Flight to Cuba for which Snowden booked departs

A TV screen shows a news report of Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee who leaked top-secret documents about sweeping U.S. surveillance programs, at a shopping mall in Hong Kong Sunday, June 23, 2013. The former National Security Agency contractor wanted by the United States for revealing two highly classified surveillance programs has been allowed to leave for a "third country" because a U.S. extradition request did not fully comply with Hong Kong law, the territory's government said Sunday. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

A TV screen shows a news report of Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee who leaked top-secret documents about sweeping U.S. surveillance programs, at a shopping mall in Hong Kong Sunday, June 23, 2013. The former National Security Agency contractor wanted by the United States for revealing two highly classified surveillance programs has been allowed to leave for a "third country" because a U.S. extradition request did not fully comply with Hong Kong law, the territory's government said Sunday. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Graphic shows key locations in the life and career of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden; 3c x 5 inches; 146 mm x 127 mm;

Journalists show passengers arriving from Hong Kong a tablet with a photo of Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee who leaked top-secret documents about sweeping U.S. surveillance programs, at Sheremetyevo airport, just outside Moscow, Russia, Sunday, June 23, 2013. The former National Security Agency contractor wanted by the United States for revealing two highly classified surveillance programs has been allowed to leave for a "third country" because a U.S. extradition request did not fully comply with Hong Kong law, the territory's government said Sunday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

FILE - In this June 21, 2013 file photo, a banner supporting Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee who leaked top-secret documents about sweeping U.S. surveillance programs, is displayed at Central, Hong Kong's business district. The Hong Kong government says Snowden wanted by the U.S. for revealing two highly classified surveillance programs has left for a "third country." The South China Morning Post reported Sunday, June 23, 2013 that Snowden was on a plane for Moscow, but that Russia was not his final destination. Snowden has talked of seeking asylum in Iceland. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

Ecuador's Foreign Mister Ricardo Patino speaks to reporters at a hotel during his visit to Vietnam Monday, June 24, 2013. Patino said that his government is analyzing an asylum request from Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor wanted for revealing classified secrets. (AP Photo/Tran Van Minh)

MOSCOW (AP) ? A plane took off from Moscow Monday headed for Cuba, but the seat booked by National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden was empty, and there was no sign of him elsewhere on board.

An Aeroflot representative who wouldn't give her name told The Associated Press that Snowden wasn't on flight SU150 to Havana. AP reporters on the flight couldn't see him.

The Interfax news agency also quoted an unidentified Russian security source in Moscow as saying that Snowden wasn't on the plane.

The airline said earlier Snowden registered for the flight using his U.S. passport, which American officials say has been annulled.

Snowden arrived in Moscow on Sunday from Hong Kong, where he had been hiding for several weeks to evade U.S. justice. Ecuador is considering Snowden's asylum application.

After spending a night in Moscow's airport, the former National Security Agency contractor ? and admitted leaker of state secrets ? had been expected to fly to Cuba and Venezuela en route to possible asylum in Ecuador.

Snowden, also a former CIA technician, fled Hong Kong to dodge U.S. efforts to extradite him on espionage charges. Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said his government had received an asylum request, adding Monday that the decision "has to do with freedom of expression and with the security of citizens around the world." The anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks also said it would help Snowden.

Ecuador has rejected the United States' previous efforts at cooperation, and has been helping WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange avoid prosecution by allowing him to stay at its embassy in London.

Snowden gave documents to The Guardian and The Washington Post newspapers disclosing U.S. surveillance programs that collect vast amounts of phone records and online data in the name of foreign intelligence, often sweeping up information on American citizens. Officials have the ability to collect phone and Internet information broadly but need a warrant to examine specific cases where they believe terrorism is involved.

Snowden had been in hiding for several weeks in Hong Kong, a former British colony with a high degree of autonomy from mainland China. The United States formally sought Snowden's extradition from Hong Kong to face espionage charges but was rebuffed; Hong Kong officials said the U.S. request did not fully comply with their laws.

