28 killed in attack on Shi'ite political rally in Iraq

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• 28 killed in attack on Shi'ite political rally in Iraq
• Mediators held in Ukraine as U.S. readies new Russia sanctions
• North Korea says detains a U.S. tourist who demanded asylum
• Washington working with allies to make next Russia sanctions painful
• Israeli-Palestinian peace process in holding pattern: U.S.
• Court weighs police use of cellphone tower data
• Russian jets make repeated crossings into Ukraine airspace
• CHP probes school bus accident that injured 12
• 'Pause' perhaps needed in Israeli-Palestinian talks: Obama
• Phelps return inspires Lochte
• Slain US doctor's colleague recalls Kabul attack
• Ford profit driven down by North America, warranty costs
• Rand Paul seeks new allies among Romney 2012 team
• Ore. dropping online health exchange for U.S. site
• U.S. appeals court revives Apple patent lawsuit against Google
• Former NFL quarterback Earl Morrall dies at 79
• Officials raise death toll in Baghdad blasts to 31
• Aaron and Andrew Harrison staying at Kentucky
• Former Barcelona coach Vilanova dies at 45
• Paramount, MGM to remake historical epic 'Ben-Hur'
• North Korea detains 24-year-old American tourist
• Georgia leader warns West not to alienate Russia
• Rand Paul seeks new allies among Romney team
• Prom-date denial investigated in school killing
• Nadal loses in Barcelona for first time since 2003
• Top Russian general voices concern to U.S. counterpart over Ukraine
• Rulings for some Tony Awards may change the race
• Active duty military suicides drop; Reserves go up
• Obama highlights deep US military ties in Asia
• Builder in youth jail scandal gets year in prison
• 'The King' returns to track after mourning wife
• South Korea, U.S. pledge firm response to North Korea
• Dems seize on Boehner comments on immigration
• WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK: Obama salutes new citizens
• Latvia says Russia trying to use 'provocateurs' in Baltic state
• New Jersey tot wipes out hours of monks' work
• New Andy Warhol images found on old disks
• NBA will consider giving refs more replay rights
• Tiny Marshall Islands to sue US, others over nuclear arms
• Stocks fall in afternoon trading; Amazon sinks

28 killed in attack on Shi'ite political rally in Iraq Posted: 25 Apr 2014 12:48 PM PDT By Raheem Salman BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A series of explosions killed 28 people and wounded more than 40 at a Shi'ite political organization's rally in Iraq on Friday, police and medical sources said. The militant group Asaib Ahl Haq (League of the Righteous) was presenting its candidates for elections on April 30 at the rally in eastern Baghdad. Al Qaeda offshoot the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on the Internet. The attack came as tensions ran high in Iraq in the runup to a national election on April 30 and as the Iraqi security forces are locked in a four-month battle with ISIL in western Anbar province.

Mediators held in Ukraine as U.S. readies new Russia sanctions Posted: 25 Apr 2014 12:35 PM PDT By Thomas Grove and Gabriela Baczynska SLAVIANSK, Ukraine/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States said on Friday it was prepared to impose further sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, where armed pro-Moscow separatists seized a bus carrying international mediators, escalating the two-month-old crisis. The separatist self-declared mayor of Slaviansk told Reuters the mediators were being held because they were believed to have a spy amongst them from the pro-Western government in Kiev. Moscow denies allegations it is directing the separatists, who have taken control of large parts of eastern Ukraine over the past three weeks. But the White House said U.S. President Barack Obama and European allies all felt that Russia had escalated tension in the region, where the rebels have refused to leave official buildings they have occupied.

North Korea says detains a U.S. tourist who demanded asylum Posted: 25 Apr 2014 12:03 PM PDT By Ju-min Park and David Brunnstrom SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea said on Friday it had detained a 24-year-old American this month who demanded asylum after arriving in the country on a tourist visa in "a gross violation of its legal order." The announcement was made while U.S. President Barack Obama was visiting South Korea, one of Washington's closest allies and still technically at war with Pyongyang. "A relevant organ of the DPRK put in custody American Miller Matthew Todd, 24, on April 10 for his rash behavior in the course of going through formalities for entry into the DPRK to tour it," North Korea's KCNA news agency said, using the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Washington working with allies to make next Russia sanctions painful Posted: 25 Apr 2014 12:00 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is working with its allies so that the next round of sanctions against Moscow will put more pain on the Russian economy, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on Friday. "We are working with our international partners to make sure that when we do it, we do it in an effective way," Lew told Marketplace, a radio show produced by American Public Media. (Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

Israeli-Palestinian peace process in holding pattern: U.S. Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:51 AM PDT The United States said on Friday the Israeli-Palestinian peace process had come to a standstill, all but acknowledging U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will fail to meet his goal of a peace deal by April 29. Israel on Thursday suspended the talks in response to a reconciliation pact between Fatah, the Palestinian faction that leads the West Bank, and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip and which the United States and Israel regard as a terrorist group. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki sought to place the onus on the Israelis and the Palestinians to decide whether they can find a way to continue the negotiations, which Kerry had championed and to which he devoted extensive time and travel. And we're clearly at that point now." "He certainly may stay in touch with them as may our negotiating team," Psaki told reporters, saying Kerry had spoken separately to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday.

Court weighs police use of cellphone tower data Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:47 AM PDT MIAMI (AP) — In the latest challenge over digital age technology and privacy rights, a federal appeals court wrestled Friday with the authority of law enforcement to obtain and use records from cellphone towers, which reel in a treasure trove of user information every minute and can link suspects to crime scenes.

Russian jets make repeated crossings into Ukraine airspace Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:46 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say Russian fighter jets flew into Ukrainian airspace a handful of times over the last 24 hours, in what one called a continued provocation of the heightened tensions in the region.

CHP probes school bus accident that injured 12 Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:45 AM PDT ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Authorities have interviewed the driver of a California school bus that crashed but still don't know what caused the bus to veer out of its lane, over a curb and into trees and a lamp post, injuring 12 people, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said Friday.

'Pause' perhaps needed in Israeli-Palestinian talks: Obama Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:40 AM PDT By Matt Spetalnick SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday a "pause" might be needed in U.S.-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, suggesting leaders on both sides lacked the will to make the necessary compromises. Israel on Thursday suspended participation in negotiations with the Palestinians in response to President Mahmoud Abbas's unexpected unity pact with the rival Islamist Hamas group, which Israel and the United States consider a terrorist organization.

Phelps return inspires Lochte Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:39 AM PDT Mesa (United States) (AFP) - Three-time Olympian Ryan Lochte is looking toward Rio 2016 with renewed enthusiasm, thanks in part to the return of swimming great Michael Phelps. Lochte, 29, counts five gold among his 11 Olympic medals and owns 15 long course world titles. He long toiled in the shadow of Phelps, whose record 22 Olympic medals include 18 gold, but says the US giant's comeback bid helped him shake off the doldrums that had him questioning his swimming future. "I was going through a rough patch after worlds last summer," Lochte said.

Slain US doctor's colleague recalls Kabul attack Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:38 AM PDT KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — It was midmorning at Cure International Hospital in Kabul when Dr. Jerry Umanos took a phone call. He told co-workers he had to meet some guests at the front gate and would be right back.

Ford profit driven down by North America, warranty costs Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:37 AM PDT By Ben Klayman and Bernie Woodall DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co posted a lower-than-expected first-quarter profit on Friday as the No. 2 U.S. automaker reported $400 million in higher warranty costs in North America, sending shares down more than 3 percent. Across the auto industry, safety recalls and warranty costs have received increasing attention as cars have become more complex and loaded with technology, Ford Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks said. It's not any particular company." While Ford adjusts its warranty reserves every quarter, the total was larger in the first quarter because the company has dealt with more field service actions such as recalls and addressing customer complaints over the last two years, Shanks said. In addition to the higher warranty costs, Ford's incentives in North America also rose in the first quarter due to an aging lineup of vehicles, something Ford is addressing with the launch of 16 new models in the region this year.

