Politics

Federal Offices Closed Another Day as Washington Readies for Second Storm Federal government offices in Washington remain closed for a second full day and New York City schools canceled tomorrow’s classes as the East prepares for what may be a “paralyzing” storm packing as much as 20 inches (51 centimeters) of snow.

Gates Shores Up U.S. Allies Engaged in Afghan War, Urges Pressure on Iran Defense Secretary Robert Gates returns to Washington today after a weeklong Europe tour spent shoring up coalition support for Afghanistan and calling for sustained pressure on Iran to curtail its nuclear ambitions.

U.S. Representative Murtha Dies at 77; Backer of Troops, Foe of Iraq War Representative John Murtha, a staunch supporter of the U.S. military who became an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war, died at age 77 yesterday after a 36-year career in Congress.

Obama Aids Start of First Lady's Campaign Against Childhood Obesity President Barack Obama today signed an executive order to begin first lady Michelle Obama’s national campaign to fight childhood obesity.

Insurers Jump In as Obama Opens the Door for Annuities in Retirement Funds Insurers and mutual-fund companies are starting to sell retirement accounts with built-in annuities in response to concerns Americans will outlive their savings.

President Aides First Lady's Campaign Against Childhood Obesity in U.S. President Barack Obama today signed an executive order to begin first lady Michelle Obama’s national campaign to fight childhood obesity.

Ex-Space Shuttle Engineer Chung Sentenced to 15 Years for China Spying A former Rockwell International and Boeing Co. aerospace engineer who worked on the Space Shuttle program was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for economic espionage and acting as an agent for China.

Obama Gets Negative Job-Performance Rating From Most Independents in Poll More than half of U.S. voters who describe themselves as independents disapprove of President Barack Obama’s job performance for the first time since he took office in January 2009, according to a poll released today.

Greenspan Sees `Slow' Recovery, Would Be `Very Concerned' If Stocks Drop Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said a U.S. economic recovery is “going to be a slow, trudging thing,” and that he “would get very concerned” if stock prices continue to fall.

U.S. Will `Never' Lose Aaa Debt Rating, Deficit Will Shrink, Geithner Says Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said the U.S. is in no danger of losing its Aaa debt rating even though the Obama administration has predicted a $1.6 trillion budget deficit in 2010.

Overhaul Failure Will Spur Mergers as U.S. Health Industry Pursues Savings Insurers, drugmakers and hospitals will likely slash costs and merge companies to maneuver through a U.S. health-care landscape marked by rising medical expenses and the loss of millions of potential paying customers.

Obama Calls Republican Leaders to Feb. 25 Meeting on Health-Care Overhaul President Barack Obama is pushing lawmakers to restart a stalled overhaul of the U.S. health-care system by inviting Republican and Democratic lawmakers from the House and Senate to a half-day meeting on Feb. 25.