News Headlines (441) 29 December - 31 December 2013

ONLINE TODAY

► 29 December 2013 : Are you going to be meeting some new people, today? You need to take them at face value -- drawing conclusions too early or making any type of assumption about who they are or what they are about or what motivates them could take you a long way down the wrong track! Regard these other people as folks who have no hidden agendas, and everything will be fine. Give them the benefit of any doubts, because isn't that what you are hoping they're doing for you? Respect is a two-way street.

You may not like how today works out for you -- but there's some really important healing going on underneath the surface. Make sure that you're pushing back against your restlessness.

Try to share your emotions as much as you can today -- within reason, of course. You shouldn't divulge all your hopes and dreams to the person behind the counter at your local pharmacy, but you should let your sweetie know how good they make you feel sometimes. Put your energy where it will do the most good, and communicate what you really feel. Sometimes, the things that you are most afraid to say are the very things that need to be said the soonest.

► 31 December 2013 : You are in the calm eye of a gathering storm right now, and can sense that things are going to get a lot busier, soon. But instead of getting panicked about what is to come, be confident! You are more than prepared for the action that is about to go down, and it's important that you give off the air of being capable and ready to go -- other people are paying attention, and the energy you give off will influence how they feel about the coming days. You may step on one toe too many today -- but don't hold back! You need to speak your mind, even if other people are overly sensitive. You've got a whole new year to apologize, if need be!

A friend who has been missing in action for a really long time will pop back onto the scene today -- and boy, do they have a story to tell about their adventures! So before you get all indignant about being neglected, listen to what they have to say. Be a good audience and show them that all you want is for them to feel fulfilled in their life, not obligated to you. You're not a friend who keeps track of the hours they put into the relationship. That petty person is not you.

► SMH AU 28 December 2013 : Pussy Riot's latest protest: Mikhail Khodorkovsky for president

► AMERICANOWNEWS 27 December 2013 : Intel hires AZ prep prodigy whose cannon wowed president ||  ► HARDWARE 360° 27 December 2013 : Intel Hires 16 Year Old Prodigy

► HUFFINGTON POST 28 December 2013 : Gisele Bundchen Visits Teen Battling Cancer To Share Makeup Tips (PHOTOS)

► IFLSCIENCE 20 December 2013 : Origin of flowers has been discovered

► GIZMAG 24 December 2013 : Google's Schaft robot takes top spot at DARPA Robotics Challenge ||  ► COMPUTER WORLD 22 December 2013 : Japanese robot crushes rivals at DARPA challenge ||  ► IOL SCITECH 23 December 2013 : Robots to the rescue || ► SPACE 16 July 2013 : Two NASA Droids Set for Military Robotics Challenge  || ► Newstories: News Headlines (435) 10 December - 13 December 2013 / RUSSIA TODAY

► SCIENCEDAILY..com 22 December 2013 : Some Plants May Not Adapt Quickly to Future Climate Change ||  ► SCIENCEDAILY.net 22 December 2013 : Clues to how plants evolved to cope with cold.

I did not see with my own eyes how the results of their research, but what is clear is the name of this site is the same: ScienceDaily.. But, eh, actually they are the same or different? ... huwaaa ...

► SCIENCEMAG

■ 20 December 2013 : Science Shot: Why Men Dominate Happy Hour
■ 24 December 2013 : ScienceShot: When Whale Watching Turns Deadly
■ 19 Decmber 2013 : ScienceShot: Salt Under Pressure

► MICHELLE MALKIN 28 December 2013

■ Debbie Wasserman Schultz New Year's resolution: Convincing Republicans to stop disagreeing with Debbie Wasserman Schultz
■ Bloomberg-the-Humble: 'Literally saved 9,200 lives' during mayoral tenure

► NY TIMES 28 December 2013  : In Textbook Fight, Japan Leaders Seek to Recast History

► GUARDIAN 28 Decmeber 2013 : How Hollywood cloaked South Sudan in celebrity and fell for the 'big lie'

► DAILY MAIL

■ 20 December 2013 : Freed Russian oil tycoon Khodorkovsky lands in Berlin to visit his sick mother and shakes hands with top German diplomat who helped secure his release from prison
■ 22 December 2013 : I was stabbed in the face: Freed Russian tycoon reveals the horror of his 10 years in jail on 'politically motivated' fraud charges

► REUTERS 22 December 2013 : Freed Khodorkovsky challenges Putin over 'political prisoners'

► SCIENCEDAILY 23 December 2013 : Thousand-Year-Old Vineyards Discovered in Alava, Spain ||  ► LIVESCIENCE 27 December 2013 : Vintage Find: 1,000-Year-Old Vineyards Discovered in Spain

► MTV 28 December 2013 : Britney Spears Pours On 'Cheese' (And Glitter) For 'Piece Of Me' Las Vegas Kickoff

► NY DAILY NEWS 29 December 2013 : Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox flaunt toned bikini bodies on Mexican getaway  ||  ► DAILY MAIL

► HUFFINGTON POST 26 December 2013 : Anne Hathaway Leaves A Bag Of Dog Poop As A Present For A Paparazzo

► ABC NEWS 30 December 2013 : Switzerland Grants Visa to Russia's Khodorkovsky

► FORBES 30 December 2013 : Can Someone Call Mikhail Prokhorov on His Yacht and Tell Him His Nets Need Him?



► FOXNEWS 30 December 2013

■ The man Putin fears most -- why the free world must seek justice for Litvinenko
■ Russian terror attacks could be chilling prelude to Olympic violence, say experts
■ NYT editor defiant on Benghazi report amid lawmaker criticism

► BLOOMBERG 30 December 2013 : Why Is Putin Silent on Pre-Sochi Bombings?

► EURONEWS 30 December 2013 : Vladimir Putin issues new security measures in Russia after Volgograd bombings

► MEDICAL NEWS TODAY 28 December 2013 : Reading a novel triggers lasting changes in the brain :

► DAILY MAIL 30 December 2013  : Julia Roberts reveals she was once asked by a director to have her freckles 'taken off' because they looked 'dirty'

► FORBES 24 December 2013 : This Bugatti Belt Buckle Costs More Than The Chevrolet Corvette And Ford Mustang

► MIRROR 30 December 2013 : Keira Knightley quits Twitter after just 12 hours because it was like 'being in a school playground' || ► DAILY MAIL 29 December 2013 : 'It made me feel like I was standing in the school playground': Keira Knightley reveals invasive social media mentality made her  deactivate Twitter account... after just 12 hours


