AP - Under White House pressure to act swiftly, House and Senate Democratic leaders reached for agreement Friday on President Barack Obama's health care bill, sweetened suddenly by fresh billions for student aid and a sense that breakthroughs are at hand.

AP - A group of Republican senators is questioning high salaries and expensive travel bills for executives at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, raising issues that could jeopardize millions in federal funding for the national charity.

AP - An American seized in Yemen in a sweep of suspected al-Qaida members had been a laborer at six U.S. nuclear power plants, and authorities are investigating whether he had access to sensitive information or materials that would be useful to terrorists.

AP - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday delivered a stinging rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his government's announcement this week of new Jewish housing in east Jerusalem, calling it "a deeply negative signal" for the Mideast peace process and ties with the U.S.

AP - Investigators are confronted with a series of nagging questions as they try to unravel the case of a California real estate agent who said his Toyota Prius turned into a runaway death trap after the gas pedal became stuck.

AP - Germany's sex abuse scandal has now reached Pope Benedict XVI: His former archdiocese disclosed that while he was archbishop a suspected pedophile priest was transferred to a job where he later abused children.

AP - A far-right faction of the Texas State Board of Education succeeded Friday in injecting conservative ideals into social studies, history and economics lessons that will be taught to millions of students for the next decade.

AP - Authorities say actor Corey Haim had a fraudulent prescription when he died that was linked to a major drug ring.

AP - The ambulance crew that responded after Tiger Woods crashed his SUV would not allow his wife to ride with him to the hospital because they suspected domestic violence, documents released Friday by the Florida Highway Patrol show.

Reuters - President Barack Obama on Friday delayed an overseas trip to focus on the final drive for healthcare reform as the House of Representatives prepared to vote on the sweeping overhaul next week.

Reuters - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had a narrow lead over rival Shi'ites, partial results in Iraq's tight election race showed on Friday, but a secularist challenger remained far ahead in minority Sunni areas.

Reuters - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday he must work to repair relations with Washington after a debacle over Jewish settlements that has undermined U.S. efforts to mediate new peace talks with the Palestinians.

Reuters - The head of Germany's Catholic Church apologized to victims of child abuse by priests on Friday and met Pope Benedict who encouraged him to press ahead with tough new measures.

Reuters - Two suicide bombers targeting the Pakistani military killed at least 45 people in Lahore on Friday, officials said, in a challenge to government assertions that crackdowns have weakened Taliban insurgents.

Reuters - Southern California prosecutors filed the first U.S. consumer protection lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corp on Friday, claiming it had engaged in "fraud" by hiding evidence of dangerous vehicle defects.

Reuters - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit Haiti on Sunday to meet the country's leaders and people left homeless by a January earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands, Ban's spokesman said.

AFP - Twin suicide attacks seconds apart targeted the Pakistani military Friday, killing up to 45 people in the second attack to hit security forces in the country's cultural capital this week.

AFP - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki took a slender lead over his rivals on Friday, preliminary results from the country's general election showed, as opposition blocs alleged blatant fraud.

AP - Dairese Gary missed a runner in the final second and San Diego State escaped with a 72-69 upset of eighth-ranked New Mexico in the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament Friday night.

AP - Xavier Henry scored 11 points in a stunning 21-2 run that broke a tight game wide open and carried No. 1 Kansas past No. 23 Texas A&M 79-66 in a rough-and-tumble Big 12 semifinal Friday night.

AP - Lindsey Vonn finished with a fitting flourish, the perfect way to cap a nearly perfect season, one chock full of victories, medals, trophies — and injuries.

AP - John Wall had 23 points, including seven straight in the second half to give the Wildcats the lead for good, and No. 2 Kentucky overcame an 11-point deficit Friday in beating Alabama 73-67 in the Southeastern Conference tournament quarterfinals.

AP - Ernie Els was in the lead and off the golf course, and he wasn't sure which made him feel better.

AP - LeBron James had 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in his return from a two-game absence, and the Cleveland Cavaliers won for the 14th time in their last 19 road games with a 100-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

AP - LaDainian Tomlinson's visit with the New York Jets is going to overtime.

AP - Kobe Bryant had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists — along with seven turnovers — but it was the all-around game of the Los Angeles Lakers that led to an intense 102-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

AP - Devoe Joseph made two of his three 3-pointers during a 10-0 overtime run, leading Minnesota past No. 11 Michigan State for a 72-67 victory in Friday's Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.

AFP - Didier Drogba has warned Chelsea's title rivals that he is determined to satisfy his voracious appetite for success by firing the Blues back to Premier League glory.

AFP - Daniele Bennati of Liquigas won the third stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Friday after a 159km ride from San Miniato to Monsumanno Terme

AP - Jarret Stoll scored in the sixth round of a shootout to give the Los Angeles Kings a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday night.

AFP - Australian Open semi-finalist Li Na of China was bundled out of the second round of the Indian Wells hardcourt tennis tournament by British qualifier Elena Baltacha.

AP - The ambulance crew that responded after Tiger Woods crashed his SUV would not allow his wife to ride with him to the hospital because they suspected domestic violence, documents released Friday by the Florida Highway Patrol show.

AP - Brian McKeever is turning his focus to another Paralympic Games less than two weeks after having his Olympic dreams dashed.