Ryan: Immigration reform unlikely in ’14
WASHINGTON – Days after House Republicans unveiled a roadmap for an overhaul of the nation’s broken immigration system, one of its backers said legislation is unlikely to pass during this election year.
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said distrust of President Barack Obama runs so deep in the Republican caucus, he’s skeptical the GOP-led House would pass any immigration measure. He said a plan putting security first could pass only if lawmakers believe the administration would enforce it – an unlikely prospect given Republicans’ deep opposition to Obama.
“This isn’t a trust-but-verify, this is a verify-then-trust approach,” Ryan said.
Hoffman found dead in NYC apartment
NEW YORK – Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won the Oscar for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote and created a gallery of slackers, charlatans and other characters so vivid he was regarded as one of the world’s finest actors, was found dead in his apartment Sunday with what officials said was a needle in his arm. He was 46.
The actor apparently died of a drug overdose, said two law-enforcement officials, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Envelopes containing what was believed to be heroin were found with him, they said.
Hoffman – with his doughy, everyman physique, his often-disheveled look and his limp, receding blond hair – was a character actor of such range and lack of vanity he could seemingly handle roles of any size, on the stage and in movies playing in art houses or multiplexes.
He could play comic or dramatic, loathsome or sympathetic, trembling or diabolical, dissipated or tightly controlled, slovenly or fastidious.
The stage-trained actor’s rumpled naturalism brought him four Academy Award nominations – for “Capote,” “The Master,” “Doubt” and “Charlie Wilson’s War.”
Netanyahu dismisses boycott attempt
JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed warnings by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that Israel could be targeted by a growing boycott campaign if peace talks with the Palestinians fail.
Netanyahu tried to reassure Israelis, saying any boycott attempts are immoral, unjust and “will not achieve their goal,” while two government ministers accused Kerry of unfair pressure tactics and not standing by Israel.
Kerry’s comments and the aggrieved Israeli response led the main TV news shows Sunday, signaling a growing concern here that the world will use economic pressure to extract concessions.
A Palestinian-led campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions, launched in 2005, was long considered by Israel as a minor nuisance. However, recent warnings by Europe and Israel’s own finance minister about potential damage from a widening boycott have raised the level of concern.
Punxsutawney Phil predicts longer winter
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – Emerging from his lair on Super Bowl Sunday, groundhog Punxsutawney Phil couldn’t predict the winner of the big game, but his handlers said he was sure of his weather forecast: There will be six more weeks of winter.
Pennsylvania’s famed groundhog was roused from slumber at 7:28 a.m. Sunday and, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, directed handler Bill Deeley to a scroll containing the prediction – along with a Super Bowl reference.
Legend has it if the groundhog sees his shadow on Feb. 2, winter will last another month-and-a-half. If he doesn’t see it, spring will come early.
In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by a group called the Inner Circle, whose members don top hats and tuxedos for the annual ceremony on Gobbler’s Knob, the tiny hill in the town for which he’s named about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Associated Press
