Ex-hostage hugs children after blow to Colombia rebelsmore similar news »
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Ingrid Betancourt, the symbol of rebel hostages in Colombia, hugged and wept with her children for the first time in six years on Thursday after a military rescue that dealt a severe blow to already weakened guerrillas.
Obama wades into controversy with Iraq commentsmore similar news »
FARGO, North Dakota (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama waded into controversy on Thursday over his plans to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq, first saying he might "refine" his views but later declaring his stance had remained unchanged for more than a year.
"Go time" in Big Sur as massive wildfire bears downmore similar news »
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A massive, out-of-control wildfire bearing down on the scenic coastal town of Big Sur was exhibiting "extreme fire behavior" that had authorities fearing for nearly 1,800 homes and businesses in its path and ordering residents to get out.
Economy extends job loss streakmore similar news »
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. employers cut workers for a sixth straight month in June for the longest such streak since 2002 and the country's vast service sector unexpectedly contracted, underscoring the economy's frailty.
U.S. expects U.N. vote on Zimbabwe sanctions next weekmore similar news »
HARARE (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday it expects the U.N. Security Council to vote next week on sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and top aides in response to last week's widely condemned election.
U.S. envoy in Israel plays down talk of Iran attackmore similar news »
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to Israel played down speculation on Thursday that an attack by either country on Iranian nuclear sites was imminent, saying the allies agreed sanctions should run their course.
U.S. assures UK over secret flights, doubts persistmore similar news »
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has received new U.S. assurances that the CIA did not secretly smuggle terrorist suspects through its territory, but critics said on Thursday the government had failed to ask Washington the right questions.
Colombia rescues hostage Ingrid Betancourtmore similar news »
BOGOTA (Reuters) - French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, three Americans and 11 other hostages held for years in jungle captivity were rescued on Wednesday from leftist guerrillas by Colombian troops posing as aid workers.
Doctor says Angelina Jolie doing wellmore similar news »
NICE, France (Reuters) - Pregnant Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is doing well in a French Riviera hospital and is expected to give birth to twins in "the coming weeks", her doctor said on Wednesday.
Miliband signals support for French plansmore similar news »
LONDON (Reuters) - Foreign Secretary David Miliband sent a strong signal of support on Wednesday for French plans to strengthen Europe's defence policy, saying EU nations should be ready to deploy troops to trouble spots without waiting for
Russia to meet Britain halfway over poisoning rowmore similar news »
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he was prepared to compromise to resolve a row with Britain over a murdered Kremlin critic, but he expects Prime MInister Gordon Brown to do the same when the two men meet next week.
Palestinian kills 3 in Jerusalem bulldozer attackmore similar news »
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Palestinian construction worker rampaged in a bulldozer along one of west Jerusalem's busiest streets on Wednesday, killing three Israelis as he crushed cars and overturned a bus before being shot dead.
Polish president links EU treaty approval to Irishmore similar news »
WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland will not ratify the European Union's reform treaty unless Ireland manages to overcome its own voters' opposition and also approves the charter, Polish President Lech Kaczynski said on Wednesday.
Housing slowdown starts to bite economy hardmore similar news »
LONDON (Reuters) - Construction activity fell at its sharpest pace in at least 11 years in June, a survey showed on Wednesday, in one of the clearest signs yet of how falling house prices are hitting the wider economy.
M&S says downturn to last longermore similar news »
LONDON (Reuters) - Marks and Spencer issued a shock profit warning and said the consumer downturn was likely to be deeper and last longer than previously expected, sending its shares plunging 25 percent to a near seven-year low.
Grasso case "over" as court dismisses claimsmore similar news »
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former New York Stock Exchange chief Richard Grasso won a knockout victory on Tuesday in his four-year fight to keep every last penny of his $187.5 million pay package, as an appeals court threw out the state's remaining claims against him.
Obama courts evangelicals with stress on faithmore similar news »
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama promised a more active approach to faith-based social programs on Tuesday in a bid to bolster his support among evangelical and religious voters.
McCain focuses on trade in Colombia, Mexico tripmore similar news »
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Trade, drugs and immigration will top the agenda of U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain during a visit to Colombia and Mexico this week designed to showcase his foreign policy experience over that of Democratic rival Barack Obama.
African Union calls for unity govt in Zimbabwemore similar news »
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - The African Union called on Tuesday for a national unity government in Zimbabwe after the widely condemned re-election of President Robert Mugabe in a violent poll ruled unfair by monitors.
Diplomats play down fears of Israeli attack on Iranmore similar news »
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S., Iranian and Western diplomats played down worries about a looming Israeli military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities on Tuesday after reports of heightened tensions rattled nerves and helped drive oil prices near record highs.
Malaysia's Anwar says sodomy charge "a conspiracy"more similar news »
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday he was shelving plans to contest a parliamentary by-election due to a "political conspiracy" behind a young aide's accusation of homosexual assault.
Portuguese police hand Madeleine report to prosecutormore similar news »
LISBON (Reuters) - Portuguese police have sent their final report on the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann to public prosecutors, who will decide whether to take any further steps, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
Last U.S. "surge" brigade begins leaving Iraqmore similar news »
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military has begun withdrawing from Iraq the last of the five additional combat brigades that were deployed to the country in 2007, a U.S. military spokesman said on Tuesday.
Iraq throws open door to foreign oil firmsmore similar news »
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq opened its giant oilfields to foreign firms on Monday, putting British and U.S. companies in pole position five years after U.S.-led troops invaded the country to oust Saddam Hussein.
Leaders to consider Zimbabwe crisis at AU summitmore similar news »
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - African leaders are expected to press President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday to negotiate with Zimbabwe's opposition but are unlikely to punish his government for holding a discredited presidential election.
Obama fights back against questions on patriotismmore similar news »
INDEPENDENCE, Missouri (Reuters) - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama rejected questions about his patriotism on Monday even as he drew fire for a supporter's attack on Republican rival John McCain's military record.
Prosecutors charge accused USS Cole mastermindmore similar news »
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. military prosecutors have requested the death penalty for the alleged mastermind behind the bombing of the USS Cole warship that killed 17 U.S. sailors in 2000, the Pentagon said on Monday.
Canadian loses U.S. appeal in Syrian torture casemore similar news »
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Canadian who says he was whisked off a plane in New York and sent illegally to Syria where he was tortured for a year lost his case against the U.S. government on Monday on a technicality.
Rebel Anglican meeting lamentable: U.S. church leadermore similar news »
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A just-concluded meeting of conservative church leaders in the worldwide Anglican Communion will have little lasting impact, the head of the Episcopal Church, the faith's U.S. branch, said on Monday.
Iran sentences man to death for spying for Israelmore similar news »
TEHRAN (Reuters) - An Iranian court on Monday sentenced to death an Iranian businessman on charges of being an Israeli spy who targeted the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program and its military, media said.
U.S. boosts global food aid, food security fundingmore similar news »
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will spend an additional $1.25 billion on international food aid donations this year and next as donor countries seek to blunt the effects of soaring food prices on the world's poor.
