International Headlines

Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 05:02:06 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 07 August, 2010

> 'FOREIGN DOCTORS' AMONG 10 KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
Eight foreign doctors -- six Germans and two Americans -- are
believed to be among 10 people shot dead by gunmen in
Afghanistan about 15 days ago, police say.

> PAKISTAN: 12 MILLION AFFECTED BY FLOODS
Towns and cities across Pakistan are reeling from torrential
monsoon rain and flooding that authorities say have affected 12
million people and killed as many as 1,500.

> BP VOWS TO SHARE GULF LEAK LESSONS
As BP prepares to resume drilling a relief well Sunday to
permanently seal its ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico,
company officials say they've learned from the disaster and will
share that knowledge with other oil companies and authorities
around the world.

> MOSCOW STRUGGLES AS SMOG GRIPS CITY
Moscow's skyline vanished as a blanket of noxious smoke from
wildfires shrouded the city, giving many of the 10 million
residents sore throats and burning eyes.

> IRANIAN LAWYER UNDER EU PROTECTION
A prominent Iranian human rights lawyer is under European
diplomatic protection Friday following his release from a
Turkish detention center.

> MEXICO PRISON RIOT LEAVES 14 DEAD
At least 14 inmates died Friday in a prison riot in northeastern
Mexico, the state news agency reported.

> BIG STORMS FORM IN PACIFIC, ATLANTIC
Forecasters had their eyes on two tropical storms early Saturday
-- one in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic.

> PARAGUAY'S PRESIDENT LUGO HAS CANCER
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo has been diagnosed with
lymphoma, a cancer affecting the immune system, Health Minister
Esperanza said Friday in a news conference.

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

> AJAI CHOWDHRY: BROADBAND NOT ROADS WILL TRANSFORM AFRICA
African countries should invest in broadband infrastructure to
improve the welfare of their people, according to Ajai Chowdhry,
co-founder and CEO of HCL Infosystems, the global IT services
provider.

> WHY BLACKBERRY FACES THE UAE'S WRATH
To understand the clampdown, look beyond the UAE's borders, says
CNN's John Defterios.

> AIG POSTS BIG NET LOSS
Insurer AIG reports a quarterly net loss of $2.66 billion due to
the sales of some of its divisions, as the company undergoes a
restructuring following its government bailout.

International Headlines

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 05:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 06 August, 2010

> HIP-HOP STAR PLANS RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF HAITI
Former Fugees member Wyclef Jean says he has submitted the
necessary paperwork to run for president of Haiti, a country he
left when he was a child.

> NEW U.S. INTELLIGENCE CHIEF CONFIRMED
James Clapper was confirmed unanimously by the Senate Thursday
night to be the nation's next intelligence chief.

> U.S. REPORT: AL QAEDA STLL TOP THREAT
Despite some setbacks, al Qaeda's core leadership in Pakistan
remains the biggest threat to the United States, and the group
continues to expand and strengthen worldwide, a new State
Department report says.

> FLOODS KILL AT LEAST 48 IN INDIAN KASHMIR
At least 48 people were killed and more than 200 injured early
Friday when heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides in
the frontier town of Leh, police said.

> U.S., U.N. ATTEND HIROSHIMA ANNIVERSARY
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon uses an appearance at the
Hiroshima Peace Memorial ceremony to advocate worldwide nuclear

> CAR BOMB ROCKS MEXICAN OFFICES
A car bomb rocked the headquarters of the Tamaulipas State
Public Safety complex in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico, the agency
said Thursday. No one was hurt; two police cars were damaged, it
said in a news release.

> U.N.: PAKISTAN FLOODS AFFECT 4 MILLION
Floodwaters subsided Thursday in northern Pakistan's Swat
Valley, where a fierce sun baked a thick carpet of mud into a
brittle crust as officials expanded their estimate of the number
of people affected.

> U.S. INDICTS 14 OVER AL-SHABAAB LINKS
Authorities plan to unseal indictments Thursday against more
than a dozen people facing terror-related charges, a law
enforcement source said.

