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Friday, March 2, 2012 12:00 AM PST

Today's Reuters World News Headlines - Yahoo! News: U.S.-Russia ties strained during Putin political campaign Obama, Netanyahu set to confront divisions over Iran New Australia foreign minister may be future leader Voting begins in Iran's election U.S. NATO ambassador says Afghan policy intact World can replace oil lost to Iran sanctions: U.S. Greek man shoots two, takes hostages over layoff Midwest cleans up from tornadoes, more storms forecast Syrian rebels flee shattered stronghold Serbia closer to EU status after years of conflict Most Syria rebels pull out of Baba Amro in Homs U.N. rights body condemns Syria over violations Syria opposition chiefs at odds over military body Syria to let Red Cross into Homs rebel bastion Russia, China join U.N. council in Syria rebuke U.N. concerned Syria may have chemical weapons Sarkozy says hurt French reporter to be flown home French journalists evacuated from Syria to Lebanon Iran religious, political hardliners face off in vote Conservative activist Andrew Breitbart dead at 43 Two U.S. soldiers killed at base in Afghanistan Iran buys U.S. wheat despite nuclear tensions Western sanctions tighten squeeze on Iran oil exports Little support in Israel for solo strike on Iran: poll Key constituencies disillusioned as Iran votes Global oil capacity enough for Iran sanctions: Chu U.S. underscores Egypt NGO concerns as staffers depart American activists fly out of Egypt, defusing row Hague court wants Sudan defense minister arrested Israel pre-announces missile test to stem Iran war fears Europe drags on world economy, U.S. fares better Argentina wants state airline to fly to Falklands Greece secures provisional approval for new bailout Bahrain delays U.N. investigator, limits rights group visits White House: Obama did not suggest Afghan violence ended Argentine president wants state airline to fly to Falklands Mexico's woman presidential hopeful jumps in poll Tired passengers leave crippled Costa cruise ship Venezuela's Chavez says recovering fast from surgery Greek man shoots two, takes hostages over layoff U.S.-Russia ties strained during Putin political campaign Thu,1 Mar 2012 10:36 PM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Verbal sparring between the United States and Russia has taken on an ugly tone lately, and Vladimir Putin's determination to reclaim the Kremlin in a presidential election on Sunday does not augur well for a fresh start with Washington. In one recent U.S.-Russian spat, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called "despicable" the Russian veto of a U.N. resolution backing an Arab League plan for transition of power in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad's forces have brutally attacked demonstrators. ... Full Story Top Obama, Netanyahu set to confront divisions over Iran Thu,1 Mar 2012 10:30 PM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Just days before what could be the most consequential meeting of U.S. and Israeli leaders in years, aides to President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are scrambling to bridge stark differences over what Washington fears could be an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear sites. Further complicating Monday's White House talks is a trust deficit between the two men that has been magnified by mounting pressures of the U.S. presidential campaign. Obama's Republican foes are eager to paint him as too tough on Israel and too soft on Iran. ... Full Story Top New Australia foreign minister may be future leader Thu,1 Mar 2012 09:53 PM PST Reuters - CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard lured one of the ruling party's elder statesmen out of retirement to become her new foreign minister on Friday, a bold move that gives her unpopular government a potential leadership alternative. Gillard appointed Bob Carr, a strong ally and former premier of the New South Wales state, to replace Kevin Rudd, who quit as foreign minister a week ago and then lost a leadership challenge against Gillard on Monday. ... Full Story Top Voting begins in Iran's election Thu,1 Mar 2012 08:55 PM PST Reuters - TEHRAN (Reuters) - Polls opened on Friday for a parliamentary election in Iran that will test the popularity of the clerical establishment at a time of a standoff with the West over the country's nuclear program. State radio reported polling stations opened their doors to voters at 8 a.m. (0430 GMT). They are due to close at 6 p.m. (1430 GMT), although this time has been extended in past votes. The parliamentary vote is expected to reflect a deepening power struggle between political and religious hardliners. ... Full Story Top U.S. NATO ambassador says Afghan policy intact Thu,1 Mar 2012 08:38 PM PST Reuters - CHICAGO (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to NATO said on Thursday the alliance is committed to its policy in Afghanistan despite recent attacks on military advisers and U.S. soldiers in a violent outcry against the burning of copies of the Koran at a NATO military base. "What happened in the last few days are the kinds of thing which we condemn, that are unacceptable," Ivo Daalder told reporters after a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. "But we can't have a few situations, which are tragic, ... be the determining factor in our policy. We think we have the right policy. ... Full Story Top World can replace oil lost to Iran