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By Matt Spetalnick and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday shifted the United States away from a "boundless global war on terror," restricting deadly drone strikes abroad and signaling that America's long struggle against al Qaeda will one day end. In a major policy speech, Obama narrowed the scope of the U.S. targeted-killing campaign against al Qaeda and its allies and took new steps toward closing the Guantanamo Bay military prison - controversial elements of the U.S. counterterrorism fight that have drawn condemnation at home and abroad. ...

REUTERS - American Ryan Palmer took advantage of ideal scoring conditions and local knowledge with a birdie fest as he charged into a one-shot lead in Thursday's opening round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas. The 36-year-old Texan piled up eight birdies on the way to a flawless eight-under-par 62 on a relatively calm morning at iconic Colonial Country Club, matching the lowest first round ever recorded at the long established PGA Tour event. ...

By Steve Keating INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - It was media day at the Indianapolis 500 on Thursday and Marco Andretti knew the question was coming before it was even asked. What about the Andretti curse? For Marco, grandson of former Formula One champion Mario Andretti and son of IndyCar champion and team owner Michael, the family name is both a blessing and curse when it comes to racing at the famed Brickyard. American motor racing royalty, the Andrettis have ruled over open wheel racing in the United States with a string of victories that has linked generations. ...

By Steve Keating INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - They are the Indianapolis 500's odd couple. Crusty team owner A.J. Foyt, a 78-year old American motor racing legend and his driver Takuma Sato, an impeccably groomed 36-year-old from Tokyo who arrived in IndyCar from the glamour world of Formula One. They are a sweet and sour, East meets West fusion of cultures that enter Sunday's Indianapolis 500 as one of the favorites to reach victory lane at the famed Brickyard. ...

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER (Reuters) - Sergio Garcia, embroiled in a racism row with Tiger Woods this week, got by with a little help from his friends on Thursday as he battled to a level-par 72 in the PGA Championship first round. South African veteran James Kingston led the way on 66 but most of the attention at the European Tour's flagship event was focused on Garcia following his "fried chicken" jibe at world number one Woods on Tuesday. The Spaniard played alongside compatriot Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Britain's Luke Donald in the opening round. ...

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Police killed two suspected Islamic militants on Thursday after one of them threw a grenade at a group of officers and two others died in a separate shootout in Russia's volatile North Caucasus region, Interfax reported. Both incidents took place in Dagestan province, which has become the epicentre of violence for militants seeking to establish an Islamic state in the North Caucasus, near where Russia plans to hold the 2014 Winter Olympics. ...

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - AS Roma midfielder Erik Lamela has earned a first call-up to Argentina's World Cup qualifying squad with Lionel Messi also picked but in doubt with a hamstring problem. Lamela, named in coach Alejandro Sabella's squad on Thursday, could step in for Messi if he does not recover in time from his injury to face Colombia at home on June 7 and Ecuador away four days later. The 21-year-old has one cap from a 2011 friendly playing for an Argentina team picked solely from the domestic league when he was still at River Plate. ...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average regained ground on Friday after a 7.3-percent dive in the previous session, its biggest one-day percentage drop in two years after weak Chinese factory data spooked investors. The Nikkei climbed 2.4 percent to 14,827.50, while the broader Topix index rose 2 percent to 1,213.11. (Reporting by Dominic Lau; Editing by Chris Gallagher)

By Marice Richter GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America voted on Thursday to lift a ban on openly gay scouts that had been in place throughout the organization's 103-year history, capping weeks of intense lobbying on both sides, the group said in a statement. More than 60 percent of the group's National Council, composed of some 1,400 delegates, voted to end the ban effective January 1, 2014. A prohibition on openly gay adult leaders remains in place. ...

