International Headlines

Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 20:02:06 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 23 May, 2010

> AUTHORITIES PROBE CAUSE OF AIR INDIA PLANE CRASH
An investigation is underway into the cause of an Air India
plane crash that claimed at least 158 lives in India Saturday.

> SHARAPOVA WINS AS ROLAND GARROS NEARS
Maria Sharapova completed her French Open preparations with a
straight sets win over Germany's Kristina Barrois to win the WTA
tournament in Strasbourg on Saturday.

> BA, UNION HOLDING STRIKE TALKS
British Airways and the union representing its cabin crew were
holding talks Saturday aimed at heading off a series of three
planned strikes, the group mediating the talks said.

> U.N. TO CHECK FOR KOREA ARMISTICE BREACH
The U.N. Command is investigating whether the sinking of a South
Korean warship, allegedly by North Korea, violated the armistice
between the two nations.

> REPORT: IRAN TO TELL U.N. OF TURKEY DEAL
Iran says it will formally notify the U.N. nuclear watchdog
agency on Monday of its nuclear swap agreement with Turkey,
according to state-run media.

> OBAMA FORMS PANEL TO PROBE OIL SPILL
The "top kill" method intended to stop the runaway flow of oil
spewing into the Gulf of Mexico will likely be tried early next
week, BP's chief operating officer said.l

> FATHER DENIES SON'S ROLE IN BOMB PLOT
The father of a man arrested in Pakistan in connection with the
Times Square bombing attempt case vehemently denied that his son had
anything to do with the plot.

> AZNAR ON EUROPE NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE
The economic crisis in Europe is leading to a shift in which the
northern countries increasingly will make decisions over fiscal
and monetary matters to be implemented by the southern
countries, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> GERMANY BACKS BAILOUT; EU HOSTS TALKS
European Union finance ministers will meet in Brussels Friday to
discuss tougher rules for eurozone economies as German lawmakers
back a near-trillion dollar rescue package.

> BA PROFITS, REPUTATION IN TAILSPIN
British Airway's bitter battle with the nation's largest union
is bruising the balance sheet of the UK's flagship carrier,
leaving the airline -- once the envy of the industry -- with a
tarnished reputation amid record losses.

> SARKOZY: GERMANY, FRANCE UNITED ON EURO PLAN
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday that he and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel agree on how to handle Europe's
financial woes.

International Headlines

Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 20:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 22 May, 2010

> WARNINGS GULF OIL SPILL COULD REACH ARCTIC, EUROPE
A top scientist tells a U.S. congressional panel the effects of
the Gulf oil spill could reach Europe and the Arctic, as BP
streams live video of oil gushing into the sea.

> TWO DETAINED IRANIANS FREED IN IRAQ
Two Iranians detained for years in Iraq by U.S. troops have been
freed and are headed home, officials at the Iranian Embassy in
Baghdad told CNN on Friday.

> CLINTON GETS TOUGH ON N.KOREA
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the international
community cannot allow North Korea's attack on a South Korean
ship to go unanswered.

> PAPER PUBLISHES MOHAMMED CARTOON
Once again, a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed has sparked anger
and controversy.

> ARREST OVER FAILED TIMES SQUARE BLAST
Pakistani authorities have arrested the son of a prominent
catering company owner in connection with the attempted Times
Square bombing case, U.S. and Pakistani officials said Friday.

> THAI PM URGES RECONCILIATION AFTER CHAOS
Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva says the country plans a swift return
to normalcy in the wake of violent clashes between
anti-government protesters and troops.

> ITALIAN BISHOP TESTIFIES IN ABUSE TRIAL
An Italian bishop testified this week in the trial of a priest
accused of child abuse, saying that although the accusations
were "alarming," he did not stop the priest's contact with
children.

> GERMANY BACKS BAILOUT AS EU TALKS
A task force of European Union finance ministers will meet in
Brussels Friday to discuss proposed tougher measures intended to
prevent another regional crisis on the scale of Greece's
economic meltdown.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> BA PROFITS, REPUTATION IN TAILSPIN
British Airway's bitter battle with the nation's largest union
is bruising the balance sheet of the UK's flagship carrier,
leaving the airline -- once the envy of the industry -- with a
tarnished reputation amid record losses.