sanctions: U.S. Thu,1 Mar 2012 05:42 PM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Global oil producers appear to have enough spare capacity to make up for Iranian exports curtailed by tough new sanctions, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said on Thursday. Chu said it was important that sanctions be used to crimp Iranian oil sales to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons, despite the release of an Energy Information Administration report this week that showed supplies are tight. ... Full Story Top Greek man shoots two, takes hostages over layoff Thu,1 Mar 2012 04:16 PM PST Reuters - ATHENS (Reuters) - An unemployed man shot and wounded his former boss and one other worker and took another two hostage at a small factory in Greece in protest at losing his job, police said on Thursday. He later released the hostages and turned himself over to police after officers surrounded the factory in northern Greece. Police said the man, a 61-year-old father of two who was laid off about seven months ago, did not harm his captives. ... Full Story Top Midwest cleans up from tornadoes, more storms forecast Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:57 PM PST Reuters - HARRISBURG, Illinois (Reuters) - Residents of storm-tossed midwestern towns searched for photographs and mementos from their ruined homes on Thursday as the death toll from a line of tornado-producing storms rose to 13, while more storms bore down on the region. Adding to the toll, a 53-year-old man who was trapped in his collapsed home in Harveyville, Kansas, was removed from life support at hospital and died, state officials said on Thursday. ... Full Story Top Syrian rebels flee shattered stronghold Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:55 PM PST Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Defeated Syrian rebels abandoned their shattered stronghold in Homs, giving way to a 26-day army assault on a city that had become a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad. Activists said Syria's army had begun hunting down and killing insurgents who stayed to cover their comrades' "tactical retreat" from the city's battle-scarred Baba Amro district, although the reports could not be verified independently. ... Full Story Top Serbia closer to EU status after years of conflict Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:28 PM PST Reuters - BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union made Serbia a candidate for membership on Thursday in an attempt to promote better government in the western Balkans as the region struggles to emerge from the wars of the 1990s. EU leaders took the decision at a summit in Brussels, launching a potentially lengthy process to bring the former Yugoslav republic into the bloc. It marks a turnaround for Serbia, once seen as the pariah of Balkans for its central role in wars that followed the collapse of Yugoslavia under the leadership of Slobodan Milosevic. ... Full Story Top Most Syria rebels pull out of Baba Amro in Homs Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:13 PM PST Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Most Syrian rebels pulled out of the besieged Baba Amro district of Homs on Thursday after more than three weeks of bombardment by President Bashar al-Assad's forces, activists in contact with the rebels said. They said a few fighters had remained behind to try to cover the "tactical withdrawal" of their comrades. (Reporting by Mariam Karouny) Full Story Top U.N. rights body condemns Syria over violations Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:13 PM PST Reuters - GENEVA (Reuters) - The main United Nations human rights body condemned the government of President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday for violations in Syria that it said may amount to crimes against humanity, and called for a halt to attacks on civilians. The 47-member Geneva forum adopted a resolution brought by Gulf and Western countries with 37 states in favor and China, Cuba and Russia against. The U.S. human rights ambassador said these three countries "are on the wrong side of history. ... Full Story Top Syria opposition chiefs at odds over military body Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:13 PM PST Reuters - PARIS (Reuters) - The leaders of the political and armed wings of Syria's opposition appear to be at odds over the authority of a military council that was announced Thursday, underscoring divisions that are hampering efforts to lead an uprising. Syrian National Council (SNC) leader Burhan Ghalioun said his political opposition group had formed a military body to oversee and organize armed rebels within the country under a unified leadership. "The creation of the military council was agreed upon by all armed forces in Syria," he told a news conference in Paris on Thursday. ... Full Story Top Syria to let Red Cross into Homs rebel bastion Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:13 PM PST Reuters - GENEVA (Reuters) - Syrian authorities will let Red Cross and Red Crescent aid workers enter the Baba Amro district of Homs Friday to deliver supplies and evacuate the sick and wounded, said an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokesman. The move came as a three-week Syrian army siege of the neighborhood appeared to be ending Thursday with the withdrawal of rebel forces. ... Full Story Top Russia, China join U.N. council in Syria rebuke Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:13 