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Saturday, April 14, 2012 12:12 AM PDT

Today's Reuters World News Headlines - Yahoo! News: Syrian forces shell Homs, breaking truce: resident activist and rights group Afghan woman MP sets sights on presidency Obama urged at summit to focus on Latin America U.S. Secret Service agents recalled from Colombia, misconduct alleged Cuban agent returns to U.S. after seeing brother Chavez vows to knock out rivals at Venezuela poll Mexican drug cartel leader sent to prison in Colorado After Harvard, future is uncertain for Bo's son Ocampo ends World Bank bid, backs Nigerian U.S. watches for North Korea's next move after rocket crash Six die as violence mars Syria truce, protests muted Obama urged at summit to focus on Latin America West pushes U.N. Syria vote despite Russian criticism Ocampo ends World Bank bid, backs Nigerian U.S. watches for North Korea's next move after rocket crash Blum Capital to launch distressed real-estate fund Colombia's Ocampo withdraws from World Bank challenge Obama: will isolate North Korea further after failed launch Scaled-back Pakistan drone strikes reflect success: U.S. official Powers seek to ease nuclear deadlock with Iran Six die as violence mars Syria truce, protests muted In "dream city" for Syria refugees, hope of return dims Arctic generals agree closer ties at historic meet Ocampo to withdraw from World Bank race: sources Canada to subsidize northern grain shipments Bissau army hold president, former premier in coup U.N. council condemns apparent Guinea-Bissau coup Iran, powers set for high-stakes nuclear talks Yemen army clashes with Islamists, at least 34 killed Sudan army says moving on oil town seized by South Sudan army says advancing toward Heglig town In war-weary Sudan, dams stop floods and rebels Russia backs U.S. nominee to head World Bank Russia backs U.S. nominee to head World Bank Hungary government loyalist Ader set to be new president Iraqi al Qaeda group says behind prison break of terror suspects Convicted Lockerbie bomber taken to hospital: brother Murdoch's Times faces email hacking damages claim U.N. council "deplored" failed North Korea rocket launch Iran, powers set for high-stakes nuclear talks Syrian forces shell Homs, breaking truce: resident activist and rights group Fri,13 Apr 2012 11:25 PM PDT Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian forces shelled two central districts in the battered city of Homs throughout the night and into Saturday morning, a resident activist and a human rights group said, the first bombings since a ceasefire took hold on Thursday. "There was shelling last night in the old part of the city, in Jouret al-Shiyah and al-Qaradis. And I have heard eight shells fall in the past hour," Karm Abu Rabea, a resident activist who lives in an adjacent neighborhood, said on Saturday morning. ... Full Story Top Afghan woman MP sets sights on presidency Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:33 PM PDT Reuters - KABUL (Reuters) - Condemned to die shortly after birth for being a girl, outspoken Afghan member of parliament Fawzia Koofi lived to become a champion of women's rights and is now eyeing the presidency in 2014. The 36-year-old expects harsh opposition, threats of violence and pressure against her family as her campaign gets underway to replace Hamid Karzai, who must step down that year after serving the constitutional limit of two consecutive terms. "I am sure my campaign will be the noisiest. ... Full Story Top Obama urged at summit to focus on Latin America Fri,13 Apr 2012 08:50 PM PDT Reuters - CARTAGENA, Colombia (Reuters) - Washington should turn back to alliances with neighbors in Latin America rather than focus on faraway conflicts like Afghanistan, Colombia's president said on Friday before welcoming President Barack Obama to the Americas Summit. U.S. influence has waned in recent years in a region it traditionally saw as its backyard, allowing China to gain ground and emerge as the No. 1 trade partner with various countries, including regional powerhouse Brazil. ... Full Story Top U.S. Secret Service agents recalled from Colombia, misconduct alleged Fri,13 Apr 2012 08:43 PM PDT Reuters - CARTAGENA, Colombia (Reuters) - The U.S. Secret Service has recalled a number of agents from Colombia, where President Barack Obama is attending a summit with Latin American leaders, because of alleged misconduct, a spokesman said on Friday. "There have been allegations of misconduct made against Secret Service personnel in Cartagena, Colombia, prior to the president's trip," an agency spokesman, Edwin Donovan, said in a statement. "Because of this, those personnel are being relieved of their assignments, returned to their place of duty, and are being replaced by other Secret Service ... Full Story Top Cuban agent returns to U.S. after seeing brother Fri,13 Apr 2012 07:22 PM PDT Reuters - HAVANA (Reuters) - A Cuban agent on parole who a U.S. judge allowed to return home for two weeks to see his gravely ill brother has gone back to the United States as required, the Cuban government said on Friday. It said Rene Gonzalez, 55, had spent time with his family, and particularly brother Roberto, who has lung cancer. U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard granted Gonzalez his request for the visit with the conditions that he had to obtain permission from the U.S. government and return within 15 days. ... Full Story Top Chavez vows to knock out rivals at Venezuela poll Fri,13 Apr 2012 07:05 PM PDT Reuters - CARACAS (Reuters) - Feisty Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez acknowledged on Friday that radiation treatment for cancer was wearing him down, but he vowed to squash his opponents in October's presidential election. Ramping up the political rhetoric at a huge rally to mark the 10th anniversary of his return to power after a brief coup, Chavez said three sessions of radiation therapy in Cuba had taken their toll. ... Full Story Top Mexican drug cartel leader sent to prison in Colorado Fri,13 Apr 2012 06:48 PM PDT Reuters - DENVER (Reuters) - The leader of a Mexican drug cartel was sentenced on Friday to more than 22 years in prison by a federal judge in Colorado, who said the kingpin's criminal enterprise sold $1 billion worth of cocaine in eight U.S. states. Oscar Arriola, 43, was "a clear and present danger to this country and its citizens," U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn said. The cartel distributed cocaine in 2002 and 2003 in New York, Illinois, Georgia and five other states from a storage center at a Colorado ranch, before an anonymous tip led to an investigation, the U.S. ... Full Story Top After Harvard, future is uncertain for Bo's son Fri,13 Apr 2012 06:18 PM PDT Reuters - CAMBRIDGE, Mass./BEIJING/LONDON (Reuters) - Bo Guagua, a 24-year-old descendant of Chinese Communist royalty, seemed destined to one day become a rich and powerful businessman in an economy that in his lifetime would become the world's largest. His pedigree, elite schooling, easy confidence and connections left those who knew him in no doubt he would pursue a business career and amass a fortune. ... Full Story Top Ocampo ends World Bank bid, backs Nigerian Fri,13 Apr 2012 05:44 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON/BRASILIA (Reuters) - Former Colombian finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo ended his bid to become World Bank president on Friday, leaving two candidates in an unprecedented challenge to U.S. control of the global development institution. With the board of the World Bank to meet on Monday to pick a new president, Ocampo said he hoped emerging-market nations would rally behind Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in a race that he said had turned highly political. ... Full Story Top U.S. watches for North Korea's next move after rocket crash Fri,13 Apr 2012 05:23 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States kept a wary eye on North Korea after the reclusive state's unsuccessful launch of a long-range rocket and President Barack Obama said on Friday Pyongyang faced further isolation if it continued to defy the international community. The White House suspended a deal to provide significant food aid to North Korea following the rocket launch, which it had warned Pyongyang against. U.S. officials also consulted other powers, including North Korean ally China, on how to respond. ... Full Story Top Six die as violence mars Syria truce, protests muted Fri,13 Apr 2012 05:03 PM PDT Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad shot dead five protesters after Friday prayers, activists reported, while the government said an army officer was killed as violence marred a ceasefire brokered by international peace envoy Kofi Annan. At the United Nations, Russia said it was not satisfied with a Western-Arab draft resolution authorizing an advance U.N. team to monitor the fragile ceasefire which aims to end 13 months of bloodshed during the uprising against Assad, an ally of Moscow. ... Full Story Top Obama urged at summit to focus on Latin America Fri,13 Apr 2012 04:34 PM PDT Reuters - CARTAGENA, Colombia (Reuters) - Washington should turn back to alliances with neighbors in Latin America rather than focus on faraway conflicts like Afghanistan, Colombia's president said on Friday before welcoming U.S. President Barack Obama to the Americas Summit. U.S. influence has waned in recent years in a region it traditionally saw as its backyard, allowing China to gain ground and emerge as the No. 1 trade partner with various countries, including regional powerhouse Brazil. ... Full Story Top West pushes U.N. Syria vote despite Russian criticism Fri,13 Apr 2012 04:22 PM PDT Reuters - Western powers brushed aside Russian criticism of a U.S.-drafted Security Council resolution authorizing an advance team of U.N. observers to monitor Syria's fragile ceasefire and said on Friday they hoped to put it to a vote this weekend. The U.N. missions of Britain, France and Germany said the U.S.-drafted resolution was co-sponsored by Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and Morocco, the sole Arab nation on the council. The draft, obtained by Reuters, calls for the initial deployment of up to 30 unarmed U.N. observers to Syria in line with a request by U.N. ... Full Story Top Ocampo ends World Bank bid, backs Nigerian Fri,13 Apr 2012 03:46 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON/BRASILIA (Reuters) - Former Colombian finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo on Friday withdrew his candidacy for World Bank president, leaving two candidates in a race that he said had turned highly political. With the World Bank board meeting on Monday to pick a new president, Ocampo said he hoped emerging market nations would rally behind one candidate, Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Okonjo-Iweala is now the sole candidate from developing nations in a race against U.S. nominee Jim Yong Kim, a Korean-American health expert who appears almost certain to