London's mayor says the city has meticulously planned the introduction of limited overnight services on the subway — services that the city hopes will offer a boost to the local economy.

The British capital is unveiling the weekend service Friday — three years after it was first proposed. Troubles with the city's powerful transport unions over questions of pay and quality of life issues stalled the introduction until now.

Brent crude held firmly above $50 a barrel in Asian trade Friday as a bullish momentum continued, fueled by hopes of an output freeze by key producers and data showing robust U.S. demand.

Prices have roared back to enter a bull market, rallying more than 20 percent from lows seen earlier this month when they pushed below $40 a barrel for the first time since April.

As a step forward into simplifying hectic payment procedures, LibanPost launched Thursday their new self-service kiosk in City Mall Dora combining shopping with easy access to fulfilling daily life settlements.

The event convened media personalities, members of the press, bloggers and members of LibanPost team.

Retail sales in Britain, a key driver of the economy, rebounded 1.4 percent in July from June's drop, official data showed Thursday, indicating no immediate fallout from Brexit but analysts warn of a tough year ahead.

France's unemployment rate dropped below 10 percent for the first time since 2012, statistics bureau Insee said Thursday, eight months before presidential elections in which job creation is expected to be a key issue.

Socialist President Francois Hollande has said he will not stand for reelection unless he makes a "credible" dent in joblessness.

Syria's conflict has caused hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee to Lebanon, putting a huge strain on the Lebanese economy and its already-crumbling infrastructure.

But the five-year Syrian civil war has been a boon for at least one economic sector: the tobacco industry.

Oil prices eased slightly in Asia Thursday amid reports OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia would further raise output in August.

Britain witnessed a surprise drop in claims for unemployment benefits in July, the immediate aftermath of the country's vote in favor of exiting the European Union, official data showed Wednesday.

From computers and cars to carpets and food, Britain's decision to leave the EU is beginning to hit consumers in the pocket, having already spread uncertainty through the property market.

The consequences of the shock vote have so far been mainly theoretical, but recent data suggest that the country's tumbling currency is about to reach the High Street.

Russia's energy ministry on Tuesday said it was making plans for a possible meeting with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in October, as the sector grapples with lower crude prices due to a global supply glut.