France to float resolution at UN Security Council over alleged Syria chemical weapons use.

France will float a resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at forcing Syria to make public its chemical weapons program, place it under international control and dismantle it, the French foreign minister said Tuesday. Laurent Fabius said France, a permanent member of the 15-nation U.N. body, will start the resolution process on Tuesday under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which is militarily enforceable. The proposal would also condemn...

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Scores Reported Dead as Train Derails in Spain

A high-speed passenger train that was reportedly traveling at more than double the speed limit derailed just outside a station in northwest Spain on Wednesday evening, killing at least 60 of those on board, according to local news reports. Multimedia Fatal Spanish Train Wreck Connect With Us on Twitter Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines. Twitter List: Reporters and Editors Enlarge This Image The New York...

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Sales of Existing U.S. Homes Unexpectedly Decrease: Economy

Previously owned home sales fell unexpectedly in June as tight supply and increasing rates for mortgages imperiled the real-estate market recovery in the U.S. Enlarge image A potential home buyer with an agent in Phoenix, Arizona. Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 2:41 July 22 (Bloomberg) -- Drew Matus, senior U.S. economist at UBS Securities, talks about today's report on June U.S. existing home sales and the economy. Matus speaks...

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Potential witness in Bulger gangster trial found dead

BOSTON -- A body found near Lincoln, Mass., has been identified as Stephen "Stippo" Rakes, once thought to be a prosecution witness in the ongoing racketeering trial of notorious South Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger. Rakes had been scheduled to testify that Bulger and members of his Winter Hill gang forced him at gunpoint to sell his liquor store to Bulger in 1984. But the U.S. Attorney's Office told Rakes Tuesday that they did not plan...

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Zimmerman verdict spawns protests across country

If the George Zimmerman murder trial didn't polarize America enough, the verdict certainly did. While supporters of Zimmerman's acquittal kept largely quiet after the weekend decision, outraged protesters poured into the streets across the country Sunday and early Monday While the vast majority of protests were peaceful, parts of Los Angeles grew tense. Some protesters hurled flashlight batteries, rocks and chunks of concrete toward police, Los...

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Five key issues for Zimmerman jury

George Zimmerman could spend the rest of his life in prison or walk away a free man after more than a year of being reviled as a murderer. During three weeks of testimony, state prosecutors called 38 people to the stand to paint Zimmerman as a spiteful, frustrated man who profiled and killed an unarmed teenager. Defense attorneys countered by calling 18 witnesses -- but not Zimmerman -- to explain that Zimmerman feared for his life and was being...

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Irish lawmakers back 'life saving' abortion bill

DUBLIN (AP) — Lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to back Ireland's first bill on abortion, legalizing the practice in exceptional cases where doctors deem the woman's life at risk from her pregnancy. Exhausted legislators applauded Friday's 127-31 vote. It capped a marathon debate that locked lawmakers in argument until 5 a.m. Thursday and, after a pause for sleep, through midnight Friday. ALSO ONLINE: Irish lawmakers agonize over abortion...

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Rate on 30-year mortgage hits 2-year high

WASHINGTON (AP) — The average U.S. rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage rose this week to 4.51%, a two-year high. Rates have been rising on expectations that the Federal Reserve will slow its bond purchases this year. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average on the 30-year loan jumped from 4.29% the previous week. Just two months ago, it was 3.35% — barely above the record low of 3.31%. HOUSING: Mortgage applications continue...

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Prosecution paints Zimmerman as angry vigilante in closing arguments

A Florida prosecutor painted George Zimmerman as an angry vigilante who "tracked" Trayvon Martin through a gated community and provoked the confrontation that claimed the teenager's life in a scorching summation Thursday. "A teenager is dead," said prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda in his closing argument. "He’s dead not just because the man made those assumptions, but because he acted on those assumptions and unfortunately, because his assumptions...

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Egypt unrest: Interim leader outlines election timetable

Adly Mansour's decree envisages changes to the Islamist-drafted constitution and a referendum, which would pave way the way for elections early next year. This comes as at least 51 people were killed in the capital Cairo. The Muslim Brotherhood says its members were fired on at a sit-in for ousted President Mohammad Morsi. The army says it responded to an armed provocation. Continue reading the main story Adly Mansour's transition timeline ...

