Reuters: Politics

Senate Democrats push to open healthcare debate

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:34:47 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate said on Tuesday they hope to bring a long-delayed healthcare bill to the floor next week, kicking off a tough fight that may well spill into next year.

Obama weighs four options in Afghanistan: White House

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:07:42 -0500

FORT HOOD, Texas (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's deliberations over war strategy in Afghanistan have narrowed to four options but a decision is still weeks away, the White House said on Tuesday.

U.S. sets North Korea talks, looking for positive steps

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:36:59 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Tuesday it had agreed to hold bilateral talks with North Korea in hopes of coaxing Pyongyang back into broader negotiations aimed at ending its nuclear arms program.

Senate intensifies climate bill efforts

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:20 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A powerful U.S. senator on Tuesday called for tough trade protections that may complicate global climate change talks, while U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon traveled to Washington to push for progress on a deal.

Dodd proposes bold financial overhaul

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:13:02 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee introduced a financial regulation reform bill on Tuesday that leaps beyond earlier proposals, calling for new government agencies on financial stability, bank supervision and financial consumer protection.

Obama to visit Asia as domestic issues smolder

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:17:03 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Barack Obama this week makes his first trip to Asia as president, leaving behind a host of domestic problems with a visit that recognizes the region's economic and diplomatic importance to the United States.

Netanyahu: Obama talks aided Israel security, peace

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:56:20 -0500

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Maryland (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded an unusually low-key U.S. visit on Tuesday voicing confidence that his White House talks had helped secure Israel and promote peace efforts.

Senator urges Obama to begin Pacific trade talks

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:40:21 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As U.S. President Barack Obama heads to Asia this week, a top Democratic senator urged him to join trade talks with Vietnam, New Zealand and others as part of an emerging Pacific trading bloc.

Geithner to Japan: spend more, export less

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:26:03 -0500

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Tuesday told his Japanese counterpart that a commitment by Tokyo to rely less on exports and more on domestic consumption to power growth will benefit the global economy.

WTO's Lamy says U.S. slowing Doha talks: report

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:30:34 -0500

MILAN (Reuters) - The U.S. is slow in reaching a negotiating position in the Doha round trade liberalization talks, the World Trade Organisation's Director General said in an Italian business daily on Tuesday.