House passes $50.7 billion Sandy relief bill

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2012, file photo, a man walks with his dog to a National Guard vehicle after leaving his flooded home at the Metropolitan Trailer Park in Moonachie, N.J., in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. The storm drove New York and New Jersey residents from their homes, destroyed belongings and forced them to find shelter for themselves - and for their pets, said owners, who recounted tales...

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Sandy Aid Clears Huge Hurdle in Congress

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)Seventy-nine days after Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Northeast, the House of Representatives voted this evening to approve about $50 billion of additional relief for the region pounded by the storm.The measure passed 241-180, mostly behind Democratic support, winning 49 votes from Republicans and 192 votes from Democrats. Just one Democrat opposed the legislation, while...

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Asian stocks rise after Fed comments

HONG KONG: Asian shares were mostly higher Tuesday after US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke reassured markets that easing measures were set to stay in place, with Tokyo leading regional bourses higher.Traders also mulled a warning from US President Barack Obama to Republican rivals not to delay raising the debt ceiling, as the next budget fight took shape in Washington following the...

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Clarence Thomas ends seven-year silence

By Bill Mears, CNN Supreme Court Producerupdated 8:17 PM EST, Mon January 14, 2013Clarence ThomasJohn G. RobertsAntonin ScaliaAnthony M. KennedyRuth Bader GinsburgStephen G. BreyerSamuel A. Alito Jr.Sonia SotomayorElena KaganSTORY HIGHLIGHTSClarence Thomas known for remaining quiet during oral argumentsOn Monday, he joked about lawyers educated at Yale, his alma materCurrent Supreme Court known as...

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Hillary Clinton to testify on Benghazi Jan. 23

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will testify Jan. 23 before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the deadly Sept. 11 assault on the U.S. mission in Libya. That's the word from Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the panel. He said in a statement late Monday that Clinton will answer questions about the raid that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi. Clinton...

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Armstrong Admits Doping in Tour, Sources Say

Lance Armstrong today admitted to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France, sources told ABC News.A goverment source tells ABC News that Armstrong is now talking with authorities about paying back some of the US Postal Service money from sponsoring his team. He is also talking to authorities about confessing and naming names, giving up...

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Venezuelan officials send mixed messages on Chavez

CARACAS: Officials sent mixed signals Sunday about the condition of cancer-stricken Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, fueling growing political uncertainty in the oil-rich country.Chavez, who has not been seen in public for more than a month, is "fighting for his life," former vice president Elias Jaua said."The situation is complex and delicate, but it is true that Hugo Chavez has fought...

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Fleischer: Hagel is wrong about Israel

Former Sen. Chuck Hagel was nominated by President Obama for defense secretary.STORY HIGHLIGHTSIn 2006, Hagel said 'the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here'Ari Fleischer: The support for Israel isn't because of 'intimidation,' but meritPolls show most Americans view Israel favorably, but don't support Iran or PalestiniansFleischer: Israel is a steady friend of the U.S. and a tolerant...

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Lawrence, Hathaway, Waltz win acting Globes

Updated 10:15 p.m. ET Jennifer Lawrence has won a lead-actress Golden Globe for the oddball romance "Silver Linings Playbook," while supporting-acting prizes went to Christoph Waltz for the slave-revenge tale "Django Unchained" and Anne Hathaway for the musical "Les Miserables." 72 PhotosGolden Globes 2013 red carpetThe wins at Sunday's ceremony firm up their prospects for Hollywood's top honors...

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Golden Globes Live Blog: Lewis, Chastain Win

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler: The women of the night. Credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/AP Photo.10:51 p.m. ET: And best actor in a drama award goes to … Daniel Day-Lewis for “Lincoln.” “Are you sure there’s room for another ex-president on the stage?” he jokes.10:48 p.m. ET: Jessica Chastain wins for “Zero Dark Thirty.” She calls out director Kathryn Bigelow: “I can’t help but compare my...

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