Storm over Depardieu's 'pathetic' move

STORY HIGHLIGHTSRussian President Vladimir Putin has bestowed Russian citizenship on actor Gérard DepardieuFor Depardieu, a public war of words erupted, with many in France disgusted by his moveDepardieu more than anyone, represents the Gallic spirit, says Agnes PoirierMajority of French people disapprove of his action but can't help loving him, she addsAgnes Poirier is a French journalist and political...

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Obama warns on "dangerous game" with debt ceiling

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama on Saturday warned congressional Republicans against what he called a "dangerous game" with the country's economy as lawmakers prepared for a new battle over the national debt ceiling."As I said earlier this week, one thing I will not compromise over is whether or not Congress should pay the tab for a bill they've already racked up," the president...

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Armstrong's lawyer: No mea culpa talks

By Jillian Martin and Chelsea J. Carterupdated 2:48 AM EST, Sat January 5, 2013STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe New York Times report cites unnamed associates and doping officials in its reportCyclist's lawyer says his client was not in discussion with U.S. or world anti-doping agenciesArmstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life Cyclist has repeatedly denied using banned performance-enhancing...

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Feds: 2nd inmate who escaped Chicago jail captured

This undated photo provided by the FBI shows , Kenneth Conley one of two inmates who escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. /AP Photo/FBI,HONS (AP) CHICAGO -- The second of two bank robbers who escaped last month from a high-rise federal jail in downtown Chicago was captured Friday at an apartment complex across the street from a suburban police...

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Quadruple Amputee Gets Two New Hands on Life

It's the simplest thing, the grasp of one hand in another. But Lindsay Ess will never see it that way, because her hands once belonged to someone else.Growing up in Texas and Virginia, Lindsay, 29, was always one of the pretty girls. She went to college, did some modeling and started building a career in fashion, with an eye on producing fashion shows.Then she lost her hands...

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Myanmar: Evolution, not revolution

Tourists walk around the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon in April. The tourism industry is set for expansion.STORY HIGHLIGHTSMyanmar is undergoing incremental change, welcomed by all, says Parag KhannaBut he says people still tread lightly, careful not to overstep or demand too muchMyanmar has survived succession of natural and man-made ravages, Khanna addsWith sanctions lifted, foreign investment is now...

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Tennis: China's Li Na cruises to Shenzhen final

BEIJING: Chinese tennis star Li Na cruised into the final of the Shenzhen Open with a straight sets victory in her semi-final match on Friday, putting her in pole position to claim her seventh WTA singles title.The world number seven is the firm favourite to take the trophy on home soil on Saturday when she faces off against Czech Klara Zakopalova, who is ranked 21 places below her.The...

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Chavez battling 'severe' lung infection

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: The U.S. says it is talking to Venezuelans from "across the political spectrum"Venezuela's information minister says Chavez has "respiratory insufficiency"Doctor: Chavez is likely on artificial respiration and receiving high doses of antibioticsOfficials say media, opponents fueling speculation to destabilize Venezuela(CNN) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is battling a "severe"...

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Video shows teens joking about alleged rape victim

(CBS) In August, the family of a 16-year-old girl accused multiple Steubenville, Ohio, high school students of raping her while she was passed out during a night of pre-football-season partying. Two Steubenville High School football players have been indicted for rape, and the case is set to go to trial in February. But on Wednesday, a video appeared online that depicts teenage males who appear...

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Chelsea Clinton Raises Profile During Mom's Illness

While Hillary Clinton was in the hospital it was daughter Chelsea -- not the secretary of state or the former president Bill Clinton -- who spoke for the family.She, along with the State Department, doled out what little information the family wanted to share in a series of tweets and when her mother was released from the hospital, it was Chelsea who delivered the thanks on...

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How Donald Trump hijacks U.S. media

STORY HIGHLIGHTSHoward Kurtz: Donald Trump said the GOP can go nuclear in budget showdownKurtz: It's remarkable that Trump draw attention no what what he saysHe says it's so easy to hijack the media in the age of Twitter Kurtz: Journalists like sexy stories but shouldn't lose focus of what's importantEditor's note: Howard Kurtz is the host of CNN's "Reliable Sources" and is Newsweek's Washington bureau...

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Wilkie Terrace land parcel sold for S$24.5m

SINGAPORE: A land parcel at 13/15 Wilkie Terrace has been sold to Roxy-Pacific Holdings for S$24.5 million.Its marketing agent, Jones Lang LaSalle, said the plot located off Dhoby Ghaut/ Selegie Road has been sold to a subsidiary of Roxy-Pacific Holdings in a private treaty deal.Jones Lang LaSalle added that the sale price of S$24.5 million reflects a land rate of S$1,259 per square foot...

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New Congress to face old headaches

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe fiscal cliff was averted, but issues like the the sequester and debt ceiling awaitThe new Congress will vote on $60 billion in aid to Superstorm Sandy victimsHouse Speaker John Boehner canceled the vote on the aid in light of the fiscal cliff voteDemocrats gain seats in both chambers, but Republicans keep control of the House(CNN) -- A new Congress takes office Thursday, and many...

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Hillary Clinton discharged from hospital

WASHINGTONSecretary of State Hillary Clinton was discharged from a New York hospital Wednesday, after spending 72 hours under observation following the discovery of a blood clot in her head, the State Department said. In a statement, spokesperson Philippe Reines said: "Her medical team advised her that she is making good progress on all fronts, and they are confident she will make a full recovery....

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Obama Signs 'Fiscal Cliff' Bill With Autopen

Jan 3, 2013 12:53am Charles Dharapak/AP PhotoHONOLULU, Hawaii — President Obama has signed the “fiscal cliff” legislation into law via autopen from Hawaii, where he is vacationing with his family.The bill to avert the “fiscal cliff” arrived at the White House late this afternoon and it was immediately processed, according to a senior White House official. A copy was...

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Time to rebrand in Lincoln's image?

Wade Henderson thinks the modern Republican Party should look to Abraham Lincoln for some inspiration.STORY HIGHLIGHTSWade Henderson: January 1 is 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation He says GOP should look to Lincoln, a canny politician who led moral fight on civil rightsHe says GOP has history of civil rights support that it has largely abandoned in recent yearsHenderson: In 2012,...

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Thai arrested over death of Briton at New Year party

BANGKOK: Police in Thailand said Wednesday they had arrested a Thai man over the death of a British tourist shot during New Year celebrations at one of the Southeast Asian nation's most popular islands.The 26-year-old suspect is alleged to have opened fire during an argument with a group of other Thai men at a bar on the southern resort of Koh Phangan, killing holidaymaker Stephen Ashton...

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Crises averted, but more fights loom

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe vote prevents tax increases for more than 98% of AmericansIt also wards off $110 billion in automatic cuts to domestic and military spendingMost Americans will still see a payroll tax increase after a 2011 cut expiresOther fiscal challenges this year include the debt ceiling and a continuing budget resolutionWashington (CNN) -- After exhaustive negotiations that strained the country's...

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