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Obama Family Lights National Christmas Tree

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 10:15 pm (UTC-5)
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The Christmas season officially came to Washington Thursday when U.S. President Barack Obama and his family lit the National Christmas Tree. The eight meter tall spruce, covered by blue and green lights and topped by a dazzling white star, is standing in its traditional place on an area behind the White House called the Ellipse. […]

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US Senate Advances Iran Central Bank Sanctions

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 10:15 pm (UTC-5)
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The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a measure that would impose new sanctions against Iran because of its controverisal nuclear program. Lawmakers voted 100-0 Thursday evening in favor of the measure aimed at isolating and crippling Iran’s central bank. The measure would cut off from the U.S. market any business or financial entity that has […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Middle East

US Senate Advances Iran Central Bank Sanctions

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 9:00 pm (UTC-5)
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The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a measure that would impose new sanctions against Iran because of its controverisal nuclear program. Lawmakers voted 100-0 Thursday evening in favor of the measure aimed at isolating and crippling Iran’s central bank. The measure would cut off from the U.S. market any business or financial entity that has […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Middle East

UN: Syria Battling Civil War

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 8:55 pm (UTC-5)
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The United Nations’ top human rights official says Syria’s bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters has degenerated into a civil war. Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay told reporters in Geneva Thursday an increasing number of soldiers are defecting and taking up arms against the government. She also said the “reliable information” from Syria indicates the death […]

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UN: Syria Battling Civil War

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 8:40 pm (UTC-5)
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The United Nations’ top human rights official says Syria’s bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters has degenerated into a civil war. Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay told reporters in Geneva Thursday an increasing number of soldiers are defecting and taking up arms against the government. She also said the “reliable information” from Syria indicates the death […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

Clinton Offers Rewards for Reforms in Burma

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 7:55 pm (UTC-5)
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States is ready to support Burma’s transition to democracy and will consider re-establishing diplomatic relations if political and economic reforms there take hold. Secretary Clinton said Thursday during a landmark visit to Burma’s capital Naypyidaw that any step Burma’s government takes will be carefully considered. She […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

UN Urges Calm in DRC After Reports of Presidential Election Irregularities

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 7:35 pm (UTC-5)
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The United Nations is urging calm in the Democratic Republic of Congo after European observers described widespread voting irregularities in this week’s presidential election. U.N. mission chief Roger Meece says any grievances must be addressed through peaceful means. A preliminary European Union report says election observers saw ballot box stuffing, ballot shortages, and said some […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

Qaida Leader Claims Responsibility for Kidnapped American

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 6:35 pm (UTC-5)
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Al-Qaida says it is holding an American aid worker kidnapped last August from his home in Pakistan, and will not release him unless the United States halts its airstrikes in Muslim countries. The U.S.-based SITE Intelligence group, which monitors jihad websites, said Thursday al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri made the claim in a video statement. The […]

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US Woman Pleads Guilty to Sending Money to al-Shabab Terrorists

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 6:25 pm (UTC-5)
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A woman in San Diego, California has pleaded guilty to providing money and support to al-Shabab — an Islamic terrorist group looking to topple the government in Somalia. Nima Yusuf admitted in federal court Thursday that she sent about $1450 to four men who left the United States to fight for al-Shabab. One of the […]

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Russia Urges North Korea to Halt Nuclear Activities

Posted December 1st, 2011 at 6:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Russia has urged North Korea to halt its uranium enrichment program and re-admit United Nations nuclear monitors to pave the way for international disarmament talks. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that consistent implementation of the uranium program in North Korea cannot but create serious worry. It called on Pyongyang to announce […]

Tags: , , Posted in Europe