usa and canada news

US economic data sparks optimism

February saw sales of existing homes in the US at their highest annual rate since November 2009, further underlining signs of a recovery for the country’s economy. 

New home sales boost US economic data

Despite continued concerns about the potential effect of looming spending cuts, the US has announced surprisingly strong economic data that suggests economic recovery may be gat

NY Times taking its brand international

The International Herald Tribune (IHT) is to be renamed the International New York Times after its parent newspaper.

Office Depot to acquire OfficeMax

In a move that marks the first step towards the long-expected consolidation of the office supplies sector, Office Depot has agreed to buy its rival OfficeMax for around $1.2 bil

Buffett gets saucy by purchasing Heinz

In what has been described as a historic deal, and the largest to date in the food industry, US billionaire Warren Buffett is to buy food giant Heinz for as much as $28 billion.

US authorities give CNOOC permission to purchase Nexen

China’s state-owned CNOOC has been granted US approval to acquire Canadian oil firm Nexen.

American Express launches pay-by-tweet service

In the latest revolutionary development in the field of contactless payment, American Express (Amex) has today launched a purchase-by-tweet service for US-based customers.

Toyota being driven by a surge in US sales

Boeing revenues soar to new heights

New factory announced by KapStone

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation is to open a new corrugated manufacturing facility in Aurora, Illinois, 40 miles west of Chicago. 

Walmart to boost sourcing of US products

Walmart today announced a commitment to increase US sourcing of its products by $50 billion over the next ten years.

Ford to hire 2,200 salaried workers in 2013

Ford Motor Company plans to hire 2,200 salaried workers in the US this year, the largest increase in more than a decade.

Sony hoping to make a splash with waterproof smartphones