Barack Obama pledges to work on use of military force against Islamic State

US President Barack Obama on Tuesday pledged to work with Republican and Democratic lawmakers on a formal authorization of the use of military force against Islamic State militants after taking a go-slow approach to the topic last year.

The agreement came during a White House meeting with bipartisan congressional leaders during which Obama sought to develop a better working relationship with Congress for the year after the partisan bickering that has marked much of his presidency.

The Obama administration has argued that its five-month-long campaign of air strikes in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State militants is legal, based on authorization passed in the early 2000s under President George W. Bush for the Iraq War and fighting al Qaeda and associated groups.

But several members of Congress have said it would be preferable to debate and pass a new authorization for combating Islamic State fighters, who have killed thousands of people while seizing swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria. The White House had set the issue aside until now.

"The president committed to working with members of both parties on text for an AUMF (authorization of military force) that Congress can pass to show the world America stands united against ISIL," the White House said, using an acronym for slamic State.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell welcomed the step, telling reporters later that a good starting place for Obama is "for him to tell us what he wants, and to provide the initial document." He said he expected it in the near future. 

Obama, who has been criticized by both Republicans and Democrats for not developing closer relationships with lawmakers, brought in 16 congressional leaders to the White House to take stock of what is possible this year now that both houses of Congress are led by Republicans.

Obama enters the new year in a stronger political position due to improved economic growth. 

Despite a Republican rout in November mid-term elections, Obama has seen a slight rebound in his job approval numbers, and he and his aides say he has six to nine months to achieve major priorities before the country turns its attention to the campaign to replace him in 2016.

In his opening remarks to the congressional leaders, Obama mentioned cybersecurity, trade and tax reform as three areas where agreement might be found.

"We're in a position to make sure that 2015 is an even stronger year. And relative to our competitors, we are holding much better cards. The key now is for us to work as a team to 

make sure whether we build on this progress," Obama said.

Boehner, however, raised the prospect of constructing the long-stalled Keystone XL pipeline. Obama has pledged to veto legislation that would require him to approve construction of

the Canada-to-Texas pipeline. 

Boehner also made clear the House would push ahead with a funding bill for the Homeland Security Department that would cut funds for use in carrying out Obama's executive action late last year to relax US policy toward illegal immigrants.

Scott Walker State Address: Jabs Chris Christie, References 2016 Presidential Run, Condemns Charlie Hebdo Attack

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker kept his state of the state address lighthearted and upbeat Tuesday night, making several references to the Green Bay Packers. But the Republican governor also took a jab at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and referenced potential White House ambitions, amid talk that Walker will launch a 2016 presidential campaign.

“And how about those Packers?” Walker said just a few minutes into his speech. It was the first of many mentions of his beloved NFL team. “I had plenty of fun hugging owners in the stands at Lambeau,” he said, alluding to the ridiculed hug between Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Christie, who also delivered his state of the state address Tuesday.

Walker, who won reelection in November, condemned last week’s terror attacks on the office of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France. “Tonight, we must stand together -- Democrat and Republican -- and denounce those who wish to threaten freedom anywhere in this world. We need to proclaim that an attack against freedom-loving people anywhere is an attack against us all. And we will not allow it,” Walker said, signaling his stance on the nation’s foreign affairs.

Walker boasted a drop of 4 percentage points in Wisconsin’s unemployment rate and more than $2 billion in accumulated tax decreases. “Property taxes are literally lower than they were in 2010. How many governors can say that?” Walker said, indicating he was confident he would make a competitive Republican presidential candidate.

Walker also suggested ambitions for a larger campaign, proposing legislation to shrink government. “We have a chance to lead here in Wisconsin. I believe that government has grown too big and too intrusive in our lives and must be reined in, but the government that is left must work. As taxpayers, we should demand that the functions that government must reasonably do, it should do well. We should demand a government that is more effective, more efficient and more accountable to the public,” Walker said during his 25-minute speech.

Walker, however, did not address the projected $2.2 billion budget deficit that Wisconsin faces by mid-2017.  Top Wisconsin Democrats have criticized Walker’s consideration for the Oval Office as a distraction from his duties in Wisconsin. “We know Scott Walker already has his eye off the ball in Wisconsin,” Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate reportedly said in a conference call with reporters, according to the Associated Press.

Walker has said he will not announce a decision on a presidential run until this spring. But last week, he hired Rick Wiley, a national GOP strategist with ties to the Wisconsin Republican Party, to serve as his campaign manager should he run for president, CNN first reported, citing multiple Republican sources.