PM PST Reuters - UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia and China joined other U.N. Security Council members on Thursday in expressing "deep disappointment" at Syria's failure to allow the U.N. humanitarian aid chief Valerie Amos to visit the country and urged that she be allowed in immediately. The 15 nations on the council also said in a unanimously agreed statement that they "deplore the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation" in Syria, where the United Nations says security forces have killed more than 7,500 civilians during an 11-month government crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. ... Full Story Top U.N. concerned Syria may have chemical weapons Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:13 PM PST Reuters - UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon and the head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons are concerned at the possibility that Syria may have chemical weapons, a U.N. spokesman said on Thursday. "On Syria, the Secretary-General and the Director-General noted with concern the reports on the possible existence of chemical weapons in the country," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters. "Those concerns are entirely understandable." The top U.S. military officer, General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. ... Full Story Top Sarkozy says hurt French reporter to be flown home Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:13 PM PST Reuters - BRUSSELS (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday he had spoken to wounded freelance journalist Edith Bouvier by telephone following her evacuation to Lebanon from the besieged Syrian city of Homs, along with photographer William Daniels. Sarkozy, in Brussels for a European summit, told reporters that Bouvier would be flown home to France in a government plane. The flight could happen as soon as Thursday evening if doctors agreed, he said. ... Full Story Top French journalists evacuated from Syria to Lebanon Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:12 PM PST Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Two French journalists who were trapped in the besieged Syrian city of Homs were on Thursday evacuated to Lebanon, where the French government was preparing to fly them home. At the same time, videos posted on the Internet showed that American journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik were buried in Homs, where they were killed eight days ago in shelling that also that caught their two French colleagues. ... Full Story Top Iran religious, political hardliners face off in vote Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:09 PM PST Reuters - (Reuters) - Iran's ruling political and religious hardliners will face off in a parliamentary election on Friday, echoing a deepening rift in a conservative establishment grappling with economic sanctions over the country's disputed nuclear program. The election will by the first since the country's disputed presidential election in 2009, when bloody opposition and pro-democracy protests were stamped out by security forces. ... Full Story Top Conservative activist Andrew Breitbart dead at 43 Thu,1 Mar 2012 03:00 PM PST Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Conservative activist Andrew Breitbart, an influential voice in U.S. Republican politics known for his attacks on liberals and Democrats, died unexpectedly of natural causes in Los Angeles early on Thursday, his family said. He was 43. Breitbart was walking last night near his Los Angeles home when he collapsed, said his father-in-law, actor Orson Bean. "He collapsed on the sidewalk and the paramedics were there very quickly and they couldn't revive him," Bean told Reuters in a phone interview. ... Full Story Top Two U.S. soldiers killed at base in Afghanistan Thu,1 Mar 2012 02:58 PM PST Reuters - KABUL (Reuters) - Two U.S. soldiers were shot and killed on Thursday in an attack involving at least one Afghan believed to be a soldier and a civilian, Western and Afghan officials said, the second such incident in a week and one likely to deepen doubts about Afghanistan's security forces. The killings at a base in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan came after two senior U.S. officers were gunned down in the Afghan Interior Ministry on Saturday by what Afghan security officials say was a police intelligence official. ... Full Story Top Iran buys U.S. wheat despite nuclear tensions Thu,1 Mar 2012 02:56 PM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran has made a rare purchase of U.S. wheat as it tries to build its food stockpiles amid tougher sanctions imposed by the United States and Europe. The U.S. Agriculture Department reported on Thursday that Iran bought 120,000 tons of U.S. wheat -- enough to fill two large cargo ships. While not illegal, the deal caught traders by surprise as tensions mount between the West and Iran on concerns the Islamic Republic was intent on developing a nuclear weapon. "It shocked me," said Jerod Leman, a broker with Wellington Commodities Corp. ... Full Story Top Western sanctions tighten squeeze on Iran oil exports Thu,1 Mar 2012 02:56 PM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Western trade sanctions against Iran are strangling its oil exports even before they go into effect, a U.S. advisory body has found, amid warnings that any shortages will only push up crude prices and strain a weak global