Obama promises to halve deficit

US President Barack Obama has said he will halve the budget deficit he inherited from the Bush administration by 2013.
The promise comes despite the huge amounts of money he plans to spend on his economic stimulus package.
Mr Obama also announced that he has put Vice-President Joe Biden in charge of overseeing the implementation of the $787bn (£540bn) package.
Former secret service agent Earl Devaney will be the plan's watchdog.
Mr Devaney's new job will be as chairman of the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board and he will have to ensure that the stimulus funds are not wasted.

"He looks like an inspector, he's tough, you know he barely cracks a smile," the president said.
Healthcare funding
The president also said that $15bn would be released on Wednesday to help states pay their healthcare bills.
Some states have been struggling to pay for their Medicaid programmes, which provide healthcare for people on low incomes.
"By the time most of you get home, money will be waiting to help 20 million vulnerable Americans in your states keep their healthcare coverage," the president said.
Speaking to a gathering of state governors, he warned that if they wasted any of the stimulus funds, he would "call them out on it".
Read More......

Who will win the UEFA Cup?

The field is wide open as the UEFA Cup resumes on Wednesday with a host of teams in the Round of 32 in with a chance of going all the way.

Intense competition
FC Zenit St. Petersburg are bidding to become just the third team to successfully defend the trophy, but with with five former European Champion Clubs' Cup winners – AFC Ajax, Aston Villa FC, Hamburger SV, Olympique de Marseille and AC Milan – involved the competition is intense. Indeed half the remaining clubs have won a major European club trophy including 2000 UEFA Cup winners Galatasaray AŞ, who have added motivation this year with the final in Istanbul. Who do you think will come out on top and why? Let us know by clicking below.

©uefa.com 1998-2009. All rights reserved.
Read More......

City stunt Liverpool's championship challenge

Liverpool FC's title ambitions suffered another setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield by Manchester City FC and the points were also shared in a goalless draw between ten-man Newcastle United FC and Everton FC.

Kuyt leveller
Rafael Benítez's charges, who travel to Real Madrid CF in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round on Wednesday, started the day eight points behind Manchester United FC after the titleholders overcame Blackburn Rovers FC 2-1 on Saturday. Their hopes of trimming the gap deteriorated when former player Craig Bellamy conjured the opening goal after 51 minutes, his drive being deflected past Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina by Álvaro Arbeloa. The hosts did at least rescue a point on 78 minutes, though, when Yossi Benayoun's cross eventually found Dirk Kuyt, who scrambled in the equaliser.

Nolan dismissed
Newcastle's Kevin Nolan was involved in the important moments in the first half at St James' Park. The midfielder teed up Peter Lovenkrands to spurn the best chance before receiving a straight red card for a foul on Victor Anichebe. Everton, who lost influential playmaker Mikel Arteta to a knee injury early on, were the more threatening after the interval but failed to create any clear-cut chances and returned to four points behind fifth-placed Arsenal FC after the Gunners drew against Sunderland AFC on Saturday. Newcastle move into 14th spot.

Home fortress
Elsewhere on Sunday, Fulham FC continued their impressive home form with a 2-0 success against bottom side West Bromwich Albion FC. The hosts, chasing an eighth league success from 12 attempts at Craven Cottage, struck the woodwork three times in the opening 45 minutes but their pressure eventually told in the final half hour. Bobby Zamora (61) broke the deadlock before Andy Johnson wrapped up the points eleven minutes later to send Roy Hodgson's men up to eighth.

©uefa.com 1998-2009. All rights reserved.
Read More......