ONLINE TODAY
Someone in power is going to be tad bit difficult for you to bear today, but you need to give your temper some time to cool off before you say anything that could cause any friction with them. They have a long memory, and you never want to leave a bad impression. Like it or not, you need to make sure you're on their good list right now. You are cautioned to avoid impetuousness at all costs today. The slower you go, the better place you'll end up in.
You are feeling terrific today -- so head out for an adventure! You may find that your people are up for something fun, but you might have to recruit some totally new friends to follow along.
► XINHUA 21 Novemebr 2013 : Eating nuts makes people live longer: study || ► WEB MD 20 November 2013 : Eat Nuts, Live Longer? Study linked a daily handful of any nut to 20 percent reduction in death risk over 30 years || ► SCIENCE DAILY 16 July 2013 : People Who Eat Nuts More Than Three Times a Week Have Reduced Risk of Dying from Cancer or Cardiovascular Disease || ► SCIENCE DAILY 12 July 2011 : Eating Nuts Daily Could Help Control Type 2 Diabetes and Prevent Complications, Study Suggests || ► YAHOO VOICES 8 April 2009 : The Health Benefits of Peanut Oil: Is it a Heart Healthy Choice?
► SCIENCE DAILY 18 November 2013 : Biologists Find an Evolutionary Facebook for Monkeys and Apes — Why do the faces of some primates contain so many different colors -- black, blue, red, orange and white -- that are mixed in all kinds of combinations and often striking patterns while other primate faces are quite plain?
► SPACE
■ 20 November 2013 : Inspiration Mars Spacecraft Concept
■ 21 November 2013 : Clock Ticking for 2018 Private Manned Mars Mission
► SCIENCE MAG<
■ 22 November 2013 : Science Shot: World's Oldest Wine Cellar?
■ 20 November 2013 : Science Shot: Native Americans Were a Mix of Asian and European
■ 22 November 2013 : Communist Party Takes Aim at Elite Scientists
■ 6 November 2013 : Science Shot: Stressed-Out Snails Become Forgetful
■ 11 November 2013 : Science Shot: Armadillo's Bad Eyesight Could Shed Light on Human Blindness
■ 6 November 2013 : Science Shot: Insect Sex Is Oldest on Record
► NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 22 October 2013 : Gold Grows On Eucalyptus Trees. Australian researchers confirm that deep-rooted Eucalyptus trees pilfer gold from ore deposits underground and transport them into their leaves. || ► LIVESCIENCE 22 October 2013 : There's Gold in Them Thar Trees || ► NATURE 27 November 2012 : Natural gold particles in Eucalyptus leaves and their relevance to exploration for buried gold deposits
► TELEGRAPH
■ 18 November 2013 : Contraceptive pill 'doubles risk of leading cause of blindness'
■ 20 November 2013 : Porsche Macan makes debut at LA Motor Show || ■ EDMUNDS 20 November 2013 : 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show: 2015 Porsche Macan
► DAILY MAIL
■ 2 October 2013 : Is Google rotting your memory? Survey finds adults are becoming more forgetful because it is so easy to look up things on the Internet► ABC NEWS 22 November 2013 : To Spin or Not to Spin: Does Microsoft Need Xbox?
■ 19 November 2013 : How Google is rotting our memories: Young people today have 'worse memories than their parents'
■ 22 November 2013 : Hugh Jackman arrives for medical appointment with wife Deborra-Lee Furness after she urged him to get treated for skin cancer
► CNN 22 November 2013 : Bankruptcy filing 'very positive' for Aaron Carter, publicist says
► NORTH KOREA
■ HUFFINGTON POST 21 November 2013 : Merrill Newman, 85-Year-Old American Veteran, Detained In North Korea, Son Says
■ AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE 5 November 2013 : South Korea: Responding to the North Korean threat
■ DAILY MAIL 21 November 2013 : 'We just want him home for Thanksgiving': Family of Korean War veteran, 85, detained for THREE WEEKS in North Korea begs for his return after he was pulled off flight home by police
■ TELEGRAPH 13 June 2013 : BAE'S dogfight in the global fighter jet market. “You'll feel the earth move,” says Jon Graham, with a grin.
