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Obama: “I Dare You To Say No To A White Guy Named Merrick”

To the Senate Republicans: You, uh, may have heard that today at 11am, I announced Merrick Garland as my nominee to the Supreme Court. Here is a brief bio: Merrick Garland was his high school valedictorian. He graduated Harvard as valedictorian. He graduated Harvard law magna cum laude. Then he prosecuted the Oklahoma City bombers and the Unabomber. To recap, I nominated a genius, white, male, prosecutor-of-terrorists to the Supreme Court. It’s, uh, your move, Senate Republicans. But, wait. First, I want you to look to your left – you might notice your usual coterie of racist supporters are missing. Because Merrick Garland is white. Now look right – the misogynists are tucking their tails between their legs and skittering back to wheresoever they dwell. Because Merrick Garland is man. In addition to being a white man, his name is Merrick Garland. He sounds like an anonymous Southern Senator Frank Underwood references on House of Cards. So all the groups that you typically wink at for support and then disavow? They can’t help you here. You’re alone, GOP Senators. Check and, uh, mate. Maybe you think Donald Trump or Ted Cruz will come out swinging against Garland, a Jewish guy who helped put Timothy McVeigh behind bars? That will be a helpful sound bite for the Cruz campaign: “I love Israel more than my kids but don’t put a terrorist- fighting Jew on the Supreme Court.” Actually that, uh, doesn’t sound so good, does it? No, it certainly feels as though I’ve, uh, gotcha. Now I have no doubt you’ll fight this nomination tooth and nail. But you can’t fight him. You can only argue on the basis that I shouldn’t nominate anyone. And on those grounds I’ve got a secret weapon: the Constitution. It’s pretty explicit that I get to nominate a Supreme Court justice as long as I’m President. Which I am. Me. Barack Obama. The President. So go ahead, fight me on this. Prove to America that, uh, the Republicans are the source of all Washington gridlock. Any conservative-leaning independent with half a brain will finally see that you for the heel-dragging, maneuvering children you are. Come at me. But do not forget who I am. I’m a political genius who looks great in a bathing suit and is still very much your President. So go ahead, object to the overly qualified white guy named Merrick. I dare you. Yours Truly, President Barack Obama

NATION WORLD House Speaker Ryan rules out GOP presidential bid By Erica Werner The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday definitively ruled out a bid for president this year, insisting that the party's choice should emerge from the group of candidates who pursued the GOP nomination. "Count me out," he said. In a brief news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters, the Wisconsin Republican sought to tamp down rampant speculation that he could end up as the party's standard-bearer if front-runner Donald Trump and the other candidates flame out at a contested convention. "We have too much work to do in the House to allow this speculation to swirl or have my motivations questioned," said Ryan, who was the 2012 vice presidential nominee. "Let me be clear: I do not want, nor will I accept, the Republican nomination." Ryan's comments come as a contested convention looks likelier by the day. Ryan and his aides continually have denied the speaker has presidential ambitions this year, but their statements have not put the issue to rest. That's partly because Ryan also denied he wanted to be speaker last fall after then-Speaker John Boehner announced his resignation, but he ended up with the job anyway. Tuesday's appearance was an attempt to shut down the speculation once and for all and end what aides said has become a major distraction to Ryan's work as speaker. Yet it may not be enough to quiet the talk about Ryan, given the unpredictable twists of the GOP presidential primary. "So let me speak directly to the delegates on this: If no candidate has a majority on the first ballot, I believe you should only choose a person who actually participated in the primary. Count me out," Ryan said. "I simply believe that if you want to be the nominee — to be the president — you should actually run for it. I chose not to. Therefore, I should not be considered. Period." Trump looks unlikely to accumulate the necessary delegates to clinch the nomination before the July Republican convention in Cleveland. That would allow his lead challenger, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, to make a play for the job. A third hopeful, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, trails in the delegate count. Yet party leaders fear neither the erratic Trump nor the polarizing Cruz could beat likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in November. They also fear the GOP won't be able to hold onto control of the Senate with Trump or Cruz at the top of the ticket. So if neither Trump nor Cruz can get the delegate votes necessary as balloting progresses at the convention, chaos could result — and, along with it, the potential for some other Republican who's not currently running to emerge. As a young and charismatic conservative, popular with donors and with some conservative activists, Ryan's name has been at the top of that list for months. Ryan also is seen as a possible candidate in 2020. Early in the campaign season he announced he would not be making a run in 2016, yet some of his own actions fueled the talk. He's delivered high-profile speeches calling for a more principled politics, and his staff uses social media to promote developments as varied as Ryan's recent trip to the Mideast and his decision to "give up impatience and anxiety" for Lent. Ryan insisted Tuesday that such moves have been aimed at communicating on behalf of House Republicans, although he has yet to unveil the policy proposals he's been promising. Removing the presidential speculation would put Ryan's focus squarely on his day job as the leader of the House, and he faces several key tests soon. In a long-brewing embarrassment, it's become plain that Ryan has all but given up hope of passing a budget for the upcoming budget year. Ryan orchestrated four budget efforts as chairman of the Budget Committee over 2011-14 but now can't produce one as speaker. Boehner, his predecessor, presided over five successful budgets. Under the government's arcane budget law, the House is supposed to produce a budget by April 15. But a Tea Party revolt over Ryan's embrace of last year's bipartisan deal with President Barack Obama to increase spending by the Pentagon and domestic agencies has left him well short of the votes he needs.

