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US Launches New Push for Healthy Eating

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 2:45 pm (UTC-5)
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The United States has launched a new initiative to encourage healthy eating, replacing its food pyramid guidelines in favor of simpler recommendations. The Department of Agriculture on Thursday unveiled the “MyPlate” icon showing a plate with four quadrants — one each for fruits, vegetables, grains and protein. A cup marked “dairy” is next to the […]

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Moody’s Warns Washington On Debt Impasse

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
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A global rating agency says it may consider downgrading the credit rating for the United States if bickering politicians cannot reach an agreement to raise the debt limit. Moody’s Investor Services says the political wrangling over debts and spending has “exceeded expectations.” Current law limits U.S. government debt to about $14.3 trillion, but that limit […]

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US: Mitt Romney Entering Race to Oust Obama in 2012

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
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Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has become the latest high-profile Republican to join the U.S. presidential race, hoping to deny President Barack Obama a second term. Romney launched his 2012 campaign Thursday in the northeastern state of New Hampshire, telling supporters Mr. Obama “has failed America.” He pledged to slash government spending, repeal President Obama’s […]

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Latvian President Fails to Win Re-election Bid

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
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A lawmaker and former banker has won Latvia’s presidential election, defeating incumbent Valdis Zatlers who days before had called for the dissolution of parliament. Andris Berzins won the second round of voting Thursday with a simple majority of 53 votes in the 100-seat parliament. The first round of voting failed to produce a winner. The […]

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Basics on First Outbreak of Rare and Virulent Strain

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
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International health organizations are providing new information about a rare, virulent strain of deadly bacteria, as authorities try to pinpoint the source of the outbreak. Here are some facts: E. coli and how it is transmitted; E. coli is an abbreviation for Escherichia, which is a large and diverse group of bacteria. Most strains are […]

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Iran’s President Gives Up Role as Oil Minister

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 1:45 pm (UTC-5)
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stepped down from his role as the caretaker oil minister after parliament threatened to take him to court over the issue. State-run media say Mr. Ahmadinejad announced Thursday that he had named Mohammad Ali-Abedi as the interim chief of the ministry. He is the former head of Iran’s physical education […]

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Death Toll Rises From Deadly European Bacteria

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 1:30 pm (UTC-5)
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European and World Health Organization scientists say a deadly outbreak of E. coli bacteria that has killed 18 people is a rare and virulent strain of the bacteria. The latest victim died Wednesday night in Germany. The United Nations agency said Thursday that preliminary genetic tests suggest the highly infectious strain is a mutant of […]

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US Senator Meets Aung San Suu Kyi in Burmese Capital

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 1:30 pm (UTC-5)
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U.S. Senator John McCain — in Burma to assess prospects for democratic reforms — has promised opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi continued U.S. support for efforts to bring democracy to the Southeast Asian nation. McCain met Thursday with the pro-democracy leader in Rangoon for about an hour. Afterward, in comments to reporters, Aung San […]

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Syrian Opposition Figures Call for President’s Immediate Departure

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Syrian opposition figures have wrapped up a two-day meeting in Turkey with a call for President Bashar al-Assad’s immediate resignation. The 300 delegates issued the call in a joint declaration on Thursday, as Syrian forces continued to pound the central town of Rastan. Activists say at least 15 people were killed Thursday in the government’s […]

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CDC: Too Many Americans Underestimate HIV Risk

Posted June 2nd, 2011 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
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The United States has warned that far too many Americans underestimate their risk for HIV or mistakenly believe the virus that causes AIDS is no longer a serious health threat. A statement was issued Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 30 years after the first report of the mysterious and deadly […]

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