Home construction unexpectedly jumped 8.2% in April, making the biggest increase in two years. However, the surge was driven by a surge in multi-family housing, while single-family starts dropped.  9:51 a.m.

Bush renewed his appeal to Saudi King Abdullah for an increase in oil production to help drive down soaring U.S. gasoline prices. The president has acknowledged that raising output is difficult because the demand, particularly from China and India, is stretching supplies. Oil prices climbed to a new high, above $127 a barrel.  10:06 a.m.

A strong aftershock sparked landslides near the epicenter of this week's powerful earthquake, again cutting off ravaged areas of central China. Public anger grew over the hundreds of children killed in schools that collapsed, prompting the government to promise an investigation.  9:31 a.m.