4:27pm

Chicago toll rises despite gun clampdown

Highest murder rate of any US city in 2012

Chuck Hagel sits down before giving testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee ©Reuters 4:18pm

Hagel pledges ‘world’s strongest military’

Clashes with McCain over opposition to Iraqi surge

Retired NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly (R) and his wife, shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) (C) arrive for a Senate Judiciary Committee followed by Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) before hearing about gun control on Capitol Hill January 30, 2013 in Washington, DC. Giffords delivered an opening statment to the committee, which met for the first time since the mass shooting at a Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticu ©Getty 11:09pm

Gun control debate moves to Senate

NRA and proponents of tighter restrictions present their views

10:49pm

Audit raises fear US bought Iranian fuel

Pentagon criticised for lax controls in Afghan programme

8:02pm

Conservatives shift focus from defence

Republicans turn attention to budget issues and smaller government

A F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is seen at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland in this file photo taken January 20, 2012. The U.S. economy unexpectedly contracted in the fourth quarter, suffering its first decline since the 2007-09 recession as businesses scaled back on restocking and government spending plunged ©Reuters From GLOBAL ECONOMY 7:16pm

US outlook still clear despite shower

GDP held back by weakness in defence and inventories

Editorial from COMMENT Jan 30, 2013

US rediscovers its immigrant roots

Opportunity for comprehensive reform must not be lost

From ASIA-PACIFIC Jan 30, 2013

Departing general warns of Afghan threats

US commander calls for effective governance to protect gains

Global Insight Jan 30, 2013

Republicans start to shift budget stance

Cynics insist any political truce is temporary

Chuck Hagel ©Getty Jan 30, 2013

Hagel nomination awakens ghost of Vietnam

War continues to exert a powerful influence on US politics

From COMPANIES Jan 29, 2013

SoftBank’s $20bn Sprint plan faces delay

Department of Justice calls for delay to deal

Jan 29, 2013

Kerry confirmed as US secretary of state

Move marks first of many changes to national security team

Jan 29, 2013

US plans more skilled migrant visas

Bipartisan proposal could open door to wider immigration reform

From COMPANIES Jan 29, 2013

US allows Wanxiang to buy A123 unit

Chinese company allays security fears over $257m deal

From COMMENT Jan 29, 2013

Cyber saboteurs stalk the oil industry

Growing threat of destructive attacks designed to disable critical infrastructure

Jan 28, 2013

Obama’s SEC nominee faces tough scrutiny

White set to inherit daunting list of issues

From GLOBAL ECONOMY Jan 28, 2013

Japan relaxes restrictions on US beef

Move will lead to exports worth hundreds of millions, say experts

Jan 28, 2013

Obama starts push for immigration reforms

Bipartisan group of senators call for ‘path to citizenship’

Jan 28, 2013

Obama pivots to immigration

Policy speech to relaunch reform push

Jan 28, 2013

Clinton evasive about political future

Outgoing secretary of state in joint interview with Obama

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