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American women deported from Bahrain

Two American women arrested during a demonstration in Bahrain have been deported, the U.S. State Department said Sunday. Huwaida Arraf and Radhika Sainath left Bahrain on Sunday morning, said department spokesman Harry Edwards. The advocacy group Witness Bahrain said both women are human rights lawyers and were in the country as part of an effort to have more civilians from different nations on the ground to monitor the situation. Adam Shapiro, Arraf's husband, said he spoke with her by phone when she arrived at Heathrow Airport in London. She told him they were deported without their belongings and had their hands cuffed behind their backs the entire flight from Bahrain, Shapiro said, speaking from Ireland. The two women are expected to arrive in New York City on Sunday night. Arraf and Sainath arrived in Bahrain several days ago and obtained tourist visas, according to the state-run Bahrain News Agency . They were arrested Saturday afternoon by authorities in Manama, the news agency and Witness Bahrain said. Shapiro said the two have been charged with being at an illegal gathering, because the protest they were at was not considered legal, as well as giving false reasons for entering the county. He based that account on talks with U.S. embassy officials. Arraf gave a statement to police in English that was written down in Arabic, her husband said. She refused to sign the statement because it was not translated back to English, according to Shapiro. Neither woman appeared to have suffered any sort of injuries, U.S. embassy officials told Shapiro. Sainath wrote a piece Friday for Witness Bahrain, saying, "Surely, the government would behave differently if Americans and Europeans were watching." "Our team came together: attorneys, human rights activists, social workers, journalists and others who had experience with nonviolent resistance and democracy movements in Mexico, Palestine, Pakistan and the United States," she said. Bahrain protests began February 14, 2011, following popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. But they failed to gain the traction of other Arab Spring uprisings following a crackdown that first month and then again in mid-March by Bahraini authorities -- backed by troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Demonstrators and Bahraini authorities have continued to clash, with the opposition accusing the government of being heavy handed in its crackdown.

Published: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:03:51 GMT

Lieberman calls for U.S. action in Syria

Independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut called Sunday for the United States to provide direct assistance to the Syrian people in their struggle to oust President Bashar al-Assad. "It's time to try to help the brave Syrian freedom fighters to carry out a fair fight," he said on CNN's "State of the Union." U.N. officials estimate 6,000 people have died since protests seeking political reforms in Syria began nearly a year ago. So far, the Obama administration has recalled the U.S. ambassador to Syria and imposed sanctions, while pushing unsuccessfully for a U.N. Security Council resolution against the Assad regime. However, it has resisted calls by veteran Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and some Republican presidential candidates to take a larger role in backing the Syrian opposition movement. Lieberman, who caucuses with the Democrats and chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, argued that any U.S. effort must be part of an international coalition, similar to the nation's involvement in Libya last year. He also suggested that U.S. assistance first come through medical help, then later through training, communications equipment, and ultimately, weapons. The United States has major security interests in aiding Syria, which gets support from Iran, Lieberman said. Pointing to the recent veto by Russia and China of a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at halting the violence, Lieberman said other countries and coalitions must get involved. "America ought to take the position that every option is on the table except doing nothing, because doing nothing means hundreds of more Syrians are killed and it means that Iran, which continues to give Assad the weapons with which he's killing his own people, will achieve a strategic victory over us," Lieberman told CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley.

Published: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:57:07 GMT

Thousands cheer Suu Kyi on campaign trail

Thousands of cheering people crammed the streets in a southern Myanmar district Saturday to catch a glimpse of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on the historic first official day of her campaign. Supporters lined the streets of Kawhmu with the party flags of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy as the 66-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate's convoy of 40 cars and vans made its way south to Kawhmu. It was the first time Suu Kyi, hidden from her people for years under house arrest, has been able to openly campaign, the first time people have been able to publicly support her. One banner said: "We want peace and human rights by the people for the people." A year ago, the scene might have been unthinkable. No wonder then that Suu Kyi was greeted Saturday more like a rock star than a politician. She plans to hit the campaign trail for the next 50 days. Dressed in white, Suu Kyi popped out from the sunroof of her vehicle, clutching in her hand flowers that have come to symbolize defiance in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. She registered last month to run for a parliamentary seat in Kawhmu after Myanmar's autocratic regime agreed to negotiate with an ethnic rebel group and pardoned hundreds of political prisoners. National reconciliation has been a priority for Suu Kyi. The international community has applauded liberalization efforts in Myanmar, long secluded from the rest of the world since a military junta grabbed power in 1962. The generals began loosening their grip after international criticism for their country's abysmal human rights record. Western nations have recently extended an olive branch of sorts, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Myanmar in December, becoming the first top U.S. diplomat in the nation in more than five decades. Suu Kyi's party boycotted the 2010 elections that put the military-backed civilian government of President Thein Sein in place. But she can only hope to make a small dent in parliament. The National League for Democracy is putting up candidates for all 48 parliamentary seats that are being contested. Even if every National League for Democracy candidate wins, the party will have a sliver of votes in the 440-seat lower house. However, the symbolic importance of her run does not escape anyone. Excited supporters were talking about when Suu Kyi will be in parliament -- not if. The daughter of Gen. Aung San, a hero of Burmese independence, Suu Kyi herself became an inspiration with her fight for democracy. She quietly defied Myanmar's military junta for years from from the prison of her disintegrating Inya Lake villa in the former capital, Yangon. She was released from house arrest in November 2010.

