By (AP)
A U.N. official says the World Food Program is suspending cyclone aid to Myanmar because its government seized supplies flown into the country.
He says the WFP has no choice but to suspend the shipments until the matter is resolved.
WFP spokesman Paul Risley said Friday that all "the food aid and equipment that we managed to get in has been confiscated." The shipment included 38 tons of high-energy biscuits.
Risley said it is not clear why the material was seized.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Obama gets big welcome and fresh support on Capitol tour By Susan Walsh (AP)
Sen. Barack Obama got a front-runner's welcome back at the Capitol
Thursday, pressing congressional "superdelegates" to support him in a
visit that had the look and feel of a campaign victory lap.
On
the House floor, he was quickly surrounded by well-wishers calling him,
"Mr. President" and reaching out to pat him on the back or shake his
hand. The glad-handers included a few Republicans and supporters of his
Democratic presidential rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
He picked
up the superdelegate support of at least two lawmakers: Rep. Brad
Miller of North Carolina, where Obama handily won the primary on
Tuesday, and Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington state.
Obama
predicted he would lose the next two contests to Clinton _ West
Virginia and Kentucky _ but said he expected to win other states. His
presence here underscored the nomination math: The remaining six
primaries and their 217 delegates are not what matters most in the
winding-down campaign. Read More...
More shoppers seeking shelter from economy in discounters By Damian Dovarganes (AP)
Caught in the maelstrom of higher gas and food prices, Americans _
even more affluent ones _ are seeking shelter in wholesale clubs and
discount apparel chains.
Low-price operators Costco Wholesale
Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and TJX Cos. reported better-than-expected
sales on Thursday, while traditional apparel chains J.C. Penney Co. and
Limited Brands Inc. struggled.
"The smart shopper is in full
bloom," said Craig R. Johnson, president of consultancy Customer Growth
Partners. "They're looking to stretch their household budgets, and if
you can get decent quality merchandise, why pay full price?" Read More...
