US lower house approves budget compromise that would avoid a shutdown for next two years

The compromise reached between the Republicans, who hold the majority in the House of Representatives, and President Barack Obama's Democrats passed easily by a vote of 332-94.

The deal is designed to ease some of the harshest effects of another round of automatic spending cuts already in place. It leaves in place most of the $1 trillion (727 billion euros) in automatic cuts to the budgets of the Pentagon and other government agencies through 2021, but it also eases particularly deep cuts scheduled to hit in 2014 and 2015.

The White House praised the deal, which marked a rare case of cooperation between the two parties, at loggerheads for much of the past three years since the Republicans retook control of the House.

'It marks an important moment of bipartisan cooperation and shows Washington can and should stop governing by crisis and both sides can work together to get things done,' a statement released by the office of President Barack Obama's press secretary said.

Better than no deal at all

While neither side was completely happy with the compromise, both agreed that it was better than no agreement at all, which would have brought with it the risk of another government shutdown, such as the one that made much of Washington grind to a half for 16 days in October.

'This agreement is better than the alternative, but it misses a huge opportunity to do what this country expects us to do and that is put this nation on a fiscally sustainable path,' Democrat Steny Hoyer said prior to the vote.

Republican Representative Paul Ryan, who hashed out the compromise with Democratic Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, said the deal did 'not go near as far as we want to go, but at least (it is) going in the direction that we want to go' in terms of reducing the deficit.

Observers regard the compromise as a major victory for Republican House Speaker John Boehner, who earlier in the day struck back at criticism of the deal from supporters of conservative activist groups and the Tea Party.

'Our job is to find enough common ground to move the ball down the field on behalf of the American people who sent us here to do their work,' Boehner said.

The deal still has to be approved by the Democrat-controlled Senate before President Obama can sign it into law. It is expected to debate the bill sometime next week.

German shipping companies keep afloat despite six years of crisis

Slowly emerging from a protracted slump in global demand, Germany's merchant shipping companies were eagerly awaiting a pick-up in markets and with it brisker trade again, the German Ship Owners' Association (VDR) said Friday.

It said German ship owners were still in charge of over 3523 merchant vessels, about 150 fewer than at the beginning of the year.

The ongoing crisis also had an impact on the size of the seafaring personnel. Its number dropped by 1,600 to total 71,000 at present, the association reported.

Piracy a concern

'The global oversupply of shipping capacity and the continued reduction in the banks' shipping portfolios are still having a serious impact on German companies in the sector, with charter rates continuing to be less than adequate,' the VDR said in a statement on its website.

'Tighter regulations for improved environmental and climate protection are causing additional expenditures for charter and liner shipping companies,' it added.

Despite the difficulties at hand, Germany continued to be the world's major player in the container shipping segment. With 1570 container vessels at its disposal, it is capable of transporting 4.7 million standard containers and defending its 30-percent global market share.

The association said it was alarmed by the rising level of piracy attacks off the coast of West Africa, but added the number of assaults had decreased off the Horn of Africa thanks to the deployment of international naval forces and measures adopted by ship owners and operators to protect themselves.

Brash Broner faces tough WBA welterweight test in Maidana

Unbeaten American Adrien Broner puts his World Boxing Association welterweight world title on the line on Saturday against ferocious puncher Marcos Maidana at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Brash 24-year-old Broner brings an impressive 27-0 record, with 22 knockouts in his first defence of the title he won in stepping up two weight classes to beat Paul Malignaggi by split decision in June.

But the flamboyant Broner will face one of his toughest tests in Argentina's Maidana, a former junior welterweight world champion who has knocked out 31 of his 37 opponents in building a 34-3 record.

'Adrien is now an established welterweight, no doubt about it,' Maidana said. 'But the only problem is he has not been tested by a natural welter like me. That's why this is the hardest fight of his life.'

Maidana said his pre-fight scouting has shown him flaws in Broner's style that he's prepared to exploit.

