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Obama meets Raul Castro in New York

President Barack Obama met his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro on Tuesday at the United Nations, all smiles after both renewed their calls for an end to the US trade embargo against Havana. Close neighbors but long-time foes, the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic ties in July after a five-decade stand-off, and now must turn their attention to economic relations.

Congress moves on spending bill as shutdown deadline looms

By Richard Cowan and David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Congress moved on Monday to rush legislation to President Barack Obama that avoids a government shutdown on Thursday as the new fiscal year starts while setting aside a bitter Republican feud over money for Planned Parenthood. The Senate kicked off the effort by advancing a measure to extend all previous agency funding levels until Dec. 11, in a bipartisan

Congress moves on spending bill as shutdown deadline looms

By Richard Cowan and David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Congress moved on Monday to rush legislation to President Barack Obama that avoids a government shutdown on Thursday as the new fiscal year starts while setting aside a bitter Republican feud over money for Planned Parenthood. The Senate kicked off the effort by advancing a measure to extend all previous agency funding levels until Dec. 11, in a bipartisan

'Cheers' but no cheer: Obama and Putin's grim toast

Rarely can a toast at a UN luncheon have been so chilly. Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin went through the motions on Monday, clinking glasses and making eye contact, but no more. Obama saluted the world leaders seated at his table, but when he came to Putin, his look hardened and his smile faded.

'Cheers' but no cheer: Obama and Putin's grim toast

Rarely can a toast at a UN luncheon have been so chilly. Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin went through the motions on Monday, clinking glasses and making eye contact, but no more. Obama saluted the world leaders seated at his table, but when he came to Putin, his look hardened and his smile faded.