News Alert! Barack Obama Claims Another Win In Wyoming Caucuses

Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 17:59:19 -0500

Senator Barack Obama is the winner of the Wyoming Democratic caucuses.

Markets Friday, 03/7/2008

Friday, 3/7/2008

| Dow : 11893.69 down 146.70

| S & P : 1293.37 down 10.97

| NASDAQ: 2212.49 down 8.01

| Bond (10Y): 3.53%, 99.75

MARKETS:
Stocks hit lowest levels in over a year
Wall Street tumbles to 2006 levels as investors eye the biggest job
losses in 5 years and more financial sector problems.

Payrolls fall by 63,000 in February, suggesting recession

MAR 7, 2008
Payrolls fall by 63,000 in February, suggesting recession

In the clearest suggestion yet of a recession, U.S. nonfarm payrolls
fall by 63,000 in February, the second straight decline in employment.

The Fed: Fed takes new steps to add cash to U.S. banking system

The Federal Reserve announces two new steps to add cash to the banking
system.

The Fed: Yellen expects inflation to moderate
WASHINGTON
Inflation in the United States, while disappointing at the moment, is
likely to moderate, San Francisco Fed president Janet Yellen said
Friday.

Ambac raises $1.5 billion, but shares slide on dilution concerns

Ambac Financial raises $1.5 billion selling stock and convertible
securities to protect its crucial triple-A rating. But shares fall for a
third straight day after the struggling bond insurer has to sell more
new stock than expected, diluting existing investors further.

Top economic adviser to President Bush says economy could contract in current quarter, AP reports.

Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 12:43:07 -0500

Top economic adviser to President Bush says economy could contract in
current quarter, AP reports.

Oil prices hit record high of $106.42 a barrel, fueling recession fears.

Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 11:33:03 -0500

Oil prices hit record high of $106.42 a barrel, fueling recession fears.

U.S. stocks mostly down as Fed moves compete with jobs data

Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:01:03 (GMT)
U.S. stocks mostly down as Fed moves compete with jobs data

U.S. stocks are mostly lower, with the Dow industrials just below the
key psychological level of 12,000, as Federal Reserve moves to stem the
credit crunch help offset job losses viewed as the most blatant sign yet
of recession.

Economic Report: Payrolls fall by 63,000 in February, suggesting
recession

In the clearest suggestion yet of a recession, U.S. nonfarm payrolls
fall by 63,000 in February, the second straight decline in employment.

The Fed: Fed takes new steps to add cash to banking system

The Federal Reserve announces two new steps to add cash to the banking
system.

The Fed: Yellen expects inflation to moderate

WASHINGTON
Inflation in the United States, while disappointing at the moment, is
likely to moderate, San Francisco Fed president Janet Yellen said
Friday.

Ambac raises $1.5 billion; CEO says demise 'exaggerated'

Bond insurer Ambac Financial raises $1.5 billion by selling stock and
convertible bonds, a move designed to preserve its credit rating against
a rising tide of claims.

Israel to proceed with talks despite attack

Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:37:03 -0600

NEWS

Israel to proceed with talks despite attack
---------------------------------------------
Israel will not break off peace talks because of a Palestinian attack in
Jerusalem that killed eight students studying the library of a
rabbinical seminary, an Israeli official said Friday.

Archivists block release of Clinton papers
---------------------------------------------
Federal archivists at the Clinton Presidential Library are blocking the
release of hundreds of pages of White House papers on pardons that the
former president approved, including clemency for fugitive commodities
trader Marc Rich.

Breaking News: Jobs plunge by 63,000, worst since 2003

Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:42:11 -0600

WASHINGTON (AP) - Employers slashed jobs by 63,000 in February, the most
in five
years, the starkest sign yet the country is heading dangerously toward
recession
or is in one already.

Breaking News: Jobs plunge by 63,000, worst since 2003

Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:42:11 -0600

WASHINGTON (AP) - Employers slashed jobs by 63,000 in February, the most
in five
years, the starkest sign yet the country is heading dangerously toward
recession
or is in one already.

