Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/134037
Saturday, June 1, 2013 – Daily News 7A WORLD BRIEFING with questions about how and how much to keep tabs on people who spout jihadist rhetoric online or buy material that could be used to make explosives — or something innocuous. Balance of power in Syria war shifting in Assad's favor BEIRUT (AP) — As hopes for a Syrian peace conference fade and the opposition falls into growing disarray, President Bashar Assad has every reason to project confidence. Government forces have moved steadily against rebels in key areas of the country over the past two months, making strategic advances and considerably lowering the threat to the capital, Damascus. With army soldiers no longer defecting and elite Hezbollah fighters actively helping, the regime now clearly has the upper hand in a two-year civil war that has killed more than 70,000 people. In back-to-back interviews with Lebanese TV stations this week, Assad and his foreign minister both projected an image of self-assuredness, boasting of achievements and suggesting that the military's offensive would continue regardless of whether a peace track is in place. ''What is happening now is not a shift in tactic from defense to attack, but rather a shift in the balance of power in favor of the armed forces,'' Assad said of his troops' recent battleground successes. Medicare insolvency pushed back 2 years WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare's long-term health is starting to look a little better, the government said Friday, but both Social Security and Medicare are still wobbling toward insolvency within two decades if Congress and the president don't find a way to shore up the trust funds established to take care of older Americans. Medicare's giant fund for inpatient care will be exhausted in 2026, two years later than estimated last year, while Social Security's projected insolvency in 2033 remains unchanged, the government reported. An overall slowdown in health care spending is helping Medicare. Spending cuts in President Barack Obama's health care law are also having a positive impact on the balance sheet, but they may prove politically Sierra Sound NEW & USED CD's Special Orders Avail. Car Stereo Sales - Service Installation We make house calls! 226 So. Main St., Red Bluff 527-3735 $ 120,45554 in Discount Coupons were published last week in the DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY … And that does not Count all the ads offering percentage discounts, two-for-ones and Free-with-Purchase offers! Don't miss a Day of it! Subscribe Today 527-2151 It pays for itself. *approx. value unsustainable over the long run. The relatively good news about two programs that provide a foundation of economic security for nearly every American family is a respite, not a free pass. Program trustees urged lawmakers anew to seize a current opportunity and make long-term changes to improve finances. Action now would be far less jarring than having to hit the brakes at the edge of a fiscal cliff. Politically, however, Friday's positive report and the absence of a crisis could make legislative action less likely, especially in light of the lack of trust between President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress. No end is in sight for the partisan standoff over what to do about Social Security and Medicare, two of the government's costliest programs, and the mammoth budget deficits they help fuel. Boston, London, Paris attacks highlight intelligence dilemma struggling to combat the terror network's strategy of encouraging followers to keep to themselves, use off-the-shelf weapons and strike when they see an opportunity. In recent weeks — at the Boston Marathon, in the streets of London and in the shadow of one of Paris' most recognizable monuments — young men allegedly carried out attacks with little help, using inexpensive, widely available knives and explosives from everyday ingredients. In each of the attacks, suspects had previously been flagged to law enforcement and deemed not to be a priority. There are no indications that the suspects in the recent attacks were responding specifically to al-Qaida calls to act in a vacuum — but their alleged actions closely follow the lone wolf model that the network has been promoting. A tough debate now rages within the intelligence community — previously focused on searching for al-Qaida cells — on how to assess red flags without violating basic liberties. Confronting an overwhelming sea of mostly harmless individuals who act suspiciously, authorities are still struggling declined ment. further com- Arizona woman returning to Family of Phoenix after Mich. mother being cleared killed in by judge NOGALES, Mexico Syria says (AP) — An Arizona woman held in a Mexico FBI asked jail for a week after federal police said they questions found 12 pounds of marBURTON, Mich. (AP) — The FBI questioned relatives of a 33-year-old Michigan mother killed during fighting in Syria after she took a previous trip to the Middle East a couple of years ago, family members said Friday. Agents had asked why Nicole Lynn Mansfield traveled to Dubai for a few weeks, but family members said they did not know much about her trip, said Mansfield's aunt, Monica Mansfield-Speelman. Mansfield first became interested in the Middle East after converting to Islam and marrying an Arab immigrant several years ago, her aunt said, but her family had lost touch with her in recent years and had no idea she had gone to Syria. ''We didn't know she was over there. We didn't know she was gone, but Nicole, she was known to take off