United States

Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 14:45 UTC
US extends import duties on shrimp to protect local industry hurt by BP’s oil spill

United States announced this week it will continue import duties on shrimp from Thailand, China, Vietnam, India and Brazil for five more years in a victory for the US shrimp industry hurt by last year's BP oil spill.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 04:23 UTC
Reviving the US economy and trade relationship, main objectives of Obama’s visit

US President Barack Obama's trip to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador beginning this week is still on, despite fears of a nuclear disaster in Japan and turmoil in the Middle East, officials said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 00:41 UTC
Fed leaves rates unchanged with the US economy on a ‘firmer footing’ recovery

Arguing that the US economic recovery is on a firmer footing, and overall conditions in the labour market appear to be improving gradually, the Federal Reserve on Tuesday left interest rates unchanged at a record low of zero to 0.25% since December 2008.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 11:05 UTC
President Obama will underline ‘coincidences’ during his visit to Brazil

US ambassador in Brazil Thomas Shannon downplayed differences between Washington and Brasilia saying that coincidences are far greater and will be the core of discussions during the coming visit of US president Barack Obama next week end.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 09:35 UTC
US State Department spokesman resigns on Wikileaks controversy

US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley resigned after reports that he labelled as “stupid” and “ridiculous” the Pentagon's treatment of a US soldier accused of leaking secret documents that appeared on the WikiLeaks website.
Monday, March 14th 2011 - 06:24 UTC
Dangerous neurotoxin could be responsible for massive death of fish in California

Dead fish found in the King’s Harbor Marina in Redondo Beach, California, this week have tested positive for a dangerous neurotoxin. The California Department of Fish and Game originally blamed the die-off on oxygen deprivation.
Sunday, March 13th 2011 - 00:47 UTC
Argentina forgets the US Air Force incident and says relations are “excellent”

Relations between Argentina and the United States are ‘excellent’ said ultra ‘Kirchnerite’ lawmaker Carlos Kunkel who discarded as ‘interested parties’ versions indicating certain ‘discomfort’ in President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner administration with the coming visit of President Barack Obama to El Salvador, Chile and Brazil.
Saturday, March 12th 2011 - 23:36 UTC
Wisconsin limits collective bargaining rights for public sector workers

US state of Wisconsin's governor signed into law sweeping limits on collective bargaining rights for public sector workers that have ignited a national debate over unions as other states weigh similar curbs.
Saturday, March 12th 2011 - 05:52 UTC
US beef, pork, poultry and turkey production forecasted to increase in 2011

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report projecting US beef, pork, poultry and turkey production to increase across the board in 2011, while also projecting higher prices for livestock and meat products.
Friday, March 11th 2011 - 04:43 UTC
How Argentina torpedoed Uruguay’s FTA with the US, according to Wikileaks

Although in public former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner was supportive of Uruguay’s negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, members of his cabinet warned the US embassy in Buenos Aires that Argentina would block such an initiative in Mercosur, according to the contents of several Wikileaks cables published in Montevideo and Buenos Aires.