► EMIRATES 247 29 December 2013 : Dubai's NYE traffic master plan: Free bus rides; 24-hr Metro service  || ► ARABIAN GAZETTE 29 December 2013 : The Five best Places to watch the Fireworks in Dubai this New Year's Eve || ► GULF NEWS 25 December 2013 : Dubai aiming for fireworks world record on New Year's eve  || ► NATIONAL AE 29 December 2013 : Dubai sets out traffic plan for New Year celebrations  || ► GULF NEWS 25 December 2013 : Grand old man of UAE fireworks industry speaks as Dubai set for record show || ► NATIONAL AE 25 December 2013 : Dubai fireworks: Bangs don't get any bigger


► SLASH DOT 30 December 2013: The Rise of Hoax News

► NEWS & POLITICS : MUST SEE DOCUMENTARY BANNED BY PUTIN. BLOWING UP RUSSIA. Published on Apr 26, 2012 by ZENICA95



► GAMING : EVERYTHING I KNOW HAS CHANGED! - Default Dan. Published on Dec 27, 2013 by PewDiePie



► SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY : How Houdini DIED (in Slow Motion) - Smarter Every Day 108.  Published on Dec 26, 2013 by SmarterEveryDay



► ENTERTAINMENT : 47 Ronin Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Keanu Reeves, Rinko Kikuchi Movie HD. 47 Ronin Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Keanu Reeves, Rinko Kikuchi Movie HD. Published on Jul 24, 2013 by MOVIECLIPS Trailers

► Synesthesia 

► Rockets fired from Lebanon strike northern Israel: officials 

► Khodorkovsky's time - By John Lloyd
With his present fame and past record, Khodorkovsky could do much for Russia. His most valuable deed could be to confront the legacy of his class.

* Greenpeace activists leave Russia after Putin's amnesty

Ouch, ouch ouch .... There are three beats in the heart every time I see him in the news media. Ouch ouch ouch ... oh damn, he's really handsome! Aw damn, he already has a wife, oh damn .... and me, mmm ... also has ... uh dahling, you please stand to the side, okay? ehhhehe...Shh, I want to stare at him as long as I want and I love to read his face. Ehhhehe...

Russia, you have a great asset: a very nice man like Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Do not ever ignore him again. Khodorkovsky has the aura of a leader to Russia in the future.

Mmm .... uh, by the way, where is his wife? Why do not you preach about Khodokovsky wife since he was released from prison? Khosokovsky is a man who loves family life. And I (if I were his wife) am the first person who would hug him tightly when he got out of prison. And I deserve to be reported, for all my sacrifice because I had been waiting for him sincerely, faithfully, for 10 years of living alone. (No sex. No other man. Masturbation, sometimes,.. just when I really want you, but you're not here with me. Many sports. Worship. Charities. More skinny. Do not smoke, stupid! Mmm ... er, errata: haiyaaa ..., if you do worship well, stop masturbation, please? NOTE : Dear husband, we are both alone, but this equation will always make us feel being together all the time. Shananana. I'm just worried, can the time also makes part of a person's body away from the main body? Auww... And you, .... when you return, do you know which part of your body the most I looking for? Yes, that's it: Your penis. Shananana. Is it okay? Are you sure? In my naivete, I always think that time can do so much to the wholeness of a person's limbs. Mother gave birth to us with complete limbs, but then time and events could say anything else.)

Err, one more, mmm ... please let your head still bald, ok? That is the greatest charm of your appearance, and of course, the next is your dark eyes. Shananana. Your mobile phone number? Your Facebook page? And of course, you need a lot of publicity and keep in contact with your supporting media.

10 years in prison, ... and those old photo albums, .... Kovsky, mmm... do you have your recent photos? You look so handsome after coming out of prison. I am sure there are no useless thing in the world. If you are sincere and you do not grudge at what they do to you, you will receive all the blessings of what they have. Without them knowing it, their cruelty to others is the equivalent of the good that they throw out of their own self. And you get it.

I can see you. Putin's aura is within you. Putin did not merely liberate you, but without realizing it, he had bequeathed his kindness to you. Do not dismiss it. Please do not go. Do not go out of the political scene. Keep running your role well and be better. Mwah! Mwah!

[WARNING : strike your mwah mwah, Cisca! It is unproportional, you know!] ... ehehehe...

► Second blast in Russia's Volgograd, kills 14 - By Maria Tsvetkova
VOLGOGRAD, Russia - At least 14 people were killed when a bomb blast ripped through a trolleybus in the second deadly attack in the Russian city of Volgograd in two days.

* Video: Second deadly blast hits Volgograd
* Suicide bomber kills at least 16 at Russian train station
* Putin orders security measures after Russian train station blast
* IOC says it has no doubt over security at Sochi Games

► OPINION : Is the pope a socialist? - By Nicholas Wapshott
The election of Pope Francis has called into question the nearly 50-year alliance between the papacy and conservatives. His compassion for those less fortunate is so outspoken that some wonder if the pope is a socialist.

* Beyond the compelling gestures -By Martin E. Marty

► Best photos of the year 2013

► Three killed, hundreds arrested in Egypt clashes
► Female suicide bomber hits Russia train station
► Russia on alert after second deadly suicide bombing
► New Year celebrations across the world

► Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 14 in Russia's South ||  ► Raw: Aftermath of Russian Train Station Blast
► Formula One's Schumacher in Critical Condition

► NEWS

■ Removal of chemical weapons from Syria delayed: watchdog
■ Scientists Petition U.S. Congress for Return to the Moon
■ Benedict takes up Francis' invite for lunch
■ Obama faces smattering of protests on Hawaiian vacation
■ South Sudan: 'White Army' militia marches to fight
■ China says Communist Party leaders must not smoke in public, help colleagues quit
■ Switzerland grants Khodorkovsky three-month visa
■ U.S. concerned about threats to Sochi Olympics, offers help
■ Russia was most protectionist nation in 2013: study
■ Midas mechanic finds diamond ring lost for 6 years 
■ American History
■ Nazi-looted art found in German parliament: report

► SPORTS : Relive the Metrodome's most famous football moments, some are even fond Vikings memories

► MOVIES : New stills from Captain America: The Winter Soldier

► GRIND TV : 'Shark' that photobombed two children playing in the surf probably was a dolphin

► GOOD MORNING AMERICA

■ Tiny Recovering Chihuahua Nellie Steals Hearts on Instagram
■ Beyoncé: 'I wanted to show my body'. A clip shows the singer juggling motherhood and losing 65 pounds of baby weight for her sexy video and album. Beyonce Reveals Secrets Behind the Making of Her Chart-Topping Album

► SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT 11 November 2013 : New 'invisibility cloak' type designed - By James Morgan Science reporter, BBC News

► MIDDLE EAST : Cairo al-Azhar campus torched amid Egypt protests

► HEALTH : Quit smoking adverts highlight toxic risk to brain

I'm so happy with this kind of news.

