The Obama administration has ruled out arming the rebels for now, providing only nonlethal assistance, such as communications equipment.

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The United States has provided only nonlethal aid such as communications equipment.

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But the US would not intervene, said spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, except by continuing to channel non-lethal assistance (such as communications equipment and medical supplies) to the rebels.

BBC: Middle East

The United States -- along with members of the European Union and the Arab League -- have offered other types of help, though, such as communications equipment and humanitarian aid.

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The U.S. has also taken the step of providing non-lethal assistance, such as communications equipment, medical equipment, humanitarian assistance as well as, again, helping them determine a road map for an inclusive future within Syria.

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Italian Coast Guard officials said emergency generators were keeping the ship's control room illuminated and communications equipment such as radios running.

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Harris makes communications products such as satellite and other wireless networks, transcommunication equipment, air control systems, and mobile radio network systems.

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Rare earth elements are also used for military applications, such as advanced optics technologies, radar and radiation detection equipment, and advanced communications systems, according to a 2011 research report by the US Government Accountability Office.

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Nine safety board teams will examine aspects such as train operations and communications, signals, tracks, crash-worthiness of equipment, maintenance and survivability -- ease of fleeing the trains after the crash and other survivability factors, Hersman said.

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