Two Democrats join exodus from U.S. Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – New Jersey Representative Rush Holt, a physicist who has advocated strongly for research funding and environmental conservation, has decided not to seek a further term in the U.S. House of Representatives in elections in November…
U.S. moves to revive stalled Afghan peace talks: officials
KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration is taking steps it hopes could lead to a resumption of peace talks to end the Afghan conflict, including reviving a proposed swap of Taliban detainees held at Guantanamo Bay in return for a U.S. pri…
Kerry praises Tunisian progress, promises help against militants
TUNIS (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday praised democratic progress in Tunisia, where the “Arab Spring” began, and offered to help the North African country’s fight against Islamist militants.
Obama to continue to push for trade deals: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama will continue to press for legislation needed to conclude trade agreements because those accords are beneficial to the economy even if they are controversial politically, White House spokesman Jay Carney sa…
U.S. believes diplomacy key to ending Syria conflict: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States still believes that diplomacy is the best way to end the civil war in Syria but all options were being considered, White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Tuesday, after a second round of peace negotiations bro…
Former congressman Mel Reynolds arrested in Zimbabwe
HARARE (Reuters) – Former congressman Mel Reynolds has been arrested in Zimbabwe, an immigration official said on Tuesday, after state media reported the convicted sex offender had been found with pornography at a local hotel.
White House report on economic stimulus rekindles debate five years later
RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters) – President Barack Obama marked the five-year anniversary of a controversial economic stimulus plan by releasing a report on Monday saying that government spending averted a second Great Depression, setting off a new…
China says Kerry’s call for Internet freedom naive
BEIJING (Reuters) – China criticized U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday for his “naive” call for more Internet freedom in the country, and wondered why his discussion with Chinese bloggers had not touched upon Edward Snowden.
Romney says he expects Hillary Clinton to run on her own record
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Failed 2012 U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said on Sunday he expects Hillary Clinton to win or lose the White House on her record, not that of her husband, former Democratic President Bill Clinton and his sexual…
Obama signs increase in U.S. debt ceiling
RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters) – President Barack Obama signed legislation on Saturday that raises the U.S. debt limit through March 2015, taking the politically volatile issue off the table with congressional elections coming up this November.