Nation briefs 2/13/15

Senate OKs nominee for Pentagon chief

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Thursday confirmed President Barack Obama's choice to run the Pentagon, handing Ash Carter the task of steering the military as the United States confronts Islamic State militants, conflict in Ukraine and other worldwide threats. The bipartisan vote in the Republican-controlled Senate was 93-5. Carter will replace Chuck Hagel, the former Republican senator who had a rough relationship with Obama's group of national security advisers.

Homeland shutdown not being ruled out

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John Boehner left open the possibility Thursday of a potential shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security because of a congressional impasse over immigration. He said a shutdown "would be bad," but Senate Democrats would be to blame if the department's $40 billion budget were to lapse in late February. The House has passed a bill that funds the department through September, when the current budget year ends, while overturning President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration. Senate Democrats have blocked debate on the bill because they oppose the immigration provisions.

Obama war power plan lacks support

WASHINGTON -- Republicans criticized President Barack Obama's day-old request to authorize the use of force against Islamic State forces Thursday as too weak for the job of defeating the terrorist group, and the House's top Democrat conceded the White House faces a challenge in passing legislation. "It's going to be hard," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., leader of a party that generally opposes the use of U.S. ground forces. Republican concerns were along far different grounds. House Speaker John Boehner said Obama's proposal "ties his hands even further" than current law does. He didn't specify how, but the president's draft legislation would bar "enduring offensive combat operations" and repeal a 2002 authorization that preceded the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Dems pick Philly for 2016 convention

WASHINGTON -- Democrats will nominate their pick to succeed President Barack Obama in Philadelphia next summer, choosing a patriotic backdrop -- think the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence -- in a state that's voted their way in the past six presidential elections. The Democratic National Committee said Thursday the convention will be held the week of July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia, which beat two other finalists: Brooklyn, New York, and Columbus, Ohio.

Thousands attend slain Muslims' funeral

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The fathers of three young Muslims allegedly slain by a neighbor who was angry over parking spots stood before their caskets Thursday and urged a crowd of thousands to protect others by demanding justice. More than 5,000 people came to the funeral of Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23; his wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21; and her sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, who were killed Tuesday in the couple's Chapel Hill apartment. A self-described "gun toting" atheist with a reputation for bullying his neighbors, Craig Stephen Hicks, turned himself in and was jailed on first-degree murder charges.

-- From wire

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