http://www.mail.com/subjects/364-government-politics.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/364-government-politics.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2101924-weiner-launches-comeback-bid-to-nyc-mayor.html NEW YORK (AP) — Anthony Weiner knows there may be a lot of New Yorkers who would never consider voting for him again, but he says he's running for mayor because he wants to bring his ideas to the fore — and win. "I don't kid myself. I know that this is going to be a difficult slog, and I'm going to have to have a lot of difficult conversations with people... Thu, 23 May 2013 02:10:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2101924-weiner-launches-comeback-bid-to-nyc-mayor.html 2013-05-23T02:10:53Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/2103692-float-driver-train-crash.html LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — The driver of a parade float involved in a train wreck that killed four war veterans in West Texas told investigators the oncoming train appeared to be stationary, and that he didn't notice anything was wrong until he saw people jumping from the float, according to documents released Wednesday. Dale Hayden has never spoken publicly a... Thu, 23 May 2013 02:00:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/2103692-float-driver-train-crash.html 2013-05-23T02:00:17Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2103674-obama-honors-carole-king-white-house-concert.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama, saluting Carole King's five decades as an award-winning singer-songwriter, said Wednesday that music often is a place where people seek comfort and inspiration during trying times. Two days after much of Moore, Okla., was flattened by a powerful tornado that killed 24 people, Obama pledged anew that the nation wil... Thu, 23 May 2013 01:55:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2103674-obama-honors-carole-king-white-house-concert.html 2013-05-23T01:55:20Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2103708-am-samoa-to-flier-miles-govt-travelers.html PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — American Samoa plans to take away frequent flier miles from government workers who travel on behalf of the U.S. territory and use the loyalty points to help medical patients and students travel off the islands when necessary. Hawaiian Airlines agreed to the plan that takes effect on June 1, American Samoa Gov. Lolo Matalas... Thu, 23 May 2013 01:40:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2103708-am-samoa-to-flier-miles-govt-travelers.html 2013-05-23T01:40:25Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103812-4-americans-killed-2009-us-drone-strikes.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that four American citizens have been killed in drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen since 2009. The disclosure to Congress comes on the eve of a major national security speech by President Barack Obama in which he plans to pledge more transparency to Congress in his counterterrorism policy. ... Thu, 23 May 2013 01:30:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103812-4-americans-killed-2009-us-drone-strikes.html 2013-05-23T01:30:56Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/2104174-fbi-arrest-wash-ricin-letter-scare.html SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A 37-year-old man was arrested Wednesday in connection with a case in which a pair of letters containing the deadly poison ricin were discovered in Washington state last week. A grand jury indictment accused Matthew Ryan Buquet of mailing a death threat to U.S. District Judge Fred Van Sickle at the federal courthouse on May 14. A sea... Thu, 23 May 2013 01:24:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/2104174-fbi-arrest-wash-ricin-letter-scare.html 2013-05-23T01:24:28Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2103232-brutal-attack-london-heightens-terror-fears.html LONDON (AP) — Two men with butcher knives hacked another to death Wednesday near a London military barracks and one then went on video to explain the crime — shouting political statements, gesturing with bloodied hands and waving a meat cleaver. Soon after, arriving police shot and wounded the unidentified assailants and took them into custody. The brutal... Thu, 23 May 2013 01:18:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2103232-brutal-attack-london-heightens-terror-fears.html 2013-05-23T01:18:11Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2103094-who-took-5th-baseball-star-banker.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The baseball star, the Hollywood 10, Oliver North. And Lois Lerner of the IRS. The official enmeshed in a probe of the tax agency is the latest on a roll call of witnesses brought before Congress who refused to answer lawmakers' questions. A few well-known names who invoked Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination: ... Thu, 23 May 2013 01:10:38 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2103094-who-took-5th-baseball-star-banker.html 2013-05-23T01:10:38Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/2102728-man-shot-to-death-while-questioned-boston-probe.html ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Chechen immigrant was shot to death by authorities in central Florida early Wednesday after he turned violent while being questioned about his ties to one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, officials said. Ibragim Todashev, a 27-year-old mixed martial arts fighter, was fatally shot at his Orlando townhouse during a meeting wit... Thu, 23 May 2013 00:50:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/2102728-man-shot-to-death-while-questioned-boston-probe.html 2013-05-23T00:50:24Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103328-house-passes-gop-bill-to-speed-pipeline-approval.html WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans pushed through a bill Wednesday to bypass the president to speed approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to Texas. Democrats criticized the legislation as a blatant attempt to allow a foreign company to avoid environmental review. The bill was approved, 241-175, largely along party lines. Republicans said t... Thu, 23 May 2013 00:38:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103328-house-passes-gop-bill-to-speed-pipeline-approval.html 