Insight: U.S., China turned EU powers against airline pollution law

BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The European Union's landmark effort to charge foreign airlines for carbon emitted on flights in and out of Europe was already failing by the time French President Francois Hollande shared his deep concerns with the European Commission chief in October.The U.S. aviation industry had mustered fierce political opposition, China was threatening to withhold aircraft orders...

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On the edge of the "cliff," U.S. cities like Charleston

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - For 37 years straight, Joseph P. Riley Jr. has sat behind the mayor's desk here, shaping this city and its budget.On a recent afternoon, Riley, 69, reached for a draft copy of next year's spending plan and wondered aloud about what might get cut should politicians in Washington fail to find an agreement this month, unleashing $600 billion worth of spending reductions...

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Boustany defeats Landry for La. congressional seat

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana congressman Charles Boustany won a fifth term on Saturday by handily defeating his fellow Republican incumbent, Jeff Landry, in a runoff election.The two men were forced into the same district when Louisiana lost a congressional seat because of anemic population growth in the latest federal census. The state will have six U.S. House seats in the new term that begins...

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Analysis: Canada's foreign limits may hit oil sands growth

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - New Canadian rules limiting control of its oil sands by foreign state-owned companies may turn away some investors who now covet more than minority stakes just as the industry seeks massive amounts of capital to fuel its growth ambitions. The oil sands in western Canada, the world's third-largest crude reserve and the source for much of the United...

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Same-sex couples wed in Washington state for first time

SEATTLE (Reuters) - As midnight chimed, public school elementary teachers Sarah and Emily Cofer tied the knot at a joyful mass wedding to mark the first day that same-sex couples can marry in Washington state. "We're so proud to live in this state that recognizes love and commitment," said Sarah, 31, after she and Emily, 32, uttered the words "I will" before the aptly-named...

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