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Thursday, November 21, 2013 – Daily News 5A WORLD BRIEFING Nuke missile troubles run deep; study finds job 'burnout' among launch officers WASHINGTON (AP) — Trouble inside the Air Force's nuclear missile force runs deeper and wider than officials have let on. An unpublished study for the Air Force, obtained by The Associated Press, cites ''burnout'' among launch officers with their fingers on the triggers of 450 weapons of mass destruction. Also, evidence of broader behavioral issues across the intercontinental ballistic missile force, including sexual assaults and domestic violence. The study, provided to the AP in draft form, says that court-martial rates in the nuclear missile force in 2011 and 2012 were more than twice as high as in the overall Air Force. Administrative punishments, such as written reprimands for rules violations and other misbehavior, also were higher in those years. These indicators add a new dimension to an emerging picture of malaise and worse inside the ICBM force, an arm of the Air Force with a proud heritage but an uncertain future. Concerned about heightened levels of misconduct, the Air Force directed RAND Corp., the federally funded research house, to conduct a threemonth study of work conditions and attitudes among the men and women inside the ICBM force. It found a toxic mix of frustration and aggravation, heightened by a sense of being unappreciated, overworked, micromanaged and at constant risk of failure. Iran nuclear talks resume GENEVA (AP) — A new round of Iran nuclear talks began in fits and starts Wednesday, with the two sides ending a first session just minutes after it began amid warnings from Iran's supreme leader of ''red lines'' beyond which his country will not compromise. Still, both sides indicated a first-step agreement was possible on a deal to roll back Iran's nuclear program in exchange for limited sanctions relief, despite strong opposition from Israel and unease in both Congress and among Iranian hard-liners. President Barack Obama appears determined to reach such an agreement, which could be a major step toward reconciliation between the United States and a former ally that turned adversary after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. But America's longtime allies Israel and Saudi Arabia fear a deal will fall short of ending the Iranian threat and that a resurgent Iran will transform the balance of power in the Middle East. A senior U.S. official said Wednesday's brief plenary was only a formality and that bilateral meetings would continue Illinois 16th state, largest in Midwest to allow gay marriage through the evening to try to hammer out the first steps of a deal. She demanded anonymity under U.S. government briefing rules. Fears about Iran forge 'strange alliance' between Israel and Gulf nations DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — When U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made another stop in the Middle East this month, he received an expected earful over Washington's outreach to Iran: Don't trust Tehran, tighten sanctions even more, anything short of complete nuclear concessions is a grave mistake. Kerry's meeting wasn't in Israel, though. It was in Riyadh, listening to Saudi leaders. In one of the region's oddest pairings, Israel and the Gulf Arab states led by Saudi Arabia increasingly are finding common ground — and a common political language — on their mutual dismay over Iran's history-making overtures to Washington and the prospect of a nuclear deal in Geneva that could curb Tehran's atomic program but leave the main elements intact, such as uranium enrichment. ''The adage about 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' is playing out over Iran,'' said Theodore Karasik, a security and political affairs analyst at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis. ''This situation opens up some interesting possibilities as it all shakes out.'' There seems little chance of major diplomatic breakthroughs between Israel and the Gulf's array of ruling monarchs and sheiks. But their shared worries over Iran's influence and ambitions already has brought back-channel contacts and ''intimate relationships'' on defense and other strategic interests through forums such as the U.N., said Dan Gillerman, a former Israeli ambas- 590 Antelope Blvd 888.628.1948 (530) 527-3100 Lindsey Vonn partially tears reconstructed right ACL Lindsey Vonn partially tore one of the reconstructed ligaments in her surgically repaired right knee in a training crash that at the very least puts her preparation for the Sochi Olympics on hold. What is less clear at the moment: When the fourtime overall World Cup champion and 2010 Vancouver downhill gold medalist might be able to compete and how her injuries might affect her Olympic hopes. The U.S. Ski Team and Vonn's personal publicist, Lewis Kay, issued nearly identical statements Wednesday detailing her injuries from her fall at Copper Mountain, Colo., a day earlier: a mild strain to her right knee, the same one Vonn hurt in a highspeed crash at the world championships in February; ''minor facial abrasions''; a bruised shoulder blade. Vonn has not competed since needing surgery to fix her ACL and MCL after the crash in Austria nine months ago; the ACL Obama honors JFK legacy by visiting grave WASHINGTON (AP) — Honoring the legacy of John F. Kennedy, President Barack Obama laid a wreath at the assassinated president's gravesite as a nation remembers that terrible day in Dallas a half-century ago Friday. Obama also recognized a group of distinguished Americans — including Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey — with the Presidential Medal of Free- Florida GOP Rep. Radel pleads guilty WASHINGTON (AP) — Florida Republican Rep. Henry ''Trey'' Radel pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of cocaine possession and was sentenced to a year's probation. ''I've hit a bottom where I realize I need help,'' Radel told a judge in acknowledging that he purchased 3.5 grams of cocaine from an undercover police officer. As part of a plea agreement Radel acknowledged he agreed to buy the cocaine for $250 in a Washington, D.C., neighborhood on Oct. 29. After the undercover officer gave Radel the drugs federal agents confronted him, court documents show. Radel agreed to talk with the agents and invited them to his apartment, where he also retrieved a vial of cocaine he had in the home, the documents said. The charges against Radel were made public