Al Qaeda, Ex-Gitmo Detainee Involved in Consulate Attack, Intelligence Sources Say – Fox News  “Intelligence sources tell Fox News they are convinced the deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was directly tied to Al Qaeda — with a former Guantanamo detainee involved. That revelation comes on the same day a top Obama administration official called last week’s deadly assault a ‘terrorist attack’ — the first time the attack has been described that way by the administration after claims it had been a ‘spontaneous’ act.”

Only Real Crisis Solution Is ‘United States of Europe’: Pros – CNBC  “Europe must aim for full-blown unity which would see monetary and political union entwined with a currency union rivaling the United States, the U.K. and Japan, analysts told CNBC Wednesday. … Hans Redeker, Global Head of Foreign Exchange Strategy at Morgan Stanley told CNBC: ‘We need to aim for a united states of Europe. Then we would get a currency union like that of the States, the U.K. and Japan, it’s essential, otherwise this [bond-buying] plan will not gain credibility.’”

Sales of U.S. Existing Homes Climb to a Two-Year High – Bloomberg  “Benefitting from record-low mortgage rates, more affordable properties and a growing population, the U.S. housing market is starting to climb out of a multiyear slump. Nonetheless, unemployment and tight lending conditions may impede a quicker return to the 5 million to 5.5 million sales pace that the real- estate agents group says constitutes a ‘normal’ market. …  ‘Ultimately, this improvement will lead to a rise in residential wealth, which tends to lift consumer confidence and spending.’”

It Could Be the Opportunity of a Lifetime to Buy a House – TIME  “It’s cheaper to buy than rent in almost every major U.S. housing market, and over the long term home prices appear likely to rise substantially. … But for people who can afford to buy a home and expect to stay in it for at least a decade, there’s a compelling argument that the current housing market offers an exceptional opportunity.”

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