Bible Quotation for today/Witnesses to Jesus
John 05/30-47: "I can do nothing on my own authority; I judge only as God tells me, so my judgment is right, because I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants. “If I testify on my own behalf, what I say is not to be accepted as real proof.  But there is someone else who testifies on my behalf, and I know that what he says about me is true. 33 John is the one to whom you sent your messengers, and he spoke on behalf of the truth.  It is not that I must have a human witness; I say this only in order that you may be saved.  John was like a lamp, burning and shining, and you were willing for a while to enjoy his light. 36 But I have a witness on my behalf which is even greater than the witness that John gave: what I do, that is, the deeds my Father gave me to do, these speak on my behalf and show that the Father has sent me.  And the Father, who sent me, also testifies on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his face, 38 and you do not keep his message in your hearts, for you do not believe in the one whom he sent.  You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me!  Yet you are not willing to come to me in order to have life. “I am not looking for human praise.  But I know what kind of people you are, and I know that you have no love for God in your hearts.  I have come with my Father's authority, but you have not received me; when, however, someone comes with his own authority, you will receive him.  You like to receive praise from one another, but you do not try to win praise from the one who alone is God; how, then, can you believe me?  Do not think, however, that I am the one who will accuse you to my Father. Moses, in whom you have put your hope, is the very one who will accuse you. If you had really believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me.  But since you do not believe what he wrote, how can you believe what I say?" 

Question: "Is the Christian life supposed to be boring?"
GotQuestions.org/Answer: There are many misconceptions about the Christian life, and one is that it is boring. The truth is the Christian life is where we find true joy and lasting peace, hope and contentment. These things, like all good and perfect things, come from God (James 1:17). The difficulty is that, if you’re not a believer in Christ, you truly don’t know what you’re missing. This is not to say that the Christian life is easy. One writer describes growing in the Christian faith as being “on a never-ending downward escalator. In order to grow we have to turn around and sprint up the escalator putting up with perturbed looks from everyone else who is gradually moving downward.” Christ never deluded anyone into thinking it would be easy to follow Him (see Matthew 10:34-39). It’s not easy, but the hardships help prevent boredom. Those who believe the Christian life is boring have never taken God’s invitation to “taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8). Instead, they selfishly pursue whatever they think will make them “not bored” or happy or content. The problem is, the things of this world are temporary and can never truly satisfy. The Bible tells us that sowing to please our sinful nature will surely lead to destruction (Galatians 6:8). King Solomon, the wisest and richest person who ever lived, had everything a person could possibly want. He said, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure” (Ecclesiastes 2:10). Solomon had it all, but he concluded that it was “meaningless” and likened it to “chasing after the wind” (v. 11). In other words, he had everything this world had to offer, and he was bored. Sometimes, a new Christian is surprised that his new life is not “more exciting,” as if the Christian life is supposed to be a thrill-a-minute extravaganza. No life is that. Boredom is something we must all overcome. Everyone stands in line at the grocery store, gets caught in traffic, or is given jobs he’d rather not do. Part of the problem may be how “boredom” is defined. Is it a lack of excitement? Nothing can stimulate perpetual exhilaration. Is it inactivity? If so, then the key is to find something to do. Is it uninterest? If so, the key is to be more curious. Is it a lack of “fun”? In that case, “fun” needs to be defined, since “fun” is itself a highly subjective concept. Some people assume that being a Christian is boring because they’ve heard that Christians have to give up all the “fun” things in life. It’s true that Christians give up some things, but it’s not the fun. Christians give up their sin, their self-destructive behavior, their addictions, their negative attitudes and their ignorance of God. In return, they receive “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). They “live as children of light” in a dark world (Ephesians 5:8). The mistakes of their past no longer have a stronghold in their lives. They no longer live for themselves but for the One who died for them. They serve others and make a difference (Romans 14:7; Philippians 2:4). They are becoming everything that God created them to be. It is virtually impossible to be bored in such a life.
The only thing in this world that has eternal value is a relationship with Jesus Christ. A growing, committed Christian will find that life is never boring. There’s always another step of faith to take, another relationship to build, another person to serve. Is the Christian life supposed to be “boring”? Absolutely not. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Recommended Resources: Boring: Finding an Extraordinary God in an Ordinary Life by Michael Kelley and Logos Bible Software.

