Roger W. Watson, Author at Usa Time Press

03 Jan

Christmas in Latin America: Unique traditions celebrating unity and diversity

Roger W. WatsonUncategorized

Christmas is one of the most emblematic celebrations in the world, but in Latin America and the Caribbean it is experienced with a unique intensity and cultural richness. This festival, which combines religious, historical and cultural traditions, runs from mid-December, with the Posadas, until the beginning of January, with the Epiphany or Day of the Three Kings. Each country in the region celebrates it in a particular way, reflecting its own identity and diversity, but always with a spirit of unity and joy. In many Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America, elaborate representations of the birth of Jesus, known…

03 Jan

Congress approves plan to avoid government shutdown amid Republican divisions

Roger W. WatsonInternational

The US Congress narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown on Friday, after weeks of partisan wrangling over federal spending limits and debt ceiling extensions. The crisis came as Republicans, responding to pressure from former President Donald Trump, debated proposals to raise the debt limit while addressing broader fiscal concerns. President of the Chamber Mike Johnsona Republican, he managed to push a plan through his chamber, which is narrowly controlled by his party, while also securing enough bipartisan support to pass it in the Democratic-majority Senate. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Johnson expressed cautious optimism: “We have a plan.…

03 Jan

Neuralink wins approval for new brain implant study aimed at restoring mobility and digital freedom

Roger W. WatsonCulture and Entertainment

Neuralink, the brain technology startup founded by Elon Musk, announced that it has received approval to launch a new feasibility study using its experimental brain implant and robotic arm technology. This initiative, called FIRST studywill evaluate the safety and functionality of the company's wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) and its surgical robot. The study is specifically aimed at helping people with tetraplegia-a severe form of paralysis: controls external devices using only their thoughts. The announcement was made via Neuralink's social media channels, where the company described the study as a significant step toward advancing its technology. “This is the first step…

03 Jan

Trump threatens EU with trade deficit tariffs and calls for more US energy purchases

Roger W. WatsonUncategorized

President-elect Donald Trump ramped up his rhetoric on trade on Friday, warning the European Union that it must significantly reduce its trade deficit with the United States by buying more American oil and gas or face tariffs. “I told the European Union that it must make up for its huge deficit with the United States by buying our oil and gas on a large scale. Otherwise, it will just be tariffs,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform shortly after 1 pm ET. The trade deficit between the United States and the EU in goods and services amounted to 131.3…

02 Jan

Rohit Chopra testifies before Congress as CFPB takes legal action against Zelle

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

Rohit Chopra, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in late November 2023, addressing ongoing consumer financial protection issues. A few weeks later, the CFPB stepped up its efforts by filing a lawsuit against Zelle, a major peer-to-peer payments network, and its three largest operators – JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo – for failing to fight fraud. and adequately compensate victims. The lawsuit marks a significant step in the CFPB's broader campaign to hold financial institutions accountable for fraud-related customer losses. According to the…

02 Jan

Aurora Dermo: Innovative Aesthetic Technology

Roger W. WatsonHealth

Discover how Chronos RF can help you achieve younger, more radiant skin without going under the knife.Concerned about sagging skin, wrinkles, or imperfections? Looking to refresh your facial appearance without turning to invasive methods? Microneedling radiofrequency is a cutting-edge technique delivering noticeable results without the need for surgery or recovery time.This technique combines two proven technologies: radiofrequency, which heats the deep layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production, and microneedles, which create microchannels for better penetration of energy and active ingredients.Numerous devices available provide microneedling radiofrequency treatments, yet Aurora Dermo's Chronos RF distinguishes itself with its exclusive features:- Gold…

30 Dec

Kamala Harris urges resilience as Democrats regroup after election defeat

Roger W. WatsonInternational

Vice President Kamala Harris appealed to Democrats still reeling from last month's election defeat, urging them to remain steadfast in their commitment to progress. Speaking days before Donald Trump returned to the White House, with Republicans retaining full control of Congress, Harris encouraged supporters to remain engaged in the political fight despite their disappointment. In a motivational speech, Harris acknowledged the frustration and disillusionment felt by many Democrats since the election, but stressed the importance of resilience. “Many people have told me they feel angry, even defeated,” Harris said. “They said they don't have the strength or desire to stay…

30 Dec

Wholesale prices and labor market trends fuel contrasting economic prospects

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

November brought an unexpected rise in wholesale prices, casting doubt on the pace of inflation's decline, according to data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The producer price index (PPI), a key measure of what manufacturers charge for goods and services, rose 0.4% on the month, beating the Dow Jones estimate of 0.2%. On a year-over-year basis, PPI rose 3%, the biggest annual gain since February 2023. Excluding food and energy price volatility, core PPI increased 0.2%, in line with market expectations. Furthermore, excluding commercial services, the monthly PPI increase fell to just 0.1%. However, the core…

30 Dec

Biden sets ambitious emissions reduction target while Trump promises to reverse climate progress

Roger W. WatsonUncategorized

President Joe Biden announced a bold plan to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035, reaffirming his administration's commitment to fighting global warming. This move comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next month, vowing to dismantle much of Biden's climate agenda in favor of policies that promote fossil fuel production. Biden's updated goal, which exceeds his previous commitments, aims to keep the United States on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in all sectors of the economy by 2050. The formal commitment, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), it will be submitted…

30 Dec

Parliament approves financing law to avoid government shutdown, but battle over debt ceiling looms

Roger W. WatsonInternational

The Republican-led US House of Representatives passed legislation on Friday to prevent a government shutdown, rejecting President-elect Donald Trump's calls to include billions of dollars in new funding. The bill, which now moves to the Democratic-controlled Senate, must be approved and signed into law by President Joe Biden before current funding expires at midnight Saturday. The bill passed the House with broad bipartisan support in a 366-34 vote, extending federal funding through March 14. The bill allocates $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion for farmers, but excludes controversial provisions, including raising the debt ceiling, a controversial Trump issue.…