Rand Paul seeks new allies among Romney 2012 team Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:37 AM PDT BOSTON (AP) — Fighting to move beyond his father's shadow, Sen. Rand Paul is crafting new alliances with the Republican Party establishment during a Northeast tour that began Friday in Boston.

Ore. dropping online health exchange for U.S. site Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:37 AM PDT DURHAM, Ore. (AP) — After months of trying to get its problem-plagued online health exchange to work, Oregon on Friday officially gave up on the state portal and decided to switch to the federal website — the first state in the nation to do so.

U.S. appeals court revives Apple patent lawsuit against Google Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:36 AM PDT By Diane Bartz and Dan Levine WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Friday revived patent claims Apple made against Google's Motorola Mobility unit that had been dismissed shortly before trial, giving the iPhone maker another chance to seek a sales ban against its smartphone competitor. The appeals court also revived a patent claim Motorola Mobility had made against Apple but ruled Motorola could not seek a sales ban of its own. Apple and companies that make phones using Google's Android software have filed dozens of such lawsuits against each other around the world to protect their technology. Apple, in particular, argues that Android phones that use Google software copy its iPhones.

Former NFL quarterback Earl Morrall dies at 79 Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:36 AM PDT MIAMI (AP) — Earl Morrall, an NFL quarterback for 21 years who started nine games during the Miami Dolphins' perfect season in 1972, has died. He was 79.

Officials raise death toll in Baghdad blasts to 31 Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:28 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — Security and hospital officials say the death toll from a series of explosions at a campaign rally for a militant Shiite group in Iraq's capital has risen to at least 31.

Aaron and Andrew Harrison staying at Kentucky Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:27 AM PDT LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky twin freshman guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison will return for a second season to a stocked Wildcats squad coming off an NCAA championship appearance.

Former Barcelona coach Vilanova dies at 45 Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:25 AM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tito Vilanova, the soccer coach who succeeded Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and won the Spanish league title in his only season in charge, died Friday of throat cancer. He was 45.

Paramount, MGM to remake historical epic 'Ben-Hur' Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:24 AM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Burnett and Roma Downey will produce a new version of the historical epic "Ben-Hur," as the faith-based film revival continues on the big screen.

North Korea detains 24-year-old American tourist Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:22 AM PDT PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea has detained a 24-year-old American man for improper behavior while he was being processed to enter the country as a tourist, state media reported Saturday.

Georgia leader warns West not to alienate Russia Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT PRAGUE (AP) — The president of Georgia, a country carved up by Russian troops in 2008, warned Western countries on Friday against alienating Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

Rand Paul seeks new allies among Romney team Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:17 AM PDT BOSTON (AP) — Sen. Rand Paul is seeking new alliances with the Republican Party's establishment wing during a Northeast tour that begins Friday in Boston.

Prom-date denial investigated in school killing Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:12 AM PDT HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A 16-year-old girl was stabbed to death inside a Connecticut high school Friday, and police were investigating whether a boy attacked her because she turned down an invitation to be his prom date.

Nadal loses in Barcelona for first time since 2003 Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:09 AM PDT World number one Rafael Nadal suffered his first defeat in Barcelona since 2003 on Friday when compatriot Nicolas Almagro ended his 41-match winning run in the Spanish city. Top seed Nadal, the eight-time champion, lost 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to Almagro in a quarter-final lasting 13 minutes short of three hours. Nadal, who lost in the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals to David Ferrer last week, had last been beaten in Barcelona when he was just 15 years old. It was 28-year-old Almagro's first win over Nadal in 11 meetings, a series which included a straight sets loss in the 2013 Barcelona final.

Top Russian general voices concern to U.S. counterpart over Ukraine Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:08 AM PDT The chief of the Russian general staff voiced concern on Friday to the top U.S. military officer over the situation in southeastern Ukraine and the loss of life in a Ukrainian operation there this week, the Interfax news agency reported. In a telephone call, Russian General Valery Gerasimov also told U.S. General Martin Dempsey that Ukraine had deployed a "substantial group of forces" near the Russian border, including troops whose purpose was to conduct sabotage, Interfax said.