economy. With crude prices trading around 10-month highs and limited spare production capacity worldwide, the United States may offer Iran's biggest customers waivers from the oil sanctions, which take effect June 28. Iran is the world's fifth largest oil exporter and the second-biggest producer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia. ... Full Story Top Little support in Israel for solo strike on Iran: poll Thu,1 Mar 2012 02:56 PM PST Reuters - JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A wide majority of Israelis either oppose an Israeli strike on Iran or would favor an attack only if it was carried out with U.S. agreement, an opinion poll showed on Thursday. The survey by the University of Maryland and the Israeli Dahaf Institute was released before talks next week between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama on Iran's nuclear program. ... Full Story Top Key constituencies disillusioned as Iran votes Thu,1 Mar 2012 02:56 PM PST Reuters - TEHRAN (Reuters) - Like many members of Iran's paramilitary volunteer force, Mohammadreza Baqeri was a supporter of Iran's conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Nearly three years after Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election, the 27-year-old blogger says he will not vote for Ahminadejad's camp in parliamentary elections on Friday. "I want new faces. I want a vocal parliament that can have an impact in the country," said Baqeri, a member of the Basij paramilitary force. "I want a parliament with young and ambitious lawmakers. ... Full Story Top Global oil capacity enough for Iran sanctions: Chu Thu,1 Mar 2012 02:56 PM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said on Thursday that global oil producers appear to have enough spare capacity to make up for Iranian exports curtailed by tough new sanctions. Chu said it was important that sanctions be used to crimp Iranian oil sales to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons, despite the release of an Energy Information Administration report this week that showed supply tightness. "There is spare capacity and we believe -- we'll see -- but I think there is sufficient spare capacity," Chu told reporters on Capitol Hill. ... Full Story Top U.S. underscores Egypt NGO concerns as staffers depart Thu,1 Mar 2012 02:56 PM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday expressed continued concern over Egypt's crackdown on pro-democracy groups following an Egyptian court order permitting the departure of American nongovernmental organization staffers who had been under a travel ban. "We are very pleased that the Egyptian courts have now lifted the travel ban on our NGO employees. The U.S. government has provided a plane to facilitate their departure and they have left the country. They are currently en route home," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. ... Full Story Top American activists fly out of Egypt, defusing row Thu,1 Mar 2012 02:56 PM PST Reuters - CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. pro-democracy activists flew out of Egypt on Thursday after the authorities lifted a travel ban, a move that is likely to defuse the worst row between Washington and Cairo in decades. Egyptian authorities had accused the campaigners, including the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, of working for groups receiving illegal foreign funding and prevented them from leaving the country. U.S. officials said the case, as long as it was unresolved, jeopardized $1. ... Full Story Top Hague court wants Sudan defense minister arrested Thu,1 Mar 2012 01:52 PM PST Reuters - AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on Thursday for Sudanese Defense Minister Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein as part of investigations into atrocities in Darfur. Hussein is the latest of several senior officials in Sudan to be indicted by the court at The Hague. Among others, it is seeking the arrest of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on charges of orchestrating genocide. All, however, remain at large. ... Full Story Top Israel pre-announces missile test to stem Iran war fears Thu,1 Mar 2012 01:44 PM PST Reuters - JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel took the unusual precaution of announcing on Thursday that it would soon test-fire a ballistic interceptor missile, hoping to avoid stoking war tensions with Iran. Missile trials from a launch base near Tel Aviv, most recently in November, were not published in advance. As a result, the first Israeli media reports on them were based on often breathless witness accounts, rocking world energy markets until defense officials provided explanations. ... Full Story Top Europe drags on world economy, U.S. fares better Thu,1 Mar 2012 11:08 AM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - Prospects for a sustained global economic recovery darkened on Thursday as sputtering factory activity in Europe overshadowed more upbeat data from Asia, even as central banks are running out of policy options and are reluctant to do more. United States data was mixed. Factory activity unexpectedly cooled last month, but further signs of strength in the labor market suggested the world's largest economy remained on a more self-sustaining recovery path. U.S. manufacturing data showed that the rate of growth slowed in February as orders fell. ... Full Story Top Argentina wants state airline to fly to Falklands Thu,1 Mar 2012 11:01 