Intensifying tensions between Iraqi and Kurdish forces in the oil-rich region of Kirkuk could prompt a sustained rally in oil prices, an analyst told CNBC on Monday. State TV reported Monday that Iraq’s central government had taken control of some areas in Iraq’s Kirkuk province “without fighting.” However, Kurdish Rudaw TV said Iraqi and Kurdish […]
Read moreThe White House released its first economic analysis of the Republican tax plan on Monday, an attempt to establish the intellectual underpinning for the argument that cutting corporate taxes ultimately helps middle-class workers. The report from White House chief economist Kevin Hassett projects that the GOP goal of reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 […]
Read moreSebastian Kurz is set to become the next chancellor of Austria and, at 31, the world’s youngest leader after North Korea’s Kim Jong Un (33) and Ireland’s Leo Varadkar (38). Known as “Wunderwuzzi” (roughly translated as “one who can walk on water”), Kurz won Austria’s general election Sunday with about 31 percent of the vote. […]
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Catalonia still won't say whether it's declaring independence, but wants to meet with Spanish leader
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has not given a clear answer to whether the region has declared independence or not, according to a letter sent to the Spanish government. The letter, sent just two hours before a deadline imposed by Madrid, reiterated an offer to meet Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy as soon as possible to […]
Read moreEuropean markets are expected to start off the first trading day of the week in the black, as investors gear up for the latest in political news coming out of Austria, Spain and the U.K. Looking to the major bourses, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 is expected to open 18 points higher at 7,553, while the […]
Read moreFormer U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton cautioned Britain on Sunday over its push to secure a trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump after it leaves the European Union. Clinton, the Democratic Party candidate who lost out to Trump in last November’s election, also said Britain would face serious disruption if it left the EU […]
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Germany's Social Democrats beat Merkel's conservatives in state vote
Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) beat Angela Merkel‘s conservatives in a vote in the northern state of Lower Saxony on Sunday in a setback to the chancellor as she prepares for tricky three-way coalition talks at the national level this week. The SPD, which has governed the swing state home to carmaker Volkswagen with the Greens […]
Read moreInitial results showed the party of Austria’s 31-year-old foreign minister leading in national elections Sunday, putting him on course to become the youngest head of government in Europe. Projections from the SORA polling organization showed the People’s Party led by Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz receiving 30.5 percent of the vote and the euroskeptic Freedom Party […]
Read moreFederal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen on Sunday sketched a bright outlook for the U.S. economy and for inflation prospects in coming months, saying the impact of the recent hurricanes will likely slow economic growth slightly but only temporarily and should be followed by a rebound by year’s end. Her comments suggested that the central bank […]
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Britain, Germany committed to Iran nuclear deal after US plans to scrap the agreement
Britain and Germany agreed on Sunday they remained committed to the nuclear deal with Iran after a U.S. decision to decertify the agreement, a spokeswoman said after a call between Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “They agreed the UK and Germany both remained firmly committed to the deal,” the spokeswoman said […]
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