Mars Rover Detects Simple Organic Compounds

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has detected several simple carbon-based organic compounds on Mars, but it remains unclear whether they were formed via Earthly contamination or whether they contain only elements indigenous to the planet.Speaking at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting in San Francisco, Curiosity mission leaders also said that the compound perchlorate—identified...

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Insiders Reveal 2012 Election Secrets

Pete Souza/White HouseThe 2012 election cycle came full circle last week when representatives from the Obama and Romney campaigns, as well as top advisers to many of the GOP primary candidates and several influential outside groups, gathered at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government for a 2012 debrief — finally answering some of the lingering questions about the race.On neutral ground in Cambridge,...

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Netball: Singapore pick up second victory in Nations Cup

SINGAPORE: Singapore picked up its second victory at the Netball Nations Cup on Monday.The hosts defeated the Republic of Ireland 54-34 at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall.Singapore narrowly beat Malaysia 44-42 on Sunday.But it was an easier task against the Republic of Ireland, the lowest ranked team in the six-nation tournament.The Singapore girls took control early and led all the way.The...

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Cauvery water issue: Tamil Nadu says centre soft on Karnataka

NEW DELHI: Since Karnataka is heading for assembly elections in 2013, the central government may not be pushing it hard to release Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court was told by a counsel on Monday."Karnataka elections are there. No direction will be given (to Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu)," Tamil Nadu's senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan told the apex court bench of Justice...

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Photos: Kilauea Lava Reaches the Sea

Into the Sea Photograph by Hugh Gentry, ReutersA spectacular natural phenomenon was on display early this week as lava from a vent in Hawaii's Kilauea volcano flowed into...

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Will Mortgage Deduction Survive Fiscal Cliff?

When politicians talk about closing tax loopholes, it seems like they're targeting greedy corporations. But they're also talking about Jaclyn Picarillo, 33, mom of two and American homeowner.The home mortgage interest tax deduction is one of the biggest tax breaks available and it allows individuals to deduct the interest they pay to their mortgage company.It has encouraged...

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Starbucks to review British tax arrangements

LONDON: Global coffee giant Starbucks said Sunday it was reviewing its tax affairs in Britain after it took a roasting from lawmakers and campaigners who accuse the chain of paying too little.The Seattle-based firm admitted that "we need to do more" although it would not confirm a report in Britain's Sunday Times newspaper that it will promise this week to increase the amount of corporation...

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FDI in retail to safeguard international market mafias' interest: BJP

ANI Dec 1, 2012, 03.28PM ISTNEW DELHI: India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today said retail reform is a step taken by the Congress led-federal government to safeguard the interests of the international market mafias at the cost of national interest. BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Saturday that voting inside the parliament would decide as to who is in favour of national...

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Photos: Kilauea Lava Reaches the Sea

Into the Sea Photograph by Hugh Gentry, ReutersA spectacular natural phenomenon was on display early this week as lava from a vent in Hawaii's Kilauea volcano flowed into...

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Geithner on Fiscal Cliff: Ball Is in GOP's Court

Dec 2, 2012 9:00am (ABC News)With the fiscal cliff looming and no deal to resolve it in sight, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner expressed confidence that a compromise could be reached during my interview with him on “This Week,” but said the burden is now on Republicans to help find a solution to avoid a potential economic crisis.(More from Sunday’s show HERE.)“I...

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