Defense Asks for Delay in Boston Bombings Trial

Lawyers for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the defendant in the Boston Marathon bombings, on Tuesday asked for a one-month suspension in the trial, citing the parallels between the Boston bombings and last week’s terrorist attacks in France.

A delay “would allow some time for the extraordinary prejudice flowing from these events — and the comparison of those events to those at issue in this case — to diminish,” the lawyers wrote in a motion that included references to recent news reports of sleeper cells in France and the firebombing of a German newspaper.

The attacks in Paris began on the third of three days of jury selection in Boston last week. About 1,350 prospective jurors in the Tsarnaev case filled out screening questionnaires; Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. of Federal District Court had planned to start the questioning of individual jurors on Thursday.

The request for a delay is not the defense team’s first; it had asked at least twice before for a delay, saying it was overwhelmed by the huge number of documents from the government. It also sought to move the trial out of Boston, saying Mr. Tsarnaev could not get a fair trial here. All such requests were denied, and jury selection began Jan. 5.

The defense motion on Tuesday cited numerous news media accounts that drew comparisons between the initial terrorist attack in Paris that killed 12 people and the 2013 marathon bombings, which killed three and wounded more than 260.

“The supposed parallels included the fact that the suspects were brothers, that they reportedly were influenced by the lectures and writings of Anwar al-Awlaki, that they were ‘homegrown’ terrorists, and that they attacked civilians in a Western city,” the defense wrote.

Representative William Keating, Democrat of Massachusetts, was quoted by USA Today as saying: “I’m watching what’s happening in Paris, and I’m thinking of Watertown,” a reference to lockdowns of suburban neighborhoods during sprawling manhunts to find the suspects.

“These parallels so widely expressed cannot be lost on potential jurors,” the defense wrote.

“Even before the Paris attacks,” the defense added, “there was no modern precedent of which we are aware for attempting to seat an impartial jury in a community that had been so recently, so grievously, and so widely affected by a single series of crimes. Now, at the very moment that this attempt is to be made, the Boston bombings are being newly placed at the center of a grim global drama.”

AirAsia jet's fuselage may have been found

Indonesian divers are investigating an object believed to be the fuselage of the crashed AirAsia jet and the resting place of most of the victims.

Flight QZ8501 crashed in the Java Sea on December 28 in stormy weather during a short, routine flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore with 162 people on board.

Both black boxes, the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, were recovered this week after a frustrating, lengthy search often hampered by bad weather. They should provide investigators with vital information about what caused the crash.

Scores of divers on Wednesday shifted their focus to investigating an object thought to the jet's main body, which was earlier spotted on sonar scans and is lying about three kilometres from where the plane's tail was found.

Finding the fuselage of the Airbus 320-200 is seen as vital, as most of the victims are believed to be still trapped inside. Just 48 bodies have so far been recovered.

Search and rescue agency official SB Supriyadi said if the object, which is lying about 30 metres under water, turned out to be the fuselage, divers would examine how it could be raised from the water.

"If it is not too heavy, we may lift the whole piece and evacuate the victims," said Supriyadi, who is coordinating what has been a huge, international search.

"If it's too heavy, we may then swim into the fuselage and pull out the bodies one by one before lifting it."

But he cautioned it would be a complex operation that could take several days.

"Retrieving the main part of the body poses a different challenge to retrieving the black boxes. We are working with larger plane parts and then there's a possibility of victims trapped inside," he said.

The so-called black boxes - which are actually orange in colour - have been flown to Jakarta, where Indonesia's National Transport Safety Committee is leading a probe into the accident, helped by experts from countries including France and the US.

The country's meteorological agency has said bad weather may have caused the crash but only the black boxes will be able to provide definitive answers.

Investigators have started retrieving data from the recorders and converting it into a usable format, which will take around a week, before the lengthy analysis process can begin, committee head Tatang Kurniadi said.

The flight data recorder holds a wealth of information about every major part of the plane, with details such as the jet's speed and the direction it was heading in, while the cockpit voice recorder stores radio transmissions and sounds in the cockpit.

Divers on Tuesday also spotted what they believe is one of the plane's engines, which could provide further clues about what caused the accident.

Malaysia To Bear Part Of Fugro Supporter's SAR Operation Costs

Malaysia will bear part of the search operation costs for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370, which deployed the Australian owned 'Fugro Supporter' vessel.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Australian government was expected to spend AUD120 million (RM349.6 million) for operating the vessel, which is equipped with sonar equipment to search the sea bed.