► Happy new year? The world's getting slowly more cheerful

► FUTURE : 2013: The year in transport

► Russia's Mikhail Khodorkovsky granted Switzerland visa

► Burma political prisoners to be pardoned

► ANALYSIS : China blog - Which country is the biggest threat to world peace?

► Today's African Proverb : "An empty tin makes a lot of noise" - Sent by Hassina Malu in Malawi

Why are you beating it, hm? Leave it blank. And you: shut up, please?

► NSA: An Orwellian surveillance system gone global
► NSA has become a four-letter word in US
► Carnivorous fish attack in Argentina injures 70 bathers
► Russia launches upgraded Soyuz rocket
► Russian cosmonauts perform record-breaking spacewalk (VIDEO)
► Israel approves release of Palestinian prisoners, new housing tenders expected   
► Benghazi attack caused by anti-Muslim film, Al-Qaeda not involved - report
► Bahrain Shia opposition leader 'arrested' over anti-govt comments
► India's top bitcoin platform halts trade after state regulator 'security risks' warning
► Dozens of ex-Stasi staff remain employed at archives of Germany's former secret police
► NASA's twitchy bouncy roboball may explore Titan one day (VIDEO)
► At least 15 dead as blast rips through railway station in southern Russia
► US will cling to mass surveillance like nuclear weapons - Assange to RT
► Policeman dies shielding others in Volgograd suicide blast
► Consecutive Volgograd suicide bombing kills at least 14 (PHOTOS, GRAPHIC VIDEO)

► Putin named Times' International Person of the Year

I laughed to myself when I saw their expressions. I can not explain why I'm laughing, but this is a photo with their cute smiles.

Their smiles seemed to say to one another, "Oh, damn, it is not easy to be a leader! But anyway, let's say all difficulties with a smile. Smile! Can you smile? Yes, I can. You? Me? Sure. Well, how does my smile look? Your smile?... Mmm... mmm... it looks -too trying-to-look-natural, I guess. What? Natural? Do you think I do not know how to smile? I never say that, you know it. Know what? Smile. Yeah? How do you know that I know? I can see that, stupid! What? You say I'm stupid? You say I'm stupid? Yes. Your smile looks stupid, and so you do, ... ahhaha ...

► Volgograd railway station blast: LIVE UPDATES (14:50 GMT: Preliminary identified suicide bomber Oksana Aslanova. She has reportedly been on a wanted list since June 2012.)

► OP-ED

■ West should drop 'inconsistent approach' to terrorism after Volgograd bombings
■ 'Olympics, int'l events are attractive targets for terrorists'
■ The Year of Bitcoin

► Volgograd blasts follow same template as US, Syrian, Afghan attacks – Russia
► FAA announces locations for future drone testing sites
► Appelbaum: 'Scary' NSA will spy on you – every which way they can 
► Sun 'flips upside down' while reversing magnetic poles
► French telecom operator Orange threatens to sue NSA over cable tapping


► VIDEOS

■ RIP Privacy: US judge rules NSA program legal
■ Trapped: RT crew caught in Turkey tear gas mayhem
■ Cosmic video: Russian cosmonauts take record-breaking spacewalk
■ Atos Healthcare dragoons disabled back to work
■ Why You Should Care: NSA Talking Points (E42)
■ 'US, UK media are slaves of security apparatus' - Greenwald
■ Lawful Killers: Brits hooked on 'legal highs' as govt turns blind eye to dangers
■ 'Most UK media concertedly ignore Snowden revelations, under govt pressure'
■ The Truthseeker: Leaked US Regime Change Manual, Admits Ukraine's its 'Playbook' (E31)
■ Survival Struggle: Fast food workers earn blns for employers but can't feed themselves 
■ Caught on CCTV : Moment of Volgograd railway station deadly explosion
■ Terror in Volgograd: 'Blast very powerful, all standing nearby killed'

■ Just a (femto)sec! Dazzling spectrum of laser tech miracles (RT documentary). On this month's show, 2013 goes out with a bang as Christmas comes early for Moscow's young engineers. A unique method for securing diamonds sets the future of femto laser tech in stone. Just when you think everything has been done in instant messaging, a Hollywood director's brainchild changes everything. And an innovative wearable robot can trace its roots back to an ambitious plan in the 1970s to settle on Mars. Join us for the last Technology Update show of 2013!



■ GRAPHIC : Railway station in Volgograd after deadly suicide attack

■ Assange: Surveillance is new strategic weapon owned by single power (EXCLUSIVE). RT discusses WikiLeaks road movie 'Mediastan' with a special panel of guests, including film creator Julian Assange, journalist and director Johannes Wahlstrom, and Enayat Najafizada - a young Afghan journalist and one of the heroes of the movie. Our guests raise many questions about the film, including Snowden's revelations, Glenn Greenwald's role in the story, and the NSA's global surveillance program.



■ Man may have carried out Volgograd blast, earlier said to be female bomber
■ Volgograd trolley bus blast: Terror attack hits southern Russia day after railway station bombing
■ GRAPHIC: Aftermath of deadly blast on trolley bus in Volgograd 
■ Mission Sochi: Winter Olympics get security boost amid terror attacks
■ 'Volgograd bombings terror message to Russia's position on Syria'
■ CrossTalk: Remembering 2013
■ International Reaction: World leaders condemn Volgograd terror attacks

► Russian ship stranded in Southern Ocean
► Kremlin attempts to light up Moscow
► Talk to Al Jazeera : Aung San Suu Kyi: 'There is no rule of law'
► Inside Story : Arafat: Polonium no more?
► Listening Post : Producers' picks
► Counting the Cost : Counting the best of 2013
► Featured Documentary - 21Up South Africa - Part Two
► Inside Syria : Syria and the promise of 2014
► Extended interview: Seyed Hossein Mousavian
► Empire : Iran and the US: Diplomatic enrichment
► Inside Story : Iraq arrests: A crackdown on opponents?

► SYRIA : Assad Sends Message to Pope - Vatican sources confirmed that Syria's president had sent a letter to Francis, who had taken a personal interest in resolving the Syrian conflict

    * Popes Francis and Benedict Break Bread at Vatican

► LIBYA : 5 Takeaways From NYT Benghazi Investigation - Among the Times' findings is that there is no evidence that al Qaeda was involved in the deadly 2012 attack.