Latest analysis, editorials, studies, reports, letters & Releases from miscellaneous sources For January 11/14
Winning the Peace by Failing in Geneva/By Jeremy Shapiro and Samuel Charap/Foreign Affairs/January 11/14
As Obama dithers, Egypt ramps up its nuclear options/By: Raymond Stock/Fox News/January 11/14

 Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources For January 11/14

Lebanese Related News

Iran Says Nuclear Talks Found Solutions to 'All Disagreements', EU Reports 'Very Good Progress'

Suleiman: Positive Signs from Hariri on 8-8-8 Cabinet, New Govt. in 10 Days if No Consensus

U.S. Defense Official Visits Lebanon, Voices Commitment to Prevent Spillover of Syrian Crisis

Al-Rahi Tells Hizbullah Delegation Constitutional Junctures Must Happen in 'Consensual' Manner

New government bid gains momentum

No answers yet to questions on Cabinet: Future MP

Jumblat Expresses Hope that Cabinet Would See Light Soon

International Pressure to Elect President on Time, France Rejects Extension

Gemayel Denies Direct Contacts with March 8, Says Coordination Ongoing with March 14

Berri Sticks to Rotation of Portfolios but Says Policy Statement Should be Left Out of Consultations

Three Soldiers Wounded in Clash between Army, Gunmen in Tripoli

Army Hands Over al-Majed's Body to Saudi Embassy

Social Affairs Ministry: Child Sex Abuse Victim Undergoing Checkups, Evaluation

Syrian Child Sexually Assaulted by HIV-Positive Man in Marjeyoun

Pregnant Woman 'Brutally Attacked' by Relatives

FPM Voices Optimism Regarding Cabinet Formation, Says Party Facilitating Matter

Civil marriage is legal in Lebanon: experts

Miscellaneous Reports And News

Assad's forces kill dozens of rebels in Homs city

ISIS fights back against Syria rebel assault

41 Palestinians Dead from Hunger, Medical Shortages in Syria Camp

500 Killed in Syria Rebel-Jihadist Fighting

Russia Tells U.S. It Will Continue Backing Assad

Iran: Nuke talks found solutions over all disagreements

Iran, EU Inch towards Putting Nuclear Deal into Action

Iran, Russia negotiating big oil-for-goods deal

U.S. nearing irrelevance

Rouhani, Netanyahu to attend Davos meeting
80% of Israelis Say Peace Talks Will Fail

Sharon remains in grave condition following dramatic decline
Will Israel be recognized as Jewish state?

Iraqi troops clash with Al-Qaeda militants in west

C.African President Resigns after Deadly Unrest

No answers yet to questions on Cabinet: Future MP

January 10, 2014/The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The Future Movement has yet to receive satisfactory answers from the March 8 coalition on a series of questions that could pave the way for agreement on the next government, MP Nuhad Mashnouq said Friday.
“We put the five questions forward as a foundation [for accepting or rejecting a Cabinet formation] and we still haven’t received a yes or no or clear answers,” he told LBC.
On Wednesday, the Future Movement demanded answers to five questions before accepting a new Cabinet proposal based on an 8-8-8 lineup.
Mashnouq said his party has yet to receive clear answers “on the blocking third, the Baabda Declaration in the policy statement, the formation of the Cabinet, the rotation of ministerial seats and the legitimate right to veto the name of a candidate that both the president and prime minister-designate reject.”
He said he had been tasked by former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to discuss with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri “the issue of the five questions that we put forward that would allow us to decide whether to accept or reject a Cabinet formation.”“There is an ongoing discussion but there is no agreement up until now and the foundations of the ongoing talks for all of us are the five questions that were outlined in the past 24 hours,” he said.
He also said President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam and MP Walid Jumblatt were contacting various sides to bring viewpoints closer.

