National Zoo: panda cub went outside for 1st time

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• National Zoo: panda cub went outside for 1st time
• Industry group seeks continuous flight tracking
• Marquette hires Duke's 'Wojo' as next hoop coach
• Congress to pass aid Ukraine, sanction Russia
• Ryan unveils House GOP budget claiming balance
• Deadline brings high interest for health insurance
• Woods has back surgery, will miss the Masters
• Woods thinking about long term, says Stricker
• Former Sen. Scott Brown joins GOP lunch in Capitol
• Forest Service backs ski area's snowboarding ban
• Royal Mail sale short-changed taxpayers - watchdog
• NATO suspends cooperation with Russia, sees no troop pullback
• Atlanta archbishop apologizes for posh residence
• Bishops celebrate Mass along Mexico border
• Union question looms as Northwestern practices
• Apple again seeks decisive U.S. court ruling against Samsung
• Barra says GM investigating at what level decision made on faulty switch
• U.S. lawmakers, victims pressure GM on recalled vehicles
• Israel, Palestinian moves threaten to derail US efforts
• Samsung: Patents developed by Google engineers
• White House: Obama has not decided to release Israeli spy
• Congress demands answers on delay in GM recall
• Diego Costa, Pique forced off by early injuries
• Spanish 'The Vagina Monologues' goes off-Broadway
• May Sarton works to be released as e-books
• Barra: does not know if predecessor GM CEO knew of ignition switch issue
• Coalition wants US to end bulk data sweep
• Head of Olympic planning in Rio city hall resigns
• Kerry cancels meeting with Abbas in Ramallah
• Kerry says too early to draw conclusions about Israel-Palestinian talks
• Abbas signs international conventions, jeopardizing peace moves
• Rosie O'Donnell to get honorary Tony Award
• GOP's small-state edge boosts its Senate hopes
• Crowe meets Anglican leader after 'Noah' premiere
• 5 Things To Know: Huge crane awaits NY bridge job
• Kerry: Premature to write off Mideast peace talks
• Kansas man accused in guitar string decapitation
• NATO suspends cooperation with Russia over Ukraine crisis
• Venezuela issues ID cards to curtail food hoarding

National Zoo: panda cub went outside for 1st time Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:11 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — National Zoo giant panda cub Bao Bao (bow-bow) has ventured outside for the first time.

Industry group seeks continuous flight tracking Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:10 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — An aviation industry group is creating a task force to make recommendations this year for continuously tracking commercial airliners because "we cannot let another aircraft simply vanish" like Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Marquette hires Duke's 'Wojo' as next hoop coach Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:09 PM PDT Marquette found its replacement for Buzz Williams in Mike Krzyzewski's coaching tree.

Congress to pass aid Ukraine, sanction Russia Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:09 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress was near passage Tuesday of a bill to provide $1 billion in loan guarantees to cash-poor Ukraine and take punitive measures against Russia for its brazen annexation of part of the former Soviet satellite nation. Once passed by the House, it would be sent to President Barack Obama.

Ryan unveils House GOP budget claiming balance Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:08 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan unveiled an updated Republican budget plan Tuesday that would slash $5.1 trillion in federal spending over coming decade and promises to balance the government's books with wide-ranging cuts in programs like food stamps and government-paid health care for the poor and working class.

Deadline brings high interest for health insurance Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:07 PM PDT SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A blizzard, jammed phone lines and unreliable websites failed to stop throngs of procrastinating Americans from trying to sign up for health coverage by the midnight Monday deadline for President Barack Obama's signature domestic policy initiative.

Woods has back surgery, will miss the Masters Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:06 PM PDT Tiger Woods chose surgery to heal his ailing back over a quest for another green jacket, announcing Tuesday that he will miss the Masters for the first time in his career.

