From NPR News in Washington, I'm Barbara Klein.

 

　　We have a pope. The announcement this past hour at the Vatican. He is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina. The 76-year-old, who is the first pontiff from the Americas has chosen the name Pope Francis. Among his first words from the Vatican balcony was a prayer for his predecessor Benedict the XVI. And then Pope Francis asked the tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square below to take a moment of silence and pray for him. He is the first, Pope Francis named for Saint Francis of Assisi who spoke of rebuilding the church.

 

　　A judge in New York is refusing to consider a suit that challenges the state's tough new gun law. It was brought by more than 1,200 people. As NPR's Margot Adler reports, the suit now goes to those court of appeals.

 

　　New York's law enacted about two months ago sets a seven-bullet limit on magazines, tightens the definition of illegal assault weapons and requires federal background checks for private gun sales. The lawsuit argues that the law violates the state's constitution, which says that the defense and protection of the state is an obligation of all persons within the state. It also argues the states civil rights law give citizens the right to be armed for the general defense of the community. But the lower court judge said that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo used something called a message of necessity to skip the normal three-day waiting period and a lower court can't review a message of necessity. Those who brought the suit say they will take the suit all way up to New York's highest court. Margot Adler, NPR News, New York.

 

　　Consumers spent more in February than analysts were expecting. The Commerce Department says spending was 1.1% higher than it was in January on a seasonally adjusted basis. That's the biggest gain in five months. NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports some of the increases due to higher gasoline prices.

 

　　Spending at gasoline stations surged 5% last month, but even excluding gas, retail sales beat expectations. Auto and internet sales posed some of the biggest gains. Because consumer spending drives so much of the economy, this is considered a good sign. It comes despite the fact that the payroll tax holiday ended at the start of this year, taking a bite out of take home pay. At least one economist warned against rating too much optimism into the number. Tax refunds are coming later and that could account for much of the boost spending. Yuki Noguchi, NPR News, Washington.

 

　　The latest give-and-take over the budget indicates Republicans and Democrats are making little to no movement on their long-held positions. President Obama is holding meetings at the Capitol today with House Republicans who are proposing a plan similar to earlier ones that Democrats have rejected. House Democrats are unveiling a counter proposal.

 

　　Just before the close on Wall Street, the Dow was up five points; the NASDAQ up three; the S&P up two.

 

　　This is NPR.

 

　　As Senate Armed Services Subcommittee is holding hearings to investigate charges that Pentagon has long failed to handle thousands of sexual assault cases in the military. Among today's witnesses, several victims who say the military criminal justice system is broken, including former Navy Petty Officer Brian Lewis, who says he was raped by a superior non-commissioned officer. He says the handling of sexual assault cases in the military needs to be taken away from the chain of command and shifted to an independent office.

 

　　In Louisiana, a tug boat that was pushing a barge has hit a petroleum pipeline south of New Orleans. NPR's Jeff Brady reports the collision ignited a fire that's blazing on the water.

 

　　The tug boat was pushing 147-foot barge through a bayou about 30 miles south of New Orleans. It struck the Chevron-operated pipeline. Coast Guard Ensign Tanner Stiehl says oil was reported in the water and spill responders have been called in.

 

　　The pipeline has already been isolated. That's what the people at Chevron are telling us. Only the gas already in  that pipeline is able to burn.

 

　　The area is just north of Barataria Bay which was affected by BP's 2010 oil spill. The tug and barge were engulfed in flames. The crew was able to escape. But the Coast Guard says the captain suffered second and third degree burns. Jeff Brady, NPR News.

 

　　The lieutenant governor of Florida is resigning. Jennifer Carroll was forced to step down because of her connection to a group that claimed to be a veterans' charity. It's charged with running dozens of Internet, cafes and channeling the money to insiders.

 

　　I'm Barbara Klein, NPR News, in Washington.