Senate Republicans block new Iran sanctions bill - Yahoo! News

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republicans blocked new economic sanctions on Iran's oil sector on Thursday, saying they needed more time to study revisions, a surprise move that drew anger from Senate Democrats who had expected unanimous approval ahead of Iran talks on May 23. "I feel I've been jerked around," Democratic Leader Harry Reid said on the Senate floor after the Republican objection. But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said his staff did not receive a draft of the bill until late on Wednesday night, and needed more time to make sure it was as strong as possible. "There is no reason in the world why we can't resolve whatever differences we have and move forward," McConnell said. "We certainly don't want to take a step backward, and there are members on my side of the aisle who are concerned that the way the measure is currently crafted could actually be a step in the wrong direction," McConnell said. The United States says Iran's nuclear program is a cover for developing the capability to build atomic bombs, while Iran says it is for civilian purposes. The sanctions are meant to shut down any financial deals with Iran's powerful state oil and tanker enterprises, stripping Tehran of crucial oil revenues. The new bill would build on penalties signed into law by President Barack Obama in December that threatened sanctions against any foreign institutions trading with Iran's central bank. Democrats wanted to pass the proposed penalties ahead of talks between world powers and Iran next week, and had support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a powerful pro-Israel lobby group. But Republicans sought a stronger statement in the bill that the use of U.S. military force was an option. "These sanctions are great. I hope they will change Iranian behavior. They haven't yet, and I don't think they ever will," said Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. "I want more on the table," Graham said. (Additional reporting by Timothy Gardner in Washington and Jonathan Saul in London; Editing by Russell Blinch and Jackie Frank)

Deb Fischer's Nebraska upset: Proof Sarah Palin still has the golden touch? - Yahoo! News

 

A Palin-backed underdog snatches the GOP Senate nomination from the favorite, and the Mama Grizzly's endorsement may very well have put Fischer over the top The Republican establishment was reeling in Nebraska on Wednesday, after a little-known but respected state senator, Deb Fischer, pulled off a stunning upset in the GOP Senate primary. Fischer became the instant favorite in her red state over Democrat Bob Kerrey, a former senator and governor. Until just days before the Tuesday vote, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning was expected to cruise to the GOP nomination, and his only apparent threat was from state Treasurer Don Stenberg, who was backed by conservative groups like Jim DeMint's Senate Conservatives Fund. But Fischer had something the others didn't... a late endorsement from Sarah Palin. Did that propel her to victory? Yes, Palin put Fischer over the top: Voters are tired of "politics as usual," says Mike Flynn at Breitbart. Bruning and Stenberg are "standard conservative-ish career politicians." The establishment and even national Tea Party groups, which put their resources behind Stenberg, can't seem to grasp that. "Sarah Palin gets it," and her decision to shake up the race by making everyone take a look at Fischer "made all the difference." "Palin effect: Fischer wins Nebraska primary" Attack ads, not Palin, sank Bruning: By the time Palin made her endorsement, Fischer was already surging in polls, says David Catanese at Politico. Stenberg backers had chipped away at Bruning's favorability with attack ads while Fischer stayed "out of the mud." The real "dagger for Bruning" was a brutal $200,000 TV ad paid for by Chicago Cubs co-owner Joe Ricketts that spotlighted "Bruning's questionable financial interests and cast a cloud over his character" the weekend before the vote. "Deb Fischer wins Nebraska Senate stunner" Palin never had the golden touch — but she might now: Palin didn't have the golden touch before, says Rich Galen at The Daily Beast. She endorsed 33 winners and 31 losers in 2010, and by throwing her weight behind "two wholly unqualified candidates" — Sharron Angle in Nevada and Christine O'Donnell in Delaware — she helped Democrats keep the Senate. If she keeps picking winners like Fischer, a "legitimate, if not terribly well known, contender," she'll really become a GOP kingmaker. "Sarah Palin's latest triumph? Deb Fischer wins Nebraska GOP primary" View this article on TheWeek.com Get 4 Free Issues of The Week

Elin Nordegren Is Single Again | ABC News Blogs - Yahoo! News

 