■ STAR - TELEGRAM 22 November 2013 : South Korea signals purchase of 40 F-35 fighters
■ LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH 24 April 2013 : Korea jet deal hope for BAE Systems
■ REUTERS 24 September 2013 : South Korea dumps Boeing fighter jet tender, Lockheed soars back
■ REUTERS 3 April 2013 : Pentagon OKs Lockheed or Boeing fighters sale to South Korea
► INDEPENDENT 21 November 2013 : Eurasian Union': Ukraine chooses to strengthen ties with Russia and reject historic trade deal with EU
► TELEGRAPH 22November 2013 : Protests in Kiev as government rejects EU for Moscow
► CBC CANADA 21 November 2013 : Iran nuclear talks stall over differences on draft agreement. Six nations, Iran still far apart on details of sanctions relief, extent of uranium enrichment
► IB TIMES 17 August 2013 : JFK Assassination Files On The CIA And Lee Harvey Oswald Still Classified After 50 Years ||► AP BIG STORY 17 August 2013 : 5 decades later, some JFK probe files still sealed - "This is not about conspiracy, this is about transparency," said Jefferson Morley, a former Washington Post reporter and author embroiled in a decade-long lawsuit against the CIA, seeking release of the closed documents. "I think the CIA should obey the law. I don't think most people think that's a crazy idea." || ► CS MONITOR 17 August 2013 : 50 years later, sealed JFK files still raise questions || ► IB TIMES 15 November 2013 : JFK Assassination: The CIA And Lee Harvey Oswald - Questions Remain
► US MAGAZINE 20 November 2013 : George Bush Shows Off Painting Hobby, Shares Jay Leno Portrait || ► ABC NEWS 23 November 2013 : George W. Bush Sells Cardinal Painting Christmas Ornament
► FOXNEWS 24 November 2013
■ EPA power grab? Pols, states claim new water reg could bring feds into your backyard
■ Greenpeace captain describes fear felt in jail
► CNN 24 November 2013 : Israeli PM Netanyahu: Iran nuclear deal 'historic mistake'
► NBC NEWS 24 November 2013 : Tiny flying robot soars like a ... jellyfish?
► Iran nuclear deal clinched - By Parisa Hafezi and Justyna Pawlak
GENEVA - Iran and six world powers reached a breakthrough agreement to curb Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for limited sanctions relief, in a first step towards resolving a dangerous decade-old standoff.
* Iran to get access to $4.2 billion in nuclear deal► Iran deal knocks oil lower, bolsters risk appetite
* Is there a "right" to enrich uranium? Iran: yes, U.S.: no
* Iran seen getting gold, oil sanctions relief
* Nuclear deal halts progress on Iran program
► 'Great Satan' meets 'Axis of Evil' and strikes a deal - By Louis Charbonneau, Parisa Hafezi and Arshad Mohammed
GENEVA - Saturday night had turned into Sunday morning and four days of talks over Iran's nuclear program had already gone so far over schedule that the Geneva Intercontinental Hotel had been given over to another event. | Video
* Obama has leeway on Iran, despite lawmakers' concerns
* Breakthrough deal curbs Iran's nuclear activity
* Obama spoke to Netanyahu about Iran nuclear deal: White House
* Iran will start implementing nuclear agreement in weeks: Zarif
* Full text of the nuclear agreement
► Special Report: Pentagon Waste
The U.S. armed services are spending billions of dollars to store - and sometimes destroy - excess equipment and outdated materiel. Reuters Investigative Reporter Scot Paltrow visited the military warehouses where the waste is on display.
* Weath Effect: Carly Fiorina's Next Act
* Breakingviews: A fracking good time
► PHOTOGRAPHERS BLOG : Learning to walk again after Afghanistan - By Jim Urquhart
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - For the last year and half Sergeant Matt Krumwiede has called Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, home. He is learning to walk again with the use of prosthetic legs while also waiting for his abdominal injuries to heal.
* Growing up in the European Parliament► VIDEOS
■ Sochi Olympic Torch reaches bottom of world's deepest lake
■ Israelis express mixed opinions about Iran deal
■ Iranians rejoice at prospect of nuclear deal's impact
■ Kerry discusses recent nuclear deal
■ Ukraine opposition protesters, riot police clash in Kiev
► Louis Vuitton trunk descends on Moscow's Red Square
► Russia frees three more Greenpeace activists || ► Greenpeace protests Russia jailings in Warsaw tower stunt || ► Russia frees 13 more Greenpeace crewmembers on bail
► Nepal in turmoil as Maoists reject election results
► Activist rally in Paris on World Day Against Foie Gras
► People of Tacloban look to the future as rebuilding starts || ► Beckhams donate clothes to Red Cross for Philippines aid
► Negotiators see some progress in Geneva nuclear talks || ► Iran nuclear talks in difficult 'homestretch' || ► Iran leaders hail nuclear deal with world powers || ► Israel blasts Iran nuclear deal as 'historic mistake'
► Raw: Lion Cubs Make Debut at Gaza City Zoo
► JFK Assassin's Profile Still Begs Many Questions || ► J FK's Global Legacy Kicked Off in Cuba
► Christie: '2016 Is a Long Way Away'
► Obama Calls Iran Deal Important First Step || ► Mideast Wary After Iran Nuclear Deal
► NEWS
■ State Department says Kerry will not attend OSCE meeting in Ukraine
■ Six Islamist factions unite in largest Syria rebel merger
■ Putin accuses EU of pressuring Ukraine over trade pact
■ Ukraine marks tragic date amid setback on EU hopes
■ Factbox: Facts about Ukraine's ties with Russia and Europe
■ Obama insists US economy 'headed in right direction'
■ Robert F. Kennedy's assassin transferred to new Calif. prison on anniversary of JFK's death
■ Israel says Iran nuclear deal a historic mistake
■ Russians see no cause for alarm in crackdown on shadowy banking
■ Serbia leader calls Gazprom pipeline vital
► SHINE
■ 12 Fish You Should Never, Ever Eat
■ Breakup Season: How to Tell If You're About to Get Dumped
■ 7 Things You Do that Are Ruining Your Hair
■ Is Homemade Green Bean Casserole Worth the Effort?
