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The second phase of the BP oil spill trial is under way in New Orleans. Last week, the court heard arguments about how BP responded to the Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010. The judge will now hear testimony about how much oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico. BP and the federal government have differing numbers and at stake are billions of dollars in potential fines under the Clean Water Act.

Magistrates have dismissed charges that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy played a role in a campaign finance scandal. The decision may clear the way for a return to politics for Sarkozy.

Humans have debated the concept of an afterlife for millennia. But ultimately, each individual's view on life after death is a personal one. For his part, the Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, sees eternity as a place where people cast aside the differences that divided them on earth.

New polling shows that both parties are taking a hit over the shutdown, but Republicans are bearing the brunt of the blame from the American public.

Both the U.S. government and BP have estimates on just how much oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010. The problem: They reached two different numbers. At stake is up to $18 billion in fines and penalties under federal environmental laws.

"All of a sudden, people are looking over their shoulders," says former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. He says changes in the way campaigns are financed have led members of Congress to worry that if they're seen as not liberal or not conservative enough, they'll be challenged by their own party.

Afghanistan hopes to reach an important milestone next spring with its first democratic transfer of power. Many familiar faces are vying for the presidency, including a number of powerful warlords. The race will be more about personalities and power bases than policies and political platforms.

Documents show that chronic electrical problems at the NSA's mammoth new data center in Utah destroyed equipment and delayed the center's opening, according to reports.

Speaker John Boehner issued a direct challenge to President Obama, saying history is on the side of Republicans. Dozens of other times, Boehner said, government funding has been used as leverage, and it will not be different this time around.

A small number of staff are working to make sure the plants, which include many exotic and unusual specimens, stay healthy, says a facility manager.