Tiger Woods' ex Elin Nordegren is single again. Sam Greenwood/WireImage/Getty Images According to People magazine, she broke off her relationship with financier Jamie Dingman in January. "She says Jamie's a great guy - and they're still friends - but I think it was just too early [after the divorce] for her to get serious with anyone," a friend of Nordegren told the magazine. The pair were first linked last summer. Dingman, the son of billionaire Michael Dingman, president of international investments firm Shipston Group Ltd., manages his father's business in China. He and Nordegren's pro-golfer ex-husband reportedly share something in common - a fling with former nightlife hostess Rachel Uchitel. Nordegren lives with her two children in North Palm Beach, Fla., and is a part-time college student working on her psychology degree. Also Read

Third suspect in slaying of U.S. Marine's wife pleads not guilty - Yahoo! News

 

VISTA, California (Reuters) - An expectant mother has become the third suspect to plead not guilty to murder charges in the mysterious slaying of a young woman killed in California while her husband, a U.S. Marine from Camp Pendleton, was away in Afghanistan. Dorothy Grace Maraglino, who is several months pregnant, is one of three friends, including another Camp Pendleton Marine, who shared a San Diego-area home where the victim, Brittany Killgore, 22, was slain on April 13, prosecutors said. Maraglino, 36, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Killgore's death at an arraignment in Vista, California, on Tuesday, after which prosecutors outlined for reporters new details about how detectives believe the victim met her killers. San Diego Superior Court Judge Tamila Ipema ordered Maraglino, who stood holding her rounded belly during the hearing, to remain jailed on $3 million bail. Her two roommates and co-defendants -- Marine Staff Sergeant Louis Ray Perez, 45, and Jessica Lynn Lopez, 22 -- previously entered not-guilty pleas to the same charges. They, too, were each ordered held in lieu of $3 million bond. Killgore's nude body was found on April 17 in a remote area of Riverside County, north of San Diego, but authorities have not publicly disclosed how she was murdered. The victim was last seen alive wearing a purple gown on Friday, April 13, before heading out on what was supposed to be a dinner date, according to the sheriff's department investigators. She had filed for divorce from her husband days earlier, court records showed. Killgore first met Perez and the two others charged with her murder when she accompanied a friend to the suspects' home to buy something her friend had seen advertised online, Deputy District Attorney Patrick Espinoza told reporters following Tuesday's hearing. Police detectives have learned that after their first meeting, Maraglino agreed to go out with Perez for a supper cruise, despite misgivings she had about "ill will" she felt was directed at her by Maraglino, Espinoza said. Investigators have concluded that Perez picked Killgore up on April 13 and instead of going on the cruise brought her back to his house, and sent Maraglino a text message asking her to come home right away, Espinoza said. The prosecutor refused to discuss what happened next that led to Killgore's death. Maraglino is charged with murder for her role in aiding and abetting the slaying, according to Espinoza. "She was involved before, during and after the murder," he said. The victim's husband, Lance Corporal Cory Killgore, has since returned from deployment to bury his wife. "Her murder has left me devastated, he said in a sheriff's department website message posted on April 24. "My duty to her memory is to ensure her good reputation remains intact and help law enforcement and prosecutors secure justice for the persons who took her away from me." (Editing by Steve Gorman and Lisa Shumaker)

 

 

 

More minority babies than whites in U.S.: Census Bureau - Yahoo! News

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For the first time, there are more black, Hispanic and other minority babies being born in the United States than white babies, according to government data released on Thursday that officially confirm what has been a long-growing trend. U.S. Census Bureau data show the United States is on its way to becoming "majority minority," with almost half of all young children currently from minority groups, including Hispanic, black and Asian. As of July 1, 2011, 50.4 percent of babies younger than age 1 were minorities or of more than one race, up from 49.5 percent in 2010, the data showed. For children younger than age 5, 49.7 percent were a minority or mixed race last year, up from 49.0 percent in 2010, according to the agency, which tracks the U.S. population. While the country has long been on course to see whites lose their majority, the latest figures make it clear that the next generations of Americans will look far different than today. The figures are also likely to reignite debate over what it means to be an American in an election year where race, poverty and immigration are hot-button campaign issues. More than half of all residents in Hawaii, California, New Mexico, Texas and Washington, D.C. were minorities as of last year, the agency found. Overall, 36.6 percent of the U.S. population were minorities in 2011 compared to 36.1 percent in 2010. The 197.5 million whites still made up nearly two-thirds of the nation, the Census Bureau said. The largest and fastest-growing minority group in the United States last year remained Hispanics at 52 million, or nearly 17 percent of the nation's population. The black population was 43.9 million. Asians were the second-fastest growing population, growing 3 percent to 18 million. There were 6.3 million American Indian and Alaska Native residents and 1.4 million Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. Some experts on race and ethnicity say current immigrants are far less likely to "melt" into U.S. culture, while others say today's minorities may soon see their heritage blend as whites did. Generations ago there were not "whites" but European groups that were identified as Irish, German, Italian and Greek, among others. The growing Hispanic population and related immigration concerns, particularly in southern states that border Mexico, are expected to be major issues in November's presidential and congressional elections. (Reporting By Susan Heavey; Editing by Vicki Allen)

