United States

Wednesday, February 4th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Fed extends currency swap lines to Brazil and Mexico

The extension of a US Federal Reserve currency swap line to Brazil shows confidence in South America's largest economy, Central Bank President Henrique Meirelles said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, February 4th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Salary cap and perks disclosure for US bailed out companies

US President Barack Obama announced Wednesday his government will impose a salary cap of 500,000 US dollars for senior executives at companies receiving federal economic bailout funds.
Friday, January 30th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Topsy-turvy: US economy contracts 3.8%, below forecast

The US economy shrank at an annual rate of 3.8% in the last quarter of 2008, according to the latest report from the US Commerce Department. This is the worst performance of the US economy since 1982.
Thursday, January 29th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Record losses in Ford but “no need” for government aid

US carmaker Ford reported this week the biggest full-year loss in its history, but said it still was not going to ask for government loans. Ford said its net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 was 5.9 billion dollars, and 14.6 billion for the whole year.
Wednesday, January 28th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Partisan support for US economy recovery plan flags

US President Barack Obama has called for urgent action on his 825 billion US dollars economic recovery plan, saying the American people expect it. Republican lawmakers are increasingly vocal in opposing the bill, complaining it is too expensive and unworkable.
Wednesday, January 28th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Fed pledges to keep exceptional “low interest rates”

The United States Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates at “exceptionally low levels,” and use “all available tools” to promote the resumption of sustainable economic growth, as it warned that the outlook for the world's largest economy has weakened further in recent weeks.
Tuesday, January 27th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Obama reaches out to the Muslim world in Arabic network

President Barack Obama chose an Arabic satellite TV network for his first formal television interview on Monday as president, part of his drive to repair relations with the Muslim world.
Monday, January 26th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Geithner sworn in to the toughest job: Treasury Secretary

Timothy Geithner was sworn in as US Treasury Secretary within hours of the Senate approving his nomination on Monday. The confirmation by 60 votes to 34 was delayed due to concerns Mr Geithner had failed to pay previous taxes on time.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Obama takes presidential oath of office a second time

Barack Obama retook on Wednesday the US presidential oath of office, after the inauguration blunder that was heard throughout the world. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the oath to Mr Obama at the White House in a rare move in which no TV camera crews or news photographers were allowed in.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Overwhelming support for Hillary Clinton Secretary of State

The United States Senate in an overwhelming 94 to 2 vote Wednesday, gave final approval to the nomination of Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Action was delayed by one day because of Republican concerns about fund-raising by former President Bill Clinton's charitable foundation.