■ Easy, Healthy Thanksgiving Sides
► HOMES : Yahoo Homes of the Week: Futuristic homes
► FINANCE : 10 Things Billionaires Won't Tell You
► AUTOS : 10 collectible cars with enduring value
► Latvia supermarket remains demolished after collapse
► Huge Ukraine rally over EU ties
More than 100,000 protesters gather in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, demanding that the government reverse a decision to delay a landmark deal with the EU.
* Protesters 'want second revolution' - VIDEO
* Protesters rally - VIDEO
* Media see Kremlin pressure
* EU's 'Eastern Partnership' in doubt
► US: Iran deal makes Mid-East safer
The US secretary of state says the deal reached over Iran's nuclear programme will make the Middle East safer, but Israel fiercely disagrees.
* Mardell: Could Congress ruin deal?
* Iran nuclear deal: Key points
* Iranians welcome agreement
* Analysis: Limited but important
* World reaction
* As it happened: Iran nuclear deal
► VIDEOS
■ Iran nuclear deal partly down to 'secret talks' with US
■ Iran nuclear deal 'to include sanctions relief' - Obama
■ John Kerry: 'Iran deal will make region safer'
■ Iranian President Rouhani: 'Iran's nuclear rights recognised'
■ Iran nuclear deal 'is historic mistake', says Netanyahu
■ Iran nuclear: EU's Ashton hails deal as 'first step'
■ Iran FM Zarif: Geneva nuclear deal 'is first step'
■ Iran nuclear deal: 'A good deal for the world' - Hague
► HEALTH
■ Haemophilia gene therapy 'solution'► Today's African Proverb : "The snakes and the feet must share the ground because neither can fly" - A Fulani proverb sent by Basheer Bello Kakara, Nigeria
■ Y chromosome: Why men contribute so littleOuch ouch, .... read Y makes my X gene vibrate, ehehehee...Y is sexy. Men. X is mysterious. Women. (Dahling, if our baby is smart in mathematics, do not forget, it's caused by my X gene action, ok?, because numerical intelligence is inherited from the X gene.)
I will soon be leaving with my legs up on that plane, away from the ground, across the vast sky heading down a different sky. And you are still a snake! Good-bye, I do not have anything to share. You should take everything down there. May you always be happy, snake! I'll wave to you with my hands, not my feet.
► What Netanyahu wants is Iran's surrender, not negotiated nuclear deal
► NSA hacked over 50000 computer networks worldwide - report
► Crack-smoking Toronto mayor more popular than Obama
► P5+1 and Iran agree landmark nuclear deal at Geneva talks
► 'Velvet revolution': Thousands of Moldovans rally against pro-EU govt, 'forced bondage' of Euro-integration
► Thousands block NATO convoy route to protest US drone strikes in Pakistan
► OP-ED : Americans 'have made up a new Islam'
► Scuffles with police as thousands of Ukrainians protest shelving of EU trade deal
► Follow the money: How lobby interests are spinning Iran nuclear deal
► Hawks in US Congress may try and derail deal with Iran
► 'Historic mistake': Netanyahu says world is 'more dangerous place' after Iran deal
► Lavrov: Win-win Iran deal only became possible after Rouhani came to power
► Kerry assures Israel is 'safer' after Iran's nuclear deal
► Scuffles with police as thousands of Ukrainians protest shelving of EU trade deal
► EU ready for bilateral talks with Russia over Ukrainian trade deal - official
► Putin victorious as Ukraine postpones 'trade suicide', halts talks with EU
► OP-ED : Israel isolated with Iran rhetoric after world said its word
► Hawks in US Congress may try and derail deal with Iran
► China claims contested airspace over islands, sets defense zone
► VDEOS
■ Fly-by-Spy: EU develops 'humanitarian' drone program
■ Iran Deputy FM: Israel too weak to cause real harm to Iran
■ Nazis Nixed: German anti-fascists to remember fallen colleague
■ Brains Over Brawn: Helpful robots & hunting for oil
■ Escobar: Spin war started in Geneva, but world needs to follow deal
■ Clashes as mass rallies sweep Ukraine over EU trade deal shelving
■ Venture Capital: Bitcoin Boom (E17)
► Inside Story : Can AIDS be beaten?
