U.S. government seeks to cut Medicare payments to insurers
(Reuters) – The U.S. government on Friday proposed a cut in payments to private health insurers for 2015 Medicare Advantage plans, a move Republican lawmakers said would hurt benefits for the elderly and disabled.
Obama, Putin discuss Syria concerns, Iran talks by phone: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to talk about several global crises where the two powers have not seen eye-to-eye, including Syria’s civil war, ongoing talks on Iran’s nuclear program,…
Obama, Putin agree on need to ensure Ukraine deal works
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Friday that a deal aimed at halting bloody clashes between government forces and protesters in Ukraine needs to be quickly implemented so that the country…
Obama meets with Dalai Lama despite China warnings
WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) – President Barack Obama held low-key talks with the Dalai Lama at the White House on Friday after warnings from Beijing that the meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader would “seriously damage” ties with Washingto…
Drive as I say, not as I do? New York mayor’s convoy seen speeding
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday he remained committed to reducing speed limits and cutting down on traffic deaths in the city, a day after a local television news crew captured his convoy speeding and ignoring stop sig…
Bank tax seen in plan coming from U.S. Congress’s top tax writer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A bank tax similar to one that President Barack Obama once proposed may be part of a broad tax reform package expected to be floated on Wednesday by the top Republican tax writer in the U.S. Congress, lobbyists and analysts said …
California lawmaker indicted on bribery, corruption charges
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A California state senator has been indicted on federal charges that he accepted some $100,000 in bribes from a businessman and undercover FBI agents posing as Hollywood movie executives in exchange for steering legislation in t…
From a tainted Christie, Republican voters demand time and attention
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (Reuters) – Sipping his breakfast coffee in a cozy booth at Chez Vachon, a New Hampshire cafe favored by political junkies and a regular stop for aspirants on the campaign trail to the White House, Bill McEvoy debated the pres…
Obama calls out New Jersey Governor Christie in fight for minimum wage hike
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Friday singled out New Jersey’s embattled Republican Governor Chris Christie for criticism for balking at a push to raise the minimum wage, a move favored by most Americans.
Zimbabwe court orders deportation of former congressman
HARARE (Reuters) – A Zimbabwean court dismissed pornography charges against former congressman Mel Reynolds on Friday but ordered his deportation after he pleaded guilty to staying in the southern African country on an expired visa.