Woods thinking about long term, says Stricker Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:06 PM PDT Veteran American golfer Steve Stricker, one of Tiger Woods closest friends, said Woods withdrawing from next week's Masters was no surprise and believes it is all about the 14-time Major winner remaining competitive over the next decade. Woods advised Augusta National officials on Tuesday he has undergone surgery for a pinched nerve and will miss the Masters for the first time in his career having made his first appearance as an amateur in 1995. "After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have this procedure done," Woods said in a statement. "I'd like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters.

Former Sen. Scott Brown joins GOP lunch in Capitol Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:02 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators greeted their once, and perhaps future, colleague Scott Brown with handshakes and backslaps Tuesday. Democrats met him with a wisecrack.

Forest Service backs ski area's snowboarding ban Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:01 PM PDT SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service says its supports one of the last U.S. ski resorts to prohibit snowboarding in a court battle over a ban that snowboarders call discriminatory.

Royal Mail sale short-changed taxpayers - watchdog Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:01 PM PDT By Neil Maidment LONDON (Reuters) - Britain sold off Royal Mail too cheaply, the spending watchdog said on Tuesday, prompting the main opposition Labour party to accuse Prime Minister David Cameron's government of failing to look after the interests of taxpayers. Britain's decision to sell a 60 percent stake in the 500-year-old state postal operator last October for 330 pence a share has been heavily criticised by Labour and trade unions after the stock soared by as much as 87 percent. Labour has seized upon the flotation, and the quick profits made by big banks and City investors, to reinforce one of its central arguments ahead of next year's general election - that Cameron's government is out of touch with ordinary voters. The sell-off, which followed three failed attempts to privatise Royal Mail in 20 years, came in the face of possible strike action at Royal Mail that the government had said could deter investors and contributed to its cautious approach on price.

NATO suspends cooperation with Russia, sees no troop pullback Posted: 01 Apr 2014 01:01 PM PDT NATO said Tuesday it has suspended all cooperation with Russia over the Crimea crisis and questioned Moscow's claim to have withdrawn troops from near the Ukrainian border, saying it could not confirm any pullback. The Western alliance's latest statements came as Moscow heaped even more pressure on Ukraine's teetering economy with a painful gas-price hike, undermining what had been tentative signs of a calming in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. Ukraine's parliament met one of Moscow's key demands by voting unanimously to disarm all self-defence groups that sprang up around the country during its political crisis, which first erupted in late November over the former government's decision to ditch a landmark EU association. Ukraine also said on Tuesday that joining NATO was not a priority in a move that was also sure to satisfy Russia.

Atlanta archbishop apologizes for posh residence Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:57 PM PDT ATLANTA (AP) — Archbishop Wilton Gregory seems to have gotten the pope's message about modest living.

Bishops celebrate Mass along Mexico border Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:56 PM PDT NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — Roman Catholic leaders made a rare visit to the border and celebrated Mass on Tuesday in the shadow of the fence separating the U.S. and Mexico, offering Holy Communion through the steel barrier to people on the Mexican side as they sought to bring attention to the plight of immigrants.

Union question looms as Northwestern practices Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:51 PM PDT EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern running back Venric Mark says he is not sure all his teammates who signed union cards in January realized the ramifications.

Apple again seeks decisive U.S. court ruling against Samsung Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:47 PM PDT By Dan Levine SAN JOSE, California (Reuters) - An Apple Inc attorney told jurors the company deserves about $2 billion from Samsung for copying the iPhone, but a Samsung lawyer said Apple was merely seeking to make up for losing its lead in the smartphone market. Jurors awarded the iPhone maker about $930 million after a 2012 trial in San Jose, California, but Apple failed to persuade U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh to issue a permanent injunction against the sale of Samsung phones. A sales ban would be a far more serious threat to Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, which earned $7.7 billion in the quarter that ended in December. Samsung's mobile division, which includes smartphones, generated operating profit of 5.47 trillion won ($5.1 billion).

