National: Breaking US News from US News and World Report

Here is the latest National News from US News and World Report.

Players to watch in the LPGA Tour’s ANA Inspiration
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) — Players to watch in the ANA Inspiration, the first of the five major championships in women’s golf. Play begins Thursday at Mission Hills.

California lawmakers weigh nation’s highest entry level wage
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California state lawmakers are poised to enact the nation’s highest statewide minimum wage, with gradual increases to $15 by 2022.

Oregon State, Syracuse, Washington ready for 1st Final Four
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Geno Auriemma marvels at what his colleagues accomplished this season.

Quiet, unassuming Osahor becoming star for Washington women
SEATTLE (AP) — Chantel Osahor would like to make sure this much is clear about her unique shot that has become a signature of this NCAA Tournament:

In Minneapolis, distrust flares after officers cleared
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Activists from Minneapolis’ black community spent four months demanding the release of videos and other evidence after a black man was fatally shot in a confrontation with two white police officers. When it finally was made public and a prosecutor announced the officers wouldn’t be charged, they were enraged.

A guide to the Final Four in Houston
March Madness lived up to its billing with all those upsets, crazy finishes and memorable performances.

7 hurt, homes, businesses damaged after tornado in Oklahoma
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Authorities say at least seven people are injured after severe storms spawned multiple tornado touchdowns in northeastern Oklahoma, damaging homes and businesses.

World Bank: Restrictions cost Palestinian telecoms $1B
JERUSALEM (AP) — The World Bank says the Palestinian mobile phone sector lost more than $1 billion in potential earnings over the last three years, largely due to Israeli restrictions.

AP Explains: Why Asian diplomacy is on nuke summit sidelines
WASHINGTON (AP) — The leaders of China, India, Japan and South Korea are among the heads of government converging on Washington for a summit on countering the nightmarish threat of nuclear terrorism. But with tensions in North Korea and the South China Sea running high, the meetings that Asian leaders have on the sidelines could attract more attention than the summit itself.

LEADING OFF: Yankees await update on Miller, Rays’ Loney out
A look at what’s happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona today:

Under fire on abortion, Trump fights to court women
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Donald Trump is fighting to convince a skeptical Republican Party he can improve his standing among women, even as he takes back an explosive comment about abortion and attacks the credibility of a female reporter police say was illegally grabbed by the GOP front-runner’s campaign manager.

Obama, Asian leaders to huddle on North Korea nuclear threat
WASHINGTON (AP) — Working to display a united front, the United States and key Asian countries are seeking to put more pressure on North Korea as world leaders open a nuclear security summit in Washington.

Officials: US mulls new rules on dollars to help Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration may soon tell foreign governments and banks they can start using the dollar in some instances to facilitate business with Iran, officials told The Associated Press, describing an arcane tweak to U.S. financial rules that could prove significant for Tehran’s sanctions-battered economy.

TV station ‘ends relationship’ with anchor after online post
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh television station WTAE said it has ended its relationship with anchorwoman Wendy Bell over racial comments she posted on Facebook about an ambush shooting at a cookout that left five people and an unborn baby dead.

Average snowpack could prolong California water conservation
ECHO SUMMIT, California (AP) — A nearly average spring snowpack in the Sierra Nevada will likely prolong tough water conservation measures in drought-stricken California — although the restrictions could be loosened in some areas after an El Nino storm system drenched the northern half of the state this winter, officials said.

Nobel literature laureate Imre Kertesz dies at 86
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Imre Kertesz, the Hungarian writer who won the 2002 Nobel Prize for Literature for fiction largely drawn from his very real experience as a teenage prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, has died. He was 86.

Alabama governor’s scandal brings resignation of top aide
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A top political aide to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigned Wednesday, a week after he publicly admitted making inappropriate remarks to her but denied the two ever had an affair.

Struggling steel sparks political, economic crisis in UK
LONDON (AP) — The British government is scrambling to save the country’s struggling steel industry after Tata Steel announced plans to sell its U.K. plants, which employ almost 20,000 people.