Markets Briefing Newsletter for Thursday, 03/6/2008

Thursday, 3/6/2008

| Dow : 12040.39 down 214.60

| S & P : 1304.34 down 29.36

| NASDAQ: 2220.50 down 52.31

| Bond (10Y): 3.58%, 99.28

MARKETS:
Credit market woes hit stocks
Wall Street tumbles while bonds rally after news of more bank troubles
and a surge in foreclosures. Falling dollar sends oil to all-time high.

U.S. stocks slide as credit woes spread

Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:06:03 (GMT)
U.S. stocks slide as credit woes spread

U.S. stocks close lower for a fifth session in six, falling sharply on
on more bleak news from the financial sector, including word of a
default at mortgage lender Thornburg Mortgage and news Merrill Lynch &
Co. is opting out of the subprime mortgage market.

De-leveraging rolls across markets, hitting 'safer' mortgages

The de-leveraging of the financial system picked up steam and entered
new markets Thursday as more big investors were hit by margin calls.

Apple's iPhone 'push' challenges RIM's BlackBerry

Apple Inc. says its popular iPhone device will have so-called "push"
email and other features designed to help it compete directly with
Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry for business customers.

Futures Movers: Crude futures close above $105 a barrel for first time

Crude-oil futures close above $105 a barrel for the first time, after
hitting a record high of $105.97 earlier in the session.

Economic Report: Americans poorer than a year ago, Fed says

Considering the impact of higher prices, a bigger debt burden and
sagging home prices, Americans were poorer at the end of 2007 than they
were the year before.

Oil surges 95 cents to settle at a record $105.47 a barrel as the dollar falls to new lows against the euro.

Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 15:13:03 -0500

Oil surges 95 cents to settle at a record $105.47 a barrel as the dollar
falls to new lows against the euro.

Clinton Team Strained By Internal Strife

Breaking News
March 6, 2008
A New Phase In The Democratic Race

Hillary Clinton's victories reinvigorated her once-shaky presidential
candidacy and reshaped her debate with Barack Obama, but those successes
yielded only a modest gain in the battle for delegates, the Washington
Post reports. 
--------------------
Politics

Clinton Team Strained By Internal Strife

Even in a time of triumph, there is a combustible environment within the
Clinton campaign, an operation where internal strife and warring camps
have undercut a candidate once seemingly destined for the nomination,
the Washington Post reports. 

U.S. stocks drop as financials weigh

Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:01:04 (GMT)
U.S. stocks drop as financials weigh

U.S. stocks head south on further bleak news from the financial sector,
including word of a default at mortgage lender Thornburg Mortgage.

Subprime Today: Carlyle affiliate fails to make margin payments

NEW YORK
Welcome to our daily roundup of subprime- and credit-crunch-related news
from MarketWatch.

Economic Report: Pending home sales index flat in January

In a sign that home sales may be stabilizing, an index of sales
contracts on previously owned U.S. homes was flat in January, though it
was down almost 20% from the prior year.

UBS may have dumped $24 billion Alt-A portfolio, analyst says

UBS may have sold a portfolio of Alt-A securities worth 25 billion Swiss
francs ($24.1 billion), according to an analyst at J.P. Morgan.

Better-than-expected sales offer retailers some hope

U.S. retailers reported better-than-expected February sales, offering
some hope that consumers may still have more spending power to put into
the economy.

U.S. foreclosures hit record high; mortgage delinquencies at 23-year peak

Date: 6 MAR 2008 15:04:32 GMT

U.S. foreclosures hit record high; mortgage delinquencies at 23-year
peak
3/6/2008 10:00:40 AM

Wal-Mart's U.S. same-store sales, excluding fuel, rise 2.6% in February, above expectations.

Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 07:17:19 -0500

Wal-Mart's U.S. same-store sales, excluding fuel, rise 2.6% in
February, above expectations.

