Jobless claims rise 19,000 to 479,000

Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:00:56 -0400

Jobless claims rise 19,000 to 479,000
The number of people applying for initial unemployment benefits jumped
by 19,000 to 479,000 in the latest week to the highest level since
early April.

WHEAT FUTURES SOAR AFTER RUSSIA BANS GRAIN EXPORTS
Wheat futures rally 8% as Russia slaps a temporary ban on grain
exports in the face of a devastating drought.

IMF, EU: GREEK PROGRAM OFF TO A STRONG START
The International Monetary Fund and the European Union say Greece's
$145 billion economic reform plans are on the right track.

ITALY SET FOR GROWTH AS IT STAYS OUT OF SPOTLIGHT
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi isn't having much luck avoiding the
headlines, but Italy's economy and public finances managed to stay out
of the spotlight as Europe's sovereign debt crisis deteriorated this
spring.

TOO EARLY TO DECLARE VICTORY, SAYS ECB'S TRICHET
The European Central Bank president strikes a tone more of relief than
of vindication, praising recently completed bank stress tests for
improving market confidence.