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November 30, 2012 | | TAKE THE PLUNGE Swing and a miss: House Speaker John Boehner reportedly rejected the first fiscal cliff deal from President Obama on Thursday night. With neither side in the budget standoff willing to make the tough decisions needed to avert the fiscal catastrophe, maybe what Washington needs is a bungee cliff dive, writes The Daily Beast’s Megan McArdle. Egypt Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi said on Friday that his controversial decree that greatly extended his power would end “as soon as the people vote on a Constitution,” adding that the decree was “for an exceptional stage.” Morsi’s comments came as the Islamist-led assembly approved a new Constitution. But opposition protesters said that the assembly “does not represent all sections of society,” since many liberals and other moderate voices had withdrawn from the assembly. Protesters vowed to push for a “no” vote in a referendum. The new Constitution draft limits presidents to two terms and allows for some civilian oversight of the military—but it maintains “the principles of sharia” as the main source of legislation, and critics are worried about the rights of women and freedom of speech. EXCLUSIVE A new survey shows most Israelis do not feel their country benefited from the recent clash with Hamas. By Matthew DeLuca. Crafty British Prime Minister David Cameron has decided to draft legislation for new laws establishing a press watchdog to convince critics it would be a mistake. Cameron faced criticism after rejecting the new press laws—one of the Leveson Inquiry’s principal recommendations. But Culture Secretary Maria Miller said such legislation would put a “subtle muzzle” on the press, adding that it “provides a legislative framework” to “impinge on press freedom.” She explained, “We want to draw that up and share that with the opposition parties and with our coalition partners to be able to demonstrate that to them and I think when they see that as we draft it over the next fortnight that they will too understand where our concerns come from." Out of COURT Remember this story? Shamed former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has reportedly agreed to settle the lawsuit brought against him for the alleged sexual assault of hotel housekeeper Nafissatou Diallo in May 2011. Sources indicate that the two settled out of court for $6 million. Criminal charges against the French powerhouse were dropped last year, with both sides seeking damages in subsequent civil suits, and a court date had been set for sometime next week. Lawyers for both parties declined to comment on the agreement, despite previously indicating there would be no such settlement. DSK is also being investigated for his alleged participation in an organized prostitution ring, an allegation he denies. | | 
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