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Hillary Rodham Clinton blasted the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision saying some privately held companies with religious objections cannot be forced to offer insurance coverage for certain kinds of birth control. Clinton said, “I disagree with the reasoning as well as the conclusion. ”She said the ruling in the so-called Hobby Lobby case could mean “employers can impose their religious beliefs on their employees” and “deny women the right to contraception.”



Talk about a massive mug mix-up (pun intended). While President Barack Obama may have World Cup fever, he has not joined the U.K. team despite the fact that his face appears on a commemorative mug for the English soccer squad. Turns out, the souvenirs were made by a "reputable and highly recommended" company in Dorset, this according to Wholesale Clearance U.K., which purchased the mugs after the manufacturing mix-up.

A U.S. Senate panel on Wednesday approved San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, clearing the way for a final vote in the full Senate. If confirmed in the post, as expected, Castro would be in position to push the Obama administration's plan to wind down mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, an effort that has stalled in Congress. The Senate Banking Committee voted 16-6 to place Castro at the helm of the agency in charge of U.S. housing at a time when the market's recovery remains wobbly and still-tight lending terms are making it hard for many Americans to obtain mortgages. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, the 39-year-old Castro became the youngest mayor of a major U.S. city when elected in May 2009. He has been praised for his housing and development programs in the Texas city.



The White House responds to the steady decline of honeybees due to colony collapse disorder. President Obama hopes to put $50 million toward bee research and preservation next year.

The United States has several difficult choices when it comes to backing political leaders in Iraq. The current government, under Prime Minister Maliki, is being challenged, but a new leader must prove favorable towards the West, and the new, and potentially dangerous, regional player of Iran.

President Barack Obama and congressional leaders believe he does not need authorization from Congress for some steps he might take to quell the al-Qaida-inspired insurgency sweeping through Iraq, the Senate's top Republican and Capitol Hill aides said after the president briefed senior lawmakers Wednesday. Still, the prospect of the president sidestepping Congress raises the potential for clashes between the White House and rank-and-file lawmakers, particularly if Obama should launch strikes with manned aircrafts or take other direct U.S. military action in Iraq.



The United States and Iran rarely see each other as allies. However with new uprisings in Iraq threatening the Shiite led government, installed previously by the United States, both see a reason to work together. Photo: Associated Press

Mitt Romney was adamant Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press that he will not run for president in 2016 — but that didn't stop him from slamming the current administration's handling of Iraq and taking a swipe at potential competition Hillary Clinton. Romney said the terror enveloping Iraq is a result of inaction by President Barack Obama. Although Clinton has not announced her candidacy, Republican candidates understand the strong possibility of going head-to-head with her, and they have a game plan.

Two and a half years after President Barack Obama disentangled America from a long, unpopular war in Iraq, his options for helping the Iraqi government stave off a militant onslaught are slim as doubts simmer over whether even punishing air strikes would be effective. He will announce in coming days how far he is willing to go in responding to the crisis in Iraq, where militants are sweeping south towards the capital Baghdad in a campaign to recreate a large mediaeval Islamic caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria. While Obama has ruled out sending combat troops, U.S. officials say options under consideration include air strikes on Sunni insurgents threatening the Shi’ite-led government.