> SARKOZY: GERMANY, FRANCE UNITED ON EURO PLAN
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday that he and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel agree on how to handle Europe's
financial woes.

> SCOTCH DISTILLERY TURNS WHISKY INTO WATTS
Creating renewable energy from whisky might sound like a
hairbrained scheme conceived at the end of a long evening
drinking the amber nectar.

Markets, Friday, 05/21/2010

Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 17:32:03 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,193.39 up 125.38 | S & P : 1,087.69 up 16.10 |
| NASDAQ: 2,229.04 up 25.03 | Bond (10Y): 3.20% down 0.064
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks stage advance
Investors redouble their efforts at the end of a choppy session one
day after a big sell-off left the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite
in a correction.

Stocks end with a bang, with the Dow gaining 125 points, as investors scooped up bargains on the heels of Thursday’s selloff.

Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 16:04:08 -0400

Stocks end with a bang, with the Dow gaining 125 points, as investors
scooped up bargains on the heels of Thursday's selloff

U.S. stocks turn positive, boosted by financials

Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 12:00:54 -0400

U.S. STOCKS TURN POSITIVE, BOOSTED BY FINANCIALS
U.S. stocks are mostly higher in early action on Friday after
initially slipping, with euro zone worries still present, but the
market supported by financials after the U.S. Senate approves the
biggest financial overhaul since the 1930s.

GERMAN PARLIAMENT BACKS EU AID PLAN
Both houses of the German Parliament, to no great surprise, vote to
approve the country's contribution to the 750 billion-euro bailout
plan for euro-zone nations facing debt problems.

EURO BRIEFLY TURNS UP; AUSSIE REBOUNDS
Gains by the euro may be limited as investors await news out of a
gathering of European Union finance ministers in Brussels.

INTERVENTION POSSIBLE, BUT EURO TO CONTINUE SLIDE
Intervention can't be ruled out. But it would be unlikely to do more
than slow the euro's ongoing steep slide.

U.S. stocks turn higher; Dow industrials up 100 points

Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 11:47:35 -0400

BULLETIN: U.S. stocks turn higher; Dow industrials up 100 points
05/21/2010 11:45:46 AM EDT

International Headlines

Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 05:02:07 -0400

>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 21 May, 2010

> THAILAND WORKS TO RESTORE ORDER AFTER CLASHES
Police "rapid-response" teams comb the streets of Bangkok to
prevent further disruption following clashes between
anti-government protesters and troops.

> BA ANNOUNCES RECORD $765M LOSSES
British Airways on Friday announced a record annual pre-tax loss
of $765 million.

> NORTH KOREA THREATENS TO EXIT PACT
North Korea warns it will exit a non-aggression pact with South
Korea if Seoul attempts to punish it for the sinking of a
warship in March, Yonhap news agency reports.

> BP: OIL LEAK MAY BE STOPPED WITHIN DAYS
A BP official says a gusher of oil pouring from its damaged Gulf
of Mexico well could be shut off as early as next week.

> CLINTON IN JAPAN FOR OKINAWA BASE TALKS
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to land in
Japan Friday for a daylong trip that will include talks about
the controversial U.S. military base in Okinawa.

> WALL ST. REFORMS CLEAR HURDLE
The U.S. Senate passed a bill that aims to stop bailouts and
strengthen consumer protection, reports. It now must be
reconciled with the House version.

> ASIA MARKETS DROP SHARPLY OVER EURO
Markets in Japan, Australia and New Zealand opened sharply
lower, continuing a global sell-off on European fears that
escalated throughout the trading day on Wall Street.

> MUSHARRAF VOWS RETURN TO POLITICS
In a wide-ranging interview, former Pakistani President Pervez
Musharraf tells CNN he plans a return to politics, and supports
the Pakistani government's decision to block access to Facebook.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> BA PROFITS, REPUTATION IN TAILSPIN
British Airway's bitter battle with the nation's largest union
is bruising the balance sheet of the UK's flagship carrier,
leaving the airline -- once the envy of the industry -- with a
tarnished reputation amid record losses.