Suleiman: Positive Signs from Hariri on 8-8-8 Cabinet, New Govt. in 10 Days if No Consensus
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/President Michel Suleiman announced on Friday that he received positives signs from former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on the formation of an all-inclusive cabinet based on the 8-8-8 lineup. Suleiman stated, however, that if no consensus was reached over an all-embracing cabinet within the coming 10 days, a new council of ministers will be formed. “Regarding March 14 camp's queries on the cabinet's formation, PM-designate Tammam Salam is the one to answer them,” he told LBCI television. Efforts to end the nine-month government deadlock have intensified in the past few days through a series of meetings held by different officials to avert the formation of a non partisan cabinet. Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader Fouad Saniora could soon hold separate talks with Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri over the matter, An Nahar daily reported on Friday. LBCI revealed that Saniora will inform Berri about March 14's stance on the 8-8-8 government lineup. Reports said that Suleiman and Berri could also meet before Monday and mentioned possible talks between Salam and Hariri in Europe. The flurry of political activity comes amid optimism that the rival parties could agree on the formation of a cabinet in which the March 8 and 14 alliances and centrists would get 8 ministers each. The rivals are hoping to clinch a deal on the all-embracing cabinet by the end of the month to avoid the formation of a neutral government. Suleiman and Salam have been clinging into the option of a non partisan cabinet to avoid a bigger vacuum ahead of the presidential elections. The president's advisor, former Minister Khalil Hrawi, visited Saniora, Salam and Berri's advisor Caretaker Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Thursday. Caretaker Minister Wael Abou Faour, who is Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat's envoy, also held talks with Suleiman and Salam. Abou Faour also contacted al-Mustaqbal movement through Nader Hariri. Jumblat, a centrist, is playing a major mediating role to reach an agreement on a new cabinet nine months after Salam's appointment. He told As Safir daily that he was exerting all efforts to bring the viewpoints of political parties closer.

 

Al-Rahi Tells Hizbullah Delegation Constitutional Junctures Must Happen in 'Consensual' Manner
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Friday said that “constitutional junctures” must happen in a “consensual and responsible manner,” according to state-run National News Agency.
Al-Rahi voiced his remarks during a meeting in Bkirki with a Hizbullah delegation comprising politburo member Ghaleb Abu Zainab and Hajj Mustafa al-Hajj Ali. Bishop Samir Mazloum and national dialogue committee member Hareth Shehab also attended the talks according to NNA. During the meeting, al-Rahi stressed “the need to hold the constitutional junctures in a consensual and responsible manner which would restore the normal and democratic cycle of political life and constitutional institutions in Lebanon.” For his part, Abu Zainab stated after the meeting that “consultations with His Eminence are an essential and necessary thing during this period,” noting that “positive atmospheres engulfed the meeting.” The Hizbullah official hoped “these atmospheres will reflect on all the talks that are ongoing in the country to pull it out of its domestic crises.” He also hoped the cabinet formation process and the presidential election will take place according to the “national and constitutional spirit.”Meanwhile, MTV said al-Rahi reportedly told the Hizbullah delegation that "a consensual, all-embracing cabinet is better than a disputed de facto cabinet."Amid a flurry of talks among political forces on the formation of a new government, former Premier Saad Hariri reportedly accepted the so-called 8-8-8 cabinet formula on Friday, as President Michel Suleiman stated he will form a government within 10 days if no consensus was reached between political foes.
 

International Pressure to Elect President on Time, France Rejects Extension
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/Western countries in addition to Russia and China are expected to exert more pressure on Lebanese parties to elect a new president on time and avoid a vacuum, Western diplomatic sources said. The sources told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat published on Friday that the U.S., Britain, France, Russia and China are among the countries pushing for parliament's election of the president starting March 25.
President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May but the Constitution says the 128-member parliament should start holding sessions on March 25 to elect a head of state. Al-Hayat also quoted a French official as saying that Paris has never backed the extension of Suleiman's mandate. Last month, As Safir newspaper quoted well-informed diplomatic sources as saying that Suleiman prefers to renew his mandate rather than extend it.
The sources quoted Suleiman as telling his French counterpart Francois Hollande in September that he rejects the extension of his term, even for a day. Hollande hinted to his Lebanese counterpart that he should seek an extension, they said. The French official stressed to al-Hayat that France would neither interfere in the election of the president nor in the cabinet formation process. The Western diplomatic sources also said that the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council won't have a say in the name of any presidential candidate.“This is a Lebanese concern,” they said.

