Cousin Sam: In the news, Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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from KHQ.com

Cliff Deal Won't Help Most Americans

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from New York Times

Clinton Out of Hospital After Treatment for Clot

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from Space.com (& CollectSpace)

The Boldest Mars Missions in History
Earth has been sending probes to Mars for decades, but some missions stand above the rest.

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from The Spokesman-Review

Congress OKs cliff deal, signaling future fights

’Fiscal cliff’ deal sends markets shooting higher

Despite deal, taxes to rise for most Americans

Nation avoids ‘fiscal cliff’
House approves bill 257-167; Obama accepts it

Kansas wants sperm donor to pay child support

Brain on fructose doesn’t register feeling full, study finds
Glucose produces different results

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In brief: From Wire Reports

N.Y. lawmakers upset Sandy aid omitted

WASHINGTON – New York area-lawmakers in both parties erupted in anger late Tuesday night after learning the House Republican leadership decided to allow the current term of Congress to end without holding a vote on aide for victims of Superstorm Sandy.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said he was told by the office of Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia that plans were to abandon a vote. In remarks on the House floor, King called the decision “absolutely inexcusable, absolutely indefensible. We cannot just walk away from our responsibilities.”

The Senate approved a $60.4 billion measure Friday to help with recovery from the October storm that devastated parts of New York, New Jersey and nearby states. The House Appropriations Committee has drafted a $27 billion measure, and a vote had been expected before Congress’ term ends Thursday.

National park in California approved

WASHINGTON – Pinnacles National Monument in central California is set to become the 59th national park under a bill headed to President Barack Obama’s desk.

The Pinnacles National Park Act cleared the Senate during Sunday’s rare session. The House approved the bill in July.

The act is aimed at raising the national profile of the Soledad-area site, which President Theodore Roosevelt designated a monument in 1908. The 26,000-acre site has played a critical role in the recovery of the California condor.

Clashes erupt in West Bank

TAMOUN, West Bank – An arrest raid by undercover Israeli soldiers disguised as vegetable vendors ignited rare clashes in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, residents said, leaving at least 10 Palestinians wounded.

The clashes began early Tuesday after Israeli forces disguised as merchants in a vegetable truck arrested one man. Regular army forces then entered the town, prompting youths to hurl rocks to try to prevent more arrests.

Israeli forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition as youths set tires and bins on fire to block the passage of military vehicles. In several hours of clashes, dozens of masked youths hid behind makeshift barriers, hurling rocks and firebombs at soldiers.

Faris Bisharat, a resident of Tamoun, said 10 men were wounded, some by live fire. Bisharat said the wanted men belong to Islamic Jihad, a violent group sworn to Israel’s destruction.

Hong Kong leader decried

HONG KONG – Tens of thousands of people marched in Hong Kong to call for the city’s Beijing-backed leader to step down over allegations he was untruthful about illegal renovations at his mansion and to press for full democracy.

Police said 26,000 people joined the march at its peak Tuesday while organizers said 130,000 took part.

They carried banners and chanted slogans urging Leung Chun-ying to resign.

Fires rip South Africa shacks

JOHANNESBURG – South African media said three people died and 4,000 were displaced when fires swept through shacks in poor settlements in the Cape Town area on New Year’s Day.

Citing disaster management officials, the South African Press Association said the blazes broke out in Khayelitsha and Thembeni, densely populated areas where many residents live in makeshift homes.

Starbucks plans to add tea bars to Teavana

SEATTLE – Starbucks Corp. said Monday it completed its $620 million purchase of Teavana Holdings Inc., which sells high-end loose-leaf teas.

Teavana has locations in about 300 shopping malls, and Starbucks plans to set up stand-alone stores around the world and add tea bars where customers can buy hot and cold drinks. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said the company would “do for tea what it did for coffee.”

Starbucks agreed to buy the Atlanta company on Nov. 14, valuing Teavana at $15.50 per share. That was a 53-percent premium to the latest closing price of Teavana stock.

Starbucks says Teavana will add a penny per share to its fiscal 2013 earnings.

On Monday Starbucks shares rose 99 cents to $53.63, and Teavana shares gained a penny to close at $15.50.

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Same-sex couples marry in Maryland
Measure was passed on November ballot

Gunmen kill five teachers
Pakistan attack also claims two health workers

D.C. killings down in ’12
Fewer than 100 homicides recorded in nation’s capital

Syrian city’s airport closes
Opponents of Assad trying to blunt military’s air power

Stampede follows fireworks, killing 61
Government put on show to mark Ivory Coast peace