WORLD News, Jul 11, 2011

Syrian forces raid Homs, Hama; Assad starts dialogue Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:26 PM PDT Reuters - AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian forces killed at least one civilian and injured 20 in Homs Monday during the heaviest raids on the city since troops deployed there two months ago to crush dissent against President Bashar al-Assad, residents said. Full Story1

Blast rips through Cyprus base, 8 killed Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:24 PM PDT Reuters - NICOSIA (Reuters) - A massive explosion ripped through a military base in southern Cyprus, witnesses said on Monday, with the official news agency reporting at least eight people dead. Full Story1

Japan idled reactors could restart after stress test Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:01 PM PDT Reuters - TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's idled nuclear reactors could be turned on again if they pass the first stage of two-step post-Fukushima safety checks, the government said on Monday. Full Story1

Libyan rebels must talk to Gaddafi's government: France Sun,10 Jul 2011 07:30 PM PDT Reuters - TRIPOLI (Reuters) - France's defense minister said it was time for Libya's rebels to negotiate with Muammar Gaddafi's government, signaling growing impatience with progress in the conflict. Full Story1

Syrian forces raid central city of Homs, one killed Sun,10 Jul 2011 07:26 PM PDT Reuters - AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian troops killed at least one civilian in overnight raids in the city of Homs, activists said on Monday, a day after the authorities held a "national dialogue" meeting boycotted by the opposition. Full Story1

NATO answers refugee boat's mayday off Libya Sun,10 Jul 2011 04:13 PM PDT Reuters - OVER THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA OFF LIBYA (Reuters) - NATO aircraft and a warship went to the aid of an overcrowded vessel in danger of sinking off the coast of Libya on Sunday with dozens of refugees aboard. Full Story1

Egyptian frustrations with army, government mount Sun,10 Jul 2011 04:05 PM PDT Reuters - CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian activists vowed on Sunday to stay camped in Cairo's Tahrir Square, accusing the army rulers of failing to sweep out corruption, end the use of military courts and swiftly try those who killed protesters. Full Story1

Over 100 missing after boat sinks in Russia's Volga Sun,10 Jul 2011 03:16 PM PDT Reuters - KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) - More than 100 people were missing and feared drowned after a tourist boat sank in Russia's Volga river on Sunday, emergency services officials and survivors said. Full Story1

Egypt state security officers protest dismissal of police Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:44 PM PDT Reuters - ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) - State security officers in the Egyptian city of Ismailia staged a protest Sunday over the dismissal of policemen accused of killing demonstrators during a popular uprising. Full Story1

France tells Libya rebels to seek peace with Gaddafi Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:24 PM PDT Reuters - TRIPOLI (Reuters) - A French minister said on Sunday it was time for Libya's rebels to negotiate with Muammar Gaddafi's government, but Washington said it stood firm in its belief that the Libyan leader cannot stay in power. Full Story1

No let up in Moroccan protests for deeper reform Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:12 PM PDT Reuters - RABAT (Reuters) - Thousands of Moroccans staged protests on Sunday, the latest in a series of peaceful demonstrations by a youth-led movement to demand reforms that go beyond constitutional changes crafted by the palace. Full Story1

Colombia rebels kill 2 police, set off "horse bomb" Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:09 PM PDT Reuters - BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian rebels shot dead two policemen in one attack and wounded two soldiers with a horse packed with explosives in another Sunday as Bogota vowed to beef up security in a violence-hit southwestern state. Full Story1

France says time for political solution in Libya Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:06 PM PDT Reuters - PARIS (Reuters) - France appeared on Sunday to shift its position on the Libyan uprising, suggesting that there could be no military solution and that Muammar Gaddafi loyalists and Libyan rebels should begin direct negotiations. Full Story1

Egypt detains former minister over pesticides Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:06 PM PDT Reuters - CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian investigating judge ordered a former agriculture minister detained for questioning over accusations that he allowed the import of cancer-causing pesticides, the state news agency MENA reported Sunday. Full Story1

Syrian opposition boycotts talks with government Sun,10 Jul 2011 01:59 PM PDT Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's main opposition groups boycotted talks with the government on Sunday and said they will not negotiate till President Bashar al-Assad stops the violent crackdown and frees thousands of political prisoners. Full Story1

