Thursday, January 23, 2014

Should the U.S. keep 10,000 or zero troops in Afghanistan? - from WSJ.com: Opinion. And this is my opinion...

Opinions Review


» An Obama Foreign Policy IQ Test
22/01/14 20:22 from WSJ.com: Opinion
Should the U.S. keep 10,000 or zero troops in Afghanistan?

M.N.: A "no brainer" answer by the above "opinionator": keep the troops. Agreed. And simply ignore the antics of Karzai as simply and practically, and almost irrelevant (as, I think, Mr. Hagel, essentially did and does). And include the Russians (within and under the common and Western framework, of course): let them share the burden; it is in their interests and hopefully might open the door to a broader cooperation on their part. And this is my opinion. 

» Did Russia prevent U.S. from becoming like Russia?
22/01/14 19:07 from Opinions: Washington Post Opinion, Editorial, Op Ed, Politics Editorials - The Washington Post
If, as Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) has alleged [“ NSA program defenders question Snowden’s motives ,” news, Jan. 20], Russia is responsible for Edward Snowden’s revelations about the National Security Agency , then we owe Russian dictator...


» The Syria Peace Follies
22/01/14 18:33 from WSJ.com: Opinion
The diplomatic farce over Iran sums up the U.S. strategy.


» Martin Rowson on the Syria peace talks – cartoon
22/01/14 18:02 from Comment is free | theguardian.com
Little sign of constructive action in Syrian peace talks despite Ban Ki-moon's call to seize 'fragile chance' Martin Rowson


» The President Inhales
22/01/14 15:30 from WSJ.com: Opinion
He ought to change federal drug law rather than refuse to enforce it.


» On Drones, Keeping the Public in the Dark
22/01/14 13:25 from Taking Note
The 2014 spending bill contained a secret deal on drones.


» Ukraine protests are no longer just about Europe | Volodymyr Ishchenko
22/01/14 11:12 from Comment is free | theguardian.com
The far right has infiltrated a movement that in itself does not reflect all the people. There must be an alternative to this senseless violence There is little doubt that Viktor Yanukovych's rule is corrupt. It stands for the interests ...


Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks Review - 10:52 AM 1/23/2014

Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks Review


» Edward Snowden a traitor but US spy review is welcome, says Julie Bishop
23/01/14 10:52 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. Australian foreign minister questions NSA contractor's motives but supports US proposals for greater oversight of spy agencies Katharine Murphy
» Ukraine opposition: We're ready to attack
23/01/14 10:52 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by CNNInternational. Ukraine opposition: We're ready to attack Becky Anderson speaks to Ukrainian opposition leader Vitali Klitschko about their ongoing protests in Kiev. From: CNNInternational Vie...
» 'U.S. trying to kill it's way to victory'
23/01/14 10:52 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by CNNInternational. 'U.S. trying to kill it's way to victory' Becky Anderson speaks to the producer of "Dirty Wars" about the covert operations that happen we rarely hear about. From: CN...
» Biden: No man has a right to ignore 'no'
23/01/14 10:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by CNNInternational. Biden: No man has a right to ignore 'no' President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had empowering words at the Council on Women & Girls. From: CNNInternational Vi...
» Threat to Americans going to Olympics
23/01/14 10:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by CNNInternational. Threat to Americans going to Olympics Ominous e-mail sent to U.S. Olympic Committee. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reports. From: CNNInternational Views: 0 0 ratings Time: 02:56 More ...
» US Considers Options for Troops in Afghanistan
23/01/14 10:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. It is reported that U.S. military leaders have proposed two options for Afghanistan after 2014 - leave 10,000 American troops there when the combat mission is over, or pull all of them ou...
» Syria's warring sides urged to end bloodshed at Geneva II
23/01/14 10:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by AFP news agency. Syria's warring sides urged to end bloodshed at Geneva II UN leader Ban Ki-moon tells Syria's warring sides at a peace conference in Switzerland on Wednesday that the time has c...
» US Army prepares to replace Thousands of Troops with Military Robots
23/01/14 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The European Union Times - World News, Breaking News. US army’s humanoid robot Petman by Boston Dynamics and funded by DARPA. An all-out drone war seems inevitable given the rapid rate at which battl...
» Deadly Protests in Kiev; Plowgate 2014; Swiffer Celebrities - Times Minute
23/01/14 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by The New York Times. Deadly Protests in Kiev; Plowgate 2014; Swiffer Celebrities - Times Minute Subscribe on YouTube: http://bit.ly/U8Ys7n On the Minute: Deadly clashes in Ukraine protests, Mayor...
» Kerry calls Assad 'greatest magnet for terrorism' in region
23/01/14 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by AFP news agency. Kerry calls Assad 'greatest magnet for terrorism' in region The United States on Wednesday led a fierce denunciation of the Syrian regime and vowed it would step up support for ...
» Syria defiant at conference
23/01/14 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by CNNInternational. Syria defiant at conference Syria defiant at conference; Secretary of State John Kerry rules out al-Assad. CNN's Elise Labott reports. From: CNNInternational Views: 0 0 ratings...
» Ukraine Opposition: No Progress in Crisis Talks with President
23/01/14 10:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Ukraine opposition leaders say President Viktor Yanukovych failed Wednesday to respond positively to their demands, and they warned of an opposition offensive if he does not respond to a ...
» Iran's Rouhani: Possible to Overcome Animosity With US
23/01/14 10:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday it would be possible to turn more than three decades of enmity with the United States into friendship if both sides were to make an effo...
» Al Qaeda-linked group planned to attack US embassy, Israel says
23/01/14 10:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalPost - Home. None
» US, Russia Cooperate on Sochi Security
23/01/14 10:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. In the face of terrorist threats, the United States is offering to help Russia strengthen security at next month's Winter Olympics in Sochi.  The offer could help to improve U.S.-Russian ...
» Iran's FM: We Did Not Agree to Dismantle Anything in Nuclear Deal
23/01/14 10:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran did not agree to dismantle anything in the recent nuclear deal with the United States and five other countries. Zarif countries.Zar...
» Nick Clegg: Tories' flirtation with EU exit is damaging Britain
23/01/14 10:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. Deputy prime minister to risk rift with coalition partners by calling for Britain to stand tall in EU at Davos Nick Clegg will today seek to upst...
» Two British women charged with helping fund Syrian terrorism
23/01/14 10:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. Scotland Yard charges women over offences alleged to have taken place in London between 13 and 16 January Two women were charged with arranging f...
» The Lede: Footage of Mayhem on the Streets of Kiev
23/01/14 10:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. Journalists who have been covering the standoff in Kiev for weeks uploaded dramatic images of the spiraling conflict to social networks from the streets on Wednesday.
» British banker receives death threats for anti-Singapore diatribe
23/01/14 10:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. Anton Casey faces disciplinary action after posting comments mocking poor locals and labelling taxi driver a 'retard' A British banker has been f...
» Collections: A New World Around Every Corner
23/01/14 09:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. Joseph Gonzalez and Ralph Magnus’s Union Square apartment is filled with maps of Hispaniola and the West Indies. The living room’s treasures include a 1634 map by Willem Janszoon Blaeu (for...
» Ukraine opposition say they'll brave bullets after talks with Yanukovich fail
23/01/14 09:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian opposition leaders emerged from crisis talks with President Viktor Yanukovich on Wednesday saying he had failed to give concrete answers to their demands, an...
» Inside Syria's most dangerous town
23/01/14 09:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by CNNInternational. Inside Syria's most dangerous town An uneasy cease-fire hangs over Aleppo, but is it sustainable? CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports. From: CNNInternational Views: 0 0 ratings Time: 0...
