My classmate, the robot: NY pupil attends remotely
Written by CAROLYN THOMPSON,Associated Press
WEST SENECA, N.Y. (AP) — In an elementary school hallway, a teacher takes her second-graders to the library, leading a single-file line of giggling boys and girls that's perfectly ordinary until you get to a sleek white robot with a video screen showing the face of a smiling, chubby-cheeked boy.
Asteroid will buzz Earth, miss by 17,150 miles
Written by MARCIA DUNN,AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A 150-foot asteroid hurtled toward Earth's backyard, destined Friday to make the closest known flyby for a rock of its size.
Coast Guard: Cruise ship stopped; towline broken
Written by JAY REEVES,Associated Press RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI,Associated Press
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — The crippled Carnival cruise slowly making its way back to dry land suffered another setback Thursday when a tow line snapped, setting the ship adrift once again as crews worked to repair it.
Sharp fall in US jobless claims boosts outlook
Written by CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER,AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The outlook for the U.S. job market is brightening after a government report showed a sharp drop in the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits.
Democrats to unveil bill to replace budget cuts
Written by ANDREW TAYLOR,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate are unveiling legislation Thursday to avoid a looming set of sharp, across-the-board spending cuts set to strike the Pentagon and domestic agencies in just two weeks.
Senate, White House struggle over Hagel impasse
Written by RICHARD LARDNER,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats and the White House struggled to break an impasse Thursday over Chuck Hagel's nomination as secretary of defense, with Republicans blocking speedy confirmation of their former colleague and Vietnam combat veteran.
Women's security raised by American Indian leader
Written by SUZANNE GAMBOA,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The president of the National Congress of American Indians urged the House on Thursday to pass the Violence Against Women Act so Native Americans and Alaska Natives can "protect their own people and surrounding communities against brutality."
Litany of secrets after papal retirement bombshell
Written by VICTOR L. SIMPSON,Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) — For an institution devoted to eternal light, the Vatican has shown itself to be a master of smokescreens since Pope Benedict XVI's shock resignation announcement.