United States

• Thursday, March 5th 2009 - 17:05 UTC

  Brown urges US not to succumb to protectionism

  

  Gordon Brown has received a standing ovation from the US Congress after he called for a renewal “of the special relationship for our generation”. Mr Brown, the fifth UK prime minister in history to address both houses on Capitol Hill, urged the US and UK to push for “essential” economic changes.

• Thursday, March 5th 2009 - 16:59 UTC

  US fiscal 2009 budget deficit equivalent to 12.3% of GDP

  

  In appearance before the United States Congress Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said that the huge budget deficits are greatly consequence of the previous administration’s failure in addressing necessary investments in energy security and health.

• Wednesday, March 4th 2009 - 16:49 UTC

  Brazil, Germany help boost car sales; US continues to plunge

  

  Car sales in Brazil and Germany soared in February helped by tax breaks and a cash bonus to scrap old vehicles. In Brazil Fiat SpA reported its third straight sales increase in February and in Germany sales rose by 22% compared with the same month last year, reaching their highest level for 10 years.

• Monday, March 2nd 2009 - 23:00 UTC

  Brown to meet Obama with EU (patched) unity message

  

  Prime Minister Gordon Brown flies to Washington Monday declaring European unity over the financial crisis despite a growing rift between major EU economies and member states from central and Eastern Europe.

• Sunday, March 1st 2009 - 23:00 UTC

  Republicans welcome Obama's plan to withdraw from Iraq

  United States Republicans have broadly welcomed President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw most troops from Iraq by 2010. However, they suggested he should give credit to his predecessor for stability brought by the “surge” strategy of pouring extra troops into Iraq.

• Friday, February 27th 2009 - 23:00 UTC

  US troop pullout plan according Pte. Obama

  

  Barack Obama, the US president, has announced that US combat forces will leave Iraq by August 2010.

• Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC

  US Lower House passes bill easing travel to Cuba

  

  The US House of Representatives passed on Wednesday a bill that should lead to the easing of restrictions on Cuban-Americans wanting to travel to Cuba. The provisions are part of a spending bill and must pass in the Senate - where it faces some opposition - before it becomes law.

• Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC

  Obama unveils 3.6 trillion 2010 budget; 250 billion for banks

  

  President Barack Obama has unveiled a 3.6 trillion US dollars budget for 2010, aiming to pull the US out of financial crisis. Obama predicted the budget deficit for the current year will be 1.75 trillion US dollars, which is 12.3% of annual output and the biggest since World War II.

• Wednesday, February 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  US/Japan agree to stimulate demand and defend the dollar

  

  President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso have agreed to work together to stimulate economic demand and fight protectionism. At a meeting in Washington they also pledged to co-operate in diplomatic efforts over North Korea, a White House statement said. Mr Aso was the first foreign leader to be received by the US president.

• Wednesday, February 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Merril Lynch losses trigger executive bonuses investigation

  

  Merrill Lynch & Co lost 15.84 billion US dollars in the fourth quarter, a regulatory filing showed, more than 500 million higher than the loss previously estimated by Bank of America Corp.