CTV News Channel

Judge rules against couple in first same-sex marriage lawsuit in China Gerry Shih , The Associated Press Published Tuesday, April 12, 2016 11:56PM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, April 13, 2016 2:17AM EDT CHANGSHA, China - A judge on Wednesday ruled against a gay couple in China's first same-sex marriage case that attracted several hundred cheering supporters to the courthouse and was seen as a landmark moment for the country's emerging LGBT rights movement. The court in the central city of Changsha dismissed the suit brought against the local civil affairs bureau for refusing to issue the couple a marriage registration certificate. The couple's lawyer Shi Fulong said he expected the judge would rule against them but not so soon - within just a few hours. "It goes against the spirit of the laws of the people's republic of China," Shi said. Plaintiff Sun Wenlin said he would appeal until he exhausts all legal options. The lawsuit comes amid growing awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in China, where society and the government have generally frowned on non- traditional expressions of gender and sexuality. China doesn't legally recognize same- sex marriage and officials with the central government have said they do not see the law changing soon.

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Syrians begin voting for new parliament Syrian policemen stand guard outside a polling station during the parliamentary election in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP / Hassan Ammar) The Associated Press Published Wednesday, April 13, 2016 1:32AM EDT DAMASCUS, Syria - Polling stations have opened in government-held parts of Syria for the election of a new 250- member parliament. Shortly after the stations opened at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) Wednesday people began turning up. Around 3,500 government-approved candidates are competing after more than 7,000 others dropped out. Damascus says the vote, which will only be held in areas controlled by the government, is constitutional and separate from the peace talks in Geneva aimed at ending the war. But the opposition says it contributes to an unfavourable climate for negotiations amid fierce fighting that threatens an increasingly tenuous cease-fire engineered by the United States and Russia. Western leaders and members of the opposition have denounced the process as a sham and a provocation that undermines the Geneva peace talks. Report Error

NOW PLAYING Hollman: I don't think I've been in a porn movie

TV 'Real Housewife' Stephanie Hollman: 'I’ve never been in a porn movie, I don’t think' Real Housewives of Dallas stars Brandi Redmond and Stephanie Hollman are standing behind fellow cast mate Tiffany Hendra after finding out she was in topless sex scenes in a racy film. “She says it’s not porn, I’ve not seen it,” Hollman told FOX411 in our New York Studio. “I don’t want to see it because then I’d look at her differently, I’d be like oh, I’m picturing you naked right now.” “I actually had it sent to me on my phone and I was like Oh! Oh my gosh!” Redmond said. “ I did see a little clip of it. It’s humorous, and believe me, I did not continue to watch it. But it is humorous and I can see why she’s getting a lot of negativity about it.” “We didn’t know about her past when we were filming but she’s such a wonderful person, she has a good spirit. We do love her,” Redmond added. Hendra appeared topless several times in a Cinemax series, but says it wasn’t even close to porn, telling US W

