UK News

Deflation nears as living costs hit 49-year low

Concerns grew today that the recession could push Britain’s economy into the grip of deflation as a key gauge of price pressures showed annual inflation tumbling to the lowest rate since 1960.

Inflation measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI) extended recent sharp falls in January, sliding to an annual rate of just 0.1 per cent, down from 0.9 per cent in December, and compared with a low of minus 0.5 per cent rate registered in March 1960.

The cost of living measured by the RPI dropped by 1.3 per cent in January alone, driven down by falling mortgage interest bills due to the Bank of England’s past cuts in interest rates, as well as further marked falls in fuel prices.

Hillary Clinton

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2nd L) signs an agreement for US Marines to move to Guam with Japan's Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone (2nd R) at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on February 17, 2009.

Chávez: Este soldado es ya precandidato para el 2013

  Frente a sus seguidores en el Balcón de Pueblo en Miraflores, el Presidente dijo que el triunfo que lograron por 10 puntos, con más de seis millones de votantes, era una victoria "linda, bonita". Le dijo a la oposición que vayan preparando a sus "currutacos" para las próximas presidenciales porque a menos que Dios y el pueblo dispongan otra cosa" será el candidato del oficialismo para los comicios de 2013