* Michigan, Maine Still Without Power After Storm - Outages move into their sixth day

► MENTAL HEALTH : Can Anxiety Cause Strokes? - New study links condition to nervousness

► SOUTH SUDAN : South Sudan's Widening Crisis - Why a ceasefire won't fix the new country's problems

► COMPUTERS : A 1984 Macintosh Built With LEGOs - A brick-by-brick recreation of the original Mac computer

► PSYCHOLOGY : How to Make 2014 Your Best Year Yet - This tested method is better than a New Year's resolution

► HEALTH CARE : Obamacare Hits 1 Million Mark

► WORLD : Al-Qaeda Keeps Better Records Than You - Terror group even recorded a 60¢ piece of cake

► RUSSIA : Ghosts of Munich Haunt Sochi - No Olympics in history has faced such a clear threat of terrorist attacks

► LIFE & STYLE : 5 New Year's Resolutions That Might Actually Work - For example: don't make a resolution to walk once a day — get a dog and commit yourself to daily walks for the next decade

► L.A. AFFAIRS :  In a downtown high-rise, a romance that couldn't be copied - By Laurence Roberts 
She worked on the ninth floor, he worked on the fourth floor of a downtown building. A broken copy machine inked the deal on their romance.

► OPINION: A love letter to the love letter

Haa ...This title is fun. Do the love letters love each other? For example: I send my love letter to him, and he sends his love letters to me. And we all become stressed ... ahahhaaa ..., I really like this stress. ehehehehe

► FRAMEWORK : Review: Nikon 1 AW1 adventure camera

► LOCAL : THE HIDDEN MAN - America saw Stephen Hill's face for 15 seconds.  It took him a lifetime to show it.

► ENTERTAINMENT

■ Keira Knightley sounds off on feminism and women in Hollywood
■ Carly Rae Jepsen is new 'Cinderella' on Broadway

ALAIN SORAL : My favorite bald guy 1

MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY : My favorite bald guy 2



► NEWS & POLITICS : BBC HARDtalk - Mikhail Khodorkovsky (24/12/13). In a special edition of HARDtalk from Berlin, Stephen Sackur speaks to Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Recently pardoned and released by President Putin, for ten years the former oil tycoon was Russia's most famous prisoner, after falling out with the president and paid the heaviest of prices. Now he is staying in a Berlin hotel, reunited with his family, and reflects on his past, present and future. Credits : Interviewed Guest - Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky. Presenter - Stephen Sackur. Published on Dec 24, 2013 by BBC HARDtalk



► NEWS & POLITICS : 17 часов на свободе. Интервью Евгении Альбац, The New Times с Михаилом Ходорковским. Published on Dec 25, 2013 by New Times



► PEOPLE & BLOG : Интервью The New Times с Михаилом Ходорковским. Часть первая. Освобождение.   ||  ► Интервью The New Times с Михаилом Ходорковским. Часть третья. Путин, Навальный, национализм. Published on Dec 21, 2013 by New Times


► NEWS & POLITIC : Пресс-конференция Михаила Ходорковского. Streamed live on Dec 22, 2013 by RT Russian

Russia: Skeptical. Germany: Pragmatic

For historical reasons, Germany and Russia are destined to have a special relationship. The success of the policy of reconciliation between former enemies of World War II in the last 15 years has helped, in turn, to reconcile the Europe post-cold war. During the crucial years of German reunification, German policymakers enthusiastically praised the constructive role played by the last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, and the first Russian president, Boris Yeltsin.

The good relations still continues until today. Polls show that the Russian elite considers Germany as a true friend and a prominent defender in the West. Moscow does not consider Germany -- a non-nuclear state -- becoming a geopolitical rival in the post-Soviet space as well as, for example, against the United States. Germany is the most important partner in Russia's foreign trade relations. German business lobbies enthusiastically praise the new opportunities in the Russian market. German industrialists want to be the Russia's main modernization partner.

After doing business with the Kremlin and through the political elite since the 1970s, Germany welcomed the strengthening of the state's role in Russian domestic politics, which could better ensure law and order and reduce crime and corruption. Correspondingly, the German elite enjoying their country's role as a liaison between the interests of Europe with Russia, especially in economics and often as a mediator between Russia and the United States.

But German intellectuals regard recent developments in Russia with the presence of the skepticism. Though the  political and economic relations between Russia and Germany seems is as usual,  but Russia's image in the German media may not be as bad as ever since the fall of Soviet Union.

Similar to the countries of North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, the countries in the former Soviet Union region, particularly around the Black Sea and the Caspian region have increased significantly and be the EU's new strategic environment. Countries in this region is undergoing a complex process of political and economic transformation. If the process of economic reform and liberal democratic failed in these countries, then the instability could hit the EU itself.

EU- Russia relations have to enter a number of specific issues, including energy interdependence, different values and the future of the countries of the former Soviet region. German policy makers are seeking policies that can promote business success by engaging Russia on liberal reforms, and encourage the growth in the countries of former Soviet region.

Berlin was frustrated when the EU failed to address the developments in the eastern part of the continent of Europe in an appropriate manner. France, Spain, and Italy have traditionally emphasized the pro- Mediterranean approach within the European Union. The European Union has failed to include Russia and the former Soviet republics in a wider European context. The EU decision to avoid the term "to expand Europe" and put countries like Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan as "strategic environment " as well as Egypt, Morocco, and Libya has led to frustration and a feeling of neglect among pro - Western elites in the post-Soviet space. It seems Germany should take on the role of mediator for eastern European neighbors .

After Chancellor Willy Brandt did rapprochement to improve relations with East Germany, Poland, and the Soviet Union during the 1970s, Chancellor Helmut Kohl in the 1990s took the lead in designing Russia's role in Europe in the future. German policy regarding Russia in 1991-2005 designed to incorporate Russia into the larger European architecture. Kohl's always friendly to the desire of the former Soviet countries wishing to join NATO because he was afraid of provoking a negative reaction in Russia. German leadership has been the strongest advocates for the acceptability of Moscow in the debt negotiations in Paris and London Clubs as well as in formal arenas such as the G-7 and the World Trade Organization (WTO). When the post-Soviet Russia began to experience severe economic problems in the 1990s, Germany appeared as a financial lender.

Together with France, its main ally in Europe, Germany has begun a summit between French-German-Russian on a regular basis since 1997. Troika meeting is intended to allow a strategic partnership with Russia on European economic and security issues when other European countries are still not ready. The partnership is designed to make Moscow feel that although it's not a member of the European Union or NATO, but it's not excluded from decision-making in Europe.

In this regard, Russia has made several attempts to integrate itself into the new European order. In October 1999 the EU summit held in Helsinki, Finland and at the time of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin proposed to enhance the strategic cooperation between the EU and Russia. Putin then began his presidency with a concrete proposal to incorporate Russia in European security and economic architecture of the 20th century. When Gerhard Schroeder became Chancellor of Germany, he started a broad energy dialogue which almost developed into a strategic energy alliance between the EU and Russia in 2005. In his speech to the Reichstag in September 2001, Putin proposed the merger of major energy resources of Siberia with technology over the European Union. In 2002 he proposed the abolition of the visa regime between Russia and the European Union.