Rob Kardashian touts 50-pound

(CNN) — Rob Kardashian not only has a new fiancée, he also has a new body. On Monday, the reality star posted an Instagram photo of himself from when he weighed almost 300 pounds, standing beside Blac Chyna, whom he recently gifted an engagement ring. The caption says, "Looking from where I started 298lbs to my current weight now 248.4lbs. I'm focused and determined to reach my goal weight 200-205lbs .... Happy I found my motivation." Kardashian, who last year was reportedly diagnosed with diabetes, has emerged into the limelight since he has taken up with entrepreneur and model Blac Chyna. The only Kardashian son clearly has found inspiration in his lady love. The pair have posted Snapchat videos showing her yelling at him "Let's go, Robert! I'm not playing with you!" and encouraging him to do sprints. Advertisement Looking from where I started 298lbs to my current weight now 248.4lbs ) I'm focused and determined to reach

President Obama: Libya aftermath 'worst mistake' of presidency

US President Barack Obama has said failing to prepare for the aftermath of the ousting of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi was the worst mistake of his presidency. Mr Obama was answering a series of questions on the highs and lows of his time in office on Fox News. He said, however, that intervening in Libya had been "the right thing to do". The US and other countries carried out strikes designed to protect civilians during the 2011 uprising. But after the former Libyan leader was killed, Libya plunged into chaos with militias taking over and two rival parliaments and governments forming. How Obama learned the limits of US power So-called Islamic State (IS) gained a foothold, and Libya became a major departure point for migrants trying to reach Europe. A UN-backed national unity government arrived in the capital Tripoli earlier this month but is waiting to take charge. The leader of the faction ruling western Libya has threatened to prosecute any of his ministers who co-operate with th

US woman dismembered in home, parts dumped

US woman dismembered in home, parts dumped A man dismembered a nurse and mother of three in her suburban home then drove her head and other remains to Seattle, where they were found in garbage bags in a recycling bin, authorities say. The disclosure came as a local judge ordered the suspect in the case, John Robert Charlton, held on $US2 million ($A2.60 million) bail. Charlton has a criminal history. His parents had sought a restraining order against him in 2006, saying he had taken the movie Hannibal - about a serial killer - from a shelf and told his mother she should watch it and "beware". Charlton, 37, was arrested Monday after police said remains believed to be those of Ingrid Lyne of Renton were found over the weekend in a homeowner's recycling bin. A head, arm with a hand, lower leg and foot were recovered, court documents state. Lyne, 40, was reported missing on Saturday. The coroner's office was working to confirm the remains were hers. Her family released a statement on Tuesday, saying they are heartbroken. "This weekend, a light went out of our lives forever. Ingrid, beloved mother, daughter, sister, and friend was taken from us for reasons we still cannot comprehend," the statement said. Lyne had planned to go on a date to a baseball game Friday night, friends said. A neighbour told detectives she had been dating a man named John. Charlton told police he went to the baseball game with Lyne and returned to her home that night but was so intoxicated he couldn't recall what happened. He said he had been dating Lyne for about a month. Seattle police detectives searched Lyne's suburban home Sunday and found a 15- inch pruning saw near the bathtub, an empty box of plastic garbage bags identical to the type containing the body parts, and collected swabs of suspected blood, according to court documents. Police said Charlton had abrasions on his forehead and hand, injuries to his lip and chin, and scratches on his chest. Charlton told police he spent Saturday and Sunday night at the Lake Stevens, Washington, home of a former girlfriend Originally published as US woman dismembered in home, parts dumped      read next Recommended by Ads By Google Breaking News  