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

> 'NET NEUTRALITY' ON THE LINE
Who controls the Internet and how you access it is the subject
of an increasingly heated debate -- and a turning point is
nearing.

> BARCLAYS PROFITS RISE 44 PERCENT
Barclays reported a 44 percent increase in first-half profit on
Thursday, although its results were clouded by second-quarter
revenue and profit declines at Barclays Capital, its investment
banking arm.

> RUSSIA IMPOSES GRAIN EXPORT BAN
As Russia reels from the worst drought in nearly 40 years, Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ban on grain
exports.

Markets, Friday, 08/6/2010

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,653.56 down 21.42 | S & P : 1,121.64 down 4.17 |
| NASDAQ: 2,288.47 down 4.59 | Bond (10Y): 2.82% down 0.091
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks end lower as job concerns weigh
Investors remain cautious as fresh weakness in the job market adds to
worries about the slowing economic recovery.

Stocks finish down, but well off the day's lows, after a weak jobs report. Dow loses 25 points, Nasdaq falls 0.2% and S&P dips 0.4%.

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 16:01:06 -0400

Stocks finish down, but well off the day's lows, after a weak jobs
report. Dow loses 25 points, Nasdaq falls 0.2% and S&P dips 0.4%.

Treasury yields touch new lows after payrolls

Date: Friday, August 6, 2010

Treasury yields touch new lows after payrolls
A weak report on the U.S. labor market raises expectations that the
Federal Reserve may take steps next week toward using monetary policy
to support the economy.

U.S. STOCKS DROP ON DISAPPOINTING JOBS REPORT
U.S. stocks slide Friday as Wall Street shows its disappointment over
the government's July jobs numbers.

GOLD FUTURES JUMP 1% TO TOP $1,200 AN OUNCE
Gold jumps more than $12 in late morning activity, recapturing the
$1,200 mark and then some as investors worry about the U.S. employment
picture and the dollar continues a steep decline.

CRUDE DECLINES AFTER U.S. JOBS DATA DISAPPOINT
Oil prices fall after data show a smaller-than-expected increase in
private nonfarm payrolls in July, reigniting worries about the U.S.
economy and its impact on energy demand.

GERMAN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SEES UNEXPECTED SLIP
The 0.6% decline reported for June industrial production isn't likely
to have put a major dent in Germany's second-quarter economic growth,
economists say.

Economy lost 131,000 jobs in July, due to decline in census jobs, U.S. says. Private-sector increases 71,000. Unemployment rate 9.5%.

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 08:32:06 -0400

Economy lost 131,000 jobs in July, due to decline in census jobs, U.S.
says. Private-sector increases 71,000. Unemployment rate 9.5%.

Breaking News: Unemployment rate unchanged at 9.5 percent

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:38:31 -0600

Private U.S. employers added 71,000 jobs in July; unemployment rate
unchanged at 9.5 percent.

Stocks fall sharply at the open following a report showing the nation shed 131,000 jobs in July. Dow sinks 94 points, Nasdaq off 1%.

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 09:34:03 -0400

Stocks fall sharply at the open following a report showing the nation
shed 131,000 jobs in July. Dow sinks 94 points, Nasdaq off 1%.

Markets, Thursday, 08/5/2010

Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 17:31:03 -0400
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,674.98 down 5.45. | S & P : 1,125.81 down 1.43
|
|NASDAQ: 2,293.06 down 10.51 | Bond (10Y): 2.92% down 0.037
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks end lower as jobs report looms
Investors turn cautious ahead of Friday's jobs report. Weekly jobless
claims rise to highest level in 3 months.

Senate confirms Elena Kagan as 112th Supreme Court justice.

Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:44:55 -0600

Senate confirms Elena Kagan as 112th Supreme Court justice.

Stocks end lower prior to the monthly jobs report. Dow dips 4 points, Nasdaq falls 0.5% and the S&P loses 0.1%.

Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 16:01:08 -0400

Stocks end lower prior to the monthly jobs report. Dow dips 4 points,
Nasdaq falls 0.5% and the S&P loses 0.1%.

