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☆ Ukraine is getting a new cache of Storm Shadow missiles from its allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

France announced it is giving Ukraine around 40 more SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles. The long-range missiles have enabled Ukraine to hit targets deep behind Russia's lines. AdvertisementFrance announced on Tuesday that it was sending Ukraine roughly 40 more long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which have become a key weapon in Ukraine's arsenal. President Emmanuel Macron said that around 40 SCALP missiles — also known as Storm Shadow missiles — as well as hundreds of other bombs would be delivered to Ukraine in the next few weeks, as part of a new deal to give the beleaguered country more sophisticated weapons. AdvertisementStorm Shadow/SCALP missiles have allowed Ukraine to strike far behind Russia's lines, and have enabled it to hit key military targets.

Persons: —, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Thierry Wurtz, Joe Biden, Donald Trump Organizations: Ukraine, Service, Russia, Associated Press, Rafale, Republicans Locations: France, Ukraine, Russian, Hungary, Russia, Europe

☆ Von Der Leyen Confident All EU States Will Agree on Aid Package to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Gabriela BaczynskaBRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's chief executive voiced confidence on Wednesday that all 27 member states will agree to jointly extend more financial aid to Ukraine. Hungary has resisted agreement on an aid package, raising the possibility of the other 26 countries giving funds to Ukraine under separate bilateral deals with Kyiv. But Ursula von der Leyen, who heads the executive European Commission, told EU lawmakers: "I am confident that we will find a solution by 27." EU leaders last month agreed to start accession talks with Ukraine but Hungary vetoed granting 50 billion euros($54 bln) in aid for Kyiv through 2027. The prospect of 26 countries giving aid to Ukraine under separate bilateral deals with Kyiv is one alternative that is under discussion.

Persons: Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS, Ursula von der Leyen, Viktor Orban, Tassilo Hummel, Bart Meijer, Gabriela Baczynska, Timothy Heritage Organizations: European Commission, EU, Russian, European, Commission, Kyiv Locations: Ukraine, Hungary, Brussels, Hungarian, Budapest

☆ Polish Truckers Reach Deal With Govt, Will Suspend Protest - Organiser
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish truckers who have blockaded some border crossings with Ukraine since November have reached an agreement on "certain conditions" with the government and will suspend their protest on Wednesday at 1100 GMT, an organiser said. Polish drivers had been demanding that the EU reinstate a system whereby Ukrainian companies need permits to operate in the bloc and the same for European truckers entering Ukraine. "We agreed certain conditions, we will give the government time to work as it is a new government." Poland's infrastructure ministry has organised a press conference for 1100 GMT on Tuesday during which an agreement is due to be signed. Polish farmers decided to suspend a protest at the border crossing with Ukraine at Medyka after the government agreed to their demands earlier this month.

Persons: Tomasz Borkowski, Alan Charlish, Karol Badohal, Nick Macfie Organizations: Transport Employers Locations: WARSAW, Ukraine, Medyka

☆ What to watch for in the Iowa caucuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Iowa Republicans who are willing to brave record-low temperatures are set to kick off the party’s 2024 presidential nominating process with Monday night’s caucuses. Now, Iowa voters will render the first verdict of the 2024 election, weighing in on which Republican should take on President Joe Biden in November. Here are five things to watch in the Iowa caucuses:Will Trump top 50%? The Iowa caucuses have a history of paring down both parties’ fields of presidential contenders. Iowa will once again test whether any other Republican can break Trump’s hold on those voters, who have historically been a crucial bloc in the caucuses.

