News Archive - 13 March 2014

>QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - One is a band of separatists fighting for independence from Pakistan. The other is a feared group of Islamists bent on killing Shi'ite Muslims whom they see as infidels. The two could not be more different in their goals and tactics. But in Pakistan's volatile, resource-rich...

>UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - If Syria goes ahead with an election that would likely secure a new term for President Bashar al-Assad, the opposition will probably not be interested in pursuing further peace talks with the government, peace mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Thursday. Assad has not yet announced whether...

>* Banks wary of falling foul of U.S. regulations* Iran keen to speed up humanitarian trade planBy Jonathan Saul and Parisa HafeziLONDON/ANKARA, March 13 (Reuters) - Despite a diplomatic thaw, Western banks are steering clear of attempts by Iran to get them involved in financing humanitarian transactions, fearing they...

China's central bank blocked plans by Tencent (700) Holdings Ltd. and an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to offer virtual credit cards, a person with knowledge of the matter said, as the government moves to tighten restrictions on online financial products. The People's Bank of China issued a notice...

The president of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council challenges critics of President Obama’s Ukraine policy by saying “What are you going to do, send the 101st Airborne into Crimea?” Not exactly subtle. And rather silly, considering that no one has proposed such a thing.

A man walks past a poster reading "On March 16 we will choose either... or..." and... Read More A man walks past a poster reading "On March 16 we will choose either... or..." and depicting Crimea in red with a swastika and covered in barbed wire, left, and...

University Artist-in-Residence Mohsen Namjoo has been described as the “Bob Dylan of Iran” by the New York Times.

An Iranian deputy foreign minister has warned against the spread of terrorism in the world, urging a global campaign against the scourge.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic is determined to maintain diplomatic ties with regional countries, particularly the Persian Gulf littoral states, to help the establishment of regional and world stability.

>A Kremlin statement said Putin had underlined to Rouhani that any solution to the Ukrainian crisis must take into account the interests and the will of people in all of the former Soviet state's regions."During the talks on Iran's nuclear programme, the president of Russia gave a positive assessment...

In January 2014, the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) jointly re-affirmed the continued usage of the multi-currency regime.

The president of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council challenges critics of President Barack Obama's Ukraine policy by saying, "What are you going to do, send the 101st Airborne into Crimea?"

India's navy set up a search zone for the missing Malaysian airliner in the Andaman Sea, hundreds of miles off the course of Flight 370, as evidence mounted that the plane may have flown long after controllers lost contact. India has sent five ships and four aircraft to search for...

Obama warned that unless Russian President Vladimir Putin pulls back, the U.S. and its allies “will be forced to apply a cost to Russia’s violations of international law and its encroachments on Ukraine.”

Ordinarily you don’t want to recommend Jimmy Carter as a role model for how to shape America’s approach to the world. But critics already routinely compare President Obama’s serial foreign-policy...

The Persian New Year, also known as Nowruz, is considered by many Iranians to be the largest celebration of the year.

The presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama have many striking parallels: soaring rhetoric, Hope with a capital H and King Arthur’s Camelot in JFK’s case, the Promised Land in Obama’s.

>TOKYO, March 14 (Reuters) - Iran has set the official selling price (OSP) of its light crude oil loading in April to Asian buyers at $1.81 a barrel above the average of Oman/Dubai quotes, a trader said on Friday, down 15 cents from the month before.The table below...

We are pleased to announce the addition of Christine Burke to the Chic Buds / Fashion Audio team as President and General Manager. Christine is joining us from Logitech, a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. (PRWeb March 13, 2014) Read the...

A range of global and local rivalries are combining to prolong the war

As more environmentally conscious Americans do their bit to help clear the air by paying up for a an eco-friendly Prius or a sporty Tesla, a damaging form of polluted rain is falling in China . The link ...

China's weakest start to a year for investment growth since 2001 and unexpectedly slow industrial production add pressure for economic stimulus, just as Premier Li Keqiang signals he wants to avoid such a move. The figures increase chances that China will take steps to boost growth including the first cut...