► 101 East : Return of the Lizard King
► Al Jazeera Correspondent : Scotland the Brave?
► Talk to Al Jazeera : Thabo Mbeki: 'Justice cannot trump peace'
► Listening Post : At the centre of the storm: Covering Haiyan
► Counting the Cost - Sky high ambitions
► Inside Story : Iran nuclear talks: Deal or no deal?
► OPCW reveals Syria's weapons destruction process
► Inside Syria : Is the balance of power shifting in Syria?
► Vatican displays first Pope bones
► New deal lifts some of Iran's sanctions
► IRAN : Obama: 'An Important First Step' - Top diplomats from Iran and six major world powers said Sunday that an agreement has been reached in Geneva to temporarily freeze the Islamic Republic's nuclear program in exchange for relieving sanctions - By Andrew Katz
► CHINA : China Needs More Kids - The country is facing a looming crisis as its population grows old before it grows rich
► SECURITY : NSA Wanted More Power - Leaked paper reveals officials wanted access to all online data
► RELIGION : There Are No 'Second-Class Christians' - Rev. Frank Schaefer on discrimination in the church
► DOCTOR in TRAINING : The Fine Line Between Doctor and Patient - Docs are just as fragile as patients
► IRAN : Obama's Iran Challenge
* Obama Calls Netanyahu to Ease Iran Concerns
* Israel Remains Skeptical After Iran Deal
* Iranians Celebrate Nuclear Deal
► AFGHANISTAN : Karzai Won't Sign U.S. Security Deal - Wants 'security', 'peace' and 'a proper election'
► TRAVEL : And the Worst Airline for Holiday Travel Is...
► L.A. AUTO SHOW
* Five car tech features that are a waste of space► ENTERTAINMENT : Leonardo DiCaprio donates $3 million to benefit wild tigers
* Highlights from the L.A. Auto Show
* Editors' picks from the L.A. Auto Show
► FRAMEWORK
■ Nikon Df, blending quality with classic styling
■ reFramed: In conversation with Ji Yeo
► FEATURED
■ Obama visit will shut down streets from Beverly Hills to Glendale
■ Elephant who killed veterinarian settles into San Diego Zoo
■ Live blog: The American Music Awards
■ Review: 'The Day of the Doctor' marks 50 years of 'Doctor Who'
ESTRUS TODAY
Alain Soral condamné pour avoir diffamé Bertrand Delanoë
► GUARDIAN 19 October 2013 : Front National's victory signals French sense of abandonment from mainstream
Russia - Ukraine: The Vulnerability of European Union's Energy Stability
Still vivid in our memory that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine led to the lack of launch gas supplies from Russia to the EU as the primary consumers of natural gas. The EU had even set up a monitoring team to oversee the supply of natural gas. This shows that the use of natural gas as the main driver of industrial and household sectors is still very significant, so if the slightest obstruction occurs in its transportation, it will cause an imbalance in economy. How could this happen?
It is the reality that the EU's position is weak in the face of Russia's comparative advantage as a supplier of a quarter of Europe's energy needs. Russia as the main supplier of energy, especially natural gas to European countries makes it as a director in the determination of Russia's relations with the EU countries. Russia which has reserves of oil and natural gas are increasingly indicates high critical role in determining the bargaining position of Russia in the face of EU countries, especially the dependence of EU on Russian natural gas growing bigger and bigger. Conflict between Russia and Ukraine regarding the supply of natural gas since January 2006 has led to Gazprom cut off the supplies of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine. Termination of natural gas supply is bad for Europe because the gas pipelines through Ukraine to supply approximately one-fifth of the total gas demand in Europe. Recorded seven countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Italy and France lost 14 percent and 40 percent of its natural gas supply. This problem can be resolved by agreement between the two countries so that in the end Russia flow back its natural gas to Europe via Ukraine.
Unfortunately, this problem reoccured when Gazprom cut off Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine when Naftogaz failed to pay a debt of $ 2 billion for gas deliveries in 2008. The feud between them was triggered by the collapse of a deal between Moscow-Kiev on gas prices. On the one hand, Gazprom wanted Ukraine to pay $ 450 per 1,000 m³. But on the other hand the price was rejected by Ukraine on the grounds that the country was only able to pay $ 235 per tcm (Trillion Cubic Meters), with the condition, there was an increase of transit fee payments from Russia because the Russian transported more than 80 percent of natural gas to be delivered to European countries via Ukraine.
