United States

Saturday, September 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
McCain uses Chavez anti US virulence to target Latino vote

“Did you see with whom Obama wants to talk to” asks a new Spanish language spot from the Republican John McCain campaign, which is followed by a violent speech from Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez against the US, which then accuses Democrat Barack Obama of wanting to meet him “with no conditions”.
Saturday, September 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bush: “unprecedented measures” to de-intoxicate system

United States is set to take “unprecedented measures” to tackle the crisis gripping US financial markets, announced President George Bush on Friday. But he warned the moves, which include spending of billions of dollars to buy up bad debts, would risk “a significant amount” of taxpayers' money.
Friday, September 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Congress/White House announce plan to ease global crisis

United States officials said they will hammer out a “comprehensive” plan to ease what has become a global financial crisis. US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said after meeting members of Congress that legislation would be required to help rid US banks of their bad assets.
Friday, September 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Forbes: Bill Gates, richest man in the US with 57 billion USD

Bill Gates remains the richest man in the United States with 57 billion US dollars in assets despite losing his crown to Warren Buffett for a few months earlier this year according to the latest The Forbes 400 billionaires.
Wednesday, September 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
“Financial bubble” of the last 25 years coming to an end

Billionaire investor George Soros has given his gloomiest assessment of the state of the US and world economies. Speaking with BBC business editor Robert Peston Soros said that the “acute phase” of the credit crunch may be over but effects on the real economy are yet to be felt.
Wednesday, September 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US bails out AIG with 85 billion USD; takes 80% stake

In a bid to save financial markets and economy from further turmoil the United States government agreed Tuesday evening to provide an 85 billion US dollars emergency loan to rescue the huge insurer AIG.
Wednesday, September 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US current account deficit increased 4.3% in second Q

United States current account trade deficit increased by 4.3% to 183.1 billion US dollars in the second quarter of this year, up from 175.6 billion in the first quarter, the US Commerce Department reported Wednesday.
Tuesday, September 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fed rate unchanged; injects 70 billion to boost liquidity

The United States Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at 2% on Tuesday arguing slower economic growth but also warning about an inflation outlook “highly uncertain”.
Monday, September 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bank of America takes over Merrill Lynch for 50 billion USD

Bank of America is to buy Merrill Lynch in a deal worth 50 billion US dollars that will create a new financial giant. The deal came amid a hectic weekend on Wall Street, with Lehman Brothers announcing that it would file for bankruptcy protection.
Friday, September 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Countdown for Lehman Brothers and little of Blucher on sight

Executives at United States investment bank Lehman Brothers are racing to meet a deadline of Sunday night to find a new owner for the troubled bank, the BBC has learned.