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Why Obama's having dinner with Republicans

NBC News grabs a key detail from the dinner President Obama held with 12 Senate Republicans last night:     It was serious. It was respectful. And it was informative. (In fact, one senator told us that he learned, for the first time, the actual cuts that the president has put on the table. Leadership hadn’t shared that list with them before). The number of Republicans who don’t know what the White House is actually offering is stunning. Last week I wrote about a Republican legislator who didn’t know Obama had publicly said he’d be willing to move to chained-CPI.     Would it matter, one reporter asked the veteran legislator, if the president were to put chained-CPI — a policy that reconfigures the way the government measures inflation and thus slows the growth of Social Security benefits — on the table?     “Absolutely,” the legislator said. “That’s serious.”     Another reporter jumped in. “But it is on the table! They tell us three times a day that they want to do chained-CPI.”    

Hugo Chavez's body lies in state in Venezuela

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have been queuing to pay their last respects to President Hugo Chavez, who died on Tuesday after 14 years in power. His body is lying in state at the military academy in the capital Caracas before his state funeral on Friday. His supporters want him interred alongside Simon Bolivar, the 19th Century independence leader he claimed as his "revolutionary" inspiration. Mr Chavez died at the age of 58 after a two-year battle with cancer. Thousands queued through the night to file silently past the open coffin, where Mr Chavez is lying in an olive-green military uniform and his signature red beret. His family and close advisers, as well as the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay, paid their respects on Wednesday. Other world leaders - including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - are flying into Caracas for his funeral. Several Latin American nations are holding periods of national mourning for the left-wing leader, who was a strong a

New Sanctions Imposed on North Korea as it Warns of Pre-emptive Nuclear Attack

The United Nations Security Council approved a new regimen of sanctions on Thursday against North Korea for its underground nuclear test last month, imposing penalties on North Korean banking, travel and trade in a unanimous vote that reflected the country’s increased international isolation. The resolution, which was drafted by the United States and China, was passed in a speedy vote hours after North Korea threatened for the first time to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the United States and South Korea. “The strength, breadth and severity of these sanctions will raise the cost to North Korea of its illicit nuclear program,” the United States ambassador to the United Nations, Susan E. Rice, told reporters after the vote. “Taken together, these sanctions will bite and bite hard.” Li Baodong, the ambassador from China, which lent its support to the new sanctions to the anger of the North Korean government, told reporters the resolution was aimed at the long-term goal

Nuclear talks between major countries Begins

World powers began talks with Iran on its nuclear programme inside the Kazakh city of Almaty on Tuesday, in a fresh make an effort to resolve a decade-old standoff that threatens the very center East with a new war. It is "not clear the length of time the session go, (we) will advise even as we go," said the Western official, confirming the beginning of the talks at the Rixos hotel inside the city The six - United states of america, Russia, China, Britain, Germany and France - are expected to provide Tehran some sanctions relief when it curbs work that they suspect is to produce material for nuclear weapons, although Iran denies this. No breakthrough is expected at the talks, the 1st such meeting in eight months, but diplomats an answer to a legal contract to carry further talks soon on how to implement steps to ease the tension.

No less than 19 foreign tourists have been killed in Egypt

Hot air balloon crashed No less than 19 foreign tourists have been killed Tuesday as their hot air balloon crashed close to the ancient Egyptian capital of - Luxor, a security alarm official in Egypt told the Associated Press. The casualties included French, British, Chinese and Japanese nationals. No Americans are thought to be involved. CNN reported that passengers inside the balloon included 19 foreign tourists: nine from Hong Kong; four from Japan; two from Belgium; two from Britain and two from France. CNN cited Luxor province Gov. Izzat Saad, who had previously been speaking on Nile TV. "There were 20 passengers aboard. A surge happened and 19 passengers died. One tourist as well as the pilot survived," Ahmed Aboud, a spokesman for firms that operate balloon flights in your neighborhood, told Reuters news agency. The Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity while he had not been authorized to go to the media, said there was a hearth and an exp