The European Union responded to Putin's offer carefully and formulates a step by step approach through cooperation in four areas, namely foreign, economic, domestic security, and cultural issues, but only a little real progress has been achieved.

During the Cold War, the European Union's ambition to conduct an economic union consisting of countries which share their goals above the interests of the same community. After the Cold War, the EU has developed into a community of values ​​and laws, and Russia does not understand this change immediately. Russia may have been able to align itself more closely with Europe within the framework of mutual strategic interest. Given the difficult transition to democracy and a market economy with the rule of law, however, Russia has not been able to incorporate itself against the civilization based on EU's liberal values​​. As a result of this discrepancy, Russia became increasingly frustrated with the EU.

Progress has been made in the field of economic cooperation. Shortly before the Chancellor's final term in 2005, Schroeder made ​​a deal in construction of Russia-Germany gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea. When it is finished, the track will make Germany into a major distributor of Russian gas in Europe. Pipeline project -- which is then criticized by Poland and the Baltic states -- will reduce the existing gas transportation monopoly of the transit countries, such as Poland, the Baltic states, Ukraine, and Belarus. Overall relationship between the EU and Russia soured in 2006. Russia started using gas exports as a political tool, raised the prices and cut off the supplies to its nearest neighbor. Russia refused to ratify the Energy Charter, which would put the Russian pipeline system under the international supervision.

Fearing that they could be the target of geopolitical extortion, Europeans have decided to diversify their reliance on energy exports from Russia. In its turn, the Russian authorities have threatened to divert their energy cooperation in Asia if the EU rejects the Russia's deal.

In 2006, the European Union summit in November in Finland, Germany, under Schroeder enthusiastically supported the idea of energy alliance with Russia, saying such cooperation would create the preconditions for a free trade zone in the future between the EU and Russia. Given Russia's aggressive actions against energy depends on the state of Europe, Germany and other EU countries began to fear the Cold War would happen again.

Indeed, this tough stance shows Moscow desire to challenge the status quo of the European energy policy. Russia wants to see its strength as a supplier of energy rises in the face of consumer countries. The Russian authorities also want to rewrite the conditions for the involvement of foreign companies in the Russia energy sector. Existing mechanisms provide -- in view of Moscow -- too many privileges to foreign companies and discriminate the domestic companies.

Foreign Minister Frank - Walter Steinmeier, who previously served as head of the Schroeder administration, had suggested that Europe involving Russia and former Soviet countries. Steinmeier version foresaw the continuation and deepening energy ties with Russia and Central Asia. He had criticized the idea of ​​Poland to establish a Western energy alliance. The minister, though critical of the review shortcomings of Russian democracy, understood the importance of cooperation with Russia over the issue of international terrorism, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and security issues such as illegal migration and drug trafficking. As the former of Schroeder 's right hand, Steinmeier was responsible in designing cooperation with Russia along the four general areas above. He shared sympathy with Schroeder for the EU - Russia's strategic alliances and understood that the Kremlin had to do a recentralization of decision-making in the energy sector to dismantle the systematic robbery over Russian resources. Steinmeier thought that the failure to involve Russia could lead to Russia united with China facing the West.

Steinmeier's ministry has developed an approach to Central Asia and the Caucasus : the energy cooperation , transfer of democracy , and possible solutions to resolving the conflict in Transdnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno - Karabakh. In the energy sector, Germany attempts to diversify its imports from Russia by supporting the incorporation of the producing countries and the Caspian / Black Sea with transit countries, a common European energy alliance in which the exporting countries, transit countries and consumer countries to act according to the established agreements. Steinmeier main focus is directed to open new doors for economic cooperation as a step towards the creation of a free trade zone between the EU and the countries of the post - Soviet space. Germany wants to deepen economic cooperation with EU countries along the ancient Silk Road and encourage the countries to regional cooperation, thus making in the countries of the former Soviet region in the southern region as a bridge between the EU and ASEAN.

In the subsequent period, German Chancellor Angela Merkel (since 2005) to fully appreciate the business opportunities the German and European in Russia's market economy which is growing rapidly in Russia. She remains committed to a strategic partnership between Germany and Russia, particularly on energy issues. Having grown up in East Germany during the Soviet occupation, Merkel is skeptical about the prospects for Russia  democracy as well as their human rights record and she seems to share a lot of anti-Russia sentiment in countries of the former Soviet region. As a result, Merkel takes a cautious approach and pragmatic cooperation with Russia and countries of the former Soviet region.

Russia and Central Asia are posed as Merkel's agenda in EU's internal or G-8. Merkel needs the support from all European Union member states and she worries that Russian policy is too tight will raise tensions with the United States and Poland and as well as other European countries. Merkel worries if the ambitious agenda to include the countries of former Soviet Union will provoke the unnecessary tensions, when the West need Russia as a strategic partner in Iran, North Korea, and the Middle East. Merkel has ambitious targets to fight the international terrorism, maintaining the peace in Afghanistan, in the Middle East, and Africa, to prevent the Iran's nuclear bomb, and addressed the problem of Kosovo's independence. Merkel wants to tackle this issue and demonstrates her leadership in Europe when French and English facing leadership changes.

Although she will not actively to engage Russia, Merkel can not completely ignore Russia, given the EU 's dependence on Russian energy supplies. Merkel uses a pan-European consensus in order to convince Russia to ratify the Energy Charter that will control the energy transport network with the European Union, and gives equal rights to the EU energy companies in Russia market, in front of the domestic firm.

Considering the interests of the countries in the former Soviet region, then the  EU enlargement may be discontinued for many years after the entry of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007. Ukraine has high hopes for Merkel, and Georgia is expected to receive more support from Berlin in support the EU peacekeeping mission to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The countries of post-Soviet require more Western support actively in building a social system of the market economy. With the uncertainty about the political future of EU, Merkel can not make a lot of promises to the neighboring countries in eastern German. There is a concrete gesture that Russia will block any proposal of Germany to unite the countries of former Soviet region. Russia will not agree to build a new gas pipeline in the Caspian region that will interfere with the territory of Russia, and Russia is reluctant to share the responsibility for the peace maintenance in the countries of former Soviet Union.

