Britain's annual inflation rate eased in April to 2.4 percent, the lowest level since March 2017, official data showed Wednesday, weighing on the pound.

Turkey's embattled lira on Wednesday hit new historic lows against the US dollar after suffering a hammering in Asian trade, as markets watched to see if the central bank takes emergency action to buttress the currency.

Asian and European markets tumbled Wednesday after Donald Trump cast doubt on a planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and appeared to hit out at a deal with China that averted a damaging trade war.

The EU's own top trade official warned Tuesday that the bloc's last-ditch bid to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to back off stiff tariffs on metals imports from Europe fell short of expectations in Washington.

British food-to-clothing retailer Marks and Spencer will shut more than 100 "underperforming" UK stores in an ongoing restructuring, it said Tuesday.

European stocks rose Tuesday, with London hitting a record peak on upbeat global sentiment and easing Italian political worries, dealers said.

China announced Tuesday that it would cut tariffs on auto imports from July 1, the latest sign of a thaw in trade frictions with the United States.

Nigeria's economy grew slower than expected in the first quarter, official statistics showed Monday, with an expansion in oil production offset by a sputtering non-oil sector. 

The United Arab Emirates has announced plans to allow 100 percent ownership and visa incentives to foreigners, in a bid to attract investors to boost its slowing national economy.

Asian and European markets mostly rose Monday and the dollar extended gains after the US and China said they had agreed to hold off imposing tariffs, averting a potentially damaging trade war.