"Fiscal cliff" talks stalled for now, but progress possible

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers have made little progress in the last 10 days toward a compromise to avoid the harsh tax increases and government spending cuts scheduled for January 1, a senior Democratic senator said on Sunday.

However, lawmakers in both the Democratic and Republican parties have been working hard to convince the public - and financial markets - that they are willing to compromise and can reach a deal before the end of the year.

The United States is on course to slash its budget deficit nearly in half next year. Closing the gap that quickly, which in Washington is referred to as going over a "fiscal cliff," could easily trigger a recession.

"Unfortunately, for the last 10 days, with the House and Congress gone for the Thanksgiving recess ... much progress hasn't been made," Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told ABC's "This Week" program.

A deadline is looming. Absent action by lawmakers and President Barack Obama, roughly $600 billion in tax increases and spending cuts will start to hit households and companies in early January.

Republicans and Obama's Democrats are at an impasse over the president's wish to raise income tax rates on the wealthiest Americans, which Republicans say would hurt job creation.

Republicans also want to cut spending on social programs more than Democrats say they will accept.

Still, a growing group of Republican lawmakers are loosening their ties to Grover Norquist, the anti-tax lobbyist famous for getting elected officials to sign a pledge that they will vote against any tax increases.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Republicans will allow tax revenues to rise as long as social spending programs are reformed. "I will violate the pledge, long story short, for the good of the country, only if Democrats will do entitlement reform," he told "This Week."

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss said last week he "cared more about the country" than a 20-year-old pledge, and on Sunday Republican Representative Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told NBC's "Meet the Press" he agreed "completely" with Chambliss.

Durbin said Democrats are willing to allow small changes to parts of the country's entitlement programs, including public health insurance programs for the elderly and poor, but the Social Security government pension program should not be on the table.

"Bring entitlement reform into the conversation. Social Security, set (it) aside," Durbin said.

Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services committee, said the ability to avoid the "fiscal cliff," depended on the Republicans.

"The key here is whether or not the Republicans will move away from the ideologically rigid position, which has been the Grover Norquist pledge, which most of them signed," he said on "Meet the Press."

(Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle; editing by Todd Eastham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fiscal-cliff-talks-stalled-now-progress-possible-174437679--business.html

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http://www.giantsteamfanshop.com Learn How To Peyton Manning Official Jersey Operate An Affiliate Marketer Marketing and advertising System

Surprisingly, probably the most committed people in affiliate marketing are one of the Charles Woodson Nike Jersey minimum productive. That?s since their ambition is overriding their common sense, and they also technique the industry with an excessive amount of excitement and too little understanding. Don?t go this path. Learn how to use the suggestions in this article to be successful.

A fantastic affiliate marketing suggestion is usually to join an affiliate marketer marketing and advertising software that may be two-tier. Two-tier affiliate products are wonderful simply because they allow you to create a tiny percentage from the man or woman you recommend. Anytime the individual you refer constitutes a transaction, additionally you get a tiny percentage.

Only include hyperlinks to merchandise you already know are premium quality. Let your potential customers know you may have carried out the footwork on their behalf, vetting inferior items and merely taking them the most effective. Verify income pages prior to give a Ray Rice Authentic Jersey website link, ensuring they display reliability, professionalism along with a ?tone of voice? similar to the one you have. Choose to advertise solely those products and firms which may have developed great, sound reputations.

In affiliate internet marketing, persistence is very important. Don?t be disheartened should your internet site isn?t generating your company money nevertheless, affiliate marketing online revenue expands with time. 1 while customer will help improve your profits, as well as refer other individuals for your web site. Always keep creating articles and stay individual until your job will begin to pay off.

Alongside with all the current other options to Ray Lewis Nike Jersey take into account with an affiliate marketing plan, take a look at how advertising position influences your profits. Certain advertisement jobs on the site (as well as on personal pages) will garner much more website visitor curiosity as opposed to others. If you monitor the outcomes you get from specific positions you may fit probably the most rewarding ads towards the most obvious placements, increasing your profits.

