News Headlines (81) 1 December 2012

ONLINE TODAY

► Cell Phone Addiction Similar to Compulsive Buying and Credit Card Misuse, Experts Say - ScienceDaily (Nov. 28, 2012)

►
Bo Inspects the 2012 White House Holiday Decorations



►
President Obama Speaks on Extending Tax Cuts for Middle Class Families. Published on Nov 30, 2012 by whitehouse. President Obama makes the case for extending tax cuts for middle-class families by visiting a business that depends on middle-class consumers during the holiday season, and could be impacted if taxes go up on 98 percent of Americans at the end of the year. November 30, 2012.




►
Obama: Tax Hikes Mean a 'Scrooge Christmas'. Published on Nov 30, 2012 by AssociatedPress  - President Barack Obama is urging Congress to pass an extension of tax cuts for middle class families, saying a tax increase for them would be like a 'lump of coal' for Christmas. Or worse, a 'scrooge Christmas.' (Nov. 30) || ► Pelosi: "Why Are We Stalling" on Fiscal Cliff?.- Published on Nov 30, 2012 by AssociatedPress - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Friday that stalling on a solution on the "fiscal cliff" is harmful to confidence for consumers and the market. She added "When the last minute is the last day of the month, I think that that's not right." (Nov. 30)

► AP Exclusive: Myanmar verifying Muslim citizenship - Associated Press 
► Turkey to press Putin on negotiating end to Assad's rule - By Nick Tattersal
► U.N. chief "horrified" by Syrian violence - By Michelle Nichols
► Envoy warns that Syria could become a failed state - By By EDITH M. LEDERER 
► America, Syria and the State of Child Soldiering 2012 - Takepart.com 
► Weekend in politics: Obama takes 'fiscal cliff' plan on the road, and more - By Phil Pruitt | The Ticket
► Romney internal polls mystery deepens after New Republic report - By Scott Bomboy | National Constitution Center
► Egypt's Islamists rush through new constitution - By By HAMZA HENDAWI and MAGGIE MICHAEL

► Why is Egypt's draft constitution so controversial? Protesters took to the streets in Cairo and other Egyptian cities today over a draft constitution written by Islamists. Here are the points many in Egypt are talking about. - By Kristen Chick | Christian Science Monitor 


► Israel moves to build 3,000 new settlement homes - By By ARON HELLER and KARIN LAUB 
► Timeline: Silvio Berlusconi's political fall - Reuters
► Russia says has new evidence against opposition leader - Reuters 

► Cities That Are Minting Millionaires the Fastest - By Robert Frank | CNBC – Tue, Nov 27, 2012 



► Can you spot the fake objects among the real ones? - By Yahoo! Games

► San Diego Zoo's beloved baby panda. The baby bear, whose name means "Little Gift," got a final vaccination during his 15th exam on Nov. 29, zoo officials said. Caretakers also were able to spot several teeth in his mouth and take his measurements during the checkup, even though Xiao Liwu does not like to stay still. (PHOTOS) 

► Snapshots - Some of our favorite snapshots from the week ending on November 30th. (PHOTOS)

► Extraordinary world phenomena - From the vivid colors of a beautiful hot spring to a random rock formation that looks just like an elephant - these are the extraordinary phenomenons of the natural world. The outlandish landscapes might look like something from another planet but they are in fact completely natural eccentricities. And while these mind-blowing quirks of Mother Nature might continue to puzzle scientists, they also continue to draw in tourists fascinated by the surreal spectacles. (PHOTOS) 

► White House gets dolled up for holidays - First lady Michelle Obama unveiled this year's decorations before an appreciative crowd of military families Nov. 28, then spent some time doing holiday crafts with military kids. (PHOTOS) 

► Forget Mars: There's Water on Mercury! - By Alexander Abad-Santos | The Atlantic Wire – Thu, Nov 29, 2012

► Photo of Rare, Mysterious Cat Wins Competition - By OurAmazingPlanet Staff | LiveScience.com – Thu, Nov 29, 2012

