Russia slams NATO plan to expel diplomats

NATO intends to expel two Russian diplomats from its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday. Activists in the East African nation are urging women to withhold sex for a week to protest the growing divide in Kenya’s coalition government. “We are asking even sex workers to join the cause, even if we have to pay them ourselves,” said Patricia Nyaundi, executive director of the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya

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What Happens If You’re on Gay Rights’ ‘Enemies List’

Ever since a slim majority outlawed gay marriage in California, opponents have waged national protests and petitions, urging the judicial system to reconsider the results of the Nov. 4 referendum. While the court weighs whether or not to get back into the fray, the civil unrest ignited by the ban shows no sign of abating.

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U.S. warm to Venezuelan overture to return ambassadors

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez is considering naming an ambassador to the United States, signaling a shift in the historically tense relations between the two nations — one that the Obama administration welcomed. “It is possible we will begin evaluating the designation of an ambassador in the United States,” Chavez said in a statement Saturday after the meeting of leaders and representatives from 34 countries at the the fifth Summit of the Americas.

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Death toll rises in India fireworks factory fire

Twenty-two people were killed and 58 others injured in a fireworks factory fire in western India, police said Saturday. The e-mails, which made a number of innuendo-laden suggestions about the private lives of politicians, including Conservative Party leader David Cameron, ended up in the hands of a well known political blogger, the Telegraph reported

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UK government apologizes for embarrassing e-mails

The office of the British prime minister has apologized after e-mails sent by one of Gordon Brown’s senior officials reportedly smeared political opponents, British media said Saturday. The e-mails, which made a number of innuendo-laden suggestions about the private lives of politicians, including Conservative Party leader David Cameron, ended up in the hands of a well known political blogger, the Telegraph reported.

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Dalai Lama thanks India for 50 years in exile

Cloaked in a traditional flowing red and saffron Tibetan robe the Dalai Lama took a deep breath as he began to express his gratitude to the country that took him in as a refugee 50 years ago. “I think in this country (there are) many other refugees,” the Dalai Lama reflected, sitting cross legged

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Saudi king appoints successor’s successor to throne

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on Friday appointed Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz to be the nation’s second deputy prime minister, making him second in line to the kingdom’s throne, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said. The royal decree “was issued with immediate effect,” SPA said. The appointment of Abdullah’s powerful half-brother to the post means that Nayef is now the country’s crown prince in waiting and second in succession to be king.

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