> SARKOZY: GERMANY, FRANCE UNITED ON EURO PLAN
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday that he and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel agree on how to handle Europe's
financial woes.

> TAKING ON THE 'REPUBLIC OF SAMSUNG'
A one-time insider at Samsung has launched a scathing attack on
his former employer, saying Korean politicians and media turn a
blind-eye to the company's misdeeds.

Stocks stage a turnaround in first 30 minutes, with all three major indexes clawing back from opening selloff. Dow up 12 points.

Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 09:59:04 -0400

Stocks stage a turnaround in first 30 minutes, with all three major
indexes clawing back from opening selloff. Dow up 12 points.

Stocks sink at the open, following a sharp drop in world markets. Dow plunges 100 points in first minute of trade.

Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 09:34:04 -0400

Stocks sink at the open, following a sharp drop in world markets. Dow
plunges 100 points in first minute of trade.

Breaking News: Intelligence chief Dennis Blair to resign

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 16:28:07 -0600

WASHINGTON - President Obama will replace Director of National
Intelligence Dennis Blair, the subject of criticism related to the
Fort Hood shooting, the Christmas Day bombing attempt, and the Times
Square car bomb, two U.S. officials said. Blair is expected to
announced his retirement on Friday, said the officials, speaking on
condition of anonymity because the the news is not yet official. The
officials said Obama is interviewing several candidates as potential
replacements.

Breaking News: Stocks plunge into correction territory

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 14:20:51 -0600

NEW YORK (AP) The stock market has had a huge selloff as more
investors woke up to the possibility that economic problems such as
Europe's debt crisis might spread around the world. The Dow Jones
industrial average is down 376 points, or 3.6%, at 10.068, its biggest
one-day drop since February 2009.

With Thursday's drop, the Standard & Poor's 500 is down almost 12%
from its 2010 high close of 1,217.28, reached April 23. The means the
stock market has officially had a correction, a pullback of 10% or
more from a recent high. It's the first correction since stocks
recovered from the 12-year lows they hit in March 2009.

The S&P 500 is down 43, or 3.9%, at 1,071. The Nasdaq composite index
is down 94, or 4.1%, at 2,204.

Markets, Thursday, 05/20/2010

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 17:32:03 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,068.01 down 376.36 | S & P : 1,071.59 down 43.46 |
| NASDAQ: 2,204.01 down 94.36 | Bond (10Y): 3.26% down 0.095
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks plunge as fear spikes
Dow and S&P 500 now down more than 10% off the recent highs, leaving
the major gauges in a "correction" along with the Nasdaq, on worries
about a 'double-dip' recession.

Markets tumble at the close, with the Dow shedding another 377 points, as global economic fears deepen. S&P, Nasdaq down 4% each.

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 16:02:03 -0400

Markets tumble at the close, with the Dow shedding another 377 points,
as global economic fears deepen. S&P, Nasdaq down 4% each.

Far-reaching Wall Street reform bill clears key test: Senate votes to end debate and move the legislation to likely final passage.

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 14:55:04 -0400

Far-reaching Wall Street reform bill clears key test: Senate votes to
end debate and move the legislation to likely final passage.

U.S. stocks fall sharply as world markets tumble

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:59 -0400

U.S. STOCKS FALL SHARPLY AS WORLD MARKETS TUMBLE
Stocks fall for a third straight session as investors around the globe
sell off a wide array of assets amid worries that Europe's debt crisis
is escalating.

THE NUCLEAR OPTION IS BACK ON THE TABLE
For 30 years Sweden stood proudly at the forefront of the world's
antinuclear movement. Now, in one of the clearest signs of a
nuclear-power renaissance sweeping the globe, it's striving to lift a
decades-old ban on new reactors.

