The nation in brief

Friday, February 7, 2014

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“This storm is in some respects as bad or maybe even worse than Hurricane Sandy.” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, referring to a winter storm that knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people in his state Article, this page

Stolen Stradivarius found stashed in attic

A Stradivarius violin that was stolen in late January from the concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has been recovered seemingly unharmed, authorities in Milwaukee announced Thursday.

The rare instrument, which dates from 1715 and has been valued at $5 million, was recovered Wednesday night after police searched a residence on the east side of Milwaukee, led there by one of three suspects recently arrested in the case, said Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn. Officers found the violin inside a suitcase in an attic. Flynn described the home as owned by a friend of the suspect but said that person was believed to have no knowledge of what he had been asked to store.

The violin, known as the Lipinski Strad, after a Polish virtuoso who owned it in the 19th century, was stolen Jan.

27 from Frank Almond, the concertmaster. He had just finished performing a chamber concert with the instrument at Wisconsin Lutheran College and was walking to his car about 10:20 p.m. when he was assaulted by someone with a stun gun. The attacker grabbed the violin, which Almond dropped as he fell to the pavement, and fled in a dark minivan driven by a second person. The violin case was found hours later on the north side of Milwaukee, police said.

Jobless-benefits revival fails in Senate

WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic leaders said they would keep working to strike a compromise on reviving expanded jobless benefits, even as the chamber failed Thursday to advance the latest plan because of a partisan dispute over amendments.

On a vote of 58-40, with 60 required, the Senate again didn’t have the votes to move forward a Democratic proposal to extend the benefits for three months. The cost of the plan, at the demand of Republicans, was covered with budget reductions elsewhere.

Four Republicans - Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Susan Collins of Maine, Dean Heller of Nevada and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska - voted for the latest plan. Republican John Boozman of Arkansas voted “no,” while Democrat Mark Pryor voted “yes.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was the only Democrat to vote “no,” which he did to preserve his ability to offer the measure again.

Boehner: House to lift debt limit in time

WASHINGTON - House Speaker John Boehner promised Thursday that the GOP-controlled House won’t miss a late-February deadline to increase the government’s borrowing cap.

“Look, we do not want to default on our debt, and we’re not going to default on our debt,” Boehner said.

The Ohio Republican held open the possibility the House could consider a debt-limit increase that’s “clean” of any GOP add-ons.

Boehner is struggling to win enough support among Republicans to pass a debt-limit measure without help from Democrats.

“We’re still looking for the pieces to this puzzle,” said Boehner, joking that he’d have trouble finding enough Republican votes for a debt-ceiling increase even if sainthood for Mother Teresa were attached.

96-0 vote confirms Baucus as China envoy

WASHINGTON - Max Baucus, Senate Finance Committee chairman, was confirmed Thursday as ambassador to China, elevating the chamber’s top leader on taxes, trade and health care to one of the toughest U.S. diplomatic posts.

The Senate vote was 96-0, with Baucus voting “present.” The Montana Democrat will head to China at a time of tension in the relationship between the world’s two biggest economies. His successor in the Senate will be chosen as early as this week.

Baucus, 72, will succeed Gary Locke as ambassador.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock probably will appoint a fellow Democrat to complete the 11 months remaining in Baucus’ Senate term.

Baucus’ departure as chairman of the Finance Committee will elevate Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden to lead the panel.

Wyden, who now leads the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will be replaced there by Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Louisiana Democrat and supporter of the oil and natural-gas industries.

Front Section, Pages 4 on 02/07/2014