NATIONAL BRIEFS

WASHINGTON: Mass protest over Keystone

Thousands of protesters marched around the White House on Sunday in opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline which, in encouraging development of Alberta's oil sands, environmentalists say, would worsen the risks of climate change. Organizers said 35,000 people attended the rally in biting winds and near-freezing temperatures. Protest sponsors said it signals the rise of a national movement demanding action on global warming as President Barack Obama weighs whether to approve the $5.3 billion pipeline. The project would cross six states to link Alberta's oil sands to Gulf Coast refineries. Secretary of State John Kerry has said a review of a new proposed route would be completed soon.

FLORIDA: Obama's round with Tiger

President Barack Obama played golf Sunday with Tiger Woods, who joined Obama at the Floridian, an exclusive yacht and golf club on the Treasure Coast where the First Duffer is spending the Presidents Day weekend. The White House, which has promised to be the most open and transparent in history, prohibited any media coverage of Obama's outing. The foursome included Jim Crane, a Houston businessman who owns the Floridian and baseball's Houston Astros, and outgoing U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. The president also got some instruction Saturday and played a few holes with Butch Harmon, Woods' former swing coach.

ILLINOIS: A dropout for Dem primary

State Sen. Toi Hutchinson dropped her bid Sunday for the U.S. House seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr., consolidating support behind another Democrat in a race in which gun control has become a central issue. Hutchinson, targeted by anti-gun campaign ads funded by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's political action committee, said she was swinging her support to former state Rep. Robin Kelly. The primary is scheduled Feb. 26.