Boehner willing to talk tax rates for wealthy, source says
President Barack Obama, House Speaker John Boehner and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner at a November meeting.
December 15th, 2012
09:23 PM ET
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Boehner willing to talk tax rates for wealthy, source says

House Speaker John Boehner has offered to include higher tax rates on the wealthiest Americans as part of a deficit-reduction deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, a source close to the talks confirmed to CNN on Saturday.

The latest twist in the negotiations, first reported by Politico, indicates a possible breakthrough in the protracted efforts to forge a deal to reduce the nation's chronic federal deficits and debt.

According to the source, who spoke on condition of not being identified further, Boehner proposed allowing tax rates on income over $1 million to return to higher rates of the 1990s while extending current reduced rates for all income up to that threshold.

However, Boehner's spokesman said no deal had been reached, though communication continues with the White House.

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Filed under: Economy • Politics • Taxes
December 15th, 2012
08:09 PM ET
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'Our hearts go out' to victims' families, Newtown gunman's father says

Peter Lanza, father of Connecticut school shooting gunman Adam Lanza, released a statement Saturday expressing condolences to the families of victims.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends who lost loved ones and to all those who were injured," Peter Lanza said. "Our family is grieving along with all those who have been affected by this enormous tragedy.

"No words can truly express how heartbroken we are. We are in a state of disbelief and trying to find whatever answers we can. We too are asking why. We have cooperated fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so. Like so many of you, we are saddened, but struggling to make sense of what has transpired.”

Police say Adam Lanza, 20, opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on Friday morning, killing 20 students and six adults. Lanza also died at the school, authorities said.

Police also say Lanza's mother, Nancy Lanza, was killed at her house in Newtown before the school rampage began.
Filed under: Connecticut • Crime
Kids slain at Connecticut school were 6, 7
December 15th, 2012
07:54 PM ET
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Kids slain at Connecticut school were 6, 7

  • 20 children, six adults and the shooter are dead after shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on Friday morning
  • Three law enforcement officials say Adam Lanza, 20, was the shooter, and that he died apparently by his own hand
  • Law enforcement officials say Lanza killed his mother, Nancy, at her Newtown home before going to the school
  • Victims' names released Saturday; all of the slain children were either 6 or 7 years old
  • Complete coverage: Connecticut school shooting

[Updated at 7:54 p.m. ET] Peter Lanza, father of alleged gunman Adam Lanza, released a statement Saturday expressing condolences to the families of victims.

"Our family is grieving along with all those who have been affected by this enormous tragedy. No words can truly express how heartbroken we are. We are in a state of disbelief and trying to find whatever answers we can," said the statement.

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Filed under: Connecticut • Crime • U.S.
December 15th, 2012
07:18 PM ET
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Source: Obama to nominate Kerry for secretary of state

U.S. President Barack Obama will nominate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts as the next secretary of state, a Democrat who spoke with Kerry told CNN.

The source also said Obama's announcement could come as early as this week.

If confirmed by the Senate, Kerry would replace current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who plans to leave her post within the administration.

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Filed under: Politics • Uncategorized
Hillary Clinton faints, suffers concussion
December 15th, 2012
12:28 PM ET
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Hillary Clinton faints, suffers concussion

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sustained a concussion after becoming dehydrated and fainting, a State Department official said.

Clinton had been suffering from a stomach virus at the time, according to a statement on Saturday from Philippe Reines, deputy assistant secretary of state.

She is being monitored by doctors and is recovering at home. She was never hospitalized, Reines said.

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Filed under: Hillary Clinton • Politics