United States

Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:09 UTC
Biden becomes Democratic presidential candidate; strong support from elder statesmen and opinion polls

Joe Biden has been officially anointed the Democratic presidential candidate at the party's convention, helped over the line with some glowing testimonials from elder statesmen. Two Democratic former US presidents, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, endorsed Mr. Biden.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 08:46 UTC
Citigroup with a record clerical error of US$ 900 million; a beneficiary refuses to hand back US$ 175 million

Citigroup asked a US judge on Tuesday to freeze funds it mistakenly sent Revlon Inc creditors amid a lawsuit over one of the largest clerical errors by a bank in years. Last week, Citi repaid a nearly US$900 million loan made to Revlon, a day after lenders sued the cosmetic company over its restructuring tactics, but the repayment was made in error.
Tuesday, August 18th 2020 - 09:09 UTC
The US pledges US$ 5bn to Colombia for rural development; Duque supports US candidate for IDB

The United States and Colombia will work together to bring new investment to rural areas of the country, officials said on Monday, as Colombia's president reiterated support for the U.S. candidate to lead the Inter-American Development Bank.
Tuesday, August 18th 2020 - 08:34 UTC
US opioid epidemic: US$ 2,2 trillion claim filed against Purdue Pharma and Sackler family

U.S. states claimed they are owed US$ 2.2 trillion to address harm from OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP’s alleged role in America’s opioid epidemic, accusing the drug-maker in new filings of pushing prescription painkillers on doctors and patients while playing down the risks of abuse and overdose.
Tuesday, August 18th 2020 - 08:33 UTC
Hottest temperature in at least a century on Sunday in Death Valley, Mojave Desert

One of the hottest air temperatures recorded anywhere on the planet in at least a century, and possibly ever, was reached on Sunday afternoon at Death Valley in California’s Mojave Desert where it soared to 130 Fahrenheit (54.4 Celsius).
Monday, August 17th 2020 - 09:19 UTC
Democrats accuse Trump of wanting to sabotage mail voting by denying funds for the Postal Service

Top Democrats in the US Congress on Sunday called on President Donald Trump's appointed postmaster general to testify this month on changes that have stoked fears they are aimed at holding up mail-in ballots ahead of the November election.
Monday, August 17th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
Demonstrators protest outside US Postmaster General home in Washington

A small group of demonstrators held a noisy protest outside the Washington condo of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy amid growing concerns that he is gutting the US Postal Service to help President Donald Trump win reelection in November.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:29 UTC
Taiwan to purchase 66 new generation F-16 fighters; Beijing furious

Taiwan finalized the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from US aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin on Friday, in a US$62 billion, a 10-year deal sure to anger Beijing. Underscoring the sensitivity of the transaction, the Pentagon announced the contract without specifying the buyer, but a source confirmed it was Taiwan.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:21 UTC
US extends ban on border crossing with Canada and Mexico until September 21

The US Department of Homeland Security said on Friday that a COVID-19 ban on non-essential travel through border crossings with Canada and Mexico was being extended until Sep 21.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 08:06 UTC
Latin America must reject Trump’s attempt to leave his mark on the IDB

By Christopher Sabatini (*) The Trump administration’s intemperate, partisan crusade against international institutions has extended to the Western Hemisphere’s most important multilateral bank.