Reuters Morning Digest: March 25, 2016

Click to View in Browser Friday, March 25, 2016 Syrian army advances in Palmyra fighting - state media and monitor BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian soldiers advanced slowly in heavy fighting with Islamic State fighters near Palmyra's ancient ruins on Friday, state media and a monitoring group said, in an offensive which could open up swathes of eastern Syria to government forces. Despite oil's decline, energy companies win with equity offerings NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than a dozen companies in the hard-hit exploration and production energy industry have announced new share offerings this year – and have generally been rewarded in the stock market for the strategy. Microsoft told potential Yahoo bidders it might back bids: report (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp executives are in talks with equity firms considering bids for Yahoo Inc! saying that Microsoft might be willing to offer "significant financing" for their efforts, tech news site Recode reported on Thursday. Stripped-down synthetic organism sheds light on nature of life WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scientists on Thursday announced the creation of a synthetic organism stripped down to the bare essentials with the fewest genes needed to survive and multiply, a feat at the microscopic level that may provide big insights on the very nature of life. Gymnastics venue for Tokyo 2020 to be given longer lifespan (Reuters) - Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics announced that the planned temporary venue for gymnastics will be given a 10-year lifespan so that it can be used as a convention and exhibition center following the conclusion of the Games. Cuba's journey from rock labor brigades to the Rolling Stones HAVANA (Reuters) - When Carlos Carnero's rock band Los Kent plugged in guitars and drums to play Rolling Stones covers on Cuba's Island of Pines in the 1960s, soldiers stopped the gig at gunpoint in minutes and marched the musicians onto a boat heading back to the mainland. North Carolina man arrested over rented VHS tape 14 years overdue (Reuters) - A wanted North Carolina man was arrested this week on charges he failed to return a VHS tape to a video store 14 years ago, police said on Thursday. Related Video Driver tries to carjack motorcycle near Phoenix Christians in Sydney re-enact Easter crucifixion Great Debate If secrecy is the whole point, how do you make intelligence agencies share? Cox: The social costs of financial returns 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 2016 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add newsletters@email.reuters.com to your address book. Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook