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Riot police move against protest camp in Kiev KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Defiant protesters shouted ''Glory to Ukraine'' as burning tents lit up the night sky after thousands of riot police moved against the sprawl- ing protest camp in the center of Kiev on Tues- day. The police, armed with stun grenades and water cannons, attacked the camp after at least 18 peo- ple died and hundreds were injured in street clashes. The violence was the deadliest in nearly three months of anti-gov- ernment protests that have paralyzed Ukraine's capi- tal in a struggle over the nation's identity. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko urged the 20,000 protesters to defend the camp on Inde- pendence Square. Early Wednesday morning, government agencies said seven police officers and 11 protesters have died in the violence. Minimum wage hike would raise income for over 16.5M WASHINGTON (AP) — Boosting the federal minimum wage as Presi- dent Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are proposing would increase earnings for more than 16.5 million people by 2016 but also cut employment by roughly 500,000 jobs, Congress' nonpartisan budget analyst said Tues- day. In a report containing ammunition for both sup- porters and opponents of the Democratic election- year proposal, the Con- gressional Budget Office said gradually raising the minimum from $7.25 hourly to $10.10 would lift 900,000 people above the federal poverty level by 2016. That is out of 45 million who would other- wise live in poverty with- out an increase. But the analysis also noted a downside: About 0.3 percent fewer jobs, especially for low-income workers; higher costs for business owners and high- er prices for consumers. The study was unveiled as the Senate prepares for a March debate on a plan by Sen. Tom Harkin, D- Iowa, ramping up the minimum in three steps to $10.10 by 2016. The pro- posal is backed by Obama and is a keystone of Democrats' campaign- season plans to highlight their effort to make incomes more equitable, but it faces strong Repub- lican opposition and long odds of approval by Con- gress. The analysis, which examined increases very similar to Harkin's, immediately added fuel to the partisan dispute over the proposal. It put authoritative weight behind longtime GOP claims that increasing the minimum wage would cost jobs by forcing com- panies to spend more on wages, putting Democrats on the defensive. Obama, Democrats at odds over election-year trade deals WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama wants to put major emerging trade deals with Europe and Asia on a ''fast track'' to congressional passage. But with midterm elec- tions looming, many fel- low Democrats are work- ing to sidetrack them instead. At the same time, Obama has found an ally in a traditional foe, Republican House Speak- er John Boehner. If ratified, the propos- als — the Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific Trade and Investment Partner- ships — would create the largest free-trade zone in the world, covering roughly half of all global trade. In his State of the Union address, Obama asked Congress to give him ''trade promotion authority,'' usually known as fast track, to negotiate the twin trade deals. But the separate negotiations with the European Union and 11 Pacific Rim nations are generating strong emotions at home and abroad. Many Democrats up for re-election in Novem- ber are fearful of drawing primary-election opposi- tion over the trade talks. Concerned about lost jobs that are important to labor unions, they're abandon- ing Obama on this issue. US struggles for new options for Syria WASHINGTON (AP) — With peace talks fail- ing, Syria's government on the offensive and moderate rebels pushed aside by al-Qaida-linked militants, the Obama administration is strug- gling for new ideas to halt a savage civil war. Extending beyond Syria, the crisis is also an accelerating national security threat to the United States, officials say. And that, in part, has led to a fresh look at pre- viously shelved ideas, including more robust assistance to Western- backed rebels. Officials also have looked at newer, more far-reaching options, including drone strikes on rebel factions who might aspire to attack the United States — though such strikes are seen as unlikely for now. American officials remain hampered by the same constraints that have stymied the U.S. response throughout the three-year civil war, including concern that lethal assistance could end up in the hands of extremists. And then there also is President Barack Obama's own dis- taste for military action. Speaking cautiously, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday, ''We have to examine what the alternatives some might be proposing are and whether they're in our national security interest.'' He added that the administration also was concerned about whether stepped-up inter- vention could lead to ''unintended conse- quences.'' Iran rejects key demand of world powers VIENNA (AP) — Iran drew a red line on Tuesday on how far it would go at landmark nuclear talks, saying as the meeting opened that it would not buckle to pressure from the U.S. and five other world powers to scrap any of its nuclear facilities. The statement by Deputy Foreign Minis- ter Abbas Araghchi sug- gested tough talks ahead, constituting a rejection of a central demand by the six coun- tries. At the same time, neither side can afford to have the talks fail. Lack of agreement would leave Iran strug- gling under the weight of harsh economic sanc- tions and a threat of mil- itary strikes by Israel, which sees Iran's nuclear program as an unacceptable security threat primarily designed to develop weapons. The United States has promised to protect Israel, but said more time is needed for diplo- macy and sanctions to try to reduce the threat Israel faces from Iran. Tape: Suspect in Florida shooting compared himself to a rape victim JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida soft- ware designer accused of killing a black teenager during an argument over loud music compared him- self to a rape victim, telling his fiancee in a recorded jailhouse phone call that the police were trying to blame him for the shooting when he was only defend- ing himself. In a series of taped phone calls and jailhouse visits released Tuesday by prosecutors, Michael Dunn also expressed surprise at the media attention his November 2012 shooting of 17-year-old Jordan Davis outside a Jack- sonville convenience store had drawn and expressed confidence that he would be exonerated once a jury heard all the facts. Dunn, 47, was convict- ed Saturday of three counts of attempted second- degree murder for shooting at three of Davis' friends who were all inside an SUV, but the jury hung on a first-degree murder charge for Davis' death. Dunn, who is white, has argued that he fired at Davis after the teen threat- ened him and raised a shot- gun or something that looked like one after he asked the teens to turn down their rap music. No shotgun was found in the SUV. Dunn is facing 60 years in prison when sentenced and State Attorney Angela Corey says she will retry him on the murder charge, which carries a potential life sentence. A phone message left for Dunn's attorney, Cory Strolla, was not immediately returned. In a December 2012 phone call with his fiancee, Rhonda Rouer, Dunn com- pares himself to a rape vic- tim, saying the detectives wanted to blame him for the shooting, not Davis and his friends. Inmates at the Duval County Jail are warned that all phone con- versations and visits will be recorded and can be shared with prosecutors except for those with their attorneys. N Guard suspends honor guard member over photo MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Wisconsin National Guard announced Tuesday that it had suspended a member from honor guard duties after she apparently posted to social media a photograph of soldiers mugging around an empty, flag-draped casket. The group photograph taken at a National Guard training facility in Arkansas sparked a furor on Face- book, in military chat rooms and other social media, where people saw it as dis- respectful of veterans and those killed in action. The National Guard said it was taking steps to protect the soldier who posted the pho- tograph after she received death threats. The photograph origi- nally posted on Instagram shows about a dozen sol- diers clowning around a casket draped in a flag. Sev- eral hug playfully. One flashes a peace sign. Anoth- er has his back turned and is pointing off in the distance. The caption reads, ''We put the FUN in funeral — your fearless honor guard from various states.'' The photograph was posted from an account belonging to Spc. Terry Harrison, of the Madison, Wis.-based 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, according to the National Guard. That account has since been closed, but oth- ers have reposted the picture and Harrison's comments on multiple social media sites. 5B Wednesday, February 19, 2014 – Daily News 750 David Avenue, Red Bluff • 527-9193 • www.tehamaestates.com No Move-in fees No extra costs All Inclusive Senior Apartments Starting at only $1600 per month find us on Facebook Tehama Estates Independent Senior Apartments Your Apartments Include: • Reasonably priced • Planned social floor plan activities • 3 delicious meals • Scheduled and snacks daily transportation • Utilities included • Exercise Program • Daily Housekeeping • Game and crafts • Secure 24 hour • Coin free staffed environment laundry facilities • Emergency pull cords • Personal mail box • Beautifully landscaped • Beauty & barber grounds shop • Wonderful common • Plus much living areas much more. Schedule your tour today and enjoy a free lunch! Ask about our move in special Ask about our new UNBEATABLE Rent Specials & Free Rent Specials too! 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