Germany’s trade surplus for 2016 rose to 252.9 billion euros (216 billion pounds), surpassing the previous high of 244.3 billion euros in 2015, the Federal Statistics Office said. “The record surplus will continue to fuel the conflict with the USA and within the EU,” Source: Reuters
Qatar and Turkey’s central banks have signed a currency swap agreement to provide liquidity and support for financial stability, Qatar’s central bank said on Sunday, days after Turkey’s Gulf ally pledged $15 billion in support. Source: Reuters
Iran told OPEC on Sunday no member country should be allowed to take over another member’s share of oil exports, expressing Tehran’s concern about Saudi Arabia’s offer to pump more oil in the face of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil sales. Source: Reuters
Several gunshots were fired from a vehicle at the U.S. embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Monday, hitting a window in a security cabin but causing no casualties. Source: Reuters
