News Archive - 20 December 2013

>* Hopes 2014 will be "year of action"By Steve HollandWASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama declined to engage in a bout of political soul-searching on Friday and said that despite a botched health care rollout and stalled legislative initiatives, his year had not been all that bad.He...

>By Tom Miles and Stephanie NebehayGENEVA Dec 20 (Reuters) - Iran remains a sticking point in plans for a conference to end the conflict in Syria, international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Friday, with the United States still refusing to agree to Iran's presence when talks begin on Jan 22.

>"There is no need for new sanctions legislation, not yet," Obama told a White House news conference a day after a group of U.S. senators introduced a bill to impose new punitive measures on Iran if it breaks an interim nuclear deal reached last month in Geneva.Obama, who...

>WASHINGTON Dec 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has begun a process that could allow the Senate to vote as soon as next month to impose new sanctions on Iran if talks on its nuclear program fail, Senate aides said on Friday, despite a White House...

>The official said talks would continue with mediator Lakhdar Brahimi and other states on Iran's participation in the peace talks, but there were many ways for Tehran to take part and this was only the beginning of the process."Iran in this instance is the only country that has put...

* Brent, WTI set for second weekly gain in three * Fed taper affirms improved U.S. economic outlook, fuel demand * Libya crude exports fall to 110,000 bpd (Updates prices) By Florence Tan SINGAPORE, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Brent crude slipped to $110 a barrel on Friday, but was...

>WASHINGTON Dec 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate approved its annual defense policy bill late Thursday despite partisan rancor, agreeing to reform the way the military justice system responds to sexual assaults and boosting the Pentagon's ability to help destroy Syria's chemical weapons. The Senate approved the National Defense...

Dr. Joseph Olejak, a chiropractor with a successful practice in Delmar, is spending his weekends in Columbia County Jail for the next six months.

An exhibition of Iranian cultural works has kicked off in China to introduce various aspects of ancient Persian culture and the nation’s civilization.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today, the Daily Courier continues “The Way We Were,” followed by “Where We’re Headed,” a series of articles tracing Connellsville’s past through the ...

TEHRAN, Dec 21 (Bernama) - The Iranian Navy's 28th fleet of warships has docked in Sri Lanka's Colombo port, Iran's Mehr News Agency (MNA) reported.

The U.S. Navy’s X-47B UCAV (unmanned combat air vehicle) successfully carried out more tests aboard an aircraft carrier during November. In this case both existing X-47Bs were used. This comes after an X-47B made two out of three carrier landings for the first time on July 10th.

Global analysts describe Iran as one of the most prospective destinations for automakers looking to invest in new emerging markets

President Obama, plagued by problems in the first year of his second term, cites encouraging data on his healthcare law, prospects on immigration legislation and possibly improved relations with Congress. WASHINGTON — President Obama, despite a year marked by stumbles and unforced errors, vowed to deliver a "year of action"...

Letters from Daily News readers.

US President Barack Obama has said there is no need to impose new sanctions on Iran because current negotiations have a good chance to halt the country's controversial nuclear programme which has been a challenge to America's security for over a decade.        

Perang mulut di antara Pegawai Agama Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN), Zamihan Mat Zain dan Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim dalam isu fahaman Wahabi berterusan selepas pegawai kerajaan itu mengugut mengambil tindakan undang-undang terhadap pihak yang mencemar namanya. “Saya tidak teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan undang-undang terhadap mana-mana...

I HAVE made a new friend called Polly and she is a beautiful Persian. Actually, she is the most beautiful Persian that I have laid my blue eyes on. A hairstylist’s dream and maybe mine too.

Putting a rosy spin on a difficult year, President Barack Obama acknowledged frustrating "ups and downs" on Friday but exulted that the improving economy is creating new jobs and claimed crucial progress for his troubled health care overhaul. He predicted 2014 would be "a breakthrough year for America."

FARMINGTON — Animas Elementary School's principal and lead teacher will not be returning to the school after being put on leave in November.

DAMASCUS - Syria now views Saudi Arabia as its number one enemy and accuses it of trying to destroy the country by arming jihadists and other rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad.