► 1 December 2012 - Israel authorises settler homes

Israel is to build 3,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, a day after the UN upgraded the Palestinians' status.
* Palestinians' new diplomatic powers
* Q&A: Palestinian UN status
* Israel creates settler university
* Is UN vote more than symbolic?
* Voices: Palestinian UN vote
* Abbas seeks to regain initiative 

► 30 November 2012 - Voices: Palestinian UN vote

► Obama warns of Scrooge Christmas

President Obama warns of a "Scrooge Christmas" if no deal is struck on the "fiscal cliff", but a senior Republican says talks are going "nowhere".
* Death, taxes and the GOP
* Q&A: The US fiscal cliff 

► 1 December 2012 - Norway's rakfisk: Is this the world's smelliest fish? By Kieran Cooke Fagernes, Norway
► 30 November 2012  - Gay-friendly 'mosque' opens in Paris By Robin Banerji |  BBC World Service
► 1 December 2012 - Abstract Christmas tree sparks protests in Brussels
► 30 November 2012 - Danny Nightingale case: Is the era of the war trophy over? By Gerry Holt BBC News

► 30 November 2012 Last  - UK stops Rwanda aid payment

The UK suspends aid to Rwanda worth £21m ($34m), amid concerns about the country's role in the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo. 623 * Fighters reveal Rwanda's Congo meddling
* Q&A: DR Congo's M23 rebels

► Congo police land in rebel city

A contingent of Congolese police arrives by boat in Goma, which rebels say they will now leave by Sunday, as looting is reported in the city.
* Fighters reveal Rwanda's meddling
* 'Rwanda backing DR Congo rebels' - VIDEO
* Harding: Congo's cycle of chaos

► Colombia-Farc talks are adjourned

The Colombian government and Farc rebels conclude the first stage of peace talks in Cuba and will resume their negotiations on 5 December.
* Profiles: Colombia's armed groups
* Q&;A: Colombia peace talks

► Giant pandas debut in new $7m enclosure in Singapore .30 November 2012 - Kai Kai and Jia Jia, two giant pandas from China, have made their first public appearance at their new home in Singapore's River Safari zoo. The zoo spent about $7m on a new enclosure for the animals which will be their new home for the next 10 years. (VIDEO)

► China's Yellow River could freeze, say authorities . 30 November 2012  - Chinese authorities say the Yellow River, the country's second biggest, could completely freeze over amid plunging temperatures. More than 500 people have been called in to monitor the movements of huge chunks of ice down the river, amid fears there could be flooding if the floats pile up and block the river's progress. Authorities say the river will be entirely frozen within five days of temperatures reaching -15C. The BBC's Peter Dobbie reports. (VIDEO) 

► 30 November 2012 - Mercury's water ice at north pole finally proven

A long-held guess that water exists at Mercury's north pole is proven, and the answer may give hints as to how all the inner planets got their water.
* Hints of ice at Mercury's poles
* Mercury has been 'dynamic world'

► 29 November 2012 - Sea-level rise from polar ice melt finally By David Shukman Science editor, BBC News

* Antarctica warming 'not unique'
* Data sheds light on glacier speed 
* Ocean driving Antarctic ice loss

► E r o s i o n
► Wave washing - From Frozen Planet ::The world's most sophisticated method of hunting.
► 30 November 2012 - Monsters, wimps and rockstars

► Today's African Proverb :: "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion" - Sent by Fisum T, Ethiopia

► Flames, Fury & Frustration: Arab Spring spins into Arab Winter? Published on Nov 30, 2012 by RussiaToday - With the growing unrest in Egypt, as well as protests in Libya and Tunisia, many analysts are now questioning just how much change the Arab Spring has brought to these countries. And as Gayane Chichakyan found out, there are fears that instead of a better and brighter future, these nations may actually be sliding towards a grimmer fate.

(How RT selecting text for editing its video title made ​​me laugh, my first laughter in the morning after I gave birth to our first baby. Even without watching the screen I am familiar with the sound of a beautiful face --  According to me -- Gayane Chichakyan)

Yesterday RT asked about Arab Fall. Now, about Arab winter... ehehhee... sweet naming from media to you, O Arabs. Maybe soon you'll be spring again, and it's all because the summer lasts forever inside yourself.

