McDonald's raises pay for 90,000 workers

McDonald's, which has been struggling with workers protests and sagging sales, plans to increase pay for some 90,000 workers starting in July, the company said on Wednesday.



The pay increase will lift the average hourly rate for its U.S. restaurant employees to $1 above the mandated minimum wage on July 1, the company said. McDonald's said it expects average wages to rise to more than $10 an hour by the end of 2016.

The hamburger chain also announced plans to dole out vacation benefits to employees of the stores it operates, which make up roughly 10% of its U.S. stores, the company said in a press release.

Employees who don't take the time off will be paid for the value of that time, the company said.

An organization of fast food workers who have been pushing for chains to raise wages to $15 a hour criticized the increase as insufficient.

"It's a weak move for a company that made $5.6 billion in profits last year," said Kwanza Brooks, McDonald's worker from Charlotte, North Carolina who is associated with Fight For $15, an organization of fast-food workers that has been protesting wages.

McDonald's workers file 28 burn complaints

Brooks, who said she is paid $7.25 an hour, called the increase a "PR stunt" on a conference call with reporters.

Organizers of Fight For $15 said they will protest the pay increase in front of McDonald's restaurants on Thursday due to concerns that it is insufficient and that it will only benefit 5% of McDonald's workers.

Indeed, the pay increase and vacation benefits apply to employees at stores McDonald's operates — not the company's franchise-operated stores, which make up close to 90% of McDonald's 14,350 U.S. locations.

McDonald's shares fell 1.2% to $96.29 Wednesday.

USA TODAY

McDonald's sales continue to slide

McDonald's announcement mirrors moves by other national retailers to increase workers' pay amid growing concerns over income inequality and calls by President Obama to boost the federal minimum wage to $10 an hour.

Retailer Target last month announced it would raise its minimum wage to $9 an hour starting in April, following news from Wal-Mart that it plans to raise its wages to $9 an hour in April and $10 an hour by the end of 2016.

Worker advocates largely attribute the increases to worker protests the past two years, including at McDonald's stores, calling for a $15 hourly pay floor.

"Fast food workers are rightly demanding a greater share in the profits that McDonald's and other fast-food corporations are earning off their labor," said Christine Owens of the National Employment Law Project. "They are fighting for wages that can lift them out of poverty and support their families."

The pay increase comes as the restaurant giant struggles for ways to boost sagging sales, including bringing in a new CEO and experimenting with offering its popular breakfast menu all day.

McDonald's gives all-day breakfast a test try

McDonald's board named Steve Easterbrook to replace Don Thompson as CEO earlier this year. The company also recently announced plans to offer its popular breakfast menu all day in certain locations — a development the company had previously resisted due to technical difficulties.


New McDonald's CEO: What investors want to know

"Consumer needs and preferences have changed and McDonald's current performance reflects the urgent need to evolve with today's consumers, reset strategic priorities and restore business momentum," the company said last month when it reported disappointing February sales numbers.

The company said same-store sales dropped 4% in its troubled U.S. stores for February, and and 1.7% globally.

CEO Easterbrook said the pay increase is meant to motivate workers.

"We know that a motivated workforce leads to better customer service so we believe this initial step not only benefits our employees, it will improve the McDonald's restaurant experience," he said in a statement. "We'll continue to evaluate opportunities that will make a difference for our people."
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Automakers duke it out at 2015 New York Auto Show

McDonald's raises pay for 90,000 workers

McDonald's, which has been struggling with workers protests and sagging sales, plans to increase pay for some 90,000 workers starting in July, the company said on Wednesday.

Obama's pocket veto on shaky legal ground, experts say

President Obama purported to issue both a pocket veto and a regular veto on the same bill Tuesday, a controversial practice that congressional leaders and some scholars say violates the Constitution.

It's known as the "protective return pocket veto," and there have been just 14 of them issued by Republican and Democratic presidents, all since the Ford administration. Three of Obama's four vetoes have used this hybrid form, but Democrats and Republicans in Congress have objected to the practice and refuse to recognize its validity.



What's the difference? A regular veto can be overridden. A pocket veto cannot. Exercising both vetoes on the same bill could some day lead to a constitutional dispute over whether a bill has become law, experts said.

"The Constitution gives the president two opposing choices. One is the pocket veto, the other is the regular veto. It offers no provision for combining the two somehow. It's a perfectly ludicrous proposition," said Robert Spitzer, an expert on the veto and a political scientist at the State University of New York, College at Cortland. "It's a back-door way to expand the veto power contrary to the terms of the constitution."

The White House would not discuss its legal justification for the form of the veto on the record. But previous presidents have used the hybrid veto "to avoid unnecessary litigation" about the fate of a bill. A spokesman for President George W. Bush once explained that the pocket-and-return veto meant they were "covered either way."

USA TODAY

Obama's fourth veto protects unionization rules

Under the Constitution, there are two ways for the president to veto a bill. First, he can "return it with his objections to that house in which it shall have originated." That's a regular veto, and Congress can override it with a two-thirds vote of each chamber.

If the president doesn't sign a bill, it usually becomes law without his signature. But there's an exception: If the adjournment of Congress prevents the president from returning a bill, it doesn't become law. That's a pocket veto, and it cannot be overridden.

With Congress away on a two-week Easter break, Obama said he was exercising a pocket veto on a labor relations bill, but then also followed the procedure for a regular veto. "To leave no doubt that the resolution is being vetoed, in addition to withholding my signature, I am returning S.J. Res. 8 to the Secretary of the Senate," he said in his veto message.

"It's pure doubletalk, right?" said Louis Fisher, a constitutional scholar and who wrote about the history of the pocket veto during a 37-year career at the Congressional Research Service. "It's gobbledygook."

The double-veto allows Obama to claim to take no action — and so therefore the veto can't be overridden — while still making a political statement that comes from sending a regular veto message to Congress.

"It gives you a chance to make some rhetorical points," Fisher said. "But legally and constitutionally, it looks stupid, and he doesn't care."

The history of the regular-and-pocket veto gambit goes back 45 years, when President Nixon used a pocket veto to scuttle a health care bill that had the votes to be overridden. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., successfully sued the Nixon administration, and an appeals court ruled that the president couldn't issue a pocket veto as long as Congress designated officials to receive veto messages while it was away for a short recess.

So Robert Bork, the solicitor general in the Nixon and Ford administrations, invented the protective return pocket veto. In 1974, President Ford pocketed — and returned — five vetoed bills while Congress was on a month-long election break.

After Congress overrode one of his "pocket" vetoes anyway, Ford decided not to challenge the override and allowed it to become law. But since the issue has never been resolved by the Supreme Court, President George H.W. Bush renewed the practice in 1989. He used it twice, President Clinton used it three times, and President George W. Bush once.

But all of those previous uses of the "protective return" veto came during longer recesses — for summer, for elections or at the end of a year.

The Senate sent the bill to Obama's desk last Friday but designated the Secretary of the Senate to receive veto messages — which it received Tuesday.

Obama's veto of the labor relations bill was the first such veto to be exercised over an Easter recess — a 16-day adjournment. And it's the first such Senate bill vetoed that way — an issue that could create a new precedent in the tradition-bound chamber.

