US Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Voting Rights http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-22-voa... The U.S. Supreme Court issued a narrow ruling related to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act was passed by Congress at the height of the U.S. civil rights movement in the 1960's and was designed to offer federal protection for minorities, especially African-Americans in the South, who were seeking to vote in states with a history of racial discrimination.
Train Collision Kills 6 in Washington, DC http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-23-voa... Officials in Washington, D.C. say six people have been killed and about 70 injured in a collision of two subway trains during the late afternoon rush hour.
Obama Signs Anti-Smoking Law http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-22-voa... U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law Monday sweeping new legislation regulating the nation's tobacco industry. The bill gives the federal government the ability to regulate the production and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
US Political Debate Unfolds Over Iran Response http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-21-voa... A political debate is unfolding in Washington over the proper U.S. response to the situation in Iran where election protests have at times resulted in bloodshed. Some members of Congress are urging President Barack Obama to take a tougher approach, while others are urging caution.
Obama Wants to Start Training US Spies in College http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-20-voa... The Washington Post newspaper says the Obama administration is proposing a new program to train students in U.S. colleges and universities to become intelligence officers. The Post report says Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair has already sent a description of the program to Congress.
Obama Pushes Financial Regulation Proposal http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-20-voa... U.S. President Barack Obama is again promoting his plan for a new agency to protect consumers in the American financial industry. President Obama says his proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency would protect investors and borrowers from the abuses that led to the current U.S. economic problems.
US Takes Seat on UN Human Rights Council http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-19-voa... The United States has joined the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council for the first time. U.S. diplomats Friday pledged to work constructively with other council members on behalf of the word's persecuted and abused people.
Obama Calls for US Immigration Reform http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-19-voa... U.S. President Barack Obama says he is committed to passing comprehensive reform of the country's immigration laws. The president told a gathering of Hispanics the nation's borders must be strengthened to stop illegal immigration.
Obama Marks Juneteenth as 'Time of Reflection, Appreciation' http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-19-voa... President Barack Obama has marked the anniversary of what has become known as "Juneteenth" to mark the day word reached enslaved African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865 that they were free.
Obama Proposes Broad Financial Reform http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-17-voa... President Barack Obama is proposing the most sweeping changes in U.S. financial regulation since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The president said he wants to avoid a repeat of the conditions that led to the current economic downturn.
Obama Administration Denies Interfering in Iranian Affairs http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-17-voa... The Obama administration Wednesday rejected charges by Iran of U.S. interference in that country's affairs following its bitterly disputed election. At the same time, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended U.S. efforts to keep the internet social networking service Twitter active in Iran.
Obama Takes Action On Gay Rights http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-17-voa... U.S. President Barack Obama is extending some benefits to the same-sex partners of federal government employees - a small, but highly symbolic step amidst a national debate about gay marriage.
