United States

Monday, December 24th 2018 - 09:05 UTC
Syrian crisis: Trump names Patrick Shanahan acting Defense secretary forcing Mattis to leave earlier

United States president Donald Trump has forced Defense Secretary James Mattis to leave his post early, appointing an acting successor to take over in the new year. General Mattis, 68, strongly hinted at policy differences with Mr. Trump when he resigned on Friday.
Monday, December 24th 2018 - 08:54 UTC
US banks confirm “ample liquidity”, following Wall Street markets' plunge

United States Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made calls to the heads of the country's six largest banks, a move to reassure investors after huge falls in US stocks. Last week, US stocks suffered one of the worst weekly falls in a decade as an interest rate rise and US-China trade tensions rattled markets.
Saturday, December 22nd 2018 - 03:43 UTC
Brazilian judge halts Embraer-Boeing alliance yet again

A Brazilian judge Thursday blocked yet again the merger of the commercial division of Embraer with Boeing, despite a joint announcement to the contrary a few days ago.
Friday, December 21st 2018 - 11:56 UTC
US defense secretary stepping down over discrepancies with Trump over Syria withdrawal

United States defense Secretary Jim Mattis is stepping down from his post, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, after the retired Marine general clashed with the president over a troop drawdown in Syria and Trump's go-it-alone stance in world affairs.
Thursday, December 20th 2018 - 09:09 UTC
In best US tradition, Trump says IS has been defeated and withdraws troops from Syria

The Trump administration says US troops are being withdrawn from Syria, after the president said the Islamic State (IS) group had been “defeated”. The Pentagon said it was transitioning to the “next phase of the campaign” but did not give details.
Thursday, December 20th 2018 - 08:59 UTC
Fed raises interest rate but lowers 2019 forecast to two hikes in 2019

The United States Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate on Wednesday for a fourth time this year but lowered its forecast to two hikes in 2019 amid the recent stock market sell-off and uncertain growth prospects.
Thursday, December 20th 2018 - 08:51 UTC
United States prosecutor suing Facebook for the Cambridge Analytical scandal

Washington DC's top prosecutor is suing Facebook in the first significant US move to punish the firm for its role in the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Wednesday, December 19th 2018 - 18:11 UTC
US to fund development in Mexico and beyond to curb immigration

A plan from the United States to fund several undertakings in Mexico and Central America to create jobs and discourage migration was announced Tuesday by Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard.
Wednesday, December 19th 2018 - 14:56 UTC
Trump administration bans bump stocks that can turn rifles into machine guns

The Trump administration has banned the use of bump stocks, devices that let rifles fire like machine guns, after promising to do so earlier this year. The final date to destroy or turn in the devices is 21 March, said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.
Wednesday, December 19th 2018 - 10:07 UTC
Newly discovered amphibian has been named after Donald Trump

United States presidents tend to receive their fair share of honors, but Donald Trump may want to ignore his latest one. A newly discovered amphibian that buries its head in the sand has been named after him, apparently in response to his comments about climate change.