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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has used his final State of the Union address to offer an upbeat review. He charged that "talk of America's economic decline is political hot air." On the issue of security, Obama said "The United States of America is the most powerful nation on Earth. Period. It's not even close." He said remaining issues he'd like to see addressed are immigration reform and curbing gun violence.
WASHINGTON (AP) — While she offered criticism of President Barack Obama, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley also used the GOP response to the State of the Union address to take a veiled swipe at Republican Donald Trump. Haley, the U.S.-born daughter of Indian immigrants, said Americans should resist "the siren call of the angriest voices" in how the nation treats immigrants.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Pentagon spokesman says Iran has given assurances that 10 U.S. Navy sailors being held after their small boats drifted into Iranian waters will be released Wednesday morning. The sailors are on Farsi Island, Iranian territory in the middle of the Persian Gulf. The Pentagon says one of the boats developed mechanical problems.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A large group of House Democrats is calling for an end to recent deportation raids. Nearly 150 lawmakers have signed a letter against the raids. Rep. Luis Gutierrez says the practice is "sowing terror" through the immigrant community. The Obama administration has defended the holiday-season raids that resulted in detentions of 121 people, many from Central America.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Actor Sean Penn's secret meeting with then-fugitive drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is drawing more than criticism. A spokesman for the Mexican government is investigating the meeting to see if any crimes were committed. The spokesman was careful to point out that "actions," not people, were being investigated. Actress Kate del Castillo was part of the meeting.
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