The Portuguese government plans to bring down its public deficit to three percent of GDP by 2012, bringing it into line with EU rules on budgetary discipline a year early, according to projections issued by the finance ministry late Friday.In a budgetary policy report sent to parliament, the socialist government said it now expected a three percent deficit in 2012 and two percent in 2013, compare
A pile of trash awaiting recycling helped two Vancouver teenagers survive a seven-storey fall from a building roof, police said on Friday.The 18-year-olds had climbed atop an apartment building, apparently to watch Canada Day holiday fireworks on Thursday, when the cover over a shaftway collapsed and sent them plummeting.Fortunately for the falling boy and girl, the bottom of the shaft was filled
A towering cake vying to be the world's biggest lasted one day outdoors in Paris, brought down not by ravenous sweets lovers but a sweltering heatwave in the French capital, organisers said Friday.It seems the so-called Tour sans Faim (Tower without Hunger) , standing 7.82 metres (25.7 feet) tall, had to be taken down because it was starting to look more like the leaning Tower of Pisa.A tempera
The CEO of French energy giant Total on Friday criticised sanctions against Iran, saying an embargo on petrol products was an error that would harm ordinary people.Speaking at an economic forum in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, Christophe de Margerie confirmed Total had suspended its deliveries to Iran in line with sanctions adopted by the UN, US and European Union in response to Tehran's
Representatives of Iceland, Britain and the Netherlands met in Reykjavik this week to prepare further talks on a new repayment deal to cover the collapse of the Icesave bank, the Icelandic government said Friday. The negotiation committee representing the Icelandic government on the Icesave issue met yesterday and today (Thursday and Friday) with representatives of the UK and Dutch governments in
Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun confirmed Thursday he has signed a three-year deal with Premier League champions Chelsea.The 30-year-old Israeli, who had a contract tying him to Anfield until 2013, has been signed after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed transfer fee I am very excited to come to a club like Chelsea, it is a big club and I think it is a dream for every player, Benayoun told
Spanish world number one Rafael Nadal made it back to the Wimbledon final by beating British home favourite Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in Friday's semi-final.The match was punctuated by some thrilling rallies, impressive lobs and duels at the net, and while Murray gave Nadal a tough test, the Mallorcan was in imperious form and won all the crucial points.Fourth seed Murray was roared on by a
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said on Friday that his team will be approaching the British Grand Prix on July 11 with caution despite a comfortable win in Valencia last weekend.German Sebastian Vettel qualified there in pole position and cruised to victory for the Milton Keynes-based outfit on a track that was expected to suit rival team McLaren.Vettel's victory was certainly overshadowed by his