Actually there are some major problems which cause the conflict between Russia and Ukraine concerning the supply of natural gas reoccur, as in 2011. First, the issue of gas pricing. The two countries have not reached an agreement on the gas price paid by Ukraine to Russia, so that the Ukrainian is requested for renegotiation of natural gas price which has been previously agreed upon in 2009. But Russia does not want a renegotiation unless Ukraine is willing to join the Eurasian Union, it is a regional cooperation established by Russia from the former Soviet Union. In fact, Ukraine has several times refuses to join the bloc along with Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, as currently Ukraine is trying to get in as a member of the European Union. (You make Putin upset, Ukraine! "That's impossible, because such incorporation provides for the creation of free trade zone between the EU and Ukraine," Putin said at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk.)
"That's impossible, honey, because it will allow for free sex between you and him", said my fiance for a internal issue which is completely unrelated to the Eurasian union, nyah nyah nyah ... hehehehe. 
Kiev, which has repeatedly expressed a desire to join the EU, hoping to sign a landmark agreement with the EU, including the agreement on free trade. Such prospects have made Moscow uneasy, because Kremlin worries European goods will infiltrate into the Customs Union through Ukraine to exceed the customs monitoring. But Putin insists Russia will not support or oppose the efforts of Ukraine to join the EU. He said, "It is not our business, and it is the sovereign right of the government and people of Ukraine on behalf of the president, parliament and government."
It's up to you, dear. You know I love you, but it's up to you if you want to leave all that I have offered to you. I want us to get married, once and for all until the end of time.".
Ukraine government approved the draft merger agreement with the EU in September, thus marking the first step toward full membership. Meanwhile, Moscow has stepped up pressure on Kiev to join the Customs Union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. Ukraine, which has become an observer in the Customs Union, has declared the country had no plans to become a full member of the bloc.
Ah. Better I live alone with my baby. He knows I love him. Him? Who? Which one? EU represents who, you represent Ukraine, it seems, ... and Russia represents who? Say it plainly, silly!)
Second, the political relations between Russia and Ukraine. After the Orange Revolution when the Ukrainians decided to support the anti-Russian leader, has prompted Russia to cut off natural gas price subsidies that had been given to Ukraine. These conditions lead to conflicts that often reoccur on the pricing of Russian natural gas through Ukraine, even natural gas price disagreement is often used by Russia as a political tool. Russia also wants Naftogaz to merge with Gazprom so that it can monopolize every activity of the natural gas distribution pipes through Ukraine. Ukraine rejected the Russian proposal because it would contradict with the EU principles which promoting the free trade.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine brings an enormous impact for the European Union countries, because 80 percent of the total 40 percent the EU countries natural gas imports is transported through Ukraine from Russia. There are concerns among the countries in Europe regarding the recurrence of conflict between Russia and Ukraine on gas price inequality that causes the rupture of Russian natural gas supplies to Europe as in the 2009, so that European countries are not getting access to natural gas to meet their electricity needs. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine on natural gas deliveries caused natural gas supplies to seven European countries stalled, even Russia reduced natural gas supplies to other countries drastically.
The unending conflict between Russia and Ukraine led to a concern for the EU countries, because until now the EU countries are still highly dependent on imports of Russian natural gas transported through Ukraine. So far, Russia has a very big role in energy trading in Europe especially petroleum and natural gas so that Europe is very dependent on energy supplies from Russia. Gazprom, the national oil company that manages natural gas in Russia, have full power in terms of production, distribution, and pricing, so that all the energy problems are controlled under the Russian government interests.
The EU is always worried about these conditions, so that the EU is very interested in the reform of energy market in Russia, particularly the EU efforts to liberalize monopoly over the supply of Russian natural gas and market through Gazprom. Unfortunately, it's rejected by Russia because Russia will supply energy to the EU through long-term contracts with a clause in it, which states the existence of a territorial restriction is when a country receives the excess energy supplies from Russia, then the state may not sell it to other countries. Monopoly making Gazprom free to determine the price of energy varies from one EU country to another EU country, whereas among the EU countries are bound to single market rules. Therein lies the strength of Russia energy market in the European countries and even EU officials have warned about the emergence of a crisis situation, so as a result of mutual concern, the EU tried to formulate a common energy policy for the European Union countries to maintain the stability of domestic energy supply.
