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Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dropped below 50 percent in a second major poll in an indication he is suffering from the long healthcare debate and weakness in the economy, Gallup said on Friday.
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White House
Barack Obama
Washington, D.C
Gallup Poll
Approval Ratings
Top House Democrat questions 9/11 criminal trials
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, Representative Ike Skelton, cast doubt on Friday about the Obama administration's decision to try the September 11, 2001, conspirators in a U.S. criminal court.
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World
Washington, D.C
Ike Skelton
Barack Obama
9/11
Ethics panel admonishes Obama Senate replacement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Roland Burris, saying he had been less than candid about his gubernatorial appointment to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama.
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White House
Barack Obama
Washington, D.C
Roland Burris
Senate leader at risk in healthcare battle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Other than President Barack Obama, perhaps no one's political future is riding more on the Senate battle to revamp the healthcare system than the chamber's Democratic majority leader, Harry Reid.
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White House
Washington, D.C
Barack Obama
Harry Reid
Senate announces Bernanke confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Banking Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination to a second term as chief of the U.S. central bank December 3, the panel said on Friday.
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White House
Washington, D.C
Federal Reserve
U.S. healthcare companies set for record lobbying in 2009
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It's not just spending on U.S. healthcare that's hitting record levels. Drugmakers, insurers and industry groups are on track to spend an all-time high of more than $500 million this year to influence Congress' revamp of the ...
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Other
Washington, D.C
U.S. to tighten control of Afghan contracts: Gates
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Reuters) - The United States must tighten control of Afghan development contracts as a first step toward stemming rampant corruption, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday.
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White House
Robert Gates
United States
U.S. urges Honduras de facto leader to step aside
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Honduras' de facto leader should make good on an offer to step aside for a week so voters can focus on November 29 polls and resolve the country's political crisis, the U.S. State Department said Friday.
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World
Honduras
Washington, D.C
No Obama decision on Afghan until after Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's announcement of a new strategy on Afghanistan will not take place until after the Thanksgiving holiday next week, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday.
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White House
Barack Obama
Washington, D.C
Afghanistan
Robert Gibbs
Nearly half of Americans rate Geithner performance "poor"
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Adding to lawmaker criticism of U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's performance is a new survey released on Friday showing 42 percent of Americans say he has done a "poor job" handling the credit crisis and federal ...
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White House
Timothy Geithner
Washington, D.C
West Virginia governor to approve pension rescue, new bonds
MIAMI (Reuters) - West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin expects to sign bills giving the state's large cities pension-funding relief and approving the sale of $225 million in stimulus bonds, a spokesman said on Friday.
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Congress
Virginia Foxx
House panel OKs plan to open Fed policy to audits
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional panel on Thursday approved a measure to open the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions to government audits, a surprise blow to the central bank's efforts to shield its independence and a signal of ...
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World
Washington, D.C
Federal Reserve
Foreign Policy
Pelosi calls Afghan Karzai "unworthy partner"
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai is an "unworthy partner" who does not deserve a big boost either in U.S. troops or civilian aid, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
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Congress
Nancy Pelosi
Washington, D.C
Hamid Karzai
House of Representatives
State, local budget cuts a "time bomb" for U.S. jobs
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Budget shortfalls pose a direct threat to millions of U.S. jobs, many in the private sector, as state and local governments lay off workers and cut spending on contracts and other business services, a think tank said on Thursday. ...
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Other
Senate confirms long-stalled Obama judicial pick
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. Senate, having smashed through a Republican wall of opposition, confirmed on Thursday U.S. President Barack Obama's first and longest-stalled judicial nominee.
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White House
Barack Obama
Washington, D.C
India PM heads to U.S. in test of ties with Obama
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's prime minister and U.S. President Barack Obama meet next week to strengthen ties, with the emerging Asian power increasingly playing a bigger role on global issues such as climate change and trade.
