U.S. Top News: Bargain-hungry shoppers buy less on weekend before Christmas

	Click to View in Browser 12/23/2013 Bargain-hungry shoppers buy less on weekend before Christmas ELMHURST, New York (Reuters) - U.S. consumers shopped less on the final weekend before Christmas despite deeper discounts, the latest sign of how difficult a season this is turning out to be for retailers. Winter weather kills seven; record highs in New York, Philadelphia (Reuters) - A band of severe weather from tornadoes to icy blasts left at least seven people dead as winter storms and severe weather pushed up the East Coast on Sunday, bringing record high temperatures to Philadelphia and New York City but ice storms to parts of New England. The year that was: The good, the bad and the funny NEW YORK (Reuters) - Vice President Joe Biden congratulated the wrong man on being elected mayor of Boston and college football star Manti Te'o publicly mourned the death of a girlfriend who never was. Obamacare's signup deadline on Monday has its exceptions WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For most Americans who don't have health insurance, Monday is the deadline to sign up for coverage starting on January 1 under President Barack Obama's healthcare law. U.S. court rejects stay in Utah pro-gay marriage ruling NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Sunday declined to stop officials in Utah from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples following a judge's ruling last week that overturned the state's ban on gay marriage. Obama cheers for brother-in-law at college basketball tourney HONOLULU (Reuters) - The Oregon State University men's basketball team might have felt some additional pressure on Sunday when first fan, U.S. President Barack Obama, and family showed up to cheer the team at a tournament in Hawaii. Fired PR executive apologizes for AIDS in Africa tweet NEW YORK (Reuters) - A public relations executive who ignited an online furor after posting a message on Twitter joking about AIDS in Africa, apologized on Sunday, saying she was ashamed of her comment. Folk hero in Cleveland kidnapping case signs book deal CLEVELAND (Reuters) - Charles Ramsey, the Cleveland dishwasher who became an instant celebrity after he helped save three women from a decade-long kidnapping ordeal, has signed a deal to write his memoirs. Texas jailhouse cobbler's short walk on freedom road HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Reuters) - Lawmen would come from across Texas just to walk a few miles in the boots made by inmate Arnold Darby. IMF says will raise U.S. economic growth forecast WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. economy would expand at a faster pace next year, given positive economic data and some signs of compromise in Congress, the head of the Washington-based lender said on Sunday. Related Video Thai protesters block election stadium Pussy Riot member freed in Russia Great Debate 2014: Another election about Obamacare Snarking at smarm: Muffling the public debate A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend