WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House plans to announce on Friday that it will require lenders to lower the mortgage payments of some unemployed workers and encourage lenders to eliminate some principal debt of homeowners who owe more than their home is worth, sources familiar with the plan said on Thursday.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secured U.S. agreement to continue building in Jerusalem, despite other points of disagreement on how to renew stalled peace talks, an Israeli spokesman said on Friday.

AP - Five Pakistani soldiers and at least 21 suspected militants were killed in clashes in a region near the Afghan border where the military is pursuing Taliban insurgents fleeing a U.S.-backed offensive, authorities said Friday.

AP - The owner of Venezuela's only remaining TV channel that takes a critical line against President Hugo Chavez was arrested Thursday, raising concerns the government is pursuing a widening crackdown to silence opponents.

AP - The first two regional finals are set in an NCAA tournament that has seen its share of big shots and long shots, thrilling 3-pointers and disheartening defeats.

Reuters - The White House plans to announce on Friday that it will require lenders to lower the mortgage payments of some unemployed workers and encourage lenders to eliminate some principal debt of homeowners who owe more than their home is worth, sources familiar with the plan said on Thursday.

Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secured U.S. agreement to continue building in Jerusalem, despite other points of disagreement on how to renew stalled peace talks, an Israeli spokesman said on Friday.

AFP - Europe acted to convince Greek bond holders early on Friday that a historic rescue pact, re-writing eurozone rules, meant it will 'never' abandon profligate sons also including Portugal.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House plans to announce on Friday that it will require lenders to lower the mortgage payments of some unemployed workers and encourage lenders to eliminate some principal debt of homeowners who owe more than their home is worth, sources familiar with the plan said on Thursday.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The financial aid mechanism for Greece agreed by euro zone leaders on Thursday is workable but unlikely ever to be activated, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said.

AP - Congressional Democrats sent the final piece of landmark health care legislation to President Barack Obama before heading home to face a skeptical — and sometimes even threatening — electorate.

AP - If gay service members are allowed to serve openly, the military will face another tough question: Should gay partners be entitled to military benefits?

Reuters - The White House plans to announce on Friday that it will require lenders to lower the mortgage payments of some unemployed workers and encourage lenders to eliminate some principal debt of homeowners who owe more than their home is worth, sources familiar with the plan said on Thursday.

Reuters - The financial aid mechanism for Greece agreed by euro zone leaders on Thursday is workable but unlikely ever to be activated, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said.

AFP - Israel vowed policy on Jerusalem would not change as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday convened his security cabinet to craft a response to US demands for peace-promoting concessions.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone leaders received a cautious stamp of approval from financial markets on Friday for their agreement to create a safety net with the International Monetary Fund to help debt-ridden Greece.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel and the United States failed to resolve the issue of expanding Israeli settlements in occupied Jerusalem during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, a spokesman said on Friday.

(Reuters) - Los Angeles's justice department is scrutinizing certain investment transactions of public pension funds, including Calpers, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

LONDON (Reuters) - The number of head and neck cancers linked to a virus spread by oral sex is rising rapidly and suggests boys as well as girls should be offered protection through vaccination, doctors said Friday.

AP - North Korea's military threatened South Korea and the United States on Friday with 'unprecedented nuclear strikes' as it expressed anger over a report the two countries plan to prepare for possible instability in the totalitarian country, a scenario it dismissed as a 'pipe dream.'

AP - Steve Martin says playing the banjo helped prepare him for his Oscar-hosting gig. The 64-year-old actor-writer-musician says performing live with the Steep Canyon Rangers made him feel comfortable on the Kodak Theatre stage at the Oscars.

Reuters - Euro zone leaders received a cautious stamp of approval from financial markets on Friday for their agreement to create a safety net with the International Monetary Fund to help debt-ridden Greece.

Reuters - Israel and the United States failed to resolve the issue of expanding Israeli settlements in occupied Jerusalem during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, a spokesman said on Friday.

