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☆ 'I Went to the Wall', Hungary's Orban Says After Agreeing to EU Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's Viktor Orban said on Friday that he "went to the wall" for his country before agreeing to an EU deal on Thursday to extend new aid to Ukraine and that he averted the risk of losing EU funds earmarked for Budapest from the bloc's joint coffers. In a regular interview on state radio on Friday, where he addresses his domestic audience, Orban said the agreement reached on Thursday was a good one. "I went to the wall," Orban said. "We are not sending weapons (to Ukraine), we get our money from Brussels, and we will contribute to the civil financing of Ukraine." Orban reiterated that peace talks should start between Ukraine and Russia as two years have now passed since the start of the war, and "time was on the Russians' side."

Persons: Hungary's Viktor Orban, Orban, Krisztina, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Union, European Commission Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Budapest, United States, Hungary, Brussels, Russia

☆ The US must stop Russia, or China will learn that it pays to use force against America's interests, NATO chief says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewA Russian victory against Ukraine would embolden China, says NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. The NATO chief told Fox News in an interview on Sunday that China could invade Taiwan if Russia wins the war. "While Russia may pose the most immediate challenge, China is the bigger long-term threat," Burns wrote in his article. Representatives for NATO did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: —, Jens Stoltenberg, " Stoltenberg, Putin, Let's, Stoltenberg, Putin doesn't, Shannon Bream, Stoltenberg's, William J, Burns, Wu Qian Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Heritage Foundation, Business, NATO, Fox News, it's, CIA, Affairs, Asia, Business Insider Locations: China, NATO, Europe, Russia, Taiwan, Ukraine, it's Ukraine

☆ Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea, Zelenskyy says, as Ukraine struggles for supplies from its own allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewUkraine says Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea as it is struggling with its own supplies from its allies. "Intelligence confirms that Russia will receive a million artillery shells from Pyongyang," Zelenskyy said, per an official translation of his video address. "Meanwhile, unfortunately, the implementation of the European plan to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine is being delayed," he said. AdvertisementThe EU has failed to deliver the one million rounds of ammunition promised to Ukraine in March last year, with production rates still lagging. In his address, Zelenskyy said that North Korea sending more than one million artillery shells to Russia is a "signal of global competition, in which Europe cannot afford to lose."

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Josep Borrell, Rustem Umerov Organizations: Service, Intelligence, Business, EU Locations: Ukraine, Russia, North Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, Europe

☆ Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea, Zelenskyy says, as Ukraine struggles for supplies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia is now getting a million artillery shells from North Korea, per Ukrainian intelligence. AdvertisementUkraine says Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea as it is struggling with its own supplies from its allies. "Intelligence confirms that Russia will receive a million artillery shells from Pyongyang," Zelenskyy said, per an official translation of his video address. "Meanwhile, unfortunately, the implementation of the European plan to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine is being delayed," he said. In his address, Zelenskyy said that North Korea sending more than one million artillery shells to Russia is a "signal of global competition, in which Europe cannot afford to lose."

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Josep Borrell, Rustem Umerov Organizations: Service, Intelligence, EU Locations: Russia, North Korea, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Korea, Europe

☆ The US, Russia and China are in a race to dominate new-wave nuclear energy — and win global influence
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Angela Dewan | Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Russia's floating nuclear power plant, Akademik Lomonosov, leaving the service base Rosatomflot on August 23, 2019. For some experts, nuclear energy — in all forms, large or small — has an important role to play in that transition. Globally, the construction of conventional nuclear power plants dipped following the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986. Russia has already built or designed nuclear plants — the traditional type — for China, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Slovakia, Egypt and Iran. “It certainly dampens the excitement abroad,” said John Parsons, a senior lecturer at MIT and a financial economist focused on nuclear energy.

