Yahoo! News: Politics News

---

• Obama's 2008 magic past, Iowa all-out battleground
• THE RACE: Romney talks up his private-sector days
• Romney running mate search enters audition phase
• Economy trudges along despite Europe turbulence
• Italy's Monti says Greece will probably keep euro
• Obama's 2008 magic past, Iowa all-out battleground
• Analysis: China's new privatization plan faces push-back risk
• Senate committee cuts Pakistan aid over conviction
• SEC unlikely to file charges in Lehman case: memo
• Senate Protests Bin Laden Informant's Conviction With Threats to Cut Pakistan Aid
• Obama taps Yucca Mtn critic to lead nuclear agency
• DOJ receives rare praise in financial crisis cases
• Ex-player Segui says McNamee talked about retaining needles
• Activist Chen urges China to prosecute those who harassed him
• Senate panel approves $631 billion defense bill
• U.S. senators penalize Pakistan for jailing doctor who aided CIA
• Senate acts to extend flood insurance program
• Senior U.S. priest defends response to child sex abuse complaint
• AdWatch: Romney "day one" vows oversimplify
• Justice Dep't: Misconduct by 2 in Stevens case
• Senate panel backs $525.8 billion in Pentagon spending
• Protests planned after minister calls for gays to be fenced in
• Senate rejects GOP, Dem plans on student loans
• Brotherhood make claims as Egypt polls close
• Both sides in Syria abuse human rights: U.N. report
• Nuclear waste expert tapped as top U.S. nuclear regulator
• GOP's Rubio plans to sell books in swing states
• Corrected: Fire aboard nuclear submarine in Maine is out; no deaths
• Jeff Barth: A Candidate So Qualified He Plays Chess on the Trail
• Amnesty, opposition condemn attack on Angola protesters
• Madeline Albright Welcomes New Citizens, Says America Needs Vitality They Bring
• Syria would need $11.5 billion quickly post-Assad
• SEC alleges fraud in California manager's $60 million fund

Obama's 2008 magic past, Iowa all-out battleground Posted: 24 May 2012 03:04 PM PDT The Iowa magic that launched Barack Obama to the presidency four years ago has all but faded.

THE RACE: Romney talks up his private-sector days Posted: 24 May 2012 10:44 AM PDT Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney likes to portray himself as a better job creator than President Barack Obama, but he may have a hard time backing up those boasts.

Romney running mate search enters audition phase Posted: 24 May 2012 12:40 PM PDT Mitt Romney's vice presidential search has entered a new phase: auditions.

Economy trudges along despite Europe turbulence Posted: 24 May 2012 03:10 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits dipped last week, indicating the economy is plodding along even though headwinds from Europe cut into U.S. factory activity growth this month. The data on the U.S. economy on Thursday was a bit lackluster, but it showed the recovery remained resilient even with growth in China slowing and the euro zone edging toward recession. ...

Italy's Monti says Greece will probably keep euro Posted: 24 May 2012 03:06 PM PDT ROME (Reuters) - Greece will probably remain in the euro zone, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti said on Thursday, but demands made of Greece by its partners had been unrealistic and far reaching economic reform could take decades to achieve. "Anything can happen, but I think the most probable outcome is the one which is most positive for Greece and for all of us," Monti said on an Italian television talk show, when asked if he believed Greece would stay in the currency bloc. ...

Obama's 2008 magic past, Iowa all-out battleground Posted: 24 May 2012 03:04 PM PDT The Iowa magic that launched Barack Obama to the presidency four years ago has all but faded.

Analysis: China's new privatization plan faces push-back risk Posted: 24 May 2012 03:04 PM PDT BEIJING (Reuters) - China's new push to open state controlled industries may look bold after a decade of stuttering privatization progress, but Beijing faces stiff resistance from vested interests in its effort to extend its World Trade Organisation dividend. Beijing's leaders, its top think-tanks, the World Bank and private sector economists all largely agree that for China to build on reform-fired growth after its first decade of WTO membership, state firms must be more competitive and capital better allocated. ...

Senate committee cuts Pakistan aid over conviction Posted: 24 May 2012 03:03 PM PDT A Senate panel expressed its outrage Thursday over Pakistan's conviction of a doctor who helped the United States track down Osama bin Laden, voting to cut aid to Islamabad by $33 million — $1 million for every year of the physician's 33-year sentence for high treason.

SEC unlikely to file charges in Lehman case: memo Posted: 24 May 2012 03:01 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has concluded its investigation into Lehman Brothers Holdings and will not likely recommend charges, according to the excerpt of a memo sent to Reuters. The excerpt, which was not dated, was sent along with an anonymous letter to Congress alleging that SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro made inaccurate statements about the agency's Lehman probe during a hearing last month. Schapiro told a House Financial Services panel on April 25 that Lehman "remains under investigation" and "is still under review. ...

