Traders are intensely focused on level 3 reported by the banks, because new accounting rules changing the way assets are valued kick in later this month and could fuel a new wave of write-downs.

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As in 2010-11, it endorsed the level of savings reported by government and it also welcomed the lead provided by Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister in charge of the unit, and the "close links" with government departments.

BBC: Whitehall road sign

Last January's report had raised concerns about a number of areas, including staff turnover, high levels of reported violence, healthcare and the level of participation by prisoners in various activities on offer.

BBC: Addiewell Prison

This makes for only the third time in the last 20 years the nation has reached this level by late June, the Associated Press reported.

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The Commerce Department reported that construction of new homes jumped by more than economists had expected to the highest level since the financial crisis.

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Yonhap also reported that the South's National Police Agency had raised its state of alert by one level from "attention" to "caution".

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Entry-level crossover models were the most popular among thieves by category, with 6, 347 reported stolen.

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Auditors reported that these savings plans "will be challenging to achieve, as the level of flexibility within budgets is considerably reduced by cost savings made in previous years".

BBC: Medical money