Ukraine decision bolsters summit

Ukraine decision bolsters summit

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama optimistically opened a 47-nation nuclear summit Monday, boosted by Ukraine’s announcement that it will give up its weapons-grade uranium. More sobering: The White House counterterror chief warned that al-Qaida is vigorously pursuing ingredients and expertise for a bomb.

At the same time, Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao sought agreement on potential sanctions to discourage Iran’s efforts to come up with its own nuclear weapon.

US, Russian officials to discuss adoptions

MOSCOW

A delegation of high-level State Department officials will visit Moscow for consultations after Russia threatened to freeze adoptions for U.S. families, the U.S. Embassy said Monday.

Russia threatened Friday to suspend all such adoptions after a 7-year-old boy adopted by a Tennessee woman was sent alone on a flight back to Moscow with a note saying he was violent and had severe psychological problems. The case has caused outrage in Russia.

Jackie Kennedy tapes to be released

NEW YORK

During the first half of 1964, just months after her husband was assassinated, Jacqueline Kennedy sat for seven interviews with historian and family friend Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

The interview is part of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library’s Oral History and, at Mrs. Kennedy’s request, was kept sealed for an indefinite time.

Now, with the 50th anniversary of her father’s inauguration coming next year, Caroline Kennedy is allowing the conversations to come out.

According to two officials familiar with negotiations, Hyperion will issue the transcripts in September 2011 and release 61‚Ñ2 hours of audiotape.

Leno sideman to leave ‘Tonight’

burbank, calif.

“Tonight Show” bandleader Kevin Eubanks is making it official: He’s leaving as Jay Leno’s sideman in May after 18 years with the late-night host.

He told Leno during Monday’s taping of “Tonight” in Burbank, Calif., that he was ready for a career change of pace, but he didn’t announce specific plans.

Protests after US soldiers kill four

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan

Afghans burned tires and chanted “Death to America” after U.S. troops fired on a civilian bus near Kandahar, killing four people and wounding more than a dozen. Afghanistan’s president accused NATO of violating its commitment to safeguard civilian lives.

The attack Monday enraged Afghan officials and the public in Kandahar, the Taliban’s birthplace, and dealt a fresh blow to U.S. and NATO efforts to win popular support for a coming offensive to drive the insurgents from the biggest city in the south.

Apollo 13 astronauts reunite for 40th

CHICAGO

Surviving Apollo 13 astronauts and several flight directors reunited Monday to remember a failed moon mission 40 years ago this week that they managed to turn into one of the greatest triumphs in the history of space exploration.

Those who gathered included Apollo 13 commander James Lovell, fellow crew member Fred Haise and NASA’s legendary flight director, Gene Kranz.

On April 13, 1970, an oxygen tank exploded as the spaceship was four-fifths of the way to the moon. The crew, which included Jack Swigert, who died in 1982, was forced to scrap the moon mission and focus solely on getting back to Earth alive.

Associated Press