
United States wishes to improve and expand trade relations with Uruguay as well as scientific cooperation, was the message from the United States Barack Obama administration to the country’s ruling coalition presidential ticket for this month’s general election.

United States economic power is declining as a result of the financial crisis, the head of the World Bank has said. One of the legacies of this crisis may be recognition of changed economic power relations, said World Bank president Robert Zoellick.

The United States economy lost 263.000 jobs in September, which was more than had been expected, according to official non-farm payrolls figures. The jobless rate rose to a fresh 26-year high of 9.8% from August's figure of 9.7%.
The number in employment has now fallen for 21 consecutive months.

Success in the struggle against the Taliban cannot be taken for granted and time is running out, the commander of the international forces in Afghanistan has warned. US General Stanley McChrystal said the situation in the country was serious - and in some respects deteriorating - with increasing violence and a growing insurgency.

Authors, artists and musicians are due to gather at a library in San Francisco to protest against the banning of books in schools and libraries in the United States. The event, part of the 27th annual Banned Books Week, has been organised by the American Library Association.

The United States Congress has agreed to provide 350 million US dollars to struggling dairy farmers following a compromise during negotiations on a 23.3 billion USD agriculture bill.

The US government has relaxed its control over how the internet is run. It has signed a four-page affirmation of commitments with the net regulator Icann, giving the body autonomy for the first time.

A senior US diplomat had high-level talks with the Cuban government in Havana, the State Department said Tuesday. Bisa Williams, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, met this week with Deputy Foreign Minister Dagoberto Rodriguez during a six-day trip to Cuba, Assistant Secretary P.J. Crowley said.

A top US diplomat says deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was irresponsible and foolish to return before a settlement had been reached. Lewis Amselem, US ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), said Washington had asked Mr Zelaya not to return because of potential unrest. He called on him to urge his supporters to keep their protests peaceful.

A delegation from the Uruguayan tourism and business sectors recently concluded a successful visit to Miami, Puerto Rico, and New York. The tour was organized by the Uruguayan Ministry of Tourism & Sports, in association with the Ministry of Economy & Finance, with logistical support sponsored by American Airlines.