http://www.mail.com/news/politics/ Politics - News: Find breaking news, world news and pictures on Politics en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.29/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/news/politics/ http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2164210-israeli-pm-eu-join-us-push-peace-talks.html JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's prime minister says the European Union should join U.S. attempts to restart stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks Benjamin Netanyahu also reiterated Israel's position that talks should resume immediately and without preconditions, which is also the U.S. stance. He spoke Thursday at a meeting with EU foreign policy chief Catheri... Thu, 20 Jun 2013 11:22:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2164210-israeli-pm-eu-join-us-push-peace-talks.html 2013-06-20T11:22:21Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2164148-kyrgyzstan-votes-to-us-lease-airbase.html BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) — Kyrgyzstan has voted to end the United States' lease on an airbase key to supplying military operations in nearby Afghanistan. Lawmakers in the mountainous Central Asian republic voted 91-5 Thursday in favor of ending the agreement in June 2014 to lease the Manas Transit Center. The bill will come into force when it is signed by... Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:22:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2164148-kyrgyzstan-votes-to-us-lease-airbase.html 2013-06-20T10:22:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2164044-oil-falls-97-fed-tapering.html BANGKOK (AP) — Oil prices fell Thursday, a day after the Federal Reserve indicated it could begin to wind down its massive stimulus program later this year, as long as the U.S. economy remains on the upswing. U.S. benchmark oil for July delivery fell $2.08 to $96.16 per barrel by late afternoon Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile... Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:11:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2164044-oil-falls-97-fed-tapering.html 2013-06-20T09:11:23Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2163910-boehner-dances-gop-dems-immigration.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The immigration protesters advanced on the news conference, poking signs that read "Do Not Reward Criminals" and "No Amnesty!" over the heads of Republicans who had just finished speaking about finding a civilized tone in the year's most difficult debate. As the politicians ducked out of camera range, one Hispanic pastor who had appeared... Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:27:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2163910-boehner-dances-gop-dems-immigration.html 2013-06-20T07:27:48Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2163898-senators-closing-border-security-compromise.html WASHINGTON (AP) — White House-backed immigration legislation is gaining momentum in the Senate, where key lawmakers say they are closing in on a bipartisan compromise to spend tens of billions of dollars stiffening the bill's border security requirements without delaying legalization for millions living in the country unlawfully. "This is a key moment in ... Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:23:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2163898-senators-closing-border-security-compromise.html 2013-06-20T07:23:33Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161218-compromise-senators-eyed-border-security.html WASHINGTON (AP) — After secretive talks, key senators expressed optimism Wednesday night that they were closing in on a bipartisan agreement to dramatically toughen the border security requirements in immigration legislation that also offers a path to citizenship to millions living in the country illegally. Lawmakers and aides alike said the goal was to a... Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:07:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161218-compromise-senators-eyed-border-security.html 2013-06-20T04:07:39Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162414-mueller-fbi-uses-drones-surveillance.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI uses drones for surveillance of stationary subjects, and the privacy implications of such operations are "worthy of debate," FBI Director Robert Mueller said Wednesday. He said the law enforcement agency very seldom uses drones now, but is developing guidelines that will shape how unmanned aerial vehicles are to be used. There wi... Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:25:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162414-mueller-fbi-uses-drones-surveillance.html 2013-06-20T02:25:25Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162998-us-calls-china-russia-human-trafficking.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. accused China and Russia of failing to meet minimum standards in fighting human trafficking, ranking them on a par with North Korea and Syria. The State Department downgraded China and Russia in rankings on how 188 governments around the world have performed in fighting the flesh trade and other forms of exploitative labor. Righ... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:48:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162998-us-calls-china-russia-human-trafficking.html 2013-06-19T23:48:21Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162940-russia-stand-way-obamas-nuke-cuts.html WASHINGTON (AP) — By saying he intends to bargain with Russia over new reductions in nuclear weapons, rather than make cuts on his own, President Barack Obama is asking for cooperation from a former Cold War foe in no mood to agree. Relations between Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin are tense, reflecting U.S. concerns about human rights abuses i... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:28:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162940-russia-stand-way-obamas-nuke-cuts.html 2013-06-19T22:28:51Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162462-mueller-urges-caution-nsa-program-changes.html WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Robert Mueller on Wednesday urged Congress to move carefully before making any changes that might restrict the National Security Agency programs for mass collection of people's phone records and information from the Internet. In an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the FBI director said there are 10 or 12 cas... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:27:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162462-mueller-urges-caution-nsa-program-changes.html 2013-06-19T22:27:22Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2163118-dem-senator-presses-pentagon-guantanamo-feeding.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The force-feeding of terror suspects at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, runs counter to international standards, medical ethics and the practices at American prisons, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Wednesday in pressing the Pentagon to establish a more humane treatment. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Ca... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:05:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2163118-dem-senator-presses-pentagon-guantanamo-feeding.html 2013-06-19T22:05:35Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161304-biden-calls-dc-voting-rights-tribute.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday used a tribute to 19th-century abolitionist Frederick Douglass to renew the call for equal voting rights for people who live in the nation's capital. During a ceremony unveiling a statue of Douglass in the Capitol, Biden hailed Douglass' work advocating equal justice, and noted that Douglass supporte... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:52:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161304-biden-calls-dc-voting-rights-tribute.html 2013-06-19T21:52:13Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161308-irs-draws-criticism-70m-employee-bonuses.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Already reeling from a pair of scandals, the Internal Revenue Service is drawing new criticism over plans to hand out millions of dollars in employee bonuses. The Obama administration has ordered agencies to cancel discretionary bonuses because of automatic spending cuts, but the IRS says it's merely following legal obligations under a u... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:40:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161308-irs-draws-criticism-70m-employee-bonuses.html 2013-06-19T21:40:24Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162732-kerry-calls-karzai-to-ease-anger-taliban-office.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday made his second call to the Afghan president in 24 hours to ease Hamid Karzai's anger over the rollout of the Taliban's new political office in Qatar — a rift that temporarily delayed U.S. talks with the militant group set to begin later this week. Karzai was upset that when it opened its new of... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:15:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162732-kerry-calls-karzai-to-ease-anger-taliban-office.html 2013-06-19T21:15:18Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161108-obama-urges-bold-nuclear-cuts-berlin-speech.html BERLIN (AP) — Summoning the harsh history of this once-divided city, President Barack Obama on Wednesday cautioned the U.S. and Europe against "complacency" brought on by peace, pledging to cut America's deployed nuclear weapons by one-third if Cold War foe Russia does the same. The president also declared that his far-reaching surveillance programs had s... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:19:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161108-obama-urges-bold-nuclear-cuts-berlin-speech.html 2013-06-19T20:19:31Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162344-oil-fed-signal-easing-stimulus.html NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil fell slightly Wednesday as the Federal Reserve indicated it's closer to easing up on economy boosting measures that have been a boon for commodities. Oil swung in a range of about $1 after the Fed delivered a mixed message: The central bank said it would continue buying bonds at a pace of $85 billion a month, which helps k... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:15:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162344-oil-fed-signal-easing-stimulus.html 2013-06-19T20:15:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162650-gop-targets-high-speed-rail-transportation-grants.html WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are pushing to eliminate money for high-speed rail and a popular grant program for transportation projects. The belt-tightening comes as the GOP-led House works on $44 billion measure covering transportation and housing programs. The legislation reflects the austere budget mandated by automatic cuts — fallout from Washi... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:29:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162650-gop-targets-high-speed-rail-transportation-grants.html 2013-06-19T18:29:54Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161062-obama-renews-calls-nuclear-reductions.html BERLIN (AP) — Appealing for a new citizen activism in the free world, President Barack Obama renewed his call Wednesday to reduce U.S. and Russian nuclear stockpiles and to confront climate change, a danger he called "the global threat of our time." In a wide-ranging speech that enumerated a litany of challenges facing the world, Obama said he wanted to r... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:58:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161062-obama-renews-calls-nuclear-reductions.html 2013-06-19T17:58:43Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162518-vp-biden-pays-tribute-to-civil-rights-leader.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden is hailing Frederick Douglass for his work to bring about equal justice, leading a series of tributes at the unveiling of a statue of the 19th-century orator and writer. Biden, along with Democratic Sen. Harry Reid and Democratic Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, used the U.S. Capitol ceremony to call for equal voting ... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:24:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162518-vp-biden-pays-tribute-to-civil-rights-leader.html 2013-06-19T17:24:26Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162098-senators-seek-cost-cuts-f-35-fighter-jet.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators sought cost-cutting opportunities Wednesday in the Pentagon's $400 billion program for the next-generation F-35, a fighter jet with a troubled testing record that military leaders said America couldn't afford not to build. Chairing the hearing, Sen. Dick Durbin lamented that the F-35 already has cost taxpayers billions more than... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:11:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2162098-senators-seek-cost-cuts-f-35-fighter-jet.html 2013-06-19T16:11:11Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2160372-correction-jordan-syria-war-games-story.html ZARQA, Jordan (AP) — In a June 18 story about U.S.