China newspaper publishes after deal ends standoff

GUANGZHOU, China (AP) — An influential weekly newspaper whose staff rebelled to protest heavy-handed censorship by China's government officials published as normal Thursday after a compromise that called for relaxing some intrusive controls but left lingering ill-will among some reporters and editors.The latest edition of the Southern Weekly bore no hints of the dispute that erupted last week over...

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US missiles kill 5 suspected militants in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan intelligence officials say U.S. drone-fired missiles have hit a house in the country's northwest tribal region, killing five suspected militants.The officials say the attack occurred Thursday in a village near Mir Ali, one of the main towns in the North Waziristan tribal area, the main sanctuary for Taliban and al-Qaida militants in Pakistan.The officials spoke...

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Report: Armstrong weighs doping admission

AUSTIN, Texas - The New York Times reported Friday that Lance Armstrong, who has strongly denied the doping charges that led to him being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, has told associates he is considering admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.The report cited anonymous sources and said Armstrong was considering a confession to help restore his athletic career in triathlons...

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If Lance Armstrong is coming clean, he owes hundreds of apologies to those he bullied

So now, according to the New York Times, Lance Armstrong is considering coming clean and admitting the entire thing was a lie; that he did indeed use performance-enhancing drugs and blood transfusions to win all those Tour de France titles. And this would be news to … um, anyone? Certainly not the anti-doping officials and cycling administrators who the Times reports Armstrong...

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Report: Lance Armstrong weighs doping admission

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The New York Times reported Friday that Lance Armstrong, who has strongly denied the doping charges that led to him being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, has told associates he is considering admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.The report cited anonymous sources and said Armstrong was considering a confession to help restore his athletic career in...

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Pennies over patriotism? Stars move to tax havens

 France's Socialist government is introducing a 75-percent income tax on those earning over €1 million ($1.3 million), leading some of the country's rich and famous to set up residency in less fiscally demanding countries.Here's a look at some big names in France and elsewhere whose changes of address over the years have meant lighter taxes.DEPARTING DEPARDIEUThe French prime minister has accused...

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State tax revenues continue growing in third quarter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - State tax revenues have grown for more than two years, but they are still suffering the effects of the 2007-2009 recession, according to a report released by the Rockefeller Institute of Government on Thursday.Using preliminary data, the New York research group found that collection from major taxes increased in 47 states in the third quarter of 2012 from a year before, marking...

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Muni tax break under threat from bipartisan scrutiny in congress

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The tax break that U.S. states, cities and counties get on the bonds they issue is in growing jeopardy now that Republicans, in addition to Democrats, are considering limits on the exemption.As part of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations to raise more federal government tax revenue, Republican lawmakers have joined Democrats in reevaluating the costly tax break, said Republican...

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Cricket-South Africa beat New Zealand by an innings and 27 runs

CAPE TOWN, Jan 4 (Reuters) - South Africa beat New Zealand by an innings and 27 runs on the third day of the first test on Friday.Scores: New Zealand 45 (V. Philander 5-7) and 275 (D. Brownlie 109, B. McCullum 51); South Africa 347 for eight declared (A. Petersen 106, A.B. de Villiers 67, H. Amla 66, J. Kallis 60). (Reporting by Michael Todt; Editing by John Mehaff...

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Cricket-South Africa v New Zealand 1st test scoreboard

CAPE TOWN, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Scoreboard on the third day ofthe first test between South Africa and New Zealand at Newlandson Friday.New Zealand first innings 45 (V. Philander 5-7)South Africa first innings 347 for eight declared(A.Petersen 106, H.Amla 66, J.Kallis 60, AB de Villiers 67)New Zealand second inningsM. Guptill c Amla b Steyn 0B. McCullum lbw b Peterson 51K. Williamson c Petersen b Kallis...

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