G20 defuses talk of "currency war", no accord on debt

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 in an indication of concern about the fragile state of the world economy. Japan's expansive policies, which have driven down the yen, escaped criticism in a statement thrashed out in Moscow by financial policymakers from the G20, which groups...

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US teen Mikaela Shiffrin wins world slalom title

SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) — American teenager Mikaela Shiffrin became the youngest women's slalom world champion in 39 years on Saturday.At the age of 17 years, 340 days, Shiffrin beat all of her more experienced rivals to earn the U.S. team its fourth gold and fifth medal overall at the worlds, more than any other nation."It's such a crazy day," Shiffrin said. "It's so emotional ... I don't know yet,...

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Russian region begins recovery from meteor fall

CHELYABINSK, Russia (AP) — A small army of workers set to work Saturday to replace the estimated 200,000 square meters (50 acres) of windows shattered by the shock wave from a meteor that exploded over Russia‘s Chelyabinsk region.The astonishing Friday morning event blew out windows in more than 4,000 buildings in the region, mostly in the capital city of the same name and injured some 1,200 people,...

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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 opens flat with data on tap

Finola Hughes has called the upcoming 50th anniversary of "General Hospital" a "really sweet" moment."I think the fact that we, at 'GH,' are doing so well right now, and to enter into our 50th anniversary on such a high, it feels really sweet," the actress, who plays Port Charles Police Chief Anna Devane, told Access Hollywood, when asked about the daytime drama's impending anniversa...

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Pistorius prosecutors pursue premeditated murder

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius held his head in his hands and wept openly in court Friday as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against the Paralympic superstar.Pistorius was formally charged at Pretoria Magistrates Court with one count of murder for the slaying of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a model and budding reality TV show contestant. The 30-year-old...

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Aquarium fights to get disabled turtle swimming again

KOBE, Japan (Reuters) – Life looked grim for Yu, a loggerhead turtle, when she washed up in a Japanese fishing net five years ago, her front flippers shredded after a brutal encounter with a shark.Now keepers at an aquarium in the western Japanese city of Kobe are looking for a high-tech solution that will allow the 25-year-old turtle to swim normally again after years of labor and 27 models of prosthetic...

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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 meteorite explodes over Russia

CHELYABINSK, Russia -- More than 500 people were injured when a meteorite shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia...

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Meteorite hits central Russia, more than 500 people hurt

CHELYABINSK, Russia (Reuters) - More than 500 people were injured when a meteorite shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia on Friday, sending fireballs crashing to Earth, shattering windows and damaging buildings. 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 industrial...

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Wall Street falls on Europe data but deals support

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 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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EPA: Cuts will hamper pollution work

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top environmental official is warning lawmakers that automatic spending cuts due next month would jeopardize EPA‘s ability to protect against oil spills, air pollution, and hazardous waste.The cuts are outlined in a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee obtained by the Associated Press. In the letter, deputy EPA administrator Bob Perciasepe says cuts would shut down some...

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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 edges up, S&P near multi-year highs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose modestly on Wednesday, putting the S&P near its highest intraday level in more than five years as the market's recent streak of slight gains on low volume continued. Equities have been strong performers of late, buoyed largely by healthy growth in corporate earnings, with the S&P 500 gaining 6.5 percent so far this year. The Dow is about 1 percent...

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IOC president Rogge to meet with wrestling leader

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — IOC President Jacques Rogge says he 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 dropped wrestling from the program of the 2020 Games on Tuesday, removing it from the list of 26 sports at last year's London Olympics.The decision, which still must be ratified by the...

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