Politics

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech during a budget debate in Berlin on Wednesday. (Associated Press)

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Illustration: Thanksgiving by Alexander Hunter for The Washington Times

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** FILE ** Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau talks with center Brooks Laich during the third period against the Phoenix Coyotes in Washington on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. The Capitals won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)

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Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, signs an agreement to step down on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011. (Associated Press)

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The Navy Blue Angels have been thrilling audiences for more than six decades. But federal budget woes and proposed deficit cutting have some inside and outside the military raising questions about the millions it costs annually to produce military air shows. (Associated Press)

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says his country will aim new missiles at U.S. facilities and allies in Europe in an apparent response to the Obama administration's European phased missile defense plan. (Associated Press)

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Accusing newly independent South Sudan of arming anti-Khartoum rebels, Sudanese President Omar Bashir (left) warned: “We are ready to teach you another lesson.” South Sudan President Salva Kiir (right) responded, saying Gen. Bashir's accusation are only to justify “his pending invasion.” (Associated Press)

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South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, speaks at a joint news conference with President Omar al-Bashir, not seen, at the airport in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. The president of South Sudan made his first official visit to Khartoum since the south broke away to form an independent country earlier this year. South Sudan became officially independent from the north on July 9, breaking away after more than 50 years of on-and-off war. (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)

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Livestock supervisor Lisa Pregent puts out water for Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, in its new pen on the grounds of Mount Vernon, Mt. Vernon in Virginia on Nov. 23, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Leta Cannon (left), 5, and Sarah Frances Gilroy (center), 7, check out Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, as it is welcomed to Mount Vernon in Virginia on Nov. 23, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Visitors and members of the media gather around Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, as it is welcomed to Mount Vernon in Virginia on Nov. 23, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, is welcomed Nov. 23, 2011, to Mount Vernon in Virginia by Tom Plott, who plays James Anderson, the farm manager for George Washington. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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A crowd gathers Nov. 23, 2011, for the arrival of Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, at Mount Vernon in Virginia. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, is taken to Mount Vernon in Virginia by horse and wagon by livestock supervisor Lisa Pregent on Nov. 23, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, is loaded Nov. 23, 2011, into a cage for its trip by horse and wagon to Mount Vernon in Virginia. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, is carted off to its pen after being welcomed to Mount Vernon in Virginia on Nov. 23, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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President Obama, with daughters Sasha and Malia, pardons Liberty, a 19-week-old, 45-pound turkey, at the White House on Nov. 23, 2011, the day before Thanksgiving. At left is National Turkey Federation Chairman Richard Huisinga. (Associated Press)

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Former first lady Laura Bush (center) and twin daughters Barbara Bush (left) and Jenna Bush Hager have been named to Glamour magazine's 2011 Women of the Year list for their advocacy for "women, children and the world's neediest." (Photo provided by Glamour)

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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Michele Bachmann, Minnesota Republican, listen to former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman during a Republican presidential debate in Washington on Nov. 22, 2011. (Associated Press)