Mali conflict unearths White House-Pentagon split

The widening war in Mali has opened divisions involving the White Home as well as the Pentagon above the danger posed by a mix of Islamist militant groups, some with murky ties to Al Qaeda, which are developing havoc in West Africa.

While nobody is suggesting the groups pose an imminent threat for the U.s., the French military intervention in Mali and also a terrorist assault against an global fuel complicated in neighboring Algeria have prompted sharp Obama administration debate in excess of no matter whether the militants present adequate of the danger to U.S. allies or interests to warrant a military response.

Some prime Pentagon officials and military officers warn that without having far more aggressive U.S. action, Mali could turn out to be a haven for extremists, akin to Afghanistan prior to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Militants in Mali, "if left unaddressed, ... will get capability to match their intent - that getting to lengthen their attain and handle and also to assault American interests," Army Gen. Carter Ham, head of your U.S. Africa Command, stated in an interview.

But a lot of Obama's top rated aides say it's unclear no matter whether the Mali insurgents, who include things like members of your group Al Qaeda during the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, threaten the U.S.

Individuals aides also be worried about staying drawn right into a messy and potentially long-running conflict against an elusive enemy in Mali, a huge landlocked nation abutting the Sahara desert, just as U.S. forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan.

"No 1 right here is questioning the threat that AQIM poses regionally," mentioned an administration official who spoke on ailment of anonymity when discussing inner deliberations. "The query many of us really need to request is, what threat do they pose to your U.S. homeland? The solution up to now has become none."

An additional U.S. official, that is often briefed on this kind of intelligence, explained the groups' objectives have been generally tough to distinguish.

"AQIM and its allies have opportunistic criminals and smugglers within their midst, nevertheless they also have some die-hard terrorists with far more grandiose visions," the official mentioned. "In some situations, the roles might overlap."

The inner debate is a single explanation for the delay in U.S. help to the French, who airlifted numerous troops into Mali final weekend and launched airstrikes in an hard work to halt the militants from pushing from their northern stronghold towards Bamako, the Malian capital.

The Pentagon is arranging to start ferrying extra French troops and tools to Mali in coming days aboard U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo jets, in line with Air Force Maj. Robert Firman, a Pentagon spokesman.

Military planners are nevertheless learning the airport runways in Bamako to find out no matter whether they are able to manage the enormous C-17s. If not, they'll land elsewhere plus the French troops might be flown into Mali on smaller sized aircraft. French officials have asked the U.S. to transport an armored infantry battalion of 500 to 600 soldiers, plus autos along with other tools.

The U.S. is additionally giving France with surveillance together with other intelligence about the militants.

However the administration has up to now balked at a French request for tanker aircraft to supply in-air refueling of French fighter jets as the White Home doesn't nonetheless desire to get straight associated with supporting French fight operations, officials stated.

U.S. officials have ruled out placing troops about the ground, except in smaller numbers and only to help the French.

"I assume the U.S. ambivalence about moving into Mali is quite understandable," explained Richard Barrett, a former British diplomat who serves as United Nations counter-terrorism coordinator. Noting the circumstances in which U.S. forces have already been drawn into conflict with Islamic militants, he stated, "Why would they want a further 1, for God's sake? It really is this kind of a complicated spot to operate in."

Just after 2001, Washington attempted to tamp down Islamic extremism in Mali below a counter-terrorism initiative that mixed anti-poverty plans with teaching for your military. The U.S. help was halted, nevertheless, when military officers overthrew the government final March inside a violent coup.

Gen. Ham has warned for months that AQIM was expanding more powerful and meant to perform attacks while in the area and elsewhere. To fight the threat, some officers favor making closer ties with governments from the area and boosting intelligence-gathering and unique operations.

But other administration officials query the need to have for the greater U.S. hard work.

Johnnie Carson, who heads the Africa bureau on the State Division, informed Congress in June that AQIM "has not demonstrated the capability to threaten U.S. interests outdoors of West or North Africa, and it hasn't threatened to assault the U.S. homeland."

investment

Physique involving Detroit lotto champion exhumed for autopsy

The entire body of an Indian-born guy who was poisoned with cyanide following winning the lottery was exhumed Friday for an autopsy that authorities hope can help resolve the mystery surrounding his death.

