Global stock markets were broadly lower Tuesday as investors fretted that the resurgent Delta coronavirus variant may put the brakes on the global economic recovery.

Britain’s annual inflation rate slowed sharply last month as clothing retailers slashed prices in the pandemic-hit sector, official data showed Wednesday, but economists warned it will likely rise again.

Oil prices fell on Tuesday, with both contracts heading for a fourth straight session of losses, weighed down by a weak demand picture in Asia and OPEC and its allies saying the market does not need more crude.

The proportion of Britons buying groceries online dipped to 20 per cent in the 12 weeks to Aug. 8, the lowest level seen since October last year, as shoppers returned to stores, market researcher Kantar said on Tuesday. 

Britain’s unemployment rate dipped in the second quarter on reopening of the economy that has resulted in record-high vacancies, official data showed Tuesday.

Global fast fashion brands are helping drive pollution that has dyed African rivers blue or turned their waters as alkaline as bleach, according to a report published on Tuesday.

Electric car and van startups racing to become the next Tesla Inc all want to avoid Elon Musk’s journey through “manufacturing hell.”

Oil prices fell by about 1 per cent on Monday, dropping for a third session, after official data showed that refining throughput and economic activity slowed in China in an indication that Covid-19 outbreaks are crimping the world’s second-largest economy. 

HSBC has agreed to buy the Singapore unit of French insurance giant Axa as the British banking group expands its foothold in Asia, the companies announced Monday.

British employers plan to increase staff numbers by the most in more than eight years over the coming months and few intend to make staff redundant when government furlough support ends next month, a survey showed on Monday. 

The British government said on Monday it will review green retail electricity tariffs due to concerns that energy companies could be exaggerating how environmentally friendly their products are. 

They are best known for bike-riding, but the climate-vulnerable Dutch are leading the way for electric cars with the largest number of charging stations in Europe.

Olam International, the Singapore-based agricultural trading house, said Friday that it plans to list its food ingredients business on the London stock market next year.

Rising demand for oil abruptly reversed course in July and is set to proceed more slowly for the rest of the year due to the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday.

Spending on credit and debit cards in Britain rose in the week to Aug. 5 to 99 per cent of its level just before the pandemic in the week, up by 4 percentage points from the week before, according to payment data provided by the Bank of England.

Britain’s economy rebounded 4.8 per cent in the second quarter as the government began relaxing lockdown restrictions, official data showed Thursday.

US cyber security giant NortonLifeLock is to buy Czech rival Avast for over $8 billion to create a leading consumer business, the pair announced Wednesday after the pandemic fuelled online activity.

Volvo Cars, owned by China’s Geely Holding, will temporarily stop production at its Swedish plant in Gothenburg due to the shortage of semiconductor chips, it said on Wednesday.

Oil prices rose more than $1 on Tuesday, recouping some of the losses in the previous session, as rise of demand in Europe and the United States outweighed concerns over a rise of Covid cases in Asian countries.

InterContinental  Hotels Group on Tuesday announced a return to first-half profits as  vaccination rollouts and the lifting of lockdowns boosted travel demand.