported the ban, but a few conservative and far-right MPs have condemned it as an interference in families' private lives.

As part of the vote, the government will prepare a report about parental violence and propose measures to educate parents.

Following the example of Sweden in 1966, some 54 countries - including 22 of the EU's 28 member countries - have introduced similar laws banning corporal punishment in the home, according to French data.

Members of the French parliament voted in favour of a ban on parents smacking their children, falling into line with the majority of European Union member states, although there will be no punishment for breaking the law.

Members of the French parliament voted in favour of a ban on parents smacking their children, falling into line with the majority of European Union member states, although there will be no punishment for breaking the law. The civil code will be updated to state that parental authority must be exercised without violence and that parents may not resort to "physical, verbal or psychological violence, nor to corporal punishment or humiliation". The ban was approved in a thinly attended National Assembly in a session that began late Thursday evening, with 51 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions. It reverses parental rights to discipline children using corporal punishment granted under Napoleon in the early 1800s. "We know that routine violence in child rearing could have its consequences on the child, and also on the adolescent and the adult that he or she will become," said Elsa Faucillon from the Democratic and Republican Left party. The ban was proposed by France's gender equality minister, Marlene Schiappa, who told Le Parisien newspaper that parents are wrong to believe that shouting, slapping or twisting children's ears are appropriate ways to assert authority. French First Lady Brigitte Macron also supported the ban, but a few conservative and far-right MPs have condemned it as an interference in families' private lives. As part of the vote, the government will prepare a report about parental violence and propose measures to educate parents. Following the example of Sweden in 1966, some 54 countries - including 22 of the EU's 28 member countries - have introduced similar laws banning corporal punishment in the home, according to French data.

France passes law to ban parents smacking kids

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that any decision to extend the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uks-labour-to-propose-amendment-aimed-at-avoiding-no-deal-brexit-180115">Brexit negotiating period </a>would reopen the exit deal she has agreed with the European Union, and that she would not seek any extension.

"What is clear is that any extension to Article 50, anything like that, reopens the negotiations, reopens the deal and at that point, the deal could go, frankly, in any direction," May told a parliamentary committee.

She added "what has been reinforced" by the negotiations is that the view of the European Union can be changed with a "rigorous" and "robust" defence.

The European Union's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told Britain on Thursday the Brexit deal the bloc agreed with Prime Minister Theresa May was the only one possible.

Barnier was speaking to a nearly-empty EU parliament chamber as the bloc awaits the verdict from London where May is trying to sell the deal to her divided parliament, which will vote on it on Dec. 11. The EU insists the Brexit accord sealed after 18 months of talks will not be renegotiated.

"Given the difficult circumstances of this negotiation and given the extreme complexity of all the issues of the British withdrawal, the deal that is on the table ... this deal is the only one and the best possible," Barnier said.

"Now is the time for ratification," he said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that any decision to extend the Brexit negotiating period would reopen the exit deal she has agreed with the European Union, and that she would not seek any extension.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that any decision to extend the Brexit negotiating period would reopen the exit deal she has agreed with the European Union, and that she would not seek any extension. "What is clear is that any extension to Article 50, anything like that, reopens the negotiations, reopens the deal and at that point, the deal could go, frankly, in any direction," May told a parliamentary committee. She added "what has been reinforced" by the negotiations is that the view of the European Union can be changed with a "rigorous" and "robust" defence. The European Union's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told Britain on Thursday the Brexit deal the bloc agreed with Prime Minister Theresa May was the only one possible. Barnier was speaking to a nearly-empty EU parliament chamber as the bloc awaits the verdict from London where May is trying to sell the deal to her divided parliament, which will vote on it on Dec. 11. The EU insists the Brexit accord sealed after 18 months of talks will not be renegotiated. "Given the difficult circumstances of this negotiation and given the extreme complexity of all the issues of the British withdrawal, the deal that is on the table ... this deal is the only one and the best possible," Barnier said. "Now is the time for ratification," he said.

UK PM May says any Article 50 extension reopens the Brexit negotiations

Russia has seized three Ukrainian naval ships in a strait near <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-says-he-will-never-give-crimea-back-to-ukraine-35411">Moscow-annexed Crimea</a>, raising fears of military escalation and prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.

In the unprecedented incident, Russia said it used weapons "in order to stop the Ukrainian military," which it claims illegally entered its waters, confirming "three Ukrainian navy ships were boarded and searched."&nbsp;

Ukraine's navy said the incident took place on Sunday as two small warships and a tugboat were heading through the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that gives access to the Sea of Azov that is used by Ukraine and Russia.

It said a Russian border guard vessel rammed the tugboat in "openly aggressive actions" and then fired on the ships, immobilising all three.

The confrontation at sea is a dangerous development in the long-running conflict pitting Ukraine against Russia and Russian-backed rebels in the east of the country.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the escalation, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said. The meeting was requested by both Russia and Ukraine, diplomatic sources told AFP.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has asked parliament to vote Monday on whether to impose martial law on the country for 60 days, after his Military Cabinet recommended the move in a late-night meeting.

Throwing his weight behind the measure, which is far from guaranteed to pass, he said it "in no way means that Ukraine will carry out any offensive actions".

"I want to emphasise separately that we have all irrefutable evidence that this aggression, this attack on the Ukrainian Navy's warships was not a mistake, not an accident, but a deliberate action," he said in a statement.

Ukraine said six of its soldiers were injured, two seriously, but Russia's FSB security service reported only three had suffered non-life threatening injuries and were given medical treatment.

The development has sparked alarm among Kiev's Western allies.

"We expect Russia to restore freedom of passage at the Kerch strait and urge all to act with utmost restraint to de-escalate the situation immediately," the European Union said in a statement.

NATO also urged "restraint and de-escalation", and called on Russia "to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law".

Ukraine's foreign ministry said it considered "these aggressive actions" a violation of international law that would be met with "an international and diplomatic legal response".

Russia, which claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014, accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters.

"Having breached this morning the Russian border, the three Ukrainian ships -- the Berdyansk, the Nikopol and the Yani Kapu -- tried again on November 25 at 19:00 (Moscow time) to conduct illegal actions in Russian territorial waters," the FSB said.

The FSB, which oversees the border guard service, also said the Ukrainian ships had failed to respond to the "legal demands" of the Russian authorities.

Russian politicians accused Ukraine of acting at the behest of its Western allies and deliberately attempting to escalate the conflict.

Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov wrote on Facebook that he "was sure the Western masters of the Kiev regime are behind this act of provocation".

Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, warned on Facebook that "the Ukrainian puppet authorities... Are risking unleashing a large military conflict".

"One thing is clear: Russia won't allow military provocations in its territorial waters," he said.

Ukraine said it gave Russia advance warning of its ships' route, which its vessels are obliged to take to reach the Sea of Azov.

It said the Kerch Strait was blocked by a tanker, and that Russian military aircraft were flying over the area.

The latest incident comes after the Ukrainian navy in September complained about "acts of provocation" by Russian border guards against its ships taking the same route. Ukraine has increased the number of its navy ships and border guard patrols in the Sea of Azov after Russia deployed five more warships there.

Kiev says its naval buildup is due to Russia stepping up controls in the area this year and carrying out lengthy checks on commercial shipping that were very costly for freight and port companies.

Kiev and the West have accused Moscow of deliberately blocking ships from accessing Mariupol, which has vital access to heavy industry in the region.

Mariupol is close to the region of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists in a conflict that has caused at least 10,000 deaths since 2014.

The United States, a key ally of Ukraine, is opposed to Russia's takeover of Crimea and is looking to reduce Ukraine's dependency on Russian gas pipelines.&nbsp;

Russia has seized three Ukrainian naval ships in a strait near Moscow-annexed Crimea, raising fears of military escalation and prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.

Russia has seized three Ukrainian naval ships in a strait near Moscow-annexed Crimea, raising fears of military escalation and prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday. In the unprecedented incident, Russia said it used weapons "in order to stop the Ukrainian military," which it claims illegally entered its waters, confirming "three Ukrainian navy ships were boarded and searched." Ukraine's navy said the incident took place on Sunday as two small warships and a tugboat were heading through the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that gives access to the Sea of Azov that is used by Ukraine and Russia. It said a Russian border guard vessel rammed the tugboat in "openly aggressive actions" and then fired on the ships, immobilising all three. The confrontation at sea is a dangerous development in the long-running conflict pitting Ukraine against Russia and Russian-backed rebels in the east of the country. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the escalation, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said. The meeting was requested by both Russia and Ukraine, diplomatic sources told AFP. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has asked parliament to vote Monday on whether to impose martial law on the country for 60 days, after his Military Cabinet recommended the move in a late-night meeting. Throwing his weight behind the measure, which is far from guaranteed to pass, he said it "in no way means that Ukraine will carry out any offensive actions". "I want to emphasise separately that we have all irrefutable evidence that this aggression, this attack on the Ukrainian Navy's warships was not a mistake, not an accident, but a deliberate action," he said in a statement. Ukraine said six of its soldiers were injured, two seriously, but Russia's FSB security service reported only three had suffered non-life threatening injuries and were given medical treatment. The development has sparked alarm among Kiev's Western allies. "We expect Russia to restore freedom of passage at the Kerch strait and urge all to act with utmost restraint to de-escalate the situation immediately," the European Union said in a statement. NATO also urged "restraint and de-escalation", and called on Russia "to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law". Ukraine's foreign ministry said it considered "these aggressive actions" a violation of international law that would be met with "an international and diplomatic legal response". Russia, which claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014, accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters. "Having breached this morning the Russian border, the three Ukrainian ships -- the Berdyansk, the Nikopol and the Yani Kapu -- tried again on November 25 at 19:00 (Moscow time) to conduct illegal actions in Russian territorial waters," the FSB said. The FSB, which oversees the border guard service, also said the Ukrainian ships had failed to respond to the "legal demands" of the Russian authorities. Russian politicians accused Ukraine of acting at the behest of its Western allies and deliberately attempting to escalate the conflict. Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov wrote on Facebook that he "was sure the Western masters of the Kiev regime are behind this act of provocation". Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, warned on Facebook that "the Ukrainian puppet authorities... Are risking unleashing a large military conflict". "One thing is clear: Russia won't allow military provocations in its territorial waters," he said. Ukraine said it gave Russia advance warning of its ships' route, which its vessels are obliged to take to reach the Sea of Azov. It said the Kerch Strait was blocked by a tanker, and that Russian military aircraft were flying over the area. The latest incident comes after the Ukrainian navy in September complained about "acts of provocation" by Russian border guards against its ships taking the same route. Ukraine has increased the number of its navy ships and border guard patrols in the Sea of Azov after Russia deployed five more warships there. Kiev says its naval buildup is due to Russia stepping up controls in the area this year and carrying out lengthy checks on commercial shipping that were very costly for freight and port companies. Kiev and the West have accused Moscow of deliberately blocking ships from accessing Mariupol, which has vital access to heavy industry in the region. Mariupol is close to the region of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists in a conflict that has caused at least 10,000 deaths since 2014. The United States, a key ally of Ukraine, is opposed to Russia's takeover of Crimea and is looking to reduce Ukraine's dependency on Russian gas pipelines.

Russia seizes three Ukrainian navy ships, raises fears of military escalation

Prime Minister Theresa May will on Monday convene her cabinet and update parliament on her newly-agreed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-deal-the-end-of-a-loveless-46-year-marriage-179375">Brexit deal</a>, as the embattled British leader tries to sell the maligned plan to a sceptical country.

May returns to a mutinous Westminster after sealg the agreement with European Union leaders at a summit on Sunday in Brussels, where both sides insisted this was the best and only option available.

But she faces a big battle to win MPs' approval ahead of a vote next month, with lawmakers from all parties -- including her own Conservatives and governing allies the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) -- opposed.

"We can back this deal, deliver on the vote of the referendum and move on to building a brighter future," May will tell the House of Commons, according to excerpts of her planned remarks released by Downing Street.&nbsp;

"Or this house can choose to reject this deal and go back to square one.

"It would open the door to more division and more uncertainty, with all the risks that will entail," she will warn lawmakers.

'National interest'

The agreement sealed Sunday prepares for Britain's smooth exit from the EU on March 29, 2019, and sets out a vision for "as close as possible a partnership" afterwards.

It covers financial matters, citizens' rights, provisions to keep open Britain's border with Ireland and arrangements for a 21-month post-Brexit transition phase.

The lengthy, legally enforceable divorce deal is accompanied by a short political declaration setting out hopes for future ties, including security, trade and migration.

Until it is approved by parliaments in Britain and Strasbourg, all sides are still planning for the potentially disastrous possibility of Britain quitting the European Union with no new arrangements in place.

A European source told AFP that May herself acknowledged in Brussels Sunday that she did not currently have a majority in parliament to pass her plan.&nbsp;

The prime minister vowed to warn her rebellious MPs that at least half could lose their seats at the next election if they fail to deliver her Brexit deal, the source said.

She will now embark on an intensive nationwide campaign promoting the plan -- and the dangers of no-deal -- ahead of the vote by lawmakers on or around December 12, according to reports.

"I believe our national interest is clear," she will tell MPs Monday.

"The British people want us to get on with a deal that honours the referendum and allows us to come together again as a country whichever way we voted."

Challenging arithmetic

But arch-Brexiteers despise the agreement, arguing it keeps Britain too closely aligned with the bloc.

Alongside the DUP, they also dislike the so-called "backstop" plan for Northern Ireland after a 21-month post-Brexit transition period.

If used, it would keep the British-ruled province more closely aligned with the EU in certain areas so as to avoid a hard border with remaining EU member Ireland.

The Northern Irish DUP party, whose 10 MP's prop up May's government, has pledged to "review" its support if her plan gets approved by parliament.

Meanwhile, more than 80 Tory MPs have declared publicly that they intend to vote against it.

"I don't believe that, so far, this deal delivers on what the British people really voted for," former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith told Sky News on Sunday.

Cabinet colleagues have conceded it was an uphill struggle but remain resolute.&nbsp;

"The arithmetic at the moment is looking challenging but a lot can change over the next two weeks," Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt told the BBC on Sunday.

"We're going to get through this and give people the Brexit they voted for," he added optimistically.

However, opponents were also readying for the fight.&nbsp;

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party will oppose the package in parliament and work with MPs from other parties to block a no-deal Brexit.

"This is a bad deal for the country," he said in a statement.

"It is the result of a miserable failure of negotiation that leaves us with the worst of all worlds."

Prime Minister Theresa May will on Monday convene her cabinet and update parliament on her newly-agreed Brexit deal, as the embattled British leader tries to sell the maligned plan to a sceptical country.

Prime Minister Theresa May will on Monday convene her cabinet and update parliament on her newly-agreed Brexit deal, as the embattled British leader tries to sell the maligned plan to a sceptical country. May returns to a mutinous Westminster after sealg the agreement with European Union leaders at a summit on Sunday in Brussels, where both sides insisted this was the best and only option available. But she faces a big battle to win MPs' approval ahead of a vote next month, with lawmakers from all parties -- including her own Conservatives and governing allies the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) -- opposed. "We can back this deal, deliver on the vote of the referendum and move on to building a brighter future," May will tell the House of Commons, according to excerpts of her planned remarks released by Downing Street. "Or this house can choose to reject this deal and go back to square one. "It would open the door to more division and more uncertainty, with all the risks that will entail," she will warn lawmakers. 'National interest' The agreement sealed Sunday prepares for Britain's smooth exit from the EU on March 29, 2019, and sets out a vision for "as close as possible a partnership" afterwards. It covers financial matters, citizens' rights, provisions to keep open Britain's border with Ireland and arrangements for a 21-month post-Brexit transition phase. The lengthy, legally enforceable divorce deal is accompanied by a short political declaration setting out hopes for future ties, including security, trade and migration. Until it is approved by parliaments in Britain and Strasbourg, all sides are still planning for the potentially disastrous possibility of Britain quitting the European Union with no new arrangements in place. A European source told AFP that May herself acknowledged in Brussels Sunday that she did not currently have a majority in parliament to pass her plan. The prime minister vowed to warn her rebellious MPs that at least half could lose their seats at the next election if they fail to deliver her Brexit deal, the source said. She will now embark on an intensive nationwide campaign promoting the plan -- and the dangers of no-deal -- ahead of the vote by lawmakers on or around December 12, according to reports. "I believe our national interest is clear," she will tell MPs Monday. "The British people want us to get on with a deal that honours the referendum and allows us to come together again as a country whichever way we voted." Challenging arithmetic But arch-Brexiteers despise the agreement, arguing it keeps Britain too closely aligned with the bloc. Alongside the DUP, they also dislike the so-called "backstop" plan for Northern Ireland after a 21-month post-Brexit transition period. If used, it would keep the British-ruled province more closely aligned with the EU in certain areas so as to avoid a hard border with remaining EU member Ireland. The Northern Irish DUP party, whose 10 MP's prop up May's government, has pledged to "review" its support if her plan gets approved by parliament. Meanwhile, more than 80 Tory MPs have declared publicly that they intend to vote against it. "I don't believe that, so far, this deal delivers on what the British people really voted for," former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith told Sky News on Sunday. Cabinet colleagues have conceded it was an uphill struggle but remain resolute. "The arithmetic at the moment is looking challenging but a lot can change over the next two weeks," Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt told the BBC on Sunday. "We're going to get through this and give people the Brexit they voted for," he added optimistically. However, opponents were also readying for the fight. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party will oppose the package in parliament and work with MPs from other parties to block a no-deal Brexit. "This is a bad deal for the country," he said in a statement. "It is the result of a miserable failure of negotiation that leaves us with the worst of all worlds."

