Afghan leader promoted as  ‘commander in chief’
KABUL (AP) — After days of discord, U.S. officials Sunday went one step further in their new gentler tact with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, expressing sympathy for the pressure he faces and promoting him as commander in chief of the warring nation.
 
Al-Maliki bloc says 750,000 Iraqi votes in doubtBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s political party claimed Sunday its investigation into the March 7 parliamentary election has thrown into question some 750,000 votes, enough to change the results of the nationwide poll.The State of Law alliance trailed by just two seats behind former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi’s party in the vote, which produced no clear winner.
 
Magnitude 4.4 quake, others shake San Diego areaSAN DIEGO (AP) — A cluster of moderate earthquakes near the U.S.-Mexico border is continuing to rattle southern California one week after a magnitude 7.2 quake slammed the area.The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck at 9:42 a.m. Sunday, about 11 miles west of downtown Calexico. Six other quakes above magnitude 3.0 were also reported in a three-hour period.No damage or injuries have been reported.
 
Census response rates lag because of lack of state fundingOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — State and local governments hammered by the recession have cut spending on outreach for the 2010 U.S. Census, leaving hard-to-reach neighborhoods with response rates that may fall behind the count from a decade ago, officials said.The funding cutbacks have come at all levels, and at a cost.California, for example, dedicated $24.7 million to the Census 2000 campaign. Although an undercount could cost the state billions in federal funding and a Congressional seat, this year’s outreach budget is only $2 million.
 
Phil Mickelson tops Tiger Woods for first place at Masters
Tiger Woods garnered a lot of the attention at this weekend’s Masters in Augusta, Ga., in his first tournament of the year.But Phil Mickelson took home the green jacket Sunday when all was said and done.The lefty rode a 5-under 67 on the final day to a 16-under 272, edging out second-place Lee Westwood by three strokes and third-place Anthony Kim by four.Westwood, earned the runner-up spot.Woods tied K.J. Choi for fourth.
 
Seven shot, wounded near New Orleans’ French QuarterNEW ORLEANS (AP) — A weeks-old dispute boiled over in a shooting on the outskirts of New Orleans’ French Quarter, leaving seven with non-life threatening wounds, police said Sunday.New Orleans police said in a release the shooting happened Saturday outside a fast-food restaurant around 9:15 on Canal Street, which runs along the edge of the neighborhood at the heart of the city’s tourism industry.Investigators believe one of the victims, a 17-year-old boy, was the gunman’s target because of a dispute during Mardi Gras, Feb. 16. He was expected to be kept overnight at the hospital.The others wounded ranged in age from 15 to 50 and were to be treated and released.Detectives say the gunman was given a handgun by another man and then opened fire, sending bystanders running in every direction.
 
Chilean president on disaster recovery tour in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Chile’s new president has come to New Orleans to learn lessons in disaster relief from Mayor Ray Nagin.President Sebastian Pinera toured the city on Sunday. He said it would take years for his nation to recover from a devastating earthquake and tsunami.  
 
New Orleans officer fatally shoots 39-year-old manNEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Police Department says an officer fatally shot a 39-year-old man.The department says Brian Harris refused to drop a knife after officers issued verbal commands and shot him with a Taser.Police were called to his house late Friday after his Harris’ wife called to report he was threatening suicide.