Russia economy chief says dire 2013 was 'low point'

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• Russia economy chief says dire 2013 was 'low point'
• British nuclear plant says radiation alert caused by natural radon gas
• FBI called out in Super Bowl 'hoax' powder scare
• Amanda Knox defiant after second murder conviction
• Dungy among 17 candidates for Hall of Fame
• Activists: 1,900 killed in Syria during talks
• Syria talks end first round, government not committed to return
• Obama presidential library search kicks off
• Cruise line cites fog, not illness, for return
• Colo. mom acquitted of negligence in SUV deaths
• Iowa fish launcher ensures dramatic eagle photos
• American Christopher Horner joins Lampre-Merida
• FDA clears first drug for blindness sleep disorder
• Colo. mom aquitted of negligence in SUV deaths
• Ukraine repeals tough laws, army calls for 'urgent steps'
• Foundation launches to plan Obama library
• Suspect in Utah deputy's killing was fugitive, 27
• 3 Indians kidnapped at sea are rescued in Nigeria
• Keystone XL oil pipeline clears significant hurdle
• Atlanta area slowly rebounding from winter storm
• RNC: $81M raised last year, $9M banked
• Syria peace talks adjourn with no sign of progress
• 102-year-old cyclist sets world record
• CDC: Norovirus caused cruise ship outbreak
• Ukrainian opposition leader pushes for support
• NY judge OKs $8.5B Bank of America settlement
• Catholic diocese to file for bankruptcy protection
• Ex-NY mayor Bloomberg named UN climate envoy
• U.S. says works with partners to raise pressure on Syria on chemical arms
• Volatility hits commodities as Fed cuts stimulus again
• Company tied to Rams owner Kroenke buys L.A. land
• Carroll and Fox enjoying Super Bowl moment
• Cases may mean more than legal woes for Bieber
• Ukraine president signs amnesty but anger remains, currency slumps
• Protests over Russian anti-gay law focus on Sochi
• Brands vie to stand out amid Super Bowl chatter
• Exclusive: South Sudan rebel leader says government derailing peace talks
• Powder mailed to sites near Super Bowl; 1 is inert
• Ukraine activist's story fuels torture squad fears
• Police: Woman put fecal matter in husband's IV

Russia economy chief says dire 2013 was 'low point' Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:53 PM PST Russia's economy chief said on Friday that the country had survived the worst of its sharp growth slowdown and was now on the path toward a cautious recovery. But new data revision showed the $1.9-trillion (1.4-trillion-euro) economy expanding by an even worse than expected 1.3 percent in 2013 -- the second-worst performance of Vladimir Putin's 14 years in power and just a quarter of the Kremlin's target. Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev rallied to Putin's relief by proclaiming the worst phase of Russia's growth slump over now that agriculture and industry were both picking up steam. Russia's economy grew by 3.4 percent in 2012 and had been clipping along at a seven-percent pace during Putin's first two terms as Kremlin chief between 2000 and 2008.

British nuclear plant says radiation alert caused by natural radon gas Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:42 PM PST By Belinda Goldsmith SELLAFIELD, England (Reuters) - Sellafield, the largest nuclear site in Europe, declared an alert on Friday after discovering higher than usual levels of radioactivity, but later called it off, saying naturally occurring radon gas had triggered the alarm. The fuel reprocessing plant in northwest England, the site of Britain's worst nuclear accident in 1957 and once the producer of plutonium for nuclear bombs, told non-essential staff to stay away after the abnormality was detected overnight. ...

FBI called out in Super Bowl 'hoax' powder scare Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:37 PM PST A suspicious white powder that caused the FBI to scramble to hotels near the scene of America's biggest sporting event, Sunday's Super Bowl, appears to have been a hoax threat, police said Friday. FBI agents and police were called to at least five hotels close to the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey, where 80,000 people are expected to watch the Seattle Seahawks battle the Denver Broncos. The FBI mobilized its joint terrorism task force and hazard materials units in response to the suspicious letters. The incident raised fears with US law enforcement officials already on a massive security deployment to protect the event, jittery after bomb attacks at the Boston Marathon last year.

