International

Thursday, May 17th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Japan: rates unchanged at 0.5% as economy looses steam

The Bank of Japan on Thursday kept its key interest rate on hold at 0.5% after a recent slip in consumer prices but the country's chief banker cautioned about leaving rates “too low, too long”.
Thursday, May 17th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
World Bank begins nomination process to replace Wolfowitz

The World Bank Board announced late Thursday that President Paul Wolfowitz will resign June 30, putting an end to his two year controversial tenure finally undermined by the generous compensation he arranged for his girlfriend.
Wednesday, May 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Extensive snow areas of west Antarctica suffered melting

A team of NASA and university scientists has found clear evidence that extensive areas of snow melted in west Antarctica in January 2005 in response to warm temperatures.
Tuesday, May 15th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Five years to save planet from climate change disaster

World leaders have just five years to save the planet from a climate change disaster - but it can be done, according to a new report.
Tuesday, May 15th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Reuters news agency agrees to Thomson takeover bid

Financial information group Reuters accepted an 8.7-billion-pound (12.8-billion-euro) offer from Canadian conglomerate Thomson Corp. on Tuesday to create the biggest global force in the sector.
Monday, May 14th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Stray Magellanic penguin swims 5.000 kilometres to Peru

A Magellanic penguin whose natural habitat is the extreme south of Patagonia and the Falkland Islands has strayed thousands of miles and swam all the way to Peru's Paracas national reserve.
Monday, May 14th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
OAS willing to sponsor dialogue with Cuba

The Organization of American States, OAS, Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza discarded the possibility of Venezuela abandoning the institution and underlined he favored the opening of dialogue with Cuba.
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
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.