- The Federal Reserve Board cut interest rates [1] 0.75 percent in response to slumping markets world wide. Reeling from Friday's announcement of the necessity of an economic stimulus package to bolster the US economy, markets in Asia and Europe are feeling the effect. Asia has experienced the worst two-day loss in 17 years. This cut, called an emergency measure, seeks to correct the slide. In a statement, the Fed said, "The committee took this action in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth."
- Israel temporarily lifted the blockade [2] at the border of Gaza, allowing fuel trucks to enter and restore power to the area. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is said to have made entreaties to the Israeli government to deliver fuel and quell a humanitarian crisis. Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas said, "The Israeli announcement of supplying Gaza with more fuel does not mean solving the crisis in Gaza. The real crisis of our Palestinian people is the continuing siege on the Gaza Strip."
- The Democratic presidential candidates faced off [3] in the penultimate debate of the primary season last night in South Carolina. Senators Clinton and Obama traded stiff spars on their respective records, among which was Clinton saying, "Well, you know, Senator Obama, it is very difficult having a straight-up debate with you, because you never take responsibility for any vote, and that has been a pattern." Check back here for analysis of the debate later today.