Van-sized space rock is a cosmic oddball

The shattered remains of a high-profile space rock are oddly low in organic materials, the raw ingredients for life. The discovery adds a slight wrinkle to the theory that early Earth was seeded with organics by meteorite impacts. In April a...

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Football: We must remain focused: Duric

BANGKOK: Thanks to Baihakki Khaizan's late strike sealing a 3-1 win for Singapore over Thailand in the first leg of the ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup final on December 19, it now appears that the Lions have one hand firmly on the trophy.But forward Aleksandar Duric has declared that there is absolutely no room for thoughts like that in the Singapore camp.The 22-man squad arrived...

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Mayans don't buy it

STORY HIGHLIGHTSSome believe a major calamity will occur Friday based on the Mayan calendarThe Mayans don't think that's true: "It's an era," a Mayan wood carver saysThe end of the winter solstice marks the end of a 394-year period on the calendarPredictions mention a deity but not the end of the world, an archeologist saysMerida, Mexico (CNN) -- There may be no one left on Earth to say TGIF this...

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House GOP: We have the votes for "Plan B"

Play VideoCantor: "We're going to have the votes" to pass "Plan B"Updated 1:45 p.m. ETAs the House readies for an expected vote on an alternate plan, dubbed "Plan B," to avoid massive tax hikes on all income earners, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said he is confident he will have enough support to pass their plan. "We're going to have the votes," Cantor told reporters this morning. "Plan...

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Obama Launches Gun-Violence Task Force

Five days after deadliest elementary school shooting in U.S. history, President Obama said his administration plans immediate action early next year on proposals to curb an "epidemic of gun violence."At a morning news conference, Obama announced the formation of a task force to be headed by Vice President Joe Biden that will formulate a package of policy recommendations by January."The...

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Today on New Scientist: 19 December 2012

Cassini captures spectacle in Saturn's shadow Saturn blocks out the sun to reveal its rings in all their splendour in this image from the Cassini spacecraftFabricated future: The sceptic's guide to 3D printing 3D printing is a revolutionary technology, but never mind the hype, says MacGregor Campbell - it will make its impact in unexpected waysBest videos of 2012: Soap bubbles create 3D display...

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Qantas-Emirates alliance gets conditional approval

SYDNEY: Australia's competition watchdog on Thursday gave its draft approval to a global alliance between struggling carrier Qantas and Dubai-based Emirates, but only for five years initially.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the benefits, which will see the carriers coordinating ticket prices and flight schedules, would likely outweigh reduced competition...

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Obama pledges action on guns

STORY HIGHLIGHTSObama vows to push "without delay" a set of proposals that will be due by JanuaryNo single law or set of laws can prevent gun violence, the president saysNewtown United is holding an open meeting on "sensible gun legislation" There are burials for 3 students and a teacher and calling hours for the principal Wednesday Watch CNN's LIVE TV coverage of the Connecticut elementary school...

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ATF agent's gun found at Mexican crime scene

CBS News has learned that two guns found in the area of a recent Mexican drug cartel shootout have been linked to Fast and Furious: One trafficked by a suspect in the case, and the other purchased by a federal agent. Mexican beauty queen Susana Flores Maria Gamez and four others died in the brutal gun battle between Sinaloa cartel members and the Mexican military in November. CBS News has learned...

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Can Cops Read Shooter's Sabotaged Computer?

Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter Adam Lanza may have tried to sabotage his own computer before going on a murderous rampage that claimed the lives of 20 children, but experienced investigators said today that law enforcement forensic experts could still recover critical evidence from the damaged drives.Connecticut State Police Lt. Paul Vance revealed Monday that a computer...

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