Facebook Messenger launches chat bots

FACEBOOK says people who use its Messenger chat service will soon be able to order flowers, shop for shoes and talk with a variety of businesses by sending them direct text messages. At its annual conference for software developers, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Facebook is releasing new tools that businesses can use to build “chatbots,” or programs that can talk to customers in conversational language. “We think you should just be able to message a business the same way that you message a friend,” Mr Zuckerberg said, noting many people hate the experience of calling businesses on the phone. Facebook is trying to encourage people to spend more time and do more things on its social network and related apps. This at a time when some reports indicate people may be sharing less personal information on the social network — either because of privacy concerns or the growing appeal of competing apps. That underscores the importance for Facebook of adding more features to its Messenger and WhatsApp chat services: It needs to keep people engaged — and continue to learn about their interests for advertising purposes, said analyst Ben Bajarin of the Creative Strategies research firm. Facebook is also putting a high priority on creating new video features, both as a way to hold people’s interest and to show them ads. It’s been making it easier for celebrities and media outlets, as well as individual users, to stream live video on the social network. Now it’s releasing software that it hopes developers will use to build apps for streaming video from drones and other gadgets. Facebook has also developed its own camera — a special device designed to take “immersive” 360-degree video that can be shared on the social network. Chief Product Officer Chris Cox said Facebook doesn’t plan to sell the camera to consumers but will share its design to encourage other firms to find new uses for 360-degree video. The new video push is part of Facebook’s effort to compete against Twitter, SnapChat, YouTube and others working on new ways to serve video- hungry viewers. While it doesn’t sell ads for live video streams — not yet, anyway — analysts say Facebook has seen early success with other types of video commercials. Facebook, meanwhile, is adding new uses for Messenger at a time when more people are embracing the internet chat service, and its competitors, as way to communicate with friends as well as businesses. Facebook announced last week that Messenger has 900 million active users, while WhatsApp, another messaging service owned by Facebook, claims 1 billion. “More and more of our mobile time is spent within messaging,” said Ken Sena, an investment analyst at Evercore ISI, who examined the apps in a recent report. He’s one of several analysts who believe consumers would prefer talking to a business within the messaging app they’re already using, rather than download a separate app and create another user name and password for each business. That’s already a popular model in some Asian countries, where people use China’s WeChat, Japan’s Line and other texting services to schedule doctor’s appointments, pay for meals, order merchandise or send gifts to their friends.      read next Recommended by Ads By Google Online   Bots coming ... There are new changes to the Facebook Messenger app. Picture: Supplied New idea ... Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Picture: AFPSource:Getty Images Changes coming ... Facebook Messenger has been a popular addition to Facebook. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

SKoreans vote for new parliament

SKoreans vote for new parliament South Koreans have voted to elect a new parliament, with the ruling conservatives expected to regain a majority despite a sluggish economy and a four-year term considered one of the least productive ever. Early voter turnout was low compared with four years ago, according to the National Election Commission, a trend if it continues is likely to work to the advantage of President Park Geun-hye's Saenuri Party. Saenuri holds half of the 292 seats in the National Assembly. Before recent defections, it held a majority with 157 seats in the 300-seat unicameral parliament. Voters expressed frustration that parliament has neglected real issues such as jobs and national security in Asia's fourth largest economy and focused more on protecting political interests. "I hope that parliament will be more mature to mirror the maturity of the voters and that politics can be used for the welfare of children and young people," Kim Jeong- yeon, 46, said after casting her vote in Seoul. A strong showing by Saenuri would raise expectations that it will field the winning candidate in a December 2017 presidential election to find a successor to Park at the end of her single five-year term. The country has a strong presidential system around a national leader who is limited to a single term by constitution but has control over domestic and foreign policy issues. South Korea's economy grew 2.6 per cent last year and youth unemployment reached 12.5 per cent in February, the highest since the government started keeping records in 1999, compared with single- digit joblessness in other age groups. Originally published as SKoreans vote for new parliament     