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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Sen. Inouye praised as humble leader at Hawaii Capitol
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie said that Sen. Inouye went from being considered undesirable as a Japanese-American at the start of World War II to gaining the respect of the country's leaders.
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Video games and shooting: Is the NRA right?
The NRA says the problem with mass shootings like the recent one at the Sandy Hook grade school in Connecticut is not too many unregulated guns but violent video games. But most academic and government research does not support the gun lobby's charge.
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Latin America Monitor
Uruguay postpones vote on 'state as dealer' approach to drug regulation - but not for long?President Mujica always said he wouldn't push the proposal if a majority of Uruguayans didn't accept it. But few think this postponement means the project is forever shelved.
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Are 'fiscal cliff' woes killing Christmas sales?
In last weekend before Christmas, traditionally a strong sales period, shoppers cite worries over taxes and so-so discounts as reasons to rein in spending. Experts warn of ho-hum holiday sales.
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In 'fiscal cliff' fight, Obama gets better marks than Boehner
President Obama's approval rating is at a three-year high; Speaker Boehner's is at an all-time low, and a majority of Americans view the GOP as too extreme. Is Boehner's position in danger?
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Global News Blog
Good Reads: gun laws, lottery winners, online education, and tech gets sensoryA round-up of this week's long-form good reads include Britain's gun laws, the burden of lottery winners, online courses vs. the college experience, and sensory developments in high-tech.
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Armed guards in schools? Reaction to NRA is swift and strong.
Most gun control advocates rejected out of hand the NRA call for armed guards in every school in the country. New York Mayor Bloomberg said it offered 'a paranoid, dystopian vision' of America.
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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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Milk prices could double if Congress doesn't act (+video)
Milk prices are poised to move higher next year unless Congress passes legislation to supersede a 1949 law. That law would boost milk prices by forcing up the price at which government buys milk to keep it off store shelves.
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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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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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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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Why North Korea has arrested an American citizen
North Korea says Kenneth Bae, a tour operator from Washington state, has "committed a crime against North Korea" and has confessed his crime. Could Kenneth Bae be a new bargaining chip in sanctions talks?
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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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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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Guns in schools? Sandy Hook rekindles hot debate on arming teachers. (+video)
Across the country, some argue that an armed teacher could have prevented the Sandy Hook massacre. But others say having guns in schools heightens the risk of other tragedies.
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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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Decoder Wire
Sen. Ben Affleck? Fearing loss of Mass. Senate seat, Democrats scramble.A poll shows outgoing GOP Sen. Scott Brown leading potential Democratic opponents for Sen. John Kerry's seat, if the latter becomes secretary of State. Ben Affleck hasn't flatly denied a possible run.
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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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Chapter & Verse
The rifle: Its history and its place in the futureHistorian Alexander Rose chronicles the history of a ubiquitous and deadly weapon.
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South Korea's president-elect promises 'new era of change'
Park Geun-hye's calls for inter-Korean dialogue are mixed with a firm stance against compromise.
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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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Opinion: Sandy Hook: Mental health, not gun control, is the answer to mass shootings
In the wake of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., a cry has gone up for gun control and ways to keep guns from people with mental illness. What we really need is to address the causes of these shootings – issues of mental health and social isolation.
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