Published: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:58:23 GMT

Adele dominates Grammys, Houston tributes flow

Adele thanked her doctors "who brought my voice back" as she accepted one of six Grammy awards Sunday night, and she later proved their work was true with a strong vocal performance. The 23-year-old British songstress was crying by the time she accepted her sixth award -- for the most prized album of the year Grammy. "I just first want to say 'Mom, girl did good,'" Adele said. "It's been the most life-changing year," she said. Adele, who underwent surgery for "recurrent vocal cord hemorrhage" in November, sang "Rolling In The Deep," ending speculation about her recovery. Adele enjoyed a loud and long standing ovation from the packed Staples Centers audience after her strong delivery. Just minutes earlier, she and songwriting partner Paul Epworth won the song of the year Grammy for their collaboration on the song. She also won Grammys for record of the year, best pop solo performance, best short form music video and best pop vocal album for "21." Chris Brown's career rehabilitation from his arrest for the beating of his then-girlfriend Rihanna just before the 2009 Grammys took another step forward with a Grammy win and two performances Sunday. "We got one!" the 22-year-old Brown said during a short acceptance speech after winning a Grammy for best R&B album. Rihanna was given her turn to perform during the same hour, collaborating with Cold Play on stage. The Beach Boys, celebrating their 50th anniversary as a group, performed together publicly for the first time in two decades, joined on stage by Foster The People and Maroon 5. "It was a good vibration," Beach Boy Mike Love said backstage. "It was fun, fun, fun, too." "It's a big event in our lives," Brian Wilson said. "What more can you ask for?" One-time Beach Boy Glen Campbell watched from near the stage, and later performed in his own Grammys tribute. Campbell, 75, launched his "Goodbye Tour" last year after revealing he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Campbell was joined by current Grammy nominees Blake Shelton and The Band Perry for a live performance as part of a tribute to Campbell, a five-time Grammy winner. "Thank y'all so much," Campbell said, after a rousing rendition of "Rhinestone Cowboy" during which he showed no sign of disability. Campbell was presented a Grammy lifetime achievement award in a ceremony earlier. Tributes to Whitney Houston, who died suddenly Saturday, were frequent in the telecast, including a replay of her memorable Grammy performance of "I Will Always Love You." Jennifer Hudson later performed the song at the end of the traditional Grammy segment honoring those who died in the previous year. Host LL Cool J said a prayer for Houston in the first minutes for the 54th annual awards show. Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt sang a musical tribute to legendary singer Etta James, who died last month. American folk indie favorite Bon Iver was awarded the best new artist Grammy. "When I started to make songs, I did it for the inherent reward of making songs, so I'm a little uncomfortable up here," singer-songwriter Justin Vernon said as he accepted. The Grammy for best rock performance went to Foo Fighters for "Walk." It was the fifth Grammy given the group Sunday. Lady Antebellum won the Grammy for best country album for "Own The Night." Jay-Z and Kanye West won for best rap performance for their collaboration "Otis." It was the fourth Grammy won by West Sunday.

Published: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:13:06 GMT

Arab League proposes peacekeeping force, support for Syrian rebels

Arab League members Sunday called for a joint peacekeeping mission in Syria with the United Nations and urged members to support the Syrian opposition as it faces a bloody government crackdown. The moves are aimed at putting additional pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government, which has unleashed its army on a popular revolt. The proposed peacekeeping mission would oversee the aftermath of a cease-fire, the Cairo-based Arab League announced Sunday. But Syria quickly said it was not on board with the idea. The Arab League suspended Syria's membership in January, and the Syrian government announced that any decision made without it "is not binding." The proposal reflects "the state of hysteria affecting some Arab governments, especially Qatar and Saudi Arabia, after Qatar's failure to pass a U.N. resolution that allows foreign intervention in Syria," according the Syrian government. The league, which suspended Syria in January, said its members have decided to end the previous monitoring mission, which had been in Syria in December and January, to request a joint U.N.- Arab League peacekeeping mission. A communiqué issued after Sunday's meeting called on members to "open channels of communication" with Syrian opposition groups and provide "political and financial support." It urged members to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Damascus "except for those that directly affect Syrian citizens." And it warned, "The use of violence against Syrian civilians with this extreme cruelty, including the targeting of women and children, lies under the jurisdiction of the international criminal law and requires the punishment of its perpetrators." The Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists, praised the Arab League for "making the decision to improve its performance in its national and humanitarian duty to the Syrian people." "We therefore appeal to brotherly and friendly nations, international organizations and non-governmental organizations around the world to expedite development and relief programs to help Syrians in overcoming the daily oppression and injustice under which they live," the LCC said. "We also call on all Syrian political and activist entities to coordinate their efforts under a consolidated framework to ensure that relief supplies and other assistance are delivered immediately to those who need them." U.N. officials say about 6,000 have been killed since last March, when al-Assad began cracking down on peaceful protests against his government. Syria has consistently blamed "armed terrorist groups" for the violence, and its allies, Russia and China, vetoed a U.N. resolution February 4 that was aimed at bringing an end to the strife. The Arab League said Sunday it would ask the United Nations to consider its initiative "as soon as possible," although the timetable for any action is unknown. And earlier, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby signaled that he'd had recent communications with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicating that Moscow may alter its positions. In a written statement, Elaraby quoted a letter he said was written by Lavrov, stating that an end to "any violence must be the main pillar for any proposal." "We are ready to support an expanded monitoring mission and folding it under the joint care of the Arab League and the United Nations on the basis of an agreement from all involved parties," Elaraby quoted Lavrov. There was no immediate comment from Russia's government about the reported communication or any significant shift in that nation's position. Also Sunday, former Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah al-Khatib was named the league's envoy to Syria, Jordan's state news agency Petra reported. He will replace Lt. Gen. Mohammad Ahmad al-Dabi, of Sudan as head of the monitoring mission. The latest maneuvering came as opposition activists reported another day of shelling by Syrian forces around the city of Homs. One opposition activist said government forces are using detained civilians as human shields, placing them on tanks to prevent the opposition Free Syrian Army from fighting back. Residents say shelling rained on the city's Baba Amr neighborhood once again Sunday, for at least the eighth straight day. "My house is dancing. I am almost dead because of the siege," said the opposition activist, named Omar. CNN cannot independently confirm details of the fighting in Syria because the government has severely limited the access of international journalists. But despite denials by Syria, virtually all reports from within the country indicate al-Assad's forces are slaughtering protesters and other civilians en masse. In Damascus, meanwhile, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported that al-Assad has received a copy of a new constitution -- a development it said shows Syria's serious moves toward reform. "When the new constitution is approved, Syria will have passed the most important stage of laying down the constitutional and legal structure ... to take the country to a new era of cooperation with all spectrums of the Syrian people to achieve what we all aspire for in terms of developing our country to draw a brilliant future for next generations," SANA quoted al-Assad. But the LCC said at least 30 more people died Sunday, including a woman and two children. The dead included five in Homs and nine in Daraa, it said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, another opposition activist group, reported different numbers, including 14 dead in Homs. That figure includes a child killed by a sniper in Daraa, three civilians killed in the Baba Amr shelling and a civilian shot dead near the town of Bab Houweid. The observatory also said a member of Syria's army was killed in Daraa and eight were killed in Hama, as were civilians in each city. Syria said Sunday, via SANA, that "martyrs" of two terrorist attacks in Aleppo were buried. The situation continues to draw commentary and proposals from prominent figures worldwide.One was al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri who, in a video posted online Saturday, characterized al-Assad "the butcher son of a butcher" and praising the Syrian people for waging "jihad." A U.S. official said "it is not a surprise that Zawahiri would try to appear relevant by releasing this new video," noting that he also tried to do so during Egypt's recent revolution. The official added there is no sense that Syrian opposition leaders favor their nation moving toward "extremism," if al-Assad is ousted. Then on Sunday, from St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI backed "legitimate aspirations" of the Syrian people and called on "everyone, and above all the political authorities in Syria, to favor the paths of dialogue, reconciliation and commitment to peace." The international community has repeatedly failed to convince al-Assad's regime to stop the massacre, so it's unclear what effect the Arab League proposal could have. Saudi Arabia is among the most outspoken nations, with Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal saying Sunday that "the Syrian leadership has chosen chaos." "It is killing its people and destroying the nation only to maintain its authority," he said. "What is happening in Syria leaves no doubt that it is not ethnic or sectarian war or urban warfare. It is a campaign of mass cleansing to punish the Syrian people and enforce the regime's authority without any humanitarian or ethical regards." The Saudis have brought forth a draft resolution that it expected to be considered Monday by U.N. diplomats. It will be submitted to the U.N. General Assembly, where vetoes are not allowed, but resolutions are not legally binding. Russia and China have vetoed previous U.N. Security Council attempts at passing a resolution condemning the Syrian regime. The latest, three-page draft "strongly condemns" the violations of human rights by Syrian authorities. It cites "the use of force against civilians, arbitrary executions, killing and persecution of protesters, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, interference with access to medical treatment, torture, sexual violence and ill-treatment, including against children." The text was provided to CNN by a diplomatic source on the condition that it not be posted in full because it could be amended. U.N. officials estimate 6,000 people have died since protests seeking al-Assad's ouster began nearly a year ago. The LCC says the toll has far exceeded 7,000, with nearly 700 killed in the past week -- about two-thirds of them in Homs.