'I won't tell you what mistakes I'm talking about, but you will see it on December 14th,' the challenger said.

Broner, a title winner in three weight classes and still the World Boxing Council's lightweight champion, promised 'something special' against Maidana -- something even his critics wouldn't be able to fault.

'It's going to be a hell of a fight,' Broner said. 'I don't go for knockouts, but I really feel I'm going to knock this guy out. I'm going to be his first stoppage. I'm going to stop this guy and we're going to move on to the next one.

'I'm not coming to play,' Broner added. 'It's going to be the AB show and I'm going to be victorious.'

On the same card, WBA light heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov of Kazakhstan defends his title against Slovakia's Tamas Kovacs.

Shumenov, now based in Las Vegas, brings a record of 13-1 with eight knockouts to his third fight in the United States.

Shumenov will be back in the ring for the first time since he posted a 12-round unanimous decision over Mexico's Enrique Ornelas in Las Vegas in June of 2012.

Kovacs is unbeaten in 23 fights with 14 knockouts, but the 36-year-old, who didn't turn pro until he was 30, will be taking a step up in quality competition in his first fight against a name opponent.

'I know Tamas is undefeated, he's very ambitious and he came here to take what's mine,' Shumenov said. 'But I'm not going to let him take my title.'

Also on the card, rising welterweight talent Keith Thurman will take on Jesus Soto Karass, with both fighters aiming to put themselves in the picture for a shot at the winner of Broner-Maidana.

Thurman, 21-0 with 19 knockouts, said he'll be looking to stop Mexico's Soto Karass, who boasts a record of 28-8-3 with 18 knockouts.

'Christmas came early and I have two presents for Soto right here -- my right and my left,' Thurman said. 'I'm looking forward to putting him down on that blue canvas and make sure he gets to sleep real nice.'

Mexico's Leo Santa Cruz defends his WBC super-bantamweight belt against Puerto Rico's Cesar Seda

Henry: I want Ribery to win Ballon d’Or

Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry is eager for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery to win the Ballon d'Or this year.

The New York Red Bulls striker, who has been training with the Gunners during the MLS off-season, has stated that he would love his compatriot to win the award on January 13 due to the less selfish nature of his remarkable run of performances for club and country in 2013.

'Ribery is a great player, a different kind of player.' Henry told Sky Sports.

'He prefers to create goals than score them. He's the kind of player you want to play alongside. Obviously, I'd like him to win.'

Ribery faces stern competition from Liga stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the current holder, with the former having set a new Champions League scoring record in midweek with his ninth goal of the group stage.

Henry believes talk over Ronaldo's attitude can sometimes obscure the appreciation of his ability, stating: 'There's always debate surrounding Ronaldo, his attitude and all that. 

'However, there comes a time when you have to stop talking about his attitude, look at his stats and at what he's doing. Stop talking and simply watch him play.'

Despite Ronaldo's sensational form in the first half of the season, Henry believes former Barca team-mate Messi remains at the summit of the game, claiming he was always left astounded by the Argentine's performances on the training pitch.

'Even in training he always wants to win,' Henry added. 'He doesn't complain when he's fouled. He asks for the ball, goes around anyone and scores. He collects the ball right in front of you, wherever you are and scores again. I'd never seen anything like it before.'

Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal: Pellegrini’s side fire title warning in nine-goal thriller

Manchester City boosted their hopes of regaining the Premier League title and dealt Arsenal's ambiitons a major blow with a 6-3 win on Saturday.

The 2011-12 champions went into the game six points adrift of Arsene Wenger's league leaders but moved within striking distance of the Londoners by claiming the spoils in an enthralling encounter.

Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for City, volleying home from a corner, only for the returning Theo Walcott to level midway through the first half.

Alvaro Negredo turned home Pablo Zabaleta's cross to put the hosts back in front and City looked to have made the game safe when Fernandinho scored his first goal for the club early in the second half.

England winger Walcott curled home a delightful second as Arsenal rallied, yet David Silva converted Jesus Navas's cross to make it 4-2 and Fernandinho struck again in the 88th minute.