By Susan Cornwell and Jane Sutton WASHINGTON/MIAMI (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's pledge on Thursday to lift a ban on transfers of detainees to Yemen from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, addresses one of the core obstacles to clearing out the detention camp. Of the 86 detainees who have been cleared for transfer or release, 56 are from Yemen, where al Qaeda has a dangerous presence. There are 80 more prisoners who are not cleared and an unknown number of those are Yemeni as well. Most of the Yemeni prisoners were captured more than a decade ago. ...

By Jessica Wohl REUTERS - Procter & Gamble Co on Thursday brought back A.G. Lafley to run the world's largest household products maker, replacing Bob McDonald immediately in the midst of a major restructuring. Lafley is taking on the roles of chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective immediately, while McDonald is set to retire on June 30 after 33 years at P&G. The move comes as some investors have pushed for faster improvements from the maker of Tide detergent and Gillette razors. P&G unveiled a $10 billion restructuring program in February 2012. ...

By Lauren Tara LaCapra SALT LAKE City (Reuters) - After dozens of meetings with executives and regulators, 100,000 hours of employee training and an immeasurable amount of public grief, Goldman Sachs Group Inc's Lloyd Blankfein claimed success in putting the bank and his legacy as CEO back on track. At Goldman's annual meeting on Thursday, Blankfein unveiled details of a three-year review and overhaul of the bank's practices in dealing with clients, following high-profile missteps that tarnished its reputation in the aftermath of the financial crisis. ...

By Matt Spetalnick and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday shifted the United States away from a "boundless global war on terror," restricting deadly drone strikes abroad and signaling that America's long struggle against al Qaeda will one day end. In a major policy speech, Obama narrowed the scope of the U.S. targeted-killing campaign against al Qaeda and its allies and took new steps toward closing the Guantanamo Bay military prison - controversial elements of the U.S. counterterrorism fight that have drawn condemnation at home and abroad. ...

Los Angeles, May 24 (IANS) Singer Taylor Swift likes to wear clothes which exude style, but still don't restrict her movement on stage.

Tel Aviv, May 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The sale of S-300 air defence systems by Russia to Syria would be "destabilising" for the region, US Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Los Angeles, May 24 (IANS) Jennifer Love Hewitt feels people will never stop commenting - whether you're thin or voluptuous. But she says it is more important to feel good in your skin, and she does so with her regular dose of running, yoga and Pilates.

Moscow, May 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's new reusable spacecraft being developed by the Energia Rocket and Space Corporation will be able to make up to five space flights, the rocket maker said.

Los Angeles, May 24 (IANS) For Comedian Ed Helms and actor Bradley Cooper, actors of the successful "The Hangover" films, the franchise is "over".

Moscow, May 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's first light-class modification Angara 1.2PP carrier rocket is ready for its maiden launch, its manufacturer Khrunichev Center said.

Vilnius (Lithuania), May 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Lithuanian security services have arrested a Russian national at the request of the US Justice Department, which suspects him of smuggling export-restricted military equipment.

Rome, May 24 (IANS/AKI) The captain of the Costa Concordia cruise liner that hit rocks and sank off Tuscany last year, killing 32 people, will go on trial in July.

Los Angeles, May 24 (IANS) Actress Eva Longoria gladly flaunted a graduation gown after picking her Master's degree from the California State University.

London, May 24 (IANS) Actor-comedian Russell Brand was reportedly spotted kissing actress Sheridan Smith after a recent show here.

Washington, May 24 (IANS) Chandigarh-born Indian-American legal luminary Srikanth 'Sri' Srinivasan made history Thursday as the US Senate confirmed his nomination as a top US judge in a 97 to 0 vote.

Washington, May 24 (IANS) Making a shift from a boundless "global war on terror", US President Barack Obama Thursday announced a new counter-terrorism policy narrowing the use of drones that has put it at odds with key allies like Pakistan.

Abu Dhabi, May 24 (IANS/WAM) Emirates Post has issued a stamp to showcase the UAE's achievement in the field of science and technology, and to commemorate the "Y1A", the first multipurpose satellite by Yahsat.