U.S. will not prosecute families for paying hostage ransom
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government will no longer threaten to prosecute families who try to pay ransom to win the release of American hostages held overseas, and the United States will directly negotiate with militants holding them but will not…
Lawmakers say auto safety agency needs reform, not more funds
(Reuters) – The U.S. agency that polices vehicle safety is not likely to get more money from Congress to overhaul its defective investigation system or deal with one of the most complex recalls in its history, lawmakers said on Tuesday.
State lawmakers agree to extend New York City rent control laws
ALBANY, N.Y. (Reuters) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and leaders in the state Senate and Assembly on Tuesday said they had reached an agreement to extend recently expired rent control laws for more than 2 million New York City residents.
New York agrees on early budget, boosts police force
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York City’s mayor and City Council have reached agreement on early adoption of a more than $78.5 billion budget that includes hiring nearly 1,300 police officers by the end of next fiscal year in July 2016, city leaders said on…
U.S. export lender heads for partial shutdown
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrats warned on Tuesday U.S. businesses face a “huge disruption” if the Export-Import Bank partially shuts down at the end of the month, putting new trade finance deals on ice.
U.S. has begun to fix visa problems, big backlog to be processed
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it has begun to fix a technical problem that had disrupted U.S. visa issuance around the globe, but it will take time to work off a big backlog.
Egypt says to hold talks with U.S. in July
CAIRO (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on July 28-29, Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty said on Tuesday.
Mississippi politicians join clamor over Confederate flag
JACKSON, Miss. (Reuters) – Mississippi politicians on Tuesday joined a chorus of disapproval over official display of the Confederate flag and state flags containing components of it in the wake of last week’s deadly shooting in a Charleston, South Car…
New York mayor designates Lunar New Year a public school holiday
(Reuters) – Mayor Bill de Blasio designated the Lunar New Year an official public school holiday in New York City on Tuesday, following through on a campaign pledge to Asian voters.
Florida governor signs $78 billion state budget, minus some pork
TALLAHASSEE (Reuters) – Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a $78.2 billion state budget Tuesday, vetoing a record $461 million in pork-barrel projects that legislators requested in their special session last week.
