Fatah, Hamas choose Abbas to head new joint government

JERUSALEM — The rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas announced Monday they had agreed that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will head an interim unity government that will prepare for new elections, ending a prolonged stalemate over how to mend their bitter rift.

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Egypt names Americans charged in NGO probe; Sam LaHood among those facing criminal charges

CAIRO — Egyptian authorities have charged the Egypt country directors of the International Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute in an investigation into the financing of pro-democracy organizations, state media reported Monday.

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3 Mexican presidential hopefuls vie to lead a nation weary of politics

MEXICO CITY — With a decisive primary victory Sunday night, Josefina Vazquez Mota became the first woman to represent a major party in the Mexican presidential election, which backers hope will excite voters weary of the drug violence and political gridlock of her party’s leader, President Felipe Calderon.

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U.S. closes embassy, pulls diplomats from Syria as violence intensifies

DAMASCUS, Syria — The United States closed its embassy in Damascus on Monday citing security concerns, while Britain summoned its ambassador to London to discuss Syria’s increasingly bloody crackdown on anti-government demonstrators.

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Suspected kidnappers of Mexican diplomat arrested (AP)

AP – Police have arrested two men and a woman suspected of participating in last week’s kidnapping of Mexico’s ambassador to Venezuela and his wife.

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Palestinians take step toward unity (AP)

In this photo provided by by the Palestinian President's office, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Khaled Mashal, chief of the Islamic militant group Hamas, right, confer with Qatar's crown prince Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, center, during a reconciliation meeting in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. The main Palestinian political rivals took a major step Monday toward healing their bitter rift, agreeing that Abbas would head an interim unity government to prepare for general elections in the West Bank and Gaza. (AP Photo/Thaer Ghanaim, Palestinian President's Office)AP – After months of wavering, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took a decisive step Monday toward reconciliation with the Islamic militant group Hamas, a move Israel promptly warned would close the door to any future peace talks.

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Wall St edges lower after string of gains (Reuters)

Traders gather at a post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange February 3, 2012. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidReuters – Stocks closed slightly lower on Monday as lingering questions about Europe’s debt crisis and corporate earnings overshadowed growing optimism about economic growth after a five-week rally.

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Syria’s Splintered Opposition: Who Is Running the War Against the Regime? (Time.com)

Time.com – Even as the Free Syrian Army is establishing an identity in the conflict, another organization announces its presence in the opposition pantheon

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Victims weep, ridicule Norway killer’s court speech (Reuters)

Norwegian confessed killer Anders Behring Breivik (C) is seated next to his defence lawyers Geir Lippestad (R) and Vibeke Hein Baera (3rd L) at a hearing at a courthouse Oslo February 6, 2012. REUTERS/Christopher OlssanReuters – Survivors and relatives of those killed in a Norwegian mass-murder rampage wept and ridiculed the smiling attacker in court Monday as he defended his acts by issuing a tirade against immigration.

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Gunmen kill five in Libyan refugee camp: hospital staff (Reuters)

Reuters – Gunmen killed five Libyan refugees at their camp in a Tripoli suburb Monday, residents and hospital sources said, underscoring the volatility in the country months after Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow.

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