AM PST Reuters - BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's president said on Thursday she wants the state airline to fly between Buenos Aires and the disputed Falkland Islands, saying she will ask Britain to renegotiate the current flight accord. According to an agreement between Argentina and Britain signed in the late 1990s, Chilean airline LAN has offered regular direct flights between Chile and the British-controlled South Atlantic archipelago. ... Full Story Top Greece secures provisional approval for new bailout Thu,1 Mar 2012 11:00 AM PST Reuters - BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Greece has taken all the legal action needed to secure a second bailout from the euro zone countries, Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday, opening the door to the first tranche to be paid out by March 20 if more conditions are met. The money can be paid out only after the completion of a bond swap between Athens and private investors which is to be concluded by March 9 and which aims to halve Greece's privately-held debt, cutting it by 100 billion euros. ... Full Story Top Bahrain delays U.N. investigator, limits rights group visits Thu,1 Mar 2012 10:42 AM PST Reuters - MANAMA (Reuters) - Bahrain has imposed restrictions on groups trying to monitor reforms including the Gulf Arab state's handling of protests and asked the U.N. investigator into torture to postpone a trip, the United Nations and rights groups said on Thursday. The U.N. human rights office in Geneva said Bahrain formally requested postponing until July the visit by the special rapporteur on torture, which had been scheduled for March 8-17. ... Full Story Top White House: Obama did not suggest Afghan violence ended Thu,1 Mar 2012 10:31 AM PST Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama did not suggest that violence had dissipated entirely in Afghanistan when he said that his apology to Afghanistan's leader had calmed furious protests over the burning of copies of the Koran, an Obama aide said on Thursday. Obama spoke about the effects of his apology in an interview on Wednesday. Since he made the apology a week ago following the burning of the Korans at a NATO base near Kabul, four U.S. troops have been killed in two separate so-called "insider" attacks in Afghanistan. ... Full Story Top Argentine president wants state airline to fly to Falklands Thu,1 Mar 2012 10:24 AM PST Reuters - BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said on Thursday she wanted to renegotiate a deal with Britain to allow Argentina's state airline to fly directly from Buenos Aires to the disputed islands, instead of using an airline from neighboring Chile. According to an agreement between Argentina and the United Kingdom signed in the late 1990s, Chilean airline LAN has offered regular direct flights between Chile and the Falklands. (Reporting by Helen Popper; Writing by Luis Andres Henao; Editing by Sandra Maler) Full Story Top Mexico's woman presidential hopeful jumps in poll Thu,1 Mar 2012 10:14 AM PST Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Ruling party presidential hopeful Josefina Vazquez Mota, the first woman candidate of any of Mexico's three main parties, has cut into the lead of front-runner Enrique Pena Nieto ahead of July's election, an opinion poll published on Thursday showed. Pena Nieto had the support of 36 percent of those surveyed compared to 29 percent for Vazquez Mota and 17 percent for leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, according to the survey in newspaper Milenio. ... Full Story Top Tired passengers leave crippled Costa cruise ship Thu,1 Mar 2012 10:13 AM PST Reuters - VICTORIA (Reuters) - Weary passengers complained of unbearable heat and appalling hygiene for three days in the Indian Ocean aboard cruise ship Costa Allegra after a fire knocked out the vessel's main power supply. With no air conditioning, running water, lights or hot food, the 627 passengers were forced to sleep on deck in the stifling heat until the liner was towed into Seychelles capital Victoria on Thursday. ... Full Story Top Venezuela's Chavez says recovering fast from surgery Thu,1 Mar 2012 10:10 AM PST Reuters - CARACAS (Reuters) - An ebullient-sounding Hugo Chavez said on Thursday he was eating, walking at dawn and recovering fast from an operation on a suspected recurrence of cancer for the Venezuelan president. "I'm very happy, I'm fine, my recovery is accelerating," Chavez said in a phone call to Venezuelan state TV from Havana where surgeons removed a possibly malignant lesion from his pelvis four days ago. The upbeat tone from the 57-year-old socialist leader contrasted with rumors, mainly in opposition-leaning media, that his condition may be much worse than has been admitted. ... Full Story Top Greek man shoots two, takes hostages over layoff Thu,1 Mar 2012 08:21 AM PST Reuters - ATHENS (Reuters) - An unemployed Greek man shot and injured his former boss and one other worker and took another two hostage in protest at losing his job, police said on Thursday. Officers surrounded the small factory in northern Greece where the gunman, a 61-year-old father of two, was holding the workers hostage. Police said his captives had not been harmed. Greeks are growing increasingly desperate as public sector spending cuts, designed to save the country from a debilitating debt crisis, exacerbate a recession now in its fifth year. ... Full Story Top

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