Europe

• Kushner, Russian Ambassador Had Undisclosed Contact (WSJ)
• Democrats take aim at big companies in economic blueprint (Reuters)
• Trump open to signing Russia sanctions legislation (Reuters)
• Schumer Predicts Trump Firing Mueller Would Be GOP Tipping Point (BBG)
• Senate GOP Unsure of What Health-Care Measure They Will Vote On (WSJ)
• Japan PM Abe denies favors for friend amid falling support (Reuters)
• Britain’s Economy Is Almost Flatlining (BBG)
• Wall Street Outlasts Congress on Banker Pay, But Still Loses (WSJ)

In a mixed session, which has seen Asian stocks ex-Japan broadly higher, the European Stoxx 600 index dropped as much as 0.6% after data Markit PMI data signalled euro-area economy grew in July at its slowest pace in six months while carmakers extended declines on continued concern about antitrust collusion in the industry.  Germany’s DAX Index was hardest-hit euro-area benchmark, down as much as 0.8%. Autos continued to be the worst-performing sector on the Stoxx Europe 600 after EU and German regulators said they are studying possible collusion among German automakers.

The Israel Lobby : Time for a Second Edition

Paul Craig Roberts

Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com,

On June 14, Reuters reported Munich, Home to BMW, Considers Diesel Ban to Tackle Pollution.

Today, with strong overtones of regulators hopping in bed with industries they are supposed to regulate, EU’s Car Regulator Warns Against Diesel Ban in Cities.

Munich, home to carmaker BMW, has become the latest German city to consider banning some diesel vehicles amid “shocking” nitrogen oxide emissions in the Bavarian capital.

 

Authored by Pepe Escobar via The Asia Times,

The secret is out: the ascension of Mohammad bin Salman, displacing CIA favorite Mohammad bin Nayef as Crown Prince, was in fact a white coup...

What has been an open secret across the Arab world is not a secret anymore even in the US: What happened last month in the deep recesses of the House of Saud with the ascension of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, aka MBS, was in fact a white coup.