Dec
13

N Korea holds mass rally, vows more rocket launches

SEOUL: Hundreds of thousands of North Koreans held a mass rally on Friday to celebrate the nuclear-armed state's rocket launch, as its youthful leader vowed new launches.Days before his first anniversary in charge of the isolated country, Kim Jong-Un upheld North Korea's "unshakable stand" that the rocket programme will continue despite UN condemnation and calls for new sanctions.The huge...
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Susan Rice: My withdrawal is better for the country

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Sen. Harry Reid: Republican attacks on Rice's character were "shameful."Susan Rice withdraws from consideration as secretary of stateNomination would be "be lengthy, disruptive, and costly," she says in letter to presidentRepublican critics "respect" Rice's decision, vow to continue Benghazi inquiry(CNN) -- Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who drew heavy criticism...
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Donation-based hospital rescues Afghanistan's wounded

(CBS News) KABUL - In Afghanistan, an American soldier and two Afghans were killed by a car bomb Thursday. It happened near the U.S. airbase in Kandahar, a few hours after Defense Secretary Leon Panetta left there to meet with Afghan President Karzai. Taliban attacks have grown more frequent, causing a sharp rise in civilian casualties. There's one place where many of those lives are saved or lost....
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Health-Exchange Deadline Looms

All of the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," doesn't go into effect until 2014, but states are required to set up their own health care exchanges or leave it to the federal government to step in by next year. The deadline for the governors' decisions is Friday.The health insurance exchanges are one of the key stipulations of the new health care law. They will offer...
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Today on New Scientist: 13 December 2012

Violent beauty at the end of an Alaskan glacier You can almost hear the crash of ice on water in this stunning image of an ice sheet calving off the Chenega glacier in AlaskaOvereating now bigger global problem than lack of food The most comprehensive disease report ever produced confirms that, for the first time, there is a larger health problem from people eating too much than too littleIn...
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Dec
12

Asian markets mostly up after Fed move

HONG KONG: Asian stock markets mostly rose Thursday as the US Federal Reserve announced fresh monetary easing and said it would not lift interest rates until unemployment was under control.However, the gains were capped after the central bank's chief Ben Bernanke said the looming fiscal cliff of huge tax hikes and deep spending cuts was already hitting the economy.The yen continued its...
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Opinion: 401(k) plans endangered

IBM plans to contribute only once every December to its employees' 401(k) accounts.STORY HIGHLIGHTSIBM said it would contribute once every December to its employees' 401(k) plansTeresa Ghilarducci: This type of payment benefits the company rather than workersShe says relative to other companies, IBM actually has a good retirement planGhilarducci: Most companies are reducing retirement benefits; workers...
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12-12-12 Sandy benefit: Night of music, stars

Updated: 10:05 p.m. ETMusic filled New York's Madison Square Garden Wednesday night for the "12-12-12" gig all in the name of helping superstorm Sandy victims. 11 Photos12-12-12 Concert for Sandy ReliefBruce Springsteen kicked off the star-studded concert, a fitting start for the benefit, which will aid hard-hit storm areas such as the rocker's native New Jersey. The Boss launched into "Land of Hope...
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McAfee Lands in Miami: I'm Free

Software mogul John McAfee has been released from detention in Guatemala City and has landed in Miami.Immediately upon landing, according to passengers on the plane, McAfee's name was called and he was whisked off the aircraft. Federal officials escorted the 67-year-old Internet antivirus pioneer through customs spirit him out a side door, out of the view of reporters, according...
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UK government urged to consider relaxing drug rules

JUST say yes to considering relaxed drug controls, urged a panel of UK parliamentarians this week - but Prime Minister David Cameron has rejected the calls. Many countries have loosened their penalties for drug use, including the Czech Republic and Portugal, which...
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