» Israel: Al-Qaida Plot Targeting US Embassy Foiled
23/01/14 08:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Israel says it has arrested two Palestinians in annexed East Jerusalem who were allegedly planning a series of bombings on behalf of al-Qaida that included the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv.Th...
» State Dept. Learned in November of Photos Said to Show Torture in Syria
23/01/14 08:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The photos seem unlikely to change the American policy of seeking a settlement to remove President Bashar al-Assad but avoiding direct military action. The Obama administration first learne...
» US Considers Options for Troops in Afghanistan
23/01/14 08:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. U.S. military leaders have proposed two options for Afghanistan after 2014 - leave 10,000 American troops there when the combat mission is over, or pull all of them out. A out.A source te...
» Version of Target Malware Linked to Russian
23/01/14 08:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Security experts believe the malicious software that infected Target was in part the work of a 23-year-old in southern Russia. The man said he helped write the software but had nothing...
» World Briefing | Europe: Italy: Businesses Seized in Inquiry Tied to Mob Boss
23/01/14 08:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. An investigation linked to a Neapolitan mob boss led to the seizure of 27 pizzerias, cafes and other restaurants in the heart of Rome as well as other businesses elsewhere.
» World Briefing | Europe: Turkey: More Police Are Fired or Reassigned
23/01/14 08:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. Nearly 500 police officers were either fired or reassigned Wednesday in what appears to be a purge related to a graft inquiry that has already ensnared many of the prime minister’s allies.
» World Briefing | Middle East: Iran: Surge in Executions Worries Rights Experts
23/01/14 08:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. Iran reportedly hanged 40 people in the first two weeks of January, 33 of them in the last week, leading United Nations human rights experts to call for a halt to the executions.
» Watchdog: Politicians extorting voters
23/01/14 08:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by CNNInternational. Watchdog: Politicians extorting voters CNN takes an in-depth look into the intersection of politics, money and influence. CNN's Drew Griffin reports. From: CNNInternational Vie...
» Mexican Executed In US Despite Diplomatic Pleas
23/01/14 08:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Edgar Tamayo is killed by lethal injection despite objections from the Mexico and an appeal from the US State Department. A Mexican man ha...
» World Briefing | The Americas: Ecuador: President to Ask U.S. Officers to Leave
23/01/14 08:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. President Rafael Correa said Wednesday that Washington had too many military officers assigned to its embassy in Ecuador.
» Texas Executes Mexican Man for Murder
23/01/14 08:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The state Texas put Edgar Arias Tamayo to death on Wednesday, despite the stated concerns of Mexican officials, Latino advocates and Secretary of State John Kerry that the execution could h...
» Watchdog Report Says N.S.A. Program Is Illegal and Should End
23/01/14 08:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The 238-page report is likely to inject a significant new voice into the debate over surveillance, underscoring that the issue was not settled by a speech President Obama gave last week. Me...
» Australia accuses Snowden of ‘treachery’
23/01/14 08:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News. Australia’s foreign minister accuses US whistleblower of ‘unprecedented treachery’ as the country’s rift with Indonesia deepens amid spying allegations
» Ukraine Protesters 'Ready For Bullet To The Head'
23/01/14 08:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Clashes see demonstrators torch barricades and hurl Molotov cocktails, as police use tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. The Unite...
» India reels from another horrific gang rape case in wave of sexual violence
23/01/14 08:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. Tribal elders ordered a 20-year-old woman to be raped in public by up to 12 men for an 'unauthorised' relationship, police say. Jason Burke
» Anastasia Taylor-Lind's best photograph: A wedding in Nagorno-Karabakh
23/01/14 08:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. 'The couple, Artak and Armine, received £470 at their wedding, then £150 for their first child. Families with six kids get a house' In 2011, the ...
» Israel claims to have foiled al-Qaida attack on Tel Aviv
23/01/14 08:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. Shin Bet intelligence agency says it has arrested three Palestinians it accuses of plotting an attack on US embassy Israel has said it has foiled...
» Al Qaeda chief Zawahri tells Islamists in Syria to unite: audio
23/01/14 08:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri called on militant rebel factions in Syria to stop fighting each other and set up a judicial committee to sort out their differen...
» Vigilantes clash with Mexican cartels
23/01/14 08:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by CNNInternational. Vigilantes clash with Mexican cartels Armed groups take justice into their hands to drive away a violent cartel in Mexico. CNN's Rafael Romo reports. From: CNNInternational Vie...
» Elton John condemns Russia's 'vicious' anti-gay legislation
23/01/14 07:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. Following Putin's recent comments which hailed the singer as an 'outstanding individual', Elton John has written an impassioned statement describ...
» Spain Unemployment Stays at 26%
23/01/14 07:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Unemployment in Spain was unchanged at 26% in the fourth quarter of 2013, after declining for two consecutive quarters, official data showed.
» Elton John: Russia's homosexuality propaganda laws are deeply dangerous to LGBT community
23/01/14 07:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com. The singer writes a forceful letter to Russia and Vladimir Putin following a recent visit to Moscow – read the full letter here • Elton John cond...
» Khodorkovsky associate to be freed
23/01/14 07:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News. Russia’s Supreme Court ruled to reduce Platon Lebedev’s sentence to the time he has already served, a move urged by human rights advocates
» Australia Raid On Drugs Linked To Terror
23/01/14 07:26 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Some £300m in illegal substances and other assets seized in an investigation into exchange houses that fund terrorist activities.

