Politics

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An agreement on extending the farm bill, a package of price protections and subsidies for farmers, would mean Mitzie Krivach of Johnstown, Pa., and millions of other Americans won’t have to face the prospect of paying $7 for a gallon of milk. The bill awaits a vote in the House. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrat, indicated that the House could vote on it as early as Sunday evening. (Johnstown, Pa., Tribune-Democrat via Associated Press)

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“You can’t point to a time when Congress has been this reluctant to pass farm legislation,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Sunday morning on CNN’s “State of the Union.” (Associated Press)

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“You can’t just go out checking everybody in sight with the prospect of that maybe there’s someone who’s done something wrong.” - Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat. (Associated Press)

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George Washington's Dwayne Smith (00) had 10 points and five rebounds in only 14 minutes Sunday, a 77-38 win over Sacred Heart. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

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Maryland routed Delaware State 79-50 on Sunday, a game in which power forward Charles Mitchell scored 19 points and notched 14 rebounds. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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Awaiting word for Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to take effect amid the Civil War, many black churches on Dec. 31, 1862, started the tradition of Watch Night services. The tradition Monday will continue with a special midnight display at the National Archives. (Associated Press)

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An Afghan police officer stands guard at the border crossing with Pakistan on Saturday east of Kabul. Violence in Afghanistan fell in 2012, but insider killings by uniformed Afghans against their foreign allies rose dramatically. (Associated Press)

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Free Syrian Army fighters fire at enemy positions during clashes with government forces in the Salaheddine district of Aleppo on Saturday. A U.N. envoy warns 100,000 Syrians could be killed next year if fighting continues. (Associated Press)

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Chuck Hagel, a potential nominee for defense secretary, called the 2007 troop surge in Iraq a “blunder” and advocated talks with Iran with no strings attached. (Associated Press)

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At times funny, at other times puzzling, actor-director Clint Eastwood addressed an imaginary President Obama sitting in a chair during an appearance at the Republican National Convention. (Associated Press)

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Rep. W. Todd Akin of Missouri ignited a firestorm of criticism over his comments on rape. (Associated Press)

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Vice President Joseph R. Biden (left) caused a stir of his own with his chuckles and interruptions during a televised debate with Rep. Paul Ryan, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s running mate. (Associated Press)

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President Obama speaks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington after meeting with congressional leaders regarding the "fiscal cliff" on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)