Newsletter Nov 10, 2022

Britain, France look to reset frayed ties under Sunak

Political differences remain, with Sunak a conservative Eurosceptic free-marketeer, while Macron is fervently pro-EU and a believer in strong state intervention.

UK delays Northern Ireland election in hope of progress in EU talks

The British government on Wednesday pushed back a deadline to hold a new election in Northern Ireland until at least March to provide space for progress in talks between London and Brussels on post-Brexit trade rules governing the region.

King Charles narrowly avoids being hit by eggs

King Charles III and his wife Queen Consort Camilla narrowly avoided being hit with eggs thrown at them during a visit to northern England on Wednesday, British media footage showed.

House of hordes: UK's parliament swells after PM upheaval

Britain's House of Lords shares some characteristics with the Chinese National People's Congress: their signature colours are red, and neither is elected by popular vote.

UK hiring falls as political upheaval adds to employers' worries

British employers cut their hiring of permanent staff via recruitment firms for the first time in nearly two years in October as the country's political upheaval added to concerns about the economy, a survey showed on Thursday.

Strikes flare in Europe as cost of living spirals

European workers squeezed by the soaring cost of living went on strike in Belgium and Greece on Wednesday, with stoppages threatening to paralyse parts of Britain, France and Spain in coming days.

European shares ease from eight-week highs as U.S. midterm results pour in

European shares came off eight-week highs Wednesday as Marks & Spencer led declines among retailers, while investors closely tracked results from the U.S.

Dollar advances ahead of inflation data; cryptos crumble

The dollar regained its footing on Thursday ahead of key U.S.

Europe's retailers strive to keep prices low to win struggling shoppers

Some European retailers this week forecast or reported better full-year sales after working to keep prices low to attract cash-strapped shoppers although others, including Marks & Spencer and Adidas warned on profit.

Britain's Next buys failed furniture retailer Made.com, 400 jobs axed

British fashion retailer Next will buy the Made.com brand for 3.4 million pounds ($3.8 million) after the online furniture seller collapsed into administration, resulting in about 400 job losses.

Elon Musk sells nearly $4bn in Tesla stock: SEC filing

Tesla chief Elon Musk sold nearly $4 billion worth of shares in the electric car company, SEC filings showed Tuesday, more than a week after he closed his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.

EU Commission proposes longer, negotiated debt reduction paths for EU countries

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to change the EU's fiscal rules so that governments would negotiate individual debt reduction paths of a length linked to reforms and investments, despite scepticism from some members including Germany.

EU countries, lawmakers likely to clinch deal next week on satellite internet system, sources say

EU countries and European Parliament lawmakers are likely to reach a deal on a 6-billion-euro ($6 billion) satellite internet system next week, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, driven by the bloc's push to cut its dependency on foreign companies and the Ukraine war.

UK boosts support for Ukrainian troops through winter - Wallace

Britain is stepping up its support for Ukrainian soldiers through the winter as a key battle in Kherson looms and as mobilised Russian troops struggle, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told Reuters on Wednesday.

France says Italy's ban on migrant charity ship is 'unacceptable'

France criticised Italy's refusal to let a charity ship carrying over 200 migrants dock in its ports, with a government spokesman on Wednesday calling the attitude of the new rightist government in Rome "unacceptable".

Thousands march as Greeks strike over 'suffocating' inflation

Greek workers went on a day-long strike on Wednesday, demanding higher wages to cope with surging inflation, as Europe's soaring energy prices and living costs trigger industrial action and protests across the continent.

Microsoft's $69 billion Activision bid faces EU antitrust probe

Microsoft may have to offer concessions to address EU antitrust concerns about its $69 billion bid for "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard after regulators opened a full-scale investigation on Tuesday and warned about the impact of the deal.