London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain has begun issuing passports with the words “European Union” removed from the front cover — despite Brexit being delayed and its political leaders deadlocked over how to extricate the country from the bloc. The interior ministry said Saturday that a longstanding decision to start introducing passports without reference …
Read More »Boeing cuts 737 production rate by 10 planes per month
New York, United States | AFP | Boeing announced Friday it would cut the production schedule of its 737 aircraft line following the two recent crashes that have seen the 737 MAX grounded worldwide. The aerospace giant plans to trim production to 42 planes per month, down from 52 per month, starting in mid-April. Boeing …
Read More »EU accuses BMW, Daimler and VW of breaking antitrust rules
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The European Union warned German car giants BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen on Friday that a preliminary inquiry has concluded they colluded to avoid competing on emission control technology. Already reeling in the wake of the devastating “dieselgate” emissions cheating scandal that broke in 2015, the German …
Read More »Britain, EU set out competing Brexit delay dates
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Theresa May asked the European Union on Friday to delay Britain’s departure until June 30 while Brussels suggested that it might be best to postpone the split for up to a year. EU leaders also reacted sceptically, saying that there had to be …
Read More »Britain scrambles for Brexit consensus as EU leaders hold out hope for deal
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s government redoubled its efforts Thursday to find common ground with the opposition as German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she still hoped a chaotic Brexit could be avoided next week. Downing Street hailed a second consecutive day of cross-party negotiations between senior ministers and their …
Read More »Anticipation mounts for Trump-Xi summit as US-China talks near end
Washington, United States | AFP | The White House on Thursday stoked anticipation President Donald Trump could announce a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to finalize a trade agreement resolving their nine month-trade war. Trump renewed the positive mood that officials have projected since January, telling reporters at the …
Read More »British PM scrambles to avoid chaotic Brexit finale
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s government redoubled its efforts Thursday to win over the main opposition party in a last-gasp bid to avoid a chaotic exit from the European Union next week. The latest round of talks came after lawmakers tried to safeguard against a doomsday ending to the …
Read More »Renault-Nissan audit raises ‘serious questions’ over Ghosn
Paris, France | AFP | French carmaker Renault said Wednesday that a joint Renault-Nissan audit of their Dutch subsidiary RNBV had raised “serious questions” over millions of euros in expenses incurred by ousted CEO Carlos Ghosn. “Certain expenses which have yet to be precisely quantified, but may amount to several million …
Read More »May holds ‘constructive’ Brexit crisis talks with UK opposition
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Theresa May held “constructive” talks Wednesday with Britain’s opposition leader in a bid to forge a Brexit compromise that avoids a chaotic “no-deal” departure from the EU in nine days. May tore up her steadfast strategy and sought Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s support …
Read More »May seeks last-minute Brexit tie-breaker with opposition
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Theresa May was to meet on Wednesday with the leader of Britain’s main opposition party in a bid to thrash out a Brexit compromise just days before a deadline to leave the EU. The British premier was to hold talks with Labour leader …
Read More »