Persons: Akademik Lomonosov, Biden, Lomonosov, Maxim Shemetov, “ There’s, ”, Josh Freed, China —, Vladimir Putin’s, Bill Gates ’, Luo Yunfei, Kirsten Cutler, they’re, Cutler, ” Cutler, They’re, John Parsons, John Kerry, Thomas Mukoya, Way’s Freed, “, ” Parsons, Mohammed Hamdaoui, ” Hamdaoui, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Reuters, European Union, International Energy Agency, Energy, World Nuclear, IEA, US, SMR, US Export, Import Bank, International Development Finance Corporation, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, China, Changjiang, China News Service, Nuclear Energy, US State Department, “, MIT, InfluenceMap, The State Department, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, Rystad Energy Locations: Alaska, Russian, Russia, China, European, Japan, India, South Korea, Europe, Dubai, America, Poland, North Carolina, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Turkey, Slovakia, Egypt, Iran, Lomonosov, Siberia, Russia’s, Washington, Bill Gates ’ TerraPower, Wyoming, Changjiang Li Autonomous County, Hainan province, United States, Oregon, Idaho, United Arab Emirates

BRUSSELS (AP) — Convoys with hundreds of angry farmers driving heavy-duty tractors advanced toward European Union headquarters, bent on getting their complaints about excessive costs, rules and bureaucracy heard by EU leaders at a summit Thursday. Even if the EU summit was supposed to be laser-focused on providing Ukraine financial aid for its war against invading Russia, the farmers were likely to squeeze their plight onto the informal agenda of the 27 leaders too. Jean-Francois Ricker, a farmer from southern Belgium, braved the winter night close to EU headquarters and said he expected 1,000 to 1,400 vehicles. Farmers coming to Brussels on Thursday have been insisting their protest will be peaceful and security forces have handled the protests lightly so far. I think we are addressing two very important (concerns) of them right now,” European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said.

Persons: Jean, Francois Ricker, Maroš Šefčovič, Sylvain Plazy, Mark Carlson Organizations: —, European Union, EU, Farmers, police, European Commission Locations: BRUSSELS, Belgian, Ukraine, Russia, Belgium, France, Italy, Rungis, Brussels, “

Biden's meeting with UAW workers in the Detroit area will come just days after union President Shawn Fain announced the group's endorsement. said Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, one of the largest Arab American communities in the nation. Biden is looking to build on that power as he seeks reelection and the state’s critical 15 electoral votes. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesHis visit to Michigan comes ahead of the state's Feb. 27 primary. The early endorsement by the UAW was a clear win for Biden, who came to Michigan to stand alongside striking autoworkers last year.

Persons: Joe Biden, Shawn Fain, Fain, — Joe Biden, ”, Abdullah Hammoud, Biden, Pennsylvania —, Donald Trump’s, Debbie Dingell, we've, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Hammoud, Chavez Rodriguez, Israel, Sherry Gay, “, ” Biden, Worm, Sen, Jeremy Moss, Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s, ” ___ Long, Fatima Hussein Organizations: DETROIT, United Auto Workers, Michigan, UAW, Democratic, White House, Arab, Biden, Teamsters, Wednesday, Health Ministry, Israel, AP VoteCast, Trump, Republican Locations: Gaza, Detroit, Michigan, Israel, Dearborn, . Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, U.S, Washington, “ Michigan, Arab, Palestine, Tel Aviv, Grand Rapids, New, Grand Rapids , Michigan

Story highlights Biden goes to Michigan to meet with UAW members a week after receiving the union's endorsement Trump and Biden are battling for the votes of union members. While in Michigan on Thursday, the president will be meeting with UAW members, a Biden campaign official told CNN. The event, at a union hall near Detroit, will feature an “informal” conversation with union members, according to the campaign. In a fiery speech while delivering the group’s endorsement, UAW President Shawn Fain said Biden was the clear choice in a matchup with Trump. Since the group publicly backed Biden, Trump has hit back, slamming Fain as a “dope” and vowing that he could revive the automobile industry in the United States.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, –, Trump, Shawn Fain, “ Joe Biden, ” Fain, ” Biden, “, Fain, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, ” Chavez Rodriguez, Rashida Tlaib, Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s, Karine Jean, Pierre, ”, Jean Pierre Organizations: Washington CNN, United Auto Workers, Michigan, Teamsters, Trump, UAW, Wednesday, Biden, CNN, Democratic Party, Democratic, Dearborn Mayor, ”, White Locations: Michigan, Washington, Detroit, United States, Israel, Gaza, Eastern, California, Virginia

Most of Kosovo uses the euro, even though the country isn't part of the EU. But parts of Kosovo's north, populated mostly by ethnic Serbs, continue to use the dinar. The Central Bank reported on Wednesday that Serbian bank Komercijalna Banka AD Beograd closed its branches in Kosovo. Serbian forces fought a 1998-99 war with ethnic Albanian separatists in what was then the province of Kosovo. Kosovo eventually declared independence in 2008, but the government in Belgrade doesn't recognize its neighbor as a separate country.