Senate Protests Bin Laden Informant's Conviction With Threats to Cut Pakistan Aid Posted: 24 May 2012 03:00 PM PDT Two Senate committees today took the first legislative steps to cut aid to Pakistan after that country's conviction of Dr. Shakil Afridi, who aided American intelligence in its mission to kill Osama bin Laden. The Pakistani doctor was convicted of high treason in his home country...

Obama taps Yucca Mtn critic to lead nuclear agency Posted: 24 May 2012 02:58 PM PDT Moving quickly to stem a controversy, President Barack Obama on Thursday nominated an expert on nuclear waste to lead the federal agency that regulates the nation's nuclear power plants.

DOJ receives rare praise in financial crisis cases Posted: 24 May 2012 02:55 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One part of the U.S. Justice Department has been receiving something in short supply for those investigating conduct tied to the financial crisis: praise. A unit in the civil rights division focused on discrimination in the housing market has been churning out cases accusing major lenders of charging African-American and Hispanic borrowers higher interest rates than similar white borrowers. In April, for example, it sued GFI Mortgage Bankers Inc on such grounds for loan activity from 2005 through 2009. ...

Ex-player Segui says McNamee talked about retaining needles Posted: 24 May 2012 02:51 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Major League Baseball player David Segui testified on Thursday in the perjury trial of Roger Clemens that the pitching ace's personal trainer told him he had saved needles that he claims he used to inject Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs. Segui told the court that trainer Brian McNamee said he had saved needles "as evidence" to placate his wife, who was concerned about McNamee's relationship with the pitcher. ...

Activist Chen urges China to prosecute those who harassed him Posted: 24 May 2012 02:50 PM PDT NEW YORK (Reuters) - Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng urged authorities in Beijing on Thursday to prosecute "lawless" local officials who harassed and abused the self-taught lawyer, his family and supporters, saying such prosecutions could help China establish the rule of law. In one of his first interviews since arriving in the United States last Saturday, Chen told Reuters the rough treatment of his family and supporters who helped him escape house arrest last month was "entirely against Chinese law. ...

Senate panel approves $631 billion defense bill Posted: 24 May 2012 02:46 PM PDT A Senate panel on Thursday rejected the Pentagon's proposed cuts in personnel and equipment for the Air National Guard as it completed a far-reaching, $631 billion defense budget for next year.

U.S. senators penalize Pakistan for jailing doctor who aided CIA Posted: 24 May 2012 02:45 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. senators scandalized by Pakistan's jailing of a doctor for helping the CIA find Osama bin Laden voted on Thursday to cut aid to Islamabad by $33 million -- one million for each year in the doctor's sentence. "It's arbitrary, but the hope is that Pakistan will realize we are serious," said Senator Richard Durbin after the unanimous 30-0 vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee. "It's outrageous that they (the Pakistanis) would say a man who helped us find Osama bin Laden is a traitor," said Durbin, the Senate's number two Democrat. ...

Senate acts to extend flood insurance program Posted: 24 May 2012 02:39 PM PDT The Senate on Thursday voted to extend the life of the National Flood Insurance Program for 60 days, giving lawmakers time to work on a long-term extension that would seek to restore fiscal solvency to the debt-ridden plan.

Senior U.S. priest defends response to child sex abuse complaint Posted: 24 May 2012 02:28 PM PDT PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A senior church official on Thursday defended his response to a child abuse victim who was told that a predator priest could not be punished because he had sex with women too and therefore was "not a pure pedophile." Under intense cross-examination by the prosecution, Monsignor William Lynn of the Philadelphia Archdiocese testified in his own defense for the second day at his trial on charges of child endangerment and conspiracy. He is accused of covering up child sex abuse allegations against priests, often by transferring them to unsuspecting parishes. ...

AdWatch: Romney "day one" vows oversimplify Posted: 24 May 2012 02:26 PM PDT TITLE: "Day One: Part Two."

Justice Dep't: Misconduct by 2 in Stevens case Posted: 24 May 2012 03:13 PM PDT The Justice Department's internal ethics watchdog said Thursday that two prosecutors in the bungled corruption case against then-Sen. Ted Stevens engaged in reckless professional misconduct by failing to disclose information favorable to the lawmaker, who eight days after his 2008 conviction lost re-election to the seat he held for 40 years.

Senate panel backs $525.8 billion in Pentagon spending Posted: 24 May 2012 02:16 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate panel voted on Thursday to authorize $525.8 billion in defense spending for the 2013 fiscal year, blocking President Barack Obama's proposed Air Force cuts while reducing Pentagon civilian personnel to stay within the president's budget limits. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved a defense policy bill that would authorize a base Pentagon budget of $525.8 billion along with $88.2 billion for the Afghanistan war and other overseas operations. The panel also authorized $17.3 billion for Energy Department nuclear weapons programs. ...

Protests planned after minister calls for gays to be fenced in Posted: 24 May 2012 02:12 PM PDT RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - A North Carolina group said it plans to hold a public protest on Sunday to denounce a Baptist minister's anti-gay and lesbian sermon that has drawn hundreds of thousands of views on the Internet. Pastor Charles Worley of Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, North Carolina told his congregation during a May 13 sermon that the Bible and God opposed homosexuality and that gay and lesbian people should be put in concentration camps. "Build a great big large fence 50 or 100 miles long," Worley said according to the video posted on YouTube. ...

