U.S. asks court not to halt Guantanamo force-feeding
MIAMI (Reuters) – A U.S. federal court has no jurisdiction and no reason to intervene in the force-feeding of prisoners at the Guantanamo naval base, the Obama administration argued on Wednesday in its latest defense of a policy that critics have deeme…
Surplus catfish a tasty bipartisan item in Washington
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is spending $10 million on frozen catfish for poor Americans this year as part of a Great Depression-era program that hasn’t drawn a peep of protest from budget slashers in Congress.
Obama wildlife trafficking plan may also boost security
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A White House plan to curb illegal trafficking in rhino horn, elephant tusks and body parts from other endangered wildlife could have the side benefit of helping to stabilize parts of Africa plagued by insurgent groups, military …
Texas House panel advances proposal to restrict abortion
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – A Texas House committee voted to move forward with a proposal to ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and toughen standards for clinics, after at least 2,000 people sought to testify for and against the measure at an…
Missouri vetoes raise questions for Smithfield-China deal
(Reuters) – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon vetoed two bills on Tuesday that would have cleared the way for foreign ownership of farmland and potentially eliminated obstacles to the planned $4.7 billion purchase of Smithfield Foods Inc by a Chinese company…
U.S. to delay key health-reform provision to 2015
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. administration on Tuesday said it will not require employers to provide health insurance for their workers until 2015, a move that delays a key provision of President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law by a year.
U.S. approves second horse slaughterhouse, but renews bid for ban
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government approved a horse slaughter plant in Iowa on Tuesday, its second such move in four days, but it also renewed its appeal to Congress to ban the business and was hit by a lawsuit from animal welfare groups.
Illinois governor vetoes parts of concealed carry gun bill
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Illinois governor Pat Quinn on Tuesday vetoed parts of a gun bill that would have allowed people to carry more than one gun, carry guns into some places that serve alcohol, and carry a partly exposed gun.
Obama wildlife trafficking plan may also boost security
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A White House plan to curb illegal trafficking in rhino horn, elephant tusks and body parts from other endangered wildlife could have the side benefit of helping to stabilize parts of Africa plagued by insurgent groups, military …
Obama seeks to build Africa business ties on Tanzania stop
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama sought to advance a new U.S. economic partnership with Africa during a stop in Tanzania on Monday at the end of a tour of the fast-growing continent where Washington faces competition from China.
