Metro - International

US – Thursday, March 18

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.

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.

Bullock gets ‘Blind Side’d by alleged affair

It seemed too crazy to be true — America’s sweetheart Sandra Bullock fell for Jesse James, a heavily tattooed former bodyguard for Slayer turned custom motorcycle maker who was once married to a porn star.

‘The age of the freak is almost here’

For the past few years the tourist shops near where the SXSW Music Conference takes place have been selling goods emblazoned with the axiom “Keep Austin Weird.” And if the first night of live music was any indication, visitors, revelers and performers are taking the sentiment to heart. Here are a few of the highlights from Wednesday

‘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.

Photo: GETTY IMAGESPakistan 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.

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.

International

‘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.

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

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 IMAGESKissing 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.

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.

International

Survey: Nations trade wealth for happiness

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

International

Chile inauguration disturbed by quake

The ground shook and buildings swayed as billionaire Sebastian Pinera took over as Chile’s president on Thursday, tasked with rebuilding after a massive earthquake killed hundreds just 12 days ago.

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

International

Greek police clash with demonstrators

ATHENS. Police clashed with stone-throwing youths in Athens on Thursday as tens of thousands of strikers protested against draconian cutbacks aimed at pulling Greece out of a debt crisis shaking the euro zone.

Canadian pols eat seal to make point to Europe

Canadian parliamentarians dug into a meal of seal meat yesterday to defy both animal right activists and the European Union, which has banned imports of seal products.

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]