Deal reached on Pacific Rim trade pact in boost for Obama economic agenda
President Obama hailed the historic 12-nation Pacific Rim trade deal completed here Monday as an accord that “reflects America’s values,” but within hours the administration had turned from the negotiating table to selling the agreement on Capitol Hill, a reflection of the harsh political climate the controversial pact is expected to face in Congress.

In Iran, an Iranian-born American pastor with dual citizenship remains behind bars in Evin prison for the holidays.
Although America is on alert against terrorists every Sept. 11, on this anniversary, the threats are now coming from domestic atheists after the Christian Cross as well as Muslim clerics in Cairo burning Bibles.