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Wednesday, July 18, 2012 8:30 PM PDT

Today's Reuters World News Headlines - Yahoo! News: Cameron sees no end to UK austerity: report Colombian forces clash with indigenous group, blame rebels Syrian army defectors say Assad regime crumbling Obama, Putin talk as U.S. says Assad losing grip on Syria U.N. Security Council delays Syria vote until Thursday No sign of Assad after bomb kills kin, rebels close in Belize studies move to decriminalize marijuana possession Mexico leftist alleges money laundering in presidential election Obama condemns deadly bus attack on Israelis in Bulgaria Israeli prime minister blames Iran for Bulgaria bomb Bulgaria bus blast was deliberate attack: interior minister Bulgarian bus explosion caused by a bomb: foreign minister Israel blames Iran for Bulgaria bus bomb that kills 6 Canada national chief re-elected, vows to give voice Israel blames Iran for Bulgaria bus bomb that kills six Influential Israeli Orthodox rabbi dies aged 102 World Bank chief warns no region immune to Europe crisis Missile shield may spark China nuclear upgrade: officer Exclusive: Ackman exits Citi to raise cash for P&G Ferry capsizes off Zanzibar, at least 31 dead Central bankers eyeing whether Libor needs scrapping Britain, U.S. hail F-35 fighter as tightening ties Senate panel approves Russia trade, rights bill Panetta hails F-35 jet as key for UK, U.S. Canada says wins softwood lumber case vs United States Colombia security forces clash with indigenous group Report criticizes Vatican bank, urges more reform Lawsuit asks U.S. to explain killings of Americans in Yemen Grenade attack in northeast Kenya wounds five Germany plans security shakeup after neo-Nazi killings Britain may call in more troops to guard Games Annan urges world powers to unite to halt Syria bloodshed Syria bomb will speed end of conflict: opposition head Putin, Obama discuss Syria by phone: Interfax Syrian army artillery hit Damascus from mountain Prosecutor seeks jail terms in Italy derivatives case Hollande orders French NATO command seat review Factbox: Fighting in Syria's capital Damascus Hague court may order trials for exiled ex-rulers U.S. Senate panel approves Russia trade, human rights bill Cameron sees no end to UK austerity: report Wed,18 Jul 2012 06:47 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday that he cannot see an end to the government's austerity program while Britain tackles its huge budget deficit amid deteriorating economic conditions. Cameron indicated that Britain's program of spending cuts, initially planned to take five years, could last until 2020. "This is a period for all countries, not just in Europe, but I think you will see it in America too, where we have to deal with our deficits and we have to have sustainable debts. I can't see any time soon when ... ... Full Story Top Colombian forces clash with indigenous group, blame rebels Wed,18 Jul 2012 06:46 PM PDT Reuters - BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian security forces clashed on Wednesday with indigenous activists who stormed a hill-top military base in the volatile south as critics lambasted President Juan Manuel Santos for failing to protect troops. Riot police using tear gas and armored vehicles battled youths hurling stones, wounding at least 26 protesters and killing one, in the second day of violence in Cauca province, an indigenous group and local media said. ... Full Story Top Syrian army defectors say Assad regime crumbling Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:53 PM PDT Reuters - ANTAKYA, Turkey (Reuters) - Syrian army defectors and rebel commanders based in Turkey said on Thursday a bomb that killed three top military officials in Damascus would hasten the end of President Bashar al Assad's rule, predicting more defections and divisive internal feuding. Brigadier Fayez Amr, a senior member of defectors' group, the Joint Leadership of the Higher Council, said the attack was a turning point in the 16-month-old uprising. ... Full Story Top Obama, Putin talk as U.S. says Assad losing grip on Syria Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:53 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Wednesday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was losing control of his country and urged Russia and the international community to get behind a political transition plan to avert sectarian civil war. U.S. President Barack Obama called Russian President Vladimir Putin - Assad's main international supporter - after a Damascus bomb blast killed Syria's defense minister and Assad's brother-in-law, throwing the 16-month old rebellion onto an unpredictable new path. ... Full Story Top U.N. Security Council delays Syria vote until Thursday Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:53 PM PDT Reuters - UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council delayed until Thursday a vote on a Western-backed resolution that threatens Syrian authorities with sanctions and is aimed at ending the 16-month conflict, diplomats said on Wednesday. International envoy Kofi Annan earlier had requested that the vote, which was planned for later on Wednesday, be postponed because he wanted to "ensure all efforts were made for U.N. Security Council to speak with one voice and agree on concerted pressure," Britain's U.N. mission said on Twitter. "We will be voting tomorrow morning," Britain's U.N. ... Full Story Top No sign of Assad after bomb kills kin, rebels close in Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:53 PM PDT Reuters - BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - Mystery surrounded the