Barra says GM investigating at what level decision made on faulty switch Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:43 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - General Motors CEO Mary Barra told a congressional hearing on Friday that one aim of the company's internal investigation of deadly crashes from faulty ignition switches was to establish at what level the decision was made to use the switches. Barra told lawmakers the internal probe would also seek to establish what information was provided to U.S. federal safety regulators about the part, blamed for crashes that caused at least 13 deaths. (Reporting By David Storey; Editing by Sandra Maler)

U.S. lawmakers, victims pressure GM on recalled vehicles Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:43 PM PDT By Ben Klayman and Julia Edwards WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers, seeking to establish who is to blame for at least 13 auto-related deaths over the past decade, challenged General Motors CEO Mary Barra on Tuesday afternoon over the automaker's slow response to defective ignition switches in its cars. Despite tougher laws enacted in 2000 and 2010 to encourage automakers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to aggressively root out safety concerns, it took GM more than 10 years to publicly acknowledge that it had a potentially fatal problem. Since February, GM has recalled 2.6 million vehicles due to concerns about ignition switches that unexpectedly turn off engines during operation and leave airbags, power steering and power brakes inoperable. But sadly, vehicle safety has fallen short," said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton of Michigan.

Israel, Palestinian moves threaten to derail US efforts Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:40 PM PDT Israel and the Palestinians announced moves Tuesday that could scuttle peace talks, prompting US Secretary of State John Kerry to call off a second visit in as many days aimed at saving them. Earlier in the day, Kerry had wrapped up a lightning visit to Israel, planning to return to the region on Wednesday in hopes of convincing the Palestinians to extend the faltering talks beyond their April 29 deadline. But just hours after he left, news emerged that Israel had reissued tenders for hundreds of settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem, and just as Washington was to push for a settlement freeze. Not long afterwards, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas announced a request to join several UN agencies, abandoning pledges to refrain from doing so during nine the months of talks that Kerry kick-started in July.

Samsung: Patents developed by Google engineers Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT SAN JOSE, California (AP) — Samsung attorneys say patents that Apple claims in a lawsuit were infringed are part of the Android software package developed by Google engineers.

White House: Obama has not decided to release Israeli spy Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:36 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama has not made a decision to release convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Tuesday. "Jonathan Pollard was convicted of espionage and he is serving his sentence," Carney said. "I don't have any other update to provide you on Mr. Pollard's status. There are obviously a lot of things happening in that arena and I am not going to get ahead of discussions that are under way," he said. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and David Storey; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Congress demands answers on delay in GM recall Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:36 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The piece needed to fix a defective ignition switch linked to 13 traffic deaths would have cost just 57 cents, according to documents submitted by General Motors to lawmakers investigating why the company took 10 years to recall cars with the flaw.

Diego Costa, Pique forced off by early injuries Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:32 PM PDT Barcelona (AFP) - Atletico Madrid and Barcelona both suffered injuries to key players early on in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg match as Diego Costa and Gerard Pique limped off.

Spanish 'The Vagina Monologues' goes off-Broadway Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:30 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Eve Ensler's groundbreaking play "The Vagina Monologues" is going back to an old home but with a new accent.

May Sarton works to be released as e-books Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:30 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — A trove of poetry, fiction and nonfiction by the acclaimed author May Sarton is coming out in digital format.

Barra: does not know if predecessor GM CEO knew of ignition switch issue Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:29 PM PDT General Motors CEO Mary Barra told a congressional hearing on Tuesday that as far as she knew her predecessor as CEO, Dan Akerson, was not aware of the issue of defective ignition switches that has caused a crisis for the company. Barra, who took over at GM in January, was asked by a lawmaker whether Akerson was aware of the issue. The committee is looking into who is to blame for at least 13 deaths blamed on faulty ignition switches in GM cars in the last decade. Barra also told the House of Representatives committee hearing that she had not met with the engineering team responsible for the switch, but said they were being interviewed.

Coalition wants US to end bulk data sweep Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:28 PM PDT More than 40 activist organizations and companies called Tuesday for an overhaul of US government surveillance authority that goes beyond President Barack Obama's proposal. The coalition said Obama's proposal to end bulk collection of telephone data by the National Security Agency is positive, but does not go far enough. Any reforms should "prohibit bulk collection for all types of data, not just phone records," the groups said in a letter to the White House and US lawmakers. "Legislation that focuses only on phone records may still allow for the bulk collection of, for example, Internet metadata, location information, financial records, library records, and numerous other records."

