Tag: President Barack Obama

Wednesday, January 22nd 2014 - 11:36 UTC
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.
Saturday, January 18th 2014 - 06:21 UTC
Obama announces contention policy for NSA monitoring activities

President Barack Obama has announced a ban on US eavesdropping on the leaders of close friends and allies, and rein in the vast collection of Americans' phone data in a series of reforms triggered by Edward Snowden's revelations.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:29 UTC
US Congress supports budget peace for the rest of the fiscal year

Washington's battles over government funding ended with a whimper today as the US Senate approved a 1.1 trillion dollars spending bill that quells for nearly nine months the threat of another federal agency shutdown.
Thursday, December 19th 2013 - 05:55 UTC
US congress agrees budget deal reducing risk of government shutdown

On the same day the Federal Reserve announced tapering of stimulus, the US Senate passed a two-year budget deal to ease automatic spending cuts and reduce the risk of a government shutdown, but fights were already breaking out over how to implement the budget pact
Wednesday, December 18th 2013 - 06:43 UTC
First ruling against US government 'metadata' collection; Obama meets top technology companies leaders

A US judge has ruled the National Security Agency's mass collection of telephone data may be unconstitutional. Federal District Judge Richard Leon said the electronic spy agency's practice was an “arbitrary invasion”.
Tuesday, December 17th 2013 - 17:10 UTC
Volcker rule making banking 'boring' (and limiting speculation) enforced in US financial system

All five US financial regulators have approved the Volcker rule, designed to restrict the finance industry in the wake of the 2008-09 financial collapse. Named after former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, it bans banks from using their own funds for trading activities and it is considered the centerpiece of the 2010 banking reform legislation known as Dodd-Frank.Banks will have until 21 July 2015 to comply with the rules.
Tuesday, December 17th 2013 - 02:18 UTC
US insists Obama remains open to a state visit from Brazil's Dilma Rousseff

The new US ambassador in Brazil Liliana Ayalde said President Barack Obama is prepared to receive his Brazilian peer Dilma Rousseff. The statement comes weeks after a state visit planned for last October was suspended by Dilma in protest over revelations of extensive US spying of Brazilian communications including the mobiles of the Brazilian leader.
Monday, November 25th 2013 - 07:49 UTC
US announces an agreement was reached with Iran on its nuclear program

The United States secretary of state has said the deal reached on Sunday over Iran's nuclear program will make Israel and the Middle East a safer place. John Kerry was speaking after Iran agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities in return for about 7bn dollars in sanctions relief. However, Israel has described the agreement as a “historic mistake”.
Friday, November 22nd 2013 - 03:21 UTC
Janet Yellen ready to become the most powerful woman in world finance

The United States Senate Banking Committee approved on Thursday Janet Yellen's nomination to become the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve, sending it to the full Senate for a final vote. If she is confirmed, as is widely expected, the current No. 2 at the central bank will replace its chairman, Ben Bernanke, when his term expires on January 31, making her the most powerful woman in world finance.
Thursday, November 14th 2013 - 07:30 UTC
Fed chief candidate says US economy still performing “far short” of its potential

Janet Yellen, President Obama's choice to lead the Federal Reserve, said the central bank would not stop its stimulus efforts until the labor market improves and inflation rises. The comments came in a statement prepared for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee. Thursday's hearing is a chance for Senators to question Ms Yellen.