United States

• Friday, May 21st 2010 - 06:12 UTC

  US Senate approves sweeping overhaul of financial regulations

  

  The US Senate passed a bill Thursday providing the most sweeping overhaul of financial regulations since the 1930s. The Senate passed the bill by 59 votes to 39. It must still be merged with a version in the House.

• Thursday, May 20th 2010 - 06:46 UTC

  Federal Reserve more optimistic about outlook for the US economy

  

  The Federal Reserve has a more optimistic outlook for the US economy, according to meeting minutes released Wednesday, but the central bank is still debating how to shrink its massive balance sheet.

• Thursday, May 20th 2010 - 02:56 UTC

  US Visa Waive program could include Chile, Argentina and Brazil

  

  The United States government is currently looking at the possibility of extending the “Visa Waiver” program to include citizens of Chile, Argentina and Brazil, Rodger Dow, President of the U.S. travel association, announced recently.

• Tuesday, May 18th 2010 - 04:57 UTC

  “We must help the US manage its retreat as the only global boss”, says Mujica

  

  “We must help the United States because they are on retreat, and they must manage that retreat”, said Uruguayan president Jose Mujica in an interview with a new Argentine newspaper “Tiempo Argentino” launched last Sunday. This is the first interview of the Uruguayan president to an Argentine daily.

• Saturday, May 15th 2010 - 04:39 UTC

  Volcker Fears Potential Disintegration of the Euro, Without Common Fiscal Policy

  

  Former Federal Reserve chairman and advisor of the Obama administration is concerned that the Euro area may break up after the Greek fiscal crisis that sparked an unprecedented bailout by the region’s members.

• Saturday, May 15th 2010 - 04:23 UTC

  Hillary Clinton and Hague Reaffirm “Unbreakable Alliance”

  

  US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and new British Foreign Minister William Hague met on Friday in Washington, vowing to strengthen the U.S.-Britain strategic alliance on addressing common challenges.

• Friday, May 14th 2010 - 04:15 UTC

  Unemployment Benefits Filing Dips but Labour Market Remains Weak

  

  The number of US workers filing for unemployment benefits dipped again last week but by a tiny margin that experts say does not signal a strengthening of the US labor market.

• Friday, May 14th 2010 - 04:10 UTC

  Home Repossessions in the US Hit Record High; Candle at the End of the Tunnel

  

  The number of US homes being repossessed hit an all-time high last month, but is set to start falling, says the body that tracks the figures. Banks took control of 92,432 properties in April, up 1% from March, and a 45% rise from a year earlier, said RealtyTrac.

• Friday, May 14th 2010 - 04:05 UTC

  US Looking into Possible Banks-Credit Rating Agencies Collusion

  

  Eight banks are facing a US investigation into the rating of their mortgage products, the BBC understands. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is looking at whether the relationship between the banks and credit rating agencies was manipulated to gain better ratings for risky securities.

• Thursday, May 13th 2010 - 10:47 UTC

  US Corn Futures Rise to Two-Month High on Mounting Demand from China

  

  Corn futures rose to a two-month high on mounting demand from China, the world’s second-biggest consumer.