In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says there are signs of progress in real estate, manufacturing and job-creation.

Conversely children who were better at paying attention and staying focused had reduced heart risk when older.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen said "in this age of austerity, that looks like an attractive option. But it would be the wrong option."

The assault took place near the town of Shuqra in Abyan province, an impoverished, mountainous region of southern Yemen.

The Vice President says the offer stands "but it must be real and tangible and there has to be an agenda that they're prepared to speak to.

France's third largest bank said its fourth quarter results due later this month would be hit by 2.68bn euros of charges.

The umbrella opposition group subsequently said that Assad's departure from power was a precondition for a negotiated settlement.

“The security environment surrounding our country is increasingly becoming more severe,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

Hollande, accompanied by his ministers for defense, foreign affairs and development, flew into Sevare in central Mali.