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.

For the first time in decades, Social Security in 2010 and 2011 will pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes, U.S. says.

ODate: Thursday, August 5, 2010

For the first time in decades, Social Security in 2010 and 2011 will
pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes, U.S. says.

International Headlines

Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 05 August, 2010

> SUPERMODEL BEGINS TESTIMONY AT WAR CRIMES HEARING
Supermodel Naomi Campbell tells war crimes tribunal in the Hague
she received a small pouch containing "dirty-looking" stones in
South Africa 13 years ago.

> GOALIE, MISTRESS, WIFE IN MURDER CHARGE
A Brazilian goalie, his lover and his wife were among nine
people charged with the murder of his former girlfriend who had
been trying to prove he had fathered her son.l

> U.S. JUDGE OVERTURNS GAY MARRIAGE BAN
Defendants and plaintiffs have until Friday to submit responses
to a temporary stay that a California judge granted after
striking down the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

> SUSPECT HELD IN CHINA PRESCHOOL ATTACK
Another knife attack reportedly occurred at a kindergarten in
China, according to a Chinese rights group.

> BP TO POUR CEMENT DOWN CRIPPLED WELL
BP plans to start pouring cement into its crippled well in the
Gulf of Mexico on Thursday in the next phase of the well-killing
operation known as a "static kill."

> ISRAELIS 'NOT IN LEBANON' DURING CLASH
An initial U.N. investigation of a cross-border skirmish between
Israel and Lebanon claims Israeli forces were on their own side
when Lebanese troops opened fire.

> IRAN DENIES AHMADINEJAD 'ATTACK'
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office has denied local
media reports that a grenade exploded near his convoy during a
visit to the city of Hamedan.

> STRONG QUAKE STRIKES OFF KURIL ISLANDS
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Thursday east of the Kuril
Islands, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

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

> WHY AMERICA SEES RED IN CHINA INC.
Huawei is one of the world's top telecommunications
manufacturers. But all most American officials see is the red of
the Chinese flag.

> GOOGLE DROPS MESSAGING PROGRAM WAVE
Google is pulling the plug on Google Wave.

> DIGITAL CHANGES GLOBAL CINEMA LANDSCAPE
From mobile apps for zombie films to web-only prequels for
documentaries, digital filmmaking is establishing itself as
integral to both Hollywood blockbusters and small indie films

Stocks retreat at the open following a dismal report on weekly jobless claims. Dow slides 41 points, Nasdaq, S&P 500 drift.

Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010

Stocks retreat at the open following a dismal report on weekly jobless
claims. Dow slides 41 points, Nasdaq, S&P 500 drift.

Number of Americans filing for initial unemployment claims climbs 19,000 to 479,000 in latest week.

Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010

Number of Americans filing for initial unemployment claims climbs
19,000 to 479,000 in latest week.

Markets, Wednesday, 08/4/2010

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 17:31:03 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,680.43 up 44.05 | S & P : 1,127.24 up 6.78
|
| NASDAQ: 2,303.57 up 20.05 | Bond (10Y): 2.95% up 0.038
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks edge up as jobs picture comes into focus
Investors welcome better-than-expected jobs and service sector data,
but the tone is cautious ahead of the all-important U.S. jobs report
due later this week.

Breaking News: Judge overturns Calif. gay marriage ban

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:04:06 -0600

Judge overturns California gay marriage ban.

Energy: BP's grand milestone in the Gulf

Date: 4 AUG 2010 20:19:05 GMT

One-hundred and seven days after bursting on the scene, BP's runaway
well off Louisiana finally has been pronounced dead, stuffed with
heavy drilling mud.

U.S. indexes get late lift to close near day's highs; Dow up 44

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:09:27 -0400

U.S. indexes get late lift to close near day's highs; Dow up 44
08/04/2010 04:07:36 PM EDT

Could the government create a backdoor stimulus?

