article

article

Obama promises to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan

in
By: 
JENNIFER LOVEN,Associated Press Writers ANNE GEARAN,Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON (AP) - Signaling he's decided on new troop levels for the Afghanistan war, President Barack Obama said Tuesday he intends to "finish the job" on his watch and destroy terrorist networks in the region.

The president said he would reveal his decision on how many additional soldiers to deploy to Afghanistan after Thanksgiving. The White House is aiming for an announcement by Obama either Tuesday or Wednesday in a national address. Congressional hearings will quickly follow.

Natural gas plunges 12 percent this month

By: 
CHRIS KAHN,AP Energy Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Natural gas prices have dropped by more than 12 percent in the past month as the country continues to sip at its energy reserves and a balmy November allowed homeowners to leave the heat off.

Retail prices for natural gas, or what many consumers will pay to heat their homes, are expected to be substantially lower this year.

Spot prices for natural gas have dropped to almost half of what they were last year, though they've increased slightly this month, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Heidi Klum wows crowd at Victoria's Secret show

in
By: 
SAMANTHA CRITCHELL,AP Fashion Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road.

The lingerie retailer inducted five more women into its "Angel" ranks - a designation reserved for top models - in front of a packed house Thursday night at the Lexington Avenue Armory. They are Emanuela de Paula, Chanel Iman, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lindsay Ellingson and Candice Swanepoel.

Stocks fall for 3rd day as dollar strengthens

By: 
TIM PARADIS,AP Business Writers STEPHEN BERNARD,AP Business Writers

NEW YORK (AP) - The stock market lost ground for a third straight day as investors grew uneasy about a rising dollar and spiking demand for the safest government debt.

A disappointing earnings report from computer maker Dell Inc. weighed on technology shares Friday and hurt the Nasdaq composite index.

Foreclosures hitting more people with prime loans

in
By: 
ALAN ZIBEL,AP Real Estate Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A rising proportion of fixed-rate home loans made to people with good credit are sinking into foreclosure, adding to concerns about the strength of the economic recovery.

Driven by rising unemployment, such loans accounted for nearly 33 percent of new foreclosures last quarter. That compares with just 21 percent a year ago, when high-risk subprime loans made during the housing boom were the main reason for default.

Behind missed Gitmo deadline: No one wants jailees

in
By: 
BEN FOX,Associated Press Writer

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - President Barack Obama is now confirming what many have long suspected: He will miss his January deadline to close the Guantanamo prison - partly because he cannot persuade other nations to take the detainees.

Prisoners like Walid Abu Hijazi. The 29-year-old Palestinian is nearing his eighth year at Guantanamo even though the U.S. approved his release in February 2008. No one else has been willing to allow him, or dozens of others, into their territory.

Stronger dollar, weak economic data pummels stocks

in
By: 
STEPHEN BERNARD,AP Business Writers SARA LEPRO,AP Business Writers

NEW YORK (AP) - A stronger dollar and more discouraging signs of a subdued economic recovery are driving a broad sell-off in stocks.

Energy and material stocks are showing the biggest losses as a jump in the dollar sends commodity prices tumbling. A stronger dollar makes commodities more expensive to foreign buyers, and companies that produce the commodities make less money from them.

Meanwhile, an analyst's downgrade of the chip sector is pulling technology shares sharply lower.

AP Interview: Brazil miniskirt student enjoys fame

in
By: 
ALAN CLENDENNING,Associated Press Writer

SAO PAULO (AP) - Fresh from an appearance on one of Brazil's most popular TV shows, the young woman whose short, pink dress got her kicked out of college is enjoying her newfound fame, yet has her eye on getting back to class.

Geisy Arruda adds, though, that she wants her university to provide her with a bodyguard, in light of the near riot last month when she was hounded by a mob of jeering fellow students.

Oil rises on mixed news about consumer demand

in
By: 
CHRIS KAHN,AP Energy Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Oil prices wavered Wednesday as the government said American petroleum demand continued to tumble, while AAA said it expects more drivers to hit the road during Thanksgiving weekend.

Benchmark crude for December delivery added 61 cents at $79.75 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent crude for December delivery rose 78 cents to $79.75 on the ICE Futures exchange.

Stock market falls as home construction slows

in
By: 
TIM PARADIS,AP Business Writers STEPHEN BERNARD,AP Business Writers

NEW YORK (AP) - Investors are turning cautious as an unexpected drop in home construction and disappointing forecasts from technology companies raise concerns about the pace of the economy's recovery.

The modest drop Wednesday comes a day after major stock indicators closed at 13-month highs. Analysts say the market is due for a rest.

The Commerce Department says construction of homes and apartments fell 10.6 percent in October to an annual rate of 529,000. That's below forecasts.

Syndicate content