Top News - Breaking News - World News from Reuters (April 2011 Diet)

[Reuters]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Texas judge has overturned a $625 million patent infringement award against Apple Inc, saying the jury erred in finding the maker of Mac computers used technology owned by Mirror Worlds LLC illegally.

Source: Judge overturns $625 million Apple patent award

[Reuters]

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan began pumping nitrogen gas into a crippled nuclear reactor, refocusing the fight against the world's worst nuclear disaster in 25 years on preventing an explosive buildup of hydrogen gas at Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

Source: Japan focuses on hydrogen buildup after nuclear leak

[Reuters]

BOSTON (Reuters) - Mitt Romney, a presidential also-ran in 2008, is powering up a fund-raising machine he hopes will obliterate competition for the 2012 Republican nomination.

Source: Romney counts on massive warchest, circle of giving

[Reuters]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived on Wednesday in Baghdad where he will urge Iraq to cement political stability ahead of plans to complete a U.S. withdrawal this year.

Source: Gates visits Baghdad ahead of U.S. withdrawal

[Reuters]

MADISON, Wis (Reuters) - The union-backed challenger in the race for a seat on Wisconsin's state Supreme Court declared victory on Wednesday in a contest that became a referendum on a new restrictions on public sector unions.

Source: Wisconsin high court challenger declares victory

[Reuters]

LISBON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Portugal will formalize its request on Thursday for a European Union rescue package that could reach 85 billion euros ($122 billion) and a deal could be reached before a June 5 election, officials said.

Source: Portugal to formalize aid request, help seen by June

[Reuters]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Months before the United States is due to complete its withdrawal from Iraq, Washington is stepping up pressure on Iraqi leaders to decide whether U.S. troops should stay to help fend off a still-potent insurgency.

Source: U.S. pushes Iraq to decide on troop extension

[Reuters]

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis on Thursday and signaled it was ready to tighten policy further if needed to check rising prices.

Source: ECB hikes rates, ready to move again if necessary

[Reuters]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New claims for jobless benefits fell last week and retailers racked up much stronger-than-expected sales in March, signs that high fuel prices have not knocked the economy off its growth path.

Source: Jobless claims fall, retail sales stronger

[Reuters]

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - The first time Laurent Gbagbo's gunmen stormed our Abidjan hotel in a hail of bullets, I didn't quite believe it was happening.

Source: Witness: In an Ivory Coast hotel, "bunker down and hope"