Merkel will concentrate on building a general consensus outside the European Union and security policies in the EU member states and carefully to avoid indication of the existence of a special relationship between Germany and Russia. Merkel does not want to be accused to approve Russia policy over the countries of central and eastern Europe. Meanwhile, Steinmeier will probably make his several trips to countries in the former Soviet territory during the German leads the EU to initiate a broad dialogue with Russia, Ukraine, and other countries related to the foreign policy and security.
***
(CZ-lacalifusa122813)

So, in the case of Khodorkovsky, Merkel is just like an aunt who happily welcomes the arrival of his nephew by saying, "Oh, dear, you come at the invitation of me!" whereas, she knows for sure, his nephew is in trouble with his ​​mother. (So, "Dear Aunt" Merkel, please do not be flirtatious. Russia is anti flirty, you know? ehhehhe... )

Marginal Note 102503

The extreme people are usually interesting. But moderates are usually closer to the truth.

A philosophy teacher was saying it with a flat tone, then silence. The students grinned. The man at the front of the lecture hall was not alluring. Not fiery. Just a little reassuring. Especially if as he described one chapter on epistemology, he interspersed the atmosphere with songs from the Blue Angel.

But only that. Another thing, he deserved to be forgotten. He liked humor but he was less sexy.

Indeed there's a bland image of the people who believe in truth in the truth of utterance, "The best thing of a case is when it is in the middle."

Yes, tasteless, colorless people. Not firm. Compromise. Do not have a target for siding with one pole being confronted.

In the period which requires the pounding feet and the crackle of molars in a hot and dreary period to mind raging, back and forth like electrified lightning, moderation is often regarded as effeminate. And "sissy" is something disgusting, especially for those who enjoy the virility. Or moderation regarded as an intellectual typical inaction which is always enough to be insulted by those who love the "action".

Such future ever exist in a few thousand days ago. Around the American youth protest movement, the word "radical" has become a handsome stamp. Thanks to the extensive publicity, because the American mass media hegemony, almost the entire world young scholars recognize the word's prestige. Also the attractiveness of the spirit of "New Left".

If you do not believe, come to the seminar readings. Typically, in this spirit, the United States is condemned such as "Satan's World" to anything close to America as a "pawn", or "comprador", and to what is hostile to America (eg Hanoi or Khmer Rouge) is regarded as a hero. Distaste for America also related to lifestyle issues that are not always healthy. So, this is sort of a new feature of progressive-minded intellectuals: they praise the simplicity of life in China under Mao Tse-tung.

But a few thousand days later Mao Tse-tung died. Hanoi won. Khmer Rouge came to power and an American president elected from the village to talk about "human rights". In Africa, there's Cuban army with "Che" Guevara's beret. Foreign forces. In the Soviet Union a number of scholars punished. In the Southeast Asian sea, hundreds of unfortunate people risking their lives for the better evacuate from Vietnam. And about Cambodia.

With so quickly, many things are so urgent to be an afterthought. Those who used to be amazed when they heard Chinese people pounding the mountain without material self-interest, now they feel the need to formulate an attitude again when they know that in Peking, color TV sets had been sold. Those who had applauded for Khieu Samphan, now have to ask what gives the right to Khmer Rouge to destroy so many human and silencing Cambodia.

Is not this the return of moderation in the attitude of thinking? By the time we review the position, assessment and our review about the happenings in the world around us, then inevitably we shall briefly receded from the firm stance, obviously, not in the middle. But it seems it is not a hollow gesture, because if there's something selected, then it is a basic choice: the courage to think freely. Not just dare to face the opponents mind of those we think are fools -- if we want to -- but dare to face the conclusion of a friend who has the same understanding and ourselves, who often feel smart.
***
(CZ-lacalifusa030109)

An inspiring profile today
MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY



Ouch, ... tell your dad to stop smoking!





■ KHODORKOVSKY 22 February 2013 : Mikhail Khodorkovsky Answers MK Karelia Questions

■ KHODORKOVSKY 12 March 2013  : Khodorkovsky – Sobchak. Personal Correspondence. Part One

■ KHODORKOVSKY 1 July 2013 : Mikhail Khodorkovsky:  "Family — The Most Important Thing a Person Has" ||  ■ Part 2 : Mikhail Khodorkovsky: "It Is Hard to Imagine the Possibility of Release: Ten Years in Jail is No Laughing Matter" || ■ Part 1 : Mikhail Khodorkovsky: "I Do Not Believe That Vladimir Putin is Ready to Carry Out Mass Repression"

■ KHODORKOVSKY : F & Q

■ NY TIMES 20 December 2013 : Freed Abruptly by Putin, Khodorkovsky Arrives in Germany 

■ THE ECONOMIST 23 December 2013 : Mikhail Khodorkovsky - In from the cold 

■ GUARDIAN 26 December 201 : Russian court to review £335m fine given to Mikhail Khodorkovsky - Court's move may cut jail term imposed on fellow Yukos owner Platon Lebedev, who was also sentenced to 10 years in prison 

■ INTERPRETERMAG 23 December 2013 : Mikhail Khodorkovsky: "I Will Return to Russia" || ■ 26 December 2013 : Khodorkovsky: Putin Sent a Message That He's Stable and Not Afraid

To Nadia Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina:
Dear girls,
I know that the last months have been a living hell for you, and I am happy to learn that this torture, unworthy of a European country in the 21st century, has ended. Releasing political prisoners makes those in power at least a little more humane. What is probably most important for you now, is to find the strength not to keep any hatred and anger in your hearts, after your ordeals of imprisonment.
Congratulations!
Mikhail Khodorkovsky

That's it! That's it! That's what I caught from his eyes a few days.

Dear Mikhail Borisovich,
We sincerely congratulate you on your release! For us, who were still children when you were imprisoned, your release is an extremely important event. During the two years that we spent in prison, your support was incredibly important to us. The time that we spent behind bars leaves us not full of anger, but rather, compelled to act. It is our duty now to make sure that “human rights' will cease to be an empty phrase for other political prisoners. We believe that together with you, we would be able to use our experience gained within the Russian prison system to set off a chain reaction of positive developments in the field of human rights in our country. We would be honored to work co-operatively with you in the future to protect these human rights. We send our best wishes for continued success and achievement to you as you enter this big, newfound world.
Masha and Nadia

Khodorkovsky predicted Russian poverty, said the worst of the prison, and explained how to deal with Stalin.

■ J POST 26 December 2013 : Column One: Khodorkovsky and the freedom agenda

■ RUSSIA TODAY 22 December 2013 : Khodorkovsky: I'm not interested in power or lost Yukos assets, but care about people 
  ► NEWS &  POLITICS : Khodorkovsky Press Conference (Full). Breaking News - Germany, Berlin. December 2013. Published on Dec 22, 2013 by blazekomrad



► NEWS & POLITICS : Mikhail Khodorkovsky - The Man Who Believed He Could Change Russia. The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice presents: The Man Who Believed He Could Change Russia. Interviews from Katrina Lantos Swett, Pavel Khodorkovsky, Prof. Elie Wiesel, Lyudmila Alexeyeva, Karinna Moskalenko, Arseny Roginsky, and Yulia Latynina. Uploaded on Feb 13, 2012 by LantosFoundation  

► Khodorkovsky - A Decade Behind Bars. October will mark the tenth year that Mikhail Khodorkovsky has spent behind bars. Once Russia's richest and most successful businessman, he was arrested and imprisoned a decade ago, on charges that many regard as politically motivated. Since then he has faced new charges extending his sentence and although he is due for release in August 2014, doubts remain about whether this will take place.

