Obama: Al-Qaida Would Use Nuke If It Could

If al-Qaida acquired nuclear weapons it "would have no compunction at using them," President Obama said Sunday on the eve of a summit aimed at finding ways to secure the world's nuclear stockpile.

The Nuclear Security Summit of more than 40 world leaders in Washington this week is aimed at securing "loose nuclear material," Obama said. He was holding one-on-one meetings Sunday with several of those leaders.

He said other world leaders have offered "very specific approaches to how we can solve this profound international problem."

Obama singled out South Africa for giving up its nuclear program, and said it "has been a strong, effective leader in the international community on nonproliferation issues. South Africa has special standing in being a moral leader on this issue."

South African President Jacob Zuma was among the leaders Obama met with Sunday at Blair House, across from the White House. Others included Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Polish Immigrants Worldwide Mourn Crash Victims

Polish immigrants and their descendants around the world shared the anguish of their mother country on Sunday, mourning the 96 victims of a devastating plane crash as they crowded into Polish-language Masses.

Millions of Poles have emigrated over nearly two centuries, establishing large communities in the United States and Britain. They coped with Saturday's death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and dozens of other military, church and government officials through vigils, prayer and writing.

"It was like losing a family member," said Blanche Wiegand, whose mother immigrated from Poland to Chicago in 1950. "I'm from Chicago, but my heart is in Poland."

Weigand grew up speaking fluent Polish and eating her mother's pierogi, and stays in touch with her Polish cousins each week through Skype.

The nation is in mourning after the crash, which occurred in Russia near Katyn forest. The dignitaries had been on their way to Katyn to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the massacre there of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet forces.

Weigand said the crash makes her want to go to Poland, while her 88-year-old mother hasn't been able to talk about the tragedy at all. Instead, she cries, is plagued by headaches and recounts painful memories of being captured by Nazis.

Police: 31 Haitian Migrants Rescued Off Jamaica

Fishermen rescued 31 Haitian migrants off the eastern coast of Jamaica and towed their overloaded boat ashore in the second-such save in less than a month.

Police Superintendent Mervin McNab said Sunday that the 15 men, five women and 11 children were taken to a hospital for examinations. It is not clear how long they were at sea.

A boat with more than 60 Haitian migrants fleeing the country following the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake was towed to Jamaica's eastern shore by fishermen late last month. They were returned to Haiti within days because the government said it could not afford to let them stay.

US Tourist Apparently Drowns Off Antigua Coast

Antiguan authorities say they have found the body of an American tourist who apparently drowned off an upscale beach resort.

Police Sgt. William Holder says the body of Alberto Mejia, 25, was found by a team of divers in waters near the exclusive Mill Reef Club at the eastern end of the Caribbean island. The search began after friends reported Mejia missing.

Holder said Sunday that Mejia was a resident of New York state, but authorities did not yet know his hometown.

Police Commissioner Thomas Bennett says drowning is suspected and officials have ruled out foul play. He says an autopsy is being conducted.

California Gray Whale-Watchers Fear Dip In Population

Long held as an environmental success story after being taken off the endangered list in 1994, California gray whales draw legions of fans into boats or atop cliffs to watch the leviathans lumber down the coast to spawning grounds in Baja.

But whale-watching skippers became alarmed after sightings dropped from 25 a day in good years to five a day this season. Such anecdotal evidence has left conservationists and state officials worried about the whale's future, especially now.

The federal government's monitoring of the mammals has fallen off in recent years. And the International Whaling Commission in June will consider allowing 1,400 gray whales to be hunted over the next decade. The decision will rely on a report that says the population is flourishing - a study critics say is spotty and outdated.

The study draws on annual population estimates dating from 1967, but in the past decade only three census counts have been released, the most recent in 2006.

Since than, the estimated number of calves has plunged from more than 1,000 in 2006 to 312 in 2009. In addition, the species suffered a die-off of several thousand whales in 2000.

In January, the California Coastal Commission pressed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for an updated gray whale study. The count is done but the analysis won't be finished until long after the whaling commission's decision.

NOAA scientists say their population estimates are reliable because the numbers have remained relatively consistent over time. They say the drop in calf numbers may reflect nature thinning out the herd.

The population is still more than double what it was in the 1960s and has been fairly stable of the past couple decades, said Paul Wade, one of the study's co-authors and a member of the commission's scientific committee.

Mickelson Wins Masters; Tiger Comes Up Short

Phil Mickelson won the Masters tournament on Sunday as Tiger Woods comes up short in his return to golf. Mickelson kept yanking balls into the trees, and even had an unexpected brush with nature right on the green. He gets his third green jacket.

Woods had received a big cheer as he teed off on Thursday. The four-time Masters champion played for the first time since a Thanksgiving night car wreck led to revelations of numerous extramarital affairs. Still, he had the lead at the Masters.