Chavez doesn't have colon cancer or need chemo, says ally Sun,10 Jul 2011 01:50 PM PDT Reuters - CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez does not have colon cancer and does not currently need chemotherapy, his former vice president told Colombian media, without detailing Chavez's exact condition. Full Story1

Blast in outskirts of Nigerian capital Abuja Sun,10 Jul 2011 01:18 PM PDT Reuters - ABUJA (Reuters) - An explosion in Suleja, a town on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital Abuja, seriously injured four people Sunday, the National Emergency Management Agency said. Full Story1

Egypt Suez Canal working despite protests: agency Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:56 AM PDT Reuters - CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's Suez Canal is operating normally despite days of sit-ins and protests near the vital waterway, a Suez Canal Authority official told the state MENA news agency on Sunday. Full Story1

Interpol issues warrants for Hariri killing suspects Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:47 AM PDT Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Interpol has circulated arrest warrants for four suspects in the 2005 assassination of Lebanese statesman Rafik al-Hariri, U.N.-backed tribunal said on Sunday. Full Story1

Analysis: Sudan's smooth separation masks messy divorce Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:23 AM PDT Reuters - JUBA/KHARTOUM (Reuters) - North and South Sudanese awoke in separate nations Sunday, relieved at the ease of the split but no closer to solving rows over borders, oil sharing and other issues that may yet spark conflict. Full Story1

France summons Syrian envoy in Paris Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:15 AM PDT Reuters - PARIS (Reuters) - France said on Sunday it had summoned the Syrian ambassador in Paris after violent demonstrations outside its diplomatic residences in Aleppo and Damascus on Saturday. Full Story1

Eight dead in Yemen as U.S. envoy presses Saleh to go Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:42 AM PDT Reuters - SANAA (Reuters) - Eight people were killed in southern Yemen in two separate incidents on Sunday as U.S. President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism official met President Ali Abdullah Saleh to urge him to hand over power quickly. Full Story1

Murdoch exits London home with arm around Brooks Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:40 AM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch exited his London home on Sunday with his arm around embattled newspaper chief Rebekah Brooks, and told Reuters that she was his first priority. Full Story1

At least 26 killed in north India rail accident Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:18 AM PDT Reuters - LUCKNOW, India (Reuters) - At least 26 people were killed and more than 150 injured in northern India when nearly a dozen coaches of a passenger train were derailed, officials said Sunday. Full Story1

U.N. envoy talks to Libya about transition Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:07 AM PDT Reuters - UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N.'s special envoy for Libya has held talks with Libya's prime minister and foreign minister, and raised ideas about managing a transition in the country, a statement from U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon's office said on Sunday.Full Story1

Blasts at Turkmen arms depot kill 15 people Sun,10 Jul 2011 09:51 AM PDT Reuters - ASHGABAT (Reuters) - Explosions killed 15 people at a military depot outside Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat, last week, a special government commission reported Sunday, breaking days of official silence. Full Story1

Ten decapitated bodies left in truck in Mexico: report Sun,10 Jul 2011 09:36 AM PDT Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Ten decapitated bodies were found in the northern Mexican city of Torreon in the country's latest grisly mass murder as drug gangs war over smuggling routes, Mexican newspapers reported on Sunday. Full Story1

South Sudan prays, fields soccer team after split Sun,10 Jul 2011 09:28 AM PDT Reuters - JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudanese prayed for the prosperity of their new nation on Sunday and kicked off their first soccer match as an independent country after seceding from Sudan's north on Saturday. Full Story1

Merkel signals ambitions to run for 3rd term in 2013 Sun,10 Jul 2011 09:09 AM PDT Reuters - BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel signaled for the first time her intention to seek a third term in 2013, although a poll on Sunday showed Peer Steinbrueck of the main opposition party gaining more support from voters. Full Story1

Germans say "Nein Danke!" to lower taxes Sun,10 Jul 2011 09:09 AM PDT Reuters - BERLIN (Reuters) - Germans are overwhelmingly opposed to tax cuts and want the government to focus on cutting debt rather than reducing taxes, according to an opinion poll published on Sunday. Full Story1