whereabouts of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, a day after a bomber killed and wounded his security chiefs and rebels closed in on the centre of Damascus, vowing to "liberate" the capital. The Syrian leader made no public appearance and no statement after a bomber killed his powerful brother-in-law, his defense minister and a top general. By the early hours of Thursday, residents had reported no let-up in the heaviest fighting to hit the capital in a 16-month revolt against Assad's rule. ... Full Story Top Belize studies move to decriminalize marijuana possession Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:46 PM PDT Reuters - GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Belize is studying a plan to decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana, joining other Latin American nations that are trying to find novel ways to battle drug trafficking. Belize appointed a government committee this week to study ending jail terms for the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana and replacing penalties with small fines and drug education courses, the government said in a statement. Possession of 60 grams or less of cannabis is punishable by up to $50,000 in fines or three years in prison. ... Full Story Top Mexico leftist alleges money laundering in presidential election Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:45 PM PDT Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's leftist runner-up in the July 1 presidential election stepped up his campaign on Wednesday to annul the vote by accusing President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto of using laundered money to fund his campaign. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he had found evidence that shell companies were set up to funnel money into the coffers of Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, during the campaign. Over 100 million pesos ($7.6 million) were used to buy prepaid debit cards handed out to voters to support Pena Nieto, Lopez Obrador alleged. ... Full Story Top Obama condemns deadly bus attack on Israelis in Bulgaria Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:36 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned an attack on Wednesday that killed at least four Israeli tourists in an explosion on a bus outside a Bulgarian airport. "The United States will stand with our allies, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack," Obama said in a statement, calling the attack "completely outrageous." (Reporting By Alister Bull; Editing by Sandra Maler) Full Story Top Israeli prime minister blames Iran for Bulgaria bomb Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:36 PM PDT Reuters - JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday blamed Iran for a bomb blast which killed at least three people in the Bulgarian resort of Burgas and said Israel would respond. "All the signs lead to Iran. Only in the past few months we have seen Iranian attempts to attack Israelis in Thailand, India, Georgia, Kenya, Cyprus and other places," Netanyahu said in a statement. "Eighteen years exactly after the blast at the Jewish community center in Argentina, murderous Iranian terror continues to hit innocent people. ... Full Story Top Bulgaria bus blast was deliberate attack: interior minister Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:36 PM PDT Reuters - SOFIA (Reuters) - An explosion in a bus carrying Israeli tourists which killed at least four and injured dozens at the Bulgarian airport of Burgas was a deliberate attack, national radio BNR quoted Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov as saying. The police were investigating two possible causes of the blast - that an explosive device was put in the bus before the tourists boarded or that the explosives were in the tourists' luggage, the radio quoted Tsvetanov as saying. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Louise Ireland) Full Story Top Bulgarian bus explosion caused by a bomb: foreign minister Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:36 PM PDT Reuters - SOFIA (Reuters) - An explosion which killed six people and injured dozens of Israeli tourists at the Bulgarian airport of Burgas was caused by a bomb in their bus, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov told Reuters by telephone. "The explosion was caused by a bomb in the bus," he said. In a statement, the foreign ministry said five people were killed and one died later in hospital. Thirty two people were taken to hospital with injuries. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Louise Ireland) Full Story Top Israel blames Iran for Bulgaria bus bomb that kills 6 Wed,18 Jul 2012 05:36 PM PDT Reuters - BURGAS, Bulgaria (Reuters) - Six people were killed in a bomb attack on a bus carrying Israeli tourists at a Bulgarian airport on Wednesday and Israel accused Tehran of carrying out the attack, promising a strong response to "Iranian terror." Body parts were strewn across the ground and mangled metal hung from the bus's torn-back roof. Its windows were blown out and surrounded by scorch marks, as clouds of dense black smoke billowed above the airport. "We heard a very strong blast. The bus was full with people and children. Flesh and blood everywhere," a Bulgarian witness told TV7 television. ... Full Story Top Canada national chief re-elected, vows to give voice Wed,18 Jul 2012 04:34 PM PDT Reuters - TORONTO (Reuters) - The national chief of Canada's First Nations aboriginals was re-elected on Wednesday in a vote of confidence for his non-confrontational approach with the Conservative federal government over its pro-development