The major U.S. stock indexes fell in Thursday’s trading after the head of the U.S. central bank testified in Washington. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers the bank does not have any plan to inject more stimulus into the economy in the near future. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid four-tenths of a percent to […]
Diplomats Gather in Istanbul to Discuss Political Solution to Libyan Conflict
International diplomats are gathering in Istanbul to discuss a political solution to the civil war in Libya, whose leader Moammar Gadhafi has reiterated a vow to fight to the end against rebels trying to end his 42-year rule. Diplomats expected to attend Friday’s talks in the Turkish city include U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, […]
Diplomats Gather in Istanbul to Dicuss Political Solution to Libyan Conflict
International diplomats are gathering in Istanbul to discuss a political solution to the civil war in Libya, whose leader Moammar Gadhafi has reiterated a vow to fight to the end against rebels trying to end his 42-year rule. Diplomats expected to attend Friday’s talks in the Turkish city include U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, […]
Suicide Bomber Attacks Memorial for Afghan President’s Brother
A suicide bomber has attacked a mosque in Afghanistan’s southern city of Kandahar, killing five people during a memorial service for the assassinated half-brother of President Hamid Karzai. The Interior Ministry said Thursday’s blast killed the head of Kandahar province’s religious council, Hekmatullah Hekmat. A child was also killed and another 15 people were wounded, […]
Sarkozy Sends Army Chief to Afghanistan
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is sending his army chief to Afghanistan to study ways to enhance the safety of French soldiers as they begin withdrawal from the country. French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet made the announcement after Mr. Sarkozy called an emergency meeting Thursday, following the deaths of six French soldiers in Afghanistan in the […]
Oil Prices Dive
Here are the prices of some key commodities traded in New York on Thursday: Crude oil prices slid more than $2 to settle at $95.69 a barrel. Prices plunged after the chairman of the Federal Reserve said U.S. central bank was in no rush to pump more money into the struggling U.S. economy. Coffee prices […]
Mourners Say Final Farewell to Betty Ford
Family, friends and admirers have said a final farewell to former U.S. first lady Betty Ford, who died last week at the age of 93. Mrs. Ford, an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and those battling addiction, was memorialized Thursday in the Michigan church where she married Gerald Ford more than six decades ago. Former […]
Geithner Warns US ‘Running Out of Time’ on Debt Issue
Top U.S. financial officials are issuing a new round of warnings about the potential catastrophe that awaits if lawmakers fail to raise the country’s debt limit by August 2. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told reporters Thursday the country is “running out of time” to raise the $14.3 trillion borrowing limit. He said Washington needs to […]
Afghan Officials Say NATO Kills 6 Civilians as War Casualties Rise
Afghan officials say six civilians have been killed during a NATO operation in eastern Afghanistan, as the United Nations reported that the number of Afghans killed in the war is up 15 percent this year compared to last. Hundreds of residents demonstrated Thursday in the city of Khost, where local officials said six civilians, including […]
Irish Foreign Minister Rebukes Papal Ambassador Over Sexual Abuse Cases
Ireland Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore met with Vatican ambassador Giuseppe Leanza Thursday, a day after a government-sponsored report condemned the country’s Roman Catholic Church for its inadequate response to allegations of the sexual abuse of children. Gilmore rebuked the papal ambassador for the Vatican’s behavior in the case and Leanza said he was “very distressed” […]