Topic: Barack Obama
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Fiscal deal will cost you: 8 tax changes
[Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 2 at 10:00 am ET.]
Congress has passed a fiscal deal that averts the worst of the tax increases under the "fiscal cliff." But most Americans will still end up paying more in federal taxes. Here are eight tax changes under the fiscal deal that may hit your pocketbook:
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2012's 'good news' stories
2012 saw jobs returning to the US, health concerns improve in historic numbers, and more.
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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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Briefing
US gun industry by the numbers
As the debate over gun control rages on, the firearms industry in the United States is thriving. Here are seven key figures.
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Top 5 product recalls in US history
Product recalls happen nearly every day, but these five had a lasting impact. Can you guess which product recall was the most significant?
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John Kerry as secretary of State: expect a more traditional style (+video)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her late-night dancing and talks with children, was known for her 'people to people' style. John Kerry is expected to adopt a more traditional version of diplomacy.
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NRA press conference: Put armed guards in schools (+video)
At a rare NRA press conference, the group's leaders implored the nation to protect schoolchildren with armed guards. The NRA also blamed media for misreporting on guns and promoting violence.
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Decoder Wire
Boehner 'Plan B' flop: Good or bad for President Obama? (+video)It's natural to think that President Obama might have cheered the collapse of House Speaker John Boehner's Plan B for the 'fiscal cliff.' But the chaos it created might cause bigger problems.
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John Boehner plays down setback of his fiscal 'fallback' plan
House Speaker John Boehner acknowledged Friday that too many GOP lawmakers saw his bill, which would have let tax cuts lapse for millionaires, as a tax hike. But the setback won't affect 'fiscal cliff' talks with Obama, he says.
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Obama chooses John Kerry for secretary of State. How might he do?
President Obama is expected on Friday to name Sen. John Kerry to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He'd come with his own pet issues – as well as a reputation as a patient negotiator.
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Obama to Americans on gun control: I need your help (+video)
President Obama issued a videotaped response to the several hundred thousand people who have signed a petition posted on the White House website calling for toughened gun laws in response to the shooting, in which 20 school children and six adults were killed in Newtown, Connecticut last week.
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Economist Mom
Fiscal cliff Plan C: Let Democrats find compromise. Huh?Fiscal cliff Plan B is dead. But allowing Senate Democrats and President Obama to negotiate a deal is hardly a step forward in finding bipartisan compromise.
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Republicans 'Plan B' fails. What's next to avoid going over 'fiscal cliff'? (+video)
House Speaker John Boehner could not muster enough support Thursday night from his fellow Republicans, a majority in the US House of Representatives, to pass his bill called 'Plan B' that he had hoped to use to avoid the so called 'fiscal cliff.'
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How will NRA respond to the Sandy Hook shooting? (+video)
After a long silence, the NRA plans a press conference Friday morning to address the fresh push for gun controls in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting.
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South Korea's president-elect promises aid to North
South Korea's incoming president, Park Geun-hye, says she will reach out to the North and offer humanitarian aid. Some analysts doubt her sincerity and expect her to take a more moderate approach.
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Political bickering over fiscal cliff persists
Congressional leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, was unable to gain sufficient support to push through his 'Plan B' on Thursday. In order to avoid a recession, Boehner and President Obama aim to reach a deal before January.
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Boehner's 'Plan B' vote delayed
House Speaker John Boehner postponed the vote on his 'fiscal cliff' plan Thursday evening as he worked to round up the votes needed for final passage.
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NRA's Sandy Hook press conference: What can it say?
On Friday, the National Rifle Association will hold a rare news conference – a sign that the Sandy Hook massacre has put the gun-rights organization in a tough position.
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Stocks edge up as investors await fiscal cliff deal
Stocks ended higher Thursday despite fiscal cliff uncertainty weighing on stock traders' minds.
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Full steam ahead? How economy might look if 'cliff' deal is struck. (+video)
If Washington can strike a bargain on the 'fiscal cliff,' some tax hikes and spending cuts would slow the economy. But rising consumer confidence could keep the slow recovery chugging along.
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Opinion: Obama must remind Vladimir Putin of human rights, religious freedom concerns
Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has passed a succession of anti-human rights laws curtailing freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Parliament might even pass a proposed blasphemy law that clearly would violate religious freedom. President Obama must speak out.
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Will GOP's 'Plan B' push Obama closer to 'fiscal cliff' deal?
House Republican leaders hope to pass their own 'fiscal cliff' bill Thursday. But Obama and Senate Democrats are solidly against the plan, which could leave the sides no nearer a deal.
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Pressure mounts on Obama to change tactics on Iran
In a letter to the White House, Iran experts insisted diplomacy, not further sanctions, will have the best results. But US actions since then indicate more sticks than carrots.
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Opinion: Israel's settlement push kills two-state solution, leaving Palestinians few options
Israel's settlement construction in the E1 corridor and East Jerusalem sends a clear message. Unless President Obama stands up to Israel, he and Benjamin Netanyahu should not be surprised if Palestinians charge them with the death of the two-state solution and seek other paths.
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Ban Ki-moon, UN Security Council slam Israel on settlements
The UN chief and every Security Council member other than the US, which remained silent, denounced on Wednesday Israel's plans to expand its settlements.
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Energy Voices
Energy predictions from last year: Did they come true?Rapier grades the predictions he made last year about Keystone, natural gas prices, and other energy topics.
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General Motors to buy back US-owned stake. US to lose billions?
General Motors stake owned by the US treasury will be sold over the coming year, assuring a multibillion-dollar loss for the federal government. General Motors will buy back $5.5 billion in shares, and the Treasury will have to sell the rest of the stock at a high price in order to break even on the $50 billion bailout GM received.
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Tax VOX
Fiscal cliff could impact low-income families the mostThe fiscal cliff debate thus far leaves the most vulnerable families quite close to the edge, Maag writes.
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GOP Senators vow to trim superstorm Sandy aid to $23.8 billion
Senate Republicans have proposed an alternate disaster relief plan for states affected by superstorm Sandy, which would use $23.8 billion- rather than President Obama's proposed $60.4 billion- to fund initial relief.
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31 fired in Army day care scandal
After two day care workers were arrested for assaulting children at a Fort Myer Va., Army day care center about three months ago, additional background checks found a few-dozzen workers with criminal convictions.
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