February 19, 2012
China cuts banks’ reserve requirements
China’s central bank cut the amount of cash that commercial lenders must hold as reserves yesterday for the second time in nearly three months, the latest step to shore up the slowing economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) is on the course…
February 19, 2012
UK and France sign nuclear energy agreement
The UK has signed a deal with France to strengthen co-operation in the development of civil nuclear energy. The government said it reiterated the UK's commitment to nuclear energy "as part of a diversified energy mix". The coalition said the…
February 19, 2012
Positive economic data spark rally on Wall Street
A latest bunch of positive economic data sparked a rally on Wall Street on Thursday, pushing major indexes to fresh multi-year closing highs. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 123.13 points, or 0.96 percent, to 12,904.08, only about 100…
February 19, 2012
Canadian stocks rally on positive U.S. data
The Canadian stock market was higher on Thursday as positive U.S. economic data helped traders balance doubts as to whether Greece will get the bailout money needed to head off bankruptcy and the possibility of downgrades involving some of the…
February 19, 2012
US Congress backs payroll tax cut
The US Congress has voted in favour of extending a payroll tax cut until the end of 2012, ending months of debate. The bill now moves on to President Barack Obama, who has promised to sign it into law. The deal would extend a payroll tax cut the…
February 19, 2012
Fake US bonds worth trillions seized
Italian prosecutors say they have broken up an organised crime ring that was hiding trillions of dollars of fake US bonds. Worth $6 trillion, the bonds were found in three metal boxes in a warehouse in the Swiss city of Zurich. Italian authorities…
February 19, 2012
Houston funeral, stories of faith, courage and love
Whitney Houston went to church one last time Saturday. She was welcomed by family, friends and a virtual audience of millions who watched as the pop superstar was remembered as a child of God with the voice of an angel. A voice that never forgot…
February 19, 2012
Rio carnival street parade draws record numbers
One of Rio de Janeiro's oldest and most popular carnival street parties has attracted a record 2.2 million revellers, police say. The Cordao da Bola Preta parade is famous for attracting a diverse crowd, spanning all ages. For the first time in…
February 19, 2012
Iran ‘may boost nuclear programme’, diplomat warns
Iran may be poised to expand its nuclear programme at an underground site near the city of Qom, a Vienna-based diplomat has told the BBC. It appears to be ready to install thousands of new-generation centrifuges at the fortified underground…
February 19, 2012
Deadly shooting at Damascus funeral
Syrian troops have fired on mourners during a funeral that turned into a demonstration in Damascus, killing at least one person, activists say. The shooting occurred at a funeral for people killed during a protest against President Bashar al-Assad…