Divergence in U.S. jobless claims; continuing claims highest since September 2005

Date: 6 MAR 2008 13:35:40 GMT

Divergence in U.S. jobless claims; continuing claims highest since
September 2005
3/6/2008 8:32:09 AM

Small Explosion Rattles Times Square

Breaking News
March 6, 2008
Small Explosion Rattles Times Square

Police say some sort of explosive device was detonated near a military
recruiting station in New York's famed Times Square early Thursday
morning. There are no reported injuries. 
--------------------
U.S.

Scientists Come Out Against Gun Database

Scientists from thee National Research Council say a proposed national
ballistics database, which would effectively take the "fingerprints" of
all new guns, would be far too large to function as a crime fighting
tool. 
--------------------
World

4 Marines Face Charges In Japan Rape Case

The U.S. military says it will court-martial four U.S. Marines in Japan
for the alleged rape of a Japanese woman. 
--------------------
Politics

Florida, Michigan Primary Do-Overs?

The governors of Michigan and Florida are saying it's increasingly
important that delegates from the two states be seated, and now state
officials and the Clinton and Obama campaigns have come out in favor of
primary election do-overs. 
--------------------
Health

Heparin Probe Focuses On One Contaminent

Some of Baxter International's recalled blood thinner heparin contained
large amounts of a contaminant. The government said it's investigating
whether what appears to be a fake ingredient got there by accident or by
fraud. 
--------------------
SciTech

Pollution Battle Waged On Capitol Hill

Big industries are waging an intense lobbying effort to block new,
tougher limits on air pollution that is blamed for hundreds of heart
attacks, deaths and cases of asthma, bronchitis and other breathing
problems. 
--------------------
Business

Job Discrimination Complaints Jump 9%

Federal job discrimination complaints filed by workers against private
employers shot up 9 percent last year, the biggest annual increase since
the early 1990s. 

Market Briefing Newsletter for Wednesday, 03/5/2008

Wednesday, 3/5/2008

| Dow : 12254.99 up 41.19

| S & P : 1333.70 up 6.95

| NASDAQ: 2272.81 up 12.53

| Bond (10Y): 3.69%, 98.41

MARKETS:
Stocks struggle higher
Wall Street pulls it together after sliding on a weak beige book and
Ambac's restructuring news.

U.S. stocks close with gains; Dow up first day in five

Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:06:03 (GMT)
U.S. stocks close with gains; Dow up first day in five

U.S. stocks find their footing late with the Dow industrials gaining for
the first time in five days as investors get past news Ambac will sell
$1.5 billion in stock and equity to keep its AAA rating.

Ambac to raise $1.5 billion selling common stock, equity units

Ambac Financial says it plans to raise at least $1.5 billion selling new
common stock and equity units as the troubled bond insurer tries to keep
its crucial AAA rating.

Citigroup CEO says bank is 'financially sound'

The chief executive of Citigroup attempts to allay investor fears a day
after the stock hit a multiyear low, telling colleagues in an internal
memo that the bank is financially sound.

Dealmaking sweeps U.S. beef market

SAN FRANCISCO
Ownership of U.S. meat producers is taking on a foreign flavor. The
beneficiary: A top-producing meatpacker in Brazil called JBS S.A.

Stocks end in the black, but well off early highs, after investors recoil from grim economic reports and bad news from Ambac.

Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 16:01:04 -0500

Stocks end in the black, but well off early highs, after investors
recoil from grim economic reports and bad news from Ambac.

U.S. stocks extend early gains after higher reading in ISM data

Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:01:04 (GMT)

U.S. stocks extend early gains after higher reading in ISM data

U.S. stocks move higher with early optimism about the technology sector
only slightly dampened by rising oil prices and data pointing to
climbing labor costs and 23,000 job losses in the private sector last
month.

OPEC leaves oil production unchanged
Ministers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries,
convening in Vienna as oil prices stubbornly hold above $100 a barrel,
decided Wednesday to leave the group's production levels unchanged.