2013-05-23T00:38:01Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2102260-afghan-students-protest-womens-rights-decree.html KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Hard-line Islamist students protested in the Afghan capital demanding the repeal of a presidential decree for women's rights that they say is un-Islamic. It was the latest sign of a backlash against the legal protections passed in the 12 years since the toppling of the Taliban regime known for its harsh treatment of women. The pr... Thu, 23 May 2013 00:35:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2102260-afghan-students-protest-womens-rights-decree.html 2013-05-23T00:35:27Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103558-flooding-forces-evacuation-1300-town.html BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A dam that threatened to give way and flood a North Dakota town was holding back the water on Wednesday, though the 1,300 residents of Cavalier were still being told to stay away from their homes. Steady rainfall between Friday and Tuesday dumped about 9 inches of rain on parts of Pembina County, swelling creeks and rivers and sendin... Thu, 23 May 2013 00:17:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103558-flooding-forces-evacuation-1300-town.html 2013-05-23T00:17:18Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2103958-arias-trial-tv-cameras.html PHOENIX (AP) — The Jodi Arias trial had all the ingredients of a circus the minute it started: sex and violence, a defendant more than willing to seek the spotlight, a judge who extended leniency in allowing lengthy testimony and cameras in court — and a media-savvy sheriff ready and willing to set up jailhouse interviews with his most famous inmate. The ... Wed, 22 May 2013 23:42:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2103958-arias-trial-tv-cameras.html 2013-05-22T23:42:21Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2104158-vote-pot-shops-lingering-la-issue.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Voters approved a law limiting the number of medical pot shops in Los Angeles after politicians failed for years to corral the blossoming industry. The winning ballot measure on Tuesday caps the number of nonprofit dispensaries at about 135 from a high of nearly 1,000 a few years ago. It also imposes higher taxes, regulates hours of ope... Wed, 22 May 2013 23:37:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2104158-vote-pot-shops-lingering-la-issue.html 2013-05-22T23:37:20Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103732-mexico-cartel-dominates-torches-western.html LA RUANA, Mexico (AP) — The farm state of Michoacan is burning. A drug cartel that takes its name from an ancient monastic order has set fire to lumber yards, packing plants and passenger buses in a medieval-like reign of terror. The Knights Templar cartel is extorting protection payments from cattlemen, lime growers and businesses such as butchers, promp... Wed, 22 May 2013 23:07:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103732-mexico-cartel-dominates-torches-western.html 2013-05-22T23:07:06Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102284-union-power-issue-garcetti-elected-la-mayor.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — The incoming mayor of Los Angeles was able to defeat a fellow Democrat by depicting her as a pawn of utility union bosses in a city long friendly to labor, an outcome expected to echo beyond California as unions nationwide face threats to their clout. With all precincts reporting Wednesday, Councilman Eric Garcetti defeated city Control... Wed, 22 May 2013 23:03:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102284-union-power-issue-garcetti-elected-la-mayor.html 2013-05-22T23:03:17Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2104044-wikileaks-case-file-fight-moves-to-federal-court.html HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — The WikiLeaks organization and a handful of journalists asked a federal judge Wednesday to order greater transparency in the court-martial of an Army private who has acknowledged sending reams of classified document to the WikiLeaks website. The Center for Constitutional Rights, representing WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange,... Wed, 22 May 2013 22:44:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2104044-wikileaks-case-file-fight-moves-to-federal-court.html 2013-05-22T22:44:34Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2103814-tesla-uses-stock-note-sale-to-repay-government.html DETROIT (AP) — Tesla Motors, which makes a highly acclaimed $70,000 electric car, has paid off a startup loan from the U.S. government nine years early. The Palo Alto, Calif., company said it wired in a $451.8 million payment to the government on Wednesday. The money, coupled with two prior payments, paid off a $465 million loan Tesla got from the Departm... Wed, 22 May 2013 22:38:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2103814-tesla-uses-stock-note-sale-to-repay-government.html 2013-05-22T22:38:02Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102120-okla-tornado-damage-thousands-homes-15-2b.html MOORE, Okla. (AP) — The tornado that struck an Oklahoma City suburb this week may have created $2 billion or more in damage as it tore through as many as 13,000 homes, multiple schools and a hospital, officials said Wednesday as they gave the first detailed account of the devastation. At the same time, authorities released the identities of some of the 24... Wed, 22 May 2013 22:26:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102120-okla-tornado-damage-thousands-homes-15-2b.html 2013-05-22T22:26:37Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2103890-publisher-sen-warren-book-coming-2014.html NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a favorite among liberals for her forceful advocacy for consumers and criticisms of the financial industry, has a book deal. The Massachusetts Democrat has an agreement with Henry Holt and Company for a book, currently untitled, to be released in spring 2014, the publisher announced Wednesday. Warren, a first-te... Wed, 22 May 2013 22:11:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2103890-publisher-sen-warren-book-coming-2014.html 2013-05-22T22:11:20Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2104022-carney-criticism-irs-response-legitimate.