Tears and smiles by the billion at London Games

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain spent nearly nine billion pounds ($14.42 billion) to create a magical and ambitious wonderland of venues for the 2012 Olympic Games, where fans were thrilled across a capital whose grime and grandeur alike got a makeover of global glamour.The Games proved a timely shot in the arm, spiritually if not financially, for a bruised nation struggling with economic recession. The...

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Boehner plan would bring top U.S. income tax rate to 39.6 percent: source

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner's latest "fiscal cliff" proposal to President Barack Obama would see the top income tax rates rise to 39.6 percent from 35 percent for those with net incomes above $1 million a year, according to a source familiar with the talks.The source, who asked not to be identified, emphasized that the income tax rate increase would be in...

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House Republicans eye limited fiscal cliff bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With time running short before a Dec. 31 deadline, House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner will begin work on legislation that simply would extend current low income tax rates for all families with incomes below $1 million a year, according to an aide.Negotiations will continue with the White House on a broader tax and spending deal, the Boehner aide said.Boehner is presenting...

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Senator Reid rejects Boehner "fiscal cliff" backup plan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House Speaker John Boehner's backup plan that would simply extend low income tax rates for households with incomes below $1 million a year "cannot pass both houses of Congress," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Tuesday.Reid, a Democrat, said Boehner instead should focus on reaching a broad deficit-reduction deal with President Barack Obama. "Now is the time to show...

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Cricket-New Zealand (45 &) 232-5 v South Africa (347-8d) - lunch

CAPE TOWN, Jan 4 (Reuters) - New Zealand were 232 for five in their second innings at lunch on the third day of the first test against South Africa on Friday.Scores: New Zealand 45 (V. Philander 5-7, M. Morkel 3-14) and 232-5 (D. Brownlie 109, B. McCullum 51) v South Africa 347-8 declared (A. Petersen 106, A.B. de Villiers 67, H. Amla 66, J. Kallis 60) (Reporting by Michael Todt; Editing by John ...

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Cricket-Brownlie defies Proteas with maiden test century

CAPE TOWN, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Dean Brownlie struck a six to reach his maiden test century on Friday as New Zealand reduced the deficit with South Africa to 70 with five second innings remaining at lunch on the third day of the first test.Brownlie fell shortly before the interval for 109 after a fighting innings which helped restore some self-respect to the New Zealand team after they had been skittled...

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Australia rue run outs despite taking lead

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian blew the chance to take an iron grip on the third test against Sri Lanka on Friday and instead scrabbled to a 48-run first innings lead after reaching 342 for six at the close of the second day's play on Friday.Phil Hughes and David Warner got the hosts off at a canter on a glorious morning with half centuries in a partnership of 130 as Australia looked to build a big...

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Golden year for Murray, regrets for Nadal

 For Andy Murray 2012 marked a golden milestone, for Novak Djokovic the year was an emphatic reminder of his status as the world's best male player, and for Roger Federer and his army of fans it was proof that the old master's magic still sparkles.Serena Williams used the second half of the year to demonstrate that she continues to be head and shoulders above her rivals in the women's game, whatever...

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UPDATE 3-Tennis-Nadal to miss Australian Open due to illness

* Stomach virus has disrupted recovery from knee injury* World number four also pulls out of Qatar Open in Doha (Adds Australian Open reaction)MADRID, Dec 28 (Reuters) - French Open champion Rafa Nadal has been forced to withdraw from next month's Australian Open because of a stomach virus that has disrupted his recovery from a long-term knee injury, the world number four said on Friday."My knee is...

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Nadal out of Aussie Open because of stomach bug, delaying his return to tennis

MADRID - Rafael Nadal will miss next month's Australian Open because of a stomach virus, further delaying his comeback after being sidelined since June with a knee injury.The 26-year-old Spaniard said Friday he has been forced to withdraw from the Grand Slam event from Jan. 14-27 and the preceding Qatar Open at Doha.The same virus kept him from making his return at Abu Dhabi this week.Nadal said his...

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