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Ahead Of New Year, Russian Shoppers Hit Malls

For a growing number of Russians, shopping is an identical experience to that of millions of Americans. People in big cities like Moscow flock to vast indoor malls where Western chain outlets like Adidas, The Body Shop and IKEA sit alongside domestic stores.

Ahead Of New Year, Russian Shoppers Hit Malls

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European Officials Review Airline Security Measures

Airports across Europe are on high alert after a passenger traveling from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day managed to board the jetliner with a plastic explosive that he tried to detonate. Following the incident, some European officials are pushing for tighter security, including mandatory full-body scans at airports and detailed background checks on some passengers.

European Officials Review Airline Security Measures

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Few Clues To Student's Evolution Into Terror Suspect

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who has been charged with attempting to blow up an airliner, was a well-mannered and able student, according to his teachers at University College London. He was also president of the campus Islamic Society, but the group says he never expressed any extremist views.

Few Clues To Student's Evolution Into Terror Suspect

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World

Turkey Case Highlights Military, Government Rift

An indictment in the largest and most explosive trial in Turkish history claims that an ultranational gang plotted to overthrow the government. The trial has raised tensions between Turkey's secular military and the ruling party, the AKP, which swept to power in 2002 by a rising class of Turks who identify themselves as religious Muslims.

Turkey Case Highlights Military, Government Rift

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Asia

China Executes Briton Accused Of Smuggling Drugs

Disregarding international appeals for clemency, China has executed a British citizen on charges of drug smuggling. The man's relatives say he had a history of mental illness and was unwittingly lured into the smuggling operation by drug dealers.

China Executes Briton Accused Of Smuggling Drugs

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Meetings Debate The Question Of French Identity

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has declared that a public debate on France's national identity is "necessary" and that not talking about it would be "dangerous." The opposition has criticized the debates as being divisive and a political ploy. Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images

Meetings Debate The Question Of French Identity

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has launched a series of town hall-style debates on the question of French identity. He says they will help to clarify and reaffirm the nation's values. But critics say the debates are divisive and are a thinly veiled ploy to win right-wing voters.

Meetings Debate The Question Of French Identity

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Other Hotspots Pull NATO Away From Kosovo

NATO is planning to further reduce the number of troops it has in Kosovo, perhaps by another 5,000. While most of the alliance's attention is directed towards Afghanistan, it still has almost 15,000 troops deployed in Kosovo, which is already down from the 50,000 troops deployed in that region in 1999. Host Scott Simon speaks with Lord Paddy Ashdown, former high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, about plans by NATO to reduce troop levels in Kosovo in January.

Other Hotspots Pull NATO Away From Kosovo

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Racism Seen On The Rise In Italy

Activists in Italy say the level of racism in the country has worsened in recent years, and a number of events in the run-up to Christmas would seem to support that view. A campaign against illegal immigrants, called "Operation White Christmas," has been taking place in a small town near Milan. The campaign is run by the anti-immigrant Northern League party. In Verona, a furious row has broken out over the use of a dark-skinned statue of the baby Jesus in a nativity scene outside the town hall.

Racism Seen On The Rise In Italy

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Religion

U.K. Muslims Struggle With Cleric's Radicalization

British Muslims knew and admired U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki as a moderate and a role model for their children. But his messages were becoming angrier and more aggressive toward the West, culminating in a statement praising the Fort Hood shooter as a hero.

U.K. Muslims Struggle With Cleric's Radicalization

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El Gordo: You Have To Play To Win

Unemployment has reached nearly 20 percent in Spain, and the rate is nearly twice that among young workers. The government's economic policies don't seem to be doing much good. But Spaniards haven't lost all hope. That's because in theory, any of them could win El Gordo — the world's biggest lottery, known as "The Fat One."

El Gordo: You Have To Play To Win

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As Berlusconi Heals, Italy's Political Discord Festers

A bandaged Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as he leaves Milan's San Raffaele Hospital. Berlusconi was discharged Thursday after suffering severe facial wounds in a violent weekend attack. Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

As Berlusconi Heals, Italy's Political Discord Festers

The assault last weekend on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi left him with facial wounds and has inflamed Italy's already polarized political climate. The premier's supporters say Berlusconi's critics incited the attack. The opposition says Berlusconi and his allies are to blame for the uncivil political climate.

As Berlusconi Heals, Italy's Political Discord Festers

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