Reuters: Politics

China looms as key challenge on Obama's Asia tour

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:11:57 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama leaves for Asia on Thursday with the U.S. economy, jobs and a yawning trade deficit with China looming large on his agenda.

Clinton: U.S. concerned about Afghan corruption

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:50:39 -0500

MANILA (Reuters) - The United States is concerned about corruption and poor governance in Afghanistan and has raised those issues with the administration of President Hamid Karzai, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday.

Get ready, America: Here comes Sarah Palin

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:57:03 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Get ready, America. Like her or not, Sarah Palin is coming to a city near you.

China warns Obama about Dalai Lama, citing Lincoln on slavery

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:30:43 -0500

BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese government spokesman said Barack Obama should be especially sympathetic to China's opposition to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence, as a black president who lauded Abraham Lincoln for helping abolish slavery.

Obama pushes for changes in Afghan strategy options

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:45:07 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama pushed his Afghan war council Wednesday for revisions in strategy options presented to him before he will go ahead with a final decision on boosting troop levels in Afghanistan, a senior U.S. official said.

Clinton urges Myanmar to free Suu Kyi

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:27:32 -0500

MANILA (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called again on Thursday for the unconditional release of Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, but suggested there could be high-level contacts with the country's military leaders at a summit this weekend.

U.S. keeps pressure on Abbas after Netanyahu visit

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:30:35 -0500

PARIS (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's low-profile White House visit, widely portrayed as frosty, in fact broke the ice in his relations with President Barack Obama, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday.

U.S. yuan critics urge Obama keep campaign promise

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:26:29 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. critics of China's currency policy said on Wednesday they were skeptical of a hint from Beijing that it could soon let its yuan rise against the dollar again after an 18-month hiatus.

U.S. and Japan to agree on climate, disarmament: media

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:44:41 -0500

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and the United States will agree at a summit on Friday to work together to rid the world of nuclear arms and to fight global warming, Japanese media said, as they strive to put a strained alliance on a firmer footing.

U.S., Asian finance ministers see common goals

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:13:41 -0500

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States and Asia are inextricably linked and must work together to build a more stable economy, top U.S., Indonesian and Singaporean finance officials wrote in an editorial to be published on Thursday.