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Investors keener on lending to Portugal Good news for the Portuguese government on Wednesday with a fall in the interest rates it had to offer to sell 1.5 billion euros of short term treasury bills, due to be paid back in three or six months. However traders pointed out that volumes were extremely thin, indicating that broad sentiment on the junk-rated country was very fragile and could easily worsen again. Portuguese debt has taken a beating in recent weeks on increasing fears the country may go the way of Greece and need a second bailout. But Joao Pereira Leite, who

Occupy Washington camps defy eviction deadline Occupy Washington protesters have defied a police deadline to clear two occupy camps or face arrest. In a gesture of rebellion the protesters have erected a huge blue “tent of dreams” to signal their determination to remain in McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza. Occupiers expect their numbers to be boosted by supporters arriving from Boston, Philadelphia and New York: The mood in the camps is one of peaceful protest as this this man explains: “I am here as a peaceful protester. I have no desire to cause violence and I have no desire to

Facebook ‘light my fire’ Palo Alto, California, has been Facebook’s home base since June 2004. It was conceived on the other side of the country, at Harvard University, originally aimed at the students there, then at everyone in 2006. Greenpeace has a video campaign running which tells the story of how Facebook came to be, talking about friends and bullying and… green energy, admonishing the creator for not using this option. The ecologists brand the Internet whizz a ‘wicked coal-burner’. Mark Zuckerberg is now 27, with an estimated fortune of 17 billion euros or so. Innovation success like this got

Twitter users stop tweeting to protest ‘censorship’ Twitter users are being urged to go on strike today in response to the company’s decision to block or remove tweets in specific countries. Previously posts could only be removed globally. However, this new move has angered freedom of speech and information advocates such as Reporters Without Borders. Twitter Account holders are being asked to not tweet on Saturday in protest. Jeff Jarvis, a social media commentator, said he could understand why people may be concerned by the new function: “I’m afraid it’s a slippery slope of censorship. I understand why Twitter is

Florida Republicans decide on candidates’ destinies Florida is a crucial test for the Republican candidates who want to run for the US presidency. After Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, it is the fourth state to vote, and far bigger, with a population of 19 million. There is also more variety among the electorate here, with the Hispanic community and retirees carrying significant influence. By dominating both debates in Florida, Mitt Romney moved further ahead of his main rival, Newt Gingrich. In this state, the price of property has dived by 45% since 2006. Romney reminded audiences of his adversary’s

New boss in latest Carrefour turnaround bid It is all change at Carrefour Europe’s largest retailer. Out goes Lars Olofsson, who failed to revive the French group’s ailing hypermarkets, and presided over a series of profit warnings which saw its shares fall forty three percent in a year. He is replaced by retail veteran Georges Plassat which seems to imply Carrefour’s key shareholders are not planning to break it up and sell off the faster-growing emerging market businesses. Carrefour has been struggling for years, partly due to its reliance on hypermarkets, which have been losing out as time-pressed shoppers buy

Deux ans de prison pour l’ex-Premier ministre roumain Nastase Adrian Nastase ?�cope de deux ans de prison ferme. Il a ?�t?� reconnu coupable de corruption par la Haute cour de cassation ?� l’issue d’un long proc??s. Chef du?�gouvernement entre 2000 et 2004, il ?�tait accus?� d’avoir d?�tourn?� quelque 1,?�7 millions d’euros au profit de sa campagne ?�lectorale de 2004. Il annonce qu’il va faire appel.?� More about: Jail, Prime Minister, Romania, Trial

Over 350 dead from cold in Europe’s arctic spell Europe’s arctic conditions have claimed more victims, bringing the total number of people killed by hypothermia alone to over 350 according to reports. The worst conditions have again been experienced in the east. In Romania two dozen people were said to have died in 24 hours. Towns and villages were cut off; hundreds were without power; thousands of government workers joined the emergency effort. In Poland the homeless in particular have suffered. As in neighbouring Ukraine where more than 100 people have died since the freeze began, alcohol abuse is being

Iran warns of retaliation as nuclear tension rises Iran has sent a satellite into orbit and a message to the world to mark 33 years since its Islamic Revolution. Officially, the satellite will provide data on the weather. The West fears Iran’s space and nuclear programmes have military aims. In Tehran, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke in Arabic, apparently to address the wider region. “Don’t trust the US or NATO because they don’t care about your interests or your countries,” he said. And he warned that Iran would retaliate over Western-backed oil-sanctions and any threat of attack. According

Mayor backs London transport as the Olympic way Public transport remains a constant problem in every European city. Throw in the world’s biggest sporting event, the Olympic Games and the mix could prove chaotic. Transport officials have launched a new campaign in London, “Get ahead of the Games” to raise awareness of potential overcrowding. One piece of advice aimed at commuters is to go to the pub to delay their journey. The decision makers of the International Olympic Committee too are being urged to go public by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. “Every possible exhortation has been given to