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Firefighters are battling a blaze that has already forced the evacuation of dozens of homes

YARNELL, Ariz. -- Nineteen firefighters died battling a fast-moving wildfire here Sunday, officials said. Arizona State forestry officials confirmed Sunday night that 19 firefighters have died in the Yarnell Hill Fire that has ripped through half of the town. It is the state's worst ever wildfire firefighter tragedy. "It's a dark day," said Mike Reichling, Arizona State Forestry Division spokesman. Reichling said the 19 firefighters were found...

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James Gandolfini's Family and Friends Attend Private Wake in New Jersey

Family and friends attended James Gandolfini's private viewing held at the Robert Spearing Funeral Home in Park Ridge, New Jersey on Wednesday, June 26. The actor's widow Deborah Lin, teenage son Michael, and 9-month-old daughter Liliana were among the first wave of mourners who arrived at the funeral home. Baby Liliana was shielded by umbrellas as she entered the funeral home inside a baby carrier with her mother. Gandolfini's sisters Johanna...

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After three decades, Texas executes 500th inmate

HUNTSVILLE - As scores of death penalty protesters chanted, clapped and sang Wednesday, Dallas County convicted murderer Kimberly McCarthy became the 500th Texas inmate executed since the state reactivated the death penalty 31 years ago. On the other side of the prison, a small group of capital punishment supporters silently watched as witnesses entered the red brick death house. Inside the execution chamber, McCarthy, in standard prison garb...

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Nelson Mandela still critical; bishop prays for leader's 'peaceful, perfect, end'

Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- Cape Town's archbishop led Nelson Mandela's family in prayer on Tuesday, calling for "a quiet night and a peaceful, perfect, end" for the former South African president. Archbishop Thabo Makgoba prayed with Mandela's family at the Pretoria hospital where the anti-apartheid icon remains in critical condition, the South African Press Association reported. "Fill them with your holy courage and the gift of trusting...

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Asian Stocks Rise on U.S. Data, Easing China Cash-Crunch

Asian stocks rose for the first time in three days after better-than-estimated U.S. data bolstered the outlook for the world’s largest economy and concern over China’s cash crunch eased. James Hardie Industries SE (JHX), a supplier of building materials that gets about 70 percent of sales from the U.S., climbed 3.8 percent in Sydney. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., the world’s biggest lender, jumped 4.1 percent in Hong Kong after...

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Celtics’ Rivers Is Said to Be Heading to Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers are poised to finally lure Coach Doc Rivers from the Boston Celtics, reaching agreement on an on-again, off-again deal that at various points was declared dead and against league rules. Off the Dribble Keep up with the latest news, on the court and off, with The Times's basketball blog. Go to Off the Dribble N.B.A. Live Scoreboard Teams | Player Stats Knicks Schedule/Results Roster | Player Stats Nets ...

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Hong Kong Rebuff on Snowden Averts Chinese Strains With U.S.

Hong Kong’s decision to let Edward Snowden leave despite a U.S. warrant for his arrest spared the city a legal battle that would have left it trapped between the competing interests of Chinese and American leaders. In allowing the ex-National Security Agency contractor to board a flight to Moscow yesterday, Hong Kong no longer has to weigh American extradition demands against signs China didn’t want the city to give up Snowden, who exposed programs...

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Is money better then education?

A great writer says that the love of money is the root of all evil.Before going to the depth let me define what the education is It means to know something.To my point of view money is necessary in every field of life weather that is education,or any work if we say money is better then education if we don't have money how can we read.How can we go for our higher education to me money and education two of them are necessary in every human's life.Education...

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Afghanistan: Gun and rocket attack near Kabul airport

Militants armed with heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades have launched an attack near the airport in the Afghan capital Kabul. Kabul police told the BBC that the gunmen were firing from a five-storey building under construction close to the airport. The Taliban has said it carried out the attack. The BBC's David Loyn at the scene says police are in the building and clearing it floor by floor. He says the operation is being carried...

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Heat Pummel Spurs to Tie Series

MIAMI — There are countless ways to dominate a game, myriad methods and attack points and angles, and LeBron James has mastered them all. The scheme and scoring totals may vary, but it is the results that matter, a fact that James emphatically reminded anyone who had doubts Sunday night. Related For Spurs, Every Game Is a Global Summit (June 10, 2013) On Pro Basketball: Again Playing the Leading Man, but Only for His Teammates (June 10,...

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