'Cliff' talks: White House waiting on GOP move

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Republicans have to stop using "political math" and say how much they are willing to raise tax rates on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans and then specify the spending cuts they want, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said Sunday.

Just four weeks from the proverbial "fiscal cliff," House Speaker John Boehner countered that Republicans have a plan for providing as much as $800 billion in new government revenue over the next decade and would consider the elimination of tax deductions on high-income earners. But when pressed on "Fox News Sunday" for precise details, the Ohio Republican declined to say.

There are "a lot of options in terms of how to get there," Boehner said.

Both Boehner's and Geithner's latest remarks indicate it could be some time before serious negotiations begin between the White House and Republicans on how to avert economic calamity expected in less than a month when President George W. Bush-era tax cuts expire and automatic, across-the-board spending cuts kick in.

Last week, the White House delivered to Capitol Hill its opening plan: $1.6 trillion in higher taxes over a decade, hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending, a possible extension of the temporary Social Security payroll tax cut and enhancing the president's power to raise the national debt limit.

In exchange, the president would back $600 billion in spending cuts, including $350 billion from Medicare and other health programs. But he also wants $200 billion in new spending for jobless benefits, public works projects and aid for struggling homeowners. His proposal for raising the ceiling on government borrowing would make it virtually impossible for Congress to block him.

Republicans said they responded in closed-door meetings with laughter and disbelief.

"I was just flabbergasted," Boehner said. "I looked at him (Geithner) and I said, 'You can't be serious.'" The speaker, noting the short time between the Nov. 6 election and the new year, said time is being lost "with this nonsense."

Boehner described negotiations as going "nowhere, period," and said "there's clearly a chance" the nation will go over the cliff.

Geithner, the administration's point man for negotiations, was slightly more optimistic while saying the ball was in Boehner's court. But the treasury secretary also said he didn't expect a counteroffer right away, as Republicans work to sort out tensions within the party in the wake of bruising national elections that left Democrats in charge of the White House and the Senate.

Boehner acknowledged in his interview, aired Sunday, that he wasn't happy with public remarks by Republican Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who said he was ready to go along with Obama's plan to renew expiring income tax cuts for the majority of Americans and negotiate the rates on top earners later.

"They're trying to figure out where they go next," Geithner said of Republicans, "and we might need to give them a little time to figure out where they go next."

He called the back-and-forth "normal political theater," saying all that's blocking a timely deal is the GOP's reluctance to accept higher tax rates on the wealthy.

"It's welcome that they're recognizing that revenues are going to have to go up. But they haven't told us anything about how far rates should go up ... (and) who should pay higher taxes," Geithner said.

Republican leaders have said they accept higher tax revenue overall, but only through what they call tax reform __ closing loopholes and limiting deductions __ and only coupled with tough measures to curb the explosive growth of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

"If we gave the president $1.6 trillion of new money, what do you think he'd do with it?" asked Boehner. "He's going to spend it. It's what Washington does."

Cole didn't back down Sunday on his earlier comments that Republicans should agree to Obama's plan for continuing Bush's tax rates for middle-class America and focus the negotiations on the other issues. Doing so, he said, would make the GOP position even stronger.

"The reality is, nobody can look at this budget and think if you don't reform entitlements you can balance it. You can give the president every tax increase he's asked for, you'd still be in the hole," he said.

Geithner appeared on CBS' "Face the Nation," NBC's "Meet the Press," CNN's "State of the Union," ABC's "This Week" and "Fox News Sunday." Cole appeared on ABC "This Week."

___

Associated Press writers Mark S. Smith in Washington and Erik Schelzig in Nashville, Tenn., contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/cliff-talks-white-house-waiting-gop-move-184438902--finance.html

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Kuwait's rifts highlighted by election boycott

KUWAIT CITY (AP) ? Kuwait's deep political rifts took center stage in parliamentary elections Saturday as backers of the ruling establishment cast ballots while a broad opposition alliance staged a boycott and vowed to reject the outcome.

