With blockade eased, building materials enter Gaza

Thousands of tons of building materials, such as cement and steel, began crossing into the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Egyptian and Palestinian officials said, as Israel eased its five-year-old blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory. Israel agreed to ease the blockade on Gaza under terms of a cease-fire that ended eight days of fierce fighting with Hamas last month, reports CBS News correspondent Robert...

Read More..

Cliffhanger: 'Major Setback' For Budget Talks

With less than two days remaining for Congress to reach a budget agreement that would avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff," ABC News has learned that negotiations have reached a "major setback."According to Democratic sources the row was sparked when the GOP offered a proposal that included a new method of calculating entitlement benefits with inflation. Called the "chained consumer...

Read More..

2013: A year for big issues in the courts

By Jeffrey Toobin, CNN Senior Legal AnalystDecember 27, 2012 -- Updated 1445 GMT (2245 HKT)Chief Justice John Roberts re-administers the oath of office to Barack Obama at the White House on January 21, 2009. STORY HIGHLIGHTSJeffrey Toobin: 2013 will see pivotal decisions in several key areas of lawHe says Supreme Court could decide fate of same-sex marriageAffirmative action for public college admissions...

Read More..

Obama, top lawmakers meet on cliff edge

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama Friday sought a late deal to stop the US economy tumbling off a "fiscal cliff" next week, gathering top congressional leaders for crunch White House talks.Obama is trying to broker a deal to avert huge tax increases and spending cuts due to come into force as the year turns on Tuesday, as dysfunctional Washington reluctantly works through a disrupted...

Read More..

Obama, congressional leaders discuss fiscal cliff

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: White House meeting on fiscal cliff ends; no details availablePresident Obama was to propose the same framework from last week, a source saysWithout an agreement, everyone's taxes go up next weekInaction in Washington on fiscal cliff again depresses financial marketsAs the fiscal cliff looms, what's your New Year's message to Washington? Go to CNNiReport to share your video.Washington...

Read More..

Report: FAMU ignored rules before hazing death

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The findings from a year-long investigation show that Florida A&M University officials failed to follow state laws and regulations on hazing.A 32-page report released Friday concludes that the school lacked internal controls to prevent or detect hazing.The report comes from the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state university system. It ordered the investigation...

Read More..

Woman Tied to Gun in NY Firefighter Ambush

Authorities have charged a woman for allegedly providing a convicted killer with the Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle he used when he ambushed four volunteer firefighters and an off-duty cop at a fire scene in upstate New York on Christmas Eve, federal prosecutors said.Dawn Nguyen, 24, was arrested today after allegedly making an illegal purchase of the weapon used by William Spengler,...

Read More..

A gunmaker ripe for an ethical takeover

Several .223 caliber rounds near a Bushmaster XM-15; the manufacturer's owner is putting its gun companies up for sale.STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe owner of America's largest gunmaker is putting firm up for saleJohn MacIntosh says billionaires should lead effort to acquire the gun manufacturerHe says they should change corporate practices to discourage violenceMacIntosh: One leading company could push gun...

Read More..

Oil prices decline on 'fiscal cliff' deal doubts

NEW YORK: Oil prices declined Thursday amid doubts that an 11th-hour deal on the "fiscal cliff" crisis could be reached by a rapidly approaching end-of-year deadline.New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February delivery, slipped 11 cents to settle at $90.87 a barrel.Brent North Sea crude for February delivery dipped 27 cents to $110.80 a barrel in London trade.With...

Read More..

TV

updated 9:03 AM EST, Thu December 20, 2012Earlier this month, we asked CNN readers to vote for their favorite TV shows of 2012. To make narrowing it down a little bit easier, we divided up a long list of contenders into three categories: comedies, dramas and reality series. Here's how you voted:Readers' favorites: Top 15 TV shows of 2012Comedies: No. 5: 'How I Met Your Mother'No. 4: 'The Daily Show...

Read More..