--Seventh NewsWatch--

(Canadian Press Broadcast Wire (Canada) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) (Fiscal Cliff) (Audio: 058) Now it goes to the House.

A U-S bill to stop the across-the-board tax increases and program budget cuts that went into effect at midnight was approved by the Senate early this morning on an 89-to-8 vote.

The deal would prevent a tax hike on the middle class.

U-S President Obama says the ``fiscal cliff'' agreement reached by the Senate is ``the right thing to do'' for America.

He's now urging the House -- which meets this afternoon -- to pass the bill ``without delay.'' (7) (NHL-Labour) There may be some movement in the N-H-L lockout.

League executives spent New Year's Eve going over a collective bargaining proposal that could save a shortened season.

Commissioner Gary Bettman, deputy commissioner Bill Daly and other league staff worked into the night.

They hope to return to the bargaining table today with the N-H-L Players' Association. (7) (New Year's Eve) (Audio: 032) As many as a million revellers crowded into New York City's Times Square to watch the crystal-covered ball make its annual descent, ringing in the start of 2013.

The ball that drops in Times Square is covered with thousands of Waterford crystal triangles.

One crystal panel is engraved with the name of longtime host Dick Clark.

He died in April at the age of 82.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke last night about Clark's lasting legacy, saying Clark's ``New Year's Rockin' Eve'' will live on for years to come. (7) (YEAR-Taxes) (Audio: 040) Be prepared for your take home pay to take a hit.

Premium changes taking effect today will be felt when the first pay cheques of the year arrive.

Every working Canadian will see increased deductions with increases to Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance premiums.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says E-I premiums will rise by more than 51-dollars for those earning just over 47-thousand dollars.

C-P-P premiums are going up by about 50-dollars for anybody bringing in a salary of 51-thousand 100-dollars or more. (7) (Tour Bus-Crash) (Audio: 057) U-S National Transportation Safety Board investigators are looking at road conditions at the time of a deadly crash in Oregon.

Nine people were killed and more than 30 hurt when the bus -- travelling back to Vancouver from Las Vegas -- left the road on a stretch of highway notorious for dangerous winter driving conditions.

The bus crashed through a guard rail and plunged 60-metres down an embankment before coming to rest. (7) (Mobile-Threats) (Audio: 018) Smartphone owners beware: cyber criminals are looking at targeting mobile phones.

Tony Anscombe, with anti-virus software maker A-V-G, says Google's Android platform is most at risk.

There are already reports of scammers hacking phones and then making money by sending text messages or making calls.

A few months ago, the F-B-I issued a warning to U-S citizens about growing smartphone threats on Android devices. (6) (NewsWatch by Geri Smith) (The Canadian Press) (c) 2013 The Canadian Press

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