Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/20979
4A – Daily News – Tuesday, December 7, 2010 WORLD BRIEFING Democrats meet with Obama, Biden before cutting tax cut deal WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and Democratic lawmakers weighed a temporary cut in Social Security taxes, eager to get a year-end agreement with Republicans to extend expiring income tax cuts to all Americans and renew jobless benefits for the long- term unemployed. Officials familiar with the discussions said the plan would reduce the payroll tax for workers from the current 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. The proposal would replace a tax credit for middle- and low-income workers that ends Dec. 31. Extending that tax credit was one of the provisions that the White House had wanted in any deal struck with the GOP. But a cut in payroll taxes is expected to put more money in workers pockets. Officials described the plan on the condition of anonymity because negotia- tions were still in flux. One official said that Obama and Republicans had been discussing a two- year extension of the estate tax under which $5 million would be allowed to pass to heirs tax-free, and anything above that level would be subject to a 35 percent fed- eral tax. High court to hear Walmart job case WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will consider whether to keep alive the largest job discrim- ination case in U.S. history, a lawsuit against Wal-Mart that grew from a half-dozen women to a class action that could involve billions of dol- lars for more than a half mil- lion female workers. Wal-Mart is trying to halt the lawsuit, with the backing of many other big compa- nies concerned about rules for class-action cases — those in which people with similar interests increase their leverage by joining in a single claim. Class actions against discount seller Cost- co and the tobacco industry are among pending claims that the high court’s decision might alter. The suit against Wal- Mart Stores Inc. contends that women at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores are paid less and promoted less often than men. The case the high court accepted on Monday will not examine whether the claims are true, only whether they can be tried together. Estimates of the size of the class range from 500,000 to 1.5 million women who work or once worked for Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart, based in Ben- tonville, Ark., is appealing a ruling by the 9th U.S. Cir- cuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that the class- action lawsuit could go to trial. Doctors tell Edwards she only has a few weeks to live WASHINGTON (AP) — Elizabeth Edwards is gravely ill and doctors have told her she only has weeks to live, according to a family friend who is among those who have gathered with Edwards at her North Car- olina home. The family issued a state- ment Monday that said doc- tors have told her that further treatment for her cancer would be unproductive, and the family friend further described Edwards’ condi- tion to The Associated Press. The friend said Edwards was briefly hospitalized last week and received treat- ment, but doctors have now told her that she may only have up to a couple months of life left. The friend spoke on condition of anonymity because of the personal details divulged. Edwards’ estranged hus- band, former presidential candidate John Edwards, and their three children were at her side at the Chapel Hill home, the friend reported. Her sister, brother, nieces, nephews and other loved ones were also there. The friend said Elizabeth Edwards is not in pain and in good spirits despite the seriousness of her condition. Edwards, a popular fig- ure among Democratic activists as she campaigned with her husband in two presidential bids, posted on her Facebook page that she can’t express the love and gratitude she feels to those who’ve supported and inspired her. ‘‘The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered,’’ she wrote. Iran talks with 6 world powers, recess with no signs of progress GENEVA (AP) — Talks between Iran and six world powers recessed Monday with no sign that Tehran was ready to discuss U.N. Secu- rity Council calls to curb its nuclear activities that could be harnessed to make weapons, an official at the negotiations said. While the two sides were scheduled to meet in a sec- ond session on Tuesday, the description of Monday’s meeting by the official gave little reason to presume that Iran would relent and agree to talks specifically address- ing the U.N Security Coun- cil demands. That, in turn, would dash hopes of a renewed meeting in the new year. The U.S. and the allies have said com- ing into the talks that such new negotiations would hinge on Tehran agreeing at the present Geneva talks to focus on ultimately ending uranium enrichment and other