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Obama to Host Iftar Dinner

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
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U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting an Iftar dinner at the White House Wednesday to celebrate Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. The White House says guests include Muslim leaders and activists as well as elected officials and leaders of other faiths. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during the daylight hours. Iftar is the […]

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Syrian Forces Move on Villages; UN Security Council to Meet

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
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Syrian security forces have launched new raids, as the U.N. Security Council prepares to discuss the country’s unrest. Rights groups say at least one civilian was killed and three wounded on Wednesday after tanks moved into several northwestern villages near the Turkish border. The Security Council meeting later Wednesday is set to focus on possible […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

Suspected U.S. Drone Strike Kills 21 in Northwest Pakistan

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
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Pakistani intelligence officials say a U.S. drone strike has killed at least 21 militants in the country’s North Waziristan tribal region along the Afghan border. The officials say the unmanned aircraft fired two missiles into a house near the town of Miran Shah Wednesday, targeting members of the Haqqani network, a militant group affiliated with […]

Tags: , , , Posted in South Asia

Afghan Officials: NATO Troops Kill Afghan Police

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
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Afghan officials say NATO troops have killed four Afghan police officers during a clash in the country’s south. Provincial officials say the two sides exchanged gunfire late Tuesday in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, but that it is unclear how the shooting started. An investigation team has been sent to the area to determine […]

Tags: , , Posted in South Asia

Pakistan to Extradite Bali Bombing Suspect Soon

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
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Officials say Pakistan is close to sending a key figure in the 2002 Bali bombings to Indonesia for trial. Officials in Indonesia told the Associated Press the extradition is expected before the end of the month, while Pakistani officials say the extradition can occur at any time. Indonesian national Umar Patek, 41, was arrested in […]

UN: Flow of Somalis Into Kenya Rising

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 8:05 am (UTC-5)
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The United Nations says Somali refugees are still pouring into Kenya despite efforts to alleviate drought and famine conditions in southern Somalia. The U.N. humanitarian affairs office says that during the first week in August, an average of 1,500 Somalis arrived each day at the Dadaab refugee camps in northern Kenya. That number was up […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

European Stocks Higher in Midday Trading

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
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European stock prices are higher in midday trading Wednesday. London’s Financial Times index is up nearly one percent. The CAC-40 in Paris is up more than one-quarter of one percent, and trading on the DAX index in Frankfurt is up nearly two percent. In New York, the S&P futures contract is down eight points, indicating […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Economy

Pope’s Visit To Spain Comes Under Fire For Excessive Costs

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
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The cost of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Spain next week is coming under fire from lay groups and even some priests as the country grapples with painful budget cuts. The pope arrives in Madrid on August 18 to attend the final four days of the Roman Catholic Church’s six-day World Youth Day festivities. Festival […]

Tags: , , Posted in Europe

Asia Markets Close Mostly Higher

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 6:45 am (UTC-5)
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Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained just over one percent to finish at 9,039. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index soared well over than two and one-quarter percent to finish the day’s trading at 19,784. Share prices were also higher in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, […]

Tags: , Posted in Economy

UN Security Council Meeting on Syria

Posted August 10th, 2011 at 6:30 am (UTC-5)
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The United Nations Security Council is meeting Wednesday to discuss the situation in Syria, a week after issuing a strong statement condemning the government crackdown on opposition protesters and calling for the violence to stop. Wednesday’s talks come after several Arab nations condemned the violence, possibly creating a new opening for council action. Saudi Arabia, […]

Tags: Posted in Middle East