Futures Movers: Crude rallies to new high of $103.98 as inventories
fall

Crude-oil futures surge nearly 3% to trade above $102 a barrel Wednesday
after data showed U.S. crude inventories fell unexpectedly and after the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided to keep its
production levels unchanged.

Economic Report: Private-sector sheds 23,000 jobs in February, survey
shows

WASHINGTON
The nation's private-sector employment rolls dropped by 23,000 net jobs
in February, according to the ADP employment index released Wednesday.

Costco profit surges 31%; February sales up 7%
Costco Wholesale Corp., the largest U.S. wholesale club, said its
quarterly quarter jumped 31%, boosted by international demand and U.S.
sales of gasoline.

Oil prices hit new record, surging to $103.98, following surprising inventory decline.

Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 11:49:03 -0500

Oil prices hit new record, surging to $103.98, following surprising
inventory decline.

Dow industrials up by triple digits, bidding to halt four-session losing streak

Date: 5 MAR 2008 15:06:06 GMT

Dow industrials up by triple digits, bidding to halt four-session losing
streak
3/5/2008 10:02:35 AM

Opinion

Date: 5 Mar 2008 14:46:46 -0000
2008年兩會比以往會有何不同？

In 網上互動

每年三月的中國政協和人大代表會議是中國政治生活中的大事。今年的兩會比以往會有何不同？請發表意見。More...go
to

http://www.bloglines.com/blog/johnDispatch

February private sector jobs down 23,000, according to ADP report, in another sign of economic weakness.

Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 08:19:03 -0500

February private sector jobs down 23,000, according to ADP report, in
another sign of economic weakness.

Clinton Gets Big State Wins

Breaking News
March 5, 2008
Clinton Gets Big State Wins

Hillary Clinton won the crucial Ohio and Texas primaries, stopping
Barack Obama's winning streak. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. John McCain
swept 4 primaries and clinched his party's nomination. Mike Huckabee
dropped out of the GOP race. 
--------------------
World

Russia Pushes Iran To Stop Enrichment

Russia has given its neighbor and good friend Iran some advice: Study
the incentives the world's key powers are offering and suspend uranium
enrichment as U.N. member countries demand. But Tehran calls a new round
of sanctions "worthless". 

Hillary Clinton wins in Ohio

Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 20:01:17 -0800 (PST)
Hillary Clinton wins in Ohio

Hillary Rodham Clinton has won the Democratic primary in Ohio. She won
robust support Tuesday in Ohio's Democratic presidential contest from
groups that have been the foundation of her candidacy, taking strong
margins among white, blue collar and older voters.

Breaking News: AP says McCain clinches nomination

Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:12:04 -0600

Sen. John McCain, R.-Ariz., has clinched the Republican nomination for
the presidency, the Associated Press says. AP projected McCain won
Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island primaries to put him over the top.

Obama, McCain have won their parties' primaries in Vermont

Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 16:09:13 -0800

Obama, McCain have won their parties' primaries in Vermont.

(New York - March 4, 2008) - In Vermont, Barack Obama has won the
Democratic primary and John McCain has won the Republican primary. Obama
has now won 12 straight contests over rival Hillary Clinton.

Breaking News: AP: McCain wins Ohio

Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:35:40 -0600

GOP presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain has won the Republican primary
in Ohio, according to the Associated Press. The victory helps McCain
inch closer to snaring his party's nomination.

Ambac rallies as speculation resurfaces about recapitalization

Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:06:03 (GMT)

Ambac rallies as speculation resurfaces about recapitalization

Ambac Financial Group shares rally as speculation resurfaces about a
recapitalization of the struggling bond insurer.

Does bad news for Intel mean bad news for tech?

Intel is such a dominant player in the technology market that any sign
of trouble at the chip behemoth eventually sends jitters throughout the
entire sector. So it was not surprising that both Intel stock and the
Nasdaq Composite Index lost ground in Tuesday's trading session. Some
analysts believe it's an overreaction.

Apple sticks by iPhone goal; shareholders OK pay measure

Apple sticks to its goal of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of the
year, despite a growing belief by analysts that this will be a stretch
in a slowing economy.