The United States and Europe have issued sanctions in response to recent events in Ukraine. If the goal is to impose real costs and affect ...

In 1998, Majed El Shafie was arrested, tortured and sentenced to death in Egypt because of his Christian faith. Now, he devotes his life to fight for those persecuted around the world. (PRWeb March 13, 2014) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/03/prweb11669795.htm

Eight steps to understanding the bitter conflict

DOHA: Alessandro Diamanti came to Guangzhou Evergrande's rescue once again on Wednesday as his first-half equaliser gave the AFC Champions League title-holders a 1-1 draw against Yokohama F. Marinos.

Iranians see a meeting between the EU's top diplomat and rights activists as proof that the US and Europe will keep needling Iran, even if a nuclear deal is reached.

March 14, 2014, 6:30 a.m. If you missed our morning Brekkie Blog, here's a look at what's been making news around the region and nationally today. 9AM: We will leave it there with a beautiful sunrise shot from Melody Flew in Batemans Bay. Don't forget to join us for...

We will continue updating this list as more information about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight becomes available. After countless false leads and nearly a week of searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, all we know of its fate is that we don't know much at all. The White House...

The tit-for-tat strikes between Islamic Jihad and Israel's air force haven't caused casualties but there are mounting tensions in Israel, which recently seized a weapons cache routed via Iran. 

David Wright cited a “profoundly dysfunctional” bureaucracy in quitting the Office of Research Integrity.

Cameron's tone will be friendly, say analysts, gently reminding Netanyahu that chance of two-state solution is disappearing When the prime minister's chartered plane lands at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Wednesday afternoon, the reception for David Cameron and his entourage of around some 70 aides and delegates may...

A Pakistani Foreign Ministry official says Islamabad is "serious" to complete the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Sergio Romero will be Argentina's first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup in Brazil in June despite spending most of his time at Monaco on the bench, national coach Alejandro Sabella said on Thursday.        

Back in the mid-1960s, a Palestinian guerrilla group called Fatah -- the Conquest -- began launching cross-border attacks against Israeli civilians.

A Global Call is needed. It is time the world and its people woke up to some ground realities, known but ignored for far too long.

Recent media reports that allege NSA has infected millions of computers around the world with malware, and that NSA is impersonating U.S. social media or other websites, are inaccurate. NSA uses its technical capabilities only to support lawful and appropriate ...

>BOCA RATON, Florida (Reuters) - Cyber security is emerging as one of the biggest threats for exchange operators as hackers become more sophisticated in their efforts to disrupt the global financial system, a group of exchange leaders told an industry conference. More than half of the world's exchanges were hit...

>* Iran experience shows sanctions must be legally watertight* Sanctions could be difficult to challenge in courtBy Justyna PawlakBRUSSELS, March 13 (Reuters) - The European Union is taking extra care in drawing up sanctions against Russia over Crimea to avoid legal loopholes that could allow targeted officials to challenge them...

>Kerry told U.S. senators on Capitol Hill that Washington's tough sanctions regime against Tehran has not been weakened by an initial agreement late last year between Iran and six world powers over its nuclear ambitions."We have made it crystal clear that Iran is not open for business," Kerry...

DUBLIN, Mar. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fxkpps/global_light ) has announced the addition of the "Global Light Vehicle OE Wheels Market ...

Opinion page editor Rick Holmes and other writers blog about national politics and issues. Holmes & Co. is a Blog for Independent Minds, a place for a free-flowing discussion of policy, news and opinion. This blog is the online cousin of the Opinion ...

Iraq executed seven people Thursday, including three men convicted of the 1994 killing in Beirut of the father of a current MP, despite international condemnation over Baghdad's use of the death penalty. The executions, carried out by hanging, were the first to be confirmed since January 23 and brought to...

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will cut crude exports this month to the lowest level since November as refinery demand slows in Europe and North America, according to tanker-tracker Oil Movements.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's former national security adviser says rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline would be a gift to Vladimir Putin and a blow to the historic U.S. goal of attaining energy independence. James Jones delivered a staunch endorsement of the project on geostrategic grounds during a Senate...