policies. Even though critics have said Shawn Atleo's relationship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper is too close, the British Columbia native leader cruised to victory in the third round of voting by chiefs at an assembly in Toronto. ... Full Story Top Israel blames Iran for Bulgaria bus bomb that kills six Wed,18 Jul 2012 03:29 PM PDT Reuters - BURGAS, Bulgaria (Reuters) - Six people were killed in a bomb attack on a bus carrying Israeli tourists at a Bulgarian airport on Wednesday and Israel accused Tehran of carrying out the attack, promising a strong response to "Iranian terror". Body parts were strewn across the ground and mangled metal hung from the bus's torn-back roof. Its windows were blown out and surrounded by scorch marks, as clouds of dense black smoke billowed above the airport. "We heard a very strong blast. The bus was full with people and children. Flesh and blood everywhere," a Bulgarian witness told TV7 television. ... Full Story Top Influential Israeli Orthodox rabbi dies aged 102 Wed,18 Jul 2012 03:04 PM PDT Reuters - JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, one of Israeli ultra-Orthodox Jewry's most influential rabbis, died in Jerusalem on Wednesday aged 102 and was buried after a huge funeral procession attended by an estimated 250,000 mourners. Elyashiv's many followers, including ultra-Orthodox lawmakers, sought his advice on a range of issues concerning daily life and religious edicts and he influenced the policies of the Shas party, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition. ... Full Story Top World Bank chief warns no region immune to Europe crisis Wed,18 Jul 2012 02:56 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on Wednesday warned that most regions of the world will be hurt by the debt crisis enveloping the euro zone and said it was vital to protect the strong economic gains of the past decade in the developing world. In his first public speech since taking the helm of the World Bank on July 1, Kim said even if the euro zone crisis is contained, it could still reduce growth in most of the world's regions by as much as 1.5 percent. ... Full Story Top Missile shield may spark China nuclear upgrade: officer Wed,18 Jul 2012 02:48 PM PDT Reuters - VIENNA (Reuters) - China may need to modernize its nuclear arsenal to respond to the destabilizing effect of a planned U.S.-backed missile defense system, a senior Chinese military officer said on Wednesday. "It undermines the strategic stability," said Major General Zhu Chenghu of China's National Defense University about the U.S.-led development of a missile shield, which has also alarmed Russia. ... Full Story Top Exclusive: Ackman exits Citi to raise cash for P&G Wed,18 Jul 2012 02:41 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - Hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management told investors this week that it recently sold its position in Citigroup and used that money to buy shares of Procter & Gamble. Bill Ackman, who runs the roughly $10 billion New York hedge fund, wrote in his quarterly letter to investors that he decided to pull the "rip cord" after "one bad night's sleep thinking about Citi." Ackman said he feels that Citi, which the fund started eyeing more than two years ago, is still inexpensive and well-managed and destined to rise in value over time. ... Full Story Top Ferry capsizes off Zanzibar, at least 31 dead Wed,18 Jul 2012 02:19 PM PDT Reuters - STONE TOWN, Zanzibar (Reuters) - A ferry with more than 250 people on board, including some foreigners, capsized and sank between the east African coast and the Zanzibar archipelago on Wednesday, killing at least 31 people, police said. Police Commissioner Mussa Ali Mussa said 145 people had been rescued and that the rescue mission was suspended until morning. The ferry, MV Skagit/Kalama, set sail from mainland Tanzania at around midday for Zanzibar, Tanzania's semi-autonomous archipelago and a popular tourist destination. "The latest count that we have is 31 people dead and 145 were rescued. ... Full Story Top Central bankers eyeing whether Libor needs scrapping Wed,18 Jul 2012 02:12 PM PDT Reuters - OTTAWA (Reuters) - Central bankers and regulators will hold talks in September on whether the troubled global Libor interest rate can be reformed or whether it is so damaged that the benchmark of borrowing costs should be scrapped. Bank of England Governor Mervyn King told fellow central bankers in a letter that it was "very clear that radical reforms of the Libor system are needed". ... Full Story Top Britain, U.S. hail F-35 fighter as tightening ties Wed,18 Jul 2012 02:05 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - Britain and the United States hailed Wednesday their work on Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as tightening military ties, a day before Britain receives the jet's first international delivery. Britain is to formally accept an F-35 test model at Lockheed's Fort Worth, Texas, production plant on Thursday. The Pentagon seized the occasion to voice strong support for the plane, which is over budget, behind schedule and a potential target for cuts by lawmakers. The delivery reflects "considerable strides" in the program, particularly in the past year, U.S. ... Full Story Top Senate panel approves Russia trade, rights bill Wed,18 Jul 2012 01:54 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill to ensure U.S. exporters share in the benefits of Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization but also to punish Russian officials for human rights violations. The legislation still faces an uphill battle to be passed before