TheRepublic.com - John Kerry News

US urges Egypt gov't to defend political speech

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:26:49 -0400

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is calling on the Egyptian government to rein in prosecutions of political expression amid what it called a "growing trend" of efforts to punish and deter people from speaking their mind.

Sen. McCain to attend rally for Mass. GOP's Gomez

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:23:58 -0400

BOSTON - U.S. Sen. John McCain came to Boston on Monday to campaign and help raise cash for Gabriel Gomez, a fellow Republican and Navy veteran who is running in a special election for the U.S. Senate.

State Dept: Reports of anti-Semitism increase

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:02:41 -0400

WASHINGTON - The State Department appointed a special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism Monday as a new report documents a global increase in incidents of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.

Kerry challenges Congress on diplomats' security

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:14:15 -0400

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State John Kerry challenged Congress on Monday to go beyond its investigations of embassy security and help ensure that U.S. embassies and consulates abroad have the resources they need for appropriate security. His comments come as the Republicans continue to press for answers about the Obama administration's handling of last year's deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.

Israeli seeks interim deal with Palestinians

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:37:06 -0400

JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's senior coalition partner says that reaching a final peace agreement with the Palestinians is unrealistic at the current time and the sides should instead pursue an interim arrangement.

Washington scandals intrude on Mass. Senate race

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:38:41 -0400

BOSTON - The controversies swirling around the Obama administration - from the IRS targeting of conservative groups to lingering questions about last year's terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya - are threatening to engulf Massachusetts' special U.S. Senate election.

US slams Russian anti-ship missiles going to Syria

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:38:34 -0400

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration denounced Russia on Friday for providing Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime with anti-ship missiles, saying the weapons would only worsen a war that Washington and Moscow have been promising to work together on stopping.

Syria ex-minister leads rebuilding plan

Fri, 17 May 2013 02:20:37 -0400

BEIRUT - A six-member U.N. team led by a former Syrian planning minister is drawing up a comprehensive postwar reconstruction plan even as the country's civil war rages on with no apparent end in sight.

Turkish PM talks Syria with Obama at White House

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:33:17 -0400

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. and Turkey will keep ramping up pressure to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad from power, but there's "no magic formula" to stop his violence.

Watchdog: Israel trying to legalize settlements

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:29:34 -0400

JERUSALEM - An Israeli watchdog group on Thursday accused the government of taking steps to legalize four unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank, days before the U.S. secretary of state is set to arrive on a new peace mission.

Primary over, groups focus on Markey, Gomez race

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:50:04 -0400

BOSTON - Outside groups are beginning to pour money into the U.S. Senate battle pitting Democrat Edward Markey and Republican Gabriel Gomez.

Critics assail Israeli silence on Arab peace plan

Wed, 15 May 2013 02:20:51 -0400

JERUSALEM - On the surface, the Arab League's improved peace initiative offers Israel everything it ever dreamed of - normal relations with an entire region that has long objected to the very existence of the Jewish state, and even the chance to keep some war-won land.

Kerry expects Syrians to attend transition talks

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:20:25 -0400

STOCKHOLM - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a stern warning Tuesday to Syria's government, saying that new help will be given to opposition forces should President Bashar Assad's regime decide to back out of upcoming negotiations aimed at ending Syria's two-year war.

Putin and Netanyahu to discuss Syrian conflict

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:27:54 -0400

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin's talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Russia on Tuesday will focus on the situation in Syria, the Kremlin said, amid growing concerns that Moscow may soon provide Damascus with an advanced anti-aircraft weapon.

Critics lukewarm on US plans in Arctic

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:28:30 -0400

WASHINGTON - A new U.S. strategy for the Arctic region has gotten a lukewarm response from a think tank that says the plan amounts to a "lengthy wish list" with few specifics.

Business frets at terrorism tag of Marathon attack

Sat, 11 May 2013 16:55:14 -0400

BOSTON - President Barack Obama's declaration that the Boston Marathon bombings were an act of terrorism could make it difficult for many affected businesses to be reimbursed for losses resulting from the explosions.

Kerry says he'll answer questions on Benghazi

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:51:21 -0400

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday he's determined to answer any questions related to the deadly assault on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, as the House Republican leader pushed for more information from the Obama administration.

Chinese activist's brother says he was beaten

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:20:54 -0400

BEIJING - The oldest brother of a Chinese activist who fled house arrest and later settled in the U.S. said he was beaten up Thursday by unidentified men, part of an increase in harassment possibly linked to the activist's plans to visit Taiwan.

Democratic US Senate hopeful Markey releases TV ad

Wed, 08 May 2013 22:07:40 -0400

BOSTON - Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Edward Markey has released a television ad highlighting his role in overhauling the nation's telecommunications laws.

Obama, Netanyahu discuss regional security issues

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:48:29 -0400

WASHINGTON - The White House says President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken by phone about regional security issues and Middle East peace.

White House: Syria's future can't include Assad

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:28:21 -0400

WASHINGTON - The White House says that Syria's future cannot include President Bashar Assad.

Kerry meets with Russian NGOs as crackdown mounts

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:47:24 -0400

MOSCOW - Leading Russian activists said Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has assured them that Washington is talking with the Russian government on the Kremlin's crackdown on nongovernmental organizations that have received U.S. funding.

Kerry to return for a new effort on Mideast peace

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:11:15 -0400

ROME -

Cyberattacks a growing irritant in US-China ties

Wed, 08 May 2013 07:32:18 -0400

BEIJING - Signs are growing that the sustained surge in cyberattacks emanating from China is imperiling its relations with the U.S., lending urgency to fledgling efforts by both governments to engage on the issue.

Ukraine expects to sign cooperation accord with EU

Wed, 08 May 2013 02:14:38 -0400

UNITED NATIONS - Ukraine's foreign minister said he expects his country to sign a cooperation agreement with the European Union later this year despite the EU's objections to the jailing of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.