Stories for September 8th 2011

Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 22:24 UTC
World food prices hold steady at near record; cereals climb further, says FAO

World food prices remained virtually unchanged between July and August 2011 according to the FAO Food Price Index published Thursday. The Index averaged 231 points last month compared to 232 points in July. It was 26% higher than in August 2010 but seven points below its all-time high of 238 points in February 2011.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 22:21 UTC
Fitch warns it might downgrade China and Japan ratings, but who rates Fitch?

Fitch Ratings warned that it might downgrade China's credit rating within two years as the country's banks struggle with debt loads following a lending surge to help lift the economy during the 2008 financial crisis.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 22:17 UTC
China and UK to develop offshore trading hub for the Yuan in London

China and the UK are to develop an offshore trading hub for the Yuan based in London. UK Chancellor George Osborne confirmed the agreement after meeting with Chinese vice-premier Wang Qishan in London.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 22:13 UTC
Bank of England won’t extend liquidity program; leaves rates at minimum

UK interest rates have been held at a record low of 0.5% by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Concerns about the strength of the UK economic recovery meant economists had expected rates to remain unchanged as they have been since March 2009.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 21:21 UTC
Commonwealth Youth Games open with Falklands proudly flying the flag

In a stunning display, the Commonwealth Youth Games opened in Douglas on the Isle of Man Thursday.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 16:16 UTC
Mosquitoes never rest: they rapidly develop resistance to insecticide treated nets

Mosquitoes can rapidly develop resistance to bed nets treated with insecticide, a new study from Senegal suggests. In recent years the nets have become a leading method of preventing malaria, especially in Africa.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 16:07 UTC
Argentina military approve first gay officers marriage; second couple waiting

An Argentine Lieutenant colonel and an Army captain will become the first gay military couple to marry since Argentina legalized such unions last year.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 06:04 UTC
International tourism picking up in first half with South America best performer

International tourism grew by almost 5% in the first half of 2011 totalling a new record of 440 million arrivals according to the World Tourism Organization, the United Nations organization for the sector.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 06:00 UTC
S&P met privately large bond investors suggesting the US debt downgrade, says WSJ

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's officials privately met with large bond-investors weeks before the firm's US debt downgrade, leaving some believing the chance of a rating downgrade was higher than they had previously thought, the Wall Street Journal said.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 05:58 UTC
Italy and Spain pass austerity measures to control budgets and debts

Italy and Spain have passed new austerity measures as they battle to control their debts. Italy's upper house of parliament approved an austerity package which should cut its deficit by some 54 billion Euros over three years.