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Tax official at center of scandal won't testify: lawyer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lois Lerner, the Internal Revenue Service official at the center of a scandal about the targeting of conservative groups for extra tax scrutiny, plans to assert her constitutional right not to answer questions from a congressional committee on Wednesday.

CBS takes key ratings crown for first time in 21 years
(Reuters) - Broadcast network CBS said on Tuesday it won this season's ratings race among the 18-to-49 age group most prized by advertisers, claiming its first victory in that audience in 21 years.

IRS official will refuse to answer questions at U.S. House hearing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lois Lerner, an Internal Revenue Service official who revealed that the agency was giving extra scrutiny to conservative groups, will assert her constitutional right not to answer questions from a congressional committee on Wednesday, her lawyer said in a letter obtained by Reuters.

Spain's former PM Aznar suggests may challenge Rajoy
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar suggested on Tuesday he may seek to make a political comeback by mounting a challenge to his party mate and political heir Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

As U.S. struggles with Syria policy, Senate panel backs arming rebels
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate panel voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to send weapons to rebels fighting Syria's government, but it was not clear who would get the arms even if the bill succeeds, as Washington struggles to deal with its response to the conflict.

Oklahoma tornado brings back fear in recovering Joplin, Missouri
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Less than three hours after a deadly twister on Monday flattened a swath of Moore, Oklahoma, tornado warning sirens sounded in Joplin, Missouri, 215 miles to the northeast.

Clippers cut ties with head coach Del Negro
(Reuters) - The Los Angeles Clippers have decided to part ways with head coach Vinny Del Negro, announcing on Tuesday they will not offer him a new contract to lead the National Basketball Association team.

Exclusive: Bob Lutz, Chinese in bid to buy Fisker Automotive - sources
DETROIT (Reuters) - A boutique carmaker led by former General Motors Co executive Bob Lutz and China's largest auto parts supplier made an offer this month to buy cash-strapped "green" car company Fisker Automotive, people familiar with the matter said.

Murray pulls out of French Open through injury
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's world number two Andy Murray has pulled out of the French Open due to a back injury, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

Analysis: New MLS club faces challenge to make mark in New York
MIAMI (Reuters) - For a brief but dazzling spell in the 1970s, New Yorkers fell in love with soccer as Pele and the Cosmos showcased the world's most popular game in a city long dominated by baseball and American football.

Los Angeles voters to choose from two Democrats for mayor
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Voters in Los Angeles went to the polls on Tuesday to choose a new mayor from two Democratic contenders and former city council allies as the long race, characterized by negative campaign ads, came to an end.

Discovery of alleged Russian plot points to growing jitters
OREKHOVO-ZUYEVO, Russia (Reuters) - As Russia congratulated its forces for foiling an alleged Islamist plot on Moscow, the discovery of the plan also pointed to the growing security threat before the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Amag says anemia drug caused fatal reaction in Switzerland
(Reuters) - Amag Pharmaceuticals Inc said its marketing partner in Switzerland, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, is recalling a batch of Amag's anemia drug, Rienso, because of a death and several cases of hypersensitivity.

General suspended amid misconduct investigation
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The commanding general at the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Jackson in South Carolina was suspended from his position on Tuesday amid allegations of misconduct, including adultery and having a physical altercation, the military said.

Some U.S. utilities say they're under constant cyber attack
WASHINGTON/BOSTON (Reuters) - Several power utilities say they face a barrage of cyber attacks on their critical systems, a report by two Democratic lawmakers found echoing warnings from the Obama administration that foreign hackers were trying to bring down the U.S. power grid.

Senate panel OKs changes sought by tech firms in immigration bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate panel voted on Tuesday to make it easier for U.S. companies to hire foreign workers as part of a broad immigration bill being debated in Congress.

Oklahoma senators embrace disaster aid after opposing Sandy relief bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Amid expressions of horror, grief and resolve over the devastating tornado that smashed into suburban Oklahoma City, many lawmakers expressed relief on Tuesday that they took action in January to bulk up the FEMA disaster relief fund.

Democrats call for controls on tax-exempt groups at IRS hearing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As they joined Republicans on Tuesday in bashing the Internal Revenue Service for targeting conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status, Senate Democrats had another target: the regulations that require the tax agency to weigh the political activity of such groups.

Texas House passes measure to prevent Medicaid expansion
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The Texas House passed a measure on Tuesday that would prevent the state from expanding its Medicaid program as outlined by President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law.

Citing fatigue, director Ang Lee leaves pilot of TV series 'Tyrant'
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar winner Ang Lee canceled his plans to direct the pilot of new U.S. television series "Tyrant," saying on Tuesday that he needed to rest after spending four years working on 3D fantasy-adventure film "Life of Pi."