New Pakistan outreach could aid Afghan peace deal

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has increased efforts to reach out to some of its biggest enemies in Afghanistan, a significant policy shift that could prove crucial to U.S.-backed efforts to strike a peace deal in the neighboring country.The target of the diplomatic push has mainly been non-Pashtun political leaders who have been at odds with Pakistan for years because of the country's historical support...

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Star Silicon Valley analyst felled by Facebook IPO fallout

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The firing of Citigroup stock analyst Mark Mahaney on Friday in the regulatory fallout from Facebook Inc's initial public offering was greeted with shock and dismay in Silicon Valley, where Mahaney was a well-known and well-liked figure. "Pretty shocked," was the reaction of Jacob Funds Chief Executive Ryan Jacob, who described Mahaney as one of the most respected...

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FDA: Pharmacy tied to outbreak knew of bacteria

WASHINGTON (AP) — Staffers at a pharmacy linked to the deadly meningitis outbreak documented dozens of cases of mold and bacteria growing in rooms that were supposed to be sterile, according to federal health inspectors.In a preliminary report on conditions at the pharmacy, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday that even when the contamination at New England Compounding Center exceeded the...

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Obama hits Romney for ‘cradle-to-grave tax hikes and fees’

President Barack Obama delivers a speech to supporters at a campaign rally at Elm Street Middle School in Nashua, …NASHUA, N.H. — Mocking Mitt Romney's vow to bring "big change" to Washington, President Barack Obama charged at a campaign rally here Saturday that his Republican rival was actually offering a "big re-run" of George W. Bush's policies. The embattled incumbent also hit Romney's record...

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Billy Idol plays fan's birthday party in Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle man says that having Billy Idol play his 26th birthday party made for the greatest night of his life.Michael Henrichsen spent two years persuading the British rock icon to play his party, and it paid off Friday at the packed Showbox SoDo club.Idol guitarist Steve Stevens played him 'Happy Birthday' in the middle of a solo. Then Idol called Henrichsen onto the stage for a rendition...

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