Pentagon offset budget cut impact in key areas: Watchdog agency

WASHINGTON: When $37 billion in budget cuts hit the Pentagon abruptly early this year, officials took steps that minimized the impact on key areas like the Afghanistan war but also took action that could raise long-run costs, a watchdog agency said on Thursday.

Barack Obama chides lawmakers over flight delay fix, budget conflict

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama chided Republicans on Saturday for approving a plan to ease air-traffic delays caused by federal spending cuts while leaving budget cuts that affect children and the elderly untouched.