The bill Obama vetoed doesn't have the votes for an override. It passed the Senate 53 to 46 and the House 232 to 186, with all Democrats and three Republicans voting no.

USA TODAY

Obama veto threats at record pace to begin new Congress

But with more veto fights on the horizon, the Senate may go through the motions of trying to override the veto anyway, just to assert that the pocket veto wasn't proper. That's what the Democratic House did in 2010, after Obama pocket-and-return vetoed a bill that he said was largely redundant to one he already signed.

Then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, wrote to Obama expressing "profound concern" bipartisan leadership over his use of the pocket veto. "By returning the parchment a president is admitting that he is not prevented from returning it," she argued.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has not yet scheduled an override vote, and his office said parliamentary experts were studying the situation.

"It's a really goofy way of handling the veto," said McConnell communications director Don Stewart in an email. "He calls it a veto, but..."

Obama's pocket veto on shaky legal ground, experts say

President Obama purported to issue both a pocket veto and a regular veto on the same bill Tuesday, a controversial practice that congressional leaders and some scholars say violates the Constitution.

It's known as the "protective return pocket veto," and there have been just 14 of them issued by Republican and Democratic presidents, all since the Ford administration. Three of Obama's four vetoes have used this hybrid form, but Democrats and Republicans in Congress have objected to the practice and refuse to recognize its validity.

Obama's day: Louisville (and Iran)

President Obama spends Thursday talking about the U.S. economy in Kentucky while continuing to monitor nuclear negotiations with Iran.


In the late morning, Obama travels to Louisville, Ky., to tour a technology company and deliver an economic speech that focuses on Republican plans to repeal the estate tax.
While congressional Republicans say the "death tax" makes it harder for farmers and families to hold on to their businesses, Obama and aides say the estate tax affects very few, very wealthy people.
During the day, Obama will also be keeping an eye on negotiations in Switzerland that involve the fate of Iran's nuclear program. Those talks have already been extended for two days.
The U.S. and other countries are offering to reduce economic sanctions on Iran if it agrees to give up the means to make nuclear weapons. The parties continue to be divided on how to verify Iran's commitments, and exactly how to reduce the sanctions.
After the speech in Louisville, Obama heads to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he will spend the night and deliver more economic remarks on Friday.

Obama's day: Louisville (and Iran)

President Obama spends Thursday talking about the U.S. economy in Kentucky while continuing to monitor nuclear negotiations with Iran.

New Jersey Democrats back Menendez

WASHINGTON — New Jersey Democrats lined up behind Sen. Bob Menendez on Wednesday after federal prosecutors accused him of participating in a bribery scheme with a wealthy donor.

The state's Democratic committee released statements from several New Jersey lawmakers and officials and started a Twitter account — @IStandWithBob — and an identical hashtag to highlight support for Menendez.



Several lawmakers advised reserving judgment until the federal case is adjudicated.

"Our system of justice is designed to be fair and impartial, and it presumes innocence before guilt," said Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., calling Menendez an "invaluable resource and mentor." "I won't waver in my commitment to stand alongside my senior senator to serve our great state."

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., called Menendez "a tireless and effective public servant."

"I have worked with Bob throughout his tenure in the House and the Senate on countless issues of importance to New Jersey, including (Superstorm) Sandy relief, opposing offshore drilling, and fighting for college affordability, and look forward to continuing to do so," he said.

USA TODAY

Menendez indicted on federal corruption charges

USA TODAY

Sen. Menendez has faced ethics complaints before

But watchdog groups and Republicans focused on the seriousness of the allegations.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which filed a complaint with the Justice Department in 2012 seeking an investigation into Menendez's conduct, called for Menendez to immediately step down as top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

On Wednesday, Menendez said he told Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid he would temporarily step down from the position.

"Sen. Menendez deserves a fair trial, but it is not appropriate for him to retain his powerful position within the Congress in light of the allegations against him, some of which could implicate foreign relations," said CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee said Wednesday's indictment shows Menendez "has betrayed the trust of New Jersey families."

ONPOLITICS

Menendez indictment: A look at senators charged with crimes

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker of Tennessee expressed appreciation for Menendez's work on foreign relations issues and said he expects Menendez "will continue to play a constructive role."

Though accusations have long swirled around Menendez, he has maintained a 49 percent approval rating among New Jersey voters, said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

More support came from longtime supporters in the Jewish community, who back Menendez's positions against a nuclear-capable Iran and his identification with Israel's security concerns.

"Sen. Menendez has stood up for victimized nations, persecuted minorities, and the least fortunate here at home," an American Jewish Committee statement reads. "He has been a strong and clear voice for the interests of New Jersey — and for principled U.S. leadership in international forums."

Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez, D-Ill., highlighted Menendez's leadership on foreign policy matters related to Latin America.

"Bob Menendez has never given me any reason to question his integrity, his dedication to honest public service or his commitment to the American people," he said. "As a leader in the House and in the Senate, he has been a key ally in fighting for sensible immigration reform and a touchstone for all matters related to Latinos in this country. He is a friend who is quick with advice, encouragement and good ideas."
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New Jersey Democrats back Menendez

WASHINGTON — New Jersey Democrats lined up behind Sen. Bob Menendez on Wednesday after federal prosecutors accused him of participating in a bribery scheme with a wealthy donor.

The state's Democratic committee released statements from several New Jersey lawmakers and officials and started a Twitter account — @IStandWithBob — and an identical hashtag to highlight support for Menendez.

Dustin Byfuglien's brutal hit could cost Jets a playoff spot

Monster truck-sized defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has always had a gigantic impact on the Winnipeg Jets because of his larger-than-life presence on the ice and lighthearted approach in the dressing room.
He's a very popular with his teammates because he can keep everyone loose.
But depending on what happens in his hearing with the NHL department of player safety Thursday, Byfuglien's memory of this season might be about how he damaged his team's playoff aspirations.
With the Jets hanging on to a two-point lead in the Western Conference wild-card race, Byfuglien committed an act Tuesday that could get him suspended for multiple games with five games left in the season.

In the second period of Winnipeg's game against the New York Rangers, the 260-pound Byfuglien laid a 
wicked cross-check on J.T. Miller's neck to earn himself a phone hearing with discipline guru Stephane Quintal. That means a potential suspension of five or fewer games.
Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said after the game that it was one of the "most vicious cross-checks" he has seen this year, noting that Byfuglien could have broken Miller's neck.
As much as teammates like Big Buff, you know some of them have to be wondering what he was thinking when he cracked down on Miller in a clear case of excessive violence.

A look at the replay shows there was no reason for Byfuglien to use that level of force to subdue Miller. He deserves to be suspended.
Depending upon on what level of suspension that Quintal and his group lay down, this act could damage Winnipeg's playoff aspirations. The Jets were able to overcome Byfuglien's recent injury absence, going 6-3 while he nursed his wounds last month.
But here is what we know for sure: The Jets are a better team when Byfuglien is in the lineup. With his size and booming shot, he is a game-changer. He scored three goals in the first two games after his return.