NUKES: ATTITUDES CHANGE, BUT SAFETY ISSUES REMAIN
It's like a succession of airport security checkpoints on steroids to
get into a nuclear power plant, but questions remain about safety and
security at the facilities.

URANIUM AGLOW WITH NUCLEAR PLANTS SET TO MULTIPLY
Uranium prices have dropped about 70% from their highs in 2007, but
with Asia's drive for nuclear power going strong, and expected only to
strengthen further, there's plenty of opportunity for prices to return
to higher ground.

AMERICA'S NUCLEAR BUILDUP TAKES FIRST STEPS
The shovels are finally in the ground for America's first
nuclear-power generating plant in decades.

U.S. jobless claims climb by 25,000 to 471,000 -- highest level in a month

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 08:37:23 -0400

U.S. jobless claims climb by 25,000 to 471,000 -- highest level in a month
05/20/2010 08:35:30 AM EDT

Stock selloff accelerates, with the Dow plunging over 300 points in first hour of trading. Nasdaq, S&P 500 sink over 3.3%.

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 10:28:03 -0400

Stock selloff accelerates, with the Dow plunging over 300 points in
first hour of trading. Nasdaq, S&P 500 sink over 3.3%.

stocks sink at the open on worries over European debt. Dow plunges 170 points in first minutes of trading, Nasdaq slides 2%.

Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 09:34:08 -0400

Stocks sink at the open on worries over European debt. Dow plunges 170
points in first minutes of trading, Nasdaq slides 2%.

International Headlines

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 20:02:03 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 20 May, 2010

> FIRES, RIOTS ERUPT AFTER CURFEW IMPOSED IN BANGKOK
Fires and small riots erupted in Bangkok despite a strict curfew
imposed after protest leaders surrender following a military
surge into their makeshift encampments.

> IRAN DISMISSES PROPOSED U.N. SANCTIONS
With a fresh set of tough sanctions on the table, Iran lashed
out Wednesday against U.S. efforts to punish the nation for its
nuclear program.

> N. KOREA BLAMED ON SHIP SINKING - LEAKS
A senior U.S. official with knowledge of the investigation into
the sinking of a South Korean warship says that "the evidence is
pretty strong that North Korea did this knowingly."

> HEAVY OIL REACHES LOUISIANA WETLANDS
BP said Wednesday that efforts to contain and clean up oil
gushing from a ruptured pipe in the Gulf of Mexico have made a
"measurable difference" even as Louisiana's governor announced
that thick, heavy oil has begun polluting the state's wetlands
and estuaries.

> FRANCE MOVES CLOSER TO BURQA BAN
The French Council of Ministers approved a measure Wednesday to
ban the wearing of full-face veils, sending the bill to
parliament.

> 9 HURT IN LATEST KNIFE ATTACK IN CHINA
About five to six men, armed with knives and cleavers, rushed
into a college dormitory in southern China on Wednesday,
wounding nine students -- one of them seriously, state media
said.

> N. KOREA BLAMED ON SHIP SINKING - LEAKS
As South Korea awaits the release of an official report into the
sinking of a warship Thursday, a range of leaks and unofficial
statements is pointing the finger firmly at North Korea.

> POLISH LEADER'S CRASH 'NOT TERRORISM'
Russian and Polish aviation experts have ruled out any emergency
or equipment malfunction as the cause of the crash of Polish
President Lech Kaczynski's plane in Russia last month, killing
him and 95 other top Polish officials and dignitaries.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> BACKLASH BUILDS AGAINST GERMAN BAN
The French government on Wednesday led European reaction against
the German government's move to ban the naked short selling of
eurozone sovereign debt instruments.

> RICH-POOR DIVIDE UNDERPINS THAI CRISIS
A rift between Bangkok's economic elite and the growing clout of
Thailand's rural poor is feeding a unique political divide in a
country that is no stranger to political turmoil.

> HOW SHORT-SELLERS DESTABILIZED MARKETS
German authorities have acted against what Berlin views as
destabilizing speculation in the financial markets by
implementing a partial ban on naked short-selling of certain
stocks. Here is a guide to the practice and what the ban means.

