US to enter trade talks with Japan, European Union, Britain
The Trump administration is formally notifying Congress that it plans to pursue trade agreements with the European Union, Japan and Britain.
Euro
EU paves way for Russia sanctions over chemical weapons
The European Union on Monday unveiled a legal framework to allow sanctions against the use of chemical weapons.
Britain sees Brexit progress, again calls on EU to ‘meet us halfway’
Brexit minister Dominic Raab voiced confidence on Tuesday that Britain and the European Union would make progress on their divorce at a summit next week, but again asked the bloc to meet London ‘halfway’ on the most difficult areas.
IMF downgrades global growth outlook, places responsibility on US-China trade tensions
The IMF has cut its global economic forecast for 2018 and 2019, citing above all rising import tariffs between the US and China. A fall in trade volumes and manufacturing orders could hit Germany particularly hard.
US ambassador to NATO threatens to ‘take out’ Russian cruise missile
The U.S. ambassador to NATO put Russia “on notice” Tuesday, threatening to destroy an intermediate-range missile that sits well within range of NATO allies.
Italy scares markets and Europe, again, with new calls to leave the euro
The Italian government is creating further turmoil in financial markets on Tuesday morning, after new comments that Rome would be better outside of the euro zone.
As Brexit divisions widen, PM May challenges Brexit critics
Prime Minister Theresa May called on her party on Sunday to unite behind her plan to leave the European Union, making a direct appeal to critics by saying their desire for a free trade deal was at the heart of her Brexit proposals.
All eyes on Iran after Netanyahu’s bombshell revelation — but probably not for long
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bombshell speech at the UN Thursday, featuring revelations about a secret nuclear warehouse in the heart of Tehran, which included its precise location for people to look up at home, had everything you’d expect: It was rich on Biblical themes, included praise for Israel’s vibrant democracy, was marked by the scolding of European anti-Semitism, and contained outraged rebuttals of Palestinian accusations.
European Parliament committee votes to freeze €15M to PA over inciting textbooks
The European Parliament’s budgetary committee voted to freeze more than 15 million euros from the Palestinian Authority if they do not remove incitement from their textbooks.
Soros challenges Hungary laws at European rights court
The foundation run by US billionaire George Soros said Monday that it has filed a legal challenge with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg against Hungary’s controversial ‘Stop Soros’ laws adopted last June.
EU, Iran set financial “vehicle” to ease trade between them
Five world powers and Iran agreed late Monday to establish a financial facility in the European Union to facilitate payments for Iranian imports and exports including oil, a key move sought by Tehran following the U.S. pullout from the 2015 nuclear deal and its re-imposition of sanctions.
Brexit deadlock: Theresa May urges EU to compromise
European leaders gathered in the Austrian city of Salzburg on Thursday for the second day of an informal summit. One of the main issues are the deadlocked negotiations on Brexit, the final agreement on which is supposed to be laid out in October. Immigration, a major policy point for Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, whose government holds the rotating EU presidency, and security in the bloc are the other major talking points.
Britain is 85-90 percent of the way to agreeing Brexit deal: UK minister
Britain is over 85 percent of the way to agreeing on a deal with the European Union on its exit from the bloc, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington told Irish radio on Thursday, adding that a deal could be reached by October or November.
Europe’s New Copyright Law Could Change the Web Worldwide
The European Parliament passed sweeping copyright legislation Wednesday that, much like its privacy regulations, could have impact far beyond Europe.
U.S. and EU condemn Gush Etzion terror attack
The United States and European Union envoys condemned Sunday’s terrorist attack in the Gush Etzion junction, which claimed the life of well-known pro-Israel advocate Ari Fuld.
EU must grasp world role as U.S. retreats, Juncker says
The European Union must flex its muscles as a world power, EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday, as he spoke critically of U.S. President Donald Trump’s retreat from international engagement.
Iran Vows Strikes Outside Borders, ‘Beyond the Seas’
A top Iranian military leader warned on Monday that Iran is plotting strikes outside of its own borders and will even go ‘beyond the seas’ to carry out attacks on those it perceives as enemies, statements that further highlight Iran’s clandestine operations inside the United States and in Europe.
US trade deficit surges, hits all-time highs with China and EU
According to data released by the US Commerce Department on Wednesday, the US trade gap increased 9.5 percent to $50.1 billion in July, from a revised $45.7 billion in the prior month.
Suspect in Amsterdam stabbing of Americans believes Dutch insult Islam, prosecutors say
Dutch prosecutors on Monday announced that the 19-year-old Afghan citizen accused of stabbing two American tourists may have done so because he believes Islam is insulted in the Netherlands.
Iran said to give Iraqi militias ballistic missiles capable of hitting Israel
Iran has given ballistic missiles to Shi’ite proxies in Iraq and is developing the capacity to build more there to deter attacks on its interests in the Middle East and to give it the means to hit regional foes, Iranian, Iraqi and Western sources said.