Topic: Middle East
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6 factors that will determine concessions from Iran
Can war with Iran can be avoided? In recent talks with the West in Baghdad, Iran showed some greater flexibility about its nuclear program. But Iran has a history of trickery in the nuclear arena. Whether Tehran will cooperates with Western demands depends on the following six factors.
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Where gas prices are highest
Gasoline is a very visible price, and closely watched by many drivers. Petroleum prices impact many products, from food to industrial production. While the cost of crude is the major factor in gasoline price volatility, some countries levy taxes on fossil fuels. Here are ten countries where high gas prices are the norm, according to British insurance firm Staveley Head.
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Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe
There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
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Briefing
Five things to know about Freedom House's latest global rankings
A look at the 2012 Freedom House ranking of 197 countries according to their relative freedom.
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Reforms in Myanmar: 4 reasons the military changed course
For more than half a century, Myanmar’s military governments were synonymous with brutality and corruption, but a year ago the military stepped aside, handing power to a nominally civilian government. Here are four reasons why this change occurred.
All Content
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Backchannels
Assange and allies claim vast conspiracy as extradition fight hits home stretch
Two women in Sweden allege they were sexually assaulted by Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder. Assange and many supporters say they're part of a vast conspiracy against him.
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U.S. pressuring Russia over Syria
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta have both made remarks today critical of Russia's role.
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Muslims accuse Ethiopian government of meddling in mosques
Ethiopia's Muslims have been protesting 'state interference' in their affairs for the past six months. Could government accusations of Muslim extremism risk greater tension?
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The 'Mexican spring:' A new student movement stirs in Mexico
#YoSoy132, a burgeoning student movement in Mexico, is calling for citizens to demand more of their politicians and institutions.
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Russia: Give us a good reason to jilt Syria's Assad
One Russian analyst summed up Moscow's resistance by saying, 'We simply don't believe Western leaders know what they're doing, and we're not listening to all that chatter anymore.'
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More sanctions for Syria as US targets bank
The Treasury Department has targeted the Syria International Islamic Bank, which they say has been acting as a front for Syrian banks trying to get around existing sanctions.
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Facebook opens office in Dubai
Facebook established an office in the Middle East for the first time on Wednesday, in Dubai's Internet City.
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Modern Parenthood
Charles Taylor sentence welcomed by mom who sheltered Liberians
Charles Taylor's forces were just pushing into Liberia five days before an American journalist's wedding day; a few months later she offered her home as shelter to her servants, but was forced by the US to leave the country. She welcomes the sentence and finds that now – as a mother – the horror of his atrocities are trebled as she thinks about what families went through to protect their children.
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Syrian massacre: diplomats expelled from Western nations
The US, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria all expelled diplomats in response to revelations that more than a 100 people were brutally killed in Houla, Syria, by Assad strongmen.
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Beyond Stuxnet: massively complex Flame malware ups ante for cyberwar
Flame is something new in cyberwar, experts say. It can take screenshots and record audio on infected computers. The malware was almost certainly made by a nation-state.
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Egypt elections: a test of hard-won civic values
The final round of Egypt's presidential elections has two candidates who must appeal more broadly to Egyptian demands for equality and freedom. Both candidates need to compromise with pro-democracy groups.
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US, 18 other nations, wrap up Eager Lion military exercise in Jordan
The sprawling Eager Lion military exercise was tied by some news outlets to the war in Syria. Though that was incorrect, the US is looking to deepen its military engagement with the region.
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After Houla massacre, Russia cools toward Syria (+video)
Russia joined UN Security Council members in condemning Syria's government after a massacre in Houla. Some Russian officials speculate the massacre was carried out by rebels to garner sympathy.
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Interview with Turkey's Abdullah Gul: Egypt should embrace secularism
In an interview, Turkey's President Abdullah Gul says that Egypt should embrace secularism based on a 'respect for all faiths;' that Russia's role in ending violence in Syria is key and Moscow needs to be engaged to act constructively; and that economic power in the world is shifting.
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Global News Blog
Russian security firm spots cyber supervirus that tops Stuxnet
Russian Internet security firm Kaspersky Labs says the complexity and targets of the virus – which is infecting computers in Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East – imply its creator is a government.
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Egyptian voters will choose from polar opposites in presidential runoff
Egyptian officials announced today that Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, and Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister, will face each other in a June runoff.
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Syria massacre: a moment of truth to end the lies
The massacre of women and children in Houla, Syria, finally forces Russia to stop defending the denials of Bashar al-Assad in the killing of innocent civilians by Syrian forces.
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By not lifting sanctions, West and Obama are helping Iran enrich uranium
The West just blew its latest chance to rein in Iran's nuclear enrichment program. Though Iran expressed willingness to compromise on key demands, by refusing to ease sanctions, the P5+1 nations offered no meaningful reciprocity, derailing the possibility of a deal with Tehran.
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Iran nuclear talks a 'complete failure,' says Iranian diplomat
Both sides spoke of 'some common ground' that will drive the next round of Iran nuclear talks set for mid-June in Moscow. Yet a chasm of mismatched expectations widened in Baghdad.
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Myanmar, 'Arab awakening' top US list of progress on human rights
State Department's annual report on human rights around the world also notes the important role that technology, the Internet, and social media play in advancing individual freedoms.
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6 factors that will determine concessions from Iran
Can war with Iran can be avoided? In recent talks with the West in Baghdad, Iran showed some greater flexibility about its nuclear program. But Iran has a history of trickery in the nuclear arena. Whether Tehran will cooperates with Western demands depends on the following six factors.
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Where gas prices are highest
Gasoline is a very visible price, and closely watched by many drivers. Petroleum prices impact many products, from food to industrial production. While the cost of crude is the major factor in gasoline price volatility, some countries levy taxes on fossil fuels. Here are ten countries where high gas prices are the norm, according to British insurance firm Staveley Head.
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Egypt elections: Sharia can support democracy
In Egypt elections for president today, the role of Islam in government is a big question. But a freedom-based interpretation of sharia can support democracy in the Arab world. Such a form of sharia in the early stages of the Iran Revolution set a precedent – before it was snuffed out.
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US Airways jet makes unscheduled landing after passenger acts suspicious
Flight attendants heard a woman claiming to have something implanted in her skin, and the flight - bound for North Carolina from Paris - landed in Maine.
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Iran nuclear talks: why optimism could be different this time
The meeting in Baghdad will discuss Iran’s nuclear program. The US and some of its partners are speaking more hopefully about prospects for these talks than at almost any point in the past.
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