"Prior to this, three vessels, namely 'Go Phoenix', 'Fugro Discovery' and 'Fugro Equator' have been deployed in the search for the aircraft.

"In that operation, Petronas has allocated RM67 million for Malaysia to fund the provision of a sonar scan and marine support vessel," he told reporters after presenting aid cheques to 16 welfare organisations, organised by Tunku Abdul Rahman University College's (TAR UC) Civic Consciousness and Volunteerism Project here today.

Liow said the government would continue updating on the latest development of the search operations and providing counselling to family members of the passengers and crew in Malaysia and at the Family Communication and Support Centre (FCSC) in Beijing, China.

"Although the international focus is now on the search and rescue operations of the Air Asia Indonesia flight QZ8501, we remain committed in our efforts to look for flight MH370 which has been lost since March last year," he said.

The search for Flight MH370 is now in its ninth month since it went missing at 2.40 am on March 8 last year.

The flight, which was carrying 12 crew as well as 227 passengers including two babies, disappeared from the radar while enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, about one hour after departing the KL International Airport. It was scheduled to arrive in Beijing at 6.30 am the same day.

Meanwhile, Liow said the retrieval of the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder of Flight QZ 8501 would allow the Indonesian authorities identify the cause of the incident and, hence, end all speculations about the unfortunate incident.

"We are aware that the tragedy is a reminder of the importance of upgrading the international flight safety system and civil aviation safety standards.

"Malaysia remains committed in offering any kind of assistance that is needed, whether in the form of assets or expertise, to the Indonesian authorities and have sent three Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) ships to help in the search for QZ 8501," he said.

The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) belonging to Flight QZ8501 had been retrieved from the seabed and taken on board the navy ship, Indonesia KRI Banda Aceh, this morning.

The black box was found at coordinates 03" 37.21 S or 109" 42.42 E at a depth of between 30 to 32 metres, near the place where the tail of plane was found in the waters near Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, RM148,730 was raised by about 3,400 students from TAR UC through various activities under the project of 'Civic Consciousness and Volunteerism' for the provision of welfare to the needy.

Liow said as a part of the charity, about 50 students participated in volunteerism to help flood victims in the East Coast states to assist in the cleaning work in schools and public places hit by floods.

Ebola health workers face life or death decision on pregnant women - experts

Health workers treating women with pregnancy-related problems in Ebola-hit countries have to make life or death decisions for their patients and themselves, experts said on Wednesday.

Health workers have very little time to decide whether a pregnant women with complications is free of Ebola and should have the necessary intervention, or may have Ebola and should have minimal procedures, experts said in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Dr Benjamin Black, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, said poor infrastructure and limited access to laboratory services meant that test results for suspected Ebola patients could take more than 24 hours to arrive, in which time a woman and her foetus may die.

Health workers dealing with childbirth are at particular risk of infection because they are frequently exposed to large quantities of bodily fluids, including blood, urine and faeces.

Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which opened in Sierra Leone on Saturday the first care centre for pregnant women in the current Ebola epidemic, said the survival rate from the virus for expectant mothers was virtually zero.

"The overlap in diagnostic criteria, but with contradictory treatment strategies, creates an ethical conundrum for the obstetrician in an Ebola epidemic," Black wrote in a commentary.

"The decision on whether to isolate a woman or not is potentially a decision between life and death, for both the patient and the health worker."

Due to the stigma, rumours and fear surrounding Ebola, pregnant women often wait until they are in a critical state before seeking treatment, further challenging the system of prioritising patients, Black said.

While the rate of transmission has slowed in Guinea and Liberia and signs indicate it is starting to ebb in Sierra Leone, the journal said that once-functioning health structures were now deserted by patients and staff, as many have died from Ebola while others fear working and have gone on strike.

In a separate commentary published in the journal, three Public Health England (PHE) authors said data on pregnancy outcomes in the current epidemic was relatively scarce.

Limited evidence suggested that maternal mortality rates are high among Ebola virus-infected pregnant women, who are at increased risk of spontaneous abortion, pregnancy-related haemorrhage, stillbirth and death, they said.

"While high neonatal mortality rates have been previously reported, it hasn't always been known whether these deaths were caused by Ebola or the many other causes of high infant mortality," the PHE commentary said.

More than 21,000 people have been infected with the virus in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia since the current outbreak in West Africa began a year ago and at least 8,300 people have died, according to World Health Organization figures.