►
CrossTalk: Palestime (ft. Norman Finkelstein).  Published on Nov 30, 2012 by RussiaToday - Now that the Palestinians have had their international legal status upgraded at the UN, what difference will it make? What will now happen with the so-called "peace process"? Will we see an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands any time soon? And, how will this UN resolution make Israel more isolated? CrossTalking with Norman Finkelstein, Raanan Gissin and Rami Almenghari.


►
Brzezinski: US won't follow Israel like a stupid mule.  Published on Nov 29, 2012 by RussiaToday -Leading US strategist Zbigniew Brzezinski rejects Israeli pressure to form American national security policy by beating the drum for war on Iran. Washington would not blindly follow Tel-Aviv if Israel chooses to unilaterally strike Iran, he said.


► Building tensions: Israel authorizes construction of 3,000 new settlements 
► Brace yourselves: Arab Winter is coming (Op-Ed) 
► Top Gun meets Terminator: Autonomous US stealth drone completes 1st test launch (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
► Japanese PM cancels trip to Russia because 'Putin not feeling well' 

► Russia ramps up NATO shield demands

►Inside Story - Palestine: The meaning of a status upgrade. Published on Nov 30, 2012 by  AlJazeeraEnglish - There was a great show of support for the Palestinians as they bid to upgrade their status at the United Nations. But the move was also strongly opposed by Israel and the United States.After years of long, inconclusive negotiations, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, asked the UN General Assembly to recognise the non-member state of Palestine in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Abbas has been leading the campaign to win support for the resolution, and over a dozen European governments have offered him their support.  But both Israel and the US have rejected the most recent bid to be recognised as a non-member observer state. Danny Ayalon, Israel's deputy foreign minister, said the bid is a "virtual move without any substance", while Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said it would serve no purpose. So, how would a new status at the UN help the Palestinians? How would they use their newfound status? And how would it affect future peace efforts? || Ali Abunimah tells Al Jazeera UN bid changes nothing. Published on Nov 30, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish - Palestinians have rejoiced at the historic but largely symbolic vote at the UN General Assembly in New York granting them non-member observer status. Celebrations took place overnight in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Ali Abunimah from the Electronic Intifada, an independent online news publication told Al Jazeera that the UN vote will not make any difference to Palestinians living under occupation.



► Egypt panel voting on divisive charter.  Published on Nov 30, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish - An Egyptian panel is rushing through approval of a new constitution which is at the centre of a political crisis pitting Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist president, against several opposition parties. By late on Thursday afternoon, the constituent assembly, which has been boycotted by liberals and Christians, had approved almost one-fifth of 234 articles. The approvals include a unanimous decision to retain the principles of Islamic law as the main source of legislation. Al Jazeera's Hyder Abbasi reports. || Published on Nov 30, 2012 by  AlJazeeraEnglish.  Egypt's constituent assembly has adopted a draft constitution after a marathon overnight session. Many, including liberals and the Coptic Church, have denounced it. They say the proposed laws restrict freedom of speech and religion. Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei has been equally critical. He says the charter belongs in the garbage bin of history.  Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros reports from Cairo's Tahrir Square.


►
US fiscal cliff could put economy into recessions. Published on Nov 30, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish - US President Barack Obama has toured a plastics factory, trying to sell his solution to America's looming fiscal cliff.  But political opponents have accused him of not trying hard enough. Al Jazeera's Patty Culhane reports, economists fear the US economy could be thrown back into recession.