Ex-judge sentencing: Had ordered defendant shocked in court
GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A former Maryland judge who pleaded guilty to a civil rights violation for ordering a defendant to be physically shocked in his court is scheduled to be sentenced.

Global stocks lower after Wall Street gains
BEIJING (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed Thursday after Wall Street gained on expectations U.S. interest rates will stay low.

Iraqi PM seeks parliament approval for new cabinet
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister is due to seek parliamentary approval for a cabinet reshuffle amid mounting pressure for political reform.

German jobless rate ticks down to 6.5 percent in March
BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s unemployment rate ticked down to 6.5 percent in March, a post-winter decline that’s typical for the month.

Spurs beat Pelicans, set NBA record with 38-0 start at home
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Manu Ginobili scored 20 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 100-92 on Wednesday night for their NBA-record 38th straight home victory to open a season.

Silfverberg, Kesler lead Ducks to 8-3 thumping of Flames
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jakob Silfverberg scored twice, Ryan Kesler had a goal and three assists, and the Anaheim Ducks tied an NHL record for consecutive regular-season home wins over one team with an 8-3 thumping of the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.

Curry scores 31, Warriors beat Jazz 103-96 in OT for No. 68
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 31 points, including six straight in overtime, and the Golden State Warriors continued their historic run with a 103-96 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Lester strikes out 10, homers to lead Cubs over Rockies 10-0
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Jon Lester struck out 10 in five innings and hit a two-run home run to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 10-0 win over a Colorado Rockies split squad on Wednesday.

Curry fans fall from stands trying to get autograph
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Four fans trying to get an autograph from Stephen Curry fell out of the stands when a railing dislodged before the Utah Jazz hosted the Golden State Warriors.

FBI: Man arrested after doing yoga, meditating on airplane
HONOLULU (AP) — A Japan-bound airplane returned to Hawaii because of a violent passenger who wanted to do yoga instead of sit in his seat, the FBI said.

US group says 98 girls in CAfrican Republic sexually abused
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A U.S.-based advocacy group says 98 girls in Central African Republic have reported that they were sexually abused by international peacekeepers and that three girls told U.N. staff they were tied up, undressed and forced to have sex with a dog by a French military commander in 2014.

Miller breaks wrist in Yankees’ 2-0 win over Braves
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Yankees reliever Andrew Miller broke his non-pitching wrist when struck on the right arm by a line drive in the seventh inning of the New York Yankees’ 2-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

Lawyers say Donald Trump under ‘continuous’ IRS audit
APPLETON, Wisconsin (AP) — Tax counsel for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Wednesday that the billionaire businessman has been under continuous IRS audit for more than a decade.

9 hurt, damage reported after tornado touchdowns in Oklahoma
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — At least nine people were injured and authorities were evaluating the damage in northeastern Oklahoma after severe storms spawned multiple tornado touchdowns Wednesday night, authorities said.

Mexico City temporarily restricts all cars after smog alert
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Metropolitan authorities on Wednesday temporarily ordered all cars to remain idle one day a week in response to this notoriously smoggy capital’s worst air-quality crisis in over a decade.

Japan’s Hanyu leads after flawless short program at worlds
BOSTON (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu skated the latest flawless program of a brilliant season to take a large lead after the short program at the world championships.

Trump: Women Should Be ‘Punished’ for Illegal Abortions
The GOP front-runner’s comments were quickly condemned even by an anti-abortion group.

Did a Gun Shop Owner Prevent a Mass Shooting?
The merchant refused to sell a firearm to a person who appeared to be an eligible customer.

CDC expands range of Zika mosquitoes into parts of Northeast
ATLANTA (AP) — Federal health officials say the mosquitoes that can transmit the Zika virus may live in a broader swath of the U.S. than previously thought — but that doesn’t mean they’ll cause disease here.

