United States
United StatesUS Supreme Court ratifies right to keep handguns
A ban on handguns in Washington DC has been ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. In a 5-4 decision, the justices upheld a lower court ruling striking down the ban. They said individuals had a right to keep handguns for lawful purposes
More bad news for United States economy
US consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level in 16 years while US home prices fell in April at the fastest rate in years, two economic reports have said.
US Federal Reserve leaves interest rate unchanged at 2%
In a move which did not surprise, the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept interest rates unchanged at 2%. In its usual release following the two day meeting the Open Market Committee said that “recent information indicates that overall economic activity continues to expand, partly reflecting some firming in household spending”.
US drivers making less mileage for sixth month running
At a time of record-high gasoline prices and a corresponding surge in transit ridership, US citizens are driving less for the sixth month in a row, highlighting the need to find a more sustainable and effective way to fund highway construction and maintenance, said United States Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters.
US judge cuts 10 m off 12 m US dollars dog legacy
A judge in New York has agreed to slash 10 million off the 12 million US dollars inheritance given by real estate billionaire Leona Helmsley to her pet dog, Trouble.
US Producer prices climb 1.4% in May, 7.2% in 12 months
Producer prices in United States jumped by more than expected in May pushed higher by the soaring fuel and food prices, according to the latest release from the US Labor Department.
U.S. remains dominant in science and technology
United States remains the dominant leader in science and technology worldwide despite perceptions that the country is losing its competitive edge, according to a RAND Corporation.
US May inflation at its fastest rate since last November
Inflation in the United States rose at its fastest pace for six months in May because of sharply higher energy costs. Consumer prices rose 0.6% last month, government figures showed, the steepest monthly increase since last November.
Floods in US Midwest send corn futures to new highs
Corn prices hit new highs this week after the US Department of Agriculture forecast that output would fall because of poor weather. Corn reached a record price of above 7 US dollars a bushel for July delivery on the Chicago Board of Trade after the government cut its forecasts for the 2008 yield by 3%.
US exports up but not enough to pay April's oil bill
Despite healthy exports the rising cost of importing foreign oil caused the US trade deficit to widen 7.8% in April to 60.9 billion US dollars, the largest for 13 months.
