[U.S.] Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf dies at 78

Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf dies at 78
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/bush-powell-react-death-schwarzkopf-article-1.1228668
The four-star general and commander of a U.S.-led international coalition drove Saddam Hussein's forces out of Kuwait in 1991 in the Persian Gulf War, but the retired general kept a low public profile in controversies over the war against Iraq that began in ...

Obama Summons Congress Leaders as Budget Deadline Nears
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/27/168166271/white-house-to-host-congressional-leaders-friday-for-fiscal-deadline-talks
President Barack Obama summoned congressional leaders to a White House meeting three days before a year-end deadline to avoid $600 billion in spending cuts and tax increases as lawmakers gave little sign they intend to act together on a budget plan.

200 Utah teachers take free firearms training class
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/27/3983405/gun-group-offers-training-for.html
SALT LAKE CITY - Gun-rights advocates in Utah offered six hours of training Thursday in handling concealed weapons for hundreds of Utah teachers in the wake of the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut.

Woman set up fake Sandy Hook funeral fund, police say
http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-woman-posed-as-aunt-of-newtown-victim-20121228-2byk4.html
HARTFORD, Conn. - A New York City woman has been arrested by federal authorities who say she tried to scam donors by posing as a relative of one of the children killed at a Connecticut elementary school.

Ocean shipping lanes near San Francisco changed to protect whales
http://www.skynews.com.au/eco/article.aspx?id=830672
Shipping lanes that carry about 20 cargo and cruise vessels a day in and out of San Francisco Bay are being revised in an effort to reduce fatal collisions with whales, federal officials said Thursday.

Hobby Lobby vs Obamacare
http://tv.msnbc.com/2012/12/26/supreme-court-to-companies-yes-you-have-to-cover-contraception/
By Lisa Sylvester (CNN)-Hobby Lobby is a chain of craft stores that started as a mom and pop shop in Oklahoma City. It has grown to a 2 billion dollar operation with 525 outlets across the country.

No deal in sight as deadline for fiscal deal nears
http://swampland.time.com/2012/12/27/obama-back-from-hawaii-congress-bickers-on-cliff/
A last-gasp effort Thursday to avoid automatic tax increases and spending cuts got off on the same convulsive, partisan tone that marked congressional attempts to resolve the impasse before lawmakers left Washington to go home for Christmas.