The Justice Department rejected that claim, saying its request met all of the requirements of the extradition treaty between the U.S. and Hong Kong. During conversations last week, including a phone call Wednesday between Attorney General Eric Holder and Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen, Hong Kong officials never raised any issues regarding sufficiency of the U.S. request, a Justice representative said.

The United States was in touch through diplomatic and law enforcement channels with countries that Snowden could travel through or to, reminding them that Snowden is wanted on criminal charges and reiterating Washington's position that Snowden should only be permitted to travel back to the U.S., a State Department official said. Snowden's U.S. passport has been revoked.

U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.

Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said, "Given our intensified cooperation after the Boston marathon bombings and our history of working with Russia on law enforcement matters ? including returning numerous high-level criminals back to Russia at the request of the Russian government ? we expect the Russian government to look at all options available to expel Mr. Snowden back to the U.S. to face justice for the crimes with which he is charged."

Still, the United States is likely to have problems interrupting Snowden's passage. The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Russia, but does with Cuba, Venezuela and Ecuador. Even with an extradition agreement though, any country could give Snowden a political exemption.

The likelihood that any of these countries would stop Snowden from traveling on to Ecuador seemed remote. While diplomatic tensions have thawed in recent years, Cuba and the United States are hardly allies after a half-century of distrust. Another country that could see Snowden pass through, Venezuela, could prove difficult, as well. Former President Hugo Chavez was a sworn enemy of the United States and his successor, Nicolas Maduro, earlier this year called President Barack Obama "grand chief of devils." The two countries do not exchange ambassadors.

Snowden's options aren't numerous, said Assange's lawyer, Michael Ratner.

"You have to have a country that's going to stand up to the United States," Ratner said. "You're not talking about a huge range of countries here."

It also wasn't clear Snowden was finished disclosing highly classified information.

Snowden has perhaps more than 200 sensitive documents, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

___

Associated Press White House Correspondent Julie Pace and Associated Press writers Philip Elliott, Matthew Lee and Frederic J. Frommer in Washington, Lynn Berry in Moscow, Kevin Chan in Hong Kong and Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report.

___

Follow Philip Elliott on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/philip_elliott

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-06-24-NSA-Surveillance-Snowden/id-d89f11e3dc3244fb986ab4c3eeb71323

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Funeral plans set for actor James Gandolfini

NEW YORK (AP) ? Funeral services for actor James Gandolfini will be Thursday at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City.

An HBO spokeswoman speaking on behalf of the family says the funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m.

The 51-year-old star of "The Sopranos" died Wednesday in Rome. Family spokesman Michael Kobold says Gandolfini died of a heart attack.

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey spokesman Steve Coleman tells the Star-Ledger of Newark that a Signature Airlines flight carrying Gandolfini's body arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport from Rome Sunday night. The body was taken from the airport around 11:20 p.m. but Colman did not say where.

The actor had been headed to Sicily to appear at the Taormina Film Festival, which paid tribute to him Saturday.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/funeral-plans-set-actor-james-gandolfini-233347225.html

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FAA moving toward easing electronic device use

FILE - This Feb. 23, 2011 file photo shows United Airlines planes taxing at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco. The government is moving toward easing restrictions on the use of electronic devices by airline passengers during taxiing, takeoffs and landings. An industry-labor advisory committee was expected to make recommendations next month to the Federal Aviation Administration on easing the restrictions, but the FAA said Friday that deadline has been extended to September. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

FILE - This Feb. 23, 2011 file photo shows United Airlines planes taxing at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco. The government is moving toward easing restrictions on the use of electronic devices by airline passengers during taxiing, takeoffs and landings. An industry-labor advisory committee was expected to make recommendations next month to the Federal Aviation Administration on easing the restrictions, but the FAA said Friday that deadline has been extended to September. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Relief may be on the way for airline passengers who can't bear to be separated even briefly from their personal electronic devices. The government is moving toward allowing gate-to-gate use of music players, tablets, laptops, smartphones and other gadgets, although it may take a few months.

Restrictions on cellphone calls and Internet use and transmission are not expected to be changed.

An industry-labor advisory committee was supposed to make recommendations next month to the Federal Aviation Administration on easing restrictions on using electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. But the agency said in a statement Friday the deadline has been extended to September because committee members asked for extra time to finish assessing whether it's safe to lift restrictions.

