States considering bills that would make kids repeat third grade for failing reading testsCompare
Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:24:31 GMT

Lawmakers in at least four US states are considering legislation that would make students repeat third grade if they can't pass state reading exams, reviving debates about whether retaining students boosts achievement or increases their odds of dropping out.

China's vice president to arrive in US for visitCompare
Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:46:41 GMT

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will visit the U.S. this week for a crucial getting-acquainted visit aiming to strengthen trust between the sides before he takes over as leader of the world's most populous nation.

Man charged in assassination attempt against Utah governorCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:10:19 GMT

Brian Biff Baker faces multiple charges associated with drugs and weapons possession as charges mount against the man police say threatened to kill Gov. Gary Herbert.

Palin: Romney a 'great' candidate, not a convincing conservativeCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:57:07 GMT

Despite a hard-charging speech over the weekend that suggested dissatisfaction with the Republican presidential primary frontrunner, Sarah Palin said Sunday that Mitt Romney "is a great candidate."

US admiral says Navy forces are prepared to confront IranCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:51:22 GMT

The top U.S. Navy official in the Gulf said Sunday he takes Iran's military capabilities seriously but insists his forces are prepared to confront any Iranian aggression in the region.

Live free or sneeze? New Hampshire weighs ban on scents worn by state workersCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:14:46 GMT

Less is more, according to New Hampshire lawmakers debating whether to ban the use of scented or fragrant soaps by state employees. 

US government looks to mine social media to combat terrorist attacks, uprisingsCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:16:19 GMT

The U.S. government is seeking software that can mine social media to predict everything from future terrorist attacks to foreign uprisings, according to requests posted online by federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

President Obama's budget meets early GOP skepticismCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:18:01 GMT

Drawing on $1 trillion in deficit reductions already negotiated in last summer's debt ceiling deal, President Obama's next fiscal year budget -- out Monday -- will call for $1.5 trillion in spending cuts to go with $1.5 trillion in new taxes on corporations and high-income earners.

Lew: No arms to Syrian people fighting Assad regimeCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:50:00 GMT

The U.S. and its allies are "bringing pressure to bear" on Syria's government, but will not provide weapons to Syrian rebels trying to get rid of the government of despotic leader Bashar Assad, President Obama's chief of staff said Sunday.

Obama chief of staff: No more compromise, contraceptive rule is done dealCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:17:43 GMT

Despite ongoing dissatisfaction among Catholic leaders, the Obama administration is done negotiating and is finalizing its plan to require insurance companies to provide free contraception to women working and studying at religious institutions, President Obama's chief of staff said Sunday.

Romney edges out Paul in Maine caucus contestCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:07:06 GMT

Mitt Romney edged out Ron Paul to win the Maine Republican presidential caucuses Saturday, capping a strong day for the campaign following a string of setbacks earlier in the week. 

Romney builds delegate lead with Maine victoryCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:45:34 GMT

Mitt Romney added to his lead in the race for delegates Saturday with a narrow victory in the Maine Republican presidential caucuses. 

State senator, wife attacked at western NY casinoCompare
Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:04:16 GMT

A state senator and his wife said Saturday they were attacked and beaten at a Niagara Falls casino hotel after the lawmaker tried to break up an argument between two men, one of whom accused him of hating the Indian tribe that owned the resort.

Pentagon calls for 'urgent' upgrade of massive bunker-busting bombs, as Iranian threat loomsCompare
Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:39:58 GMT

The Air Force developed the bomb in conjunction with Boeing to attack concrete bunkers and tunnel facilities, and the Pentagon has requested $81 million in reallocated funds from Congress to get it ready for use.

Romney wins CPAC presidential straw pollCompare
Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:14:40 GMT

Mitt Romney won the presidential straw poll Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, an unofficial endorsement from party activists that nevertheless helps the former Massachusetts governor burnish his conservative image. 

Obama pitches new spending, old tax ideas in budget planCompare
Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:53:58 GMT

The White House is focusing on re-election themes such as jobs and public works projects in President Obama's new budget blueprint while relying on familiar but never enacted tax increases on the wealthy and corporations to reduce future deficits after four years of trillion dollar-plus shortfalls. 

Joint Chiefs Chairman Dempsey meets with top Egyptian official over NGO crackdownCompare
Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:13:45 GMT

The United States' top general discussed an Egyptian crackdown on Western-funded pro-democracy groups with the head of the country's ruling military council on Saturday, as another two foreigners were arrested on charges of fomenting discontent on the first anniversary of Hosni Mubarak's ouster. 

Obama budget to propose millions for trade enforcementCompare
Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:09:53 GMT

President Obama's new budget proposal will ask Congress to devote millions for a new trade enforcement center and more U.S. inspectors in China as the administration takes aim at unfair trade practices abroad, a senior administration official said Saturday. 

Battle of the billionaires -- Super PACs offer chance for high rollers to sway 2012 raceCompare
Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:43:06 GMT

The Super PAC system, a product of recent Supreme Court rulings, allows unlimited donations for political causes. And recent federal disclosure forms reveal the people behind them are the whales of the campaign trail -- putting up donations frequently in excess of a quarter-million dollars. 

US eyes fresh start in China relationsCompare
Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:11:15 GMT

The Obama administration is gearing up for next week's visit by Chinese vice president Xi Jinping, who is expected to become the country's next leader, as a once-in-a-decade chance to set the tone in relations between Washington and Beijing.