Obama’s Cuba opening hits early obstacles, faces struggle with Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Only two-and-a-half weeks after U.S. President Barack Obama announced a historic prisoner exchange and re-establishment of long-broken ties with Cuba, his new policy is encountering obstacles that threaten to flare up when Congre…
Idaho’s governor appeals to Supreme Court to reinstate ban on gay marriage
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) – Idaho’s Republican governor and attorney general petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to hear their appeals of a court decision legalizing gay nuptials, arguing Idaho residents have the right to define marriage as betwe…
White House to announce nominee for Fed board, source says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House will soon announce a nominee to the Federal Reserve Board, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday, in a move that would begin the process of filling one of the Fed’s two empty seats in Washington.
U.S. slaps more sanctions on North Korea after Sony hack
HONOLULU/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – North Korea was hit with more sanctions on Friday designed to impede access to the U.S. financial system in the wake of a cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, which the Obama Administration has said was supported …
Latest member of Bush political family takes office in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – George P. Bush was sworn in on Friday as Texas land commissioner with his father and potential Republican White House candidate Jeb Bush by his side and his grandfather, former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, watching on the …
U.S. Senate majority leader leaves hospital after exercise mishap
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Outgoing U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid broke ribs and facial bones when a piece of exercise equipment malfunctioned while he was working out on New Year’s Day at his home in Henderson, Nevada, his office said on Friday.
Senate panel plans to introduce Keystone XL bill next week
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The head of the Senate energy committee plans to introduce a bill next week to force approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, though the full chamber faces a battle in obtaining needed votes to overcome any veto by President Bar…
Bahrain denounces interference after Washington criticizes arrest
DOHA (Reuters) – Bahraini authorities denounced what they called foreign double standards and interference on Friday, days after their main Western ally Washington criticized the detention of the head of the main Shi’ite Muslim opposition group.
Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo dead at 82
ALBANY, N.Y. (Reuters) – Mario Cuomo, the three-time governor of New York and a leading voice of the Democratic Party’s liberal wing who turned down several invitations to seek the U.S. presidency, died on Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 82.
Obama starts 2015 with ‘shave ice’ outing in Hawaii
HONOLULU (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama and his daughters enjoyed shave ice, a frosty flavored Hawaiian treat on New Year’s Day while vacationing near Honolulu.
