“The conference is our long, all-waited chance to end the violence and begin putting the country back together.”

Ban says Iran has agreed to its action plan that calls for a Syrian-led political process leading to a transition that meets the legitimate aspiration of the Syrian people. The coalition and Syrian delegations meets face-to-face in Geneva for 2 days starting Wednesday. 

 

US and Afghan officials are presenting competing narratives at a military operation north of Kabul that resulted in civilians causalities. NPR’s Sean Carberry reports. 

US military official say that as a request of the local government, Afghan Special Forces led a operation to retake Taliban-held territory in Parwan province. Militants hiding in houses ambushed the Afghan forces and US advisors, killing one Afghan and one American. An Afghan commander called for US air support. American official CD aerial gunfire killed a number of militants and also 2 children who were in one of the houses from which the militants were firing. President Karzai characterizes the incident as the bombing over the residential area and says he will not sign a security agreement with the US until it ceases all operations targeting Afghan homes. Sean Carberry, NPR News, Kabul. 

 

The Colby fire in the community of Glendora, California, east of Los Angles is now 78% contained. 6 homes have been destroyed and 5 damaged. Mitt Calon of a number station KBCR reports. 

Light rain increasing humidity air is assisting firefighters as they’re continuing to strengthen existing containing lines on the Colby fire. Nathan Judy, the fire information officer for the Angeles National Forest, says the premiere focus now is putting out lingering hot spots. 

“What we’re doing is mapping out the dearest that have kind of slert out or smokes smoldering degrees within burning area itself, and working on conceding the height lines and @@ putting on while the fire can be completely contained.”

Cooling temperatures in the up 70s to low 80s are forecasted for the region over the next several days. 3 suspects are facing federal charges for unintentionally starting the fire Thursday morning when a camp fire got out of control. For NPR News, I’m Mitt Calon in San Bonadio. 

 

State officials say they’re convinced that in Nevada, Marina where estimated 100,000 fish died poses no danger to humans or animals. Though testing is incomplete, environmental and wildlife officials say there has no sign of any contamination. 

 

It is NPR. 

 

The Seattle Seahawks are battling out with San Francisco 49ers for the NFC title. Right now, the 49ers are leading the Seahawks 17 to 13 in the third quarter. Meanwhile the Denver Broncos have advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. They beat the New England Patriots 26 to 16 and the game they never felt so close at all. WBOR Kevin Given was there. 

It was built as the final matchup between 2 of the best quarterbacks in the history of NFL, but it turned out to be not much contested at all. Tom Brady in the Patriots’ offense struggled at Denver’s Sports Authority Field and Peyton Manning at Broncos won by double-digit. Always the professionalist, Manning was entirely satisfied. 

“It would be nice to store more touchdowns as to post few goals, but it would certainly enough to win.”

Manning will try for his second Super Bowl ring in New York in 2 weeks. For NPR News, I’m Kevin Given in Denver. 

 

The winning streak is over for Serena Williams. She has been ousted in the fourth round of Australia Open. The top 3 suffered her first loss since August, falling to number 14, Ana Ivanović. The 5-time Australia Open champ had one her last 25 matches. 

 

The head of American post workers union says the deal between the US postal services has been stapled. It’s direct solved on their jobs. The postal services is opening retail centers and dozens of state stores around the country. They say its pilot program aiming to serving customers and driving up demand, but labor officials are criticizing the move because the outlets are staffed by stable employees, not unionized worker.