U.S. and European stock markets fell sharply Wednesday because of continuing concerns about weak U.S. economic growth and Europe’s debt problems. Asian stocks closed earlier Wednesday with gains. The decline in Europe and the United States ended a strong stock rally that began Tuesday after top officials of the U.S. central bank said they will […]
Airstrike Kills Afghan Militants Who Downed U.S. Military Helicopter
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan says an airstrike has killed the militants responsible for shooting down a U.S. helicopter last week, killing 30 U.S. servicemen and eight Afghans. General John Allen spoke to reporters at the Pentagon Wednesday. In a statement, the NATO-led international force in Afghanistan said coalition forces conducted a precision […]
Exxon, Apple Vying to Be World’s ‘Most Valuable’ Company
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
For several years, Exxon Mobil has been the world’s most valuable company on the stock market. But now Apple, the U.S. consumer technology company, is contesting the oil giant’s claim to the top spot. On Tuesday, for a few hours, Apple was No. 1. The stock market value for Apple, the maker of the popular […]
Global Stocks Rebound and Then Sag
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
Many stock markets around the world rebounded Tuesday and early Wednesday after top officials of the U.S. central bank said they will probably keep interest rates at their current ultra-low level until the middle of 2013. But continuing concerns about the U.S. economy and Europe’s debt problems drove U.S. and European stocks back down sharply […]
Obama to Host Iftar Dinner
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting an Iftar dinner at the White House Wednesday to celebrate Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. The White House says guests include Muslim leaders and activists as well as elected officials and leaders of other faiths. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during the daylight hours. Iftar is the […]
Republicans Retain Control of Wisconsin Senate in Recall Elections
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 3:05 am (UTC-5)
Republicans have retained control of the Senate in the northern U.S. state of Wisconsin, winning four of six recall elections sparked by a contentious battle over public workers’ collective bargaining rights. The effort to remove the incumbents was linked to a budget measure passed earlier this year by both houses of the Republican-dominated state legislature […]
ACLU: Reduce Crime by Reducing Prison Sentences
Posted August 9th, 2011 at 9:00 pm (UTC-5)
A report from the American Civil Liberties Union says several U.S. states have reduced crime – and saved money – by putting fewer people behind bars. The report, released Tuesday, says one in 99 people living in the U.S. are in prison, making the country the world’s largest incarcerator. But it said a number of […]
Star Cal Ripken Excited About US-Japan Baseball Exchange
Posted August 9th, 2011 at 7:00 pm (UTC-5)
Hall-of-Fame baseball star Cal Ripken Jr. says he is excited to “spread the good word about baseball,” as the U.S. and Japan initiate a new sports exchange. Ripken told reporters in Washington Tuesday that sports give people a way to relate to each other in different cultures around the world. The Baltimore Orioles baseball legend […]
US Soldier Indicted in Fort Hood Plot
Posted August 9th, 2011 at 6:25 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. soldier accused of plotting to bomb Fort Hood, a military installation that was the scene of a deadly 2009 shooting, has been indicted on weapons-related charges. A federal grand jury in Texas Tuesday found there was enough evidence to bring Private Nasser Jason Abdo to trial. Federal prosecutors say Abdo had an illegal […]
Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Soliciting Terrorist Acts
Posted August 9th, 2011 at 5:55 pm (UTC-5)
A man from Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty to using the Internet to promote terrorist attacks against civilian and military targets in the United States. The U.S. Justice Department made the announcement Tuesday in the case of 22-year-old Emerson Winfield Begolly, who also has pleaded guilty to using a firearm during an assault on FBI agents. […]
