Obama, Sarkozy discussed oil market conditions: White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama discussed conditions on world oil markets during a video conference on Thursday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the White House said, but declined to say if they talked about the release of strategic reserves. "The president and President Sarkozy agreed to continue their consultations about the tightness in global oil markets, in line with previous conversations," White House press secretary Jay Carney said during a briefing. ...

Afghan president welcomes US remarks on Taliban (AP)

AP - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday welcomed remarks from the Obama administration saying that Taliban insurgents were not America's enemies.

Obama hopeful for progress in 2012 (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama says Congress' eventual willingness to come together and prevent year-end tax increases makes him hopeful of more economic progress to come in 2012.

Obama hopeful for progress in 2012 (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama says Congress' eventual willingness to come together and prevent year-end tax increases makes him hopeful of more economic progress to come in 2012.

In 2012, Obama to press ahead without Congress (AP)

AP - Leaving behind a year of bruising legislative battles, President Barack Obama enters his fourth year in office having calculated that he no longer needs Congress to promote his agenda and may even benefit in his re-election campaign if lawmakers take little action in 2012.