In today’s news update, we provide links to headlines regarding Bill Clinton’s release from the hospital, online retail sales, and China and Dalai Lama.
Bill Clinton released from hospital
New York (CNN) — Former President Clinton left a New York hospital early Friday, less than a day after doctors performed a procedure to restore blood flow in one of his coronary arteries.
Terry McAuliffe, a Clinton confidant and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, confirmed Clinton had left New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Columbia campus.
Retail sales get a boost online
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Retail sales rose in January, driven by strength in discount retailers and online merchants, according to a government report Friday.
The Commerce Department said total retail sales edged up 0.5% to $355.8 billion last month, compared with December’s revised decline of 0.1%. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had anticipated that January sales would grow 0.3%.
China Urges Obama to Cancel Planned Dalai Lama Meeting
China is urging the US government to cancel plans for President Barack Obama to meet next week with Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu issued a statement Friday, urging the United States to, in his words, “immediately withdraw” plans for a meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama.
In today’s news update we feature links to the job rate, Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama, and Toyota’s apologies for the recalls.
Jobless Rate Falls to 9.7%; U.S. Sheds 20,000 Job
The U.S. unemployment rate unexpectedly declined in January, but the economy continued to shed jobs and revisions painted a bleaker picture for 2009, casting doubt over the labor market’s strength.
The unemployment rate, calculated using a household survey, fell to 9.7% last month from an unrevised 10% in December, the Labor Department said Friday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast the jobless rate would edge higher to 10.1%.
Toyota’s Chief Steps Forward to Apologize for Problems
NAGOYA, JAPAN — The president of Toyota apologized at a hastily arranged news conference Friday night for the quality problems that led to the recall of more than nine million cars worldwide.
Analysis: Obama-Dalai Lama meeting only option
WASHINGTON — Just a week after enraging China with an arms sale package for rival Taiwan, President Barack Obama risks more damage to this crucial relationship by agreeing to meet with the Dalai Lama in two weeks.