Housing in 'deepest, most rapid' decline since Great Depression

Housing is in its "deepest, most rapid downswing since the Great
Depression," the chief economist for the National Association of Home
Builders said Wednesday, and the downward momentum appears to be
accelerating.

The Ratings Game: Merrill cuts Citi profit outlook on more expected
charges

BOSTON
Merrill Lynch lowered its fiscal 2008 earnings outlook for Citigroup
Inc. again on Tuesday on expectations the Wall Street giant will be
forced to take more big write-downs as credit markets worsen.

Markets Tuesday, 03/4/2008

Tuesday, 3/4/2008

| Dow : 12213.80 down 45.10

| S & P : 1326.75 down 4.59

| NASDAQ: 2260.28 up 1.68

| Bond (10Y): 3.61%, 99.03

MARKETS:
Stocks cut losses
Wall Street stabilizes at the end of a tough session in which Bernanke
and other Fed officials warn about the economy; Intel and Citigroup get
hit.

Dallas Fed president: Inflation is the key worry, not recession.

Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 13:01:03 -0500

Dallas Fed president: Inflation is the key worry, not recession.

Opinion

Date: 4 Mar 2008 15:09:35 -0000
如何看中國增加軍費及其國防意圖？

In 網上互動

中國稱自己的軍費占GDP的比重低于美國，英國，法國和俄國，那么別國是否有理由懷疑中國軍事力量的"自衛"性質？
More...go to

http://www.bloglines.com/blog/johnDispatch

Democrats, Today Could Be The Day

Breaking News
March 4, 2008
Democrats, Today Could Be The Day

For Barack Obama, Tuesday voting in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and
Vermont is a chance to drive rival Hillary Rodham Clinton out of the
Democratic presidential contest. For Clinton, it's a way - maybe the
only way - to keep her candidacy alive.
--------------------
U.S! .

Ohio No Stranger To Political Spotlight

Given the storied history and high stakes, it's easy to see why Ohio, in
primaries and general elections alike, always seems to host races that
are hard-fought, if not determinative. 
-------------------
World

Rice Blames Mideast Stalemate On Hamas

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she will work toward resumption
of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations as soon as possible, and she blames
Hamas for trying to wreck chances for the peace process.
--------------------
Politics

Obama Tilts Mainstream On Foreign Policy

For all the criticisms leveled at Barack Obama, and his own professions
of being the candidate of change, his positions appear to fall well
within the mainstream of Democratic and moderate Republican thinking,
reports The Washington Post.
--------------------
Opinion

Anti-War Coalition Tries To Combat McCain

While both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have committed to bringing
the troops home, The Nation reports on John McCain's plan to "stay the
course" despite more casualties and the public's disdain for the war.

U.S. stocks decline for a 4th day amid Fed foreclosure talk

Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:01:03 (GMT)

U.S. stocks decline for a 4th day amid Fed foreclosure talk

NEW YORK
U.S. stocks on Tuesday extended losses into a fourth session after
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said he expected more home
foreclosures and Intel Corp. reduced its outlook, with both serving as
reminders of a sputtering economy.

The Ratings Game: Merrill cuts Citi profit outlook on more expected
charges

BOSTON
Merrill Lynch lowered its fiscal 2008 earnings outlook for Citigroup
Inc. again on Tuesday on expectations the Wall Street giant will be
forced to take more big write-downs as credit markets worsen.

Intel shares bruised as chip heavyweight lowers margin forecast

Intel lowers gross-margin outlook for its first quarter due to
lower-than-expected prices for NAND flash-memory chips.

Tense Tuesday gets underway for Clinton, Obama

WASHINGTON
By the end of Tuesday, Democrats should have a good idea whether a
couple of late-night comedy appearances, questions about her opponent's
viability and relentless campaigning in Ohio and Texas will help Sen.
Hillary Clinton turn back the tsunami that is Sen. Barack Obama's
campaign for the presidential nomination.

