bad weather

UK retail sales bounce back in May, price growth slows

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UK retail sales bounce back in May, price growth slows

– British retail sales bounced back in May after a slump in April that could have been caused by the timing of Easter and bad weather.
– The Confederation of British Industry’s monthly retail sales balance recovered to +8 this month after tumbling to -44 in April.
– More retailers felt sales were normal for the time of year than at any other time in the past eight months.
– The CBI’s measure of selling price inflation was its slowest since August 2020 and was below its long-run average.
– The British Retail Consortium said its measure of shop prices showed the weakest increase in two-and-a-half years this month.
– Falling inflation and continuing real wage growth will contribute to a healthier consumer outlook, supporting the retail sector further.

Israel sends tanks into Rafah on raids amid Gaza-wide offensive

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Israel sends tanks into Rafah on raids amid Gaza-wide offensive

Israeli tanks continued to raid Rafah for a second day, defying the World Court’s order to end attacks on the city. The United States did not believe a major ground operation was underway, despite Israel’s incursion into Rafah. Residents reported Israeli tanks entering various areas before retreating towards the border with Egypt. The Palestinian health ministry called for immediate healthcare assistance in Rafah and northern Gaza, where hospitals had stopped functioning. UNRWA reported that around a million Palestinians had fled after Israeli evacuation orders. The Red Crescent Society evacuated medical teams due to ongoing bombardments. The World Court criticized Israel for not ensuring the safety and well-being of the evacuees from Rafah. Israel proposed a ceasefire and hostage release to Qatar, but Hamas insisted talks were pointless unless Israel ended its offensive on Rafah. Over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive.

Rescue teams searching for helicopter carrying Iran’s President Raisi after ‘rough landing’ (update 2)

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Rescue teams searching for helicopter carrying Iran’s President Raisi after ‘rough landing’ (update 2)

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed in heavy fog on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan. The lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were at risk. Rescue efforts were complicated by bad weather. State TV showed prayers being held for Raisi and live coverage of rescue teams searching the mountainous area. Raisi, who was elected president in 2021, has been involved in tightening morality laws, cracking down on protests, and nuclear talks with world powers. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has endorsed Raisi’s policies and many see him as a strong contender to succeed Khamenei. Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi stated that one of the helicopters in a group of three had crashed, and further details were awaited. Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate a joint project.

Helicopter carrying Iran, ’s President Raisi makes rough landing, Iranian media say

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Helicopter carrying Iran, ’s President Raisi makes rough landing, Iranian media say

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister were involved in a helicopter crash while crossing a mountainous area in heavy fog on their way back from a visit to Azerbaijan.