The United States urges security forces and protestors in Egypt to shun violence. In his State of the Union address, President Obama discussed how America can meet 21st century challenges. Watch mothers and daughters in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan share their dreams and aspirations. And U.S. officials vow to crack down on intellectual property infringements.

U.S. Calls for Calm in Egypt
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The United States is urging both security forces and protestors to shun violence as discontent over corruption, poverty, and government reductions in subsidies continues in Egypt. “As we monitor the situation in Egypt, we urge all parties to refrain from using violence, and expect the Egyptian authorities to respond to any protests peacefully,” says White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. At right, protestors take to the streets in Cairo.

Facing 21st Century Challenges
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In the annual State of the Union address, President Obama urged American lawmakers to support innovative research and educational opportunities as a means of maintaining U.S. economic competitiveness and ensuring its progress in the 21st century.

“Dreams for My Mother, Dreams for My Daughter”
Explore the videos and interviews in “Dreams for My Mother, Dreams for My Daughter,” a project by America.gov and the U.S. embassies in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in which pairs of mothers and daughters took turns interviewing each other about their dreams and aspirations.

Global Action on Counterfeits
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U.S. officials vow to pursue broader international cooperation in the fight against intellectual property theft. More and more countries are recognizing the importance of stopping IP infringements, especially counterfeiting that puts public health at risk, like trafficking in bogus drugs. At right, counterfeit watches that were seized in Philadelphia.