Amanda Knox defiant after second murder conviction Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:36 PM PST By Susan Heavey and Naomi O'Leary WASHINGTON/FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters) - Amanda Knox vowed on Friday to fight her second conviction for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007 while the two were students together in the Italian university town of Perugia. Speaking on U.S. television a day after her conviction by a court in Florence, the 26-year-old American said she would never willingly return to Italy to serve the 28-1/2-year sentence handed down by judges. The family of the victim urged the United States to agree to extradite Knox if her conviction is upheld after a final appeal process expected to conclude in 2015. Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were both found guilty of killing the 21-year-old Kercher, who was found stabbed to death in an apartment the two young women shared in Perugia.

Dungy among 17 candidates for Hall of Fame Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:22 PM PST New York (AFP) - Tony Dungy, the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl, is among 17 finalists to be considered Saturday for election into the American Football Hall of Fame.

Activists: 1,900 killed in Syria during talks Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:21 PM PST BEIRUT (AP) — Fighting in Syria killed nearly 1,900 people, including at least 430 civilians, during the week of U.N.-hosted peace talks in Switzerland, activists said Friday. The death toll indicates that violence barely paused as the warring parties met but struck uncompromising stances, failing to reach any agreements that could help resolve the conflict.

Syria talks end first round, government not committed to return Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:19 PM PST By Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - A contentious week-long first round of Syrian peace talks ended on Friday with no progress towards ending the civil war and the government delegation unable to say whether it will return for the next round in 10 days. Darkening the atmosphere further, the United States and Russia clashed over the pace of Syria's handover of chemical arms for destruction. Washington accused Damascus of foot-dragging that put the plan weeks behind schedule, and Moscow - President Bashar al-Assad's big power ally - rejected this. The Obama administration said it was working with partners to ratchet up pressure on Syria to accelerate the process, but stopped short of threatening any action if Damascus did not get the chemical weapons deliveries back on track.

Obama presidential library search kicks off Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:19 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The formal process to build a library housing President Barack Obama's presidential records and artifacts began Friday with the formation of a new foundation, launched by top supporters with Obama's blessing, that will develop and build the monument to his legacy.

Cruise line cites fog, not illness, for return Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:16 PM PST HOUSTON (AP) — A cruise ship that had more than 180 passengers and crew fall sick with an apparent stomach virus returned to a Houston-area port early due to a dense fog advisory and not because people were vomiting and had diarrhea, a Princess Cruises spokeswoman said Friday.

Colo. mom acquitted of negligence in SUV deaths Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:26 PM PST GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — Jurors delivered a split verdict Friday for a western Colorado woman whose two sons died of overheating after she left them in a running SUV last winter.

Iowa fish launcher ensures dramatic eagle photos Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:14 PM PST LECLAIRE, Iowa (AP) — The photographers who line up at a Mississippi River lock to snap images of eagles are getting help from a man with a giant slingshot that flings dead fish into the open water.

American Christopher Horner joins Lampre-Merida Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:14 PM PST MILAN (AP) — Spanish Vuelta champion Christopher Horner has become the first American to sign for Italian cycling team Lampre-Merida.

FDA clears first drug for blindness sleep disorder Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:12 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators have approved a first-of-a-kind drug to treat a sleep disorder that mainly afflicts the blind.

Colo. mom aquitted of negligence in SUV deaths Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:12 PM PST GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — A jury has delivered a split verdict for a western Colorado woman whose two sons died of overheating after she left them in a running SUV last winter.

Ukraine repeals tough laws, army calls for 'urgent steps' Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:12 PM PST Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych scrapped controversial anti-protest laws Friday but faced calls from the military to take "urgent steps" to ease the ex-Soviet nation's worst crisis since independence. A leading protester reappeared with his face swollen and caked in blood, saying he had been tortured and dumped in a forest after vanishing more than a week ago, prompting condemnation from the European Union and the United States. The Ukrainian armed forces weighed in on the crisis for the first time, calling for Yanukovych to act urgently to stabilise the situation. Yanukovych, who has been on sick leave since Thursday, repealed draconian anti-protest laws passed earlier this month that had radicalised the two-month protest movement.

Foundation launches to plan Obama library Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:11 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The formal process to build a library housing President Barack Obama's presidential records and artifacts began Friday with the formation of a new foundation, launched by top supporters with Obama's blessing, that will develop and build the monument to his legacy.

Suspect in Utah deputy's killing was fugitive, 27 Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:10 PM PST SPANISH FORK, Utah (AP) — A man accused of killing one Utah deputy and wounding another was a fugitive who previously served 4 1/2 years in prison for attempted homicide, authorities said Friday.

