BeltwayBlips - Latest United States News Articles

Gates: US to do its part to slow Afghan corruption (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:38:15 +0000

AP - The United States will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, even as it is demanding the same from the Afghan government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

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U.S. to tighten control of Afghan contracts: Gates

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:42:15 +0000

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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Nations Unveil Plans to Rein in Emissions

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:37:24 +0000

Prior to a climate change meeting scheduled for Copenhagen, industrialized countries, except the United States, are offering targets to curb greenhouse gases.

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Diplomatic Memo: Clinton Emerges as Key Link to Afghan Leader

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:32:13 +0000

The role thrusts Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton into the thick of a critical international problem.

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South Korea Trade Pact Is Revived by Obama

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:09:05 +0000

President Obama pledged to complete a long-stalled trade agreement with South Korea that he inherited from former President George W. Bush.

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Political Memo: A Tilt Away From Social Issues

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:05:27 +0000

Republican governors gathered to assess their political future and saw their road back to power and unity through pocketbook issues.

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Watchdog Urges Caution on Claims of 640,000 Stimulus Jobs

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:42:35 +0000

Earl E. Devaney, the chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, says reports of job creation came from aid recipients and were not always verified.

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Panel Sees No Need for A-Bomb Upgrade

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:29:25 +0000

Amid concerns over an aging stockpile, Federal advisers have concluded that programs to extend the life of the nation’s nuclear arms ensure their destructiveness for decades to come.

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First EU president makes Europe 'stronger partner': Obama (AFP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:57:57 +0000

AFP - US President Barack Obama welcomed the appointment of the EU's first president Thursday, saying it would make Europe an "even stronger partner" for the United States.

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New president role makes Europe 'stronger partner': Obama (AFP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:26:10 +0000

AFP - US President Barack Obama welcomed the appointment of the EU's first president Thursday, saying it would make Europe an "even stronger partner" for the United States.

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U.S. and Cuba practice softball diplomacy

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:57:14 +0000

Havana, Cuba (CNN) – A metaphorical timeout has been in place between the United States and Cuba for nearly 50 years. But that could all be changing with the help of sports. Fifty-six Americans flew to Havana this week for a series of games with Cuban counterparts. The games are friendly, But these veteran players take their softball seriously. "Well we sort of got a handle on softball diplomacy and big things start in small places and maybe this will be the spot for it," said U.S. softball player Stu Gray. For the opposing pitcher, it's working. "This bolsters ties between the two countries ... There's a real friendship between us," said Cuban softball player Roberto Castelo. Players from the two baseball-crazed nations are all over 55. "I'd like to see more Americans have the opportunity to come to Cuba and see what Cuba is today. And I think the Cubans appreciate Americans," said U.S. softball player David Brissen. And that idea is gaining traction in Congress. Full ...

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Congress urged to combat China trade practices

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:19:30 +0000

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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German defense chief: No move now on Afghan troops (AP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:44:23 +0000

AP - Germany will hold off on any decision about adding troops to Afghanistan at least until the United States makes a move, the country's defense chief said Thursday.

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Congress urged to combat China trade practices (Reuters)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:12 +0000

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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Congress urged to combat China trade practices

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:12 +0000

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U.S. makes debut attendance at Hague war crimes court

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:24:05 +0000

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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WTO authorizes Brazil sanctions over U.S. cotton (Reuters)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:20:58 +0000

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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WTO authorizes Brazil sanctions over U.S. cotton

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:20:58 +0000

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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Big powers ponder how to punish Iran for nukes (AP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:05:05 +0000

AP - The United States and five other world powers will meet Friday in Brussels to discuss what measures can be taken to punish Tehran for its refusal to halt its nuclear enrichment program.

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Obama: U.S., allies discussing steps against Iran

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:27:12 +0000

The United States and its allies are working on steps to take against Iran after its apparent rejection of a nuclear deal, U.S. President Obama said Thursday.

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Obama warns US, partners mulling 'consequences' for Iran (AFP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:30:13 +0000

AFP - President Barack Obama warned Thursday that the United States and its partners were working on a package of steps to show Iran the "consequences" of its decision to snub a nuclear deal with world powers.

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China puts dissident from U.S. on trial after Obama leaves (Reuters)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:19:38 +0000

Reuters - A student leader of China's 1989 pro-democracy movement who has long lived in the United States went on trial in China on Thursday, a day after U.S. President Barack Obama finished a visit that raised human rights.

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U.S. Demands Clear Results From Afghan Reforms

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:17:20 +0000

President Obama sent Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Afghanistan to press President Hamid Karzai to deliver “measurable results” in return for civilian aid.

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Obama predicts renewed US growth in fourth quarter (AFP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:17:51 +0000

AFP - President Barack Obama predicted the United States economy would grow again in the final quarter of 2009, pulling further out of a long and crippling recession.

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Obama Demands Afghan Reforms Produce Results

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:17:25 +0000

President Obama sent Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Afghanistan to press President Hamid Karzai to deliver “measurable results” in return for civilian aid.

