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Mikhail Gorbachev Fast Facts

Here’s a look at the life of Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the USSR. Personal Birth date: March 2, 1931 Birth place: Privolnoye, Russia, Soviet Union Birth name: Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev Father: Sergei Andreyevich Gorbachev Mother: Maria Panteleyevna (Gopkalo) Gorbachev Marriage: Raisa (Titarenko) Gorbachev (1953-September 20, 1999, her death) Children: Irina 1956 Education: Moscow State

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan Fast Facts

Here’s a look at the life of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, current president and former prime minister of Turkey. Personal Birth date: February 26, 1954 Birth place: Istanbul, Turkey Birth name: Recep Tayyip Erdogan Father: Ahmet Erdogan, coastguard and sea captain Mother: Tenzile Erdogan Marriage: Emine (Gulbaran) Erdogan (July 4, 1978-present) Children: Two daughters and two

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Congress is again discussing reparations for slavery. It’s a complex and thorny issue

Slavery reparations are back in the national spotlight. A House Judiciary subcommittee held a hearing this week to discuss establishing a federal commission that would explore how the US government might compensate the descendants of enslaved Americans. And though the White House press secretary declined to say whether President Joe Biden would sign legislation to

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As the WHO investigated coronavirus origins in China, Beijing pushed a conspiracy about the US

When World Health Organization investigators wrapped up their work examining the origins of the coronavirus in Wuhan this month, Chinese officials were clear where they felt the WHO should look next. “(We hope) that following China’s example, the US side will act in a positive, science-based and cooperative manner on the origin-tracing issue (and) invite WHO experts

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Black History Month: Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron (1949-2011) was a New York City poet, activist, musician, social critic and spoken-word performer whose songs in the ‘70s helped lay the foundation for rap music. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably come across one of his poetic turns of phrase. Some have called Scott-Heron the “godfather of rap,” though he

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Japan’s ruling party faces sexism backlash as it invites women to look but not talk at key meetings

A week after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics chief resigned in the wake of making sexist comments, another male octogenarian leader in Japan has attracted ire by spouting misogynistic remarks. Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the country’s leading Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), on Tuesday proposed that women lawmakers should be able to observe the party’s key

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AstraZeneca’s vaccine contract with the UK is based on ‘best efforts,’ just like its deal with a frustrated EU

AstraZeneca’s contract to supply the UK with 100 million Covid-19 vaccine doses commits it to making “best reasonable efforts,” the same language used in its deal with the European Union, which critics blamed for the bloc’s faltering inoculation program. The details of the contract are contained in a redacted version published online without fanfare months

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