 

 

 

Key witness in Clemens' trial faces more questioning - Yahoo! News

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The former trainer to Roger Clemens will undergo more key cross-examination in the baseball star's perjury trial on Thursday, with the defense expected to attack inconsistencies in the trainer's story. Clemens' former trainer Brian McNamee underwent sharp questioning from the pitching great's defense lawyer on Wednesday as he probed for holes in McNamee's testimony about Clemens' alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. McNamee's cross-examination is perhaps the core part of the trial in U.S. District Court. He is the only person with first-hand knowledge about the former pitcher's alleged use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. Under cross-examination from defense attorney Rusty Hardin on Wednesday, McNamee, 45, said he had made mistakes, been forgetful or lied about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. McNamee will be in his third day of cross-examination after being questioned about 10 hours by prosecutors. Clemens' lawyers also are expected to explore McNamee's alleged problems with alcohol and scrapes with law enforcement. Clemens, 49, is being tried for a second time on federal charges of lying in 2008 to the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which was investigating drug use in Major League Baseball. His first trial ended in a mistrial last year. McNamee worked with Clemens when the right-hander pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and later with the New York Yankees. He also was employed as Clemens' personal trainer. McNamee has testified he injected Clemens with anabolic steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001 and with human growth hormone in 2000. Clemens was known as "The Rocket" during a career that ran from 1984 to 2007. He won the Cy Young Award seven times and is among the biggest names implicated in drug use in baseball. (Reporting By Ian Simpson; Editing by Vicki Allen)

 

 

Big Ten surrenders fight to bring college football playoff to the Midwest, just to help the Rose Bowl - Yahoo! Sports

 

