Obama to Merkel: Europe Needs a Leader — and You’re It

Beyond the broad smiles, the jokes about Hillary Clinton’s wardrobe, and the ceremonial reassurances that accompanied German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s three-day visit to Washington this week, there was a clear message that President Barack Obama expects Germany to demonstrate leadership with NATO and in Europe. Considering the context — Tuesday’s love fest on the White House lawn — Obama was outspoken in urging his guest to take more responsibility in Libya, saying that he expected full and robust German support for the ongoing airstrikes.

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Germany boosts terrorism alert level

The German government raised its terrorism alert level after al Qaeda posted a video on the Internet threatening attacks in Germany if this month’s elections do not come out the way the terrorist organization wants. “The federal elections offer a special [opportunity] for propaganda and operative activity by terror groups,” the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

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Germany’s ‘TV duel’ turns friendly as election looms

There’s a saying that the German peace movement has been using since the days of the Cold War that translates into something like this: “Imagine there’s a war and no one shows up.” Adapt that to German politics and you have a pretty good summary of Sunday’s pre-election TV debate between Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union and her rival Frank Walter Steinmeier, of the Social Democratic Party, who is also this country’s Foreign Minister: “Imagine there’s an election and no one fights to win.” That is what viewers saw last night. With just two weeks to go until Germany goes to the polls, both candidates opened up by praising each other and saying how well they have been working together

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Octuplets’ family reportedly faces foreclosure

The California home where Nadya Suleman plans to raise her 14 children is at risk of foreclosure, CNN affiliate KTLA reported Wednesday. Los Angeles County property records show a notice of mortgage default was filed Feb. 9 against the home of Suleman’s mother, Angela Suleman, the station reported.

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