Persons: Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Joe Biden, Will, Trump, Haley, DeSantis, who’s, who’d, It’s, ” DeSantis, ‘ Darling, ” Trump, he’s, —, ” Haley, “ Donald Trump’s, Nikki Haley’s, ”, she’s “, CNN’s Dana Bash, “, Michele Bachmann, Pennsylvania Sen, Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee —, Kentucky Sen, Rand Paul, Kim Reynolds, Vivek Ramaswamy, Asa Hutchinson, Ramaswamy, Hutchinson, Mike Pence, Bob Vander Plaats, Koch, Huckabee, Santorum, Texas Sen, Ted Cruz, what’s, “ He’s, they’re, ” “ That’s, I’m Organizations: CNN, Iowa Republicans, South Carolina Gov, Florida Gov, Republican, Will Trump, GOP, Des Moines Register, NBC, Trump, United Nations, Minnesota, Iowa, Arkansas Gov, Kentucky, South Carolina —, Prosperity, Texas, Democratic, New Hampshire —, Praetorian Guard, Fox News Locations: Florida, Iowa, Dubuque, “, Indianola, New Hampshire, South Carolina, DeSantis, Des, “ Iowa, Haley , Iowa, Pennsylvania, Waukee, , Iowa

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Tanzania on Monday announced it had withdrawn approval for neighboring Kenya's flagship carrier Kenya Airways to operate a passenger service between the countries beginning next week. A statement from the Tanzanian Civil Aviation authority said the move was in response to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority denying Air Tanzania the approvals it needed to operate all cargo flights between the two countries. The statement said the ban on Kenya Airways passenger flights will start on Jan. 22. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesKenya has previously blocked the importation of milk from Uganda and farm produce from Tanzania. Tanzania has restricted importation of onions to Kenya, leading to skyrocketing prices for the essential commodity.

Organizations: —, Monday, Kenya Airways, Tanzanian Civil Aviation, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Air, Tanzanian, East African Community, Kenya, East African Court, Justice, Uganda National Oil Co Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, — Tanzania, Air Tanzania, Tanzania, Uganda, Mombasa, Kampala

With 23% of the vote, Wilders stands a good chance of leading any future governing coalition. In the Netherlands, forming a majority coalition with Wilders' party was considered unthinkable not long ago. "And Wilders took off in the polls.”In December, a member of Wilders' party became president of parliament, marking a breakthrough in political acceptance. There is now a real prospect of his far-right party joining, or even leading, a majority governing coalition. Rather than far-right parties being pulled to the center, the center may veer to the right.

Persons: SINT, ”, Geert Wilders, Wilders, ’ ”, Rem Korteweg, “, Walter de Jong, De Jong, Mark Rutte, Tom Theuns, ” Wilders, Theuns, ” Theuns, Jean, Marie Le Pen, Le Pen’s, —, North Africa —, Mark Rutte's, Frans Timmermans Organizations: Party, Freedom, European Union, EU, Party for Freedom, Rabobank, “, Leiden University, National, Frontex, ”, Pulitzer Center, Crisis Locations: SINT WILLEBRORD, Netherlands, Willebrord, Europe, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Austria, The Hague, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Rucphen, Sint Willebrord, Ukraine, Soviet, Syria, Turkey, Belgium, Dutch, North Africa, EU

☆ Trade between China and Russia ballooned to a record $240 billion last year
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

China's trade with Russia jumped 26% to a record $240 billion last year, according to customs data published Friday. The ties between the two countries have strengthened since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. AdvertisementTrade between China and Russia ballooned to a new record last year with the economic ties between Beijing and Moscow strengthening even as the war in Ukraine rages on. Dollar-denominated commerce between the two countries climbed 26% from $190 billion to $240 billion in 2023, data published by China's General Administration of Customs on Friday showed. "Ideological confrontation, geopolitical rivalry and bloc politics are not the choice for us, but we stand against economic sanctions, economic coercion, and decoupling and supply chain disruptions," he said.

Persons: —, Brent, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Service, China's, Administration, Customs Locations: Russia, Ukraine, China, Beijing, Moscow, Kremlin, Refinitiv, Washington

☆ EU's Eastern Members Demand Import Duties on Ukraine Grains
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The European Union's eastern states are demanding the EU impose import duties on Ukraine grains, citing unfair competition, Hungary's agricultural ministry said on Monday. "One of these [measures] could be introducing import duties on the most sensitive agricultural products." Ukraine's larger farm sizes make the country's grain exports cheaper and that is pushing EU farmers out of their traditional export markets, the ministers said. Farmers in Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia "have suffered significant damages" since the EU suspended import quotas and customs on grain from Ukraine last year, they said. Ukraine responded by complaining to the World Trade Organization against the three countries, while other EU members condemned the unilateral moves.

