Aleppo / AFP At a rundown park near the frontlines in the Syrian city of Aleppo, a fragile truce has brought out visitors to see the last animal left at a makeshift zoo — “Happy” the monkey. The 22- year-old hamadryas baboon has been a much-loved attraction at Sabil park in the western portion of the city for years. But …

  AFP European stock markets were mixed on Thursday, as London shares rose on hints from the Bank of England that there could be another rate cut this year. London’s benchmark FTSE 100 stocks index was up 0.2 percent in afternoon trading, as traders also reacted to better-than-expected British retail sales data. In the eurozone, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 index slipped …

  AFP Oil prices rebounded slightly on Thursday after tanking the previous day, but gains were capped by US stockpiles data and the prospect of rising output in Libya and Nigeria, dealers said. At about 1015 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in October was up 20 cents at $43.78 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for November …