If you?re offering computer software by your internet affiliate campaigns, don?t just consist of display catches in your critiques ? take a video of on your own utilizing the online video! This is fantastic for how-tos, so display me how you?re utilizing the funds to give help to your life, particularly if it may preserve or make me dollars.

Individuals researching ways to make money in a rush Devin Hester Nike Jersey need to stay away from being an online affiliate internet marketer. You can find just no fast income inside a program similar to this. You need to be competitive in your market market place and then drive traffic towards a person else?s item in expectations that they develop into a paying buyer. There?s nothing speedy about that.

Call your insurance provider to ensure that your home business office is protected in the case of injury to your pc systems. Affiliate internet marketing causes it to be very difficult work in case your computers are ruined! For those who have insufficient insurance policy, think of obtaining online business protection to make sure you?ll possess some assurance.

Achievement Whitney Mercilus Elite Jersey in internet affiliate marketing is the thing that it?s about. If you?re not inside it to win it, precisely why are you inside from the beginning? What you?ve just learned using this write-up are a couple of wonderful techniques to function to become profitable affiliate marketing marketing expert. Placed the best feet ahead by acting intelligent, as an alternative to performing rapidly.

Source: http://www.ruanime.ca/activity/p/16857/

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At least 120 killed in Bangladesh factory fire

Hasan Raza / AP

Bangladeshi firefighters battle a fire at a garment factory in the Savar neighborhood in Dhaka, Bangladesh, late Saturday.

By NBC News wire services

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- At least 120 people were killed as a fire swept through a garment factory on the outskirts of Bangladesh's capital, the chief of the fire brigade said Sunday.

The fire at the nine-story factory in the Ashulia industrial belt started on the ground floor late Saturday and quickly spread, trapping hundreds of workers.

"This morning we have recovered 120 dead bodies and the death toll could rise," Abu Nayeem Mohammad Shahidullah, director general of the fire brigade, told reporters.

---

Fire department Operations Director Maj. Mohammad Mahbub told The Associated Press that?the nine-story factory was operated by Tazreen Fashions.

Witnesses said the workers, mostly women, ran for safety as the fire engulfed the plant, but were unable to come out through narrow exits.

"Many jumped out from the windows and were injured, or died on the spot," said Milon, a resident.?"We are appalled to see the charred bodies coming out of the factory since last night. It was an endless stream."

Mahbub said army soldiers and border guards had been deployed to help police keep the situation under control as thousands of anxious relatives of the factory workers gathered at the scene.?

Bangladesh has around 4,500 garment factories that make clothes for such ?brands as Tesco, Wal-Mart, JC Penney, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Kohl's and Carrefour.

Bangladesh is the world's biggest exporter of clothing after China, with garments making up 80 percent of its $24 billion annual exports.?

But safety standards at the factories are poor and not enforced strictly, causing scores of accidents each year.?

Saturday's fire was the worst in years, and rescuers and police said the death count may surpass any previous toll.?

This article includes reporting by Reuters and The Associated Press.

More world stories from NBC News:

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Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/24/15420144-fire-sweeps-clothing-factory-in-bangladesh-at-least-120-killed?lite

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Pope tells new cardinals: shun 'worldly logic of power'

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Sunday told six prelates newly elevated to the rank of cardinal that all Catholic leaders should shun the "worldly logic of power" and stick to spreading the gospel.

The pope presided at a solemn mass in St Peter's Basilica with the six men from the United States, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Lebanon and Colombia the day after they became cardinals at a ceremony known as a consistory.

"To be disciples of Jesus, then, means not letting ourselves be allured by the worldly logic of power, but bringing into the world the light of truth and God's love," he said.

"To you, dear and venerable brother cardinals - I think in particular of those created yesterday - is entrusted this demanding responsibility: to bear witness to the kingdom of God, to the truth."

The new cardinals are American Archbishop James Michael Harvey, Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, a major archbishop of the Syro-Malankara rite in India, Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez of Bogota, Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Beatitude Bechara Boutros Rai, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church in Lebanon, and Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja.

Indian women at the mass wore saris and African women wore traditional dresses. Prayers were read in Arabic, Hindi, Yoruba and Tagalog as well as English, French and Italian.

