Lima: A strong earthquake shook coast of Peru near the capital. 17 are feared dead as it tumbled buildings and caused hundreds to flee office buildings in Lima. A tsunami warning was issued for South America’s Pacific coast.  

A church in city of Ica, south of Lime toppled killing 17 people and injuring 70, according to cable new station Canal.  

US Geological Survey said the 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit about 145 km southeast of Lima at a depth of about 41 km. The quake toppled houses and caused panic in capital.

Oil prices mounted after the Energy Information Administration report a massive decline in crude oil and gasoline stocks for the week ended Aug. 10, 2007. Crude stocks were depressed by 5.2 million barrels, whereas gasoline stocks came down by 1.1 million barrels.

Additionally, worries over the new weather anticipate that a Tropical Storm Dean could pass over the south of the Gulf of Mexico stimulated oil to climb further.

Oil prices dipped on Monday carrying on its downtrend since last week on US demand worries amidst troubles in the subprime mortgage area.

New York’s main futures contract, light sweet crude for next month delivery went down 15 cents to USD 71.62 per barrel.

In London, the value of Brent North Sea crude for the coming month delivery came down 16 cents to settle at USD 70.23 a barrel.

For September delivery, natural gas also closed down USD 0.026 at USD 6.794 per million BTUs.

On Friday, oil and gas futures declined below USD 71 per barrel on news of US subprime troubles and worries over the US economy.

For next month delivery, light, sweet crude descended 61 cents to USD 70.98 each barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).

On the other hand, gasoline rates for next month delivery vanished 0.3 cents to USD 1.93 per gallon.

In London, September Brent crude lost 33 cents, to USD 69.88 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

Washington: According to a media report, the US dropped off many industrialized countries in life expectancy standings, even though Americans are living longer than ever.

The report stated that forty one countries have overstepped the US that comprises not only Japan and several in Europe but also Jordan, Guam and the Cayman islands.

Oil and gas futures fell on Wednesday after a governmental announcement displayed an unforeseen slump in refinery action and big declines in oil and gasoline stocks. Oil and gas futures jumped at once after the report’s release, and then traded volatile for the whole day.

For next monthe delivery, light, sweet crude delivery descended 27 cents to USD 72.15 per barrel on the NYMEX, and the gasoline came down 0.65 cent to USD 1.9377 each gallon.