We will be examining the Khodorkovsky case and, following the charges against Alexei Navalny, we will be looking at the wider issue of imprisonment of opposition figures in Russia. Will the ramping up of protests and support for Alexei Navalny force a change in the conduct of Russian politics?

A selection of Khodorkovsky's writing will be adapted for an exclusive performance on the night, directed by Noah Birksted-Breen, the artistic director of the Sputnik Theatre Company. Birksted-Breen has previously directed a production of Elena Gremina's play One Hour and Eighteen Minutes, dealing with the death of renowned Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky. More information on Birksted-Breen and the Sputnik Theatre Company can be found here: sputniktheatre.co.uk. It will be performed by Jonathan McGuinness, who is currently appearing in The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas at the Royal Court Theatre.

Chaired by Edward Lucas, the international editor of The Economist and author of Deception: Spies, Lies and how Russia Dupes the West. He has covered Russia and Central and Eastern Europe for more than 20 years.

The panel:
Sir Tony Brenton is a former British Diplomat, he served as Ambassador to Russia from 2004-2008. In 2009 He became a Fellow of Wolfson College Cambridge and is currently writing a book on Russian history.

Ben Judah reported for Reuters in Moscow before joining the European Council on Foreign Relations in London as a Russia analyst. He is currently a visiting fellow at the European Stability Initiative and is author of Fragile Empire: How Russia Fell in and Out of Love with Vladimir Putin.

Tonia Samsonova is a foreign correspondent working for Russian radio station Echo Moskvy, she is also a host on TVRain, an independent online TV channel. In 2013 she moved to London to investigate Russian corruption.

Streamed live on Oct 23, 2013 by FrontlineClubLondon



► EDUCATION - Russian Godfathers 1: The Fugitive || ► Russian Godfathers 2; The Prisoner. || ► Russian Godfathers 3 : The Politician. Uploaded on Jan 22, 2012 by Ethan Glover



► NEWS &  POLITICS : The Rise of Putin and The Fall of The Russian-Jewish Oligarchs Part 1 &  2

This documentary outlines the rise and fall of the Russian-Jewish oligarchs after the fall of the Soviet Union. The reason why this period in history is important is because it delivered to us and into the political arena, Vladimir Putin, the now Russian President, and the antidote to President Obama who's serving on behalf of Zionist Jewry and their total control of the United States of America. Had this not taken place, the world we live in would now have been very different with possibly more wars and conflicts and we would be further in the grip of International Jewry.

President Vladimir Putin is truly remarkable because he, and he alone, thwarted Zionist Jewry and the U.S. puppet president Obama in their attempt to overthrow the Syrian government thus changing the geopolitical climate in the Middle East in favor of Israel, as was Iraq, and allowing for a future invasion of Iran.

One need only to look at the countries and presidents the U.S. boycotts and criticizes to figure out who Zionist Jewry are targeting and then everything will fall into place. Putin has been compared to Hitler for a variety of reasons, one because he won't allow the West to meddle in Russian affairs and try to change the political and social climate through "democratic revolutions" or challenging authority through "human right campaigns" aimed at legalizing homosexual Gay Pride parades which outrage the people, but mostly because he revived his country out of the rubble that Jewish Bolshevism created, which even Putin himself admits was Jewish

Putin: First Soviet government was mostly Jewish

Of course the Jews, as usual, claim Putin perpetuates this as an "anti-semitic lie"

Putin Perpetuates Antisemitic Lie of First Soviet "Mostly Jewish"

But what happened to the Jewish oligarchs after Putin became president? Berezovsky was exiled and allegedly committed suicide, Khodorkovsky rots in prison at this very moment, others fled to Israel or the West, but people like Abramovich stayed and were most likely forced to pledge allegiance, not to International Jewry, but to Russia as loyal law-abiding citizens.
And as for the Jewish community in Russia, at some point in time it was made clear to them that there would be no conspiring with their tribal brethren in the West to meddle with the affairs in Russia and they had to declare their allegiance to the country as well as is suggested by this article:

Russian Chief Rabbi Tells Jews To Back Off on Criticizing Vladimir Putin

We can only look to the future with hope and keep our eyes and ears open and most importantly, inform people on what's happening and why it's happening, and one day we'll also be able to put a president like Putin to power! Published on Oct 20, 2013 by Sir Daniel Nonfaultson



► NEWS & POLITICS : Ex-tycoon Khodorkovsky found guilty in second trial. Former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been found guilty of stealing oil and laundering the proceeds. It's among the verdicts being delivered during his second trial in Moscow. The former head of the oil giant Yukos is already in prison for tax evasion and fraud. Uploaded on Dec 27, 2010 by RT

News Headlines (440) 27 December - 28 December 2013

ONLINE TODAY

► You are feeling the holiday spirit still -- so get out there and volunteer, or at least lift the spirits of someone close who's got the blues. The karma you earn is just the icing on the cake! Spending hours reflecting on your own life isn't selfish -- it's essential, especially right now. You might want to keep things lighthearted for the sake of the social situation, but that just isn't necessary! The people you'll be with will totally understand if you need to be a little bit introspective, today. You can get wild and crazy some other day, when you feel like it. Right now, follow your mood. If it tells you to stick to yourself, then do so.

► ECONOMIST 21 December 2013 : Studying the things of God

► MEDICAL NEWS TODAY 23 December 2013 : A tomato-rich diet may reduce breast cancer risk, study shows

► HOLLYWOOF LIFE 26 December 2013 : Roger Federer & Wife Expecting Third Child — Congrats

► THE VERGE 27 December 2013 : NASA's next robot rover squishes like a child's toy

► CODING HORROR 18 October 2013  : You Don't Need Millions of Dollars

► L.A. DAILY NEWS  27 December 2013 : Eric Garcetti brings change in style to L.A. mayor's job

► EDUCATION : NEW! LLP & Alain Soral : Satan et Dieu (Salim Laïbi - Le Libre Penseur) Version Etayée. Published on Oct 27, 2013 by VoyageSpirituel

► // ArtFX OFFICIEL // Reverso



► INSPIRATIONS

► Inside the campaign to free Khodorkovsky - By Michelle Martin and Lidia Kelly
BERLIN/MOSCOW - How Germany's behind-the-scenes negotiations helped prompt Russian President Vladimir Putin to release the jailed former oil tycoon ahead of the Olympics.