Theresa May begins intensive campaign to sell Brexit deal at home

British Prime Minister Theresa May wrote a "letter to the nation" Sunday vowing to campaign with "heart and soul" for her Brexit deal once EU leaders sign off on it this weekend.

May, who hopes to seal the divorce agreement and outline of future ties with Europe at a Brussels summit Sunday, faces a daunting challenge winning the support of Britain's parliament.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that members of her own cabinet and EU diplomats are <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-battling-to-save-her-job-brexit-deal-after-4-ministers-quit-177575">secretly working on "plan B" proposals</a>, fearing lawmakers will reject the current deal.

But in the letter published in several newspapers, May insisted her agreement would "honour the result" of the 2016 referendum -- when 52 per cent backed Leave -- and be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation".

"It will be a deal that is in our national interest -- one that works for our whole country and all of our people, whether you voted 'Leave' or 'Remain'," May wrote.

"It is a deal for a brighter future, which enables us to seize the opportunities that lie ahead."

Reiterating Britain would be leaving the European Union on March 29 next year, she urged people to get behind the deal.

"Parliament will have the chance to do that in a few weeks' time when it has a meaningful vote on the deal," the prime minister said.

"I will be campaigning with my heart and soul to win that vote and to deliver this Brexit deal, for the good of our the United Kingdom and all of our people."

May is struggling even to unite her ruling Conservatives, and Northern Irish parliamentary allies the Democratic Unionist Party, behind the plan.

Meanwhile, opposition parties including Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Nationalists, have all vowed to vote against it.&nbsp;

According to the Sunday Telegraph report, several senior ministers are now plotting the parameters of a Norway-style relationship with Brussels.

It said senior EU figures are "war-gaming" how the bloc could extend Article 50 -- the mechanism used to leave the bloc next March -- to allow for various scenarios.&nbsp;

Among them is a possible second referendum.

Responding to May's letter, Labour MP Stephen Doughty said it was "completely false" to claim the only options were her agreement or no deal.&nbsp;

"By rejecting this deal, parliament can give the public a real choice in a people's vote between leaving the EU on these terms or sticking with the deal we've got inside the EU," he added.

British Prime Minister Theresa May wrote a "letter to the nation" Sunday vowing to campaign with "heart and soul" for her Brexit deal once EU leaders sign off on it this weekend.

British Prime Minister Theresa May wrote a "letter to the nation" Sunday vowing to campaign with "heart and soul" for her Brexit deal once EU leaders sign off on it this weekend. May, who hopes to seal the divorce agreement and outline of future ties with Europe at a Brussels summit Sunday, faces a daunting challenge winning the support of Britain's parliament. The Sunday Telegraph reported that members of her own cabinet and EU diplomats are secretly working on "plan B" proposals, fearing lawmakers will reject the current deal. But in the letter published in several newspapers, May insisted her agreement would "honour the result" of the 2016 referendum -- when 52 per cent backed Leave -- and be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation". "It will be a deal that is in our national interest -- one that works for our whole country and all of our people, whether you voted 'Leave' or 'Remain'," May wrote. "It is a deal for a brighter future, which enables us to seize the opportunities that lie ahead." Reiterating Britain would be leaving the European Union on March 29 next year, she urged people to get behind the deal. "Parliament will have the chance to do that in a few weeks' time when it has a meaningful vote on the deal," the prime minister said. "I will be campaigning with my heart and soul to win that vote and to deliver this Brexit deal, for the good of our the United Kingdom and all of our people." May is struggling even to unite her ruling Conservatives, and Northern Irish parliamentary allies the Democratic Unionist Party, behind the plan. Meanwhile, opposition parties including Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Nationalists, have all vowed to vote against it. According to the Sunday Telegraph report, several senior ministers are now plotting the parameters of a Norway-style relationship with Brussels. It said senior EU figures are "war-gaming" how the bloc could extend Article 50 -- the mechanism used to leave the bloc next March -- to allow for various scenarios. Among them is a possible second referendum. Responding to May's letter, Labour MP Stephen Doughty said it was "completely false" to claim the only options were her agreement or no deal. "By rejecting this deal, parliament can give the public a real choice in a people's vote between leaving the EU on these terms or sticking with the deal we've got inside the EU," he added.

'A deal for a brighter future': Theresa May writes open letter to Britons on Brexit deal

British Prime Minister Theresa May declared Sunday that a Brexit deal struck with the European Union is the only one possible, urging MPs and the British public to get behind it.&nbsp;

"If people think there is somehow another negotiation to be done, that is not the case," she told reporters after EU leaders approved the divorce text.&nbsp;

"This is the deal that is on the table, this is the best possible deal, it's the only possible deal."&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May declared Sunday that a Brexit deal struck with the European Union is the only one possible, urging MPs and the British public to get behind it.

British Prime Minister Theresa May declared Sunday that a Brexit deal struck with the European Union is the only one possible, urging MPs and the British public to get behind it. "If people think there is somehow another negotiation to be done, that is not the case," she told reporters after EU leaders approved the divorce text. "This is the deal that is on the table, this is the best possible deal, it's the only possible deal."

'This is the only possible deal': May on Brexit

Breaking News: EU leaders back Theresa May's Brexit deal

European Union leaders met Sunday to approve a historic Brexit deal, with one declaring Britain's withdrawal a "tragedy", but holding out hope of close future ties.

Arriving for a special summit in Brussels, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the bloc's executive arm, said it was a "sad day".

"To see a country like Great Britain... leave the EU is not a moment of joy nor of celebration, it's a sad moment and it's a tragedy," he said.

Michel Barnier, the former French foreign minister who negotiated the deal on behalf of the bloc, added: "We will remain allies, partners and friends."

The leaders of the 27 EU states will approve the agreement before being joined by British Prime Minister Theresa May in a highly symbolic moment.

Forged during 17 months of tough negotiations, the deal covers financial matters, citizens' rights, Northern Ireland and a transition phase, and sets out hopes for future security and trade ties.

But it is not the final stage, as the House of Commons in London must still approve the deal before Brexit day on March 29, 2019 -- and many MPs have warned they will not back it.

Until the agreement is approved, all sides are still planning for the potentially disastrous possibility that Britain ends its four-decade EU membership with no new arrangements in place.

Media reports in London on Sunday suggested some of May's own ministers were secretly working with EU diplomats on a "Plan B" in case parliament rejected the agreement next month.

But Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned as he arrived in Brussels that there was little point in going back to the negotiating table.

"Overall, I think this is the max that we can all do, both Theresa May and her government as well as the European Union," he said.

"No victors here today, nobody winning, we’re all losing -- but given that context, this (agreement) is acceptable."

'Reduce risks and losses'

European Council President Donald Tusk, who has always said he would prefer Britain not to leave, said on the eve of the summit that "no-one will have reasons to be happy" when Brexit happens.

But he said terms had been agreed that would "reduce the risks and losses", and recommended that EU leaders sign off on the deal.

Lithuania president Dalia Grybauskaite said as she arrived: "We will endorse the Brexit agreement, but there is nothing good for any side because it is withdrawal from the EU."

In London, eurosceptics in May's Conservative party and their Northern Irish allies warn they will not support the agreement, which they argue keeps Britain too close to the EU.

But in an open "letter to the nation" on Sunday, May said it delivered on the 2016 referendum vote to leave, and was a "deal for a brighter future".

Britain remains deeply divided over the decision, but the prime minister said that finally leaving could be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation".

"To do that we need to get on with Brexit now by getting behind this deal," she said.

Gibraltar tensions

The summit risked being derailed by a late objection to the deal by Spain over the British territory of Gibraltar.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez threatened to reject it unless his country kept a veto over future changes to EU ties with "The Rock", which borders Spain and which it has long claimed.

The impasse was resolved when Britain promised to continue bilateral talks with Madrid after Brexit -- although that itself caused further tensions.

Sanchez claimed that discussions would cover the "co-sovereignty" of Gibraltar, something residents overwhelmingly rejected in a 2002 referendum.

May, who arrived in Brussels on Saturday evening for final talks with Tusk and Juncker, was quick to correct her Spanish counterpart.

"The UK's position on the sovereignty of Gibraltar has not changed and will not change," she said.

In legal terms, Spain's disapproval would not have halted the divorce settlement.

Fishing rights

But it would have been an embarrassing split for EU leaders who have proved remarkably united in the painful negotiations.

British MPs are most concerned about an arrangement in the withdrawal agreement to keep open the border between British Northern Ireland and Ireland, which could see the province follow EU rules for years.

But there are also concerns in EU capitals about fishing rights and commercial rules Britain must follow to maintain access to the bloc's markets.

A diplomatic source said the minutes of Sunday's summit meeting of the 27 leaders would record those concerns.

European Union leaders met Sunday to approve a historic Brexit deal, with one declaring Britain's withdrawal a "tragedy", but holding out hope of close future ties.

European Union leaders met Sunday to approve a historic Brexit deal, with one declaring Britain's withdrawal a "tragedy", but holding out hope of close future ties. Arriving for a special summit in Brussels, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the bloc's executive arm, said it was a "sad day". "To see a country like Great Britain... leave the EU is not a moment of joy nor of celebration, it's a sad moment and it's a tragedy," he said. Michel Barnier, the former French foreign minister who negotiated the deal on behalf of the bloc, added: "We will remain allies, partners and friends." The leaders of the 27 EU states will approve the agreement before being joined by British Prime Minister Theresa May in a highly symbolic moment. Forged during 17 months of tough negotiations, the deal covers financial matters, citizens' rights, Northern Ireland and a transition phase, and sets out hopes for future security and trade ties. But it is not the final stage, as the House of Commons in London must still approve the deal before Brexit day on March 29, 2019 -- and many MPs have warned they will not back it. Until the agreement is approved, all sides are still planning for the potentially disastrous possibility that Britain ends its four-decade EU membership with no new arrangements in place. Media reports in London on Sunday suggested some of May's own ministers were secretly working with EU diplomats on a "Plan B" in case parliament rejected the agreement next month. But Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned as he arrived in Brussels that there was little point in going back to the negotiating table. "Overall, I think this is the max that we can all do, both Theresa May and her government as well as the European Union," he said. "No victors here today, nobody winning, we’re all losing -- but given that context, this (agreement) is acceptable." 'Reduce risks and losses' European Council President Donald Tusk, who has always said he would prefer Britain not to leave, said on the eve of the summit that "no-one will have reasons to be happy" when Brexit happens. But he said terms had been agreed that would "reduce the risks and losses", and recommended that EU leaders sign off on the deal. Lithuania president Dalia Grybauskaite said as she arrived: "We will endorse the Brexit agreement, but there is nothing good for any side because it is withdrawal from the EU." In London, eurosceptics in May's Conservative party and their Northern Irish allies warn they will not support the agreement, which they argue keeps Britain too close to the EU. But in an open "letter to the nation" on Sunday, May said it delivered on the 2016 referendum vote to leave, and was a "deal for a brighter future". Britain remains deeply divided over the decision, but the prime minister said that finally leaving could be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation". "To do that we need to get on with Brexit now by getting behind this deal," she said. Gibraltar tensions The summit risked being derailed by a late objection to the deal by Spain over the British territory of Gibraltar. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez threatened to reject it unless his country kept a veto over future changes to EU ties with "The Rock", which borders Spain and which it has long claimed. The impasse was resolved when Britain promised to continue bilateral talks with Madrid after Brexit -- although that itself caused further tensions. Sanchez claimed that discussions would cover the "co-sovereignty" of Gibraltar, something residents overwhelmingly rejected in a 2002 referendum. May, who arrived in Brussels on Saturday evening for final talks with Tusk and Juncker, was quick to correct her Spanish counterpart. "The UK's position on the sovereignty of Gibraltar has not changed and will not change," she said. In legal terms, Spain's disapproval would not have halted the divorce settlement. Fishing rights But it would have been an embarrassing split for EU leaders who have proved remarkably united in the painful negotiations. British MPs are most concerned about an arrangement in the withdrawal agreement to keep open the border between British Northern Ireland and Ireland, which could see the province follow EU rules for years. But there are also concerns in EU capitals about fishing rights and commercial rules Britain must follow to maintain access to the bloc's markets. A diplomatic source said the minutes of Sunday's summit meeting of the 27 leaders would record those concerns.

European Union leaders to sign off 'tragic' Brexit deal

EU leaders gathered on Sunday to make a formal offer of a Brexit package deal to Prime Minister Theresa May that she and they hope can survive fury in the British parliament to ease Britain out of the bloc in March.

After 18 months of negotiation, including some last-minute brinkmanship from Spain seeking guarantees of a role in the future of Gibraltar, the 27 national leaders will endorse terms for withdrawal and an outline of future EU-UK ties at a tightly choreographed summit that will conclude with a visit from May.

The biggest question now facing the European Union is whether May's divided minority government can steer the deal, which foresees London following many EU rules to keep easy trade access, through fierce resistance in parliament in the coming weeks from both supporters and opponents of Brexit.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, among the first to arrive, refused to be drawn on what might happen if the deal fails, saying it was up to British lawmakers to decide.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose country is one Britain's closest trading partners, praised May's handling of the difficult negotiations and said he was confident that she could see the deal through the London parliament.

Saying the EU "hates" Brexit, Rutte said: "Nobody's winning -- we are all losing." But, he said, the deal was an acceptable compromise for all that gave May a chance to clinch a solution.

Grybauskaite said there were at least four possible outcomes if the British parliament blocks the package and named three - that Britons would hold a second referendum, hold a new election to replace May or return to Brussels to try and renegotiate the package. A fourth is that Britain will simply crash out of the bloc on March 29 without legal clarity.

Both sides have been making preparations for such a "no deal" scenario, though the EU insists Britain has more to lose. The pound has strengthened since the deal came together over the past 10 days, but companies and investors remain nervous.

Summit chair Donald Tusk said "no one will have reasons to be happy" when Brexit is concluded but quoted British rock star Freddie Mercury of Queen, who died 27 years ago on Saturday, to say: "Friends will be friends right till the end."

The 27 EU national leaders will gather for an hour or so to formally endorse both a detailed treaty setting out the terms on which Britain will leave in an orderly manner in March and a declaration outlining how Britain can keep close to its biggest market by following many EU rules after a 2-4-year transition.

They will then meet May briefly as she seeks momentum to get the package through the British parliament in the coming weeks.

British opposition

The Democratic Unionist Party, whose votes from Northern Ireland have helped May to govern since she lost her majority in a misjudged snap election last year, said it would try to block a Brexit deal it called "pitiful" - partly because it binds London to many EU rules it will no longer help set and partly as the DUP fears it could weaken the province's ties to Britain.

No one knows what will happen if parliament rejects May's plan, which she and EU leaders say is the best deal available.

In an open letter to the nation, published on Sunday, May said she would campaign "heart and soul" to get her Brexit deal through: "It will be a deal that is in our national interest – one that works for our whole country and all of our people, whether you voted Leave or Remain," she said.

Sunday newspapers said different factions in her own Conservative party were preparing alternative plans to keep Britain closer to the EU should her deal fail as many expect.

