Matt Spetalnick
latest news & developments
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.
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.
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 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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.