The Independent - Americas RSS Feed

Obama's Iraq plans vindicated as US agrees to pull out by 2011

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Iraq and the United States have finally agreed on a security pact which would mean that US forces would withdraw from Iraq by 2011, American and Iraqi officials said yesterday.

Obama stretches poll lead as Mickey Mouse enters fray

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Barack Obama has opened a dramatic 14-point lead over John McCain in a new opinion poll, amid evidence that the McCain camp's character attacks are doing more to harm the Republican senator than his opponent.

The surburban nightmare that haunts McCain

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Inside the grotto of chilled bouquets and teddy bears that is her flower shop in Strongsville, Ohio, Mai Ly is preparing for what should be a half-decent weekend. Sunday is "Sweetest Day" in this state, a pale Valentine's in the autumn. Times are tough but with luck her roses will be flying out of their plastic pails.

US election diary

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

* Two special guests were conspicuous by their absence at the New York premiere of Oliver Stone's biopic about George Bush, entitled simply W. Both John McCain and Sarah Palin received a personal invitation to the red-carpet affair, after Stone heard they were staying at the Hilton across the street from the Ziegfeld Theatre. Their failure to attend (both went to a fundraiser) was "just fine", according to the left-leaning director. "I don't think Sarah would understand the picture anyway," Stone said. "It has a lot of complicated dialogue. George Bush is an intellectual compared to her." Previously, Stone has tried to describe his film as non-partisan. Whether anyone believed him or not, that claim is looking a little stretched now.

Canada's Conservatives win re-election

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:18:02 GMT

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the first major world leader to face voters since the global financial meltdown, led his Conservative Party to victory yesterday's election but fell short of a majority in Parliament.

How to dump your kids: the Nebraska solution

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Gary Staton's face was knotted with anxiety. An Omaha TV station was quizzing the young Nebraska widower about why he decided to walk into a hospital with nine of his 10 children and abandon them there. "We raised them together," he said. "I didn't think I could do it alone. I fell apart. I couldn't take care of them."

US election diary

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

* It is enough to make any vice presidential candidate scowl – unless, of course, scowling is no longer possible due to facial paralysis. Indeed, Joe Biden may just have to shake his fists when he hears the gossip since his debate with Sarah Palin about the apparent smoothness of his forehead even when he was getting emotional and angry about stuff. "It's a little strange that nothing moves from his eyes on up," was the reaction of Karen Bradley, a professor at the University of Maryland who studies the body language of politicians. Barry Cohen, a plastic surgeon in Rockville, near Washington DC, does not beat about the bush, however. "He clearly has had Botox," he said. "The lines are gone on his forehead. There is no way make-up or surgery could do that." (Yes, Mr Cohen votes Republican.) The Biden folks are shocked and appalled. "Completely untrue, completely unsubstantiated," responded spokesman David Wade. "A lot of Americans will have fewer worry lines on their faces when George Bush is out office," he said.

Flailing McCain urged to take off the gloves in final debate

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

John McCain signalled yesterday that he may take the stage at tonight's third and final presidential debate with all barrels blazing, including on the issue of his opponent's ties to the alleged former terrorist William Ayers.

Wall Street humiliated by nationalisation of banks

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

The US government is set to become the largest shareholder in its national banks, pumping in $250bn (£143bn) to prop up its financial system and marking one of the most startling moments in a credit crisis that has broughtquasi-nationalisation to the home of free-market capitalism.

Masters of the universe but not of their own destiny

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

They used to be the masters of the universe. Now they are not even masters of their own destiny.

'Too fat to die' murderer is executed

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:38:54 GMT

A double murderer who claimed he was too fat to be safely executed was put to death by lethal injection today.

Girl changes name to CutoutDissection.com

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:45:40 GMT

A teenage girl has legally changed her name to CutOutDissection.com to protest against animal dissection in schools.

Girl changes name to CutoutDissection.com

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:45:40 GMT

A teenage girl has legally changed her name to CutOutDissection.com to protest against animal dissection in schools.

Bush: bail-out is to preserve free market

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:17:32 GMT

George Bush today confirmed a $250 billion plan by the US government to buy shares directly in the nation's leading banks.

Bush pledges to buy US bank stocks

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:17:32 GMT

George Bush today confirmed a $250 billion plan by the US government to buy shares directly in the nation's leading banks.

Bush says US to inject capital into banks

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:17:32 GMT

US President George Bush said today the US government will directly inject capital into financial institutions to help thaw frozen credit markets, create jobs and fuel economic growth.

Wildfires force frantic evacuations near LA

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:51:04 GMT

Two huge wildfires driven by strong Santa Ana winds burned into neighbourhoods near Los Angeles, forcing frantic evacuations on smoke- and traffic-choked highways, destroying homes and causing at least two deaths.

Is the party over for Playboy?

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

From the day he first picked up a pipe, slipped into a velvet smoking jacket and decided to launch his own publishing empire, Hugh Hefner has proudly told anyone who'll listen that his career and self-worth revolve around two extraordinary creations.The first is Playboy, the 55-year-old magazine that pioneered the social and consumer revolutions of the 1950s and 1960s, spawned a global multi-media brand, and to this day symbolises his hedonistic-yet-luxurious version of the American dream. The second great creation, Hefner says, is his own life: a roller-coaster of fame, fortune and willing blondes played out against the backdrop of 10236 Charing Cross Road, the 1920s pile on the outskirts of Beverly Hills that he calls home, but which the rest of the world knows as the Playboy Mansion.

Bush critic wins economics Nobel

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

US economist Paul Krugman, a fierce critic of the Bush administration for policies that he argues led to the current financial crisis, won the 2008 Nobel prize for economics yesterday.

Harper set to retain power in Canada election

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Canada's ruling Conservatives look set to retain power today in the first national election held in a major industrialized nation since the market meltdown this month.

US Campaign Diary

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Fidel Castro isn't so unwell that he can't enjoy the sport that is the US presidential election and there are no prizes for guessing which team he is rooting for. But Barack Obama may not entirely appreciate the tone of Fidel's cheerleading.

War hero McCain deserted by voters in military state

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

As you drive along the highway towards the world's largest Marine Corp base, a huge sign pronounces "Virginia, John McCain Country".

US Election Diary

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

*John McCain will try to kiss and make up with chat show host and comedian David Letterman this week. The Republican nominee was ribbed by the 'Late Show' host after cancelling on him at the last minute.

Republican leaders break ranks with McCain

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Senior members of the Republican party are in open mutiny against John McCain's presidential campaign, after a disastrous period which has seen Barack Obama solidify his lead in the opinion polls.

GM and Ford threaten merger

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

The biggest companies in the US car industry, brought to the edge of bankruptcy by the economic turmoil, are considering extraordinary new plans to save themselves, including mergers that could throw tens of thousands of workers out of their jobs.