Top Bay State Democrats continued to try and pin the sequestration chaos

Top Bay State Democrats continued to try and pin the sequestration chaos in D.C. on congressional Republicans yesterday, with Gov. Deval Patrick again accusing the GOP of trying to ruin the economy and saying he’s “scared,” while U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined straight into slam “just plain dumb” budget cuts. Patrick framed sequestration being a “partisan failure,” blaming GOP House Speaker John Boehner for refusing to strike an agreement with President barack obama. “When the Republicans in the home say, ‘This is what we’re happy to do,’ and the president says, ‘OK, I believe that’s a good idea,’ it is said, ‘Well do you know what? Don't worry then.’ I think that’s as frustrating towards the American public since it is if you ask me,” Patrick said in a State House press conference yesterday. Patrick Administration & Finance Secretary Glen Shor admitted there would be no immediate action on the state level if the sequestration blade falls on March 1, but Patrick warned it c

Raul Castro Continues to be Cuba president

Raul Castro C uba President Raul Castro said Sunday while he accepted a whole new five-year term that it's going to he be his last as Cuba's president, for the first time placing a date on the end of the Castro era. He tapped rising star Miguel Diaz-Canel as his top lieutenant and first in the type of succession. The 81-year-old Castro also said he hopes to create two-term limits and age caps for political offices like the presidency - a huge prospect for a nation led by Castro or his older brother Fidel since 1959 revolution. Some constitutional changes are to be so dramatic that they'll have to be ratified with the Cuban people a public referendum, he was quoted saying, though he added he has not been named president in order to destroy Cuba's socialist system. Cuba is a an instant of "historic transcendence," Castro told lawmakers in speaking of his decision to name Diaz-Canel for the No. 2 job. "It represents a definitive step up the configurat

US desire Syrian opposition to be part of Rome talks

A senior U.S. official on Sunday urged the Syrian opposition to attend a planned international meeting in Rome immediately, saying it turned out an opportunity for rebels to make their case to get more support. The state run, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was clearly dissension among the opposition about the utility of such meetings and several members have signaled they will often not attend. Nearly 70,000 individuals have been killed in Syria's civil war within the last 22 months since fighting broke out between rebels wanting to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and government forces and allied militias. There appear to be growing tensions between the fighters on a lawn and opposition members beyond your country. "The Syrian opposition leadership is under severe pressure now from the membership, in the Syrian people, to get more support in the international community as well as in that context there's a lot of internal discussion in regards to the

Afghanistan Orders US Troops to Leave Crucial Province

The Afghan government on Sunday banned elite American forces from operating inside a strategic province adjoining Kabul, citing complaints that Afghans doing work for American Special Forces have killed and tortured villagers in the area. The ban is scheduled to go into effect in 2 weeks inside province, Maidan Wardak, which includes long been described as crucial link inside defense from the capital from the Taliban. If fully enacted, it will effectively remove the American military’s main way to obtain offensive firepower through the area, which lies southwest of Kabul and is also employed by the Taliban as being a staging ground for attacks on Kabul. An order has more potential significance with the scheduled withdrawal of standard American combat forces in Maidan Wardak. By late spring, American officials have said they expect almost all conventional troops in eastern Afghanistan being centered on advising Afghan forces, leaving Special Operations units because only offensive troo

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Expecting a Baby Girl

Kim Kardashian in Full Black Outfit Despite having your baby girl along the way, Kim Kardashian would look right in your house one of the vampy, gorgeous women from Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" video. The 32-year-old reality star supported famed photographer Mario Testino at Prism in West Hollywood on Saturday, Feb. 23. Just a couple of hours after Us Weekly revealed that Kardashian and beau Kanye West expect a daughter, Kardashian played up her bump and her glamour at the opening of Testino's new gallery. Along with her hair slicked back, bright pink lipstick and flawless-looking skin, the certainty star wore all black: A fitted pencil skirt that emphasized her expanding curves, leather jacket plus a tight black top that showcased her growing belly. Based on a witness, Kardashian graciously accepted pregnancy congratulations off their attendees with the bash. (Miley Cyrus also appeared to support Testino.) "Fun night!" she later tweeted. "Me

