BBC “Qatar rift: Saudi, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt cut diplomatic ties” A number of Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and Egypt have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilising the region. They say Qatar backs militant groups including so-called Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, which Qatar denies. The Saudi state news agency SPA said....
CNN “Theresa May condemns ‘sickening’ attack on Finsbury Park Muslims” A man died and 10 people were injured after a van was rammed into a crowd of worshippers near a mosque in north London, in the latest terror attack to hit the UK this year. Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as the incident unfolded just after....
BBC “Queen’s Speech: Brexit bills dominate government agenda” A host of proposed new laws designed to prepare the UK for a «smooth and orderly» departure from the EU have been announced in the Queen’s Speech. Of 27 bills, eight relate to Brexit and its implications for key industries. As well as a bill to convert....
BBC “Al-Qaeda frees hostage Johan Gustafsson after six years” Hostage Johan Gustafsson, held by al-Qaeda in Mali since 2011, has been freed, the Swedish government says. Mr. Gustafsson, 42, is being flown back to Sweden from Africa, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallström said in a statement on Monday. He was seized by al-Qaeda in the....
The Guardian “Venezuela: police helicopter attacks supreme court with grenades” A police helicopter launched grenades at Venezuela’s supreme court building on Tuesday evening following months of protests against the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro. Maduro said “terrorists” had lobbed two grenades that failed to detonate. Some reports put the number of grenades higher. Local media suggested....
CNN “Germany: 18 killed in Bavaria bus crash” Eighteen people are feared dead following a bus crash in Germany on Monday, police have confirmed. German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters that emergency services had recovered 11 bodies so far from the crash in Bavaria and the search was underway for seven other people. After....
SNL Financial “JPMorgan makes a move on UK payments biz; Saba Capital to shut London office” On the M&A front, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Vantiv Inc. are trying to buy London-based Worldpay Group plc. The British payments company confirmed that it received separate preliminary takeover approaches from the two U.S. companies. Sources for the....
BBC “Ukraine wants membership plan talks, says Poroshenko” Ukraine’s president has asked for discussions to begin on an action plan that could eventually lead to membership of Nato. Petro Poroshenko said the will of the Ukrainian people was to eventually join the Western military alliance. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said any decision on future....
Bloomberg “Janet Yellen Says Low Inflation Still Major Source of Uncertainty.” Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the U.S. economy should continue to expand over the next few years, allowing the central bank to keep raising interest rates, while also stressing the Fed is monitoring too-low inflation. U.S. stocks opened higher while Treasury yields fell....
BBC “Jordan soldier who killed US trainers jailed for life” A Jordanian soldier has been sentenced to life in prison with hard labor for killing three US military trainers last year. Marik al-Tuwayha, who pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder, attacked the men as their vehicles approached al-Jafr airbase in November. One was killed at....
CNN “Kushner confirms Russia meetings, says ‘I did not collude’” Jared Kushner, the President’s son-in-law and senior adviser, said in a statement Monday to the Senate and House intelligence committees that he had no additional contacts with individuals who were or may have been Russian government representatives, beyond those that have already been publicly disclosed.....
The Guardian “Venezuela poll: EU condemns violence as turnout figure disputed” Venezuelan electoral authorities and opponents of Nicolás Maduro’s ruling socialists have clashed over turnout figures in Sunday’s vote for an assembly to write a new constitution and give the party greater powers. The national electoral council said more than 8 million people had voted....
Bloomberg “U.S. Stocks Drift Higher, Energy Weighs on Indexes: Markets Wrap” U.S. stocks were slightly higher Monday, continuing their record run, despite a decline in energy stocks. Crude dropped as major oil producers gathered to discuss participation in output cuts. The dollar continued to climb, while the euro also rose. The greenback initially struggled to....
Bloomberg “Risk-On Mood in Equities Falters; ECB Sinks Bonds: Markets Wrap.” Trade hopes and the end of easy money were the twin themes in trading on Wednesday, with stocks fluctuating near recent highs and bonds falling as this week’s risk-on mood endured. U.S. equities pared gains after opening higher following advances across Asia on signs....