Pope meets abuse victims...Proposal to help homeowners...Warm March



Washington (AP) Pope Benedict has met privately in Washington with several victims of Catholic clergy sex abuse. It's believed to be a first-ever meeting between a pontiff and abuse victims.

Benedict has spoken repeatedly about the abuse crisis during his first U.S. visit as pope.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) A congressman has introduced a proposal that would allow homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage to refinance into more affordable government-backed loans. The measure would allow help for people even if they're way behind on their payments, have poor credit, or owe more than their houses are worth.

WASHINGTON (AP) An attorney for Karl Rove says the White House will decide whether the former presidential aide will talk to Congress about claims he influenced a federal corruption case against a former Democratic governor of Alabama. A House panel also called on the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate the allegations.

CHICAGO (AP) A study suggests incontinence drugs may cause memory problems in some older people. The study's author says the message is to be careful when using these medicines.

WASHINGTON (AP) It may have been just an average March temperature-wise in the U.S., but worldwide last month was the warmest March on record over land and the second warmest overall.

Government number-crunchers say high temps over much of Asia pulled the world's average land temperature up to more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 04-17-08 1841CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list