Reuters; AP; UPI; International Whaling Commission; NOAA; CBS Sports.

Polish Leader, 96 Others Dead In Jet Crash

Polish President Lech Kaczynski and some of the country's highest military and civilian leaders died on Saturday when the presidential plane crashed as it came in for a landing in thick fog in western Russia, killing 97, officials said.

Russian and Polish officials said there were no survivors on the 26-year-old Tupolev, which was taking the president, his wife and staff to events marking the 70th anniversary of the massacre in Katyn forest of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet secret police.

The crash devastated the upper echelons of Poland's political and military establishments. On board were the army chief of staff, the navy chief commander, and heads of the air and land forces. Also killed were the national bank president, deputy foreign minister, army chaplain, head of the National Security Office, deputy parliament speaker, Olympic Committee head, civil rights commissioner and at least two presidential aides and three lawmakers, the Polish foreign ministry said.

Although initial signs pointed to an accident with no indication of foul play, the death of a Polish president and much of the Polish state and defense establishment in Russia en route to commemorating one of the saddest events in Poland's long, complicated history with Russia, was laden with tragic irony.

Reflecting the grave sensibilities of the crash to relations between the two countries, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin personally assumed charge of the investigation. He landed in Smolensk Saturday with an entourage of Russian officials to meet Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who was flying in from Warsaw. The president's twin brother, former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kacynski, also flew there in a chartered plane, according to his party.

1 Killed, Several Hurt In Shooting At Oklahoma Mall

Police say a shooting inside a crowded Oklahoma mall has left one person dead and several injured in what witnesses described as a gunfight.

Gunfire broke out late Saturday afternoon in the Arrowhead Mall in downtown Muskogee. The area was crowded with visitors attending the city's annual Azalea Festival.

Four people were taken to Muskogee Regional Medical Center, but a spokesman says their conditions haven't been released.

Police spokesman Pedro Zardeneta says it's unclear whether the person killed was among several involved in the shooting or a bystander.

Shoppers were told by a public-address announcement to quickly leave the mall around 4:15 p.m., and they gathered outside. Several say they heard four or five shots.

Thai Army Pulls Back From Protest Clashes; 18 Dead

Savage clashes between protesters and Thai soldiers killed at least 18 people and injured hundreds before both sides retreated, no closer to ending a monthlong occupation of parts of the capital by demonstrators demanding new elections. Hopes were expressed for negotiations Sunday.

Bullet casings, rocks and pools of blood littered the streets where pitched battles raged for hours Saturday. It was the worst violence in Bangkok since more than four dozen people were killed in an antimilitary protest in 1992.

Army troops pulled back and asked protesters to do the same, resulting in an unofficial truce.

Five soldiers and 13 civilians, including a Japanese cameraman for the Thomson Reuters news agency, were killed, according to the government's Erawan emergency center.

Editorials in Bangkok newspapers Sunday called for urgent talks between the government and so-called "Red Shirts" to end the violence, noting that some protest leaders were ready for negotiations.

The violence erupted after security forces tried to push out demonstrators who have camped in parts of the capital for a month, staging disruptive protests demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajva dissolve Parliament and call new elections.

China Reports Rare Trade Deficit

China has recorded its first monthly trade deficit in almost six years. Officials blame the $7.2 billion deficit on rising volumes and prices of the raw materials the country needs to import to power its economy.

The officials, who announced the figures at an economic conference in Hainan, say the deficit is likely to be a short-term phenomenon. It comes amid continuing US claims that China's currency controls keep the yuan's value artificially low.

Chinese officials were preparing the ground for this announcement even before the customs agency announced the March trade figures.

The deficit for March was China's first since a $2.3 billion deficit in April 2004.

'Unusual' Note Found On Delta Plane

Delta officials have confirmed that an unusual note was found on a Delta flight bound for Atlanta.

Approximately 40 minutes from Atlanta, the crew of Flight 1747 reported that passengers on-board found an unusual note. Out of caution, the crew declared an emergency into Atlanta, officials said.

Officials didn't go into detail or specify what the note said. The plane landed safely in Atlanta Friday. Delta officials said they are working with federal authorities to investigate where the note came from.

Astronauts 'Ready To Rock 'N' Roll' On Spacewalk 2

Two of the astronauts aboard the orbiting shuttle-station complex rested up Saturday for a second spacewalk involving hefty storage tanks, while their colleagues unloaded much smaller supplies.

Spacemen Clayton Anderson and Rick Mastracchio will head back outside early Sunday to replace an old ammonia tank at the International Space Station. They started the job Friday. In all, three spacewalks will be needed to complete the work.

The ammonia tanks - part of the space station's cooling system - are the size of refrigerators.