A black hearse escorted by 4 police automobiles carried away your body of Urooj Khan from a cemetery around the city's North Side, along with the Cook County Healthcare Examiner's Workplace was anticipated to execute the autopsy instantly, spokeswoman Mary Paleologos explained.

She stated examiners will consider blood, tissue, bone, hair and nail samples. They will also examine the lungs, liver, spleen and contents on the abdomen and intestines. Paleologos mentioned tests on Khan's organs also may possibly establish regardless of whether the poison was swallowed, inhaled or injected.

The autopsy was anticipated to get completed by Friday afternoon, although it is going to consider two to 3 weeks to have check outcomes, she stated.

Khan, 46, died in July as he was about to acquire $425,000 in lottery winnings. His death at first was ruled a outcome of purely natural triggers. But a relative asked for more tests that exposed in November that he had been poisoned.

Khan's wife, Shabana Ansari, and also other relatives have denied any purpose in his death and expressed a want to find out the reality.

Authorities stay tightlipped about whom they might suspect.

At dawn on Friday, employees at Rosehill Cemetery started scooping up dark clumps of ground hardened from the cold climate. Two guys then completed the do the job with shovels, and also a Muslim cleric mentioned prayers beside Khan's grave. His entire body was positioned in the white bag and loaded right into a hearse.

1 of Khan's brothers was present, in addition to officials through the healthcare examiner's workplace and Chicago police detectives.

Police kept about half a dozen Television news crews at a distance, past the cemetery's fence, and two news helicopters circled overhead.

Khan had come on the U.S. from his residence in Hyderabad, India, in 1989, establishing numerous dry-cleaning corporations and obtaining into some real-estate investments.

Regardless of acquiring foresworn gambling following producing the haj pilgrimage to Mecca in 2010, Khan purchased a lottery ticket in June. He jumped "two feet within the air" and shouted, "I hit a million," he recalled at a lottery ceremony later on that month.

He explained winning the lottery meant every thing to him and that he planned to work with his winnings to shell out off mortgages, broaden his enterprise and donate to St. Jude's Children's Study Hospital.

He was just days from obtaining his winnings when he died just before dawn on July twenty.

The evening ahead of, Khan ate dinner with his wife, daughter and father-in-law within their residence in Chicago's North Side community of West Rogers Park, house to lots of immigrants from India and Pakistan.

Sometime that evening, Khan awoke feeling sick and collapsed as he attempted to have up from a chair, his wife has stated, based on the Chicago Sun-Times.

Without outward sign of trauma and no first suspicions, authorities carried out only a primary toxicology screening and an external examination of Khan's physique in July. They established that he died of purely natural triggers, consequently of the narrowing and hardening of coronary arteries.

But a concerned relative - whose identity stays a mystery - came forward days later on with suspicions and asked authorities to appear deeper. They then carried out a complete toxicology screening on fluids that had been drawn through the entire body and observed a lethal level of cyanide in his blood, major the healthcare examiner in November to reclassify the death a homicide.

Exhuming your body will make it possible for authorities to conduct an autopsy and, determined by the affliction in the stays, to collect additional information that may be presented in court in case the situation goes to trial. It could also deliver essential clues about how the cyanide entered his physique.

Health care Examiner Stephen Cina was to hold a press conference Friday afternoon to provide particulars over the issue of your physique and just how significantly testing they had been capable to do.

Khan was offered a religious burial and his physique was not embalmed.

His physique will be to be reburied Monday.

Khan died without having a will, opening the door to a court battle. The businessman's widow and siblings fought for months in excess of his estate, such as the lottery examine.

18invest

Theme for '13: Wonderful expectations

Watch closely, individuals. The 2013 NASCAR season will probably be one particular to don't forget.

I am counting on it, if not betting on it.

A number of matters are likely to take place in NASCAR this year which have never ever occurred just before. Plus a couple of items may possibly come about that nobody has observed in numerous many years.

Let us get started having a couple of confident matters, or virtually confident matters:

" 43 many years ago -- The final time NASCAR raced on dirt. It had been Sept. 30, 1970, within the fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C. Richard Petty won within the 1-mile oval.

NASCAR goes vintage racing this year using a Camping Globe Truck Series occasion for the dirt at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, a half-mile oval owned by Tony Stewart.

This race might be one of many most anticipated occasions from the season. It will take area on July 24, a Wednesday evening in advance of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis (90 miles away) 4 days later on.

The field will probably be restricted to 30 trucks. Eldora has 16,000 seats, but added grandstands will likely be brought in for any probably sellout crowd.

" A female initially -- No female ever has run a total Cup season, except for that six-race inaugural NASCAR season in 1949, when Sara Christian raced in all 6 occasions.

She completed 13th all round, most effective ever for any lady, but a six-race season hardly counts by today's requirements.

Danica Patrick will turn out to be the 1st girl on the modern-day era to race a total Cup routine (barring injury or suspension) this season when she runs complete time for Stewart-Haas Racing.

By present day requirements, Janet Guthrie posted the very best ranking to get a female when she completed 23rd during the 1977 standings even though operating 19 of 30 occasions, earning 4 top-10s.

Equaling that mark can be a tall process for Patrick, but not not possible. Bobby Labonte was 23rd within the 2012 standings with two top-5s and an common finish of 22.six. Patrick will likely be within a superior motor vehicle (Hendrick Motorsports gear) than Labonte has.

Right here are quite a few other issues that may take place for that very first time within a prolonged time and a few other individuals that will be a to start with in NASCAR:

" 51 many years ago -- The 1962 season marked the final time NASCAR had 3 consecutive seasons the place a group proprietor won a Cup title for your very first time.

It can occur this year if Michael Waltrip Racing claims its very first title with both Clint Bowyer or Martin Truex Jr. The two males created the 2012 Chase, and Bowyer completed since the championship runner-up to Brad Keselowski.

"We possess the capability to enhance on our achievement from final season," explained Scott Miller, MWR's vice president of competitors. "We created a procedure final season to obtain from point A to point B, and we identified lots of good results using the method. We'll utilize the similar system to assist us with all the improvement on the 2013 vehicle.

"Toyota Racing Advancement is operating truly challenging within the engines to offer us extra reliability and much more electrical power. I believe we are able to elevate our system this season and compete for the championship yet again."

Stewart's 2011 title was the primary Cup crown for Stewart-Haas Racing. Keselowski gave Roger Penske his long-awaited Cup championship in 2012.

Rex White (1960), Ned Jarrett (1961) and Joe Weatherly (1962) gave crew owners first-time championships half a century ago. The fascinating matter is the fact that all 3 of them ran races in people championship many years for a lot more than a single crew proprietor, not unusual in these days.

" 32 many years ago -- Darrell Waltrip won the 1981 title in his to start with season driving for Junior Johnson. Nobody has completed it considering that, but Matt Kenseth includes a excellent shot at it this year in his initially season for Joe Gibbs Racing.

" 17 many years ago -- The 1996 season was the sole time a driver won the championship twelve many years eliminated from his final a single. Terry Labonte did it at Hendrick Motorsports. Jeff Gordon could equal the feat this year for boss Rick Hendrick. Gordon's fourth and final Cup title came in 2001.

" 14 many years ago -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his 2nd consecutive Nationwide title (the Busch Series in the time) in 1999. That was the final time the Earnhardt title had a championship banner.

You will discover two techniques that may take place this year. Earnhardt could win the Cup crown in what may perhaps be his most effective possibility ever. And Regan Smith could win the Nationwide title driving his to start with complete season for JR Motorsports.

" 13 many years ago -- Bobby Labonte's Cup championship in 2000 was the final time NASCAR had a driver who was the brother of the champion win a title from the exact same series.

