Wikinews:Briefs/April 24, 2005

April 24, 2005

NYSE to merge with Archipelago; NASDAQ to buy Instinet
The two largest American stock market exchanges, New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, have each agreed to acquire their leading e-trade competitors, in a move that will shake up the industry and generate unprecedented changes in the two-century old traditions of public trading of stocks in the USA.

Bush nomination to UN post faces bi-partisan problems
George Bush's controversial nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, seemed stalled as new allegations surfaced in the Senate Committee's second interview. Lawmakers from both parties expressed strong reservations.

Romanian reporters call for release of hostages in Iraq
Reporters gathered in central Bucharest Saturday calling for the release of three colleagues kidnapped by Iraqi militants late last month. Prima TV's Cristina Topescu said, "We will stay here until they are released. I am trying to be optimistic, but I am scared because of those images. However, I keep hoping."

5-year-old girl arrested and handcuffed by Florida police
St Petersburg, Florida police were caught on video handcuffing a five-year-old kindergarten student who had been disruptive earlier. The camera happened to be filming on March 14 as part of a classroom self-improvement exercise at Fairmount Park Elementary. Video of the event has been released by a lawyer for the child's mother. Police plan to investigate the incident and make public the findings in approximately two weeks.

British government considering new nuclear power stations
In order to meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, the UK is considering new nuclear reactors to supplement the current electrical production. Not all members of Tony Blair's government support the idea, which is a longer-term plan to meet very ambitious 60% emissions reductions by 2050.