World Briefs

Source: Liberal-leaning Justice David Souter retiring from Supreme Court in June

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice David Souter is planning to retire after nearly two decades on the Supreme Court, but his departure is unlikely to change its conservative-liberal split.

President Barack Obama's first pick for the high court is likely to be a liberal-leaning nominee, much like Souter.

The White House has been told that Souter will retire in June, when the court finishes its work for the summer, a source familiar with his plans said Thursday night. The retirement is likely to take effect only once a successor is confirmed.

The source spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for Souter.

Souter had no comment Thursday night, a Supreme Court spokeswoman said.

The vacancy could lead to another woman on the bench to join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, currently the court's only female justice.

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Swine flu cases exceed 100 as more schools close, vaccine promised by fall, if needed

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. authorities are pledging to eventually produce enough swine flu vaccine for everyone but the shots couldn't begin until fall at the earliest.

Worries about the spread of the virus mounted Thursday as the nation's swine flu caseload passed 100, and nearly 300 schools closed in communities across the country. Federal officials had to spend much of the day reassuring the public it's still safe to fly and ride public transportation after Vice President Joe Biden said he wouldn't recommend it to his family.

Scientists were racing to prepare the key ingredient to make a vaccine against the never-before-seen flu strain — if it's ultimately needed. But it will take several months before the first pilot lots begin required human testing to ensure the vaccine is safe and effective. If all goes well, broader production could start in the fall.

"We think 600 million doses is achievable in a six-month time frame" from that fall start, Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Craig Vanderwagen told lawmakers.

"I don't want anybody to have false expectations. The science is challenging here," Vanderwagen told reporters. "Production can be done, robust production capacity is there. It's a question of can we get the science worked on the specifics of this vaccine."

Until a vaccine is ready, the government has stockpiled anti-viral medications that can ease flu symptoms or help prevent infection. The medicines are proving effective.

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After months of struggle, Chrysler succumbs to bankruptcy, pins hopes on alliance with Fiat

DETROIT (AP) — The first sound of the gavel in Chrysler's bankruptcy case might as well be the bang of a starter's pistol.

The nation's third-largest automaker filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday with an ambitious plan to emerge in as little as 30 days as a leaner, more nimble company. And Chrysler's first hearing in a New York courtroom Friday morning may offer the first clue as to whether a quick, "surgical" bankruptcy is actually possible.

After months on government life support, Chrysler is pinning its future on a top-to-bottom reorganization and plans to build cleaner cars through an alliance with Italian automaker Fiat. In return, the federal government agreed to give Chrysler up to $8 billion in additional aid and to back its warranties.

On Friday morning, bankruptcy court Judge Arthur Gonzalez is scheduled to hear the case's first motions, which typically will allow the company to continue paying workers and basic utility costs as it restructures.

Eventually, Gonzalez will have to sort out the key issue that made bankruptcy necessary: the creditors that hold $6.9 billion of the Chrysler's debt.

Four of the largest banks holding 70 percent of the debt agreed this week to a deal that would give them $2 billion. But a collection of hedge funds refused to budge, saying the deal was unfair and would only return a small fraction of their holdings.

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AP Interview: Mexico chief epidemiologist says WHO slow to react to epidemic

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's chief epidemiologist said the World Health Organization was slow to respond to the country's warning about a health crisis that turned into a global swine flu scare and he wants an investigation.

Dr. Miguel Angel Lezana told The Associated Press late Thursday his center alerted the Pan American Health Organization on April 16 about alarming occurrences of flu and atypical pneumonia in Mexico. But no action was taken until eight days later when the World Health Organization said it was "very, very concerned" the outbreak could grow into a pandemic.

"It seems it should have been more immediate," Lezana, director of the National Epidemiology Center, told AP in a telephone interview.

Across the country's border, the number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States rose to 130 Thursday. Hundreds of schools nationwide shut their doors. The only confirmed U.S. swine flu death so far was a Mexican toddler who succumbed in Texas. New cases were confirmed Thursday in Europe, but no deaths had been reported outside North America.

In Mexico, the outbreak's epicenter, new cases and the death rate were leveling off, the country's top medical officer said. Health authorities said they have confirmed 300 swine flu cases and 12 deaths due to the virus.

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Legislation reining in credit card practices faces test in Senate after House passage

WASHINGTON (AP) — Propelled through the House by antibusiness sentiment in tough economic times, legislation putting new reins on the credit card industry now goes to the Senate, where the bill's prospects appear promising.

The legislation, which has President Barack Obama's backing, would eliminate abrupt increases in interest rates and other practices decried by consumer advocates. It could be taken up in the Senate as early as next week.

Supporters want to get a final congressional package to Obama's desk by the Memorial Day holiday. They acknowledged, though, that House passage of the measure on Thursday was just an opening salvo and that industry interests could succeed in getting restrictions weakened during the legislative slog ahead.