Wrangling over how to keep open troubled Northern Ireland's land border with the EU without creating disruptive customs barriers with the Irish Republic dogged much of the 18 months of talks before accords were struck this month. Another relic of the imperial past, Britain's 300-year-old naval base on Spain's southern coast, threatened to derail plans at the last minute.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez threatened to boycott Sunday's meeting if he did not get amendments to the deal to ensure Madrid gets a say in Gibraltar's future ties with the EU.

After officials wrangled through the night, he announced on Saturday afternoon that he had such written pledges. Brussels officials said those essentially confirmed what most EU leaders had already understood - that Spain must have a binding say over how any future EU-UK trade pact might affect Gibraltar.

May will meet Sanchez for face-to-face talks during the summit, officials said.

EU leaders gathered on Sunday to make a formal offer of a Brexit package deal to Prime Minister Theresa May that she and they hope can survive fury in the British parliament to ease Britain out of the bloc in March.

EU leaders gathered on Sunday to make a formal offer of a Brexit package deal to Prime Minister Theresa May that she and they hope can survive fury in the British parliament to ease Britain out of the bloc in March. After 18 months of negotiation, including some last-minute brinkmanship from Spain seeking guarantees of a role in the future of Gibraltar, the 27 national leaders will endorse terms for withdrawal and an outline of future EU-UK ties at a tightly choreographed summit that will conclude with a visit from May. The biggest question now facing the European Union is whether May's divided minority government can steer the deal, which foresees London following many EU rules to keep easy trade access, through fierce resistance in parliament in the coming weeks from both supporters and opponents of Brexit. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, among the first to arrive, refused to be drawn on what might happen if the deal fails, saying it was up to British lawmakers to decide. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose country is one Britain's closest trading partners, praised May's handling of the difficult negotiations and said he was confident that she could see the deal through the London parliament. Saying the EU "hates" Brexit, Rutte said: "Nobody's winning -- we are all losing." But, he said, the deal was an acceptable compromise for all that gave May a chance to clinch a solution. Grybauskaite said there were at least four possible outcomes if the British parliament blocks the package and named three - that Britons would hold a second referendum, hold a new election to replace May or return to Brussels to try and renegotiate the package. A fourth is that Britain will simply crash out of the bloc on March 29 without legal clarity. Both sides have been making preparations for such a "no deal" scenario, though the EU insists Britain has more to lose. The pound has strengthened since the deal came together over the past 10 days, but companies and investors remain nervous. Summit chair Donald Tusk said "no one will have reasons to be happy" when Brexit is concluded but quoted British rock star Freddie Mercury of Queen, who died 27 years ago on Saturday, to say: "Friends will be friends right till the end." The 27 EU national leaders will gather for an hour or so to formally endorse both a detailed treaty setting out the terms on which Britain will leave in an orderly manner in March and a declaration outlining how Britain can keep close to its biggest market by following many EU rules after a 2-4-year transition. They will then meet May briefly as she seeks momentum to get the package through the British parliament in the coming weeks. British opposition The Democratic Unionist Party, whose votes from Northern Ireland have helped May to govern since she lost her majority in a misjudged snap election last year, said it would try to block a Brexit deal it called "pitiful" - partly because it binds London to many EU rules it will no longer help set and partly as the DUP fears it could weaken the province's ties to Britain. No one knows what will happen if parliament rejects May's plan, which she and EU leaders say is the best deal available. In an open letter to the nation, published on Sunday, May said she would campaign "heart and soul" to get her Brexit deal through: "It will be a deal that is in our national interest – one that works for our whole country and all of our people, whether you voted Leave or Remain," she said. Sunday newspapers said different factions in her own Conservative party were preparing alternative plans to keep Britain closer to the EU should her deal fail as many expect. Wrangling over how to keep open troubled Northern Ireland's land border with the EU without creating disruptive customs barriers with the Irish Republic dogged much of the 18 months of talks before accords were struck this month. Another relic of the imperial past, Britain's 300-year-old naval base on Spain's southern coast, threatened to derail plans at the last minute. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez threatened to boycott Sunday's meeting if he did not get amendments to the deal to ensure Madrid gets a say in Gibraltar's future ties with the EU. After officials wrangled through the night, he announced on Saturday afternoon that he had such written pledges. Brussels officials said those essentially confirmed what most EU leaders had already understood - that Spain must have a binding say over how any future EU-UK trade pact might affect Gibraltar. May will meet Sanchez for face-to-face talks during the summit, officials said.

European Union leaders to hand UK PM Theresa May Brexit package

Spain's eleventh-hour objection over Gibraltar prevented the European Union on Friday from clearing the last hurdle before a leaders` summit on Sunday is due to endorse the Brexit deal with Britain.

A meeting in Brussels of national negotiators of the 27 EU states staying on together after Brexit ended with no agreement on Gibraltar after nearly three hours. "The work continues," one diplomatic source said.&nbsp;

Four months before Britain leaves the EU, the legal divorce treaty and an accompanying political declaration on future ties are due to be rubber-stamped by British Prime Minister Theresa May and the leaders of the 27 countries remaining in the EU.

May will arrive for more talks with the head of the EU`s executive, Jean-Claude Juncker, in Brussels late on Saturday, just hours before the summit is due to start.&nbsp;

Her spokeswoman said in London May would work with the Spanish government on Gibraltar, a disputed British overseas territory.

Spain has asked for changes to Britain`s legal withdrawal treaty and the accompanying political declaration to make clear any decisions about Gibraltar would only be taken with Madrid.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Thursday Spain would be against the Brexit package on Sunday if it is not changed.

"After my conversation with Theresa May, our positions remain far away. My government will always defend the interests of Spain. If there are no changes, we will veto Brexit," he said.

Under EU rules, the withdrawal treaty is adopted by a majority and not unanimity, so a single state cannot block it. However, EU leaders want unity on this most politically sensitive matter.

&nbsp;"We`ve worked very hard and have in fact reached agreement with Spanish colleagues in respect of Gibraltar`s role in the withdrawal process," Gibraltar`s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said on Friday.

"If (the withdrawal agreement is) opened for one comma or one full-stop on Gibraltar, it`s going to be re-opened on any of the other issues."

OPPOSITION IN UK PARLIAMENT&nbsp;

The Brexit accord faces vehement opposition in the British parliament, which must vote in favour for it to take effect. Otherwise Britain risks leaving the bloc on March 29, 2019, without an agreement to mitigate economic disruption.

May`s former Brexit minister Dominic Raab on Friday expected the House of Commons to vote it down.

Determined not to allow any redrafting of either of the two texts and risk derailing the process, EU states have instead proposed addressing Spain`s concerns in a separate statement by the 27 leaders on Sunday that would not be part of negotiations with Britain.

It could refer back to the EU`s 2017 Brexit negotiating mandate, which said: "After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom."

Diplomatic sources said the 27 EU leaders` negotiators, or `sherpas`, added to the statement more clauses on climate and expatriate rights to compliment lines on fisheries and industry rules already contained in a draft seen by Reuters.

The EU`s 27 national negotiators are due to meet again on Saturday.

EU diplomats had hoped a text would be agreed by late Friday but fear Sanchez will want to discuss it at the top level on Sunday to show determination and score points with voters at home ahead of a December regional election.&nbsp;

Germany has said there can be no more technical negotiations at what is supposed to be a largely ceremonial summit and said Chancellor Angela Merkel could skip it if all the texts are not ready in advance.&nbsp;

The Brexit deal covers financial settlement, expatriates` rights and the Irish border, as well as setting a blueprint for future trade and security ties. It must also be backed by the European Parliament to come into force.

Spain's eleventh-hour objection over Gibraltar prevented the European Union on Friday from clearing the last hurdle before a leaders` summit on Sunday is due to endorse the Brexit deal with Britain.

Spain's eleventh-hour objection over Gibraltar prevented the European Union on Friday from clearing the last hurdle before a leaders` summit on Sunday is due to endorse the Brexit deal with Britain. A meeting in Brussels of national negotiators of the 27 EU states staying on together after Brexit ended with no agreement on Gibraltar after nearly three hours. "The work continues," one diplomatic source said. Four months before Britain leaves the EU, the legal divorce treaty and an accompanying political declaration on future ties are due to be rubber-stamped by British Prime Minister Theresa May and the leaders of the 27 countries remaining in the EU. May will arrive for more talks with the head of the EU`s executive, Jean-Claude Juncker, in Brussels late on Saturday, just hours before the summit is due to start. Her spokeswoman said in London May would work with the Spanish government on Gibraltar, a disputed British overseas territory. Spain has asked for changes to Britain`s legal withdrawal treaty and the accompanying political declaration to make clear any decisions about Gibraltar would only be taken with Madrid. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Thursday Spain would be against the Brexit package on Sunday if it is not changed. "After my conversation with Theresa May, our positions remain far away. My government will always defend the interests of Spain. If there are no changes, we will veto Brexit," he said. Under EU rules, the withdrawal treaty is adopted by a majority and not unanimity, so a single state cannot block it. However, EU leaders want unity on this most politically sensitive matter. "We`ve worked very hard and have in fact reached agreement with Spanish colleagues in respect of Gibraltar`s role in the withdrawal process," Gibraltar`s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said on Friday. "If (the withdrawal agreement is) opened for one comma or one full-stop on Gibraltar, it`s going to be re-opened on any of the other issues." OPPOSITION IN UK PARLIAMENT The Brexit accord faces vehement opposition in the British parliament, which must vote in favour for it to take effect. Otherwise Britain risks leaving the bloc on March 29, 2019, without an agreement to mitigate economic disruption. May`s former Brexit minister Dominic Raab on Friday expected the House of Commons to vote it down. Determined not to allow any redrafting of either of the two texts and risk derailing the process, EU states have instead proposed addressing Spain`s concerns in a separate statement by the 27 leaders on Sunday that would not be part of negotiations with Britain. It could refer back to the EU`s 2017 Brexit negotiating mandate, which said: "After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom." Diplomatic sources said the 27 EU leaders` negotiators, or `sherpas`, added to the statement more clauses on climate and expatriate rights to compliment lines on fisheries and industry rules already contained in a draft seen by Reuters. The EU`s 27 national negotiators are due to meet again on Saturday. EU diplomats had hoped a text would be agreed by late Friday but fear Sanchez will want to discuss it at the top level on Sunday to show determination and score points with voters at home ahead of a December regional election. Germany has said there can be no more technical negotiations at what is supposed to be a largely ceremonial summit and said Chancellor Angela Merkel could skip it if all the texts are not ready in advance. The Brexit deal covers financial settlement, expatriates` rights and the Irish border, as well as setting a blueprint for future trade and security ties. It must also be backed by the European Parliament to come into force.

EU struggles to agree on Gibraltar before Brexit summit

The World Trade Organization agreed Wednesday to hear complaints from a range of countries over new US steel and aluminium tariffs, as well as complaints from Washington over retaliatory duties.

The WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed to establish panels to review US President Donald Trump's decision to hit a long line of countries with tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium.

The DSB will create separate panels for the complaints by the European Union, China, Canada, Mexico, Norway, Russia and Turkey, after the US said it would not agree to a single panel to hear all of them.

The DSB agreed Wednesday to Washington's request for three panels to rule on the legality of retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada, China, Mexico and the European Union.

It also agreed to a US call for a panel to be created to review "certain Chinese measures pertaining to the protection of intellectual property rights."&nbsp;

Marking a departure from a decades-long US-led drive for free trade, Trump has justified the steep tariffs with claims that massive flows of imports to the United States threaten national security.

Washington invoked a rarely used WTO exception that allows a country to take "any action which it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests."

Speaking at Wednesday's meeting, US Ambassador Dennis Shea warned of the "risks posed to the WTO dispute settlement system when a member challenges measures taken for the protection of essential security interests."

The US delegation also cautioned that any review of measures taken for national security reasons would undermine the "legitimacy" and "even the viability of the WTO as a whole".

The tariff spat has escalated into an all-out trade war between the US and China and growing trade tensions between Washington and many of its traditional allies.

The decision to establish the panels follows rounds of failed consultations between the parties and mark an escalation in an ongoing showdown at the WTO around Trump's controversial trade policies.

The first requests to establish the panels were rejected last month, prompting the sides to file second requests.

Under WTO regulations, parties in a dispute can block a first request for the creation of an arbitration panel, but if the parties make a second request, it is all but guaranteed to go through.

The creation of a DSB panel usually triggers a long and often costly legal battle that sometimes takes years to resolve.

The World Trade Organization agreed Wednesday to hear complaints from a range of countries over new US steel and aluminium tariffs, as well as complaints from Washington over retaliatory duties.

The World Trade Organization agreed Wednesday to hear complaints from a range of countries over new US steel and aluminium tariffs, as well as complaints from Washington over retaliatory duties. The WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed to establish panels to review US President Donald Trump's decision to hit a long line of countries with tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium. The DSB will create separate panels for the complaints by the European Union, China, Canada, Mexico, Norway, Russia and Turkey, after the US said it would not agree to a single panel to hear all of them. The DSB agreed Wednesday to Washington's request for three panels to rule on the legality of retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada, China, Mexico and the European Union. It also agreed to a US call for a panel to be created to review "certain Chinese measures pertaining to the protection of intellectual property rights." Marking a departure from a decades-long US-led drive for free trade, Trump has justified the steep tariffs with claims that massive flows of imports to the United States threaten national security. Washington invoked a rarely used WTO exception that allows a country to take "any action which it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests." Speaking at Wednesday's meeting, US Ambassador Dennis Shea warned of the "risks posed to the WTO dispute settlement system when a member challenges measures taken for the protection of essential security interests." The US delegation also cautioned that any review of measures taken for national security reasons would undermine the "legitimacy" and "even the viability of the WTO as a whole". The tariff spat has escalated into an all-out trade war between the US and China and growing trade tensions between Washington and many of its traditional allies. The decision to establish the panels follows rounds of failed consultations between the parties and mark an escalation in an ongoing showdown at the WTO around Trump's controversial trade policies. The first requests to establish the panels were rejected last month, prompting the sides to file second requests. Under WTO regulations, parties in a dispute can block a first request for the creation of an arbitration panel, but if the parties make a second request, it is all but guaranteed to go through. The creation of a DSB panel usually triggers a long and often costly legal battle that sometimes takes years to resolve.

World Trade Organisation to rule in spat over US tariffs

Alphabet Inc's&nbsp;Google said it will roll out new policies in Europe to provide more transparency around political ads, ahead of European Union elections in the spring, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing a blog post.

According to the report, Google said it would require advertisers to submit an application and receive verification before they can pay for political ads.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The European Commission said in September that Facebook Inc, Google and other tech firms had agreed a code of conduct to do more to tackle the spread of fake news, over concerns it can influence elections.

Google also said it would publish an EU transparency report, along with a searchable ad library, to provide more information about who is purchasing election ads, for how much, and to whom they are targeted, Bloomberg reported.

Public databases that shine a light on online political ads - launched by Facebook and Google before U.S. elections - offer the public the first broad view of how quickly the companies yank advertisements that break their rules.

Alphabet Inc's Google said it will roll out new policies in Europe to provide more transparency around political ads, ahead of European Union elections in the spring, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing a blog post.

Alphabet Inc's Google said it will roll out new policies in Europe to provide more transparency around political ads, ahead of European Union elections in the spring, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing a blog post. According to the report, Google said it would require advertisers to submit an application and receive verification before they can pay for political ads. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The European Commission said in September that Facebook Inc, Google and other tech firms had agreed a code of conduct to do more to tackle the spread of fake news, over concerns it can influence elections. Google also said it would publish an EU transparency report, along with a searchable ad library, to provide more information about who is purchasing election ads, for how much, and to whom they are targeted, Bloomberg reported. Public databases that shine a light on online political ads - launched by Facebook and Google before U.S. elections - offer the public the first broad view of how quickly the companies yank advertisements that break their rules.

Google reveals new policy for election ads ahead of EU vote: Report

In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, European Union's ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski welcomed New Delhi's role in global governance and said it is in favour of India's efforts to develop Chabahar port to connect with Afghanistan. But on India's data localisation plans, the ambassador said it may be a burden for the free flow of business data. Here is the full interview.

WION: How do you characterize New Delhi-Brussel ties and why is India an important ally for Brussels?

Kozlowski: The European union perceives India as an extremely important partner for the European Union. First of all, India enjoys very high economic growth, India is growing, it has a huge economic potential for bilateral, mutually beneficial cooperation for the future, that is why we have a well-established cooperation partnership.