Persons: Istvan Nagy, Valdis, Janusz Wojciechowski, Anita Komuves, Susan Fenton Organizations: European Commission, Hungary's, Farmers, EU Trade, EU, World Trade Organization Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Brussels, Kyiv

☆ Europe wants to Trump-proof in case of a second term. But that is not an easy task
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Former US President Donald Trump briefly returned as a central character in European politics earlier this week. Multiple EU officials and diplomats noted to CNN that his sudden recollection came at a particularly sensitive time, as the EU attempts to build its own defense capabilities outside of the US-led NATO alliance. Whether Trump actually made these comments or not is largely immaterial to European officials. And his hostility toward the Ukraine war effort has an impact even now, playing into the Republican Party’s reluctance to pass more US funding for Ukraine. Christine Lagarde, head of the European Central Bank, said only this week that Trump’s return would be a “threat” for Europe.

Persons: Donald Trump, Thierry Breton, Trump, Ursula von der Leyen, ” Breton’s, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Letitia James, Spencer Platt, ”, Joe Biden, Europe’s, Ian Bond, ” Donald Trump, Jim Watson, Angela Merkel, Jesco Denzel, there’s, Christine Lagarde Organizations: CNN, Former, European, Republican, NATO, New York, Getty, Ukraine, “, Trump, EU, Centre, Economic, European Central Bank Locations: Europe, Iowa, Ukraine, New York City, Brussels, EU, United States, America, China, Davos, AFP, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Charlevoix , Canada, European

☆ College-educated Republicans once appeared ready to move on from Trump. They're now solidly behind his 2024 campaign.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

But there is one GOP bloc that had seemingly wavered on Trump but is now back in the former president's corner: college-educated voters. Related storiesWhile a slew of GOP college graduates have indeed drifted in the direction of former UN ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. And she's set to perform well in the Iowa counties most populated with college graduates, as well as in next week's New Hampshire primary. Advertisement"These are Fox News viewers who are coming back around to him," Iowa GOP operative David Kochel told the newspaper. Among GOP college graduates, that number hit 76% support.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, they've, DeSantis, Trump, Haley, David Kochel, Biden Organizations: Service, Republican, Business, GOP, Florida Gov, Trump, DeSantis, The New York Times, United Nations, Fox News, Iowa GOP, Suffolk University, USA Locations: Iowa, South Carolina, week's, Hampshire, Suffolk

☆ Opinion | The DeSantis Campaign Is Revealing What Republican Voters Really Want
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Ross Douthat | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

A smaller bloc strongly preferred a pre-Trump and un-Trump-like Republican; this has become the Nikki Haley constituency. This left a crucial middle bloc, maybe 40 percent of the party in my own guesstimation, that was Trump-friendly but also seemingly persuadable and open to another choice. These voters liked Trump’s policies more than his personality. They didn’t like some of his tweets and insults, so they mostly just tuned them out. But they acknowledged that he didn’t always seem entirely in charge of his own administration, fully competent in the day-to-day running of the government.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Hillary Clinton, —, didn’t Organizations: Republican, Trump Locations: Iowa

☆ President Trump warned that the US would 'never' help Europe if attacked, a top EU official said
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A top EU official revealed that Trump said the US would not help Europe if attacked. The official said it was a "big wake-up call" and expressed fears about a second Trump presidency. As president, Trump was openly critical of the EU and questioned the US commitment to NATO. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump privately warned that the US would "never" help the EU if it were attacked, a top European Union official has revealed. According to Breton, Trump then said: "By the way, NATO is dead, and we will leave, we will quit NATO.""

