Reuters: Top News

Volcker rule gets lift in Senate amid reform talks

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:17:22 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The controversial "Volcker rule" to curb risky trading by banks got a boost in the Senate on Wednesday, as two Democrats introduced a bill that would enact and expand the rule.

Biden appeals for no delay in Mideast peace talks

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:23:00 -0500

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Vice President Joe Biden called on Thursday for no delay in resuming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, after Palestinians said Israel must cancel a settlement project before negotiations can begin.

Obama: Time for talk is over on healthcare bill

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:51:01 -0500

ST. CHARLES, Missouri (Reuters) - President Barack Obama declared on Wednesday the "time for talk is over" and urged the U.S. Congress to vote on healthcare as his health secretary directly challenged insurers to forgo profits to make coverage more affordable.

Greek workers strike as anger at austerity grows

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:21:41 -0500

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek public and private sector workers went on strike on Thursday, grounding flights, shutting schools and halting public transport in the second nationwide walkout in a fortnight in protest against austerity plans.

Senate passes $149 billion for jobless aid

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:45:06 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate on Wednesday passed a $149 billion package of jobless aid and tax breaks, as Democrats continued efforts to lower the 9.7 percent unemployment rate before congressional elections in November.

BP to pay Devon $7 billion for oil fields

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:09:52 -0500

LONDON (Reuters) - London-based oil major BP has agreed to buy Brazilian, Azeri and Gulf of Mexico assets from Devon Energy for $7 billion, as the U.S. producer refocuses on onshore U.S. fields.

Iran warns neighbors over U.S. presence in the Gulf

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:09:04 -0500

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Gulf countries on Thursday against the U.S. presence in the region, saying Washington aimed to dominate their energy resources in the name of fighting terrorism.

We don't want proxy wars in Afghanistan, Karzai says

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:40:37 -0500

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Afghanistan does not want a proxy war between Pakistan and India or anybody else fought on its soil, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Thursday during a visit to Pakistan.

World's mega-rich adding wealth, Carlos Slim No. 1

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:49:58 -0500

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim is the world's richest person, knocking Microsoft founder Bill Gates into second spot, as the wealth of the world's billionaires grew by 50 percent over the last year, Forbes magazine said on Wednesday.

House bans some earmarks amid ethics concerns

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:12:49 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the House of Representatives moved on Wednesday to limit the ability of lawmakers to tuck pet projects into spending bills amid mounting election-year ethics concerns.