Metro - International

US – Sunday, March 21

Final push is on for health care reform

Democrats in the House of Representatives on Thursday predicted weekend passage of a sweeping health care overhaul that budget analysts said would cut the U.S. deficit over 10 years and dramatically expand health coverage.

Pakistan charges U.S. 5 with terror

A Pakistani court formally charged five young Americans of plotting terrorism in the country yesterday, their lawyer said, in a case that has raised alarm over the danger posed by militants using the Internet.

Just when it couldn’t get worse for Bullock, here come the neo-Nazis

Sure, it’s Monday, but it could be worse — you could be Jesse James. On Saturday, James went back to work at West Coast Choppers, days after allegations surfaced that he cheated on his wife, Sandra Bullock, with a tattoo model. Us Weekly notes he was wearing a wedding ring.

SXSW ’10: Get your dance on, great songs optional

The trends that emerged from the SXSW Music Conference in Austin last week are still bubbling to the top as I make sense of the hundreds of songs that filled the city for four days, but one thing I definitely noticed is that popular music may soon have a lot more emphasis on flexibility.

‘Free’ ad leads to fraud suit

NEW YORK. A Wisconsin college student is suing credit firm Experian — the brains behind the ubiquitous FreeCreditReport.com jingles — for fraudulent advertising after she inadvertently signed up for a monthly $14.95 monitoring service.

At AKC, it’s score one for the mutts

Founded in 1884 as a registry for pure-bred dogs, the American Kennel Club didn’t traditionally offer many perks for your beloved lab-poodle-schnauzer mix. But as of April 1, the AKC Canine Partners Program will offer mutts not only membership benefits, but opportunities to compete at dog sporting events.

Photo: GETTY IMAGESAbuse apology not enough, critics say

Pope Benedict’s apology to Ireland went further than any other papal statement on child sex abuse by priests, but still fell far too short for many victims of the scandals shaking the Roman Catholic Church across Europe.

International

Iceland eruption sparks evacuation

A volcano erupted in the south of Iceland overnight, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate the area and diverting flights after authorities declared a state of emergency, officials said yesterday.

International

Record-breaking world flight time

NEW YORK. Swiss aviator Riccardo Mortara and his crew set the record for the fastest flight around the world in a 19,826-pound aircraft.

International

‘JihadJane’ isn’t the only one logging in

Colleen LaRose, made infamous by her Internet alias “JihadJane,” will appear in federal court tomorrow on charges that she allegedly plotted to kill a Swedish cartoonist, turning to social networking sites like YouTube for recruitment.

International

Lance Armstrong, the ongoing fight

Before cancer touched my own life, I rarely thought about the disease. When I was 25, it nearly killed me. An advanced form of cancer had spread throughout my body. My chances of surviving were poor. Even more remote was the possibility that I’d be able to compete as a professional cyclist again.

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

International

Netanyahu apologetic, yet persistent

JERUSALEM. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced regret yesterday for the announcement of a Jewish settlement plan that has strained ties with Washington and threatens the revival of Middle East peace talks.

‘Jihad Jane’ network: Second woman freed

DENVER. Irish police have released a woman arrested along with six others over an alleged plot to murder a Swedish cartoonist who drew the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog, officials said.

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

International

Fake news report sparks panic, uproar in Georgia

Georgia’s opposition accused the government yesterday of being behind a fake prime-time news report that Russian tanks had entered the capital at the call of the opposition, causing widespread panic.

International

Kissing couple face jail time in Dubai

A British pair caught kissing in public in Dubai face up to a month in jail in the Gulf Arab emirate for indecency after a mother complained her child had seen their indiscretion.

International

3 U.S. consuls murdered

Three people connected to the U.S. consulate in Mexico’s most violent border city were murdered, police said yesterday, prompting President Barack Obama to respond with outrage and sadness.

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

International

Blair spreads faith

LONDON. Former British prime minister Tony Blair is to launch a “faith offensive” across the U.S. in the next year, it was reported yesterday.

Survey: Nations trade wealth for happiness

NEW YORK. Money can’t buy happiness, claims a new survey published in the Economic Journal.

International

China defense spending up, but rise slows

Vote under way, bombs rock Iraq

Two dead in cruise wave slam

Space flights in ’11 for Virgin Galactic

Chile rushes aid, troops to towns

Gore: Mishaps occur, climate change is real

It’s time to put down that butt: Quit the habit

Georgian leader taunts Russia

Hundreds killed as earthquake hits S. America

Google executives guilty for video

International

Missionaries to be released

NATO airstrike kills 27 civilians

Struggling Haitians seek out new camps

Deluge in Portugal leaves dozens dead

Taliban rejects call for peace by Karzai

Ocean has the clues to see El Nino

Iran: U.S. trying to stir up war

Patient wins free surgery

King Tut’s parents: A brother and sister

Journalist admits to killing pal

The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.

[Flyers by PaperG]