United States

Wednesday, January 9th 2013 - 05:32 UTC
US says Chavez succession is an issue for Venezuelans to decide and must include all voices

The United States is concerned for the health of President Hugo Chavez and wishing a speedy recovery, but the succession situation in Venezuela “is an issue for Venezuelans to decide” and it should be done in a manner “that includes all the voices in the discussion”, said State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland on Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 9th 2013 - 05:07 UTC
Ms Nahón confirmed as Argentine ambassador in the US; takes office in February

The US government approved the designation of Cecilia Nahón as the next Argentine Ambassador to the US, leading to her official appointment in the post, according to a release from the Foreign Ministry in Buenos Aires.
Tuesday, January 8th 2013 - 21:13 UTC
Sub-prime mortgage scandal: several US banks agree compensations totalling 20bn

Bank of America has agreed to pay US government mortgage agency Fannie Mae 11.6bn dollars to settle claims relating to residential home loans. The bank will pay 10.3bn to settle claims relating to the loans and 1.3bn in compensation to the agency.
Tuesday, January 8th 2013 - 20:21 UTC
Corn-seed sales in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico help Monsanto with record earnings

US agricultural giant Monsanto Tuesday posted a large increase in quarterly earnings on strong results in corn seed sales in the US and Latin America and better sales of pesticides. The St Louis-based corporation said net income for the first quarter was 339 million dollars, up from 126 million a year earlier.
Monday, January 7th 2013 - 13:52 UTC
Several Fed members fearing inflation want a cap to the bond-buying program

A number of senior figures at the Federal Reserve want the US central bank to stop or slow down its bond-buying program “well before the end of 2013”. December minutes of its interest rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) showed that “several” of its twelve members made the call.
Monday, January 7th 2013 - 13:49 UTC
Koreans again in love with US beef following aggressive campaign from industry

Only four years ago 100.000 South Koreans lined the streets of Seoul to protest the return of US beef to Korea. Consumer confidence in US beef was at an all-time low to the extent that media outlets would not even accept paid ads promoting the products for fear of getting pulled into the protest backlash – instead joining the outrage by declaring US beef to be unsafe from BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) or ‘mad cow’.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2013 - 23:39 UTC
Markets rally on fiscal cliff agreement but a second chapter waits in February

Global stock markets have rallied after a short-term deal to stave off the US “fiscal cliff” was reached. In New York, the Dow Jones closed up 2.4%, while European shares were up about 2% for the day.
Friday, December 28th 2012 - 08:08 UTC
Defaulted bonds: Argentina makes its case before the New York Appeals court

Argentina will be making a presentation before the US Court of Appeals for the second circuit, in Manhattan on Friday regarding Federal Judge Thomas Griesa recent ruling that Argentine defaulted bondholders must be paid simultaneously with those who accepted the restructured bonds.
Saturday, December 22nd 2012 - 07:56 UTC
Obama nominates Senator Kerry to succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State

US President Barack Obama has nominated Senator John Kerry to succeed Hillary Clinton as his next secretary of state. Mr Obama said Mr Kerry's “entire life” prepared him for the role, and praised him for the “respect and confidence” he has earned from world leaders.
Wednesday, December 19th 2012 - 19:43 UTC
President Obama re-election feat makes him TIME Person of the Year

US President Barack Obama was named TIME Person of the Year for 2012, citing his historic re-election last month as symbolic of the nation's changing demographics amid the backdrop of high unemployment and other challenges.