The Jets have games remaining with the Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and the Calgary Flames. These are undoubtedly the most important games the Jets have played since the team moved from Atlanta to Winnipeg in 2011.
If Byfuglien is suspended and the Jets lose games because of it, Winnipeg fans will remember that Byfuglien's indefensible action hurt their team at a time when they were expecting him to carry their team.

Dustin Byfuglien's brutal hit could cost Jets a playoff spot

Monster truck-sized defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has always had a gigantic impact on the Winnipeg Jets because of his larger-than-life presence on the ice and lighthearted approach in the dressing room.
He's a very popular with his teammates because he can keep everyone loose.
But depending on what happens in his hearing with the NHL department of player safety Thursday, Byfuglien's memory of this season might be about how he damaged his team's playoff aspirations.
With the Jets hanging on to a two-point lead in the Western Conference wild-card race, Byfuglien committed an act Tuesday that could get him suspended for multiple games with five games left in the season.

Passing on Alabama, Gregg Marshall opts to remain at Wichita State

Alabama is still looking for a new men's basketball coach, and Wichita State won't have to undertake a search.


Alabama athletics director Bill Battle issued a statement late Wednesday night that Marshall had declined an opportunity at Alabama and decided to remain Wichita State's coach.
The statement read, "I received word tonight that Coach Gregg Marshall has chosen to remain the head basketball coach at Wichita State. I fully respect his decision and wish him and his family all the best. My objective in this search is focused on one goal: to get the best person available to lead the Alabama men's basketball program. I remain determined to bring to our program a proven head coach with impressive credentials, one who understands and values our program, wants to lead our program, and is excited about what can be accomplished at the University of Alabama."
Marshall's son Kellen also had the news, and had a gleeful reaction to it.

Passing on Alabama, Gregg Marshall opts to remain at Wichita State

Alabama is still looking for a new men's basketball coach, and Wichita State won't have to undertake a search.

Brennan: Tiger Woods needs to play Masters next week

Play, Tiger, play.
Play the Masters next week.
Play it even if you're not sure that you've completely figured out your short game. We've already seen you at your worst this year, chunking and skulling the ball over and around the greens at Phoenix and Torrey Pines, and we still want to see you try again.
Play it because watching you remains one of our favorite pastimes, whether it's to cheer you on or root for you to finish last. You're relevant. You still matter to people. That's a gift that doesn't last forever.
Play it because you almost always fare better at the Masters than most people think you will. In this century, you've won it three times and finished in the top 10 eight more times. In the nine years since you last won this tournament, in 2005, you've finished out of the top 10 only twice, which includes last year when you didn't play after having back surgery.

Play it because if you do show up, no one really thinks you will play well, which will make it all the better for you if you do. The Masters was made for you, and you for it. Take 2010. Your life was a shambles after the 2009 Thanksgiving weekend nightmare of your own doing, and you came to the Masters having not played in a tournament all year. So what do you do? You shoot 68-70-70-69 and finish tied for fourth.



Play it because you missed it last year and you can't miss it again this year. Here's why. You're 39. You love the place, and you'll only have so many chances to play it in your best years. Jack Nicklaus won the Masters at 46, and perhaps you will, too, but it's certainly not going to get easier to win as the years go by.

So play it once more before you turn 40.

Unless you're hurt, or worried that you could re-injure your back, play it, Tiger. For heaven's sake, it's the Masters and you're you. It would be almost un-American to not have you there.

Astute readers familiar with the dozens of critical columns I've written about Tiger over the past 15 years might wonder if this is an April Fools' Day joke.

It is not. The Masters needs Tiger Woods. And he needs the Masters. His game is in trouble. He shot a career-high 82 in late January, then withdrew on the 12th hole of the first round the next week with stiffness in his back. And that was the last we've seen of him this year.

FOR THE WIN

9-year-old Rory McIlroy to Tiger Woods: 'I'm coming to get you'

For the first time in his career, he looks truly lost on a golf course. Some wonder if he'll ever get back to some semblance of normalcy. It's a valid question.

So he needs to go to a place where he will always be welcomed. He needs to go to a place he knows as well as any course on Earth. He needs to go home.

Augusta National Golf Club will always open its doors to Tiger, and has ever since his first major victory, at 21 in 1997, when he won by 12 shots.

If Tiger doesn't show up, the Masters will carry on, of course, but it won't have the same energy. Rory is young and interesting and going for the career Grand Slam, but he doesn't come close to moving the needle the way Tiger does. Phil is Phil, as entertaining and appealing as any golfer of this era, but he's still not Tiger.

Tiger's presence makes every tournament eminently more fascinating, and will continue to do so until we are certain he can't be competitive anymore. That day has not yet arrived.

So, Tiger, what else do you have to do next Thursday and Friday? (And perhaps Saturday and Sunday?)

Brennan: Tiger Woods needs to play Masters next week

Play, Tiger, play.
Play the Masters next week.
Play it even if you're not sure that you've completely figured out your short game. We've already seen you at your worst this year, chunking and skulling the ball over and around the greens at Phoenix and Torrey Pines, and we still want to see you try again.
Play it because watching you remains one of our favorite pastimes, whether it's to cheer you on or root for you to finish last. You're relevant. You still matter to people. That's a gift that doesn't last forever.
Play it because you almost always fare better at the Masters than most people think you will. In this century, you've won it three times and finished in the top 10 eight more times. In the nine years since you last won this tournament, in 2005, you've finished out of the top 10 only twice, which includes last year when you didn't play after having back surgery.

Play it because if you do show up, no one really thinks you will play well, which will make it all the better for you if you do. The Masters was made for you, and you for it. Take 2010. Your life was a shambles after the 2009 Thanksgiving weekend nightmare of your own doing, and you came to the Masters having not played in a tournament all year. So what do you do? You shoot 68-70-70-69 and finish tied for fourth.

5 things you need to know Thursday

1. New York Auto Show: It's cars, cars, cars in the Big Apple

It's New York's turn to shine on the auto show circuit, with more than 60 new vehicles to reveal to the media before the New York Auto Show opens its doors to the public on Friday. Cars getting buzz already? A sporty new concept Honda Civic; the updated Hyundai Tucson; Lexus' RX luxury crossover SUV; a new Chevy Malibu ... and of course, the return of the Lincoln Continental. Media access started Wednesday and continues Thursday. The show runs through April 12.

A 2016 Toyota Scion iM is on display on April 1at the New York International Auto Show. (Photo: Mark Lennihan, AP)

2. New Jersey Sen. Menendez scheduled to appear in court

Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez is expected to appear in a Newark courtroom on Thursday following his indictment on corruption charges. Federal prosecutors charged him and wealthy donor Salomon Melgen on Wednesday with participating in a long-running bribery scheme. A 68-page indictment outlines 14 criminal counts against Menendez, 61, including eight counts of bribery. Melgen, a 61-year-old West Palm Beach, Fla., ophthalmologist, faces 13 counts. Menendez has vowed to fight the charges.
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., leaves a Newark news


3. Iran nuke talks extended to Thursday

The United States and five other world powers are negotiating with Iran on an agreement that limits Iran's nuclear program to peaceful purposes and ensures it does not develop nuclear weapons. Those talks will continue Thursday, after being extended twice past Tuesday's deadline. Marie Harf, spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said Wednesday that progress is being made but a "political understanding" had not been reached. The talks have proceeded under a six-month agreement signed in November 2013 that has been extended several times already and is now due to expire June 30.

Here are five major issues that are at the center of Iran's nuclear deal. VPC

4. Deal on Ind. 'religious freedom' law expected Thursday

Indiana Republican leaders are set to announce a deal Thursday morning that alters the state's controversial "religious freedom" law to ensure it does not discriminate against gay and lesbian customers of Indiana businesses. The proposal — which grants new protections for LGBT customers, employees and tenants — is set for a 9 a.m. ET rollout at the Statehouse and a 9:30 a.m. committee hearing. The measure could put to rest some of the harsher criticisms that Indiana Republicans have suffered through in the past week. But it is unlikely to make either liberal or conservative activists happy.
Thousands of opponents of Indiana's Religious Freedom

Thousands of opponents of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act gather on the lawn of the Indiana State House to rally against that legislation. (Photo: AP)

5. Mom of children found in Detroit freezer set to appear in court
The mother of two children found in a deep freezer in a Detroit apartment is expected to appear in court Thursday on murder charges. Mitchelle Blair was already facing child abuse charges. On Wednesday, prosecutors announced she was also being charged with two counts each of felony murder, first-degree premeditated murder and torture in the deaths of her children Stoni Ann Blair and Stephen Gage Berry. They were found last week at their apartment by a crew carrying out an eviction. Blair is being held on a $1 million bond.
Mitchelle Blair, 35, who is already facing child abuse

Mitchelle Blair, 35, who is already facing child abuse charges, also is being charged with murder in the deaths of her children Stoni Blair and Stephen Berry. The children were found in a deep freezer on March 24, 2015. (Photo: Detroit Police Department)

Bonus: Celebs go head-to-head on Spike TV's 'Lip Sync Battle'

Lip Sync Battle starts Thursday night with hosts LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen. The show was thought up by Stephen Merchant, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, who participated in one of the first-ever Jimmy Fallon lip sync battles on Late Night back in 2013. (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shared a short teaser for his appearance on the new show on Instagram, and the Internet ate it up.) The show airs at 10 p.m. ET on Spike TV.

And, the essentials:

Weather: More thunderstorms will rattle the central U.S. on Thursday, while most of the East Coast and Southeast will be mild to warm.

The national weather forecast for Thursday, April 2 calls for showers and storms in the Central Plains and rain in the Ohio Valley. VPC

Stocks: U.S. stock futures were lower Thursday.

TV Tonight: Can't decide what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at The Big Bang Theory, Grey's Anatomy and Elementary.

If you missed this Wednesday's news, we've got you covered here.

Need a break? Try playing some of our games.

5 things you need to know Thursday

1. New York Auto Show: It's cars, cars, cars in the Big Apple

It's New York's turn to shine on the auto show circuit, with more than 60 new vehicles to reveal to the media before the New York Auto Show opens its doors to the public on Friday. Cars getting buzz already? A sporty new concept Honda Civic; the updated Hyundai Tucson; Lexus' RX luxury crossover SUV; a new Chevy Malibu ... and of course, the return of the Lincoln Continental. Media access started Wednesday and continues Thursday. The show runs through April 12.

Al-Qaeda frees 300 inmates from Yemeni jail

Security officials say al-Qaeda militants in Yemen have stormed the center of the coastal city of al-Mukalla and freed about 300 inmates, including scores of militants, and that Shiite rebels have fought their way into the heart of Aden to the west.


The officials say al-Qaeda militants were deployed on Thursday across major roads leading into al-Mukalla in an apparent bid to thwart any attempt to retake the city.
The capture of al-Mukalla comes as a Saudi-led air campaign targeting Iranian-backed Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, enters its second week.
The Houthis and their allies breached the defenses of forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in the coastal city of Aden on Thursday, reaching the city center.

Al-Qaeda frees 300 inmates from Yemeni jail

Security officials say al-Qaeda militants in Yemen have stormed the center of the coastal city of al-Mukalla and freed about 300 inmates, including scores of militants, and that Shiite rebels have fought their way into the heart of Aden to the west.

Fiorina backs religious freedom law, marriage equality

Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina defends Indiana's "religious freedom" law, but she acknowledges the right of same-sex couples to demand equality in the "benefits" government bestows with marriage — views that distinguish her in the party's 2016 field. 


Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO who plans to launch a long-shot presidential bid by early next month, didn't explicitly endorse same-sex marriage, but she did outline a stance more moderate and nuanced than those expressed by her prospective rivals.
She blasted business leaders in Silicon Valley and elsewhere who have criticized the Indiana law as discriminatory, questioning why there isn't similar outrage "about the subjugation of the rights of women and gays in many countries in which these companies do business."
"We are having now a clarifying debate about what is really at stake here for gay couples," she told USA TODAY's weekly video newsmaker series. "What's really at stake here for gay couples is how government bestows benefits. What's really at stake here for people of religious conviction is their conviction that marriage is a religious institution because only a man and a woman can create life, which is a gift that comes from God.

Fiorina backs religious freedom law, marriage equality

Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina defends Indiana's "religious freedom" law, but she acknowledges the right of same-sex couples to demand equality in the "benefits" government bestows with marriage — views that distinguish her in the party's 2016 field. 

1 Dead, 2 Injured In Shooting After Gate-Crashing Incident At NSA, Ft. Meade

One man is dead and another critically injured after cashing an SUV into a police vehicle near the gates of the National Security Agency at Fort Meade. Guards opened fire on the two men, who investigators say were inside a stolen SUV.

Meghan McCorkell has more.

FBI officials say they do not believe this was an act of terrorism but a bizarre incident that led to a serious security scare.

The smashed pieces of two SUVs litter the road just behind the security gate at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade.

According to federal sources speaking with CBS News, two men dressed as women were inside a dark colored Ford Escape. Investigators say the SUV smashed through a security barrier, then rammed right into an NSA police vehicle. That’s when guards opened fire.

The driver of the SUV was killed. The passenger was also shot. US law enforcement sources identify the passenger as 20-year-old Kevin Fleming of Baltimore. Court records show Fleming has been arrested multiple times, including an assault charge. CBS News has learned Fleming and the other suspect had been on an all-night bender involving drugs and alcohol. A small amount of cocaine was found inside the SUV, which investigators say had been reported stolen right before the crash. Howard County police confirm that car was stolen from a hotel along Route 1 in Jessup.

Sources say the men may have taken a wrong turn into the NSA security gate.

The FBI is now taking the lead in the investigation.

An NSA police officer was also involved in the incident.

In a statement, Fort Meade officials say in part, “We continue to remain vigilant at all of our access control points.”

1 Dead, 2 Injured In Shooting After Gate-Crashing Incident At NSA, Ft. Meade

One man is dead and another critically injured after cashing an SUV into a police vehicle near the gates of the National Security Agency at Fort Meade. Guards opened fire on the two men, who investigators say were inside a stolen SUV.

Meghan McCorkell has more.

FBI officials say they do not believe this was an act of terrorism but a bizarre incident that led to a serious security scare.

The smashed pieces of two SUVs litter the road just behind the security gate at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade.

Holborn fire: Kingsway remains cordoned off as firefighters continue to tackle blaze

Part of a road in central London is still closed due to an electrical fire burning underneath the pavement.

Around 5,000 people had to be evacuated from nearby buildings after smoke was seen pouring out of an inspection cover on Kingsway, Holborn, on 1 April at around 12.30pm.

London Fire Brigade tweeted to inform commuters that part of the Kingsway was still cordoned off while firefighters tried to keep the fire contained.

A TfL spokesperson said: ''Due to the ongoing fire at Holborn local road closures are in place and customers are advised to check our real time travel feeds on Twitter and to check the TfL website for the latest travel information."

Onlookers described "crazy scenes" and "madness" as smoke rose so high in the air that it could be seen from the Shard skyscraper.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire has been contained but has been "technically difficult" to tackle.
Commuters have been tweeting about the disruption to travel this morning, while others are at work or at home without electricity.

Somerset House was still closed at 9.30am on 2 April, and Benedict Cumberbatch's appearance at Letters Live at the Freemasons' Hall was among the events called off on the evening on 1 April after the fire caused several power outages.

Performances of West End shows including Mamma Mia at the Novello,The Lion King at the Lyceum, Beautiful at the Aldwych,Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess, Charlie and the Choloate Factory at Drury Lane, Woman in Black at the Fortune, and Gypsy at the Savoy were cancelled according to London Theatre Direct.
UK Power Networks told the BBC around 1,000 customers were currently affected by the power cuts and they had restored power to 2,000.
Apologising to customers Matt Rudling, from UK Power Networks, said: "The gas is still burning under there and until we can gain access to that particular area we won't understand what's caused it and what we can do."

Holborn fire: Kingsway remains cordoned off as firefighters continue to tackle blaze

Part of a road in central London is still closed due to an electrical fire burning underneath the pavement.

Around 5,000 people had to be evacuated from nearby buildings after smoke was seen pouring out of an inspection cover on Kingsway, Holborn, on 1 April at around 12.30pm.

London Fire Brigade tweeted to inform commuters that part of the Kingsway was still cordoned off while firefighters tried to keep the fire contained.

A TfL spokesperson said: ''Due to the ongoing fire at Holborn local road closures are in place and customers are advised to check our real time travel feeds on Twitter and to check the TfL website for the latest travel information."

Farrah Abraham Calls ‘Teen Mom OG’ Costar Catelynn Lowell ‘White Trash’

Farrah Abraham isn’t off to a good star with her Teen Mom OG costars. Following last week’s premiere of the show, she retweeted an unkind remark a fan made about Catelynn Lowell having given up her daughter for adoption five years ago. And on Sunday night’s episode she slammed Lowell again–referring to her as ‘white trash.’



Catelynn Lowell was speaking with the show’s host about ending her ongoing feud with Farrah Abraham. That’s when the former porn star dug her nails in even deeper.

“There’s somebody still in denial,” she said to the show’s producers, laughing over her remark. “Still in denial land of white trash!”

That wasn’t the end of her derogatory comments either. At least they weren’t all directed at Catelynn Lowell.

“From the past I never initially got along with the girls. They had some other issues with myself from the get-go…I would never confide in them,” Farrah Abraham said.

“Would I ever confide in people who are very fake and not real with themselves and kind of in denial and can’t empathize with someone? Of course not!” the erotic novelist continued.

Meanwhile Catelynn Lowell, Amber Portwood, and Maci Bookout could do nothing more than shake their heads backstage.

“She just burned bridges with everybody. What an idiot,” Amber Portwood said.

And yes, Farrah Abraham definitely burned bridges. Still the remarks she made about Catelynn Lowell were definitely the lowest of her comments. Catelynn did the right thing by giving her daughter Carly up for adoption–and she doesn’t deserve to be called trailer trash.

It will no doubt be a lengthy season on Teen Mom OG–both for Farrah Abraham, who seems hell bent on making life difficult for herself–and for those on the receiving end of her unkind barbs.

Hopefully Catelynn and the others didn’t take Farrah’s comments to heart. She is known for trying to build herself up by breaking others down.

Farrah Abraham Calls ‘Teen Mom OG’ Costar Catelynn Lowell ‘White Trash’

Farrah Abraham isn’t off to a good star with her Teen Mom OG costars. Following last week’s premiere of the show, she retweeted an unkind remark a fan made about Catelynn Lowell having given up her daughter for adoption five years ago. And on Sunday night’s episode she slammed Lowell again–referring to her as ‘white trash.’

Farrah Abraham: Co-Star Is ‘White Trash’ Swipe Slams Reconciliation With Catelynn Lowell?

Oh, no, she didn’t! Au contraire, she did. Farrah Abraham accusedTeen Mom OG co-star Catelynn Lowell of being “white trash.” During a recap of the MTV series, the reality television-turned-porn star took a swipe at her fellow cast member on social media, which appears to put Farrah’s chances of reconciliation with Catelynn in jeopardy, according to a Reality TV Magazine celebrity gossip report.



The Backdoor star, who is said to have ruffled a few feathers upon her return to the Teen Mom series, took a shot at her costars. After the premiere of the second episode, three cast members sat down with Girl Code host Nessa. Backstage, Farrah Abraham was waiting her turn, with the “white trash” remark waiting to be unleashed.

When she was up at bat, it was clear why she was sequestered from the group: the tension is still in the air. Farrah spoke about how a backlash ensued from the public and her fellow cast mates when she released her sex tape in 2013. Abraham didn’t mince her words when probed about why she is one of the “least-liked” on the show.

Later, Farrah exited the set and ambled past her three co-stars without acknowledging their presence. Amber said the controversial co-star “burned her bridges.” Later, Maci returned and commented on Abraham’s remarks during her solo interview.

Despite an obvious lack of love between Farrah and co-stars Catelynn, Amber Portwood, and Maci Bookout, one in particular, who offered her an olive branch during their time on Couples Therapy, was taken off guard by the remarks. Things didn’t stop with the white trash comment.

Apparently, Farrah, or someone posting from her Twitter account, retweeted a number of posts from viewers of the show who thought it was dull without Abraham (Farrah has yet to appear on the show, but is rumored to be part of an upcoming episode).

Farrah Abraham: Co-Star Is ‘White Trash’ Swipe Slams Reconciliation With Catelynn Lowell?

Oh, no, she didn’t! Au contraire, she did. Farrah Abraham accusedTeen Mom OG co-star Catelynn Lowell of being “white trash.” During a recap of the MTV series, the reality television-turned-porn star took a swipe at her fellow cast member on social media, which appears to put Farrah’s chances of reconciliation with Catelynn in jeopardy, according to a Reality TV Magazine celebrity gossip report.

