Okla. Senator Could Prevent Gun Control Changes

If there's one person most likely to keep new gun-control measures from passing Congress swiftly, it's Sen. Tom Coburn.Conservatives revere the Oklahoma Republican for his fiscal hawkishness and regular reports on government waste. But he's also a staunch gun-rights advocate, and he's shown a willingness to obstruct even popular legislation, something in the Senate that a single...

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Democrats push for tax cuts they once opposed

Democrats seeking a deal to avert the year-end “fiscal cliff” are trying to etch into stone the signature economic achievement of Republican President George W. Bush by permanently extending tax cuts enacted during his tenure. President Obama has put the extension of the tax cuts for most Americans at the top of his domestic agenda, a remarkable turnaround for Democrats, who had staunchly...

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Samsung hits back at Ericsson in patent battle

SEOUL: South Korea's Samsung Electronics said on Wednesday it had filed a complaint to seek a US import ban on some Ericsson products in an escalating patent battle with the Swedish mobile giant.Samsung took the action Friday with the US International Trade Commission, seeking a ban on imports and sales of Ericsson's products over alleged infringements of Samsung's wireless and equipment...

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Home ministry announces Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for family of dead constable Subhash Tomar

NEW DELHI: The home ministry announced on Wednesday an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of Delhi Police constable Subhash Chand Tomar, who died here on Tuesday morning. An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the family of Tomar in addition to the financial and other relief announced by the Delhi Police, a home ministry spokesperson said. The 47-year-old constable, who was injured...

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Photos: Humboldt Squid Have a Bad Day at the Beach

Photograph by Chris Elmenhurst, Surf the Spot Photography“Strandings have been taking place with increased frequency along the west coast over the past ten years,” noted NOAA’s Field, “as this population of squid seems to be expanding its range—likely a consequence of climate change—and can be very abundant at times.” (Learn about other jumbo squid strandings.)Humboldt squid are typically found in...

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Christmas Tornadoes Tear Across South

A nasty Christmastime storm system spawned blizzard conditions in some states and at least 15 reported tornadoes in the South, damaging homes, taking out power lines and dangerously snarling holiday travel.Severe weather swept across the United States during the Christmas holiday, bringing tornadoes and intense thunderstorms to the Gulf Coast, while dumping heavy snow and freezing...

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Federal workers feel unease over potential layoffs, furloughs unleashed by ‘fiscal cliff’

Federal employees have been skeptical for months that the biggest cuts to government spending in history could really happen. But with the “fiscal cliff” a week away, workers are now growing increasingly alarmed that their jobs and their missions could be on the line. President Obama and members of Congress headed out of town late last week for a Christmas break without reaching a deal...

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1 dead, 11 hurt as Myanmar jet crash lands

YANGON: One person was killed and 11 others injured when a Myanmar plane carrying 65 passengers crash-landed near an airport in eastern Shan state on Tuesday, the airline said."One passenger who was missing was found dead inside the plane. We are still trying to identify who the dead passenger is," Air Bagan announced in a statement posted on its Facebook page. !-- Zone Tag : Channel...

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Virbhadra Singh takes oath as Himachal Pradesh chief minister

SHIMLA: Veteran Congress politician Virbhadra Singh was sworn in as Himachal Pradesh's chief minister for a record sixth term on Tuesday.Governor Urmila Singh administered the oath of office to the septuagenarian, who has been chief minister for more than 16 years, at the historic Ridge here.The 78-year-old took oath at 10.40 AM as the hill state's 13th chief minister in the presence of thousands...

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Photos: Humboldt Squid Have a Bad Day at the Beach

Photograph by Chris Elmenhurst, Surf the Spot Photography“Strandings have been taking place with increased frequency along the west coast over the past ten years,” noted NOAA’s Field, “as this population of squid seems to be expanding its range—likely a consequence of climate change—and can be very abundant at times.” (Learn about other jumbo squid strandings.)Humboldt squid are typically found in...

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