China Orders U.S. to Close Consulate as Payback for Houston

Beijing ordered the closure of the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, a city in southwestern China, retaliating against Washington's decision to shut down the Chinese consulate in Houston. 


 
Senate Republicans' Coronavirus Plan Delayed Over Disagreements

Senate Republicans scrapped their plans to release a proposal for the next coronavirus relief bill Thursday after continued differences with the White House on unemployment insurance and direct cash payments. 


 
U.K. Retail Sales Sharply Rise

U.K. retail sales rose sharply in June as consumers returned to shopping following the easing of lockdown. 


 
U.S. Stocks Slide as Jobless Claims Edge Up

Major indexes fell after new unemployment claims posted their first week-on-week rise since March, raising concerns that mounting coronavirus infections could slow the economic recovery. 


 
Gold Nears Record Amid Haven Buying

The price of the most-actively traded gold contract closed just below a high, punctuating a furious rally driven by investors seeking refuge from the coronavirus. 


 
U.S. Virus Cases Surpass Four Million

Total coronavirus cases in the U.S. surpassed four million a little over two weeks after reaching three million, as several hard-hit states reported record-high deaths. 


 
China Fortifies Hong Kong's Role as Financial Powerhouse

Beijing is wagering that its crackdown on the former British colony won't undermine foreign-investment flows, as business with the mainland flourishes. "I don't think it means the death of Hong Kong, but it makes for a very different Hong Kong than the one we've known." 


 
China Says It Will Have a Covid-19 Vaccine Ready This Year

China's state-owned Sinopharm, one of the first Chinese projects to start testing its Covid-19 vaccine candidates overseas, said it would have a vaccine ready for the public before the end of the year. 


 
U.K. Consumer Confidence Remains at Depressed Levels

Consumer confidence in the U.K. remained at depressed levels in July despite the reopening of entertainment venues such as pubs and restaurants early in the month. 


 
Second Stimulus Payment Could Deliver Cash Even Faster

Congress is poised to approve a second round of stimulus payments for U.S. households, and money could reach many Americans faster this time.