The German government considers the possible resurgence of the military conscription that was suspended five years ago, according to a confidential report of the Interior Ministry. The German government want these conscripts to provide civilian support to the German military if Germany must defend other NATO countries. Source The Welt
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday populism was spreading across Europe like a disease that Europeans should fight more vigorously instead of criticizing the actions of pro-European governments like his. Italy’s anti-establishment leaders, clearly assuming Macron was referring to them, hit back by dismissing the 40-year-old French president as a “chatterbox” and accusing him of hypocrisy in his stance over immigration. Source Reuters
German industrial gases company Linde (LING.DE) and U.S. peer Praxair (PX.N) have offered concessions in a bid to address EU antitrust concerns and secure approval for their merger. Source: Reuters
Chinese oil buyers will keep taking crude from the United States through September, but plan to reduce future purchases to avoid a likely import tariff amid a trade spat between the world’s two largest economies, multiple industry sources said. Source: Reuters
