TOP NEWS STORIES (dec 7, 2011)

1. Russian authorities should annul the results of the parliamentary vote and hold a new one, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev urged Wednesday as popular indignation grew over widespread allegations of election fraud.

2. A D.A. who criticized police and Syracuse University for their handling of sex-abuse allegations against a basketball coach says he can't bring charges because the statute of limitations has passed

3. Obama’s Kansas remarks prepare a showdown with the GOP over the middle class, says Michael Tomasky.