RIGA, Latvia (AP) -- Latvia took a big step Thursday toward adopting the euro currency after its lawmakers passed legislation that could well see the small Baltic country becoming a member at the start of next year.
TSX may open lower on global growth fears
(Reuters) – Canada's main stock index looked set to open lower on Thursday, after the Federal Reserve said in its latest statement that economic growth had stalled and as weak German retail sales data hurt investor sentiment. TOP STORIES * The Federal Reserve on Wednesday left in pl ace its monthly $85 billion bond-buying stimulus plan, arguing the support was needed to lower unemployment even as it indicated a recent stall in U.S. economic growth was likely temporary. … Dawn attack shook Damascus military complex
AMMAN (Reuters) – The force of the dawn attack on a Syrian military site outside Damascus on Wednesday shook the ground, waking nearby residents from their slumber with up to a dozen blasts, two sources in the area said. “We were sleeping. Then we started hearing rockets hitting the complex and the ground started shaking and we ran into the basement,” said a woman who lives adjacent to the sprawling Jamraya site north-west of the Syrian capital. …
Nepal opposition rejects election call, vows to step up protests
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal’s main opposition parties vowed on Thursday to intensify street protests against the government, rejecting a plan to hold parliamentary elections in May, a sign of deepening brinkmanship threatening to wreck a fragile peace process. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, a former Maoist rebel leader, announced at a rally of 10,000 people on Wednesday that elections, earlier scheduled for last November, would be held in May to elect a special assembly to draw up a new constitution for the young Himalayan republic. …
Canadian dollar weakens slightly ahead of Canada GDP
TORONTO (Reuters) – The Canadian dollar weakened slightly against its U.S. counterpart on Thursday just ahead of Canadian gross domestic product data and as traders eye a key jobs report out of the United States. At 8:02 a.m. (1302 GMT) the Canadian dollar was trading at C$1.0020 to the greenback, or 99.80 U.S. cents, compared with C$1.0015, or 99.85 U.S. cents, at Wednesday’s North American close. November GDP data for Canada is due out at 8:30 am, with the consensus in a Reuters poll pointing to annualized growth of 0.2 percent. A reading above 0.4 percent could push the currency to C$0. …
Pakistan court summons anti-corruption boss
ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Pakistan’s top court has summoned the government’s anti-corruption chief over a letter he wrote criticizing the tribunal’s judges.
Pension probe seen risky for Resolution, Standard Life
LONDON (Reuters) – Insurers Standard Life and Resolution are most at risk from a regulat ory probe into whether retirees who buy annuities – investment policies that provide a regular income until death – get a fair deal, analysts said. The investigation by the Financial Services Authority will focus on whether people who buy an annuity directly from their pension provider pay more than they would if they shopped around, the watchdog said on Thursday. The regulator will also look into whether insurers hinder their customers from shopping around. … Syria and Iran threaten retaliation against Israel
BEIRUT (AP) -- Sy ria and Iran have threatened to retaliate for an Israeli air raid near the capital Damascus. Sentencing hearing underway for Halifax navy officer guilty of espionage
HALIFAX – The sentencing hearing for a navy intelligence officer convicted of espionage is underway in Halifax provincial court.
Naomi Campbell wins libel case over elephant polo
LONDON (AP) -- Model Naomi Campbell accepted libel damages Thursday from a British newspaper over a story that falsely claimed she was planning an elephant polo match in India for her partner’s birthday.
Beyonce to finally face media over allegations of lip-synching at Obama inauguration
NEW ORLEANS – Beyonce is expected to face the media Thursday as she previews her halftime performance at the Super Bowl football championship, but the focus will likely be on her performance at President Barack Obama’s inauguration earlier this month.
Facebook slumps as mobile ad growth fails to impress
(Reuters) – Shares of Facebook Inc were set to open 7 percent lower on Thursday as a surge in fourth-quarter mobile advertising revenue failed to live up to Wall Street's high expectations. Three brokerages d owngraded the stock of the No. 1 social network, which has struggled to develop a full-fledged mobile advertising business. Facebook has long established itself as one of the most important websites, but investors have worried that until the company's mobile advertising strategy takes off, revenue growth will remain shaky. … Cameron makes unexpected visit to Libya
LONDON (AP) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to help Libya's police and army Thursday as he made an unannounced visit to the North African country's capital of Tripoli. Canada's Flaherty reveals skin disease, explains bloating
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said that steroids he is taking for a rare skin disease has made him appear to be bloated, t hough the problem is not preventing him from doing his job, according to an interview published on Thursday. "Of late I've been getting too many questions about my appearance and the weight gain," he told the Globe and Mail. He said the disease is pemphigoid and is being treated with the steroid prednisone. … Scientific Games to buy WMS Industries for $1.5 billion
(Reuters) – Scientific Games Corp , which makes tickets and software for lotteries, said it would acquire WMS Industries Inc for about $1.5 billion. Scientific Games will pay $26.00 for each WMS common share, a 59 percent premium to WMS stock’s closing price of $16.37 on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. (Reporting by Chris Peters in Bangalore; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
Porn star Ron Jeremy has surgery after heart aneurysm at US hospital
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A spokesman says porn star Ron Jeremy is recovering from surgery at a Los Angeles hospital after an aneurysm near his heart sent him to intensive care.
GM recalls 12,415 cars for possible bolt, airbag issues
DETROIT (Reuters) – General Motors Co is recalling 12,415 cars in the United States to address issues with what may be improperly tightened suspension bolts and faulty airbags, according to documents filed with U.S. safety regulators. In both cases, neither issue has resulted in any accidents or injuries, GM said. …
British PM Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Thursday in an unannounced visit to the north African country, his office in London said. Cameron is scheduled to meet his Libyan counterpart Ali Zeidan, and then expected to hold a joint news conference, which is expected to touch upon the threat of Islamist militancy across the region. "The prime minister landed in Tripoli earlier on Thursday, and will discuss bilateral relations with Libyan officials," a spokeswoman for his Downing Street office said. … Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Thursday in an unannounced visit to the north African country, his office in London said. Cameron is scheduled to meet his Libyan counterpart Ali Zeidan, and then expected to hold a joint news conference, which is expected to touch upon the threat of Islamist militancy across the region. "The prime minister landed in Tripoli earlier on Thursday, and will discuss bilateral relations with Libyan officials," a spokeswoman for his Downing Street office said. … 
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