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Wet July dampens UK retail sales, spending outlook
Wet July dampens UK retail sales, spending outlook
Business and Economy
by  AFP

British retail sales fell more than expected in July, official data showed Friday, with poor weather blamed for the setback as the country tries to revive its flagging economy. "Retail sales fell sharply in July as poor weather impacted most sectors," ONS deputy director for surveys and economic indicators Heather Bovill said.

Demise of England's 'Crooked House' shows pubs in peril
Demise of England's 'Crooked House' shows pubs in peril
Business and Economy
by  AFP

With a 15-degree list making one end four feet (1.2 metres) lower than the other, the historic Crooked House pub looked as if could topple over at any minute. Some have placed flowers and placards in the rubble with slogans such as "More Than a Pub" and "Straight Answers for our Crooked House".

Disinformation an 'easy sell' in post-coup Niger
Disinformation an 'easy sell' in post-coup Niger
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Following a July coup, Niger has become the latest hotbed of disinformation in the troubled Sahel regional as West African powers grapple with crafting a response to the political crisis. Misleading reports about foreign interference in the crisis abounded as uncertainty mounted over the possibility of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) using military force to reverse the coup.

Markets fall again as traders struggle to shake rate, China gloom
Markets fall again as traders struggle to shake rate, China gloom
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Asian markets mostly fell Friday on growing worries of another Federal Reserve interest rate hike and deepening concerns about China's economy, with the country's property crisis once again adding an extra layer of jeopardy. The country's property crisis was also back in the headlines, with big-name and massively indebted firms in danger of going under.

Taiwan's antique jade dealers see trade losing lustre
Taiwan's antique jade dealers see trade losing lustre
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Tracing a palm-sized jade pig resting on its haunches, an antique trader in Taiwan said the ears on the nearly 400-year-old piece are a marker of its authenticity. "The folds in the pig's ears show the handiwork, the ancient handicraft" of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), said the 60-year-old trader, who would only provide his last name as Lee.