Persons: Trump, —, Donald Trump, Thierry Breton, Ursula von der Leyen, Breton, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden Organizations: EU, Trump, NATO, Service, European Union, French, Economic, Politico, Kremlin, Republican Locations: Europe, Davos, Breton, United States, Brussels, Ukraine, EU

☆ China’s double whammy: Exports fell for the first time in 7 years, as domestic demand dips
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Exports for the year as a whole fell for the first time since 2016 as global demand for Chinese-made goods (other than cars) slowed, according to customs data released on Friday. Exports measured in US dollar terms stood at $3.38 trillion in 2023, down by 4.6% compared to the year before. The last time China registered a decline in overseas shipments was in 2016, when exports fell 7.7%. “Sluggish external demand has hit China’s exports.”He expects China will continue to face “difficulties” on export markets as global demand is likely to remain weak and “protectionism and unilateralism” hinder growth, he added. The United States remained China’s largest single-country trading partner in 2023, accounting for 11.2% of total trade.

Persons: ” Lyu, ” Goldman Sachs, Price, won’t, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Bureau of Statistics, Imports, Administration of Customs, Bloomberg, Getty, PPI, Capital Economics, AFP, ASEAN, European Union Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Russia, United States, Washington, Taicang Port, China's, Jiangsu, Southeast Asia, That’s, “, Japan

☆ Russia has managed to divert most oil exports from Europe to India and China, getting around sanctions, says a top official
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-28 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia has diverted most of its oil exports from Europe to India and China, a top official said. The EU was the largest buyer of Russian crude oil and oil products, accounting for nearly half of the exports. The bloc has banned the import of Russian crude oil and products over the war in Ukraine. AdvertisementRussia has overcome Western sanctions against its oil exports by diverting all the shipments east, a top Russian official said on Wednesday. By comparison, China's share of Russian oil and oil products accounted for up to 50% of such exports last year, he added.

Persons: —, Alexander Novak, Novak, Russia's Organizations: EU, Service, European, Rossiya, TASS, Russian Locations: Russia, Europe, India, China, Ukraine, America, Africa

☆ Coinbase secures crypto license in France, pushing deeper in Europe amid rift with the SEC
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-21 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

POLAND - 2023/08/01: In this photo illustration, a Coinbase logo displayed on a smartphone with stock server lights in the background. France's AMF watchdog gave Coinbase a virtual asset service provider (VASP) approval, which is effectively a green light for the company to operate digital currency services in France. The VASP registration will allow Coinbase to offer custody of digital assets, buying or selling digital assets in legal tender, trading of digital assets against other digital assets, and operating a digital asset trading platform, the company said in a statement Thursday. The European Union has been working to introduce its Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation, which would create a harmonized framework for crypto companies to operate in a regulated way in the bloc. Under MiCA, rather than having to secure registration in every EU market, crypto companies will eventually be able to use their VASP license in one country and "passport" into other countries to offer their services across the EU.

Persons: Omar Marques, Coinbase Organizations: Getty, France's AMF, European, Crypto Locations: POLAND, France, Europe, European Union

☆ What the COP28 deal means for the U.S. as oil and gas production hits record levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-13 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The agreement, known as the global stocktake, was hailed as "historic" by COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber during his closing speech. Samuel Corum | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesU.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Wednesday that the COP28 agreement "sends very strong messages to the world." The fight to end oil, gas and coal must now be taken up at the country level with the United States leading the way. Fossil fuels and climate financeUnder Biden, the U.S. passed the most aggressive climate investment ever taken by Congress, a bill known as the Inflation Reduction Act. Nonetheless, the White House has frequently received sharp criticism over its plans to expand oil and gas production.