Markets, Wednesday, 05/19/2010

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 17:32:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,444.37 down 66.58 | S & P : 1,115.05 down 5.75 |
| NASDAQ: 2,298.37 down 18.89 | Bond (10Y): 3.36% down 0.017
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks skid on global economic jitters
Investors remain unnerved after Germany bans 'naked' short selling.
Losses pared after Fed forecasts improving economy in latest minutes.

10% of all mortgages were delinquent in the first quarter, hitting a new record, says mortgage industry group.

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 10:03:03 -0400

10% of all mortgages were delinquent in the first quarter, hitting a
new record, says mortgage industry group.

U.S. consumer prices fall 0.1% in April

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 12:00:52 -0400

U.S. CONSUMER PRICES FALL 0.1% IN APRIL
Consumer prices in the United States fell 0.1% on a seasonally
adjusted basis in April as energy, housing, auto and apparel prices
declined, the Labor Department reports.

REGULATORS ON THE FLASH CRASH: IT'S COMPLICATED
If market regulators had a Facebook page to describe their
relationship with the investors, their status would be "it's
complicated.

REJECTION OF DEMOCRAT MEASURES MAY SLOW BANK BILL
The Senate is set to vote on a key motion that if approved could lead
to enactment of a sweeping bank reform bill by the end of the week,
but rejection of some Democratic provisions could cause a late
obstacle to final passage.

SEC PROPOSES CREATING UNIFIED STOCK-HALT SYSTEM
Top regulators and stock-exchange officials call for a unified
circuit-breaker system for all exchanges to halt or slow down trades
of a particular stock if the price moves 10% or more in a five-minute
period.

EUROPE SHARES DOWN AFTER GERMAN SHORT-SALE BAN
Europe stocks fall on Wednesday as a solo effort from Germany to crack
down on speculators highlights policy-making disparity in the region
and alerts investors to the possibility of a crisis.

Stocks open lower, following a selloff in world markets after Germany announced a ban on 'naked' short selling. Dow falls 45 points.

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 09:34:03 -0400

Stocks open lower, following a selloff in world markets after Germany
announced a ban on 'naked' short selling. Dow falls 45 points.

Consumer prices edged down 0.1% in April due to falling energy prices, government says; prices still up 2.2% for the year.

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 08:34:03 -0400

Consumer prices edged down 0.1% in April due to falling energy
prices, government says; prices still up 2.2% for the year.

Thailand's 'Red Shirt' leaders end anti-government protest to prevent more deaths: reports

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 03:21:16 -0400

Thailand's 'Red Shirt' leaders end anti-government protest to prevent
more deaths: reports
05/19/2010 03:19:25 AM EDT

International Headlines

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 20:02:03 -0400

>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 19 May, 2010

> TROOPS ON MOVE IN CENTRAL BANGKOK
Military troops began massing in central Bangkok early Wednesday
-- the largest movement of forces since clashes broke out last
week.

> CLINTON: DEAL REACHED ON IRAN SANCTIONS
The United States, Russia, China and other key nations have
reached agreement on a "strong" Iran sanctions resolution, U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says.

> OFFICIAL: BOMB SUSPECT HAD OTHER TARGETS
The man accused of attempting to set off a car bomb in Times
Square considered other targets in and around New York before
the failed attack, an investigator said.

> 18 VICTIMS IN AFGHANISTAN SUICIDE BLAST
A suicide car bomb exploded near a registration center for
Afghan Army recruits Tuesday, an Afghan defense ministry
pokesman said.

> SPILL CLOSES MORE OF GULF TO FISHING
A big chunk of the Gulf of Mexico is now off limits for fishing
because of the massive BP oil spill, the U.S. government has
announced.

> GOOGLE FACES PROBES OVER WI-FI DATA FLUB
Authorities in both Germany and the US are expected to begin
inquiries into Google's "accidental" collection of Wi-Fi payload
data by its Street View cars.

