Politics | MyFOX Spokane

Few options for Brazil leader in face of protests

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By BRADLEY BROOKS, MARCO SIBAJA and JENNY BARCHFIELDAssociated Press SAO PAULO (AP) - With massive protests by middle-class Brazilians demanding wholesale government reforms, people all over this continent-sized country have reached a verdict on the streets and online: "The giant has awakened."

Senate backs Froman as next trade representative

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By JIM ABRAMSAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Michael Froman, a senior White House economic adviser and classmate of President Barack Obama at Harvard Law School, on Wednesday won Senate confirmation to be the next U.S. trade representative. The confirmation vote was 93-4, elevating the 50-year-

Dem senator presses Pentagon on Guantanamo feeding

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By DONNA CASSATAAssociated Press 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

Obama making plans to tackle global warming

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By DINA CAPPIELLO and JOSH LEDERMANAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is planning a major push using executive powers to tackle the pollution blamed for global warming in an effort to make good on promises he made at the start of his second term. "We know we have to do more

US calls out China, Russia over human trafficking

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By MATTHEW PENNINGTONAssociated Press 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

Russia could stand in way of Obama's nuke cuts

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By ROBERT BURNSAP National Security Writer 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

Kerry calls Karzai to ease anger on Taliban office

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By DEB RIECHMANNAssociated Press 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

News Summary: 5 key health overhaul points to know

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By The Associated Press Here are five key facts to know about the health care overhaul before major portions of it begin next year. 1. The 2010 law is still in effect, having survived Congressional and Supreme Court challenges. 2. Most Americans will need to have coverage next year or pay an annual

GOP targets high-speed rail, transportation grants

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By ANDREW TAYLORAssociated Press 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.

Pruitt: DOJ broke rules in phone records seizure

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 19th

By JENNIFER C. KERRAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department violated its own rules when it secretly seized records for thousands of phone calls to and from journalists for The Associated Press as part of a leak investigation, the head of the company said Wednesday. AP President and