Head of Olympic planning in Rio city hall resigns Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:27 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The head of Olympic planning for Rio de Janeiro's municipal government has resigned.

Kerry cancels meeting with Abbas in Ramallah Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:25 PM PDT BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday called off a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah for last-minute talks on extending peace talks with Israel, a senior State Department official said. "We are no longer travelling tomorrow. We are in close touch with the team on the ground," the official said. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; editing by Andrew Roche)

Kerry says too early to draw conclusions about Israel-Palestinian talks Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:25 PM PDT BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday it was too early to draw conclusions about the prospects in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, saying "a lot of possibilities" were in play. Kerry said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had agreed to keep his promise to continue negotiating with Israel until the end of the month. "Even tonight, both parties say they want to continue to find a way forward," Kerry told reporters after meeting his NATO counterparts in Brussels to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. ...

Abbas signs international conventions, jeopardizing peace moves Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:25 PM PDT Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed more than a dozen international conventions on Tuesday citing anger at Israel's delay of a prisoner release, in a move jeopardized U.S. efforts to salvage fragile peace talks. His unexpected decision came just a day before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had been due to travel to Ramallah for talks aimed at finalizing a complex, three-way deal that would enable the talks to continue into 2015. Israel had promised in exchange to free more than 100 prisoners by the end of March, but failed to release the final batch, saying it wanted guarantees that the Palestinians would extend the negotiations beyond the April 29 deadline. In his remarks to Palestinian leaders in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Abbas made clear he was not abandoning the negotiations, but blasted Israel's delay in freeing prisoners.

Rosie O'Donnell to get honorary Tony Award Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:24 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Rosie O'Donnell is getting a Tony Award.

GOP's small-state edge boosts its Senate hopes Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:22 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators are entrenching themselves in small states that elected Democrats a few years ago, brightening the GOP's future if Americans continue their trend of voting for the same party in Senate and presidential races.

Crowe meets Anglican leader after 'Noah' premiere Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:20 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — The pope said no but the leader of the world's Anglicans was happy to meet Russell Crowe, star of watery Biblical epic "Noah."

5 Things To Know: Huge crane awaits NY bridge job Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:19 PM PDT TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Billed as one of the world's largest floating cranes, the Left Coast Lifter will be going to work this spring on a new span that will replace the Tappan Zee Bridge on the Hudson River north of New York City. Here are five things to know about it:

Kerry: Premature to write off Mideast peace talks Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:16 PM PDT BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says it is "completely premature" to write off the Israeli-Palestinian peace process even as negotiations were dealt a blow by a speech in which the Palestinian leader said he would press for U.N. recognition over Israel's strong objections.

Kansas man accused in guitar string decapitation Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:14 PM PDT LYNDON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man accused of beheading another man with a guitar string three years ago and keeping his head has pleaded not guilty to premeditated first-degree murder.

NATO suspends cooperation with Russia over Ukraine crisis Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:11 PM PDT By Adrian Croft BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO suspended all practical cooperation with Russia on Tuesday in protest at its annexation of Crimea and ordered military planners to draft measures to strengthen its defences and reassure nervous eastern European countries. Foreign ministers from the 28-nation, U.S.-led alliance were meeting for the first time since the Russian occupation of Ukraine's Crimea region touched off the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. They agreed to "suspend all practical civilian and military cooperation between NATO and Russia". NATO officials said the decision could affect cooperation with Russia on Afghanistan in areas such as training counter-narcotics personnel, maintenance of Afghan air force helicopters and a transit route out of the war-torn country.

Venezuela issues ID cards to curtail food hoarding Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:10 PM PDT CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Battling food shortages, the government is rolling out a new ID system that is either a grocery loyalty card with extra muscle or the most dramatic step yet toward rationing in Venezuela, depending on who is describing it.

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