activities that have sparked four sets of U.N. sanctions. Delegates from Iran, the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany met at a conference center in Gene- va, with talks beginning after European Union for- eign policy chief Catherine Ashton escorted Saeed Jalili, Iran’s chief negotiator, into the session. Tehran says it does not want atomic arms and insists its nuclear program is only designed to provide more power for its growing population. Yet as Iran builds up its capacity to make such weapons, neither Israel nor the U.S. have ruled out military action if Tehran fails to heed U.N. Security Council demands that it freeze key nuclear programs. Somali-born teen gave no hint to friends of Oregon Christmas tree bombing plot CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — The plot described by the FBI was horrific: a 19-year-old Somali-born Muslim with a grudge against the West, ready to kill and maim thousands at a busy Port- Mention this ad and get a BREAKFAST SPECIAL! 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon hashbrowns & choice of toast (no substitutions) Good through 12/31/10 645 Antelope Blvd. #1 in Frontier Village across from the fairgrounds. $399 • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner (530) 527-1420 Monday, December 6 Diabetes Support Group Coyne Center, Call 529.8114 Wednesday, December 8 Water Labor Classes Coyne Center, Call 529.8377 Wednesday, December 8 CPR Coyne Center, Call 529.8031 Monday, December 13 www.rollinghillscasino.com Community Calendar Cardiac Support Group Coyne Center, Call 527.5077 Friday-Saturday, December 17-18 Weekend Child Birth Classes Coyne Center, Call 529.8377 Grief Support Coyne Center, call 528.4207 Thursdays, 3-5 pm St. Elizabeth Community Hospital A member of CHW redbluff.mercy.org White Christmas?” Zoom Whitening Special $ Expires 12/31/2010 Moore & Pascarella 527-7800 “Are you dreaming of a 29900 ($126.00 Savings) 1010 Jefferson St., Red Bluff land Christmas tree light- ing ceremony. But while the FBI describes Mohamed Osman Mohamud as a would-be terrorist, there were few hints of that hid- den life to Mohamud’s friends, who knew him as ‘‘Mo,’’ a quiet, suburban teen who liked to drink gin and play video games. The teen who allegedly thought he was going to kill thousands of people the day after Thanksgiving in the name of Islamic rad- icalism is the same one who, three days earlier, wrote and read a Kwanzaa poem about unity with two Christian college students. Court documents and Mohamud’s friends describe the slender Soma- li-American as juggling contradictory lives — that of an immigrant struggling to fit in and a Muslim who had become radicalized and was bent on holy war. In a cell phone video obtained and aired by Port- land station KPTV last week, Mohamud rants against the West. Germ inspectors get increased role BALTIMORE (AP) — This is no ordinary intensive care unit: Every doctor, nurse, friend or loved one must cover their clothes with a bright yellow gown and don purple gloves before entering a patient’s room so some scary germs don’t hitch a ride in or out. It’s part of the Uni- versity of Maryland Medical Center’s crack- down on hospital- spread infections, and Michael Anne Preas patrols the ICU like a cop on the beat to help keep bacteria in check. You forgot your gloves, Preas leans in to tell a doctor-in-training who’s about to examine a man with a breathing tube. Startled, the resi- dent immediately wash- es his hands and grabs a pair. Peering at the IV tube inserted into another patient’s neck, Preas spots a different opening for bacteria: His long beard is mess- ing up what should be an airtight seal. Let’s shave that spot and put in a new catheter, she tells the nurse. Nor does a janitor escape Preas’ inspec- tion. Yes, she put on clean gloves between collecting trash and moving carts that nurses will touch. Oregon man gets name changed to Captain Awesome EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man has had an Awesome name change. Douglas Allen Smith Jr. says he changed his name to Captain Awe- some last month because he was inspired by the nickname of a character on the NBC television show ‘‘Chuck’’ — Dr. Devon ‘‘Captain Awesome’’ Woodcomb. The unemployed Eugene cabinet installer says he found it funny Woodcomb’s father gave him that nickname because a ‘‘poor nick- name builds good char- acter.’’ The former Mr. Smith says he faced a Lane County judge who questioned his serious- ness. The judge that granted the request made him swear he wasn’t changing his name for fraudulent reasons. Awesome says that judge also allowed him to sign his name as a right arrow, a smiley face and a left arrow. Ashley Stever Financial Advisor 825 S. Main St Next to Raleys Red Bluff, CA 96080 Bus. 530-527-9560 TF. 866-527-9560 Fax 877-898-1030 ashley.stever@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com