U.S. stocks fell, erasing gains after the Standard & Poor's 500 Index approached a record, as weaker-than-forecast data from China and tension in Ukraine overshadowed reports showing an improving American economy. Dollar General Corp. slipped 3.4 percent as it forecast first-quarter earnings below analyst estimates. Amazon.com Inc.

Paris authorities said Thursday they would make public transport free for three days to encourage drivers to leave their vehicles behind due to severe pollution.

>A day before the meeting, Crimea's pro-Russian authorities plan to hold a referendum - condemned as illegal by the West - which is expected to overwhelmingly back Crimea's unification with Russia.The EU is expected to adopt measures similar to those ordered by U.S. President Barack Obama, who has...

>JERUSALEM/GAZA (Reuters) - Egypt brokered a ceasefire on Thursday aimed at ending a flare-up of rocket attacks from Gaza on Israeli towns and Israeli air strikes in the Palestinian enclave, the Islamic Jihad militant group said. There was no immediate word from Israel, but a senior Defence Ministry official said...

The Defense Department’s Missile Defense Agency continues to develop technology and work with its partners amid growing ballistic missile threats around the world, the agency’s director said, March 4.

Andy Mitten explains why Diego Costa is currently the most in-demand striker in Europe, with David Moyes a know admirer. Continue reading →

The Republican Party is undergoing its most significant foreign policy debate since President Richard Nixon dismissed then-Gov.

If you were living in Crimea, would you prefer to remain part of Ukraine with its coup-installed government – with neo-Nazis running four ministries including the Ministry of Defense – or would you want to become part of Russia, which has had ties to Crimea going back to Catherine the...

This date in history: March 13, 2013. The College of Cardinals elects Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the next pope. Bergoglio takes the name Francis, thus beginning a historic year for the papacy.

Complaints about the enormous subsidies for solar and wind power usually receive the response that fossil fuels receive enormous subsidies as well, up to $500 billion a year. However, this is an excellent case of the devil being in the details, and those who raise the argument rarely drill down...

March 12, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) announced Wednesday that strict guidelines were issued not to receive a ship which was seized last week by Israeli navy commandos in the Red Sea off the Sudanese coast. A statement released by an unidentified NISS media director...

Osama bin Laden's son-in-law and al-Qaida spokesman said he heard before the Sept. 11 attacks that "something big was going to happen" but didn't know what it was, an FBI agent testified Thursday. Sulaiman Abu Ghaith told authorities that when he visited al-Qaida training camps in the summer of 2001,...

'Miracle Dogs: Adventures on Wheels' is a collection of 13 inspiring stories of dogs — and a goat — their owners and the second chances that strengthen the bond formed by the gifts they exchange day by day.

This delusional conception of national security might fly in North Korea or Iran, but it is fundamentally incompatible with democratic notions of constitutional government. Feinstein's indictment commands the Obama administration's most urgent attention, and if her allegations that the CIA spied on its congressional overseers are sustained, the dismissal of...

The IDF advises citizens to carry on as usual despite yesterday's rocket barrage and overnight IDF retaliations.

Catherine Ashton's landmark visit to Iran sparked protests and official criticism.

It started on March 1, when one jailed dervish - blogger and rights activist Kasra Nouri - went on hunger strike to protest what he described as the mistreatment of his fellow prisoners.

The abrupt revaluation of the Pakistani rupee has raised several questions. At what level will the exchange rate eventually settle? At what point must the government or the central bank intervene to stop it from appreciating further to forestall a fresh turmoil in the economy?

Johannesburg, Mar. 13 (ANI): Shady agencies working in democratically elected governments are among the worst online spies in the world, a media watchdog has said. RSF said the move put the free world governments on the same level as offenders in Iran, China and Saudi Arabia. Agencies such as the...

By United Press International UPI Almanac for Thursday, March 13, 2014.