(WASHINGTON) The US Federal Reserve's policymakers are expected to maintain benchmark interest rates at virtually zero per cent at their meeting this week amid intense debate on how soon the central bank should tighten monetary policy.

(WASHINGTON) US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, offering his most optimistic outlook on the economic recovery to date, predicted on Friday the United States will rebound from the recession faster and more vigorously than other advanced economies.

(WASHINGTON) US federal agencies are having trouble distributing stimulus money as fast as expected because they don't have enough employees to award contracts and grants and monitor the recipients, according to a government study.