Senate panel passes plan to restrict, not end, surveillance
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate Intelligence Committee approved legislation on Thursday to tighten controls on the government’s sweeping electronic eavesdropping programs, but allows them to continue.
Obama halted NSA spying on IMF and World Bank headquarters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama has ordered the National Security Agency to stop eavesdropping on the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as part of a review of intelligence gathering activities, according to a …
Pair of U.S. lawmakers urge budget negotiators to set early spending cap
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A senior U.S. Senate Democrat and a high-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives urged congressional budget negotiators on Thursday to agree on a 2014 spending level by November 22 – even if they have not yet figured o…
Housing case before U.S. justices close to settlement: lawyer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A case before the Supreme Court that could limit housing discrimination claims is close to a settlement, potentially removing an opportunity for the justices to rule on the matter.
U.S. ramps up efforts to lure foreign investment
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Thursday pledged an aggressive expansion of U.S. efforts to draw foreign investment by clearing away red tape and having U.S. diplomats court investors who want to break into the market.
Senate Republicans block key Obama court nominee
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked President Barack Obama’s nominee to a key federal appeals court, charging that he was trying to “pack the court” to win favorable rulings.
Obamacare website gets new tech experts; oversight pressure grows
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration said it has brought in experts from top technology companies including Google Inc and Oracle Corp to fix the HealthCare.gov website, as Republicans press for details about the botched October 1 launch tha…
Republican cautions against blocking Yellen’s Fed nomination
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A senior Republican on the Senate Banking Committee said on Thursday he would oppose efforts to block the nomination of Janet Yellen as Federal Reserve chairwoman with a filibuster unless some disturbing disclosure emerged.
Russia demands U.S. explanation over blacklisted singer
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s foreign ministry asked the United States on Thursday to explain why it had imposed sanctions on a well-known singer and supporter of President Vladimir Putin, calling the move “unacceptable”.
Obama will use executive powers to conserve lands: Interior secretary
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama will use his executive powers to protect more mountains, rivers and forests from development if Congress does not act to preserve such wild spaces, the U.S. Interior Secretary said on Thursday.