Published: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:23:25 GMT

Bobbi Kristina Brown taken to hospital; later released

As the world was grieving and looking for answers in the death of Whitney Houston, Houston's 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was taken to a Los Angeles hospital, police said. Beverly Hills police said Sunday the teen was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at about 11:15 a.m. She was released later Sunday and was expected to head to New Jersey, where her grandmother lives, as early as Sunday night, a source close to the family told CNN. Singer Kim Burrell, a family friend, told CNN on Sunday afternoon from the Grammy Awards' red carpet that she was with the teenager on Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel after Houston died. This was a few hours after Burrell said she'd exchanged messages with her close friend, Houston, after she arrived in Los Angeles for the festivities. "As to be expected, she's overwhelmed -- it's her mother. She knows how much her mother meant to the world. And Bobbi Kristina has a huge heart, just like her mother," said Burrell, adding that that Bobbi Kristina affectionately refers to her as "Auntie Kim." "She loves hard," Burrell said of Bobbi Kristina. "She's going to be OK, and we're going to see to it." Bobbi Kristina Brown was born in 1993, during Houston's marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown, which ended in divorce in 2007. The daughter of music royalty became publicly known during the mid-2000s reality show "Being Bobby Brown," where she frequently appeared alongside her parents and often had a front-row seat to their marital fireworks. Houston once said of her only child, "She encourages me and inspires me. When I look at her eyes and I see myself, I go, 'Okay. I can do this. I can do this.'" Mother and daughter even performed together on national TV in 2009, when the two sang "My Love Is Your Love" in Central Park on ABC's "Good Morning America." Bobbi Kristina Brown proved she could do it on her own when she posted a video on Twitter of herself singing Adele's "Someone Like You" last September. So far the video has been viewed more than 100,000 times on YouTube. Bobbi Kristina Brown has previously given insight into her relationship with her mother, stating on Twitter, "I love my family so much ... I'm so thankful for (my mother). Thank you so much lord for blessing me with an Phenomenal family and incredibly phenomenal mother." Less than 24 hours after Whitney Houston's death stunned fans and the entertainment world, her admirers became tearful and worried again Sunday upon hearing the news that Houston's daughter was taken to the hospital. "Really, oh my gosh," said Trudy Hunchar, a flight attendant who was accompanied by her 12-year-old daughter, Quinn. On Sunday afternoon, the mom and daughter were paying their last respects to Houston outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where the 48-year-old singer died the day before. The parent and child came to the hotel to add a light-pink rose to a growing sidewalk memorial of flowers and candles created by fans. "I'm just hoping it's anxiety or a panic attack or hurt," Hunchar said of the daughter's hospital visit. Then Hunchar expressed concern about the entertainment industry because the Denver family was visiting Los Angeles so that 12-year-old Quinn, an aspiring actress with a movie credit, could meet with an agent and manager about an acting career. "With her coming into this business," Hunchar said, pointing to her daughter, "I'll have a tough hand on her. She's got a strong head. She's pretty smart. This business is tough, and as best as I can, I'll have a hand on her."