The voting capped months of political upheavals and showdowns in the oil-rich Gulf state ? a strategic Western ally ? and the polarized atmosphere suggested more tensions ahead.

Kuwait has the Gulf's most politically powerful parliament and the election is certain to restore control to pro-government lawmakers. Yet that doesn't guarantee any extra breathing space for the ruling system amid claims it is overstepping its powers.

A wide-reaching coalition of opposition factions ? ranging from hard-line Islamists to Western-leaning liberals ? already has challenged the legitimacy of the new parliament because of the boycott and could increasingly take their grievances to the streets.

Kuwait has largely escaped the unrest sweeping the region, and any potential for greater unrest is closely watched by Washington, which has thousands of U.S. ground forces in Kuwait as part of the Pentagon's military counterweight to Iran in the Persian Gulf.

Islamists and tribal allies won control of the 50-seat parliament in February elections, but the chamber was later dissolved over a legal challenge by the ruling establishment over electoral districts. Kuwait has been left without an effective working parliament for more than five months.

Complaints against authorities include increasing efforts to muzzle free speech and failure to have Kuwait's economy and growth keep pace with other dynamic Gulf centers such as Qatar's capital Doha and the United Arab Emirates' hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Last month, four people were arrested on charges of insulting Kuwait's emir in Twitter posts.

Security forces watched over polling stations across Kuwait, but no disturbances were reported. The voting sites vividly displayed the country's divides with pro-government areas showing steady turnout, but areas loyal to the opposition were almost deserted. Boycott backers tied pieces of orange ribbon ? the adopted color of the opposition ? around tree branches near some polling sites.

Some opposition groups predicted turnout could be well below 50 percent, compared with near 60 percent for the last parliamentary elections in February that were won by Islamists and their allies.

"I'm certain that the boycott will have an effect on the turnout," said Information Minister Mohammad al-Abdullah Al Sabah, a member of the ruling family.

He appealed, however, for the opposition to confine their objections within the country's "legal framework."

The anti-government groups have bitterly denounced a decree in October by Kuwait's emir to end an unusual balloting system that allowed four choices per voter.

Critics claim the new one-vote-per-person rule will make it easier for state authorities to potentially influence the outcome. They also say the emir went beyond his authority by changing the voting rules without public debate.

On the eve of the election, more than 15,000 people joined a peaceful pro-boycott march in the first rally permitted by authorities since a ruling last month banning gatherings of more than 20 people.

Kuwait's parliament has the most powers of any among the Gulf Arab states. Opposition lawmakers have often fired off accusations of corruptions and abuses against government officials, including the prime minister and other members of the ruling family.

The country also has some of the widest political and media freedoms in the region, but key government posts and policies remain under the control of the ruling family.

Yet Islamists and their backers also worry many Kuwaitis for open support of stricter Muslim codes such as censoring artists and imposing death sentences for those convicted of denigrating Islam.

The concerns about the rising clout of Islamists also reflects wider battles across the Gulf as authorities crack down on groups suspected of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which has taken control of Egypt following elections in the past year. Gulf leaders view activists inspired by the Arab Spring as potential threats, but Kuwait's Islamist leaders claim they are a homegrown force that only seeks a greater say in the country's affairs.

A 29-year-old voter, Ali Boushehri, said he was frustrated with both sides.

"I hold the government accountable for many of our shortcomings in Kuwait, and that is why I am voting," he said. "I don't agree with the opposition. Boycotting is not a good thing to do ... I want to vote because I believe in democracy."

A businessman, Khaled al-Qahtani, 38, decided to join the boycott even though he also has misgivings about Islamists. Many liberals have joined the unusual alliance of convenience with Islamists over their shared anger against the ruling system, but remain far apart on ideology.

Islamists and their backers "aren't to be trusted with the future of Kuwait, so I don't support them," said al-Qahtani. "Although, sadly, the government lost the support of many others by failing the people repeatedly."

The region's popular uprisings have not spilled over to Kuwait in a major way as in nearby Bahrain, and it remains unlikely opposition groups would wage an all-out challenge to the current system and risk losing the generous cradle-to-grave benefits provided by the state.