Persons: Kosovo's, Aleksandar Vučić, Alexander, Botsan, ” Vucic, ”, Besnik Bislimi, Albin Kurti, Miroslav Lajčák, Josep Borrell, ___ Llazar Semini Organizations: Union, Serbian, Kosovo’s Central Bank, Western, The Central Bank, NATO, Belgrade doesn't, European Union, Kosovo, Kosovo police, EU Locations: PRISTINA, Kosovo, Serbian, Kosovo's, Serbs, Serbia, Russia, Russian, Belgrade, Pristina, Metohija, Kosovo Serbs, ” Kosovo, Komercijalna Banka, Beograd, Brussels, EU, United States, Vučić, Balkans, Kosovo’s, Tirana, Albania

☆ Ukraine: EU agrees $50bn funding deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

#Unity All 27 leaders agreed on an additional €50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget,” the EU Council’s President Charles Michel wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Grateful to @CharlesMichel and EU leaders for establishing the €50 billion Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027,” he tweeted. Orban had held up the deal on the grounds he did not want the funds to come from the EU budget, meaning funds would be taken from EU member states and sent to Ukraine. Critics of Orban were quick to accuse him of blocking the deal because the EU is currently withholding funds for Ukraine due to it breaching rule of law requirements. The diplomat said the deal as outlined by Michel does not unlock EU funds for Hungary, though the summit will continue throughout Thursday.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Charles Michel, ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, didn’t, Orban, Critics, Michel, Vladimir Putin, , Josep Borrell, ” Borrell Organizations: CNN, European Union, Hungary’s, Kyiv, EU, “ EU, Ukraine, Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Russian, United States, Washington, “, Russia, European, Hungary, Brussels, Europe

☆ Companies are hopeful about the economy again — even if they’re nervous
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Earnings season is in full swing, and that means investors get a chance to hear from multinational companies about the state of the global economy. Some of the United States’ biggest companies are in the hot seat to answer questions about the economy, and where it could be headed. Like the rest of the US, companies are watching whether the economy could still tip into a recession as interest rates hover around a 23-year high. Achieving a soft landing, or a situation in which inflation comes down without an economic downturn, looks likely, some companies said. According to the UK government’s own estimates, the checks — including physical inspections from April — will cost British businesses about £330 million ($419 million) annually and increase food inflation by about 0.2 percentage points over three years.

Persons: it’s, ”, Michael Hsu, Kimberly, Clark, Blackstone, Stephen Schwarzman, Christophe Le Caillec, Jim Vondruska, We’re, Robert Isom, Lorenzo Simonelli, Baker Hughes, Alan Schnitzer, Elisabeth Buchwald, “, Christopher Waller, Waller, Hanna Ziady, Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, United States ’, American, O'Hare Airport, Travelers Companies, ”, European Union Locations: New York, Chicago , Illinois, United Kingdom, Britain

☆ Euro zone inflation eases as expected, but core figures disappoint
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Euro zone headline inflation eased slightly in January, flash figures published by the European Union's statistics agency showed on Thursday, while core figures declined less than expected. Inflation stood at 2.9% in December, up from 2.4% in November, largely due to the wind-down of energy price support measures. By sector, services inflation — an important gauge for policymakers due to its link to domestic wage pressures — held steady at 4%. Preliminary figures out earlier this week showed inflation in Germany easing slightly more than had been forecast, reaching 3.1%. "However, core inflation only inched lower, with services especially coming in quite hot.

Persons: Janis, Price, Christine Lagarde, Kamil Kovar, Kovar Organizations: Reuters, Inflation, European Central Bank, ECB, Moody's Locations: Cais, Lisbon, Portugal, Germany

☆ Protesting farmers hurl eggs and clog streets with tractors as EU summit begins
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Chris Liakos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Demonstrators rolled into Brussels in their tractors in the early morning hours before gathering outside the European Parliament where the summit was being held, blaring horns, hurling eggs and sparking fires. A handful of tractors had been parked near the EU Parliament all week before convoys from across the country converged on Thursday morning. Hatim Kaghat/Belga/AFP/Getty ImagesThere were chaotic scenes outside the European Union headquarters as a key meeting on aid to Ukraine got underway. We need to make sure that our farmers can be a partner in this,” De Croo said on arrival at the summit. In France, protesting farmers continue their roadblocks outside of Paris and near the cities of Lyon and Toulouse.

