U.S. dollar declines amid political uncertainties

NEW YORK, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar fell against most other major currencies on Friday after former U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding his improper contacts with Russia.

"My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with the special counsel's office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country. I will accept full responsibility for my actions," Flynn told a court in Washington D.C.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office issued a statement earlier Friday specifying Flynn's charges, saying he lied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about two contacts he's had with Russian officials prior to assuming office.

Ty Cobb, a White House attorney, issued a statement following the revelation saying the White House has also been a victim to Flynn's lies and downplaying implications of Flynn's plea.

On the economic front, the manufacturing index, also known as the purchasing managers index (PMI), registered 58.2 in November, down from October's reading of 58.7 and missing market consensus of 58.4, the Institute for Supply Management said in a report on Friday.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, decreased 0.20 percent at 92.864 in late trading.

In late New York trading, the euro fell to 1.1892 dollars from 1.1903 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound dipped to 1.3467 dollars from 1.3526 U.S. dollars in the previous session. The Australian dollar rose to 0.7611 dollar from 0.7565 dollar.

The U.S. dollar bought 112.05 Japanese yen, lower than 112.46 yen of the previous session. The U.S. dollar dropped to 0.9762 Swiss franc from 0.9837 Swiss franc, and it moved down to 1.2695 Canadian dollars from 1.2903 Canadian dollars. Enditem