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Repsol: Exploratory oil well off Cuba comes up dry

An exploratory oil well drilled off the coast of Cuba has proved a failure and will be capped and abandoned, a spokesman for Spanish company Repsol said Friday.

French leader sticks to Afghan pullout timetable

French President Francois Hollande said Friday he would carry out his pledge to withdraw combat forces from Afghanistan by year's end, two years earlier than the U.S. ally once planned. He made the declaration to President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.

FACEBOOK IPO LIVE: The social network goes public

It's Facebook's big day.

U.S. soldier referred for court martial for 2009 Iraq shooting

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier accused of shooting dead five fellow servicemen at a military clinic in Baghdad in 2009 has been referred to stand trial by military court martial, Joint Base Lewis-McChord said on Friday. Sergeant John Russell, who could face the death penalty if convicted, faces five charges of premeditated murder, one charge of aggravated assault, and one charge of attempted murder. Russell, of the 54th Engineer Battalion based in Bamberg, Germany, is accused of going on a shooting spree at a combat stress center at Camp Liberty, near the Baghdad airport, in May 2009. ...

U.S. soldier referred for court martial for 2009 Iraq shooting

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier accused of shooting dead five fellow servicemen at a military clinic in Baghdad in 2009 has been referred to stand trial by military court martial, Joint Base Lewis-McChord said on Friday. Sergeant John Russell, who could face the death penalty if convicted, faces five charges of premeditated murder, one charge of aggravated assault, and one charge of attempted murder. Russell, of the 54th Engineer Battalion based in Bamberg, Germany, is accused of going on a shooting spree at a combat stress center at Camp Liberty, near the Baghdad airport, in May 2009. ...

NYSE stocks turn negative for year

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Friday, with the NYSE composite stock index turning negative for the year as Facebook Inc stumbled in its market debut and investors were cautious ahead of a G8 summit on the weekend expected to address Europe's debt crisis. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 61.61 points, or 0.50 percent, to 12,380.88. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 6.90 points, or 0.53 percent, to 1,297.96. The Nasdaq Composite lost 20.81 points, or 0.74 percent, to 2,792.88. (Reporting By Edward Krudy, editing by Dave Zimmerman)

Germany's Merkel, Greek president discuss euro vote

ATHENS (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed with Greece's President on Friday whether his country should hold a referendum on staying in the Euro, but the idea was vehemently rejected by Greece's two biggest parties. Merkel spoke on the phone with President Karolos Papoulias, who failed this week to convince political leaders to form a government after an inconclusive May 6 election, meaning the vote will be held again on June 17. ...

MF Global customer deemed "frivolous" in fee fight

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former MF Global Holdings Ltd customer was rebuked on Friday by a judge for filing "frivolous" court papers attacking the mounting fees of Louis Freeh, the trustee unwinding the company's bankrupt estate. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Martin Glenn rejected arguments from customer leader James Koutoulas that Freeh should not be allowed to extend a Friday deadline to file financial data about the company. Koutoulas had argued the postponement would allow Freeh, a former FBI director, to rack up unreasonable fees. ...

MF Global customer deemed "frivolous" in fee fight

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former MF Global Holdings Ltd customer was rebuked on Friday by a judge for filing "frivolous" court papers attacking the mounting fees of Louis Freeh, the trustee unwinding the company's bankrupt estate. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Martin Glenn rejected arguments from customer leader James Koutoulas that Freeh should not be allowed to extend a Friday deadline to file financial data about the company. Koutoulas had argued the postponement would allow Freeh, a former FBI director, to rack up unreasonable fees. ...

Weekly US oil, gas rig count up by 12 to 1,986

The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is up 12 this week to 1,986.

Jury in ex-Senator Edwards' trial begins deliberations

GREENSBORO, North Carolina (Reuters) - Jurors in the trial of former U.S. Senator John Edwards asked on Friday to review more than a dozen prosecution exhibits as they deliberated whether he illegally used campaign funds to conceal his extramarital affair while he ran for president. The North Carolina federal court jurors began deliberating on Friday morning and submitted their request about 2-1/2 hours later. Among the evidence they asked to review were notes from wealthy donor Rachel "Bunny" Mellon and testimony from her lawyer, Alex Forger. ...

