Written by Econintersect
Early Bird Headlines 15 October 2019
Econintersect: Here are some of the headlines we found to help you start your day. For more headlines see our afternoon feature for GEI members, What We Read Today, published Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which has many more headlines and a number of article discussions to keep you abreast of what we have found interesting.
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Notice: We have changed the form of content coverage for Early Bird. We will provide discussion only for Asia Markets news and a small number (often 1 or 2) other articles. The remainder of the content will be headlines (with links) only.
Key Articles
Global
- Asia markets trade mixed as investors remain cautious over the US-China partial trade deal (CNBC) Asia Pacific markets traded cautiously on Tuesday, following the previous day’s rally, as new doubts emerged overnight about the partial U.S.-China trade deal. Chinese mainland markets fell. The dollar index traded lower at 98.345, falling from an earlier high of 98.486. Oil prices traded lower on Tuesday afternoon during Asian hours. Global benchmark Brent was down 0.66% at $58.96 a barrel while U.S. crude futures were lower by 0.75% to $53.19. Spot gold was flat at $1,492.83 per ounce, as of 0105 GMT. U.S. government debt prices were higher (yields were lower) Tuesday morning, as investors awaited economic data and Treasury auctions.
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U.S.
- Fury over Trump Syria decision grows (The Hill) See also next three articles. Democrats in Congress are vowing to quickly slap new sanctions on Ankara and formally oppose President Trump’s decision to pull U.S. troops from northern Syria following Turkey’s military offensive against Kurdish forces loyal to the United States. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, CA) spoke Monday with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R, SC), an ally of Trump who is fiercely critical of his policy on Syria, about the need for bipartisan legislation.
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- Graham throws support behind Trump’s Turkey sanctions (The Hill) Sen. Lindsey Graham (R, SC) said on Monday night that he backs President Trump’s decision to slap new financial penalties on Turkey and that the administration deserved “reasonable time and space” to implement its strategy in Syria. Graham, one of the most vociferous opponents of Trump’s recent move to pull U.S. troops out of northern Syria, said in a statement:
“I strongly support President Trump’s decision to initiate executive order sanctions against Turkish officials and economy for Turkey’s invasion of northeastern Syria. Turkey is attacking the Kurdish forces that supported us the most in destroying the ISIS Caliphate.”
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- Pelosi says Trump sanctions package on Turkey ‘falls very short’ (The Hill) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, CA) on Monday slammed President Trump’s announced sanctions against Turkey, saying the package “falls very short of reversing that humanitarian disaster.” Pelosi said in a statement that Republican and Democratic lawmakers will continue to denounce Trump’s decision to remove U.S. troops from Syria. She added both houses in Congress will work together on a bipartisan effort to “oppose this irresponsible decision.” Pelosi said in the statement:
“President Trump gave Turkey the green light to attack our Kurdish partners, betraying the thousands of fighters who gave their lives to keep the world safe from the barbarism of ISIS. His erratic decision-making is threatening lives, risking regional security and undermining America’s credibility in the world.”
- Bolton told ex-Trump aide to call White House lawyers about Ukraine pressure campaign: report (The Hill) Former national security adviser John Bolton told a former aide to President Trump on Russia to call White House lawyers to warn them about a pressure campaign on Ukraine, House investigators were reportedly told Monday. Bolton told Fiona Hill, the senior director for Russian and Eurasian affairs, to contact the lawyer for the National Security Council and say that the president’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani was involved in the efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating Democrats.
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Turkey
- Humanitarian crisis unfolds as violence escalates in Syria (CBS News) Syrian regime forces swept into towns and cities held until Sunday by the Syrian Kurds. Kurdish hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties, including small children. Turkish-backed militias took ground quickly and ruthlessly, even executing Kurdish soldiers and civilians on the roadside.
Desperate Kurdish forces told CBS News they hoped their U.S. allies would step in. Commander Redur Xelil said they fought alongside Mr. Trump’s soldiers and hopes he can at least stop the Turkish airstrikes.
But the announcement of the U.S. withdrawal gave the Kurds no choice but to cut a deal with America’s sworn enemies, the Syrian regime, backed by Russia. With Turkish forces advancing to a crucial highway in northeast Syria, choking off supply and escape routes, the Syrian regime moved swiftly to take over the key cities of Kobani, Qamishli and Al Hasaka.
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Other important articles
U.S.
- Bolton Objected to Ukraine Pressure Campaign, Calling Giuliani ‘a Hand Grenade’ (The New York Times)
- Federal prosecutors in New York examining Giuliani business dealings with Ukraine: report (The Hill)
- White House tried to limit what former Russia aide Fiona Hill could say to Congress, letters show (NBC News)
- Democrats seek to question Trump budget chief in Ukraine impeachment probe (ABC News)
- Mike Bloomberg keeps talking to allies about running for president as Joe Biden struggles against Elizabeth Warren (CNBC)
- GOP rep says he was kicked out of Trump aide’s deposition (The Hill)
- Trump wanted to release his taxes in 2013 to show how smart he was for paying so little (CNN)
EU
UK
- Sterling jumps after EU negotiator Barnier says Brexit deal is still possible this week (CNBC)
- UK jobs market ‘shows signs of slowing’ (BBC News)
Turkey
- Turkish lira rises as markets refuse to take Trump’s tariff threats seriously (CNBC)
- Trump halts trade negotiations with Turkey, raises its steel tariffs to 50% (CNBC)
Syria
- US troops express anger at Trump’s Syria policy: ‘We betrayed’ the Kurds (CNN)
- U.S. Urges Immediate Cease-Fire in Syria as It Sanctions Turkey (Bloomberg)
Russia
India
- Leaders recall Nobel couple’s India work (The Hindu)
- Revocation of Article 370 will restore long-term peace in Kashmir: Amit Shah (The Hindu)
Japan
China
- Trump’s ‘love fest’ with China won’t end the trade war (CNN)
- Hong Kong leader rules out concessions in face of escalating violence (Reuters)
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