Reuters - Los Angeles's justice department is scrutinizing certain investment transactions of public pension funds, including Calpers, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reuters - The number of head and neck cancers linked to a virus spread by oral sex is rising rapidly and suggests boys as well as girls should be offered protection through vaccination, doctors said Friday.

AFP - Israel vowed its policy on Jerusalem would not change as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday convened his security cabinet to craft a response to US demands for peace-promoting concessions.

AFP - The euro firmed on Friday but stock markets fell in a mixed and cautious reaction to an unprecedented EU plan to rescue Greece from its debt crisis.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel insisted Friday it would not change its policy of building homes in East Jerusalem, keeping the Jewish state at odds with Washington on how to renew stalled peace talks with Palestinians.

(Reuters) - Los Angeles's justice department is scrutinizing certain investment transactions of public pension funds, including Calpers, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, his ratings sliding ahead of a key election, admitted on Friday his novice government had made mistakes but asked voters to be patient while he pursued his agenda of change.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO states should agree at a summit this year to make missile defense systems against states including Iran an alliance mission and look at every opportunity to cooperate on this with Russia, the head of NATO says.

AP - Iraq's electoral commission insisted it will announce full election results as scheduled Friday, despite calls for a delay amid fears of violence over the tight race.

AP - European leaders on Friday said their hard-won deal to rescue debt-ridden Greece after months of bitter wrangling will help calm jittery markets and stabilize the euro, which has been rocked by the fiscal crisis.

AP - For some women, having a breast removed once they're diagnosed with cancer doesn't always mean they'll live longer, a new study says.

AP - A pit bull mix in Tennessee has been sentenced to obedience training after his dogged attack on a local police car.

Reuters - Israel insisted Friday it would not change its policy of building homes in East Jerusalem, keeping the Jewish state at odds with Washington on how to renew stalled peace talks with Palestinians.

Reuters - Los Angeles's justice department is scrutinizing certain investment transactions of public pension funds, including Calpers, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reuters - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, his ratings sliding ahead of a key election, admitted on Friday his novice government had made mistakes but asked voters to be patient while he pursued his agenda of change.

Reuters - NATO states should agree at a summit this year to make missile defense systems against states including Iran an alliance mission and look at every opportunity to cooperate on this with Russia, the head of NATO says.

AFP/File - The euro firmed and Athens breathed a sign of relief Friday after European leaders agreed to rescue debt-ridden Greece, but markets stayed cautious amid lingering concerns over the currency's health.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration on Friday announced a $14 billion effort to try to stem a rising tide of home foreclosures by giving lenders incentives to erase some mortgage debt and slash mortgage payments for the unemployed.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone leaders won muted approval from financial markets on Friday for their agreement to create a safety net for debt-ridden Greece, but a row over the IMF's role flared up just as it had seemed settled.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - An influential Catholic priestly order whose late founder was discovered to have been a sexual molester and to have had at least one child apologized on Friday to victims whose accusations were ignored for years.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Hundreds of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's supporters demanded a manual recount of Iraq's election result on Friday, hours before officials were due to release the final vote tallies.

AP - After months of criticism that it hasn't done enough to prevent foreclosures, the Obama administration is announcing a plan to reduce the amount some troubled borrowers owe on their home loans.

AP - President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have approved a landmark arms accord aimed at cutting the nuclear arsenals of both countries.

AP - The burst of energy the economy showed at the end of last year isn't likely to be repeated anytime soon.

AP - A coroner say the death toll has risen to 'at least 10' people in a fiery crash between a tractor-trailer and a van on northbound Interstate 65 in south-central Kentucky.

AP - Suspended Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas should soon learn whether he will serve jail time for a felony gun conviction stemming from a locker-room confrontation with a teammate.

Reuters - The Obama administration on Friday announced a $14 billion effort to try to stem a rising tide of home foreclosures by giving lenders incentives to erase some mortgage debt and slash mortgage payments for the unemployed.

Reuters - Euro zone leaders won muted approval from financial markets on Friday for their agreement to create a safety net for debt-ridden Greece, but a row over the IMF's role flared up just as it had seemed settled.