3 Indians kidnapped at sea are rescued in Nigeria Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:07 PM PST LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — An official says Nigeria's military has helped rescue three Indian nationals who were kidnapped from a cargo ship off Equatorial Guinea and held hostage in Nigeria.

Keystone XL oil pipeline clears significant hurdle Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:05 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The long-delayed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada moved a significant step toward completion Friday as the State Department raised no major environmental objections to its construction. The finding is likely to be welcomed by Republicans and some oil- and gas-producing states but is sure to further rankle environmentalists already at odds with President Barack Obama over his energy policy.

Atlanta area slowly rebounding from winter storm Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed on Friday outlined steps he said he plans to take to improve the city's emergency preparedness after a winter storm brought the metro area to a halt.

RNC: $81M raised last year, $9M banked Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican National Committee raised almost $81 million last year and has $9 million banked for this year's elections.

Syria peace talks adjourn with no sign of progress Posted: 31 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST GENEVA (AP) — A tumultuous week of peace talks aimed at stemming Syria's bloodbath ended Friday with no progress to show and a lingering standoff over President Bashar Assad's future.

102-year-old cyclist sets world record Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:57 AM PST SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France (AP) — Age hasn't slowed cyclist Robert Marchand.

CDC: Norovirus caused cruise ship outbreak Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:57 AM PST BAYONNE, N.J. (AP) — Federal health investigators say lab tests have confirmed that norovirus was to blame for an outbreak on a cruise ship that sickened nearly 700.

Ukrainian opposition leader pushes for support Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:54 AM PST MUNICH (AP) — A Ukrainian opposition leader said Friday that his country needs more than "vocal support" from the West and that he would push at a security conference for more active involvement to help resolve the current political crisis.

NY judge OKs $8.5B Bank of America settlement Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:51 AM PST ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York judge on Friday approved most of the $8.5 billion Bank of America settlement over investor losses from mortgage-backed securities, concluding that trustee Bank of New York Mellon acted reasonably with one exception.

Catholic diocese to file for bankruptcy protection Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:50 AM PST HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena planned to file for bankruptcy protection Friday as part of a proposed $15 million settlement for hundreds of victims who say clergy members sexually abused them over decades while the church covered it up.

Ex-NY mayor Bloomberg named UN climate envoy Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:49 AM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg was appointed Friday to be the U.N. special envoy for cities and climate change, a position that will give the billionaire businessman and philanthropist an international stage to press for action to combat global warming.

U.S. says works with partners to raise pressure on Syria on chemical arms Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:49 AM PST By Mark Felsenthal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday it was working with partners to ratchet up pressure on Syria to accelerate removal of its chemical weapons after the United States accused it of deliberately stalling an international disarmament deal. The Obama administration stepped up criticism of President Bashar al-Assad's government as Secretary of State John Kerry was due to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Munich on Friday amid a U.S. push for Moscow to do more to win cooperation from its ally Damascus. Russia earlier rejected U.S. charges that Syria is dragging its feet on giving up chemical weapons, saying that a June 30 deadline to destroy Assad's arsenal of toxic agents remains viable despite delays. "Syria must immediately take the necessary actions to comply with its obligations," White House spokesman Jay Carney said at a briefing in Washington.

Volatility hits commodities as Fed cuts stimulus again Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:48 AM PST Commodity prices faced a choppy week as further stimulus tapering from the Federal Reserve and turmoil across emerging markets overshadowed solid fourth-quarter economic growth in the United States. The Fed said Wednesday that it will reduce its bond-buying or quantitative easing (QE) programme by $10 billion to $65 billion a month, citing a pick-up in the economy. OIL: New York prices rallied to the highest level so far this year on forecast-beating fourth-quarter economic growth in the United States, which is the world's biggest crude consuming nation. "US GDP figures boosted demand expectations of the world's biggest oil consumer," said Michael Hewson, analyst at traders CMC Markets UK.

Company tied to Rams owner Kroenke buys L.A. land Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:48 AM PST ST. LOUIS (AP) — A company tied to St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke has purchased a prime piece of land in the Los Angeles area amid speculation the NFL franchise is considering a return to the city it left for the Midwest nearly two decades ago.

Carroll and Fox enjoying Super Bowl moment Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:47 AM PST NEW YORK (AP) — As if they were enjoying a morning coffee together, Pete Carroll and John Fox fulfilled their final media obligations leading to the Super Bowl.

