Why U.S. lives under the shadow of 'W'

Julian Zelizer says former President George W. Bush's key tax and homeland security policies survive in the age of ObamaSTORY HIGHLIGHTSJulian Zelizer: For all the criticism Bush got, two key policies have survivedHe says fiscal cliff pact perpetuates nearly all of Bush's tax cutsObama administration has largely followed Bush's homeland security policy, he saysZelizer: By squeezing revenues, Bush...

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Gay marriage, assault weapons ban votes delayed in Senate

SPRINGFIELD— ...

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Eleven dead in Damascus gas station blast

AZAZ, Syria (Reuters) - At least 11 people were killed and 40 wounded when a car bomb exploded at a crowded petrol station in the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday, opposition activists said. The station was packed with people queuing for fuel that has become increasingly scarce during the country's 21-month-long insurgency aimed at overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad. ...

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Wall Street starts new year with a bang after "cliff" deal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks kicked off the new year with their best day in over a year on Wednesday, sparked by relief over a last-minute deal in Washington to avert the "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and spending cuts that threatened to derail the economy's growth. In 2013's first trading session, the S&P 500 achieved its biggest one-day gain since December 20, 2011, pushing the benchmark...

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No. 22 Louisville leads No. 4 Florida early

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Terell Floyd returned an interception 38 yards for a score on the first play, Jeremy Wright added short touchdown run and No. 22 Louisville jumped to a 14-0 lead over No. 4 Florida in the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night.Teddy Bridgewater completed four of his first five passes for 66 yards, leading the underdog Cardinals 83 yards on 12 plays for their second score.The...

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Tax break extension breathes new life into U.S. wind power

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The U.S. wind industry is powering up once again after Congress extended a critical tax credit that wind companies say will save tens of thousands of domestic jobs and allow more clean energy projects to ramp up this year.About half of the sector’s 75,000 jobs in the United States had been expected to disappear if the wind production tax credit had been allowed to expire at...

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Look beyond the fiscal cliff

STORY HIGHLIGHTSDean Baker: Budget deficit is not the only top issue in our national economic policyBaker: Fiscal cliff debate has been a distraction of the bigger problem of a downturn He says fears of big deficits are preventing us from boosting the economy moreBaker: Given the economy's weakness, the government has to run big deficits Editor's note: Dean Baker, an economist, is co-director of the...

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Gay marriage law hiccup shows bill in for a fight

SPRINGFIELD — If anyone thought gay marriage legislation would pass easily in Illinois, the initial hiccup Wednesday in the...

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Central African Republic rebels halt advance, agree to peace talks

DAMARA, Central African Republic (Reuters) - Rebels in Central African Republic said they had halted their advance on the capital on Wednesday and agreed to start peace talks, averting a clash with regionally backed troops. The Seleka rebels had pushed to within striking distance of Bangui after a three-week onslaught and threatened to oust President Francois Bozize, accusing him of reneging...

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Asia holds breath as U.S. fiscal talks go to wire

SYDNEY/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asian stocks started new year trading with tentative gains as investors anxiously wait to see if the U.S. Congress can strike a last-minute compromise and avert the harsh "fiscal cliff" tax rises and spending cuts that are technically already in force. The U.S. Senate early on Tuesday passed a bill that aims to avoid the cliff's automatic implementation of...

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