Italy’s 5-Star seeks ‘clarification’ with League over tax amnesty row
The head of Italy’s anti-establishment 5-Star Movement Luigi Di Maio said on Thursday that a dispute with the League over a tax amnesty needed to be sorted out because it was upsetting financial markets.
Putin blames fatal college attack in Crimea on localization
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday blamed a mass shooting at a college in Crimea on localization, saying a problem that began in the United States had spread around the world through online communities on the Internet.
Fearing election hacking, EU leaders to ready sanctions
European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to impose sanctions to stiffen their response to cyber attacks and to rush through new curbs on online campaigning by political parties to protect next year’s European polls from interference.
Ecuador expels Venezuela ambassador after official says Moreno lied
Ecuador expelled Venezuela’s ambassador to Quito on Thursday after a Venezuelan government minister called Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno a liar, and Venezuela reciprocated by ordering Ecuador’s top diplomat to go home.
U.S. student in boycott case allowed to stay in Israel: court
An American student who was barred from entering Israel under a law against foreign activists who support boycotts of the state over its Palestinian policies was given permission to stay in the country by the Supreme Court on Thursday.
France’s Macron denies reports of visas for UK travellers
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday dismissed media reports that France was preparing to impose visas on British travellers in case of a no-deal Brexit.
Saudi Arabia foreign minister meets German ambassador in fresh sign of thaw
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir met with German Ambassador Joerg Ranau on Thursday, state news agency SPA said on Thursday, in another sign the countries are turning the page on a diplomatic spat.
EU’s Moscovici plays down budget clash with Italy, says no decisions taken
European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said on Thursday that the dispute over Italy’s deficit-hiking budget will take time to pan out and said Brussels wanted a calm and constructive dialogue.
Italy’s Conte downplays Rome’s breach of EU fiscal rules
Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Thursday its deviation from EU fiscal targets was “not large”, as the European Commission warned of “particularly serious non-compliance” in its draft budget for next year.
EU says Italy budget poses no stability risk to bloc
Italy’s planned budget plan does not pose a “Greek-like” threat to European Union financial stability but Brussels was looking at what could be the “next steps”, the bloc’s financial services chief said on Thursday.
