US & World News, Friday 11/30

US & World Summary: --- Fed Chairman Warns About Dim U.S. Outlook (Charlotte, NC) -- Interest rates may be going down again. In a speech yesterday in North Carolina, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said a resurgence in financial strains in recent weeks has dimmed the outlook for the U.S. economy. He told a chamber of commerce group that the renewed turbulence has partially reversed the improvement that happened in September and October. Bernankes comments renewed market expectations for a rate cut at the central banks next meeting on December 11th. --- Vets Want Change In Dont Ask, Dont Tell Policy (Washington, DC) -- A coalition of retired generals and admirals is recommending that Congress repeal the militarys "dont ask dont tell" policy. In a letter to Congress, the 28 military men say there are more 65-thousand gay men and lesbians serving "honorably" in the U.S. armed forces. The "dont ask dont tell" policy allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they keep their sexual orientation to themselves. The Human Rights Campaign claims that 12-thousand men and women have been kicked out of the military since the policy was implemented 14 years ago. --- Bernard Kerik Faces Possible Conflict Of Interest (White Plains, NY) -- In a strange twist of the law, the attorney for former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik could soon be off the case and on the witness stand testifying against his own client. Federal prosecutors say Kerik made criminal statements to attorney Kenneth Breen, and those statements arent protected by attorney-client privilege. The former New York City police commissioner faces federal corruption and other charges after being indicted earlier this month on 16 charges. --- AT&T, Apple To Sell Better iPhone Apple and AT&T are coming out with a new iPhone. Thats according to the "Wall Street Journal," which reports the two companies will begin selling another version of the popular phone next year. The new iPhone reportedly runs on a faster wireless network, allowing users to surf the Internet at higher speeds. AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson says the new phones will work on the faster "3G" wireless networks as opposed to the current phones that use AT&Ts EDGE network. --- Tomorrow is 19th Annual World AIDS Day World AIDS day is tomorrow. Organizers say the 19th annual observance of the day is intended to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic worldwide. The United Nations estimates 33 million people are infected with the disease, with two-point-five million of those being children under the age of 15. The agency says most of those infected can be found in Africa, and that more than 68-hundred people everyday become infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS. The disease gradually destroys the immune system of those infected. (Copyright 2007 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-11-30-07 0843CST