Obama calls Republicans in Congress to help victims Sandy approve

Obama calls Republicans in Congress to help victims Sandy approve
President Obama on Wednesday Republicans in Congress called for "without delay" to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy approve, elected representatives from the affected states sheet meanwhile the 'inactivity' of Congress.

In early December, the White House asked the Chamber of Deputies to vote a law that allows the northeastern states most affected by the hurricane hit, a total of $ 60 billion (45.3 billion Euros) would get relief. This law was adopted by the Senate on Friday, but in the Chamber of Deputies, which is dominated by Republicans, the law is not put to a vote. The leader of the Republicans in Congress, John Boehner, and Wednesday prevented a vote on the law, without having to give a reason.

"I ask the Republicans to immediately do what the Senate has done: to this law today to vote," says in a press release from the president. He also telephoned the Republican governor of the northeastern state of New Jersey, Chris Christie.

Christie had been in a joint press release with his counterpart from the State of New York, Democrat Andrew Cuomo, already demonstrated his anger.

New York widow $ 10 million after at Central Park

New York widow $ 10 million after at Central Park
An 88-year-old New York woman has in her death a big surprise to the American metropolis failed. She donates $ 10 million (7.5 million Euros) on Central Park Conservancy; the eponymous park in the city manages. In addition, she pours another $ 10 million to the city library New York Public Library.

Mary McConnell Bailey worked as a volunteer in a hospital and several schools. In February 2011, she died at the age of 88, reports the New York Post newspaper Tuesday, but recently received the New York Public Library and the Central Park Conservancy each a check for $ 10 million in the bus.

According to the New York Post, the woman from a wealthy family, she moved in the 40s to New York. Although she inherited a fortune, gave them little and she lived modestly. Her husband died during the Second World War.

House of Representatives approves budget deal

House of Representatives approves budget deal
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the appointments Monday by the White House and Republicans have taken over the state finances. The Senate was previously agreed with the budget deal. This is to prevent the United States beyond the 'budget precipice' glide, without which the agreements have been the case.

Tuesday, 1 January, there occurred a number of automatic spending cuts and tax increases in operation with a volume of $ 600 billion. Now that the U.S. Congress has approved measures to these so-called "fiscal cliff" to undo the damage to the economy are limited.

The financial markets and businesses were shut Tuesday for the New Year. Asian stock markets reacted positively to the forward agreement.

'First step'
President Barack Obama welcomed the compromise reached far. The budget agreement is only the first step to the economy of the United States stronger. The budget deficit is still too large, it sounded immediately after the ballot in the House.

"When I became president, I promised to do something about the tax system," Obama began his speech. "That promise today we met." With the budget deal are families who earn more than $ 450,000, pay more tax. The large middle class in the country is thereby spared.

"I want everyone in the House and Senate thank. We have prevented the U.S. into recession may come 'says Obama. But the U.S. president also warned of further budgetary wrangling between Democrats and Republicans. He wished less drama in the negotiations. A wish that is not unfounded, because within two months, new negotiations are dimmers. The Democrats took or their tax increase for the rich inside, the Republicans remains fierce advocate for savings. This will also provide for discussion in February.

$ 450,000
257 Delegates eventually voted for the proposal, 167 people voted against, ten abstained from the vote. Families with incomes above $ 450,000 will pay more tax. This means that the high incomes for the first time since the era of President Bill Clinton again more tax to pay, namely 39.6 percent.

But the agreement is always a compromise: there is now two months delay for the automatic saving - also on some social programs and defense related - on 1 January would come into effect. It was in the course of the night still feared that the Republicans have a new amendment to come would come to some savings immediately obtain, making the text back to the Senate should have. The Republicans found themselves before the session is no support for an alternative plan.

For & against
John Boehner, the Republican Speaker of the House, voted for the law, just like Paul Ryan, the running mate of the defeated Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Republican leader Eric Cantor voted against, like many members of the Tea Party, the right wing of the Republicans.

Even some Democrats there were discontent. During the election campaign, Obama still need to be to increase taxes on incomes from $ 250,000, and not from $ 450,000.

President Obama flew after the vote immediately returned to Hawaii, where he had interrupted his vacation because of the budget consultation.

President Obama signs budget agreement with Autopen

President Obama signs budget agreement with Autopen
U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday (local time) signed the bill that the "fiscal cliff" had to turn away, that left the White House know. This is the budget agreement officially in force.

The proposal was approved by vote Tuesday after the U.S. House of Representatives. If the deal does not go ahead, there would automatically measures which $ 600 billion would be cut. The agreement reached ensures that automatic saving be delayed by two months.

The U.S. president signed the agreement on vacation in Hawaii with an instrument called 'Autopen', which you can put your signature remotely.

American war journalist abducted in Syria

American war journalist abducted in Syria
The independent American journalist James Foley (39) end of November in northern Syria kidnapped. That made his family said Wednesday.

Foley is an experienced war reporter that the major conflicts of the past few years closely followed. Days before his disappearance, he sent the French news agency AFP still video images from the Syrian province of Idlib.

The President of AFP, Emmanuel Hoog, said everything possible to ensure Foley release. "He is a professional journalist who absolutely impartial in this conflict," said High.

No news
Foley also worked for Global Post, an American website specializing in international news, and for major U.S. channels. It is said that on 22 November near the city Taftanaz by four men armed with Kalashnikovs are included, which subsequently his driver and interpreter set free. His relatives are without news of him since then.

The family had initially asked his abduction to keep quiet in the hope that the efforts for his release would benefit. But after six weeks of silence she decided the news world to see. So far nobody has claimed the kidnapping, which may be committed by criminals, radical Islamists or supporters of the regime in Damascus.

Libya
A compatriot Richard Engel, correspondent of television channel NBC, was in Syria a few weeks ago five days held by an unknown group.

The civil war in Syria to various foreign journalists killed, among whom the French TV journalist Gilles Jacquier, war photographer Remi Ochlik and Marie Colvin, correspondent of The Sunday Times.