Lawmakers from both sides of the US political divide expressed optimism this week about striking a deal on immigration reform in 2013, but a potential pathway to citizenship remains a hurdle. Senator Rand Paul became the latest Republican since his party's November election drubbing, when more than 70 percent of Hispanic voters supported Democratic President Barack Obama, to call for a comprehensive plan that brings 11 million undocumented migrants out of the shadows toward legalized status.

WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions on Thursday warned that President Barack Obama's nominee for Treasury secretary could face a tough time winning confirmation if the White House did not clear up a dispute over the Medicare health program. Jack Lew, Obama's former chief of staff and budget director, is due to testify on Wednesday before a Senate panel that is vetting him for the administration's top economic job. Lew would succeed Timothy Geithner who left office last month.

A 5-year-old boy held hostage in an underground Alabama bunker for almost a week was rescued Monday in a raid that left the kidnapper dead, authorities said. The boy, who has been identified only as Ethan, was rushed to safety and is "doing fine," an FBI agent told reporters in Midland City, Alabama. Agents said they feared the boy was in "imminent danger" after they saw the kidnapper, retired trucker Jimmy Lee Dykes, holding a gun. Negotiations with the gunman deteriorated, according to FBI Special Agent Stephen Richardson.