Morning Digest: White House, Republicans dig in ahead of budget talks

	Click to View in Browser 02/28/2013 White House, Republicans dig in ahead of budget talks WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Positions hardened on Wednesday between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders over the budget crisis even as they arranged to hold last-ditch talks to prevent harsh automatic spending cuts beginning this week.. Western governments to discuss military assistance to Syrian rebels: source ROME (Reuters) - Western and Arab officials will meet representatives of the Syrian opposition in Istanbul next Monday to discuss military and humanitarian support for rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, a European diplomatic source said on Thursday.. Stock index futures point to slightly higher open LONDON (Reuters) - Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall Street on Thursday.. American classical pianist Van Cliburn dies at age 78 (Reuters) - American pianist Van Cliburn, who awed Russian audiences with his exquisite Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff concertos and won fame and fortune back home, died on Wednesday at the age of 78.. Hibbert, Lee suspended one game each for altercation (Reuters) - Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert and Golden State Warriors forward David Lee were suspended one game by the NBA on Wednesday for an altercation that spilled into the stands.. Atlantic City casino shares up on NJ nod for online gambling (Reuters) - The legalization of online gambling in New Jersey gave a boost to shares of Caesars Entertainment Corp and Boyd Gaming Corp, on expectations that this will revive business in Atlantic City, the second-biggest U.S. gaming destination.. Veteran explorer stakes Russia's claim over the Arctic MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian polar explorer Artur Chilingarov made his name in the Soviet Union with a daring rescue of an ice-bound ship, then won international fame for planting Russia's flag under the ice cap, angering governments with rival claims over the Arctic.. Man and woman, preferably married, wanted for expedition to Mars CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, - A nonprofit foundation wants to recruit a man and a woman - possibly a married couple - for a bare-bones, 501-day journey to Mars and back that would start in less than five years, project organizers said on Wednesday.. Related Video Millionaire plans to send couple to Mars Visitors, officials say Egypt balloon crash won't affect tourism Great Debate A sequestration solution for the Pentagon Who controls Voting Rights? A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend