European bank shares dropped significantly in August after a surprise announcement from the Italian government for a new tax. Stefano Montesi – Corbis | Corbis News | Getty Images Italy’s shock tax on banks continues to prove controversial, even as the government insists it can improve it. Europe’s main bank stock index fell almost 3% … Read more
View of a damaged property after the arrival of Hurricane Idalia in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, August 31, 2023. Julio Cesar Chavez | Reuters President Joe Biden standing in front of a home damaged by a fallen tree said it was “but for the grace of God” the damage wasn’t worse. “No winds this strong hit … Read more
Many Italian parties are against Rome’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Antonio Tajani, the country’s foreign minister said Saturday, ahead of a critical decision on whether to quit the project. Rome sent shockwaves throughout the Western world in 2019 when it signed up to the BRI — China’s massive infrastructure and investment plan … Read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 21, 2023. Xinhua News Agency | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images WASHINGTON — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he will soon meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine drags on. “Soon enough we … Read more
U.S. President Joe Biden having a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 15, 2021. Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s Ministry of Commerce said Thursday that restoring stability in U.S.-China trade relations is the best way … Read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches with binoculars the Tsentr-2019 military exercise at the Donguz range near Orenburg city on September 20, 2019. Alexey Nikolsky | Afp | Getty Images A sharp rise in drone attacks targeting Russian territory is likely to intensify, analysts say, with Kyiv appearing increasingly determined to bring the destruction, instability and … Read more
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a meeting in Athens, Greece, July 26, 2022. Louiza Vradi | Reuters Anticipation and rumors are growing about the potential normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel – two of America’s most important allies in the Middle East whose ties have never formally existed. Saudi Arabia doesn’t … Read more
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is set to meet with senior Chinese officials and U.S. business leaders in Beijing as the two countries continue high-level talks. Her trip is a crucial but also a tough one to tread with U.S.-China economic ties hanging in the balance, according to a former senior U.S. diplomat. “Gina … Read more
India isn’t overly dependent on anyone for oil — not even Russia, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas told CNBC, adding that his country has diversified its sources. “India doesn’t get over dependent on anyone,” Hardeep Singh Puri told CNBC’s Tanvir Gill when asked if his country was too dependent on the Kremlin. Since … Read more
Relations between Washington and Beijing are at their lowest in decades amid disputes over trade, technology, human rights and China’s increasingly aggressive approach toward its territorial claims involving self-governing Taiwan and the South China Sea. Jason Lee | Reuters BEIJING — China’s ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, has blamed U.S. tariffs and export controls … Read more