Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Wednesday that record high oil prices are a concern, but that a slowing economy should moderate inflation down the road.Still, he didn't close the door to further interest rate increases.Delivering his second economic report to Capitol Hill, Bernanke also stressed that these are difficult and uncertain times for Fed policymakers, saying the climate of slowing growth and rising inflation puts the Fed in a tricky spot in terms of setting interest rates. "The recent rise in inflation is of concern" to Fed policymakers, Bernanke said in prepared remarks to the Senate Banking Committee. He said that possible increases in the prices of oil as well as other raw materials "remain a risk to the inflation outlook."... http://www.usatoday.com censor News |
Editor - 08:35:00 07-19-06 |
Cruise Ship Evacuating More Than 1,000 Americans From War-Ravaged Lebanon Sails for Cyprus |
An eight-deck cruise liner carrying more than 1,000 Americans sailed out of Beirut's port Wednesday, the first mass U.S. evacuation from Lebanon since Israeli airstrikes started more than a week ago. Dozens of Americans waved from the top decks of the Orient Queen as the luxury ship blew its horn. U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman waved back from the dock below. "We expect this to go on for the next week until every American who has asked us for help to leave, gets to leave," Feltman said. Many of those aboard were relieved to depart, after complaints of slow action by the United States compared to European countries that sent cruise ships, ferries and warships over the past three days to move out thousands. ... http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2210841
full News |
Editor - 08:33:00 07-19-06 |
Israeli air raids kill 57 |
Israeli air strikes on Lebanon killed 56 civilians and a Hizbollah fighter on Wednesday, the deadliest toll of the eight-day-old war, as thousands of villagers fled north and more foreigners were evacuated. Israeli troops crossed the border to raid Hizbollah posts and Hizbollah television said three Israeli soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in clashes with the Shi'ite Muslim guerrillas.Israeli medics said earlier two Israeli soldiers had been wounded in the fighting. The army had no immediate comment. Security sources in Lebanon said the clashes occurred during one of three cross-border incursions by Israeli forces.More Hizbollah rockets fell on the Israeli city of Haifa and one hit an empty seafront restaurant. A few people were hurt.Hizbollah said it had also rocketed an Israeli air force base at Ramat David, about 35 km (22 miles) inside Israel, and the town of Nahariya. The Israeli army said no base was hit.... http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060719/ts_nm/mideast_dc
full News |
Editor - 08:31:00 07-19-06 |
Walkout at Uganda's peace talks |
Ugandan government negotiators have stormed out of peace talks in Sudan with representatives of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. The LRA insist a ceasefire should be the first item discussed, but the government says the rest of the agenda must be dealt with first. Despite the walkout on Tuesday night, talks are expected to resume shortly. The discussions talking place in the southern Sudan are considered north Uganda's best chance of peace in years. The rebel delegation at the talks in Juba are accusing the government side of putting obstacles in the way of an agreement. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5194436.stm
full News |
Editor - 08:27:00 07-19-06 |
Red Cross, U.N. Concerned Over Mideast |
The international Red Cross and the U.N. children's and health agencies said Wednesday they were seriously concerned about civilian casualties and new health risks because of escalating violence in Lebanon and Israel. The International Committee of the Red Cross reminded both parties to the conflict of their obligation to distinguish between civilians and military personnel and targets. "The high number of civilian casualties and the extent of damage to essential public infrastructure raise serious questions," said Pierre Kraehenbuehl, director of operations for the ICRC.Under international law, the Israeli air and sea blockade of Lebanon must not prevent foodstuffs and other essential supplies from reaching the civilian population, Kraehenbuehl said.The Geneva-based humanitarian agency is asking for an initial $8 million to help displaced and vulnerable people, as well as supporting medical services of the Lebanese Red Cross.... http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,204357,00.html
full News |
Editor - 08:19:00 07-19-06 |
Three charged over Katrina deaths |
A doctor and two nurses have been charged with murdering hospital patients in the US city of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina last year. The three, who were arrested and then released on bail, are accused of giving lethal injections to four people. At least 34 patients died at Memorial Medical Center, which was cut off after Katrina hit the city on 29 August. Prosecutors have investigated claims of negligence and euthanasia, and subpoenaed 73 staff in the inquiry. Dr Anna Pou and nurses Lori Budo and Cheri Landry have been charged with four counts of second-degree murder. They are accused of giving four patients - two in their 90s and two in their 60s - lethal doses of morphine and a sedative. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5191772.stm
full News |
Editor - 08:11:00 07-19-06 |
|
post The Good, The Bad and The Ugly |
|