GOP unifies against any more stimulus spending (AP)

AP - Republicans lined up Sunday in opposition to a second economic stimulus package, a rare demonstration of unity from an out-of-power political party in search of a rallying cry against President Barack Obama.

Sotomayor faces friendly jury as hearings begin (AP)

AP - Sonia Sotomayor has decided advantages as she begins the most important trial of her long legal career, a nationally televised consideration of her nomination to be the first Hispanic and just the third woman on the Supreme Court.

Man charged with evidence tampering in Fla. deaths (AP)

AP - Authorities in the Florida Panhandle say they've arrested a man on a charge of evidence tampering in connection with the slayings of a Florida couple known for their large family.

Thunderstorms delay space shuttle launch again (AP)

AP - Thunderstorms forced NASA to call off Sunday evening's launch of shuttle Endeavour, the fourth delay for the space station construction mission.

2 US Marines die in S. Afghanistan bomb blasts (AP)

AP - A bomb blast killed two U.S. Marines in Afghanistan's dangerous south, where thousands of American troops have deployed in a massive operation to oust Taliban fighters from the country's opium poppy region, officials said Sunday.

Feinstein suggests CIA concealment broke law (AP)

AP - Six months into Barack Obama's presidency, his Democratic allies are pushing for twin investigations into Bush-era torture and anti-terrorism policies.

2 convicted murders escape from Ind. prison (AP)

AP - Police and prison guards aided by search dogs hunted Sunday for two convicted killers and a third man who escaped the maximum-security Indiana State Prison, apparently through underground tunnels and pipes.

Allies' stance cited in US gays-in-military debate (AP)

AP - When it comes to dealing with gay personnel in the ranks, the contrasts are stark among some of the world's proudest, toughest militaries — and these differing approaches are invoked by both sides as Americans renew debate over the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

'Bruno' sashays to box-office fame with $30.4M (AP)

AP - Gay Austrian fashion devotee Bruno has landed the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office, though it's uncertain how much staying power he has.

Police detain wife of former boxing champion Gatti (AP)

AP - The wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti was detained as a suspect by Brazilian authorities Sunday following his death at a posh seaside resort.

Cheney hid CIA program from Congress: senator (Reuters)

Reuters - The CIA withheld information from Congress about a secret counterterrorism program on orders from former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, a U.S. senator said on Sunday amid calls for an investigation.

Sotomayor hearing opens Supreme Court debate (Reuters)

Reuters - Sonia Sotomayor looks almost certain to emerge from Senate hearings this week poised to become the first Hispanic member of the U.S. Supreme Court.

North Korea leader Kim Jong-il has pancreatic cancer: report (Reuters)

Reuters - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has pancreatic cancer, South Korean broadcaster YTN said on Monday in an unsourced news flash.

China president Hu endorsed Rio arrests: report (Reuters)
Reuters - China's President Hu Jintao personally endorsed an investigation into global miner Rio Tinto that led to the detention of four of its China-based staff, a newspaper said on Monday, citing Chinese government sources.

Two U.S. soldiers killed, Afghan war heats up (Reuters)

Reuters - A roadside bomb killed two U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said on Sunday, the latest deaths in an escalation of violence that has put pressure on coalition leaders over their war strategy.

Lawmakers reject tax to pay for health reform (Reuters)
Reuters - U.S. lawmakers on Sunday criticized a plan to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for a $1 trillion healthcare overhaul and warned Congress was unlikely to meet President Barack Obama's goal of passing the measure by August.

Heavy security in China's Xinjiang, stability urged (Reuters)

Reuters - An uneasy calm returned on Sunday to China's riot-hit Urumqi where 184 people died in ethnic violence a week ago, though the official tally of dead could rise, a regional official indicated.

U.S. top prosecutor considering torture investigation (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is considering whether to appoint a criminal prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration's interrogation practices involving the CIA, and is expected to make a decision in a few weeks, a Justice Department official said on Sunday.

Democrats slam Cheney bid to hide CIA program (AFP)

AFP - Democrats Sunday lashed out at former vice president Dick Cheney, accusing him of abusing his power amid reports he ordered the CIA to withhold information from Congress about a secret counterterror program.

Honduras lifts curfew two weeks after coup (AFP)

AFP - The interim Honduran government Sunday lifted a two-week-old curfew imposed after soldiers ousted leftist President Manuel Zelaya from power, saying the goals of the measure had been met.