United States

• Wednesday, November 7th 2018 - 08:47 UTC

  Bill Gates in China presents his latest revolution: futuristic toilets

  

  U.S. billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates unveiled on Tuesday in Beijing a futuristic toilet that doesn’t need water or sewers and uses chemicals to turn human waste into fertilizer. The Microsoft Corp co-founder, who a day earlier was one of the high profile guests at a major trade event in Shanghai, also lauded the globalized and free trade systems that made the toilet technology possible.

• Wednesday, November 7th 2018 - 08:43 UTC

  US and China agree to a top level meeting next Friday to ease bitter disputes

  

  The United States and China will hold a delayed top-level security dialogue on Friday, the latest sign of a thaw in relations, as China’s vice president said Beijing was willing to talk with Washington to resolve their bitter trade dispute.

• Wednesday, November 7th 2018 - 06:48 UTC

  Democrats take control of Representatives, but Republicans will strengthen grip on the Senate

  

  The US Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections. Taking control of the lower chamber of Congress for the first time in eight years will enable Democrats to thwart the president's agenda. But Mr Trump's Republicans are set to strengthen their grip on the Senate.

• Tuesday, November 6th 2018 - 08:58 UTC

  Cuban economy again on the downturn; austerity measures to continue into 2019

  

  Communist-run Cuba’s economic growth will come in at around 1% this year, compared with the 2% previously forecast, due to a fall in exports and tourism revenue, state-run media reported over the weekend. The Caribbean island’s gross domestic product grew 1.8% last year and 0.5% in 2016.

• Tuesday, November 6th 2018 - 08:44 UTC

  Oil market cautious as US punitive sanctions on Iran become effective

  

  Oil prices were mixed on Monday after a steep five-day fall, as the United States formally imposed punitive sanctions on Iran but granted eight countries temporary waivers allowing them to keep buying oil from the Islamic Republic. The sanctions are part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s effort to curb Iran’s missile and nuclear programs and diminish its influence in the Middle East.

• Tuesday, November 6th 2018 - 08:22 UTC

  “Business as usual with Iran, and take advantage”, UK government tells British companies

  

  Britain will continue to expand trade relations with Iran despite Donald Trump’s decision to re-impose sanctions on the state, Downing Street has said. The government “regrets” the US president’s move to restore restrictions on Tehran that were lifted when it signed up to a nuclear deal in 2015, and believes the agreement makes the world a safer place, No 10 insisted.

• Monday, November 5th 2018 - 08:55 UTC

  Argentine corruption funds emerge in New York and Miami properties

  

  Following the arrests of four people, authorities in Argentina have uncovered how a former president may have used bribe money to buy U.S. properties, including luxury condos in New York City and South Florida.

• Monday, November 5th 2018 - 08:50 UTC

  Pompeo defends sanctions on Iran, “the toughest ever”, but eight countries will enjoy waivers

  

  United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday defended the White House’s move last week to reimpose sanctions against Iran amid criticism from some conservatives that the action does not go far enough to cripple the country’s economy.

• Monday, November 5th 2018 - 05:44 UTC

  Buenos Aires G20 summit: US requests Uruguay authorization to station troops and aircraft

  

  Uruguay's government asked Congress to allow United States troops and equipment to stay in country during the upcoming G20 meeting in neighboring Argentina, due to be attended by the US, Chinese, Russian and European leaders.

• Saturday, November 3rd 2018 - 08:24 UTC

  US economy adds 250.000 jobs, and wages rise at their fastest pace in nine years

  

  Wages in the United States grew at their fastest pace for nine years last month, the latest official figures show. The US Labor Department said wages grew at an annual rate of 3.1% in October, accelerating from a rate of 2.8% the month before. The economy also added 250,000 jobs last month, beating expectations, while the jobless rate remained at 3.7%.