Obama to begin Asia visit...Professor: Ferry may have had steering malfunction

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TOKYO (AP) — President Barack Obama is scheduled to arrive in Japan today to begin an Asia visit aimed at reassuring partners about the renewed U.S. commitment to the region. The mood in the Philippines is less than reassuring as police clashed with left-wing activists who rallied at the U.S. Embassy in Manila to oppose Obama's visit.

MOKPO, South Korea (AP) — A maritime professor says there could have been a mechanical issue with the steering gear on the sunken South Korean ferry. Professor Kim Woo-Sook says the third mate claimed she ordered a five degree turn but the steering gear turned too far and then would not respond to the helmsman. Tracking data show that the ship made a 45-degree turn. Meanwhile, bodies are being recovered more quickly with at least 150 confirmed dead.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's prime minister says officials plan to bring in more technological muscle in the search for a missing Malaysian airliner. The prime minister says they'll use more powerful sonar equipment. He says that failure to find anything in the most likely crash site won't spell the end of the search.

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — The Mount Everest climbing season is slipping away with the Sherpas who are leaving base camp in increasing numbers following the avalanche deaths of 16 guides. The situation is so dire that the Napalese government is sending in top tourism officials tomorrow to negotiate with the Sherpas. The avalanche has exposed an undercurrent of resentment by Sherpas over their pay, treatment and benefits.

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota is still the top of the heap in global vehicle sales. Toyota says it sold a record 2.583 million vehicles in the first quarter, putting the Japanese automaker ahead of Detroit-based GM at 2.42 million and Volkswagen of Germany at 2.4 million. Toyota's first quarter sales rose by more than 6 percent.