Venezuela’s military chief says President Hugo Chavez is still in charge of the country following two operations in Cuba, including the removal of a cancerous tumor. Army General Henry Rangel Silva said on state television Friday that Mr. Chavez is recovering well, noting that he expects the 56-year-old president to return to Venezuela soon. President […]
Venezuelan Military Chief: Chavez Still in Charge of Country
US Stocks Rise
U.S. stock market indexes rose in Friday’s trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.4 percent to end at 12,583. The S&P 500 rose 1.4 percent to finish at 1,340 while the NASDAQ gained 1.5 percent to close at 2,816. European stock markets were higher at the close of trading. London’s Financial Times 100 index […]
Oil Prices Fall
Here are the prices of some key commodities traded in New York on Friday: Crude oil prices lost 48 cents to close at $94.94 per barrel. Coffee futures dropped 2 cents to finish at $2.63 per pound. Copper prices rose 2 cents to end at $4.29 a pound. Cocoa futures declined $33 to finish the […]
Sudan’s Bashir Vows to Fight On in South Kordofan
Sudanese President Omar Bashir is rejecting calls to end the fighting along the country’s north-south border. Mr. Bashir said Friday his northern army would continue fighting armed groups in the volatile Southern Kordofan state. South Sudan is set to officially separate from the north and declare independence July 9, but fighting has raged on in […]
Obama Nominates New Counterterror Chief
U.S. President Barack Obama has nominated government lawyer and former prosecutor Matthew Olsen to become the nation’s next counterterrorism director. The White House announced the choice on Friday. President Obama said Olsen has a “distinguished record of service” in the U.S. intelligence community and will be a critical part of his national security team. The […]
Germany Ends Its Military Draft
Germany has ended its military draft, turning instead to a voluntary force years after its major allies had taken the same step. Germany started conscripting members of its armed forces in 1957 when West Germany rearmed after World War II, but the country ended its draft at midnight Thursday. By contrast, the United States ended […]
US Auto Sales Rise
Auto sales rose in the United States in June, particularly some new, more fuel-efficient models. On Friday, Chrysler reported that it sold 30 percent more vehicles than during the same period one year ago, while Ford’s sales were up 14 percent and GM’s rose 10 percent. Earlier this year, auto sales were hurt when Japan’s […]
Britain, Pakistan Pledge Cooperation in Counterterrorism
Britain and Pakistan have pledged to work together to fight terrorism. British Prime Minister David Cameron met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in London, the first such talks since U.S. forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan on May 2. Earlier this week, the British embassy in Islamabad said Pakistan has asked […]
Gadhafi Threatens NATO Over Airstrikes
Embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is threatening NATO that if the coalition does not end its campaign of airstrikes, it will face consequences. Mr. Gadhafi delivered the warning Friday in an audio message aired to thousands of supporters gathered in Tripoli’s main square. The Libyan capital is at the center of Colonel Gadhafi’s area of […]
US Manufacturing Rises
U.S. manufacturing made gains in June but American consumers grew more pessimistic. Friday’s report from a business group says a survey of purchasing managers showed the manufacturing sector expanding more quickly last month. Manufacturing has been rebounding more quickly than other parts of the U.S. economy, which is still recovering from the worst recession in […]