International News
US, China reportedly clinch phase-one trade deal
Negotiators from the US and China have inked the terms of a phase-one trade accord between the two countries, according to reports.
Will Johnson 'get Brexit done' if elected?
Conservative candidate and current Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeated throughout the six-week long election campaign that he will "get Brexit done" if elected, but he could face some hurdles even if he manages to get his Withdrawal Agreement past Parliament.
Varadkar hopes for 'decisive' outcome from UK general election
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said on Thursday that he is holding out for a decisive outcome from the UK general election on 12 December as more uncertainty would be problematic for negotiations with the European Union.
Europe close: Stocks snap higher as Washington offers deal to China
European stocks jumped on Thursday after Washington offered to roll-back of the existing tariffs on Chinese exports and cancel new duties if in exchange Beijing agreed to hike its purchases of US agricultural products, measures to protect intellectual property and increased access to its financial services sector.
Trump mocks Greta Thunberg, advises her to 'chill'
US President Donald Trump mocked teen activist Greta Thunberg on Twitter on Thursday, a day after she was named Time’s Person of the Year for 2019.
Meat consumption must be slashed by 2030 to reach CO2 emissions target
A scientific consensus has revealed that meat consumption must be considerably reduced by 2030 if CO2 emissions are to be limited to 420. 0bn tonnes per year in order to limit global warming by that date.
US wholesale inflation undershoots forecasts in November
Wholesale inflation in the US rose by less than expected last month amid a downdraft in the cost of services, but some economists cautioned that the underlying trends were not quite as weak as the headline readings.
Trump says US, China 'getting very close to a big deal' on trade
US President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday that the US and China were "getting very close to a big deal" on trade.
US open: Stocks turn green as Trump eyes 'big deal' with Beijing
US stocks opened sharply higher on Thursday after the President said he was "getting very close to a big deal" with China.
ECB chief sees 'some signs' of stabilisation in euro area economy
Policymakers at the European Central Bank sounded a slightly more positive note on the outlook for economic growth and inflation in the single currency bloc, but continued to keep all its options open, while calling on euro area national governments to increase fiscal spending where possible and necessary.
US jobless claims hit more than two-year high
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, hitting a more than two-year high, according to data from the Labor Department.
Trump and top advisers to discuss China trade tariffs on Thursday
The US President and his top councillors on economic and trade issues will meet on Thursday to analyse whether or not to proceed with fresh trade tariffs on nearly $160. 0bn-worth of Chinese exports on 15 December.
ECB keeps interest rates and pace of QE unchanged, as expected
The European Central Bank kept all its main policy settings unchanged, issuing a statement identical to that published after the governing council's previous meeting.
US pre-open: Futures point to flat open ahead of trade talks
US futures were pointing to a somewhat muted open on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve voted unanimously on Wednesday night to keep policy unchanged and ahead of discussions between the President and his top trade advisors.
Standard Chartered agrees Permata stake sale for $1.3bn
Standard Chartered has agreed to sell its stake in Indonesia's PT Bank Permata to Bangkok Bank for $1. 3bn (£986m).
Asia report: Markets mixed as investors mull Fed decision, trade
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Thursday, as investors digested the latest decision from the US Federal Reserve overnight, after it stood pat on interest rates and signalled it would not raise rates in 2020.
Takeaway.com extends Just Eat offer deadline
Takeaway. com has exended the timetable for its offer for Just Eat after receiving acceptances representing less than 14% of the food delivery group’s shares.