The US Senate has approved former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, an outspoken critic of Israel, as the next secretary of defense. On Tuesday, the Senate voted 58 to 41 in favor of President Barack Obama’s nominee for the post. Fifty-four Democrats and four Republicans — Thad Cochran, Mike Johanns, Richard C. Shelby and Rand Paul… Continue reading US Senate approves Hagel as secretary of defense
Tag: US
US, NATO troops to stay in Afghanistan post 2014
A German official is saying Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has told NATO allies that the U.S. will leave between 8,000-12,000 American troops in Afghanistan after 2014, when combat ends. German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere told reporters Friday that Panetta informed him of the numbers. Meanwhile the German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere also indicated… Continue reading US, NATO troops to stay in Afghanistan post 2014
34,000 US troops to exit Afghanistan
In his State of the Union Address, US President Barack Obama has announced that 34,000 US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan within a year and has pledged that by the end of 2014, the US war in the country will be over. “After a decade of grinding war, our brave men and women in… Continue reading 34,000 US troops to exit Afghanistan
US, South Korea joint naval drill
The United States and South Korea have launched a three-day joint naval drill amid heightening tensions in the Korean Peninsula. The military exercise kicked off on Monday in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) off the South Korean port city of Pohang with the participation of US nuclear submarine USS San Francisco armed with Tomahawk… Continue reading US, South Korea joint naval drill
Unemployment rate rises to 7.9%: US Labor Department
A new report released by the US Labor Department shows an increase in the country’s unemployment rate, especially in the transportation and warehousing sectors. The department said on Friday that the unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent in January 2013, from 7.8 percent in December 2012. “The rise in the unemployment rate was a disappointment,”… Continue reading Unemployment rate rises to 7.9%: US Labor Department
US Senate approved John Kerry as secretary of state
The US Senate has approved Senator John Kerry as the next secretary of state by a wide majority. On Tuesday, the Senate voted 94 to 3 in favor of President Barack Obama’s nominee for the post, after the chamber’s Foreign Relations Committee endorsed the Kerry nomination earlier in the day. Kerry has represented Massachusetts in… Continue reading US Senate approved John Kerry as secretary of state
US, Afghanistan to hold talks on American troops’ immunity
The United States and Afghanistan have set plans to negotiate over a new deal, under which American forces could be immune from prosecution in Afghan courts. US and Afghan representatives will hold meetings in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on the weekend, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The details of the negotiations between… Continue reading US, Afghanistan to hold talks on American troops’ immunity