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2:59 am
Tue January 1, 2013

Multiple Feuds Bring A Record Year Of Violence To Karachi

Originally published on Wed February 13, 2013 10:35 am

The sad truth about Karachi in 2012 was that whatever your religion, business affiliation, or political party, someone was willing to kill you for it.

The murder rate in Pakistan's largest city and commercial hub hit an all time high last year. Over 2,500 people died in violent crimes in Karachi in 2012, a 50 percent increase over the year before.

Most of the deaths were attributable to sectarian killings and score settling. Shia Muslims took on the brunt of the violence. But Sunni Muslims were killed in reprisal attacks that added to the tally.

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Business
2:57 am
Tue January 1, 2013

New Year Brings Minimum Wage Hikes In 10 States

Credit iStockphoto.com
Rhode Island's minimum wage will increase from $7.40 to $7.75.

Originally published on Tue January 8, 2013 2:23 pm

On Tuesday, the minimum wage in 10 states will increase by anywhere from a dime to 35 cents.

For all of the states but one, the pay hikes are part of automatic adjustments designed to keep up with the cost of living.

In Rhode Island, it took a state law to raise the minimum wage for the first time in five years.

Rising Wages Vs. Rising Prices

Cafe Zog in Providence is a cozy, quirky place where you can grab a coffee and bagel to go, or nab a booth then head to the counter to order a hot breakfast.

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Business
2:56 am
Tue January 1, 2013

Rift With China Clouds Solar Industry's Future

Credit Lauren Sommer for NPR
Solar panels come off the line at SunPower's solar manufacturing plant near San Jose, Calif.

Originally published on Tue January 1, 2013 9:44 am

It's been a banner year for solar energy. The United States is on track to install a record number of solar power systems — thanks in large part to low-cost solar panels from China. That's been challenging for American manufacturers, and federal officials have put trade tariffs on Chinese panels.

Things look busy at the SunPower solar manufacturing plant in Silicon Valley. Workers are screwing frames onto shiny, 6-foot solar panels as they come off the line.

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Business
2:40 am
Tue January 1, 2013

'Fiscal Cliff' Statement From President Obama

Originally published on Wed January 2, 2013 11:16 am

The White House released this statement from President Obama at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday:

Leaders from both parties in the Senate came together to reach an agreement that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support today that protects 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small business owners from a middle class tax hike. While neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, this agreement is the right thing to do for our country and the House should pass it without delay.

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It's All Politics
6:03 pm
Mon December 31, 2012

Chief Justice John Roberts On Fiscal Woes: Don't Look At Us

Credit Ann Wilkins / AP
Chief Justice John Roberts speaks in Farmington, Pa., in June.

Originally published on Mon December 31, 2012 6:22 pm

Chief Justice John Roberts wants everyone to know the federal judiciary is doing its part to keep down government costs. Roberts used his year-end report on the state of the courts to point out that the judicial branch consumes "a miniscule portion of the federal budget" — about $7 billion in fiscal year 2012, or two-tenths of 1 percent of the total government budget.

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