Signaling an aggressive campaign, Edward Yingling, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association, said the group "strongly believes that any additional legislative efforts should strive to achieve the right balance between enhancing consumer protection and ensuring that credit remains available to consumers and small businesses at a reasonable cost."

"We continue to believe that more work needs to be done to achieve that balance," he said in a statement.

The measure, called the Credit Card Holders' Bill of Rights, would prohibit so-called double-cycle billing and retroactive rate hikes and would prevent companies from giving credit cards to anyone under 18.

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Police suspect 72-year-old man charged in 2 murders is tied to Los Angeles serial killings

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Larry Manchester discovered the body on Feb. 18, 1976.

The woman, a 67-year-old retired school administrator, was dead inside her red-and-black '65 Chevy Chevelle, two blocks from her west Los Angeles apartment.

The young homicide detective popped open the trunk and saw Elizabeth McKeown lying on her side. She was naked from the chest down. She'd been beaten, raped and strangled three days earlier.

Despite his efforts and a $25,000 reward, Manchester and his colleagues could not solve the killing. For 33 years and long after he retired, Manchester, now 64, berated himself. He would clip newspaper stories about similar murders in hopes of spotting a clue.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department announced it had solved McKeown's case. The suspect, they said, was likely responsible for the murders of as many as 30 women, dating to the mid-1950s, which would make him the most prolific killer in city history.

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Prosecutors say man who attacked Dutch royals has died in hospital

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The man who drove his car into a crowd of parade spectators and killed five in an attempt to attack the Dutch royal family died early Friday of his injuries, prosecutors said.

The 38-year-old suspect, identified by Dutch media as Karst Tates, had been in critical condition since the attack that marred the Netherlands' Queen's Day holiday on Thursday.

Twelve other people were hurt when Tates rammed his car through police barricades toward an open-topped bus carrying Queen Beatrix and several other members of the royal family.

Tates told one of the first police officers to rush to his car that the attack was aimed at the royal family, prosecutor Ludo Goossens said Thursday. But the motive was unclear.

Prosecutors said Tates' death ended the criminal investigation against him, but that they would continue to investigate whether he acted alone. Prosecutors have not released his identity, in line with Dutch privacy laws.

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AP IMPACT: CEO pay hit by recession in 2008, but some boards changing rules to cushion blow

NEW YORK (AP) — CEOs are taking a hit from the recession — less total compensation, smaller bonuses, nearly worthless stock options — but their companies are already making adjustments that could mean fatter paychecks in the future.

An Associated Press analysis shows the median pay package for CEOs of companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 7 percent to $7.6 million in 2008.

And the potential hit to their pocketbooks could be even larger if stock prices don't rebound. One clue: 90 percent of the $1.2 billion in CEO stock options granted last year are "under water," meaning the current stock price is too low to yield a profit, the AP analysis shows.

Boards already are trying to cushion the blow. The AP found that some have changed the rules to make it easier for executives to qualify for bonuses. Others are doling out more stock options, which give executives the right to buy shares in the future at prices locked in today.

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'About Elly,' 'Racing Dreams' win top honors at Tribeca Film Festival

NEW YORK (AP) — The Iranian drama "About Elly" and documentary "Racing Dreams" won top honors at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Awards for the eighth annual festival, co-founded by Robert De Niro, were announced Thursday.

"Racing Dreams," directed by Marshall Curry, was one of the crowd favorites at the festival. It follows three young racing enthusiasts who hope to grow up to be NASCAR drivers. Curry's last film, "Street Fight," won the Tribeca audience award in 2005 and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Documentary winners at Tribeca have a solid history. Last year's winner was the acclaimed "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," about the role women played in ending civil war in Liberia. 2007's winner, "Taxi to the Dark Side," went on to win the Academy Award for documentary.

In its selection of "About Elly" as best feature film, the jury said it was "unanimous in our passion for this seamless piece of ensemble filmmaking." The film, directed by Asghar Farhadi, is about a group of college friends who reunite for a weekend trip to the Caspian Sea.

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Marathon Men: Bulls outlast Celtics 128-127 in triple overtime to force Game 7 in Boston

CHICAGO (AP) — Leading by eight after an 18-point run in the fourth quarter, the Boston Celtics looked like they were finally ready to move past the Chicago Bulls.

Instead, a classic first-round series took its most dramatic turn and is headed for a Game 7 that seems so fitting. The way things have been going, overtime seems almost a certainty.

Derrick Rose scored 28 points and blocked Rajon Rondo's potential game-winner, John Salmons scored 35, and the Bulls beat the defending champions 128-127 in triple overtime Thursday night to even the first-round series.

Ray Allen scored a career playoff-high 51 points for the Celtics, but it's back to Boston for Game 7 on Saturday night after another classic in a series that had already seen its share.

"We're starting to see a pattern with these two clubs and it's crazy," Boston's Paul Pierce said. "It's good for the fans. It's good for the viewers. But we certainly don't like it."

The Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets won their respective series to advance to the conference semifinals.

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