Metro - News

US – Saturday, March 20

IS THAT A BANJO ON YOUR KNEE?

I spent the week in Alabama, and let me tell you it was an eye-opener. With all the cheese grits, fried shrimp and barbecue, it was also something of a heart valve-closer, but that’s a different story.

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.

James admits to ‘poor judgment’

Sandra Bullock is having quite a week with her dogs. On Thursday, husband Jesse James released a statement to People magazine about the affair rumors swirling around the couple, stating that a “vast majority” of the allegations are “untrue and unfounded,” but says, “It’s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way.

‘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.

The key to Kyoto

Kyoto’s temples and Geisha culture are legendary, but this city is no slouch when it comes to mixing in a large slice of contemporary, too.

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.

National

Data points to recovery

New applications for U.S. jobless benefits fell last week and factory activity in the mid-Atlantic region accelerated in March, suggesting the economy remained on a modest recovery path.

National

Tea Party: We’re not Republicans, just all-American

Accounts of a Feb. 16 meeting between Tea Party members and the GOP challenge a common perception that the grassroots-style movement was founded, funded and dominated by the Republican Party.

Philly

High-speed crash leaves two dead

Two people are dead and another two are on the run from police after a high-speed crash early Thursday morning initially thought to involve racing but may have simply been horrifically reckless driving, officials said.

National

Congress passes job-creation bill

A package of tax breaks and highway spending cleared Congress yesterday, the first of what Democrats hope will be several efforts to bring down the 9.7 percent unemployment rate.

Philly

Finding the right match

When Chris Greenleaf competed in the 2004 World Championship of Rowing, he learned a lot about anxiety and pressure.

Photo: RIKARD LARMA/METROTaxi drivers want backup

It was in 2005 when Steve Chervenka suffered a heart attack after working two straight 12-hour days driving a cab.

New York

Something smells funny at bake sale

Forget making your famous seven-layer bars or empanadas for your child’s school fundraiser. The city that cut our fat intake, and wants to curb the salt in our food, is monitoring bake sales.

New York

Med students hope to find perfect match

At noon on the third Thursday of March the country’s graduating medical students receive an envelope telling them where their careers as doctors will begin. Known as Match Day, it’s the emotional culmination of months of stressful interviews with hospitals.

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

National

Report: HIV patients canceled by insurer

Previously undisclosed records reveal that insurance company Fortis had a company policy of targeting policyholders with HIV. A computer program and algorithm targeted every policyholder recently diagnosed with HIV for an automatic fraud investigation, as the company searched for any pretext to revoke their policy.

National

’80s teen heartthrob is found dead of overdose

etterman extortionist pleads guilty

Runaway Prius probed

Millionaires up by 16% in 2009

Democrats get tough on insurance companies

Dems renew health care push; votes uncertain

House Dems can see reaching health deal

WILL IT BE COFFEE, TEA, OR POLITICS?

Doctors: ‘Fake weed’ real bad

FAA: Why is a kid directing traffic?

International

Canadian pols eat seal to make point to Europe

Sex sells ... for millions

‘Jihad Jane’ arrested in Web terrorism plot

Year of the quake? Turkey is latest hit

Economic refuge for young U.S. Jews

Gadahn still at large

Militants bomb Baghdad as Iraq votes

American al-Qaida caught

Leaders of world have female face

Sarkozy pledges support to Greece

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]