But clashes last month between protesters and security forces displayed the potential for violence to escalate.

Kuwait also was hit by a wave of labor unrest and strikes earlier this year, including walkouts that grounded the state carrier, Kuwait Airways, and temporarily closed customs posts and left several hundred trucks stranded at the border.

Calls for better working conditions have grown louder in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings. Kuwaitis are used to well-paid government jobs and benefits that increasingly have become a burden on state finances despite the country's huge oil wealth.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/kuwaits-rifts-highlighted-election-boycott-173131902.html

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2 Burnett INTs key Green Bay's 23-14 win

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) ? If any more Green Bay receivers go down, the Packers could always use Morgan Burnett.

With Minnesota rolling behind Adrian Peterson, the Green Bay safety picked off Christian Ponder twice in the red zone in the second half Sunday. Mason Crosby converted the miscues into a pair of field goals, James Starks gave Green Bay its first touchdown on the ground in almost two months and the Packers overcame Peterson's monster day for a 23-14 win.

"I thought Morgan Burnett's interception in the third quarter in the end zone was the key play of game," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "It shifted the momentum."

The victory was Green Bay's 10th straight over an NFC North opponent and gave the Packers (8-4) a share of the division lead after Chicago lost to Seattle in overtime. The Packers and Bears play at Soldier Field on Dec. 16.

"I can't say there are many Seattle fans in the locker room," Aaron Rodgers said, "but we appreciate the help."

The Packers lost in Seattle earlier this year on the Inaccurate Reception.

Peterson finished with 210 yards rushing, the most he's had since blowing out his ACL and MCL last December. That included a career-long 82-yard touchdown that gave Minnesota a 14-10 lead at halftime.

But his big numbers weren't enough to make up for the absence of Percy Harvin, who missed his third straight game with a sprained ankle. Ponder didn't help matters with his interceptions, one in the end zone and the other around the Green Bay 10.

"As we walked into the tunnel, Everson Griffen was behind me talking. He was like, 'Why does it feel like we won? But we're leaving here with a loss,'" Peterson said. "That's the type of feeling it was. We know that it's things that we did that cost us the game."

The loss won't cost Ponder his job, however. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he didn't consider switching quarterbacks during the game and won't consider such a move this week.

The Vikings (6-6) fell a game behind Seattle in the race for the second NFC wild card.

"We can win with the personnel that we have," Frazier said. "We've shown that we can. We just have to do a few things better. There's no reason to panic."

The Packers didn't panic despite injuries to Jordy Nelson (hamstring) and T.J. Lang (ankle) leaving the offense scrambling and Peterson almost single-handedly wiping out Green Bay's early 10-0 lead. He put the Vikings in great position to pad that lead, ripping off a 48-yarder on the first play of the second half that gave Minnesota the ball at the Green Bay 12.

But two plays later, Ponder got flushed out of the pocket. Rather than take the sack or run out of bounds, he heaved the ball into the end zone ? and right into Burnett's hands.

"I'd seen it was a pretty spiral, and I made sure I got my paws on it," Burnett said.

Rodgers overthrew Jarrett Boykin in the end zone on third-and-7 from the 29, and the Packers looked as if they were going to go for it. But after a Minnesota timeout, McCarthy sent out Crosby, who had missed six of his last 11, including one from 53 yards just before the half.

This one was good, however, the kick wobbling through the uprights for a 47-yard field goal.

Rodgers was picked off on a trick play, but the Packers defense bailed him out, stuffing Peterson for no gain on third-and-1. A bad Chris Kluwe punt gave the Packers the ball at their own 49 and, four plays later, Starks bolted 22 yards for the score and Green Bay's first lead since the second quarter.

It was Green Bay's first rushing touchdown since Oct. 7.

A 15-yard unnecessary roughness call on Tramon Williams gave Minnesota the ball on the Green Bay 25. But once again, Burnett was there, stepping in front of Kyle Rudolph and snatching the ball at the 13.

