United States

Wednesday, August 5th 2015 - 08:47 UTC
US State Department calls on Venezuela to lift ban on opposition candidates

The United States on Tuesday called on Venezuela to reverse a ban on opposition members from holding office and participating in the 6 December parliamentary elections. Washington made the request after opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she had tried to register on Monday as a candidate but her application was rejected.
Tuesday, August 4th 2015 - 18:40 UTC
US closer to lifting 40-year ban on oil and natural gas exports; bill needs Senate floor vote

The United States is closer to begin exporting oil. The Senate Energy Committee passed a bill last week that would lift a decades-old ban on the export of crude oil. The 22-member panel approved the initiative to allow the US to export oil and boost state revenue-sharing for offshore oil and gas drilling by a vote of 12-10.
Tuesday, August 4th 2015 - 09:48 UTC
Obama unveils his climate change initiative: “no greater challenge to the future of the planet”

US President Barack Obama has unveiled what he called “the biggest, most important step we have ever taken” in tackling climate change. The aim of the revised Clean Power Plan is to cut greenhouse gas emissions from US power stations by nearly a third within 15 years.
Saturday, August 1st 2015 - 07:51 UTC
US Navy submarine successfully launches and recovers underwater drone

The Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS North Dakota (SSN-784) has launched and recovered an underwater drone for the first time. This week, the USS North Dakota returned to the United States after a nearly two-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. The submarine was specifically tasked with testing the launch and recovery of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) while submerged.
Friday, July 31st 2015 - 06:25 UTC
Former Fed chief says discussion is not monetary policy but government spending

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warns that government spending “extremely dangerous” to the future of the US economy. Greenspan decried a rise in entitlement costs, which he contended have pressured the U.S. economy.
Friday, July 31st 2015 - 05:59 UTC
US economy expands at an annual 2.3% in 2Q; strong consumer spending

The US economy grew at an annualized pace of 2.3% in the three months to June, official figures have shown. The figure - the first estimate of growth in the second quarter - followed an upwardly revised growth rate of 0.6% in the first three months of the year. The Commerce Department said growth was boosted by increased consumer spending and cheaper fuel prices.
Thursday, July 30th 2015 - 09:04 UTC
Fed pleased with labor market gains but inflation remains 'soft' distant from 2% target

The United States Federal Reserve on Wednesday decided to leave its benchmark federal funds interest rate unchanged at between 0 percent and 0.25 percent, while it offered an optimistic assessment of the world's biggest economy and hinted that a rate hike remains on the short-term horizon.
Thursday, July 30th 2015 - 07:48 UTC
Cruise lines agree to equal access for individuals with disabilities

The U.S. Justice Department and Carnival Corp. have reached a comprehensive, landmark settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to advance equal access for individuals with disabilities who travel on cruise ships, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
Thursday, July 30th 2015 - 07:23 UTC
Argentina asks if Iran nuke-deal includes delisting Iranian wanted in major bomb attack in Buenos Aires

Argentina's foreign minister is asking U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and European Union Foreign Affairs representative, Federica Mogherini to clarify whether Washington's nuclear deal with Iran includes removing from Interpol's list an Iranian wanted in a major bomb attack in Buenos Aires that took place in 1994 and remains unsolved.
Friday, July 24th 2015 - 11:18 UTC
More job losses coming to U.S. shale

With the recently concluded nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 countries, oil prices have already started heading downward on sentiments that Iran's crude oil supply would further contribute to the already rising global supply glut. The economic crisis in Greece, OPEC's high production levels and China's market turmoil have created more pressure on oil prices, making a price rebound look highly unlikely in the near future.