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:00:49 -0400

Could the government create a backdoor stimulus?
An idea that could create a massive refinance wave -- and a back-door
stimulus program to boost consumer spending -- is generating debate
among investment bank analysts in New York and in Washington policy
circles.

UPDATES, ADVISORIES AND SURPRISES
A roundup of the latest corporate earnings reports and what companies
are saying about future quarters.

TIME WARNER PROFIT UP 7% ON AD SALES, BOX OFFICE
Quarterly profit rises on improved advertising sales at its
cable-television networks and box-office proceeds from "Clash of the
Titans" and "Sex and the City 2."

TIME WARNER: SO FAR, SO GOOD
It seems hard to believe that Time Warner Inc. is one of the most
boring media giants around.

AOL LOSES $1.1 BILLION ON RESTRUCTURING COSTS
The New York-based Web service firm's quarterly loss includes a
goodwill impairment charge of $1.4 billion.

International Headlines

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 05:02:04 -0400

>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 04 August, 2010

> ISLAMIST GROUP CLAIMS TANKER ATTACK
A militant Islamist group said to be inspired by al Qaeda has
claimed responsibility for the explosion aboard an oil tanker in
the Strait of Hormuz near Oman last month.

> BP: 'STATIC KILL' APPEARS TO BE WORKING
BP says a long-awaited procedure to permanently seal its
crippled well in the Gulf of Mexico could be over soon -- or it
could take days.l

> KENYANS TO VOTE ON CONSTITUTION
Kenyans will vote Wednesday in a referendum on a new
constitution that could be the first step toward a truly
functioning government for East Africa's largest economy.

> SCOPE OF PAKISTAN FLOOD DISASTER WIDENS
More than 3 million people have been directly affected and more
than 1,400 have been killed by floods in northwestern Pakistan,
an aid group said, citing officials.

> U.S. SEES CHANCE IN PAKISTANI FLOOD AID
The Obama administration is looking to turn crisis into
opportunity, hoping its robust response to the devastating
floods in Pakistan will help improve its poor image among a
skeptical Pakistani public.

> WYCLEF JEAN 'TO RUN FOR HAITI PRESIDENT'
Wyclef Jean will announce exclusively on CNN's "Larry King Live"
Thursday night that he intends to run for president of Haiti, a
source close to the Haitian-American recording artist said
Tuesday.

> TENSION HIGH ON ISRAEL, LEBANON BORDER
An Israeli battalion commander and several Lebanese soldiers are
killed during clashes between the two countries along their
volatile shared border.

> SAUDIS TO BLOCK BLACKBERRY SERVICE
The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission
has asked mobile firms in Saudi Arabia to halt BlackBerry
service beginning August 5.

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

> DEATH IN NIGERIA'S ILLEGAL REFINERIES
Young men are risking death by working in illegal refineries
with little regard for safety in Nigeria's oil-rich but
poverty-stricken Niger Delta region.

> FALTERING U.S. RECOVERY TRIPS DOLLAR
The dollar has fallen to multi-month lows against the world's
major currencies as investors bet that evidence of a faltering
US recovery will lead to further monetary easing by the Federal
Reserve.

> BP STARTS 'STATIC KILL' ON GULF WELL
BP says it has started its "static kill" procedure on its
crippled well in the Gulf of Mexico, pumping mud into it from
above in an effort to help seal it for good.

ISM's U.S. services-sector gauge strengthens in July; stocks react positively

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:07:35 -0400

ISM's U.S. services-sector gauge strengthens in July; stocks react positively
08/04/2010 10:05:48 AM EDT

Private sector payrolls rise by 42,000 in July, payroll processor ADP says; increase is less than economists expect

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 08:18:07 -0400

Private sector payrolls rise by 42,000 in July, payroll processor ADP
says; increase is less than economists expect

Breaking news: BP says 'desired outcome' reached in 'static kill'

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:25:27 -0600

BP says it has reached the "desired outcome" in a procedure in which
it pumped mud down the throat of the blown-out well that is leaking in
the Gulf of Mexico.

Stocks open higher following a report shoing slightly better-than-expected job growth in the private sector. Dow gains 14 points.