Published: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:33:52 GMT

Political clashes coming over budget, payroll tax cut

President Barack Obama's new chief of staff on Sunday stopped short of predicting Congress would agree to extend the payroll tax cut for the rest of 2012. The issue, a top priority of the Obama administration and the focus of congressional negotiations in recent weeks, reflects the sharp partisan divide permeating Washington as Obama prepares to unveil his 2013 budget proposal on Monday. Jack Lew, the former White House budget director who just took over as chief of staff, told CNN's "State of the Union" that Congress should resolve the dispute over extending the lower payroll tax rate from 2011. When pressed about whether a deal would get done, Lew refused to predict success. "I believe it should get solved, and I know there are people working hard even this weekend trying to solve it," said Lew, who appeared on CNN and four other network and cable talk shows the day before Obama releases his budget plan for next year. Both the budget proposal and the payroll tax issue continue a political debate over government spending that has dominated Washington since the 2010 congressional elections in which Republicans took control of the House and reduced the Democratic majority in the Senate. Obama's budget proposal will forecast a $901 billion deficit in 2013, and includes plans to make targeted investments in areas like infrastructure while increasing taxes on the wealthy. The White House bills the document as a "blueprint for how we can rebuild an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded." Given the intense acrimony in Washington, especially on budget issues, few provisions in the document are likely to become law in an election year. A protracted political fight in December brought a two-month extension of the lower payroll tax rate from last year, giving Congress more time to work out a longer-term deal. However, the same political arguments from December continue to stymie talks being held by House and Senate negotiators. Obama and Democrats are pushing for an extension with no strings attached, while Republicans seek to tie more spending cuts and other priorities to the plan. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, said Sunday he expects a payroll tax deal to emerge, but he questioned the commitment of Democrats to work out a compromise. "I do believe this will get extended, but when we make offer after offer based on policies that we know Democrats and the president have supported in the past, yet they still insist on not coming to agreement, it's difficult to see exactly how this is going to pan out," Ryan said on the ABC program "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." On Saturday, Obama used his weekly presidential address to urge Congress to "stop this middle-class tax hike from happening, period." "No drama. No delay," the president said. "And no ideological side issues that have nothing to do with this tax cut. Now is not the time for self-inflicted wounds to our recovery. Now is the time for common-sense action. And this tax cut is common sense." Obama encouraged listeners to contact their representatives and urge them to pass the extension. Lew also counseled a drama-free agreement Sunday. "We saw in December that it didn't work out so well to have a big, ugly fight over the payroll tax," he told CNN. "We can avoid that. We have enough time for Congress to get its work done." Last week, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, accused Democrats of deliberately undermining the payroll tax talks in order to allow Obama to criticize Republicans for the failure to reach a deal. "It seems to me that Democrats in the Senate have sort of decided to link up with the Obama campaign and make sure that on any bipartisan discussions that occur, it actually doesn't lead to a bipartisan agreement," McConnell said then. "I think the reason for that becomes increasingly obvious: They want to blame Republicans in Congress if nothing is accomplished." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, meanwhile, suggested Republicans were trying to scuttle a deal that could help the economy in order to improve their chances of winning back the Senate majority and the White House. "What are they going to talk about if the economy continues to improve?" Reid asked last week. A 20-member House-Senate conference committee is working to extend the payroll tax cut for 10 months before the short-term extension runs out February 29. The tax break is estimated to affect about 160 million Americans, saving the average family about $1,000 a year. In addition to the payroll tax measure, negotiators are also trying to extend jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed and prevent a scheduled cut to the reimbursement rate for doctors who treat Medicare patients, known as the "doc fix." The package would cost an estimated $160 billion, and the political fight focuses on where legislators will find the money. Democrats want to cover the cost of the package by imposing a surtax on income over $1 million and eliminating some corporate tax subsidies, like those going to oil and gas companies. Republicans have proposed paying for a deal, in part, by extending the current pay freeze on federal workers and requiring wealthier seniors to pay higher Medicare premiums. Meanwhile, Monday's budget proposal will unleash another round of political finger-pointing, with Obama and Democrats advocating a balanced approach to economic growth -- including spending cuts, increased tax revenue and investments in rebuilding infrastructure such as highways and bridges -- while Republicans argue for deeper spending cuts and lower tax rates. Both sides contend that their positions will bring the economic growth needed to stimulate significant reductions in the federal deficit and rising national debt. The Obama budget proposal will project that the deficit for fiscal year 2012 will top $1.3 trillion, before falling in 2013 to $901 billion, or 5.5% of gross domestic product. By 2022, the deficit is forecast to fall to $704 billion, or 2.8% of GDP, according to the White House. Senior administration officials who discussed details of the budget with reporters said it reflects policy themes Obama presented in a major speech last year in Kansas and in his recent State of of the Union address. In the Kansas speech, Obama presented Americans with a choice: a "fair shot" with him, or a return to "you're on your own economics" of the previous Republican administration under President George W. Bush. Obama's 2013 budget proposal had to fit discretionary spending -- below the limits set in the Budget Control Act approved by Congress last summer. Over a decade, the cuts enshrined in the Budget Control Act total in the neighborhood of $1 trillion in discretionary spending. Under the White House plan, discretionary spending -- which generally means day-to-day government funding not including the military or entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid -- is projected to fall from 8.7% of GDP in 2011 to 5.0% in 2022. However, details on specific program cuts were not immediately available. A few areas of reduction are known: The Pentagon plans to spend $487 billion less over 10 years, a course that Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has already laid out in some detail. For example, Panetta has said the Army will save money by pulling two of its four brigades out of permanent bases in Europe to bases in the United States. Meanwhile, the Navy will be getting rid of older ships that don't have the latest ballistic missile defense. The budget also raises taxes by $1.5 trillion, including a provision to allow the expiration of Bush-era tax hikes on families earning more than $250,000 a year, as well as incorporating the so-called Buffett Rule that requires households earning more than $1 million to pay a 30% tax rate. Later this month, the president will unveil a plan to reform corporate taxes, including lowering rates, administration officials said. The administration is also proposing a series of investments focused on infrastructure, education and domestic manufacturing, including $30 billion to modernize schools and an additional $30 billion to retain and hire teachers and first responders. In addition, the budget will also offer details on what the White House calls a Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee. The tax will raise $61 billion over 10 years from large financial institutions to help offset the cost of the TARP bailout and Obama's mortgage-refinance programs. With a presidential and congressional elections coming in November, the hostile political environment in Washington is expected to prevent the president's budget plan from advancing in Congress. Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, delivering the Republican weekly address Saturday, said he expected Obama's budget proposal to "increase taxes, ignore entitlement reform, and fail to address the federal debt." "In short, we can expect that this will not be a proactive budget built to promote fiscal responsibility and future prosperity," McDonnell said. "Rather it appears we'll see a bloated budget that doubles down on the failed policies of the past."

