Chile earthquake death toll hits 708 as rescue efforts ramp upCONCEPCION, Chile (AP) — Heroism and banditry mingled on Chile’s shattered streets Sunday as rescuers braved aftershocks digging for survivors and the government sent soldiers to quell looting. The death toll climbed to 708 in one of the biggest earthquakes in centuries.In the hard-hit city of Concepcion, firefighters pulling survivors from a toppled apartment block were forced to pause because of tear gas fired to stop looters, who were wheeling off everything from microwave ovens to canned milk at a damaged supermarket across the street.Efforts to determine the full scope of destruction were undermined by an endless string of terrifying aftershocks that continued to turn buildings into rubble. Officials said 500,000 houses were destroyed or badly damaged, and President Michele Bachelet said “a growing number” of people were listed as missing. 
Scientists defend warning after deadly tsunami doesn’t hit
HONOLULU (AP) — The warning was ominous, its predictions dire: Oceanographers issued a bulletin telling Hawaii and other Pacific islands that a killer wave was heading their way with terrifying force and that “urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.”But the devastating tidal surge predicted after Chile’s magnitude 8.8-earthquake never materialized, and by Sunday, authorities had lifted the warning after waves half the predicted size tickled the shores of Hawaii and tourists once again jammed beaches and restaurants.Scientists acknowledged they overstated the threat, but defended their actions, saying they took the proper steps and learned the lessons of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami that killed thousands of people who didn’t get enough warning.”It’s a key point to remember that we cannot end the warnings. Failure to warn is not an option for us,” said Dai Lin Wang, an oceanographer at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii. “We cannot have a situation that we thought was no problem and then it’s devastating. That just cannot happen.” 
Obama getting medical checkup in Maryland, his first as president WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a trip to the doctor for President Barack Obama.The 48-year-old commander in chief heads to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., on Sunday morning for his first physical exam as president.During the 2008 White House race, his campaign released a statement from his longtime Chicago doctor saying Obama had a family history of cancer — and a smoking habit he was trying to break.The president said at a news conference last June that he still had an occasional cigarette. It was his first public acknowledgment that he hadn’t kicked the habit. 
Federal government could pitch in more relief money for state(AP) — Louisiana could get another round of multimillion dollar budget relief from Washington, and even as Gov. Bobby Jindal complains about federal spending, he’s outlined plans for using the extra aid if it comes. The proposal under discussion by Congress would extend by six months a boost in federal Medicaid money for states that was included in the stimulus bill. 
AgCenter scientist wins award for developing rice variety, other work(AP) — The LSU AgCenter says one of its weed scientists has won the Distinguished Research and Education Award at an international rice conference in Biloxi, Miss.A news release says Eric Webster was cited for a variety of work that included developing the Clearfield rice variety, helping get federal permits for herbicides, and overseeing a weed seedling identification guide developed by him and his co-workers and graduate students.The award is from the Rice Technical Working Group. 
La. to create emergency center for businesses by hurricane season (AP) — Louisiana will set up an emergency operations center to better coordinate private business and state emergency response during disasters.Mark Cooper, director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, said the Business Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge will open in time for hurricane season. The center will be staffed with representatives from 18 business sectors such as energy providers, banking, transportation, communication, postal services and commercial facilities. Cooper says the B-EOC would be at an LSU site during a hurricane or other emergency.