"The FAA recognizes consumers are intensely interested in the use of personal electronics aboard aircraft; that is why we tasked a government-industry group to examine the safety issues and the feasibility of changing the current restrictions," the statement said.

The agency is under public and political pressure to ease the restrictions as more people bring their devices with them when they fly in order to read e-books, listen to music, watch videos, and get work done.

Technically, the FAA doesn't bar use of electronic devices when aircraft are below 10,000 feet. But under FAA rules, airlines that want to let passengers use the devices are faced with a practical impossibility ? they would have to show that they've tested every type and make of device passengers would use to ensure there is no electromagnetic interference with aircraft radios and electrical and electronic systems.

As a result, U.S. airlines simply bar all electric device use below 10,000 feet. Airline accidents are most likely to occur during takeoffs, landings and taxiing.

Using cellphones to make calls on planes is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. There is concern that making calls from fast-flying planes might strain cellular systems, interfering with service on the ground. There is also the potential annoyance factor ? whether passengers will be unhappy if they have to listen to other passengers yakking on the phone.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that a draft report by the advisory committee indicates its 28 members have reached a consensus that at least some of the current restrictions should be eased.

A member of the committee told The Associated Press that while the draft report is an attempt to reach consensus, no formal agreement has yet been reached. The member was not authorized to discuss the committee's private deliberations and requested anonymity.

There are also still safety concerns, the member said. The electrical interference generated by today's devices is much lower than those of a decade ago, but many more passengers today are carrying electronics.

Any plan to allow gate-to-gate electronic use would also come with certification processes for new and existing aircraft to ensure that they are built or modified to mitigate those risks. Steps to be taken could include ensuring that all navigational antennas are angled away from the plane's doors and windows. Planes that are already certified for Wi-Fi would probably be more easily certified.

Although the restrictions have been broadly criticized as unnecessary, committee members saw value in them.

One of the considerations being weighed is whether some heavier devices like laptops should continue to be restricted because they might become dangerous projectiles, hurting other passengers during a crash, the committee member said. There is less concern about tablets and other lighter devices.

FAA officials would still have the final say. An official familiar with FAA's efforts on the issue said agency officials would like to find a way to allow passengers to use electronic devices during takeoffs and landings the same way they're already allowed to use them when planes are cruising above 10,000 feet. The official requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak by name.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told a Senate panel in April that he convened the advisory committee in the hope of working out changes to the restrictions.

"It's good to see the FAA may be on the verge of acknowledging what the traveling public has suspected for years ? that current rules are arbitrary and lack real justification," Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., one of Congress' more outspoken critics of the restrictions, said in a statement. She contends that unless scientific evidence can be presented to justify the restrictions, they should be lifted.

Edward Pizzarello, the co-founder of frequent flier discussion site MilePoint, says lifting the restriction is "long overdue."

"I actually feel like this regulation has been toughest on flight attendants. Nobody wants to shut off their phone, and the flight attendants are always left to be the bad guys and gals," said Pizzarello, 38, of Leesburg, Va.

Actor Alec Baldwin became the face of passenger frustration with the restrictions in 2011 when he was kicked off a New York-bound flight in Los Angeles for refusing to turn off his cellphone. Baldwin later issued an apology to fellow American Airlines passengers who were delayed, but mocked the flight attendant on Twitter.

"I just hope they do the sensible thing and don't allow people to talk on their cellphones during flight," said Pizzarello, who flies 150,000 to 200,000 miles a year. "There are plenty of people that don't have the social skills necessary to make a phone call on a plane without annoying the people around them. Some things are better left alone."

___

Mayerowitz reported from New York.

___

Follow Joan Lowy on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AP_Joan_Lowy

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-06-22-Cellphones-Planes/id-8c15556d2f694e779e0bd018e3c6e952

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RolePlayGateway?

General Nuzlocke Deatails...

Nuzlocke:
If you are unaware of what exactly a "Nuzlocke Run" is I will be glad to tell you
1. You may only catch one Pokemon per area of the game.
2. If a pokemon faints, It is dead and may never be used again.
3. You may not catch more than one of the same species of pokemon.
4. All pokemon must be nicknamed.

