Morning Brief, Thursday, November 1
Global Economy TEH ENG KOON/AFP/Getty Images Now soaring past $96 a barrel after a report showed U.S. inventories as shockingly low, oil prices seem headed for that magic $100 number. What’s worse, the chief economist at the International Energy Administration predicts that oil prices will remain high for some time thanks to growing demand from ...
Global Economy
Global Economy
Now soaring past $96 a barrel after a report showed U.S. inventories as shockingly low, oil prices seem headed for that magic $100 number. What’s worse, the chief economist at the International Energy Administration predicts that oil prices will remain high for some time thanks to growing demand from India and China.
The Open Market Committee of the U.S. Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to cut short-term interest rates by 25 basis points. But by mentioning the risk of inflation in its statement, the Fed signaled that no further cuts should be expected.
Middle East
The United States has begun aiding Turkey with intelligence on PKK guerrillas in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The U.S. State Department says that Saddam’s old oil law is “good enough for Iraq’s national government to sign oil deals,” Ben Lando of UPI writes.
Facing a devastating blow to its business, military contractor Blackwater is bringing in the big PR guns.
Asia
Another suicide bombing in Pakistan, this time an attack on a bus carrying military personnel.
Domestic opposition is forcing Japan to withdraw its naval assistance to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, at least for now.
China raised gasoline and diesel prices in the face of worsening fuel shortages.
Europe
Spain is in shock after the Madrid bombing case produced several acquittals and light sentences for the accused. The three main suspects were, however, sentenced to something close to life in prison.
Russia plans to limit to 70 the number of international monitors in place for December’s parliamentary elections. Gee, I wonder why?
The visit to Britain by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has been fraught with controversy.
Elsewhere
Fringe Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, who believes in UFOs, questioned the sanity of U.S. President George W. Bush.
A batch of Donald Rumsfeld’s “snowflake memos,” obtained by Robin Wright of the Washington Post, reveal a former U.S. secretary of defense obsessed with newspaper columnists.
Today’s Agenda
- Dominique Strauss-Kahn takes the helm at the International Monetary Fund.
- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flies to Turkey for meetings on the PKK crisis, and then it’s on to Jerusalem and Ramallah.
- U.S. VP Dick Cheney gives a speech at the American Legion in Indiana. Watch what the man says about Iran.
- Mexico celebrates Dia de las Muertos, the Day of the Dead.
- Starbucks introduces China to the bottled Frappuccino.
- Snoop Dogg hosts the MTV Europe Awards in Geneva.
- Happy World Vegan Day.
Yesterday on Passport
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