|  |  US debt deal helps Philippines save forests
 The United States will help preserve the Philippines' rapidly vanishing tropical rainforests under an $31.8-million debt-to-aid conversion signed in Manila on Thursday, the two governments said. ... more
 
 |  |  Cold spring weather catastrophic for Poland's stork populations
 A cold spring decimated Poland's stork population, with 80 percent of young storks perishing in some areas of the country, conservationists said.  ... more
 
 |  |  Egypt: U.S. treads softly as crisis deepens
 Egypt's Old Guard, many linked to former President Hosni Mubarak, is reappearing in Cairo's corridors of power following the July 3 military coup that toppled his democratically elected successor, Mohamed Morsi.    ... more
 
 |  |  Egypt army issues violence ultimatum: army-linked website
 Egypt's military has set a 48-hour deadline after which it will deal decisively with "violence and terrorism", said a Thursday statement on a military-linked website, on the eve of pro-army rallies. ... more
 
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