China, European growth aids stocks

China, European growth aids stocks

LONDON

Evidence of a rebound in manufacturing activity in China and Europe helped global stock markets rise Monday, though Wall Street’s closure for Labor Day kept trading volumes light.

The possibility of a U.S. military strike against Syria in retaliation for purported chemical-weapons use against civilians continued to overhang markets, but the initial concern has abated. U.K. lawmakers voted against involvement, and President Barack Obama decided to seek approval from Congress.

In Britain, the FTSE 100 added 1.5 percent to close at 6,506.19. Most of that gain was thanks to cellphone company Vodafone, which said it was in talks with Verizon to sell its U.S. mobile business. Confirmation of the $130 billion deal came after trading in London had finished for the day, but Vodafone’s shares closed up 3.4 percent at 2.13 pounds on expectations of the purchase.

Law-enforcement social site to launch

SAN FRANCISCO

The final stages are near completion for the launch of a law-enforcement social- media network designed exclusively for the men and women in blue.

Created by former high-profile New York City police commissioner and Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton, BlueLine is being touted as a site where officers can share their expertise, insight and information securely through video, instant messaging, videoconferencing and screen-share capabilities.

The network is scheduled to go live at the International Association of Police Chiefs’ annual conference in Philadelphia in late October, Bratton said.

Associated Press