U.S. retail sales, a key barometer of the country’s economic health, increased in July by the most in four months. The government’s Commerce Department said Friday that consumers spent more on autos, furniture and gasoline last month, helping push retail sales up by one-half of one percent, following a slightly smaller increase in June. Consumer […]
US Retail Sales Advance Most in Four Months
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 9:10 am (UTC-5)
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Syrian Forces Open Fire on Protesters Following Friday Prayers
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 7:25 am (UTC-5)
Syrian troops have opened fire on opposition protesters in Deir el-Zour, an eastern city that has been under siege by government forces for several days. Activists and witnesses say Syrian forces began firing live ammunition at protesters outside at least one mosque in the city following Friday prayers. It was not immediately clear if there […]
European Markets Gain on Short-Selling Ban
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
European stocks soared midday Friday following some gains in Asia at the end of an extremely volatile week at markets around the world. Share prices in Britain, France and Germany were at least two percent higher by midday after France, Italy, Spain and Belgium banned the short-selling of stocks to calm market turmoil sparked by […]
Turkish Pipeline Explosion Interrupts Gas Flow from Iran
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
An explosion at an oil pipeline in Turkey has interrupted gas flow from neighboring Iran. Officials say the blast happened early Friday in Turkish territory along the Iranian border. Authorities say the fire has been extinguished, but it could take up to several days to make the repairs necessary to fully restore oil flow. There […]
European Markets Higher at Midday
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
European stock markets were higher in midday trading Friday. London’s Financial Times 100 index was up 1.31 percent , to 5,230. The CAC-40 in Paris was up 1.63 percent , to 3,140. And the DAX in Frankfurt was up 2.10 percent , at 5,919. The S&P futures contract was down three points, indicating a lower […]
Indian Caste Film Banned
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
Three Indian states have banned a new Bollywood film that tackles the controversial issue of caste quotas. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh banned the film, Aarakshan, or Reservation, over fears it could stir up caste tensions. Critics of the film say it negatively depicts people from the lower castes. The film deals with India’s […]
Asian Markets Close Mostly Higher
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index dipped two-tenths of a percent , to close at 8,964. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose a tenth of a percent , to end at 19,617. Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Wellington and Manila. Markets closed lower in […]
UN Leader Express Concern Over Civilian Casualties in Libya
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the rising number of civilian casualties in Libya’s ongoing conflict between rebel fighters and government loyalists. In a statement Thursday, the secretary-general called on all sides to “exercise extreme caution in their actions, in order to minimize any further loss of civilian life.” Ban also said […]
Israel Approves Plans for 1,600 New Homes in East Jerusalem
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Israel’s Interior Ministry has given final approval for a plan to build 1,600 new homes for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem and said it expects to soon approve the construction of another 2,700 houses in the city. The ministry’s spokesman said Thursday the housing plans are not politically based, but rather a reaction to recent […]
Pakistani Soldier Gets Death Sentence in Shooting
Posted August 12th, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
A Pakistani court has sentenced to death a paramilitary soldier for the June killing of an unarmed man that was caught on camera and broadcast on television. The anti-terrorism court also Friday handed out life sentences to five other soldiers and a civilian who were involved with the shooting death. The broadcast of the murder […]
