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Editors:

Here are the top stories at this hour from The Associated Press. At the Nerve Center, news producer Jerome Minerva can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). Times EST.

INTERNATIONAL

SYRIA

BEIRUT Syrian President Bashar Assad says his country is being subjected to an unprecedented attack by "murderous criminals" and jihad elements and says the conflict can only be solved through a popular movement. Assad spoke in a rare speech addressing the nation, his first since June. He called on all Syrians to take part in an initiative that would end the nearly 22-month old conflict, but did not give any details on the plan.

PAKISTAN

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan Suspected American drones fire several missiles into three militant hideouts near Afghan border, killing nine Pakistani Taliban fighters, intelligence officials says.

PAKISTAN-INDIA

ISLAMABAD Pakistan and India trade accusations of violating the cease-fire in the disputed northern region of Kashmir, with Islamabad saying that India staged a rare raid across the line dividing the two sides' forces and killed one of its soldiers. India says its troops had fired into Pakistan to retaliate for shelling that destroyed a home.

WASHINGTON

OBESITY-HEALTH

WASHINGTON Heart disease and diabetes get all the attention, but what about the many other ways obesity can damage your health? Carrying too many pounds may lead to or worsen some types of cancer, arthritis, sleep apnea, even infertility. But a new poll suggests few Americans realize the links.

POLITICS

SUPERSTORM-CHRISTIE

TRENTON, N.J. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says his praise of President Barack Obama's visit to the Jersey Shore after Superstorm Sandy and his smackdown last week of U.S. House Speaker John Boehner for delaying a vote on a $60 billion storm-aid package are part of the job. The Republican has earned near-universal praise for his handling of the natural disaster. But some within his party call him out for embracing the Democratic president and hurling angry words at a fellow Republican.

NATIONAL

COLORADO-BARRICADED MAN

AURORA, Colo. SWAT officers who stormed a Colorado home where a gunman had holed up found a horrific scene four dead bodies including that of the gunman.

Sports Coverage: NFL playoffs, NBA, college basketball, college football, tennis, golf and winter sports.

Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:

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ABC's "This Week." Topics: Topics: The "fiscal cliff" deal; the budget; and Congress. Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.; Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, and Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

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NBC's "Meet the Press." Topics: The "fiscal cliff" deal; the budget; and Congress. McConnell; Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent; Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif.; Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, leaders of President Barack Obama's now-defunct deficit commission.

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CBS' "Face the Nation." Topics: The "fiscal cliff" deal; the budget; and Congress. McConnell; Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Mike Kelly, R-Pa., Rick Nolan, D-Minn., and Matt Salmon, R-Ariz.

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CNN's "State of the Union." Topics: The "fiscal cliff" deal; the budget; and Congress. Heitkamp; Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C.

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"Fox News Sunday." Topics: The "fiscal cliff" deal; the budget; and Congress. Reps. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.