Japanese trucker gets kicks from Syria war tourism

ALEPPO, Syria: Japanese trucker Toshifumi Fujimoto is bored with his humdrum job, a daily run from Osaka to Tokyo or Nagasaki hauling tanker loads of gasoline, water or even chocolate.Yet while the stocky, bearded 45-year-old could spend his free time getting a jolt of adrenaline by bungee-jumping or shark hunting, he puts his life on the line in a most unusual way.He's become a war tourist.Fujimoto's...

Read More..

Fiscal cliff averted, but fights loom

STORY HIGHLIGHTSBoehner undid "everything he promised he would do" in 2010, GOP lawmaker saysObama calls for "a little less brinksmanship" next timeTuesday night's vote prevents tax increases for more than 98% of AmericansIt also staves off $110 billion in automatic cuts to domestic and military spending(CNN) -- President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill to avert the fiscal cliff, a day after...

Read More..

Hillary Clinton discharged from hospital

WASHINGTONSecretary of State Hillary Clinton was discharged from a New York hospital Wednesday, after spending 72 hours under observation following the discovery of a blood clot in her head, the State Department said. In a statement, spokesperson Philippe Reines said: "Her medical team advised her that she is making good progress on all fronts, and they are confident she will make a full recovery....

Read More..

Obama Signs 'Fiscal Cliff' Bill With Autopen

Jan 3, 2013 12:53am Charles Dharapak/AP PhotoHONOLULU, Hawaii — President Obama has signed the “fiscal cliff” legislation into law via autopen from Hawaii, where he is vacationing with his family.The bill to avert the “fiscal cliff” arrived at the White House late this afternoon and it was immediately processed, according to a senior White House official. A copy was...

Read More..

2013 Smart Guide: More people than ever 'mentally ill'

Read more: "2013 Smart Guide: 10 ideas that will shape the year" Mental illness could strike more of us in 2013 than ever before. But don't blame the strain of modern living: changes to diagnostic guidelines mean unprecedented numbers of people could be...

Read More..

Indian lawyers refuse to defend gang-rape accused

NEW DELHI: Lawyers at an Indian court hearing the case of a fatal gang-rape which has shocked the nation said on Wednesday they would refuse to defend the men accused of taking part in the assault and murder.Hearings are expected to begin on Thursday at the Saket district court in south New Delhi, where police will formally present a 1,000-page charge sheet against the six-person gang."We...

Read More..

Crises averted, but more fights loom

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe vote prevents tax increases for more than 98% of Americans It also staves off $110 billion in automatic cuts to domestic and military spendingMost Americans will still see a payroll tax increase after a 2011 cut expiresOther fiscal challenges this year include the debt ceiling and a continuing budget resolutionWith the fiscal cliff deal in limbo, what's your New Year's message...

Read More..

House GOP blasted for scrapping Sandy aid vote

WASHINGTON New York area-lawmakers in both parties erupted in anger late Tuesday night after learning the House Republican leadership decided to allow the current term of Congress to end without holding a vote on aid for victims of Superstorm Sandy. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said he was told by the office of Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia that Speaker John Boehner of Ohio had decided to...

Read More..

Obama Hails 'Cliff' Deal, Warns of Next Fiscal Fight

Minutes after the House of Representatives approved a bipartisan Senate deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" and preserve Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans making less than $400,000 per year, President Obama praised party leaders and wasted little time turning to the next fiscal fight."This is one step in the broader effort to strengthen our economy for everybody," Obama said.Obama...

Read More..

2013 Smart Guide: Arctic melt will spark weird weather

Read more: "2013 Smart Guide: 10 ideas that will shape the year" Melting, rather than warming, is likely to be the big climate issue of 2013. Predictions...

Read More..