I urge you to look up nuzloke comics. They are very enjoyable. I recomend Petty's nuzlocke as well as the original "Pokemon Hard-Mode"

General Storyline:
Red has retired to Evergrande City. His Pokemon have all been killed except for Pikachu. He teaches in a University there, teaching history. One day a number of his best students get together and decide that his lessons are too important to ignore, and choose to help fix the problem plaguing the Kanto Region. The students come from all over the world. Most from Hoenn, but many travelled from Johto, Sinnoh, and Unova. None are from Kanto.

They ask Red to help them get to Kanto to investigate the mystery, as well as a powerful pseudo monarch named Daimon. I will not divulgeany more aspects of the story just yet.

See me as the announcer from any Pokemon game. The text that reads "Congratulations.... or Youve recieved the ... badge" I wll be filling that role.

Starting Pokemon:
Every character will start with at least three pokemon including your starter. You may have any Pokemon from the region your OC was born in. This obviously excludes Leendaries. The maximum starting level of any pokemon is 30. You will level up during the roleplay. Starters include any starter you could get from that particular region. Ralts, Pikachu, and Eevee may not be starters. Starters will be first come first served, if you miss your favorite starter, bad luck, pick another. No shinies at the start. I will give a list of Off Limits pokemon until later on in the Roleplay, to keep everthing paced I dont want you to have too many powerful pokemon yet. You will be able to get these pokemon later.

Off Limits For EVER:
Mew, Mewtwo, Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno
Lugia, Ho-Oh, Entei, Suicune, Raiku, Celebi
Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, Regice, Registeel, Regirock, Deoxys, Jirachi, Latios, Latias
Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Cryselia, Darkrai, Heatran, Regigigas, Manaphy, Shaymin, Uxie, Mespirit, Azelf, Rotom, Arceus, Phione
Victini, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Tornadus, Thunderus, Landorus, Keldeo, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Meloetta, Genesect, Zorua, Zoroark

Off Limits for now.
Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite, Lapras
Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar,
Aron, Lairon, Aggron, Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence, Beldum, Metang, Metagross
Spiritomb, Gible, Gabite, Garchomp, Deino, Zweilous, Hydregion

Deaths:
You will all lose pokemon. Dont be upset with me or anyone else, Its a nuzlocke, Itll happen. Heres how its going to happen.
1. You get to a part in the story where I think its time for someone to die.
2. I'll post a narration, stalling posts concerning this character until the Roleplayer and discuss things.
3. I'll Pm you asking "Pick one or Pick half" This means you pick one Pokemon for me to kill, or you pick half of your team to be granted immunity and I choose who dies from the rest of your team. If you have an odd number of pokemon you get to pick the majority.
Ex. You have five, I Pm you. You get to pick three to save or one to die.
4. I post, killing your pokemon.
5. you post. We all go on our merry way, and your chacter gets to mourn.

At certain points I will kill more than one of your pokemon. Not often. Only in very imporant battles. Everything will go the same, except you will post in between the death posts switching out your pokemon so the next one to die is out in the battle.

Dont worry, I wont go power hungry and kill a pokemon every twenty minutes. I will base deaths on the trainers age, skill, personality, and strategy.

Battles:
When battles occur that will directly affect the story I will post a stalling post, and in the OOC im going to tell you who is going to win the battle. This is to avoid the potential godmodding pokemon battles sometimes offer. Remember, this is only going to happen in important battles. Again, Im not power hungry, just trying to maintain my story and keep everything fair. Again, these wins will depend on my judgement of the players strategy, personality, and skill with their pokemon. Remember, you can lose a battle without losing pokemon. Running away is a very viable option.

H.Ms:
Hms do not take up a move spot if your pokemon could physically do the action without the move. Ex. Scyther may use cut, Lapras may use surf, and Fearow may use fly without the Hm, but cant attack with it.

Items:
All Items are fair game. You may use any item the games offer. Hold Items, potions, status healers, berries... anything you can potentially find in game can be used.

