G20 steps back from currency brink, heat off Japan

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Group of 20 nations declared on Saturday there would be no currency war and deferred plans to set new debt-cutting targets, underlining broad concern about the fragile state of the world economy. Japan's expansive policies, which have driven down the yen, escaped direct criticism in a statement thrashed out in Moscow by policymakers from the G20, which spans developed...

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Pistorius' family strongly denies murder charge

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius is "numb with shock as well as grief" after the shooting death of his model girlfriend at his home in South Africa, the runner's uncle said Saturday, as his family strongly denied prosecutors' claims that he murdered her.Arnold Pistorius spoke with The Associated Press and two other South African journalists about his nephew's arrest in the killing of...

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Pope's resignation 'shows leadership'

By Roland Martin, CNN ContributorFebruary 16, 2013 -- Updated 1649 GMT (0049 HKT)Longest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesLongest-reigning popesSTORY HIGHLIGHTSPope Benedict stuns world by announcing he will resignRoland Martin says it's a wise...

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Off-duty Chicago police officer dies in SUV rollover on Skyway

Chicago Tribune reporter Peter Nickeas recaps Friday night's...

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Bomb kills 64 in Pakistan's Quetta

QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Sixty-four people including school children died on Saturday in a bomb attack carried out by extremists from Pakistan's Sunni Muslim majority, police said. A spokesman for Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a Sunni group, claimed responsibility for the bomb in Quetta, which caused casualties in the town's main bazaar, a school and a computer center. Police said most of the...

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Wall Street declines with slide in Wal-Mart shares

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor, writer and comedian Steve Martin has become a dad for the first time at age 67 - and managed to keep it secret from the media for more than a month. Martin and his second wife, Anne Stringfield, 41, "are new parents and recently welcomed a child," a spokeswoman for the actor said on Wednesday. The spokeswoman gave no details, including the sex of the child or the date...

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Weeping Pistorius faces life in prison in shooting

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius wept in court Friday as prosecutors said they'll pursue a charge of premeditated murder against him in the killing of his model girlfriend, meaning the man who once inspired the world could spend the rest of his life in prison.Pistorius' family and London-based management issued a statement disputing the murder charge he now faces for the...

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More than 1,000 injured when meteor explodes over Russia

CHELYABINSK, Russia— ...

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Meteorite explodes over Russia, more than 1,000 injured

CHELYABINSK, Russia (Reuters) - A meteorite streaked across the sky and exploded over central Russia on Friday, raining fireballs over a vast area and causing a shock wave that smashed windows, damaged buildings and injured 1,200 people. People heading to work in Chelyabinsk heard what sounded like an explosion, saw a bright light and then felt the shock wave, according to a Reuters correspondent...

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S&P 500 ends up slightly for third day

DEAR ABBY: My daughters are attractive young women, both doing well in their professional careers. "Melanie," who is 27, is married to "Sam," an extremely attractive and successful man.My 30-year-old daughter, "Alicia," has been divorced for a year. Her marriage failed two years ago because she and her husband had an appetite for sex outside their marriage. While I was disturbed about that, I was...

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Olympian Oscar Pistorius charged with murder

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Paralympic superstar Oscar Pistorius was charged Thursday with the murder of his girlfriend who was shot inside his home in South Africa, a stunning development in the life of a national hero known as the Blade Runner for his high-tech artificial legs.Reeva Steenkamp, a model who spoke out on Twitter against rape and abuse of women, was shot four times in the predawn...

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How safe are nanoparticles in food?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSAndy Behar: Some foods contain tiny, engineered particles called nanomaterials Behar: Nanoparticles might pose health risks, since they have adversely affected mice He says not enough studies have adequately demonstrated the safety of nanoparticles Behar: With an emerging technology such as this, companies have to be careful Editor's note: Andy Behar is the chief executive of As You...

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'Blade Runner' Olympian charged with girlfriend's murder

JOHANNESBURG— ...

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"Blade Runner" Pistorius charged with murdering girlfriend

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, was charged on Thursday with shooting dead his girlfriend at his upscale home in Pretoria. Police said they opened a murder case after a 30-year-old woman was found dead at the Paralympic and Olympic star's house in the Silverlakes gated complex...

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Wall Street rally stalls, S&P 500 skims November 2007 high

DEAR ABBY: My daughters are attractive young women, both doing well in their professional careers. "Melanie," who is 27, is married to "Sam," an extremely attractive and successful man.My 30-year-old daughter, "Alicia," has been divorced for a year. Her marriage failed two years ago because she and her husband had an appetite for sex outside their marriage. While I was disturbed about that, I was...

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Rivera plans to announce if this is final season

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said he's reached a decision on whether this will be his final season and plans to announce it before opening day."Yes, I have," Rivera said Wednesday after the Yankees' first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers. "But again, I will tell you guys when I think it's the right moment."Baseball's career saves leader had surgery June...

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Obama speech 'relied on amnesia'

STORY HIGHLIGHTSMatt Welch: State of the Union featured content-free calls to action for action's sakeHe says governed might want to know what they've gotten in return for ballooning debtDidn't we try repairing infrastructure with the stimulus package? he asksWelch: Rand Paul spoke to those who think government should get out of wayEditor's note: Matt Welch is editor in chief of Reason and co-author...

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Cubs' plan for more night games in 2013 could be in trouble

The Chicago Cubs' push for more night games in the upcoming season could be in jeopardy, as Ald. Tom Tunney said he would not...

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Ovation for Pope Benedict at final public mass

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A capacity crowd in St Peter's Basilica gave Pope Benedict a thunderous standing ovation on Wednesday at an emotional last public Mass before he resigns at the end of the month. "Thank you. Now, let's return to prayer," the 85-year-old pontiff said, bringing an end to several minutes of applause that clearly moved him. In an unusual gesture, bishops took off their...

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