US checks dead soldier for Ebola link

US authorities are conducting medical tests on an American soldier who was found dead after recently returning from a stint in West Africa, officials say.

"At this point, there is no indication of the Ebola virus disease, but medical tests are under way to ensure there is no threat to the community," said a statement from the US Army's Fort Hood base in Killeen, Texas, where the soldier died.

The soldier had "recently returned from West Africa" where about 2300 American troops are deployed to help with international efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak.

The soldier, 24, who was not identified, had returned with his unit to Fort Hood last week before he was found dead on Tuesday, and there was no sign he committed suicide or was murdered, the San Antonio Express reported, citing local police.

The soldier was part of a group of army engineers given the task of setting up field hospitals and living quarters for health workers, it said.

Like other troops returning from Liberia or Senegal, the soldier was required to monitor his temperature and medical condition twice a day and report his status to medical officers, according to the Fort Hood statement.

Denver patient tests negative for Ebola

DENVER — The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced Monday evening that a patient at Denver Health tested negative for the Ebola virus.

The patient was transported in a specialized ambulance to Denver Health Sunday night. The person had fever overnight and a history of travel to an Ebola-affected country that called for additional evaluation, health officials say.

The test for Ebola came back negative Monday night.

On Tuesday evening, Fort Hood officials in Texas said a second, conclusive test came back negative on a soldier found dead on the doorstep of his off-base residence. The soldier, who returned to the USA earlier this month after being deployed to help fight the Ebola outbreak, died from unknown causes, said Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman. Further medical tests are being conducted to determine why he died.

Attorneys ask for delay in Boston bombing trial

Attorneys for Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev asked Tuesday for a delay in his trial in light of the recent attacks in France.

Tsarnaev is accused of plotting with his brother and carrying out an attack near the finish line of the Boston Marathon that killed three people, wounded more than 260 and spurred a massive manhunt that terrorized the city for days in 2013.

His attorneys are asking the court to suspend jury selection, which began last week, for at least one month.

“This measure would allow some time for the extraordinary prejudice flowing from these events — and the comparison of those events to those at issue in this case — to diminish,” they wrote in their request.

Twelve people were killed Wednesday at the offices of the satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris.

One day later, police officer Clarissa Jean-Philippe was slayed in the suburb of Montrouge; and on Friday, a hostage siege at a kosher grocery store left four people dead.

“Almost immediately after the attacks, the press, politicians and commentators drew parallels between the French attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing. The supposed parallels included the fact that the suspects were brothers, that they reportedly were influenced by the lectures and writings of Anwar al-Awlaki, that they were ‘home-grown’ terrorists, and that they attacked civilians in a Western city,” wrote Tsarnaev’s attorneys.

They specifically cited similarities as reported by CNN, USA Today and the Boston Herald.

“It will take time for Boston-area residents, including those in the jury venire, to come to a reasoned evaluation of what, if anything, the events in Paris signify about the surviving alleged perpetrator of the Boston Marathon bombing. That process of reflection should come before — not after — the Court has had its only opportunity to question potential jurors about possible bias and prejudgment of the defendant in this case,” the attorneys wrote.

Scott Mitchell wins through to Lakeside World Championship final with semi-final whitewash of Jeff Smith

New Forest darts ace Scott Mitchell will battle for the Lakeside World Championship crown tomorrow after reaching the final at his sixth attempt.

The Bransgore landscape gardener put in another near perfect performance to defeat Canadian Jeff Smith in the first semi-final at famous Frimley Green today.

Mitchell, nicknamed Scotty Dog, whitewashed ‘The Silencer’ 6-0 to add another scalp to this week’s list.

Pundits predicted a close encounter against Smith who had already defeated Lakeside regular Gary Robson and knocked out tournament favourite Robbie Green.

But Mitchell, who stands to win at least £35,000 and could pick up the £100,000 winner’s cheque, kept up the high scoring and deadly doubles he had been throwing all week.

The writing was on the wall when Mitchell nailed a maximum with his first three darts. He won that set and then reeled off the next four to leave a bewildered Canadian in his wake at the interval.

Battling Smith came out fighting with a 180 but Mitchell, who produced seven maximums during the match, pounced on his opponents’ missed chances, hitting a 105 finish to make the final.

Rise in wandering stock numbers in Canterbury

The New Zealand Transport Agency is reminding Canterbury rural property owners of their responsibility to adequately fence their properties to contain livestock after a significant rise in reports of wandering stock during the holiday period.

