Oklahoma governor seeks end to Native American adoption fight
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) – Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin on Wednesday stepped up pressure on the biological father of “Baby Veronica,” a 3-year-old Native American girl caught in a protracted adoption custody battle, warning him to cooperate with the gi…
Ex-U.S. congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. sentenced to 30 months in prison
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former Illinois congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., once one of the most promising black politicians in the United States, was sentenced on Wednesday to 2-1/2 years in prison for misuse of campaign funds.
Obama wants some ‘space’ to make Fed decision
VINEYARD HAVEN, Massachusetts (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama wants some “space” to make a decision on who to nominate to replace Ben Bernanke as chairman of the Federal Reserve when his term expires in January, a source familiar with the proce…
Pentagon unveils benefits plan for same-sex married couples
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon on Wednesday announced its plan to extend benefits to same-sex spouses of uniformed military personnel and civilian employees, in response to the Supreme Court ruling in June forcing the federal government to recogni…
Gingrich urges U.S. Republicans to move beyond Obama opposition
BOSTON (Reuters) – Former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich told a meeting of the Republican National Committee that his party needs to move beyond its image of steadfast opposition to President Barack Obama and convince voters its goal is to improve th…
White House strongly opposes Egypt’s emergency declaration
EDGARTOWN, Massachusetts (Reuters) – The White House condemned a violent crackdown on protesters in Egypt on Wednesday and strongly opposed the declaration of a state of emergency made by Egypt’s military leaders.
U.S. political writer Jack Germond dies at age 85
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Jack Germond, the gruff and rumpled “fat man” of American political journalism best known for his coverage of presidential campaigns, died on Wednesday at the age of 85.
U.S. schools face tough decisions on Obamacare benefits
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Hit by years of budget cuts, some U.S. public school boards are looking to avoid providing health benefits to substitute teachers and supporting staff under President Barack Obama’s reform law, education officials say.
New Mexico court reaffirms right of non-English speakers to sit on juries
(Reuters) – The New Mexico Supreme Court has refused to overturn a murder conviction over the dismissal of a juror with limited English skills – but reminded lawyers and judges the state constitution allows non-English speaking citizens to serve on jur…
New Jersey’s Booker wins Democratic U.S. Senate primary
NEWARK, New Jersey (Reuters) – Newark Mayor Cory Booker cruised to an easy victory in New Jersey’s special Democratic primary on Tuesday in the race to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat that has long been in Democratic hands.