BEIJING (Reuters) – China lashed a U.S. decision to impose duties on Chinese-made tires, calling them flagrant protectionism that sent the wrong signal before the next G20 summit and risked a “chain reaction” that could slow global recovery.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration plans to transfer six prisoners abroad from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, part of the effort to close the controversial facility by early 2010.

PHOENIX (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Monday called the conflict in Afghanistan “a war worth fighting” as he sought to stiffen U.S. public support before an election there this week that will test his new strategy.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama reignited his criticism of health insurance companies on Saturday, pledging his reforms would prevent firms from capping coverage or charging “outrageous” fees.

MONROVIA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave firm support in Liberia on Thursday to Africa’s only woman president, a corruption fighter who has come under fire at home.

PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire (Reuters) – President Barack Obama assailed insurance companies on Tuesday as he sought to counter an onslaught of conservative opposition to a U.S. healthcare overhaul at a town hall meeting that drew protests outside.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Two American journalists freed by North Korea tearfully reunited with their families in the United States on Wednesday while Washington tried to squelch talk of a breakthrough with Pyongyang.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Top U.S. officials said on Sunday it may be necessary to extend jobless benefits to firm up an economic recovery unlikely to create jobs until next year and declined to rule out future tax increases to tame massive budget deficits.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday welcomed the latest vote by a House of Representatives committee on healthcare reform and urged lawmakers to keep up the momentum in the coming weeks.

TOLEDO, Ohio (Reuters) – Hope and jobs are in short supply in Ohio eight months after President Barack Obama won the recession-battered state in the 2008 election with promises of a better future.