Egypt gas pipeline to Israel to be ready by week end Sun,10 Jul 2011 08:56 AM PDT Reuters - CAIRO (Reuters) - Repairs on an Egyptian pipeline supplying gas to Israel and Jordan are expected to be completed by the end of the week, the state's MENA news agency reported on Sunday. Full Story1

Five killed in clash in south Yemen: report Sun,10 Jul 2011 08:27 AM PDT Reuters - SANAA (Reuters) - Four militants and one soldier were killed in a clash in southern Yemen Sunday. Full Story1

Australia unveils sweeping carbon plan in climate fight Sun,10 Jul 2011 08:26 AM PDT Reuters - CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australia unveiled its most sweeping economic reform in decades on Sunday with a plan to tax carbon emissions from the nation's worst polluters, reviving hopes of stronger global climate action with the largest emissions trade scheme outside Europe. Full Story1

Pakistan urges U.S. to share intelligence on Zawahri Sun,10 Jul 2011 08:18 AM PDT Reuters - ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani called on the United States on Sunday to share information about new al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri after Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he believed that Osama bin Laden's successor was in Pakistan. Full Story1

Syria summons U.S. and French envoys over Hama visit Sun,10 Jul 2011 07:00 AM PDT Reuters - BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria said it had summoned the envoys of the United States and France in Damascus on Sunday to express objection over their visit to the restive city of Hama last week without clearance from the authorities. Full Story1

Israel outlines maritime border in Lebanon dispute Sun,10 Jul 2011 04:52 AM PDT Reuters - JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel outlined maritime economic borders on Sunday that challenged what it said were boundaries submitted by Lebanon to the United Nations in a dispute fueled by massive Mediterranean gas finds. Full Story1

Pakistan urges U.S. to share intelligence on Zawahri Sun,10 Jul 2011 04:48 AM PDT Reuters - ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani called on the United States on Sunday to share information about new al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri after U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he believed that Osama bin Laden's successor was in Pakistan. Full Story1

U.N. rights boss in last-minute plea to Senegal on Habre Sun,10 Jul 2011 04:32 AM PDT Reuters - GENEVA (Reuters) - The top U.N. human rights official called on Senegal on Sunday not to extradite former Chadian President Hissene Habre to his homeland unless he is guaranteed to get a fair trial and not face torture or execution. Full Story1

Over 1,400 arrested, tear gas fired in Malaysia protest Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:28 AM PDT Reuters - KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police fired repeated rounds of tear gas and detained over 1,400 people in the capital on Saturday as thousands of activists evaded roadblocks and barbed wire to hold a street protest against Prime Minister Najib Razak's government. Full Story1

Scenarios: What next for Malaysian PM after anti-govt rally? Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:28 AM PDT Reuters - KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will likely hold off on calling a snap election any time soon and rethink tough economic reforms to consolidate support after a rare anti-government protest highlighted the opposition's growing strength. Full Story1

