America's economy is expected to grow by 3.2% this year, according to the minutes from January's gathering of the Federal Reserves open markets committee. That is more than the 3% predicted at the previous meeting back in November. Meanwhile, the Feds see inflation remain in 10. The slightly rosier outlook for the world's largest economy, though, is coupled with only a slow recovery in unemployment in 2010 and 2011, before returning to low levels in 2012.
The French President Nicolas Sarkozy has promised 370 million dollars to help Haiti recover from last month's devastating earthquake. He made his pledge at the start of the first-ever visit by a French President to the Caribbean State, a colony of France until 1804. President Sarkozy said the people of Haiti should be the ones directing the reconstruction of the country.
International aid must be massive, should be long-term. But it's up to the Haitians alone to draw up a real national plan and then to lead it. Because it is their country and their future stake. The role of the international community and France is to help Haitians regain control of their destiny.
Some news just in the Haitian attorney has said 8 of the 10 American missionaries charged with kidnapping children in the aftermath of last month's earthquake will be released. Reports say they are expected to leave the country later today.
World News from the BBC.
The White House has welcomed the capture of the Afghan Taliban military commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, calling it a big success for US-Pakistani cooperation. A spokesman praised Pakistan for the capture and said Mr.Baradar was being interrogated. But he did not say if he was providing any intelligence.