"This one definitely hurts," Ponder said. "For what this game means to the team, to this state, it's disappointing ? especially with the way Adrian played ? to go out and throw two interceptions."

The Packers ground out an 11-minute drive before Crosby sealed the win with his third field goal of the day, a 31-yarder. Rodgers made three big third-down conversions to keep the drive alive, running for one and finding Jennings (8 yards) and Randall Cobb (33 yards) on the others.

Rodgers, who turned 29 Sunday, finished 27 of 35 for 286 yards.

"Everything's right in front of us," Rodgers said. "We've got to go win our home games and get a couple wins on the road."

NOTES: Burnett's two interceptions matched his single-game career high. He also had two last year against the Bears. ... Peterson is the second player to gain 100 yards rushing against the Packers this year, and first since San Francisco's Frank Gore in the season opener. ... The 11-minute scoring drive was Green Bay's longest of the season. ... With 1? sacks Sunday, Jared Allen now has 14 of Rodgers. ... Peterson's 21 carries gives him 1,640 for his career, topping the previous Vikings record of 1,627. ... Green Bay has won 24 of its last 26 regular-season games at home.

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/2-burnett-ints-key-green-bays-23-14-210630975--spt.html

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The Best Picks From The CFDA Target Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection (VIDEO)

www.fabsugar.com:

Nothing gets us quite as excited as a new designer collaboration, and today, we can finally get our hands on the Target and Neiman Marcus holiday collection. The iconic retailers have teamed up with 24 CFDA designers to create one epic lineup. The likes of Proenza Schouler, Jason Wu, and Prabal Gurung, to name a few, lent their designer clout to create a truly covet-worthy collection. Available at Target and Neiman Marcus stores -- and online! -- this collection does not disappoint. Watch on to see our favorite picks from the line, and don't forget to snag your favorites today.

Read the whole story at www.fabsugar.com

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/01/the-best-picks-from-the-c_n_2224420.html

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Keenly Followed Online Social Rating Community Thenumber1.com Throws Lights on Common Man's Opinion Pertaining to World Politics

Thenumber1.com, a popular social rating website, is quickly emerging as preferred platform for common people to express their independent stand about the most critical issues of world politics. This website has been introducing interesting social rating competitions covering a wide array of topics, since the launch of the website few months ago.

(PRWEB) November 30, 2012

After making an impact on its members with numerous fun filled social rating competitions, Thenumber1.com has just come up with a more serious competition on the hottest issues of world politics. This social rating website was created just a couple of months ago, and is already a popular online destination for the younger generation of internet users. It may be recalled that some of the competitions like top villain looks, rate my moustache, rate my cloth, etc. has received tremendous applause from the members of the website. With the introduction of the new competition on the hottest issues of world politics, many members are now using this community to express their opinion on these issues.

According to the new competition in Thenumber1.com, the most relevant issues of world politics includes NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, Independence of Kashmir, US pullout from Iraq, Israel's attack on Gaza, etc. Amongst all these, the topic of NATO's withdrawal from Afghanistan has sparked a lot of interest amongst the members of the program. One may recall that NATO forces have been deployed throughout Afghanistan since the 9/11 terror attacks. Apart from allowing members to post their opinion on this debated political issue, Thenumber1.com has also published a brief post describing reasons for and against the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan.

Thenumber1.com's increasing popularity as a social rating website can be attributed to several features that are not available in most other similar websites. Social sharing, aggregate rating scheme, a comprehensive data model, and an advanced Graphical User Interface are the top factors that make this website the favorite online destination of thousands off people across the globe. When asked about the latest competition in their website, a senior official from Thenumber1.com said, "It is never easy for a common man to express his/her independent opinion on these political issues. That's the exact reason behind creating this competition".

Jonathan, Livne
elobby Ltd
972-72-2508688
Email Information

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/keenly-followed-online-social-rating-community-thenumber1-com-210050941.html

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Freddie Roach accuses Juan Manuel Marquez of using steroids ...