Jury in ex-Senator Edwards' trial begins deliberations

GREENSBORO, North Carolina (Reuters) - Jurors in the trial of former U.S. Senator John Edwards asked on Friday to review more than a dozen prosecution exhibits as they deliberated whether he illegally used campaign funds to conceal his extramarital affair while he ran for president. The North Carolina federal court jurors began deliberating on Friday morning and submitted their request about 2-1/2 hours later. Among the evidence they asked to review were notes from wealthy donor Rachel "Bunny" Mellon and testimony from her lawyer, Alex Forger. ...

Jury in ex-Senator Edwards' trial begins deliberations

GREENSBORO, North Carolina (Reuters) - Jurors in the trial of former U.S. Senator John Edwards asked on Friday to review more than a dozen prosecution exhibits as they deliberated whether he illegally used campaign funds to conceal his extramarital affair while he ran for president. The North Carolina federal court jurors began deliberating on Friday morning and submitted their request about 2-1/2 hours later. Among the evidence they asked to review were notes from wealthy donor Rachel "Bunny" Mellon and testimony from her lawyer, Alex Forger. ...

Ten militants killed in Yemen as government advances

ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) - Yemeni troops killed 10 suspected Islamist militants on the outskirts of the city of Jaar, an army official and residents said on Friday, in a new U.S.-backed offensive meant to reassert control in the south of the country. Residents and a military official said fighting erupted overnight between insurgents and the Yemeni army backed by tribesmen on the northern outskirts of the city, which is held by al Qaeda linked militants. The clashes continued until Friday morning, killing ten militants, they said. ...

Ten militants killed in Yemen as government advances

ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) - Yemeni troops killed 10 suspected Islamist militants on the outskirts of the city of Jaar, an army official and residents said on Friday, in a new U.S.-backed offensive meant to reassert control in the south of the country. Residents and a military official said fighting erupted overnight between insurgents and the Yemeni army backed by tribesmen on the northern outskirts of the city, which is held by al Qaeda linked militants. The clashes continued until Friday morning, killing ten militants, they said. ...

Health secretary urges contraception compromise

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration's top health official on Friday took the debate over whether healthcare coverage should include contraceptives to the campus of a Catholic university that has been deeply divided over the administration's policy. U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in a speech at Georgetown University a few miles from the White House, praised the new U.S. healthcare law requiring coverage and called for "conversation and compromise. ...

Health secretary urges contraception compromise

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration's top health official on Friday took the debate over whether healthcare coverage should include contraceptives to the campus of a Catholic university that has been deeply divided over the administration's policy. U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in a speech at Georgetown University a few miles from the White House, praised the new U.S. healthcare law requiring coverage and called for "conversation and compromise. ...

Health secretary urges contraception compromise

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration's top health official on Friday took the debate over whether healthcare coverage should include contraceptives to the campus of a Catholic university that has been deeply divided over the administration's policy. U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in a speech at Georgetown University a few miles from the White House, praised the new U.S. healthcare law requiring coverage and called for "conversation and compromise. ...

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows

Guest lineups for the Sunday TV news shows:

Secy Sebelius Speaks at Catholic College Despite Protests

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius barely got out two sentences today before a protester at the Georgetown University Public Policy Commencement sprung to his feet calling her a “murderer.” The audience began booing the protester to drown out his cries, making the rest of his outburst inaudible....

El Paso applies for LNG export license from Elba Island

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Natural gas producer and pipeline operator El Paso Corp has joined the growing ranks of companies hoping to export the abundant fuel overseas, after filing an export license for its import terminal in Georgia. El Paso, through its subsidiary Southern LNG, is seeking authorization from the Department of Energy to export up to 0.5 billion cubic feet per day of liquefied natural gas from its Elba Island facility over 25 years, according to a filing on the DoE website on Friday. ...

El Paso applies for LNG export license from Elba Island

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Natural gas producer and pipeline operator El Paso Corp has joined the growing ranks of companies hoping to export the abundant fuel overseas, after filing an export license for its import terminal in Georgia. El Paso, through its subsidiary Southern LNG, is seeking authorization from the Department of Energy to export up to 0.5 billion cubic feet per day of liquefied natural gas from its Elba Island facility over 25 years, according to a filing on the DoE website on Friday. ...

Romney, GOP guvs have differing takes on economy

While Mitt Romney faults President Barack Obama for a weak American economy, Republican governors across the country are trumpeting business growth and falling unemployment.

Romney, GOP guvs have differing takes on economy

While Mitt Romney faults President Barack Obama for a weak American economy, Republican governors across the country are trumpeting business growth and falling unemployment.

Appeals court upholds key voting rights provision

A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, rejecting an Alabama county's challenge to the landmark civil rights law.