U.S. Defense Official Visits Lebanon, Voices Commitment to Prevent Spillover of Syrian Crisis
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/..U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy Dr. Matthew Spence paid a visit to Lebanon this week during which he highlighted his country's commitment to Lebanon, said the U.S. Embassy in a statement in Friday. He expressed the United States' commitment to the “Lebanese army and preventing spillover from the Syrian conflict into Lebanon.”He underscored the strength of the U.S.-Lebanese defense relationship and the United States’ support for Lebanon in the context of regional developments. He also discussed with officials U.S. support for the Lebanese army through ongoing security cooperation programs. Spence held talks during his trip with various political and military leaders, including President Michel Suleiman, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, and Army Chief of Staff Major General Walid Salman. U.S. assistance to the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces, totaling more than $1 billion since 2005, strengthens the capacity of Lebanon’s security forces and supports their missions of securing Lebanon’s borders and defending the sovereignty and independence of the state.

Army Hands Over al-Majed's Body to Saudi Embassy
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/The corpse of Abdullah Azzam Brigades chief Majed al-Majed was handed over on Friday afternoon to the Saudi Embassy in Beirut, ahead of its repatriation to the kingdom. “At 3:20 p.m., and following the authorization of the relevant judicial authority, the army's Medical Services handed over Majed al-Majed's body to a delegation from the Saudi embassy in Lebanon at the entrance of the Central Military Hospital,” a Lebanese army statement said. The army noted that the step happened “after the completion of the necessary medical and legal measures.”
Later on Friday, state-run National News Agency said al-Majed's body arrived at the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport amid “very strict security measures.”The corpse was expected to be flown to Riyadh at 7:00 p.m. aboard a Saudi Airlines plane, NNA said. “As part of the security measures, photojournalists and reporters were not allowed to be present near the body and the coffin was immediately transported to the plane,” the agency added. Earlier on Friday, acting General Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud had agreed to hand over al-Majed's corpse to the Saudi Embassy in Beirut, according to NNA. The corpse will be buried in Saudi Arabia at the request of al-Majed's family. Hammoud announced on Thursday that the report of the forensic panel confirmed that Majed had died of illness. "The panel's report confirmed the first conclusion reached by the forensic doctor,” he said. The acting general prosecutor had received on Tuesday a request from the Saudi embassy, saying the brother of the al-Qaida-linked group leader wanted to repatriate his body. Al-Majed, a Saudi national, died in Lebanon on Saturday while undergoing treatment at the Central Military Hospital after his health deteriorated, the army said in a communique. He is accused of being behind the suicide bombing that targeted the Iranian embassy in Beirut on November 19, 2013, and he was detained in December of the same year and had been held at a secret location. He was also wanted by Saudi Arabia on terrorism charges.

Three Soldiers Wounded in Clash between Army, Gunmen in Tripoli
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/A clash broke out on Friday between the army and gunmen in the neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh in the northern city of Tripoli. "At 12:00 p.m., gunmen fired an Energa-type rocket and gunshots at an army military vehicle in the Tripoli area of al-Mallouleh, which left three soldiers lightly injured," an army statement said. "Army forces returned fire and are still pursuing the armed men to arrest them and refer them to the relevant judicial authorities," it added. Media reports said earlier the fighting broke out when the gunmen fired the Energa at the vehicle near al-Rahman Mosque in Bab al-Tabbaneh. The army had approached the gunmen to prohibit them from carrying weapons near the mosque, reported the National News Agency. The gunmen retaliated by attacking the army. MTV later identified the wounded as Rashed Karam, Nasser al-Izz, and Ramez Allo. The army had intensified in recent months its presence around places of worship throughout Lebanon, especially in light of twin bombings that targeted the al-Salam and Taqwa mosques in Tripoli in August.
 

