News In Brief

US trade deficit more than $100 billion for the first time

The nation's annual foreign trade deficit has risen above $100 billion for the first time ever, the Commerce Department reported Friday as it released figures for the first 10 months of the year.

The news came despite the fact that the trade deficit fell to $9.18 billion in October, down sharply from the $12.64 billion shortfall recorded the month before. Last year's record trade deficit was $69.4 billion. October's increase lifted the trade deficit to $105.5 billion from January through October.