The second rationale is India is an important international partner -- very much respected and very influential. We are looking for partners all around the world with whom we share the same approach on global governance. India and EU are promoting rules based on the international order to multilateral approach. That is why we think we can make an impact on shaping or reshaping global political and economic governance.

WION: How do you see the current economic environment in India, especially the ease of doing business?&nbsp;

Kozlowski: According to the European economic community in India, and we have 6,000 EU companies, EU is the largest trading partner. Europe is one of the largest foreign investors in India and provider of technology.

According to our business community, the business environment has improved substantially in the last few years. Of course, the situation might be better in the future. The fact the business environment is better is reflected in the 'ease of doing business' ranking in which India stands 77th.&nbsp;

WION: The India-EU Free trade agreement has been stuck for 10 years with no progress, any comments?&nbsp;

Kozlowski: Concerning EU India trade ties, EU is the largest trading partner for India. we have here the presence of European companies. EU is fully committed to having a comprehensive, economically meaningful, mutually beneficial agreement and we are in the process of discussing, very actively, the way forward for a possible FTA.

WION: Connectivity is the new geopolitical currency. Your reaction to India connecting EU through Chabahar?

Kozlowski: &nbsp;EU is in favour and support of all connectivity initiatives between India and EU. A few months ago, EU approved its own strategy on connectivity. We are in favour of India's efforts to rebuild or develop Chabahar port as an entry point to Afghanistan, further to central Asia and even to Europe. We are very much in favour.

WION: Your take on the privacy debate in India and EU? Any comments on India's data localisation plans?

Kozlowski: Privacy is an important right for the citizens of India and for the European Union. EU approved its own regulations which are known as GDPR. As I understand, India is working on its own privacy law.

With respect to data location, we don't share India's sentiment to such a solution. We think such steps may be a burden for the free flow of business data between India and its partners. &nbsp;

WION: Your reaction to the Brexit development that is taking place and Brexit's impact on India-EU ties?

Kozlowski: Brexit is a very unfortunate development but we respect the decision taken by the British people which are now followed by the British government.

From the point of view of EU, we are prepared for signing an agreement with the UK in coming days on the Brexit and it will not impact EU-India relations. We are committed to honouring all our agreement in developing cooperation.

In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, European Union's ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski welcomed New Delhi's role in global governance and said it is in favour of India's efforts to develop Chabahar port to connect with Afghanistan.

In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, European Union's ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski welcomed New Delhi's role in global governance and said it is in favour of India's efforts to develop Chabahar port to connect with Afghanistan. But on India's data localisation plans, the ambassador said it may be a burden for the free flow of business data. Here is the full interview. WION: How do you characterize New Delhi-Brussel ties and why is India an important ally for Brussels? Kozlowski: The European union perceives India as an extremely important partner for the European Union. First of all, India enjoys very high economic growth, India is growing, it has a huge economic potential for bilateral, mutually beneficial cooperation for the future, that is why we have a well-established cooperation partnership. The second rationale is India is an important international partner -- very much respected and very influential. We are looking for partners all around the world with whom we share the same approach on global governance. India and EU are promoting rules based on the international order to multilateral approach. That is why we think we can make an impact on shaping or reshaping global political and economic governance. WION: How do you see the current economic environment in India, especially the ease of doing business? Kozlowski: According to the European economic community in India, and we have 6,000 EU companies, EU is the largest trading partner. Europe is one of the largest foreign investors in India and provider of technology. According to our business community, the business environment has improved substantially in the last few years. Of course, the situation might be better in the future. The fact the business environment is better is reflected in the 'ease of doing business' ranking in which India stands 77th. WION: The India-EU Free trade agreement has been stuck for 10 years with no progress, any comments? Kozlowski: Concerning EU India trade ties, EU is the largest trading partner for India. we have here the presence of European companies. EU is fully committed to having a comprehensive, economically meaningful, mutually beneficial agreement and we are in the process of discussing, very actively, the way forward for a possible FTA. WION: Connectivity is the new geopolitical currency. Your reaction to India connecting EU through Chabahar? Kozlowski: EU is in favour and support of all connectivity initiatives between India and EU. A few months ago, EU approved its own strategy on connectivity. We are in favour of India's efforts to rebuild or develop Chabahar port as an entry point to Afghanistan, further to central Asia and even to Europe. We are very much in favour. WION: Your take on the privacy debate in India and EU? Any comments on India's data localisation plans? Kozlowski: Privacy is an important right for the citizens of India and for the European Union. EU approved its own regulations which are known as GDPR. As I understand, India is working on its own privacy law. With respect to data location, we don't share India's sentiment to such a solution. We think such steps may be a burden for the free flow of business data between India and its partners. WION: Your reaction to the Brexit development that is taking place and Brexit's impact on India-EU ties? Kozlowski: Brexit is a very unfortunate development but we respect the decision taken by the British people which are now followed by the British government. From the point of view of EU, we are prepared for signing an agreement with the UK in coming days on the Brexit and it will not impact EU-India relations. We are committed to honouring all our agreement in developing cooperation.

EU envoy welcomes India's move to develop Chabahar

The European Union (EU) has expressed confidence that the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh will be "genuine, credible and transparent.

"Rensje Teerink, the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, recently commented: "I have always been told that when Bangladesh gears up for elections, there will be political turmoil and mass demonstrations on the streets. But so far, I must say, it has been quite calm."

In an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), the ambassador said: "We are confident and hopeful that it will be a genuine, credible, transparent and inclusive election."

General elections are scheduled to be held in Bangladesh on December 30 to elect members of the Jatiya Sangsad, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League hoping to remain in power for a third consecutive term.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Hasina's arch-rival Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since February over a graft case, boycotted the 2014 elections.

The party has been demanding polls under a non-party government. The EU is, however, optimist that the country of 170 million is strong enough to hold the Parliamentary elections democratically.

"Bangladesh has good local observers, who probably are going to do an excellent job monitoring the elections," Teerink told DW.

She added that the South Asian country has performed "exceedingly well when it comes to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Its economic expansion over the past decade has been impressive." "We would like to see the country develop into a stable and prosperous place for all Bangladeshis," added the EU envoy.&nbsp;

The European Union (EU) has expressed confidence that the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh will be "genuine, credible and transparent. "Rensje Teerink, the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, recently commented: "I have always been told that when Bangladesh gears up for elections, there will be political turmoil and mass demonstrations on the streets.

The European Union (EU) has expressed confidence that the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh will be "genuine, credible and transparent. "Rensje Teerink, the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, recently commented: "I have always been told that when Bangladesh gears up for elections, there will be political turmoil and mass demonstrations on the streets. But so far, I must say, it has been quite calm." In an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), the ambassador said: "We are confident and hopeful that it will be a genuine, credible, transparent and inclusive election." General elections are scheduled to be held in Bangladesh on December 30 to elect members of the Jatiya Sangsad, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League hoping to remain in power for a third consecutive term. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Hasina's arch-rival Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since February over a graft case, boycotted the 2014 elections. The party has been demanding polls under a non-party government. The EU is, however, optimist that the country of 170 million is strong enough to hold the Parliamentary elections democratically. "Bangladesh has good local observers, who probably are going to do an excellent job monitoring the elections," Teerink told DW. She added that the South Asian country has performed "exceedingly well when it comes to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Its economic expansion over the past decade has been impressive." "We would like to see the country develop into a stable and prosperous place for all Bangladeshis," added the EU envoy.

Bangladesh elections will be genuine and credible: EU

British Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/getting-rid-of-me-risks-delaying-brexit-uk-pm-theresa-may-178041">Theresa May</a> will on Monday defend her draft Brexit deal to business leaders ahead of "intense negotiations" with Brussels in the coming week.

May will tell the Confederation of British Industry, the UK's main business lobby group, that she is confident of striking a deal at the European Council in the run-up to Sunday's summit to sign Britain's divorce papers.

"During that time I expect us to hammer out the full and final details of the framework that will underpin our future relationship," she will say, according to Downing Street.

"I am confident that we can strike a deal at the Council that I can take back to the House of Commons."

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-may-says-leadership-challenge-threshold-not-met-as-far-as-i-know-178035">UK PM May says leadership challenge threshold not met 'as far as I know'</a>

The embattled premier, whose cabinet grudgingly approved her EU divorce draft last week, faces an uphill challenge to pass her deal through a sceptical parliament.&nbsp;

The Brussels negotiations will finalise a parallel political declaration setting out a road-map for post-Brexit negotiations on future EU-UK ties.

She will also tell the CBI gathering that her deal will deliver on the issues that matter to the British people.

"Control over our borders, by bringing an end to free movement, once and for all.

"Control of our money, so we can decide for ourselves how to spend it.

"Control of our laws, by ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the United Kingdom and ensuring that our laws are made and enforced here in this country."

The CBI said on Sunday that May's draft deal was not perfect but a compromise that "takes no deal off the table" and opens the path to frictionless trade in the future.

Addressing the issue of immigration, a concern for many businesses who fear they will face skills gaps after Brexit, May will promise to introduce "more streamlined application processes" that will "attract the brightest and the best from around the world".

"But the difference will be this: once we have left the EU, we will be fully in control of who comes here," she will say.

"It will no longer be the case that EU nationals, regardless of the skills or experience they have to offer, can jump the queue ahead of engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi." 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Monday defend her draft Brexit deal to business leaders ahead of "intense negotiations" with Brussels in the coming week.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Monday defend her draft Brexit deal to business leaders ahead of "intense negotiations" with Brussels in the coming week. May will tell the Confederation of British Industry, the UK's main business lobby group, that she is confident of striking a deal at the European Council in the run-up to Sunday's summit to sign Britain's divorce papers. "During that time I expect us to hammer out the full and final details of the framework that will underpin our future relationship," she will say, according to Downing Street. "I am confident that we can strike a deal at the Council that I can take back to the House of Commons." Also read: UK PM May says leadership challenge threshold not met 'as far as I know' The embattled premier, whose cabinet grudgingly approved her EU divorce draft last week, faces an uphill challenge to pass her deal through a sceptical parliament. The Brussels negotiations will finalise a parallel political declaration setting out a road-map for post-Brexit negotiations on future EU-UK ties. She will also tell the CBI gathering that her deal will deliver on the issues that matter to the British people. "Control over our borders, by bringing an end to free movement, once and for all. "Control of our money, so we can decide for ourselves how to spend it. "Control of our laws, by ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the United Kingdom and ensuring that our laws are made and enforced here in this country." The CBI said on Sunday that May's draft deal was not perfect but a compromise that "takes no deal off the table" and opens the path to frictionless trade in the future. Addressing the issue of immigration, a concern for many businesses who fear they will face skills gaps after Brexit, May will promise to introduce "more streamlined application processes" that will "attract the brightest and the best from around the world". "But the difference will be this: once we have left the EU, we will be fully in control of who comes here," she will say. "It will no longer be the case that EU nationals, regardless of the skills or experience they have to offer, can jump the queue ahead of engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi."

British PM Theresa May to defend draft Brexit deal to business leaders

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday toppling her would risk delaying Brexit and she would not let talk of a leadership challenge distract her from a critical week of negotiations.

Since unveiling a draft divorce deal with the European Union on Wednesday, May's premiership has been thrust into crisis by the resignation of several ministers, including her Brexit minister, and some lawmakers from her own party seeking to oust her.

To trigger a confidence vote, 48 of her Conservative Party lawmakers must submit a letter to the chairman of the so-called 1922 committee, Graham Brady.

More than 20 lawmakers have said publicly that they have submitted a letter, but others are expected to have done so confidentially. Brady told BBC Radio on Sunday the 48 threshold had not yet been reached.

"These next seven days are going to be critical, they are about the future of this country," May told Sky News. "I am not going to be distracted from the important job.

"A change of leadership at this point isn't going to make the negotiations any easier ... what it will do is mean that there is a risk that actually we delay the negotiations and that is a risk that Brexit gets delayed or frustrated."

May said negotiating teams were working "as we speak" and she intended to go to Brussels and meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. She said she would also be speaking to other EU leaders ahead of an EU summit to discuss the deal on Nov. 25.

Several British newspapers reported that five senior pro-Brexit ministers were working together to pressure May to change the deal, but writing in the Sun on Sunday newspaper May said she saw no alternative plan on the table.

Former Brexit minister Dominic Raab, who resigned on Thursday in protest at the deal, said he supported May as leader but her deal was "fatally flawed" and he did not think it would be approved by parliament. He said May must change course.

"I still think a deal could be done but it is very late in the day now and we need to change course," Raab told the BBC.

"The biggest risk of no deal is taking a bad deal to the House of Commons ... it is very important to take the action now."

Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would vote against May's deal when it came to parliament, but distanced himself from calls for a so-called people's vote on the final agreement.

"It's an option for the future, but it's not an option for today, because if we had a referendum tomorrow, what's it going to be on? What's the question going to be?" Corbyn told Sky News.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday toppling her would risk delaying Brexit and she would not let talk of a leadership challenge distract her from a critical week of negotiations.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday toppling her would risk delaying Brexit and she would not let talk of a leadership challenge distract her from a critical week of negotiations. Since unveiling a draft divorce deal with the European Union on Wednesday, May's premiership has been thrust into crisis by the resignation of several ministers, including her Brexit minister, and some lawmakers from her own party seeking to oust her. To trigger a confidence vote, 48 of her Conservative Party lawmakers must submit a letter to the chairman of the so-called 1922 committee, Graham Brady. More than 20 lawmakers have said publicly that they have submitted a letter, but others are expected to have done so confidentially. Brady told BBC Radio on Sunday the 48 threshold had not yet been reached. "These next seven days are going to be critical, they are about the future of this country," May told Sky News. "I am not going to be distracted from the important job. "A change of leadership at this point isn't going to make the negotiations any easier ... what it will do is mean that there is a risk that actually we delay the negotiations and that is a risk that Brexit gets delayed or frustrated." May said negotiating teams were working "as we speak" and she intended to go to Brussels and meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. She said she would also be speaking to other EU leaders ahead of an EU summit to discuss the deal on Nov. 25. Several British newspapers reported that five senior pro-Brexit ministers were working together to pressure May to change the deal, but writing in the Sun on Sunday newspaper May said she saw no alternative plan on the table. Former Brexit minister Dominic Raab, who resigned on Thursday in protest at the deal, said he supported May as leader but her deal was "fatally flawed" and he did not think it would be approved by parliament. He said May must change course. "I still think a deal could be done but it is very late in the day now and we need to change course," Raab told the BBC. "The biggest risk of no deal is taking a bad deal to the House of Commons ... it is very important to take the action now." Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would vote against May's deal when it came to parliament, but distanced himself from calls for a so-called people's vote on the final agreement. "It's an option for the future, but it's not an option for today, because if we had a referendum tomorrow, what's it going to be on? What's the question going to be?" Corbyn told Sky News.

Getting rid of me risks delaying Brexit: UK PM Theresa May

Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to fight for her draft divorce deal with the European Union on Thursday after the resignation of her Brexit secretary and other ministers put her strategy and her job in peril.

Just over 12 hours after May announced that her cabinet had agreed to the terms of the deal, Brexit minister Dominic Raab and work and pensions minister Esther McVey resigned.

Eurosceptics in May's Conservative Party said they had submitted letters calling for a vote of no confidence in her leadership.

May called a news conference at her Downing Street residence to underline her determination to stay the course.

Asked if she would contest any challenge to her position, she replied: "Am I going to see this through? Yes."

However, hostility from government and opposition lawmakers raised the risk that the deal would be rejected in parliament and that Britain could leave the EU on March 29 without a safety net.

That prospect pushed the pound down as much as 2 per cent to $1.2731, although it recovered slightly after May's statement.

The main stock index in Ireland, which is highly dependent on trade with Britain, plunged 3.8 per cent.

The German carmaker BMW, which produces its Mini model in Britain, said that, with the political situation so uncertain, it would continue to prepare for a 'no-deal' Brexit.

"BEST DEAL FOR BRITAIN"

Two junior ministers, two ministerial aides and the Conservatives' vice chairman joined Raab and McVey in quitting.

May said she understood their unhappiness, but added: "I believe with every fibre of my being that the course I have set out is the right one for our country and all our people ...

"I am going to do my job of getting the best deal for Britain."

By seeking to preserve the closest possible ties with the EU, May has upset her party's many advocates of a clean break, and Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up her minority government.

Meanwhile, proponents of closer relations with the EU in her own party and the Labour opposition say the deal squanders the advantages of membership for little gain.

Both sides say it effectively cedes power to the EU without securing the promised benefits of greater autonomy.