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's spokesman says the White House is facing "legitimate criticisms" for its shifting accounts about who knew what about the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative political groups, and when they knew it. Press secretary Jay Carney's acknowledgement Wednesday was an attempt to stem a growing narrative t... Wed, 22 May 2013 22:09:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2104022-carney-criticism-irs-response-legitimate.html 2013-05-22T22:09:20Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2102836-stocks-fall-news-fed-weighed-cutting-stimulus.html NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve took financial markets for a ride Wednesday, pushing stock prices up in the morning then sending them down in the afternoon. Prices surged on congressional testimony by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke early in the day that suggested the central bank would not slow its massive economic stimulus program any time soon. Then minu... Wed, 22 May 2013 22:08:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2102836-stocks-fall-news-fed-weighed-cutting-stimulus.html 2013-05-22T22:08:24Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2102900-kerry-us-allies-ready-to-step-up-aid-to-rebels.html AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — The U.S. and several key allies looked again Wednesday for a strategy to end Syria's civil war, their united efforts unable at the moment to stem the Assad regime's military gains and Washington still unwilling to join those providing the rebels with lethal military aid. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry allowed that President Barack... Wed, 22 May 2013 22:01:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2102900-kerry-us-allies-ready-to-step-up-aid-to-rebels.html 2013-05-22T22:01:53Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2103236-senate-rejects-bid-to-food-stamps.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Republican bid to turn the federal food stamp program over to the states. Known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the food stamp program is administered by the Agriculture Department and federal dollars are unlimited as long as recipients qualify. The program cost $78 billion la... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:58:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2103236-senate-rejects-bid-to-food-stamps.html 2013-05-22T21:58:28Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2102486-congo-fighting-persists-un-chief-arrives.html GOMA, Congo (AP) — M23 rebels fired two rockets into the eastern Congo city of Goma, killing one person and wounding four, officials said, in an apparent spillover from three days of fighting raging north of the city. The attack underscores the heightening tension in Congo and comes as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Congo's capital far to t... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:58:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2102486-congo-fighting-persists-un-chief-arrives.html 2013-05-22T21:58:06Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2103124-pentagon-record-plan-wont-help-vet-backlog.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has decided to buy a new computerized health records system to be able to better share and merge its data with the Department of Veterans Affairs, but officials cautioned that it was part of a "long-term modernization" effort and would not help ease the backlog in VA disability claims. The announcement Wednesday came on a da... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:55:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2103124-pentagon-record-plan-wont-help-vet-backlog.html 2013-05-22T21:55:08Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2103808-senators-warm-to-transportation-nominee.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's nominee for transportation secretary — Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx — received a friendly reception from senators of both parties Wednesday laced with warnings that the nation needs to make a host of transportation improvements with no clear way to pay for them. Foxx told a jammed Senate confirmation hearing that... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:43:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2103808-senators-warm-to-transportation-nominee.html 2013-05-22T21:43:57Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102180-key-house-chairman-slams-senate-immigration-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A key House committee chairman on Wednesday sharply criticized a wide-ranging immigration bill just passed by a Senate committee, underscoring the difficulties ahead as the politically volatile measure moves forward in a divided Congress. Separately, a bipartisan House group that has been working behind the scenes to craft its own immigr... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:36:42 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102180-key-house-chairman-slams-senate-immigration-bill.html 2013-05-22T21:36:42Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103932-school-storm-protection-spotty-tornado-zones.html MOORE, Okla. (AP) — With its single-story design and cinder-block walls, Plaza Towers Elementary School may have seemed sturdy when it was built a couple of generations ago. But a powerful tornado revealed the building's lack of modern safety standards, destroying the school and killing seven students. Unlike several other schools in the Oklahoma City are... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:31:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2103932-school-storm-protection-spotty-tornado-zones.html 2013-05-22T21:31:01Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2103672-obama-threatens-veto-house-student-loan-plan.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Wednesday threatened to veto legislation by House Republicans that would avert a doubling of student loan interest rates on July 1 but allow them to vary with the markets going forward. The White House issued the warning a day before the full House was scheduled to vote on the bill. Leaders from both parties exp... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:27:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2103672-obama-threatens-veto-house-student-loan-plan.html 2013-05-22T21:27:02Z