Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MINSK, Belarus (AP) — A cease-fire has taken hold in eastern Ukraine. A representative of the country's president today signed a deal with Russian-backed separatists, in hopes of ending nearly five months of fighting. A European official who was part of the talks says negotiators also agreed on the withdrawal of all heavy weapons, the release of all prisoners and the delivery of humanitarian aid to devastated cities in eastern Ukraine.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services committee wants to authorize President Barack Obama to use military force against Islamic State militants in Iraq, Syria and wherever else they threaten U.S. interests. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma is trying to build bipartisan support for the measure as Congress returns to Washington next week. It requires Obama to submit a strategy to Congress within 60 days on how to defeat the Islamic State group. Some Republicans and Democrats say Obama already has the authority to act.
WASHINGTON (AP) — There's a reminder today that the U.S. economic recovery can still see some temporary slowdowns. The government says employers added just 142,000 jobs last month -- a big decline from the average of 212,000 new jobs in the previous 12 months. Analysts are taking the report in stride -- noting that other measures of the economy, from manufacturing and construction to auto sales, remain solid.
NEW YORK (AP) — The S&P 500 is closing at a record high after a surge in utility stocks. The stock market also got a lift from a cease-fire agreement between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists, aimed at bringing an end to nearly five months of fighting. The S&P rose 10 points to finish at 2,007. The Nasdaq gained 20 points, and the Dow closed with a 67-point gain.
LOS CABOS, Mexico (AP) — Forecasters say Hurricane Norbert could help bring some weekend rain to the parched U.S. Southwest. The storm has been dumping heavy rain and forcing evacuations as it moved up the coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula. Forecasters say it's helping push moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly across northern Mexico and into the southwestern United States.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