There have been 36 reports of wandering stock since December 24, which the Transport Agency’s Journey Manager Lee Wright says poses a serious safety risk to all road users, not only on the state highway network, but also on local roads.

The highest number of wandering stock reports have been on State Highway 1 in North Canterbury and State Highway 75, in particular from Little River to Akaroa.

"When farm animals are wandering on highways, they present a significant hazard for anyone travelling through the area and there is the potential for serious injury, and even fatal, crashes to happen as a result.

"The Transport Agency is reminding rural property owners that they are liable for any damage caused by their wandering stock and if wandering stock cause a crash and negligence is proven, the livestock owner may be prosecuted."

Ms Wright says property and livestock owners need to be aware they have responsibilities under three pieces of legislation - the Crimes Act 1961, the Animal Law reform Act 1989 and the Impounding Act 1955.

"It is important property and livestock owners are aware of their responsibilities under the acts and take relevant measures to ensure their farm animals remain adequately fenced in."

Motorists are asked to report any wandering stock by phoning 0800 4 HIGHWAYS.

POTD: Coronation Street's Kirk puts wedding in doubt

Coronation Street's Kirk Sutherland continues to feel anxious over his wedding as his big day dawns in tonight's double bill (January 9).

As Kirk (Andrew Whyment) gets ready on the morning of the ceremony, he confides in Chesney Brown about how he has cold feet.

Kirk is a nervous wreck as he and Chesney prepare for the wedding

Chesney (Sam Aston) tries his best to calm Kirk's nerves, but it seems the uncertainty surrounding the wedding is far from over when the groom suddenly does a disappearing act!

Later at the registry office, Kirk's absence is the hot topic of conversation as time ticks on and there's a serious danger of the wedding slot being missed. Will Kirk arrive on time to marry his beloved fiancée Beth?

Coronation Street airs tonight at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.

Digital Spy Soap Scoop video - hit play below for gossip on Nick's guilt being exposed in EastEnders, Gavin confessing his deception in Coronation Street, a turning point for Belle in Emmerdale and a dangerous direction for Robbie in Hollyoaks.

Radcliffe: My parents are romance role models

Daniel Radcliffe thinks his mum and dad's marriage is amazing.

The British actor is currently loved up with fellow thespian Erin Darke, and is often joined by her on the red carpet.

When the British edition of Cosmopolitan quizzed Daniel on his relationship role models, he had no hesitation in picking his parents.

"My mum and dad," he smiled to the publication. "They are definitely best friends and they've been together for more than 30 years. They were best friends before they became husband and wife. It's amazing."

While marriage isn't on Daniel's agenda just yet, he has been thinking about children.

Admitting to being an old romantic, the 25-year-old loves to go out for candlelit dinners with Erin and even confesses to writing the odd love poem.

Thanks to gaining worldwide fame playing boy wizard Harry Potter as a pre-teen, Daniel has grown up in the limelight. He feels settled with his star status now, and is looking towards the future and starting a family one day.

"There was a time when I felt older than my years. I had been forced to grow up a lot quicker than people around me but I've slowed down at some point, because now I feel my age. I've never been one to think about marriage, but I have often thought about kids," he revealed.

"Seeing a lot of my friends have them and the positive effect it has on their lives excites me. But I'm also in no rush to do it. There's plenty of time for that."

Try This!: 'Baby burpees' a great pregnancy exercise option

Burpees are one of the hardest exercises going. And they're probably not top of the list for expectant moms or for women trying to get in shape for pregnancy. But Sara Haley, a pre- and postnatal exercise specialist based in Santa Monica and creator of the "Expecting More" workout series for pregnant women, says she has a gentler version of burpees. She calls them "baby burpees," but you don't need to be pregnant to enjoy the benefits of this exercise. (Haley was five months pregnant at the time of this photo shoot. She has since given birth to a boy.)

What it does

A full-body exercise that raises the heart rate and builds a foundation (and confidence) for doing traditional burpees. "This is a great way to work up to one," Haley said.

What to do

Stand 2 or 3 feet away from the side of a sturdy chair placed on a mat or carpet — someplace where the chair won't slide away from you. Beginners should approach the chair, squat down using the seat of the chair for balance and then return to the starting position. Repeat, breathing fully throughout the exercise but taking care to never push yourself so hard that you're out of breath. (This movement mimics the first step in doing a full-fledged burpee.)