like that,'' Mansfield-Speelman said. ''She was a traveler, I guess you could say. She didn't stay in one place.'' Family members said FBI agents visited them Thursday and informed them of Mansfield's death. Simon Shaykhet, an FBI spokesman in Detroit, said he could confirm agents spoke to Mansfield's family, but he PARIS (AP) — Intelligence agencies that have succeeded in thwarting many of al-Qaida's plans for spectacular attacks are CREATE A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN RED BLUFF ijuana under her bus seat was freed and returned to the U.S. after a court reviewed her case, including key security footage, and dismissed the allegations. Yanira Maldonado, 42, walked out of the prison on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico, and into her husband's arms late Thursday and crossed through the Nogales port of entry into Arizona. After spending the night in a hotel, she drove away with a police escort at midmorning Friday and was expected to return to her Phoenix-area home to be reunited with her children. Maldonado spoke briefly after her release, thanking U.S. State Department officials, her husband, her lawyers and prison workers who made her stay comfortable. ''Many thanks to everyone, especially my God who let me go free, my family, my children, who with their help, I was able to survive this test,'' she said. Maldonado also said at a news conference later that she still loves Mexico, and the experience will not stop her from returning in the future to visit family there. Pakistan may be next in line for an IMF bailout ISLAMABAD (AP) — With foreign reserves diminishing fast, Pakistan is on the brink of an economic crisis that may force its new government to ask for an unpopular bailout from the International Monetary Fund requiring a sweeping overhaul of the country's economy. The troubles could inject a new element of instability into the nuclear-armed nation of 180 million people that Washington is relying on to combat Islamic militants at home and to help negotiate an end to the war in neighboring Afghanistan. Pakistan's foreign currency reserves stood at just $6.4 billion as of May 17, down from more than $14 billion two years ago. That is only enough to cover about 1.5 months' worth of imports while the IMF considers adequate foreign reserves for any country enough to cover three months of imports. Bottoming out could bring painful consequences: A run on the banks by panicked citizens anxious to convert savings into dollars amid fears of a devaluation, a withdrawal from the stock market, a collapse of economic activity and higher unemployment. The presumptive head of the new government, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has made fixing the economy his main priority. But even though a crisis may be only six to nine months away, his incoming government appears hesitant about taking IMF money. They know it will come with conditions attached that would likely stir discontent on the streets, such as raising energy prices and broadening tax collection significantly. Veggie Starts, Flowers, Shrubs Trees, Water Plants & Yard Art TODAY at 10am WATER GARDEN CLASS: Learn about Natural Filtration using Plants CALL (530) 844-3483 OR (530) 300-5171 ORGANIC INSECT CONTROL Sat., June 15 @ 10am Our Classes are free. Your partner for successful gardening....... KWIK KUTS WYNTOUR GARDENS 365-2256 Family Hair Salon 20 % ANY RETAIL off PRODUCT 8026 Airport Road, Redding I-5 North, Exit #673, Rt on Knighton, Rt on Airport Located 1 mile south of the Airport (Next to Kents Mkt) with any chemical service of $50 or more 200 Regular $ Haircut off Reg. $13.95 Not good with other offers Expires 6/30/13 With coupon 1064 South Main St., Red Bluff • 529-3540 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE proudly presents thAnnual Red Bluff 4 The Crawdad Festival JUNE 7, 8, 9 MONSTER TRUCK RIDES ★ LASER TAG ★ ZIP LINES ★ FREE ULTIMATE BOUNCE HOUSES Local "Spotlight Bands" Saturday & Sunday FREE PARKING!! LIVE CAJUN MUSIC, FOOD & FAMILY FUN FRIDAY 5pm-9pm SATURDAY 10am-9pm SUNDAY 10am-6pm Welcome Family Night Adults $5 Seniors 60+$5 Adults $10 BBQ Drawing & Car Show Adults $10 KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE Spotlight or car show applications call (530) 527-6220 ext. 301, info@redbluffchamber.com or www.crawdadfestival.net For Vendor Information Call Jessie Woods (530) 528-8000 DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF at the City Park 100 Main St.. Chamber Certified Farmers Market THIS SATURDAY ONLY Produce • Crafts • Free coffee • Bounce house • Balloons and Face painting Saturday Morning Markets: RED BLUFF-TEHAMA COUNTY KID ZONE This Saturday... Market by the River! 7:30 to Noon; Slim Clickens from the Crawdad Festival will be here for photo ops too! Come on right here next to the Sacramento River at the City Park! Open Mon-Sat 8-5 & Sunday's 10-4 wyntourgardens.com Facebook inform@wyntourgardens.com Tehama District Fairgrounds Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 June 1st - September 28th 7:30 am to Noon Location: City Park 100 Main St. Wednesday Evening Markets: June 19th - September 11th 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Location: Washington and Pine St. Downtown Exciting News!!! Red Bluff-Tehama County chamber Farmers' Market will continue to be part of the EBT Program (Electronic Benefits Transfer) and as always, dozens of amazing vendors and food! Contact Us 100 Main St/PO Box 850, Red Bluff, Ca 96080 P (530) 527-6220 • F (530) 527-2908 info@redbluffchamber.com Want to be a Vendor? Obtain a vendor application online: www.redbluffchamber.com