China: Earthquake death toll tops 51,000

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 06:35:56 -0500

NEWS

China: Earthquake death toll tops 51,000
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China said the death toll from last week's powerful earthquake jumped to
more than 51,000, while the government appealed Thursday for millions of
tents to shelter homeless survivors.

No bodies found at Manson's last hideout
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Investigators and scientists went to Charles Manson's last hideout to
hunt for clandestine graves that could contain other possible victims.
The closest thing they found were animal bones.

Israel: Syria must cut militant ties
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Israel's foreign minister is calling on Syria to cut its ties with Arab
militant groups if it wants to reach peace with Israel.

MONEY

U.N.: Global rice prices may start falling
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International rice prices may start falling as a result of excellent
production prospects this year, a U.N. food agency said Thursday.

Commodities bubble brews?
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Commodities are the first growth industry of the 21st century. The
prices of energy, basic metals and foodstuffs have soared, and so, some
say, has speculation. This year alone, cocoa is up 40%, copper has
soared 24%, and corn has risen 33%. And the price charts for some
commodities are beginning to look suspiciously like the Nasdaq fever
line in 1999, just before the tech-laden stock index crashed in March
2000. And, as the economy continues to work through the more recent
crash in home prices, the question inevitably arises: Is there a
commodities bubble brewing?