After a few repetitions of those, work on the second half of the traditional burpee movement. Use the seat of the chair for balance as you step your feet behind you, creating a plank position. (The wider apart your feet, the easier it will be.) Then, walk your feet back in and return to standing. Take turns leading with your right foot and then with your left foot, so you strengthen both sides.

Advanced exercisers can begin to put the two movements together for a burpee that uses the chair. You can pick up the intensity by using the chair for support and jumping your feet back. Another option to advance the movement is taking the burpee to the floor but slowing down the sequence and walking (instead of jumping) through the lower-body movements.

How much

Baby burpees are done by time instead of repetition. Haley suggests 30 seconds of movement, followed by 30 seconds of rest, with the goal being two rounds total. Do this two or three times a week. Haley stresses that there is no need to race the clock or push yourself past your comfort zone while performing this workout. Slowly but surely, you'll find yourself improving.

Wednesday tips round-up: BP, Meggitt

What kind of investor would buy a stock whose total return over the last ten years was -4% and has underperformed its benchmark by 90 percentage points during that same period? Institutional investors to name but one. What company are we talking about? BP. Buyers continue to be attracted by the company's dividend - the yield on the shares now stands at 6% - and its free float. For all intents and purposes, the stock is hard-wired into the pension investments of many a Briton.

Yes, the outfit was the victim of an unfortunate disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. No, it does not rely on the cash generated by its stake in Russia's Rosneft. Even so, it does not merit to be considered a "core" holding. Current levels of capital expenditure will come under pressure from oil at $50 per barrel. Even a sale to the likes of Exxon is far easier said than done, given present levels of volatility. In the best of worlds, one can describe it as a risky turn-around-story. "Permanence is overrated," says the Financial Times' Lex column.

Meggitt managed to navigate deftly through the wreckage and debris of the past financial crisis. The company refinanced its debt while simultaneously lessening its dependence on Airbus and Boeing's commercial aircraft programmes through targeted acquisitions. Ironically enough, the current dearth of properly priced potential acquisition targets means the engineer prefers to return excess cash-flow to its shareholders. In fact, the firm believes its current level of borrowings is not high enough given the current low interest rates. Significantly, the outfit's latest trading statement revealed strong growth in the supply of original equipment to the two aircraft-makers mentioned above.

The maker of sub-systems for the aerospace, defence and energy markets also saw a similar return to growth at its defence arm. Furthermore, and despite the problems on its energy side, in Brazil, linked to its local partner which supplies to state oil company Petrobras, that division offers good diversification overall. The stock is a long-term buy and will enjoy the support of a share buy buyback programme that is expected to stretch to up to £270m. "Buy long-term," says The Times's Tempus.

UK's Trainline.com set to launch IPO - Bloomberg

Britain's biggest online rail booking system Trainline.com is expected to announce its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange as early as tomorrow, Bloomberg reported citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The company is looking at a valuation of about 500 million pounds ($755.45 million), the report said citing two people. (bloom.bg/1HPywSw)

The company had earlier appointed investment bank MorganStanley to oversee a potential 400 million pound float of Britain's biggest online rail booking system, Sky News reported in July. [ID: nL2N0PD2AT]

Trainline.com is also working with JPMorgan Chase & Co on the sale, the Bloomberg report said.

Established in 1999, Trainline was bought by Exponent in 2006 for about 160 million pounds from a consortium which included Virgin, Stagecoach and National Express.

Trainline sells tickets for train travel in Britain online and by telephone. It allows its customers to choose routes and fares based on preferences such as price or time.

Representatives at Trainline.com were not immediately available for comment outside regular UK business hours.

($1 = 0.6619 pounds) (Reporting by Luke Koshi in Bengaluru; editing by Andrew Hay)

Dozens of dogs destined for dinner tables in South Korea are rescued by animal charity and sent to be re-homed in the US

Dozens of dogs originally destined for dinner tables in South Korea are being imported to the U.S to be put up for adoption.

The first of 23 dogs who were rescued from a dog-breeding farm in the East Asian country have landed in Washington, where they will be given new homes as family pets. 

The rescue, believed to be the first of its kind, was carried out in a bid to combat the eating of dog meat in East Asia.

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Dozens of dogs originally destined for dinner tables in South Korea, including these young pups, are being imported to the U.S to be put up for adoption as pets

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The first of 23 dogs who were rescued from a dog-breeding farm in the East Asian country - including this mother and her puppies - have landed in Washington

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The rescue, believed to be the first of its kind, is part of a campaign to combat the eating of dog meat in South Korea and other Asian countries. The farmer, Mr Moon Suk Jung (left) had wanted to leave the industry

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The dogs were found at a farm in Ilsan, northwest of Seoul, by the Humane Society International (HSI)

Celebrities react to dogs being killed for their meat (related)

The Humane Society International (HSI) - the international affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States - found the dogs at a farm in Ilsan, northwest of Seoul. 

