United States

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.
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Day of reckoning” for the US has arrived warns Obama

US President Barack Obama has addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time, warning that a “day of reckoning” has arrived for the US. Stressing the severity of the economic crisis, Mr Obama told lawmakers the US will emerge stronger when it ended.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Free fall: US shares down to lowest since October 1997

US shares have fallen sharply on concerns about the government's latest attempts to shore up the banks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday closed down 250.9 points, or 3.41%, at 7,114.8, its lowest since October 1997.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Influential Senator admits US embargo against Cuba “failed”

The US economic embargo on Cuba “has failed” and should be re-evaluated, senior Republican Senator Richard Lugar argues in a report.
Monday, February 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Message to Beijing: keep investing in US Treasury bonds

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered a quiet nod to human rights but there was no mistaking her key message to Beijing at the end of her week-long in Asia: both countries will “rise and fall” together in this financial crisis.
Monday, February 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Scathing attack on banking practice from Soros and Volcker

Investor George Soros and President Barack Obama advisor, Paul Volcker described the current global meltdown as more severe than when the great Depression with the financial system effectively disintegrated and with the experts “not quite knowing what's going on”.
Monday, February 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Hollywood: Slumdog Millionaire' Wins Eight Oscars

British film Slumdog Millionaire, the widely acclaimed film set in the slums of Mumbai, has received eight awards at this year's Oscars - including best picture and best director.