Philippines mulls pullout of Syria peacekeepers The Philippine foreign secretary says he is recommending to President Benigno Aquino III to pull out all Filipino U.N. peacekeepers from the Golan Heights following the abduction of four by Syrian rebels. More
Iran president still a force even as his era ends When many struggling families in this eastern Iranian city take stock of outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's legacy, it's not about the oratory full of bluster and menace or his tussles with Iran's ruling clerics that are known to much of the world. More
Kerry: Russia sells missile defense to Syria Secretary of State John Kerry says the transfer of advanced missile defense systems from Russia to Syria would be a "destabilizing" factor for Israel's security. More
U.S. believes Syria used chemicals The United States has evidence that the chemical weapon sarin has been used in Syria on a small scale, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday. But numerous questions remain about the origins of the chemicals and what impact their apparent use could have on the ongoing Syrian civil war and international involvement in it. More
They shared a name — but not a future. How two kids fought to escape poverty in Baltimore Both called "Tone," they were similarly charismatic and ambitious, dreaming of the day they would finally leave behind the struggles that defined their childhoods. 05/6/2024 - 1:52 pm | View Link
Israel launches strikes in Rafah, hours after Hamas agrees to a Gaza cease-fire The two Middle Eastern nations have been mediating months of talks between Israel and Hamas. There was no immediate comment from Israel. 05/6/2024 - 1:30 pm | View Link
Gazans begin leaving Rafah after Israel tells 100,000 to evacuate The IDF says it will operate against targets in the east of the Gazan city, and residents should move to an "expanded humanitarian zone". 05/6/2024 - 4:41 am | View Link
Florida Retirees are Fleeing: 7 Items That Are Simply Too Expensive in the Sunshine State Florida, known for its sunny beaches and vibrant retirement communities, is experiencing a surprising trend: retirees are leaving in droves. The reason? The cost of living in the Sunshine State has ... 05/3/2024 - 3:00 am | View Link
Many immigrants to the US are fleeing violence and persecution − here’s how the federal government can help cities absorb them People who enter the US as refugees or with asylum generally adapt quickly and become productive members of society. But cities need help getting them settled and employed. 05/3/2024 - 1:14 am | View Link
(CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.) — An unusually strong solar storm headed toward Earth could produce northern lights in the U. S. this weekend and potentially disrupt power and communications.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare geomagnetic storm watch — the first in nearly 20 years. That was expected to become a warning Friday night, when the effects of the solar outburst were due to reach Earth.
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NOAA already has alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit to take precautions.
“As far as the worst situation expected here at Earth, that’s tough to say and I wouldn’t want to speculate on that,” said NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl.
(UNITED NATIONS) — The U. N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on Friday to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine and called on the Security Council to favorably reconsider its request to become the 194th member of the United Nations.
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The 193-member world body approved the Arab and Palestinian-sponsored resolution by a vote of 143-9 with 25 abstentions.
The United States vetoed a widely backed council resolution on April 18 that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.
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A working paper from an independent body that gives economic advice to the Indian government has published controversial findings that critics say could sow communal discord between Hindus and Muslims during the ongoing parliamentary elections.
The paper, titled “Share of religious minorities: A cross-country analysis,” was published on May 7 by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
Late last year, over 50 African leaders gathered in Riyadh for the first ever Saudi-Africa summit. Convened by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, it brought together a mélange of democrats and dictators, reformers and kleptocrats, young go-getters and long-ruling dinosaurs. Their objective? To wangle a slice of the $40 billion Saudi Arabia plans to invest in Africa.
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For the African leaders in attendance, the summit was a golden opportunity to obtain generous aid and inexpensive loans from one of the world’s richest countries.
Thailand’s move to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic threatens to trigger street protests and class-action suits by owners of thousands of dispensaries which sprung across the country in the wake of decriminalization two years ago.
A complete re-criminalization ordered by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday will also push the cannabis trade underground, said Rattapon Sanrak, owner of Bangkok-based dispensary Highland Cafe.
Mexico is fighting 159 active wildfires across the country amid the year’s second heat wave that has also put the nation’s power grid under stress.
Mexico’s national weather service issued an alert that at least 12 states would experience temperatures higher than 45°C (113°F), with large swathes of the rest of the country expected to see temperatures higher than 30°C.
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The heat wave has increased demand for power, prompting the country’s grid operator to declare the system in a state of emergency on Thursday evening for the second time this week.