WrestleMania 31: Preview, full card and five reasons to watch

WrestleMania 31 is slated to go down on Sunday, and while the road to WWE’s biggest show of the year has arguably been bumpy, it’s smoothed out in the last week thanks for these five reasons.
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Last week, pro wrestling fans fretted over what seemed inevitable knowing that former UFC heavyweight champion Lesnar’s contract with the WWE ended the day after this year’s WrestleMania. Certainly, no matter what Lesnar’s “advocate” Paul Heyman said, WWE would not script the story to allow Lesnar to retain the belt over the arguably underqualified challenger Roman Reigns, who WWE has been pushing on reluctant fans like a lawnmower on sand.

With the promise of several more years with Lesnar, though, the main event actually seems exciting now. Lesnar has a real shot (as he should — he’s the “Beast Incarnate” after all) and Reigns now has a chance to propel himself to the level WWE thinks he’s already at. To do that, in this writer’s opinion, he’ll either have to lose valiantly or win dirtily. For dramatic purposes, I’d almost prefer the latter, but I think the odds of that story being booked are low.

All the former NXT talent!

For those with the WWE Network, the promotion’s weekly showcase of its NXT developmental league wrestlers, is a must-watch. Not only do the story lines make sense in the one-hour program, but the action in the ring tends to be more exciting, too. Yeah, pro wrestling is “fake,” but the athleticism is very real, which might be why it’s cool to realize that so many of NXT’s up-and-comers have arrived.

In all but one of the eight matches set for WrestleMania 31, former NXT stars (names italicized) are involved:

    Big E and Xavier Woods, who form two-thirds of The New Day with Kofi Kingston are in the Tag Team Championship match against Los Matadores, The Usos, and Cesaro and Tyson Kidd
    Current NXT star Hideo Itami will join NXT alums Adam Rose, Erick Rowan, and Konnor and Viktor of The Ascension in the 20-man Andre the Giant Battle Royale.
    NXT’s first champion Seth Rollins is taking on Randy Orton
    Paige is teaming up with AJ Lee to take on the Bella Twins
    Rusev is taking on John Cena for the U.S. Championship
    Bray Wyatt is facing The Undertaker.
    Dean Ambrose and Luke Harper are vying with five others for the Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match
    And, of course, Roman Reigns is taking on Brock Lesnar in the main event.

The only match that doesn’t involve NXT alumni is the match featuring two dudes over 45 — Triple H and Sting, which brings us to the third to watch WrestleMania this year.

STING.

Yes, Sting is 56 years old. Who cares? He still paints his face. He still wears a duster and, until he steps into the ring on Sunday, he’s still the most famous pro wrestler alive who’s never been in WrestleMania. He’s going up against 45-year-old Triple H and the two both come to the squared circle with weapons and scripted chips on their shoulder. Sting has a baseball bat and Triple H has a sledgehammer. What’s there not to love?

Hooray, the women’s WrestleMania match might actually get the time it deserves this year!

WWE’s women’s division, which is stupidly named the “Divas” division, is getting better thanks to more focused talent and what’s hopefully becoming a less sexist script. This hopefully means, unlike in 2013 when the women’s match was cut to save time, the female performers this year — Paige, AJ Lee, and Nikki and Brie Bella — will get the screen time they’ve rightfully earned.

The Undertaker, obviously.

No WrestleMania is truly complete without The Undertaker, who’s set to appear in his 23rd iteration of the pay-per-view on Sunday. This year’s appearance comes with a lot more questions than it has in the past, however. For one, WWE hasn’t let us see The Undertaker since he lost for the first time last year against current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, so we have no idea what kind of shape the 50-year-old is in.

Even more curious, though, are the possible outcomes of his match against Bray Wyatt, whose character is a supernatural Southern cult leader. The build-up between Wyatt and Taker (or the spirit of Taker, maybe, since he hasn’t appeared on screen) hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been good enough to make one wonder if Wyatt could be the second person to beat Taker at WrestleMania and, if so, whether that means Wyatt, who, like Taker, derives his power from fears, could become Taker’s heir apparent.

Or maybe Taker will just kick his butt.

The action starts Sunday at 7 p.m. EDT on WWE Network or pay-per-view. The pre-show will air before that starting at 6 p.m.

WrestleMania 31: Preview, full card and five reasons to watch

WrestleMania 31 is slated to go down on Sunday, and while the road to WWE’s biggest show of the year has arguably been bumpy, it’s smoothed out in the last week thanks for these five reasons.
http://fat.gfycat.com/CoarseFilthyIcelandicsheepdog.webm

Riker Lynch and Allison Holker “Salsa” Dancing With The Stars Season 20 Week 3 (VIDEO)

Riker Lynch and Allison Holker performed the Salsa to the tune of “Limbo” by Daddy Yankee on Dancing with the Stars Season 20 week 3 ‘Latin Night‘ episode Monday, March 30, 2015.

Riker Lynch and Allison Holker “Salsa” Dancing With The Stars Season 20 Week 3 (VIDEO)

Riker Lynch and Allison Holker performed the Salsa to the tune of “Limbo” by Daddy Yankee on Dancing with the Stars Season 20 week 3 ‘Latin Night‘ episode Monday, March 30, 2015.

Former feds charged with stealing Silk Road bitcoin

A Secret Service agent and a DEA agent with lead roles in the investigation to take down the Internet drug bazaar Silk Road allegedly stole proceeds from the underground site and hid their booty in offshore accounts.


Former DEA agent Carl Force, 46, of Baltimore, the task force agent charged with going undercover to communicate online with Silk Road operator Ross Ulbricht, known as Dread Pirate Roberts, allegedly used several online aliases to extort hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bitcoin from Ulbricht, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Monday. Force is charged with money laundering, wire fraud, theft and conflict of interest.
Prosecutors also charged Shaun Bridges, 32, of Laurel, Md., a former special agent with the U.S. Secret Service, who allegedly accessed Silk Road accounts using password information from a Silk Road customer service representative arrested in a drug sting. Bridges, who joined the Secret Service in 2009, is charged with wire fraud and money laundering.
The FBI shut down Silk Road and arrested Ulbricht on Oct. 2, 2013. Silk Road, a dark Web black market that traded in illegal drugs, counterfeit IDs and computer hacking software, required its buyers and sellers to do business in bitcoin, an anonymous digital currency that is difficult to trace.
A federal jury in New York convicted Ulbricht last month on drug conspiracy charges. Ulbricht, who will be sentenced in May, was also the target of an investigation in Maryland. Force and Bridges worked on the Maryland investigation.
Prosecutors say Force, in addition to his official undercover identity as "Nob," created several unauthorized online aliases, so he could conduct complex bitcoin transactions to steal from the government and Ulbricht.
In one transaction, Force, using his second alias, allegedly demanded Ulbricht pay him $250,000 in bitcoin not to disclose information to the government. Posing as a woman named Carla under the alias "French Maid," Force allegedly offered to sell Ulbricht information about the government's investigation in exchange for $100,000 worth of bitcoin.
Ulbricht paid the money, and Force deposited it into a personal account, IRS Special Agent Tigran Gambaryan wrote in an affidavit. Force allegedly converted some bitcoin to dollars and wired the money to his personal overseas bank account in Panama, the affidavit said.
Force also worked for and invested $110,000 in the California-based digital currency exchange company CoinMKT while still working for the DEA. The company featured Force in its pitches to venture capital investors as CoinMKT's anti-money laundering and compliance officer.
E-mails between Force and CoinMKT's CEO indicated that Force planned to stay at the DEA until the bitcoin exchange "hits it 'big time.' "
"I have a lot of down time at DEA so I am confident that I can handle all that needs to be done regarding Legal and Compliance on a daily basis," Force wrote.
Prosecutors say Force used his position at the DEA to steal money from accounts at CoinMKT. In one instance, Force allegedly directed CoinMKT to freeze a customer account. He then seized 223 bitcoins worth about $297,000 and transferred them to his personal Bitstamp digital currency account. He then exchanged the bitcoins for dollars and put the money in his personal checking account, court papers say.