Reuters - An influential Catholic priestly order whose late founder was discovered to have been a sexual molester and to have had at least one child apologized on Friday to victims whose accusations were ignored for years.

Reuters - Hundreds of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's supporters demanded a manual recount of Iraq's election result on Friday, hours before officials were due to release the final vote tallies.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sealed an agreement on Friday on a landmark nuclear arms reduction treaty and will meet to sign it on April 8 in Prague.

WASHINGTON/SANTIAGO (Reuters) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit quake-battered Chile on Friday but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean naval vessel with more than 100 aboard was sinking on Friday in waters near North Korea and Seoul was investigating whether it was hit in a torpedo attack by the North, South Korean media said.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone leaders won muted approval from financial markets on Friday for a 'band aid' agreement to create a safety net for debt-ridden Greece, but a row over the IMF's role flared up just as it had seemed settled.

AP - Climaxing months of hard negotiations, President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed on Friday to sharp cuts in the nuclear arsenals of both nations in the most comprehensive arms control treaty in two decades. 'We have turned words into action,' Obama declared.

AP - Iraqi police say a twin bombing at a restaurant in a city north of Baghdad has killed 20 people and wounded dozens more.

AP - South Korea's military scrambled naval vessels to the western waters near the disputed maritime border with North Korea late Friday after an explosion ripped a hole in the bottom of a military ship, officials and news reports said.

AP - State police say the death toll has risen to 11 in a fiery crash between a tractor-trailer and a church van on northbound Interstate 65 in south-central Kentucky.

AP - A 24-year-old unemployed restaurant worker was charged Friday with murder in the slaying of a 7-year-old Florida girl whose body was found in a Georgia landfill after she disappeared walking home from school, authorities said.

Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sealed an agreement on Friday on a landmark treaty to slash their nuclear arsenals by a third and will sign it on April 8 in Prague.

Reuters - A South Korean naval ship was sinking on Friday after possibly being hit by a North Korean torpedo and several sailors were killed, South Korean media reported.

Reuters - An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit quake-battered Chile on Friday but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Reuters - Euro zone leaders won muted approval from financial markets on Friday for a 'band aid' agreement to create a safety net for debt-ridden Greece, but a row over the IMF's role flared up just as it had seemed settled.

AFP - US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Friday finalized a historic new nuclear arms reduction agreement, slashing the number of warheads by 30 percent.

SEOUL (Reuters) - There was no sign of North Korean military in the area where a South Korean naval ship sank, Yonhap quoted a presidential official as saying on Saturday.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Secularist challenger Iyad Allawi's coalition won the most seats in Iraq's parliamentary election with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki running a close second, according to preliminary results released on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday formally signed and sent to President Barack Obama the final installment of landmark healthcare overhaul legislation.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Two bombs killed 42 people and wounded 65 others in Iraq's mainly Sunni Diyala province on Friday, underscoring tensions just before the release of full preliminary results from the March 7 parliamentary election.

AP - Results released by Iraq's election commission show a secular challenger has beaten the country's prime minister in parliamentary elections, positioning him to be the first to try to form a government.

AP - A South Korean naval ship sank near the disputed maritime border with North Korea early Saturday, prompting the South's military to rush vessels to the site to rescue its sailors and raising fears of an attack by the North.

AP - AT&T will take a $1 billion non-cash charge in the first quarter related to the health care overhaul.

AP - A truck crossed a Kentucky interstate median Friday and slammed head-on into a church van carrying a Mennonite family on its way to a wedding, killing 11 people.

Reuters - There was no sign of North Korean military in the area where a South Korean naval ship sank, Yonhap quoted a presidential official as saying on Saturday.

Reuters - Secularist challenger Iyad Allawi's coalition won the most seats in Iraq's parliamentary election with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki running a close second, according to preliminary results released on Friday.

Reuters - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday formally signed and sent to President Barack Obama the final installment of landmark healthcare overhaul legislation.

AFP - Former premier Iyad Allawi's secular Iraqiya bloc won the most seats in Iraq's March 7 parliamentary election, two more than incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's bloc, official results showed Friday.

SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean naval ship sank near the disputed maritime border with North Korea, killing some of the more than 100 crew on board, but officials played down suggestions that it may have been attacked by the North.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Secularist challenger Iyad Allawi's coalition won the most seats in Iraq's election, according to preliminary results on Friday, but the tight race foreshadowed long, divisive talks to form a new government.

GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli tanks advanced into the Gaza Strip on Friday after the worst clash with Palestinian fighters in 14 months killed two on each side, and Palestinian sources reported more casualties in the fighting.

PARIS (Reuters) - Catholic churches in Europe rallied behind Pope Benedict on Friday, rejecting claims he had covered up child sex abuse by priests and praising him as a leader determined to combat scandals challenging the Church.

AP - The U.S. and Russia sealed the first major nuclear weapons treaty in nearly two decades Friday, agreeing to slash the former Cold War rivals' warhead arsenals by nearly one-third and talking hopefully of eventually ridding a fearful world of nuclear arms altogether.

AP - A secular challenger's bloc edged out the prime minister's in parliamentary elections, according to full vote returns Friday — a significant setback for Nouri al-Maliki, who has been the U.S. partner in Iraq for the past four years.

AP - Word that a South Korean naval ship sank in the tense waters around the disputed maritime border with communist North Korea set off panic: The president convened an emergency meeting and the military dispatched a fleet of ships.

AP - John McCain and Sarah Palin have taken the stage at their first campaign rally together since losing the presidential election in 2008.

AP - Suspended Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas was ordered Friday to spend 30 days in a halfway house for his conviction on gun charges stemming from a locker-room confrontation with a teammate.

Reuters - A South Korean naval ship sank near the disputed maritime border with North Korea, killing some of the more than 100 crew on board, but officials played down suggestions that it may have been attacked by the North.

Reuters - Secularist challenger Iyad Allawi's coalition won the most seats in Iraq's election, according to preliminary results on Friday, but the tight race foreshadowed long, divisive talks to form a new government.

Reuters - Israeli tanks advanced into the Gaza Strip on Friday after the worst clash with Palestinian fighters in 14 months killed two on each side, and Palestinian sources reported more casualties in the fighting.

Reuters - Catholic churches in Europe rallied behind Pope Benedict on Friday, rejecting claims he had covered up child sex abuse by priests and praising him as a leader determined to combat scandals challenging the Church.

Reuters - New battles are erupting over recently passed U.S. healthcare reforms, this time within the states, where leaders from both parties are clashing on whether to sue the U.S. government.

AFP - Former premier Iyad Allawi's secular bloc won the most seats in Iraq's March 7 parliamentary election, edging incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's coalition, official results showed on Friday.

AFP - US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Friday finalized a historic new deal to cut long-range nuclear arms, slashing the number of deployed warheads by a third.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A Chicago taxi driver was arrested on Friday and accused of sending money to a Pakistani militant with al Qaeda ties and of planning to bomb a U.S. sports stadium, authorities said.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A frail but smiling Dennis Hopper was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, belying reports that the 'Easy Rider' actor was on his deathbed.

AP - A jubilant Ayad Allawi claimed victory for his secular, anti-Iranian coalition as final parliamentary returns Friday showed him edging out the bloc of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who angrily vowed to fight the results.

AP - The Vatican is facing one of its gravest crises of modern times as sex abuse scandals move ever closer to Pope Benedict XVI — threatening not only his own legacy but also that of his revered predecessor.

AP - Sarah Palin lent her star power among fellow conservatives to former running mate John McCain in his tough Senate re-election campaign, telling a rally Friday that McCain pegged President Barack Obama right when he said the Democrat would swell the size of government.

AP - A tractor-trailer loaded with auto parts crossed a highway median Friday and slammed head-on into a van carrying a Mennonite family, killing 11 people before dawn on a hilly stretch of interstate.

AP - Federal prosecutors charged a Chicago cab driver on Friday with attempting to provide funds for explosives to al-Qaida and discussing a possible bomb attack on an unspecified stadium in the United States this summer.