Berri Sticks to Rotation of Portfolios but Says Policy Statement Should be Left Out of Consultations
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/Speaker Nabih Berri has backed the rotation of all portfolios in the new government but said discussions on the policy statement should be left until after the formation of the government. In remarks to several local dailies published on Friday, Berri reiterated his support for the 8-8-8 formula and the rotation of portfolios in all ministries “without any exception.” But the speaker said the policy statement, which is a major point of contention between the March 8 and 14 alliances, should be left out of the current negotiations to form the cabinet. “I agree with President Michel Suleiman on the postponement of a deal on the policy statement although this does not mean it would not cause a problem,” he said. Al-Mustaqbal MP Nuhad al-Mashnouq has said that the March 14 camp has set several conditions to its approval of the 8-8-8 formula, among them is the adoption of the Baabda Declaration in the policy statement and giving up the army-people-resistance equation. Such a condition is likely not to be approved by March 8. Al-Mashnouq said that March 14 had several others questions that lied on the shape of the government, rotation of all ministerial portfolios, and the right of Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam for veto to reject any name proposed. But Berri said in his remarks published on Friday that “there are no answers and questions.” “There is dialogue between the different parties.”He reiterated his rejection to isolate any side. Suleiman does not accept the isolation of Hizbullah or any other political party, the speaker said. Berri expressed fears over the security situation, which he said should speed up the government formation process. “We should put an end to the political immorality, which is blowing up the security situation,” he said.

Amin Gemayel Denies Direct Contacts with March 8, Says Coordination Ongoing with March 14
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel stressed on Friday that contacts are ongoing with the March 14 allies and President Michel Suleiman regarding the cabinet formation process. “Our stance from any government lineup will be encompassing and in coordination with the March 14 alliance to reach the required goals,” Gemayel said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper. He denied media reports saying that the March 8 coalition discussed with the Phalange party the 8-8-8 cabinet lineup, saying: “The March 8 alliance didn't contact us nor discuss the matter with us.” However, Gemayel pointed out that “indirect contacts are ongoing with the political foes.” Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties as fears mount that the differences between the March 8 and 14 camps would lead to a vacuum the presidential post. The 8-8-8 government lineup awaits that March 14 approval, while al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc has set a series of questions regarding the cabinet's ministerial statement, the rotation of portfolios and the veto power. The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists, March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions. Asked about the articles that the Phalange party rejects to include in any ministerial statement, Gemayel said that his “party doesn't care about the shape of the government but is interested in its ministerial statement and its ability to implement it.” “We're concerned with achieving the nation's higher interest,” he added.

 

Jumblat Expresses Hope that Cabinet Would See Light Soon
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat expressed hope on Friday that the political foes would reach an agreement over the cabinet formation process. “I am seeking to bridge the gap between the political foes,” Jumblat said in comments published in As Safir newspaper. He stressed the importance of “forming a new cabinet as soon as possible,” rejecting to tackle the cabinet ministerial statement. Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties as fears mount that the differences between the March 8 and 14 camps would lead to a vacuum the presidential post. The 8-8-8 government lineup awaits that March 14 approval, while al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc has set a series of questions regarding the cabinet's ministerial statement, the rotation of portfolios and the veto power. The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists, March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions.

 