The animal protection organisation said the dogs - who had spent their entire lives in cages - lived in 'miserable conditions' at the farm, where they were bred specifically for human consumption.

The farmer, Moon Suk Jung, accepted compensation and agreed to give up the animals. He has now shut down the facility permanently and will grow blueberries instead.

API Energy Report Says Solar Will Double In 2015-16

Yes, you did hear that right. For the first time ever, speaking for the oil and gas industry, the American Petroleum Institute is including solar among the energy sources that should be taken seriously in the next couple of years.

API’s State of American Energy Report, released yesterday, includes a serious analysis of the U.S. solar energy industry. The API energy study highlights the explosive growth of solar and its significant effects on the nation’s economy and environment. Its bottom line: “Today, the U.S. has an estimated 20.2 GW of installed solar capacity, enough to effectively power nearly 4 million homes in the United States—or every single home in a state the size of Massachusetts or New Jersey—with another 20 GW in the pipeline for 2015-16.”

Solar comes up fourth in the report, predictably following most of the big spenders: petroleum, nuclear, and hydroelectric power. Geothermal comes after solar, then a special section on “Infrastructure—The Essential Link to a Secure Energy Future,” and subsequent discussions of natural gas, wind, coal, and biomass. The API energy report finishes up with a word about “Energy Efficiency | A Great American Success Story.”

The petroleum industry’s annual report summarizes the impact of solar power in this paragraph:

Solar energy is now more affordable than ever. According to SEIA/GTM Research, national blended average system prices have dropped 53 percent since 2010.  Today, the solar industry employs 143,000 Americans and pumps more than $15 billion a year into the U.S. economy.

Discussing the impact of solar energy on the environment, the API energy report praises the efforts of policymakers for instituting the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Net Energy Metering (NEM), and Renewable Energy Standards (RES). “Solar helped to offset an estimated 20 million metric tons of harmful CO2 emissions in 2014, which is the equivalent of taking four million cars off U.S. highways…. When looking at America’s energy future, solar can be a real game changer, providing more and more homes, businesses, schools and government entities across the United States with clean, reliable and affordable electricity, while also helping states to meet proposed new obligations under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.”

Although he also did express support of the Keystone XL project at a recent news conference, API President and CEO Jack Gerard introduces the State of American Energy Report with these words:

The United States is in the midst of a new era in domestic energy abundance characterized by rising use of renewable energy and increased oil and natural gas production that is strengthening our economic outlook and enabling America to emerge as a global energy superpower. It’s a remarkable transformation that has been made possible because America is uniquely rich in energy resources, a talented workforce, and cutting-edge energy technologies.

Our colleague Ray Hales at theECOreport points out that Gerard’s message echoes the sentiment behind the DOE’s current $40 billion loan guarantee:

• 10% is to go to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects,
• 40% to advanced technology vehicle manufacturing,
• 30% to advanced nuclear technology & upgrades to existing facilities, and
• 20% to to “support innovative advanced fossil energy projects that avoid, reduce, or sequester greenhouse gases.”

Counting solar-powered vehicles and power grid improvements, which fall under other technologies, the loan guarantee likely provides a share greater than 10% to sustainability.

Commenting on the API energy report, Rhone Resch, SEIA President and CEO, remarked, “It took the U.S. solar industry 40 years to install the first 20 GW of solar.  Now, we’re going to install the next 20 GW in the next two years.  In fact, during every single week of 2015, we’re going to install more capacity than what we did during the entire year in 2006….  Any way you look at it, solar energy is paying huge dividends for the economy, our environment, and America’s future.“

Barn Conversion An ‘Outstanding’ Example Of Energy Efficiency

A stunning barn conversion in rural Leicestershire has been hailed as an outstanding example of the energy efficient home of the future.

The former milking shed – part of the Hall Farm Barns development on the edge of the village of Scraptoft – was converted to the highest possible specification by developer Onsen Homes in conjunction with Staniforth Architects and main contractor Brown and Green.

