Topic: Washington, DC
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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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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'Zero Dark Thirty': Top 3 controversies from the Osama bin Laden film
"Zero Dark Thirty," which tells the story of the hunt and capture of Osama bin Laden, is already garnering critical accolades – and plenty of criticism, too. Here are the top three controversies currently surrounding the film.
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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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Gender pay gap: Top 5 best and worst states
The pay gap between men and women has steadily narrowed during the past few decades. Women earned 77 cents for every dollar men earned in 2011, compared with 59 cents in 1963. Here is a look at states with biggest and smallest gender pay gaps today.
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Focus
Republican Party 2.0: 4 GOP leaders share ideas for political upgrade
In the aftermath of election 2012, four prominent Republicans share their visions for how the GOP can adapt its messaging to reflect a diversifying US electorate.
All Content
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How 'fiscal cliff' is already hitting defense industry
Although lawmakers have been moderating dire predictions, some small businesses are talking about layoffs if no deal on the fiscal cliff is reached. And some have already lost contracts.
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US Magnitsky Law draws Kremlin ire – but many Russians support it
The new law, enacted in the US last week to target Russians involved in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, has infuriated the Kremlin, which sees it as a 'purely political, unfriendly act.'
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Opinion: 'Fiscal cliff' cuts to job training for young people would cost taxpayers dearly
Because of the 'fiscal cliff' John Boehner and other lawmakers are looking to cut spending. But failing to prioritize successful programs in education and job training for young people would cost taxpayers more in the long-run. America should be expanding, not defunding, those investments.
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Sandy Hook tragedy: Pro-gun senator says it's time to ban assault rifles (+video)
The support of pro-gun Democrats, such as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, is boosting prospects for a new drive to ban semi-automatic weapons and high-ammunition clips.
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Decoder Wire
Amid Newtown grief, will a 'fiscal cliff' deal quietly get done?While the nation is focused on the shootings in Newtown, Conn., lawmakers appear to be nearing an agreement on the fiscal cliff – and may settle the matter without fight or fanfare.
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Japan's new PM to pressure central bank on monetary stimulus (+video)
Shinzo Abe, elected over the weekend, also wants to improve relations with China while remaining firm on the islands dispute. Meanwhile, the yen has slipped, post-election, in financial markets Monday.
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Sandy Hook shooting: Obama asks, 'Are we doing enough to keep our children safe'?
President Obama spoke at a service Sunday evening in Newtown, Conn. He noted that it was the fourth time as president he's had to comfort victims of mass shootings. He promised to use 'whatever power this office holds' to prevent another tragedy of this kind.
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Editor's Blog
Justice delayed -- and delayed and delayedWhen pre-trial detention stretches on for weeks or months, a suspect's right to a "speedy and public trial" is undermined. In effect, a prison sentence is being served without the prisoner having been convicted.
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Cover Story
Jailed without conviction: Behind bars for lack of moneyAbout 10 million people are jailed each year for crimes large and small. Most – two-thirds of the 750,000 in jail on any given day – stay long periods without conviction at great cost to the public and to themselves because they can't afford bail.
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Sandy Hook: Could shooting be gun-control tipping point?
In the aftermath of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, many are looking to President Obama and lawmakers for signs that tougher gun control laws may be coming.
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Sandy Hook: Police say shooter forced his way into school
Police said Saturday they had found "very good evidence" they hoped would answer questions about the motives of the gunman, described as brilliant but remote, who forced his way into the Sandy Hook school, killing 26 children and adults in one of the world's worst mass shootings.
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School shooting in Connecticut casts somber mood across nation
School shooting in Connecticut kills 27 people, including 20 children, marking the deadliest and most shocking primary-school shooting in recent US history.
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Obama says going after marijuana 'not a top priority' (+video)
Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law even though voters in Colorado and Washington State recently approved ballot measures legalizing small amounts of pot for adults.
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Connecticut school massacre leaves 27 dead, according to reports
Law enforcement officials are unofficially saying that the gunman was a 24-year old man, whose mother was a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. It was reported that the gunman went to the principal's office first, then to his mother's kindergarten classroom.
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Decoder Wire
Susan Rice: Was she pushed to end secretary of State bid?With the 'fiscal cliff' unresolved and other big issues still on the table, President Obama didn't need a confirmation battle. Realistically, Susan Rice had little choice but to take her name out of the mix.
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The Vote
Gimme shelter! Your Rolling Stones guide to the 'fiscal cliff'Yes, we know the fiscal cliff is not always easy to understand. But help is here. Mick Jagger and the music of Rolling Stones can explain it all – with satisfaction – in nine easy steps. Seriously.
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Global News Blog
Good Reads: Mexico’s rise, Lincoln’s precedence, and tomorrow’s truthA round-up of this week's long-form good reads include a look at Mexico's competitive growth, the virtues of compromise in multiple administrations, and how facts 'decay.'
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What Chuck Hagel would, and wouldn't, bring to job of Defense secretary
Chuck Hagel, a storied Republican maverick with a record of voting against his party, opposed the war in Iraq, supports engagement with Iran, and backed Barack Obama in his first presidential run.
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Obama: Feds will not go after states with legal pot
The president said, 'It does not make sense from a prioritization point of view' to focus on drug use in states where it is now legal.
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Robert Reich
Why is Washington obsessing over deficits, not jobs?Cutting the budget deficit — either by reducing public spending or raising taxes on the middle class, or both — will slow the economy and increase unemployment, Reich writes.
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John Kerry, Chuck Hagel: Vietnam vets to lead US foreign and defense policies?
Sen. John Kerry is the leading contender to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Former GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel could be Obama's next Defense Secretary.
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Difference Maker
Entrepreneur Joe Edwards helps make St. Louis vibrant againBy restoring buildings and activity to a historic St. Louis neighborhood Joe Edwards has become a powerful force for civic good.
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With wide gap, Obama and Boehner meet for 'fiscal cliff' talks
With an end-of-year deadline looming, the two leaders came together at the White House on Thursday in an attempt to rejuvenate negotiations as frustration mounted over the lack of progress on averting the 'fiscal cliff.'
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Syria's rebels, US urge Moscow to help push Assad into ceding power
Both rebel leadership and the United States urged the Russian government to help push Syria's President Bashar al-Assad into ceding power and end the battles closing in around his capital.
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Why Susan Rice withdrew her name as secretary of State (+video)
Republican senators had vowed a fight if Obama nominated Susan Rice to be his next secretary of State. Their opposition centered on her erroneous public statements about the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
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