Nuclear Security Summit No. 4: What Is It Good For?
North Korea and the Islamic State group loom large as threats, but will a gathering of global leaders really solve anything?

Blood Test for Zika Authorized
Blood banks in Puerto Rico will be allowed to use the experimental test to check for the virus.

The Talkers May Torpedo Trump in Wisconsin
The Donald is up against the state’s most revered figures on the right, including Gov. Scott Walker.

Merrick Garland’s Trunk-Search Ruling Gives Some Defense Advocates Chills
Scholars say, however, the decision is within the judicial mainstream.

Open casting call for ‘Hamilton’ causes a little ruckus
NEW YORK (AP) — The Broadway smash “Hamilton,” which has been cheered for reclaiming the nation’s founding story by a multicultural cast, has now oddly come under fire for specifically seeking “nonwhite men and women” for upcoming roles.

Alaska first-graders accused of plot to poison classmate
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Three first-graders in Alaska’s largest city plotted to kill a fellow student with silica gel packets that the girls believed was poison and have been disciplined but not charged with any crime, authorities said Wednesday.

Error Keeps Sanders off D.C. Ballot
The senator from Vermont filed his paperwork on time, but the D.C. Democrats turned it in late.

Miner to keep digging for gold despite $12.5M casino win
ELKO, Nev. (AP) — Despite winning more than $12.5 million at a casino, a Nevada miner plans to keep digging for gold.

Chicago State backs off request that employees turn in keys
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago State University backtracked Wednesday from a plan to collect keys from faculty and staff members, instead announcing that it would take an inventory of keys that might have to be collected should layoffs be necessary amid the state’s financial crisis.

CDC expands range of Zika mosquito into parts of Northeast
ATLANTA (AP) — The mosquitoes that can transmit the Zika virus may live in a broader swath of the U.S. than previously thought — but that doesn’t mean they’ll cause disease here, federal health officials said Wednesday.

Bureau of Indian Education Director Roessel Removed After Helping ‘Close Friend’ Get Job
An inspector general report rapped Charles ‘Monty’ Roessel for aiding a romantic partner and a relative in gaining employment.

House panel in fetal tissue probe issues more subpoenas
WASHINGTON (AP) — The special House panel investigating fetal tissue donation by such groups as Planned Parenthood has issued 12 more subpoenas to organizations that the Republican leading the probe says have not fully cooperated with requests for information.

TV station ‘ends relationship’ with anchor after online post
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh television station WTAE says it has ended its relationship with anchorwoman Wendy Bell over racial comments she posted on Facebook about a mass shooting.

Indiana’s US Senate GOP primary gets personal in final month
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The race to fill the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Dan Coats has turned into an increasingly hostile war of words between two sitting Indiana GOP congressmen, mimicking the broader conflict engulfing the party’s presidential primary.

Rhode Island governor says Iceland video may draw tourists
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s governor says people searching for Iceland online are finding her state instead because of a goof in its tourism video and she’s hoping they’ll visit.

Corrosion mystery solved, but Flint’s struggles continue
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Shortly before this poverty-stricken city began drawing its drinking water from a local river in a cost-cutting move nearly two years ago, officials huddled at the municipal water treatment plant, running through a checklist of final preparations.

Amnesty report alleges labor abuse at Qatar World Cup venue
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Migrant laborers faced abuse that in some cases amounted to forced labor while working on a stadium that will host soccer matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a new report released by Amnesty International alleged Thursday.

Squirrel hunters cause lockdown at Arkansas primary school
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — A report of armed men near an Arkansas elementary school led to a campus lockdown before police confirmed the three were actually pest control employees chasing squirrels.

FDA Updates Abortion Pill Guidance
Abortion rights groups say the guidelines are in line with medical evidence.

Brussels attack victims came from Belgium, worldwide
Victims of the attacks on Brussels’ airport and subway included commuters heading to work and travelers starting long-anticipated vacations. They came from dozens of nations to a city that’s home to the European Union, NATO and other international institutions.