Persons: Joe Biden, Cyril Ramaphosa, Joe Biden's, Sultan al, Jaber, Samuel Corum, John Kerry, Kerry, Jean Su, Jason Bordoff, Su, Nikki Reisch, Reisch, Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Brandon Bell Organizations: White, Washington , D.C, Bloomberg, Getty, European Union, Washington Hilton, United, Center for Biological, . Energy, Administration, Russia, Center, Global Energy, Columbia University, CNBC, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for International Environmental, U.S, Biden, Marathon El Locations: South, Washington ,, Connecticut, Washington , DC, United States, China, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, America, Marathon El Paso Refinery, El Paso , Texas, The U.S

☆ An EU wealth tax and the end of U.S. capitalism: One bank’s ‘outrageous’ predictions for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An EU wealth tax, the "end of capitalism" in the U.S. and a major health crisis arising from obesity drugs are just some of the "outrageous predictions" put forward by Saxo Bank in a report published Tuesday. Heading into 2024, the Danish investment bank suggested the world is at an "inflection point, with the familiar road of the last decade coming to an end." The predictions focus on a "series of unlikely but underappreciated" events that if they were to occur, would "send shockwaves across the financial markets." This would be rendered more likely if the population "realises how little in tax billionaires are actually playing," he speculated, with social unrest frequently simmering across the continent. In the Netherlands, it is even better to be a billionaire, as the average tax rate is below what US billionaires pay, Garnry noted.

Persons: Irene, I've, Steen Jakobsen, Robin Hood, Peter Garnry, Garnry Organizations: Saxo Bank, CNBC, EU, European Union, Equity Locations: Lower Manhattan , New York, EU, U.S, Ukraine, North America, East Asia, France, Netherlands

☆ EU to Issue Firm Words at China Summit With Limited Expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Top EU officials will raise an array of concerns from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to trade irritants in a summit with Chinese leaders on Thursday that is expected to be long on firm words, but short on outcomes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in the morning and Premier Li Qiang in the afternoon on their one-day visit to Beijing. There will be no joint statement from Thursday's talks, EU officials said, and they do not expect concrete outcomes from the first in-person EU-China summit since 2019. The European Union will also have questions on Chinese intentions towards Taiwan, but its focus will be on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. EU officials say the two sides could cooperate more on action to combat climate change and to promote biodiversity.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Josep Borrell, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Thursday's, Joe Biden, Philip Blenkinsop, Andrew Gray, Laurie Chen, Grant McCool Organizations: European, U.S, The European, European Union Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, EU, Beijing, China, California, Taiwan, Russia, North Korea, Brussels

☆ Special election to replace ex-Rep. George Santos set for Feb. 13
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The special election to fill expelled Rep. George Santos' House seat will be Feb. 13, New York Gov. Until then, House Republicans will be down a vote, leaving them with an even narrower majority in the chamber than usual. "As Governor, I have the solemn responsibility to call a special election to ensure the voters of Long Island and Queens once again have representation in Congress," Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement. The expulsion resolution was championed by a bloc of Santos' fellow New York Republicans. A bloc of Santos' fellow New York Republicans championed the expulsion resolution.

Persons: George Santos, Kathy Hochul, Tom Suozzi, Santos, Hochul Organizations: Capitol, Washington , D.C, House, New York Gov, House Republicans, Queens, Democratic, New York's, Santos, New York Democratic, New York Republicans, Republican, Congressional District, CNBC PRO Locations: Washington ,, Long Island, New York, Washington

☆ ECB's Schnabel defends smaller balance sheet as debate heats up
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Balazs Koranyi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

She said her "demand-driven" approach fitted the euro zone, whose 20 countries vary in economic strength and have separate banking systems. "A demand-driven system is well-suited for a heterogeneous currency union that may be prone to fragmentation," Schnabel said in an interview. "Such a system also likely limits the size of the central bank balance sheet." She conceded, however, that "it could make sense to have a mix of different tools", suggesting policymakers may be looking for a compromise in this complex yet crucial debate for the euro zone financial system. Loans to banks or a structural bond portfolio would come on top of this.

