Policy disputes snag U.S. spending bill ahead of shutdown deadline
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Negotiations over a $1 trillion U.S. spending bill to implement last month’s budget deal were snagged on some partisan policy disputes on Monday, just days before another government shutdown deadline on January 15, according to c…
U.S. senator sues over healthcare subsidy for Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Ron Johnson filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the way President Barack Obama’s healthcare law is being applied to Congress, part of a larger Republican strategy to draw attention to what they see as critical flaw…
Congress begins new year as showdown on jobless benefits looms
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Congress on Monday began what promises to be another combative year by bracing for a showdown over a White House-backed bill to renew unemployment benefits for 1.3 million Americans.
U.S. health spending rose 3.7 percent in 2012 as economy dragged
(Reuters) – U.S. healthcare spending rose 3.7 percent in 2012 to $2.8 trillion, the fourth year in a row in this range as the slow economic recovery tempered private insurance use, drug prices fell and the government held back payment increases for doc…
U.S. acts to block Turkish firm from sending GE engines to Iran
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday issued a rare emergency order aimed at blocking the illegal re-export of two large, used U.S.-built commercial jet engines to Iran by a company based in Turkey.
Iran rejects U.S. suggestion of Syrian peace talks role
ANKARA/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Iran on Monday appeared to rule out participation in Syrian peace talks later this month, dismissing a U.S. suggestion that it could be involved “from the sidelines” as not respecting its dignity.
Liz Cheney drops Senate campaign, cites health issues
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Republican Liz Cheney, the eldest daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, ended her U.S. Senate bid in Wyoming on Monday, citing serious family health issues.
New Boston mayor promises to focus on crime, schools
BOSTON (Reuters) – Boston’s first new mayor in 20 years, former state representative Martin Walsh, vowed on Monday to focus on cutting the city’s violent-crime rates and improving its school system.
Corruption trial of Trenton, N.J., mayor starts Monday
(Reuters) – Jury selection in the corruption trial of the mayor of New Jersey’s capital city and his brother begins on Monday, in a case U.S. prosecutors say is filled with secret meetings and code names.
Saudi King backs Israeli-Palestinian push, Kerry says
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi King Abdullah offered his “enthusiastic support” to U.S. efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday.