"It is ... mathematically impossible to get this deal through the House of Commons. The stark reality is that it was dead on arrival," said Conservative Brexit-supporting lawmaker Mark Francois.

The deal will need the backing of about 320 of parliament's 650 MPs to pass.

The ultimate outcome remains uncertain. Scenarios include May's deal ultimately winning approval; May losing her job; Britain leaving the bloc with no agreement; or even another referendum.

"WORSE THAN ANTICIPATED"

Analysts from US bank Citi said Britain was now likely either to stay in the EU or leave without a deal.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of a Conservative eurosceptic group in parliament, said the draft was "worse than anticipated", and he had formally requested a vote of no confidence in May.

At least 14 Conservative lawmakers openly said they had submitted such letters, although others could have done so secretly. Forty-eight are needed to trigger a challenge.

But May told parliament: "The choice is clear. We can choose to leave with no deal, we can risk no Brexit at all, or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated."

Rees-Mogg told journalists the next prime minister should be someone who believed in Brexit.

But a May ally, former interior minister Amber Rudd, told Sky News: "The problem isn't the prime minister. The problem is the challenges she's got to deliver in trying to pull together this Brexit. She's the best person to do it."

The Labour Party said the government was "falling apart".

"NO ABILITY TO EXIT"

In parliament, lawmakers from all sides spent three hours mostly attacking the draft, agreed with the EU on Tuesday after more than a year of difficult negotiations.

"No democratic nation has ever signed up to be bound by such an extensive regime, imposed externally without any democratic control over the laws to be applied, nor the ability to decide to exit the arrangement," Raab said in his resignation letter.

Others said the so-called "Irish backstop", to be used if no better way can be found to avoid future checks on the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland, would tear Britain apart, leaving Northern Ireland all but inside the EU's single market.

It was this arrangement, which sees Britain and the EU establishing a single customs territory, but Northern Ireland aligned more closely with the EU, that spurred most criticism.

The DUP has threatened to pull its support from the minority government if the backstop means the province is treated differently from mainland Britain.

EU leaders are ready to meet on Nov. 25 to sign off on the divorce deal, or Withdrawal Agreement, but French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe summed up the uncertainty when he said events in London raised concerns about whether it would be ratified.

"We need to prepare ourselves for a no-deal Brexit," he said.

A group of EU states including France also raised objections to what has been agreed so far on fishing between the EU and UK after Brexit, diplomatic sources said.

Raab, 44, was named Brexit secretary in July after the resignation of his predecessor David Davis, who also quit in protest at May's strategy.

At the heart of Raab's criticism was the belief that the pursuit of a temporary customs union with the EU would be the starting point for talks on the future relationship with the bloc, "severely prejudicing" what Britain could achieve.

He said he could not support an indefinite backstop arrangement, and that May's plan threatened the integrity of the United Kingdom. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to fight for her draft divorce deal with the European Union on Thursday after the resignation of her Brexit secretary and other ministers put her strategy and her job in peril.

Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to fight for her draft divorce deal with the European Union on Thursday after the resignation of her Brexit secretary and other ministers put her strategy and her job in peril. Just over 12 hours after May announced that her cabinet had agreed to the terms of the deal, Brexit minister Dominic Raab and work and pensions minister Esther McVey resigned. Eurosceptics in May's Conservative Party said they had submitted letters calling for a vote of no confidence in her leadership. May called a news conference at her Downing Street residence to underline her determination to stay the course. Asked if she would contest any challenge to her position, she replied: "Am I going to see this through? Yes." However, hostility from government and opposition lawmakers raised the risk that the deal would be rejected in parliament and that Britain could leave the EU on March 29 without a safety net. That prospect pushed the pound down as much as 2 per cent to $1.2731, although it recovered slightly after May's statement. The main stock index in Ireland, which is highly dependent on trade with Britain, plunged 3.8 per cent. The German carmaker BMW, which produces its Mini model in Britain, said that, with the political situation so uncertain, it would continue to prepare for a 'no-deal' Brexit. "BEST DEAL FOR BRITAIN" Two junior ministers, two ministerial aides and the Conservatives' vice chairman joined Raab and McVey in quitting. May said she understood their unhappiness, but added: "I believe with every fibre of my being that the course I have set out is the right one for our country and all our people ... "I am going to do my job of getting the best deal for Britain." By seeking to preserve the closest possible ties with the EU, May has upset her party's many advocates of a clean break, and Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up her minority government. Meanwhile, proponents of closer relations with the EU in her own party and the Labour opposition say the deal squanders the advantages of membership for little gain. Both sides say it effectively cedes power to the EU without securing the promised benefits of greater autonomy. "It is ... mathematically impossible to get this deal through the House of Commons. The stark reality is that it was dead on arrival," said Conservative Brexit-supporting lawmaker Mark Francois. The deal will need the backing of about 320 of parliament's 650 MPs to pass. The ultimate outcome remains uncertain. Scenarios include May's deal ultimately winning approval; May losing her job; Britain leaving the bloc with no agreement; or even another referendum. "WORSE THAN ANTICIPATED" Analysts from US bank Citi said Britain was now likely either to stay in the EU or leave without a deal. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of a Conservative eurosceptic group in parliament, said the draft was "worse than anticipated", and he had formally requested a vote of no confidence in May. At least 14 Conservative lawmakers openly said they had submitted such letters, although others could have done so secretly. Forty-eight are needed to trigger a challenge. But May told parliament: "The choice is clear. We can choose to leave with no deal, we can risk no Brexit at all, or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated." Rees-Mogg told journalists the next prime minister should be someone who believed in Brexit. But a May ally, former interior minister Amber Rudd, told Sky News: "The problem isn't the prime minister. The problem is the challenges she's got to deliver in trying to pull together this Brexit. She's the best person to do it." The Labour Party said the government was "falling apart". "NO ABILITY TO EXIT" In parliament, lawmakers from all sides spent three hours mostly attacking the draft, agreed with the EU on Tuesday after more than a year of difficult negotiations. "No democratic nation has ever signed up to be bound by such an extensive regime, imposed externally without any democratic control over the laws to be applied, nor the ability to decide to exit the arrangement," Raab said in his resignation letter. Others said the so-called "Irish backstop", to be used if no better way can be found to avoid future checks on the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland, would tear Britain apart, leaving Northern Ireland all but inside the EU's single market. It was this arrangement, which sees Britain and the EU establishing a single customs territory, but Northern Ireland aligned more closely with the EU, that spurred most criticism. The DUP has threatened to pull its support from the minority government if the backstop means the province is treated differently from mainland Britain. EU leaders are ready to meet on Nov. 25 to sign off on the divorce deal, or Withdrawal Agreement, but French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe summed up the uncertainty when he said events in London raised concerns about whether it would be ratified. "We need to prepare ourselves for a no-deal Brexit," he said. A group of EU states including France also raised objections to what has been agreed so far on fishing between the EU and UK after Brexit, diplomatic sources said. Raab, 44, was named Brexit secretary in July after the resignation of his predecessor David Davis, who also quit in protest at May's strategy. At the heart of Raab's criticism was the belief that the pursuit of a temporary customs union with the EU would be the starting point for talks on the future relationship with the bloc, "severely prejudicing" what Britain could achieve. He said he could not support an indefinite backstop arrangement, and that May's plan threatened the integrity of the United Kingdom.

'I'm going to see this through': UK PM May vows to fight for Brexit deal

By Andy Price

The contrast between what Theresa May said and the way she said&nbsp;was stark. In a subdued, almost reticent way, Theresa May told the nation on the steps of 10 Downing Street on November 14 that she “believed with her head and her heart” in the draft withdrawal agreement she had negotiated with the EU. The cabinet also backed it, she told us.

As subsequent cabinet resignations have proven, there was no such agreement. The whole address looks increasingly like it could be the first part of a long and drawn out resignation letter.

It was also the culmination of May’s ultimate folly: the crumbling of her absurd red lines. These red lines – leaving the customs union and the single market, ending the jurisdiction of the ECJ – were never compatible with not having a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, nor with a smooth transition in general. More painfully, these red lines were almost totally unnecessary. These issues were not on the 2016 referendum ballot. History will be a harsh judge as to why May and her team – stand up, Nick Timothy – chose to go down this path.

It has been clear for a long time that there is little appetite for these red lines especially in light of the potential impacts (a border in Ireland and disruption to trade to name two). But the root of the problem is this: from the moment she became PM, May played to a particular gallery: the Hard Brexiteers within her own party. It was to these people, first and foremost, who May spoke. Despite appeals to the hallowed “will of the people”, it was the will of the Brexiteers that May appealed to from late 2016 onwards.

But now that approach has crumbled on contact with the reality of UK and EU politics. Not only does this deal achieve the remarkable feat of being both the product of her red lines and an immediate transgression of them, May’s appearance before parliament the day after the Withdrawal Agreement was published showed one thing clearly: her deal has not only divided her cabinet but has no support in the Commons.

What next?

The question now, then, is what happens next, and there are two areas to focus on. First, what happens to the government and the Conservative Party. With rumours that the 1922 Committee has the requisite number of letters (48) to trigger a leadership challenge circulating, and with rumours that even May and her team now realise that “no Brexit” is an option, one thing is clear: business as usual is not possible.

This could mean an eventual vote of no-confidence, ousting May, and even another general election (though the latter is unlikely given that it would require two-thirds of the Commons to vote for it). It could also mean that May hangs on, and the deal is voted down, and the UK careers towards an exit from the EU with no deal. One thing is for sure: parliamentary gridlock and uncertainty is a new reality.

The second area to consider is what the Labour Party will now choose to do. Will Jeremy Corbyn make the same mistake as May has done, and elevate the immediate politics of his party – including the politics of which Labour constituencies voted Leave – above the national interest? Or will he do the one thing the UK has so badly lacked over the last two years: put all personal and party politics aside and face the reality of just how difficult the implementation of the result of the 2016 referendum was.

If the Labour Party was to choose the latter course, it has to address three key issues head-on. First, just how flawed the idea of the 2016 referendum was in the first place – the binary Leave/Remain ballot paper on such a complex issue was asking for trouble. Second, how problematic the Leave campaign itself was. On top of the most egregious lies – the bus, the purported ascension of Turkey – we now know that there are criminal charges to be answered around the Leave campaigns, official and unofficial.

Finally, it must deal with a much more deep-seated and intractable issue in UK politics: the framing of the EU in the political community of the UK. Ever since joining in 1973, both sides of the political divide have misrepresented what the EU actually is and the idea that the UK is exceptional and worthy of special treatment. Worse, when politically expedient, they have blamed the EU for various domestic woes.

This litany of delusion on the part of the UK political establishment needs to be taken on by a party or a leader who has no ideological axe to grind, has no gallery to play to, has only the desire and the ability to lead in the greatest sense of the idea of leadership – taking many millions of people with you on a journey they may disagree with in the name of the national interest.

It remains to be seen whether Corbyn or Labour is up to this challenge. But there is no doubt that no matter what happens in the Commons in the next few days, in the long term, the emergence of a political figure or movement that can do exactly this is what the UK most desperately needs.

(Andy Price is Head of Politics, Sheffield Hallam University)

(This article was first published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/theresa-mays-brexit-deal-is-dead-in-the-water-now-what-for-britain-107029">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 Andy Price The contrast between what Theresa May said and the way she said was stark. In a subdued, almost reticent way, Theresa May told the nation on the steps of 10 Downing Street on November 14 that she “believed with her head and her heart” in the draft withdrawal agreement she had negotiated with the EU.

By Andy Price The contrast between what Theresa May said and the way she said was stark. In a subdued, almost reticent way, Theresa May told the nation on the steps of 10 Downing Street on November 14 that she “believed with her head and her heart” in the draft withdrawal agreement she had negotiated with the EU. The cabinet also backed it, she told us. As subsequent cabinet resignations have proven, there was no such agreement. The whole address looks increasingly like it could be the first part of a long and drawn out resignation letter. It was also the culmination of May’s ultimate folly: the crumbling of her absurd red lines. These red lines – leaving the customs union and the single market, ending the jurisdiction of the ECJ – were never compatible with not having a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, nor with a smooth transition in general. More painfully, these red lines were almost totally unnecessary. These issues were not on the 2016 referendum ballot. History will be a harsh judge as to why May and her team – stand up, Nick Timothy – chose to go down this path. It has been clear for a long time that there is little appetite for these red lines especially in light of the potential impacts (a border in Ireland and disruption to trade to name two). But the root of the problem is this: from the moment she became PM, May played to a particular gallery: the Hard Brexiteers within her own party. It was to these people, first and foremost, who May spoke. Despite appeals to the hallowed “will of the people”, it was the will of the Brexiteers that May appealed to from late 2016 onwards. But now that approach has crumbled on contact with the reality of UK and EU politics. Not only does this deal achieve the remarkable feat of being both the product of her red lines and an immediate transgression of them, May’s appearance before parliament the day after the Withdrawal Agreement was published showed one thing clearly: her deal has not only divided her cabinet but has no support in the Commons. What next? The question now, then, is what happens next, and there are two areas to focus on. First, what happens to the government and the Conservative Party. With rumours that the 1922 Committee has the requisite number of letters (48) to trigger a leadership challenge circulating, and with rumours that even May and her team now realise that “no Brexit” is an option, one thing is clear: business as usual is not possible. This could mean an eventual vote of no-confidence, ousting May, and even another general election (though the latter is unlikely given that it would require two-thirds of the Commons to vote for it). It could also mean that May hangs on, and the deal is voted down, and the UK careers towards an exit from the EU with no deal. One thing is for sure: parliamentary gridlock and uncertainty is a new reality. The second area to consider is what the Labour Party will now choose to do. Will Jeremy Corbyn make the same mistake as May has done, and elevate the immediate politics of his party – including the politics of which Labour constituencies voted Leave – above the national interest? Or will he do the one thing the UK has so badly lacked over the last two years: put all personal and party politics aside and face the reality of just how difficult the implementation of the result of the 2016 referendum was. If the Labour Party was to choose the latter course, it has to address three key issues head-on. First, just how flawed the idea of the 2016 referendum was in the first place – the binary Leave/Remain ballot paper on such a complex issue was asking for trouble. Second, how problematic the Leave campaign itself was. On top of the most egregious lies – the bus, the purported ascension of Turkey – we now know that there are criminal charges to be answered around the Leave campaigns, official and unofficial. Finally, it must deal with a much more deep-seated and intractable issue in UK politics: the framing of the EU in the political community of the UK. Ever since joining in 1973, both sides of the political divide have misrepresented what the EU actually is and the idea that the UK is exceptional and worthy of special treatment. Worse, when politically expedient, they have blamed the EU for various domestic woes. This litany of delusion on the part of the UK political establishment needs to be taken on by a party or a leader who has no ideological axe to grind, has no gallery to play to, has only the desire and the ability to lead in the greatest sense of the idea of leadership – taking many millions of people with you on a journey they may disagree with in the name of the national interest. It remains to be seen whether Corbyn or Labour is up to this challenge. But there is no doubt that no matter what happens in the Commons in the next few days, in the long term, the emergence of a political figure or movement that can do exactly this is what the UK most desperately needs. (Andy Price is Head of Politics, Sheffield Hallam University) (This article was first published on The DNA. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Theresa May’s Brexit deal is dead in the water – now what for Britain?

It would appear, in hindsight, that the European Union, forged after the devastating world wars that consumed Europe in fratricidal conflicts fuelled by nationalism and balance of power politics, was more an attempt to tame nationalism than expunge it. &nbsp;This may have been both fundamentally practical, given the potency of nationalism, but also a folly that is now panning out in the Union.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The aspiration to tame nationalism might have been practical because the historical memory of the concept was fresh in Europe; it then could on have been erased and banishing it might even have meant its recrudescence. Through functional integration and gradualism, the aspiration might have morphed into taming nationalism. But, as the West’s ( except for outliers like Australia and Canada) descent into nativism and populism suggests, merely mellowing nationalism could have been a folly. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;Against the backdrop of the return of the nationalism in the West, more poignantly in Europe, it is leaders like Emmanuel Macron who represent the best hope for the continent. He is cosmopolitan, unencumbered by past legacies and is beholden to both a world order that is not zero-sum and insular. Macron also has a vision for France that is at odds at bottoms up demand for a more parochial, inward-looking, and nationalist entity. &nbsp;Stripped of accretions, Europe is France and Germany complemented by a few other smaller entities (nations). So, whatever direction either take will determine the nature and future of the larger European Union. But, within this Franco-German combine (or core Europe), Germany and its politics, is fragmenting into the solvent of reaction and polarisation, it is perhaps Macron’s France that is the last holdout against these forces. 
&nbsp; 
Can, the question, is Macron hold the forte so to speak? 
&nbsp; 
Perhaps. 
&nbsp; 
But, for the French president to be a beacon amidst gloom and doom, he needs clarity of vision, &nbsp;a deft and a pragmatic approach to policy making and a bit of a review of himself. 
&nbsp; 
I will dwell on each theme in reverse sequence.

