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             Syria Persists as G8 Weighs Counterterror, Tax Evasion

   Leaders from the G8 nations are using a second day of talks to discuss
   countering terrorism and corporate tax evasion, while also seeking a
   consensus on how to address the situation in Syria.
   British Prime Minister David Cameron said Tuesday he wants the group to
   sign a "very clear statement" that nations should never pay ransom for
   terrorist kidnappings.
   The agenda for the final day of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland also
   includes an effort to close loopholes that allow corporations to avoid
   paying taxes in their home country.
   The first day of talks was characterized by divisions on Syria, with
   Russia facing criticism for its support of Syrian President Bashar
   al-Assad.
   Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed
   in sideline talks Monday that the violence in Syria must end, but
   acknowledged they have different opinions on the crisis.
   Neither mentioned whether they discussed U.S. plans to send arms to the
   Syrian rebels in their fight against President Bashar al-Assad.
   Russia has been sending weapons to the Syrian government, saying it is
   only fulfilling contracts.
   President Obama announced Monday that the United States will provide
   another $300 million to feed, shelter and provide medical care for the
   nearly 5 million war refugees inside and outside Syria. Much of the
   money will go to helping Syrians living in camps in Lebanon, Jordan,
   Iraq, Turkey and Egypt.
   The White House says it recognizes the strain that the refugee crisis
   is imposing on these nations, but urges them to keep their borders open
   to those fleeing the war.
   The United States is the world`s largest contributor of humanitarian
   aid to Syrian refugees. It has given almost $815 million over the last
   two years.
   The G-8 summit at the Lough Erne resort in Northern Ireland is being
   hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron. The leaders of Canada,
   France, Germany, Italy and Japan also are in attendance. The G8
   countries account for 50 percent of the world`s economic output. But
   they still are struggling to emerge from the depths of the global
   recession of 2008 and 2009.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-persists-as-g8-weighs-counterterror-tax-evasion/1683833.html