International

• Thursday, March 24th 2011 - 17:44 UTC

  Spain top three banks left out of Moody downgrading of 30 institutions

  

  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.

• Thursday, March 24th 2011 - 06:32 UTC

  Bank of England remains divided 6 to 3 on interest rate hike

  

  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.

• Thursday, March 24th 2011 - 06:19 UTC

  The world’s rarest albatross confirmed as a separate species by scientists

  

  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.

• Thursday, March 24th 2011 - 03:42 UTC

  Japan estimates cost of the earthquake and tsunami could reach 300 billion USD

  

  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.

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2011 - 03:28 UTC

  Obama in El Salvador shifts from economic success to drugs and immigration

  

  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.

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2011 - 02:54 UTC

  South American countries divided over allied bombings of Libya

  

  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.

• Tuesday, March 22nd 2011 - 23:34 UTC

  Tepco will have to compensate farmers around Fukushima area, says Japan

  

  Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) will have to compensate farmers for losses caused by the nuclear radiation leaking from its power plants, Japan has said.

• Tuesday, March 22nd 2011 - 22:51 UTC

  UK Consumer prices index soars to 4.4% in February; 15 months above target

  

  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.

• Tuesday, March 22nd 2011 - 22:10 UTC

  “We must oppose the Mercosur/EU deal with every ounce of energy we have”

  

  Ireland, supported by France keeps putting pressure to derail the ongoing trade talks between the European Union commission and Mercosur, reports the Dublin press.

• Tuesday, March 22nd 2011 - 19:58 UTC

  UK World Heritage tentative list includes sites in three Overseas Territories

  

  Three Overseas Territories have been chosen to be included as sites across the UK and its OT to form the new UK tentative list for potential nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Status.