Persons: Isabel Schnabel, Ralph Orlowski, Schnabel, Philip Lane, Schnabel's counterargument, Francesco Canepa, Catherine Evans Organizations: Frankfurt, Banking Congress, Old Opera, REUTERS, European Central Bank, ECB, Reuters, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, FRANKFURT

☆ Tuberville says he will release Senate holds on confirming military nominations three-star and below
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama said Tuesday he is releasing the bulk of his holds for Senate votes to confirm military promotions. The move comes after he faced bipartisan pressure to cease his blanket hold on military promotions over a Defense Department reproductive rights policy. Tuberville’s hold started in March and delayed the confirmations of more than 450 top military nominees. Tuberville made the announcement that he was backing off the military holds with the exception of fewer than a dozen four star promotions during Senate lunch. We didn’t get as much out of it as we wanted,” Tuberville said.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, Tuberville’s, Schumer, “, ” Tuberville, didn’t, ” CNN’s Haley Britzky Organizations: Capitol, Defense, Republicans Locations: Alabama

A padlock is seen in front of the word 'spyware' and binary code in this illustration taken May 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Lobby group Japan Association of New Economy has joined U.S. Big Tech to warn against proposed EU cybersecurity labelling rules that they said could hamper their access to the bloc's markets, according to a letter sent to the EU industry chief. A requirement that Amazon (AMZN.O), Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Google, Microsoft (MSFT.O) and other non-EU cloud providers set up a joint venture with an EU-based company to qualify for the EU cybersecurity label has triggered criticism from some EU countries and foreign vendors. The Japan Association of New Economy also slammed these requirements. The Japan Association of New Economy is a business lobby group focused on e-business and developing new industries.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Hiroshi Mikitani, Thierry Breton, Mikitani, Foo Yun Chee, Dave Dolan, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Japan Association of New, U.S, Big Tech, European Union, Google, Microsoft, EU, Reuters, Japan Digital Partnership, Thomson Locations: EU, Japan, Japanese, Brussels, Tokyo

☆ Fall in euro zone business activity adds to recession expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A waiter picks up the terrace of the Zurich bar at Placa de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain April 4, 2023. A PMI for the services sector rose to 48.7 from October's 47.8. "The sombre outlook is reinforced by the fifth consecutive monthly shrinkage in new business. An index measuring new business - a gauge of demand - was below 50 for a fifth month although it did rise to 46.7 from 45.6. The composite future output index rose to 56.0 from 55.6.

Persons: Nacho, Cyrus de la Rubia, Jonathan Cable, Susan Fenton Organizations: Placa de, REUTERS, P Global, PMI, Hamburg Commercial Bank, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Barcelona, Spain, October's, Hamburg

☆ ‘A Death in Malta’ Review: Lost in a Sea of Corruption
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Tunku Varadarajan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Daphne Caruana Galizia and family. Photo: Paul Caruana GaliziaImagine the corrupt Tammany Hall of old reborn in a sovereign state in postwar Europe—a tiny archipelago, no more, in the southern Mediterranean. Meet murky little Malta, democratic Europe’s notable outlier—not just geographically and linguistically (having the only Semitic official language in the EU) but morally and ethically. And its rule of law, rickety at best, is shockingly derelict for an EU country. This isn’t just the judgment of fastidious outsiders, predisposed to look askance at Malta.

Persons: Daphne Caruana Galizia, Paul Caruana Galizia, Muammar Gaddafi, rickety, Labour Party — Organizations: Tammany Hall, European Union, Labour Party Locations: Europe, Britain, Libyan, Soviet, Malta, EU, Maltese, “

☆ EU states to start debating Ukraine membership talks on Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] European Union (EU) flags fly in front of the headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, July 8, 2020. The initial draft, dated Dec.4 and seen by Reuters on Monday, reads: "The European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and with Moldova." For Bosnia, the initial draft stated the bloc was "ready to open EU accession negotiations... once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved". All three decisions would require unanimous backing of the 27 EU countries. "In our perception, no conditions for Ukraine to start accession talks are met," Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs told journalists separately on Monday.

Persons: Ralph Orlowski, Zoltan Kovacs, Charles Michel, Kovacs, Viktor Orban, Michel, Gabriela Baczynska, Jan Strupczewski, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: European Union, European Central Bank, REUTERS, Rights, European Commission, EU, Kyiv, Reuters, European Council, Commission, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia, Soviet, Kyiv, EU, Caucasus, Tbilisi, Budapest, Hungarian, Brussels

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