| CNN.com delivers up-to-the-minute news and information on the latest top stories, weather, entertainment, politics and more. | Syria reaches out to Pope Francis | | In a message to Pope Francis, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his government is ready to participate in next month's peace talks but noted outside countries must stop supporting what he called terrorist groups in the country's civil war, Syria's state-run news agency said Saturday. |
| Marijuana | | Colorado will begin allowing recreational marijuana sales on January 1 to anyone age 21 or over. |
| al Qaeda | | Two years after the end of the Iraq war, the U.S. State Department confirmed this week that it is providing the fragile country with sophisticated weapons and drones. Iraq needs help fighting against a growing and serious threat -- al Qaeda. |
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