U.S. media reports say White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew is expected to be picked to lead the Treasury Department. Officials tell CNN and the AP Wednesday that President Barack Obama’s announcement on the nomination could come before the end of this week. Lew has served as budget director for Mr. Obama and former […]
Reports: Obama to Nominate Jack Lew for Treasury Secretary
For Boeing’s New Dreamliner, Glitches Aplenty
For the third day in a row, there are new problems in the operation of the world’s latest long-range jet aircraft, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. Japan’s All Nippon Airways cancelled a Dreamliner flight Wednesday from the western Yamaguchi prefecture to Tokyo because of a brake problem. The airline said an error message was displayed in the […]
Washington National Cathedral to Perform Same-Sex Marriages
One of the most prominent churches in the United States will begin hosting same-sex marriages. Leaders of the Washington National Cathedral are expected to officially announce the new policy on Wednesday. The majestic cathedral is the seat of the Episcopal Church’s Washington, D.C. diocese, which includes areas of the neighboring state of Maryland. Maryland voters […]
2012 Was Warmest Ever in US
The United States says last year was the warmest ever in the country. Government weather experts said Tuesday the average 2012 temperature in the country’s 48 contiguous states — not counting the island state of Hawaii and far northern Alaska — was 55.32 degrees Fahrenheit . That was a full degree higher than the old […]
$1 Million Lottery Winner Poisoned
U.S. officials say the winner of a $1 million lottery jackpot was poisoned last year before he could receive his award money. Authorities this week determined that Urooj Khan ingested a lethal dose of cyanide. Cook County Medical Examiner Stephen Cina said a relative had asked authorities to further look into his death after initial […]
Pakistani Suspect Pleads Innocent in British and US Terror Plots
A Pakistani man pled not guilty Monday in an alleged al-Qaida plot to set off terrorist bombs in New York and Manchester, England. Abid Naseer entered his plea in a U.S. federal court in Brooklyn, New York — where he was extradited from Britain last week. The judge ordered him to remain in jail at […]
Preliminary Hearing Underway for US Theater Shooting Suspect
Prosecutors have started to make their case against the man charged with carrying out a deadly rampage at a U.S. movie theater in July. The preliminary hearing in the case against 25-year-old James Holmes got underway Monday in Colorado. Prosecutors have filed more than 160 counts against James Holmes for the shooting attack that killed […]
US Banks Near $10 Billion Settlement on Foreclosure Abuse
Major U.S. banks are nearing a $10 billion settlement to resolve claims that they abused financially troubled homeowners as they sought to foreclose on their home purchase loans at the height of the country’s financial downturn. As millions of U.S. homeowners lost their jobs in 2009 and 2010, they often fell behind on their monthly […]
Obama to Nominate Brennan as CIA Chief
U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to nominate top counterterrorism adviser John Brennan as the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Obama first considered Brennan for the CIA job when he took office in 2009, but Brennan withdrew himself from consideration because of criticism about his ties to controversial interrogation techniques. Brennan has […]
Karzai to Meet with Obama in Washington
Afghan President Hamid Karzai left Kabul Monday on his way to the United States to meet with President Barack Obama and other officials in Washington to discuss Afghanistan’s future after U.S. forces withdraw next year. The Afghan leader’s office said the talks will focus on security, economic and political transition, equipping and strengthening Afghan forces, […]