Here are the prices of some key commodities traded in New York on Wednesday: Crude oil prices gained more than $2 to close at $95.30 per barrel. Coffee futures rose 2 cents to finish at $2.60 per pound. Copper prices rose 13 cents to end at $4.22 a pound. Cocoa prices rose $96 to finish […]
Obama Calls on Lawmakers to ‘Seize This Moment,’ Tackle Debt
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 3:20 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama warns any failure to raise the government debt limit will have a “significant” and “unpredictable” impact on the nation’s struggling economy. During a news conference at the White House on Wednesday, Mr. Obama told reporters lawmakers in Congress must “seize this moment” and work together to prevent the U.S. from defaulting […]
NY Temple Conspirators Sentenced to 25 Years
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 3:00 pm (UTC-5)
A New York federal court has sentenced three men to 25 years each in prison after being found guilty of plotting to blow up New York City synagogues and shoot down military planes. A judge imposed the sentence Wednesday against James Cromitie, David Williams, and Onta (ON-tay) Williams. The men were convicted last year of […]
Obama: Greater Equality for Gays a ‘Good Thing’
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 3:00 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama says he thinks it is a “good thing” that the United States is moving in the direction of greater equality for homosexuals. At a news conference at the White House Wednesday, President Obama praised the legalization of gay marriage in the state of New York, but stopped short of endorsing same-sex […]
President Obama Calls for Immigration Reform
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 2:25 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama has said the United States needs a pathway to legal status for some of the people who are in the country illegally. He made the remark while calling for comprehensive immigration reform during a news conference at the White House Wednesday. Mr. Obama said he was referring to young people who […]
India’s PM Rejects ‘Lame-Duck’ Criticism
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 2:25 pm (UTC-5)
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is rejecting criticism that he has become a “lame-duck” leader in the face of ongoing corruption scandals threatening to derail his government. Mr. Singh spoke with newspaper editors Wednesday. During the two-hour discussion, Mr. Singh said he accepts full responsibility for any actions his government has taken. The prime minister […]
Greek Parliament Approves Austerity Plan
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
The Greek parliament has approved the first step in sweeping new austerity measures aimed at securing international financing for the debt-ridden nation. Socialist Prime Minister George Papandreou won passage Wednesday of his $40 billion plan to increase taxes, cut spending and sell state-owned assets. The plan was approved on a 155-to-138 vote, a wider than […]
Chinese Artist Seeks Review of Tax Claim
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 2:15 pm (UTC-5)
The design firm of Chinese government critic Ai Weiwei is challenging a $1.85 million tax bill presented by authorities to the acclaimed artist and activist just days after he was released from nearly three months of confinement. A lawyer retained by Ai’s company said he filed an appeal Wednesday asking for an administrative review of […]
Obama Defends US Involvement in Libya Conflict
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
President Obama has defended U.S. involvement in Libya, saying a lot of the “fuss” U.S. lawmakers have made about the mission is political. At a news conference Wednesday, Mr. Obama repeated his administration’s view that his decision to intervene in Libya did not violate the 1973 War Powers Resolution. The law gives U.S. presidents 60 […]
Obama Discusses Economy, Libya, Afghanistan
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama discussed the American economy, Libya and Afghanistan in a wide-ranging press conference at the White House Wednesday. Mr. Obama called on Congress to take action that he said would strengthen the economy and help Americans, including approving trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. He said Congress must act soon […]