Youth and idealistic exuberance can, at times, lead to what may be called a semblance of arrogance. This is perhaps what is happening to Macron. To obviate the perception of arrogance, Macron must mellow down in terms of attitude and approach and develop communication strategies and techniques that do not jar with people. &nbsp;He must not only be accessible but also come across as someone who the people of France can relate to and identify with. Having said this, communication skills can go only so far. Unless and until communication has substance, it is mere rhetoric and spin. What, the question here is, would constitute substance for Macron? 
&nbsp; 
The young president of France must gain conceptual clarity on the nature of nationalism and structural clarity on the European Union. Broken down, this means that Macron must understand that nationalism cannot be wished away and his aspiration of cosmopolitanism, howsoever noble, at this stage in world history, remains just that: an aspiration. But this does not mean caving in to the pressures of nationalism. It means sublimating the concept and its emotional wellsprings and projecting them onto the larger Union. Herein lies the challenge for Macron whose nature is to fund a delicate balance defined by equipoise between the two, with the ultimate goal of a more expansive European identity. 
&nbsp; 
The natural concomitant to the clarity of vision in terms of the conceptual and the emotional must lie in policy grids and frameworks which actually work for the people. These must be informed by the past, defined by the present and oriented towards the future, in ways that enhance peoples’ welfare, in the expansive sense of the term. 
&nbsp; 
In combination, the admixture of “prescriptions” offered here might constitute a useful starting point to inject sobriety and proportion in Europe but, more importantly, redeem the entity, especially in its eyes. Europe and the European Union are too special and unique to be frittered away at the altar of competing nationalisms and consumed by these along with forces and clamour of nativist populism. 
&nbsp; 
The challenge to salvage Europe is, counter-intuitively, exacerbated by the Democrat’s successes in the United States’ midterm elections. The Democrats, neither have a conceptual toolkit nor practical policy markers to deal with and counter Trumpism. In all likelihood, they will, if not mimic but take a leaf from Trump and bend to the forces of nativist populism in the United States. There then is no one in the West who can actually take on substantively these insalubrious forces and trends. With faith in himself, whose feature must be humility complemented by a robust understanding of the nature of challenge(s), Macron must gird his sleeves and set to save and redevelop project Europe.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

It would appear, in hindsight, that the European Union, forged after the devastating world wars that consumed Europe in fratricidal conflicts fuelled by nationalism and balance of power politics, was more an attempt to tame nationalism than expunge it.

It would appear, in hindsight, that the European Union, forged after the devastating world wars that consumed Europe in fratricidal conflicts fuelled by nationalism and balance of power politics, was more an attempt to tame nationalism than expunge it. This may have been both fundamentally practical, given the potency of nationalism, but also a folly that is now panning out in the Union. The aspiration to tame nationalism might have been practical because the historical memory of the concept was fresh in Europe; it then could on have been erased and banishing it might even have meant its recrudescence. Through functional integration and gradualism, the aspiration might have morphed into taming nationalism. But, as the West’s ( except for outliers like Australia and Canada) descent into nativism and populism suggests, merely mellowing nationalism could have been a folly. Against the backdrop of the return of the nationalism in the West, more poignantly in Europe, it is leaders like Emmanuel Macron who represent the best hope for the continent. He is cosmopolitan, unencumbered by past legacies and is beholden to both a world order that is not zero-sum and insular. Macron also has a vision for France that is at odds at bottoms up demand for a more parochial, inward-looking, and nationalist entity. Stripped of accretions, Europe is France and Germany complemented by a few other smaller entities (nations). So, whatever direction either take will determine the nature and future of the larger European Union. But, within this Franco-German combine (or core Europe), Germany and its politics, is fragmenting into the solvent of reaction and polarisation, it is perhaps Macron’s France that is the last holdout against these forces. Can, the question, is Macron hold the forte so to speak? Perhaps. But, for the French president to be a beacon amidst gloom and doom, he needs clarity of vision, a deft and a pragmatic approach to policy making and a bit of a review of himself. I will dwell on each theme in reverse sequence. Youth and idealistic exuberance can, at times, lead to what may be called a semblance of arrogance. This is perhaps what is happening to Macron. To obviate the perception of arrogance, Macron must mellow down in terms of attitude and approach and develop communication strategies and techniques that do not jar with people. He must not only be accessible but also come across as someone who the people of France can relate to and identify with. Having said this, communication skills can go only so far. Unless and until communication has substance, it is mere rhetoric and spin. What, the question here is, would constitute substance for Macron? The young president of France must gain conceptual clarity on the nature of nationalism and structural clarity on the European Union. Broken down, this means that Macron must understand that nationalism cannot be wished away and his aspiration of cosmopolitanism, howsoever noble, at this stage in world history, remains just that: an aspiration. But this does not mean caving in to the pressures of nationalism. It means sublimating the concept and its emotional wellsprings and projecting them onto the larger Union. Herein lies the challenge for Macron whose nature is to fund a delicate balance defined by equipoise between the two, with the ultimate goal of a more expansive European identity. The natural concomitant to the clarity of vision in terms of the conceptual and the emotional must lie in policy grids and frameworks which actually work for the people. These must be informed by the past, defined by the present and oriented towards the future, in ways that enhance peoples’ welfare, in the expansive sense of the term. In combination, the admixture of “prescriptions” offered here might constitute a useful starting point to inject sobriety and proportion in Europe but, more importantly, redeem the entity, especially in its eyes. Europe and the European Union are too special and unique to be frittered away at the altar of competing nationalisms and consumed by these along with forces and clamour of nativist populism. The challenge to salvage Europe is, counter-intuitively, exacerbated by the Democrat’s successes in the United States’ midterm elections. The Democrats, neither have a conceptual toolkit nor practical policy markers to deal with and counter Trumpism. In all likelihood, they will, if not mimic but take a leaf from Trump and bend to the forces of nativist populism in the United States. There then is no one in the West who can actually take on substantively these insalubrious forces and trends. With faith in himself, whose feature must be humility complemented by a robust understanding of the nature of challenge(s), Macron must gird his sleeves and set to save and redevelop project Europe. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Can Emmanuel Macron save Europe?

European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said on Wednesday that the EU has a list of potential retaliation targets ready in case US President Donald Trump imposes auto tariffs on the bloc's member states.

Malmstrom told reporters after a meeting with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that they did not speak specifically about auto tariffs, but focused instead on regulatory cooperation issues and ways to enable EU countries to import more American soybeans and liquefied natural gas.

Malmstrom did not specify the US products on which the EU would levy retaliatory tariffs, as consultations with member states would need to take place, but she said the list could include "all kinds" of products.

"It could be cars, it could be agriculture, it could be industrial products - it could be everything. And we will do that, but hope we don't have to get to that situation," she said.

Malmstrom also said that the EU is willing to negotiate a limited trade deal on industrial goods, including autos, that seeks to bring tariff rates to zero for both the United States and Europe.

But the scope of these talks cannot be defined until early 2019, when the USTR completes its consultation process with Congress and the EU receives a negotiating mandate from member states, she added.

Trump administration officials on Tuesday said the president's trade team made no decisions on how to proceed with new recommendations from the Commerce Department on whether to impose tariffs on autos and auto parts to protect the US industry on national security grounds. The contents of the recommendations have not been disclosed.

An influential automotive trade group warned on Wednesday that increased US autos tariffs will erode the benefits of tax cuts and the new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade deal.

"If implemented, increased auto tariffs would not only undermine the potential success of the USMCA, they would also pose a material threat to the economy and may result in the loss of as many as 700,000 jobs across the US," the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in prepared testimony for a hearing on Thursday before the US International Trade Commission.

The group, which represents both Detroit-based and foreign automakers, said it "strongly encourages" the administration to drop its national security probe on autos.

It added that side-letters to the USMCA providing Canada and Mexico with tariff-free import quotas of 2.6 million vehicles each in the event Trump imposes car tariffs indicate that the administration intends to do so.

European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said on Wednesday that the EU has a list of potential retaliation targets ready in case US President Donald Trump imposes auto tariffs on the bloc's member states.

European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said on Wednesday that the EU has a list of potential retaliation targets ready in case US President Donald Trump imposes auto tariffs on the bloc's member states. Malmstrom told reporters after a meeting with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that they did not speak specifically about auto tariffs, but focused instead on regulatory cooperation issues and ways to enable EU countries to import more American soybeans and liquefied natural gas. Malmstrom did not specify the US products on which the EU would levy retaliatory tariffs, as consultations with member states would need to take place, but she said the list could include "all kinds" of products. "It could be cars, it could be agriculture, it could be industrial products - it could be everything. And we will do that, but hope we don't have to get to that situation," she said. Malmstrom also said that the EU is willing to negotiate a limited trade deal on industrial goods, including autos, that seeks to bring tariff rates to zero for both the United States and Europe. But the scope of these talks cannot be defined until early 2019, when the USTR completes its consultation process with Congress and the EU receives a negotiating mandate from member states, she added. Trump administration officials on Tuesday said the president's trade team made no decisions on how to proceed with new recommendations from the Commerce Department on whether to impose tariffs on autos and auto parts to protect the US industry on national security grounds. The contents of the recommendations have not been disclosed. An influential automotive trade group warned on Wednesday that increased US autos tariffs will erode the benefits of tax cuts and the new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade deal. "If implemented, increased auto tariffs would not only undermine the potential success of the USMCA, they would also pose a material threat to the economy and may result in the loss of as many as 700,000 jobs across the US," the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in prepared testimony for a hearing on Thursday before the US International Trade Commission. The group, which represents both Detroit-based and foreign automakers, said it "strongly encourages" the administration to drop its national security probe on autos. It added that side-letters to the USMCA providing Canada and Mexico with tariff-free import quotas of 2.6 million vehicles each in the event Trump imposes car tariffs indicate that the administration intends to do so.

Europe ready to retaliate if US imposes auto tariffs: EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom

A day after British <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-may-hails-brexit-deal-but-her-mps-says-it-threatens-uks-unity-177389">Prime Minister Theresa May declared she</a> had won the support of her cabinet on Brexit, European Council president Donald Tusk said today that the summit will formalise the Brexit deal on November 25th.

"If nothing extraordinary happens, we will hold a European Council meeting in order to finalise and formalise the Brexit agreement. It will take place on Sunday, the 25th of November at 9:30 am," Tusk announced.

As the announcement was made by Tusk, junior Northern Ireland minister&nbsp;Shailesh Vara quit the British government over the Brexit deal.

"With respect, prime minister, this agreement does not provide for the United Kingdom being a sovereign, independent country leaving the shackles of the EU, however, it is worded," he wrote.

"We are a proud nation and it is a sad day when we are reduced to obeying rules made by other countries who have shown that they do not have our best interests at heart," he said.

"We can and must do better than this. The people of the UK deserve better," he added.

European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had said earlier that “decisive progress” has been made in Brexit talks with Britain. Barnier's statement was taken up by the president of the European Council Tusk who called for an extraordinary summit.

Theresa May had said yesterday that she had the "collective" backing of her cabinet to move Britain out of the Europen Union after a gruelling five-hour meeting. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar had said he expected the 28 leaders to meet on November 25.

"The collective decision of cabinet was that the government should agree the draft withdrawal agreement and the outline political declaration," May had said. The draft, however, needs to be passed by the Parliament.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had tweeted that he had sent Tusk a letter recommending that he "find that decisive progress has been made in the negotiations on the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union."

However, there are still several points of contention including the status of Northern Ireland which is likely to have "special status" aligning it to the &nbsp;European single market which was resisted by Scotland politicians who have questioned the deal.

Nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon had asked why Northern Ireland should have a special status that would keep it in the European single market while Scotland is forced out along with the entire country.

Britain has been part of the European Union for the past 46 years but British citizen had decided to pull the country out of the European Union two years in an open referendum.

Last week, The European Union and the British government had jointly published a 585-page detailed draft agreement of their Brexit deal that needed the approval of EU leaders and the British parliament.

A day after British Prime Minister Theresa May declared she had won the support of her cabinet on Brexit, European Council president Donald Tusk said today that the summit will formalise the Brexit deal on November 25th.

A day after British Prime Minister Theresa May declared she had won the support of her cabinet on Brexit, European Council president Donald Tusk said today that the summit will formalise the Brexit deal on November 25th. "If nothing extraordinary happens, we will hold a European Council meeting in order to finalise and formalise the Brexit agreement. It will take place on Sunday, the 25th of November at 9:30 am," Tusk announced. As the announcement was made by Tusk, junior Northern Ireland minister Shailesh Vara quit the British government over the Brexit deal. "With respect, prime minister, this agreement does not provide for the United Kingdom being a sovereign, independent country leaving the shackles of the EU, however, it is worded," he wrote. "We are a proud nation and it is a sad day when we are reduced to obeying rules made by other countries who have shown that they do not have our best interests at heart," he said. "We can and must do better than this. The people of the UK deserve better," he added. European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had said earlier that “decisive progress” has been made in Brexit talks with Britain. Barnier's statement was taken up by the president of the European Council Tusk who called for an extraordinary summit. Theresa May had said yesterday that she had the "collective" backing of her cabinet to move Britain out of the Europen Union after a gruelling five-hour meeting. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar had said he expected the 28 leaders to meet on November 25. "The collective decision of cabinet was that the government should agree the draft withdrawal agreement and the outline political declaration," May had said. The draft, however, needs to be passed by the Parliament. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had tweeted that he had sent Tusk a letter recommending that he "find that decisive progress has been made in the negotiations on the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union." However, there are still several points of contention including the status of Northern Ireland which is likely to have "special status" aligning it to the European single market which was resisted by Scotland politicians who have questioned the deal. Nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon had asked why Northern Ireland should have a special status that would keep it in the European single market while Scotland is forced out along with the entire country. Britain has been part of the European Union for the past 46 years but British citizen had decided to pull the country out of the European Union two years in an open referendum. Last week, The European Union and the British government had jointly published a 585-page detailed draft agreement of their Brexit deal that needed the approval of EU leaders and the British parliament.

European Council to meet on November 25th to formalise Brexit; Northern Ireland minister quits PM May's cabinet

British Prime Minister Theresa May will seek her cabinet's approval Wednesday for a long-awaited divorce deal with the EU, but hardline Brexiteer MPs warned they will seek to block it in parliament.

After months of talks, May announced late Tuesday that negotiators had finally struck a draft agreement on the terms of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union next March.

The pound surged on currency markets following the news, which came as Brussels stepped up preparations for a potentially catastrophic "no deal" exit.

But diplomats and officials warned the technical agreement, which runs to hundreds of pages, still needs political approval.

Ambassadors from the other 27 EU member states will meet later in Brussels, while May's cabinet convenes at 1400 GMT.

If they approve the text, London is hoping for a special summit of EU leaders later this month to seal the deal.

But May has faced constant criticism from her Conservative MPs over her approach, and the deal had barely been announced, when they took to the airwaves to denounce it.

Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, who quit the cabinet over Brexit in July, said the deal would leave Britain a "vassal state" and urged his former colleagues to "chuck it out".

Former Brexit minister David Davis, who quit at the same time, said: "Cabinet and all Conservative MPs should stand up, be counted and say no to this capitulation."

Most ominously for May, the Northern Irish party which props up her government threatened to break their alliance over reports of a special arrangement for the British province.

"If this is the shape of the deal, we are probably ending up with no agreement," Sammy Wilson of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) told Sky News television.

All eyes were on whether eurosceptic ministers including Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab may join the chorus of disapproval and resign.

"We are clearly not out of the woods yet," the London-based Capital Economics research group said in a note to clients.

Irish backstop&nbsp;

British and EU negotiators had stepped up their talks ahead of a deadline on Wednesday to get a deal in time to call the special summit for later this month.

Failure would delay the final settlement until a formal Brussels summit in mid-December, leaving little time for May to get the deal and associated legislation through parliament.

