Reuters: Top News - Breaking News - World News [March ‘11 Diet]

[Reuters]

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European leaders agreed a new package of anti-crisis measures at a two-day summit, but were forced to delay increasing their rescue fund and acknowledged they faced new threats from a government collapse in Portugal.

Source: EU agrees crisis package, Portugal clouds summit

[Reuters]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy grew more quickly than previously thought in the fourth quarter, the government said on Friday, but signs of softer consumer and business spending may slow its momentum in early 2011.

Source: U.S. bumps up Q4 growth, seen slowing in early 2011

[Reuters]

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has brought forward plans to deploy an "Iron Dome" rocket interceptor system because of increased mortar and rocket fire from the Hamas Islamist ruled Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said Friday.

Source: Israel to deploy rocket shield system near Gaza

[Reuters]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve is unlikely to extend its bond-buying program with the U.S. economy now on firmer footing, several Fed officials said on Friday, with one inflation hawk saying the Fed will have to raise rates and sell assets in the "not-too-distant future."

Source: Fed unlikely to extend QE2, officials say

[Reuters]

SANAA (Reuters) - President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Friday he was ready to cede power to stop more bloodshed in Yemen, but only to what he called "safe hands" as tens of thousands rallied against him in "Day of Departure" protests.

Source: Yemen's Saleh says wants to put power in safe hands

[Reuters]

BOSTON (Reuters) - Mike Huckabee holds a small lead in the field of potential Republican presidential candidates, while Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin have slipped, according to a Gallup Poll released on Friday.

Source: Huckabee leads Republicans for president: poll

[Reuters]

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Lights started going off around the world on Saturday in a show of support for renewable energy, given added poignancy by Japan's nuclear disaster, which raises doubts about nuclear power as a possible solution.

Source: Japan nuclear crisis gives Earth Hour added poignancy

[Reuters]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Geraldine Ferraro, the Democratic congresswoman who became the first woman on a major party presidential ticket as Walter Mondale's running mate in 1984, died on Saturday at the age of 75, her family said.

Source: Geraldine Ferraro, first woman on U.S. presidential ticket, dies

[Reuters]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama sought to reassure Americans about U.S. military involvement in Libya on Saturday, saying the mission is limited and the United States will not intervene everywhere there is a crisis.

Source: Obama seeks to reassure Americans about Libya

[Reuters]

HAVANA (Reuters) - Former President Jimmy Carter will meet with Cuban President Raul Castro, the leader of Cuba's Catholic Church and the island's Jewish community during a Havana visit starting on Monday amid speculation he will seek the release of a jailed American aid contractor.

Source: Carter to meet Castro, religious leaders in Cuba