United States

• Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 - 07:09 UTC

  Scrappage program boosts Ford, Toyota and Honda sales in the US

  

  US car sales responded positively to the government's 3 billion US dollars “Cash for Clunkers” program, led by a 17% sales jump at Ford and higher sales from Japan auto makers Toyota and Honda. However General Motors, Chrysler and Nissan still reported lower sales.

• Tuesday, September 1st 2009 - 05:47 UTC

  WTO confirms ruling favouring Brazil in cotton dispute with US

  

  United States faces annual trade sanctions of about 295 million US dollars for failing to scrap illegal subsidies paid to its cotton growers. However the punishment, imposed by the World Trade Organization (WTO), is far less than the 4 billion USD that Brazil, which brought the case, had wanted.

• Tuesday, September 1st 2009 - 01:32 UTC

  Bank failures in United States jump to 84 in eight months

  

  The number of bank failures in the United States reached 84 in the first four months of this year, following the collapse of three entities in California, Minnesota and Maryland, according to the latest report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, FIDC

• Sunday, August 30th 2009 - 22:02 UTC

  US Senator Kennedy laid to rest

  

  Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of US senator Edward Kennedy, who was a political force in America for over 47 years.

• Friday, August 28th 2009 - 19:45 UTC

  Number of problem US banks the highest in 15 years

  

  The number of problem US banks rose to the highest level in 15 years between April and June, the industry's regulator has revealed. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said 416 banks had failed its test criteria during the quarter, up 111 from January to March.
  It added that 81 US banks had now been forced to close this year.

• Thursday, August 27th 2009 - 15:56 UTC

  Uruguayan Independence Day in New York City

  

  For many Uruguayans living in the New York area, the 25th August is not only an important day to remember their origins, but also a day to meet old and new friends, alike.

• Thursday, August 27th 2009 - 15:36 UTC

  Obama envoy: “US not interested in having bases in Colombia”

  

  A top official from President Obama’s administration touring South America said on Wednesday that “the US is not interested in military bases in Colombia” and suggested Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez “is not acting responsibly” when he talks of “winds of war” in the region because of a security agreement between United States and Colombia

• Thursday, August 27th 2009 - 15:19 UTC

  An “eternally grateful” Chile mourns Ted Kennedy’s death

  

  Chilean President Michelle Bachelet gave her condolences on Wednesday to the family of the late Massachusetts Senator, Edward Kennedy, whom she called “A great politician who supported a democratic Chile during hard times for our country.”

• Wednesday, August 26th 2009 - 07:39 UTC

  Majority of Colombians agree with US forces deployed in the country

  

  Over half of Colombians support or agree with the presence of US forces in the country’s military bases, as established in a cooperation agreement which has triggered a strong controversy in South America.

• Wednesday, August 26th 2009 - 02:01 UTC

  Skyrocket US budget deficit: tax rise once recession is over

  

  The US budget deficit will soar to almost 1.6 trillion US dollars this year, the highest on record, both the White House and Congress have warned. Fuelled by President Obama's 787 billion stimulus package and reduced tax revenues due to the recession, it compares with a 455 billion US dollars deficit in 2008.