Today's Headlines

Bloomberg:
- European Union Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said the US has indicated it would liked the dollar to appreciate and “will act accordingly.”
- Hedge Funds Reel as Bankers Raise Collateral Even on Treasuries.
- A default by MBIA Inc.(MBI) is “highly improbable” during the next year, CEO Jay Brown said. Trading in credit-default swaps suggesting a high risk of default in the next year “is illogical,” Brown said.
-Crude oil is rising above $108/bbl. on historic investment fund speculation as traders continue to chase momentum.
- McDonald’s Corp.(MCD), the world’s biggest restaurant company, rose the most in more than a month in NY trading after reporting February sales that exceeded analysts’ estimates on increased demand in Europe and China.
- European Central Bank President Jean- Claude Trichet said he’s “concerned” about the euro’s appreciation.

NY Times:
- Democratic New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has informed his most senior administration officials that he had been involved in a prostitution ring, an administration official said.
- Ameriprise, MasterCard(MA) Pairing to Offer Credit Cards.
- Divisions in Democrat Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign over strategy and dislike advisers had for each other have led some to question Clinton’s management abilities.

CNBC:
- Former Bear Stearns(BSC) Chairman Alan “Ace” Greenberg called rumors of liquidity problems at the financial services company “ridiculous, totally ridiculous.”

USA Today:
- New college graduates to find a strong job market.

MacScoop:
- Apple(AAPL) is readying to release an improved version of both its iMac and Mac mini lineups by the next few weeks.

Daily Telegraph:
- Apple Inc.(AAPL) may pay as much as $604.8 million for the right to offer the Beatles’ albums for download from its iTunes store.

Gulf Times:
- Mideast growth to slow on economic fears, weak dollar.