The price of gold surged more than 1 percent to an all-time high Tuesday following some disappointing reports on the U.S. economy, and continuing concerns about the European debt crisis. The price of gold for December delivery jumped $23 to go as high as $1,644.70 in New York trading. Gold prices have hit a series […]
US Senate Passes Debt Bill, Averts Crisis
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to settle the political battle over the country’s growing debt, passing a bill that will cut spending and raise the nation’s borrowing limit. Senators voted 74 to 26 in favor of the compromise measure, sending it to President Barack Obama less than 12 hours before the government ran out of […]
Tropical Storm Emily Heads for Haiti
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
A tropical storm watch for Haiti has been upgraded to a warning as Tropical Storm Emily makes its way through the Caribbean. The storm is predicted to reach the island of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, by Wednesday. The news is particularly bad for Haiti, where thousands of people still live in […]
Russia Rejects Polish Report on Smolensk Plane Crash
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 1:20 pm (UTC-5)
A Russian investigation has dismissed a Polish report partially blaming Russian air traffic controllers for the 2010 crash that killed Polish president Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people. Alexei Morozov, chief of the Russian Interstate Aviation Committee panel that investigated the crash, said Tuesday the controllers had given the pilots precise guidance and that the […]
Four U.N. Peacekeepers Killed in Disputed Abyei
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations says a land mine explosion has killed four peacekeepers in the disputed Sudanese region of Abyei. A U.N. spokesperson says the blast went off Tuesday while the peacekeepers were on patrol in Mabok southeast of Abyei town. It says seven other peacekeeping troops were injured. The spokesperson says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon extends […]
21 Top Mexican Prosecutors Abruptly Quit
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
The top prosecutors in 21 of Mexico’s 31 states and the federal district have abruptly quit. There was no immediate explanation Tuesday whether the federal prosecutors are leaving on their own or were forced out. But their departure comes on top of a widespread purge of Mexican prosecutors instituted by Attorney General Marisela Morales at […]
Muslim Americans’ Optimism Growing
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
A survey by the Gallup polling organization indicates Muslim Americans feel more optimistic than in recent years, but are more critical of U.S. foreign policy. A Dubai-based branch of the Gallup polling centers released results of a two-year survey on Tuesday that showed some 60 percent of American Muslims say they are “thriving,” an increase […]
US Senate Passes Debt Bill
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to settle the political battle over the country’s growing debt, passing a bill that will cut spending and raise the nation’s borrowing limit. Senators approved the compromise measure, worked out by Republican leaders and President Barack Obama, less than 12 hours before the government ran out of money. President Barack […]
Suicide Attack Kills 4 in Northern Afghanistan
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say suicide bombers have killed at least four people and wounded 10 others in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack in the city of Kunduz, the first major strike by insurgents in Afghanistan since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Officials say a suicide bomber detonated a […]
Oxfam: Horn of Africa Needs Faster Drought Aid
Posted August 2nd, 2011 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
The United States says aid workers will not be prosecuted if they deliver food to parts of Somalia controlled by militant group al-Shabab. Senior Obama administration officials said Tuesday that they are issuing new guidelines in hopes of increasing aid to the drought- and famine-stricken country. U.S. sanctions make it a crime to provide any […]
