December 20, 2015 US, China agree to expand validity of business, tourist visas to 10 years Putting a bright face on the future of U.S. ties to China, President Barack Obama announced Monday that the two countries would start granting visas to each other's citizens valid for up to a decade.
December 20, 2015 Obama to meet with Putin next week on overseas trip President Obama plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week, during a stop on his three-country tour in the Asia-Pacific region, senior administration officials said.
December 20, 2015 Russia a no-show at meeting planning 2016 nuclear security summit Russia has failed to show up at a meeting planning the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, U.S and European officials said Monday, in a potentially serious blow to efforts by President Barack Obama to cement his legacy as leaving the world safer from nuclear terrorism than when he took office.
December 20, 2015 US tells Iran to consider extending nuclear talks U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly has proposed extending talks about the future of Iran's nuclear program past a Monday evening deadline to reach a comprehensive agreement on the issue.
December 20, 2015 Kerry to join Iran nuclear talks in Vienna, says negotiators not looking for an extension on deadline U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says negotiators in high-level talks with Iran to prevent the country from reaching the capability to produce atomic weapons "are not talking about an extension" as a deadline approaches.
December 20, 2015 Clapper details secret North Korea mission to get US captives Bae, Miller James Clapper, the top U.S. spy, described on Sunday his secret mission recently to bring two American captives back from North Korea, the isolated, communist country hoping the deal would lead to a diplomatic “breakthrough.”
December 20, 2015 Obama says Putin not honoring Ukraine ceasefire agreement President Barack Obama on Sunday bluntly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of not living up to a cease-fire agreement in Ukraine, but offered no new plans for how the West might change his calculus.
December 20, 2015 US Chamber of Commerce head urges Cuba to open up economy The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a prescription for communist-run Cuba's struggling economy: less government control and a heavier dose of the open market.
December 20, 2015 Jordan expels Syrian envoy in diplomatic tussle Jordan has expelled the Syrian ambassador from the country, giving him 24 hours to leave Amman. The state-run Petra news agency says the government declared Ambassador Bahjat Suleiman persona non-grata on Monday and asked him to leave.
December 20, 2015 Modi sworn in as Indian PM; a better relationship with Pakistan possible? Narendra Modi has taken the oath of office as India's new prime minister. The ceremony at the sprawling presidential palace in New Delhi was made more historic by the presence of the leader of archrival Pakistan.