National & International News
The day’s top national and international news
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 7:24 PM

IRS Official Asserts Fifth Amendment Right at House Hearing

AP A top IRS official scheduled to testify on Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee has asserted her fifth amendment right and refuses to answer questions, NBC News reported. Lois Lerner, head of the IRS unit that handles tax-exempt organizations, won't answer questions on what she knows about the targeting of conservative groups or about why she failed to alert Congress that such targeting was happening, according to a letter from her lawyer. Her lawyer wrote, "She has not committed any crime or made any misrepresentation, but under the circumstances she has no choice but to take this course." Some members of Congress have called for Lerner's termination and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) accused her of giving false and misleading testimony to Congress. Get More at NBC News

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 3:22 PM

Apple CEO: "We Pay All the Taxes We Owe"


Apple CEO Tim Cook was grilled before a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing Tuesday after the subcommittee found that Apple had avoided paying taxes on billions in profits by keeping them parked in Irish subsidiaries. "We pay all the taxes we owe — every single dollar," Cook told lawmakers. "We don't depend on tax gimmicks." He stressed that Apple is the nation's largest corporate taxpayer and that he supports an overhaul of the U.S. tax code. Subcommittee staffers said before the hearing that Apple was not breaking any laws, Reuters reported. But committee chairman Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan urged closing "unjustified tax loopholes" that had allowed Apple to avoided $9 billion in U.S. taxes in 2012. Sen. John McCain added that Apple's tax strategy reflected "a flawed corporate system." Apple's main subsidiary in Ireland, "Apple Operations International," has not paid any corporate income taxes in the last five years, the subcommittee's report found. Get More at NBC News

NBC DFW
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 8:59 AM

Accused Fort Hood Shooter Paid $278K While Awaiting Trial

AP Accused Fort Hood shooter Major Nidal Hasan has been paid more than $278,000 since the November 2009 shooting that left 13 dead 32 injured, the Department of Defense confirmed to NBC 5 DFW. The Army said under the Military Code of Justice, Hasan’s salary cannot be suspended unless he is proven guilty. Meanwhile, more than three years after the Fort Hood mass shooting wounded soldiers are fighting to receive the same pay and medical benefits given to those wounded in combat. Click through for the full story. Get More at NBC DFW

5 hours ago
Man Fires Assault Rifle Inside Club

Man Fires Assault Rifle Inside Club

Watch »

On the Market
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 8:38 AM

Waterfront Estate Up for Record $190M

Waterfront Estate Up for Record $190MDavid Ogilvy & Associates
One of the most expensive homes to hit the market in the United States is now on sale—in Connecticut. The $190 million Greenwich estate includes two islands in the Long Island Sound, nearly a mile of shore front property, and a rich history dating back to the late 19th Century. The 12-bedroom home was built in 1898 and purchased just after the turn of the century by the daughter of George Lauder, a partner in Carnegie Steel. It was then purchased in the early 1980s by timber tycoon John Rudey, who has decided to sell the property, the Wall Street Journal reported. An 1,800-foot driveway with cobblestone gutters leads up to the so-called Copper Beech Farm, which boasts a pool, a spa, a grass tennis court, a greenhouse, a stone carriage house and cottage on more than 50 acres of land. Inside, the home has all the marks of old world luxury: a library with a fireplace, balconies, a staff wing, staff kitchen, dumb waiter, wine cellar, skylights and marble bathrooms. It's unclear whether the home will actually sell for its asking price. The Journal points out that in 2009 Candy Spelling made headlines when she listed her Los Angeles mansion at $150 million—the home sold for $85 million. Read »
NBCNews.com
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:01 PM

More Rough Weather Hit Country Tuesday

About 9.5 million people remained under the threat of more "large and devastating" tornadoes Tuesday as the storm system that devastated the suburbs of Oklahoma City moved east, forecasters warned. A tornado watch was issued for Dallas-Fort Worth as well as all of north and central Texas until 8:00 p.m. ET. Tornado watches were also issued for a large portion of the south including Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee until 11:00 p.m. ET. Weather Channel meteorologist Kevin Roth said early Tuesday that the threat area appeared to be east and south of Oklahoma City. "Tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail are possible throughout the threat area," Roth said. He added that cities including Dallas-Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Shreveport, Texarkana and Little Rock were among the cities "close to the the larger tornado threat." The National Weather Service said storms were expected Tuesday "from the Great Lakes across the Mississippi River Valley and into central Texas." Get More at NBC News

NBCNews.com
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 3:22 PM

Senators Demand Answers from IRS Officials


U.S. Senators from both sides of the aisle demanded answers as to why action was not taken sooner to stop the IRS' practice of targeting conservative groups, NBC News reported. Senate Democratic leader Max Baucus (D-Mont.) -- who demand to know why those at the top of the tax agency did not take action -- called the conduct "outrageous" and "unacceptable." Former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman, the Bush-era appointee who served during much of the time that the IRS targeting of conservatives took place, testified Tuesday that he was not aware of all the facts surrounding the abuses until earlier this month. Steven Miller, the acting IRS commissioner who resigned last week amid outrage over the scandal, also testified before the Senate Finance Committee. He said he was responsible for having another IRS official, Lois Lerner, answer a planted question at an American Bar Association panel discussion to publicly reveal the targeting of Tea Party groups and other conservatives, NBC News reported. Miller said his original plan for was the IRS to simultaneously brief Capitol Hill about the forthcoming inspector’s general report that detailed the abuses. “Obviously, the entire thing was an incredibly bad idea,” Miller said. Get More at NBC News

