Within hours of the new Congress being gaveled into session Martin St. Louis Jersey , House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., goes before the House Rules Committee as Republicans move forward with plans to advance legislation approving the embattled Keystone XL oil pipeline Mark Messier Jersey , Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 Marc Staal Jersey , on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP PhotoJ. Scott Applewhite)
WASHINGTON - Republican U.S. Representative Paul Ryan, the party's vice presidential nominee in 2012, said on Monday he will not run for president in 2016 in order to focus on his new role in Congress as chairman of the influential House Ways and Means Committee.


"After giving it a lot of thought Lias Andersson Jersey , I've decided not to run for president," Ryan said in a statement provided by an aide.


The Wisconsin native, a stalwart budget conservative Kevin Shattenkirk Jersey , had been considered a potential White House candidate since serving as Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate in 2012.


His decision could have a ripple effect on what is expected to be a crowded Republican field for the 2016 race. It could benefit Wisconsin's Republican governor, Scott Walker, who is considering a run.


Ryan is chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee. He said the committee's work over the next few years will be crucial "and my job as chairman deserves undivided attention.


"It's clear our country needs a change in direction. And our party has a responsibility to offer a real alternative. So I'm going to do what I can to lay out conservative solutions and to help our nominee lead us to victory Kevin Klein Jersey ," he said.


Ryan would have been a prominent contender in a highly competitive 2016 Republican field. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has said he is exploring a run, and Romney told donors on Friday he was still eyeing another bid.


Other potential contenders include Governors Rick Perry of Texas, John Kasich of Ohio and Chris Christie of New Jersey Kevin Hayes Jersey , along with Senators Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida.


Ryan told NBC News he made the decision to pass up a White House bid "weeks ago," well before Romney's possible intentions became known.


Ryan Joey Keane Jersey , 44, would not rule out a run for higher office in the future, saying he plans to "keep my options open."




By John Kwoba


NAIROBI， May 11 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Diamond League meeting in China on Saturday will see a clash of colours in the men' s 5，000 distance as Kenya' s best talents seek to make early warning of their intent ahead of the Rio Olympic Games.


Olympic medalists Thomas Longosiwa and Edwin Soi lead the Kenyan challenge alongside 2013 world bronze medalist Isaiah Koech and world indoor 3000m bronze medalist Augustine Choge.


The winner will have a lot of confidence as the athletes prepare for the explosive Kenyan trials in July.


"We have always had problems in regards to team work and how to tackle the opposition，" said Koech. "But after many false starts， I believe this season will turn out good and we win the elusive gold in the 5，000m.


"However， that is something for later discussion. The battle at hand in Shanghai will showcase who is fit and what to expect in the trials for the Kenya team. It is important to run a tactical race and win in Shanghai because it will oscillate from fast to slow pace."


They will join some of the best of Africa athletes in a battle for early season points as six Ethiopians take on four Kenyans. Yomif Kejelcha begins his defence of the Diamond Race trophy he won last year.


The world indoor 3000m champion takes on fellow Ethiopian and world bronze medallist Hagos Gebrhiwet， plus Olympic silver medallist Dejen Gebremeskel and 2011 world cross-country champion Imane Merga.


Yenew Alamirew is also in the field for Ethiopia; the world and Olympic finalist won here two years ago.


The Kenyan athletes in 5，000m distance will depart Wednesday together with others in the 1，500m women， led by world silver medalist Faith Chepng' etich， Viola Kibiwott and Helen Obiri， the former World Indoor 3，000m champion.


There is also World 400m hurdles champion Nicholas Bett， who will be making his debut in the 14-tier Diamond League series this season.