FPM Voices Optimism Regarding Cabinet Formation, Says Party Facilitating Matter
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/The Free Patriotic Movement expressed on Friday optimism concerning the cabinet formation process, stressing that the party aims at facilitating the matter in an attempt to safeguard the country. “We are completely positive regarding the cabinet lineup and our hand is reaching out to everyone in order to include everyone in the new government and confront the dangers facing Lebanon,” Caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil said in comments published in As Safir newspaper. Asked about demands by the March 14 to include the rotation of all portfolios in the new government, Bassil said that the “priority is to form a new cabinet.”The 8-8-8 government lineup awaits that March 14 approval, while al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc has set a series of questions regarding the cabinet's ministerial statement, the rotation of portfolios and the veto power.The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists, March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions. “We need to answer the following question before anything else, do we want to cooperate to save the country or adopt the policy of excluding others,” Bassil wondered. For his part, FPM leader MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc's secretary MP Ibrahim Kanaan told al-Joumhouria newspaper that there is a breakthrough concerning the cabinet formation process. “Negotiations are ongoing,” Kanaan told the newspaper. He urged al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc to “give its approval regarding the all-embracing government before discussing the details.” The lawmaker rejected reports saying that the FPM is excluded from cabinet formation discussions, saying: “Our stance is clear, we are trying to facilitate the matter.”Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties as fears mount that the differences between the March 8 and 14 camps would lead to a vacuum the presidential post.

Social Affairs Ministry: Child Sex Abuse Victim Undergoing Checkups, Evaluation
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/A Syrian child, who has been sexually assaulted by allegedly a man suffering from AIDS in the South, is undergoing medical checkups and psychiatric evaluation, the Social Affairs Ministry said on Friday. “The Syrian child who has been the victim of a monstrous sexual assault in the area of Marjeyoun has been placed under the care of the UNHCR since Tuesday and is undergoing medical checkups and psychiatric follow-up,” the ministry said. Caretaker Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil ordered the Marjeyoun state hospital to serve the victim and his family after a telephone call he received from caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour, it said. The Social Affairs Ministry stated that it has sent a psychiatric and social support team to assess the condition of the child and his family. Abou Faour has also contacted the involved security and judicial agencies, which have not yet confirmed that the suspect was HIV positive, the statement said. The ministry did not state the age of the child or the circumstances of the assault. But An Nahar said a day earlier that the four-year-old refugee was assaulted by a Syrian worker who lives near the victim's family and is employed by the boy's father.

 

Syrian Child Sexually Assaulted by HIV-Positive Man in Marjeyoun
Naharnet Newsdesk 09 January 2014/A Syrian child was sexually assaulted in the southern town of Marjeyoun, and medical examination revealed that his attacker is HIV-positive. "A four-year-old refugee was sexually assaulted by a Syrian worker that lives nearby the victim's family and who is an employee working for the boy's father,” An Nahar daily reported on Thursday. An Nahar said the assaulter was arrested and was medically examined. The medical report revealed, however, that the man is HIV-positive. The newspaper detailed on the incident: “A Lebanese employer noticed a laborer crying at work and after asking about the reasons, he was told that another Syrian employee had sexually assaulted his son.”Security bodies were informed about the incident and arrested the attacker. A forensic doctor was called for examining the child and the report confirmed that a sexual assault did take place. The examination also revealed that the assaulter is HIV-positive. The newspaper noted that the forensic doctor was paid for examining the child and the attacker, while the Ministry of Social Affairs and Non-Governmental Organizations that are dedicated to children's well-being, and others that care for refugees' situation did not act on the matter.

 

Pregnant Woman 'Brutally Attacked' by Relatives
Naharnet Newsdesk 10 January 2014/A pregnant woman was beaten by her husband, her brother-in-law and mother-in-law overnight on Thursday for allegedly losing the water bill. Media reports said on Friday that Fatima al-Nashar might lose her baby after her husband Sultan Kas-ha, his brother Othman and their mother Naeima brutally hit her. Fatima was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at the Islamic hospital in Tripoli. The Lebanese state doesn't include any article concerning domestic violence despite the fact that it covers other forms of physical abuse. In November, KAFA (enough) Violence and Exploitation recently launched in partnership with the Internal Security Forces a campaign under the title, “We have a mission, If you're threatened, do not hesitate to call 112”, in an attempt to protect women subjected to domestic violence. According to a statement by the NGO the campaign aims at “rebuilding trust between women victims of violence and the ISF, and informing the public of the ISF’s ongoing preparations to provide women with the protection they need.”
 