Ty Dillon could win the Camping Globe Truck Series crown this year, two seasons following his brother, Austin Dillon, won it.

Austin also is usually a contender for that Nationwide Series title this year, so they could develop into the initial brothers to win titles within the similar season.

" ten many years ago -- Brian Vickers won the Nationwide title in 2003. He's among the favorites to win it this year in his initial season driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. If he does, he'll come to be the very first guy to win championships inside the series ten many years apart.

" Back-to-back titles in two series -- That by no means has occurred, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr. includes a shot at it this year. Granted, it truly is an extended shot, but he's driving a good quality automobile for the group that manufactured the Chase final year. Stenhouse, who won the previous two Nationwide titles, replaces Kenseth at Roush Fenway Racing.

Keselowski and Greg Biffle came near to accomplishing this feat. Keselowski's Cup crown final year came two many years following he won the 2010 Nationwide title. Biffle won the 2002 Nationwide championship two many years right after winning the CWTS title.

Keselowski and Bobby Labonte would be the only Nationwide champs (to date) who went on to win a Cup title.

7tech

Seau Suffered with Mental faculties Ailment

The findings had been constant with persistent traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain condition extensively linked to athletes that have absorbed regular blows towards the head, the N.I.H. mentioned inside a statement. Seau may be the most up-to-date and most prominent player to become linked together with the condition, which has bedeviled the sport lately as being a proliferation of reports have exposed the feasible long-term cognitive effect of head injuries sustained within the field.

"The variety of findings noticed in Mr. Seau's brain are actually not long ago reported in autopsies of men and women with exposure to repetitive head injury," the N.I.H. explained, "including skilled and amateur athletes who played get in touch with sports activities, folks with several concussions, and veterans exposed to blast injury together with other trauma."

Given that C.T.E. was diagnosed during the brain from the former Eagles defensive back Andre Waters right after his suicide in 2006, the illness is discovered in practically every single former player whose brain was examined posthumously. (C.T.E. is often diagnosed only posthumously.)

Researchers at Boston University, who pioneered the review of C.T.E., have observed it in 18 on the 19 brains of former N.F.L. gamers they've examined.

The N.I.H. started its examination of Seau's brain tissue in July. On top of that to becoming reviewed by two federal neuropathologists, Seau's brain was reviewed by 3 outdoors neuropathology specialists who didn't have know-how from the supply in the tissue. On original examination "the brain looked usual," based on the N.I.H. It had been not until finally medical doctors looked beneath the microscope and employed staining approaches the C.T.E. abnormalities have been witnessed.

Each and every in the neuropathologists examined tissue samples from 3 unidentified brains. The determination pertaining to Seau's brain was "unanimous," based on the N.I.H. They located "abnormal, tiny clusters referred to as neurofibrillary tangles of the protein often known as tau inside several areas of Mr. Seau's brain," based on the statement. Tau is uncovered during the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's illness as well as other progressive neurological problems. The medical practitioners also observed a smaller area within the left frontal lobe of Seau's brain with proof of scarring that is definitely "consistent that has a tiny, old, traumatic brain injury."

"I consider it really is significant for everybody to understand that Junior did certainly have problems with C.T.E.," Seau's ex-wife, Gina, mentioned in an interview with ABC News and ESPN. "It's significant that we consider methods to aid these gamers. We absolutely do not would like to see anything at all like this come about yet again to any of our athletes." Shortly soon after Seau's death of the self-inflicted gunshot wound on the chest at his Oceanside, Calif., household in May perhaps, members of his loved ones announced they would donate his brain on the N.I.H. to become studied. The release on the outcomes Thursday was on the request of your household, the N.I.H. stated.

For almost a decade, a lot with the groundbreaking operate from the review of head trauma and its effect on athletes continues to be accomplished on the Center to the Examine of Traumatic Encephalopathy in the Boston University College of Medication. The choice by Seau's household to donate his brain for the N.I.H. was an acknowledgment the review of head trauma has grown nicely past the province of the handful of pathologists, and turn out to be a public well being situation of nationwide value. Financing for your exploration has expanded, as well; the N.F.L. donated $30 million to your N.I.H. as portion of its battle to tackle head trauma along with the long-term wellness challenges that stem from it. The prominence of soldiers returning from battlefields with head trauma has also prompted the Defense Division to perform a greater part.

