Xinhua world economic news summary at 0830 GMT, July 18

WASHINGTON -- U.S. economic activity maintained a slight to modest pace of growth in a majority of districts from late May through early July, with more districts reporting flat or declining activity, the U.S. Federal Reserve said in its Beige Book released on Wednesday.

While seven districts reported some level of increase in activity, five noted flat or declining activity -- three more than in the prior report