Force, who earned about $150,000 a year as a DEA agent, made $757,000 in deposits to his personal bank account from April 2013 to May 2014, court papers show. During that time, Force paid off his mortgage and a government thrift savings loan while investing in real estate and bitcoin businesses, court papers say.
Authorities arrested Force on Friday. Force, a 15-year veteran, resigned from the DEA in May. He is in jail and will appear in court Thursday for a detention hearing.
Bridges, the computer forensics expert on the Baltimore investigation, allegedly stole more than $800,000 worth of bitcoin that he controlled during the Silk Road investigation and placed it into an account with Mt. Gox, a digital currency exchange in Japan. Silk Road reported a massive bitcoin theft Jan. 25, 2013, the same day Bridges attended an interview with the Silk Road administrator caught in the sting.
Bridges allegedly wired the funds to a personal U.S. investment account through nine transfers from March 6, 2013, to May 7, 2013. The final transfer on May 7, 2013, came two days before he personally sought a $2.1 million seizure warrant for Mt. Gox's accounts, court papers say.
Bridges, who joined the Secret Service in 2009, resigned from the Secret Service on March 18. He surrendered to authorities Monday and was released under pretrial supervision.
Bridges intends to fight the charges, his attorney Steven H. Levin said. Bridges "had an unblemished career in law enforcement for several years. He maintains his innocence," Levin said.

Former feds charged with stealing Silk Road bitcoin

A Secret Service agent and a DEA agent with lead roles in the investigation to take down the Internet drug bazaar Silk Road allegedly stole proceeds from the underground site and hid their booty in offshore accounts.

Iran nuke talks enter critical phase this weekend

The United States and Iran entered a critical phase of negotiations over Iran's disputed nuclear program this weekend, as Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif meet in Switzerland to determine if they can bridge their differences.
The talks are reaching a climax as leaders from across the world, including Israel and the U.S. Congress, watch to see if a historic deal emerges to curb Iran's nuclear program in return for a lifting of U.S. and Western sanctions. Negotiators are trying to conclude a general agreement by a self-imposed March 31 deadline, with details to be filled in by June.
Israel and many in Congress have warned that the Obama administration may grant too many concessions to get a deal that would allow Iran to violate an agreement and develop nuclear weapons once the punitive sanctions that have crippled its economy are lifted.
Congressional leaders have threatened to vote on increased sanctions if they do not like the terms. Israel has threatened military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons that could threaten the entire region.

In a sign of congressional skepticism about an agreement, the Senate voted 100-0 Thursday for a non-binding resolution that calls for new sanctions against Iran if it is caught cheating on any deal that is
reached.


Iran has insisted that its nuclear program is peaceful and that its technological quest to produce energy and medical isotopes is a sovereign right. The oil-rich nation wants the sanctions lifted so it can rejoin the global financial system and sell oil on the open market again

The United States has not changed its bottom line regarding a deal, and it is still committed to making sure Iran would need at least a year to produce enough highly enriched nuclear material for a bomb if it broke the agreement, a senior administration official told USA TODAY. The official, who was not authorized to comment on the sensitive negotiations, asked not to be identified.
On Friday, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told Mehr News that "a mutual understanding" covering much of the deal has been reached.
"A couple of technical issues are still remaining unresolved which we are working on," Salehi said. "There are difficult issues to be resolved."
Although the U.S. has taken the lead in the Iran talks, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China also are participating.
In Washington, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the parties were "better than halfway" to a deal, according to the Associated Press.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told reporters in New York on Friday, "There has been some progress, but there are things which are not yet solved." Fabius arrived in Lausanne on Saturday. His British and Russian counterparts have said they will join the talks over the weekend as well.
Issues still to be resolved involve the number and types of centrifuges Iran can use to produce nuclear fuel, the ability of inspectors to gain access to all possible nuclear sites and Iran's willingness to discuss past efforts to produce nuclear weapons.

Iran nuke talks enter critical phase this weekend

The United States and Iran entered a critical phase of negotiations over Iran's disputed nuclear program this weekend, as Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif meet in Switzerland to determine if they can bridge their differences.
The talks are reaching a climax as leaders from across the world, including Israel and the U.S. Congress, watch to see if a historic deal emerges to curb Iran's nuclear program in return for a lifting of U.S. and Western sanctions. Negotiators are trying to conclude a general agreement by a self-imposed March 31 deadline, with details to be filled in by June.
Israel and many in Congress have warned that the Obama administration may grant too many concessions to get a deal that would allow Iran to violate an agreement and develop nuclear weapons once the punitive sanctions that have crippled its economy are lifted.
Congressional leaders have threatened to vote on increased sanctions if they do not like the terms. Israel has threatened military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons that could threaten the entire region.

In a sign of congressional skepticism about an agreement, the Senate voted 100-0 Thursday for a non-binding resolution that calls for new sanctions against Iran if it is caught cheating on any deal that is
reached.

2 remain missing after deadly NYC blast

Rescue crews continued to search Saturday for two missing people in a blaze that injured 22 in Manhattan's East Village as investigators focused on possible "inappropriate accessing" of the gas line to one of three buildings destroyed by the disaster.
Using cranes, rakes, face masks and hard hats, officials scoured the area and dug through debris. No fatalities were reported, but police officials said two people who had been at a sushi restaurant in one of the buildings were missing. Mixed-use, commercial and residential buildings at 121, 123 and 119 Second Avenue were destroyed, and another adjoining building was badly damaged.
"We are still actively searching for two individuals," NYPD spokesman Sgt. Carlos Nieves said Saturday afternoon. "We have two canine, cadaver seeking dogs at the location assisting in the recovery efforts."
Meanwhile, four of the injured remained in critical condition Friday afternoon at local hospitals, 24 hours after a suspected gas explosion rocked the area and triggered a seven-alarm blaze that firefighters continued to mop up, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said during an afternoon City Hall news conference.

Authorities also were exploring whether a third person was unaccounted for, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said, according to the Associated Press.



With the fire still smoldering and the building debris dangerous, investigators have not yet been able to get into the basements of the devastated buildings, said de Blasio. However, he said preliminary investigation results showed "there may have been an inappropriate accessing" of the gas line that serves the building where the blast occurred.

"There's certainly a possibility of impropriety," added de Blasio, who also praised firefighters, police and other emergency responders, and said "our hearts go out to the families of all who are affected, and the people of the neighborhood."

