What is the world’s commercial growth rate in 1999? [originaltext] Geneva--WT

Geneva--WTO said Thursday that global commerce is now projected to expand by more than 10 per cent in 2000, double last year’s growth rate, with a top official noting that the rise is not being produced by the United States alone.
    An Australian television network has accused the main opposition leader in Zimbabwe of planning to kill Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai immediately denied the report. The Australian television network SBS broadcast what it calls secretly recorded pictures of Mr. Tsvangirai reportedly discussing the murder plot with Canadian political observers. However, the quality of the recording is poor and the faces of those speaking are unclear. In Zimbabwe, opposition supporters say the Australian report is part of a government campaign to destroy Mr. Tsvangirai. Presidential elections are to be held in Zimbabwe next month.
    Venezuela--Thousands of oil workers have gone on strike to demand a pay increase. Union leaders say 90% of the country’s 40,000 oil workers have stopped working. However, the Venezuelan oil industry officials say operations remain the same. They say it will be one week until the strike affects oil exports. The oil workers are demanding a 15% pay increase ordered for all government workers by President Hugo Chavez. The state-owned oil company says the presidential order does not include oil workers. Also Venezuelan school teachers went on strike demanding a similar pay increase.
    The United States says it will officially ask France to return an American man wanted for killing a doctor 3 years ago in New York State. French police arrested James Cope Thursday in France. He is charged with killing a doctor who helped women end unwanted pregnancies. The head of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation Louis Free says the United States will work closely with France.
    London--Scientists are beginning to nail down the minimum age of the universe, with the latest estimate out at 12.5 billion years. Scientists can determine the age of the universe by fixing the age of the oldest stars in the Galaxy.