Cases may mean more than legal woes for Bieber Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:47 AM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Justin Bieber's court cases on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border could complicate the pop star's jet-setting ways as his troubles bring more scrutiny by judges and prosecutors,

Ukraine president signs amnesty but anger remains, currency slumps Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:44 AM PST By Richard Balmforth KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's embattled President Viktor Yanukovich on Friday signed into law an amnesty for demonstrators detained during mass unrest and repealed anti-protest legislation, in a fresh bid to take the heat out of the political crisis. But the move by Yanukovich, which demonstrated he remains politically active despite going on sick leave on Thursday, was not likely to be enough to end the sometimes violent anti-government protests on the streets of Kiev and other cities. And TV coverage of a prominent opposition activist showing marks of torture inflicted by mystery kidnappers - along with reports police tried to arrest the man in hospital - fuelled anger that has become so explosive that the army made a rare statement, calling for urgent moves to ease the tension. Many protesters rejected Yanukovich's amnesty outright, because it is conditional on occupied buildings being cleared of activists, and a radical Ukrainian nationalist group behind much of the violence pressed new tough demands on Friday.

Protests over Russian anti-gay law focus on Sochi Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:44 AM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Despite seven months of international outcry, Russia's law restricting gay-rights activity remains in place. Yet the eclectic protest campaign has heartened activists in Russia and caught the attention of its targets — including organizers and sponsors of the Sochi Olympics that open on Feb. 7.

Brands vie to stand out amid Super Bowl chatter Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:42 AM PST NEW YORK (AP) — If it's on TV, it's on Twitter, at least when it comes to blockbuster events such as the Super Bowl.

Exclusive: South Sudan rebel leader says government derailing peace talks Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:40 AM PST By Goran Tomasevic JONGLEI STATE, South Sudan (Reuters) - South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar accused the government on Friday of ethnic cleansing and trying to sabotage peace talks, in his first face-to-face interview since fighting erupted late last year in Africa's youngest nation. Dressed in dark green military fatigues and speaking to Reuters in his bush hideout, Machar branded President Salva Kiir a discredited leader who had lost the people's trust and should resign. "Salva Kiir has committed atrocities in Juba, he has engaged in ethnic cleansing and he is still involved in the process," Machar said. His comments highlighted the gulf between the sides, who are meant to resume their troubled peace talks in Ethiopia next week.

Powder mailed to sites near Super Bowl; 1 is inert Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:36 AM PST NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — White powder was mailed to businesses near the site of Sunday's Super Bowl, prompting an investigation by the FBI and other law enforcement. A federal law enforcement official said one of the envelopes contained baking soda.

Ukraine activist's story fuels torture squad fears Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:35 AM PST KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The bloody images of Ukrainian opposition supporter Dmytro Bulatov, who says he was abducted and tortured for more than a week, have fueled fears among anti-government activists that extrajudicial squads are being deployed to intimidate the protest movement.

Police: Woman put fecal matter in husband's IV Posted: 31 Jan 2014 11:35 AM PST CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) — An Arizona woman is accused of trying to kill her hospitalized husband by injecting fecal matter into his IV line, police in suburban Phoenix said Friday.

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Police: 9 family members killed in Ky. house fire

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• Police: 9 family members killed in Ky. house fire
• Ahead of Super Bowl, police target NYC sex ring
• Ukraine leader's sick leave prompts guessing game
• US prosecutors seek execution of marathon suspect
• Johansson steps down as humanitarian ambassador
• Politicians under fire as icebound U.S. South gets relief
• U.S. says results encouraging for healthcare delivery reforms
• Another $4M in outside money heading to Fla. race
• Family fight: GOP debates next move on immigration
• District apologizes after taking student lunches
• Knox in US as Italian court begins deliberations
• US says Syria must comply with chemical arms deal
• Doctors trying to bring Schumacher out of coma
• U.S. to seek death penalty for accused Boston Marathon bomber
• Toyota tells dealers to stop selling 6 models
• Scarlett Johansson, Oxfam part ways over politics
• Bruno Mars 'grateful' to perform at Super Bowl
• Hagel voices frustration with Afghan foot-dragging
• Exclusive: In diplomatic shift, Europe seeks improved ties with Cuba
• INSIDE WASHINGTON: Greens hit Obama on energy plan
• US stocks move higher, helped by Facebook, GDP
• Senate passes bill to delay flood insurance hikes
• Top Republican calls for boycott of MSNBC
• Iraq forces free hostages as January toll tops 900
• US to seek death penalty for accused Boston bomber 
• Police target NYC prostitution ring
• Militants assault government building in Baghdad
• Obama: Job training must reflect changing economy
• Chemical weapons watchdog discusses Syria mission
• Solid growth brightens economic outlook for 2014
• C.Africa rebels seize town north of Bangui, population flees
• NJ university offers course studying Beyonce
• Air Force: 92 implicated in nuke cheating scandal
• NASCAR creates winner-take-all championship format
• 20-term Democratic Rep. Waxman to retire
• Biting cold puts a freeze on restaurant business
• NYC agrees to stop-and-frisk monitor, reforms
• Lunches taken from Utah students who owed money
• As world ages, immigration seen as big boost to US