Of all the love stories ever told, there may be none purer than the Big Ten's undying devotion, commitment and pure heart-throbbing lust to the Rose Bowl. True love always. Best friends forever. A Romeo and Juliet for the modern ages, complete with suicidal second-guessing because a rose by any other name apparently wouldn't smell as sweet. Big Ten players and fans can forget seeing a playoff game in their stadium, or even in the Midwest (Getty Imag … It's wrong to criticize someone for who they choose to love. Instead, just marvel at the depth of the relationship. The Big Ten has abandoned its smart, savvy push for a playoff that featured on-campus semifinal sites and a title game open to bid by cities across the country, including the Midwest, because it just couldn't bear the thought of cheating on a bowl game. There are still details to be hashed out on how college football is going to stage its postseason. There are still plenty of sober voices out there who think outsourcing hundreds of millions in postseason games is at best illogical and at worst corrupt. Many more think playoff games on campus would be glorious. But forget it. If the Big Ten, which has the most to gain on the issue yet is trying to lose, then campus playoff games aren't happening. In an effort to help the Rose Bowl, the conference is willing for a playoff to also be staged in Miami Gardens and Glendale, and so on, rather than Columbus and Ann Arbor. A playoff will be great no matter where the games are played. It'd just be better on campus. But the bowl lobby has won, and a select few of them are about to become even more fabulously wealthy off the labors of student-athletes. Leave it to the inevitable congressional investigation to sort out how the no-bid deals were reached. At this point, it's still a romance novel because the Big Ten really, really loves the Rose Bowl … no, I love you more … text me when you wake up … no, you hang up first. "For us it's critical to keep the Rose Bowl in the equation," Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis told reporters Tuesday after Big Ten meetings hashed out the conference's likely preferred plan. How critical? Well, so critical that they're willing to make business decisions based on emotion, willing to give up on competitive advantages, logistical ease and monetary benefits. Possible home-field advantage for Big Ten teams? We love the Rose Bowl. Making the elements, which Big Ten teams are presumably better equipped to handle, a factor in the playoffs? We love the Rose Bowl. Showcasing the incredible game-day environment of Camp Randall, Happy Valley or the Big House? We love the Rose Bowl. Mark Hollis and his fellow ADs remain steadfast in their support for a broken bowl system. (AP) Not requiring fans, students and players' families to continue to make lengthy postseason trips? We love the Rose Bowl. Creating economic impact in the league's hometowns? We love the Rose Bowl. Not taking discretionary spending out of the region and into California or Florida? We love the Rose Bowl. Not playing games in opponents' home regions, states, cities or even stadiums? We love the Rose Bowl. If you hate campus so much, how about compromising and staging neutral-site semifinal games in Indianapolis or Detroit, where the money would be so welcome? Sorry, we love the Rose Bowl. Other than loving the Rose Bowl there isn't a single reason for the Big Ten to support this plan. Of course, what they love is what the Rose Bowl was (Big Ten champ vs. Pac-10 champ), which is not what it is or certainly will be. This is a playoff blueprint in sepia tones. It's lunacy. But then again, love's crazy, right? Somewhere Mike Slive of the SEC and Larry Scott of the Pac-12 are kicking back with a cackle of delight. These guys are angling for every possible edge while the Big Ten and the Rose Bowl sit in adjacent bathtubs, holding hands and waiting for the moment to be right. Wait, the rest of college football has to be asking, you're not even going to fight and try to make us look like wimps for arguing against football in the cold? Wait, you seriously are going to ask the same fan base to travel three times in a month – Big Ten title game, semifinals and championship game, the last two at least via airplane? And you think we won't end up with the majority of the crowd? [Related: Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany doesn't think much of Alabama] The Rose Bowl's power over the Big Ten is something to behold. It makes normally intelligent men say ridiculous things. "It would be a competitive advantage to have semifinal games at home fields … but the bowls have been good to us," Nebraska AD Tom Osborne said. If rampant profiteering, indictments charging corruption and millions in unnecessary expenses passed onto the schools counts as "been good to us" than the Big Ten may be the battered spouse here. Even so, exactly how good would a bowl have to have been to be better than a Nebraska playoff game in Memorial Stadium? "If you took them out of the playoff, it would pretty much destroy the bowl system," Osborne said. Ah, no, it wouldn't pretty much destroy the bowl system. In fact, it wouldn't destroy it at all. But, hey, love is blind. So blind apparently that no one can be bothered to actually look at the financial statements and business models of how bowl games operate and realize that line is complete garbage. "From kids' perspective, the bowl experience is the one thing they want to keep," Hollis argued. The Big Ten is so committed to the Rose Bowl it ceded playoff venues to the SEC and Pac-12. (Getty Images) Yes, the vaunted bowl experience must be protected for the players. It's cool. Bowls are fun. Except in the same meeting the Big Ten proposed moving bowl eligibility from 6-6 to 7-5, which means maybe half a dozen smaller bowls will, indeed, be destroyed and the experience of those players apparently isn't worth protecting. If only those games were as loveable as the Rose Bowl. [Wetzel podcast: Hammering out the playoff details] The athletic directors talk about trying to maintain or improve the meaning of the regular season, but then they want to take out the incentive of home-field advantage so it really doesn't matter whether you finish first or fourth. And do players really value the chance to engage in some pie-eating contest more than potentially getting any edge on winning the biggest game of their life, getting one more chance to run on the field of their own stadium or, even playing on the road in one of the nation's other spectacular campuses? Playing at Bryant-Denny, even as the road team, is also a pretty sweet experience. And what about the chance for the Big Ten to finally stop playing games in SEC/Pac 12 country, maybe see if one of those sunshine programs can handle a few flakes of Midwest snow? Yes, it sure sounds good, but did they mention they love the Rose Bowl? "There's a part of me that wants to play a team from the Southwest or the Southeast in five-degree weather," Ohio State's Gene Smith told the Sporting News. "But is it really right for the game?" The NFL thinks all weather is football weather and adheres to the crazy idea of playing games in places like Lambeau and Solider Fields. If only they had something like a Rose Bowl to love. Then Roger Goodell would immediately get smart and try to move the NFC title game to the Alamodome or something. There's no question Big Ten fans love the Rose Bowl, although not as much as they once did. They also like to win, also would like to shut the SEC up and also really like showing off their legendary stadiums and great cities, fighting against the idea that they live in some inhospitable, rusted-out region. Plenty of them could use the economic impact of staging these massive events in the Midwest too. But you can't put a price on love. And all these years later, that old Rose Bowl sure can cause the Big Ten's heart to flutter. Kind of like Juliet once did.