"What's been coming out has raised a great deal of queries about public overall health," stated Dr. Walter J. Koroshetz, the deputy director from the Nationwide Institute of Neurological Issues and Stroke, and that is element from the N.I.H. and finances traumatic brain injury investigate. "What we've now can be a tip of your iceberg and we will not know what is under."

The N.I.H. will not be the sole government organization learning head trauma. In September, the Nationwide Institute of Occupational Security and Wellness, that is component of your Centers for Illness Handle and Prevention, released a research that showed that a disproportionate amount of males who played not less than 5 seasons during the N.F.L. from 1959 to 1988 designed Alzheimer's illness or Lou Gehrig's ailment. Gamers in "speed" positions much more vulnerable to high-speed collisions had been 3 times much more probably to possess died due to a neurodegenerative illness, based on the examine. The Institute of Medication, that is element in the Nationwide Academies of Science, has also undertaken a 15-month investigation into sports-related concussions sustained by youthful athletes.

Researchers and advocates for retired gamers who now have degenerative brain illnesses welcome the government's higher function, in component on account of its deep pockets and capability to shine a brighter light on the intricate subject. Currently, the elevated interest to the challenge has created it less difficult to have athletes and soldiers to commit to donating their brains to science.

"That's what the C.T.E. field wants, funding and awareness of your country's top rated scientists," mentioned Chris Nowinski, the executive director on the Sports activities Legacy Institute and also the co-director from the Center for your Research of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University College of Medication. "Our researchers are terrific, but there is far more operate that must be finished."

Seau's suicide was among a number of by former N.F.L. gamers, which includes Waters, raising concern about head injuries while in the sport. In February 2011, Dave Duerson, a former Chicago Bears player, shot himself from the chest, saying inside a note that he needed his brain donated for exploration. Medical doctors established that Duerson had C.T.E.

Duerson's son, Tregg, is suing the N.F.L., claiming the league didn't meaningfully warn gamers regarding the likely hazards of concussions.

Ray Easterling, a security to the Atlanta Falcons during the 1970s as well as a plaintiff inside a lawsuit against the league more than its dealing with of concussion-related injuries, died of the self-inflicted gunshot wound two weeks just before Seau. 1000s of gamers and their spouses have joined the suit.

"The getting underscores the acknowledged need to have for added exploration to accelerate a fuller comprehending of C.T.E.," the N.F.L. stated Thursday inside a statement. Pointing on the revenue it has committed for the N.I.H. as well as $100 million the league ideas to invest in healthcare investigate, the N.F.L. extra, "We have operate to undertake, and we're carrying out it."

The final crew Seau played for, the New England Patriots, is preparing for the playoff game against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Gamers asked about Seau on Thursday expressed sympathy but didn't dwell within the news.

"It's the playoffs correct now, so which is the least of our worries proper now," offensive lineman Logan Mankins mentioned. "You could possibly say we're meatheaded and ignorant to not contemplate it, but perhaps in February, right after the season, we will give thought to that."

Above his 20-year N.F.L. job, Seau played for 3 teams, most prominently the San Diego Chargers, and created twelve Pro Bowls. He played in two Super Bowls and was named towards the 1990s All-Decade Group through the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Following he retired from football following the 2009 season, Seau, normally a cheery presence in and all around San Diego, was identified for his do the job with his foundation and his restaurant. But mates stated they struggled to know a few of Seau's darker moments. In October 2010, he drove his sport utility automobile off a cliff along the seaside in Carlsbad, Calif., exactly where it landed some a hundred feet under the roadside. Seau claimed he fell asleep, however the timing seemed odd. That morning he had been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

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NRA on White Household meeting: 'They have been checking a box'