Lakhdar Brahimi says UN and US disagree on whether to invite Iran to planned Geneva conference.

Syria now views Saudi Arabia as its number one enemy and accuses it of trying to destroy the country by arming jihadists and other rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad. The oil-rich Gulf monarchies have sided with the opposition from the start of Syria's conflict in March 2011, with...

During the 2008 election, candidate Barack Obama was derisively referred to as “The One.” His opponent’s attack ads implied he was the Messiah. “He has anointed himself ready to carry the burden of The One,” went the infamous TV spot.

A weary Barack Obama, eyelids heavy, predicted yesterday that the restorative power of sleep and the sunshine of his native Hawaii would restore his wilting fortunes after a bleak year. The US president began 2013 with a soaring inaugural address laying out an ambitious second term agenda, sensing a mandate...

Washington, Dec 21 (IANS) US President Barack Obama said Friday that there is the possibility of a resolution to Iran's nuclear issue which has been a challenge to the US national security for over a decade. With an interim deal reached between world powers and Iran in November, "we had...

The cycle that was used to cover the journey is now up for sale . — Supplied photos A pack of wild dogs have chased him out of a camping ground in Siberia, he has slept at a petrol station in Turkey amidst the smell of oil containers, and after a...

Family members of the American missing in Iran for four years have met with FBI Director James Comey.

WASHINGTON: The US Congress has passed a $552 billion defence authorisation bill for 2014, which also calls for stopping reimbursements to Pakistan if ground supply routes to Afghanistan are interrupted.

Opinion: Erdogan is likely to announce a major cabinet reshuffle

Carlos Tevez (pic, left) holds out no hope of being part of Argentina's World Cup squad and prefers not to watch their matches on television, the Juventus striker said yesterday. The 29-year-old, who has been in fine scoring form with 10 Serie A goals for juve so far this season,...

A weary Barack Obama, eyelids heavy, predicted Friday that the restorative power of sleep and the sunshine of his native Hawaii would restore his wilting fortunes after a bleak year.

CNN's GUT CHECK | for December 20, 2013 | 5 p.m. - n. a pause to assess the state, progress or condition of the political news cycle OBAMA HOLDS YEAR-END NEWS CONFERENCE… Citing economic progress and other achievements, President Barack Obama rejected the contention that 2013 was the worst...

With Iran's "The Past" and other high-profile contenders not among the final nine, several specialty film distributors are up in arms -- but the Academy's foreign-language committee chairman stands behind his group's selections. It's that time of the year again... On Friday afternoon, t he Academy of Motion Picture Arts...

Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist Moses Kpakor has urged the Super Eagles to show no fear when they take on Argentina in their group game at next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Nigeria are drawn along with the South American country, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F...

If our expectation is that there will be challenge, then challenge does not create frustration.

Latest VideoDecember 20th, 2013     Iranian Air Force exercized war game in Persian Gulf The first phase of war game ” Fadayian Aseman Velayat ” exercized in Persian Gulf lead from Bandar Abbas Air Force base was terminated on Friday 20 December .

Muammar Gaddafi's Libyan regime was publicly blamed by the US for the attack        

More than two years after sensitive information about the Osama bin Laden raid was disclosed to Hollywood filmmakers, Pentagon and CIA investigations haven’t publicly held anyone accountable despite internal findings… Click to Continue »

BUENOS AIRES: Carlos Tevez holds out no hope of being part of Argentina’s World Cup squad and prefers not to watch their matches on television, the Juventus striker said yesterday. The 29-year-old, who has been in fine scoring form with 10 Serie A goals for juve so far this season,...

Ex-international Etim Esin says Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi can play a key role in Nigeria’s title pursuit at next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Mikel has won the Premier League (2010), UEFA Champions League (2012), Europa League (2013), and boasts four FA Cup gold medals in his seven years at...

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room     2:18 P.M. EST          THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I know you are all eager to skip town and spend some time with your families.  Not surprisingly, I am, too.  But you know what they say -- it’s...

Sixty-three years after Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph E. Gantt went missing during the Korean War, his remains have been returned to his 94-year-old widow in a solemn ceremony at Los Angeles International Airport.

