U.S. free trade critics, supporters kick off battle for public opinion
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Supporters and critics of free trade are readying for a bitter battle this year over major free trade deals and legislation to fast-track trade agreements through the U.S. Congress.
New York, New Jersey lawmakers revive Port Authority reform bills
(Reuters) – New York and New Jersey lawmakers want to revive legislation that would reform the transportation agency that was embroiled in controversy with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s administration over a major bridge traffic jam.
U.S. House votes to ease Obamacare employer requirements
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to ease Obamacare’s health insurance requirements for employers by approving the first of an expected series of bills aimed at weakening the overall healthcare re…
Obama tells Americans: Don’t buy a gas guzzler
PHOENIX (Reuters) – President Barack Obama told Americans on Thursday that cheap U.S. gasoline prices would not last and that they should not buy gas-guzzling vehicles.
U.S. gasoline tax hike talk increases in Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The possibility of a gasoline tax increase to help pay for federal highway improvements was attracting increased attention in the U.S. Congress as a prominent conservative Republican on Thursday said he was willing to consider th…
Cuba frees eight more political prisoners, dissidents say
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba has freed eight more detainees, dissidents said on Thursday, as Havana begins to release 53 people the United States considers political prisoners as part of an agreement aimed at ending decades of hostility between the two nati…
U.S. to cut European military bases as budgets shrink
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Facing tight budgets and a shrinking military, the United States said on Thursday it was ending operations at an air base in Britain and handing it and 14 other sites in Europe back to their home governments.
U.S.-Cuba normalization talks to take place Jan. 21-22
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S.-Cuba talks on normalizing ties will take place in Havana on Jan. 21 and 22, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday, as Cuba freed six more detainees as part of the two countries’ rapprochement.
U.S. Senate votes to renew terrorism insurance program
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to extend for six years a federal terrorism insurance program sought by owners and developers of office buildings and shopping malls, after lawmakers allowed it to lapse at the end of 2014.
White House urges Senate to swiftly confirm new attorney general
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) – The White House on Thursday urged the Republican-led Senate to hold a confirmation hearing for Loretta Lynch, President Barack Obama’s nominee for attorney general, before the end of the month and vote to approve her be…
