Stocks end higher for sixth straight week, tech leads

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Nasdaq composite stock index closed at a 12-year high and the S&P 500 index at a five-year high, boosted by gains in technology shares and stronger overseas trade figures. The S&P 500 also posted a sixth straight week of gains for the first time since August. The technology sector led the day's gains, with the S&P 500 technology index...

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Snowstorm forces rescheduling of Bruins-TB game

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins have postponed Saturday night's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning because of the blizzard that dumped more than 2 feet of snow on the area.No makeup date had been scheduled yet, according to a Bruins spokesman.Originally scheduled for 1 p.m., the game was pushed back until 7 p.m. to allow the storm to pass. But public transportation was not expected to resume on...

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How Obama can end Congo conflict

Conflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoSTORY HIGHLIGHTSPresident Obama can help end the Congo conflict for good, says Vava TampaObama has asked Rwanda to end all support to armed groups in the CongoFDLR militia gang is a threat to stability and must leave CongoObama must push for change in Congolese government, argues TampaEditor's note: Vava Tampa is...

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Hadiya Pendleton funeral: 'God is our refuge'

Slain teen Hadiya Pendleton was remembered today as a laughing youth who brought love and happiness to all her family and friends.Despite...

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Israel's Lieberman says Palestinian peace accord impossible

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has no chance of signing a permanent peace accord with the Palestinians and should instead seek a long-term interim deal, the most powerful political partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday. The remarks by Avigdor Lieberman, an ultranationalist whose joint party list with Netanyahu narrowly won a January 22 election while centrist challengers...

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Wall Street jumps; Nasdaq near 12-year high

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks climbed on Friday, pushing the S&P 500 to a fresh five-year high and putting the Nasdaq within a hair of a 12-year intraday high, following a batch of encouraging domestic and international economic reports. Data showing stronger international trade in China and Germany, and a report indicating the U.S. trade deficit had narrowed in December, pointed to...

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AP Source: Hernandez on verge of new deal with M's

SEATTLE (AP) — Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners are working on a $175 million, seven-year contract that would make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball, according to a person with knowledge of the deal's details.The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been completed. USA Today first reported the deal.Seattle would add $134.5...

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Gun violence plans: What's in the works

STORY HIGHLIGHTSConnecticut school massacre prompts a number of proposals in Washington aimed at curbing gun violence They include a ban on assault weapons that insiders say has little chance of getting through CongressSome bipartisan support for proposals to expand background checks around gun purchases Washington (CNN) -- December's school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, has prompted congressional...

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Blizzard begins to slam Northeast

A blizzard blew into the Northeast on Friday, cutting short the workweek for millions who feared being stranded as state officials...

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China, Japan engage in new invective over disputed isles

BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Japan engaged on Friday in a fresh round of invective over military movements near a disputed group of uninhabited islands, fuelling tension that for months has bedeviled relations between the Asian powers. An increasingly muscular China has been repeatedly at odds with others in the region over rival claims to small clusters of islands, most recently with...

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Wall Street falters on euro zone jitters

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "The Avengers," or at least most of the members of the world-saving crew, will assemble on the stage of this year's Academy Awards. Castmates Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo will present an Oscar together, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced Wednesday. Missing in action are Scarlett Johansson, who played...

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Armstrong sued for $12 million bonus

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Dallas promotions company sued Lance Armstrong on Thursday, demanding he repay $12 million in bonuses and fees it paid him for winning the Tour de France.SCA Promotions had tried in a 2005 legal dispute to prove Armstrong cheated to win before it ultimately settled and paid him.Armstrong recently acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency...

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Bring drones out of the shadows?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSJohn Brennan's confirmation hearing is a chance to ask about drone program, author saysSarah Holewinski: Brennan is one of a few officials who knows full story on dronesShe says senators need to ask about damage drone program does to civilians, U.S. reputationHolewinski: CIA should hand over drone program to Defense DepartmentEditor's note: Sarah Holewinski is executive director of...

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Snow to hit evening commute

A freezing rain advisory had barely expired when the National Weather issued a winter storm advisory with up to 4 inches of...

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Iran's Khamenei rebuffs U.S. offer of direct talks

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's highest authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday slapped down an offer of direct talks made by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden last week, saying they would not solve the problem between them. "Some naive people like the idea of negotiating with America, however, negotiations will not solve the problem," Khamenei said in a speech to officials and members of...

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Wall Street pulls back after recent gains

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks drifted lower on Wednesday as investors pulled back after the recent push to five-year highs on the S&P 500 and as worries about political problems in Europe weighed on sentiment. Transportation stocks were among the worst performers, pressured by a 9.7 percent drop in CH Robinson Worldwide to $60.48 after the freight transport company posted a lower-than-expected...

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Should we still fear al Qaeda?

Mali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist...

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