The talks were stuck for months on how to avoid border checks between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, if and until London strikes a new trade deal with Brussels.

Ireland's RTE broadcaster reported that the final deal includes a so-called "backstop" arrangement in which the whole United Kingdom remained in a customs arrangement with the EU.

It provides for additional "deeper" provisions for Northern Ireland on customs and regulations, risking anger from the DUP.

But it also reportedly allows for a review mechanism that Britain could use to try to leave the backstop arrangement -- a key demand of Conservative eurosceptics.

Pro-Brexit MPs like Johnson fear Britain could end up being tied to the EU indefinitely.

May's deputy David Lidington had earlier promised the government would publish legal analysis on the deal following pressure from Tories and the main opposition Labour party.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would wait for details, but suggested the agreement was "unlikely to be a good deal for the country".

Other elements of the divorce already agreed include Britain's exit bill of around £39 billion (45 billion euros, $50 billion) as well as a guarantee on EU citizens' rights.

It also provides for a 21-month transition after Brexit during which London would follow EU rules, for both sides to negotiate a new trade relationship.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will seek her cabinet's approval Wednesday for a long-awaited divorce deal with the EU, but hardline Brexiteer MPs warned they will seek to block it in parliament.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will seek her cabinet's approval Wednesday for a long-awaited divorce deal with the EU, but hardline Brexiteer MPs warned they will seek to block it in parliament. After months of talks, May announced late Tuesday that negotiators had finally struck a draft agreement on the terms of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union next March. The pound surged on currency markets following the news, which came as Brussels stepped up preparations for a potentially catastrophic "no deal" exit. But diplomats and officials warned the technical agreement, which runs to hundreds of pages, still needs political approval. Ambassadors from the other 27 EU member states will meet later in Brussels, while May's cabinet convenes at 1400 GMT. If they approve the text, London is hoping for a special summit of EU leaders later this month to seal the deal. But May has faced constant criticism from her Conservative MPs over her approach, and the deal had barely been announced, when they took to the airwaves to denounce it. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, who quit the cabinet over Brexit in July, said the deal would leave Britain a "vassal state" and urged his former colleagues to "chuck it out". Former Brexit minister David Davis, who quit at the same time, said: "Cabinet and all Conservative MPs should stand up, be counted and say no to this capitulation." Most ominously for May, the Northern Irish party which props up her government threatened to break their alliance over reports of a special arrangement for the British province. "If this is the shape of the deal, we are probably ending up with no agreement," Sammy Wilson of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) told Sky News television. All eyes were on whether eurosceptic ministers including Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab may join the chorus of disapproval and resign. "We are clearly not out of the woods yet," the London-based Capital Economics research group said in a note to clients. Irish backstop British and EU negotiators had stepped up their talks ahead of a deadline on Wednesday to get a deal in time to call the special summit for later this month. Failure would delay the final settlement until a formal Brussels summit in mid-December, leaving little time for May to get the deal and associated legislation through parliament. The talks were stuck for months on how to avoid border checks between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, if and until London strikes a new trade deal with Brussels. Ireland's RTE broadcaster reported that the final deal includes a so-called "backstop" arrangement in which the whole United Kingdom remained in a customs arrangement with the EU. It provides for additional "deeper" provisions for Northern Ireland on customs and regulations, risking anger from the DUP. But it also reportedly allows for a review mechanism that Britain could use to try to leave the backstop arrangement -- a key demand of Conservative eurosceptics. Pro-Brexit MPs like Johnson fear Britain could end up being tied to the EU indefinitely. May's deputy David Lidington had earlier promised the government would publish legal analysis on the deal following pressure from Tories and the main opposition Labour party. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would wait for details, but suggested the agreement was "unlikely to be a good deal for the country". Other elements of the divorce already agreed include Britain's exit bill of around £39 billion (45 billion euros, $50 billion) as well as a guarantee on EU citizens' rights. It also provides for a 21-month transition after Brexit during which London would follow EU rules, for both sides to negotiate a new trade relationship.

UK PM May takes Brexit deal to cabinet as MPs revolt

Britain struck a draft divorce deal with the European Union after more than a year of talks, thrusting Prime Minister Theresa May into a perilous battle over Brexit that could shape her country's prosperity for generations to come.

While Brussels choreographs the first withdrawal of a sovereign state from the EU, May, a far from secure leader hemmed in by opponents in government and her own Conservative party, must now try to get the deal approved by her cabinet and, in the toughest test of all, by parliament.

Brexiteers in May's party accused her of surrendering to the EU and said they would vote the deal down while the Northern Irish party which props up her minority government questioned whether she would be able to get parliamentary approval.

"These are momentous days and the decisions being taken will have long-lasting ramifications," said Arlene Foster, leader of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which keeps the government in power.

"The prime minister must win the support of the cabinet and the House of Commons. Every individual vote will count."

The British cabinet will meet at 1400 GMT on Wednesday to consider the draft withdrawal agreement, a Downing Street spokesman said after Irish and British media were leaked details of the agreement on the text.

Sterling, which has seesawed since reaching $1.50 just before Britain's 2016 referendum that saw a 52-48 per cent margin for leaving the EU, surged on news of a deal but then erased some gains as opponents lined up to criticise May.

Brexit will pitch the world's fifth largest economy into the unknown and many fear it will serve to divide the West as it grapples with both the unconventional presidency of Donald Trump and growing assertiveness from Russia and China.

Supporters of Brexit say that while the divorce might bring some short-term instability, in the longer term it will allow the United Kingdom to thrive and also enable deeper EU integration without such a powerful reluctant member.

SELLING BREXIT

A senior EU official confirmed that a draft text had been agreed. EU leaders could meet on Nov. 25 for a summit to seal the Brexit deal if May's cabinet approves the text, diplomatic sources said.

The EU and Britain need an agreement to keep trade flowing between the world's biggest trading bloc and the United Kingdom, home to the biggest international financial centre.

But May, an initial opponent of Brexit who won the top job in the turmoil that followed the referendum, has struggled to untangle nearly 46 years of EU membership without damaging commerce or upsetting the lawmakers who will ultimately decide the fate of the divorce accord.

By seeking to leave the EU while preserving the closest possible ties, May's compromise plan has upset Brexiteers, pro-Europeans, Scottish nationalists, the Northern Irish party that props up her government, and some of her own ministers.

It is unclear when parliament might vote on a deal. To get the deal approved she needs the votes of about 320 lawmakers in the 650-seat parliament. She faces a deeply divided government, party, parliament and country.

BREXIT BETRAYAL?

Prominent Brexiteers such as Conservative lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg and former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said May had sold out the United Kingdom and that they would oppose it.

"It is a failure of the government's negotiating position, it is a failure to deliver on Brexit, and it is potentially dividing up the United Kingdom," Conservative lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg said.

The opposition Labour Party, which has said it would oppose any agreement that does not retain "the exact same" economic benefits that it now has with the EU, said it was unlikely the announced deal was right for Britain.

"It is vassal state stuff," Johnson said, adding that he would vote against such an unacceptable accord. "Chuck it out."

Johnson's brother, Jo, a pro-European, resigned from May's government on Friday, calling for another referendum to avoid her Brexit plans unleashing Britain’s greatest crisis since World War Two.

IRELAND

May formally began Britain’s divorce in March 2017, ushering in tortuous negotiations on everything from space exploration and fishing territories to selling complex financial products and the future of the land border on the island of Ireland.

As deadlines passed, officials such as Britain's Olly Robbins and the Commission's Sabine Weyand, a German, raced to get a deal in late night sessions at the European Commission's modernist Berlaymont building in Brussels.

With less than five months until Britain leaves the EU, the so-called Northern Irish backstop was the main sticking point.

The backstop is an insurance policy to avoid a return to controls on the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU member state Ireland if a future trading relationship is not agreed in time.

The British government supplied no immediate details on the Brexit deal text, which runs to hundreds of pages.

Three EU sources said the backstop would come in the form of a UK-wide customs arrangement, with specific provisions for Northern Ireland which go deeper on the issue of customs and alignment with the rules of the EU single market than for the rest of the United Kingdom.

It would include a review mechanism to bridge between EU demands that the insurance policy is permanently available and Britain's request to avoid being held in a customs alliance with the bloc perpetually.

The DUP has ruled out any deal that treats Northern Ireland differently.

Britain struck a draft divorce deal with the European Union after more than a year of talks, thrusting Prime Minister Theresa May into a perilous battle over Brexit that could shape her country's prosperity for generations to come.

Britain struck a draft divorce deal with the European Union after more than a year of talks, thrusting Prime Minister Theresa May into a perilous battle over Brexit that could shape her country's prosperity for generations to come. While Brussels choreographs the first withdrawal of a sovereign state from the EU, May, a far from secure leader hemmed in by opponents in government and her own Conservative party, must now try to get the deal approved by her cabinet and, in the toughest test of all, by parliament. Brexiteers in May's party accused her of surrendering to the EU and said they would vote the deal down while the Northern Irish party which props up her minority government questioned whether she would be able to get parliamentary approval. "These are momentous days and the decisions being taken will have long-lasting ramifications," said Arlene Foster, leader of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which keeps the government in power. "The prime minister must win the support of the cabinet and the House of Commons. Every individual vote will count." The British cabinet will meet at 1400 GMT on Wednesday to consider the draft withdrawal agreement, a Downing Street spokesman said after Irish and British media were leaked details of the agreement on the text. Sterling, which has seesawed since reaching $1.50 just before Britain's 2016 referendum that saw a 52-48 per cent margin for leaving the EU, surged on news of a deal but then erased some gains as opponents lined up to criticise May. Brexit will pitch the world's fifth largest economy into the unknown and many fear it will serve to divide the West as it grapples with both the unconventional presidency of Donald Trump and growing assertiveness from Russia and China. Supporters of Brexit say that while the divorce might bring some short-term instability, in the longer term it will allow the United Kingdom to thrive and also enable deeper EU integration without such a powerful reluctant member. SELLING BREXIT A senior EU official confirmed that a draft text had been agreed. EU leaders could meet on Nov. 25 for a summit to seal the Brexit deal if May's cabinet approves the text, diplomatic sources said. The EU and Britain need an agreement to keep trade flowing between the world's biggest trading bloc and the United Kingdom, home to the biggest international financial centre. But May, an initial opponent of Brexit who won the top job in the turmoil that followed the referendum, has struggled to untangle nearly 46 years of EU membership without damaging commerce or upsetting the lawmakers who will ultimately decide the fate of the divorce accord. By seeking to leave the EU while preserving the closest possible ties, May's compromise plan has upset Brexiteers, pro-Europeans, Scottish nationalists, the Northern Irish party that props up her government, and some of her own ministers. It is unclear when parliament might vote on a deal. To get the deal approved she needs the votes of about 320 lawmakers in the 650-seat parliament. She faces a deeply divided government, party, parliament and country. BREXIT BETRAYAL? Prominent Brexiteers such as Conservative lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg and former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said May had sold out the United Kingdom and that they would oppose it. "It is a failure of the government's negotiating position, it is a failure to deliver on Brexit, and it is potentially dividing up the United Kingdom," Conservative lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg said. The opposition Labour Party, which has said it would oppose any agreement that does not retain "the exact same" economic benefits that it now has with the EU, said it was unlikely the announced deal was right for Britain. "It is vassal state stuff," Johnson said, adding that he would vote against such an unacceptable accord. "Chuck it out." Johnson's brother, Jo, a pro-European, resigned from May's government on Friday, calling for another referendum to avoid her Brexit plans unleashing Britain’s greatest crisis since World War Two. IRELAND May formally began Britain’s divorce in March 2017, ushering in tortuous negotiations on everything from space exploration and fishing territories to selling complex financial products and the future of the land border on the island of Ireland. As deadlines passed, officials such as Britain's Olly Robbins and the Commission's Sabine Weyand, a German, raced to get a deal in late night sessions at the European Commission's modernist Berlaymont building in Brussels. With less than five months until Britain leaves the EU, the so-called Northern Irish backstop was the main sticking point. The backstop is an insurance policy to avoid a return to controls on the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU member state Ireland if a future trading relationship is not agreed in time. The British government supplied no immediate details on the Brexit deal text, which runs to hundreds of pages. Three EU sources said the backstop would come in the form of a UK-wide customs arrangement, with specific provisions for Northern Ireland which go deeper on the issue of customs and alignment with the rules of the EU single market than for the rest of the United Kingdom. It would include a review mechanism to bridge between EU demands that the insurance policy is permanently available and Britain's request to avoid being held in a customs alliance with the bloc perpetually. The DUP has ruled out any deal that treats Northern Ireland differently.

Britain agrees Brexit divorce deal with EU, May's opponents vow to thwart it

Natural gas is expected to overtake coal as the world's second-largest energy source after oil by 2030 due to a drive to cut air pollution and the rise in liquefied natural gas (LNG) use, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday,

The Paris-based IEA said in its World Energy Outlook 2018 that energy demand would grow by more than a quarter between 2017 and 2040 assuming more efficient use of energy - but would rise by twice that much without such improvements.

Global gas demand would increase by 1.6 per cent a year to 2040 and would be 45 per cent higher by then than today, it said.

The estimates are based on the IEA's "New Policies Scenario" that takes into account legislation and policies to reduce emissions and fight climate change. They also assume more energy efficiencies in fuel use, buildings and other factors.

"Natural gas is the fastest growing fossil fuel in the New Policies Scenario, overtaking coal by 2030 to become the second-largest source of energy after oil," the report said.

China, already the world's biggest oil and coal importer, would soon become the largest importer of gas and net imports would approach the level of the European Union by 2040, the IEA said.

According to Reuters calculations, based on China's General Administration of Customs data, China has already overtaken Japan as the world's top natural gas importer.

Although China is the world's third-biggest user of natural gas behind the United States and Russia, it has to import about 40 per cent of its needs as local production cannot keep pace.

Emerging economies in Asia would account for about half of total global gas demand growth and their share of LNG imports would double to 60 per cent by 2040, the IEA report said.

"Although talk of a global gas market similar to that of oil is premature, LNG trade has expanded substantially in volume since 2010 and has reached previously isolated markets," it said.

LNG involves cooling gas to a liquid so it can transported by ship.

The United States would account for 40 per cent of total gas production growth to 2025, the IEA said, while other sources would take over as US shale gas output flattened and other nations started turning to unconventional methods of gas production, such as hydraulic fracturing or fracking.

Global electricity demand will grow 2.1 per cent a year, mostly driven by rising use in developing economies. Electricity will account for a quarter of energy used by end users such as consumers and industry by 2040, it said.

Coal and renewables will swap their positions in the power generation mix. The share of coal is forecast to fall from about 40 percent today to a quarter in 2040 while renewables would grow to just over 40 per cent from a quarter now.

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions will continue to grow at a slow but steady pace to 2040. From 2017 levels, the IEA said CO2 emissions would rise by 10 per cent to 36 gigatonnes in 2040, mostly driven by growth in oil and gas.

This trajectory was "far out of step" with what scientific knowledge says would be required to tackle climate change, the report said.

Natural gas is expected to overtake coal as the world's second-largest energy source after oil by 2030 due to a drive to cut air pollution and the rise in liquefied natural gas (LNG) use, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday, The Paris-based IEA said in its World Energy Outlook 2018 that energy demand would grow by more than a quarter between 2017 and 2040 assuming more efficient use of energy - but would rise by twice that much without such improvements.

