• Reuters

    UK's Topps Tiles flags persistent tough market conditions

    Fortunes of companies firmly tied to the health of the housing repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) segment have been under pressure as Britons continue to curb spending due to a prolonged cost-of-living crisis, while a slow recovery in the new homes segment have also worsened conditions. "Market conditions have remained challenging overall, with subdued demand in the domestic repair, maintenance and improvement sector, especially for bigger ticket projects," the company said in a statement. Topps Tiles, which has more than 300 stores across the UK, said total group sales in the third quarter were 6.9% lower year-on-year, and down 6.2% in the 39-week period.

  • RFI

    France's top court to examine arrest warrant for Syria's Assad

    Prosecutors have asked France's highest court to review the legality of a French arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over deadly chemical attacks on Syrian soil in 2013. According to Syria's opposition, one attack on the rebel-held suburbs of Damascus in August 2013 killed around 1,400 people – including more than 400 children.Prosecutors said Tuesday they had made the request to the Paris Court of Cassation on judicial grounds on Friday – two days after another appeals court uph

  • The Independent

    Cruise lines forced to change plans as Hurricane Beryl moves through the Caribbean

    Hurricane Beryl is heading towards Jamaica after killing at least six people in the eastern Caribbean