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:39:23 GMT

Stunned celebrities mourn Whitney Houston

The sudden death of singer Whitney Houston at age 48 shocked fans and musicians all over the world. The outpouring of grief was immediate, with one common refrain: The world had lost one of its greatest singers. Nearly all of the trends on Twitter worldwide were shortly associated with the singer's death: R.I.P Whitney Houston, #DearWhitney, #IWillAlwaysLoveYou, The Bodyguard, Bobby Brown and Wanna Dance With Somebody. "The first full hour after the news broke saw 2,481,652 tweets and retweets, peaking at 61,227 tweets at 5:23 p.m. (all times are PST)," according to Topsy.com, which indexes and ranks results based on the most influential conversations on social media "That is over a thousand tweets a second, not quite as much as during the Superbowl but still a lot." Beyonce Knowles "The loss of Whitney Houston is painful. I remember meeting Whitney for the first time when I was 15. She was the ultimate legend. The ultimate woman. Not only was she confident, poised, stunningly beautiful and intelligent, but she was sincere and kind. She took the time to make everyone feel like they were very important to her. I, like every singer, always wanted to be just like her. Her voice was perfect. Strong but soothing. Soulful and classic. Her vibrato, her cadence, her control. So many of my life's memories are attached to a Whitney Houston song. She is our queen and she opened doors and provided a blueprint for all of us. God bless her. " Celine Dion: "I'm in shock. Whitney was such an amazing artist. When I started my English career, I wanted to be like her. I loved her so much. My prayers go out to her daughter and to all of her family." Whoopi Goldberg: "The loss of an icon and superstar like Whitney Houston is devastating. However, it can't compare to the loss of a mother, daughter, niece and friend, so my heart goes out to her family, to whom she was so much more." Yoko Ono: "She was a woman of brave and beautiful soul. I feel sad that she had to go." David Foster, producer: "There is not a word that describes my reaction... It doesn't exist in the English language.. .This was the voice that record producers dreamed of working with... I got butterflies.. She was pure magic. She was iconic ... I had the pleasure and privilege of having an up close and personal front row seat to the greatest of them all." Russell Simmons: "My thoughts and prayers are with her beautiful child and her entire family. This is a tough time for the entire music community, as we all loved Whitney. May she rest in peace and may we all dance with somebody tonight." Barry Manilow: "My heart goes out to her family, to Clive (Davis, Houston's mentor), and to everyone who knew and loved this amazingly talented and beautiful artist. I will always love her." Christina Aguilera: "Whitney's voice was so special to me. Her notes soared to places most singers dream of reaching. She will be missed." Kelly Rowland: "I am beyond heartbroken. Whitney Houston was undoubtedly one of the greatest singers and performers of all time and such a huge influence on me." Mariah Carey: "Heartbroken and in tears ... My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth." Smokey Robinson: "I've known Whitney since she was a little girl and I loved her. She was like family to me. I will miss her." Gloria Estefan: "Sending prayers of peace and solace to her family, friends & fans! Such a loss! Whitney was always so sweet to me! Was rooting for her through her struggles! Such a shame ... I'm truly saddened by this news!" Aretha Franklin: "I just can't talk about it now. It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen." Simon Cowell: "You're going to remember where you were when you heard the news. It's that significant. She was undoubtedly one of the greatest superstars of all time. One of the greatest voices in our lifetime we're likely ever to hear. And to hear this news, it really, really, really upset me. It really has." Quincy Jones: "I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney's passing. Ashford & Simpson first made me aware of Whitney when she was just 16, and I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly." Paul Shaffer: "What a voice. What a beauty. What an actress. She had everything and she made us all feel so good when we heard her." Britney Spears: "I was the biggest fan of hers. She influenced me so much. She sent so much love out to the world and she was an inspiration for so many people, and we're there with her." Michelle Williams, of Destiny's Child: "Whitney was my musical hero ... the reason why I wanted to sing. I will never forget the voice." Bruno Mars: "This is terrible news. I'm sick to my stomach. Nobody sang like Whitney. I hate this feeling." Jessica Simpson: "I found my voice singing Whitney Houston's music. Today I lost my idol." Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records: "Whitney Houston was not only an amazing artist but also a beautiful person. She was so smart and her knowledge and appreciation for the musical art form was remarkable. Every time we would see each other, we always had wonderful conversations about life and the business." Cee-Lo Green: "R.I.P. Sister WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!! We will always love you." Ricky Martin: "RIP Whitney Houston. Sending my love and deepest condolences to her family and friends. Fly Whitney Fly." Nicki Minaj: "Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. Greatest of all time." Dolly Parton: "Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, 'Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.'" Kenny Lattimore, R&B singer: "Whitney Houston, the singers' singer and voice that inspired the world. Many emulated, but there is only one Whitney." Marc Anthony: "I can't believe it ...Rest in Peace Whitney. Descanses." Deborah Cox: "I am deeply saddened and touched to the core of this news of my musical mentor Whitney Houston. I'll always love you. xo" Star Jones: "I can't watch any more news. It's too painful when a sister-friend passes; don't want analysis ... want reflection. RIP #Whitney." Magic Johnson: "R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Our prayers go out to Bobbi Kristina and her family." Nick Lachey: "How tragic to hear about Whitney Houston's passing. Such a shame. She had one of the most iconic voices of my lifetime." Clay Aiken: "RIP Whitney Houston. The soundtrack of so many lives. I'm sure heaven reverberates (to)nite with the sound of (your) voice. It always was angelic." T.D. Jakes, producer of "Sparkle," Houston's yet-to-be-released last movie: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely passing of Whitney Houston, whom we were blessed to have just completed work with on the remake of the film "Sparkle." ... At the apex of her career, Whitney had no peer, with a voice that shaped a generation." Gov. Chris Christie: "Whitney Houston was a true New Jersey treasure. Her terribly premature death is an awful loss for her family and the incredible New Jersey musical family. Her soaring talent put her in the pantheon of great New Jersey musical talents like Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Bruce Springsteen."

