Wall Street ends sour week with fifth straight decline

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell for a fifth straight day on Friday, dropping 1 percent and marking the S&P 500's longest losing streak in three months as the federal government edged closer to the "fiscal cliff" with no solution in sight. President Barack Obama and top congressional leaders met at the White House to work on a solution for the draconian debt-reduction measures set...

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AP source: McCoy, Hicks suspended by Texas

Texas has sent home backup quarterback Case McCoy and injured linebacker Jordan Hicks on the eve of the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio for violating team rules, a person with knowledge of the suspensions told The Associated Press.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Friday because the school wasn't releasing the names of the suspended players. The person said the players violated curfew.Coach...

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Associations React to EPA Admin’s Resignation

On Thursday, Lisa P. Jackson, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced that she would be leaving her post after President Barack Obama makes his State of the Union address in January. Here are some of the reactions from energy and environmental associations across the country to the news.* “Administrator Jackson put into action the Obama administration‘s commitment to ethanol...

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2013: Energy issues on front burner

From left, John Krasinski, Gus Van Sant and Matt Damon promote what Sheril Kirshenbaum says will be a controversial film.STORY HIGHLIGHTSPublic attitudes shifted on key energy issues in 2012Sheril Kirshenbaum says controversy has grown over natural gas fracking boomShe says climate change, renewable energy are likely to be on agenda for 2013Kirshenbaum: A turbulent year has increased public interest...

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5-year-old among 4 people badly burned after Lawndale fire

A 5-year-old girl suffered burns to her entire body during a fire in the Lawndale neighborhood that lasted only a few minutes...

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Indian gang rape victim dies; protesters defy lock-down

NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A woman whose gang rape sparked protests and a national debate about violence against women in India died of her injuries on Saturday, prompting a security lockdown in New Delhi and an acknowledgement from India's prime minister that social change is needed. The six suspects held in connection with the December 16 attack on the 23-year-old medical student...

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Wall Street set to open down before latest try at "cliff" deal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were poised for a lower open on Friday as President Barack Obama and top lawmakers planned to make a last-ditch attempt at budget talks to prevent the United States from going over the "fiscal cliff." Obama and lawmakers will meet at the White House Friday afternoon for talks before a New Year's deadline to keep large tax hikes and spending cuts from taking...

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Wade suspended game for action against Sessions

NEW YORK (AP) — Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade was suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Thursday for flailing his leg and making contact with the groin of Charlotte Bobcats' Ramon Sessions.The incident happened with 8:12 left in the fourth quarter of the Heat's 105-92 victory over the Bobcats on Wednesday night. Sessions was called for a foul on the play. Wade will serve the suspension Friday...

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Temple – Detroit-Mercy Basketball Game Postponed Due to Weather

(File photo by Mitchell Leff, provided).By Harry DonahuePHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Temple basketball fans may be disappointed for a while: tonight’s basketball game against Detroit-Mercy, at the Liacouras Center, has been postponed.Temple officials say the Detroit team was unable to get to Philadelphia in time for the game, due to yesterday’s rain, snow, and high winds which caused the cancellation of hundreds...

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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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Putin signs ban on U.S. adoptions of Russian children

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Friday that bans Americans from adopting Russian children and imposes...

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Putin signs ban on U.S. adoptions of Russian children

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Friday that bans Americans from adopting Russian children and imposes other sanctions in retaliation for a new U.S. human rights law that he says is poisoning relations. The law, which has ignited outrage among Russian liberals and child rights' advocates, takes effect on January 1. Washington has called the law misguided and...

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Stock futures edge up with effort to break "cliff" deadlock

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures signaled a modestly higher open on Thursday as U.S. President Barack Obama returned to Washington to restart negotiations over the "fiscal cliff." Obama cut short a Christmas holiday in Hawaii to fly back to the capital and make another push for a deal between Democrats and Republicans to head off tax hikes and spending cuts worth $600 billion...

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Peyton Manning, Peterson make Pro Bowl

NEW YORK (AP) — Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson want to cap their sensational comebacks with Super Bowl appearances. For now, they can be proud of Pro Bowl spots.So can Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, one of two rookies chosen Wednesday for the Jan. 27 NFL all-star game.Manning missed all of the 2011 season with neck and back problems that required several operations. He then signed with...

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US Airways Waives Change Fee For Customers Affected By Winter Weather

file photo (Chip Somdelvilla/Getty Images)CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — US Airways is waiving the change fee for customers who must alter their flights due to severe Christmas weather.The airline is canceling the $ 150 charge for changing flights to and from 25 cities where there are flight delays and cancellations. The offer is available to travelers scheduled to fly Wednesday and Thursday. They must keep...

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The forgotten victims of gun violence

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, center, and other area officials call for stronger gun regulations at a news conference last week.STORY HIGHLIGHTSWhile America was mourning Newtown victims, guns were claiming lives elsewhere in U.S.Authors: Media focus on mass shootings, but continuing violence also needs coverageThey say inner cities suffer an epidemic of gun killings, and young are particularly vulnerableAuthors:...

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Man killed on Southwest Side

Detectives investigate the scene of a shooting that left a 32-year-old man dead late Wednesday night. ...

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Peace envoy Brahimi, Syria diplomats in Moscow talks

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will host Syria peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi this week after Syrian officials held talks in Moscow on Thursday as part of a diplomatic drive to try to agree a plan to end the 21-month-old conflict, Russia's foreign ministry said. Talks have moved to Moscow, a long-time Syria ally, after a flurry of meetings Brahimi held in Damascus this week, but the international...

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Stock futures edge higher ahead of "cliff" talk resumption

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wednesday, indicating the S&P 500 may stem its worst two-day drop since mid-November, ahead of the resumption of "fiscal cliff" negotiations. President Barack Obama, after vacationing in Hawaii, is due back in Washington early Thursday for a final effort to negotiate a deal with Congress to avert or at least...

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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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