Tuesday, and Radel said in a statement then that he struggles with alcoholism and will seek treatment and counseling. Radel made no mention of his political future and did not answer reporters' questions outside of court about whether he would stay in office. ''I want to come out of this stronger,'' Radel said in court, later adding that he wants to ''continue serving this country.'' is pleased to announce that Residential to Ranches Red Bluff WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that the U.S. and Afghanistan have agreed on the language of a bilateral security pact that could clear the way for thousands of U.S. troops to train and assist Afghan forces after the NATO combat mission ends in 2014. The agreement is far from complete. The document now goes to the Loya Jirga, a 3,000member council of elders who have the right to revise or reject any clause of the draft agreement. Whatever they agree upon then goes to the Afghan parliament, which could make still more changes before the agreement is approved. On the U.S. side, only the Obama administration needs to approve the agreement, but it could reject the changes made by Afghan officials. If it does, that leaves open the option for the U.S. to pull all troops out of Afghanistan. Such was the case in Iraq, when the U.S. and Iraq couldn't agree on terms of a security arrangement. Sectarian violence has plagued the country since, and some fear Afghanistan could head down that path without a continued U.S. presence until Afghan forces can defend the country themselves. Kerry said the language, agreed to after about a year of tense onagain, off-again negotiations, will be reflected in the draft proposal presented Thursday to the Loya Jirga in Kabul. ''There were some people who may have questioned or doubted whether that was going to happen. Well, it's happening tomorrow, and it's happening tomorrow with agreedupon language between us,'' Kerry said during a news conference at the State Department with Australian officials and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. WASHINGTON (AP) — After they get the website fixed, then what? Keeping your doctors and hospitals may be the next vexing challenge for Americans in the new health plans created by President Barack Obama's law. Obama promised people could keep their doctors. But in many states the new plans appear to offer a narrow choice of hospitals and doctors. Overall, it's shaping up as less choice than what people get through Medicare or employer-based coverage. Also, it can get complicated tracking down which medical providers are in what plans. ''The next shoe is going to drop sometime after Jan. 1, when people actually start using their plans,'' said health economist Gail Wilensky, who ran Medicare for President George H.W. Bush. ''Whether or not they can keep their doctor is going to depend on whether their doctor was chosen — or wanted to be — part of a plan on the (insurance) exchange.'' Concerns are already being raised from New Hampshire to Kentucky, and Chicago to New York. Narrow networks are part of the economic trade-off for keeping premiums under control in Obama's health insurance markets, the new gateway to coverage for people who don't have job-based plans. Technical problems with the website HealthCare.gov have dampened initial signups, but 7 million people are expected to participate in the insurance exchanges next year. Some of those people already have coverage through individual plans. Red Bluff Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Doctors who listen ... Doctors who care. A FREE SERVICE PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE Call toll free Specializing in Kerry says US and Afghanistan have reached agreement Narrow choice of hospitals and doctors seen in new health overhaul dom, an award created by Kennedy. Obama was joined at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday by Clinton, and each president held hands with Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, as they climbed a flight of stairs to the burial site on a steep hillside overlooking the nation's capital. First lady Michelle Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton helped their husbands place a large wreath of white flowers in front of the roped-off gravesite of America's 35th president, which is marked by an ever-burning flame. Both couples placed their hands over their hearts as taps sounded near a U.S. flag at halfstaff before greeting Kennedy relatives, including some who arrived in Obama's motorcade, before Friday's 50th anniversary of the assassination. The day of tributes began at the White House, where Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16 living and deceased Americans for their contributions in fields ranging from sports and entertainment to science and public service. BENNY BROWN'S Need a Physician? Stromer Realty sador to the world body. CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Wednesday allowing same-sex weddings starting this summer, making President Barack Obama's home state the 16th overall — and largest in the nation's heartland — to legalize gay marriage. Speaking in front of thousands at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Quinn said the new law ensured that ''Illinois does not have a situation where individuals are discriminated against in any way when it comes to love and marriage.'' Illinois, where Democrats lead both legislative chambers and the governor's office, legalized civil unions in 2011, but the road to same-sex marriage was bumpy. When 2013 began advocates hoped Illinois would've been the 10th state, but watched as other states passed it. Gay marriage is allowed in Washington D.C., and 15 other states; Hawaii's governor signed a measure last week. Even with support from top business leaders, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the state attorney general and even a few top Republicans, several lawmakers were resistant to the idea. That included even Democrats in more conservative downstate Illinois and some Chicago-area lawmakers. was re-injured Tuesday. Kay said that after Vonn rests for a few days, she ''then will pursue aggressive physical therapy and will determine the next time she is able to compete after seeing how she responds to the treatment.'' www.redbluff.mercy.org Bren Brown has joined our sales staff. Bren has many years experience in New and Used Car Sales, and he invites you to come on in and see him for a great deal on a New Or Used Car. 545 Adobe Rd., Red Bluff 530-366-3166 Cell 530-736-1482