Reuters: Top News

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate health bill

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:14:09 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad reform bill one day before its first crucial test.

Swine flu may have hit one peak; more to come

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:45:28 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pandemic of swine flu may be hitting a peak in the Northern Hemisphere, global health officials said on Friday, but they cautioned it was far from over.

Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:31:58 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dropped below 50 percent in a second major poll in an indication he is suffering from the long healthcare debate and weakness in the economy, Gallup said on Friday.

Ex-State Dept official pleads guilty to spying for Cuba

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:46:35 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former U.S. State Department official and his wife pleaded guilty on Friday to charges that they spied for almost three decades for the Communist-led Cuban government.

U.S. to drop charges against one Blackwater guard

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:47:45 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Justice Department prosecutors asked a federal judge on Friday to dismiss the charges against one of five Blackwater security guards accused of killing 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians in a 2007 shooting in Baghdad.

Cautious optimism as job losses slow

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:30:49 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pace of job losses slowed in many U.S. states in October, and the unemployment rate slipped in hard-hit Michigan, the Labor Department said on Friday, hinting the recession may be easing in some areas.

New guidelines push back age for Pap smears

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:29:07 -0500

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Women in the United States should start cervical cancer screening at age 21 and most do not need an annual Pap smear, according to new guidelines issued on Friday that aim to reduce the risk of unnecessary treatment.

Somalia to join child rights pact, only U.S. outside

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:14:05 -0500

GENEVA (Reuters) - Somalia has announced it plans to ratify a global treaty aimed at protecting children, leaving the United States as the only country outside the pact, UNICEF said Friday.

Powers urge Iran to reconsider nuclear offer

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:33 -0500

BRUSSELS/BERLIN (Reuters) - Senior officials from six world powers said on Friday they were disappointed Iran had not accepted proposals intended to delay its potential to make nuclear bombs, and urged Tehran to reconsider.

Oprah Winfrey says ending TV show "feels right"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:01:52 -0500

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Oprah Winfrey said on Friday that she will end her popular TV show in 2011 because it "feels right in her bones" after 25 years, and urged viewers not to believe rumors of why she's quitting.