Barack Obama news and stories by mail.com

Barack Obama

Fed says growth pause temporary, keeps up stimulus
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy "paused" in recent months because of temporary factors and reaffirmed its commitment to try ...
Hagel: Window closing on Iran and diplomacy
Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel said the "window is closing" on Iran and the possibility of diplomacy if it continues to ignore international ...
THE RESET: Familiar faces on Obama's 2nd-term team
President Barack Obama is much of the way through completing his second-term Cabinet and top White House staff. For many of those chosen so far, it's ...
White House: Sandy to blame for lack of growth
The White House says Superstorm Sandy is partially to blame for the unexpected contraction of the U.S. economy. Top White House economist Alan Krueger ...
McCain: Immigration reform failure would cost GOP
In a warning to fellow Republicans, Sen. John McCain said Wednesday that failure to pass comprehensive immigration legislation could mean continued ...
AP Interview: Top US general confident in Afghans
The top commander of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan believes government security forces have improved faster than expected and will be ready to take ...
Former Ill. Gov. Ryan to be released from prison
George Ryan on Wednesday will become the latest former Illinois governor to go through a prison door. This time, he's headed out. Ryan is being ...
White House petitions: Huge response, headache too
No, the U.S. will not be building a Death Star. And no, President Barack Obama will not deport CNN's Piers Morgan or let Texas secede. These are just ...
Ex-Ill. Gov. Ryan faces changed world after prison
When former Illinois Gov. George Ryan steps out of prison on Wednesday after serving five-plus years for corruption, he will return to a life altered ...
Senate confirms Kerry nomination for State Dept.
The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed President Barack Obama's choice of five-term Sen. John Kerry to be secretary of state, with Republicans and ...
Hagel supports nuclear arms cuts, then elimination
Chuck Hagel, the likely next secretary of defense, would be the first to enter the Pentagon having publicly advocated for sharply reducing the number ...
4 of Illinois' last 7 governors went to prison
Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan will be leaving prison and heading to a halfway house after serving more than five years for corruption.
Obama on immigration overhaul: 'Now is the time'
Declaring "now is the time" to fix the nation's broken immigration system, President Barack Obama on Tuesday outlined broad proposals for putting ...
Wanxiang says panel approves A123 sale
Chinese auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group Corp. said Tuesday that a federal panel has approved its purchase of most assets of failed battery ...
NRA says more gun control not a serious proposal
Banning some assault weapons and requiring background checks for all firearms purchases aren't a serious attempt to reduce gun violence, a top ...
US consumers less optimistic after tax increase
An increase in Social Security taxes is leaving Americans with less take-home pay — and a more negative outlook for the U.S. economy. The Conference ...
LaHood departure leaves another vacancy in Cabinet
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who lifted the profile of distracted driving as a national safety concern, is stepping down, presenting President ...
Syrian activists say 65 bodies found in Aleppo
The bodies of at least 65 people, some with hands tied behind their backs, were found in Syria's northern city of Aleppo Tuesday as the government and ...
Reid: Replace automatic cuts in short increments
The top Democrat in the Senate said Tuesday that lawmakers should redouble their efforts to replace looming across-the-board cuts to the Pentagon and ...
After gun crime, weapon history takes time to find
In the fictional world of television police dramas, a few quick clicks on a computer lead investigators to the owner of a gun recovered at a bloody ...
UN seeks major aid boost for Syrian 'catastrophe'
International aid officials are framing their latest gathering on Syria's humanitarian crises in terms not seen in the region since the height of the ...
Defense nominee Hagel plans to shed some holdings
Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel has told Pentagon officials he plans to divest some of his financial holdings and resign from several ...
Obama's envoy for closing Gitmo prison reassigned
The State Department has reassigned its special envoy for closing the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in another step away from one of President ...
THE RESET: Bernanke keeping foot on stimulus pedal
Ben Bernanke's term as chairman of the Federal Reserve expires one year from Thursday. Sometime between now and then he's likely to take his foot off ...
At a glance: 3 months later, Sandy losses mount
The hurricane that merged with another weather system to form Superstorm Sandy spun ashore three months ago Tuesday, devastating coastal New Jersey ...