United States

Monday, May 11th 2009 - 10:28 UTC
Obama and Bush agree limited protection for polar bears

The US government has opted to retain a Bush-era rule that limits protection for polar bears from the effects of global warming. Environmental groups had been calling for the rule to be lifted, and the US Congress had given Interior Secretary Ken Salazar the power to do so. Mr Salazar said lifting the rule would create “uncertainty and confusion”.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:44 UTC
Prestigious Hispanic civil rights activist next US ambassador in Argentina

The President Barack Obama administration has named a prestigious civil rights activist of Hispanic-Mexican origin as the next US ambassador in Argentina. Vilma Socorro Martinez, 66, will replace Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne who has held the job for three and a half years.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:40 UTC
Ten US leading banks need 74.6 billion in extra funds

US bank Wells Fargo has said it plans to raise 7.5 billion US dollars from selling new shares, a day after the US Treasury said 10 banks needed to boost reserves. Morgan Stanley is also hoping to raise 3.5 billion from share sales. Bank of America said it planned to sell assets and raise capital to secure the 33.9 billion it needs.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 08:12 UTC
Obama wants to end tax loopholes for US corporations overseas

President Barack Obama has proposed outlawing offshore tax-avoidance techniques in a move that could hit US corporations with overseas divisions. His proposals would axe some tax deductions for firms that earn profits in countries with low tax rates.
Sunday, May 3rd 2009 - 12:10 UTC
US bank failures in four months reach 32 compared to 25 in 2008

Three more United States banks shut their doors Friday, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, bringing the total number of failures up to 32 in 2009. The first failure was a wholesale banking operator in Georgia that served 1,400 other lenders across the US, became the fifth biggest bank failure in terms of assets.
Saturday, May 2nd 2009 - 10:13 UTC
US car sales down but “Fusion” helps Ford increase market share

United States car sales continued to struggle in April as cash-conscious consumers remained reluctant to buy new vehicles, and the industry faced turmoil. Chrysler saw a 48% drop in April sales from the same month a year ago, a day after seeking bankruptcy protection.
Friday, May 1st 2009 - 13:05 UTC
New York City police incorporates 40 hybrid patrol cars

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly deployed on Thursday 40 marked and unmarked Nissan Altima hybrid patrol cars. The cars are part of the mayor's plan to slash city emissions by 30% by 2017.
Friday, May 1st 2009 - 12:43 UTC
Cuba reacts to US blacklisting calls Washington “international criminal”

Cuba reacted strongly on Thursday calling the US government an “international criminal” after Washington said it was keeping Cuba on a list of countries that allegedly support terrorism. The US State Department released a report lumping Cuba with Iran, Syria and Sudan on a blacklist as sponsors of terrorism.
Friday, May 1st 2009 - 00:28 UTC
US government “surgical” bankruptcy of Chrysler warning for GM

President Barack Obama said Thursday that Chrysler will file a historic bankruptcy shortly, backed by up to 3.5 billion US dollars in new government aid designed to allow a Chrysler-Fiat partnership to emerge from court in 30 to 60 days.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:08 UTC
Raul Castro still open to talks with US, but rejects idea of symbolic gesture

Cuban President Raul Castro said Wednesday his country does not need to make any symbolic “gestures” as it pursues better relations with the United States. Addressing the Non Aligned Movement meeting in Havana Castro said he is still willing to talk about all issues and that it was up to the US to make the next move.