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..

Boy arrested over threat to blow up MBS

SINGAPORE: Police have arrested a 13-year-old boy who threatened to plant bombs in Marina Bay Sands.The boy had posted the threat on his Facebook page last Saturday. Police said the case is classified as a Breach of Prohibition Against False Threats of Terrorist Acts. If convicted, he could be fined up to S$100,000 and jailed up to 5 years. Police investigations are ongoing.- CNA/ir !--...

Read More..

Senate passes package to avert fiscal cliff

STORY HIGHLIGHTSSenate approves deal to avoid the fiscal cliffObama says more work will be needed and chides Congress for dragging its feet"Take the 84% of your winnings off the table," anti-tax crusader advises GOPAs the fiscal cliff looms, what's your New Year's message to Washington? Go to CNN iReport to share your video.(CNN) -- A full two hours after a midnight deadline, the Senate overwhelmingly...

Read More..

Senate Approves 'Fiscal Cliff' Deal, Sends to House

Two hours after a midnight deadline for action, the Senate passed legislation early New Year's Day to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff" with an overwhelming vote of 89-8.Senate passage set the stage for a final showdown in the House, where a vote could come as early as today."While neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, this agreement is the right thing...

Read More..

2012 review: The year in health science

Read more: "2013 Smart Guide: 10 ideas that will shape the year" The first half of 2012 will be remembered for the saga over whether or not to publish controversial research involving versions of the H5N1 bird flu virus engineered to spread...

Read More..

Three China ships in waters around disputed islands: Japan

TOKYO: Three Chinese government ships on Monday entered territorial waters around East China Sea islands at the centre of a dispute with Tokyo, Japan's coastguard said.One of the surveillance ships entered waters around the islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China at around 1:32pm (0432 GMT), while another followed about 20 minutes later, the coastguard said.The third vessel...

Read More..

Opinion: 12 lessons

What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012STORY HIGHLIGHTSDean Obeidallah: You are smarter today than 365 days agoObeidallah: You probably learned a few Korean words like "Gangnam Style"He says we found out poultry...

Read More..

Conn. gunman Adam Lanza's remains claimed: report

HARTFORD, Conn. The body of the man who killed 26 people at a Connecticut elementary school has been claimed for burial. Connecticut Medical Examiner Wayne H. Carver II tells the Hartford Courant Adam Lanza's remains were claimed several days ago by someone who wanted to remain anonymous. Lanza's burial site also is being kept secret, the newspaper reports. A spokeswoman at Carver's office told...

Read More..

Hillary Clinton Hospitalized With Blood Clot

(MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images)By DANA HUGHES and DEAN SCHABNERSecretary Hillary Clinton was hospitalized today after a doctors doing a follow-up exam discovered a blood clot had formed, stemming from the concussion she sustained several weeks ago.She is being treated with anti-coagulants and is at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital so that they can monitor the medication over the next 48 hours, Deputy...

Read More..

2013 Smart Guide: Curiosity to reach Mars mother lode

Read more: "2013 Smart Guide: 10 ideas that will shape the year" NASA'S Curiosity rover is about to have its cake and eat it too. Around September, the rover should get its first taste of layered sediments at Aeolis Mons, a mountain over 5 kilometres...

Read More..

Measures to be taken to make Sengkang junction safer

SINGAPORE: The authorities will put in place several measures in the next two months to make the junction at Sengkang East Way and Sengkang East Drive safer for motorists, cyclists and residents.Caretaker Member of Parliament (MP) for Punggol East Single Member Constituency (SMC), Mr Teo Ser Luck, said he has discussed the measures with the Traffic Police and Land Transport Authority.Mr...

Read More..

'Fiscal Cliff' countdown: Two more days

STORY HIGHLIGHTSLast minute negotiations are underway in Congress to avoid a ''fiscal cliff'' Without a deal, an end of the year deadline triggers takes hikes and cuts in spendingPresident Barack Obama is calling for a House and Senate vote, if negotiations fail"We'll let you know as soon as we have some news to make," the Senate minority leader saysAs the fiscal cliff looms, what's your New Year's...

Read More..