Ukraine opposition: We're ready to attack

Edward Snowden a traitor but US spy review is welcome, says Julie Bishop 

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Australian foreign minister questions NSA contractor's motives but supports US proposals for greater oversight of spy agencies










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Ukraine opposition: We're ready to attack 

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Becky Anderson speaks to Ukrainian opposition leader Vitali Klitschko about their ongoing protests in Kiev.
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'U.S. trying to kill it's way to victory' 

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Becky Anderson speaks to the producer of "Dirty Wars" about the covert operations that happen we rarely hear about.
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Time: 04:51More in News & Politics

Biden: No man has a right to ignore 'no' 

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President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had empowering words at the Council on Women & Girls.
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Threat to Americans going to Olympics 

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Ominous e-mail sent to U.S. Olympic Committee. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reports.
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Time: 02:56More in News & Politics

US Considers Options for Troops in Afghanistan

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It is reported that U.S. military leaders have proposed two options for Afghanistan after 2014 - leave 10,000 American troops there when the combat mission is over, or pull all of them out.Several news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, report that General Joseph Dunford, the commander of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan, presented the option to the White House last week.Haji Saleh Muhammed Saleh sits on the defense committee in Afghanistan's Lower...
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Syria's warring sides urged to end bloodshed at Geneva II

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UN leader Ban Ki-moon tells Syria's warring sides at a peace conference in Switzerland on Wednesday that the time has come for negotiations to end the countr...
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US Army prepares to replace Thousands of Troops with Military Robots 

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US army’s humanoid robot Petman by Boston Dynamics and funded by DARPA.
An all-out drone war seems inevitable given the rapid rate at which battlefield technology is advancing in this day and age, but a United States Army commander expects an arsenal of robotic warriors could be but a few years away.
Gen. Robert Cone, the chief of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, said during a recent symposium that he thinks there’s a chance the size of the military’s brigade combats teams will shrink by a quarter in the coming years from 4,000 total troops down to 3,000. Picking up the slack, he said, could be a fleet of robotic killing machines akin to the ground versions of the unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, increasingly used by the world’s armies.
The Military Times’ Paul McLeary was the first to report this week on remarks that Cone, a four-star general, made during the Army Aviation Symposium January 15 in Arilington, Virginia.
“I’ve got clear guidance to think about what if you could robotically perform some of the tasks in terms of maneuverability, in terms of the future of the force,” Cone told his crowd, according to McLeary, adding that he also has “clear guidance to rethink” the size of those infantry squads, which currently are manned by nine troops apiece.
Brigade combat teams are the smallest units of decent size that can be sent into war on their own, Popular Science acknowledged. Even if they are limited to just nine troops apiece, however, trimming their size by a quarter and tacking on still in-the-works robotics could give those brigades unmatched ability on the battlefield.
“If the Army can reduce number of people in squads, it can reduce the total manpower everywhere, and it can acquire vehicles that are both smaller and cheaper,” Kelsey Atherton wrote for PopSci. “In order to reduce manpower without reducing fighting ability, the Army will need to make sure that Brigades have everything they need to be just effective.”
According to Gen. Cone, that could be just a couple of years away and exactly what’s needed.
“Don’t you think 3,000 people is probably enough probably to get by” with increased technological capabilities, he said during last week’s symposium.
As RT has reported extensively in the past, the Pentagon has for years now been tinkering with robotic warriors made to someday replace real life soldiers on the battlefield of the future. Some of those drone troops have already undergone extensive testing, and Cone suggests that they could soon come into good use as the military considers further scale backs amidst sequester-induced spending cuts.
According to McLeary, the general said he envisions “a smaller, more lethal, deployable and agile force” in the Army’s future. The Military Times reported that the Army is on track to cut its number of soldiers by 60,000 before 2015 is over, and then could trim just as much by 2019 to bring the total number of troops — human troops — to 420,000.
“When you see the success, frankly, that the Navy has had in terms of lowering the numbers of people on ships, are there functions in the brigade that we could automate — robots or manned/unmanned teaming — and lower the number of people that are involved given the fact that people are our major cost,” he said.
Last May, the US Navy unveiled a first-of-its-kind fleet for the military branch that relies on both manned and unmanned vehicles to accompany warships into battle. Then in November, a US Navy drone crashed into a battleship and caused roughly $30 million in damages.
        