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:10:54 GMT

Gadhafi son under house arrest in Niger, Libya says

One of ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's surviving sons has had his phone cut off and been placed under house arrest in Niger after warning of a revolt against Libya's new government, authorities in Tripoli said Sunday. Saadi Gadhafi has been in Niger since September, following the collapse of his father's 42-year rule. He had been granted asylum, but Libyan authorities renewed demands for his arrest after he told the satellite news network Al Arabiya that "a new popular uprising" was brewing in his home country. Nigerien officials would not comment on the move. But Libya's National Transitional Council, which replaced the Gadhafi regime, said Saadi Gadhafi's comments "were considered a violation of the terms of his residency granted by Niger." "Saadi used the asylum he was granted in Niger on humanitarian basis to carry out acts of aggression against the Libyan people and their glorious revolution," NTC spokesman Mohammed Nasr al-Hraizi said in a government statement. Libya's new government complained to Niger about Saadi Gadhafi's interview, demanding Niger "take stringent measures, including his extradition to Libya." The move came as Libya prepares to mark the anniversary of the February 17 revolt that toppled the elder Gadhafi six months later. Few details have been announced, but commemorations are expected in Tripoli; in Benghazi, where the revolution began; and in Misrata, one of its major battlegrounds. Security has been tightened in Tripoli, with new checkpoints going up around the city in recent days. Gadhafi loyalists have been circulating text messages and YouTube videos talking about a new for uprising around the anniversary date. Gen. Youssef Mangoush, the new chief of staff of the Libyan argmed forces, said there has been no direct threat regarding the anniversary, but said the government would take all steps necessary to head off any new revolt. The transitional government in Tripoli is still working to build a new national army and police force. The NTC has set elections for a new National Assembly in June. But several revolutionary militias and regional factions have held onto their weapons and fought occasional clashes with each other, and ordinary Libyans say their biggest concern is security. Saadi Gadhafi was a prominent businessman and onetime head of Libya's national football league before his father's government fell to a six-month revolt in late August. The new Libyan government has accused him of misappropriating properties through force and armed intimidation, and the multinational police agency Interpol issued a "red notice" calling for his arrest in September. In his interview with Al Arabiya, he said he had been in touch with Libyans "on a daily basis" and said several groups were ready to take up arms against the new government. "I call everyone to be prepared for this uprising, and be ready for the zero hour," he said. "Because when it happens, it will a real uprising." He added that he could return to Libya and "stop those acts of revenge," and he urged armed factions in Libya "to meet and discuss and achieve real peace this time." The elder Gadhafi was killed by NTC fighters in October, along with his son Mutassim. Another son, Khamis, was reported killed in battle as the regime imploded in August. Gadhafi's second-eldest son and closest adviser, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, is now awaiting trial in Libya. The elder Gadhafi's wife, three other children and several grandchildren have fled to neighboring Algeria.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:42:25 GMT

Romney wins Maine caucuses

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ended what had been the worst week of his campaign with a quick one-two Saturday -- winning the Maine caucuses hours after placing first in a closely watched straw poll of conservative leaders and activists. In Maine, Romney squeaked out a tight win over Texas Rep. Ron Paul in that state's Republican presidential caucuses, taking 39% of the vote to Paul's 36%. He had gone 0-for-3 in Tuesday's contests in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri, which all went to former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Santorum himself came in second in Saturday's poll of attendees at the much watched Conservative Political Action Conference, with 31% of the vote compared to 38% for the former Massachusetts governor. Romney's campaign released a statement after the Maine results were announced early Saturday evening, thanking the state's voters and continuing to tout his conservative principles as he had at the Washington conference. "We stand for conservative principles, liberty and prosperity. All of these are under threat. I'm in this race because I believe that America can be turned around, that we don't have to accept unemployment over 8%, a national debt that is as large as our entire economy, and a president who, even as his own policies fail, apologizes for America's past successes," the statement read. "We've had enough. It's time to reverse Barack Obama's legacy of domestic disarray and foreign-policy weakness," it added. For Paul, the 3-point margin in Maine was the closest he has come to victory in the 2012 campaign. Still, he's 0-for-9 in the campaign so far as the only one of four GOP contenders not to win a state. "Just remember, the revolution is only beginning," Paul told cheering supporters after the results were announced. "The momentum is going to continue, we're not going away. We're going to be in all these places where we're going to pick up, continue to pick up the delegates, for one good reason -- we have the message that America needs at this particular time." He has said his strategy is to compete in states like Maine, where he can be competitive, and gather up delegates while bypassing others to save time and money. Ultimately, he says, that will keep him in the race until the Republican National Convention in August. "We're going to continue like we are doing the smaller states, the caucus states where we can accumulate delegates," Paul told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Saturday night. Paul said that he might compete in some primary states where votes are awarded proportionately rather than winner-take-all states. "If there is a good chance in one of the very expensive states and it is proportional, we will be in those states," he said, explaining his strategy. Asked if he felt the race was Romney's to lose, Paul responded, "I think he's pretty much there -- he does have the money and the organization." But, Paul continued, "He just doesn't have the enthusiasm that I think we have been able to get in our crowds, you know, really excited about what he believes in. I think that's his biggest problem." Earlier Saturday, Romney visited caucus sites in Maine, something he hadn't done up to this point in the campaign. "I want to be your nominee. I want to beat President Obama," he told caucus-goers in Sanford. "I believe I can. I believe I'm the one person in this race who actually can beat this president. I believe it's essential that we beat this president. That we take America back and that we keep America as it's always been -- the hope of the earth." Maine's caucuses are non-binding, meaning the state's 21 delegates will be allocated later. The state GOP encouraged municipalities to hold their caucuses between February 4 and 11, but some began in late January. One county representing about 2% of the vote was not able to complete its caucuses because of a heavy snowfall. The contest was open only to registered Republicans, though independents and unregistered voters were able to register as Republicans on Saturday to participate. After gaining some momentum with wins in Florida and Nevada, Romney went 0-for-3 on Tuesday while Santorum won in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Santorum and Newt Gingrich did not actively compete in the Maine contest, as Paul was the only candidate who had recently campaigned in Maine. But after his triple losses Tuesday, Romney held a town hall in Portland -- his first visit to the Pine Tree state this entire election cycle -- then added events on Saturday morning. That instantly set up a two-man contest between Romney and the Texas congressman Paul, who has a loyal libertarian following. Romney has deep ties in the state: He won its caucuses in 2008, and has long been active in the state's Republican politics as a leading political figure in nearby Massachusetts. Until recently, the race seemed to be Paul's for the taking. As his opponents took hot pursuit of delegates in other states, Paul packed up his V-neck sweaters and headed north -- campaigning over two days in Maine in late January in the run-up to the Florida primary. Huge crowds, a loyal following and the state's caucus system -- which emphasizes open discussion and persuasion over closed voting -- seemed to give Paul the edge. Paul started Saturday at the same caucus site that Romney will attend -- though the two didn't cross paths, their speaking times to caucus-goers about 45 minutes apart. He attended two other caucus sites later in the day. At Romney's Portland town hall, the candidate steered clear of naming Santorum and Gingrich. Instead, Romney continued to train his fire on the man holding the office he seeks, blasting Obama's economic and domestic policies. Yet Romney also came under fire from hecklers who persisted in pestering him and peppering him with questions. At various turns, a heckler screamed that "Romneycare" was the blueprint for "Obamacare," insisted the nation's financial system needed to be regulated and -- at one point -- accused Romney of "not telling the truth" on certain issues. The candidate would have none of it. Romney engaged the heckler -- and others who later joined in -- by directly challenging their assertions. "It was a wonderful reception in Maine," Romney said when asked why he got such a tough reaction from the crowd. "Of course, there are always going to be people who are in favor of President Obama. But if people want to replace President Obama, they're going to vote for me."