U.S. elections in November because of concern over Russia's ties to Syria and Iran that make it a politically difficult vote for some lawmakers. ... Full Story Top Panetta hails F-35 jet as key for UK, U.S. Wed,18 Jul 2012 01:33 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday that Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft represents the "future of tactical aviation" for U.S. and British forces, as Britain prepares to take delivery of its first test aircraft. The scheduled delivery Thursday at Lockheed's Fort Worth, Texas, production plant is an indication of considerable strides in the program, particularly in the past year, Panetta told a Pentagon press conference alongside Philip Hammond, his British counterpart. ... Full Story Top Canada says wins softwood lumber case vs United States Wed,18 Jul 2012 01:02 PM PDT Reuters - OTTAWA (Reuters) - An international arbitrator dismissed a complaint from the United States which accused Canadian lumber firms of violating a bilateral accord on softwood exports, Ottawa said on Wednesday. Washington had alleged Canadian producers were setting artificially low prices for wood from trees killed in a massive insect infestation in the Pacific province of British Columbia. Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast said the London Court of International Arbitration had ruled for Canada. "This is good news for forestry workers in British Columbia. ... Full Story Top Colombia security forces clash with indigenous group Wed,18 Jul 2012 12:43 PM PDT Reuters - BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian security forces clashed on Wednesday with indigenous activists who stormed a hill-top military base in the volatile south as critics lambasted President Juan Manuel Santos for failing to protect troops. Riot police using tear gas and armored vehicles battled youth hurling stones, wounding at least 26 protesters and killing one, in the second day of violence in Cauca province, a FARC rebel stronghold, an indigenous group and local media said. ... Full Story Top Report criticizes Vatican bank, urges more reform Wed,18 Jul 2012 12:27 PM PDT Reuters - VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A European report on Wednesday identified serious failings in the Vatican's bank and gave the Holy See a negative rating in almost half of the most transparency related criteria. The milestone report by Moneyval, a department of the Council of Europe, welcomed reforms enacted so far but suggested the Vatican still has a long way to go before it can be included on an international "white list" of countries that abide by global norms on combating money laundering, the financing of terrorism and tax evasion. ... Full Story Top Lawsuit asks U.S. to explain killings of Americans in Yemen Wed,18 Jul 2012 12:04 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The families of U.S.-born al Qaeda militant Anwar al-Awlaki and two other U.S. citizens who were killed in Yemen are questioning the deaths in court in the latest challenge to President Barack Obama's conduct of drone attacks abroad. The lawsuit filed on Wednesday tests the Obama administration's position that, under the laws of war, it can target for secret, lethal strikes Americans who join al Qaeda or an affiliate if there is an imminent threat to the United States and capturing them is not feasible. ... Full Story Top Grenade attack in northeast Kenya wounds five Wed,18 Jul 2012 11:46 AM PDT Reuters - ISIOLO, Kenya (Reuters) - Two grenades hurled at a restaurant in the northeastern Kenyan town of Wajir, near the border with Somalia, wounded five people on Wednesday, provincial officials and residents said, in the latest in a spate of attacks in the region. Kenya has been hit by a series of grenade and bomb blasts since its troops crossed into Somalia in October to fight Islamist militants. Nairobi has blamed Somalia's al Shabaab, a movement linked to al Qaeda. ... Full Story Top Germany plans security shakeup after neo-Nazi killings Wed,18 Jul 2012 11:32 AM PDT Reuters - BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's law enforcement agencies, still reeling from their botched handling of a neo-Nazi killing spree, need to work much more effectively together to tackle the security threats facing the country, the interior minister said on Wednesday. Unveiling his ministry's annual report into security risks, Hans-Peter Friedrich and the outgoing head of the domestic intelligence service said radical Islamists and neo-Nazis posed the biggest threats to German democracy and rule of law. ... Full Story Top Britain may call in more troops to guard Games Wed,18 Jul 2012 11:26 AM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Britain may have to call up more soldiers to guard the Olympic Games after a failed private sector recruitment drive left an embarrassing hole in security. The security fiasco and doubts over the ability of London's transport system to handle large numbers of visitors to the Games have overshadowed an event which the government still hopes will give recession-hit Britain something to celebrate. The omens did not look good as athletes from across the world arrived in London this week, some tweeting frustration with transport delays amidst a media storm over security fears. ... Full Story Top Annan urges world powers to unite to halt Syria bloodshed Wed,18 Jul 2012 11:19 AM PDT Reuters - GENEVA (Reuters) - International mediator Kofi Annan condemned the bloodshed in Syria on Wednesday and said it underscored the urgent need for decisive action by world powers to stem the violence and pave the way for political transition. Annan, joint United