The Fed: Creativity needed to limit foreclosures: Bernanke

The mortgage and financial-services industry will have to use fresh
thinking to reduce preventable foreclosures, said Federal Reserve Board
Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Markets Monday, 03/3/2008

Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 17:31:04 -0500

| Dow : 12258.90 down 7.49

| S & P : 1331.34 up 0.71

| NASDAQ: 2258.60 down 12.88

| Bond (10Y): 3.55%, 99.56

MARKETS:
Stocks cut losses after choppy session
Major indexes turn negative as economic jitters weigh on investors. Oil
prices touch an all-time record; Gold, other commodities surge.

Still not excessive bullishness among gold timers

Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:06:03 (GMT)

Still not excessive bullishness among gold timers

Sentiment developments in the gold market are getting curiouser and
curiouser, as Alice in Wonderland might say.

Election Notebook: Obama and Clinton 'too close to call' in Ohio, Texas
races: poll

Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are running neck and neck in Ohio
and Texas in a new poll, just a day before voters in those states go to
the ballot boxes in the next big presidential nomination contests.

Economic Report: Manufacturing index shows contraction in February

The U.S. manufacturing sector contracts in February, the Institute for
Supply Management reports.

E-Trade names Layton as CEO; shares rise on deal speculation

E-Trade Financial Corp. taps Donald Layton to take over as chief
executive of the beleaguered online brokerage.

U.S. stocks struggle as gold and oil hit news highs

Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:01:03 (GMT)
U.S. stocks struggle as gold and oil hit news highs

U.S. stocks fall after weak manufacturing data and record runs in oil
and gold. See full story.

Election Notebook: Obama and Clinton 'too close to call' in Ohio, Texas
races: poll

Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are running neck and neck in Ohio
and Texas in a new poll, just a day before voters in those states go to
the ballot boxes in the next big presidential nomination contests.

Economic Report: Manufacturing index shows contraction in February

The U.S. manufacturing sector contracts in February, the Institute for
Supply Management reports.

E-Trade shares rise after Layton named CEO

E-Trade Financial Corp. taps Donald Layton to take over as chief
executive of the beleaguered online brokerage.

U.S. manufacturing gauge hits 5-year low, showing contraction in February

Date: 3 MAR 2008 15:09:41 GMT

U.S. manufacturing gauge hits 5-year low, showing contraction in
February
3/3/2008 10:06:13 AM

Breaking News

Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 22:43:06 -0500

Ecuador's president has ordered troops to the border with Colombia,
following a similar move by Venezuela

Gold notches all-time high at $991 an ounce; crude oil hits record $103.51 a barrel

Date: 3 MAR 2008 14:55:26 GMT

Gold notches all-time high at $991 an ounce; crude oil hits record
$103.51 a barrel
3/3/2008 9:50:31 AM

Medvedev Headed For Easy Victory In Russia

Breaking News
March 2, 2008
Medvedev Headed For Easy Victory In Russia

Russia's voters are expected to endorse Vladimir Putin's choice of a
successor, Dmitry Medvedev, in Sunday's presidential election, allowing
the outgoing president to retain a measure of power in his nation.
--------------------
World

Israel To Press Ahead In Gaza Offensive

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rejected international criticism (including a
U.N. Security Council resolution) of Israel's offensive in the Gaza
Strip, and vowed to continue to respond to rocket attacks from
militants.
__________________
Politics

Richardson: Tuesday Is "D-Day " For Dems

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a former candidate for the
Democratic presidential nomination, predicted that the results of this
week's primaries will decide the party's race. 
________________
Health

Blood-Thinning Drug Under Suspicion

Every day thousands of Americans rely on the blood thinner Heparin to
survive. Now Dr. Emily Senay reports, that drug is under suspicion for
21 deaths and hundreds of allergic reactions. 
--------------------
Business

Mortgage Late Payments Hit 21-Year High

Across the country, homeowners are finding themselves strapped between
rising mortgage costs and basic necessities: food, transportation, and
utilities.