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Sunday, January 29, 2012

NEWS

OPINION

FEATURES

U.S. Recovery Quickens in Late 2011, Data Shows

by Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in 1-1/2 years in the fourth quarter, but a rebuilding of stocks by businesses and slower business spending warned of weaker growth in early 2012.

Fed Chairman Dr. Ben Bernanke."

BUSINESS

Jobless claims near 4-year low, inflation muted

by Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON - The number of Americans filing for new jobless benefits dropped to a near four-year low last week, pointing to some building up of momentum in the labor market and the economy.

IMF seeks $600 billion in new funds, G20 to discuss

by Lesley Wroughton and Krista Hughes

WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY - The IMF is seeking to more than double its war chest by raising $600 billion in new resources to help countries deal with the fallout of the euro zone debt crisis, but the plan faces roadblocks from the United States and other countries.

METRO

Lana Peters, Stalin's Daughter, Dies in Wisconsin

by Andrew Stern

CHICAGO - The only daughter of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, Svetlana Peters, who denounced communism after a Cold War defection worthy of a novel, has died in Wisconsin, authorities said Monday.

Retail stocks up after strong holiday weekend

by Jessica Wohl

CHICAGO - After a blockbuster performance over the long Thanksgiving weekend, risk-taking retailers such as Macy's Inc and Amazon.com Inc were rewarded with big gains in their shares, while chains that are still tinkering with their strategies reaped smaller rewards.

WORLD

Obama: US will be loyal partner for Iraq

by Alister Bull and Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Monday pledged that Washington would remain a strong partner for Iraq as U.S. troops exit by year-end, and played down the risk this departure creates a power vacuum Iran can exploit.

NATO to stop training Iraq army when US troops leave

by David Brunnstrom

BRUSSELS - NATO will end its seven-year troop training mission in Iraq at the end of December, the alliance said on Monday, a move that will coincide with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

AFRICA

Nigeria's Senate Passes Anti-Gay Bill

by Camillus Eboh

ABUJA - Nigeria's Senate passed a bill on Tuesday to criminalize gay marriage and any same-sex "amorous relationship", a major step in putting in place a law that has drawn widespread criticism in Western countries.

Egypt Army sees voter turnout exceeding 70 percent

by Yasmine Saleh

CAIRO - A member of Egypt's ruling military council said on Tuesday that he expected turnout in the first stage of a parliamentary election to exceed 70 percent.

SPORTS

Nadal edges Federer in Melbourne thriller

MELBOURNE - Rafa Nadal came from behind to topple great rival Roger Federer 6-7 6-2 7-6 6-4 on Thursday in an enthralling match of the highest quality.

POLITICS

Romney reports tax bill of $6.2 million for 2010-11

TAMPA, Fla./WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney released tax records on Tuesday indicating he will pay $6.2 million in taxes on a total of $42.5 million in income over the years 2010 and 2011.

EDUCATION

Poverty dominates many School Districts-Censuses

WASHINGTON - Nearly half of all children in America live in school districts with high levels of poverty, according to U.S. Census data released on Tuesday that pointed to financial traps many public schools are caught in.

EDITORIAL

For Obama 2012, it's all about the 99 percent

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama threw red meat to his political base on Tuesday with a promise to do the nearly impossible: solve the problem of widening U.S. income inequality.