Reuters: Top News

Menacing Hurricane Ike powers toward Cuba, Gulf

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:35:04 -0400

HAVANA (Reuters) - Hurricane Ike barreled toward Cuba as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm on Sunday and was forecast to sweep into the central Gulf of Mexico as a large and powerful storm echoing Hurricane Gustav.

U.S. forces and Afghan police kill over 20 Taliban

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:33:28 -0400

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - U.S.-led soldiers, backed by air support, and Afghan police killed more than 20 Taliban fighters in two separate clashes, officials said on Sunday.

Iran to hold three-day war games: report

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:13:41 -0400

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's armed forces will begin three days of war games on Monday involving anti-aircraft defense systems, Iranian media said on Sunday.

Boeing machinists walk off the job as talks fail

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:53:55 -0400

NEW YORK/EVERETT, Washington (Reuters) - Boeing Co's 27,000-strong machinists' union walked off the job on Saturday after the plane maker failed to improve its contract offer following two days of emergency talks.

Lebanese hold reconciliation talks in volatile city

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:31:12 -0400

TRIPOLI, Lebanon (Reuters) - Lebanese Sunni Muslim leader Saad al-Hariri held talks with an Alawite community leader in a volatile northern city overnight, paving the way for agreement to end four months of sectarian tensions, politicians said on Sunday.

Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:59:31 -0400

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari, must dispel the perception he is an artful politician and urgently address a deteriorating economy and worsening militant violence, newspapers said on Sunday.

Government plan for Fannie, Freddie to hit shareholders

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:24:15 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government plans to take over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and all shareholders of the two mortgage giants will take a hit, an influential lawmaker said on Saturday.

Angola's UNITA says contesting election

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:52:51 -0400

LUANDA (Reuters) - The leader of Angola's largest opposition party said on Sunday he was contesting the results of the country's parliamentary election because of numerous voting irregularities in the two-day poll.

Venezuela to host Russia navy exercise in Caribbean

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:57:11 -0400

CARACAS (Reuters) - Several Russian ships and 1,000 soldiers will take part in joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea later this year, exercises likely to increase diplomatic tensions with Washington, a pro-government newspaper reported on Saturday.

Obama and McCain spar over Social Security

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:55:01 -0400

TERRE HAUTE, Indiana (Reuters) - Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama warned the elderly on Saturday that Republican rival John McCain would put their retirement income in danger.