Review suspended for Keystone pipeline

TORONTO -- The company behind the controversial Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the U.S Gulf Coast has asked the U.S. State Department to pause its review of the project. TransCanada said Monday a suspension would be appropriate while it works with Nebraska authorities for approval of its preferred route through the state. The move comes before the Obama administration was expected to reject it. For seven years, the fate of the 1,179-mile-long pipeline has languished amid debates over climate change, the intensive process of extracting Alberta's oil and U.S. energy security. The pipeline long has been a flashpoint in the U.S. debate over climate change. Critics oppose the concept of tapping the Alberta oil sands, saying it requires huge amounts of energy and water and increases greenhouse-gas emissions.

Obama signs 2-year budget, debt deal

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama on Monday signed into law a bipartisan budget bill that avoids a U.S. default and puts off the next round of fighting over federal spending and debt until after next year's presidential and congressional elections. Obama praised the rare bipartisan cooperation behind the deal, saying the 2-year agreement that funds the government through the 2017 fiscal year puts the government on a responsible path. "It should finally free us from the cycle of shutdown threats and last-minute fixes and allows us to, therefore, plan for the future," Obama said in brief remarks as he signed the bill. Today was the deadline for averting a default on U.S. financial obligations by raising the debt limit.

Space station marks 15 years of residents

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Humankind marked an off-the-planet pinnacle Monday: the 15th anniversary of continuous residency at the International Space Station. NASA and its global partners celebrated the milestone, as did the six astronauts on board. The U.S., Russian and Japanese spacemen planned a special dinner 250 miles up. Commander Scott Kelly, seven months into a yearlong mission, said the biggest benefit of the orbiting lab is furthering long-term exploration goals deeper into space. "The space station really is a bridge. It's a test bed for the technologies that we need to develop and understand in order to have a successful trip to Mars," American astronaut Kjell Lindgren said during a news conference.

Illness possible in trick-or-treat crash

NEW YORK -- Police in New York City are trying to determine what caused a motorist to jump a curb and hit trick-or-treaters, killing three, and whether the man should face charges. Police commissioner William Bratton said Monday investigators were focusing on the medical history of the 52-year-old driver in the crash that killed a 10-year-old girl, her grandfather and a third person. He said there were reports he's had seizures in the past. Police said a preliminary investigation showed the car wasn't speeding. They also said no drugs or alcohol were found in the driver's system. The Dodge Charger plowed into the pedestrians on a Bronx sidewalk Saturday evening.

-- From wire reports