United States

• Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 08:20 UTC

  Irreconcilable positions forecast US government shutdown could turn really serious

  

  The partial shutdown of the US government showed no signs of ending quickly, as lawmakers stiffened their positions and sought to shift blame to the other side.

• Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 07:58 UTC

  Nasa plans to launch 3D printer to help astronauts manufacture spare parts

  

  The United States space agency Nasa is planning to launch a 3D printer into space next year to help astronauts manufacture spare parts and tools in zero gravity. It will be the first time a 3D printer has been used in space and could help reduce the costs of future missions.

• Tuesday, October 1st 2013 - 04:24 UTC

  US Congress clash over spending bill rattles world markets

  

  Shares in New York closed lower on Monday as the prospect of a shutdown of some US government activities looks increasingly likely. The Dow Jones closed down 128 points, or 0.84%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell by 0.60% and 0.27% respectively. However, all three indexes were up for the month, buoyed by a strengthening US economic recovery.

• Friday, September 27th 2013 - 12:42 UTC

  “Uruguay does not need money, we need talent”, Mujica tells Vice-president Biden

  

  Uruguay “does not need money; we need talent, students that complete their formation in the US and return to Uruguay to share and invest their knowledge” president Jose Mujica told US Vice-president Jose Biden during an hour long meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

• Friday, September 27th 2013 - 07:26 UTC

  Uruguay is much respected in international affairs, said President Mujica

  

  Uruguay’s voice is much respected in international affairs and this can be attributed to the country’s foreign policy, although ‘it’s not only a merit of this administration but a long term achievement’, said President Jose Mujica on Thursday in a brief exchange with the media delegation covering events in New York.

• Monday, September 23rd 2013 - 19:14 UTC

  First signals of US congressional clash: Republicans vote to cut food stamp benefits

  

  US lawmakers have narrowly voted to cut food stamp benefits from next year despite a veto threat from the White House and opposition from lobby groups. The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the bill by 217-200. But it has little chance in the Democratic-held Senate.

• Friday, September 20th 2013 - 20:29 UTC

  “Bellwether” Fed member says massive bond buying program could be tapered in October

  

  The US Federal Reserve could still scale back its massive bond buying program at an October meeting should data point to a stronger economy, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said on Friday. “October is a live meeting” he told Bloomberg television.

• Friday, September 20th 2013 - 08:24 UTC

  US corn exporters concerned with Mercosur competition in Venezuela

  

  United States corn exporters are concerned with the fact that Venezuela, one of their prime markets, is now a full member of Mercosur, which includes Brazil and Argentina two major exporting countries.

• Friday, September 20th 2013 - 07:58 UTC

  IMF sides with Obama calls on Republicans to bury political differences

  

  The International Monetary Fund urged US policymakers to support major reforms at the global lender and bury political differences over the budget to ease one source of risk to the economy and markets.

• Wednesday, September 18th 2013 - 20:33 UTC

  Fed decides to keep stimulus: fears of economy sluggishness and still slow labour market

  

  In a surprise move after a two-day meeting the US Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that it would continue buying bonds at a rate of 85 billion dollars monthly and expressed concern that a sharp rise in borrowing costs in recent months could weigh on the economy.