Greece: Germany's Merkel suggests euro referendum

Germany's chancellor apparently waded into Greece's choppy political waters on Friday, with Athens saying Angela Merkel suggested that the country should hold a referendum on the euro together with next month's national elections.

Germany's Merkel, Greece president discussed Greek euro vote

German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed with Greece's president on Friday whether his country should hold a referendum on staying in the Euro, a Greek government spokesman said. "(Merkel) relayed to the President (Karolos Papoulias)thoughts about holding a referendum in parallel with the elections, on the question whether Greek citizens wish to remain in the euro zone," Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tsiodras said in a statement. He said the two leaders spoke by phone.

Greece's conservatives reject Merkel referendum idea

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's conservatives, the country's biggest party which backs its international bailout, rejected on Friday a suggestion by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Greece hold a referendum on its euro zone membership. "The Greek people don't need a referendum to prove they're pro-euro," said Antonis Samaras, the leader of the conservative New Democracy party, in a statement. Greece's government spokesman said earlier on Friday that Merkel raised the referendum idea in a telephone conversation with Greece's President Karolos Papoulias. ...

State Dept. denounces proposed budget cuts

The State Department is protesting deep cuts to its budget proposed by Congress, saying the reductions would damage America's security and global leadership and prove costly to taxpayers in the long run.

Small fire breaks out at ADM plant in Illinois

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A small fire broke out at one of agribusiness giant Archer Daniel Midland Co's plants in Decatur, Illinois, on Friday morning. The fire department was called but the fire, which started in the coal storage area of plant's co-generation facility, was put out before firefighters arrived, ADM spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said. The facility helps power operations at the plant. There were no injuries or damage. The cause of the fire, which started around 10 a.m. CDT (1500 GMT) was still being investigated, Anderson said. Anderson said that the facility was still open for ...

Small fire breaks out at ADM plant in Illinois

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A small fire broke out at one of agribusiness giant Archer Daniel Midland Co's plants in Decatur, Illinois, on Friday morning. The fire department was called but the fire, which started in the coal storage area of plant's co-generation facility, was put out before firefighters arrived, ADM spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said. The facility helps power operations at the plant. There were no injuries or damage. The cause of the fire, which started around 10 a.m. CDT (1500 GMT) was still being investigated, Anderson said. Anderson said that the facility was still open for ...

Facebook stock up slightly in public debut

Facebook is trading up 8 percent Friday, as investors seek to put a dollar value on the company that turned online social networking into a global cultural phenomenon.

Sri Lanka presents post-war reconciliation plan

The United States says Sri Lanka has presented a "serious and comprehensive" plan for reconciliation in the island nation after its quarter-century civil war.

Pentagon says China may build aircraft carriers

China may have started work on it first domestically built aircraft carrier and is likely to produce a number of carriers over the next decade as part of an aggressive effort to modernize its military, the Pentagon said Friday.

Afghanistan fundraising goal eludes as US heads to NATO summit

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the eve of this weekend's NATO summit, the United States remains short of its goal of raising $1.3 billion in security funds from its partners in Afghanistan, after a money-raising blitz failed to garner immediate contributions from allies coping with fiscal and political pressures. Who will pay for Afghanistan's future security will be central when President Barack Obama hosts leaders from NATO and other nations in his hometown of Chicago for the May 20-21 summit that will outline the Western path out of the long war. ...

Senator wants parties to refund convention money

A Republican senator is asking both political parties to refund tens of millions of federal dollars each has received to help pay for this summer's presidential nominating conventions.

Tea Partiers yearn for a "truly red" Tennessee

NASHVILLE, May 17 - When conservative Tea Party activists helped Republicans extend their majority in Tennessee's legislature in 2010, they expected to get the legislation they wanted. Many of these middle-class insurgents are disappointed. ...

US stocks edge lower on Europe worries

It's going to take more than Facebook's initial public offering to push the stock market higher.

Greek politics, Spain banks test eurozone survival

Chaos in Greek politics and Spanish banking combined this week to underscore just how fragile Europe's economy remains after an eviscerating austerity regime that has spawned unemployment, desperation and misery. And there is no respite in sight, as Germany's finance minister predicted Friday that the crisis could last up to another two years.

Greek politics, Spain banks test eurozone survival

Chaos in Greek politics and Spanish banking combined this week to underscore just how fragile Europe's economy remains after an eviscerating austerity regime that has spawned unemployment, desperation and misery. And there is no respite in sight, as Germany's finance minister predicted Friday that the crisis could last up to another two years.