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White House
India
Barack Obama
Senate nears first healthcare vote
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. Senate geared up for a fierce battle over a new healthcare reform plan on Thursday as Republicans condemned the bill's price tag and tax hikes before the first crucial test vote on Saturday.
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Other
Washington, D.C
House panel OKs plan to open Fed policy to audits
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional panel on Thursday approved a measure to open the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions to government audits, a surprise blow to the central bank's efforts to shield its independence and a signal of ...
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World
Washington, D.C
Federal Reserve
Foreign Policy
EU says it has solved the Kissinger question
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union says it finally has the answer to a question long attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger: Who do I call if I want to call Europe?
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Henry Kissinger
House votes to boost Medicare pay to doctors
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to boost Medicare payments to physicians in a move that could help shore up support from doctors for a sweeping Democratic-backed healthcare overhaul.
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Congress
Washington, D.C
House of Representatives
Busy agenda clouds hopes for immigration reform
PHOENIX (Reuters) - Some U.S. Democrats see momentum building for an overhaul of immigration laws that would legalize millions of undocumented workers, but analysts say a crowded agenda and struggling economy may once again sink hopes for reform next ...
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Other
Congress urged to combat China trade practices
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States must combat China's trade-distorting industrial and currency policies with U.S. trade laws and by using the World Trade Organization, a congressional advisory body said on Thursday.
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World
China
Washington, D.C
United States
Senate eyes first healthcare vote
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democrats geared up for a lengthy battle over a new healthcare reform plan on Thursday as Republicans condemned the bill's cost and taxes ahead of the first key vote this weekend.
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Other
Washington, D.C
Sen. John Kerry's daughter arrested in Hollywood
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Senator John Kerry's elder daughter, Alexandra, who made a red-carpet splash at the Cannes film festival five years ago in a see-through dress, was arrested in Hollywood on Thursday on suspicion of drunken driving.
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Obama praises dissident Cuban blogger Sanchez
HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama praised dissident Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez and said in a posting on her website on Thursday that he looks forward to the day "all Cubans can freely express themselves."
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White House
Barack Obama
Senators seek probe into China's yuan peg
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two senators who authored legislation aimed at pressuring China to lift the value of its yuan said on Thursday they asked the Commerce Department to investigate alleged Chinese currency "manipulation."
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World
China
Washington, D.C
Pentagon budget must rise to fund current plans
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. defense spending in coming years must rise roughly 6 percent on average from the record sum sought by President Barack Obama this year just to meet current plans, Congress's budget office said Wednesday.
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White House
Washington, D.C
Barack Obama
Embattled NY governor bashed for visual impairment
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Governor David Paterson, facing a tough battle to keep his job, has fallen so low in public opinion that even his visual impairment that once earned him respect is being held against him.
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Other
U.S. warns Iran of consequences over standoff
SEOUL/MANILA (Reuters) - World powers could have a package of measures against Iran "within weeks," U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday, warning Tehran of consequences for its failure to respond to an offer of a nuclear deal.
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World
Iran
Barack Obama
Congress urged to combat China trade practices
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States must combat China's trade-distorting industrial and currency policies with U.S. trade laws and by using the World Trade Organization, a congressional advisory body said on Thursday.
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World
China
Washington, D.C
United States
Iran unrest death sentences "distressing": Clinton
KABUL (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday death sentences imposed by Iran over unrest after disputed elections in June were "distressing."
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World
Iran
Hillary Rodham Clinton
U.S. makes debut attendance at Hague war crimes court
THE HAGUE (Reuters) - U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues Stephen Rapp made a debut appearance for the United States at the world's war crimes court Thursday and said the U.S. remained wary of politically driven prosecutions.
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World
United States
WTO authorizes Brazil sanctions over U.S. cotton
GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization authorized Brazil Thursday to impose trade sanctions on the United States over its support for cotton, as Brazil ratcheted up pressure on Washington over the illegal subsidies.
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World
Brazil
United States
Washington, D.C
McCain defends campaign team against Palin
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Republican Senator John McCain on Wednesday strongly defended the top advisers from his 2008 presidential campaign in the face of sharp criticism from his vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin.
