Politics | MyFOX Spokane

Bernanke defends Fed's low-interest-rate policies

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 2nd

By MARTIN CRUTSINGERAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Chairman Ben Bernanke is standing by the Federal Reserve's low-interest-rate policies, cautioning that any move to raise rates prematurely could derail a still-modest economic recovery. Bernanke also sought to calm fears that super-low

Obama, Putin discuss Syria, Iran, set June meeting

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin, welcoming Russian cooperation on international efforts to confront Iran's nuclear ambitions. The White House says the two men also discussed the ongoing violence in Syria, a topic that still divides Washington

Farm bill would save less than previously thought

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

By MARY CLARE JALONICKAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Farm bills passed by the Senate and a House committee last year would save far less money than previously thought, according to a new estimate released Friday. A report from the Congressional Budget Office says a Senate-passed farm bill would

Obama issues pardons to 17 for minor offenses

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

By JULIE PACEAP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Friday issued pardons for 17 people, largely for minor offenses. Those receiving pardons came from 13 states and had been sentenced for crimes that included falsely altering a money order, unauthorized acquisition

Hagel: budget cuts won't erode US military power

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

By ROBERT BURNSAP National Security Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel lamented $46 billion in automatic defense budget cuts as "abrupt and arbitrary" but expressed confidence Friday that the Obama administration will find ways to manage them without jeopardizing national

State Dept: No major objections to Canada pipeline

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

By MATTHEW DALYAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department says Canadian tar sands are likely to be developed, regardless of whether the U.S. approves a plan to pipe oil from western Canada to refineries in Texas. A draft environmental report acknowledges that development of tar sands

AP Exclusive: DHS released over 2,000 immigrants

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

By ALICIA A. CALDWELLAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Homeland Security Department released from its jails more than 2,000 illegal immigrants facing deportation in recent weeks due to looming budget cuts and planned to release 3,000 more during March, The Associated Press has learned. The

US criticizes NKorea for wining and dining Rodman

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department is criticizing North Korea for, quote, "wining and dining" visiting ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman while its own people go hungry. Spokesman Patrick Ventrell Friday distanced the U.S. government from Rodman's visit to Pyongyang this week and his praise for the

Beam me up, Yoda: Obama won't do 'Jedi mind meld'

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

By DARLENE SUPERVILLEAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - He's not a dictator and won't entertain the idea of a "Jedi mind meld" with opponents. There's no "secret formula or special sauce" he can slip foes to make them see things his way. And not to worry, he says, the situation may look

Senate Republicans sell immigration plan to House

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 1st

By ERICA WERNERAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Jeff Flake met with key House conservatives this week to promote legislation to overhaul the nation's immigration laws and provide a pathway to citizenship for an estimated 11 million illegal