Mayoral race
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 1:30 PM

‪Voters Head to Polls for Historic L.A. Mayor's Race‬

‪Voters Head to Polls for Historic L.A. Mayor's Race‬Getty Images
After two years of campaigning bolstered by record contributions, the mayoral race between City Councilman Eric Garcetti and Controller Wendy Greuel comes to a close Tuesday as voters take to the polls. The winner of the run-off election to replace outgoing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will give the city of Los Angeles either its first female or first Jewish mayor—a leader who will inherit a city still struggling to pull itself from an extended fiscal slump. In their sprint to the finish line, both Democratic contenders with similar voting records tried to differentiate themselves from each other in down-to-the-wire pitches to undecided voters. “If you want an independent mayor with proven results, somebody who’s delivered neighborhood turnaround, who’s balanced budgets, I’m your guy," said Garcetti, who was leading by 7 percentage points in the most recent USC Price/Los Angeles Time poll released Friday. Greuel, who has racked up endorsements from high profile figures, including former President Bill Clinton and Magic Johnson, emphasized her experience as the city government's top critic for the last three years. The contest to succeed Villaraigosa, who leaves office at the end of June with high marks from his constituents, broke spending records Saturday as outside contributions topped $33 million. Click through to read more about this historic election. Read »
LA Mayor
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 2:09 AM

Los Angeles Mayoral Race Too Close to Call

Los Angeles Mayoral Race Too Close to CallGetty Images
The race to become the next mayor of Los Angeles was tight Tuesday night with City Councilman Eric Garcetti leading by a slim but swelling margin, NBC 4 Los Angeles reported. With 44 percent of the precincts reporting as of 12:55 a.m. PT, Garcetti had garnered 54 percent of the vote. His opponent City Controller Wendy Greuel had netted 46 percent. The winner of the run-off election to replace outgoing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will give the city of Los Angeles either its first female or first Jewish mayor—a leader who will inherit a city still struggling to pull itself from an extended fiscal slump. Read »
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 2:54 PM

Man Commits Suicide Inside Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral

AP A man committed suicide inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Tuesday, prompting police to clear hundreds of tourists who were waiting in line to see the famous 850-year-old landmark, NBC News reported. The elderly man placed a letter on the alter before pulling a gun and shooting himself in the head, according to The Associate Press. The content of the letter is not known. The man, who said nothing before pulling the trigger, died just after 4 p.m. local time, Reuters reported. Get More at NBC News

U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduation
5 hours ago

Vice President Speaks at Coast Guard Academy Graduation

Vice President Speaks at Coast Guard Academy GraduationNBCConnecticut.com
Vice President Joe Biden is delivering the keynote address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduation today and started his address by sending thoughts and prayers to the people of Moore, Oklahoma who are dealing with the aftermath of a powerful tornado. Read »
NBCNews.com
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 2:42 PM

Peace Corp Opens Up to Same-Sex Couples

Getty Images The Peace Corp will now start accepting applications from same-sex partners who want to serve together overseas, NBC News reported. Deputy Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said on Tuesday that opening up to same-sex domestic partners will diversify the pool of applicants for the volunteer force who serve in education, health, economic development and agriculture projects. Same-sex couples can start applying June 3 and those wishing to join will need to sign an affidavit to verify their relationship. Get More at NBC News

NBCNews.com
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 2:18 PM

Pakistan's New Leader Makes Landmark Offer of Talks to Taliban

AP Pakistan's prime minister designate Nawaz Sharif told members of his party on Monday that talks with the Taliban is not off the table, NBC News reported. "All options should be tried, and guns and bullets are not a solution to all problems … Why shouldn't we sit and talk and engage in dialogue?" Sharif said. His announcement in Lahore has created a divide among Pakistan's political classes with many saying this is a war which must be committed to and won. The Pakistani Taliban would be willing to partake in peace talks, according to their spokesman, who added that they had already been willing to participate in peace talks with the previous government – and that they had wanted to work with Sharif as a guarantor to implement accords, if they were agreed to. Get More at NBC News

tonkin
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 3:09 PM

Couple Steals $854K From Township: DA

Couple Steals $854K From Township: DALehigh County District Attorney's Office
A former municipal employee and her husband, a former police officer, have been charged with embezzling more than $850,000 from a township in Pennsylvania. Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin announced charges Tuesday against the couple, Nancy Tonkin, 66, and her husband William Tonkin IV, 69, of Little Lehigh Drive South in Emmaus, Pa. The Tonkins each face theft, stolen property and criminal conspiracy charges. Martin says the couple stole hundreds of thousands from the utilities account of the South Whitehall Township finance department between 1999 and last June. Nancy Tonkin was a township employee for 30 years and handled billing for residential and commercial water and sewer accounts. She used a technique called “lapping” where she would repeatedly misapply residential payments while keeping cash, according to investigators. Read »
Super Bowl 50
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 12:09 PM

The 50th Super Bowl Goes to San Francisco Bay Area

The 50th Super Bowl Goes to San Francisco Bay AreaGetty Images
The 50th Super Bowl will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area. NFL owners have voted Tuesday for the 49ers' new stadium as host of the 2016 game. That facility in Santa Clara, Calif., is due to open for the 2014 season. San Francisco beat out South Florida, which was stymied in its bid to stage an 11th Super Bowl when the Florida Legislature did not support financing to renovate Sun Life Stadium. The 2017 Super Bowl will be held in Houston, which also beat out Miami for that game. The only previous Super Bowl played in northern California was at Stanford Stadium in 1985. Houston hosted the 2004 NFL championship game. Earlier Tuesday, owners approved a $200 million loan for stadium construction in Atlanta. Read »
advertisement
advertisement
news
entertainment
Weird