Harnessing renewable energy was a key component of the scheme with renewable energy specialist Stiebel Eltron UK, providing installer Flogas Renewables with two WPL 20 air source heat pumps and its SOL 27 solar thermal panels. Significant efficiencies were gained by integrating the renewable energy technologies early in the project, with almost no impact on the development’s overall design. The end result for the new owners of the two barns are homes full of character and original features, but harnessing the latest technologies to ensure minimal running costs and the opportunity to take advantage of the Government’s Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

Nigel Parkes, a Director of Onsen Homes says, “From the outset, our aim was to exceed the prevailing Building Regulations and create two highly efficient barn conversions. We had to work sympathetically within the fabric while making subtle improvements that did not detract from the charm of the buildings and their setting. Renewables were key and their success on this scheme is that they were integrated from a very early stage in the design.”

In addition to the financial savings and benefits available, the total site reduces carbon by more than 13 tonnes per annum. In addition to the air source heat pumps and solar thermal, Flogas also specified PEX20 Simpleheat underfloor heating throughout insisting on low thermal resistance floor coverings so that the water heating temperature is as low as possible to satisfy the demands of the buildings.

The low temperatures enable the heat pumps to work as effectively as possible reducing the cost of energy for the owners. The combined heat pump system saves an estimated 11.2 tonnes of CO2 per annum compared to a traditional heating oil installation. Meanwhile, the solar thermal contribution to the hot water is estimated to 2,300kW/hours, saving a further 0.4 tonnes of CO2 per annum. Additionally, both converted barns also include a 4kW solar PV system further reducing carbon emissions by 1.5 tonnes per annum with most of the electricity produced being consumed by the heat pumps.

Mark McManus, Managing Director of Stiebel Eltron UK says, “This was a remarkable project bringing derelict buildings back to life, but harnessing the most advanced and innovative renewable energy technologies available today.

“The return on investment in terms of running cost savings and the benefits available through the Domestic RHI are staggering and explains why we have seen a significant increase in orders since the scheme went live earlier this year.”

The Pace of Japan’s Renewable Development is Slowing

Originally Published in the ECOreport

According to Amory Lovins, “Japan has twice the per-hectare high-quality renewable potential of North America, three times that of Europe, and nine times that of Germany.” Japan is currently #4 in the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI). There is a large untapped geothermal potential. By the end  of 2013 wind energy was feeding 2.6 GW to the grid, but the real leader of the renewable sector was solar. There was 13.5 GW of solar capacity. Now the pace of Japan’s renewable development is slowing.

In The Wake Of The 2011 Meltdown

The nation’s solar development can be traced back to 1992, but assumed new important in the wake of the 2011 meltdown at Fukushima. One by one, all 48 of the nation’s nuclear plants were taken offline. To kick the solar industry into gear fast, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration set up the most expensive feed-in-tariff system in the world. The trade ministry has approved 72 GW of renewable projects since July 2012.

Now, backed by at least five of Japan’s utilities, Abe wants to slow this transition down. His government approved a new energy last April. They  identified nuclear as a key baseload power source, gave a prominent role, but did not set any renewable targets. In December, the government cancelled 17.3 GW of approved FIT solar PV projects. The announcement came after a meeting of the Japanese Grid Issues Working Group, which is composed of representatives of the nation’s utilities and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The explanation was that there is “insufficient grid capacity.”

This announcement would seem to herald the end of a frantic two year growth spurt. When the final figures for 2014 are in, Japan may surpass surpass China in terms of new installations. 

It has been three months since Kyushu Electric Power announced it will not process further applications until they can determine how much more intermittent energy the grid can handle.  Shikoku Electric Power Co, Tohoku Electric Power Co, Hokkaido Electric Power Co and Okinawa Electric Power Co have all followed suit.

Japan is not yet ready to fully cash in on its’ renewable potential. Prior to 2011, solar energy was primarily used in the residential sector. It is the utility sector that is most vulnerable. There are still about 51 GW approved under the FIT program, but it is no longer certain they will all be completed.

Japan Invested

The growth of the PV solar FIT program is reflected in the amount this nation invested in renewables. In 2012, the year this program was launched, $15.9 billion was invested. This figure grew to $28.6 billion, in 2013, and is liable to be even higher in 2014.

It was this explosive growth that resulted in Japan being ranked #4 for attractiveness. There are other sectors besides solar, of course, but for the most part, renewables meant solar in Japan. As the pace of development slows, the nation’s RECAI rating will drop.

Japan still has the world’s third largest economy. This is primarily reflected in overseas investments. Inward FDI was only $2.3 billion in 2013, but outward FDI reached $135 billionwith the principal recipients Asia, North America and Europe, respectively.