Freddie Roach accuses Juan Manuel Marquez of using steroids ? Boxing News

Surprisingly, Manny Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach has accused Mexican fighter and Pacquiao?s opponent for December 9 of using steroids. In a recent press conference, Roach came up indicating that Marquez is on performance enhancing drugs, which was a blow to the Mexican since Roach has never taken up such a route.

?If (his body) is natural, I will kiss his ass,? said Roach.

?(Marquez) has gotten bigger and gained weight ? it throws up a red flag. I've been accused so many times of my fighters being on steroids (that) I hate to accuse other people. But it is part of our life, part of the world we live in,? he added.

However, what was more surprising was the fact that later on Roach backed off, saying he is just surprised on how Marquez has gained so much weight.

?The thing is, he put on a lot of muscle and if you can do that by weightlifting, that's amazing. I workout every day and I don't get those kind of muscles,? he said to Fighthype.com.

Still, the entire scenario seemed a bit suspicious and so the folks at Fighthype.com dug further into it, only to know that Pacquiao had told Roach to take his comments back.

?It wasn?t a joke, I do think he?s on something, but Manny wanted me to walk the comments back.?

Pacquiao is a fighter who has always been surrounded with such controversies, which is probably the reason why he does not want to use the same for others. Similarly, even Roach?s fighters have been criticised for using the same and so the Hall of Famer thought it would be better to check if Marquez has done the same.

Unfortunately, Roach had to take his comments back in order to keep any kind of trouble away that could have cancelled the fight.

For now, even though Roach has taken his comments back, the situation still stands the same. There has been no news from Marquez camp regarding it but sooner or later they will shoot back.

Both fighters will face each other on December 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Freddie-Roach-accuses-Juan-Manuel-Marquez-of-using-steroids-Boxing-News-a204857

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UK gas trading probe could trigger new rules - EnergyUK's Knight

LONDON (Reuters) - A probe into possible price manipulation in Britain's gas market, Europe's largest, could result in tighter regulation of energy trading, Angela Knight, chief executive of the EnergyUK lobby group, said on Friday.

"We need to see whether there is any more that needs to be done so there's the proper regulation in place to secure confidence in the market," said Knight, who moved to EnergyUK in September after heading the British Bankers' Association (BBA).

Britain's financial and energy regulators announced this month that they were reviewing information received by a whistleblower claiming that traders had manipulated prices in Britain's gas market.

Knight said some of the price manipulation issues alleged in the case would be addressed by new EU rules being rolled out to prevent market abuse in electricity and gas markets, also known as REMIT.

Yet she said the case was also somewhat unusual as the whistleblower had refused the customary identity protection and opted to speak about the allegations in public.

He also approached the financial regulator rather than energy watchdog Ofgem.

"I think that has therefore made it quite difficult for our authorities (...) The fairness about the British system is you aren't found guilty until the work has been done to determine whether you are guilty," Knight said.

Ofgem has often been accused of lacking prosecution powers compared with other regulators, but Knight said the energy watchdog had been keeping a close eye on unusual trading.

ENERGY LIKE BANKING

Knight, who spent five years at the helm of the bankers association, likened the energy market to the banking sector in that both sectors are going through major change.

Britain's banking sector is facing growing scrutiny on the back of the financial crisis and the energy market is set to be overhauled to encourage more low-carbon power generation.

"There are some evident parallels in that these are large important industries for the UK economy," said Knight, whose role it was to defend the banking sector at a time when it was widely blamed for causing global financial meltdown.

In her new role Knight said it was part of her job to restore reputation of energy companies which are often criticised for pocketing hefty profits for electricity and gas supply.

"A lot of the good can be completely sidelined by a small amount of the bad and I think that's a shame," Knight said, adding that EnergyUK was considering launching a public campaign to raise the profile of energy companies.

"If we're going to have that honest discussion with our customers, it has to be the industry, regulators, policymakers and the media, too, to find a way to explain which doesn't end up in finger pointing."

(Editing by Jason Neely)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uk-gas-trading-probe-could-trigger-rules-energyuks-164102362.html

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