Pope decries slaughter of 'defenseless' Syrians

Pope Benedict XVI wished Christmas peace to the world Tuesday, decrying the slaughter of the "defenseless" in Syria, urging Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to negotiate and encouraging China's new leaders to allow more religious freedom.Delivering the Vatican's traditional Christmas day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Benedict also encouraged Arab spring nations,...

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Cameroon archbishop calls same-sex marriage crime against humanity

One of Cameroon's most senior Christian leaders on Tuesday called same-sex marriages a "crime against humanity", ramping up anti-gay rhetoric in the Central African state. As in most African nations, homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon. But a number of incidents have highlighted the clash between a largely conservative culture backed by draconian law and youth for some of whom it is less of an issue. "Marriage...

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Eight killed in Yemen clashes; attacks in capital target officers

SANAA (Reuters) - At least six militants and two soldiers were killed in Yemen on Tuesday in fighting near a damaged oil pipeline east of the capital Sanaa, a defense ministry official and residents said.Separately, gunmen and bombers targeted three senior military officers and the transport minister in a series of attacks in the capital Sanaa.In one incident, two gunmen riding a motorbike shot dead...

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Health care tax hikes for 2013 may be just a start

New taxes are coming Jan. 1 to help finance President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Most people may not notice. But they will pay attention if Congress decides to start taxing employer-sponsored health insurance, one option in play if lawmakers can ever agree on a budget deal to reduce federal deficits. The tax hikes already on the books, taking effect in 2013, fall mainly on people who make...

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Partial list of taxes and fees in health overhaul

Partial list of taxes and fees in health overhaulStarting in 2014, President Barack Obama's health care law will expand coverage to some 30 million uninsured people. At the same time, insurers no longer will be allowed to turn away those in poor health, and virtually every American will be required to have health insurance — through an employer or a government program or by buying it on their own.For...

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For charity, Axelrod shaves his mustache on MSNBC

Senior Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod started his Friday facing a straight razor as he made good on his promise to shave his mustache for charity live on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "I just wanna leave with the same woman I came in with," Axelrod quipped as his wife looked on in the studio. In November, Axelrod, who has sported facial hair for 40 years, pledged to "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough...

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Fiscal-Cliff Showdown Mirrors Payroll-Tax Fight

The fight over the fiscal cliff, politically at least, is starting to look a lot like last December’s message wars over the payroll-tax holiday. You remember that scene, don’t you? President Obama received a huge political boost when he managed to isolate the House Republicans politically and sought to blame them for increasing payroll taxes on 160 million Americans just days before Christmas. Even...

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