Obama congratulates victorious Republicans on 'good night'
US President Barack Obama congratulated his Republican opponents on Wednesday on their midterm election victory and promised to work constructively with them in Congress for the next two years.
"Obviously, Republicans had a good night and they deserve credit for running good campaigns," he said, after Republicans took control of the Senate and strengthened their hold on the House of Representatives.
Read more here
EU's Juncker stokes row, says Britain's Cameron has 'problem' with other leaders
New European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker stoked a bitter row between London and Brussels Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister David Cameron of having a "problem" with other EU leaders.
Juncker opened his first press conference as head of the EU's powerful executive arm with an attack on "unjustified criticisms" by both Cameron and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at a summit in October.
But he reserved his harshest words for Cameron, who is fighting Brussels over a budget backpayment demand for €2.1 billion (S$3.4 billion) against the backdrop of a possible referendum on Britain's EU membership in 2017.
"I am not the type who trembles, in front of prime ministers or at any other time," said former Luxembourg prime minister Juncker. "I don't have a particular problem with Mr Renzi, whom I have great respect for. I don't have a problem with Mr Cameron, Mr Cameron has a problem with the other prime ministers."
Read more here
Spanish nurse who survived Ebola offers blood to treat others
The Spanish nurse who contracted Ebola in Madrid, a case that caused alarm and political recriminations, said on Wednesday she hoped her infection could be of use and offered to give blood to treat potential sufferers as she left hospital.
Teresa Romero, 44, overcame the deadly virus after becoming the first known person to catch Ebola outside West Africa in the current outbreak, which has so far killed nearly 5,000 people.
"I don't know what went wrong, I don't even know if anything went wrong," an emotional Romero told a news conference, referring to the source of the contagion, which is still being investigated. "I only know that I am not reproachful or resentful, but if my infection can be of some use, so that the disease can be studied better or to help find a vaccine or to cure other people, here I am."
Read more here
Actor Robert Downey Jr welcomes baby daughter with Facebook joke
Forty-nine year-old Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr has welcomed a second child with his wife Susan, a baby girl named Avri, he announced on Wednesday.
"After 9 months of intensive development, Team Downey is pleased to announce our 2014 fall/winter project," the A-list star joked on his Facebook page, adding that she was born early on Tuesday. "Principal photography commenced 11-14 and will continue until she says, 'Dad! You are embarrassing me... I'm 30, this has gotta stop,'" the veteran actor added... "I'll post pics here + there when I'm not too busy staring."
The new arrival is the couple's second child, joining two-year-old Exton Elias. Downey Jr also has a 21-year-old son, Indio, from a previous marriage.
Read more here
Football: I'll be remembered as one of the best ever, says Ronaldo
World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo believes he will be considered one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game by the time he retires.
The 29-year-old picked up the third Golden Boot award of his career for being joint top-goalscorer in Europe last season in Madrid on Wednesday and is also the odds-on favourite to win the Ballon d'Or for a third time in January.
And, while insisting he still has plenty of years at the top left in him, the Portuguese is confident his place amongst the greats in the history of the game is assured.
"I always want to be the best, that is what I work towards every day," he said. "I respect what people think and I am making my own story bit by bit. I still have a long way to go and when I finish my career I can look at my stats to see if I am amongst the best in history. I am sure I will be."
Read more here