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Deadly Protests in Kiev; Plowgate 2014; Swiffer Celebrities - Times Minute 

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Subscribe on YouTube: http://bit.ly/U8Ys7n On the Minute: Deadly clashes in Ukraine protests, Mayor Bill de Blasio responds to snowplowing complaints, and a ...
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Kerry calls Assad 'greatest magnet for terrorism' in region

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The United States on Wednesday led a fierce denunciation of the Syrian regime and vowed it would step up support for the opposition as it seeks to topple Pre...
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Syria defiant at conference 

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Syria defiant at conference; Secretary of State John Kerry rules out al-Assad. CNN's Elise Labott reports.
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Ukraine Opposition: No Progress in Crisis Talks with President

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Ukraine opposition leaders say President Viktor Yanukovych failed Wednesday to respond positively to their demands, and they warned of an opposition offensive if he does not respond to a second round of talks on Thursday.In Kyiv, opposition leader Arseniy Yatseniuk told a crowd of supporters "we have 24 hours left to walk this path." He went on to warn that "tomorrow we will march forward together" if the president does not end the government crackdown that left three...
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Iran's Rouhani: Possible to Overcome Animosity With US

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday it would be possible to turn more than three decades of enmity with the United States into friendship if both sides were to make an effort. He was speaking in a Swiss television interview after arriving at the World Economic Forum in Davos where he will court the global business community and meet a series of oil company executives on Thursday. Asked whether there could one day be a U.S. embassy again in Tehran instead of the Swiss...

Al Qaeda-linked group planned to attack US embassy, Israel says

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US, Russia Cooperate on Sochi Security

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In the face of terrorist threats, the United States is offering to help Russia strengthen security at next month's Winter Olympics in Sochi.  The offer could help to improve U.S.-Russian relations or cause them to deteriorate further. White House spokesman Jay Carney says President Barack Obama spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday about efforts to keep the Olympics safe. "What I can tell you is that we are having conversations with the Russians.  We...

Iran's FM: We Did Not Agree to Dismantle Anything in Nuclear Deal 

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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran did not agree to dismantle anything in the recent nuclear deal with the United States and five other countries. Zarif told CNN television Wednesday that the White House version of the agreement "overplays Iranian commitments." Zarifsaid Iran is not dismantling any centrifuges or equipment. He says all Iran is doing is not enriching uranium over 5 percent. Anything above that could be used to build a nuclear...

Nick Clegg: Tories' flirtation with EU exit is damaging Britain

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Deputy prime minister to risk rift with coalition partners by calling for Britain to stand tall in EU at Davos
Nick Clegg will today seek to upstage David Cameron at the World Economic Forum in Davos when he warns business and European leaders that the Tories are damaging Britain by "flirting with exit" from the EU.
The deputy prime minister will call for Britain to "stand tall in the EU" when he takes part in two events in Davos – a discussion on the new Europe with EU leaders, and a discussion about China – before Cameron takes to the stage.
Clegg has not attended the World Economic Forum for a few years. But he decided to put in an appearance this year amid fears that the prime minister is deterring investors from Britain by raising questions about Britain's EU membership.
A spokesperson for Clegg said: "Nick Clegg is … attending Davos to represent thousands of British businesses and the millions of British workers who rely on the UK's position in Europe. With European leaders discussing reform, he is not prepared to simply allow Conservatives flirting with the exit door to be the only British voice in this important debate.
"Nick Clegg has become so concerned about the damage being done to the reputation of UK Plc by the Tory party that he wants to take every possible opportunity to set out a more balanced view to investors and the international community."
In his first event of the day, Clegg, who arrived in Davos late last night, will join three EU prime ministers for a discussion about the new Europe. The group will include Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Swedish prime minister, who is Cameron's closest EU ally. But Reinfeldt leads the Moderate party, which remains in the European People's party group in the European Parliament after the Tories set up a new group with Poland's socially conservative main opposition party.
Tickets sold out within an hour for Clegg's second event, with the OECD general secretary Angel Gurría, which is entitled China, Europe and the US: the competitive challenge. Clegg will tell the event: "The UK cannot stand tall in the modern world if it doesn't stand tall in its own backyard. That means standing tall in the EU and working collectively towards growth.
"To trade successfully in the modern world, Britain must stay in. As an EU member, we have access to trade agreements with more than 50 countries around the world – and we've launched negotiations with the US.
"As power rises in the east and the US subsequently turns more of its attention in that direction, the importance to Britain of us being part of Europe will become even more apparent. It is vital for our country's prosperity and vital for British jobs. The commission has confirmed if the UK left the EU, we'd lose access to EU trade agreements with third parties and potentially have to negotiate them all from scratch, and negotiate from a much weaker position.
"We simply will not be taken seriously by the Americans or the Chinese if we're isolated and irrelevant amongst our own neighbours. We stand tall in Washington, Beijing, Delhi when we stand tall in Brussels, Paris and Berlin."
A Lib Dem source said: "This is not about raining or indeed snowing on the prime minister's parade. It is about making the case for Britain in Europe."

