Syrian leaders have pledged to introduce reforms to meet the demands of protesters, after days of violence in the southern city of Deraa. Officials promised to study the need for lifting the state of emergency, in place since 1963.
EU leaders are grappling with a new Euro zone threat after Portugal's parliament rejected an austerity budget and PM Jose Socrates resigned. The vote means an international bail-out, similar to those accepted by Greece and the Irish Republic last year, is now far more likely.
Moody's risk ratings agency on Thursday downgraded the ratings of 30 Spanish banks, a direct consequence of its decision earlier this month to downgrade indebted Spain's sovereign rating.
Six members of the Bank of England’s nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee, including Governor Mervyn King, continued to oppose the minority campaign for an immediate rise in benchmark UK interest rates at the MPC’s meeting two weeks ago, minutes revealed Wednesday.
The world's rarest albatross has been confirmed as a separate species by scientists. The genetic analysis solves 20 years of debate over the status of the Amsterdam albatross.
Canadian researchers have proven that the birds' DNA varies significantly from wandering albatrosses, their closest living relatives.
Japan estimated the cost of the damage from its devastating earthquake and tsunami could top 300 billion US dollars (close to 6% of GDP). The first official estimate since the March 11 disaster covers damage to roads, homes, factories and infrastructure.
President Barack Obama is nearing the end of a five-day tour of three Latin American nations to underscore the advance of democracy, and strong economic growth in the region.
Several South American countries are demanding an immediate cease fire in Libya and questioning the intensity and extensive bombing by an alliance of NATO strike forces of several cities under Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’ control.
Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) will have to compensate farmers for losses caused by the nuclear radiation leaking from its power plants, Japan has said.
The UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual rate of inflation has risen to 4.4%, up from 4% in January. This was driven by higher food, fuel and clothing costs and was the highest level for more than two years.