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Obama predicts US growth to continue in fourth quarter 2009 (AFP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:04:22 +0000

AFP - President Barack Obama predicted Wednesday that the United States economy would grow again in the final quarter of 2009, pulling further out of a long and crippling recession.

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U.S. near end of Pakistan aid review, focus on energy

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:34:54 +0000

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 Wednesday.

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U.S. pledges to keep taking in Iraqi refugees

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:24:26 +0000

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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Side talks on services could spur WTO: U.S. nominee (Reuters)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:23:10 +0000

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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Side talks on services could spur WTO: U.S. nominee

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:44:07 +0000

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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US warns against paying ransom to pirates (AP)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:42:49 +0000

AP - The United States is calling for intensified efforts to combat piracy and warning against paying ransom.

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Giuliani warns Obama on NYC trial

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:06:29 +0000

Former NYC mayor says trial sends the message that United States is on defense in the war on terror.

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Clinton Visits Karzai on Eve of Inauguration

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:10:28 +0000

The unannounced visit amounted to a stern pep talk from the Obama administration to exhort President Hamid Karzai to do a better job at addressing corruption.

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Obama admits will miss deadline to shut Guantanamo (AFP)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:36:21 +0000

AFP - President Barack Obama admitted for the first time on Wednesday that the United States would miss the January 2010 deadline he set for closing the "war on terror" prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

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Obama concedes delay in closing Guantanamo (AFP)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:39:05 +0000

AFP - US President Barack Obama admitted for the first time on Wednesday that the United States would miss the January 2010 deadline he set for closing the US war on terror prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

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US envoy attends international court meeting (AP)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:17:10 +0000

AP - The United States is attending a meeting of the International Criminal Court's management board for the first time, in an important signal that Washington is engaging with the world's only permanent war crimes tribunal.

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China media praise Obama while rifts remain (Reuters)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:01:34 +0000

Reuters - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told President Barack Obama his nation does not seek a trade surplus with the United States and wants to balance flows, striking a conciliatory note but avoiding public comment on currency rifts.

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Pakistani Successes May Sway U.S. Troop Decision

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:02:33 +0000

The army has made gains after sweeping operations against militants, but lasting success may prove elusive.

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Republicans Seek Inquiry on Fort Hood

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:20:31 +0000

Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee called for a Congressional investigation of what they called systemic intelligence failures before the shootings at Fort Hood.

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US should follow France, boost nuclear power: senator (AFP)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:56:59 +0000

AFP - The United States should consider following France's lead and ramping up use of nuclear power in an effort to contain global warming, a senior US senator helping craft climate change legislation said Tuesday.

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Senate blocks effort to halt facility upgrades in U.S. for Guantanamo detainees

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:24:00 +0000

On a mostly party-line vote of 57-43, the Senate defeated a Republican's bid to block spending to upgrade facilities such as the near-empty prison in Illinois proposed to house detainees. > The Democratic-controlled Senate today thwarted an effort to block spending for upgrading facilities in the United States for housing prisoners transferred from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a move that Illinois officials feared could have complicated efforts to place detainees at a prison in their state.

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Obama Trip Shows Gaps on Issues as Role of China Grows

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:43:38 +0000

A meeting on Tuesday between President Obama and President Hu Jintao highlighted the nations’ different approaches to problems as China assumes a bigger global role.

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Obama calls for climate pact with 'immediate' effect (AFP)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:57:09 +0000

AFP - US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that the United States and China want next month's climate change talks in Copenhagen to culminate in a global accord that has "immediate operational effect."

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US urges EU, Gulf states to help Iraqi refugees (AFP)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:44:33 +0000

AFP - The United States urged European countries and wealthy Arab states on Tuesday to boost their aid to the millions of displaced Iraqis, saying they did "far too little" to assist them.

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U.S., China vow action on climate change

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:11:29 +0000

China and the United States, the largest producers of greenhouse gases, will team up to fight climate change and create clean energy, their leaders said Tuesday.

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China would welcome meeting between U.S. and North Korea

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:29:32 +0000

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said on Tuesday that Beijing expects the United States to hold a bilateral meeting soon with North Korea and said his government would welcome such a move.

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U.S. confident on China's position on Iran

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:14:24 +0000

BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States is confident that China will have the same position on Iran as other world powers, Jeffrey Bader, a top adviser to President Barack Obama on Asia, said on Tuesday.

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U.S. confident on China's position on Iran (Reuters)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:14:24 +0000

Reuters - The United States is confident that China will have the same position on Iran as other world powers, Jeffrey Bader, a top adviser to President Barack Obama on Asia, said on Tuesday.

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China-U.S. relationship called 'most important'

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:12:03 +0000

The relationship between China and the United States is "the most important" bilateral relationship in the world, a former Chinese foreign ministry official said Monday.

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Iran faces 'consequences' in nuclear issue: Obama (AFP)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:42:38 +0000

AFP - China and the United States agreed that Iran faced "consequences" if it resisted greater openness on its nuclear programme, US President Barack Obama said Tuesday after talks with China's Hu Jintao.

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