Exclusive: North Korea tells China of preparations for fresh nuclear test - source

BEIJING (Reuters) - North Korea has told its key ally, China, that it is prepared to stage one or even two more nuclear tests this year in an effort to force the United States into diplomatic talks, said a source with direct knowledge of the message. Further tests could also be accompanied this year by another rocket launch, said the source, who has direct access to the top levels of...

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Wall Street ends slightly higher, helped by acquisitions

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The S&P 500 eked out a small gain for a third straight session on Thursday, helped by a flurry of merger activity, though investors see no catalysts to lift the market further with major averages near multi-year highs. The market's slowed advance took the S&P 500 to its highest intraday level since November 2007 on Wednesday. While the index notched its third...

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Olympian Oscar 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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How safe are nanoparticles in food?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSAndy Behar: Some foods contain tiny, engineered particles called nanomaterials Behar: Nanoparticles might pose health risks, since they have adversely affected mice He says not enough studies have adequately demonstrated the safety of nanoparticles Behar: With an emerging technology such as this, companies have to be careful Editor's note: Andy Behar is the chief executive of As You...

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Stricken cruise ship reported awash in raw sewage nears port

MOBILE, Alabama— ...

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Key U.S. general backs keeping Afghan forces at peak strength

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. general nominated to oversee a vast region that includes Afghanistan on Thursday backed keeping Afghan forces at a peak strength of 352,000, contrary to current plans to shrink them after NATO declares the war over next year. General Lloyd Austin, nominated to lead the U.S. military's Central Command, said at his Senate confirmation hearing that a more...

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Obama speech 'relied on amnesia'

STORY HIGHLIGHTSMatt Welch: State of the Union featured content-free calls to action for action's sakeHe says governed might want to know what they've gotten in return for ballooning debtDidn't we try repairing infrastructure with the stimulus package? he asksWelch: Rand Paul spoke to those who think government should get out of wayEditor's note: Matt Welch is editor in chief of Reason and co-author...

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Wall Street ends slightly higher, Dow near a record

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks closed modestly higher on Tuesday, putting the Dow within striking distance of an all-time high, as investors looked ahead to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. Investors will be listening to Obama's speech for any clues on a deal with Republicans to avert automatic spending cuts due to take effect March 1. The tone of the speech will also...

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Body slam for wrestling: Sport cut from Olympics

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — For wrestling, this may have been the ultimate body slam: getting tossed out of the Olympic rings.The vote Tuesday by the IOC's executive board stunned the world's wrestlers, who see their sport as popular in many countries and steeped in history as old as the Olympics themselves.While wrestling will be included at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, it was cut from the...

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Was euro ever 'about to collapse'?

By Ramy Inocencio, for CNNFebruary 12, 2013 -- Updated 0948 GMT (1748 HKT)STORY HIGHLIGHTSFormer European Central Bank chief says euro was never going to collapseIn 2012, critics predicted at least partial breakup of 17-member eurozoneEuro plunged to 25-month low against U.S. dollar in July 2012Currency war fears prevail in run-up to G20 finance ministers meeting this weekHong Kong (CNN) -- Less than...

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