Currencies
Chocolate could disappear by 2050 due to climate change
Cocoa plants as we know them are expected to become extinct by as early as 2050 as global warming pushes temperatures higher and levels of humidity fall, the World Economic Forum said on Thursday.
US Treasury slaps sanctions on 19 Russians for "destabilising" cyber attacks
The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on 19 Russians who it accuses of involvement in interference in the 2016 US presidential race and other "ongoing nefarious attacks".
Trump's new economic adviser Kudlow sparks new trade war jitters
President Donald Trump’s new chief economic adviser has triggered renewed concerns about a trade war by calling for the US to lead a coalition of nations to stand up to China.
NAHB housing market index dips in March but still strong
Sentiment among US housebuilders remained strong in March, according to data released on Thursday.
US import prices rise most since April 2017 in February, but shy of forecasts
Import prices rose at a slower pace than expected last month, amid a decline in the cost of fuel imports and downwards revisions to data for the previous months.
US initial jobless claims drop by 4K as expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits declined in line with expectations last week, according to data released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
Empire State manufacturing gauge jumps past forecasts in March
A widely-followed gauge of factory sector activity in the jurisdiction of the Federal Reserve bank of New York jumped sharply in March.
Philly Fed index drops a little more than expected in March
Manufacturing conditions in the Philadelphia region deteriorated a little more than expected in March, according to a survey out on Thursday.
EU softens stance on trade deals as Brexit transition deal nears
European Union negotiators could allow the UK to make free trade deals during the Brexit transition period while remaining in the customs union and single markets, according to reports of the blocs plans ahead of a Sunday trip to Brussels for David Davis.
Russia 'soon' to expel British diplomats in Skripal poisoning spat
Russia will expel British diplomats "soon", foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday, in retaliation to the UK’s response to the Salisbury poisoning of defector Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
Downing Street relents to stop ditching of the penny
Downing Street has made a U-turn and has decided to save 1p and 2p coins due to the public uproar fired by threats to scrap them.