Police: 9 family members killed in Ky. house fire Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:53 PM PST GREENVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Eight children and their mother were killed in an early morning house fire in western Kentucky on Thursday, with only the injured father and an 11-year-old girl escaping, Kentucky State Police said.

Ahead of Super Bowl, police target NYC sex ring Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:51 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — New York law enforcement authorities cracked down Thursday on a prostitution ring that they said advertised on public access cable TV, took credit cards and used text messages to market "party packs" of cocaine and sex to clients.

Ukraine leader's sick leave prompts guessing game Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:51 PM PST KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Amid the deepest turmoil since the Orange Revolution, President Viktor Yanukovych's announcement Thursday that he was taking indefinite sick leave prompted a guessing game among Ukrainians about what was happening to their country.

US prosecutors seek execution of marathon suspect Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:49 PM PST BOSTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR' tsahr-NEYE'-ehv) in the Boston Marathon bombing.

Johansson steps down as humanitarian ambassador Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:46 PM PST JERUSALEM (AP) — Scarlett Johansson has parted ways with the international charity Oxfam because of a dispute over her work for SodaStream, a company operating in a West Bank settlement that features the Hollywood star in an ad that will air during the Super Bowl.

Politicians under fire as icebound U.S. South gets relief Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:45 PM PST By David Beasley ATLANTA (Reuters) - City and state leaders admitted missteps on Thursday in their handling of a rare ice storm that swept across the U.S. South, killing at least 14 people, snarling traffic and setting off a barrage of criticism from Atlanta residents. "I am a disappointed parent and taxpayer," said Stacy Shipman, 43, a corporate trainer in Atlanta. "Someone should have prepared the city for what a mass exodus of 1.2 million people would do to our travels." Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, a Republican running for re-election this year, angered many - including local meteorologists - when he described the storm late Tuesday as "unexpected." After the avalanche of criticism, the governor on Thursday took responsibility for the slow response and vowed to conduct a review aimed at improving procedures. "Our preparation was not adequate." Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, a Democrat who easily won a second term last fall, was mocked for his Tweet on Tuesday that said: "Atlanta, we are ready for the snow." In interviews on Thursday, Reed said government and school leaders shared responsibility for the errors.

U.S. says results encouraging for healthcare delivery reforms Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:42 PM PST By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration on Thursday reported what it called encouraging results from efforts to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of care for more than 5 million Medicare beneficiaries under Obamacare As part of President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law, the efforts center around more than 360 accountable care organizations (ACOs), which are networks of doctors, hospitals and other providers specially organized to help move Medicare away from traditional fee-for-service medicine. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said preliminary data show that the ACOs produced $380 million in savings vis-a-vis traditional Medicare in 2012 by giving doctors and other healthcare providers the incentive to focus on improved outcomes for patients instead of fees from tests and services. Medicare, the $575 billion government healthcare system for 51 million elderly and disabled beneficiaries, faces growing financial pressures as a result of America's aging population.

Another $4M in outside money heading to Fla. race Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:41 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Need proof outside money matters in this year's elections? Just look at spending this week.

Family fight: GOP debates next move on immigration Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:38 PM PST CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) — House Republicans wrestled with the outlines of immigration legislation on Thursday, sharply divided over both the contentious issue and the political wisdom of acting on it in an election year.

District apologizes after taking student lunches Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:35 PM PST SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah school district is apologizing after 32 elementary students in Salt Lake City had their school lunches thrown out because money was owed on their food accounts.

