Syrian artillery, aircraft pound rebels in Aleppo
ALEPPO, Syria - A Syrian army helicopter fired machinegun rounds and troops shelled rebel positions in Aleppo on Saturday, a Reuters witness said, as they tried to break through the insurgents' frontline in a battleground district in the country's largest city. Full Article | Slideshow
Iran tests short-range missile with new guidance system
DUBAI - Iran has test-fired a new, more accurate short-range missile capable of striking land and sea targets, it said on Saturday, a show of strength that underscored its ability to hit shipping in the Strait of Hormuz if attacked.
Sudan, South Sudan reach long-awaited oil deal
ADDIS ABABA - Sudan and South Sudan have reached a deal on oil transit fees, but Khartoum said it would be implemented only after the issue of border security had been resolved, dampening hopes of a quick resumption of southern oil exports through the north. Full Article
ECB's bond incentive carries own risks
LONDON - The European Central Bank has given investors a clear incentive to buy Spanish and Italian bonds that mature sooner rather than later, creating the risk that these countries will struggle to sell longer-dated debt. Full Article
Lowe's learns meaning of "faux pas" in Rona bid
TORONTO - A proposal by Lowe's to buy Canada's Rona for $1.8 billion has come at an inopportune moment. The offer, rejected by the do-it-yourself retailer, is raising hackles in Rona's home province of Quebec, where an election campaign began this week. Full Article
Tea Party star Cruz stresses American story
AUSTIN, Texas - Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican candidate for Senate, often tells the story of his father fleeing Cuba and coming to Texas with just $100 sewn into his underwear. But he also talks about how every American family has a story like his father's. Full Article
Poland's community gardens collide with market
WARSAW - Two decades after Poland threw off Communist rule, community gardens, relics of a more sedate past, are colliding with a modern reality: the appetite of the market for space to build new apartment blocks, offices and retail parks. Full Article
Photographer in focus with courtside crash
For any photojournalist you really never want to be part of the story. But when Spain’s Rudy Fernandez sprinted at full speed for a loose ball at the Olympic basketball and crashed, Mike Segar found himself at the center of the wreckage. Full Article | Slideshow
Clinton urges Kenya to hold free, fair elections
Aug. 4 - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Kenya on Saturday to hold free and fair elections and be a role model for Africa. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.
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Beyond the gaffes, Romney misleads and veers right
Romney’s tired rhetoric, omissions and hubris on the world stage were disappointing. Like it or not, simplistic narratives about our innate greatness are not answers to the global economic forces battering our nation. Commentary
Russian investor offers $3 million physics prize
Do you think cutting-edge scientists should earn as much as star athletes, celebrity artists or Wall Street bankers? The Russian billionaire investor Yuri Milner does, and this week he put his money where his heart is. Commentary
How about quantitative easing for the people?
Giving away free money may sound too good to be true or wildly irresponsible, but it is exactly what the Fed and Bank of England have been doing for bond traders and bankers since 2009. Directing QE to the general public would not only be much fairer but also more effective. Commentary
An African kleptocracy's U.S. helpers
As bizarre events go, pride of place must go to an African summit scheduled for later this month in Equatorial Guinea. The meeting’s agenda includes human rights and good governance and it will be hosted by a government with a reputation for corruption and repression. Commentary
The Big Smothering State
Governments play a valuable role in industrial economies. But in other matters, the value of the extensive and intrusive state is much more questionable. Both critics and defenders of big government often miss the crucial distinction between economic help and social harm. Commentary
Tale of the tape: Best seven-month Dow start since gas was $1.60 a gallon
The Dow finished the year's first seven months up just over 6 percent, its best finish in that time period since 2003. The last time it did that well Facebook didn't exist and Apple had just launched something called iTunes. Video
British women smash record as Australia crack
Britain moves on to face the U.S. in the women's team pursuit final.
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