Syria : Arab League observers concerned by snipers

The Arab League mission arrived in Syria five days ago, where the 60 observers (photo, from lefigaro.fr) are to verify the implementation of a peace plan which requires the end of all violence, the withdrawal of troops from the streets and the release of political prisoners.

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Giant escalator installed in Colombian city

Residents of one of the poorest areas of Medellin, in Colombia, will no have access to a giant outdoor escalator divided in six sections and ascends nearly 384m. (photo, from 20min.ch)

Until now, in order to get home from the city centre, people living in the Comuna 13 district – one of the city’s poorest and most violent neighbourhoods – had to climb the equivalent of a 30-storey building, as the area clings to a steep hillside.

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Israel : clashes over gender segregation in Beit Shemesh

Clashes took place on Sunday and Monday between ultra-Orthodox Jews and police in the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh (photo from bbcimg.co.uk), near Jerusalem, leaving a police officer slightly hurt and a number of Orthodox Jews detained, according to reports.

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Arlington cemetery headstones may contain discrepancies

Thousands of grave markers at Arlington National Cemetery (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk) near Washington may need to be replaced because they contain misspelled names, and incorrect ranks and dates of birth and death, said a US Army report to Congress last week.

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Thailand and Cambodia agree to withdraw troops from border

Cambodia and Thailand have reached a deal regarding the disputed border area near the ancient temple of Preah Vihear (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk).

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-il dies

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, known in his country as the “Dear Leader”, has died of a heart attack on Saturday aboard a train during a trip out of Pyongyang, state media has announced on Monday.

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Last US troops leave Iraq

After nearly nine years of war, the last convoy of US troops left Iraq, completing their withdrawal from the country. About 100 armoured vehicles carrying 500 soldiers crossed the southern Iraqi border into Kuwait overnight. (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk)

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Canada pulls out of Kyoto Protocol

Canadian minister of the environment Peter Kent (photo, from radio-canada.ca) has announced that his country will formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol on climate change initially adopted in Japan in 1997.

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Three women receive Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo

The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize has been presented during a ceremony in the Norwegian capital Oslo to three women who have fought against dictatorship, injustice and sexual violence in Liberia and Yemen.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the president of Liberia, Leymah Gbowee, the Liberian peace activist, and Tawakkol Karman, the Yemeni pro-democracy campaigner collected their diplomas and medals at Oslo’s city hall on Saturday (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk).

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Britain isolated as all EU countries reach fiscal pact

The UK is the only EU member state which refused to back a tax and budget pact – known as a “fiscal compact” – aimed at tackling the eurozone debt crisis.

UK prime minister David Cameron (photo, from guardian.co.uk) said he had to protect key British interests, including its financial markets.

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