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BUSINESS News, Jul 11, 2011

British government lawyers look to block BSkyB bid: report Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:45 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - British government lawyers are drawing up plans to block Rupert Murdoch's bid to buy out the broadcaster BSkyB, the Independent newspaper said on Monday -- a move that could spare Prime Minister David Cameron a potentially damaging parliamentary vote. Full Story1 Saudi prince says no change in News Corp investment Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:17 PM PDT Reuters - DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said on Sundaythere would be no change in his Kingdom Holding's investment in News Corp. Full Story1 News Corp's Rebekah Brooks arrives at Murdoch's London flat Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:17 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Rebekah Brooks, the chief executive of News Corp's crisis-hit British newspaper arm, arrived at the London residence of Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch on Sunday, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene. Full Story1 China's Wen says inflation top priority, more tightening seen Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:14 PM PDT Reuters - SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) - Fighting inflation remains the top priority for the Chinese government and Beijing will maintain its current economic policy, Premier Wen Jiabao said in comments published on Monday, reinforcing the case for further policy tightening. Full Story1 Taxes still a stumbling block in debt talks Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:22 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After months of effort, President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans are right back where they started as they try to avert a looming debt default: arguing over taxes. Full Story1 China to punish local officials for excessive debts: report Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:17 PM PDT Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - China will link local officials' performance appraisals to the level of debt held by local governments, state media reported Monday, an apparent move to cap borrowing and address worries that possible defaults could damage China's economy.Full Story1 Analysis: Asia rates have room to rise beyond inflation peak Sun,10 Jul 2011 09:38 PM PDT Reuters - SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Asia's emerging market central banks will need to keep ratcheting up interest rates well after inflation peaks to prevent higher prices from seeping into corners of the economy where they are much harder to dislodge. Full Story1 Obama, lawmakers meet for 1 1/2 hours on debt impasse Sun,10 Jul 2011 04:58 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama sought on Sunday to break an impasse with Republicans on deficit reduction and avert a potentially catastrophic debt default that could reverberate globally. Full Story1 UK government lawyers in plan to block BSkyB bid: paper Sun,10 Jul 2011 04:16 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - British government lawyers are drawing up a plan to block Rupert Murdoch's bid for the pay-TV operator BSkyB, the Independent newspaper reported on Monday. Full Story1 BSkyB under pressure as politics hijack merger Sun,10 Jul 2011 01:57 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - BSkyB shares will be under pressure again in the coming week after a weekend in which politicians ramped up their rhetoric to derail a proposed $14 billion takeover by U.S. media conglomerate News Corp . Full Story1 Pressure mounts on UK government to halt Murdoch/BSkyB deal Sun,10 Jul 2011 12:34 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron came under growing pressure Sunday to halt Rupert Murdoch's bid for pay-TV operator BSkyB, at least until an investigation into phone-hacking at the media magnate's newspapers has been completed. Full Story1 Hurdles abound in global recovery Sun,10 Jul 2011 12:02 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - A dismal U.S. jobs report. A European debt crisis for which there is no quick fix. Slowing growth in China. Full Story1 Murdoch meets UK executive embroiled in scandal Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:52 AM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Media baron Rupert Murdoch flew into London on Sunday to tackle a phone-hacking scandal that has sent tremors through the British political establishment and may cost him a multi-billion dollar broadcasting deal. Full Story1 Where was SEC as trouble festered at Chinese companies? Sun,10 Jul 2011 11:24 AM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alarmed by widening accounting debacles at U.S.-listed Chinese companies, American regulators are scrambling to stem the damage from gaps in laws adopted to protect investors after the Enron scandal a decade ago. Full Story1 Italy scrambles to soothe market jitters Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:10 AM PDT Reuters - ROME (Reuters) - Italy's government scrambled to present a united front and defend the embattled economy minister on Sunday, hoping to soothe market fears that triggered a sell-off in Italian stocks and bonds last week. Full Story1

 

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BLOOMBERG News, Jul 11, 2011

