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U.S., Cuba players find friendship in softball
HAVANA (Reuters) - There were hugs and handshakes all around on Friday as teams of older U.S. and Cuban softball players ended a "friendship" tournament they hope will set an example for their respective governments.

Senate sets hearing on Bernanke's renomination
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Banking Committee said on Friday it will hold a hearing on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's renomination to a second term on December 3, putting the central bank chief under scrutiny at a time when the Fed is facing intense criticism in Congress.

Afghan govt would fall if NATO withdraws: UK minister
LONDON (Reuters) - The Afghan government would quickly be overthrown if NATO troops pulled out of the country now, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Friday.

U.S. to drop charges against one Blackwater guard
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Justice Department prosecutors asked a federal judge on Friday to dismiss the charges against one of five Blackwater security guards accused of killing 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians in a 2007 shooting in Baghdad.

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate health bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad reform bill one day before its first crucial test.

Cubs sign Grabow to two-year deal
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Reliever John Grabow signed a two-year $7.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs on Friday, adding an experienced arm to a young bullpen.

Healthcare lobby set for record spending this year
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It's not just spending on U.S. healthcare that is breaking records. Drugmakers, insurers and industry groups are on track to spend an all-time high of more than $500 million this year to influence Congress' revamp of the healthcare system.

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate health bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad reform bill one day before its first crucial test.

Miami man gets 13-year sentence for Sears Tower plot
MIAMI (Reuters) - The ringleader of a group of Miami men convicted of plotting to blow up Chicago's Sears Tower and government offices was sentenced to 13-1/2 years in prison on Friday.

Accused Ponzi schemer: I learned of fraud late
ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Reuters) - Minnesota businessman Tom Petters made a final push on Friday to convince a federal jury he was not responsible for a $3.65 billion Ponzi scheme that bankrupted his company.

Hershey mulls $17 billion solo bid for Cadbury: source
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - U.S. chocolate maker Hershey Co is considering launching a bid of at least $17 billion for British chocolatier Cadbury Plc as it seeks to trump a hostile offer by Kraft Foods Inc, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate health bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad reform bill one day before its first crucial test.

Funeral workers risk cancer from formaldehyde
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Morticians who use formaldehyde to embalm bodies have a higher risk of leukemia, researchers reported on Friday.

Art collector finds Galileo's lost tooth, fingers
ROME (Reuters) - An art collector has found a tooth, thumb and finger of the renowned Italian scientist Galileo Galilei who died in the 17th century, Florence's History of Science museum said on Friday.

Paulson's golden investors have to commit $10 million
BOSTON (Reuters) - Investors tempted to put money into star hedge fund manager John Paulson's new gold portfolio will have to commit at least $10 million and leave the money locked up for at least one year, according to a prospectus.

Hershey weighs $17 billion Cadbury bid: source
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - U.S. chocolate maker Hershey Co is considering launching a bid of at least $17 billion for British chocolatier Cadbury Plc in an effort to outstrip a hostile offer by Kraft Foods Inc, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Los Angeles gets tough on medical marijuana shops
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Past the security man and his pit bull and through a haze of eye-watering smoke, two youths load up a pipe next to a row of shiny glass jars with two dozen varieties of marijuana bud displayed like candy.

Ethics panel admonishes Obama Senate replacement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Roland Burris, saying he had been less than candid about his gubernatorial appointment to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama.

Swine flu may have hit one peak; more to come
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pandemic of swine flu may be hitting a peak in the Northern Hemisphere, global health officials said on Friday, but they cautioned it was far from over.

Highway travel rises as economy recovers
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. motorists drove more miles for the fourth month in a row, which could indicate that both the economy and demand for gasoline are starting to recover, analysts said.