The firefighting and cleanup work at the scene of the Second Avenue disaster scene near East 7th Street may continue for as long as a week, said city Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. Once the site is declared safe, firefighters will sift the debris searching for potential victims and clues to the disaster's cause, he said.

The City Hall news briefing presented a clearer but still incomplete overview of the explosion, ensuing inferno and chaos that forced scores of residents, workers and visitors to scramble from the buildings.

A Consolidated Edison crew was in the basement at 121 Second Ave. at about 2 p.m. Thursday to meet with contractors about pipes that had been installed in preparation for a planned upgrade of the building's gas service, a police official and utility executive said.

The utility crew told the contractors additional work was needed and left at approximately 2:45 p.m. without noticing any signs of a gas leak, officials said. Con Edison President Craig Ivey said the gas utility crew's findings meant gas was not yet flowing to the new pipes on Thursday.

The owner of the Sushi Park restaurant located on the building's first floor smelled gas at approximately 3 p.m., officials said. He notified the building owner, who in turn contacted one of the contractors, Boyce said. The city fire department received the first emergency 911 alert about the blast roughly 17 minutes later.

No one called 911 or Con Edison before the explosion, said de Blasio. He urged New Yorkers to contact the emergency hotline or the utility immediately if they smell gas. The mayor is also now accepting donations to help those affected by the building collapse.

One of the building contractors and a relative of the five-story structure's owner were among those injured in the explosion and fire, officials said. Police had not yet issued official missing persons reports on the two people who haven't been located, di Blasio's office said earlier on Friday.

Firefighters poured gallons of water Friday over the wreckage, a giant wave of crumbled brick, twisted metal and splintered wood.

Tyler Figueroa told the Associated Press Thursday night that his 23-year-old brother, Nicholas, disappeared after going on a date at the Sushi Park restaurant.

Figueroa said that the couple was paying for their meal when the explosion rocked the building and surrounding area. Nicholas Figueroa's date, who has been hospitalized with injuries, remembers only stumbling outside before losing consciousness, the brother told the Associated Press.

"I just pray my brother shows up," he said. "We just hope my brother comes back."

Contributing: Yamiche Alcindor and Ashley Day. Marisol Bello reported from McLean, Va.

2 remain missing after deadly NYC blast

Rescue crews continued to search Saturday for two missing people in a blaze that injured 22 in Manhattan's East Village as investigators focused on possible "inappropriate accessing" of the gas line to one of three buildings destroyed by the disaster.
Using cranes, rakes, face masks and hard hats, officials scoured the area and dug through debris. No fatalities were reported, but police officials said two people who had been at a sushi restaurant in one of the buildings were missing. Mixed-use, commercial and residential buildings at 121, 123 and 119 Second Avenue were destroyed, and another adjoining building was badly damaged.
"We are still actively searching for two individuals," NYPD spokesman Sgt. Carlos Nieves said Saturday afternoon. "We have two canine, cadaver seeking dogs at the location assisting in the recovery efforts."
Meanwhile, four of the injured remained in critical condition Friday afternoon at local hospitals, 24 hours after a suspected gas explosion rocked the area and triggered a seven-alarm blaze that firefighters continued to mop up, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said during an afternoon City Hall news conference.

Authorities also were exploring whether a third person was unaccounted for, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said, according to the Associated Press.

Clinton wipes server after handing over e-mails

 Former secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton decided to "wipe her server clean" and permanently delete all e-mails from the personal server, according to the head of a House committee investigating the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya.


Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., said Clinton also has refused to turn over the server for an outside review as he and other Republicans have sought.
"Not only was the secretary the sole arbiter of what was a public record, she also summarily decided to delete all e-mails from her server ensuring no one could check behind her analysis in the public interest," Gowdy said in a statement issued Friday.
Clinton, who is likely to announce her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination soon, has faced intense scrutiny over her use of a private e-mail account, hdr22@clintonemail.com, and a personal server for official business during her time at the State Department.
Her lawyer David Kendall said there's nothing for the committee to see on the server from Clinton's time in office. Clinton had given the State Department all work-related e-mails covering her tenure at the department from Jan. 21, 2009, through Feb. 1, 2013, he said.
In a six-page letter released Friday, Kendall said it would serve no purpose for Clinton to relinquish her server because Clinton's IT advisers have confirmed "there are no hdr22@clinton.com e-mails from Secretary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State on the server for any review, even if such review were appropriate or legally authorized."
After Clinton's team determined which e-mails were to be turned over to the State Department last year, Clinton choose to delete her personal e-mails and asked her aides to change the settings on the account to retain e-mails for only 60 days, Kendall said. The account was no longer in active use at that point, he said.
Clinton has called on the State Department to release the more than 30,000 work-related e-mails her lawyers handed over to the agency on Dec. 5, 2014. It's up to the department to review them for sensitive information and decide what to share with the public.
Gowdy seems prepared to take further action, saying he would work with the GOP leadership in the House on "next steps." Earlier this month, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, demanded Clinton turn over her server to an independent arbiter but stopped short of saying the House would seek a subpoena for the server.
Gowdy said Clinton would have to answer questions from lawmakers — something her aides say she is prepared to do.
Clinton is "ready and willing to come and appear herself for a hearing open to the American public," her spokesman Nick Merrill said in a statement.
He added that Clinton's representatives have been in touch with Gowdy's committee and the State Department to make it clear Clinton would like the State Department to publicly release her work-related e-mails "as soon as possible."

Clinton wipes server after handing over e-mails

 Former secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton decided to "wipe her server clean" and permanently delete all e-mails from the personal server, according to the head of a House committee investigating the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya.

Co-pilot 'obsessed' with Alps; flew crash area as a boy

Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot who authorities say flew a Germanwings plane with 150 people aboard into the French Alps, was "obsessed" and "passionate" about the mountainous region and had flown it several times as a child, French and German media report.
Lubitz and his family, along with other members of a gliding club in his hometown of Montabaur, Germany, would take trips with other members to a club in the town of Sisteron, France, about 30 miles from where the Airbus A320 went down Tuesday,

The area, with its numerous peaks and valleys and stunning panoramas, is popular with glider pilots. In the final moments of the Germanwings flight, Lubitz overflew the major turning points for gliders flying from one peak to another, according to local glider pilots, the Associated Press reported.
French investigators said the plane, with Lubitz at the controls and the locked-out pilot trying desperately to break through the cockpit door, flew for about 10 minutes after leaving its 38,000-feet cruising altitude, finally descending into the side of the mountains.

Francis Kefer, a member of the local French gliding club, told France's i-Tele television that the Lubitz family and other members of the Montabaur club came to the region regularly between 1996 and 2003.

Dieter Wagner, a member of the Montabaur club, said he recalls that Lubitz had participated in one of the gliding courses in the Alpine region with Wagner's niece, who was a good friend, Le Parisien reported.


"He was passionate about the Alps and even obsessed," Wagner said. "I'm sure he knew the crash area because he had flown it in a glider."

Ernst Müller, 70, and another member of the German club, said he is "certain that Andreas has participated in at least one or two internships with us in Sisteron," Le Parisien reported. Officials at the club would not comment Saturday, the AP reports.