United States
United StatesMaduro-Shannon discuss restarting relations; OAS debates implementing Democratic Charter on Venezuela
Veteran U.S. diplomat Tom Shannon spoke for nearly two hours with Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday to re-start relations between the ideologically opposed governments amid a punishing economic crisis in the oil rich country.
Iran ready to sign US$ 17bn deal with Boeing for 100 passenger planes
United States based giant aviation corporation Boeing has reached an agreement with Iran to sell the country 100 passenger planes, Iran’s aviation authority announced on Sunday.
Briton arrested at a Trump Las Vegas rally wanted to shoot the candidate
A Briton who tried to grab a police officer's gun at a Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas said he wanted to shoot the US candidate, court papers say. Michael Steven Sandford, 20, did not enter a plea when he appeared before a judge in Nevada and was remanded in custody until a hearing on 5 July.
US Senate fails to pass bill to tighten gun controls; the vote was along party lines
The US Senate has rejected plans to tighten gun controls, including the restriction of weapons sales to people on terrorism watch lists. Four proposals were brought before the Senate after 49 people died in an attack on a gay nightclub in Florida.
Hillary ahead of Trump in polls, but both have strong unfavorable impressions
The 2016 United States presidential election has been divisive, but Americans agree on something: they really don't like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, according to one of the latest public opinion polls.
Federal Reserve cautious about the future, leaves interest rates unchanged
United States Federal Reserve in a unanimous vote kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and signaled that it will assess labor market conditions, inflation expectations and financial and international developments before deciding on future actions. The U.S. central bank also lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2016 and 2017 and indicated it would be less aggressive in tightening monetary policy after the end of this year.
Kerry announces at OAS assembly high-level talks to ease tensions with Venezuela
United States Secretary of State John Kerry announced high-level talks to ease tensions with Venezuela's populist government on Tuesday, just hours after he backed calls for a referendum that could force President Nicolas Maduro from office. Kerry said the talks would start immediately in Caracas and be led by Thomas Shannon, a veteran of U.S. diplomacy in the region. Attempts last year at dialogue between the ideological foes were stalled by Venezuela's deepening crisis.
Brazil and Argentina crop problems raise demand for US supplies
Domestic supplies of corn and soybeans will be tighter than expected in the United States as problems with crops in Brazil and Argentina have raised demand for U.S. supplies from overseas buyers, the U.S. Agriculture Department. In its latest monthly supply and demand report, the government cut its new-crop and old-crop ending stocks outlooks for both corn and soybeans by more than analysts had forecast.
Obama describes the killings as “an act of terror and an act of hate”
US President Barack Obama has described Sunday morning's gun attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, as “an act of terror and an act of hate”. Americans were united in “grief, outrage and resolve to defend our people”, he said.Omar Mateen, 29, killed 50 people and wounded 53 at the Pulse club before being shot dead by police.
Mourning and defiance across the US following the Orlando massacre
Across the United States, reaction to the massacre at a Orlando, Florida gay nightclub ranged from mourning to defiance, as many cities planned vigils and some officials increased security. President Barack Obama ordered US flags at all federal buildings to be flown at half-staff until Thursday, including at the White House and at embassies around the world.
