The EU's powerful anti-trust authority on Tuesday said a tax break from Britain for unnamed multinationals was illegal under state aid rules, firing a shot at London amid Brexit chaos.

The pound dropped versus the dollar and euro on Tuesday after British MPs once again rejected a series of alternative options to Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal.

Global trade growth is expected to be lower in 2019 than it was last year, the World Trade Organization forecast on Tuesday, citing widespread "tensions" and economic uncertainty. 

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Monday referred to the Council of Ministers' general secretariat a draft law on the abolition of all tax exemptions stipulated by the customs law and other laws except for those mentioned by international treaties and conventions.

The move is part of the Finance Ministry's measures that are linked to the approval of a reformed state budget.

British no-frills airline EasyJet on Monday said that uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the economic outlook is hitting demand for air travel.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday played up her country's "critically important" ties with China while President Xi Jinping called for "mutual trust" amid tensions stemming from security concerns over Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

Inflation in the eurozone slowed in March, data showed on Monday, amid worries that the European economy is cooling as the effects of Brexit finally take a toll.

Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, posted $224 billion in earnings before tax last year, Fitch Ratings said Monday, as the secretive giant opens its accounts for the first time.

Taxes on products considered polluting are struggling to gain ground in the European Union despite backing from Brussels, in the face of strong opposition from movements like France's "Yellow Vests".

As the United Kingdom grapples with its Brexit drama, the uncertainty around its decision to leave the EU persuaded Dale Carr to close down her Berlin shop selling British goods.