The dollar extended its gain despite the data showing that the U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly saw a sharp widening in June.

Interest rates will go up quicker than anyone expects, ex-Bank of England officials warn.

British Mortgage approvals fell more than expected in June and lending was also weaker than forecast, according to Bank of England figures today.

The European Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a record low of 1 percent for the 14th consecutive month on Thursday.

Sterling appreciated after its previous sessions of downtrend against most of its rivals on Tuesday. It rose to a 4-day high against the dollar and the yen.

The pound strengthened against the euro for a fourth day. The pound strengthened to 81.83 pence per euro from 82.30 pence yesterday, the first time it has traded below 82 pence since November, 2008.

Former Bank of England executive David G. Blanchflower said that the Euro zone faces the euro’s “unstoppable” decline until it is at parity with the U.S. dollar.

Bank of England Governor Mervyn King has simplified and minimized the threat of inflation after consumer prices jumped at the fastest annual pace since 2008.

Matching with the repetitive scenario for the past fourteen months, the Bank of England held its interest rate at record low of 0.5% and maintained its emergency facility the APF unchanged at 200 billion pounds.

Greece’s debt problems continue to affect the European currency negatively, the euro-dollar pair has extended its yesterday’s losses where it is currently trading at $1.3398, meanwhile the pair managed to reach the highest levels for today at $1.3447 and the lowest at $1.3355.