Factbox: What's on the table in debt talks Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:37 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and congressional leaders resume their White House talks on Monday to see if they have the makings of a deal to trim budget deficits and avert a looming default. Full Story1 U.S. sticks to guns on ousting Libya's Gaddafi Sun,10 Jul 2011 02:17 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States remains firm that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi must give up his 41-year rule, the State Department said on Sunday, after France's defense minister advocated a compromise with Libyan rebels. Full Story1 Showdown looming on Korea trade without deal soon Sun,10 Jul 2011 12:18 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama appears headed toward a fight with Republicans over a long-delayed trade deal with U.S. ally South Korea, even though both sides say they want it to pass Congress. Full Story1 U.S. accuses Syria of stirring protest outside embassy Sun,10 Jul 2011 12:09 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States accused Syria of having organized an angry 31-hour protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Damascus over the weekend while the U.S. ambassador told the foreign minister that such anti-American "incitement" must stop. Full Story1 U.S. official meets Yemen president Saleh in Riyadh Sun,10 Jul 2011 10:19 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's top counter-terrorism official, John Brennan, urged Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Sunday to sign a transition plan that will lead to Saleh's departure. Full Story1 Geithner: failure not option on debt deal Sun,10 Jul 2011 08:37 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner warned on Sunday that failure to raise the debt ceiling by August 2 could mean "catastrophic damage" to the economy, and an agreement must be reached. Full Story1 Big debt deal off table: Mitch McConnell Sun,10 Jul 2011 06:42 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday he believed a broad $4 trillion deficit-reduction plan was off the table as part of a deal to raise the debt ceiling. Full Story1 Tea Partiers show mixed views on foreign policy Sun,10 Jul 2011 06:01 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tea Party movement-backed lawmakers have marched in lockstep toward the goal of shrinking the government but that unity dissolves when it comes to America's role in the world. Full Story1 Military chief visits China, says to maintain Asia presence Sun,10 Jul 2011 03:02 AM PDT Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States is committed to maintaining its military presence in Asia, its top military official said in China Sunday, adding that Washington was worried disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea could lead to serious conflict. Full Story1 Obama grants U.S. recognition of South Sudan Sat,9 Jul 2011 06:35 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama granted U.S. recognition of South Sudan as an independent state after it formally seceded from the north on Saturday. Full Story1 Freshman senator gives Obama debt-limit fits Sat,9 Jul 2011 06:05 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As a freshman senator, Republican Pat Toomey punches above his weight in the high-stakes fight over increasing the U.S. debt limit. Full Story1 Obama taps insider as fossil energy chief Fri,8 Jul 2011 08:13 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has tapped the current chief operating officer at the Energy Department's office of fossil energy to lead the unit as assistant secretary. Full Story1 NY and Connecticut governors push unions on layoffs Fri,8 Jul 2011 04:33 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Though the governors of New York and Connecticut parted company on some of their budget-fixing strategies, both Democrats are still struggling to persuade their unionized workers to accept cuts. Full Story1 Exclusive: Healthcare tax break on debt talks table Fri,8 Jul 2011 11:52 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Limiting the tax break for employer-provided health insurance became a bargaining chip on Friday in congressional negotiations to beat an August 2 deadline for averting a U.S. default. Full Story1 U.S. considers removing all tariffs for poor nations Fri,8 Jul 2011 11:45 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Friday it is investigating the probable economic effects of eliminating all tariffs and quotas on goods from the world's least-developed countries (LDCs). Full Story1 Analysis: Can Romney capitalize on weak jobs numbers? Fri,8 Jul 2011 11:26 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Friday's bleak unemployment report boosts Republicans hoping to oust President Barack Obama from the White House next year, but translating a difficult economy into election results will not be easy. Full Story1 House approves $649 billion for defense in 2012 Fri,8 Jul 2011 11:03 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A $649 billion defense spending bill for next year easily passed the House of Representatives on Friday after four days of debate in which war-weary lawmakers sought to curb President Barack Obama's combat operations in Afghanistan and Libya. Full Story1 Democrats back power to block state consumer laws Fri,8 Jul 2011 09:33 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Democratic senators are defending a top U.S. regulator's power to shield the nation's largest banks from certain state consumer financial laws. Full Story1 Debt limit fight fuels economic uncertainty: Obama Fri,8 Jul 2011 08:41 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama cited gloomy jobs numbers as one more reason lawmakers must strike a deal soon to raise the debt limit, saying the impasse was fueling uncertainty within financial markets and in the business sector. Full Story1 Tea Party leader DeMint says new book is "recruitment tool" Fri,8 Jul 2011 08:40 AM PDT Reuters - CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - Tea party kingmaker Senator Jim DeMint said he will use a new book about his lonely campaign to cut government spending and reduce the size of government as a tool to recruit more Americans to his cause. Full Story1 Minnesota shutdown, impasse draws debt