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 09:33:04 -0400

Stocks open higher following a report showing slightly
better-than-expected job growth in the private sector. Dow gains 14
points.

Markets, Tuesday, 08/3/2010

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,636.38 down 38.00 | S & P : 1,120.46 down 5.40
|
| NASDAQ: 2,283.52 down 11.84 | Bond (10Y): 2.91% down 0.049
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks finish with a pullback
Investors pause a day after a big rally. Mixed earnings reports and
flat consumer spending, income data weigh on the market.

Stocks slide to lower close on weak earnings, economic reports. Dow ends down 43 points, Nasdaq, S&P 500 drop more than 0.5%.

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 16:01:08 -0400

Stocks slide to lower close on weak earnings, economic reports. Dow
ends down 43 points, Nasdaq, S&P 500 drop more than 0.5%.

Savings rate at highest level in a year

Date: Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:57 -0400

SAVING RATE AT HIGHEST LEVEL IN A YEAR
The June incomes and spending report comes in slightly weaker than
economists had expected. Savings on the upswing. See full story.

TWO-YEAR TREASURY YIELDS FALL TO RECORD LOW
Treasury prices rose on Tuesday, pushing yields on 2-year notes to a
record low, after a published report saying the Federal Reserve may
buy more debt.

GM SALES SEE BIG REBOUND IN JULY
General Motors says combined July sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and
Cadillac jumped 25%.

BMW'S QUARTERLY PROFIT SURGES ON STRONG SALES
Second-quarter profit at German car maker BMW surges and beats analyst
estimates, as the global economic recovery stimulates customers'
appetite for luxury cars.

LAWSUIT ALLEGES TOYOTA KNEW OF ACCELERATION ISSUES
A federal lawsuit reportedly alleges Toyota Motor Corp. knew its
vehicles with electronic throttles were more likely to experience
sudden acceleration that those without the system.

Personal income and spending unchanged in June; government says, weaker than economists' forecasts.

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 08:33:04 -0400

Personal income and spending unchanged in June; government says,
weaker than economists' forecasts.

International Headlines

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 05:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 03 August, 2010

> 40 DEAD AS INTENSE HEAT FANS RUSSIAN WILDFIRES
The death toll from fierce wildfires raging across western
Russia rises to 40, amid a government-declared state of
emergency in 500 towns and villages.

> DISEASE FEARED IN FLOOD-HIT PAKISTAN
As relief efforts in Pakistan intensify, officials warn of
outbreaks of disease such as cholera among the millions affected
by the country's worst floods in 80 years.

> OBAMA: IRAQ DRAWDOWN ON SCHEDULE
The planned drawdown of troops from Iraq is proceeding and
should lead to an end of America's combat mission there by the
end of August, the U.S. president says.

> BAGHDAD: INSURGENTS KILL FIVE OFFICERS
Insurgents with ties to al Qaeda attacked a checkpoint in
western Baghdad and killed five police officers early Tuesday,
officials said.

> BP EYES TEST FOR 'STATIC KILL' IN GULF
A crucial test -- meant to determine whether an effort to seal
the ruptured BP oil well in the Gulf of Mexico could proceed --
will likely take place Tuesday, according to the company.

> U.S. REOPENS CONSULATE IN CIUDAD JUAREZ
The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez will reopen Tuesday
after a security review that lasted two business days, the State
Department said.

> TWO CONVICTED IN NEW YORK BOMB PLOT
Two men were convicted Monday of plotting explosions at John F.
Kennedy International Airport.

> DEADLY BLAST TRAPS MINERS IN CHINA
Nine miners are dead and seven others are believed trapped after
a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China, state-run media
reported Tuesday.

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

> WASHINGTON POST SELLS NEWSWEEK
The Washington Post Co. said it has sold struggling Newsweek
magazine, which it has published for half a century, to audio
industry pioneer Sidney Harman. Newsweek reported that
editor-in-chief Jon Meacham intends to step down.

