Big majority of EU leaders demand EIB further ease defence spending rules

Also in this newsletter: Is Belgium finally going to form a government?

Topics

Mortgage demand drops further, even as interest rates settle

Mortgage rates didn’t move last week, but demand for new home loans continued to weaken.
NBC News - 1d
Mortgage demand drops further, even as interest rates settle

Mortgage rates didn't move last week, but demand for new home loans continued to weaken.
CNBC - 1d
UK ministers demand safety for defence groups at university job fairs

Defence secretary John Healey says industry recruiters face ‘harassment and intimidation’ on campus
Financial Times - 2d
German leftist leader vows to block higher defence spending

Sahra Wagenknecht says taking on more debt to help Ukraine ‘out of the question’ if BSW enters Bundestag next month
Financial Times - 3d
Mortgage rules could be eased to boost loans

The £100 limit on contactless cards could also be scrapped, as regulators respond to the prime minister's plea.
BBC News - Jan. 17
Germany pushes for EU to ease sanctions on Syria

Berlin circulates proposals for relief on curbs in exchange for reforms from new leadership in Damascus
Financial Times - Jan. 7
EIB fears ‘reputational disaster’ over revised EU green reporting

Internal memo reveals multilateral lender’s fear that new rules will put its climate credentials at risk
Financial Times - Jan. 7
Europe readies for scattergun defence-spend bonanza

Sickly economies and budgetary pressures likely to hit proposals and any increase will be thinly spread
Financial Times - Jan. 4

Hamas Names 3 Hostages It Says Will Be Freed This Weekend

Keith Siegel, an American-Israeli, will be released along with Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon in exchange for scores of Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons, the group said.
The New York Times - 6m
Women’s Ashes: Australia v England one-off cricket Test, day two – live

Updates as Australia build a strong lead at the MCG Any thoughts? Email James Sri Lanka v Australia: first men’s Test, day three – live 26th over: Australia 62-1 (Litchfield 21, Sutherland ...
The Guardian - 16m
Tory bid to celebrate Brexit anniversary marred by spat between Badenoch and Patel over party’s migration record – UK politics live

Kemi Badenoch issues rebuke to Priti Patel after former home secretary defends rise in migration since Brexit. Nigel Farage , the Reform UK leader, has admitted that people are “disappointed” by ...
The Guardian - 17m
Middle East crisis live: Hamas names three Israeli hostages to be released on Saturday

Palestinian militant group says Ofer Calderon, Keith Siegel and Yarden Bibas will be freed as part of ceasefire deal. Yarden Bibas, one of the hostages announced to be released by Hamas on ...
The Guardian - 23m
Champions League and Europa League playoff draws, transfer news: football – live

European playoff draws due to begin at 11am (GMT) Ten things to look out for this weekend | Mail Simon Chelsea have joined the race to sign the Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan ...
The Guardian - 23m