Actually, the uniformity of EU energy policy has become a top priority since the mid 1990s, characterized by the release of Green Paper on the liberalization of electricity sector. But around 2000 energy policy harmonization has just started to concentrate on strengthening energy supply. There were some efforts made by the EU regarding the harmonization of energy policies, namely the diversification of energy sources and stockpiling. Unfortunately, these policies were still internally oriented, which just set and binding the fellow EU member states only. Meanwhile, the EU policy for third country national has not received considerable attention from energy exporting countries, because each of the EU countries has different levels of energy dependency from the energy supplier, even it was not surprising when the last few years there's a tension between Russia and the European Union related to the concerns that the Russians would use natural gas supplies to the EU as a political tool. Concrete examples of such concerns emerged about the year 2009 when Russia just wanted to negotiate on the price of natural gas to Ukraine if Ukraine was willing to become a member of the Eurasian Union and Ukraine's national gas company -- Naftogaz -- agreed to join Gazprom. This was done by Russia to monopolize the trade of natural gas to European countries.
Facing this, the European Commission adopted a Communication on Security of Energy Supply on September 7, 2011 which containing a comprehensive strategy and concrete in the EU's external relations in energy exporting countries. Some of the main strategies as follows: First, the EU countries will share information about international agreements in matters relating to energy, including an agreement that is still in the status of negotiations. The EU Commission will also provide opinion on these agreements in accordance with EU law and the objectives of EU energy security strategy. Second, the agreement with the third country national can also be negotiated at EU level such as with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Third, the EU will propose a new cooperation in renewable energy with the countries of southern Mediterranean. Fourth, the EU will propose a multilateral discussion about international agreements which binding nuclear safety standards and it is actually to tighten the security of nuclear use in the EU neighboring countries. Fifth, the EU development policy will also prioritize the improving access for renewable energy for poor and developing countries.
Given this common energy policy, the EU hopes to improve its bargaining position against Russia so that the vulnerability of energy supplies from Russia can be minimized. But in fact, the EU's energy supply from Russia is still vulnerable to this day because, first, Russia continues its political pressure on states which their territories traversed by a natural gas pipeline to Europe such as in Ukraine, so indirectly, Russia's conflict with transit point states also threatens the energy security of the European Union. Secondly, on the one hand, the EU seems reluctant to divert natural gas supplies from Central Asian countries due to the high cost of investment for the natural gas stream, while on the other hand, Russia through energy companies -- Gazprom -- is so vociferous to invest in adding its pipelines.
***
(CZ-lacalifusa112313)
Dahling, you do not need to wear perfume when we will be making out.
June 2013 - Slap for the Vatican: Catholic priest sodomy case continued in court.
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider whether the Vatican has legal immunity over the sexual harassment of minors committed by priests in the United States, which allows lawsuit against the case filed in 2002 to go ahead.
The plaintiff in this case, identified only as John V. Doe, had been sodomized several times in 1965, when he was a teenager, by an alleged pedophile priest named Andrew Ronan, in Portland, Oregon.
I laughed as I drank a cup of milk without sugar, reading the news about you ...... ehhhheheee ... you're so cool, dear Mr bald. Mwah!
He's not a photo model. What is so special about looking at his face? Nothing.
His face is quite ordinary. Well, at least he does not have politician's sweet smile. ((Those who are behind you always speak with a pair of glowing red eyes, pointing their fingers with their sharp nails and grinning with their sharp canine teeth. Right. The demons, you know? ahahahaa ...)
If he just sat there, then there's no difference in between looking at him and an old painting in a museum,.... mmm ... but do not start him to say what he thinks.
I can fall in love a thousand times to the same person. Seriously.
Still vivid in our memory that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine led to the lack of launch gas supplies from Russia to the EU as the primary consumers of natural gas. The EU had even set up a monitoring team to oversee the supply of natural gas. This shows that the use of natural gas as the main driver of industrial and household sectors is still very significant, so if the slightest obstruction occurs in its transportation, it will cause an imbalance in economy. How could this happen?
It is the reality that the EU's position is weak in the face of Russia's comparative advantage as a supplier of a quarter of Europe's energy needs. Russia as the main supplier of energy, especially natural gas to European countries makes it as a director in the determination of Russia's relations with the EU countries. Russia which has reserves of oil and natural gas are increasingly indicates high critical role in determining the bargaining position of Russia in the face of EU countries, especially the dependence of EU on Russian natural gas growing bigger and bigger. Conflict between Russia and Ukraine regarding the supply of natural gas since January 2006 has led to Gazprom cut off the supplies of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine. Termination of natural gas supply is bad for Europe because the gas pipelines through Ukraine to supply approximately one-fifth of the total gas demand in Europe. Recorded seven countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Italy and France lost 14 percent and 40 percent of its natural gas supply. This problem can be resolved by agreement between the two countries so that in the end Russia flow back its natural gas to Europe via Ukraine.