> FRANCE FREES KILLER OF FORMER IRAN PM
A French court has authorized the release and deportation of Ali
Vakili Rad, the convicted assassin of former Iranian prime
minister Shahpour Bakhtiar, the French prosecutor's office said
Tuesday.

> POLITICIAN HELD OVER COCAINE 'SCHEME'
A Nigerian politician has been arrested for trying to smuggle
almost five pounds of cocaine in his stomach in a scheme to
finance his election campaign, authorities said Monday.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> EU MINISTERS BACK NEW HEDGE FUND RULES
Controversial new rules for hedge funds and private equity funds
were backed on Tuesday by European Union finance ministers in
Brussels.

> 'SHOCK AND AWE' EURO PLAN WORKING?
It is just over a week since the "shock and awe" international
rescue package was launched to save the eurozone bond markets.
But already investors are worried that the unprecedented bailout
may not be enough.

> UNION TO APPEAL BA STRIKE RULING
The union representing British Airways cabin crew planned
Tuesday to appeal a ruling that prevents them from going on
strike.

SEC to impose circuit breakers on all U.S. trading networks; trigger is 10% stock drop

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 17:49:25 -0400

SEC to impose circuit breakers on all U.S. trading networks; trigger
is 10% stock drop
05/18/2010 05:47:34 PM EDT

Markets, Tuesday, 05/18/2010

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 17:32:05 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,510.95 down 114.88 | S & P : 1,120.80 down 16.14 |
| NASDAQ: 2,317.26 down 36.97 | Bond (10Y): 3.38% down 0.096
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks tumble as euro slumps
Market sell-off intensifies after the European currency falls to a
fresh four-year low versus the dollar, raising worries about Europe's
economy.

Dow down 115 points at close after forfeiting 90-point intraday gain

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 16:07:02 -0400

Dow down 115 points at close after forfeiting 90-point intraday gain
05/18/2010 04:05:01 PM EDT

Euro falls to 4-year low of $1.219

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 15:05:32 -0400

Euro falls to 4-year low of $1.219
05/18/2010 03:03:45 PM EDT

Wal-Mart profit beats views, led by overseas gain

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 12:00:59 -0400

WAL-MART PROFIT BEATS VIEWS, LED BY OVERSEAS GAIN
The world's largest retailer's first-quarter profit rises a
better-than-expected 10%, driven by gains overseas, offsetting a
decline in U.S. sales.

ANALYSTS CAUTIOUS AHEAD OF ESTONIA'S EURO ADOPTION
In January, Estonia will likely become the 17th nation to adopt the
euro, but that will hardly cure all the challenges facing the tiny
Baltic economy, whose dramatic decline has pushed unemployment to a
record high.

EUROPE STOCK DROP HISTORICALLY NORMAL, BANK SAYS
The recent sell-off for European shares has been a normal bull market
correction, Morgan Stanley strategists said Monday, which means shares
could gain strongly from this point.

PORTUGAL'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES TO 10.6%
Portugal's unemployment rate rose to 10.6% in the first quarter,
official data showed on Tuesday, highlighting the economic challenges
the nation confronts at a time when it's under pressure to lower its
excessive deficit.

U.K. INFLATION HITS 17-MONTH HIGH, TRIGGERS LETTER
Consumer price inflation in Britain accelerates to an annual rate of
3.7% in April, rising from 3.4% in March and forcing Bank of England
Governor Mervyn King to write a letter to the government explaining
why inflation missed the 2% annual target.

Wal-Mart sales jumped 6% in first quarter to $99.1 billion, but U.S. same-store sales fell 1.4%. Still beat analysts' estimates.

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 08:22:07 -0400

Wal-Mart sales jumped 6% in first quarter to $99.1 billion, but U.S.
same-store sales fell 1.4%. Still beat analysts' estimates.

Stocks open higher as investors focus on strong earnings from Dow components Home Depot and Wal-Mart. Dow gains 64 points.

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 09:32:03 -0400

Stocks open higher as investors focus on strong earnings from Dow
components Home Depot and Wal-Mart. Dow gains 64 points.

New home construction skyrocketed 40.9% in April, compared to last year, U.S. says. And 15.9% more building permits were issued.