> HSBC PROFIT HITS $11.1B
Pre-tax profit more than doubled at HSBC in the first six months
of the year as bad debts fell to the lowest level since the
start of the financial crisis.

> GREEK TRUCK OWNERS VOTE TO END STRIKE
The Greek government ordered the country's armed forces to help
deliver fuel as truck drivers voted to continue a contentious
strike, state media reported.

Stocks open lower, with Procter & Gamble weighing on the Dow after disappointing earnings. Dow slides 36 points.

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 09:34:04 -0400

Stocks open lower, with Procter & Gamble weighing on the Dow after
disappointing earnings. Dow slides 36 points.

Markets, Monday, 08/2/2010

Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,674.38 up 208.44 | S & P : 1,125.86 up 24.26
|
| NASDAQ: 2,295.36 up 40.66 | Bond (10Y): 2.96% up 0.056
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
What worry? Stocks roar
Wall Street rallies on strong earnings from European banks and upbeat
reports on U.S. manufacturing, construction spending.

U.S. stocks rally as Bernanke speaks on economy

Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:00:54 -0400

U.S. STOCKS RALLY AS BERNANKE SPEAKS ON ECONOMY

U.S. stocks surge as better-than-expected construction spending and
manufacturing data add to mounting optimism over encouraging European
bank earnings.

BERNANKE SAYS STATES SHOULD BUILD BIGGER BUFFERS
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Monday called for states to
build up larger rainy-day funds as he said consumer spending is set to
sustain the economic recovery.

GEITHNER: BANK REFORM CAN'T MOVE AT 'GLACIAL' PACE
Bank and securities regulators need to move quickly to write rules
based on sweeping bank reform legislation approved in the wake of the
financial crisis, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says in remarks
expected to be delivered later Monday.

AUGUST IS A GOOD MONTH FOR STOCKS
August over the past century has been one of the better months of the
calendar for the stock market, while September has been the worst.

Stocks soar on positive earnings, better-than-expected economic reports. Dow rallies 208 points; S&P 500 gains 2%; Nasdaq adds 1.8%.

Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 16:03:03 -0400

Stocks soar on positive earnings, better-than-expected economic
reports. Dow rallies 208 points; S&P 500 gains 2%; Nasdaq adds 1.8%.

ISM gauge shows U.S. factory-sector expansion but at 2010's slowest pace

Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:18:15 -0400

ISM gauge shows U.S. factory-sector expansion but at 2010's slowest pace
08/02/2010 10:16:24 AM EDT

Manufacturing activity expands at slower pace in July, according to purchasing managers' index. Figure tops forecasts.

Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 10:06:03 -0400

Manufacturing activity expands at slower pace in July, according to
purchasing managers' index. Figure tops forecasts.

International Headlines

Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 05:02:05 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 02 August, 2010

> BP GEARS UP FOR 'STATIC KILL' EFFORT TO PLUG OIL WELL
Efforts to permanently seal the ruptured oil well in the Gulf of
Mexico with mud and cement could begin as early as Monday night,
according to BP officials.

> SPACE STATION MAY NEED SPACEWALK FIXES
Crew members on the International Space Station may need to
conduct spacewalks this week to fix the station's cooling
system, NASA has said.

> PAKISTAN: FLOOD DEATHS TOP 1,100
The devastating floods in Pakistan have killed more than 1,100
people, officials say. Another 30,000 people were stranded
trying to escape rushing floodwaters.

> MORE THAN 100 DEAD IN CHINA FLOODING
Flooding and landslides in northeastern China left have more
than 100 people dead or missing, the state-run Xinhua news
agency reported Sunday, citing provincial officials.

> CUBA TO ALLOW MORE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
Cuban President Raul Castro said Sunday that his government
would allow more private businesses and make it easier for those
businesses to hire workers, as the socialist economy struggles
to get back on its feet and shed up to one million redundant
state jobs.

> IRAQ, U.S. OFFER CONFLICTING DEATH TOLL
The U.S. disputes Iraqi figures that indicated July was the
deadliest month for civilians there since May 2008, saying the
actual numbers are less than half reported.

