December 3, 2012 in Features on Page C1 Mike Altman was fending off a phone scammer. The caller sounded like someone for whom English was a second language.

December 3, 2012 in Features on Page C1 Science often advances by fits and starts. And sometimes new discoveries lurk in dusty old drawers of samples. Such was the case at Harvard University where for about 50 years …

December 3, 2012 in Features on Page C2 Dear Annie: When my husband and I travel, we often spend a couple of days with friends or family. One night during our stay, we usually go out to dinner. …

December 3, 2012 in Features on Page C2 DEAR MISS MANNERS: Upon opening what I thought would be a wedding invitation from good friends, I found, printed on very nice stationery: “Our wedding is coming but oh, what …

December 3, 2012 in Features on Page C2 For 12-03-2012

December 3, 2012 in Features on Page C3 Denis Leary is scheduled on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) … Punch Brothers appear on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) … Kate Walsh guest-hosts “Chelsea Lately” …

December 3, 2012 in Obituaries on Page O1 Dec. 16, 1924 - Nov. 29, 2012

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World WASHINGTON (AP) — The bacterial zoo inside your gut could look very different if you’re a vegetarian or an Atkins dieter, a couch potato or an athlete, fat or thin. …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are proposing a “fiscal cliff” plan that revives ideas from failed budget talks with President Barack Obama last year, calling for raising the eligibility age for …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked California from enforcing a first-of-its-kind law that bars licensed psychotherapists from working to change the sexual orientations of gay …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about Tuesday: 1. SYRIA’S CHEMICAL WEAPONS GET FRESH SCRUTINY

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World SAN DIEGO (AP) — The killing of a U.S. Coast Guardsman whose crew was chasing a vessel suspected of being laden with drugs appears to be the latest example of …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World WASHINGTON (AP) — Schoolteachers should have to pass a stringent exam — much like the bar exam for lawyers — before being allowed to enter the profession, one of the …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved President Barack Obama’s choice to be the top commander in Afghanistan. By voice vote Monday, lawmakers cleared the way for Gen. Joseph Dunford, …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — The military’s highest court ousted the judge in the Fort Hood shooting case Monday and threw out his order to have the suspect’s beard forcibly … 1

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World PAULSBORO, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey bridge where a train derailed last week, releasing a hazardous chemical into the air, had a series of rail alignment problems leading up …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A federal Homeland Security Department official says a dinosaur skull seized from a Wyoming home is related to an investigation into fossil smuggling from Mongolia. Louis …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World WASHINGTON (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo emerged Monday from meetings with top Obama administration officials and congressional leaders “optimistic” that Congress will act quickly to provides tens of …

December 3, 2012 in Nation/World CHICAGO (AP) — The grizzled Chicago Democrat has compared himself to a virile hog, likened a then-chief prosecutor to a Nazi and bragged about directing government investigators to kiss his … 1