We live in difficult times. Financial crisis, sovereign debt crisis, euro crisis, Syrian conflict, global warming. We are bombarded nonstop with despairing news.

The casino that would become The Atlantic Club opened as The Golden Nugget in late 1980, an opulent pleasure palace by the sea whose commercials featured owner Steve Wynn delivering fresh towels to Frank Sinatra.

The Syrian govt has told the UN that it has formed a delegation for the January peace talks in Switzerland.

Latest VideoDecember 20th, 2013     Story of Ahmadinejad subsidy law of and its future A report about subsidy payments in Iran and its future .

And earlier this week he had a byline in the paper. It’s always worth a second look when a paper’s editor gets a byline and so it is with Baker’s. Here’s the headline:

The explosion of Internet capabilities, specifically over the past seven years, has engendered seismic shifts in societies around the globe. This dynamic game changer challenges the economic and political status quo by providing a venue for sharing ideas and practicing innovation.

US President Barack Obama will cap a challenging political year by giving a news conference at 2:00 pm (1900 GMT), the White House said Friday. The president has seen his second term agenda stall in 2013, a year spent in furious political and fiscal showdowns with Republicans, and is also...

ISTANBUL (AP) - A vast corruption scandal could damage Turkey's powerful leader in a way that anti-government protests which brought thousands into the streets this summer failed to do.

Rolling Stone reported on Friday that Beyoncé's new self-titled album, sprung on the public with no advance notice, sold 80,000 copies in three hours....

Europe's economy is becoming greener, as Eurobarometer reports smaller businesses are becoming more resource efficient and contributing more to the transition to a low-carbon economy. SMEs are getting better at minimising waste, saving energy and materials.

President Obama is expected to address the National Security Agency's surveillance programs during a news conference at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Syrian refugees in Boynuyogun refugee camp in Hatay, Turkey shout Islamic slogans against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in March 2012. (Credit: Freedom House/CC by 2.0) WASHINGTON - Three months after averting a military strike against Syria with a last-minute deal to deprive it of its chemical weapons arsenal, U.

Leaked documents reveal that allies were among more than 1,000 surveillance targets in recent years, NYT reports.

The US and, more discreetly, Israel are working together to prevent the world’s newest state, South Sudan, slipping over what President Barack Obama called “the precipice of civil war,” as clashes in the capital Juba spread Thursday, Dec, 19, across the country.

SINGAPORE: Marcello Lippi’s Guangzhou Evergrande have put Chinese football back on the map but off-field scandal remains the big problem for the Asian game with match-fixing syndicates proving tough to crack.

Experts claim it was the prospect of a brew - not baking - that drove early settlers desire to put down roots and start a farm.

While a military campaign against Syria (and Iran) on the usual grounds has been postponed indefinitely, two nations in the Middle East have been seething: Saudi Arabia and, of course, Israel. Yet while Saudi Arabia rarely if ever gets its own hands dirty, instead executing its geopolitcal strategy through puppet...

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>* BAE shares biggest faller in benchmark index* Fierce competition for Gulf deals as global market shrinks* Not all analysts see UAE news as major setback (Adds analyst, background on UAE fighter needs)By Paul Sandle and Sarah YoungLONDON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - BAE Systems faced concerns over its growth prospects...

>A round of discussions on the deal started on Thursday in Geneva and was scheduled to last through Friday.The seven countries need to decide when the agreement goes into effect and to work out technical aspects of how Iran will suspend its most sensitive nuclear work.In return for...

The White House warned on Thursday that it would veto new congressional legislation that would toughen sanctions against Iran, because it could sink a final deal to stop Tehran getting a nuclear bomb.

Dec. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg’s Tom Keene discusses Chinese investment in the U.S. real estate market. He speaks with Betty Liu and Cory Johnson on Bloomberg Television's "In The Loop." (Source: Bloomberg)

Brazil will open the 2014 World Cup against Croatia on June 12 in Sao Paulo after Friday's draw in Bahia determined the eight groups for next summer's tournament in Brazil.