An injury-time header from Per Mertesacker provided little consolation for the visitors, particularly as there was still time for Yaya Toure to add City's sixth from the penalty spot.

Walcott made his first start since September for Arsenal, while City manager Pellegrini once again preferred Costel Pantilimon to Joe Hart in goal.

The hosts started the stronger and were rewarded after 13 minutes when Aguero met Martin Demichelis's near-post flick-on from a corner with an acrobatic volley that flew past Wojciech Szczesny.

City's advantage was almost doubled seven minutes later when Negredo shot wide from Vincent Kompany's through-ball.

Despite offering little in response, Arsenal equalised after 31 minutes when Walcott finished a flowing move with a shot from the edge of the area that left Pantilimon flat-footed.

Negredo wasted a gilt-edged chance soon after but the Spain striker atoned for that miss when scoring from point-blank range in the 39th minute following good work from Toure and Zabaleta. To make matters worse for Arsenal, Laurent Koscielny sustained an injury as the Spaniard found the net and the defender was forced off, to be replaced by Thomas Vermaelen.

Aguero was also withdrawn through injury after the break but City grabbed a third when Fernandinho capitalised on sloppy Arsenal defending with a curled finish.

Wenger's men produced a determined response, Olivier Giroud heading wide before a penalty appeal for handball against Zabaleta went unanswered.

Walcott's exquisite second provided genuine hope for Arsenal but City were not to be denied and soon restored their two-goal advantage through Silva.

Wilshere forced Pantilimon into a fine save with a shot from distance but the midfielder was at fault for City's fifth as he conceded possession to allow Fernandinho to score his second.

That goal came with two minutes remaining, yet there was still time for Mertesacker to pull one back and Toure to finish from 12 yards after James Milner had been brought down by Szczesny.

Messi won’t leave Barca as long as I’m president – Rosell

Barcelona are not in talks with Lionel Messi over a new contract, according to president Sandro Rosell.

Reports in Spain have suggested that summer signing Neymar earns a higher wage than the Argentine, prompting a request for improved terms despite having only signed a new deal until 2018 last year.

Blaugrana vice-president Javier Faus revealed earlier this week that the club have no plans to open negotiations with the 26-year-old at present, and Rosell has now backed up those claims - though he insists there is no chance the attacker could leave the club.

'At the moment, no,' he told reporters when asked if there were discussions over a new deal, before adding: 'While I am president, I think it would be extremely difficult for Messi to leave the club, if not impossible.'

The Barcelona board are set to decide in the new year on whether or not to implement plans to redevelop Camp Nou or construct a new stadium, but Rosell was keen to stress he would fully support whatever decision was taken.

'It'll be a good day when all ideas are presented. I will support whatever the board decides to the death,' he added.

It was special to break the record – Ronaldo

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo admits it was 'special' for him to set a new goalscoring record in the Champions League group stages.

The Portugal captain scored his ninth goal in just five appearances in Tuesday's win over Copenhagen - a game in which he also missed a penalty - but the 28-year-old has warned he is not yet back to his best following injury.

'The objective is complete, the team played very well on a field that was very bad. I've broken a record in the Champions League and I'm very happy,' he was quoted as saying by the club's official website.

'The team is very good, confident, and playing attractive football.

'I'm coming back bit by bit. I'm at a good level, but not my best. I feel good and eager to help the team.

'All goals are important for the team and it was special to break the record today, but I don't think about records. The main goal is to win.'

Defender Alvaro Arbeloa admitted Ronaldo was annoyed to have missed his spot-kick but felt his side performed well on a difficult surface in Denmark.

'This is not an easy stadium, especially if we consider how the pitch was,' he told TVE.

'We look to Cristiano every day, regardless of records. He left the pitch angry because he missed the penalty and does not like to fail, but the important thing is the victory.

'The team has gone from strength to strength. He's doing better every day and the proof is the great group stage