France’s economy slowed for the first time since early 2013 in the second quarter of 2016, hurt by a dip in consumer spending, in a blow to President Francois Hollande ahead of a presidential election. In its third estimate for the period, the national statistics agency revised lower its second quarter growth reading to -0.1 percent. Source Reuters
People in China are calling for a boycott of Apple products after tensions between China and the US reached new heights following fresh restrictions targeting Chinese telecoms giant Huawei. Source BuzzFeed
- The spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Asia is taking a worrisome turn.
- First reported in northeastern China in August 2018, the highly contagious, often fatal pig disease quickly swept through the country, causing the death or culling of more than 1 million pigs.
- In recent weeks, it has jumped borders to Vietnam, Cambodia, Mongolia, Hong Kong, and possibly North Korea. Many of the newly hit countries are even less prepared to deal with ASF than China, experts say, which has so far failed to end its outbreaks.
Cash-strapped Japan Display warned it cannot guarantee a return to profit this year as demand for smartphone screens stays weak, and turned in yet another quarterly loss, casting doubt over its proposed bailout deal with a Chinese-Taiwanese group. Source: Reuters
