AFP - Oil prices fell sharply on Tuesday in reaction to a solid strengthening in the dollar following comments from US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

Reuters - U.S. retailers are expected to post lackluster May sales this week, as consumers spent tax rebate checks on gas and food or used them to reduce debt, rather than buying discretionary items like clothes and jewelry.

AFP - Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, in unusually sharp comments on foreign exchange, said Tuesday the central bank is "attentive" to the sagging dollar because of its potential impact on inflation.

Reuters - New orders at U.S. factories rose unexpectedly in April, reflecting a surge in prices for food and petroleum that cut into demand for costlier items like cars and aircraft, government data showed on Tuesday.

AP - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke signaled Tuesday that further interest rate cuts are unlikely because of concerns about inflation. High oil prices are a double-edged sword that can both put a damper on already weak growth and spread inflation, he said.

AP - Wall Street fell sharply for a second straight day Tuesday as investors grew more worried that the financial sector is still suffering badly from the credit crisis. The Dow Jones industrials, up modestly in earlier trading, fell more than 140 points.

Reuters - Stocks sank to session lows in mid-afternoon trade on Tuesday as shares of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc extended losses, falling more than 12 percent, as investors feared financial institutions may have to raise more capital.

AP - Oil prices fell sharply Tuesday, dropping below $124 a barrel as demand concerns grew and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke indicated that more interest rate cuts are unlikely. Bernanke's comments sent the dollar higher and raised questions about oil's ability to reach new highs in the short term.

AFP - The dollar rose against the euro Tuesday after unusually sharp comments from US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke about the inflationary impact of the dollar's recent falls.

Reuters - U.S. stocks slid on Monday on renewed fears the credit crunch has yet to run its course after Standard & Poor's downgraded debt ratings of three big securities companies and Wachovia , the fourth-largest U.S. bank, ousted its chief executive.

Reuters - Downgrades of three U.S. investment banks, an ouster of Wachovia's chief executive, and a bleak U.K. housing market outlook from a British mortgage lender shook markets on Monday, reigniting fears that the global credit crunch will continue to hurt the world economy.