Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
matt spetalnicklatest news & developments
The US could unveil its new sanctions as early as next week.

G7 agrees on further sanctions against Russia

New sanctions will be imposed on Russia as punishment for failing to adhere to an international deal aimed at stabilising the crisis in Ukraine.

US President Barack Obama. (Madelene Cronje, M&G)

Obama takes Syria strike proposal to sceptical Congress

US President Barack Obama and his aides have attempted to convince a doubtful Congress that the country needs to intervene – with force – in Syria.

Opinions will be divided over the final presidential debate.
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Obama aces foreign policy debate, Romney comes out solid

US President Barack Obama came out with guns blazing at the final presidential debate on Tuesday but Republican Mitt Romney held his own just as well.

Clint Eastwood delivered an off-the-cuff monologue with an invisible Barack Obama at Mitt Romney’s presidential nomination ceremony.
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Clint Eastwood talks to a chair on Romney’s big day

Dirty Harry himself nearly hijacked Mitt Romney’s presidential nomination with a rambling diatribe against Barack Obama – addressed to an empty chair.

Obama urges China to rein in North Korea

Obama urges China to rein in North Korea

US President Barack Obama has urged China to use its influence to stop North Korea’s "bad behaviour" in a nuclear standoff with the West.

Obama targets Wall Street wallets in State of the Union

Obama targets Wall Street wallets in State of the Union

US President Barack Obama painted himself as a champion of the middle class during his State of the Union, demanding higher taxes for millionaires.

Drone strike ends long hunt for US-born Al-Awlaki

Drone strike ends long hunt for US-born Al-Awlaki

President Barack Obama on Friday hailed the drone strike on Anwar al-Awlaki as "another significant milestone" in efforts to defeat al-Qaeda.

Obama assesses flood-stricken New Jersey

Obama assesses flood-stricken New Jersey

United States President Barack Obama has travelled to flood-stricken New Jersey to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Irene.

Lawmakers seal US debt deal

Lawmakers seal US debt deal

President Barack Obama on Sunday announced a last-minute deal to raise the US borrowing limit and urged lawmakers to "do the right thing".

As US default looms, pressure grows to end impasse

With the US lurching closer to a default, President Barack Obama and lawmakers face pressure to speed up efforts to cobble together a deal.

Arab League meets to extend mission in Syria

Syria’s al-Assad has ‘lost legitimacy’

President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "lost legitimacy" for failing to lead a democratic transition.

US says Bin Laden was unarmed

US says Bin Laden was unarmed

Pakistan faced growing pressure on Wednesday to explain how the world’s most-wanted man was able to live for years in the garrison town of Abbottabad.

US slaps new sanctions on Syria over crackdown

The United States slapped sanctions on Syria’s intelligence agency and two relatives of President Bashar al-Assad on Friday.

Finance industry gets thumbs up

Banks and finance companies are doing a better job than other sectors in fulfilling their social responsibilities.

Drug war dispute to dominate US-Mexico meeting

Mexican President Felipe Calderón will press President Barack Obama to crack down on US drug consumption when they meet on Thursday.

US scrambles to contain fall-out from Middle East leak

US scrambles to contain fall-out from Middle East leak

The US scrambled on Monday to contain diplomatic fall-out from leaked documents showing Palestinian negotiators offered big concessions to Israel.

Obama presses China on human rights

Obama presses China on human rights

United States President Barack Obama delivered a strong message on US concerns over Beijing’s human rights record at a summit on Wednesday.

Obama brings Middle East leaders together for peace push

Obama brings Middle East leaders together for peace push

United States President Barack Obama urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Wednesday not to let the chance for peace slip away.

Obama voices hope for direct Middle East talks soon

Obama voices hope for direct Middle East talks soon

United States President Barack Obama urged Israel and the Palestinians on Tuesday to resume direct peace talks by September.

Obama sacks Afghan war commander

Obama to confront US Afghan commander

US President Barack Obama will confront his top Afghanistan commander on Wednesday before deciding whether to fire him over inflammatory comments.