Republicans slam Kerry over comment on Paris attacks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Republicans lashed out at Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday after he suggested that Islamist militants had a “rationale” for the attack on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine in Paris in January that killed 12 peop…
Republicans, defying Obama, propose tightening Syrian refugee screening
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican lawmakers defied President Barack Obama on Wednesday and laid out plans to tighten screening of Syrian refugees after last week’s Paris attacks, in a political fight that challenges America’s view of itself as a refuge…
Drug sentencing reform measure moves ahead in U.S. House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Efforts to reduce mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain federal drug offenses advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday with committee approval of a bipartisan bill that will head to the full House for c…
New York prosecutor seeks U.S. law to weaken smartphone encryption
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. on Wednesday called for federal legislation requiring tech companies such as Google and Apple to design smartphone operating systems so law enforcement can unlock data stored on them.
White House says Obama would veto proposal for more scrutiny of refugees
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama would veto a proposal from Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives for additional scrutiny of refugees from Syria or Iraq, the White House said on Wednesday.
Presidential candidate Bush wants increased U.S. presence on ground in Iraq
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush called for an increased U.S. troop presence on the ground in Iraq as part of a global coalition to fight Islamic State militants, shifting to a more hawkish stance in response to t…
U.S. defense chief announces reforms aimed at strengthening military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced reforms to the Defense Department’s personnel policies on Wednesday aimed at attracting tech talent and improving the recruitment and retention of troops and civilians.
No ‘religious test’ in House bill pausing Syrian refugees: Ryan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan called on Congress on Wednesday to promptly pass legislation tightening controls on Syrians seeking asylum in the United States, but stressed that such a bill will not discriminate …
Texas appeals court considers abuse of power charge against Rick Perry
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals heard arguments on Wednesday on whether to dismiss an abuse of power charge against former Governor Rick Perry, who has said the case against him is politically motivated.
Pentagon targeting trucks, rigs in assault on Islamic State oil funding
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S.-led air strikes have hit at least 175 targets in the Islamic State’s main oil-producing region over the past month, as Washington intensifies efforts to disrupt a key revenue source estimated to provide more than $1 million …
