United States – News Stories About United States - Page 36

Apr 27, 2007 11:11 AM CDT

Economy Slumps to 4-Year Low

Weak home sales, high oil prices drive slowdown

(Newser) - The country's economic growth has dwindled to its lowest rate in four years, with the housing slowdown, high energy prices, and a looming trade deficit driving lower-than-expected numbers released today. The economy grew 1.3% in the first quarter of 2007, down from 2.5% in the last three months...

UN Report: Climate Change Will Hit Poor Hardest

Apr 6, 2007 8:46 AM CDT

UN Report: Climate Change Will Hit Poor Hardest

Poorest will be hit hardest

(Newser) - Expect floods, droughts, fires—and resulting starvation, conflict, and mass migration—as climate change becomes more pronounced, says a U.N. report released today. And expect the poor to get hit the hardest, as deserts get drier, deltas flood more often, and small islands are overwhelmed.

Big Oil Shut Out
Of Iraq Deals

Apr 6, 2007 8:24 AM CDT

Big Oil Shut Out Of Iraq Deals

First new oil contracts go to China, India—even Vietnam and Indonesia

(Newser) - U.S. oil companies are far from first in line as Iraq doles out its initial oil contracts. China, India—even Vietnam and Indonesia—have the inside track instead, thanks to contracts and infrastructure dating back to the Saddam regime, and more positive Iraqi sentiment. "They have...

Saudi King Calls Iraq War Illegal

Mar 29, 2007 8:53 AM CDT

Saudi King Calls Iraq War Illegal

Latest evidence of breach with ally

(Newser) - King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia fired a warning shot at the Bush administration yesterday, calling Iraq “an illegal foreign occupation” and urging Arab leaders to unite to prevent U.S. domination of the region. The Saudis "are telling the U.S. they need to listen to their...

Fake Raids Test Iraqi Reconstruction

Mar 22, 2007 11:13 AM CDT

Fake Raids Test Iraqi Reconstruction

U.S. aid to small businesses works only if it's invisible. Otherwise, companies get 'immediately shot or blown up.'

(Newser) - The American military is staging fake raids on Iraqi small businesses to confirm that US aid is being well spent—without tipping off insurgents that they have any US connection. "The only way things will work is if the US contribution is totally invisible," says a civil-affairs officer,...

Iraqi Refugees Flood Into Syria and Jordan

Mar 21, 2007 12:38 PM CDT

Iraqi Refugees Flood Into Syria and Jordan

Iraqis are fleeing to their neighbors by the millions, while the U.S. sits pretty

(Newser) - The Iraq war has created nearly two million refugees, and they're going largely ignored by world governments, the UN warns. "There has been an abject denial of the impact, the humanitarian impact, of the war," says a UN refugee agency spokesperson. Most of the refugees stream into neighboring...

Aid Grows Despite Embargo

Mar 21, 2007 10:04 AM CDT

Aid Grows Despite Embargo

(Newser) - Palestinians are actually receiving more foreign aid, not less, than they were before the US and the European Union slapped an aid embargo against the Hamas led Palestinian Authority last year, reports Steven Erlanger. The United Nations and the International Monetary Fund say $1.2 billion was given to...

U.S. Stiffs Brits in Friendly Fire Investigation

Mar 18, 2007 11:08 PM CDT

U.S. Stiffs Brits in Friendly Fire Investigation

British coroner calls soldier's 2003 death "criminal"

(Newser) - The British government is taking aim at the U.S. military for its role in covering up the 2003 friendly-fire death of a British solider in Iraq. A coroner’s report Friday ruled Lance Cpl. Matty Hull’s death at the hands of American pilots avoidable—and criminal—but the...

Apple: America's Best Retailer

Mar 18, 2007 8:44 PM CDT

Apple: America's Best Retailer

Steve Jobs Motto: "Ambush the Customer"

(Newser) - Jerry Useem summarizes Apple’s unlikely rise as a retailer for Fortune. With sales at its New York store running a staggering $4,000 per square foot (50% higher than Tiffany’s), Apple is the best retailer in America.

The Moral-Hazard Myth

Mar 18, 2007 8:43 PM CDT

The Moral-Hazard Myth

Why Our Insurance Systems Doesn't Work

(Newser) - Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point and Blink, examines the premise underlying U.S. health insurance known by the Dickensian term: Moral Hazard. The theory of Moral Hazard describes the notion that insurance can change peoples’ behavior. Without deductibles, co-payments and other barriers to use, people will use too...

Gitmo Tagged for Cuban Refugees

Mar 6, 2007 11:01 AM CST

Gitmo Tagged for Cuban Refugees

Navy plans to prevent post-Castro Cuban exodus

(Newser) - Anticipating that Fidel Castro's death will prompt thousands of Cubans to attempt to join their expatriate countrymen in South Florida, U.S. authorities are making space for them—in Cuba. The Miami Herald reports that the DOD has budgeted $18 million to expand its base at Guantanamo Bay to handle...