Nations-Arab League envoy, said in a statement issued in Geneva by his spokesman Ahmad Fawzi: "The Joint Special Envoy condemns all bloodshed, and violence in all its forms, and believes that today's violence only underscores the urgency of decisive Council action. ... Full Story Top Syria bomb will speed end of conflict: opposition head Wed,18 Jul 2012 11:09 AM PDT Reuters - DOHA (Reuters) - A suicide bombing that killed three of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's top military officials on Wednesday will speed the end of the uprising against him, the head of the opposition Syrian National Council said on Wednesday. "This is the final phase. They will fall very soon," Abdelbasset Seida told Reuters in an interview in the Qatari capital Doha. "Today is a turning point in Syria's history. It will put more pressure on the regime and bring an end very soon, a matter of weeks or months. ... Full Story Top Putin, Obama discuss Syria by phone: Interfax Wed,18 Jul 2012 10:39 AM PDT Reuters - MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama spoke on the telephone on Wednesday about Syria, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Interfax. "As a whole the existing exchange of opinions shows that the appraisals of the situation in Syria and final goals of regulating (violence) for both sides coincide," Peskov was quoted as saying. "Together with that, differences in approaches regarding the practical means of reaching a regulation (of violence) still exist," he said. (Reporting by Thomas Grove; Editing by Louise Ireland) Full Story Top Syrian army artillery hit Damascus from mountain Wed,18 Jul 2012 10:35 AM PDT Reuters - AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian army artillery shelled the Damascus district of Mezze and Mouadamiya suburb on Wednesday, in an escalation of attacks against areas where rebels operate, after a deadly blast that killed three top military officials, activists said. Artillery batteries stationed on Qasioun mountains overlooking Damascus started firing intermittently at the two districts at about 7:30 p.m.(1230 EDT), the activists said. (Reporting by Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Amman newsroom; Editing by Louise Ireland) Full Story Top Prosecutor seeks jail terms in Italy derivatives case Wed,18 Jul 2012 10:24 AM PDT Reuters - MILAN (Reuters) - A prosecutor on Wednesday called for bankers to be jailed and lenders to be fined tens of millions of euros in a high-profile fraud case revolving around a derivatives deal with the city of Milan. Depfa Bank, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan and UBS were ordered to stand trial in 2010 in what is seen as a test case for Italy, where hundreds of local governments signed up to opaque derivatives deals that subsequently turned sour. Milan prosecutor Alfredo Robledo told a court hearing that nine bank officials should be jailed for up to 12 months. ... Full Story Top Hollande orders French NATO command seat review Wed,18 Jul 2012 10:08 AM PDT Reuters - PARIS (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande has asked former foreign minister Hubert Vedrine to review France's membership of NATO's integrated military command, his office said on Wednesday, echoing unease about its place in the alliance's inner circle. Hollande has in the past expressed reservations about France's 2009 return to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's integrated command, a move approved by his conservative predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy, who was one of the most pro-American presidents France has had in decades. ... Full Story Top Factbox: Fighting in Syria's capital Damascus Wed,18 Jul 2012 10:04 AM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - Bombers struck at the heart of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule on Wednesday, killing three senior officials. Following are details of significant protests and violence in the capital during the 16-month conflict in Syria: 2011 March 15 - About 40 people joined a protest in Old Damascus, chanting political slogans in a brief first challenge to the ruling Baath Party - the start of the uprising. March 25 - Security forces killed three people in the Mouadamieh district of Damascus after a crowd confronted a procession of cars driven by supporters of President Bashar al-Assad. ... Full Story Top Hague court may order trials for exiled ex-rulers Wed,18 Jul 2012 09:52 AM PDT Reuters - AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A landmark ruling to be given by a court in The Hague on Friday, on whether or not Senegal is obliged to try or extradite Chad's former leader, has major implications for other autocrats now in exile or considering exile to escape popular uprisings at home. At one level, Friday's ruling will be the latest step in a long-running campaign by human rights activists to bring to trial Hissene Habre, who as Chadian president led a government they accuse of killing and torturing its opponents in the 1980s. ... Full Story Top U.S. Senate panel approves Russia trade, human rights bill Wed,18 Jul 2012 09:51 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill to ensure U.S. exporters share in the benefits of Russia's upcoming accession to the World Trade Organization and to also punish Russian officials for human rights violations. The strong bipartisan vote improves chances for the bill to move quickly through the full Senate and the House of Representatives and be signed into law by President Barack Obama before Russia enters the WTO in August. ... Full Story Top

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