-led war games in Jordan, The Associated Press reported erroneously the organization that employs Tawfiq Hennawi. He works for the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, not the International Committee of the Red Cross. A corrected version of the story is below: AP EXCLUSIVE: US war games send signal to As... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:29:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2160372-correction-jordan-syria-war-games-story.html 2013-06-19T15:29:58Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161060-oil-rises-99-barrel-bernanke-speaks.html The price of oil rose to near $99 a barrel on Wednesday, driven by a report of falling U.S. stockpiles of crude and ahead of the conclusion of a meeting of the Federal Reserve. By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark oil for July delivery was up 20 cents to $98.64 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 67 cen... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:56:04 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161060-oil-rises-99-barrel-bernanke-speaks.html 2013-06-19T11:56:04Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161188-obama-relying-untested-oversight-board-nsa.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The obscure oversight board that President Barack Obama wants to scrutinize the National Security Agency's secret surveillance system is little known for good reason. The U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board has operated fitfully during its eight years of low-profile existence, stymied by congressional infighting and, at times, censorship by gov... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:24:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161188-obama-relying-untested-oversight-board-nsa.html 2013-06-19T07:24:44Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161152-social-issues-fire-up-gop-despite-2012-loss.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican lawmakers have a message for those who want the party to soften its emphasis on social conservatism in hopes of reaching a wider national audience: Not so fast. House Republicans flexed their cultural and conservative muscles Tuesday, passing the most restrictive abortion measure in years. They also advanced legislation to cra... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:21:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2161152-social-issues-fire-up-gop-despite-2012-loss.html 2013-06-19T07:21:59Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2159112-nsa-director-plot-wall-street-foiled.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. foiled a plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange because of the sweeping surveillance programs at the heart of a debate over national security and personal privacy, officials said Tuesday at a rare open hearing on intelligence led by lawmakers sympathetic to the spying. The House Intelligence Committee hearing provided a venue ... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:23:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2159112-nsa-director-plot-wall-street-foiled.html 2013-06-19T04:23:08Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2158796-cbo-senate-immigration-bill-would-help-economy.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Sweeping immigration legislation moving toward a vote in the Senate would boost the economy and reduce federal deficits, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday, at the same time it would bestow legal status on an estimated 8 million immigrants living in the United States unlawfully. In an assessment that drew cheers from the White ... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:53:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2158796-cbo-senate-immigration-bill-would-help-economy.html 2013-06-19T02:53:37Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2160438-irs-worker-political-bias-tea-party.html WASHINGTON (AP) — An Internal Revenue Service manager and self-described conservative Republican said the close scrutiny of tea party groups' tax forms originated in his Cincinnati IRS office and not in Washington, according to a full transcript of his interview by congressional investigators released Tuesday. John Shafer, who oversaw a small group of IRS... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:18:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2160438-irs-worker-political-bias-tea-party.html 2013-06-18T23:18:58Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2160640-maine-governor-wont-talk-to-3-newspapers.html AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A spokeswoman for Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the administration will no longer comment for stories published in three of Maine's daily newspapers. Adrienne Bennett told the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/17Wn2Of ) on Tuesday the administration won't be talking to that publication, the Kennebec Journal and the Morning Sentinel.... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:10:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2160640-maine-governor-wont-talk-to-3-newspapers.html 2013-06-18T23:10:35Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2157490-military-plans-would-women-combat-jobs.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Declaring "the days of Rambo are over," a top general said Tuesday that cultural, social and behavioral concerns may be bigger hurdles than tough physical fitness requirements for women looking to join the military's special operations units. Maj. Gen. Bennet Sacolick, director of force management for U.S. Special Operations Command, sai... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:05:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2157490-military-plans-would-women-combat-jobs.html 2013-06-18T23:05:39Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2160622-ap-sources-4-us-troops-killed-afghanistan.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense officials say four U.S. troops were killed Tuesday at or near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Officials say the four were killed by indirect fire, likely a mortar or rocket, but they had no other details. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to provide details on the deaths. ... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:59:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2160622-ap-sources-4-us-troops-killed-afghanistan.html 2013-06-18T22:59:10Z