T.Ms:
T.Ms are fair as well, just Pm me and ask me for a Tm. Ill pick one that could benifit your team and place it in the general location of your character. Dont ask me for a specific Tm. I will give you one of my choosing. Dont worry, I wont screw you.

Shops:
Kanto is in shambles, so the PokeMarts dont exist anymore.

Random Pokemon Encounters:
Every so often I will decide to drop a special pokemon into the game. think of it as an "Event Pokemon."
When I do this I will post a Narration. "A "Blank" has Appeared on cycling road." Once i do, everyone should post a number from 1-15 in the OOC. Whoever is the closest to a number I pick without going over will have th chance to catch it.
These pokemon will be specia in many ways. Many will be shiny. Many will have very powerful moves that the pokemon may not usually be able to get. Some will be very rare, maybe another starter for example? An Example- "A shiny Lapras has appeared. There have been reports of it using the move Hydro Cannon."

Capturing:
Because this is a Nuzlocke each Character may only catch one Pokemon per area, and will not be allowed to catch the same one again. I wont deny you a pokemon you want as long as you post that you threw a ball at it. I will post a Narration. "Congratulations So and so has caught a Rattata" Ask me if you arent sure what pokemon are in your area.

Leveling:
I'll read your posts and tell you when I think your Pokemon has leveled up. I will post a narration. "Congratulations so and so has grown to level 16"
Feel free to post that you had a grinding session in some area, but if you do you cant post for a few hours, and wont be able to have another grinding session for a few days. I will gauge how many levels your team grew based on your location, your pokemon levels, your pokemon type, and the amount of time you spent there. So if you spend 3 hours in Viridian Forest ill post. "Congratulations So and so's team has grown two levels." 3 hours minus one because Viridian forest is weak. If your pokemon are more than twenty levels above the pokemon on a route you may not grind there.

Evolving:
When you reach the evolution level of a pokemon feel free to evolve it. If you find a stone, feel free to evolve. I will tell you when I think youve spent enough time with your pokemon for it to evolve from happiness, as well as when to hatch an egg.

Travel:
If you have a bird pokemon you may use Fly, but as in the games, you may only fly to somewhere youve been before. If you have a Water pokemon, you may surf, or if youve taught Surf to a pokemon you may surf.

Moves:
Pokemon can only have up to four moves. Simple

Character Profiles:
Fill them out as youd like. I just require a picture, age, name, history, and personality.
When writing in your pokemon I want it like so.

Picture of pokemon.
Name- "Nickname"
Level
Moves.
Moves.
Moves.
Moves.
hold item

For Pokemon pictures use these Links and find your Pokemon. Just hover over the picture and then click on "img code"
Kanto Pokemon Johto Pokemon Hoenn Pokemon Sinnoh Pokemon Unova Pokemon

*All Sprites Credited to DriftingPillow for usin her Photobucket Account.*

Thats all for now. If I missed something vital, let me know and Ill fix it.

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/RolePlayGateway

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US: Taliban must show good faith in Afghan talks

This photo taken on Thursday, June 20, 2013 shows the new office of the Afghan Taliban in Doha, Qatar after the opening of the office several days ago. The United States on Thursday welcomed Qatar's decision to take down a sign that cast the Taliban's new office in Doha as a rival Afghan embassy saying the militant group can't represent itself "as an emirate, government or sovereign." (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)

This photo taken on Thursday, June 20, 2013 shows the new office of the Afghan Taliban in Doha, Qatar after the opening of the office several days ago. The United States on Thursday welcomed Qatar's decision to take down a sign that cast the Taliban's new office in Doha as a rival Afghan embassy saying the militant group can't represent itself "as an emirate, government or sovereign." (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)

This photo was taken on Thursday, June 20, 2013 shows the Taliban flag visible through a gap in a wall of the new office of the Afghan Taliban in Doha, Qatar after the opening of the office several days ago. The United States on Thursday welcomed Qatar's decision to take down a sign that cast the Taliban's new office in Doha as a rival Afghan embassy saying the militant group can't represent itself "as an emirate, government or sovereign." (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, center, greets Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani for their dinner meeting in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Kerry began an overseas trip plunging into two thorny foreign policy problems facing the Obama administration: unrelenting bloodshed in Syria and efforts to talk to the Taliban and find a political resolution to the war in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, center, walks through the airport with Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhroo, Qatari Chief of Protocol, left, after being greeted on arrival in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Kerry began an overseas trip plunging into two thorny foreign policy problems facing the Obama administration: unrelenting bloodshed in Syria and efforts to talk to the Taliban and find a political resolution to the war in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)

