International

Thursday, January 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bank of Japan leaves basic rate unchanged at 0.25%

The Bank of Japan left Thursday its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.25%, following two days of deliberations and apparently appeasing government officials who say consumer spending and inflation are still too weak.
Thursday, January 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US consumer prices up 0.5% in December; 2.5% in 2006

The United States consumer price index increased 0.5% last December, the sharpest rise in eight months, ending 2006 at 2.5% which however is an improvement over the 3.4% of 2005, reported Thursday the US Labor Department.
Wednesday, January 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Remittances, biggest source of income for many countries

Migrant workers sending money home has become the biggest source of foreign income in some poor European countries, the World Bank has said.
Wednesday, January 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
China confirms international reserves above a trillion dollars

China's foreign currency reserves stood at more than one trillion US dollars by the end of 2006, according to official figures from the country's Central Bank.
Tuesday, January 16th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
UN official proposes wide spectrum climate change summit

The head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) proposed Tuesday the convening of a global summit backed by the UN to plan a future course of action for tackling the cross-cutting problem.
Sunday, January 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Iranian president visits Latinamerica's “US critics club”

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad currently on a visit to the three Latinamerican countries most vocal critics of United States said on Sunday that Nicaragua and Iran share “common interests, common enemies and common goals”
Saturday, January 13th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Communist Vietnam joins WTO and promises privatizations

Vietnam became this week the 150th member of the World Trade Organization. U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab welcomed Vietnam into the WTO saying this is an historic day for Vietnam and the rules-based global trading system.
Friday, January 12th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
China concerned with energy and environment costs

The Chinese economy expanded 10.5% in 2006, the fourth year running it has been growing at double digit pace revealed on Friday Ma Kai head of the powerful Development and Reform Committee, NDRC.
Thursday, January 11th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
World economy to slow in 2007

An expected dampening of the world economy in 2007 after three years of healthy growth has the weakening US housing market primarily to blame, a UN economic report released yesterday said.
Thursday, January 11th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bank of England surprise move takes rate to 5.25%

The Bank of England raised Thursday UK interest rates to 5.25% from 5% in an effort to curb inflation and surprising analysts who were expecting the decision for next month.