► Inside Story Americas - Is the World Bank turning up the heat? Published on Nov 30, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish - A report issued by the World Bank earlier this month warns of severe consequences if global warning is not dealt with. But the international organisation may itself be contributing to climate change. (VIDEO) 

► 101 East - Worked to death.  Published on Nov 30, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish - Thousands of foreign workers have died in Malaysia in recent years from accidents, illnesses and suicide. They work in so-called '3D' conditions - dirty, dangerous and difficult. Critics say the death rate is a result of slack safety standards, poor housing conditions and weak enforcement of laws to protect them. Last year, more than 1,000 foreign workers died from accidents, illnesses and suicide. Malaysia is the largest importer of labour in Asia. Migrant workers provide cheap labour in construction, manufacturing and plantation industries. There are more than three million foreign workers, of which nearly a third is undocumented. Most of the migrant workers come from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Nepal. Desperate to repay debts from the high recruitment agency fees and under financial pressure from their families back home, migrant workers are vulnerable to exploitation. Many suffer non-payment of wages, abuse, serious injuries and even death. On this episode, the 101 East team meets those who risk it all to make a living in Malaysia and ask: Is enough being done to keep them safe? (VIDEO) 

►
US court asked to settle gay marriage issue.  Published on Nov 30, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish - The nine justices of the US Supreme Court are widely expected to decide in a private meeting to enter the legal fray raging over same-sex marriage. An announcement to take a case could come as early as Friday afternoon or Monday morning. Thirty-one of the 50 states have passed constitutional amendments banning gay marriage while Washington, D.C., and nine other states have legalized it. There is a growing demand to settle the matter on a nationwide scale. Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports.

Geez .... what is being said by my eyes? They look like two aunts? or sisters? and a niece? Where is her daddy?

Latest Headlines

■ U.S. Government Releases Once-Secret Watergate Files
■ 71 Treated After Gas Leak From Derailed NJ Train
■ Tribes Raise $9M for Sacred SD Land 
■ Stevie Wonder Cancels Concert for Israeli Group 
■ 3 Dead After Attack at Wyo. Community College 
■ Couple Convicted of Stealing GM Trade Secrets 
■ Multi-Million Gold Heist from Curacao Boat 
■ Lebanese Fighters Reported Killed Inside Syria 
■ Missouri Mechanic, His Wife Named Powerball Winner 
■ Israel Approves New West Bank Settlement Construction 
■ Federal Prisons Urged to Grant More Early Releases 
■ CNN: Ecstasy as PTSD Treatment? 
■ CNNMoney: Stocks Stuck on Fiscal Cliff T 

► 'Fiscal cliff'? Just shut up and bring it on  
► Crunching the numbers: How big was Obama's win? 
► Supreme Court delays decision on taking up gay marriage cases 
► Mitt Romney pollster: Why we thought we would win 
► Boehner: 'Fiscal cliff' talks hit 'stalemate'

► Many roads to fuel efficiency on display at L.A. Auto Show

By Jerry Hirsch - Automakers this year are tripping over one another to trumpet technologies that squeeze more miles out of a tank of fuel or an electric charge.
Photos  ||  Full coverage
* Attendance and profile rising at L.A. Auto Show 
* Engine fires prompt recall of 2013 Ford Escape, Fusion models

► L.A. Auto Show: Honda rushes to redesign lackluster Civic 
► Photos: 2012 L.A. Auto Show 

* Details to know before you go 
* Are electric vehicle prices about to drop? 
* 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish turns heads * More: Full Coverage  || Panorama   ||  Details

► U.S. seeks to protect 66 kinds of coral

► Underwater fluorescence disco - Oceans - BBC. Uploaded by BBCEarth  on Apr 16, 2010 - Phillipe Coustaeau and the team dive in the Red Sea, one of the warmest seas in the world. Despite the warm temperatures, coral reefs flourish with their flourescent pigmentation putting on an amazing show of technicolour. Fantastic clip taken from the BBC Oceans series. Visit http://www.bbcearth.com for all the latest animal news and wildlife videos and watch more high quality videos on the new BBC Earth YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/bbcearth


► Oyster bars say Drakes Bay farm closure means higher prices
► Russian he-man Vladimir Putin apparently trying to hide an injury
► Ancient petroglyphs stolen near Bishop (VIDEO)  || NEWS
► FRAMEWORK  - The Week in Pictures | November 26 – December 2, 2012 - Posted By: Marc Martin