The British Bankers’ Association said its members gave the green light to 44,657 mortgages in January, up from 43,581 in December and the highest number since January last year, when 45,794 were granted. The BBA said low mortgage rates were also driving strong interest from existing home-owners in remortgaging. Source: Reuters
Bulgarian Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov wants to protect the European Union’s external borders with arms, he said in an interview published Thursday. Karakachanov told German newspaper Die Welt that he wants NATO or EU forces in Greece and Italy to stop people from entering the continent in large numbers. Source: Greek Reporter
Spanish police early on Friday said they killed the alleged perpetrators of a suspected “terrorist attack” in the town of Cambrils, south of Barcelona. Six civilians and one police officer were hurt when a car drove into people in the Spanish seaside resort of Cambrils early on Friday. Source: Al Jazeera
Top Turkish and Russian economy officials are set to discuss key economic, political, technical and trade issues at an international fair in the Aegean city of İzmir, which will start on Aug. 18 and last until Aug. 27. Source: Daily News
