Maryland lawmakers boost minimum wage to $10.10/hour
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Maryland legislature approved raising the state’s minimum wage on Monday to $10.10 an hour, equaling the highest state rate and drawing praise from President Barack Obama.
Supreme Court declines early look at NSA surveillance case
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned down a long-shot request for a ruling on whether the U.S. government’s gathering of Americans’ phone records is unlawful.
Britain urges U.S. Congress to stop blocking IMF reform
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain urged the U.S. Congress on Monday to stop delaying approval of reforms to the International Monetary Fund that would give more power at the institution to emerging economies.
U.S. defense chief, in first, visits China’s aircraft carrier
QINGDAO, China (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel took a two-hour tour around China’s sole aircraft carrier on Monday, in an unprecedented opening by Beijing to a potent symbol of its military power.
Former Massachusetts Senator Brown to kick off New Hampshire Senate run
BOSTON (Reuters) – Former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, who has been mulling a Senate run in New Hampshire for the past few months, plans formally to announce his campaign on Thursday, the Republican said in a letter to supporters on Monday.
Supreme Court declines free speech, gay marriage case
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider whether a New Mexico photography company had free speech grounds to refuse to shoot the commitment ceremony of a same-sex couple.
Supreme Court declines to hear Iowa campaign finance challenge
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Ducking a new case on the divisive issue of campaign finance, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge to an Iowa law that bans corporate contributions in state elections.
Jeb Bush says illegal immigration often ‘an act of love’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Jeb Bush, a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2016, said on Sunday that illegal immigrants who come to the United States to provide for their families are not committing a felony but an “act of love.”
Democrat Pelosi says Cheney set tone for CIA interrogation practices
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday that former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney “set a tone” for the interrogation and detention programs conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency in the aftermath of the Septem…
U.S. cautions citizens against travel via Baghdad airport due to ‘specific threat’
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The U.S. Embassy in Iraq has cautioned its citizens against travelling via Baghdad airport through April 8 due to information regarding a “specific threat” to security, ahead of elections later this month.
