Obama presses Republicans to end stalemate on immigration
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Fresh from a bruising fight with House of Representatives Republicans over the budget, U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday urged them to work with him to overhaul the country’s immigration laws.
Congressman Paul Ryan sees narrower focus for new budget talks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A new round of budget negotiations starting next week should focus more narrowly on replacing automatic spending cuts rather than attempt to reach an elusive “grand bargain,” House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan said on Thur…
Should have checked for drinking at teen party, says Maryland AG
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A summertime beach party with teenage drinking has turned into a bad night out for Maryland attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler.
White House: no new comment on Merkel spying allegation
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House refused to comment on whether the United States had snooped on German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cellphone communications and acknowledged on Thursday that claims of U.S. spying have created tensions with allies.
Obamacare applications near 700,000, official says
(Reuters) – About 700,000 applications have been submitted for U.S. healthcare coverage being offered through new exchanges created by President Barack Obama’s healthcare law, a U.S. official said on Thursday.
Financier George Soros backs Hillary Clinton for U.S. president
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Billionaire financier George Soros, a major Democratic donor, is backing an effort to persuade former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run for president in 2016, a spokesman said on Thursday.
White House concerned by increase in piracy in West Africa
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House said on Thursday it is concerned about the rise in piracy off the coast of West Africa, and is seeking more information about reports that pirates have kidnapped two U.S. citizens from an oil supply vessel in the …
U.S. Senator Cruz has ‘open mind’ on Yellen Fed pick
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a leading conservative voice, said on Thursday he has an “open mind” on President Barack Obama’s selection of Janet Yellen to lead the Federal Reserve.
Pakistan prime minister urges Obama to end drone strikes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday to end drone strikes in Pakistan, touching on a sore subject just as relations between the two countries improve after years of suspicion over A…
White House to push Senate to delay new Iran sanctions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House will host a meeting of aides to Senate committee leaders on Thursday seeking to persuade lawmakers to hold off on a package of tough new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, a senior Senate aide said.