Natural gas is expected to overtake coal as the world's second-largest energy source after oil by 2030 due to a drive to cut air pollution and the rise in liquefied natural gas (LNG) use, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday, The Paris-based IEA said in its World Energy Outlook 2018 that energy demand would grow by more than a quarter between 2017 and 2040 assuming more efficient use of energy - but would rise by twice that much without such improvements. Global gas demand would increase by 1.6 per cent a year to 2040 and would be 45 per cent higher by then than today, it said. The estimates are based on the IEA's "New Policies Scenario" that takes into account legislation and policies to reduce emissions and fight climate change. They also assume more energy efficiencies in fuel use, buildings and other factors. "Natural gas is the fastest growing fossil fuel in the New Policies Scenario, overtaking coal by 2030 to become the second-largest source of energy after oil," the report said. China, already the world's biggest oil and coal importer, would soon become the largest importer of gas and net imports would approach the level of the European Union by 2040, the IEA said. According to Reuters calculations, based on China's General Administration of Customs data, China has already overtaken Japan as the world's top natural gas importer. Although China is the world's third-biggest user of natural gas behind the United States and Russia, it has to import about 40 per cent of its needs as local production cannot keep pace. Emerging economies in Asia would account for about half of total global gas demand growth and their share of LNG imports would double to 60 per cent by 2040, the IEA report said. "Although talk of a global gas market similar to that of oil is premature, LNG trade has expanded substantially in volume since 2010 and has reached previously isolated markets," it said. LNG involves cooling gas to a liquid so it can transported by ship. The United States would account for 40 per cent of total gas production growth to 2025, the IEA said, while other sources would take over as US shale gas output flattened and other nations started turning to unconventional methods of gas production, such as hydraulic fracturing or fracking. Global electricity demand will grow 2.1 per cent a year, mostly driven by rising use in developing economies. Electricity will account for a quarter of energy used by end users such as consumers and industry by 2040, it said. Coal and renewables will swap their positions in the power generation mix. The share of coal is forecast to fall from about 40 percent today to a quarter in 2040 while renewables would grow to just over 40 per cent from a quarter now. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions will continue to grow at a slow but steady pace to 2040. From 2017 levels, the IEA said CO2 emissions would rise by 10 per cent to 36 gigatonnes in 2040, mostly driven by growth in oil and gas. This trajectory was "far out of step" with what scientific knowledge says would be required to tackle climate change, the report said.

Natural gas to overtake coal as world's second largest energy source: IEA

Four British ministers who back remaining in the European Union are on the verge of quitting Theresa May's government over Brexit, the Sunday Times reported, as pressures built on the prime minister from all sides.&nbsp;

The newspaper also said that the European Union had rejected May's plan for an independent mechanism to oversee Britain's departure from any temporary customs arrangement it agrees. The newspaper sourced the development to British sources, and not sources in the EU team.

May is trying to hammer out the final details of the British divorce deal but the talks have become stuck over how the two sides can prevent a hard border from being required in Ireland.

Britain has proposed a UK-wide temporary customs arrangement with the EU to resolve the issue but Brexiteers in her party want London to have the final say on when that arrangement would end, to prevent it from being tied indefinitely to the bloc.&nbsp;

A senior cabinet minister was quoted in the paper as saying: "This is the moment she has to face down Brussels and make it clear to them that they need to compromise, or we will leave without a deal."

An EU diplomat told Reuters earlier on Saturday that they were cautiously hopeful that an EU summit could happen in November to endorse the deal but that the volatile situation in Britain made it very difficult to predict.&nbsp;

Other EU diplomats said several issues remained unresolved.&nbsp;

May is expected to meet with her cabinet this week to set out her plans for the divorce deal. She was dealt a blow on Friday when junior minister Jo Johnston, who voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum, quit over her plan.

To add to the pressure, a leading member of a group of Brexiteer lawmakers in parliament joined with the Brexit spokesman for the small Northern Irish party that props up May`s party in government to warn that they could not vote for the deal as it currently stands.

Steve Baker, a former junior Brexit minister who resigned over May's so-called Chequers proposals on Brexit, and Sammy Wilson of the DUP wrote in the

Sunday Telegraph newspaper that they could not back a deal if it treated Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the country.&nbsp;

May had been expected to hold a vote in parliament on her deal before the end of the year.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for May`s Downing Street office said the talks were going down to the wire. "The prime minister has always said these negotiations are tough and toughest in the final stages.&nbsp;

"The prime minister has told colleagues this week we should aim to conclude the withdrawal agreement as soon as possible but we will not do that at any cost." (Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by David Stamp and Marguerita Choy) 
&nbsp;

Four British ministers who back remaining in the European Union are on the verge of quitting Theresa May's government over Brexit, the Sunday Times reported, as pressures built on the prime minister from all sides.

Four British ministers who back remaining in the European Union are on the verge of quitting Theresa May's government over Brexit, the Sunday Times reported, as pressures built on the prime minister from all sides. The newspaper also said that the European Union had rejected May's plan for an independent mechanism to oversee Britain's departure from any temporary customs arrangement it agrees. The newspaper sourced the development to British sources, and not sources in the EU team. May is trying to hammer out the final details of the British divorce deal but the talks have become stuck over how the two sides can prevent a hard border from being required in Ireland. Britain has proposed a UK-wide temporary customs arrangement with the EU to resolve the issue but Brexiteers in her party want London to have the final say on when that arrangement would end, to prevent it from being tied indefinitely to the bloc. A senior cabinet minister was quoted in the paper as saying: "This is the moment she has to face down Brussels and make it clear to them that they need to compromise, or we will leave without a deal." An EU diplomat told Reuters earlier on Saturday that they were cautiously hopeful that an EU summit could happen in November to endorse the deal but that the volatile situation in Britain made it very difficult to predict. Other EU diplomats said several issues remained unresolved. May is expected to meet with her cabinet this week to set out her plans for the divorce deal. She was dealt a blow on Friday when junior minister Jo Johnston, who voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum, quit over her plan. To add to the pressure, a leading member of a group of Brexiteer lawmakers in parliament joined with the Brexit spokesman for the small Northern Irish party that props up May`s party in government to warn that they could not vote for the deal as it currently stands. Steve Baker, a former junior Brexit minister who resigned over May's so-called Chequers proposals on Brexit, and Sammy Wilson of the DUP wrote in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper that they could not back a deal if it treated Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the country. May had been expected to hold a vote in parliament on her deal before the end of the year. A spokeswoman for May`s Downing Street office said the talks were going down to the wire. "The prime minister has always said these negotiations are tough and toughest in the final stages. "The prime minister has told colleagues this week we should aim to conclude the withdrawal agreement as soon as possible but we will not do that at any cost." (Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by David Stamp and Marguerita Choy)

Four UK ministers on verge of quitting Theresa May's government over Brexit

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/legal-challenge-looms-as-sri-lankan-main-party-readies-to-challenge-parliament-sacking-176562">dissolve parliament</a>, worsening an already major political crisis, has drawn criticism from Western powers, including the United States and the European Union.

Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night, only five days before it was due to reconvene. A new cabinet he installed was in danger of losing a vote of no confidence.

He also called a general election for January 5.

The president triggered a power struggle when he sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe late last month and appointed the island's former leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, a pro-China strongman defeated by Sirisena in an election in 2015, in his place.

Sirisena's rivals are set to challenge his decision, which they describe as illegal and unconstitutional, in the Supreme Court on Monday.

The US&nbsp;Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a tweet that the United States was "deeply concerned by news the Sri Lanka Parliament will be dissolved, further deepening the political crisis". It said democracy needed to be respected to ensure stability and prosperity.

A spokeswoman for the European Union's foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement that the move "risks undermining public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions and processes and further deepens the political and economic crisis in the country."

Last week, the EU's ambassador warned it could consider stripping Sri Lanka of its duty-free access if it backs off commitments on rights. The EU is worried the return of Rajapaksa could derail halting progress made toward national reconciliation following a war with ethnic minority Tamil separatists that killed tens of thousands, many during the final stages under his watch as president.

Mark Field, the British minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, tweeted his concern about the dissolution of parliament days before it was due to be reconvened.

"As a friend of Sri Lanka, the UK calls on all parties to uphold the constitution and respect democratic institutions and processes," Field said.

Canada's Foreign Policy twitter feed said that it was "deeply concerned" about the decision and referred to the risks to reconciliation work after the nation's civil war.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne expressed both concern and disappointment in a statement, saying the move "undermines Sri Lanka's long democratic tradition and poses a risk to its stability and prosperity".

Sirisena has said he fired Wickremesinghe because the prime minister was trying to implement "a new, extreme liberal political concept by giving more priority for foreign policies and neglecting the local people's sentiment".

Parliament test

Mangala Samaraweera, an ally of Wickremesinghe, said their party expects the court to rule that the dissolution of parliament was illegal and that eventually a vote in parliament will be held to test whether there is a majority.

"We will show that we have the parliament majority and we will show that the dictator president has dissolved a government which had a majority in the parliament," he told reporters.

They were supported by the Tamil National Alliance, the main party representing ethnic Tamil groups in parliament, who said it too will petition the Supreme Court against the dissolution of the house.

"This is a clear violation of the constitution. The president can't do this," said MA&nbsp;Sumanthiran, a spokesman for the alliance.

India and the West have raised concerns over Rajapaksa's close ties with China. Beijing loaned Sri Lanka billions of dollars for infrastructure projects when Rajapaksa was president between 2005-2015, putting the country deep into debt.

Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate the official prime minister's residence saying he was the prime minister and had a parliamentary majority.

Before he signed the papers dissolving parliament and calling the election, Sirisena appointed allies of his and of Rajapaksa to cabinet positions.

One of them said Sirisena was right to order an election to end the political crisis. Dinesh Gunawardena, a newly appointed urban development minister, said the president had handed the country back to the people.

"It is the people's right to vote. We have gone before the people. No force can interfere. The people's mandate is supreme," he said.

Independent legal experts have told Reuters that parliament could be dissolved only in early 2020, which would be four-and-half-years from the first sitting of the current parliament. The only other legal way would be through a referendum, or with the consent of two-thirds of lawmakers.

Given those views, it was not immediately clear how Sirisena is on legal safe ground by dissolving parliament, though his legal experts have said there are provisions for him to do so.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament, worsening an already major political crisis, has drawn criticism from Western powers, including the United States and the European Union.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament, worsening an already major political crisis, has drawn criticism from Western powers, including the United States and the European Union. Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night, only five days before it was due to reconvene. A new cabinet he installed was in danger of losing a vote of no confidence. He also called a general election for January 5. The president triggered a power struggle when he sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe late last month and appointed the island's former leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, a pro-China strongman defeated by Sirisena in an election in 2015, in his place. Sirisena's rivals are set to challenge his decision, which they describe as illegal and unconstitutional, in the Supreme Court on Monday. The US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a tweet that the United States was "deeply concerned by news the Sri Lanka Parliament will be dissolved, further deepening the political crisis". It said democracy needed to be respected to ensure stability and prosperity. A spokeswoman for the European Union's foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement that the move "risks undermining public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions and processes and further deepens the political and economic crisis in the country." Last week, the EU's ambassador warned it could consider stripping Sri Lanka of its duty-free access if it backs off commitments on rights. The EU is worried the return of Rajapaksa could derail halting progress made toward national reconciliation following a war with ethnic minority Tamil separatists that killed tens of thousands, many during the final stages under his watch as president. Mark Field, the British minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, tweeted his concern about the dissolution of parliament days before it was due to be reconvened. "As a friend of Sri Lanka, the UK calls on all parties to uphold the constitution and respect democratic institutions and processes," Field said. Canada's Foreign Policy twitter feed said that it was "deeply concerned" about the decision and referred to the risks to reconciliation work after the nation's civil war. Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne expressed both concern and disappointment in a statement, saying the move "undermines Sri Lanka's long democratic tradition and poses a risk to its stability and prosperity". Sirisena has said he fired Wickremesinghe because the prime minister was trying to implement "a new, extreme liberal political concept by giving more priority for foreign policies and neglecting the local people's sentiment". Parliament test Mangala Samaraweera, an ally of Wickremesinghe, said their party expects the court to rule that the dissolution of parliament was illegal and that eventually a vote in parliament will be held to test whether there is a majority. "We will show that we have the parliament majority and we will show that the dictator president has dissolved a government which had a majority in the parliament," he told reporters. They were supported by the Tamil National Alliance, the main party representing ethnic Tamil groups in parliament, who said it too will petition the Supreme Court against the dissolution of the house. "This is a clear violation of the constitution. The president can't do this," said MA Sumanthiran, a spokesman for the alliance. India and the West have raised concerns over Rajapaksa's close ties with China. Beijing loaned Sri Lanka billions of dollars for infrastructure projects when Rajapaksa was president between 2005-2015, putting the country deep into debt. Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate the official prime minister's residence saying he was the prime minister and had a parliamentary majority. Before he signed the papers dissolving parliament and calling the election, Sirisena appointed allies of his and of Rajapaksa to cabinet positions. One of them said Sirisena was right to order an election to end the political crisis. Dinesh Gunawardena, a newly appointed urban development minister, said the president had handed the country back to the people. "It is the people's right to vote. We have gone before the people. No force can interfere. The people's mandate is supreme," he said. Independent legal experts have told Reuters that parliament could be dissolved only in early 2020, which would be four-and-half-years from the first sitting of the current parliament. The only other legal way would be through a referendum, or with the consent of two-thirds of lawmakers. Given those views, it was not immediately clear how Sirisena is on legal safe ground by dissolving parliament, though his legal experts have said there are provisions for him to do so.

United States, European Union denounce dissolution of Sri Lanka parliament

The European Union joined a chorus of international voices demanding an end to Sri Lanka's two-week-old political crisis Friday, saying the island nation's international reputation and investments were at risk.

President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26 sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe, prime minister, replacing him with the divisive Mahinda Rajapakse.

Wickremesinghe is holed up in his official residence refusing to go, saying his removal would be illegal, while Rajapakse is running a parallel administration from the prime minister's office.

President Sirisena has suspended parliament until next Wednesday as he and Rajapakse try to gather enough support among lawmakers to vote Wickremesinghe out, an effort that looks to be failing. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Amid rumours that Sirisena may seek to delay matters further, the EU, in a joint statement with Norway and Switzerland, said that parliament should vote "immediately when reconvened".

"Any further delay could damage Sri Lanka's international reputation and deter investors," the statement said.

The United States, the United Nations and several other countries including Australia have also urged Colombo to end the unprecedented power struggle and restore confidence.

Wickremesinghe late Thursday thanked his supporters and urged them not to give up.

"In extraordinary numbers and with extraordinary courage you came out on to the streets, you spoke out," Wickremesinghe said in a video message posted on Facebook.

"You have not let this country be plunged into the darkness of dictatorship. For this inspiring effort, I want to thank everyone who has risen to fight for democracy and justice," he said.

His supporters staged a noisy cavalcade of motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, cars and vans in the capital Colombo on Thursday.

The power struggle on the island of 21 million people has paralysed much of the administration, according to legislators on both sides of the dispute.

Sirisena has filled only 22 of 30 cabinet positions -- purposefully keeping some jobs vacant to tempt legislators of Wickremesinghe's party to defect to Rajapakse's side.

According to latest counts, Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs after gaining a defector on Tuesday, while Rajapakse and Sirisena have 101.&nbsp;

Most of the remaining 21 MPs are set to oppose Rajapakse, observers say.

The European Union joined a chorus of international voices demanding an end to Sri Lanka's two-week-old political crisis Friday, saying the island nation's international reputation and investments were at risk.

The European Union joined a chorus of international voices demanding an end to Sri Lanka's two-week-old political crisis Friday, saying the island nation's international reputation and investments were at risk. President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26 sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe, prime minister, replacing him with the divisive Mahinda Rajapakse. Wickremesinghe is holed up in his official residence refusing to go, saying his removal would be illegal, while Rajapakse is running a parallel administration from the prime minister's office. President Sirisena has suspended parliament until next Wednesday as he and Rajapakse try to gather enough support among lawmakers to vote Wickremesinghe out, an effort that looks to be failing. Amid rumours that Sirisena may seek to delay matters further, the EU, in a joint statement with Norway and Switzerland, said that parliament should vote "immediately when reconvened". "Any further delay could damage Sri Lanka's international reputation and deter investors," the statement said. The United States, the United Nations and several other countries including Australia have also urged Colombo to end the unprecedented power struggle and restore confidence. Wickremesinghe late Thursday thanked his supporters and urged them not to give up. "In extraordinary numbers and with extraordinary courage you came out on to the streets, you spoke out," Wickremesinghe said in a video message posted on Facebook. "You have not let this country be plunged into the darkness of dictatorship. For this inspiring effort, I want to thank everyone who has risen to fight for democracy and justice," he said. His supporters staged a noisy cavalcade of motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, cars and vans in the capital Colombo on Thursday. The power struggle on the island of 21 million people has paralysed much of the administration, according to legislators on both sides of the dispute. Sirisena has filled only 22 of 30 cabinet positions -- purposefully keeping some jobs vacant to tempt legislators of Wickremesinghe's party to defect to Rajapakse's side. According to latest counts, Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs after gaining a defector on Tuesday, while Rajapakse and Sirisena have 101. Most of the remaining 21 MPs are set to oppose Rajapakse, observers say.

European Union demands end to Sri Lanka crisis

european-union

European Union, News on European Union, stories on European Union, articles on European Union, European Union stories at Wion, European Union news, European Union latest news

european union