"I think it's about time that we have a diverse and more colorful bunch of cardinals," said Leslie Ryan, a pilgrim who attended the consistory.

"If you want to bring all the Catholics together you need to have a diverse group of cardinals and it's about time."

The choice of the cardinals, ranging in age from 53 to 72, looked like an attempt to counter criticism that he has in the past neglected the needs of the developing world.

CARDINAL ELECTORS

All six are "cardinal electors", under 80 years old and therefore eligible to enter a conclave that will one day choose Benedict's successor.

Two of the new cardinals, Boutros Rai, 72, of Lebanon, and Onaiyekan, 68, of Nigeria, are from countries with significant Muslim populations.

In Nigeria, which is about 50 percent Muslim, the Islamist sect Boko Haram has killed hundreds of people in attacks since 2009. Many of the attacks have been on Christians and churches.

"The Boko Haram, the young men who are throwing bombs all over the place in Nigeria, have been rejected by the mainstream of Islam in Nigeria. But somehow, the way the Islamic religion is organized there's nobody who can tell them 'Stop it!'," Onaiyekan told Reuters in an interview.

"So the rest of us are actually, you can say, suffering because of the inner difficulties within Islam. But that's the reality we have to live with and we are doing our best. What is important for people to know is that it is not a case of Nigerian Muslims at war with Nigerian Christians."

Tagle, 55, of Manila, heads the largest Catholic church in Asia, where Christians are minorities in most countries.

"I think we have been used to a humble and hidden type of existence and it doesn't lead us to pessimism," he told Reuters.

"Being a small minority doesn't mean the church is dead," he said. "Of course, who doesn't want the numbers to increase? But there are things in life that are not measured only by numbers."

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; editing by Andrew Roche)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pope-tells-cardinals-shun-worldly-logic-power-115258963.html

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Home Improvement Information That Will Work For You ...

As long as you are willing to seek help and information, you can complete almost any of thousands of different home improvement projects. If home improvement projects are on your ?to do? list, then this article might prove helpful.

TIP! One important thing that can greatly improve your home is improving your windows. Get new windows! Use windows that are double glazed.

Installing a source of heat beneath a tile floor is simple and economical. Look into radiant heat equipment, especially if you want to replace your flooring anyway. The sales person will be able to guide you on which type of flooring should be used as well as the options available for radiant heating. This can also improve your home?s value significantly.

Make you home look great from the curb. Keep your yard nice by mowing the lawn and doing the edging. Have some nice shrubs around your property. Tidy up the yard. If your roof or exterior walls are stained, have them power-washed. Thoroughly clean your windows. This will all add to the first impression your home makes on anyone when they see it.

TIP! One of the best ways to improve the value and overall quality of your home is to upgrade the appliances. Normally upgrading appliances can net you double what was spent to purchase the appliances.

Old toothbrushes can be used to clean your house. They can be used for cleaning kitchen and bathroom faucets as well as car engines. The best part is that they cost nothing! There?s no need to purchase a brand new bush whenever you can use a free item that is just as effective. You can spend the money you save on something else.

Think about what you can afford before making any decisions about what to improve. Generally, you need to recoup the cost of the upgrades within 24 months in order for it to make financial sense. Avoid going over your budget.

TIP! Prior to beginning any project, consider how much of a return you will get from the money you spend on it. Look for projects that will add more value to your home so you eventually get a return on the time and money you invested.

As you improve your house, be certain to put your personal touch on things while making sure not to diverge too much from your neighbors. You don?t want to stick out as the only homeowner on the cul-de-sac with a tower on top of your home. Trying to sell a house that appears odd will make it difficult to sell.

Replacing the outlet covers in any room is an inexpensive and easy upgrade. Without you even realizing it, your outlets covers grow discolored over time, giving a dingy look in some cases. Installing new ones can help make everything look fresher.

TIP! Carpeting high traffic areas, like entryways and often-used hallways, is always financially a bad decision. Just a few days of a continuous rainstorm can stain your carpet with dirt and mud, making it look older than other carpeting that doesn?t receive much foot traffic.