Exclusive - Iran, Russia negotiating big oil-for-goods deal
By Jonathan Saul and Parisa Hafezi
LONDON/ANKARA (Reuters) - Iran and Russia are negotiating an oil-for-goods swap worth $1.5 billion a month that would let Iran lift oil exports substantially, in defiance of Western sanctions that helped force Tehran to agree a preliminary deal to end its nuclear programme. Russian and Iranian sources close to the barter negotiations said final details were in discussion for a deal that would see Moscow buy up to 500,000 barrels a day of Iranian oil in exchange for Russian equipment and goods. "Good progress is being made at the moment with strong chances of success," said a Russian source. "We are discussing the details and the date of signing a deal depends on those details." The Kremlin declined comment. "Our desire is to sign the deal as soon as possible," said a senior Iranian official, who declined to be named. "Our officials are discussing the matter with the Russians and hopefully it will be inked soon, regardless of whether we can reach a (nuclear) agreement in Geneva." It is not clear whether the deal would be implemented before the nuclear agreement, outlined in Geneva in November between Iran and six world powers, is finalised. Nor is it clear how Moscow will justify to other powers a barter deal that could jeopardise the nuclear negotiations by easing the economic pressure on Tehran. Russia is one of the countries involved in the nuclear talks but, unlike the United States and the European Union, has not imposed sanctions on Iran. Technical nuclear talks between Iran and the European Union started on Thursday. The November deal was designed to halt Iran's nuclear advances for six months to buy time for a final settlement by May. U.S. and European sanctions have cut Iran's oil exports by more than half over the past 18 months to about one million barrels a day. Russia has no sanctions on Iran. Russian purchases of 500,000 bpd of Iranian crude would lift Iran's oil exports by 50 percent and provide a major boost to its struggling economy. At current oil prices near $100 a barrel Iran would earn about an additional $1.5 billion a month. "Iran has to find a way to accommodate more exports: this is the reason behind this," an Iranian official said. "Both sides should rush for it. Russia will be able to guarantee a large amount of trade with its neighbour and Iran will be able to overcome its export difficulties." No details were available about the equipment and goods on offer from Russia. Given Russia is a major oil exporter, the Iranian oil would likely be exported from Iran on Russia's account, with Russian goods and equipment bartered in exchange. Most Iranian oil goes to Asia. Iran's biggest oil buyer is China, importing about 420,000 bpd in 2013. Unlike Iran's other oil buyers, China has not cut purchases much, despite efforts from the United States. Other major Asian buyers of Iranian oil including Japan, South Korea and India have cut imports sharply under pressure from Washington. Turkey and South Africa also have reduced or eliminated imports.
(Editing Richard Mably and Giles Elgood)

 

Assad's forces kill dozens of rebels in Homs city
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad killed dozens of rebel fighters who tried to break an army siege of the central city of Homs, state media and a monitoring group said. SANA news agency quoted a military source as saying army units "confronted armed terrorist groups" trying to get into the Khaldiya neighborhood north of the besieged rebel area in the Old City in the heart of Homs this week. Thirty-seven rebels were killed by the army, SANA said, without giving a figure for losses among Assad's forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 45 rebels were surrounded and killed as they left the old city on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The Britain-based Observatory, which monitors the violence in Syria through a network of military and medical sources, said it had no information on government losses. Assad's forces have surrounded rebels for more than a year in Homs, a center of the uprising against Assad in 2011 which turned into an armed uprising and civil war after the Syrian leader's forces cracked down on protesters.
They have also pushed back rebel forces from nearby rural areas which had formed part of their supply lines from neighboring Lebanon and allowed the rebels to challenge control of the main highway linking Damascus to Homs, the Mediterranean coast and the north of the country. Assad has lost control of large areas of northern and eastern Syria, but deadly infighting among rebel forces has stalled their military campaign to overthrow him.
Hundreds of rebels have been killed in a week of fighting by an array of Islamist and more moderate fighters against an al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).The fighting comes less than a fortnight before planned peace talks in Switzerland aimed at finding a political solution to almost three years of conflict, which the Observatory says has killed 130,000 people, and agreeing a transitional body to govern Syria. (Reporting by Dominic Evans, editing by Elizabeth Piper)