Reuters: Politics

U.S. hopeful of breakthrough in Iraq vote deadlock

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:16:57 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Joe Biden pressed Iraq's leaders in a series of telephone calls on Saturday to break a deadlock that has stalled preparations for an election seen as critical for U.S. troops to withdraw, officials said.

Treasury, Fed delay Internet gambling ban 6 months

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:06:32 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve on Friday delayed the implementation date for a new Internet gambling payment ban for six months, a move that gives lawmakers time to overturn it or end confusion over illegal practices.

World's patience with Iran is limited: White House

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:26:52 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The world is losing patience with Iran's behavior over its nuclear program and Tehran will be responsible for the consequences if it fails to meet its obligations, the White House said on Friday.

Russia, U.S. likely to miss deadline on arms pact

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:58:12 -0500

MINSK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and Russia are unlikely to finish a pact to cut Cold War arsenals of nuclear weapons by a December 5 deadline but still aim to close the deal by year-end, Russian and U.S. sources said Friday.

Cost concerns unlikely to sink U.S. health overhaul

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:01:36 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. debt that is topping $12 trillion is raising fresh questions about the cost of President Barack Obama's proposed healthcare overhaul, but those concerns are unlikely to sink the legislation.

U.S. says world analyzing China's climate goals

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:32:30 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House gave a mixed reaction on Friday to China's plans to cut its carbon intensity levels, welcoming the proposal but saying the world would watch whether Beijing kept its promises to tackle climate change.

Poland agrees rules for hosting U.S. armed forces

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:51:54 -0500

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland and the United States have agreed the legal details of deploying U.S. troops in Poland after lengthy negotiations, Deputy Defense Minister Stanislaw Komorowski said on Friday.

U.S. eyes Afghan drawdown starting by 2013: report

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:46:25 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States should be able to begin scaling back its troop presence in Afghanistan from a post-surge peak by 2013, according to an assessment by the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

South Korea launches WTO dispute against U.S.

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:29:35 -0500

GENEVA (Reuters) - South Korea has launched a dispute at the World Trade Organization against the United States over U.S. measures to raise prices on imports of steel, a South Korean embassy official said on Thursday.

Obama's agenda runs into economic angst in Congress

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:11:26 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is paying a price for a recession that began before he took office, and fellow Democrats have started to balk at his legislative agenda and demand greater efforts to create jobs.