United States

Thursday, March 19th 2015 - 07:55 UTC
Fed no longer 'patient' about rates, but drops April and targets June

The U.S. Federal Reserve says it can no longer remain “patient” about changing rates, an indication that interest rate hikes could begin this spring. But in a news conference, Fed chair Janet Yellen said the central bank has not settled on the timing of the rate hike.
Wednesday, March 18th 2015 - 08:14 UTC
Failure to approve IMF reforms puts “credibility of the US at risk” Lew warns Congress

The credibility of the United States is at risk if Congress fails to approve International Monetary Fund quota and governance reforms, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned on Tuesday. For more than two years the US Congress has prevented the 2010 IMF reforms from taking effect.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:48 UTC
President Maduro will rule the rest of the year with decree powers

Venezuela's parliament has granted President Nicolas Maduro decree powers for the rest of 2015 in a move he says is to defend the country from US meddling but opponents decry as evidence of autocracy. In a noisy National Assembly session, ruling Socialist Party legislators, who have a majority, applauded the “Enabling Law” as a legitimate response to a US declaration that Venezuela is a security threat and sanctions on seven officials.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:25 UTC
UK caught on the wrong side in a US/Beijing dispute over Chinese development bank

The US has expressed concern over the UK's bid to become a founding member of a Chinese-backed development bank. The UK is the first big Western economy to apply for membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) despite the fact that US has raised questions over the bank's commitment to international standards on governance.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:08 UTC
Unasur calls on the US to revoke measures against Venezuela and implement dialogue

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) slammed the United States for its decision to label Venezuela as a security threat and impose sanctions against a number of its officials, calling on Washington to revoke the measure.
Sunday, March 15th 2015 - 01:10 UTC
US ambassador in Argentina received by cabinet chief Anibal Fernandez

Argentina’s Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernández received United States ambassador to Argentina Noah Mamet in his Casa Rosada office. Apparently the meeting was strictly protocol, and no details of the agenda were supplies to the media.
Friday, March 13th 2015 - 13:06 UTC
Santander and Deutsche banks fail a US Fed Reserve “stress test”

Spain's Santander and Deutsche Bank have failed a US “stress test” designed to assess whether lenders can withstand another financial crisis. The review, carried out by the Federal Reserve, gauges whether the biggest banks operating in the US have the “ability to lend to households and businesses even in times of stress”.
Friday, March 13th 2015 - 10:51 UTC
New York Times warns Obama's strategy towards Venezuela could be failing

In an editorial piece, “A failing relationship with Venezuela”, The New York Times expressed doubts about the latest measures imposed by the Obama administration on seven top officials from the Venezuelan government and goes even further questioning whether they will not end actually reinforcing President Nicolas Maduro position.
Wednesday, March 11th 2015 - 06:54 UTC
Unasur to hold a presidential summit on the Venezuela/US confrontation

Unasur (Union of South American Nations) presidents will meet next week to respond to the “grotesque and illegal” meddling of the United States in Venezuelan affairs announced Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa.
Wednesday, March 11th 2015 - 06:39 UTC
Maduro asks the Assembly for expanded powers to fight 'imperialism'

President Nicolas Maduro responded to new U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan officials by asking legislators Tuesday to give him expanded powers in the name of fighting imperialism. Government critics called it a power grab.