Oh, really? How stupid I am! I think Putin freeing Khodorkovsky because ... mmm ... maybe you want to participate as an ice skater, Kovsky? ehehhehe... Mrs. Merkel, what are you doing anyway?

► Computer games may help older adults walk easier

► Four killed, scores wounded in clashes across Egypt

► Big year ends with Wall Street hopeful for 2014

► Beirut bomb kills Lebanese ex-minister who opposed Assad

► NSA wins phone surveillance challenge - By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK - A U.S. judge ruled the National Security Agency's program that collects records of millions of Americans' phone calls is lawful, rejecting a challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union.

* Mobile carriers failed to use tech fixes to thwart spying: expert
* Mission accomplished, says Snowden: Washington Post

► First Greenpeace activists get visas to leave Russia || ► Six more Greenpeace activists leave Russia 

► Russia's Pussy Riot calls for Putin to go

Go? Ask Putin to go? Go where, Pussy? To see me? Ehehhe ... I would be happy to affirm it. Yes. Yes. Mmmm ... May I, dahling?

Ouch, what it's like traveling alone with this handsome widower of Russia?

► Pussy Riot Speaks Out Against Putin, Prison

► NEWS

■ Inside Germany's campaign to free Khodorkovsky
■ Russian experts rule out radiation poisoning in Arafat death 
■ Health care tactics split Republican Senate rivals
■ Pussy Riot still wants to topple Putin
■ Pussy Riot want Putin out, Khodorkovsky in power

Haiyaaa ...They're tapping, staking my heart or ... what?

Last night I dreamed I saw Khodokovsky. (Saturday, 28 december 2013). This is not unusual. Perhaps because there is something in him after he got out of prison. More cool thing is, he's bald. Ahem ahem. And he's more suited to his bald head. Classy.

I've said what my heart said a few days ago. Do not let Khodorkovsky go out from Ruusia political scene.

But one thing, if he is capable to replace Putin, then do it by constitutional means. Mobilizing the masses to be bloodshed just to channel the people aspirations  to the legitimate government is not characteristic of graceful Russia.

Putin actually has a soft heart. He is quite argumentative and has a pretty good sense of the religious. So, do not be brutal and unconstitutional. Tell your aspirations beautifully, then the result will also be beautiful.

And you, Kovsky, get ready! Mwah.

■ No regrets say Greenpeace Arctic activists after UK return
■ Is Andrew Johnson the worst president in American history?
► AUTOS : Realizing dreams, souls and tire smoke in a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster 

► OMG! : What Sexy Gift Did Kanye Give Kim for Christmas?

I asked my partner to not spoil me by giving items. I was bored with such rituals. I did not find any meaning of expensive gifts. Why do not you ask me what he bought for me at Christmas? And what I gave to my baby and him?

Ehhehhe... it's not important for public gratification, Cisca!

► Yasser Arafat died of natural causes - Russian report

► Obama signs two-year cross-party budget bill

► 100 things we didn't know last year

► FUTURE

■ 2013: The year in wildlife
■ 2013: The year in design

► HEALTH : Diabetes risk 'from Neanderthals'
A gene variant that seems to increase the risk of diabetes in Latin Americans appears to have been picked up from Neanderthals, a study suggests.

* Neanderthal genes 'survive in us'
* Ancient humans interbred with us
* Neanderthals 'could speak like us'
* Mystery early human revealed in DNA

► Today's African Proverb : "If you wait for food to cool, you will eat with visitors" - A Luhya proverb sent by Josephat Chengole Mulindo, Nakuru, Kenya

► Okinawa governor approves relocation of US airbase within prefecture 
► NSA can easily find individuals hidden in metadata - study
► US secretly sends Hellfire missiles, drones to Iraq
► Online privacy demands global action, just as with apartheid - UN human rights chief
► Court returns case against Russian leftist leader Udaltsov to prosecutors
► OP-ED : Diplomatic row: US thinks India is a banana republic
► Saudi blogger may face death penalty for apostasy
► Greenwald: US, British media are servants of security apparatus
► Royal pardon: Bahraini court acquits princess accused of torturing doctors
► US govt's wanton approval of harmful pesticides fueling 'bee holocaust' - lawsuit
► US judge rules NSA phone surveillance program is legal 
► RT crew caught up in tear gas in Istanbul as police crack down on anti-govt protest 
► Swartz, Fracking, Manning, GMO: 13 most underreported news stories of 2013

► VIDEOS

■ Muslim Brotherhood declared terrorists: 'Expect more bloodshed in Egypt'
■ Will to Win: Victory fever in paralympic league morphs tragedy into purpose
■ Lethal Aid: US arms Iraq to fight Al-Qaeda
■ Death for Denouncing Islam? Saudi blogger, father of 3 may face execution. Saudi blogger and activist, Raif Badawi, currently serving his 7-year prison term for "insulting Islam", may soon appear in a higher court on graver charges of apostasy. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to death.
■ Deadly explosion rocks Beirut near parliament building
■ Horrific! Highly addictive 'zombie drug' wreaks havoc
■ 'Snowden showed us world sleepwalks into Orwellian horror' - ex-intelligence officer

► 101 East : Scars of Sri Lanka
► Inside Story : Turkey fraud probe: Tip of the iceberg?

► SOUTH SUDAN : South Sudan's Widening Cracks - A ceasefire negotiated on Friday cannot paper the instability in the new African nation following a recent round of deadly violence

* In S. Sudan, S. Korea Solicits Ammo From Japan

► FUTURE OF RETAIL : E-Cigarettes on the Rise - Why this market is so controversial

► MUSIC : How Songwriting Helps Homeless Kids - The power of music, in action

► NATION : Obama prods Congress to act on unemployment benefits

► LOCAL  : Garcetti nominee for Westside planning panel withdraws name

► The Week in Pictures | Dec. 23 – 29, 2013



An American robin searches for food on a frozen tree in Augusta, Maine, on Sunday. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Andy Molloy / Kennebec Journal



A departure board is pictured in Waterloo Station in central London indicating disruption to rail services. PHOTOGRAPH BY: CARL COURT / AFP/Getty Images



The Eiffel Tower in Paris is illuminated for the holidays. PHOTOGRAPH BY: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP/Getty Images



Two Siberian tiger cubs compete for milk with two puppies for milk on a mother dog at Wild Animal World in Hangzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Staff at the facility feed the tigers on dog milk since the tigers' mother resisted feeding them after giving birth on Nov. 10. PHOTOGRAPH BY: AFP/Getty Images