This photo was taken on Thursday, June 20, 2013 shows the Taliban flag visible through a gap in a wall of the new office of the Afghan Taliban in Doha, Qatar after the opening of the office several days ago. The United States on Thursday welcomed Qatar's decision to take down a sign that cast the Taliban's new office in Doha as a rival Afghan embassy saying the militant group can't represent itself "as an emirate, government or sovereign." (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)

DOHA, Qatar (AP) ? The Taliban signaled a willingness to meet demands to keep their flag lowered as the U.S. warned Saturday that their newly opened political office in Qatar might have to be closed as talks aimed at ending nearly 12 years of war in Afghanistan remained in limbo.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the ball was in the Islamic militant movement's court, urging the Taliban to step back from the brink and begin what he called the "difficult" road ahead. He said the main U.S. envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan was in Doha and "waiting to find out whether the Taliban will respond."

The Taliban's office opened Tuesday to much fanfare and a simultaneous announcement that U.S. officials would begin formal talks with Taliban representatives, which eventually would be joined by the Afghan government raised hopes that the long-stalled peace process aimed at ending Washington's longest war could finally begin. But it ran into trouble from the outset when Afghan President Hamid Karzai temporarily withdrew from talks to protest the Taliban's use of its old flag and a sign bearing the name of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which the movement used during its five-year rule that ended in 2001 with the U.S.-led invasion.

After intervention from the Qatar government, the flag was lowered and the sign changed to the "Political Bureau of the Taliban Afghan in Doha." Both the U.S. and the Qataris said the Taliban had agreed on the pre-approved name but violated the pact at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

A Taliban spokesman in Doha, Shaheen Suhail, suggested the Taliban were willing to move forward despite "much anger" among some members over the removal of the name and the lowering of the Taliban flag ? a white flag emblazoned with a Quranic verse in black.

"In the past 12 years, the opening of the political office is the first ray in the direction of peace in Afghanistan," Suhail said. "Those who want real peace in the county should support this move. These are the first days. There should not be high expectations to see everything resolved in one day, nor should there be disappointments."

He told The Associated Press in a telephone call that the U.S. had not contacted the Taliban yet to discuss a meeting.

James Dobbins, U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, arrived in Doha on Saturday.

Kerry, in the Qatari capital for separate talks on Syria's civil war, said the Americans and the Afghan government's High Peace Council were ready, and he encouraged the Taliban to remain in the process.

"Nothing comes easily in this endeavor, we understand that. The road ahead will be difficult, no question about it, if there is a road ahead," he said at a press conference, adding "it's really up to the Taliban to make that choice."

"It remains to be seen in this very first test whether or not the Taliban are prepared to do their part," he said.

Suhail for the first time suggested the Taliban were willing to discuss a cease-fire, as well as the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan to train Afghan security forces after the end of the NATO combat mission in 2014. He even agreed to the rights of women being on the table, a nod to fears among women, mostly in Afghanistan's cities, that the Taliban would reinstate restrictive rules such as the mandatory wearing of the all- encompassing burqa. While most women in Afghanistan still wear the burqa, it was law during the Taliban rule. They also did not allow girls to attend school, which they have also backed away from.

"Yes there should be a cease-fire but first you have to talk about how to reach a cease-fire. How can it be done in one day?" he asked. "It can be part of the agenda and discussed, also foreign troops in Afghanistan can be part of the agenda, the general concern of the Afghan people, of the Afghan women can all be part of the agenda. It is only when this process goes forward can we make progress."

The Taliban earlier said they have agreed to free U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl ? a 27-year-old Hailey, Idaho, native who was captured four years ago June 30 in Afghanistan ? in exchange for five Taliban prisoners being held in the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In Kabul, a member of the government's negotiation team said it was still prepared to begin talks in Qatar and called the removal of the sign and flag was a positive sign.

