Wall Street heads for longest losing streak in three months

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Friday, putting the S&P 500 on track for a fifth straight decline, as President Barack Obama and top congressional leaders were set to make a last-ditch attempt to steer the country away from severe fiscal austerity next year. Obama and lawmakers from both political parties will meet at the White House on Friday afternoon for talks in an effort...

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NHL makes new offer to players

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL says it has made a new contract offer to the players in an attempt to end the lockout and save the season.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly says in a statement Friday that a "comprehensive" proposal was made a day earlier, although he would not discuss details.He adds that the league is "hopeful" that once the union and its negotiating committee review the proposal "they will share...

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Animal rights group settles lawsuit with Ringling

WASHINGTON (AP) — An animal rights group will pay Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus $ 9.3 million to settle its part of a lawsuit stemming from claims the circus abused its elephants.The circus company’s owners announced the settlement with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Friday. The animal rights group was one of several that in 2000 sued the circus’ owner,...

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2013: A year for big issues in the courts

By Jeffrey Toobin, CNN Senior Legal AnalystDecember 27, 2012 -- Updated 1445 GMT (2245 HKT)Chief Justice John Roberts re-administers the oath of office to Barack Obama at the White House on January 21, 2009. STORY HIGHLIGHTSJeffrey Toobin: 2013 will see pivotal decisions in several key areas of lawHe says Supreme Court could decide fate of same-sex marriageAffirmative action for public college admissions...

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Expectations low for White House 'fiscal cliff' meeting

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and congressional leaders were to meet on Friday for the first time since November...

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Syria opposition leader rejects Moscow invitation

ALEPPO PROVINCE, Syria/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's opposition leader has rejected an invitation from Russia for peace talks, dealing another blow to international hopes that diplomacy can be resurrected to end a 21-month civil war. Russia, President Bashar al-Assad's main international protector, said on Friday it had sent an invitation for a visit to Moaz Alkhatib, whose six-week-old...

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Dow falls more than 1 percent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Dow fell 1 percent as stocks added to losses on Thursday. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 earlier declined more than 1 percent, with worries about the U.S. "fiscal cliff" after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warned the United States appeared poised to head over it. The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> was down 143.83 points, or 1.10 percent, at 12,970.76....

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McElroy has concussion, Sanchez to start for Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets' wacky quarterback situation took yet another twist.Greg McElroy has a concussion — which he didn't reveal until Thursday — and will be replaced by Mark Sanchez as the New York Jets' starting quarterback in the season finale at Buffalo on Sunday.Coach Rex Ryan walked into his news conference before practice, took the podium and opened with: "You're not going...

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How Not ‘Awesome’ Was Lisa Jackson at the EPA?

After almost four years of guiding controversial decisions on fracking, the Keystone XL pipeline, and coal, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is stepping down. Now, the hunt is on for a new director who won’t be able to please anyone.RELATED: EPA Passes New Fracking RulesJackson—the EPA‘s first African American chief and a chemical engineer by training—wrote in a statement, “I will leave the EPA confident...

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A gunmaker ripe for an ethical takeover

Several .223 caliber rounds near a Bushmaster XM-15; the manufacturer's owner is putting its gun companies up for sale.STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe owner of America's largest gunmaker is putting firm up for saleJohn MacIntosh says billionaires should lead effort to acquire the gun manufacturerHe says they should change corporate practices to discourage violenceMacIntosh: One leading company could push gun...

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Snow in Chicago nothing like storm out East

A bicyclist fights the snow heading north on Halsted Street, north of Roosevelt Avenue in Chicago. ...

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Syria envoy calls for political change to end conflict

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The international envoy seeking a solution to Syria's 21-month-old conflict said on Thursday political change was needed to end the violence which has killed 44,000 people, and called for a transitional government to rule until elections. Speaking in Damascus at the end of a five-day trip during which he met President Bashar al-Assad, Lakhdar Brahimi did not spell out...

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Wall Street sags, "cliff" angst steals retailers' Christmas

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday as retailers' shares dropped sharply after a report that showed holiday shoppers were less enthusiastic than last year, with investors saying worries about the "fiscal cliff" may have kept them away from stores. The Morgan Stanley retail index <.mvr> skidded 1.8 percent as holiday-related sales rose 0.7 percent from October 28 through...

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James leads Heat over Thunder in Finals rematch

MIAMI (AP) — Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined to score 54 points, more than any set of teammates had managed in a game against Miami all season.Oklahoma City needed them to score at least three more.That didn't happen, and an NBA Finals rematch went just as last year's title series did — to the Heat.LeBron James had 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, Dwyane Wade scored 21, and...

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Florida is a vacation paradise for dogs

FORT DE SOTO PARK, Fla. (AP) — Picture this: You’re sitting on a white sand beach, warm sun on your skin. Coconut-scented sunscreen wafts through the air. A splashing noise comes from the blue Gulf of Mexico. It’s your dog, happily retrieving his favorite ball from the water.This could be your vacation, with a bit of planning.With miles of sandy beaches, endless winter sunshine and a laid-back vibe,...

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Climate change: No consensus needed

Lake Cachet II in Aysen, Chilean Patagonia, disappeared because of rising temperatures driven by climate change, experts say.STORY HIGHLIGHTSTseming Yang: Result of Doha climate change conference less than desirableYang: It's time to abandon the myth that a consensus solution is the best approach He says the 25 major carbon emitters should work out an agreement among themselvesYang: Smaller, focused...

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Obama, Congress set for one last effort on 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON/HONOLULU (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is due back in Washington early Thursday for a final effort to negotiate...

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Syria to discuss Brahimi peace proposals with Russia

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent a senior diplomat to Moscow on Wednesday to discuss proposals to end the conflict convulsing his country made by international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, Syrian and Lebanese sources said. Brahimi, who saw Assad on Monday and is planning to hold a series of meetings with Syrian officials and dissidents in Damascus this week, is trying...

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