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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Beckham must wait before making PSG debut

SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, France (AP) — David Beckham will have to wait at least one more week to make his debut for Paris Saint-Germain because his coach says he needs to get in better shape.Coach Carlo Ancelotti ruled out the 37-year-old former England captain for Sunday's match against Sochaux in the French league."He will stay here and work," Ancelotti said Saturday. "He will stay here and improve...

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Meteor shows need to keep eye on sky

By Colin Stuart, special for CNNFebruary 15, 2013 -- Updated 1512 GMT (2312 HKT)Meteor explodes over RussiaMeteor explodes over RussiaMeteor explodes over RussiaMeteor explodes over RussiaMeteor explodes over RussiaMeteor explodes over RussiaMeteor explodes over RussiaMeteor explodes over RussiaSTORY HIGHLIGHTSMeteor explosion above Russia left hundreds of people injuredMeteor came on day asteroid...

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

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Pistorius, girlfriend were planning future: uncle

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was planning a future with girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who he is accused of shooting in cold blood this week, his uncle said on Saturday. "We are in a state of total shock - firstly about the tragic death of Reeva who we had all got to know well and care for deeply over the last few months," Anthony Pistorius said in a statement...

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Wall Street edges up on data, S&P up for seventh week

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose slightly Friday with the S&P 500 gaining for a seventh week in the wake of upbeat consumer sentiment data, though thin trading and the modest rise showed a continuing trend of a consolidating market after strong recent gains. The S&P 500, up nearly 7 percent so far this year, is facing strong technical resistance near the 1,525 level. But investors,...

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Yankees razz Youkilis for Red Sox remarks

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kevin Youkilis' new teammates were waiting to razz him when the third baseman walked into the New York Yankees clubhouse.Youkilis made the back page of two New York newspapers Friday for telling reporters at the first day of spring training that "I'll always be a Red Sox.""I was basically defining that, as a player, I'll be a Red Sox, and a White Sox, and a Yankee for life," Youkilis...

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UK retail sales drop amid bad weather

LONDON (AP) — Official figures show retail sales in Britain dropped more than expected in January, stoking fears the economy might slip into another recession.The Office for National Statistics said Friday that, in seasonally adjusted terms, the quantity of goods purchased in the retail sector dropped 0.6 percent from the previous month. Heavy snow is likely to have had an impact.Sales fell by the...

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The plague of violence against women

STORY HIGHLIGHTSOne Billion Rising mass action is raising awareness of violence against womenFrida Ghitis: Oscar Pistorius faces murder charges in death of his girlfriendGhitis says people are taking notice, with the assault on Malala, the death of Nirbhaya Ghitis: The death of Steenkamp is a reminder of the urgency of the cause in helping womenEditor's note: Frida Ghitis is a world affairs columnist...

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Hundreds hurt when 10-ton meteor explodes over Russia

CHELYABINSK, Russia -- More than 500 people were injured when a meteor shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia on Friday, sending fireballs crashing to...

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Meteorite hits central Russia, more than 500 people hurt

CHELYABINSK, Russia (Reuters) - A meteor streaked across the sky and exploded over central Russia on Friday, sending fireballs crashing to earth which shattered windows and damaged buildings, injuring more than 500 people. People heading to work in Chelyabinsk heard what sounded like an explosion, saw a bright light and then felt a shockwave, according to a Reuters correspondent in the...

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Wall Street dips off five-year highs after Europe, Japan data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks dipped on Thursday after traders cashed in some of their recent gains following weaker-than-expected economic growth data from Europe and Japan, though declines were limited by news on mergers and acquisitions. A contraction of 0.6 percent in gross domestic product in the euro zone was the steepest for the bloc since the first quarter of 2009, while Japan's...

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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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Where's Obama's foreign policy?

By Isobel Coleman, Special to CNNFebruary 13, 2013 -- Updated 1653 GMT (0053 HKT)STORY HIGHLIGHTSIsobel Coleman: Obama mainly addressed domestic issues: economy, immigration, energy He spoke very little about and offered nothing much new on foreign policy, she saysColeman: He talked about ending Afghanistan War, spoke briefly about Iran, Syria, ChinaColeman: His reinvigorated free trade agenda seems...

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'Blade Runner' Olympian Oscar Pistorius charged with murder

Double-amputee Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was arrested on Thursday, after a woman was shot dead in his home in Pretoria, South Africa. (Feb. 14) ...

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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 rises, S&P hits highest since November '07

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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IOC President Rogge to meet with wrestling leader

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — IOC President Jacques Rogge will meet with the head of wrestling's governing body to discuss ways the sport can fight to save its place in the 2020 Olympics.The IOC executive board removed wrestling from the program of the 2020 Games on Tuesday, cutting it from the list of 26 sports at last year's London Olympics.The decision, which still must be ratified by the full IOC...

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Africa 'must think big for its children'

Children at school in the Mukuru kwa Njenga slum in Nairobi, Kenya.STORY HIGHLIGHTSNew report shows that policies across Africa are helping children's developmentBut laws must improve to help children reach potential, says Catherine MbengueScrapping fees in Malawi saw entry to primary school jump from under 50% to 99%At secondary level, education in much of the region is deeply limited, Mbengue saysEditor's...

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