I am filling in during
GangstaFeelsGood's extended absence as part of the Daily News Log backup team.
Here are today's headlines:
International Herald Tribune (www.iht.com)
- Fed Trims Rates and Hints at More Cuts
The American central bank reduced short-term interest rates by half a
percentage point on Tuesday, the fifth easing this year, and warned the economy remained
under pressure, raising speculation of another cut late in
June.
- Defiant Palestinians Mark 1948 Removal
Tens of thousands of Palestinians froze in silence
Tuesday as a three-minute siren sounded to mark the 53d
anniversary of what Palestinians call "the catastrophe" of
their displacement when Israel was founded.
- Europe's Rightists See Hope in Berlusconi's Win
Silvio Berlusconi's victory in Italy serves as a refreshing
swig of psychic tonic for the center-right of Europe, where
national elections will challenge the left's axis of
parliamentary power in Britain, France and Germany over
the next 18 months.
- Olympic Bids by Beijing, Paris and Toronto Praised
An official evaluation report Tuesday effectively reduced
the five cities bidding for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games
to three after placing Istanbul and Osaka behind
the other three - Beijing, Paris and Toronto.
- As Bush Envoy Visits, Beijing Assails Shield Plan
Even as President George W. Bush's emissary was here
making the case for an American missile-defense shield,
the Chinese government on Tuesday publicly condemned
the U.S. proposal, calling it a fruitless step that would
endanger global security.
- Taiwan and China: Ever Closer Bonds
Despite visions of war conjured up by President George W. Bush's
suggestion that the United States could help
defend Taiwan from any Chinese invasion, social and
economic integration between the mainland and the
island is stronger than ever, and it is growing.
BBC (
news.bbc.co.uk)
- Labour Sets Out Ambitions
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is to
outline his vision for the next 10
years in Labour's manifesto,
promising to improve public
services.
- Palestinians press US on Middle East
Palestinians urge the US to take a
leading role in ending Middle East
violence as Israel "admits error" in
killing five Palestinian policemen.
- China shuns US nuclear plans
A United States envoy fails to
overcome Chinese opposition to
Washington's plans for a new
missile shield defence system.
- US to brand Real IRA 'terrorists'
The US Government is set to introduce sanctions
against the Irish republican group Real IRA as it
designates it a "foreign terrorist organisation".
- Amazon destruction surges
The deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil is
at a five-year high, following an improvement in the
Brazilian economy.
New York Times (
www.nytimes.com)
- Still Wary About Economy, Fed Reduces Key Rates 0.5%
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest
rate by half a percentage point for the fifth time
this year, continuing its campaign to
reinvigorate the economy.
- Bush Task Force on Energy Worked in Mysterious Ways
Much of Washington remains in the dark about
how the Bush administration's Energy Development Task Force operated while it
devised the nation's energy plan, which will be
released on Thursday.
- U.S. Panel Supports Widespread Use of Cholesterol Drugs
A national panel recommended that millions
more Americans take powerful
cholesterol-lowering drugs or immediately alter
their diets.
- Lawyers Fail to Reach Deal on F.B.I. Spying Charges
A lawyer for Robert P. Hanssen, the F.B.I.
agent accused of spying for Russia, said plea
bargain talks had broken off over the
government's refusal to negotiate a deal that
would spare Mr. Hanssen's life.
China Daily (
www.chinadaily.com.cn)
- Beijing, Paris and Toronto rated `excellent' for 2008 Games
Beijing, Toronto and Paris won ringing endorsements Tuesday for
their bids to stage the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Osaka and Istanbul were virtually eliminated as potential hosts.
- Resumed US spy flights meet Chinese jets
The United States has dispatched three surveillance planes to spy on
China since the April 1 plane collison incident, and each time they
met chasing Chinese jet fighters, the Pentagon said.
- Envoy: Talks with China constructive
James Kelly, assistant US secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs,
said on May 16 that his whole-day talks on May 15 with Chinese officials on the
American missile defence program is constructive. Kelly released a statement while departing Beijing
for Hanoi to continue his mission to promote President Bush's missile defence system.
- Bush aide proposes major adjustments in Asia
A new report authored by one of President George W. Bush's senior aides advocates
"major adjustments to US strategy and military posture" in Asia,
including developing Guam as a key regional military hub and possibly
opening new bases in Oman and Vietnam.
- Economy enjoying 7% growth
The Chinese economy appeared on track to enjoy the predicted 7 per cent growth rate this year,
indicated statistics revealed Tuesday on the first third of 2001.
Panapress (Africa) (
www.panapress.com)
- South African Women Lobby for Sexual Rights Charter
A university woman's health project has started the processes of
developing South Africa's first Sexual Rights Charter.
- South Africa Says UN Conference Cannot Fail Poorest of the Poor
Key challenges facing the world's Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
relates to their integration into the globalising world economy, according to South Africa's Foreign Affairs
Minister Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma.
- NDA Leader Ready to Meet President El Bashir
Exiled leader of Sudan's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Mohammed Osman
Almirgani has said he is ready to hold talks with President Ommar El Bashir in order to resolve the country's
long-standing conflict.
- Kenya to introduce disease resistant oranges
Researchers from the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KEMRI) and the
University of Nairobi are working on a project to produce
disease-fee orange seedlings in the country.
- Microsoft intensifies anti-piracy battle
In one of its hardest stances to combat piracy in South Africa, Microsoft SA is seeking signed
declarations from businesses attesting to a "clean bill of health" regarding the use of its software.