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suggested he name a U.S. ambassador or envoy to the Arctic -- someone who could coordinate work on the Arctic being done by more than 20 federal agencies and take the lead on increasing U.S. activities in the region.
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Humanitarian concerns grow as South Sudan violence persists despite diplomatic efforts
• JUBA, South Sudan (AP) -- The World Health Organization is warning of a looming risk of disease outbreaks in South Sudan, where violence has displaced more than 190,000 people since mid-December.
• WHO said in a statement received Wednesday that there was a shortage of health care workers, with many fleeing their homes for safety in areas hit by violence.
• Although the warring factions said Tuesday they were ready to start peace talks mediated by Ethiopia, fighting persists in Jonglei, the country's largest state.
• Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin said Wednesday that a government delegation would arrive in Ethiopia later Wednesday for peace talks.
• South Sudan's government insists unrest across the country started when forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar, who now commands renegade forces, mounted a failed coup attempt on Dec. 15.
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Analysis finds top 10 charitable gifts of 2013 reflects a rebound in US philanthropy
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- Philanthropy made a comeback in large donations in 2013 with the nation's wealthiest donors giving more than $3.4 billion to charity, according to a new tally of the top 10 gifts of 2013 by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
• The analysis of the year's top gifts also found there were more gifts of $100 million or more than in 2012. In 2013, there were 15 publicly announced gifts of at least $100 million, compared with 11 in 2012.
• The largest donation of 2013 came from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, who announced in December that they had given 18 million shares of Facebook stock to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The gift was valued at more than $990 million. This was the first time donors under the age of 30 have made the nation's largest philanthropic gift, according to the report.
• Colleges and universities also were among the primary beneficiaries of some of (Continued on page 20)
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