High Peace Council member Shahzada Shahid said it was too early to say when members of the council would travel to Qatar for talks. "Peace is very important and vital for us so we will take all measures for it," he said.

Meanwhile on the battlefield, 18 Taliban militants were killed Saturday when they attacked a local security post in northern Afghanistan, sparking fighting that also left two Afghan policemen dead, Afghan officials said.

A militant attack also killed a coalition service member in the south on Saturday, NATO said. The statement did not provide a nationality or further details.

____

Gannon reported from Islamabad, Pakistan. Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez and David Rising contributed from Kabul.

___

Kathy Gannon is AP Special Regional Correspondent for Afghanistan and Pakistan and can be reached at www.twitter.com/kathygannon

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-06-22-Afghan-Peace%20Talks/id-d518b658625046428e4da1575b074c19

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Ohio GOP agreement calls for larger income tax cut

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio residents could see a 10 percent income tax cut paid for in part by a bump in the state sales tax under a Republican package of changes meant to be included in the state's budget.

GOP legislative leaders in the House and Senate announced the proposal, which also gives small businesses a break and closes certain tax loopholes on small cigars and magazine subscriptions, on Thursday.

State lawmakers are working to finalize Ohio's next two-year budget. They face a June 30 deadline to pass the almost $61.7 billion spending plan before the new fiscal year begins July 1.

The plan reduces the statewide income tax rate gradually over three years, beginning with an 8.5 percent tax cut on income earned in 2013 and moving to a 10 percent tax reduction by 2015.

A tax break targeted at small businesses would let people write off 50 percent of their first $250,000 in business income annually. That's similar to what the Senate passed in its version of the budget, which would let people deduct 50 percent of their first $750,000 in income.

"Make no doubt about it, we are making significant changes," said Senate President Keith Faber, a Celina Republican, at an afternoon news conference at the Statehouse.

The plan amounts to a $2.6 billion net tax reduction over three years, including more than $1 billion in the next budget year, GOP leaders said.

Among other changes, the tax package also would increase the state sales tax from 5.5 percent to 5.75 percent and apply it to digital goods such as electronic books and music downloaded online.

Virtually every Ohio business pays the commercial activities tax, but the proposal would change the threshold on who pays what.

The change would have little impact on larger businesses. But it would apply the current tax rate to those businesses making $500,000 in gross receipts, instead of those making $1 million and above.

Another change would get rid of property tax help that the state currently pays to homeowners who are subject to local levies, such as school issues. The elimination of the so-called property tax rollback wouldn't apply to existing levies, only deductions for future homeowners and new local levies. The move is expected to save the state nothing in the first fiscal year, about $34 million in 2015 and about $90 million annually in the years that follow.

Democrats argued the effect of the changes amounted to a tax increase for most.

"All Ohioans will have to pay higher taxes every time they go to the store or buy a car thanks to this Republican tax hike," state Sen. Eric Kearney, a Cincinnati Democrat, said in a written statement.

Kearney said it also would make it more difficult for schools and communities to pass levies.

The tax package is aimed at reconciling the separate tax proposals that passed the two Republican-controlled chambers of the Legislature.

The House had retained 7 percent of the 20 percent permanent income tax cut originally proposed by GOP Gov. John Kasich. Senators chose to restore a small business benefit, which Kasich also had pitched in his budget.

The governor praised the proposal in a written statement Thursday.

"This is another big step forward in Ohio's comeback," Kasich said.

A conference committee of six lawmakers, three from the House and three from the Senate, has started hashing out the differences between the two chambers' spending proposals.

Both chambers' versions of the budget also had omitted Kasich's proposed tax increase on high-volume oil and gas drillers and his plans for extending the state sales tax to professional services including those provided by legal, accounting and lobbying firms.

A House committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the new tax package on Friday, while a Senate panel plans to hear from witnesses on Monday.

The conference committee is expected to vote on a compromise budget bill early next week.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-gop-agreement-calls-larger-124814255.html

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