Obama says to address new economic ideas next week WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will outline new measures next week to boost the U.S. economy after August data on Friday showed again that jobs -- the central issue in November elections -- were being created too slowly.
Quake of 7.0 hits New Zealand near Christchurch WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A major earthquake of 7.0 magnitude hit New Zealand, 30 km (20 miles) west of Christchurch early Saturday morning, causing no immediate reports of casualties but widespread damage, authorities said.
U.S. and Israel spying behind BlackBerry woe: Dubai police DUBAI (Reuters) - Concerns over Israeli access to BlackBerry data, and the use of the device by the United States to spy on the United Arab Emirates are behind the Gulf state's moves to curb the smartphone, Dubai's police chief said.
BUSINESS NEWS
Reuters Business News
Wall Street set for bumper week as economy fears ease NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street was set to close out its best week in six on Friday after recent economic data, including a stronger-than-expected jobs report, showed the U.S. economy may be in better shape than thought.
Payrolls data offer ray of hope for recovery WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. employment fell for a third straight month in August, but the drop was far less than expected and private hiring surprised on the upside, easing pressure on the Federal Reserve to prop up economic growth.
Campbell Soup profit beats Street but sales light CHICAGO (Reuters) - Campbell Soup Co posted lower-than-expected quarterly sales and forecast sales growth for the new fiscal year below its long-term target as the world's largest soup company grapples with a weak economy.
STRANGE NEWS
Reuters Oddly Enough News
German party mistakenly hands out porn pens to kids BERLIN (Reuters Life!) - To sweeten their first day at primary school German children are normally given a cardboard cone filled with sweets, but schoolchildren in Essen this year opened their cones to find pens which project erotic images.
Tourist treat - famous toilets BERLIN (Reuters) - For tourists tired of traditional sightseeing tours, one Berlin tour guide is offering something altogether different: a tour of Berlin's public conveniences.
Firm can't fire man for 1.8 cent theft BERLIN (Reuters) - A German company that fired a man for the theft of 1.8 euro cents (two U.S. cents) worth of electricity had no grounds for sacking him, a court ruled, dismissing the firm's appeal against his reinstatement.
SPORTS NEWS
Reuters Sports News
Defending U.S. champion Clijsters overwhelms Kvitova NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kim Clijsters erased an early first-set deficit and put her hopes of defending her U.S. Open title back on track with a 6-3 6-0 win against Petra Kvitova on Friday that secured the Belgian a spot in the fourth round.
Morgan and Volstad suspended after brawl NEW YORK (Reuters) - Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan has been handed an eight-game ban and an undisclosed fine by Major League Baseball after a series of incidents, including a brawl in Wednesday's game at the Florida Marlins.
Roethlisberger suspension cut to four games NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had his six-game suspension, imposed following accusations of sexual assault, reduced by two games, the NFL said Friday.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Reuters Entertainment News
Hollywood updates Facebook in lineup of fall movies LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Social media" is among today's most popular catch phrases thanks to the success of, among other things, networking website Facebook -- the favored way for today's youth to communicate on a global level.
Venice festival honors Chinese director John Woo VENICE (Reuters) - The Venice film festival on Friday honored Hong Kong director John Woo, one of the few Asian filmmakers to enjoy box office success in Hollywood as well as at home.
Top directors headlining Telluride film fest LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Directors Peter Weir, Danny Boyle, Mark Romanek and Errol Morris will headline the Telluride Film Festival, the annual Labor Day holiday weekend event that kicks off Friday in the Colorado mountain resort.
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Reuters Technology News
U.S. and Israel spying behind BlackBerry woe: Dubai police DUBAI (Reuters) - Concerns over Israeli access to BlackBerry data, and the use of the device by the United States to spy on the United Arab Emirates are behind the Gulf state's moves to curb the smartphone, Dubai's police chief said.
Apple and Google to clash in music space by Christmas NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc is in talks with music labels on plans for a download store and a digital song locker that would allow its mobile users to play songs wherever they are as it steps up its rivalry with Apple Inc, according to people familiar with the matter.
Samsung to challenge Apple's iPad with own tablet BERLIN (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics' first tablet computer, the Galaxy Tab, will go on sale in two weeks, it said on Thursday, turning up the heat on Apple Inc's iPad.
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Reuters Environment News
Hurricane Earl weakens after swiping North Carolina MANTEO, North Carolina (Reuters) - Hurricane Earl slapped North Carolina's coast with heavy wind and surf on Friday and then weakened as it swirled up the U.S. eastern seaboard toward New England and Canada as a much tamer storm than feared.
U.S. reiterates commitment to 2020 climate goal GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States reiterated on Friday that it was committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 even though the Senate has failed to pass legislation.
Progress seen on "Green Fund" for climate deal GENEVA (Reuters) - Almost 50 nations made progress on Friday toward a "Green Fund" to help poor countries fight global warming but hosts Mexico and Switzerland said a full U.N. climate treaty was out of reach for 2010.
Quake of 7.0 hits New Zealand near Christchurch WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A major earthquake of 7.0 magnitude hit New Zealand, 30 km (20 miles) west of Christchurch early Saturday morning, causing no immediate reports of casualties but widespread damage, authorities said.
Clinton: time ticking for Israel-Palestinian peace WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday urged Israel and the Palestinians to overcome the final obstacles to peace, saying their new talks may be a last chance to end the conflict.