Stock futures little changed with "cliff" talks to resume

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Thursday with legislators due to return to Washington to restart negotiations over the "fiscal cliff". President Barack Obama will attempt to make another push to resume talks on the cliff, a series of tax hikes and spending cuts set to begin on January 1 which may tip the economy into a recession, on Thursday after...

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Peyton Manning, Peterson make Pro Bowl

NEW YORK (AP) — Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson want to cap their sensational comebacks with Super Bowl appearances. For now, they can be proud of Pro Bowl spots.So can Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, one of two rookies chosen Wednesday for the Jan. 27 NFL all-star game.Manning missed all of the 2011 season with neck and back problems that required several operations. He then signed with...

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Look to MADD to change gun culture

STORY HIGHLIGHTSCandace Lightner: After my daughter was killed by a drunk driver, I started MADD Lightner: MADD radically changed our society's view toward drunk driving She says those who want to change our gun culture can look to MADD's strategy Lightner: Engage the media and harness the support that is pouring inEditor's note: Candace Lightner is the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. (CNN)...

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Britain’s royal family attends Christmas services

LONDON (AP) — Britain‘s royal family is attending Christmas Day church services — with a few notable absences.Wearing a turquoise coat and matching hat, Queen Elizabeth II arrived at St. Mary Magdelene Church on her sprawling Sandringham estate in Norfolk. She was accompanied in a Bentley by granddaughters Beatrice and Eugenie.Her husband, Prince Philip, walked from the house to the church with other...

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China consumers driving economic rebound: survey

BEIJING (Reuters) – China‘s consumers are leading an uneven recovery in the world’s second biggest economy that has retailers expecting stronger sales in six months, early results of a national survey showed on Wednesday.The China Beige Book survey of more than 2,000 executives revealed that the retail sector had the strongest revenue growth and business expectations in the fourth quarter of 2012.The...

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Marketing Pioneer Rich Gorman Sounds Off on Facebook/Foursquare Showdown

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – Dec 26, 2012) – Online marketing guru Rich Gorman points out that, earlier this year, the popular app Foursquare made a major leap forward from its early days as a “check-in” service, incorporating local search functions that effectively make it a key player in local discovery apps — and a direct competitor with other services based on local shopping and business listings,...

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China consumers driving economic rebound: survey

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's consumers are leading an uneven recovery in the world's second biggest economy that has retailers expecting stronger sales in six months, early results of a national survey showed on Wednesday. The China Beige Book survey of more than 2,000 executives revealed that the retail sector had the strongest revenue growth and business expectations in the fourth quarter...

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James leads Heat over Thunder in Finals rematch

MIAMI (AP) — Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined to score 54 points, more than any set of teammates had managed in a game against Miami all season.Oklahoma City needed them to score at least three more.That didn't happen, and an NBA Finals rematch went just as last year's title series did — to the Heat.LeBron James had 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, Dwyane Wade scored 21, and...

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Six political lessons of 2012

2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The...

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Former South African president Mandela “much better”: Zuma

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Former South African president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela is looking much better after more than two weeks in hospital, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.Zuma, who visited Mandela on Christmas Day, said in a statement that doctors were happy with the progress the elder statesman was making.“We found him in good spirits. He was happy to have visitors on this...

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