U.S. consumer prices dropped two-tenths of a percent in June, largely because of a decline in the cost of oil. Friday’s report from the Labor Department says outside the volatile areas of energy and food, prices in the overall economy rose a modest 1.6 percent over the past year. A separate report says U.S. consumers […]
Obama Calls Space Station Astronauts
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama called astronauts at the International Space Station Friday to thank them for their work on the last mission of the 30-year U.S. space shuttle program. President Obama spoke with the combined 10-person crew of the shuttle Atlantis and the space station. He jokingly told the crew that he was trying to […]
Obama, Republicans Still Wrangling Over US Debt
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
President Barack Obama and opposition Republicans called on each other to offer “serious” plans to solve the nation’s financial problems on Friday. In a televised news conference, Mr. Obama said again he is willing to consider cuts in popular social programs including pensions and health care for the elderly, and aid to veterans. In return, […]
Obama: Time is Running Out for Deal
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
President Obama said the American people are still worried about unemployment, declining home values and rising prices of goods. He warned that politicians are running out of time as the August 2 deadline approaches. He said he has hope because of the American people, who he says reflect “good, common sense” and want an agreement. […]
Obama: No Radical Approach Needed
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
President Obama told reporters the country does not need to do anything radical to fix its debt woes. He said the “American people are sold” on a solution to the current crisis and that polls show that 80 percent of Americans support reducing spending on programs it cannot afford as well as raising revenue. Mr. […]
US Court Dismisses Visa Lottery Lawsuit
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
A federal court in Washington has dismissed a lawsuit brought by citizens of more than 20 countries who were mistakenly informed they won a special visa lottery program to enter the U.S. Reacting to Thursday’s dismissal, attorneys for the plaintiffs said Friday that the State Department may have won in court, but has lost the […]
Obama: Agreement Would Be Good for America
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 11:30 am (UTC-5)
President Obama says reaching an agreement on debt and deficit would be good for the overall business climate and send an encouraging message to the American people. He said the Republican plan should include extensions on payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits. But he said he has not seen a “credible plan” on how to […]
Obama Ready to Move on ‘Serious’ Package
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 11:15 am (UTC-5)
President Obama said he is ready to move ahead with cutting spending if Republican lawmakers show him what he called a “serious plan.” He said the American people want to see Washington do its job, and that it is not fair to ask for middle class families to make sacrifices without asking for sacrifices from […]
Obama: ‘Adverse’ Consequences If US Defaults
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama has warned of “adverse” consequences for all Americans, such as higher interest rates, if the United States defaults on its obligations. At the White House Friday, Mr. Obama told reporters that all congressional leaders have reiterated the desire to make sure that U.S. does not default. He said the United States […]
Obama, Republicans Still Wrangling Over US Debt
Posted July 15th, 2011 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
The political wrangling over spending, debt, and taxes continued in Washington Friday, with President Barack Obama and opposition Republicans holding separate news conferences to outline their positions. The Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, said his party does not want a default. He also said it is vital to make what he […]