The Latest: California snowpack to impact water conservation
ECHO SUMMIT, California (AP) — The Latest on California’s drought (all times local):

Haiti migrants no longer stranded on desolate border
ANSE-A-PITRES, Haiti (AP) — Forced out of the Dominican Republic, Anise Germain and her family pitched a flimsy tent of blankets and cardboard on a patch of rocky ground just across the border in Haiti. She feared they might never leave the camp.

A live telecast of Sorkin’s ‘A Few Good Men’ set for NBC
NEW YORK (AP) — Emmy- and Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin is bringing a live presentation of his drama “A Few Good Men” to NBC next year, the network announced Wednesday.

Obama to host International Jazz Day concert at White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — International Jazz Day, one of the world’s biggest celebrations of jazz, is coming to the White House.

Poll shows Brazil President Rousseff with 10 pct approval
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Embattled Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is looking to shore up the support of the parties that make up her governing coalition, news reports said Wednesday, a day after the country’s largest party decamped in a move that will make it harder for Rousseff to fight impeachment proceedings against her.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, governor calls finances ‘tragic’
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro’s acting governor says the state’s finances are “tragic,” adding he has “never seen anything like it.”

APNewsBreak: Indian education head demoted in hiring flap
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The Latest on a report that found the director of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education violated hiring practices (all times local):

Sentencing for convicted murderer Pistorius slated for June
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African judicial authorities say sentencing hearings for Oscar Pistorius, who murdered girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will be held in June.

Microsoft pitches ‘intelligent’ conversations with computers
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Microsoft wants people to have more intelligent conversations with their computers.

Spotify adds $1 billion to war chest on way to IPO
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Music streaming leader Spotify has raised $1 billion in debt as it looks to buy companies that could accelerate its growth before listing shares on the public market within the next couple years, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Thieves recorded stealing Easter eggs from California home
CHULA VISTA, Calif. (AP) — Police in Southern California are searching for a pair of thieves who stole Easter eggs meant for a toddler with Down syndrome from a family’s front yard.

Security agents didn’t flinch at reporter Trump calls threat
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he was worried that a reporter walking with him through a ballroom earlier this month may have been armed, but the ring of Secret Service agents escorting him didn’t appear to even flinch and walked calmly around the candidate.

The grab, according to Trump’s many explanations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has a variety of explanations for what’s happening in an overhead video showing his campaign manager yanking a reporter. The grab, Trump has suggested in multiple interviews since the March 8 incident, is, at best, a big misunderstanding.

Lakers dismayed Russell’s video of Young became public
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Lakers coach Byron Scott is “disappointed” that an unflattering video of Nick Young apparently taken by rookie teammate D’Angelo Russell became public.

APNewsBreak: Jose Reyes’ domestic abuse case to be dropped
HONOLULU (AP) — Maui prosecutors are moving to dismiss a domestic abuse charge against suspended Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes.

After Brussels, leaders tackling threat of nuclear terrorism
WASHINGTON (AP) — Still reeling from attacks in Brussels and Paris, world leaders are wrestling this week with the chilling prospect of the Islamic State group or other extremists unleashing a nuclear attack on a major Western city.

Nuclear Power, Once Cheap, Squeezed by Mounting Costs
Reactors were supposed to provide near-limitless electricity at low prices. But as they’ve aged, their costs have climbed.

Indian education director demoted amid hiring allegations
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The director of the federal agency that oversees education for American Indian children was demoted Wednesday after a federal watchdog found he used his influence to get agency jobs for a close relative and a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship.

Trump says abortion ban should yield ‘punishment’ for woman
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said Wednesday that women who get abortions should receive “some form of punishment” if abortion is banned, without elaborating on what that punishment should be.

Canadian Priest Accused of Gambling Away $380K Meant for Refugees
He reportedly has been checked into a rehab center.

Top aide to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigns amid scandal
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A top political aide to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is resigning, a week after he apologized for making inappropriate remarks to her.

