March 31st was the official deadline to enroll in insurance coverage this year but the government allowed anyone who’d begun the process by that date to finish up. So the total now exceeds the original target by a million people. President Obama celebrated the milestone in a White House news conference while taking the law’s Republican critics to task. “They still can bring themselves to admit that the affordable care was working. They said nobody would sign up. They were wrong about that. They said it would be unaffordable for the country. They were wrong about that.” This week forecasters from the congressional budget office predicted the government’s cost for the law will be lower than previously expected thanks to slower growth of insurance premiums. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

 

In eastern Ukraine more than a thousand people gathered for a rally to counter the message of separatists who wanted to break away. NPR’s Ari Shapiro reports the rally for unity was a rare expression of optimism as the country x further to a political chaos.

Until now most of the big rallies in eastern Ukraine have been demonstrations by pro-Russian separatist groups occupying government buildings. This pharmacist named August says she is part of the silent majority that prefers to keep the country intact. “I mean I’m afraid to go out and speak Ukrainian language and hold my Ukrainian flag, and saying that I’m Ukrainian and I’m proud of it.” At this rally in Donetsk a large public square overflowed with people waving Ukrainian flags. They sang the national anthem and chanted bless Ukraine. Hundreds of riot police maintained the perimeter around the demonstration to ward off trouble makers but there was no violence at all. Ari Shapiro, NPR News, Donetsk.

 

Colorado judge is playing a central role in a case that will determine whether gay couples could be barred from marrying by some states including Oklahoma. Three judge panels today heard arguments over Oklahoma’s marriage law a week after considering a nearly identical case in Utah. Sharon Baldwin was a x for the case challenging Oklahoma’s gay marriage ban.

“We believe that we have justice and history on our side. And those are two things that no amount of tradition is going to overcome.” Cases have first reached the appellate court since the supreme court last year struck down the federal defense of marriage act. In today’s hearing, US circuit court judge Jerome Holmes * with a higher court, saying the state cannot define the marriage in whether it will trample on constitutional rights.

 

According to a new report by the * congressional budget office, a proposal by senate democrats to raise the minimum wage to 10.10 an hour will force businesses to spend additional 15 billion dollars on workers’ salaries through 2013.

 

On Wall Street, the Down Jones Industrial Average up 16 points to 16,408. The Nasdaq gain 9 points. You’re listening to NPR.

 

As retailer Walmart continues to strive to be all things to all consumers, the company says it’s continued to expand its banking operations. To do money transfer service it says it will cut fees for customers by 50%. The service rolling out later this month will allow customers at the world’s largest retailer transfer up to 900 dollars to and from more than 4000 of its US stores. * in conjunction with money transfer service * money.

 

Fifty years ago today Ford unveiled the first ever Mustang at the New York World’s Fair. Since then more than 9 million of the cars have been sold. NPR’s Craig Windham reports Ford is marking the occasion by repeating a publicity sounded stage back in the sixties.

Mustang was popular even before its debut on the strength of TV ads touting its features. “You bucket seats, wall to wall carpeting, all vinyl upholsery. Even though Mustang is a dream, its low price is a beautiful reality.” Ford celebrates the 50th anniversary by parking a bright yellow Mustang convertible on the observation deck atop the Empire State Building in New York. Ford’s George Samosky told USA Today the only way up is the elevator. “Which meant we had to cut the car in pieces no larger than 36 inches wide.” Six pieces to be exact plus a sort of smaller parts. “And we took it up piece by piece.” Samosky said 50 years ago the Mustang was smaller so it only had to be cut into three pieces plus the windshield. Craig Windham, NPR News.

 

Maybe a bit bigger and colder than earth and it’s a long way off in the cosmos, but scientists say they have found a planet they believe is the closest match for earth thus far. Known as Kepler 186F, the telescope that found it, the astronomer say the planet, with diameter of 8700 miles as an orbit, is in the so called goldilock zone neither too hot or too cold.