United States

• Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 09:52 UTC

  US poverty rate down; but top 5% of families accounted for more than one fifth of total income in 2016

  

  A stronger US economy lifted American household incomes in 2016 and drove the poverty rate down to the level seen before the financial crisis. The median household income increased by 3.2% to US$59,039, rising for a second consecutive year as more people found full time jobs.

• Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 12:29 UTC

  Trump boasts his Xmas present: the US$ 1.5tn tax overhaul law as promised

  

  US President Donald Trump signed Republicans’ massive US$1.5 trillion tax overhaul into law, cementing the biggest legislative victory of his first year in office, and also approved a short-term spending bill that averts a possible government shutdown. Trump said he wanted to sign the tax bill before leaving Washington for his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, rather than stage a more formal ceremony in January, so he could keep his promise to finish work before Christmas.

• Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 09:40 UTC

  Boeing's interest in Embraer conditioned by the Brazilian government

  

  United States manufacturer Boeing Co sought to calm Brazilian concern about a potential tie-up with Embraer SA after President Michel Temer and other officials warned they would veto any full takeover bid for the regional jet maker.

• Friday, December 22nd 2017 - 10:36 UTC

  Falklands included in US universities and NASA project to keep track of kelp floating forests

  

  Kelp forests grow along coastlines worldwide, largely hidden from view. Like rainforests, they're among the planet's most important ecosystems: beautiful but fragile habitats for a wide array of plant and animal species. But scientists believe kelp forests are being threatened by climate change. Now, researchers from UCLA and seven other universities have an improved tool for tracking these shifting ecosystems, the largest of which is about 5 miles long.

• Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 10:32 UTC

  UN Jerusalem vote: Trump threatens to cut off financial aid to countries that support the resolution

  

  United States president Donald Trump has threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that back a United Nations resolution opposing the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Earlier this month, Mr Trump took that step amid international criticism.

• Monday, December 18th 2017 - 07:23 UTC

  Norovirus strikes again: Royal Caribbean's “Independence of the Seas” en route to Jamaica

  

  Passengers of Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas expressed relief early Saturday as they returned to Florida after more than 200 people fell ill aboard the five-night cruise. Royal Caribbean said 220 passengers came down with a gastrointestinal illness during the cruise, which left Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades last Monday for Labadee and Jamaica.

• Friday, December 15th 2017 - 10:45 UTC

  Internet neutrality repealed; legal challenges from consumer advocates announced

  

  The US Federal Communications Commission has voted to repeal sweeping 2015 net neutrality rules, in a move that gives internet service providers a free hand to slow or block websites and apps as they see fit, or charge more for faster speeds. The approval of FCC chairman Ajit Pai's proposal marked a victory for internet service providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon Communications and could recast the digital landscape.

• Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 13:54 UTC

  Federal Reserve increases interest rate by a quarter of a point

  

  The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point - the third rate hike this year. It comes as Fed chair Janet Yellen prepares to leave the role
  after Donald Trump decided to replace her.

• Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 05:43 UTC

  Islam nations call for the recognition of the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital

  

  The leaders of 57 Muslim nations have called on the world to recognize “the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital”. An Organization of Islamic Co-operation communiqué declares US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize the city as Israel's capital as “null and void”. It also says the move has signaled Washington's withdrawal from its role in the Middle East peace process.

• Wednesday, December 13th 2017 - 23:59 UTC

  Nobel Prizes criticize current US policy during the awards gala banquet

  

  A United States researcher who shared this year's Nobel Prize for medicine bluntly criticized political developments in the US in his address at the awards' gala banquet Sunday night. Michael Rosbash, who was honored for his work on circadian rhythms — commonly called the body clock — expressed concern that U.S. government support such as that received by him and colleagues Jeffrey Hall and Michael Young is endangered.