1.   And the new pessimism is no more realistic than the old optimism.

2.   Generating the new pessimism are the approaching Iraqi oil exports and persistence of above-normal temperatures in the U.S., which is dampening demand for heating oil.

3.   Markets Stocks fell sharply for a second day as a new pessimism on interest rates held sway on Wall Street.

4.   The American dollar weakened broadly Tuesday in global foreign exchange dealings, hurt by growing investor nervousness over the U.S. budget impasse and new pessimism about the Mexican economy.

5.   The Taliban bolstered their garrison in the Afghan capital, Kabul, as Pakistan expressed new pessimism over prospects for resolving the standoff over Osama bin Laden.