Reuters World News Highlights at 1800 GMT, Feb 15

CHELYABINSK, Russia - A meteor streaked across the sky and exploded over central Russia, sending fireballs crashing to earth which shattered windows and damaged buildings, injuring hundreds of people.

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CARACAS - Venezuela published the first photos of cancer-stricken Hugo Chavez since his surgery in Cuba more than two months ago, showing him smiling while lying in bed reading a newspaper, flanked by his two daughters.

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PRETORIA - South African 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, broke down in tears as he was charged in court with shooting dead his girlfriend in his Pretoria home.

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CASTELNAUDARY - The president of French meat processor Spanghero promised to disprove allegations that his firm knowingly sold horsemeat labelled as beef, and accused the government of being too quick to point the finger.

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BEIJING - North Korea has told its key ally, China, that it is prepared to stage one or even two more nuclear tests this year in an effort to force the United States into diplomatic talks with Pyongyang, said a source with direct knowledge of the message.

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AMMAN - Syria's opposition coalition is ready to negotiate President Bashar al-Assad's exit with any member of his government who has not participated in his military crackdown on the uprising, coalition members said.

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WASHINGTON - Major powers plan to offer to ease sanctions barring trade in gold and other precious metals with Iran in return for Iranian steps to shut down the nation's newly expanded Fordow uranium enrichment plant, Western officials said.

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MOBILE - Thousands of relieved passengers poured ashore from a stinking cruise ship after five days adrift in the Gulf of Mexico with overflowing toilets and stench-filled cabins.

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NAIROBI - Kenya's High Court cleared the way for Uhuru Kenyatta to run in next month's presidential election, dismissing arguments that his looming trial on charges of crimes against humanity made him ineligible.

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WASHINGTON - Republican lawmakers succeeded in delaying a Senate vote on confirming President Barack Obama's choice of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary, but another vote was planned for later in the month and Obama said he expected his nominee to be approved.

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MOSCOW - G20 officials will disregard key parts of a currency statement issued this week by the Group of Seven powers, according to a communique drafted for finance leaders meeting in Moscow, and will not single out Japan.

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VATICAN CITY - The Vatican appointed German lawyer Ernst von Freyberg to head its bank, filling a post left vacant since May when the previous chief was ousted from the scandal-tainted institution.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130215/reuters-world-news-highlights-at-1800-gmt-feb-15