(CNN) - In his last news conference of 2013, President Barack Obama answered questions on the Affordable Care Act, including the botched rollout of Healthcare.gov as well as his health care promise that won Politifact's "Lie of the Year." The President also talked about the NSA's controversial surveillance...

Vienna, Dec 20 (IANS): The basket of 12 crude oils of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) stood at $107.49 a barrel Thursday, compared to $106.74 Wednesday, according to the OPEC Secretariat.

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- At the same point in his second term, President Nixon had better job approval ratings than President Obama, a Harris Poll released Friday indicted.

The awards will be hosted by comedian Aisha Tyler and will air on Jan. 16. The awards will be hosted by comedian Aisha Tyler and will air on Jan. 16. Video

'A Separation' director Asghar Farhadi and 'The Artist' actor Bérénice Bejo met two years ago while on the Oscars circuit. Now they've made 'The Past,' a tale of linked lives and ever-changing paths. The hustle and bustle of the annual awards circuit can have unintended results, such as creating unlikely...

>ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Senior Syrian opposition figures are questioning whether they should attend peace talks next month following U.S. warnings that the swift departure of President Bashar al-Assad from power cannot be guaranteed, opposition sources said on Friday. Speaking after meeting U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford in Istanbul this...

“Millions of people facing the cancellation of health insurance policies will be allowed to buy catastrophic coverage and will be exempt from penalties if they go without insurance next year, the White House said Thursday night.” [NYT] On Iran, senators defy White House, threaten new sanctions [WashPost] “A comprehensive...

Everyone remembers the Watergate scandal. Iran-Contra, sure. But Abscam?

By Rohit Bansal : Nearly everyone discouraged me from undertaking the plane to Pakistan. But at 46, I knew when to veto uninformed panic, masquerading unwittingly as pure concern.

The countries used their influence to get UN aid workers Syrian visas

Prominent LGBT activist says infamous law more draconian than those of Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The energy team at Credit Suisse is positive on the year ahead and has eight top stock picks for 2014.

Pakistani Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi says his country needs the under-construction multi-billion-dollar pipeline projected to carry natural gas from Iran to its eastern neighbor.

BEIRUT (AP) — The commander of Syria's main Western-backed rebel group appealed for unity in the insurgency's ranks Friday, trying to ease rifts with Islamic extremist rivals ahead of an international peace conference for Syria in January, over which the opposition is sharply divided.        

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has cleared the appointment of career diplomat Aizaz Chaudhry, one of the key officials who handled the fallout of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as Pakistan's new Foreign Secretary.

December 20, 2013: Despite receiving more ammunition from Russia and Iran, Syria is running out of aerial bombs and resorting to improvisations. Thus Syrian helicopters have been seen dropping barrels filled with flammable liquids and explosives, rigged to explode when they hit the ground.

President Barack Obama would veto a bill threatening new sanctions on Iran, White House has said.

GENEVA (AP) - The U.N.-Arab League's Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is meeting with U.S. and Russian delegations to try to agree which nations should be invited to Syria peace talks in Geneva next month.

Drawing parallels between Kennedy and Obama, it is evident that the US needs a very different way of thinking of 'war'.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The Obama administration will not expand a blacklist of alleged Russian rights abusers this year, congressional sources and officials told the Daily Beast.

Iran has offered to host an international conference on a recently adopted UN resolution based on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE) proposal.

Dr. Alsyyed Abu Mohammad Naqvi explores origins of Usuli Shia belief in new book. (PRWeb December 19, 2013) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/DrAlsyyedAbuMohammad/prweb11440344.htm

Seems he’s been taking a lot of heat lately for having Jang Song Thaek, his uncle and mentor, arrested, publicly humiliated in front of the country’s ruling elite, called out as a traitor, put on trial and executed - all with the lightening speed of an NBA All-Star fast-break.

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing great Manny Pacquiao serves as the special guest of honor and speaker when the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) honors the best and brightest Filipino athletes in the year about to end during its Annual Awards Night set Jan. 25, 2014.

The White House said Thursday night that President Barack Obama would veto any legislation imposing additional economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program if a bipartisan group of senators puts it to the vote.