France Justice Minister supports land reform for slaves' descendants

PARIS, France (defend.ht) - French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira said she supports a redistribution of land in France's Caribbean overseas territories to help the descendants of slaves. She said this two days after French President Francois Hollande said reparations for slavery impossible.

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Switzerland passes law for illegally obtained funds by politicians

BERN, Switzerland – “Politically exposed persons”, those in political offices and people close to them, will encounter difficulty stashing illegally obtained funds in Swiss banks. A set of new laws will allow countries to freeze and provide restitution with assets obtained illegally by dictators or corrupt government officials.

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Brawl in Venezuelan Parliament leaves several deputies injured

CARACAS, Venezuela (defend.ht) - At least seven Venezuelan deputies were injured in the fight that broke out in the National Assembly (AN) between government, Chavistes, and the right-wing opposition on Tuesday.

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US calls for recount of Venezuela presidential election

WASHINGTON, D.C. (defend.ht) - The United States is hesitating to recognize Hugo Chavez's chosen successor, Nicolás Maduro, as president of Venezuela and has called for a recount of the vote from Sunday's closely fought election.

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Obama notified of Boston explosion

BOSTON, USA (defend.ht) - U.S. President Barack Obama was notified of the fatal explosions that took place during the Boston marathon and has directed his administration to provide "whatever assistance is necessary" to investigate and respond.

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Son and Minister of Senegalese President arrested for $1.4B graft

DAKAR, Senegal (defend.ht) - Police in Senegal have arrested the son and former minister of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade (2000-2012) Karim Wade for illegally amassing about $1.4 billion [US] during his father's term as president.

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Chaviste Nicolas Maduro elected President of Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela (defend.ht) - Hugo Chávez’s revolution will go on, buoyed for now by a cult of personality that outlived him. Venezuelans elected his handpicked political heir, Nicolás Maduro, to serve the remainder of Mr. Chávez’s six-year term as president, officials said late Sunday, and he is expected to continue most of Mr. Chávez’s policies.

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Puerto Rico looks to make licenses available to the undocumented

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico's governor has endorsed a proposal to let 150,000 illegal immigrants, mostly from Haiti, apply for a provisional driver's license.

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Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (July 28, 1954 - March 5, 2013)

CARACAS, Venezuela (defend.ht) - Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, President of Venezuela has passed away.

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UN accused of Zimbabwe cholera cover-up

NEW YORK, USA (defend.ht) - A tribunal found that the United Nations did not act on warnings of a cholera outbreak by a senior member of its humanitarian operations in Zimbabwe in order to protect the country's president Robert Mugabe.

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Obama Turns towards Comprehensive Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. (defend.ht) - With the fiscal cliff battle out of the way, U.S. President Barack Obama intends to turn his attention towards immigration reform in the month of January, an official at the White House said on Thursday.

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Hugo Chavez facing health 'new complications'

CARACAS, Venezuela (defend.ht) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is confronting "new complications", his vice president said in Cuba as he visited the ailing leader for the first time since his operation. Meanwhile on social networks rumors swirl that the Bolivarian Head of State may be already dead.

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Hillary Clinton in hospital with blood clot after concussion

NEW YORK, USA (defend.ht) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remained hospitalized on Monday for a blood clot that was discovered during a follow-up exam related to a concussion she suffered this month, her spokesman said.

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Republicans re-thinking stance on immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C. (defend.ht) - 48-hours after the landslide electoral defeat, some Republicans are coming out in favor of comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for illegals living in the United States.

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Hugo Chavez Re-elected to 3rd Term

CARACAS, Venezuela (defend.ht) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was reelected to a third term with a 55-44% advantage earning him another 6 years as president of his oil rich country.

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Undocumented Immigrants Line Up to Stay and Work in U.S.

MIAMI, USA (defend.ht) - Undocumented immigrants have been lining up in cities across the United States to sign up for "deferred action", a two year initiative by U.S. President Barack Obama that will allow the undocumented to avoid deportation and be eligible to work in the United States.

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Team USA Routs Dominican Republic 113-59

LAS VEGAS, NV, USA (defend.ht) - LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant were too much for the Dominican Republic National Basketball Team when they faced up against the United States on Friday beating the D.R. 113-59.

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Sean Penn Graduates from Anger Management Classes

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA (defend.ht) - Ambassador-at-Large Sean Penn graduated on Friday from his 2009 court ordered anger management classes with top marks according to school administrators and his lawyer.

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U.S. Supreme Court Validates Obama Healthcare Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. (defend.ht) - The United States Supreme Court upheld the healthcare law of President Barack Obama bringing an end to a 50 year battle of the Democratic party to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system.

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Bradley Beats Pacquiao by Split Decision

LAS VEGAS, USA (defend.ht) - Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao lost his WBO World Welterwieght title to Timothy 'Desert Storm' Bradley by a split decision.

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Book reviews

Haiti Noir

Book Review

The anthology edited by Edwidge Danticat puts a uniquely Haitian spin on the crime genre

"Danticat has succeeded in assembling a group portrait of Haitian culture and resilience that is cause for celebration." - Publishers Weekly