US tariffs: the trade war has begun: US versus China, EU, Mexico and Canada

US on brink of trade war with EU, Canada and Mexico as tit-for-tat tariffs begin https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/31/us-fires-opening-salvo-in-trade-war-with-eu-canada-and-mexico?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Blogger

US TARIFFS: China ready to fight US

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http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2148435/china-ready-fight-if-us-carries-out-renewed-tariffs

SAUDI ARABIA: QATAR BANS SAUDI IMPORTS AS IT EYES CLOSER TIES WITH TURKEY AND IRAN

Blockade blowback: Qatar bans Saudi imports as it eyes closer economic ties with Turkey, Iran

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https://www.rt.com/news/428155-qatar-import-ban-saudi-arabia-iran/

Canada: US Tariffs on imported cars: aaTrump might be more of a treat to US national security than imported cars frm Canda

Trump, not Canadian auto industry, may be the threat to U.S. national security: Don Pittis

Read more at:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/trump-trade-chaos-nafta-1.4677667 Shared via the CBC News Android App

ITALY: Formation of New Italian Goverment Fails As Italian President says It would endanger the EURO

Italy's efforts to form government fail as president defends euro

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Food safety: chlorine washing of chicken meat dangerous for your health

Chicken safety fear as chlorine washing fails bacteria tests

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/chicken-health-fear-chlorine-washing-fails-bacteria-tests-brexit-salmonella-listeria?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Blogger

EU: GDPR - EU DATA PROTECTION REGULATION COMES INTO FORCE

GDPR: EU data protection regulation comes into force

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US AUTO TARIFFS; BASED ON FLIMSY LOGIC SAYS TRUDEAU

Possible U.S. auto tariffs based on flimsy logic: Trudeau

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-auto-tariffs-canada-1.4676515 Shared via the CBC News Android App

China-German relations: Merkel on way to China to solve trade disputes

Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to China amid growing trade tensions

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http://p.dw.com/p/2yD7P

TURKEY - Erdogan Driving Turkey Over The Cliff: Why Investors Have Become Skittish About Turkey

For the better part of 16 years, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a self-styled economic reformer and the world’s great hope for Muslim democracy, had a compelling story—and for most of that time, everyone
bought it. Everyone, that is, except Turkey’s old guard—the secular establishment, the billionaires, generals, and educated elites who stood to lose their monopoly on power, wealth, and influence.

Now, however, it looks like Turks got more than they bargained forAfter a run that brought in more than $220 billion of foreign investment, tripled gross domestic product, and returned inflation to single digits, Turkey’s economy is again ailing—its democracy even more so.

With the nation heading to snap elections on June 24, the lira is sinking, inflation is running at double the central bank’s target, and companies are struggling under more than $300 billion in foreign debt.

Turkey’s ranking on nearly every index of democratic governance has plunged. There’s no longer talk of a peace process with Kurdish separatists.

Buoyed by a seeming imperviousness at the polls, Erdogan has become ever more autocratic, his style of leadership more personal, prickly, and intolerant.

He has ruled using emergency law since a failed military coup in the summer of 2016, jailing more journalists than any country in the world and widening censorship powers to include the internet.

If people don't wake up in time to the fact that Erdogan is driving Turkey over the cliff and vote him out of power - it could mean this beautiful country will be going in na tailspin towards certain disaster.

READ MORE: Why Investors Have Become Skittish About Turkey - Bloomberg

Saudi Arabia: no women's rights, no democracy, oppression

Further arrests of Saudi women's rights activists in escalating crackdown

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https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/21/further-arrests-saudi-arabia-womens-rights-activists-driving-ban?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Blogger

USA; Mo Money

Mo Money

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The Netherlands: Dutch Banks feeling pressure

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https://www.artfuleconomist.com/2018/04/23/dutch-banks-feel-the-fear-index-pain-clk-2/?net=efx&sxid=375256e1xvuy

Cancer control: Viagra and flu vaccine to fight cancer

A mix of Viagra and the flu vaccine could treat cancer

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EU NEEDS TO START PLAYING HARD BALL WITH USA

"EU heads discuss bold-or-fold strategy toward Trump tariffs" - http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-eu/eu-heads-discuss-bold-or-fold-strategy-toward-trump-tariffs-idUSKCN1IH1VD

German Economy: German economy slowing down

German economy loses steam

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http://p.dw.com/p/2xj7n

Iran nuclear agreement

Iran president signals willingness to stay in nuclear deal

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iran-president-hassan-rouhani-nuclear-deal-stay-us-trump-1.4661262 Shared via the CBC News Android App

The Internet; Google making your personal info more secure

Google is finally making it easier for you to manage your private data

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Portugal - economy: Alive and well

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https://www.socialeurope.eu/portugals-economic-recovery-from-sick-man-to-poster-boy

USA: the gangsters known as the pharmaceutical industry

To Lower Drug Costs at Home, Trump Wants Higher Prices Abroad

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Global disorder: Trump's Dangerous Neo-Isolationism - by Richard North Patterson

A leader ignorant of history misapprehends its tragedies. A president steeped in grandiosity risks repeating them. Such is Donald Trump. In modern history’s cardinal disaster, virulent nationalism combined with failed diplomacy and great power competition to ignite two catastrophic world wars within 25 years, in turn precipitating a nuclear arms race between America and the Soviet Union. In response, we encouraged democratic partners in Europe and Asia to join us in alliances like NATO, and global institutions like the United Nations and WTO.

