United States
United StatesUS Senate passes 1 trillion dollars farm bill with crop insurance program, cuts in subsidies and food stamps
The United States Senate on Tuesday passed the long-awaited almost 1 trillion dollars farm bill, ending two years of partisan clashes and stalled negotiations. The bill was approved with strong bipartisan support, 68 to 32.
Yellen is sworn in as chair of Federal Reserve; Bernanke returns to academia
Janet Yellen on Monday was sworn in as chair of the Federal Reserve, the US central bank, replacing Ben Bernanke in the role. She is the first woman to hold the post at the Washington-based bank.
US economy advancing at steady pace fuelled by robust consumer spending
The U.S. economy advanced at a steady pace in the last months of 2013, growth that was fueled by robust consumer spending. The government's Commerce Department said Thursday the world's largest economy grew 3.2%t in the October-to-December period, following a 4.1% advance in the third quarter.
Obama pledges support for the middle class and is prepared to bypass Congress
US President Barack Obama displayed his strategy for getting around a divided Congress starting with a wage hike for federal contract workers in a State of the Union speech on Tuesday that reflected scaled-back legislative ambitions after a tough year.
Fed shaves another 10bn from stimulus; Turkey and South Africa raise rates
The US Federal Reserve announced a $10bn reduction in its monthly bond purchases from 75bn to 65bn in the second straight month of winding down stimulus efforts. The central bank had been buying bonds in an effort to keep interest rates low and stimulate growth.
Noravirus hits 'Explorer of the Seas' in the Caribbean; 10-day trip cancelled
The Royal Caribbean cruise 'Explorer of the Seas” has ended the 10-day trip in the Caribbean early after hundreds of passengers and crew members were sickened with a gastrointestinal illness. It is believed the incident is a new case of the noravirus which has been attacking large cruise vessels.
Boxing superstar Mayweather bets 10m dollars on Denver Broncos in Super-bowl
Reports from the US gambling haven of Las Vegas suggest that boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather has placed 10 million dollars on a Denver Broncos victory in the upcoming Super-bowl.
What can the U.S. learn from Latin America’s declining inequality?
By Heraldo Muñoz (*) - President Obama recently declared that inequality is “the defining challenge of our age.” When inequality is becoming a growing debate in the United States, what lessons can be drawn from Latin America, which — although still highly unequal — is the only region that managed to reduce income inequality in the last decade?
Coca Cola CEO warns youth unemployment is a great risk for social peace
Unemployment among teens and young adults represents a huge global problem, says Muhtar Kent, CEO of Coca-Cola. In the United States, teenage unemployment totaled 20.2 percent in December and if the situation isn't addressed, the results could be devastating, the social peace and fabric of the world is in danger.
Obama will visit Francis March 27; both leaders have pledged to tackle gap between rich and poor
US President Barack Obama plans to visit with Pope Francis at the Vatican in March during a trip to Europe, the White House has announced. Obama is scheduled to meet with the pope on March 27 in a trip that will include stops in the Netherlands, Belgium and other parts of Italy, it said in a statement.
