McConnell ‘Burst Into Laughter’ as Geithner Outlined Obama's Plan  —  Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, says he “burst into laughter” Thursday when Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner outlined the administration proposal for averting the fiscal cliff.

Boehner Angered by Leak of Phone Call  —  Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio and Republican leaders are fuming after a late night phone call with President Barack Obama was leaked to the press, despite an agreement that it would not be, according to several GOP aides.

GOP Rejects Cliff Offer From Obama  —  President Barack Obama made an opening bid in budget talks with Republicans that calls for a $1.6 trillion tax increase, $50 billion in infrastructure spending in 2013 and new power to raise the federal debt limit, a provocative set of demands that Republicans …

GOP calls White House cliff offer a non-starter  — Aides say Treasury Secretary Geithner presented a $4 trillion offer to avoid the “fiscal cliff” to Speaker John Boehner  —  7:07PM EST November 29.  2012 - WASHINGTON — House Speaker John Boehner flatly rejected a $4 trillion Obama administration plan …

AS DELIVERED  —  Thank you, Mr. President.  —  For decades, the United States has worked to help achieve a comprehensive end to the long and tragic Arab-Israeli conflict.  We have always been clear that only through direct negotiations between the parties can the Palestinians and Israelis achieve …

General Assembly Grants Palestine Upgraded Status in U.N.  —  UNITED NATIONS — More than 130 countries voted on Thursday to grant Palestine the upgraded status of nonmember observer state in the United Nations, a stinging defeat for Israel and the United States and a boost for President Mahmoud Abbas …