WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Home resales rose in April to the highest level in nearly 3-1/2 years as surging prices lured sellers back into market, which should support the housing sector and the overall economic recovery. The National Association of Realtors said on Wednesday existing home sales advanced 0.6 percent to an annual rate of 4.97 million units, the highest level since November 2009. The March sales pace was revised up to 4.94 million units from the previously reported 4.92 million units. The increase, however, was below expectations for a rise to a 4.99 million-unit rate last month. ...

KIROV, Russia (Reuters) - A Russian official undermined state prosecutors' case against protest leader Alexei Navalny at his trial on theft charges on Wednesday, saying that he had done no harm. Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin's biggest critics, said the testimony of Kirov region governor Nikita Belykh showed he was not guilty of charges of stealing from a timber company. But he said he still expected to be convicted because he was not getting a fair trial. ...