London - The Bank of England Wednesday cut interest rates by 0.5 percentage points to 4.5 per cent, it was announced Wednesday.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown told parliament that the decision to reduce the key interest rate had been taken as part of a worldwide action to combat economic turmoil.

The announcement came a day ahead of the end of the meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Thursday.

Interest rates have remained unchanged at 5 per cent for the past five months, as the Bank of England gave priority to the fight against inflation.

London, Oct 8 : A rare crystal jug, which was priced at 100 pounds in January, has fetched more than 3 million pounds at an auction in London.

The 1,000-year-old carved rock crystal pitcher, also known as a ewer, is one of the most sought after pieces in the collector’s world.

The rare work of art from the Islamic world was initially put up for sale in Somerset and was thought to be a cheap French claret jug.

London - The Bank of England Wednesday cut interest rates by 0.5 percentage points to 4.5 per cent, it was announced Wednesday.

London - The Bank of England Wednesday cut interest rates by 0.5 percentage points to 4.5 per cent, it was announced Wednesday.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown told parliament that the decision to reduce the key interest rate had been taken as part of a worldwide action to combat economic turmoil.

The announcement came a day ahead of the end of the meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Thursday.

Interest rates have remained unchanged at 5 per cent for the past five months, as the Bank of England gave priority to the fight against inflation.

London, October 8 : A study of people who stalk members of the British royal family has revealed that the majority of them suffer from serious psychotic illnesses, instead of being hapless eccentrics.

Experts presenting the findings at a forensic science meeting on Tuesday in Melbourne, Australia, said that their study had been instrumental in developing a new approach to reducing risks of attack on the royal family, and UK and European politicians.

They revealed that the approach was to direct "VIP" or star stalkers into psychiatric care.

London  - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Wednesday hailed the government's massive bank rescue plan as the "right decision in extraordinary times."

"It is a tough deal for everybody, but it is the right deal for the British public," Brown told a news conference in Downing Street.

The "comprehensive action" taken by the British government should restore "confidence and trust" to the financial system, he said.