Unfortunately, this problem reoccured when Gazprom cut off Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine when Naftogaz failed to pay a debt of $ 2 billion for gas deliveries in 2008. The feud between them was triggered by the collapse of a deal between Moscow-Kiev on gas prices. On the one hand, Gazprom wanted Ukraine to pay $ 450 per 1,000 m³. But on the other hand the price was rejected by Ukraine on the grounds that the country was only able to pay $ 235 per tcm (Trillion Cubic Meters), with the condition, there was an increase of transit fee payments from Russia because the Russian transported more than 80 percent of natural gas to be delivered to European countries via Ukraine.
Actually there are some major problems which cause the conflict between Russia and Ukraine concerning the supply of natural gas reoccur, as in 2011. First, the issue of gas pricing. The two countries have not reached an agreement on the gas price paid by Ukraine to Russia, so that the Ukrainian is requested for renegotiation of natural gas price which has been previously agreed upon in 2009. But Russia does not want a renegotiation unless Ukraine is willing to join the Eurasian Union, it is a regional cooperation established by Russia from the former Soviet Union. In fact, Ukraine has several times refuses to join the bloc along with Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, as currently Ukraine is trying to get in as a member of the European Union. (You make Putin upset, Ukraine! "That's impossible, because such incorporation provides for the creation of free trade zone between the EU and Ukraine," Putin said at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk.)
Kiev, which has repeatedly expressed a desire to join the EU, hoping to sign a landmark agreement with the EU, including the agreement on free trade. Such prospects have made Moscow uneasy, because Kremlin worries European goods will infiltrate into the Customs Union through Ukraine to exceed the customs monitoring. But Putin insists Russia will not support or oppose the efforts of Ukraine to join the EU. He said, "It is not our business, and it is the sovereign right of the government and people of Ukraine on behalf of the president, parliament and government."
Ukraine government approved the draft merger agreement with the EU in September, thus marking the first step toward full membership. Meanwhile, Moscow has stepped up pressure on Kiev to join the Customs Union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. Ukraine, which has become an observer in the Customs Union, has declared the country had no plans to become a full member of the bloc.
Second, the political relations between Russia and Ukraine. After the Orange Revolution when the Ukrainians decided to support the anti-Russian leader, has prompted Russia to cut off natural gas price subsidies that had been given to Ukraine. These conditions lead to conflicts that often reoccur on the pricing of Russian natural gas through Ukraine, even natural gas price disagreement is often used by Russia as a political tool. Russia also wants Naftogaz to merge with Gazprom so that it can monopolize every activity of the natural gas distribution pipes through Ukraine. Ukraine rejected the Russian proposal because it would contradict with the EU principles which promoting the free trade.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine brings an enormous impact for the European Union countries, because 80 percent of the total 40 percent the EU countries natural gas imports is transported through Ukraine from Russia. There are concerns among the countries in Europe regarding the recurrence of conflict between Russia and Ukraine on gas price inequality that causes the rupture of Russian natural gas supplies to Europe as in the 2009, so that European countries are not getting access to natural gas to meet their electricity needs. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine on natural gas deliveries caused natural gas supplies to seven European countries stalled, even Russia reduced natural gas supplies to other countries drastically.
The unending conflict between Russia and Ukraine led to a concern for the EU countries, because until now the EU countries are still highly dependent on imports of Russian natural gas transported through Ukraine. So far, Russia has a very big role in energy trading in Europe especially petroleum and natural gas so that Europe is very dependent on energy supplies from Russia. Gazprom, the national oil company that manages natural gas in Russia, have full power in terms of production, distribution, and pricing, so that all the energy problems are controlled under the Russian government interests.
The EU is always worried about these conditions, so that the EU is very interested in the reform of energy market in Russia, particularly the EU efforts to liberalize monopoly over the supply of Russian natural gas and market through Gazprom. Unfortunately, it's rejected by Russia because Russia will supply energy to the EU through long-term contracts with a clause in it, which states the existence of a territorial restriction is when a country receives the excess energy supplies from Russia, then the state may not sell it to other countries. Monopoly making Gazprom free to determine the price of energy varies from one EU country to another EU country, whereas among the EU countries are bound to single market rules. Therein lies the strength of Russia energy market in the European countries and even EU officials have warned about the emergence of a crisis situation, so as a result of mutual concern, the EU tried to formulate a common energy policy for the European Union countries to maintain the stability of domestic energy supply.
