Extras: Yahoo! Top Stories
Democrats predict health bill will pass House (AP) -
AP - A pair of House Democratic leaders predicted Sunday the final tally on President Barack Obama's historic health care bill will meet or exceed the 216 votes required for passage. But they acknowledged having yet to nail down commitments from a handful of members, some of whom remained concerned about the abortion issue.
Pope does not mention rebuke to Irish bishops (AP) -
AP - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday urged Catholics to refrain from judging sinners a day after he rebuked Irish bishops for their handling of a half-century of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.
Fargo's fight against flooding nears its climax (AP) -
AP - A weeklong fight against flooding neared its climax in Fargo on Sunday, with miles of sandbags and clay dikes expected to hold back the bloated Red River at its crest with room to spare.
Volcano erupts in Iceland, hundreds evacuated (AP) -
AP - A volcano erupted near a glacier in southern Iceland, shooting ash and molten lava into the air and forcing the evacuation Sunday of hundreds of people from nearby villages.
Israel: East Jerusalem construction to continue (AP) -
AP - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sunday that Israel would not restrict construction in east Jerusalem, a step the U.S. has requested — sticking to a tough position hours before he sets off on his first trip to Washington since a diplomatic row erupted between the two allies.
Iraqi president demands recount in tight election (AP) -
AP - Iraq's president on Sunday called for a recount in this month's parliamentary elections, which have turned into a tight race between the prime minister and a secular rival amid accusations of fraud. A new count could further extend political wrangling in the contentious race.
US-Russian deal on nukes nearly completed (AP) -
AP - Nearly a year after President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered negotiators to work on a new treaty to reduce their nuclear arsenals, the two countries say they are finally close to completing a deal.
Demise of coral, salamander show impact of Web (AP) -
AP - The Internet has emerged as one of the greatest threats to rare species, fueling the illegal wildlife trade and making it easier to buy everything from live baby lions to wine made from tiger bones, conservationists said Sunday.
British Airways cabin crews strike for 2nd day (AP) -
AP - British Airways cabin crews walked off the job for a second day Sunday, upsetting travel plans for scores of customers, but the airline said its contingency plans were working well and more planes were taking off than expected.
Bracket buster: Northern Iowa stuns No. 1 Kansas (AP) -
AP - Leading by one against the colossus of the bracket, Ali Farokhmanesh stood at the 3-point line, no one around. The prudent play? Pull it out, burn some clock.
House Democrats expect healthcare bill passage (Reuters) -
Reuters - Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives said they believe they will have the votes on Sunday to pass landmark healthcare overhaul legislation, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.
Netanyahu stands firm on Jerusalem before U.S. visit (Reuters) -
Reuters - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had informed Washington in writing that Israel would not stop Jewish settlement in and around Jerusalem, setting the stage for a defiant visit to the United States this week.
California governor's race to set spending record (Reuters) -
Reuters - The California governor's race is on track to be the most expensive nonpresidential election in U.S. history, sparking a debate over money and influence that could become the campaign's defining issue.
Thai activists reject peace talks offer (Reuters) -
Reuters - Opposition activists in Thailand rejected a government offer for dialogue on Sunday after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ruled out dissolving parliament and assigned a junior minister to attend the talks.
U.N.'s Ban in Gaza, calls on Israel to end closures (Reuters) -
Reuters - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Sunday urged Israel to end a three year-long blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and called on Palestinians to heal their political rifts.
Iraq's Maliki asks for recount, warns of violence (Reuters) -
Reuters - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called for a nationwide recount of votes from Iraq's March 7 parliamentary election, saying the country could return to violence if the demand were not met.
Pope apology disappoints, victims seek accountability (Reuters) -
Reuters - 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.
U.S. actions contrary to desire for better ties: Iran (Reuters) - Reuters - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that Washington's actions contradict its call for friendly ties, a day after a renewed offer of dialogue by President Barack Obama.
House to vote on Obama's historic health plan (AFP) -
AFP - The US House of Representatives was to vote Sunday on Barack Obama's historic plan to overhaul the US health care system that the president says will provide health insurance coverage to the overwhelming majority of Americans.
Obama invites defiant Israeli PM for talks (AFP) -
AFP - US President Barack Obama on Sunday invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet him at the White House, even as the Israeli leader rebuffed a key US demand to halt settlement construction in east Jerusalem.
