India pledges more comfort on creaking rail network

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday pledged better catering, comfort and cleanliness as part a $11.7-billion budget for Asia's oldest rail network along with steps to help stop trains from mowing down people and elephants.Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal hiked freight rates by five per cent in his budget for the sprawling state-run network, India's main form of long-distance transport despite...

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Family fights $474K hospital bill

on your computer or on the CNN Apps for iPhone® and iPad®.iPhone, iPad and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.If you get CNN and HLN at home, you can watch them online and on the go for no additional chargeStart watch...

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Iran nuclear talks: Both sides say new ideas ready

ALMATY, Kazakhstan World powers began their fourth round of high-level talks with Iranian officials on Tuesday as negotiators from both sides pledged to offer new ways to break a years-long impasse over Tehran's nuclear program and its feared ability to make atomic weapons in the future. Few believe the latest attempt to reach compromise will yield any major breakthroughs, and negotiators refused...

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Americans Targeted for Allegedly Running Underage Prostitution in Philippines

Arthur Benjamin is sitting at the edge of a small stage, wearing a lavender Hawaiian shirt and nursing a bottle of San Miguel Light beer. The 6-foot-6 mustachioed Texan lazily watches the half dozen or so girls dancing rather unenergetically around the stage's pole."I forgot your gift again, it's in the car," Benjamin says to one of the girls on stage, shouting above the pop music...

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Vatican 'Gay lobby'? Probably not

STORY HIGHLIGHTSBenedict XVI not stepping down under pressure from 'gay lobby,' Allen saysAllen: Benedict is a man who prefers the life of the mind to the nuts and bolts of government However, he says, much of the pope's time has been spent putting out firesEditor's note: John L. Allen Jr. is CNN's senior Vatican analyst and senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter.(CNN) -- Suffice...

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Asia to get almost 10,000 planes over 20 years: Airbus

SINGAPORE: Asia-Pacific carriers will take delivery of 9,870 new passenger and cargo aircraft valued at US$1.6 trillion over the next 20 years, European plane manufacturer Airbus said Monday.The region will account for 35 percent of aircraft deliveries worldwide and 40 percent of the market in terms of value during the period, putting it ahead of Europe and North America, Airbus said in...

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'Crippling' winter storm belts Great Plains region (again)

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Flights in and out of Amarillo International Airport have been canceledNEW: Portions of I-40 and U.S. Highways 87 and 187 in Texas are closedKansas Gov. Sam Brownback is calling on drivers to stay off the road"This storm has the potential to be more dangerous than last week's storm," he says(CNN) -- Call it winter weather, part two.Just days after a storm walloped the Great Plains,...

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Michelle Obama makes surprise Oscars appearance

First lady Michelle Obama, on a video screen, announces the winner for best picture along with actor Jack Nicholson at the 85th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 24, 2013, in Hollywood, Calif. / Getty First lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the Oscars, opening the envelope that contained the name of the best-picture winner, "Argo." 51 PhotosOscars 2013: Show highlightsAppearing...

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Vatican 'Gay lobby'? Probably not

STORY HIGHLIGHTSBenedict XVI not stepping down under pressure from 'gay lobby,' Allen saysAllen: Benedict is a man who prefers the life of the mind to the nuts and bolts of government However, he says, much of the pope's time has been spent putting out firesEditor's note: John L. Allen Jr. is CNN's senior Vatican analyst and senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter.(CNN) -- Suffice...

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Biker group Riders Aid raises funds for needy

SINGAPORE: The bikers community was out riding on Sunday to raise funds for the needy.More than 1,000 bikers took part in the fun, beginning their journey in Tampines on Sunday afternoon.They then went to PUB Recreation Club where they accompanied the event's special guest, Environment & Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to the Singapore Power Club where he arrived in style...

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