21.   Israel has secured a one billion-dollar loan from New York investors on the strength of guarantees from the US treasury department, officials said Friday.

22.   Mer is seen as well-qualified to promote reform of the powerful finance and treasury departments, and of the economy.

23.   On Tuesday, the treasury department said the economy was expected to rebound in the second half of the year.

24.   The committee will have the freedom to set British base rates in a drive to achieve an inflation target set by the government, the treasury department said.