The latest U.S. political poll shows the rankings have shifted again among Republican presidential hopefuls, with less than a week to go before the Iowa caucuses and the official start of the 2012 presidential campaign. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is back on top in the latest figures, Wednesday, with Ron Paul in second place. […]
Latest Polls Show Romney, Paul Leading Primary Race
Chinese Rights Lawyer Goes On Trial
A Chinese human rights lawyer and activist known for her fight against government land grabs is scheduled to go on trial in Beijing. News reports from the capital say the trial for Ni Yulan and her husband Dong Jiqin on charges of creating public disturbance will begin Thursday. Ni has been jailed earlier because of […]
US Warns Iran Not to Close Key Oil Route
The United States has sharply warned Iran against any move to close the vital Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran threatened to block oil shipments coming through the waterway if the West imposes sanctions targeting the country’s crude oil exports. Pentagon press secretary George Little said Wednesday that “interference with the passage of vessels through the […]
Judge Awards $17.8 Million to Family for Military Jet Crash
A United States federal judge has ordered the U.S. government to pay $17.8 million to a family who lost four members when a military jet malfunctioned and smashed into their home in 2008. The victims were 36-year-old Youngmi Lee Yoon, her fifteen-month-old daughter Grace, her two month old daughter Rachel, and her 59-year-old mother Seokim […]
Texas Governor Perry Seeks Deep Reduction of Federal Government
Texas Governor Rick Perry has held the top leadership position in one of the largest U.S. states, since George W. Bush left the post in 2000 to assume the U.S. presidency. Perry is now the state’s longest-serving governor. Perry, 61, is campaigning on a pledge to reduce the size of the federal government. Political expert […]
Paul’s Tea Party Support Helps Shape Republican Agenda
Ron Paul , a Texas physician and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has a back-to-basics approach highly esteemed by the conservative Tea Party movement. Paul, 76, has served three separate stints in the House and announced earlier this year that he will not run for congressional re-election, so he could focus on the […]
Gingrich Seen as Savvy Player, But Criticized for Position Changes
Newt Gingrich , a former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, is running for the Republican nomination with promises to create jobs, repeal health care reform, and remove obstacles to oil and gas development in the United States. Analysts say Gingrich, 68, is an intelligent and experienced politician whose image has suffered from changes […]
Bachmann, Huntsman, Santorum Hang On in Republican Race
In the crowded fight for the Republican presidential nomination, three well-known candidates have loyal followings, but trail far behind in opinion polls. Michele Bachmann , a Republican U.S. Representative for the state of Minnesota, helped found the House Tea Party caucus. In August she became the first woman to win the Iowa straw poll, but […]
Romney is a Frontrunner, but Fails to Excite Conservatives
Mitt Romney, a businessman turned politician, is for the second time trying to earn the Republican Party’s nomination as its presidential candidate. With the economy dominating the political landscape, Romney’s campaign is highlighting his private sector experience transforming failing companies into profitable ventures. His campaign says it gives him the know-how to turn around the […]
Reports: US Online Sales Jump, Car Sales Improve
Economic data published Wednesday shows the U.S. economy benefiting from better Internet commerce, improving auto sales, and some possible gains in the job market. A company that tracks Internet activity says online retail sales jumped 16 percent last week over the same period a year earlier. Comscore says ecommerce has been strong for the important […]