BARACK OBAMA

On Monday President Barack Obama said he believes his economic stimulus plan is beginning show fruits and more than 2000 transportation infrastructure projects have received approval.

On Monday the US Treasury Department told General Motors to make all necessary preparations for a possible bankruptcy filing by June 1, even though the troubled automaker insists it can restructure its business on its own, The New York Times reported.

President Barack Obama is expected to tap Fannie Mae Chief Executive Herb Allison to head the U.S. government's $700 billion financial rescue program, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

President Barack Obama's energy czarina Carol Browner urged on Monday during an energy conference at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for Congress to pass an energy bill stating that the U.S. needs to become the world's leader in clean energy production and delay the rate of climate change.

General Motors Corp shares plunged 16 percent on Monday as traders shed positions out of fear the U.S. government will push the automaker into a bankruptcy that could wipe out existing equity.

President Barack Obama's move to allow U.S. telecommunications companies to apply for licenses in Cuba is aimed at increasing the flow of information to the communist-ruled island, the White House said on Monday.

President Barack Obama on Monday eased the way for U.S. telecommunications firms to do business with Cuba and relaxed some other restrictions on the communist-ruled island, opening a crack in a decades-old U.S. embargo.

Chrysler and potential partner Fiat SpA are discussing a new management and board for the U.S. automaker under a proposed alliance that could see Fiat take a stake in Chrysler, Automotive News reported on Monday.

The U.S. has reached the halfway point in its fiscal year but it has already racked up nearly $1 trillion in unpaid bills.

Unemployment is a bigger reason for missed mortgage payments than high interest rates, according to a study from the Boston Federal Reserve that raises questions about President Barack Obama's plan to stem foreclosures by modifying loans.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday that thousands of major infrastructure projects being undertaken as part of his economic stimulus plan were ahead of schedule and under budget.

Sudan's leader welcomed on Monday positive signs sent by U.S. President Barack Obama to the Islamic world, striking a more conciliatory tone toward Washington, seen as an enemy of Khartoum in the past.

Iran said on Monday it would welcome constructive dialogue with six world powers, including the United States, in its clearest signal yet it will accept an invitation for talks on its disputed nuclear work.

President Barack Obama will try to establish a cooperative new relationship with Latin America this week, but U.S. resistance to change on highly symbolic issues like Cuba and immigration could undercut the effort, analysts said.

King Abdullah of Jordan will meet U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on April 21 to lobby on behalf of Arab states for a stronger U.S. role in Middle East peacemaking, palace officials said on Sunday.

The crew of a U.S. ship attacked off Somalia called on President Barack Obama to lead the battle to stamp out piracy on Monday, after U.S. forces freed the ship's captain to end a five-day hostage drama.

U.S. Navy special forces freed an American ship's captain and killed three Somali pirates holding him hostage in a lifeboat, ending a five-day standoff but drawing vows of revenge from pirates.

If Wells Fargo's strong first-quarter preliminary performance is any sign, stocks could rally further this week on any reassuring news when three other big banks post quarterly results.

If Wells Fargo's strong first-quarter preliminary performance is any sign, stocks could rally further this week on any reassuring news when three other big banks post quarterly results.

President Barack Obama said on Friday the recession-hit U.S. economy was showing glimmers of hope despite remaining under strain and promised further steps in coming weeks to tackle the financial crisis.

The U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Bank have asked top U.S. banks not to discuss the “stress tests” which regulators are conducting to determine the viability of the companies, according to reports.