The recent ECB and BoJ policy statements have reduced the likelihood of a Euro-zone rate cut and has increased pressure on Governor Shirakawa at the BoJ to take further action.

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Although he reportedly is under enormous pressure, the governor reportedly is reconsidering his position, the mark of a truly thoughtful leader.

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Prosecutors until now had made few details available, despite pressure to do so from the governor, who criticized leaks to the press and lawmakers who clamored for more details as they craft legislation on mental health and gun control.

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He added that "at a gas governor site in Wales which regulates gas pressure, a theft of a few pounds of copper could have led to an explosion".

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It has already prompted California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to abandon his push to expand regional offshore drilling, and caused pressure for U.S. President Barack Obama to suspend his recently announced plans to expand federal offshore drilling.

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Father-of-three Steve Lukacs, a governor at one of the schools in Tunbridge Wells facing expansion, said adding extra classrooms put pressure on existing school halls, canteens and playing fields.

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