Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 10:46 (about 12 hours ago)
By Carson Vaughan LINCOLN, Neb. (Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday ruled Nebraska's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional in a decision that could allow same-sex couples to marry in the state within a week. U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon issued a preliminary injunction in the case brought by seven same-sex couples in the state, calling Nebraska's ban an "unabashedly gender-specific infringement of the equal rights of its citizens." Bataillon denied a state request to stay his decision but said his injunction would take effect on March 9 to assuage Nebraska officials' concerns of possible administrative turmoil. Nebraska state officials quickly appealed the ruling to the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. "The definition of marriage is an issue for the people of Nebraska, and an activist judge should not substitute his personal political preferences for the will of the people," Governor Pete Ricketts said in a statement. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 10:46 (about 12 hours ago)
By Barbara Liston ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) - A Florida Islamic group announced on Monday it has filed a formal notice with the FBI that it plans to sue the agency for $30 million in the death of Ibragim Todashev, a friend of one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects. Todashev, 27, a Muslim Chechen immigrant, was killed in an Orlando apartment in May 2013 during FBI questioning about his links with the Boston suspects. The FBI said the agent shot Todashev after he attacked him. The notice was filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida (CAIR-Florida), a civil rights group, on behalf of Todashev's parents who accused the FBI in a statement on Monday of killing their son "in cold blood." Thania Diaz Clevenger, civil rights director for CAIR Florida, said the group was "seeking answers and justice for someone who was shot seven times by an FBI agent in his own home after hours of interrogation." An FBI spokesman said Monday the agency does not comment on pending litigation. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 10:46 (about 12 hours ago)
The longest serving woman in the history of Congress is ready to leave Washington. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 09:16 (about 14 hours ago)
By Scott Malone BOSTON (Reuters) - Lawyers for the Boston Marathon bombing suspect sparred with federal prosecutors on Monday over how early in the trial they may discuss his older brother's role in the attack, suggesting the defendant's life may well hang on that question. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 21, is charged with killing three people and injuring 264 in the April 15, 2013, attack as well as shooting dead a university police officer as he and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, prepared to flee the city three days later. Tamerlan died that night following a gunbattle with police but defense attorneys described him as the driving force behind the largest mass-casualty attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001. "The lead conspirator, the person who started all this and without whom the Boston Marathon bombing would never have occurred, the older brother, is dead ... That presents a problem for the government's request for the death penalty," defense attorney David Bruck told U.S. District Judge George O'Toole. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 07:46 (about 15 hours ago)
By Brendan O'Brien MADISON, Wis. (Reuters) - A Wisconsin legislative panel was due on Monday to review a state Senate-passed bill that would allow private-sector employees to avoid joining a union or paying union dues even when working under union-negotiated contracts. The measure, which would make Wisconsin the 25th state to enact such a "right-to-work" law, has been cast by supporters as an incentive for keeping and attracting businesses and jobs, while unions brand it as a thinly disguised assault on organized labor. The legislation was narrowly approved on Wednesday by the Wisconsin Senate, which like the state Assembly is led by a Republican majority. Governor Scott Walker, a potential Republican presidential candidate, also supports the legislation. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 07:46 (about 15 hours ago)
A daylong celebration of Yahoo?s 20th birthday honors its 1 billion-plus global users and highlights the Internet giant?s rich history, which in many ways mirrors the history of the Internet itself. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 06:16 (about 17 hours ago)
By Matt Spetalnick and Dan Williams WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and Israel showed signs of seeking to defuse tensions on Sunday ahead of a speech in Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he will warn against a possible nuclear deal with Iran. Policy differences over the negotiations with Iran remained firm, however, as Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Sunday afternoon for a speech to Congress, which has imperiled ties between the two allies. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 06:16 (about 17 hours ago)
A top Cuban spy tells Yahoo's Michael Isikoff he is eager to serve his country again. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 04:16 (about 19 hours ago)
Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu sparred over Iran's nuclear program, the US leader pointedly warning that the Israeli premier had been wrong about the issue before. He spoke even as US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Switzerland for talks whi ch are expected to end Wednesday. #
Source: Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines — 2nd March 2015 at 04:16 (about 19 hours ago)
Iraqi forces launch a major offensive against Islamic State extremists. #