Senate rejects GOP, Dem plans on student loans Posted: 24 May 2012 01:58 PM PDT The Senate rejected dueling Democratic and Republican plans on Thursday for averting a July 1 doubling of interest rates on federal college loans for 7.4 million students, pushing back efforts to resolve the election-season showdown until next month.

Brotherhood make claims as Egypt polls close Posted: 24 May 2012 01:56 PM PDT CAIRO (Reuters) - Millions of Egyptians, choosing their leader freely for the first time in their history, voted on Thursday with the Muslim Brotherhood saying their candidate had an early lead over fellow Islamists and rivals who served ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Counting started after polls closed at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) with no reliable exit polls available. The Brotherhood said on its television channel that its candidate Mohamed Mursi was ahead based on the tally from some districts. The influential Islamist group, with its well-organized support base, had been expected to do well. ...

Both sides in Syria abuse human rights: U.N. report Posted: 24 May 2012 01:52 PM PDT GENEVA/BEIRUT (Reuters) - A U.N. investigation on Thursday said both sides in the Syrian conflict had committed serious human rights abuses, with government forces executing entire families in their homes and rebels torturing and killing soldiers and government supporters. The United Nations report into the 14-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad said government forces routinely drew up lists of wanted people and their families before blockading then attacking a village or neighborhood. ...

Nuclear waste expert tapped as top U.S. nuclear regulator Posted: 24 May 2012 01:51 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Thursday he will nominate Allison Macfarlane, an expert in nuclear waste, to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and plans to name her as the panel's chairman once she is confirmed by the Senate. Macfarlane would replace Gregory Jaczko, who announced his resignation on Monday after a contentious term as the top nuclear safety official marked by accusations from his four fellow commissioners that his bad temper had created a hostile work environment. ...

GOP's Rubio plans to sell books in swing states Posted: 24 May 2012 01:51 PM PDT Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is planning a swing-state summer bus tour that will also roll through South Carolina, the early presidential primary battleground.

Corrected: Fire aboard nuclear submarine in Maine is out; no deaths Posted: 24 May 2012 01:50 PM PDT BOSTON (Reuters) - A fire that broke out Wednesday evening on a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine docked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine has been extinguished. Seven people were injured but there were no deaths, a Navy spokesman said on Thursday. Damage from the fire, which began shortly before 6 p.m. EDT on the USS Miami, an attack submarine docked at the Kittery, Maine, shipyard, was limited to the forward compartment spaces, which include crew living and command and control spaces, Rear Admiral Rick Breckenridge said in a statement. ...

Jeff Barth: A Candidate So Qualified He Plays Chess on the Trail Posted: 24 May 2012 01:50 PM PDT There's lots to say about this ad by Jeff Barth, a Democrat running in the congressional primary in South Dakota to challenge — oh, who cares, let's just watch it.   Did you catch all that? Spinning the globe, the inexplicably operating TV, the chess move...

Amnesty, opposition condemn attack on Angola protesters Posted: 24 May 2012 01:45 PM PDT LISBON (Reuters) - Amnesty International and Angolan opposition party UNITA on Thursday urged authorities to investigate an attack by unidentified men on the home of an Angolan anti-government protest organizer earlier this week that left three injured. A youth protest movement has organized several rallies in the last year, accusing President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of disregarding human rights and urging him to quit after 32 years in power in Africa's second-largest oil producer after Nigeria. ...

Madeline Albright Welcomes New Citizens, Says America Needs Vitality They Bring Posted: 24 May 2012 01:44 PM PDT Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, herself a naturalized citizen, welcomed 12 new citizens to the United States and donated memorabilia from her diplomatic career today to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. During the ceremony, Albright recounted a comment by her youngest granddaughter,...

Syria would need $11.5 billion quickly post-Assad Posted: 24 May 2012 01:42 PM PDT ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Syria would need $11.5 billion in reconstruction funds in the first six months after the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's rule, mainly to support its currency and pay public sector wages, the main Syrian opposition said on Thursday. The Syrian National Council, whose international support has been undermined by internal squabbling and power struggles, presented an economic reconstruction plan at a meeting of the Friends of Syria working group for economic recovery and development in the United Arab Emirates. ...

SEC alleges fraud in California manager's $60 million fund Posted: 24 May 2012 01:39 PM PDT (Reuters) - A California fund manager was charged with fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which said he raised more than $60 million for a fund by falsely touting steady returns from conservative investments he did not make. The SEC said John Geringer used false and misleading marketing materials to convince investors his GLR Growth Fund returned 17 percent to 25 percent a year from 2001 -- two years before the fund was created -- until 2011, largely from investments tied to major stock market indexes. ...

You are subscribed to email updates from Politics News Headlines - Yahoo! News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610