> ISRAEL URGES ABBAS TO RESTART TALKS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday to restart peace
talks with Israel saying he hopes Abbas "will accede not only to
my call, but to that of many in the international community."

> REPORT: BP USED EXCESSIVE DISPERSANTS
Documents released by a congressional subcommittee indicate that
Coast Guard officials allowed BP to use excessive amounts of
chemical dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico.

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

> IS CHINA SECOND-LARGEST ECONOMY?
A senior Beijing official's reference to China as the "world's
second-largest economy" has sparked excited speculation that it
may have already reached a long-looming milestone by surpassing
Japan.

> STRIKES, ASH WIDEN QUARTERLY BA LOSS
British Airways on Friday announced a pre-tax loss of 164
million pounds ($256.5 million) for the three months ending June
30.

> SPAIN UNEMPLOYMENT OVER 20%
Spain's unemployment rate rose to 20.09 percent for the second
quarter of 2010, up from 20.05 percent from the previous
quarter, Spain's National Statistics Institute said Friday.

Stocks start August with a rally, boosted by strong European bank earnings. Dow surges 134 points; Nasdaq, S&P 500 jump over 1.2%.

Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 09:34:04 -0400

Stocks start August with a rally, boosted by strong European bank
earnings. Dow surges 134 points; Nasdaq, S&P 500 jump over 1.2%.

China's manufacturing sees first contraction since March 2009, HSBC survey shows

Date: Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:47:08 -0400

China's manufacturing sees first contraction since March 2009, HSBC survey shows
08/01/2010 10:45:26 PM EDT

International Headlines

Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2010 05:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 01 August, 2010

> PAKISTAN PREPS FOR MORE RAIN AS DEATH TOLL REACHES 800
Rescue efforts from the floods that have killed more than 800
people could become more difficult on Monday, with
meteorologists predicting more rain.

> BRAZIL OFFERS ASYLUM TO IRANIAN WOMAN
Brazil's president has offered asylum to an Iranian woman
sentenced to death by stoning, state media says

> PAKISTAN SPY CHIEF CANCELS VISIT TO U.K.
Pakistan's spy chief's planned visit to the United Kingdom has
been canceled over tough remarks by the British prime minister
about the country, a Pakistani military official confirmed
Saturday.

> PROTESTERS PUSH IRAN TO FREE U.S. HIKERS
Protesters held rallies around the globe to mark the one-year
anniversary of what many called the "unfair" detention of three
Americans seized by Iranian forces.

> RUSSIAN WILDFIRES LEAVE 28 DEAD
At least 25 people have been killed and thousands left homeless
by wildfires sweeping through Russia, authorities said.

> DOZENS ARRESTED AT RUSSIA PROTESTS
Russian authorities arrested at least 135 opposition protesters
-- including a leading Kremlin critic -- at rallies demanding
freedom of assembly, state media said.

> SUFIS BACK MORE AU TROOPS IN SOMALIA
A Somali militant group wanting to rid the war-torn country of
an al Qaeda-linked movement welcomed Saturday the African
Union's decision last week to expand its peacekeeping presence
in the country.

> CALLS TO CANCEL 9/11 QURAN-BURNING EVENT
In protest of what it calls a religion "of the devil," a
non-denominational church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to host
an "International Burn a Quran Day" on the ninth anniversary of
the September 11, 2001 attacks.

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

> IS CHINA SECOND-LARGEST ECONOMY?
A senior Beijing official's reference to China as the "world's
second-largest economy" has sparked excited speculation that it
may have already reached a long-looming milestone by surpassing
Japan.

> STRIKES, ASH WIDEN QUARTERLY BA LOSS
British Airways on Friday announced a pre-tax loss of 164
million pounds ($256.5 million) for the three months ending June
30.

> SPAIN UNEMPLOYMENT OVER 20%
Spain's unemployment rate rose to 20.09 percent for the second
quarter of 2010, up from 20.05 percent from the previous
quarter, Spain's National Statistics Institute said Friday.