U.S.’s Lew talks to rich nations’ ministers on pressuring Russia
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew spoke by phone with top ministers from Germany and other rich nations about pressuring Russia to stop its military support of Ukrainian separatists, the Treasury Department said on Tuesday.
U.S. senator to propose strong curbs on NSA phone data collection
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A new Senate proposal to curb the government’s bulk collection of Americans’ telephone records and increase transparency about the program has White House backing and may get more traction with critics who have dismissed other bi…
Former Virginia governor, wife go on trial on corruption charges
RICHMOND Va. (Reuters) – A jury was selected on Monday to hear the federal corruption trial of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, with the couple charged with selling political favors for a loan, gifts and vacations.
U.S. officials defend Kerry from Israeli criticism
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Obama administration officials rallied to the defense of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday after withering criticism in Israel of Kerry’s failed attempt to secure a ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians.
Kerry to woo Modi’s India, but quick progress unlikely
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels to India this week as Washington tries to revitalize ties it sees as a counterbalance to China’s rising power, but rapid progress is unlikely, despite the reformist reputation of India’s…
Obama urges African nations not to make economic ‘excuses’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday gave a preview of a summit he will hold with African leaders next week, saying African nations should look inward for solutions to economic woes and not make “excuses” based on a history of d…
Chicago’s Emanuel says to boost shelter space for child migrants
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Chicago will set up additional shelters for unaccompanied immigrant children to be funded by the federal government and run by local charities, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said on Monday.
U.S. Energy Secretary defends possible German nuke waste imports
AIKEN South Carolina (Reuters) – U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on Monday defended his agency’s controversial move to consider processing spent nuclear fuel from Germany at South Carolina’s Savannah River Site nuclear facility, saying the proposal …
U.S. veterans deal to provide $17 billion to ease medical wait times
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Leaders of the Veterans Affairs committees in the U.S. Congress said on Monday they had struck a rare compromise deal on legislation that provides about $17 billion in funding to ease long waiting times for VA medical centers.
Obama briefed on Ebola outbreak as U.S. agencies provide support: U.S. official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama is getting updates on the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, an administration official said on Monday, noting U.S. agencies had increased their assistance in t…