Rulings for some Tony Awards may change the race Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:08 AM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Four days before the Tony Awards, an administrative panel has made some decisions that will have a powerful effect on who walks away with trophies.

Active duty military suicides drop; Reserves go up Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:06 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Suicides among Army National Guard and Reserve members increased last year, even as the number of active-duty troops across the military who took their own lives dropped by more than 15 percent, according to new data.

Obama highlights deep US military ties in Asia Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:06 AM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Less than an hour after arriving in South Korea, President Barack Obama solemnly laid a wreath at a memorial honoring Americans killed in the Korean War. On Saturday, he'll speak to some of the 28,000 American service members stationed here and hold a rare joint security briefing with South Korea's president.

Builder in youth jail scandal gets year in prison Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:05 AM PDT SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — A builder of for-profit youth detention centers was sentenced Friday to a year in prison for his role in a notorious juvenile justice scandal in which thousands of young offenders were sent to his facilities by a judge who took money from him.

'The King' returns to track after mourning wife Posted: 25 Apr 2014 11:04 AM PDT RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The King is back.

South Korea, U.S. pledge firm response to North Korea Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:55 AM PDT By Ju-min Park and Mark Felsenthal SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea represents a threat not just to Asia but to the United States, U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday, as he and South Korea's President Park Geun-hye warned they would respond firmly to any "provocations". Recent satellite data shows continued work at the nuclear test site in North Korea, although experts analyzing the data say that preparations do not appear to have progressed far enough for an imminent test. "When North Korea is threatening further provocations and publicly discussing the possibility of a further nuclear test, President Obama's visit to South Korea will send a firm message that North Korea's provocations will not be tolerated," Park told a joint press conference.

Dems seize on Boehner comments on immigration Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:55 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and immigration advocates are calling out House Speaker John Boehner over comments mocking his own Republican lawmakers for their reluctance to take up immigration legislation.

WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK: Obama salutes new citizens Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:43 AM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — They had come from 14 countries, their lives and loves somehow fated to end up in South Korea. Many wore a U.S. military uniform. And it was here, in Asia, that they became citizens of the United States in the presence of their president.

Latvia says Russia trying to use 'provocateurs' in Baltic state Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:43 AM PDT RIGA (Reuters) - Latvia's defense minister said on Friday Russia was trying to stir unrest in the Baltic state by using "specially-trained, professional provocateurs" in the wake of its intervention in Ukraine. The Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, now NATO and EU member states, were once part of the Soviet Union and have substantial Russian-speaking minorities, like Ukraine. "There are risks that Russia might try to destabilize the situation in the region," Raimonds Vejonis, Latvia's defense minister, told Reuters in an interview. ...

New Jersey tot wipes out hours of monks' work Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:42 AM PDT JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey tot has made his inadvertent mark on an intricate sand display created by Buddhist monks.

New Andy Warhol images found on old disks Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cybersleuths have unearthed images that Andy Warhol apparently made on a computer in 1985.

NBA will consider giving refs more replay rights Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:30 AM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — After further review, the play stands as called.

Tiny Marshall Islands to sue US, others over nuclear arms Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:29 AM PDT The tiny Marshall Islands is dragging the United States and eight other nuclear-armed countries to the UN's highest court for failing to halt the nuclear arms race and rid the world of atomic weapons. Representatives of the Marshall Islands, site of devastating nuclear tests in the mid-20th century, "yesterday filed... separate applications against nine states," the Hague-based International Court of Justice said in a statement on Friday. China, North Korea, France, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, Britain and the United States are accused of "not fulfilling their obligations with respect to the cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament." The government based in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro said by not stopping the nuclear arms race, the countries continued to breach their obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) -- even if the treaty has not been by signed by some like India and Pakistan.

Stocks fall in afternoon trading; Amazon sinks Posted: 25 Apr 2014 10:28 AM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks headed lower in afternoon trading Friday, dragged down by disappointing results from retail giant Amazon and Ford. Escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine also weighed on the market.

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