WORLD

The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | Millions of Dutch flocked to the polls Wednesday in a test of the “patriotic revolution” promised by far-right MP Geert Wilders, with Europe closely watching the outcome amid signs his support may be waning. Following last year’s shock Brexit referendum, and Donald Trump’s victory in …

A new and more realistic monetary paradigm would central banks more room to incorporate risks and costs By: Michael Heise How long will major central banks blindly rely on rigid rules to control inflation and stimulate growth? Given the clear benefits of nimble monetary policy, central bankers need to open …

Trump’s new travel ban faces day in court Washington, United States | AFP |  President Donald Trump insists his amended travel ban will survive any legal challenge and it’s time to see if he’s right, with the first court hearings on it scheduled for Wednesday. “SEE YOU IN COURT,” Trump …

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP |  Saudi Arabia is committed to stabilising the global oil market, the energy ministry of the world’s biggest oil exporter said on Tuesday, as prices fell below $48 a barrel. OPEC and non-OPEC countries last year pledged to reduce output by around 1.8 million barrels …

United Nations, United States | AFP | Women’s rights are under fresh assault worldwide, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday as a two-week conference kicked off at the United Nations to take stock of the fight for gender equality. President Donald Trump’s “global gag rule” cutting US funding to groups that …

Paris, France | AFP |  Carlos the Jackal, the world’s most wanted fugitive in the 1970s and early 1980s, went on trial in France on Monday for the deadly bombing of a Paris shop more than 40 years ago. The 67-year-old convict cut a grizzled, thinner figure as he was …

Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | US giant Intel announced Monday it would buy Israeli car tech firm Mobileye for more than $15 billion (14 billion euros), the largest cross-border tech deal in the Jewish state’s history. Mobileye makes advanced driver assistance for car manufacturers, and has already collaborated with Intel and …

Edinburgh, United Kingdom | AFP |  Scotland’s announcement on Monday that it will begin preparations for a new independence bid raised the spectre of one of Brexit’s most feared consequences — the break-up of the United Kingdom. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would seek the semi-autonomous Scottish parliament’s authority …

Paris, France | AFP | The mayor of Paris said Sunday the city would spend 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) to rid the French capital of rats and install more public ashtrays to clean up the city’s streets. In an interview with Journal du Dimanche weekly, Mayor Anne Hidalgo unveiled a …

Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said a Dutch ban on his foreign minister’s visit was like Nazism, as tensions rocketed over rallies abroad to help Ankara gain backing for a key vote. His comments came after The Hague said it would refuse Foreign …