In an interview Saturday, Anderson said one day is enough time to rest between spacewalks. He said he often played baseball doubleheaders and basketball games on back-to-back days.

"We're in pretty good shape for old men," he said, "and I think we'll be ready to rock 'n' roll."

Anderson is 51, and Mastracchio is 50. Both are members of space shuttle Discovery's visiting crew. They have another week at the space station before departing.

Discovery arrived Wednesday with tons of spare parts and science experiments for the space station. Much of that was in a cargo carrier that was attached temporarily to the station. One of the big-ticket items being transported Saturday was a darkroom-type enclosure for the U.S. lab's high-quality window, designed to improve picture-taking.

The moving operation was interrupted early Saturday when a smoke alarm went off in the Russian living quarters. The seven shuttle astronauts rushed to their ship, and the six station residents gathered near their Russian Soyuz return capsules as per emergency procedures. Within two or three minutes, it was evident it had been a false alarm and the two crews went back to what they were doing.

Like many at NASA, the astronauts in orbit are anxiously awaiting President Obama's upcoming space policy speech. Obama will visit Kennedy Space Center on Thursday and discuss the future of NASA's human spaceflight program. In February, Obama canceled NASA's effort to return astronauts to the moon and placed added emphasis on the development of new technologies. He also extended the working life of the space station to 2020.

Only three shuttle missions remain after this one. When the fleet is retired this fall, the space station essentially will be complete. Thousands of jobs will be lost when that happens, many of them at Florida's shuttle launch and landing site.

Reuters; AP; Sky News; BBC World; The Wall Street Journal; NASA.

Archbishop 'Regrets' Irish Church Conflict

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has expressed his "deep sorrow" for any difficulties caused by his comments about the Catholic Church in Ireland. His claim that the Church had lost all credibility because of its handling of child abuse by priests was criticized by both Catholic and Anglican clergy.

The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said he was "stunned". Dr. Williams later telephoned Archbishop Martin to insist he meant no offence to the Irish Catholic Church.

Afghan Soldiers Killed By Germans

German troops have killed at least five Afghan soldiers in the northern province of Kunduz, Nato says. The Afghans were in two cars and did not heed warnings to stop as they drove up to German troops, Nato said.

Afghan officials says six soldiers were killed. It is unclear why they were in unmarked vehicles. Hours earlier, militants killed three Germans nearby.

Meanwhile, President Karzai has sought to allay concern about his criticism of Western involvement in his country. Karzai had accused foreign officials in Kabul of seeking to weaken him and his government, and blamed them for fraud in Afghanistan's 2009 presidential election. The White House said his comments were "troubling".

But on Friday, Mr Karzai telephoned US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and told her Afghans were grateful for the international community's help.

Red-Shirts Occupy Central Bangkok

Tens of thousands of Thai protesters have occupied central Bangkok in their latest push to topple the government.

Crowds defied warnings to leave or face arrest and settled in for the night. The government says the rally is illegal and is negotiating with them.

The anti-government protesters, known as the red-shirts, are calling on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold early elections.

The red-shirted demonstrators have been holding regular protests for weeks. Saturday's demonstrations saw central roads in the capital blocked, traffic halted and at least two of Thailand's biggest shopping malls forced to close.

US Delays China Currency Report

The US Treasury is delaying by several months a report on whether China manipulates its currency, the yuan. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said he would delay the report, which was due out on 15 April, until after a series of high-level international meetings.

The decision may improve US relations with China but could upset some American lawmakers. It is no secret that the US believes China keeps the yuan artificially low, harming the US economy. But saying that in an official report is a different matter.

It would set off a chain of events that could eventually result in unilateral US sanctions against Chinese products and could damage relations between the two countries.

Geithner justified pushing back his report to the US Congress by saying he would use upcoming events, including a G20 meeting and a US-China summit, to try to encourage the communist superpower to change its currency position.

Branding China as a currency manipulator at this stage would cause headaches for the Obama administration.

South Korea Ends Search For Sailors

South Korea has called off a rescue operation for more than 40 sailors missing since a warship sank last week.

A navy spokesman said the operation will now focus on salvaging the wreck, Yonhap news agency reported. Earlier, the South Korean military said that it had recovered the body of one of the crew.

The corvette Cheonan exploded and sank in unexplained circumstances off Baengnyeong Island, near the disputed maritime border with North Korea.

Families of the lost sailors asked the military to suspend the operation for fear of additional casualties, Yonhap reported.

"We called off a rescue operation... at 11pm [1400 GMT Saturday] following the request from the relatives," the navy spokesman said.

"From Sunday we will focus on salvaging the wreckage."

Rescue teams had hoped survivors could have been trapped in watertight sections of the vessel. Officials have said the salvage effort could last a month.

