Reassured Wall Street...Obama speech...Contraception battle

WASHINGTON (AP) Investors apparently seem more convinced that the Federal Reserve will do what it takes to prevent a deep recession. The Dow industrials shot up 420 points after the Fed chopped a key interest rate three-quarters of a point. It's the Dow's biggest gain in five years.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Barack Obama is refusing to reject his controversial former pastor, but is denouncing his inflammatory statements. In a speech on race, Obama urged America to confront its racial divide which he says involves both black grievances and white resentment.

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) It appears Vice President Cheney's two-day visit to Iraq was no glad-handing tour. He's said to have been given pledges from Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds to work harder on a united Iraq. Cheney is now in Oman, the next stop on his Mideast tour.

WASHINGTON (AP) Antiwar protesters are making themselves known in Washington, D.C., by both marching and standing in silence.

Their demonstrations occasionally disrupted traffic. The protesters, set to continue tomorrow, are marking the 5th year of the Iraq war.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Some pharmacists in Illinois are trying to get a rule thrown out that requires them to offer emergency contraception even if they morally object. They've gone to the state Supreme Court arguing that it's illegal coercion.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 03-18-08 1955CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list