Brandy sues record label over right to record new music
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brandy is suing a record label that she says has refused to allow her to release new music.

Will Families of Libyan Airstrike Victims Ever Get Justice?
Five years on, NATO has yet to be forthcoming about how and how many civilians died during its battle to overthrow former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

George Washington and Valparaiso set to meet for NIT title
NEW YORK (AP) — A few weeks back, Mike Lonergan’s buddy sent him a basketball net. The message was pure motivation: cut one down in March.

3-time Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel retires
Three-time Kentucky Derby winner and Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel is retiring.

France’s Papadakis, Cizeron lead after short dance at worlds
BOSTON (AP) — A few months ago, Gabriella Papadakis could only skate slowly around the rink.

North Carolina bathroom law could be decided in Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The fate of North Carolina’s new law governing restroom use by transgender people could be determined in Virginia, where a school board ordered a high school student out of the boys’ room.

Emails: Cruz camp pushing to oust Kasich from Montana ballot
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign is trying to knock opponent John Kasich off Montana’s primary by questioning signatures the Ohio governor’s campaign submitted to qualify for the ballot — another subplot in the unfolding political drama to derail Donald Trump’s presidential bid.

Katt Williams arrested after fight with Georgia teen
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Police say actor Katt Williams has turned himself in at a Georgia jail to face charges following a fight with a teenager.

Azarenka beats Konta 6-4, 6-2 in Miami Open quarterfinals
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) — Victoria Azarenka advanced to the semifinals of the Miami Open by beating Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2 Wednesday.

Police: Man had 1,400 bags of heroin hidden inside his body
ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) — A New York City man has pleaded not guilty after police say they found more than 1,400 bags of heroin stashed inside his body.

TLC making drama by creator Tyler Perry
NEW YORK (AP) — Busy entertainment mogul Tyler Perry is producing a drama about a woman involved in a political sex scandal, the first scripted series that will air on the TLC network.

Argentine Senate debates deal that would end debt standoff
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s Senate is debating a deal with a group of creditors in the U.S. that would put an end to a years-long dispute that has kept the South American nation on the margins of international credit markets.

EPA aims to cut methane leaks from natural gas companies
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration says 41 energy companies have agreed to voluntarily reduce methane emissions from natural gas operations to help combat climate change.

Weak global economy is said to threaten government finances
WASHINGTON (AP) — The chief economist of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says sluggish global growth threatens to keep governments around the world from being able to pay pensions and bondholders.

Saudi-Iranian Tensions at Play In Lebanon
The Saudi-Iranian tensions playing across the region may push Lebanon to a tipping point.

Anderson Cooper to Donald Trump: ‘That’s the Argument of a 5-Year-Old’
‘With all due respect, sir, that’s the argument of a 5-year-old.’

Drought affects Zimbabwe’s main export crop, tobacco
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — The tobacco-selling season started in Zimbabwe on Wednesday at a sales floor packed with bales of harvested and cured leaves, but a persistent drought has cut into the southern African nation’s main export earner this year.

Puff Daddy to celebrate Notorious B.I.G with NYC concert
NEW YORK (AP) — Puff Daddy will celebrate the late Notorious B.I.G’s birthday with a concert featuring Lil Kim, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige and Jay Z.

Jury: GM car’s bad ignition switch not to blame in crash
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City jury has found that a flawed General Motors ignition switch was not to blame in a 2014 accident on an icy New Orleans bridge.

Clinton Launches N.Y. Campaign With Ad Slamming Trump
As the primary approaches, she’s setting her sights on the GOP front-runner instead of her Democratic opponent.

Greek courtrooms remain empty in bailout protest
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Lawyers’ associations in Greece have extended a campaign of court abstentions to protest bailout measures that would see them pay higher monthly pension contributions.

Presidential campaign roils Obama’s free-trade plans
WASHINGTON (AP) — All the bashing of free-trade agreements in the presidential race has created difficulties for one of President Barack Obama’s top priorities for his final year in office — a trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.