A total of 58 people were rescued from the bow of the ship soon after it started sinking but efforts to find the missing 46 have been hampered by bad weather and strong currents.

In a subsequent tragedy, one person has died and eight others are missing after a fishing boat taking part in the search sank late on Friday, officials said.

5 Arrests Made In NJ Child Gang-Rape Case

Two adults and three juveniles have been charged with gang-raping a 7-year-old girl who police say was sold by her 15-year-old stepsister during a party at a crime-ridden New Jersey apartment building.

Details on the arrests were announced at a Saturday night news conference at police headquarters in Trenton, the state's capital city.

The arrested people include a 20-year-old man who already had been charged Friday with having sex with the 15-year-old. The other four are a 19-year-old Trenton man and three boys ages 13, 14 and 17. Each is charged with aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment.

Police say further arrests may be made.

Mom Says Baby Saved Family From House Fire

A mother said her newborn baby saved her family from a house fire by waking them up with its cries. Police told WKYT-TV they suspect a drunken neighbor burned down the home south of Hyden, in Leslie County, on Friday.

Kelley Wooton had just brought home her 10-day-old daughter, Arizona. She said the baby's cries woke the family. Still they were not sure they were going to be able to escape.

Leslie County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Short saw the flames as he was driving by and helped the family escape.

Police arrested the neighbor after the fire. He was charged with wanton endangerment, arson, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication.

UPDATE: Police: Notre Dame Recruit 'Drunk' On Fatal Fall

A "drunk and belligerent" 17-year-old Notre Dame football recruit was killed in a fall from a fifth-floor hotel balcony during his senior-year spring break in Florida, authorities said Saturday.

Matt James died Friday around 6:30 p.m. at the Days Inn Motel in Panama City Beach. Police said he was dead when officers arrived.

"It appears to be a tragic accident," Panama City Beach police Maj. David Humphreys said.

James' former teammates at St. Xavier High School gathered for a private prayer service in the school's chapel, mourning the second death of an athlete this school year. James, an all-state offensive lineman, had been the first top signing for new Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.

James was part of a group of about 40 St. Xavier students and a half-dozen parents on the trip.

"Witnesses and friends indicate he had become drunk and belligerent," Humphreys said. "He had leaned over the balcony rail, was shaking his finger at the people in the next room over. He fell over."

Humphreys said the railing at the hotel met the standards for proper height. He said police would be interested in pursuing charges if they learn who provided the underage teen with alcohol.

Police said an autopsy on James would be done later. Toxicology results were pending.

Body Found In Brush Fire

A body was found in a brush fire in Forsyth County Saturday, investigators said. Forsyth County Fire Capt. Jason Shivers confirmed to WSB-TV in Atlanta that a body was found as firefighters battled a brush and structure fire near Chamblee Gap Road.

Officials said the victim was a 64-year-old neighbor. One home was destroyed in the fire. The Forsyth County Fire Department and the Georgia Forestry were both fighting the fire that covers 5- 8 acres.

4-Year-Old Twins From Gwinnett Killed In Crash

Authorities have identified the six people killed in a Nassau County fatal car crash, including four children. Those who died were identified Saturday as Melissa L. Mitchell, 39, Miya Mitchell, 11, and 4-year-old twin brothers Christian and Keyshawn Perry, all of Lawrenceville, Ga. The others who died were Brenda Mitchell Edwards, 57, and Dhanja Mitchell, 16, both of Jacksonville.

Lt. Bill Leeper, a spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol, was unable to say how the victims were related.

According to police, Pedro Juan Ocasio Alcazar, 38, of Jacksonville was speeding Friday when his car hit another vehicle on a major highway. That car then went into the median and hit a pickup truck.

Alcazar, who was not injured, was charged Saturday with six counts of vehicular homicide in connection with the deaths. Online jail records show he was being held at the Nassau County jail on $300,000 bond. He was assigned a public defender, but jail records did not list the attorney's name.

Apple iPad Hits American Stores

Apple's latest product, the iPad tablet computer, has gone on sale in here in the U.S..

The first generation model has wi-fi but not 3G connectivity, and unlike other tablet devices, it is not yet available outside the US. The New York Apple store in Manhattan opened its doors to a 500-strong crowd at 0900 EST.

Queues for the new iPad were considerably smaller than the crowds which gathered for the launch of the iPhone in 2007, according to reports. However people had traveled to the US from around the world to purchase a device.

Apple took pre-orders online but some early adopters began queuing outside stores the day before its release. The company's co-founder Steve Wozniak joined a queue outside an Apple store in California on Friday evening.

He said he had pre-ordered the device, which is retailing in the US at $499 - $829. European prices have not yet been announced.

AP; Spiegel; Reuters; US Treasury; WKYT-TV, Lexington Kentucky; WSB-TV, Atlanta; Apple, Inc.