Adding an extra bathroom can really increase the value of your home. This is especially useful if you have rooms on a floor that does not currently have a bathroom. It seems there are never enough bathrooms for the number of people who need to use them.

Even beginning home improvers can find benefit in fixing a leaky faucet. When you can respond to issues like this promptly, you reduce water waste and the potential for damages. You?ll see the difference on your water bill.

Add some bling to a boring corner by hanging big costume jewelry pieces on a coat rack. Only put costume jewelry here, not your prized heirlooms. A jewelry display will help to avoid tangles in your collection. Choose a few of your favorites that are worn often, and keep those accessible.

TIP! When you?re doing work on your roof, three-inch aluminum tape can help you deal with any minor cracks that you find in the roofing surface. To use the tape, simply remove the paper backing from the tape and apply over the crack.

Prior to going to the home improvement store, create a list of what you are going to need. Having this list of items will allow you to visit the store just one time and will help you be organized.

Now that you?ve seen these ideas and tips, you should be more prepared to start off your own home improvement projects. Use these tips to safely and creatively undertake future home improvement projects.

Source: http://insparenting.com/2282/home-improvement-information-that-will-work-for-you/

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Supreme court to consider workplace harassment rules (reuters)

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Where did 180 Russian websites go?

Scores of websites have been blocked under Russia's restrictive new Internet law that's been in effect for the past two weeks. Is this the beginning of a wider crackdown on free speech?

By Fred Weir,?Correspondent / November 15, 2012

Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a meeting with small and medium business leaders at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow Nov. 15. More than 180 websites have been blacklisted and blocked under a restrictive new Internet law signed by Putin last July, is this the beginning of a wider crackdown on Russian free speech?

Mikhail Klimentyev/Ria Novosti/Reuters

Enlarge

More than 180 websites have been blacklisted and blocked under a restrictive new Internet law?signed by President Vladimir Putin last July, which critics warn may be the start of a wider crackdown on free speech in Russian cyberspace.

Skip to next paragraph Fred Weir

Correspondent

Fred Weir has been the Monitor's Moscow correspondent, covering Russia and the former Soviet Union, since 1998.?

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The blacklist compiled by the Federal Surveillance Service for Mass Media and Communications (Roskomnadzor) is secret, but authorities insist its purpose is to eliminate extreme forms of "offensive" content, such as child pornography, or advocacy of racism, terrorism, drug use and other anti-social behaviors.

The list is constantly changing and expanding (Russian bloggers have posted an alleged copy of it here) and citizens can suggest new entries by logging into an official Roskomnadzor website.

But in its first two weeks of application, the law has produced a few high-profile casualties that critics say point to the fundamental weaknesses of a system that allows authorities to summarily shut down content without any need for a court order or reference to any supervisory body.?

The definitions of "offensive content" are also murky, critics say, and could easily include political conversation that looks "extremist" to a policeman's eyes and other forms of commentary that might be simply misunderstood.

That criticism seems to have already been borne out. This week alone Roskomnadzor has closed down, among others,?a Wikipedia-like encyclopedia of satire, which contained an article about how to make hemp (often associated with marijuana) soup; an online library, which included a copy of "The Anarchist's Cookbook," a 1970's American-authored manual for radicals; and a popular torrent-tracking website, on which users had apparently exchanged a file called "The Encyclopedia of Suicide."

The agency allowed those websites to reopen after the "offensive content" was pruned. But experts say those examples were hugely popular websites whose closure attracted immediate public attention and a storm of complaints; restoring service may not prove so easy for smaller victims of the law.

"The first several days of operation of this law have confirmed our worst fears," says Oleg Kozyrev, a media analyst and popular blogger. ???

"Roskomnadzor can shut down a site within 24 hours, without appealing to a court. But in order to restore a resource, one has to complain and go to court. Even so, the rules for getting back online are not at all clear ... ?As a result, big resources like YouTube, or internet encyclopedias, or social networks are all under threat. They have millions of users, and some of them are inevitably going to post something deemed offensive. That could lead to the closure of the whole portal," which will be disruptive even if it's temporary, he says.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/csmonitor/globalnews/~3/Fe62f5TIU70/Where-did-180-Russian-websites-go

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