Persons: Hatim, Yves Herman, Alexander De Croo, De Croo Organizations: CNN, European Union, Ukraine, ” Police, Reuters, EU, Farmers, Belgian, BFMTV, European Commission Locations: Brussels, Belgian, AFP, Ukraine, Italy, Spain, Romania, Poland, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Greece, Thessaloniki, France, Paris, Lyon, Toulouse

☆ Ukraine says it can't fire more than 2,000 shells a day as Western allies fail to meet pledges: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine is limited to firing 2,000 artillery shells a day, roughly one-third of Russia's capacity, the country's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, said in a letter seen by Bloomberg. While Ukraine's Western allies stall, and US military aid is held up in Congress, Russia has ramped up production. AdvertisementMartin Herem, commander of Estonia's defense forces, told Bloomberg last week that he believes Russia is now capable of producing several million shells a year. Shell hunger is not a new problem for Ukraine — throughout the last year, soldiers often reported having to husband their ammunition supplies. Alongside further appeals to its allies, Ukraine has, in recent months, been refocusing on its domestic military production capacities.

Persons: Rustem Umerov, Umerov, Boris Pistorius, Celeste Wallander, Martin Herem Organizations: Bloomberg, EU, Politico, Ukraine —, Times, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Congress, Russia, London

☆ BRICS: South Africa says countries are clamoring to join the China and Russia-backed group
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Nearly three dozen countries are seeking entry into the China and Russia-backed BRICS economic group, member state South Africa said Wednesday, weeks after the body expanded its membership for the first time in more than a decade. Thirty-four countries have submitted an expression of interest in joining the bloc of major emerging economies, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor told reporters, without naming the nations. BRICS, which since 2011 had been made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, roughly positions itself as the Global South’s answer to the Group of Seven (G7) major developed economies. The group took shape as a summit-level gathering between Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009 and expanded to include South Africa two years later. Six new BRICS countries were invited during the 2023 summit last August.

Persons: Naledi Pandor, Xi Jinping, Putin, Pandor Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, African Foreign, United Arab Emirates, United Nations Security Council, Finance Locations: China, Hong Kong, Russia, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, Egypt, United States, Washington, Brazil, India, Beijing, Ukraine, Johannesburg, Russian, Kazan, Argentina

Here's why European farmers are taking their anger to the streets:THE HISTORYPolitical Cartoons View All 253 ImagesWorld War II had spread hunger on a bountiful continent. When the war ended, Western European leaders knew that the way to people's hearts was through their stomachs. The vision of EU farming from early on was economy of scale — bigger farms, bigger holdings, setting standard rules across borders. “European farmers have found themselves under increasing pressure from many sides,” European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said. On Wednesday, the European Commission made two key proposals — one to shield EU farmers from cheap Ukrainian imports and one to sidestep an environmental measure.

Persons: Ursula, Ursula von der Leyen, —, von der, “ Ursula, ”, Jean, Francois Deflandre, Paolo Pepponi, It’s, it’s, Pepponi, Benoit Laqueue, Nicolas Abbeloos, “, Maroš Šefčovič, Šefčovič, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: HALLE, European, Agriculture, EU, European Commission, South Locations: Belgium, Paris, Brussels, EU, Ukraine, Kyiv, Halle, Lithuania, France, Spain, Italy, Rome, Europe, Sedan, New Zealand, Chile

Israel's military said Wednesday that its forces killed more than 15 Hamas militants in northern Gaza over the past day and targeted militant infrastructure in a school. The latest deaths bring the Palestinian death toll from Israel’s offensive to 26,900, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. Here's the latest:150 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN GAZA IN THE PAST 24 HOURS, HEALTH MINISTRY SAYSRAFAH, Gaza Strip — Gaza’s Health Ministry says 150 people have been killed in the last 24 hours and another 313 were wounded. The nearly four-month war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel, in which Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted another 250. The military said Wednesday that its forces killed more than 15 Hamas militants in northern Gaza over the past day and targeted militant infrastructure in a school.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ‘, Biden, Jordan, — Biden, he’s, —, Khan Younis, “, Joe Biden’s, Jordan that’s, Yemen’s Houthi, U.N, Israel ”, Antonio Guterres, Houthi, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Arleigh Burke, Yahya Saree, ” Saree Organizations: Gaza’s Health Ministry, Gaza, Health Ministry, West Bank, MINISTRY, AS BIDEN, U.S . Navy, UN, GENEVA, UNRWA, Israel, World Health Organization, UNICEF, International Organization for Migration, Food, U.S . State Department, EU AIMS, The European Union, ’, SEA, U.S . military’s, Command Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iran, EU, Jordan, israel, GAZA, RAFAH, Hama, Gaza City, Khan, IRAN, JERUSALEM, Islamic Republic, Tehran, The U.S, Syria, Red, U.S, United States, ”, U.N, BRUSSELS, Yemen, Belgium, Germany, Iranian, British

