Stories for October 26th 2006

Thursday, October 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

WWF: “ecological overshoot” threatens Earth's resources

The world's natural ecosystems are being degraded at a rate unprecedented in human history, according to a report released this week by WWF, the global conservation organization.

Thursday, October 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

Argentine prosecutors accuse Iran and Hezbollah

Argentine prosecutors formally charged the Iranian government and the Lebanese militia group, Hezbollah, over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires killing 85 and injuring 200.

Thursday, October 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

Pinochet's secret gold

Chile's government has asked a special prosecutor to investigate reports that former dictator Augusto Pinochet, already facing charges related to secret bank accounts, hid about nine tons of gold in a Hong Kong bank.

Thursday, October 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

Venezuela, Guatemala seek new candidate

Venezuela and Guatemala have agreed in principle to end their contest for a coveted seat on the UN Security Council but have yet to agree on an alternate candidate, diplomats said.

Thursday, October 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

Oil prices jump 4% on OPEC cuts

Oil prices jumped four percent to nearly US$62 yesterday following a sharp drop in US crude stockpiles last week and as members of producer group OPEC enforced output cuts.

Thursday, October 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

Fifth Avenue, world's most expensive shopping street

New York's Fifth Avenue and Causeway Bay in Hong Kong retained top positions as the world's most expensive shopping streets in the world, according to Main Streets Across the World 2006, an annual report by Cushman & Wakefield, one of the world's leading real estate services firm.

Thursday, October 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

Greenspan optimistic on US economy performance

Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said on Thursday the US economy was overcoming the housing sector downturn and described growth prospects as “reasonably good”.

Thursday, October 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

US Security Council: Dominican Republic a new option

The Dominican Republic is considering its candidacy to the disputed United Nations Security Council non permanent seat following a suggestion from Venezuela, said Dominican president Leonel Fernandez.