United States

Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:11 UTC
Australia fires’ smoke expected to circle the world, NASA satellites confirm

The vast clouds of smoke from Australia's historic bush fires are expected to circle the Earth and return to the country, Nasa says. The US agency said satellites have been monitoring the movement of the smoke high in the atmosphere as it swirled east towards South America and beyond.
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
US-China sign Phase One of trade deal, but some tariffs to remain until completion of Phase Two

The United States will maintain tariffs on Chinese goods until the completion of a second phase of a United States-China trade agreement, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday, a day before the two sides are to sign an interim deal.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Money markets react to US decision reversing China as a currency manipulator

The Yen plumbed an eight-month low while the Yuan climbed to its highest level since July on Tuesday after the U.S. Treasury Department reversed its decision in August to designate China as a currency manipulator.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:49 UTC
Protests in Iran against ayatollahs, “Clerics get lost”; five nations to discuss legal actions over downed Ukrainian airplane

Protesters took to the streets of Iran to denounce the country’s clerical rulers and riot police deployed to face them in a third day of demonstrations on Monday after authorities acknowledged shooting down a passenger plane by mistake.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:33 UTC
Killing Soleimani part of a broader policy of real deterrence to challenges, said Pompeo

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said Qassem Soleimani was killed as part of a broader strategy of deterring challenges by US foes that also applies to China and Russia, further diluting the assertion that the top Iranian general was struck because he was plotting imminent attacks on US targets.
Monday, January 13th 2020 - 09:58 UTC
Kirchnerite old hands back in the foreign ministry; Argüello ambassador in US and Bielsa in Chile

Kirchnerite old hands are back at the Argentine ministry of foreign affairs and worship. The most outstanding is Jorge Argüello who was appointed ambassador in Washington but at the same time coordinator of other appointments in the different multilateral and regional organizations in the US capital, such as IMF, World Bank, Inter American Development Bank and the OAS.
Monday, January 13th 2020 - 09:52 UTC
Trump the “protector” of Iranians protesting against the ayatollahs regime

United States President Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday against killing protesters who have risen up over the regime's downing of a civilian airliner as his defense secretary left the door open to talks with Tehran without preconditions.
Monday, January 13th 2020 - 08:42 UTC
All ready to sign US/China Phase 1 trade deal, following lengthy translation process

China's commitments in the Phase 1 trade deal with the United States were not changed during a lengthy translation process and will be released this week as the document is signed in Washington, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday.
Saturday, January 11th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Trump sharply reduces flights to Cuba “to impede the regime gaining access to hard currency”

The United States on Friday sharply reduced flights allowed to go to Cuba in a bid to reduce revenue to the communist island. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that charter flights would only be allowed to fly to Havana, not other airports - a step already taken with commercial flights.
Saturday, January 11th 2020 - 09:46 UTC
US imposes more sanctions on Iran in retaliation for missile attack on its bases

The United States imposed more sanctions on Iran on Friday in retaliation for its missile attack on US forces in Iraq this week and vowed to tighten the economic screws if Tehran continued “terrorist” acts or pursued a nuclear bomb.