Knox in US as Italian court begins deliberations Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:34 PM PST FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — An appeals court in Florence deliberated into the evening Thursday in the third murder trial of U.S. student Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend as she waited a continent away with, in her words, "my heart in my throat."

US says Syria must comply with chemical arms deal Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:33 PM PST BEIRUT (AP) — The United States accused the Syrian government Thursday of using stalling tactics to delay efforts to remove and destroy chemical agents, an indication that the international community's patience is wearing thin over the slow pace of the operation.

Doctors trying to bring Schumacher out of coma Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:30 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Michael Schumacher's doctors have started trying to wake up the Formula One great from the medically induced coma he's been in since a skiing accident last month, his manager said Thursday.

U.S. to seek death penalty for accused Boston Marathon bomber Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:28 PM PST By David Ingram and Richard Valdmanis WASHINGTON/BOSTON (Reuters) - Accused bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev should be put to death if he is found guilty of planting bombs that killed three people and wounded 264 at the Boston Marathon last year, the U.S. government's chief prosecutor said on Thursday. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement that he was authorizing trial prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Tsarnaev, who is charged with committing one of the largest attacks on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001. Holder had faced a Friday deadline for deciding whether to seek the death penalty as part of Tsarnaev's upcoming trial in Boston. The decision drew fire from the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, which pointed out the case would be prosecuted in a state that had scrapped the death penalty decades ago.

Toyota tells dealers to stop selling 6 models Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:28 PM PST DETROIT (AP) — Toyota has told North American dealers to stop selling six popular models with heated seats because the fabric doesn't comply with U.S. safety codes and potentially could catch fire.

Scarlett Johansson, Oxfam part ways over politics Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:27 PM PST JERUSALEM (AP) — Scarlett Johansson has parted ways with the international charity Oxfam because of a dispute over her work for SodaStream, a company operating in a West Bank settlement that features the Hollywood star in an ad that will air during the Super Bowl.

Bruno Mars 'grateful' to perform at Super Bowl Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:27 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Before Bruno Mars performs in front of the biggest audience of his career at the Super Bowl, he talked about it in front of a much smaller crowd Thursday.

Hagel voices frustration with Afghan foot-dragging Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:27 PM PST WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Expressing growing U.S. impatience, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday he doesn't know what to believe about new assurances from Afghanistan that President Hamid Karzai is moving closer to signing a pact to keep American troops in his country next year as advisers.

Exclusive: In diplomatic shift, Europe seeks improved ties with Cuba Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:26 PM PST By Robin Emmott and Fiona Ortiz BRUSSELS/MADRID (Reuters) - The European Union will agree next month to deepen relations with Cuba in its most significant overture to the communist nation since diplomatic sanctions were lifted in 2008, people close to the matter told Reuters. Foreign ministers from the EU's 28 countries will give the go-ahead on February 10 to launch talks with Havana on a special cooperation accord to increase trade, investment and dialogue on human rights. "Cuba wants capital, and the European Union wants influence," said one person involved in the talks who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. "This cooperation could serve as a prelude to much more." Two other people with knowledge of the negotiations told Reuters that a consensus had been reached in Brussels to give momentum to the market-oriented reforms introduced under Cuban President Raul Castro and to position European companies for any transition to a more capitalist economy in the longer term.

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Greens hit Obama on energy plan Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:24 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is sticking to a fossil-fuel dependent energy policy, delivering a blow to a monthslong, behind-the-scenes effort by nearly every major environmental group to convince the White House that the policy is at odds with his goals on global warming.

US stocks move higher, helped by Facebook, GDP Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:21 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks moved higher Thursday as investors cheered strong earnings from Facebook and an encouraging report that the U.S. economy grew at a robust annual rate of 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter.

Senate passes bill to delay flood insurance hikes Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:20 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has easily passed a bill to delay premium hikes for years for hundreds of thousands of homeowners who buy flood insurance from the federal government.

Top Republican calls for boycott of MSNBC Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:17 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the Republican National Committee is urging GOP officials to avoid appearances on MSNBC because of what he called the network's "petty and demeaning" attacks.

