Clinton friend Blumenthal testifies to Benghazi panel
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Sidney Blumenthal, a longtime ally of Hillary Clinton who was an unofficial adviser when she was U.S. Secretary of State, testified all day Tuesday behind closed doors before a congressional panel probing the deadly 2012 attacks …
Jeb Bush: Pope Francis should steer clear of climate issue
DERRY, N.H./WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In his first official day on the presidential campaign trail on Tuesday, Republican Jeb Bush, a Catholic, had sharp words on Pope Francis’ decision to leap into the climate change debate, saying the pontiff should steer clear of political issues.
U.S. House buys time on trade bill until July 30
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday extended until late July a deadline for a second vote on legislation central to President Barack Obama’s Pacific Rim trade pact, giving supporters time to obtain more backing for it.
Michigan House approves bill barring cities from setting minimum wage
(Reuters) – The Republican-led Michigan House on Tuesday approved a bill prohibiting local governments from setting minimum wage laws or benefit requirements.
Oregon lawmaker proposes raising state minimum wage to $13 an hour
PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) – A senior Oregon lawmaker is proposing that the Democratic-led state raise its minimum wage to $13 an hour by 2018 in a move that would give it the highest statewide minimum pay level in the country, officials said on Tuesday….
California governor, lawmakers, agree on $115.4 billion budget
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) – California Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers who dominate the state legislature said on Tuesday they reached a deal on a $115.4 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
White House secures $4 billion in investments for clean energy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House has secured more than $4 billion to boost clean energy and fight climate change from foundations, institutional investors and philanthropies, doubling a goal set in February, administration officials said.
U.S. Senate passes ban on torture
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to ban the use of torture, a landmark vote intended to bar any further use of “enhanced interrogation techniques” on detainees and put into law an executive order President Barack O…
With barbs and bluster, Trump barges into 2016 White House race
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Real estate mogul and TV personality Donald Trump barged his way into the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Tuesday in a blitz of boasts, inflammatory comments and attacks on both fellow Republicans and President Barack Obama’s ad…
Trade rebuff fuels doubts on Obama bid to counter rising China
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In his State of the Union address in January, President Barack Obama left little doubt that his pursuit of a landmark Asia-Pacific trade pact was aimed at countering Beijing’s rising influence in the region. “China wants to write the rules … Why would we let that happen?” he asked.