☆ Farmers in Europe Step up Protests Against Rising Costs, Green Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Farmers say they are not being paid enough, are choked by taxes and green rules and face unfair competition from abroad. French farmers have already won several concessions, including the government dropping plans to gradually reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel. On Wednesday, European Commissioners proposed limiting agricultural imports from Ukraine and greater flexibility on rules on fallow land in a bid to quell protests. In Italy, farmers have blocked traffic with hundreds of tractors near motorway access points near Milan, in Tuscany and elsewhere in recent days. While a deal looks possible on fallow land, the question of talks on a major trade deal with the Mercosur group is more contentious.

Persons: Marco Trujillo, Philip Blenkinsop PARIS, Adelin Desmecht, Gerald Darmanin, Bruno, Coldiretti, Le Maire, Abdul Saboor, Jean, Stephane Brosse, Gus Trompiz, Dominique Vidalon, Benoit van Overstraeten, Geert de Clercq, Charlotte van, Phil Blenikinsop, Alvise Arminelli, Ingrid Melander, Ros Russell Organizations: EU, South, Farmers, Mercosur, French Finance, European Commission, South American, Charlotte van Campenhout Locations: BRUSSELS, Europe, Brussels, Belgian, France, Paris, Belgium, Zeebrugge, Ukraine, Mercosur, Italy, Milan, Tuscany, Bordeaux, Amsterdam

☆ E.U.’s Hungary Problem Looms Large Ahead of Crucial Ukraine Summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Matina Stevis-Gridneff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The only thing standing in their way is Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary. A compromise with Mr. Orban, who has demanded an annual veto on the spending, has remained elusive, meaning that the unanimity required for such a deal among the 27 E.U. If Mr. Orban continues to stand in the way, E.U. Yet even if the remaining 26 leaders are not forced to go ahead without Mr. Orban, a larger problem is now firmly front and center: What will the E.U. For a small country that accounts for just 1 percent of the bloc’s economic output, Hungary has been a big headache.

Persons: Viktor Orban of Hungary, Orban Organizations: Union, U.S Locations: Brussels, Ukraine, Hungary

☆ Commission to Discuss New Russia Sanctions Proposal With EU Countries
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Julia PayneBRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will start informal high-level meetings with member states on Saturday on the details of a proposed new set of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, three diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. The EU is keen to put a 13th package of measures together to mark the second anniversary of the war on Feb. 24. The discussions that begin on Saturday are a final step before the Commission officially delivers a new package to be debated and voted on by EU countries in the Council. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesOne source added that some minor sectoral measures such as new import bans were also likely. Poland and the Baltic states have been calling for import bans on Russian aluminium and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Persons: Julia Payne BRUSSELS, Julia Payne, Sandra Maler Organizations: European, Russia, EU, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Poland, Baltic

HALLE, Belgium (AP) — Farmers blocked more traffic arteries across Belgium, France and Italy on Wednesday, as they sought to disrupt trade at major ports and other economic lifelines. They also moved closer to Brussels on the eve of a major European Union summit, in a continued push for better prices for their produce and less bureaucracy in their work. I think we are addressing two very important (concerns) of them right now,” European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said. A climax in Belgium is set for Thursday, when farmers plan to protest outside EU headquarters during a summit of government leaders. Despite the widespread inconveniences, governments in the EU are treating protests, which have been mostly peaceful, with extreme caution.