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 08:38:03 -0400

New home construction skyrocketed 40.9% in April, compared to last
year, U.S. says. And 15.9% more building permits were issued.

International Headline News

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 20:02:03 -0400

>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 18 May, 2010

> BANGKOK PROTESTERS DEFY DEADLINE
Protesters and Thai security forces continue to clash as
thousands of anti-government demonstrators defy a deadline to
withdraw from the center of Bangkok.

> U.S. PANEL WILL INVESTIGATE OIL SPILL
President Obama will sign an executive order establishing a
presidential commission to investigate the Gulf of Mexico oil
spill, an administration official said.

> HUGE OIL PLUMES UNDER GULF WATERS?
Efforts to mop up oil in the Gulf of Mexico are in week five,
but huge plumes may be lurking below the surface.

> COURT BLOCKS BRITISH AIRWAYS STRIKE
A series of four British Airways employee strikes cannot proceed
after a London court grants an injunction preventing the
stoppage.

> POLICE: 35 KILLED IN INDIA BUS ATTACK
Suspected Maoists killed 35 people in a land mine attack against
a bus in central India on Monday afternoon, a local police chief
Said.

> PLANE CARRYING 44 CRASHES IN AFGHANISTAN
A plane disappeared in Afghanistan on Monday with 38 passengers
and six crew aboard, a government official said.

> OBAMA'S AUNT CAN STAY IN U.S. - JUDGE
President Obama's aunt from Kenya can stay in the United States,
a U.S. immigration judge has ruled, ending a six-year-plus legal
battle over her status.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> EUROPE'S AIRPORTS REOPEN, AIR TRAFFIC SNARLED
Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London, England, reopen Monday
morning after being closed overnight because of an ash cloud
from a volcano in Iceland, but travel remained severely
disrupted, both airports said.

> EUROPE: DANGER ZONE
As the Greek debt crisis spiraled, the head of European
Commission entreated German Chancellor Merkel: 'I'm asking you
to save the euro'

> INDIANS FLOCKED TO SHOP ON LUCKY DAY
Tens of thousands of Indian couples tied the knot Sunday, one of
the luckiest days in the Hindu calendar.

Breaking News Mon., May 17, 2010

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 14:05:00 -0700 (PDT)

Obama Administration's Top Offshore Oil and Gas Official to Step Down
in Wake of Gulf Spill [4:52 p.m. ET]

Markets, Monday, 05/17/2010

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 17:32:03 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,625.83 up 5.67 | S & P : 1,136.94 up 1.26
|
| NASDAQ: 2,354.23 up 7.38 | Bond (10Y): 3.47% up 0.030
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks recover after euro rebounds
U.S. stocks finish higher as the euro gains ground. But jitters about
Europe's debt problems continue to linger.

Euro trims loss after hitting 4-year low

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 17:01:24 -0400

The dollar holds small gains on most major currencies, though the euro
finds support after hitting a four-year low against the greenback.

Stocks recover from massive losses, with the Dow clawing back from 184-point drop earlier, as the euro gains against the dollar.

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 16:05:04 -0400

Stocks recover from massive losses, with the Dow clawing back from
184-point drop earlier, as the euro gains against the dollar.

U.S. stocks finish modestly higher after late-session turnaround

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 16:04:47 -0400

U.S. stocks finish modestly higher after late-session turnaround
05/17/2010 04:02:19 PM EDT

Breaking News Mon., May 17, 2010

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 08:10:05 -0700 (PDT)

Supreme Court Rules Inmates Considered 'Sexually Dangerous' May Be
Held Indefinitely [10:59 a.m. ET]

U.S. stocks slide for third straight session

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 12:01:10 -0400

U.S. STOCKS SLIDE FOR THIRD STRAIGHT SESSION
Wall Street extends losses after the euro falls to a four-year low and
a forecast from home-improvement retailer Lowe's Companies Inc. weighs
on sentiment.

GOLD FUTURES REVERSE DIRECTION TO POST GAINS
Gold futures shrug off early weakness but encounter some dollar headwinds.

