WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senior U.S. lawmakers urged the Obama administration Saturday to insist Russia meet high standards in its bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), saying they worried about the impact on American jobs and businesses.

The Obama administration has said it is committed to helping Russia join the WTO this year. The U.S. Congress cannot stop Moscow’s entry, but it could refuse to lift restraints on U.S.-Russia trade that date back to the Cold War.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Even as the United States begins to withdraw from Afghanistan, insurgents abetted by Pakistan pose the major threat to U.S.-led forces, the Pentagon said on Friday.

Security has improved in recent months and enemy attacks are down in Afghanistan compared to a year ago, the Pentagon said in a twice-annual report to the U.S. Congress.

WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) – The United States has
invited Russia to use its own radars and other sensors to size
up one or more U.S. missile-defense flight tests as part of a
new push to persuade Moscow that the system poses it no threat,
a Pentagon official said on Tuesday.

The idea is to let Russia measure for itself the
performance of U.S. interceptor missiles being deployed in and
around Europe in what Washington says is a layered shield
against missiles that could be fired by countries like Iran.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama warned Iran on Thursday it would face the toughest possible sanctions for an alleged plot to kill the Saudi ambassador in Washington, as Treasury officials eyed action against the Iranian central bank.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday accused Iran of fomenting instability but pledged a “measured response” over the alleged conspiracy that has heightened tensions between OPEC’s two top oil producers.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A controversial U.S. bill aimed at forcing China to raise the value of the yuan has cleared the Senate but it looks likely to be shelved in the House of Representatives.

House Speaker John Boehner has made it clear he wants nothing to do with the legislation that has already raised hackles in Beijing.

WASHINGTON, Oct 13 (Reuters) – The United States is
considering more sanctions on Iran’s central bank to “ratchet
up the pressure” on Tehran after an alleged plot to kill the
Saudi ambassador to the United States, a senior Treasury
official said on Thursday.

Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen said the Obama
administration’s efforts to tighten the financial
and commercial screws on Iran were paying off, but other
approaches were also being considered.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A controversial U.S. bill aimed at forcing China to raise the value of the yuan has cleared the Senate but it looks likely to be shelved in the House of Representatives.

House Speaker John Boehner has made it clear he wants nothing to do with the legislation that has already raised heckles in Beijing.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A controversial U.S. bill aimed at forcing China to raise the value of the yuan has cleared the Senate but it looks likely to be shelved in the House of Representatives.

House Speaker John Boehner has made it clear he wants nothing to do with the legislation that has already raised heckles in Beijing.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – China has launched an intense lobbying effort in Washington to kill legislation that would punish it for its currency system, in the latest display of its more sophisticated approach to influence U.S. policy.

A 12-member “Congressional Liaison Team” inside the Chinese embassy has been meeting with aides to key lawmakers, making phone calls to congressional offices and speaking to the White House on the issue, according to Chinese and U.S. officials.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – China has launched an intense lobbying effort in Washington to kill legislation that would punish it for its currency system, in the latest display of its more sophisticated approach to influence U.S. policy.

A 12-member “Congressional Liaison Team” inside the Chinese embassy has been meeting with aides to key lawmakers, making phone calls to congressional offices and speaking to the White House on the issue, according to Chinese and U.S. officials.