PENTAGON said coalition forces and equipment have been withdrawn in an orderly manner from Erbil Air Base, marking the end of the military mission in Iraq to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS).

Spain July current account surplus €5.91 bln; June revised up to €3.5 bln from €2.41 bln.

French and German officials are drafting a joint paper urging the European Commission to strengthen trade and economic security tools. The China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery and Electronic Products said it is highly concerned, noting a wave of restrictive legislative and administrative measures at EU and member-state levels and a clear tilt toward trade protectionism. The chamber warned such trade and investment restrictions would not improve EU competitiveness, would disrupt mutual cooperation and supply chains, and would harm EU industry and consumers, and it voiced full support for MOFCOM’s firm stance defending China’s trade interests.