AP - A community reeling from the suicide of a popular high school senior turned its sorrow to outrage Friday over a practice known as 'trolling,' in which derogatory, hurtful comments are posted online against a person.

Reuters - Israeli tanks advanced into the Gaza Strip on Friday after the worst clash with Palestinian fighters in 14 months killed two on each side, and Palestinian sources reported more casualties in the fighting.

Reuters - Israelis and Palestinians fought their worst clash in a year and Israel said it would not stop the building in occupied East Jerusalem that is blocking a relaunch of talks.

SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean naval ship sank near the disputed maritime border with North Korea and about 46 people were missing, but officials played down suggestions that it may have been attacked by the North.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Secularist challenger Iyad Allawi's coalition won the most seats in Iraq's election, according to preliminary results on Friday, but the tight race foreshadowed long, divisive talks to form a new government.

TUCSON (Reuters) - Conservative darling Sarah Palin urged a cheering crowd on Friday to vote for her former running mate John McCain, lending much-needed support as he faces the toughest re-election battle of his long career in the U.S. Senate.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israelis and Palestinians fought their worst clash in a year and Israel said it would not stop the building in occupied East Jerusalem that is blocking a relaunch of talks.

AP - Former U.S.-appointed prime minister Ayad Allawi and his secular, anti-Iranian coalition narrowly won Iraq's parliamentary elections in final returns Friday, edging out the bloc of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who angrily vowed to challenge the results.

AP - Three deaf men who say they were repeatedly sodomized and abused by priests as children confronted the church diocese Friday about why it hadn't punished their abusers, saying they want justice.

AP - Police say they charged a Pennsylvania man with public drunkenness after he was seen trying to resuscitate a long-dead opossum along a highway.

AP - Think there are any NBA scouts keeping an eye on the proceedings in St. Louis?

Reuters - A South Korean naval ship sank near the disputed maritime border with North Korea and about 46 people were missing, but officials played down suggestions that it may have been attacked by the North.

Reuters - Secularist challenger Iyad Allawi's coalition won the most seats in Iraq's election, according to preliminary results on Friday, but the tight race foreshadowed long, divisive talks to form a new government.

Reuters - Conservative darling Sarah Palin urged a cheering crowd on Friday to vote for her former running mate John McCain, lending much-needed support as he faces the toughest re-election battle of his long career in the U.S. Senate.

AP - South Korean authorities were stepping up the search for sailors still missing hours after a naval ship sank near the disputed sea border with North Korea.

AP - Sarah Palin lent her star power among fellow conservatives to former running mate John McCain in his tough Senate re-election campaign, telling a rally Friday that McCain pegged President Barack Obama right when he said the Democrat would swell the size of government.

AP - The drama '24' won't be ticking much longer on TV. Fox announced Friday that its action-packed real-time show starring Kiefer Sutherland as anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer will wind down at the end of its current eighth season on May 24.

AP - Kwadzo Ahelegbe knocked down an outside jumper just before the halftime buzzer, giving Northern Iowa 29-22 lead over Michigan State at the break.

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's president ordered an investigation on Saturday into the cause of the sinking of a navy ship near the disputed North Korea border but officials said it was unlikely to have been the result of an attack by Pyongyang.

AP - Police in Michigan have released a copy of a 911 call where a suspected drunken driver chats with an emergency dispatcher for about 20 minutes before she is pulled over and arrested.

AP - Nolan Smith and Jon Scheyer rescued Duke in the second half, heating up from the field after a miserable first 20 minutes and lifting the top-seeded Blue Devils to a 70-57 victory over fourth-seeded Purdue in the South Regional.

Reuters - South Korea's president ordered an investigation on Saturday into the cause of the sinking of a navy ship near the disputed North Korea border but officials said it was unlikely to have been the result of an attack by Pyongyang.

AFP - Former premier Iyad Allawi was to begin talks on Saturday to form a government after his bloc edged out incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's coalition in declared results from Iraq's election.