This model promoted democracy, free trade and shared strategic and economic interests rather than unconstrained nationalism – and, while imperfect, gave us seven decades of relative stability.

Now the global order is under attack
.

Authoritarians squelch democracy. Populists scorn free trade. Resurgent nationalism and tribalism hamstring international cooperation. These threats come from all sides – including America’s president
.

Read more: Trump's Dangerous Neo-Isolationism | HuffPost

Solar Power Future Bright: New Estimates Show Rapid Growth in Off Grid Renewables - by Irena

The supply of electricity from mini-grids and small solar devices, such as solar home systems and solar lights is growing especially fast.

This part of the energy sector, including power generation from these sources, is often missing from official energy statistics. But evidence of their growing importance can be seen in solar panel import statistics and development project databases.

During 2017, IRENA collected detailed data about off-grid power developments to determine current estimates of off-grid capacity. Data sources included biannual market surveys from the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association, the OECD-DAC development project database, national and regional power plant databases, off-grid data gathered via IRENA questionnaires, and information obtained from organisations such as REN21 and the Alliance for Rural Electrification.

New data from IRENA shows that about 115 million people worldwide currently rely on the basic energy services provided by solar lights, while another 25 million obtain a higher level of renewable energy services through solar home systems or connection to a solar mini-grid. In addition to solar power, over 6 million people are currently connected to hydropower mini-grids, while another 300,000 people use biogas power.

The supply of electricity from mini-grids and small solar devices, such as solar home systems and solar lights is growing especially fast. This part of the energy sector, including power generation from these sources, is often missing from official energy statistics. But evidence of their growing importance can be seen in solar panel import statistics and development project databases.

During 2017, IRENA collected detailed data about off-grid power developments to determine current estimates of off-grid capacity. Data sources included biannual market surveys from the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association, the OECD-DAC development project database, national and regional power plant databases, off-grid data gathered via IRENA questionnaires, and information obtained from organisations such as REN21 and the Alliance for Rural Electrification.

Read morL New Estimates Show Rapid Growth in Off-Grid Renewables - Modern Diplomacy

EU Economy: Spring 2018 Economic Forecast: Expansion to continue amid new risks

Growth rates for the EU and the euro area beat expectations in 2017 to reach a 10-year high at 2.4%. Growth is set to remain strong in 2018 and ease only slightly in 2019, with growth of 2.3% and 2.0% respectively in both the EU and the euro area.

Private consumption remains strong, while exports and investment have increased. Unemployment continues to fall and is now around pre-crisis levels. However, the economy is more exposed to external risk factors, which have strengthened and become more negative.

Robust growth is facilitating a further reduction in government deficit and debt levels and an improvement in labour market conditions. The aggregate deficit for the euro area is now less than 1% of GDP and is forecast to fall under 3% in all euro area Member States this year.

Read more: European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Spring 2018 Economic Forecast: Expansion to continue amid new risks

EU Budget: Commission tables €1.279 trillion EU budget plan for 2021-2027: By Irene Kostaki

The European Commission on Apri 2 proposed an EU budget of €1.279 trillion for 2021 to 2027, the long-anticipated Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker unveiled the MFF draft plan during the European Parliament plenary in Brussels. It is the first such plan for the EU-27, in the wake of the UK’s decision to withdraw from the European Union. According to Juncker, this plan is “an opportunity to shape our future as a new, ambitious union of 27.”

With the cost of Britain’s departure factored in, the remaining EU member states will be required to fill the hole by raising their contributions to around 1.1% of gross national income (GNI) per member state, a 1% rise from the current level. According to Juncker, “the ball is now in the court of the Council and the Parliament”.

The EU’s Budget Commissioner, Günther H. Oettinger, has said that more than one sector will see their costs cut as, “The gap being left by the UK’s departure and the new tasks ahead call for changes”.  The possible cuts could see cohesion funds could be slashed by 7% and agriculture by 5%, while direct payments could be cut by about 4%, according to the Commissioner.

Read more: Commission tables €1.279 trillion EU budget plan for 2021-2027

Heads of State Pay scale: Who are some of the best paid country leaders in Europe?

The leaders of Germany, Switzerland and Belgium are among the best paid in Europe, a new study has revealed.

Swiss President Alain Berset earns nearly €400,000 a year, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel take home an annual basic salary of around €300,000.

Their wages were revealed in a study of countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which was conducted by UK-based financial services company

Read  more: Who are some of the best paid country leaders in Europe? | Euronews

US Trump Tariffs: Germany expects permanent US tariffs exemption

Germany expects “a permanent exemption” rather than a temporary respite from US steel and aluminum tariffs for the EU. “Neither the European Union nor the United States can have an interest in an escalation (in tensions) in trade relations,” a spokeswoman for Chancellor Angela Merkel said. I

In March US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum. However, the decision was taken to delay the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs on EU and others, including Canada and Mexico until June 1, as confirmed by the White House on Monday.

Trump had also reached agreements for permanent exemptions for Argentina, Australia and Brazil.

Read more: Germany expects permanent US tariffs exemption — RT Newsline