Stories for May 2007

Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile to become Microsoft regional centre

Microsoft announced Wednesday that Santiago's Universidad Catolica de Chile (UC) will be the headquarters for the new Federation of Latin-American Universities for Innovation.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Bank of England raises interest rates to six year high, 5.5%

The Bank of England on Thursday raised interest rates by 25 basis points to a six-year high of 5.5% as expected. It's the fourth increase in nine months, lifting the benchmark interest rate to its highest level since April 2001.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
US March trade deficit up but 2007 first quarter is down 5.7%

The United States trade deficit widened by more than expected in March, as higher oil and petrol prices sent imports to the second-highest level on record.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Concern with future of RN submarines Devonport Dockyard

British Members of Parliament from Devon are calling for an urgent meeting with the new owners of Devonport Dockyard to discuss the site's future. Engineering group Babcock International is buying the naval dockyard in Plymouth in a £350m deal.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Euro benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.75%

The European Central Bank decided on Thursday's meeting, held in Dublin, to maintain the benchmark interest rate on hold at 3.75%. However many analysts believe ECB's “strong vigilance” could see rates rise as early as June to keep inflation in check.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Warnings of “speculation bubble” in Shanghai's stock market

China's booming A-share market could turn into a bubble if speculation among exuberant domestic retail investors is not curbed, Goldman Sachs warned Thursday, as the Shanghai Composite Index hit yet another intraday record high.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
More “gas” to Falklands sovereignty dispute in UN climate conference

Argentina accused United Kingdom on Thursday of wrongly counting the Falkland Islands' greenhouse gases in its national data during a United Nations climate conference in Germany.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
It's official: the Blair era comes to an end June 27

British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced Thursday he will stand down on June 27. He made the announcement in a speech to party activists in his Sedgefield constituency, after earlier briefing the Cabinet on his plans.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Penguin News Weekly Update

Headlines:
Delicious new book launched; Two more men jump ship; Ship runs aground; A question of health; Fake £10 note found;
Inside Penguin News this week: Lt Nick Taylor and Sheffield services; Cruise planning begins; Your letters; Councillors' pay trial; Chichester man visits.
Friday, May 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Environmental superstar Al Gore arrives in Chile

After months of build up, the wait is finally over. Environmental superstar Al Gore, a former U.S. senator and vice president, is finally visiting Chile ÃÂ¢€” albeit for just a handful of hours.