Despite Crash Daytona NASCAR 500 Race Is still On

Nascar Crash Visuals Fans feeling unsafe as soon as the horrific crash at Daytona International Speedway can change seats for NASCAR's biggest race. Track President Joie Chitwood said Sunday workers successfully repaired an area of fence -- 54 feet wide and 22 feet high -- that's shredded Saturday when Kyle Larson's car went airborne on the final lap of a second-tier race and crashed from the barrier that separates cars from fans. Large bits of debris, such as a tire, sprayed into the upper and lower section of the stands. The crash injured over 30 people, raising more questions about fan safety at race tracks. Halifax Health spokesman Byron Cogdell said seven people with crash-related injuries remained hospitalized Sunday in Daytona Beach in stable condition. The six people exposed to an alternative Halifax hospital in Port Orange with crash-related injuries had all been discharged by Sunday morning, Cogdell said. A spokeswoman at Florida Memorial Clinic may not rele

Governers Warns budget Cuts Put Jobs at Stake

Democratic and Republican governors in Washington on Sunday urged Congress to achieve a budget deal before billions in budget cuts kick in soon, warning the cuts might be a job-killer and get rid of post-recession economic gains. “I’m very worried about the effect on the economy,” Delaware Democratic Gov. Jack Markell told “Fox News Sunday.” Hawaii Gov. Abercrombie , center, seen with National Governors Association Chairman Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware, left, and Vice Chairman Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, speaks throughout the opening news conference of the NGA Winter Meeting in Washington. The nation's governors say their states are threatened if the automatic, across-the-board budget cuts, known as the sequester, work March 1. The roughly $85 billion in across-the-board cuts this coming year to defense and other federal spending, referred to as sequester, begins Friday if Congress ceases to reach an agreement. Both sides decided to the program this season a

Pistorius Sibling Faces Kill Trial

Oscar's bother Carl Pistorius The older brother of South African track star Oscar Pistorius, charged with murdering his girlfriend, can also be facing trial for killing a lady in the vehicle accident some 5 years ago. Carl Pistorius is charged with culpable homicide after allegedly killing a motorcyclist in the 2008 accident away from Johannesburg. A neighborhood South African news station (e-News Channel Africa) reported Sunday that Carl Pistorius appeared problem last Thursday, but his trial was delayed until March. Lawyer Kenny Oldwage said in a very statement Sunday that "Carl deeply regrets the accident". He was quoted saying blood tests conducted through the police at the time proved which he had not been consuming alcohol. Oldwage added that charges brought after the accident were initially dropped, then again reinstated by national prosecutors. Oscar's bother Carl Pistorius Carl Pistorius is a huge constant presence with the court during his younger

Vegas strip shooting Suv found by police

Tow truck drivers clean up and tow away cars involved in a drive-by shooting on Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas Thursday. Police in Las Vegas have discovered a black Range Rover SUV and identified a suspect in the shooting that sent a Maserati in to a taxi that exploded, killing three people. Police Capt. Chris Jones tells the Associated Press your vehicle is discovered Saturday afternoon in an apartment complex east in the Vegas Strip, the city's main boulevard. It's been impounded as evidence. Jones says information seeking 26-year-old Ammar Harris associated with the shooting early Thursday. His arrest history in Nevada includes charges of kidnapping and pandering. Maserati driver and aspiring rapper Kenny Cherry was killed by gunfire. Taxi driver Michael Boldon, of Las Vegas, with his fantastic passenger, Sandra Sutton-Wasmund of Maple Valley, Washington, died if the Maserati crashed into them.

30 Fans Hurt in Nationwide Series Crash at Daytona

Crash Visuals Crash Visuals Crash Visuals Crash Visuals At least 30 NASCAR fans were injured Saturday each time a car sailed in the fence at Daytona International Speedway, and big chunks of debris -- such as a tire -- flew in to the grandstands. No fatalities were reported in the accident about the last lap of the Nationwide Series race. The crash began because field closed in around the finish line, and rookie Kyle Larson's car came upon the wreck and went airborne into the fence that separates the track from the seats. Large chunks of Larson's car landed within the grandstands, and one of his tires did actually fly in the fence and land midway up the lower section. The automobile itself had its entire front sheared off, using the burning engine wedged by having a gaping hole inside the fence. Speedway President Joie Chitwood said 14 fans were treated on-site , and 14 others were delivered to hospitals. Chi

