United States

Thursday, December 27th 2018 - 08:56 UTC
US citizen becomes first person to cross Antarctica alone and unassisted

A 33-year-old American man has become the first person to cross Antarctica alone and unassisted. Explorer Colin O'Brady finished in 53 days, ahead of British Army Captain Louis Rudd, 49, after an epic race across the ice. Both men set out on 3 November to complete the journey, which killed a British ex-Army officer two years ago.
Thursday, December 27th 2018 - 08:42 UTC
Strong 5% rebound of Wall Street markets on pledge the Fed chief will not be ousted

Wall Street marked its best day in 10 years as stocks rallied back on Wednesday, giving some post-Christmas hope to a market that has otherwise been battered this December. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped more than 1,000 points — its biggest point-gain ever — rising nearly 5% as investors returned from a holiday break. The benchmark S&P 500 index also gained 5% and the technology heavy Nasdaq rose 5.8%.
Thursday, December 27th 2018 - 04:58 UTC
Venezuela calls US “interventionist” for backing Guyana's offshore oil exploration

Venezuela’s foreign ministry on Tuesday described as “interventionist and disrespectful” U.S. comments on a weekend incident in which the country’s navy stopped two ships exploring for oil for Exxon Mobil off Guyana’s coast.
Wednesday, December 26th 2018 - 09:11 UTC
Seven-year old girl tells president Trump she still believes in Santa Claus

The seven-year-old girl whose phone call with President Donald Trump on Christmas Eve went viral has said she still believes in Santa Claus. Mr Trump threw doubt on the existence of Santa in the call with Collman Lloyd from Lexington in South Carolina.
Monday, December 24th 2018 - 14:24 UTC
Venezuelan Navy repels oil exploring ship, triggers international diplomatic conflict with Guyana

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has demanded that Guyana respect its sovereignty after two ships of the transnational company ExxonMobil were repelled Saturday from what the Bolivarian Navy deemed to be their country's waters. But both the governments of the United States and of Guyana claim it was Venezuela who was in breach of international law.
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.