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Two British women charged with helping fund Syrian terrorism

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Scotland Yard charges women over offences alleged to have taken place in London between 13 and 16 January
Two women were charged with arranging funds to facilitate terrorism in Syria, police said.
Amal Elwahabi, 27, of north-west London, and Nawal Msaad, 26, of north London, were charged with being involved in an arrangement as a result of which money was made available or was to be made available to another, and knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect it would or may be used for the purposes of terrorism, Scotland Yard said.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 13 and 16 January and relate to terrorist activity in Syria, a spokesman said.
He added: "SO15, the Metropolitan police counter-terrorism command, will continue to pursue individuals and networks in the UK seeking to support terrorists engaged in the Syrian conflict."
They will appear in custody at Westminster magistrates court on Thursday.

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The Lede: Footage of Mayhem on the Streets of Kiev

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Journalists who have been covering the standoff in Kiev for weeks uploaded dramatic images of the spiraling conflict to social networks from the streets on Wednesday.

British banker receives death threats for anti-Singapore diatribe 

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Anton Casey faces disciplinary action after posting comments mocking poor locals and labelling taxi driver a 'retard'
A British banker has been forced to apologise to the people of Singapore after he complained he would have to "wash the stench of public transport" off himself during a period of separation from normal mode of transport – his Porsche.
Anton Casey, who lives as an expat in the city-state with his wife – a former Miss Singapore – also mocked the "poor people" he shared public transport with and made derogatory comments about a taxi driving in a series of posts online.
In one post, he published a picture of his young son using Singaporean public transport, along with the caption: "Daddy, where is your car and who are all these poor people?"
He also posted a picture of his son sitting inside a silver Porsche and added: "Ahhhhhhhhh, reunited with my baby. Normal service can resume, once I have washed the stench of public transport off me FFS!"
In another, he published a picture of a Singaporean taxi driver and wrote: "And today's cabbie retard award goes to … Mr Arm Warmers, stripy mittens & towel on the lap man. After all, it's only 37C outside today!"
Casey, 39, said he had received death threats and faces disciplinary action from his employers, the wealth management firm Crossinvest. In a statement released by his PR firm, he said: "I would like to extend a sincere apology to the people of Singapore.
"I have the highest respect and regard for Singapore and the good people of Singapore; this is myhome." Casey is a permanent resident of the city state. "I wish for nothing more than to be forgiven for my poor judgment and given a second chance to rebuild the trust people have had in me as a resident of this wonderful country."
A video appeared online in which Casey said: "I don't mean to offend anyone. Don't be angry at me. Be angry with your mum and dad for raising you a wuss." In his statement, he said: "It must be made extremely clear that a YouTube video of me, with my son in the background, was not posted in response to any recent events. This video was made weeks prior and has been misused to portray me as unrepentant."
Casey's boss, Christophe Audergon, said the comments were "in poor taste". In a statement, he said: "Crossinvest has clear policies regarding the codes of conduct expected of its employees. That code of conduct extends to social media. We are currently investigating the comments made by our employee and will take appropriate action once we are in possession of all the facts."

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