Truce mediator Egypt sees imminent end to Gaza conflict

GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Egypt's president predicted on Tuesday that Israel's Gaza offensive would end later in the day, Egyptian state media said, as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton headed to the region to try to calm the conflict. "President Mohamed Mursi announced that the farce of Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip will end on Tuesday," the MENA news agency and state...

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Analysts say tougher for 60-year leasehold owners to apply for loans

SINGAPORE: Buyers of 60-year leasehold properties might find it a challenge to apply for loans.While some banks are willing to lend, potential buyers may have to borrow less or pay off these loans faster.But analysts said banks may have to re-think their home loan strategy as more of such sites make their way into the market. The land at Jalan Jurong Kechil, which closed tender on November...

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International co-operation necessary to track corruption and recover assets: CBI special director

KOLKATA: The need of the hour is to build international co-operation among law enforcement agencies to battle global corruption and recover assets, V K Gupta, special director, CBI said at the 2nd Interpol Global Programme on Anti Corruption and Asset Recovery in New Delhi on Monday. The theme of the programme is "Corruption - A Multi Jurisdictional Investigation". It is being attended by over 29...

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EU drug regulator OKs Novartis' meningitis B shot

LONDON (AP) — Europe's top drug regulator has recommended approval for the first vaccine against meningitis B, made by Novartis AG.There are five types of bacterial meningitis. While vaccines exist to protect against the other four, none has previously been licensed for type B meningitis. In Europe, type B is the most common, causing 3,000 to 5,000 cases every year.Meningitis mainly affects infants...

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Friend Says Broadwell Regrets Damage of Affair

A family friend of Paula Broadwell, the author who carried on an affair with former CIA Director David Petraeus, tells ABC News that Broadwell "deeply regrets the damage that's been done to her family" from the dalliance.The person close to Broadwell also told ABC News Sunday night, that Broadwell is devastated by the fallout, which led to Petraeus' resignation from the CIA....

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Israel says prefers diplomacy but ready to invade Gaza

GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel bombed dozens of targets in Gaza on Monday and said that while it was prepared to step up its offensive by sending in troops, it preferred a diplomatic solution that would end Palestinian rocket fire from the enclave. Mediator Egypt said a deal for a truce to end the fighting could be close. The leader of Hamas said it was up to Israel to end the new...

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US existing home sales jump as supply tightens

WASHINGTON: US existing home sales picked up in October despite the market in the northeast being shut down in the last days of the month by Hurricane Sandy, a realtors group said on Monday.Existing home sales rose 2.1 percent over September, hitting an annual pace of 4.79 million units, pulled up by a 4.4 percent rise in the West, according to the National Association of Realtors.Sales...

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BJP MP to bring up Bundelkhand package issue in Parliament

BHOPAL: State BJP vice-president and MP from Sagar, Bhupendra Singh, on Sunday said that the party will bring-up the issue of special package for Bundelkhand in the upcoming winter session in Parliament. After the Uttar Pradesh elections, both the Union government and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi's attention are no longer focused on Bundelkhand. For the Congress, Bundelkhand package was no...

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EU drug regulator OKs Novartis' meningitis B shot

LONDON (AP) — Europe's top drug regulator has recommended approval for the first vaccine against meningitis B, made by Novartis AG.There are five types of bacterial meningitis. While vaccines exist to protect against the other four, none has previously been licensed for type B meningitis. In Europe, type B is the most common, causing 3,000 to 5,000 cases every year.Meningitis mainly affects infants...

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Obama Backs 'Israel's Right to Defend Itself'

Nov 18, 2012 8:45am AP Photo/Pablo Martinez MonsivaisBANGKOK, Thailand — President Obama today fully backed Israel’s right to defend itself and warned that the escalating violence in the Middle East threatens the prospect for a lasting peace process.Speaking at a joint press conference with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Obama called for an end to the firing...

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