Susan Rice, the US envoy to the United Nations, has withdrawn her name from consideration to be the next secretary of state, after fierce opposition from Republicans, NBC News reported Thursday. Rice, who is close to President Barack Obama, had
ESPN’s Rob Parker dropped a bombshell today when he called NFL rookie star and MVP candidate Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III a “cornball brother.” That means, according to Parker, that RGIII isn’t a real black person, and that he might
According to the American Tort Reform Association, California tops the nation’s list of “judicial hellholes,” claiming the top slot from Philadelphia. ATRA makes its judgments based on ridiculous lawsuits being greenlit by judges and backed by juries: No significant signs
By DAVID BAUDERAssociated PressNEW YORKMusicians were so intent upon helping victims of Superstorm Sandy that they didn’t seem to want their benefit concert in New York to end. The final notes of Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” closed the
Outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said again Wednesday she has no plans to make a second bid to be America’s first woman president. However, in good diplomatic fashion Clinton, who remains the most popular figure in the Obama cabinet,
US senator-elect Elizabeth Warren was nominated Wednesday to be a member of the Senate Banking Committee, where the prominent consumer advocate will have influence over laws affecting the finance industry. Warren, a Harvard professor who made her reputation defending Americans
(AP) US futures mixed ahead of jobs, retail reportsNEW YORKStock futures are mixed ahead of a busy day for economic indicators. Dow Jones industrial futures are up 5 points to 13,235. The broader S&P futures have fallen 1.3 points to
(AP) Election over, administration unleashes new rulesBy MATTHEW DALYAssociated PressWASHINGTONWhile the “fiscal cliff” of looming tax increases and spending cuts dominates political conversation in Washington, some Republicans and business groups see signs of a “regulatory cliff” that they say could
(AP) Bank repossessions hit 9-month high in NovemberBy ALEX VEIGAAP Real Estate WriterLOS ANGELESU.S. home repossessions rose to a nine-month high in November, even as the number of homes starting on the path to foreclosure declined to the lowest level
(AP) Leading conservative says Obama will win tax fightWASHINGTONA leading conservative who’s resigning from the Senate is predicting that President Barack Obama will win the battle over raising taxes. South Carolina Republican Jim DeMint calls it “a political trophy” within
(AP) NKorea still years away from credible missilesBy FOSTER KLUG and MATTHEW PENNINGTONAssociated PressSEOUL, South KoreaThey don’t call it rocket science for nothing. North Korea’s first successful launch of a three-stage, long-range rocket has outraged world leaders who consider it
(AP) Pennies over patriotism? Stars move to tax havensBy THOMAS ADAMSONAssociated PressPARISFrance’s Socialist government is introducing a 75-percent income tax on those earning over (EURO)1 million ($1.3 million), leading some of the country’s rich and famous to set up residency
The Syrian regime has fired Scud missiles at rebel forces trying to oust Bashar al-Assad, a US official said, after Arab and Western states recognised the opposition bloc as the sole representative there. Earlier Wednesday an AFP journalist in northwestern
A divided Egypt is being called to vote in a referendum Saturday on a new constitution that the secular opposition fears will be used by President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood to usher in an Islamist interpretation of laws.
The following is an Associated Press wire story by Frazier Moore: Deck the halls and man the battle stations. The fight has resumed. I’m referring, of course, to the so-called War on Christmas, a yearly call to arms by
Santa has kicked the habit in time for Christmas. No, not the sugar plum habit, or his fur-wearing habit, or his penchant for romping recklessly around open flame. No, gentlepeople, this is the year the man in red gave up
(AFP) Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar is to receive a posthumous lifetime achievement Grammy award, organizers of the music industry’s top prize show said Wednesday. Three-time Grammy winner Shankar, who died Tuesday in California, is among seven artists including Carole
Christie Hefner’s husband was fooling around behind the back of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s daughter, but it had nothing to do with sex. Christie Hefner served as CEO of her father’s company from 1988 until 2009, and during that time
By MARK KENNEDYAP Drama WriterNEW YORKThe union representing hundreds of Broadway theater cleaners, porters, elevator operators and bathroom attendants voted Wednesday to authorize its leaders to call a strike if a new contract isn’t approved by the end of the
As Republicans move closer to caving on the fiscal cliff, Democrats are reportedly upping the ante, seeking to use what should have been a fight about budget cuts to push even more reckless spending. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer laid
(AP) Boehner: ‘Serious differences’ remain in talksBy ANDREW TAYLORAssociated Press WriterWASHINGTONHouse Speaker John Boehner said Wednesday that “serious differences” remain between him and President Barack Obama in negotiations on averting automatic spending cuts and tax increases that economists fear could
Apparently, Santa Claus showed up at the US Capitol today to lecture John Boehner on raising taxes to avoid the fiscal cliff. Santa told the press that middle class families would be hurt unless Boehner caved in negotiations with the
Matt Damon’s new movie has some friends in very high places. Apple teamed up with Damon to promote the actor’s new movie “Promised Land,” a film attacking both oil and gas companies as well as the process of fracking. The
Last night, all the major television networks chose not to show footage of violent union members in Michigan tearing down a tent owned by Americans for Prosperity, or footage of a union member punching Fox News contributor Steven Crowder in
Producers Roma Downey of “Touched by an Angel” fame and Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “Celebrity Apprentice” have teamed up to bring a new, 10-hour telling of “The Bible” to screens next year. “The Bible” premieres March 3, 2013 on The History
