Caroline Hepker

Retail sales declined by 0.6% last month from a year ago, a worse than forecast drop.

UBS's chief China economist Yu Song warns the country's domestic economy appears to be at risk of a deep slowdown.

Well, the housing market downturn that Song points out comes in spite of China's continuing export boom.

Lastly, eight people have died after a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after take-off from a US Air Force base in Southern California.

According to a statement, the aircraft was on a routine test mission when the incident occurred.

Deputy Commander Colonel James Hayes says they aren't sure yet what led the B-52 to crash.

Colonel James Hayes speaking there.

The long-range Boeing bomber typically carries a crew of five people and has been in service since the 1950s.

A number of the bombers were recently deployed in operations against Iran.

That's news when you want it with Bloomberg News Now.

I'm Caroline Hepker.

And I'm Caroline Hepker.

The UK is set to impose fresh sanctions on Russia and extend further energy support to Ukraine.

A statement from 10 Downing Street said Britain is, quote, stepping up and would directly target Russia's illicit shadow fleet, including several LNG vessels.

It comes as the UK and G7 allies look to increase pressure on the US to bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

Ukraine's ambassador to the White House, Olga Stefanishina, says the time is ripe following Russia's attack on an historic cathedral in Kiev.

That was Ukraine's ambassador to the White House, Olga Stefanovichina.

The U.K.

's latest sanctions push comes as the BBC reported that a series of arson attacks targeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year have been linked to an extensive campaign of Russian sabotage.

The Bank of Japan has raised interest rates to a 31-year high of 1%.