Town Hall News

PARIS (Reuters) – The United Nations food agency’s world price index fell in August to a new two-year low, reversing a rebound seen the previous month, as a decline in most food commodities offset increases for rice and sugar. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) price index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 121.4 points in August against a revised 124.0 for the previous month, the agency […]

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s new yuan loans are expected to rebound in August after tumbling in July to the lowest since late 2009, a Reuters poll showed, as the central bank seeks to shore up economic growth amid soft demand both at home and abroad. Chinese banks are estimated to have issued 1.20 trillion yuan ($163.41 billion) in net new yuan loans last month, more than triple July’s 345.9 billion […]

PARIS (Reuters) – The United Nations food agency’s world price index fell in August to a new two-year low, reversing a rebound seen the previous month, as a decline in most food commodities offset increases for rice and sugar. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) price index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 121.4 points in August against a revised 124.0 for the previous month, the agency […]

LONDON (Reuters) – Shares in Round Hill Music Royalty Fund, which owns the copyrights to work of major artists such as the Beatles, soared as much as 67% on Friday after a $496 million buyout offer from Alchemy Copyrights. Shares in Round Hill Music were up 64% at $1.125 by 0753 GMT, having hit a record $1.15 earlier on. In a note, Jefferies said it expects Alchemy’s offer is “highly […]

By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S., Saudi Arabia, India and other nations are discussing a possible infrastructure deal that could reconfigure trade between the Gulf and South Asia, linking Middle Eastern countries by railways and connecting to India by port, according to U.S. officials aware of the conversations. The talks, which have also included the United Arab Emirates and Europe, may or may not yield a […]

By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S., Saudi Arabia, India and other nations are discussing a possible infrastructure deal that could reconfigure trade between the Gulf and South Asia, linking Middle Eastern countries by railways and connecting to India by port, according to U.S. officials aware of the conversations. The talks, which have also included the United Arab Emirates and Europe, may or may not yield a […]

LONDON (Reuters) – It’s a packed week ahead for markets with the European Central Bank holding a crunch meeting on whether or not to hike rates again as the economy falters, while the United States releases latest inflation numbers. Rising oil prices could re-ignite angst about price pressures. Key UK jobs data and a G20 summit, marked by the absence of China’s Xi Jinping, are also in focus. Here’s your […]

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon on Friday approved the “Barbie” film to be screened in cinemas following an initial attempt to ban it by its culture minister over claims it contradicts conservative values. Lebanon’s General Security agency, which is responsible for reviewing any films, plays or books to be released in Lebanon, issued a decision on Friday allowing the film’s screening, according to a copy of the decision seen by Reuters. […]

By Josh Smith and Soo-hyang Choi SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea has launched its first operational “tactical nuclear attack submarine” and assigned it to the fleet that patrols the waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan, state media said on Friday. Submarine No. 841 – named Hero Kim Kun Ok after a North Korean historical figure – will be one of the main “underwater offensive means of the naval force” of […]