Persons: Maroš Šefčovič, Sven Pieters, Gérald Darmanin, “, Alexander De Croo, De Croo, Emmanuel Macron, ___ Sylvie Corbet, Ciaran Giles Organizations: HALLE, — Farmers, European Commission, EU, Protesters, South Locations: Belgium, France, Italy, Brussels, Ukraine, “, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Flanders, Zeebrugge, Creteil, “ Paris, ”, Chile, New Zealand, Belgian, Madrid

☆ Trump vs. Biden: Goldman Sachs names the global stocks to play the U.S. elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

As the U.S. presidential election comes into the spotlight, Goldman Sachs has assessed the potential impact on global markets by changes in regulation, taxation, and other government policies. However, it sees U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies potentially gaining if Trump delivers on a cut to corporation taxes. On average, European companies generate 25% of sales in the U.S., but most come from U.S.-based businesses rather than exports from the EU, according to Goldman Sachs. As these companies run substantial U.S. operations and assets, Goldman also sees them as benefiting from potential U.S. corporate tax cuts under Trump. However, they flagged that Biden has mentioned increasing the rate of corporate tax, "which would have an impact on US-exposed companies."

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Donald Trump, Trump, DAX, Sharon Bell, Joe Biden, Goldman, Biden, Michael Bloom Organizations: U.S, Ukraine, Trump, Eurostat, Stocks, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Boeing, Aero, BAE Systems, Kerry Group, Goldman, Republican Locations: United States, U.S, Europe

☆ UK Opposition Labour Party Pledge Productivity Fix in Latest Pitch to Business
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party will pledge to fix Britain's stagnating productivity at a conference for businesses on Thursday, its latest charm offensive to companies and investors ahead of a national election expected this year. Keir Starmer, leader of the left-leaning party, will tell assembled executives that Labour will "get under the bonnet to fix an unprecedented stagnation in British productivity growth." "The depth of the changes we've made to transform the Labour Party's relationship with business is something I take immense pride in," he will say, according to extracts released by the party. Ahead of the conference, the party's finance policy chief Rachel Reeves said that Labour would champion Britain's financial sector and not bring in a new cap on bankers' bonuses. Labour also wants closer economic ties with the European Union, including deeper co-operation with the bloc on financial services.

Persons: Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak's, Rachel Reeves, Alistair Smout Organizations: Labour Party, Labour, Economic, Conservative, Business, Growth, European Union Locations: Davos

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 66th annual Grammy Awards are on Sunday, airing live from Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on CBS and Paramount+. In 2021, they had the idea to turn musicians into each other’s audiences when there couldn’t be one, a concept that has informed every Grammys since. We’ve really just tried to make it a loving room for the music community.”Some elements of the stage – like the gramophone in the middle – will remain the same. There are three new categories at the 2024 Grammy Awards as well, including the first-ever best African music performance award. If Victoria Monét ’s “Hollywood” wins best traditional R&B performance, her daughter Hazel Monét will become the youngest Grammy winner in history at 2 years old.

Persons: Raj Kapoor, Ben Winston, Jesse Collins, “, ” Winston, “ We’ve, ”, — “, Trevor Noah, “ There’s, There’s, Harvey Mason jr, Winston, “ I’m, Kapoor, we’re, It’s, ” Mason, we’ve, ” “, Burna, Dave McLeod, Mason, Taylor Swift, she’d, Victoria Monét, Hollywood ”, Hazel Monét, Karol G, Jack Antonoff, Babyface, Kelly Clarkson, Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem Organizations: ANGELES, CBS, Paramount, COVID, Associated Press, Recording Academy, —, WHO, Hollywood, “ Locations: Los Angeles, people’s, urbana, Será

☆ Brexit is finally coming for UK food imports, and prices could rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —New border controls on some of Britain’s food imports from the European Union came into force Wednesday for the first time since Brexit, increasing red tape for businesses and threatening to drive up prices for consumers. Industry groups have warned, however, that the new measures could ultimately hike prices of some staples and disrupt supplies when physical border checks are introduced at the end of April. Rising food prices have been a key driver of the nation’s cost-of-living crisis, and adding cost and friction to supply chains won’t help matters. A group of 30 trade organizations representing the UK food supply chain said last week that the new border measures would “impact the flow of critical food ingredients” from the EU to the UK. Europe is the UK’s leading foreign supplier of food, accounting for more than a quarter of food consumed in Britain by value.

Persons: Steve Barclay Organizations: London CNN, European Union, Industry, Meat Processors Association, EU Locations: United Kingdom, Britain, British, Europe

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