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White House
Sarah Palin
Washington, D.C
John McCain
India PM heads to U.S. in test of ties with Obama
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's prime minister and U.S. President Barack Obama meet next week to strengthen ties, with the emerging Asian power increasingly playing a bigger role on global issues such as climate change and trade.
Tags:
White House
India
Barack Obama
Obama warns Iran of consequences over nuclear standoff
SEOUL/MANILA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama issued a strong warning to Iran on Thursday of consequences of its failure to respond to the offer of a nuclear deal and could have a package of steps to take "within weeks."
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White House
Barack Obama
Iran
Obama says starts talks with partners over Iran
SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday he had started talks with partners about the consequences of Iran's failure to respond to the offer of a nuclear deal.
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White House
Barack Obama
Iran
Senate healthcare bill hits Obama cost target
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid released a healthcare reform plan on Wednesday that budget analysts said would extend coverage to tens of millions of the uninsured and reduce the budget deficit over 10 years.
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White House
Washington, D.C
Harry Reid
Barack Obama
Obama ends Asia tour with talks on North Korea
SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will discuss luring North Korea back to nuclear talks and finishing by next year a long-delayed trade pact with Seoul in talks with President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday at the end of his Asian tour.
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White House
Barack Obama
North Korea
Financial reforms grind forward in Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress edged closer on Wednesday to creating new government powers to break up giant financial firms, which Europe is already doing, while a U.S. derivatives market crackdown got more complicated.
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Other
Washington, D.C
U.S. near end of Pakistan aid review, focus on energy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States expects to complete a review on how to spend $7.5 billion in proposed aid for Pakistan by the end of this month, with an early focus on the country's decrepit energy sector, senior U.S. officials said on ...
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World
Pakistan
Washington, D.C
United States
U.S. pledges to keep taking in Iraqi refugees
DAMASCUS (Reuters) - The United States will take in "substantial" numbers of Iraqi refugees next year, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Eric Schwartz said Wednesday.
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World
United States
Senate to press ahead with probe into Fort Hood
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators vowed on Wednesday not to interfere with a criminal probe of the Fort Hood shootings but said they must move ahead with their own hearing into the rampage.
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Other
Washington, D.C
Obama to end Asia tour with talks on North Korea
SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will discuss luring a reluctant North Korea back to nuclear dealings and a long-delayed trade pact with Seoul in talks with President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday at the end of his Asian tour.
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White House
Barack Obama
North Korea
Obama's Democrats call for trade policy overhaul
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some of President Barack Obama's fellow Democrats urged him on Wednesday to abandon the Doha round of global trade talks and start over with an agenda to protect labor rights and environmental standards.
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White House
Barack Obama
Washington, D.C
Foreign Policy
McCain defends campaign team against Sarah Palin
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Senator John McCain on Wednesday strongly defended the top advisers from his 2008 presidential campaign in the face of sharp criticism from his vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin.
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White House
Sarah Palin
Washington, D.C
John McCain
Side talks on services could spur WTO: U.S. nominee
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States is eyeing side talks with key partners on services trade as a way to spur flagging World Trade Organization talks, the Obama administration's nominee for WTO ambassador said.
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White House
United States
Barack Obama
Senate Democrats to unveil healthcare bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After weeks of closed-door negotiations, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid plans to unveil broad healthcare reform legislation on Wednesday with a first test vote on the package possible by the weekend.
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Congress
Washington, D.C
Harry Reid
U.S. Democrats demand analysis of drug price hikes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking a government investigation into recent price increases of brand-name prescription drugs, as Congress finalizes health reform overhaul.
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Congress
Washington, D.C
House of Representatives
Tom Price
Senate panel passes food safety reform bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate committee passed legislation on Wednesday that would increase government oversight of the U.S. food supply, which has been battered by a series of high-profile recalls that have soured consumer confidence in the food ...
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