win the post. ... Full Story Top U.S. watches for North Korea's next move after rocket crash Fri,13 Apr 2012 03:34 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States was keeping a wary eye on North Korea after the reclusive state's unsuccessful launch of a long-range rocket, and President Barack Obama said on Friday that Pyongyang faced further isolation if it kept defying the international community. The White House suspended a deal to provide significant food aid to North Korea following the rocket launch, which it had warned Pyongyang against. U.S. officials also consulted with other major powers, including North Korean ally China, on a possible response. ... Full Story Top Blum Capital to launch distressed real-estate fund Fri,13 Apr 2012 02:51 PM PDT Reuters - CARTAGENA, Colombia (Reuters) - U.S. private equity firm Blum Capital Partners is seeking to raise capital for a fund that would invest in distressed debt backed by real estate primarily in Europe, its chairman Richard Blum said. Attending a business meeting linked to the Summit of the Americas in Colombia, Blum said the investment fund may be up and running in as little as three months and seek opportunities in Europe among other regions. "We have never been investors in Europe, and I think there's going to be a lot of distressed debt that the banks have to sell. ... Full Story Top Colombia's Ocampo withdraws from World Bank challenge Fri,13 Apr 2012 02:48 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Colombian finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo said Friday he was withdrawing his candidacy for World Bank president to allow developing nations to rally behind a single nominee to challenge the United States for the job. Ocampo said Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would be "an excellent candidate for the position." "As we move into the final phase, it is clear that the process is shifting from a strict merit-based competition, in which my candidacy stood on strong grounds, into a more political-orientated exercise," Ocampo said in a statement. ... Full Story Top Obama: will isolate North Korea further after failed launch Fri,13 Apr 2012 02:46 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday the United States would work with the international community to further isolate North Korea after the country's unsuccessful launch of a long-range missile drew worldwide condemnation. "It's important to know that they've been trying to launch missiles like this for over a decade now and they don't seem to be real good at it. But obviously this is an area of deep concern," Obama said in an interview with Telemundo, according to a transcript. ... Full Story Top Scaled-back Pakistan drone strikes reflect success: U.S. official Fri,13 Apr 2012 02:28 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - A reduction in U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan in recent months reflects success in targeting senior al Qaeda operatives and forcing militants "underground," a U.S. official said on Friday. The United States suspended strikes by the unmanned aircraft in Pakistani borderlands for nearly two months late last year, partly to ease anger over a November 26 NATO air attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and led Pakistan to close supply routes to U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan. ... Full Story Top Powers seek to ease nuclear deadlock with Iran Fri,13 Apr 2012 02:11 PM PDT Reuters - ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Iran and world powers have a rare chance on Saturday to halt a downward diplomatic spiral over Tehran's nuclear program and ease fears of a new Middle East war when they resume stalled talks, but diplomats warn against expecting quick results. The negotiations in Istanbul, the first between Iran and the six powers in 15 months, are unlikely to yield any major breakthrough but Western diplomats hope at last to see readiness from Tehran to start discuss issues of substance. ... Full Story Top Six die as violence mars Syria truce, protests muted Fri,13 Apr 2012 01:38 PM PDT Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad shot dead five protesters after Friday prayers, activists reported, while the government said an army officer was killed as violence marred a ceasefire brokered by international peace envoy Kofi Annan. At the United Nations, Russia criticized a U.S.-drafted resolution authorizing an advance team to monitor the fragile ceasefire which aims to end 13 months of bloodshed during the uprising against Assad, an ally of Moscow. Russia's U.N. ... Full Story Top In "dream city" for Syria refugees, hope of return dims Fri,13 Apr 2012 01:30 PM PDT Reuters - KILIS, Turkey (Reuters) - Life is starting to look more permanent for the Syrian refugees in Kilis. There are no tents in the Turkish camp. Instead, thousands of white cubicles sit in endless rows. With every grey brick laid along the paths that criss-cross the sea of container houses, Terkia Zarzoureh feels she is further from returning to her home across the border. ... Full Story Top Arctic generals agree closer ties at historic meet Fri,13 Apr 2012 12:58 PM PDT Reuters - OTTAWA (Reuters) - Defense chiefs from eight Arctic nations agreed on Friday to cooperate more closely to deal with disasters and search and rescue operations in the remote resource-rich region, Canada's top soldier said. As the Arctic warms up, major nations are jostling for influence in a frozen part of the world believed to contain vast reserves of oil, gas, gold, diamonds, zinc and iron. ... Full Story Top Ocampo to withdraw from World Bank race: sources Fri,13 Apr 2012 12:39 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON/BRASILIA (Reuters) - Former Colombian finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo is set to withdraw his nomination for the World Bank presidency on Friday as developing nations try to coalesce around one nominee to challenge the United States for the job, three sources said. Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would remain as the sole candidate from developing nations in a race against U.S. nominee Jim Yong Kim, a Korean-American health expert who appears almost certain to win the post. ... Full Story Top Canada to subsidize northern grain shipments Fri,13 Apr 2012 12:38 PM PDT Reuters - WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - The Canadian government said on Friday it will offer grain handlers a subsidy for shipping grain through the country's only Arctic port, which stands to lose volume once the western grains market opens for competition. The Canadian Wheat Board is by far the biggest shipper through Manitoba's Port of Churchill, but the CWB will lose its marketing monopoly over wheat and barley with the next harvest under a new federal law. ... Full Story Top Bissau army hold president, former premier in coup Fri,13 Apr 2012 12:33 PM PDT Reuters - BISSAU (Reuters) - Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have detained the country's interim president and the former prime minister, cutting short an unfinished presidential election in West Africa's second military power grab in a month. A military spokesman confirmed the detentions of ex-premier and presidential election front-runner Carlos Gomes Junior and interim President Raimundo Pereira, following assaults by armed soldiers on their homes on Thursday evening. ... Full Story Top U.N. council condemns apparent Guinea-Bissau coup Fri,13 Apr 2012 12:10 PM PDT Reuters - UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council condemned on Friday an apparent coup in Guinea-Bissau and urged a return to civilian leadership in the small, impoverished former Portuguese colony that has a history of bloody coups and barracks revolts. Soldiers seized government offices and controlled main roads in the capital Bissau on Friday after attacking the former prime minister's home in an apparent coup to derail his election to the presidency of the West African country. ... Full Story Top Iran, powers set for high-stakes nuclear talks Fri,13 Apr 2012 12:09 PM PDT Reuters - ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Iran and six world powers prepared on Friday for rare talks aimed at easing fears that a deepening dispute over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program could plunge the Middle East into a new war. Senior officials from Iran and the big powers arrived in Istanbul ahead of Saturday's talks which are aimed at restarting stalled diplomacy after months of soaring tension and persistent speculation that Israel might bomb Iranian nuclear sites. ... Full Story Top Yemen army clashes with Islamists, at least 34 killed Fri,13 Apr 2012 12:00 PM PDT Reuters - ADEN (Reuters) - At least 34 people, mostly Islamist militants, were killed near the southern Yemeni city of Lawdar on Friday in clashes between government forces and an al-Qaeda-linked group, official and tribal sources said. Yemen's military launched an offensive five days ago against Islamic insurgents who attacked a military camp outside Lawdar. It intensified operations on Friday, sending an elite anti-terrorism unit from the capital Sanaa to join the fight, according to local officials. ... Full Story Top Sudan army says moving on oil town seized by South Fri,13 Apr 2012 11:50 AM PDT Reuters - JUBA/KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan's army said it was advancing on the disputed town of Heglig on Friday in an attempt to oust South Sudanese forces from the oil-producing area after the south said it would withdraw only if the United Nations intervened. Fighting between Sudan and South Sudan this week has brought the two closer to a resumption of full-blown conflict, nine months after the south seceded under a peace deal that ended decades of civil war. South Sudan seized the Heglig oilfield near the border on Tuesday, sparking widespread condemnation. ... Full Story Top Sudan army says advancing toward Heglig town Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:54 AM PDT Reuters - KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan's armed forces are on the outskirts of Heglig town and are advancing toward the settlement, which was occupied by South Sudan this week, the Sudanese military spokesman said on Friday. "We are now on the outskirts of Heglig town," Al-Sawarmi Khalid Saad told reporters in Khartoum. "The armed forces are advancing toward Heglig town ... the situation in Heglig will be resolved within hours." There was no immediate confirmation from the South Sudan authorities. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz; Writing by Alexander Dziadosz; Editing by Jon Boyle) Full Story Top In war-weary Sudan, dams stop floods and rebels Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:52 AM PDT Reuters - TALODI, Sudan (Reuters) - With a roar, an excavator shudders to life and plows into the dry ground outside this war-scarred Sudanese town, drawing cries of "Allahu akbar" from the Kalashnikov-armed soldiers nearby. The one km-long (0.6-mile) earth dam being built here will have an unusually broad set of uses, officials say. Not only will it protect the town from floods and irrigate land, it will deter rebels who have persistently assaulted the strategic spot. ... Full Story Top Russia backs U.S. nominee to head World Bank Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:44 AM PDT Reuters - MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will back Jim Yong Kim, the U.S. nominee for the next World Bank head, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Friday after meeting the candidate, who is in Moscow on his world tour to drum up support. "Taking into account Mr. Kim's considerable professional qualities as well as his experience and knowledge, the Russian Federation will support the candidacy of Jim Yong Kim during the voting by the bank's board of directors," the Russian Finance Ministry said in a statement. ... Full Story Top Russia backs U.S. nominee to head World Bank Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:42 AM PDT Reuters - MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will back Jim Yong Kim, the U.S. nominee for the next World Bank head, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Friday after meeting the candidate, who is in Moscow on his world tour to drum up support. "Taking into account Mr. Kim's considerable professional qualities as well as his experience and knowledge, the Russian Federation will support the candidacy of Jim Yong Kim during the voting by the bank's board of directors," the Russian Finance Ministry said in a statement. ... Full Story Top Hungary government loyalist Ader set to be new president Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:38 AM PDT Reuters - BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The leadership of Hungary's ruling Fidesz party has backed Janos Ader, one of its deputies in the European Parliament, as its candidate for president, the national news agency MTI said on Friday, citing unnamed sources. If Ader accepts, he will almost certainly replace Pal Schmitt, who quit this month after a plagiarism scandal, as the post is chosen by parliament, which is dominated by Fidesz. ... Full Story Top Iraqi al Qaeda group says behind prison break of terror suspects Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:35 AM PDT Reuters - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate has said it was behind last month's prison escape involving 19 inmates in the northern city of Kirkuk, a group that monitors online communications among insurgents said on Friday. The inmates, most of whom were terrorist suspects, escaped from a temporary prison on March 23 by dismantling the extractor fan in a bathroom and by then using blankets to escape through the opening. Twenty-two policemen and guards employed at the jail were arrested in connection with the escape. On Friday, the U.S. ... Full Story Top Convicted Lockerbie bomber taken to hospital: brother Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:34 AM PDT Reuters - TRIPOLI (Reuters) - The former Libyan intelligence officer convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people was transferred to hospital on Friday after his health deteriorated quickly, his brother said. Abdulbasit al-Megrahi was taken from his Tripoli home to a private hospital, his brother Abdulhakim told Reuters. "His health began to deteriorate quickly and we were worried about him, so took him immediately to the hospital where he is receiving a blood transfusion," he said. ... Full Story Top Murdoch's Times faces email hacking damages claim Fri,13 Apr 2012 10:23 AM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Rupert Murdoch's Times of London is facing a claim for exemplary damages after admitting hacking into the email of an anonymous police blogger to expose his identity, lawyer Mark Lewis told Reuters on Friday. Lewis, of law firm Taylor Hampton and representing police detective Richard Horton, said Horton had filed for misuse of confidential information, breach of confidence and deceit at London's High Court this week. The Times exposed Horton as the author of the blog, in which he wrote about police work under the name NightJack, in 2009. ... Full Story Top U.N. council "deplored" failed North Korea rocket launch Fri,13 Apr 2012 09:58 AM PDT Reuters - UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council "deplored" on Friday North Korea's failed bid to launch a long-range rocket but said it would continue talks on an appropriate response to the actions of the hermit state, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said. "Members of the Security Council deplored this launch, which is in violation of Security Council resolutions," Rice told reporters, summarizing discussions among the 15-nation panel on Friday morning. She is president of the council this month. ... Full Story Top Iran, powers set for high-stakes nuclear talks Fri,13 Apr 2012 09:50 AM PDT Reuters - ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Iran and six world powers prepared on Friday for rare talks aimed at easing fears that a deepening dispute over the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme could plunge the Middle East into a new war. Senior officials from Iran and the big powers arrived in Istanbul ahead of Saturday's bid to restart stalled diplomacy after months of soaring tension and persistent speculation that Israel might bomb Iranian nuclear sites. ... Full Story Top

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