Wavering Dems in Obama's sights on health vote (AP)

AP - Days away from a make-or-break vote on his health care overhaul, President Barack Obama is turning up the pressure as only presidents can, as Democratic leaders make a desperate scramble for votes.

Fed weighs how and when to signal higher rates (AP)

AP - Debate is heating up within the Federal Reserve over how and when to signal that the days of record-low interest rates are numbered.

US envoy cancels Mideast trip, Israel feud deepens (AP)

AP - A U.S. envoy's postponement of his Mideast trip appeared Tuesday to deepen one of the worst U.S.-Israeli feuds in memory — even as Israel's foreign minister signaled his government had no intention of curtailing the contentious construction at the heart of the row.

Pakistani officials: Suspected US missile kills 9 (AP)

AP - An apparent U.S. missile attack destroyed a suspected militant compound in a tribal region of northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least nine people, intelligence officials said.

Magnitude-4.4 earthquake shakes Southern Calif. (AP)

AP - An earthquake east of downtown Los Angeles rippled across Southern California before dawn Tuesday, jolting millions of people awake and putting first-responders on alert.

Housing construction drops 5.9 pct in February (AP)

AP - Housing construction fell in February as winter blizzards held down activity in the Northeast and South. The decline highlighted the challenges facing builders as they struggle to emerge from the worst housing slump in decades.

New HIV infections increasing among homosexuals (AP)

AP - New HIV infections are increasing among homosexuals, drug users and prostitutes who don't seek help because of laws that criminalize these practices, the head of the U.N. AIDS agency said Monday.

Jackson estate in record deal worth up to $250 mln (AP)

AP - Even in death, Michael Jackson is breaking new records.

World's shortest man, He Pingping, dies in Italy (AP)

AP - The world's shortest man has died in Italy, where he was to take part in a TV show, the program's production company said Tuesday.

Lakers top Warriors for 9th straight time, 124-121 (AP)

AP - Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and Pau Gasol added 26 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their ninth straight victory over the Golden State Warriors, 124-121 on Monday night.

Fed seen renewing low rates, extended period vow (Reuters)

Reuters - The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates near zero on Tuesday and renew its pledge to keep rates very low for a long time, but it could note a brightening economic picture and hint at being closer to dropping the vow.

Winter storms hit housing starts (Reuters)

Reuters - Housing starts fell last month as winter storms in some parts of the country disrupted home building, while a drop in import prices pointed to muted inflation pressures.

Dodd says Congress must address financial reform (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd said on Tuesday that Congress should not adjourn for its two-week Easter recess on March 26 without addressing financial reform.

EU backs Greek austerity as standby aid readied (Reuters)

Reuters - EU finance ministers backed plans on Tuesday by countries in the euro area to help debt-stricken Greece financially if it becomes the first state in 11 years of monetary union to seek such aid.

China warns Google to obey rules even if it pulls out (Reuters)

Reuters - Google should obey Chinese government rules even if it decides to retreat from the country over hacking and censorship complaints, a Chinese government spokesman said on Tuesday.

Protesters splash blood outside Thai PM's office (Reuters)

Reuters - Anti-government protesters poured bottles of their own blood outside the Thai prime minister's office on Tuesday, a "sacrifice for democracy" after demands for elections were rejected.

Iraq progress still "fragile": Petraeus (Reuters)

Reuters - Iraq's progress remains fragile and could still be reversed, despite decreased violence, successful national elections in March and other advances, U.S. General David Petraeus said on Tuesday.

Afghanistan confirms blanket pardon for war crimes (Reuters)

Reuters - Afghanistan confirmed for the first time publicly on Tuesday that it had enacted into law a blanket pardon for war crimes and human rights abuse carried out before 2001.

Thai demonstrators in symbolic blood protest (AFP)

AFP - Protesters spilled their own blood at the gates of Thailand's government headquarters Tuesday in a colourful act of political theatre designed to propel their fugitive hero back to power.

Sri Lanka's ex-army chief in court martial (AFP)

AFP - Sri Lanka's former army chief, now a sworn political enemy of President Mahinda Rajapakse, faced a military court Tuesday on controversial charges that could see him jailed for up to five years.