Morning Digest: Democrats defend health strategy as vote nears

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Good Morning Bit, WED 17 Mar 2010    Democrats defend health strategy as vote nears Allawi leads Maliki for first time in Iraq count Stock futures signal gains; Hartford in focus FCC backs plan to speed up Internet NASA chief Bolden sees opportunities for industry Woods to make long-awaited return at U.S. Masters Oprah defamation case can go to trial Pair faces jail time in Dubai over kiss Business Update: China tensions Clinton softens rhetoric on Israel Surfer "trains" alpaca to ride waves TOP NEWS Democrats defend health strategy as vote nears March 16, 2010 08:11 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Under heavy Republican attack, Democrats in the House of Representatives on Tuesday defended plans to pass a healthcare overhaul without a direct vote as President Barack Obama's top domestic priority neared a make-or-break showdown. Full Article WORLD NEWS Allawi leads Maliki for first time in Iraq count March 16, 2010 09:18 PM ET BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi edged past Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday in results from Iraq's fragmented March 7 vote that may lead to months of political bargaining and create a risky power vacuum. Full Article BUSINESS NEWS Stock futures signal gains; Hartford in focus March 17, 2010 05:37 AM ET (Reuters) - Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 all up around 0.2 percent. Full Article INTERNET NEWS FCC backs plan to speed up Internet March 16, 2010 04:47 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Communications regulators submitted to Congress a national broadband plan that aims to expand access, increase Internet speeds and shift airwaves to mobile services. Full Article SCIENCE NEWS NASA chief Bolden sees opportunities for industry March 16, 2010 04:46 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden defended the U.S. space agency's budget on Tuesday and said its focus on commercial space transportation would provide "incredible opportunities" for U.S. companies. Full Article SPORTS NEWS Woods to make long-awaited return at U.S. Masters March 16, 2010 07:53 PM ET INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Tiger Woods will begin trying to restore a reputation battered by marital infidelities at next month's U.S. Masters, the tournament which helped him become the world's most marketable sportsman. Full Article ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Oprah defamation case can go to trial March 17, 2010 12:46 AM ET LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Whenever the media cover Oprah Winfrey litigation -- whether it be with poets, flight attendants, physical trainers, or diet pill makers -- it's usually with an air of dismissiveness. She's a billionaire media personality and can hire the best lawyers -- who's going to beat her in court? Full Article ODDLY ENOUGH NEWS Pair faces jail time in Dubai over kiss March 15, 2010 01:06 PM ET DUBAI (Reuters) - A British pair caught kissing in public in Dubai face up to a month in jail in the Gulf Arab emirate for indecency after an Emirati mother complained her child had seen their indiscretion. Full Article   REUTERS www.reuters.com Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book.Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Send this mailing to a friend or colleague Reuters.com: Help and Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Mobile | Newsletters | RSS | Interactive TV | Labs | Reuters in Second Life | Archive | Site Index | Video Index Thomson Reuters Corporate: Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Professional Products | Professional Products Support | About Thomson Reuters | Careers