Army of lawyers gets ready to face off against BP

One of the greatest legal circuses on the planet - the trial of BP in the extent of their responsibility for that 2010 Gulf coast of florida oil spill - is scheduled to start in New Orleans on Monday, featuring 34 leading lawyers inside jam-packed federal court and countless others playing video feeds in rooms nearby. There will be 400 minutes of opening arguments from 11 parties, including the Justice Department. Their email list of exhibits runs nearly a lot of pages, and lawyers up to now have filed 126 depositions and also the names of about 80 potential witnesses. The plaintiffs’ team has essentially built a full new firm, with 300 lawyers, paralegals and support staff committed to the truth. BP includes a similar battery of attorneys from four of the nation’s most prestigious firms. Settlement talks were underway over the weekend. The Wall Street Journal reported that federal and state officials were preparing a $16 billion offer to BP, but that figure is way more than any figur

Governors shows disappointment Towards Wa gridlock, sequestration

The nation’s governors a message Weekend for Americans frustrated that Washington’s persistent misogynistic gridlock appears likely to result in an across-the-board spending budget cut Drive 1 that can delay flights and result in hundreds of thousands associated with layoffs: They’re disappointed too. Meeting in Wa for the winter months meeting of the National Governors Connection, state main executives coming from both parties expressed deepening concern about your mindlessness of the $85 billion budget reduce, which will be split between army and home programs and definitely will otherwise present an equal whack to every influenced government program. They required to be allowed far more discretion within how shelling out cuts are implemented. It’s the effect of Congress’ failure to agree on a more targeted deficit reduction bundle. Congress will certainly return to work Monday after a week-long recess, nevertheless despite governmental posturing, there’s been absolutely no sign of

Oscar Pistorius have to live with conscience, says Mr Steenkamp father of Reeva

Barry Steenkamp Father of Reeva Steenkam, Pistorious love South African athlete Oscar Pistorius "will have to live with his conscience" over the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, her father has said. Barry Steenkamp was speaking a day after the Paralympic champion was freed on bail pending his trial. Mr Pistorius, 26, admits shooting Ms Steenkamp, 29, but denies murder, saying he mistook her for an intruder. "If it didn't happen the way he says it did he must suffer and he will suffer," her father told Beeld newspaper. "It does not matter how much money he has and how good his legal team is, he will have to live with his conscience," Mr Steenkamp said. "But if he speaks the truth, I can perhaps some day forgive him," he added. 'Reaching out' Reeva Steenkamp was a model and law graduate with a burgeoning television career. She was shot dead in the toilet of Oscar Pistorius's home in the early hours of 14 February - V

After Blasts India Govt Wants National Counter Terrorism Centre

NIA Investigating Hyderabad, India Blasts The twin blasts in Hyderabad have revived the controversy over establishing the nation's Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) with all the Congress government likely to push formation with the agency and provide opposing states fully briefed which includes changes in the agency's proposed structure and procedures. While using political class unanimous on strict action against terrorism, the government thinks it is the correct time to push the business. And in addition, both home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and external affairs minister Salman Khurshid made a pitch for NCTC on Friday. Speaking with media persons on establishing NCTC, Khurshid said, "It's reliant on concern its political class. Stop looking at small political gains and choose the more expensive political goal." In Rajya Sabha, Shinde urged states to agree for NCTC. While talking about the performance of security agencies considering the Hyderabad blast

Microsoft can learn from Sony's PS4

PlayStation4 Look - Crazy imagination on Internet Press events are a tricky beast. No-one ever said these folks were easy to display. Though Sony casting the very first stone in the next-generation video gaming war, Microsoft can study a lot from what worked and what didn't. Once the lights went up, Sony execs were shaking hands and congratulating one another. However the packed house on the Hammerstein Ballroom wasn't exactly taking part in exactly the same adulation. Instead, it was playing a heap of unanswered questions, most notably having less physical hardware as well as a price tag. Chances are it's safe to visualize Microsoft will strike back by having an event of the own, possibly prior to company's E3 2013 press conference. If that's the case, one-upping Sony's released party mustn't be much of a problem. This is what Microsoft are able to do: Provide us with a box and provides us an expense This one's a no-brainer. Sure, the PS4 and next