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US economic growth figures get double boost

The US economy grows faster than expected, and data revisions give its overall size a boost. Plus, it's emerged the Bank of England helped Nazi Germany sell looted gold.

The US economy is growing at an annual rate of 1.7 per cent - faster than many were expecting. And revisions to previous growth figures have added almost $400bn (Β£260bn) to its size overnight, by including long-term investments in things like films and music. One of the world's biggest drinks companies, Diageo, reports a five per cent increase in annual sales. We hear from the company's new chief executive, Ivan Menezes. We find out how the recession in Spain is affecting one of its most famous sports - bullfighting. A previously unpublished history of the Bank of England reveals it helped sell gold seized by Nazi Germany when it invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939. And one of the world's two potash cartels is splitting, which could lead to big price falls for the essential fertiliser ingredient.

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29 minutes

Broadcast

  • Wed 31 Jul 2013 22:32GMT