NEWHOME SALES RISE 3.5 PERCENT

WASHINGTON» Sales of new U.S. homes climbed 3.5 percent in August, snapping a twomonth decline as buying surged in the pricey Northeast and West housing markets.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that newly built homes sold at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 629,000 last month. The pace of sales was revised downward for July and June.

Sales of new homes have advanced 6.9 percent this year. Still, rising costs and higher mortgage rates have tempered some of the enthusiasm from wouldbe homebuyers.

Fox plans to sell stake in Sky to Comcast for $15B.

YORK» 21st Century NEW

Fox will sell its remaining stake in British pay TV provider Sky to Comcast in the latest financial wrangling as Disney prepares to acquire Fox’s entertainment assets.

Over the weekend, Comcast won a rare bidding auction for 61 percent of Sky by offering 17.28 pounds per share, almost $39 billion. Fox will sell its 39 percent stake to Comcast for $15.25 billion.

Last December a bidding war between Walt Disney Co. and Comcast began over Fox’s entertainment assets. Walt Disney Co. prevailed and is in the process acquiring Fox. Comcast dropped out of that contest to focus on its acquisition of Sky.

Zincair batteries provide power in remote areas.

Remote villages in Africa and Asia are receiving electricity using a littleknown type of technology: zincair batteries.

Thegoalistoprovidea battery that can capture renewable energy and store it for later use.

Californiabased NantEnergy said Wednesday it has created a rechargeable zincair battery storage system that can provide poweratalowercostthan lithiumion systems.

Clouds on horizon as trade wars, debt weigh on Asia’s growth.

BANGKOK»

Trade conflicts, rising debt and the potential impact from rising interest rates in the U.S. will likely dampen growth in the coming year, the Asian Development Bank said Wednesday in an update of its regional economic outlook report.

The Manila, Philippinesbased regional lender said Wednesday that it expects economic growth in Asia to remain at a robust 6.0 percent in 2018 but to slip to 5.8 percent next year.

China’s economy is expected to expand at a 6.6 percent annual pace this year but slow to 6.3 percent in 2019.

— Denver Post wire services