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:11:55 GMT

Police: Tourists blocked from Jerusalem holy sites after leaflets call for disturbances

Israeli authorities temporarily blocked Jews and foreign tourists from entering some of Jerusalem's most visited holy sites Sunday after leaflets called for causing disturbances there, police said. The plaza known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary was temporarily closed after leaflets called on the public to "purify the site from enemies of Israel." "The decision was made following a security assessment after leaflets were distributed in Jerusalem calling upon people to cause disturbances on the Temple Mount," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told CNN. The leaflets, distributed in Jerusalem and published on the Israeli news site Ynet, featured right-wing activist and Likud member Moshe Feiglin. His office denied that Feiglin was connection to the leaflet, describing it as "fictitious" in a statement Sunday. "Without a doubt, a simple police investigation would unveil who stands behind the ad," the statement said. Police stopped Feiglin and several men from entering the site Sunday morning. Rosenfeld said Muslim worshippers were still allowed to enter the al-Aqsa mosque, which is considered the third holiest site in Islam. Jews consider the Temple Mount to be the holiest site in Jerusalem. Authorities were expected to reassess the security situation later in the day. Feiglin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, won 24% of the votes in the party's primary elections earlier this month.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:16:22 GMT

Lew defends new contraception policy

White House Chief of Staff Jacob Lew stood by the administration's recent policy change on contraception coverage Sunday, arguing the new plan ensures women can keep their "right to preventive care" while religious institutions can respect their principles. "This was a challenge to reconcile two important principles, and the president found a way to reconcile those," Lew said on CNN's "State of the Union." "There are others who don't have the same objective, and they have to speak for themselves." Under the new proposal, institutions with religious affiliations, such as hospitals and universities, will not be required to include contraception in their health insurance plans. Instead, insurers will now be forced to directly offer coverage at no cost to women employed by the institutions. President Barack Obama announced the compromise on Friday, following a firestorm of criticism over the original rule put forward by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The policy was met with opposition from religious circles--particularly Catholics, whose teaching bans contraception--as well as fierce resistance from some members of Congress and Republican presidential candidates. While churches would have been exempt from the rule, religious institutions would have been forced to cover contraception beginning next year. Pressed on whether insurance companies will actually comply with the new standards and offer free contraception provisions, Lew said the rule will hardly make a dent in insurers' pockets "As somebody who has done budgets for a lot of years, usually when people say to me that something doesn't cost a lot of money, I ask them how could that be? This is the exception to the rule," Lew told CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley. He went on to explain that when pricing two insurance plans--one with contraception, one without--the plan without contraception costs more than the one with it, as "the total cost of care for a person is higher" without the form of birth control. "So this will not cost the insurance companies money. It will not put religious institutions in a place where they have to violate their principles," he said. "I actually think there won't be as much resistance to this from insurance companies as people might think." The plan has received mixed reviews among Catholics. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops denounced the new proposal on Friday, saying it "continues to involve needless government intrusion in the internal governance of religious institutions." However, other Catholic groups called the Obama compromise an acceptable solution. Lew argued the policy does not put such religious organizations in a position of paying for or facilitating a provision that goes against their faith. "We've put out a plan that reflects where the president intended to go," Lew said. Asked if there was room for compromise moving forward, Lew insisted the White House was satisfied with the recent change. "This is our plan," he said.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:01:25 GMT

Grammy producer speaks on show's changes, Houston tribute

Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the Grammy Awards, tells CNN that the ceremony will pay tribute to Whitney Houston, with Barb Dehgan, the vice president for The Recording Academy, confirming that Jennifer Hudson will take part in the tribute. "Whitney was a multi-Grammy winner, she appeared on the show a number of times. We're very saddened, and we don't want to rush into anything that wouldn't be respectful," Ehrlich said. "I've asked Jennifer Hudson to come, and we're really at this moment talking about what she's going to do," he continued. "It's going to be something respectful. It's not going to be a full-blown tribute, that's too early and it's too fresh at this moment. It's going to be something respectful to Whitney's memory." The script has been tweaked "to make sure the tone is right," he added. "Our show celebrates music of the past year, and is known not only just for the past year [in music] but the past years of American popular music. There are some shifts that we wanted to make script-wise that probably make it a little more appropriate." Even with those changes, "It's still going to be a great music show. Knowing Whitney like I did, she was a great artist and a great performer, and she knew the importance of thrilling an audience, and that's what we plan to do." Sadly, Whitney Houston will never get to see her latest film, "Sparkle," thrill moviegoers when it makes it to the big screen. The 48-year-old entertainer had signed on to play opposite Jordin Sparks in the remake of the 1976 film, and recently wrapped the project. The story is loosely based on The Supremes, and follows three sisters who have to face the difficulties that come along with fame as their singing careers take off. Sparks portrays the titular character, Sparkle, one of the three Williams sisters, and Houston played their mother, Emma. As of now, the studio plans to release "Sparkle" in August of this year. A spokesman for Sony Pictures tells CNN in a statement, "Like all those who knew and loved her, we are shocked and saddened and the world has lost an incomparable talent. Right now our thoughts are with her daughter, her family and her friends." The film's producer, Bishop T.D. Jakes, asked in a statement for the "world to join us in lifting up Whitney's family in prayer and ask God for their strength and comfort during this devastatingly difficult time." "At the apex of her career, Whitney had no peer, with a voice that shaped a generation," the statement said. "She has left behind a musical and film legacy that will endure.... she will be sorely missed by us all." Elsewhere, Fox's hit "Glee" will also pay tribute to Houston this week with their first ever Whitney Houston rendition. Star Amber Riley will perform "I Will Always Love You" as part of the program's Valentine's Day episode, Riley's co-star Matthew Morrison said.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:09:17 GMT