National Rifle Association President David Keene stated Thursday evening that a meeting gun rights advocates had with Vice President Joe Biden along with other administration officials earlier during the day uncovered nearly no widespread ground on gun-related difficulties.
In an interview on CNN, Keene described the session as perfunctory and explained Biden didn't come for the meeting with an open thoughts.
"They had been checking a box. They have been ready to say we have met with all the NRA. We have met using the folks which have been sturdy 2nd Amendment supporters," Keene explained. "We stated our place. They stated their place."
Though Keene portrayed President Barack Obama's group as inflexible, the NRA official manufactured clear his organization was not budging both. He explained the group wouldn't assistance limits on high-capacity magazines or reinstating the federal assault weapons ban.
"We are certainly not likely to agree on these gun inquiries," Keene explained, dismissing the administration's ideas as "feel-good proposals."
Keene stated his organization considers it unworkable to increase the federal necessity for background checks in order that it covers all weapons revenue. He did not rule out requiring checks on product sales at gun exhibits, but explained "in the serious world" there is no successful solution to be certain men and women promoting to other people in actual fact do this kind of a verify.
"Those are private transactions," the NRA chief stated throughout an eight-minute interview with CNN's Wold Blitzer and Kate Bolduan. "The challenge is: how can you enforce a law that will need me to examine you out?...It could possibly be performed at a gun display maybe...In private transactions, it really is really tough."
Keene talked about just one location of likely agreement: producing the databases for background checks far more detailed. The latest mass shootings have been all carried out by "people that are severely mentally ill" and must not are actually permitted to order weapons, he explained.
"It should really be tightened up from the sense the people that really should not have firearms should really be incorporated from the database," Keene stated.
The NRA chief also sounded unconcerned about Biden's suggestion Wednesday that as well as creating legislative proposals, Obama will consider "executive action" about the gun issue
"There are some items which can be performed by executive orders and a few matters you cannot do by executive orders," explained Keene. Previously, most this kind of executive actions have met with lawsuits backed from the NRA, together with 1 that was in court this week.

entertainment

Google withdraws ITC patent promises versus Microsoft

Google's Motorola Mobility filed a motion now with all the U.S. Worldwide Trade Commission to drop two patents from its patent infringement complaint against Microsoft.

The motion (see beneath) puts to rest a part of the ITC patent battle amongst the 2 firms, which started in November 2010 when Motorola sued Microsoft above wireless and video coding patents made use of in Xbox and its smartphones. Microsoft countered that Motorola was unfairly trying to find extreme royalty payments to the H.264 video patents, that are an business critical normal and as this kind of have to be made available on FRAND (fair, realistic, and nondiscriminatory) basis.

An ITC judge ruled final Might that Microsoft's Xbox 360 S video game console really should be banned from import in to the U.S. given that they infringe on Motorola patents. The ITC had been anticipated to release a determination within the proposed ban in August but as a substitute sent the situation back towards the judge for reconsideration.

A equivalent situation among the 2 organizations is presently winding its way via the U.S. District Court of Western Washington. Motorola demanded Microsoft shell out royalties that may attain $4 billion for its utilization of the engineering. Google stated today's filing can have no effect on that situation.

"Motorola intends to enforce its rights for previous damages from the District Court lawsuits," based on the motion filed these days by Google, which purchased Motorola Mobility final Could for $12.five billion. Closing arguments wrapped up in December and also a choice is anticipated this spring.

When two patents had been dropped from Google's claim, a third (U.S. Patent No. six,069,896) relating to a wireless peer-to-peer network was left inside the complaint, presumably due to the fact it does not qualify as an market necessary conventional.
Microsoft welcomed Google's motion, which was filed per week following the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ruled that Google will have to cease blocking using typical crucial patents by rivals. The FTC stated in June that this kind of bans on imports could result in "substantial harm" to buyers, competitors, and innovation.
"We're pleased that Google has last but not least withdrawn these claims for exclusion orders against Microsoft, and hope that it'll now withdraw equivalent claims pending in other jurisdictions as essential through the FTC Consent Order," David Howard, Microsoft's deputy common counsel, mentioned within a statement.
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