Politics

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A U.S. Capitol Police officer comes out of the room where Gen. David Petraeus is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee about the Benghazi attack at the U.S. Capitol on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. The general was expected to say that he knew the attack was terror-based from the beginning. Security was tight in the Capitol complex, and the media were not allowed in the hearing rooms. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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** FILE ** This June 28, 2012, file photo shows Florida Gov. Rick Scott in Tallahassee, Fla. From the South to the heartland, cracks are appearing in the once-solid wall of Republican resistance to President Barack Obama's health care law. One of the most visible opponents of Obama's overhaul, Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott, now says: "if I can get to yes, I want to get to yes." (AP Photo/Steve Cannon, File)

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Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda stands still as Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, second left, and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, right, raise hands and shout banzai, or long live, after he dissolved the lower house of parliament in Tokyo Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

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Smoke rises following an Israeli attack on Gaza City, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

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A Palestinian fires his rifle during the funeral of Hamas’ top military commander, who was assassinated in an Israeli strike on Wednesday. The assault killed 10 other Palestinians, including two children and seven militants, and threatened further escalation. (Associated Press)

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Israeli security personnel take cover in Kiryat Malachi on Thursday after three Israelis were killed in a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. The escalation in warfare on both sides threatens to deepen a bruising Israeli air, naval and artillery offensive against Palestinian rocket squads. (Associated Press)

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the army is prepared for a “significant widening” of its operation in the Gaza Strip. He told reporters that Israel won’t tolerate continued rocket fire on its civilians. (Associated Press)

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D.C. Council member Mary M. Cheh, Ward 3 Democrat, says the legislation that passed a first reading Thursday hits a “sweet spot” in reconciling the city’s oversight of taxis, sedans and limousines. Many D.C. taxi drivers think the upstart companies should play by the same rules as the city’s cab fleet. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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Sen. Tom Coburn released a report Thursday arguing that there are billions of dollars to be cut from the Pentagon by eliminating spending or shifting services to civilian agencies. (Associated Press)

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, followed by fellow California Democrat Rep. Grace Napolitano, emerges from a closed caucus meeting Wednesday as lawmakers try to avoid a “fiscal cliff.” (Associated Press)