United States

• Friday, December 15th 2017 - 10:45 UTC

  Internet neutrality repealed; legal challenges from consumer advocates announced

  

  The US Federal Communications Commission has voted to repeal sweeping 2015 net neutrality rules, in a move that gives internet service providers a free hand to slow or block websites and apps as they see fit, or charge more for faster speeds. The approval of FCC chairman Ajit Pai's proposal marked a victory for internet service providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon Communications and could recast the digital landscape.

• Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 13:54 UTC

  Federal Reserve increases interest rate by a quarter of a point

  

  The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point - the third rate hike this year. It comes as Fed chair Janet Yellen prepares to leave the role
  after Donald Trump decided to replace her.

• Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 05:43 UTC

  Islam nations call for the recognition of the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital

  

  The leaders of 57 Muslim nations have called on the world to recognize “the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital”. An Organization of Islamic Co-operation communiqué declares US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize the city as Israel's capital as “null and void”. It also says the move has signaled Washington's withdrawal from its role in the Middle East peace process.

• Wednesday, December 13th 2017 - 23:59 UTC

  Nobel Prizes criticize current US policy during the awards gala banquet

  

  A United States researcher who shared this year's Nobel Prize for medicine bluntly criticized political developments in the US in his address at the awards' gala banquet Sunday night. Michael Rosbash, who was honored for his work on circadian rhythms — commonly called the body clock — expressed concern that U.S. government support such as that received by him and colleagues Jeffrey Hall and Michael Young is endangered.

• Wednesday, December 13th 2017 - 11:08 UTC

  Trump the big looser in Alabama's senate race: several crucial bills imperiled

  

  Doug Jones has become the first Democrat in 25 years to win a US Senate seat for Alabama after a bitter campaign against Republican Roy Moore. The 63-year-old former prosecutor's victory deals a blow to Republicans, narrowing their majority to 51-49 in the Senate. With 99% of the votes counted, Mr Moore refused to concede on Tuesday night.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2017 - 10:37 UTC

  US questions workings and rules of WTO which favor “litigation over negotiations”

  

  The United States President Donald Trump’s trade chief said on Monday that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is losing its focus on trade negotiations in favor of litigation, and was going too easy on wealthier developing countries such as China.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2017 - 09:21 UTC

  Falklands' election motivates support resolution in US House of Representatives

  

  The United States 115th Congress has tabled resolution 650 recognizing the results of the free and fair elections for the new Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands held on 9 November 2017. The resolution, 650, was submitted last week by Representatives Mario Diaz Balart, Derek Kilmer and George Holding, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

• Monday, December 11th 2017 - 15:50 UTC

  US economy closer to full employment as job growth remains steady

  

  United States jobs growth was better than expected in November, with payrolls rising by 228,000. Service, health care and manufacturing firms helped to drive the gains, holding the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%.

• Monday, December 11th 2017 - 02:38 UTC

  Arab allies urge US to abandon recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital; appeal to UN Security Council

  

  Arab foreign ministers on Sunday urged the United States to abandon its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying the move would increase violence throughout the region.

• Saturday, December 9th 2017 - 19:14 UTC

  Santander sells assets in United States to a Chilean bank

  

  Spain's Banco Santander said it had sold its U.S. unit Totalbank to Chile’s BCI for US$528 million as part of moves to sell non-core assets it inherited when it bought Banco Popular. BCI owns City National Bank of Florida and had been in talks with TotalBank’s former owner Banco Popular before it was acquired by Santander.