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US Consumers Grow More Pessimistic

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 2:40 pm (UTC-5)
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Americans’ confidence in the economy fell sharply in August, with the consumer confidence index hitting its lowest level in two years. Tuesday’s report from the Conference Board says consumers grew even more worried about jobs during the month. The business research group says consumers may have also been discouraged by political bickering in Washington over […]

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Philippine President Opens State Visit to China

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
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Philippine President Benigno Aquino has begun a five-day state visit to China aimed at securing multi-billion-dollar trade agreements while facing bitter disagreements with Beijing over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Mr. Aquino arrived in Beijing Tuesday, leading a delegation of about 300 Philippine business leaders and prepared to witness deals aimed at boosting […]

Eid al-Fitr Marked Around Globe

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 2:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a three-day holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Observers of Islam in Egypt, Syria and several other Arab countries started marking the holiday Tuesday by crowding into mosques for prayers. Muslims in several non-Arab countries including Russia, Turkey and Afghanistan also began […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in Middle East

Serbia Demands Accountability in Kosovo

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Serbia says the United Nations needs to hold Pristina accountable for creating instability in northern Kosovo. Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic asked the U.N. Security Council Tuesday to reject what he described as Kosovo’s unilateralism, saying it must be “rejected and condemned in the clearest possible terms.” Jeremic also said a failure to confront Pristina […]

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Libya’s Rebels Give Deadline to Gadhafi Forces

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Libya’s opposition Transitional National Council has announced a deadline for forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi in his hometown of Sirte to surrender. TNC leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil said Tuesday in the rebel-stronghold of Benghazi that rebels will resort to military action in Sirte if they get no indication by Saturday of a peaceful end to […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

7 More Suspects Sought in Mexico Casino Arson

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 2:10 pm (UTC-5)
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Mexican authorities say they are seeking seven more suspects in an arson attack that left 52 people dead at a casino in the northern state of Nuevo Leon. Officials made the remark Tuesday as five others in custody were presented to the news media. Authorities say the five are alleged members of the Zetas drug […]

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Muslims in Russia Pray in the Streets to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
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Tens of thousands of Muslims gathered in Moscow and Saint Petersburg for worship Tuesday on Eid al-Fitr, the three-day festival marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr, or Uraza Bayram as it is more commonly known in Russia, celebrates the purification achieved during Ramadan. The month of sunrise-to-sunset fasting is one […]

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Obama to Speak at National Cathedral 9/11 Concert

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
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U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will spend the evening of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at an interfaith prayer and concert service at Washington National Cathedral. Spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday that President Obama will deliver remarks at the event, called “A Concert for Hope.” The […]

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Acclaimed Khmer Rouge Prison Survivor Reported Near Death

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
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Family members say Cambodia’s Vann Nath, one of only seven survivors of a vast and notorious Khmer Rouge torture center, is in a coma and near death at a Cambodian hospital. The 66-year-old human rights icon and artist survived the infamous Tuol Sleng prison, where more than 12,000 people died in the 1970s under Khmer […]

Rights Groups Say Banks Enabling Trade in Blood Diamonds

Posted August 30th, 2011 at 1:20 pm (UTC-5)
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A human rights group wants some major banks to reevaluate their ties to banks in Zimbabwe, saying the ties indirectly support the trade in so-called “blood diamonds.” Partnership Africa Canada says the banks, including Britain’s Barclays and South Africa’s Standard Bank, are not involved in the Zimbabwe diamond trade. But the organization says the banks […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa