World Business

Athens, Greece—Greece’s prime minister said his country was in the “final stage” of talks for a new bailout, as his left-wing government rejected the idea o  extending the negotiations beyond this month.

Lahaina, Hawaii— Trade ministers from a dozen Pacific Rim nations failed to reach a deal on a new trade agreement that would cover nearly 40 percent of the global economy, United States Trade Representative Michael Froman said.

New York—As drivers, shippers and airlines continue to enjoy lower fuel prices, the oil industry is responding to much lower profits with sharp cuts in spending and employment that are hurting economic growth.

Washington—Americans bought homes in June at the fastest rate in over eight years, pushing prices to record highs as buyer demand has eclipsed the availability of houses on the market. 

Athens, Greece—Greece’s radical left-led government emerged bloodied but alive last Thursday from a key vote in parliament, which overwhelmingly approved new creditor-demanded reforms, despite a revolt among hardliners in the main coalition partner. 

New York— Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton laid out her agenda to help American workers last Monday, pledging to build a “growth and fairness economy” if elected to the White House that would boost wages that have remained stagnant since the Great Recession.

Athens, Greece—Greece has a tentative rescue deal, but relief that it is not falling out of the euro is unlikely to last long: its economy has taken a huge hit.

Beijing — China’s economic growth in the latest quarter held steady at 7 percent, its weakest performance since the global crisis, but better retail sales and factory output in June suggested efforts to reverse the slump might be gaining traction.

New York—A shutdown in trading at one of the world’s most famous exchanges raised the tension in financial markets last Wednesday.

Chinese officials are scrambling to stop a plunge in the country’s stock market, shutting down half of its market from skittish investors and forcing brokerages to pony up billions to prop up shares.