EURO TRIMS LOSS AFTER HITTING 4-YEAR LOW
The dollar holds small gains on most major currencies, though the euro
finds support after hitting a four-year low against the greenback.

TREASURYS INCH UP AS EURO HITS FOUR-YEAR LOW
Treasurys squeeze out early gains, playing off U.S. data on net
foreign purchases of long-term securities as well as the latest moves
in dollar-euro trading.

MORE HOMEOWNERS OPT TO QUIT PAYING MORTGAGE
"Strategic defaults" are on the rise as more borrowers who are
underwater on their home loans decide it's not worth it to stay
current on their payments each month. That trend could have
repercussions for the housing market, and for borrowers, in the
future.

Stocks open higher as the euro slides to a four-year low. Dow gains 32 points, Nasdaq and S&P 500 make modest gains.

Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 09:33:04 -0400

Stocks open higher as the euro slides to a four-year low. Dow gains 32
points, Nasdaq and S&P 500 make modest gains.

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index falls 2% in opening minutes

Date: Sun, 16 May 2010 22:28:18 -0400

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index falls 2% in opening minutes
05/16/2010 10:26:17 PM EDT

International Headlines

Date: Sun, May 16, 2010 at 8:02 PM

TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 17 May, 2010

> 'INTENSE AND FIERCE' GUN BATTLE BREAKS OUT IN BANGKOK
A fierce gun battle, punctuated by explosions, broke out Sunday
in Bangkok in an area where anti-government protesters have
amassed,  reports.

> VOLCANIC ASH TO CLOSE HEATHROW, GATWICK
Ireland closed some of its airports Sunday morning because of a
drifting ash cloud from an erupting volcano in Iceland.

> BP SAYS TUBE INSERTED INTO GULF LEAK
Efforts continued early Sunday morning to insert a mile-long
tube into a ruptured pipe that has been gushing millions of
gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico for more than three
weeks.

> BRAZIL'S LULA IN IRAN FOR NUCLEAR TALKS
Brazil's president began talks Sunday with Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran, state media reported, with
international leaders saying they hoped the meeting could lead
to a breakthrough in the showdown over Iran's nuclear program.

> 20 DEAD, 60 WOUNDED IN SOMALIA SHELLING
At least 20 people were killed and 60 others wounded in shelling
in the Somali capital Sunday, medics said.


> AL QAEDA PRAISES AMERICAN-BORN CLERIC
A man believed to be the head of al Qaeda in the Arabian
Peninsula spoke in support of an American-born Muslim cleric and
al Qaeda recruiter in an audio message posted on radical
Islamist websites Sunday.

> IRAQ PM SUFFERS BLOW IN RECOUNT
A recount of votes in the Iraqi election found no change in seat
allocation for any of the blocs in the most populous province,
Baghdad, officials said Sunday.

> HUSSEIN'S NUCLEAR PLANTS DISMANTLED
The shell of former Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein's efforts to
produce a nuclear bomb is being slowly dismantled along the
banks of the Tigris River, but its radioactive legacy lingers on.



 BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

 > NEW UK GOVERNMENT URGES BA STRIKE DEAL
Britain's new transport secretary plans talks Monday with
British Airways and the union representing its cabin crews to
try to avert a series of four planned strikes.

> BATTLE FOR BANGKOK HITS ECONOMY
The economy of Thailand -- whose growth this year so far has
belied its political ails -- is now seeing more of a direct
impact as protests grow increasingly violent.

> EXCLUSIVE: JAILED BILLIONAIRE SPEAKS FROM CELL
Russia's most famous prisoner, and once its richest citizen,
says the latest corruption charges against him are designed to
prevent his release from jail.

BP says it inserts pipe into leaking Gulf well

Date: 16 MAY 2010 20:31:01 GMT
5/16/2010 4:30:00 PM ET

Company reports it has inserted a tube into the broken pipe leaking
oil into the Gulf of Mexico and siphoned off some of the oil to a
vessel on the surface, according to media reports.