CNN news 2008-05-01 加文本

Good afternoon, I'm Naamua Delaney at the cnn Center in Atlanta. Here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

The argument over whether the economy is in a recession will likely continue. Official numbers from the Commerce Department say the economy grew at a rate of 0. 6% in the first quarter of 2008, that's the same rate as the quarter before. So while the economy remains sluggish, it is growing ever so slightly.

Another interest rate cut is expected from the Fed today. Stock prices have been surging this morning in reaction to analysts' predictions of 8th cut of a quarter of points. The official word is expected in about an hour and a half.

The US military says the recent killings of three American soldiers in Iraq push the monthly death toll to a seven-month high. The death toll for American forces killed in April now stands at 47. That makes it the deadliest month since September. An American military spokesman attributed the increase to a surge in recent fighting, especially in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood.

The US now has two aircraft carriers in the Gulf region. The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived there Tuesday. It will replace the USS Harry S Truman. Defense Secretary Robert Gates insists it's not an escalation, he calls the move a reminder to Iran. It comes as Washington continues to accuse Tehran of forging ahead with efforts to supply weapons and training to militants in Iraq.

A teen removed from that polygamist compound in Texas has given birth to a baby boy. Child welfare officials say she is younger than 18. A spokesman for the sect insists she is 18 and in a monogamous marriage to a 22-year-old. The teen also has a 16-month-old child. More than 460 children are in state custody.

Well, those are the headlines at this hour, stay with cnn for more on these stories and the other news of the day.