Greece lawmakers debate bailout deal as crisis simmers

Greece's Cabinet approved austerity measures demanded in return for a new eurozone bailout of the debt-stricken country Saturday, a day ahead of a crucial vote in Parliament. The Cabinet move comes after several ministers resigned from the coalition government and clashes between hooded youths and riot police disrupted a protest rally. Lawmakers are discussing the bill Saturday before the full Parliament votes on the deal Sunday. In a speech Saturday evening, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos urged the Cabinet to approve the deal, warning of "social explosion, chaos" if it fails. "The state will not be able to pay salaries and pensions or import basic goods" such as medicine and fuel, he warned, adding that "unemployment, which is currently unacceptably high, would increase even higher." Ultimately, Papademos said, if Parliament rejects the deal, Greece -- already in the midst of a prolonged recession -- would be "bankrupted and out of the eurozone." Parliamentary approval would pave the way for the eurozone finance ministers to sign off on the new €130 billion ($172.6 billion) bailout deal next week. Greece needs the funds in order to meet €14.5 billion in debt repayments due next month. Some isolated scuffles broke out as protesters rallied in Syntagma Square, in front of the Parliament building, but the mood was calmer than a day earlier. Friday's protest dispersed after youths smashed pavements and began throwing stones and pieces of marble, as well as Molotov cocktails, at the police, who responded with stun grenades and teargas. Meanwhile, a 48-hour strike called by trade union leaders in protest against the cuts rolled into its second day Saturday. Former Prime Minister George Papandreou told the PASOK parliamentary group, the majority party in the coalition, that Papademos was right about the urgent need for the deal and that lawmakers must explain to the Greek people what bankruptcy would mean for the country. Antonis Samaras, leader of the New Democracy party, the other main group in the coalition, told his lawmakers that he would call for an early election if a separate agreement was reached on Greece's private sector debt. In his address to the Cabinet, Papademos said approval of the bailout deal was essential to ensure Greece's future in the 17-nation eurozone and overcome the current economic crisis. "It is absolutely necessary to complete the effort that began almost two years to consolidate public finances, restore competitiveness and economic recovery," he said. Investors in markets around the world watched the Greek Parliament nervously Friday as the drama played out. Even if the sweeping reform package agreed to by Greece and the so-called troika, made up of the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, is approved Sunday in Parliament, Greek lawmakers must still do more. Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg and head of the Eurogroup, which brings together euro-area finance ministers, said Thursday that other assurances were also needed from Athens before the bailout could be paid out. Greece's political leaders must pledge that they will continue to implement the measures after upcoming elections, he said. Athens must also find a further €325 million in "structural expenditure" cuts for 2012, Juncker added. It is not clear whether Greece's lawmakers have yet hammered out a way to make the additional cuts. The leader of the third member of the coalition government, the right-wing LAOS party, told reporters Friday his party would not back the proposed deal. All four of the party's ministers, including the transport minister and deputy defense minister, then resigned. Deputy Foreign Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, of PASOK, also stepped down. LAOS, the smallest member of the coalition, holds 16 seats in the 300-seat parliament, while PASOK has 153 and New Democracy 83. The bailout deal, which would result in significant losses for bondholders, is intended to help reduce Greece's debts to 120% of Gross Domestic Product by 2020, from about 160% currently. The austerity measures are expected to include job and wage cuts, as well as pension reforms and other unpopular moves. Greek labor unions have waged protests against the measures this week and the issue has become politically charged ahead of planned elections in April. Greece must also settle with its private sector creditors. Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said Thursday that the "basic parameters" of a deal had been reached with private sector creditors to write down a portion of the nation's debt. Greece, which owes some €330 billion, has come close to default before. The nation has struggled to follow through on austerity measures and economic reforms that were a condition of its 2010 bailout package. At the same time, the Greek economy has been in recession for years and many analysts warn that additional austerity could make the situation worse.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:32:41 GMT

Paul campaign enlivened by No.2 finish in Maine

Ron Paul said Saturday he would keep up his strategy of campaigning in states holding presidential caucuses after his second-place finish in Maine's contest. Paul told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that the caucus strategy made sense for his campaign, which has struggled to raise the amounts of money posted by his competitors or the super PACs that support them. He said he would campaign in primary states only if they allocated delegates proportionally instead of winner take all and the cost of campaigning there didn't exceed his budget. "We're going to continue like we are doing, the smaller states, the caucus states where we can accumulate delegates," Paul said. "We had a good day. We are convinced we will win the majority of the delegates out of Maine today." While the state's GOP chairman announced Saturday that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had won the Maine preference poll with 39% of the vote, the results there are non-binding, meaning delegates could still be awarded to other candidates. Paul said the cost of campaigning in large states didn't make sense for his operation. "To compete with someone with hundreds of millions of dollars is difficult," Paul said. "So for us to spend $25 million and the difficulty we have with raising money with the odds of not coming in first, that is not a wise choice of spending money." Paul agreed the race for the White House is rapidly becoming Romney's to lost. Think he is pretty much there," Romney said. "He does have the money and the organization. He just doesn't have the enthusiasm that I think we have able to get in our crowds, you know, really excited about what he believes in. I think that's his biggest problem. But I would say yes, he is out in front and people are picking away at him. He lost a few but he picked up a little steam today. You have to give him credit for that." Paul said Romney's disposition made him more appealing than the other candidates in the race, but that his positions were far from his own. "It just happens that because I've known Mitt a while longer he is friendlier, but I don't sympathize more with his positions," Paul said.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:21:54 GMT

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