U.S.

Charles Monnett, a leading climate scientist whose research helped galvanize the global warming movement, has been suspended pending an investigation into his 2006 paper on polar bear drownings.

The United States has hired Jurgen Klinsmann as its next national team coach, according to a report.

Majority whip Dick Durbin of Illinois said that the federal government needs to focus strategically on the long-term budget consequences of extreme weather events, which are increasing in severity and frequency.

The U.S. economy grew at a slow-crawl pace in the first half of this year, slower than economists had expected. Unemployment remains high also. Until companies stop hoarding cash and start hiring again, the environment isn't likely to change soon.

Japanese imports of rare earths from China fell 13 percent in June to 1,386 tonnes as a rise in prices made it unaffordable to many Japanese hi-tech companies.

The euro stayed under pressure in Asia on Friday as worries about the euro zone debt crisis flared up following a jump in Italy's borrowing costs, while investors also kept the dollar at arm's length amid the ongoing threat of a U.S. debt default.

The U.S. Congress, known for moving painfully slowly, can kick into high gear when it is staring down a deadline important to the entire country -- or when lawmakers are approaching their cherished August recess.

A bill to cut the deficit faced a nail-bitingly close vote in Congress on Thursday as the top Republican lawmaker sought to quell an internal revolt and push his plan to avoid a ruinous default.

Toronto's main stock index plunged more than 2 percent on Wednesday to its lowest point this month as weak U.S. data and a looming deadline for raising the U.S. debt ceiling sent investors searching for safety.

With America edging ever closer to a default, and a downgrade in the US credit rating, some realizations are starting to hit America's youth about their future. The consequences of the partisan squabbling of their parents' generation may leave them with little to inherit and much to despise.

If the debt ceiling isn't raised before Aug. 2, or if America's prized AAA credit rating is downgraded, it will mean at least a decade of financial instability to clean up after.

With America edging ever closer to a default, and a downgrade in the U.S. credit rating, some realizations are starting to hit America's youth about their future. The consequences of the partisan squabbling of their parents' generation may leave them with little to inherit and much to despise.

It is understandable that foreign investors have been losing confidence with the U.S.?s ability to deal with its debt issue

Last week's heatwave across much of the United States left up to 64 people dead and had a devastating effect on the livestock of farmers in the plains states.

'History shows that even when the decision to raise the debt ceiling goes down to the wire, it does not lead to a default or a change in the perception that the US is the gold standard against which to benchmark other debt. This time around the stakes are higher.'

Taiwan initially applied to acquire 66 aircraft from the U.S., reportedly to deter China, however, Washington has apparently postponed closing the deal out of concerns for Beijing.

Gold prices hit a record high at more than $1,623 an ounce and Asian stock markets were largely flat, as news out of Washington indicated politicians were making little progress in ending the deadlock over lifting the U.S. debt ceiling.

With his frustrating wrist injury finally behind him and the U.S. Open looming large next month, the smile is back on Juan Martin Del Potro's face as he prepares for this week's ATP event in Los Angeles.

Asian stocks and the U.S. dollar fell on Wednesday while gold hit a record high at more than $1,623 an ounce, as a drip feed of news out of Washington indicated politicians were making little progress on a plan to lift the U.S. debt ceiling.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced today a list of nearly 3,700 retail offices to be studied and potentially closed as early as November and replaced by new Village Post Offices in an effort to compensate for losses.

Harry Potter's record breaking number one spot in the US-box-office was short lived after the superhero film Captain America: The First Avenger knocked Potter's final installment to second place.