Reuters: Top News

Romney looks to boost front-runner status in Nevada

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:00:51 -0500

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - With a huge lead in polls, Republican front-runner Mitt Romney appears poised for an easy win in Nevada on Saturday that would put him in firm command of the party's see-sawing presidential nominating race.

Jobless rate at 3-year low as payrolls surge

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:14:01 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States created jobs at the fastest pace in nine months in January and the unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to a near three-year low, giving a boost to President Barack Obama.

Over 200 people killed in Syria's Homs before U.N. vote

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:05:04 -0500

BEIRUT (Reuters) - More than 200 people were killed in shelling by Syrian forces in the city of Homs, activists said on Saturday, as the U.N. Security Council prepared to vote on a draft resolution backing an Arab call for President Bashar al-Assad to give up power.

A sobering look at Facebook

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:15:20 -0500

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - It's the year's hottest initial public offering, but some wealth managers find themselves having a hard time recommending Facebook to their clients.

Komen reverses move to cut Planned Parenthood funding

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:02:14 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation backed down from its decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion and birth control services, following a massive outcry by supporters of the world's largest breast cancer charity.

Insight: Syria's Assad set for long conflict

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:23:08 -0500

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - With the enemy at the gates, Bashar al-Assad was dining out.

Merged Glencore, Xstrata would take aim at iron ore

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:22:28 -0500

SYDNEY (Reuters) - An $80 billion marriage of commodities trader Glencore and miner Xstrata could lead to a new round of takeovers in iron ore, creating a goliath eager to muscle its way onto one of mining's richest and most closely guarded sectors.

Micron CEO dies in plane crash, industry stunned

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:58:19 -0500

BOISE, Idaho/SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 3 - Micron Technology Inc Chief Executive and Chairman Steve Appleton died in a small plane crash on Friday, a major loss for a U.S. memory chipmaker already struggling with sluggish computer sales and declining prices.

Swiss bankers' nerves fray after Wegelin indictment

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:17:02 -0500

ZURICH (Reuters) - The first indictment of a Swiss private bank over hiding untaxed money for wealthy Americans has heightened tension among private bankers fearful of being next in the firing line.

Iran threatens retaliation over oil embargo

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:15:16 -0500

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's supreme leader threatened on Friday to retaliate against the West for sanctions, a day after a U.S. newspaper said defense secretary Leon Panetta believed Israel was likely to bomb Iran within months to stop it building a nuclear bomb.