downgrade Thu,7 Jul 2011 05:45 PM PDT Reuters - MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Minnesota's government shutdown reached a seventh day on Thursday with no end in sight, and a major debt rating agency stripped the state of its AAA bond rating, citing the budget battle as a reason. Full Story1 China warns U.S. officials not to meet Dalai Lama Thu,7 Jul 2011 04:12 PM PDT Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry warned U.S. officials on Thursday not to meet with visiting exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, saying it hoped Washington "appropriately dealt" with Tibet-related issues. Full Story1 Minnesota shutdown, impasse draws debt downgrade Thu,7 Jul 2011 04:10 PM PDT Reuters - MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Minnesota's government shutdown reached a seventh day on Thursday with no end in sight, and a major debt rating agency stripped the state of its AAA bond rating citing the budget battle as a reason. Full Story1 New York governor pressures union with more layoffs Thu,7 Jul 2011 03:46 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ramped up the pressure on union officials to concede hundreds of millions of dollars in savings on Thursday with the delivery of layoff notices to more than 300 state workers. Full Story1 California credit outlook revised to stable by S&P Thu,7 Jul 2011 03:45 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Standard & Poor's revised California's credit outlook to stable on Thursday, one of the first significant pieces of good news for U.S. state and local governments as they work their way out of the Great Recession. Full Story1 US trade bills advance but clash clouds future Thu,7 Jul 2011 03:43 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama cleared initial hurdles in Congress on Thursday, but a party-line clash over a program to help workers displaced by trade threatened future action. Full Story1 Analysis: Taxes only symbolic in debt talks so far Thu,7 Jul 2011 02:18 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Symbolic gestures and agreements in principle, but not substantive reforms, are likely to be the main tax policy result of urgent talks about raising the U.S. debt ceiling. Full Story1 Union campaign spending off sharply in 2011: report Thu,7 Jul 2011 02:03 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donations to federal political candidates by labor unions are down sharply this year, an analysis found on Thursday, in an ominous sign for the Democratic Party heading into next year's elections. Full Story1 Minnesota loses AAA rating on Fitch downgrade Thu,7 Jul 2011 02:00 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Minnesota lost its top credit rating on Thursday as Fitch Ratings downgraded the state's general obligation bonds one notch to AA-plus, citing the budget impasse. Full Story1 China warns U.S. officials not to meet Dalai Lama Thu,7 Jul 2011 12:57 PM PDT Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry warned U.S. officials on Thursday not to meet with visiting exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, saying it hoped Washington "appropriately dealt" with Tibet-related issues. Full Story1 U.S. ambassador in Hama to support Syria protesters Thu,7 Jul 2011 12:37 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to Syria traveled to the restive city of Hama on Thursday to show solidarity with protesters concerned that Syrian security forces ringing the city could stage a new crackdown. Full Story1 Texas Governor Perry likely to run in 2012 Thu,7 Jul 2011 12:32 PM PDT Reuters - AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Among political insiders in the Texas state capital, one thing is considered certain: Governor Rick Perry will jump into the Republican presidential race in the next few weeks. Full Story1 Factbox: Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry Thu,7 Jul 2011 12:11 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - Texas Governor Rick Perry is considering a run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. Full Story1 Senate deal would axe $6 billion ethanol tax credit Thu,7 Jul 2011 10:46 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three senators reached a deal on Thursday to repeal the $6 billion per year ethanol tax credit by the end of July, an agreement that must still be passed by Congress. Full Story1 Obama expects "bottom lines" on debt limit on Sunday Thu,7 Jul 2011 10:38 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congressional leaders are still far apart on a wide range of budget issues but agree on the need to raise the debt ceiling, and will meet again in three days, President Barack Obama said on Thursday. Full Story1 Tax reform on the table in debt talks: Boehner Thu,7 Jul 2011 07:37 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Comprehensive tax reform that would close breaks and lower rates for businesses and individuals is under discussion in budget talks, House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said on Thursday. Full Story1 Cantor says hopes both sides can come together on debt Thu,7 Jul 2011 05:38 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Republican leader Eric Cantor said on Thursday he believed "both sides can come together" to reduce the debt. Full Story1 China warns U.S. officials not to meet Dalai Lama Thu,7 Jul 2011 02:47 AM PDT Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry warned U.S. officials on Thursday not to meet with visiting exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, saying it hoped Washington "appropriately dealt" with Tibet-related issues. Full Story1 Varney to step down as top antitrust official Thu,7 Jul 2011 02:06 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Christine Varney, the top antitrust official in the U.S. Justice Department, is stepping down, the department said on Wednesday. Full Story1 Democrats challenge Obama's Afghan withdrawal plan Wed,6 Jul 2011 09:35 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic lawmakers fed up with the lingering war in Afghanistan launched a new challenge to President Barack Obama's plan for a measured U.S. troop withdrawal over the next year as they resumed debate on Wednesday on a $649 billion defense spending bill. Full Story1

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