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Thursday, July 19, 2012 Last Update: 2:47 AM ET

Syrian Rebels Land Deadly Blow to Assad’s Inner Circle

A bombing in Damascus reportedly killed at least three of President Bashar al-Assad’s most senior aides, including his minister of defense and brother-in-law.

Blast Strips Assad of Family Member and Powerful Loyalists

The attack in Damascus on Wednesday dealt a serious blow to the Syrian government’s ability to project a sense of power.

Washington Begins to Plan for Collapse of Syrian Government

Obama administration officials have started working on contingency plans for a collapse of the Syrian government, focusing particularly on the chemical weapons the country is thought to possess.

Campaign 2012

Economic Fears Are Undercutting Obama Support, Poll Shows

Some 39 percent now say they approve of the way the president is handling the economy, and 55 percent say they disapprove.

5 Israelis Killed in Bulgaria; Netanyahu Blames Iranians

A bus carrying Israeli tourists exploded in a fireball outside an airport in Bulgaria, and Israel said Iran was behind the attack.

A canal-vaulting contest in Linschoten in June. The sport evolved from necessity in a land where canals were ubiquitous, but bridges less so.
Herman Wouters for The New York Times
Linschoten Journal

Canal-Vaulting Returns to the Spotlight

The little-known sport, in which competitors use a long pole planted in the mud to leap over a canal, is one of several that are seeing a revival in the Netherlands.

Fear Stalks Mali’s Refugees Despite Escape to Safety

Islamist extremists have prompted more than 90,000 Malian refugees to flee into neighboring Mauritania, where they spoke of the turmoil that pushed them out.

Foreclosure Rates Said to Rise For Older Americans

A new report from AARP found that foreclosure rates for people over 75 grew eightfold from 2007 to 2011.

DirecTV’s Young Clients Find Alternatives

Because of a corporate spat, Nickelodeon has disappeared from DirecTV’s lineup, giving the Disney Channel, the Cartoon Network and other channels an edge.

Rebounding His Own Miss With Lin

Daryl Morey, the Houston Rockets’ general manager, wants redemption for failing to spot Jeremy Lin’s talent the first time around before waiving him last year.

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Many Toyotas sold in the Eastern United States arrive packed aboard the Andromeda Leader. When the ship arrives in ports like Newark, the vehicles are offloaded in an intricate ballet.

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It’s Not About Me. It’s About Our Company Values.

After Cathy Choi accepted her father’s offer to join Bulbrite, a lighting maker, she decided to let its employees decide on its corporate standards.

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