Actually, the uniformity of EU energy policy has become a top priority since the mid 1990s, characterized by the release of Green Paper on the liberalization of electricity sector. But around 2000 energy policy harmonization has just started to concentrate on strengthening energy supply. There were some efforts made by the EU regarding the harmonization of energy policies, namely the diversification of energy sources and stockpiling. Unfortunately, these policies were still internally oriented, which just set and binding the fellow EU member states only. Meanwhile, the EU policy for third country national has not received considerable attention from energy exporting countries, because each of the EU countries has different levels of energy dependency from the energy supplier, even it was not surprising when the last few years there's a tension between Russia and the European Union related to the concerns that the Russians would use natural gas supplies to the EU as a political tool. Concrete examples of such concerns emerged about the year 2009 when Russia just wanted to negotiate on the price of natural gas to Ukraine if Ukraine was willing to become a member of the Eurasian Union and Ukraine's national gas company -- Naftogaz -- agreed to join Gazprom. This was done by Russia to monopolize the trade of natural gas to European countries.
Facing this, the European Commission adopted a Communication on Security of Energy Supply on September 7, 2011 which containing a comprehensive strategy and concrete in the EU's external relations in energy exporting countries. Some of the main strategies as follows: First, the EU countries will share information about international agreements in matters relating to energy, including an agreement that is still in the status of negotiations. The EU Commission will also provide opinion on these agreements in accordance with EU law and the objectives of EU energy security strategy. Second, the agreement with the third country national can also be negotiated at EU level such as with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Third, the EU will propose a new cooperation in renewable energy with the countries of southern Mediterranean. Fourth, the EU will propose a multilateral discussion about international agreements which binding nuclear safety standards and it is actually to tighten the security of nuclear use in the EU neighboring countries. Fifth, the EU development policy will also prioritize the improving access for renewable energy for poor and developing countries.
Given this common energy policy, the EU hopes to improve its bargaining position against Russia so that the vulnerability of energy supplies from Russia can be minimized. But in fact, the EU's energy supply from Russia is still vulnerable to this day because, first, Russia continues its political pressure on states which their territories traversed by a natural gas pipeline to Europe such as in Ukraine, so indirectly, Russia's conflict with transit point states also threatens the energy security of the European Union. Secondly, on the one hand, the EU seems reluctant to divert natural gas supplies from Central Asian countries due to the high cost of investment for the natural gas stream, while on the other hand, Russia through energy companies -- Gazprom -- is so vociferous to invest in adding its pipelines.
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(CZ-lacalifusa112313)
► Reading / References
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■ European Commission., 2011. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the Security of Energy Supply and International Cooperation - the EU Energy Policy: Engaging with Partners Beyond
■ Hancher, Leigh. Harmonization of European Gas Markets: the EU Gas Directives in Elsevier (Ed.), National Reforms in European Gas, Oxford, UK.
■ Helm, Dieter. Russia's Energy Policy: Politics or Economics?, Open Democracy News Analysis
■ Saunders, Paul J. , 2008. Russia and European Energy Security: A Dialogue Translatic, the Nixon Center, Washington DC.
■ Russian Analytical Digest, No.. 18, 3 April 2007
Uh, by the way, .... do you feel like I feel? Why do some headline news sometimes make me jealous for no reason? Geez ... ugh ugh, what the hell was I thinking silently?
► News
■ ECONOMIST 22 November 2013 : Politics of brutal pressure
■ CS MONITOR 21 November 2013 : Did Ukraine just pick Russia over the EU? (+video)
■ INDEPENDENT 21 November 2013 : Eurasian Union': Ukraine chooses to strengthen ties with Russia and reject historic trade deal with EU
■ TELEGRAPH 22 November 2013 : Protests in Kiev as government rejects EU for Moscow
■ GUARDIAN 22 November 2013 : Russia 'blackmailed Ukraine to ditch EU pact'
■ LATIMES 21November 2013 : Ukraine bows to Russian pressure, suspends EU entry bid
■ TIME 21November 2013 : Putin Wins Again as Ukraine Snubs E.U., Keeps Opposition Leader in Prison
■ ALJAZEERA 21November 2013 : Ukraine drops EU plans and looks to Russia
■ RUSSIA TODAY 23 November 2013 : Ukraine refused to 'sign a suicide note', sending the EU's 'geopolitical project' onto the rocks
■ BBC 22 November 2013 : Ukrainians rally over government's snub to EU
■ YAHOO NEWS 23 November 2013 : Russia steals 'Ukrainian bride' at the altar
What? Bride? Blah!
■ REUTERS 22 November 2013 : EU loses out on Ukraine, but may have dodged a bullet
■ REUTERS 21 November 2013 : Ukraine drops plan to go West, turns East
► Videos
■ EU commissioner to return to Ukraine in bid to save deal
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