Iraq forces free hostages as January toll tops 900 Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:11 PM PST Iraqi forces ended a hostage-taking at a Baghdad government building killing four militants on Thursday, as nationwide violence took January's death toll past 900 with elections looming. The brazen assault on a building in the northeast of the capital came as security forces grapple with intensifying violence and an extended standoff with anti-government fighters in the western province of Anbar. It is likely to raise fresh concerns about the capabilities of Iraq's security forces amid fears the April 30 general election could be partially delayed, as was the case for provincial elections in April 2013. Six militants wearing suicide vests initially attempted to storm the building, which houses offices of a state-owned firm, by blowing up a minibus rigged with explosives at the main gate, police at the scene said.

US to seek death penalty for accused Boston bomber  Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:09 PM PST The United States is to seek the death penalty for accused Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev if he is convicted of involvement in the deadly attack, Attorney General Eric Holder said Thursday. Three people were killed and around 260 wounded on April 15 last year when two bombs made of explosives-packed pressure cookers exploded near the finish line of the Boston marathon. Tsarnaev, then 19, and his 26-year-old brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev were cornered by police after a four-day manhunt.

Police target NYC prostitution ring Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:08 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — New York law enforcement authorities cracked down Thursday on a prostitution ring that they said advertised on public access cable TV, took credit cards and used text messages to market "party packs" of cocaine and sex to clients.

Militants assault government building in Baghdad Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:05 PM PST BAGHDAD (AP) — Gunmen and suicide bombers staged a brazen assault on a government building in Baghdad, officials said, killing two people in the latest such attack in the heart of the Iraqi capital by militants trying to undermine further the Shiite-led government's shaky authority.

Obama: Job training must reflect changing economy Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:04 PM PST WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — Stressing the importance of having job-training programs that work, President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered a "soup to nuts" review of federal workforce training initiatives and pledged to copy the most successful ones.

Chemical weapons watchdog discusses Syria mission Posted: 30 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United States on Thursday criticized Syria for its slow pace in moving chemical weapons out of the country for destruction, ratcheting up pressure on President Bashar Assad to cooperate with an unprecedented international chemical disarmament mission.

Solid growth brightens economic outlook for 2014 Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:56 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumers will spend more. Government will cut less. Businesses will invest more. And more companies will hire.

C.Africa rebels seize town north of Bangui, population flees Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:54 AM PST Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) - Fighters from the Central African Republic's Seleka rebel group violently seized a town north of the capital Bangui Thursday, sending terrorised civilians fleeing, according to military and diplomatic sources. A paramilitary police source told AFP a convoy of about 50 vehicles loaded with Seleka fighters surrounded Sibut on Wednesday night, committing atrocities against the population of the town about 180 kilometres (110 miles) north of Bangui. It was not clear where the Seleka fighters had come from, but it was unlikely to be from Bangui, where the presence of the convoy would have been detected along the main road by French and African troops stationed in the capital. And a contingent of Gabonese troops from the African Union-led peacekeeping mission MISCA has withdrawn from the town, both sources said.

NJ university offers course studying Beyonce Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:53 AM PST NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — Beyonce is one of the world's most scrutinized pop stars, and now that study is moving to academia.

Air Force: 92 implicated in nuke cheating scandal Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:50 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Air Force officials described a persistent culture of "undue stress and fear" that led 92 out of 550 members of the military's nuclear missile corps to be involved in cheating on a monthly proficiency test on which they felt pressured to get perfect scores to get promoted.

NASCAR creates winner-take-all championship format Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR overhauled its championship format Thursday, creating an elimination, winner-take-all system designed to reward "the most battle-tested" driver at the end of the season.

20-term Democratic Rep. Waxman to retire Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:26 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Henry Waxman, one of Congress' fiercest negotiators and a policy expert on everything from clean air to health care, will retire at the end of the year after four decades in the House.

Biting cold puts a freeze on restaurant business Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:26 AM PST TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — The homemade matzo ball and beef barley soups are lost on customers walking into Rascals' NY Deli — because there just aren't very many of them.

NYC agrees to stop-and-frisk monitor, reforms Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:26 AM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The new mayor on Thursday delivered on his promise to reform stop-and-frisk police tactics, agreeing to the appointment of a monitor and seeking to end a 14-year court fight that culminated in a judge's ruling that New York City had discriminated in carrying out the crime-reduction program.

Lunches taken from Utah students who owed money Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:12 AM PST SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Parents say about 50 elementary students in Salt Lake City had their school lunches thrown out because money was owed on their food accounts.

As world ages, immigration seen as big boost to US Posted: 30 Jan 2014 11:05 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are among the least likely to be concerned about retirement security, or to view the growing number of older people as a major concern, a new global study finds.

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