Federal workers feel unease over potential layoffs, furloughs unleashed by ‘fiscal cliff’

Federal employees have been skeptical for months that the biggest cuts to government spending in history could really happen. But with the “fiscal cliff” a week away, workers are now growing increasingly alarmed that their jobs and their missions could be on the line. President Obama and members of Congress headed out of town late last week for a Christmas break without reaching a deal...

Read More..

Tennis: Don't expect miracles, warns returning Nadal

ABU DHABI: Rafael Nadal will make his long-awaited return to tennis after an agonising six-month knee injury battle in the Gulf this week, but has warned he is not expecting any title-winning pyrotechnics.The 26-year-old Spaniard joins world number one Novak Djokovic and third-ranked Andy Murray in the six-player, three-day Mubadala Championships ahead of his return to the ATP circuit...

Read More..

Delhi gang rape case: Sheila Dikshit complains to Shinde over 'interference' by top cops

NEW DELHI: A controversy has erupted over the recording of the statement of the 23-year-old gang rape victim with Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit complaining to home minister Sushilkumar Shinde that senior police officials "interfered" in the process even as she sought a high-level inquiry into it.In a letter to Shinde, Dikshit cited a communication to her by deputy commissioner (East) BM Mishra...

Read More..

Photos: Humboldt Squid Have a Bad Day at the Beach

Photograph by Chris Elmenhurst, Surf the Spot Photography“Strandings have been taking place with increased frequency along the west coast over the past ten years,” noted NOAA’s Field, “as this population of squid seems to be expanding its range—likely a consequence of climate change—and can be very abundant at times.” (Learn about other jumbo squid strandings.)Humboldt squid are typically found in...

Read More..

Newtown Christmas: 'We Know They'll Feel Loved'

People sharing in Newtown's mourning have brought handmade snowflakes and cards to the town, as residents prepare to observe Christmas less than two weeks after a gunman killed 20 children and six educators at an elementary school. Julio Cortez, File/AP Photo U.S. Sends Christmas Wishes to Newtown,...

Read More..

Obama attends Inouye memorial in Hawaii

HONOLULU —President Obama came to a veterans cemetery here on Sunday to honor the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, less as the nation’s top politician and more as a native son of Hawaii paying tribute to his roots. The president had already formally memorialized Inouye (D-Hawaii), who died last week at age 88 after 50 years in the Senate, on Friday at the National Cathedral in Washington. But...

Read More..

Afghan policewoman shoots dead NATO adviser

KABUL: A female Afghan police officer on Monday shot dead a foreign civilian adviser in Kabul police headquarters, officials said, in the first "insider" attack to be carried out by a woman.It is the latest in a series of insider attacks that have seriously undermined trust between NATO forces and their Afghan allies in the fight against hardline Islamist Taliban insurgents.An ISAF spokesman...

Read More..

Gang rape victim critical but stable: Doctors

NEW DELHI: After undergoing a small operation, the 23-year-old gang-rape victim's condition was critical but stable on Monday as doctors continued to monitor her health. Doctors at the Safdarjung Hospital here said the girl is stable but critical and is on ventilator electively. She underwent a "small operation" on Sunday after medical examination suggested fluid collection in her abdomen. The victim's...

Read More..

Pictures: Fungi Get Into the Holiday Spirit

Photograph courtesy Stephanie Mounaud, J. Craig Venter InstituteMounaud combined different fungi to create a Santa hat and spell out a holiday message.Different fungal grow at different rates, so Mounaud's artwork rarely lasts for long. There's only a short window of time when they actually look like what they're suppose to."You do have to keep that in perspective when you're making these creations,"...

Read More..

Get 'em While You Can? Gun Sales Soar

The National Rifle Association may still get its way and defeat the lawmakers calling for a ban on the sale of assault ridles, but some gun store owners say it seems their customers aren't taking any chances."We have never seen anything like this," said Larry Hyatt, who owns a gun shop in Charlotte, N.C. "We have the Christmas business, the hunting season business, and now we...

Read More..