Obama Picks Hagel For Defense, Brennan For CIA -- Reuters
President Barack Obama on Monday nominated former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel as his next defense secretary and counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to head the CIA, potentially setting up at least one Senate confirmation battle and establishing a tough tone to start his second term.
Obama moved ahead with the picks despite concerns raised by senators on both sides of the aisle about them. Hagel has made controversial comments about Israel and gays while Brennan faces questions over his views as a CIA official in the Bush administration on the use of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques, widely considered torture, on terrorism suspects.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syrians brush off Assad speech as fighting rages.
Assad's call for talks dismissed as 'a waste of time' by Syrian opposition. Assad speech resoundingly dismissed by opposition and allies.
Bahrain upholds sentences of uprising leaders.
Israel warily watches shifts across its frontier with Syria.
Abbas orders issue of 'Palestine' passports.
AP interview: Palestinian PM warns of cash crisis.
'Palestine' to be used in West Bank public documents.
New Iran sanctions target industry in bid for deal curbing nuclear program.
Annual buildup of air pollution chokes Tehran.
Kuwaiti forces disperse protesters with stun grenades.
Elections seen as only answer in crisis-hit Iraq.
ASIA
North Korea welcomes Google's Schmidt to Internet black hole.
Energy crisis compounds Pakistan's woes.
Afghan president flies to Washington for tough talks on military future.
Islamabad lodges protest over 'unprovoked' India attack.
Myanmar forces 'attack' rebel outposts. Analysis: Air assaults raise doubts about Myanmar's reformist rulers.
Suu Kyi urged to help to end Kachin war.
China promises 'to stop sending people to labour camp'.
Five accused of rape in India appear in court for charges. India gang-rape case: Accused duo offer to testify against others.
Chinese stage rare protest over newspaper censorship. Protesters in China call for press freedom.
Catastrophic wildfire conditions threaten Australia’s NSW. Australia fires burn 50,000 acres of farmland and forest.
AFRICA
Malian Islamists move south toward government forces.
Thousands of Libyan gunmen sign up for police training.
Civil war still rages in Nuba Mountains, thwarting Sudan, South Sudan peace.
Egypt Copts mark Christmas with fear of future.
Egypt resumes IMF loan talks; doubts about ability to impose required austerity measures.
Egyptian military says it foiled car bombing near church and military camp close to Gaza.
Morsi Expands Brotherhood influence in Egyptian cabinet.
CAR leaders and rebels to hold talks.
Exclusion drives Central African Republic revolt and, this time, France won't intervene.
South African troops headed to embattled Central African Republic.
Uganda willing to send troops to Central African Republic war.
DR Congo's M23 rebels, government meet with mediators.
John Mahama: Ghana's NPP boycotts swearing in.
EUROPE
Russian Orthodox Church head urges followers to adopt children.
Berlusconi withdraws as candidate to win electoral pact. Silvio Berlusconi renews rightwing alliance ahead of Italian elections.
Ireland lobbies to have Europe share banking risk.
N Ireland violence continues despite dialogue.
Russia kills militants suspected of Christmas attack plan.
Bulgaria: Investigator of bomb attack is fired.
Coalition to go the distance, Cameron and Clegg insist.
Cameron plays down status of top credit rating.
AMERICAS
Budget stand-off could again impact US credit rating.
Sen. John Kerry reportedly met with Cuban officials over Alan Gross.
A month after falling ill, Clinton returns to work.
Conflict brewing in Venezuela's ruling party, says Hugo Chavez foe.
White House considers broader U.S. gun control: report.
Democrats look for up to $1 trillion in new tax revenues this year.
Bolivia accuses United States of plotting against Morales.
With inauguration approaching, uncertainty in Venezuela.
Chile President meets with ministers after attack.
Hundreds in Peru balk at relocation from site of mine.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Extradited al Qaeda suspect pleads not guilty in U.S. court.
Guantanamo is a place of sometimes puzzling secrecy.
Officials: Hundreds of jihadists operating in the Sinai.
Indonesian anti-terror squad criticized for deaths.
Yemen court sentences alleged 5 al Qaeda militants.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Inquiry into tech giants’ tax strategies nears end.
Smartphone sales to hit 1bn a year for first time in 2013.
Handset makers scurry to join Year of the Phablet.
Google executive chairman arrives in NKorea.
Bank of America in $10B-plus mortgage settlement.