Are gun curbs just symbolism?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSGun violence recommendations are expected from Vice President Biden on TuesdayThe proposals are expected to contain substantive and symbolic ideas to curb gun violencePresidents use symbolism to shift public opinion or affect larger political or social changeWashington (CNN) -- The pictures told the story: Vice President Joe Biden looked solemn, patrician and in control as he sat at...

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Asian stocks end mixed

HONG KONG - Asian shares were mixed Tuesday on a lack of direction from Wall Street, but Tokyo hit a 32-month high on hopes for new central bank easing despite giving up early gains as the yen rebounded.Some bourses advanced early in the session on reassurances from Fed chief Ben Bernanke that quantitative easing was set to continue in the United States, only to lose ground later in the...

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Ghitis: U.S. is the next Saudi Arabia

President Obama at an oil and gas production field near Maljamar, New Mexico in March, 2012. STORY HIGHLIGHTSFrida Ghitis: The U.S. will become the world's leading oil producer in a few years Ghitis: It is truly transformational that the U.S. is giving up its addiction to foreign oil Despite energy independence, we need to keep looking into green energy, she says Ghitis: It's beneficial for the U.S....

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Aurora massacre theater reopening: report

AURORA, Colo. A Colorado movie theater where 12 people were killed and dozens were injured is reopening, The Denver Post reports. On Tuesday and Wednesday, victims and their families will be allowed to tour the complex, now known as Century Aurora, which has undergone months of remodeling. The complex will officially reopen Thursday during an event billed as an evening of remembrance, with speeches...

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Armstrong Admits Doping in Tour, Sources Say

Lance Armstrong today admitted to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France, sources told ABC News.A government source tells ABC News that Armstrong is now talking with authorities about paying back some of the US Postal Service money from sponsoring his team. He is also talking to authorities about confessing and naming names, giving up...

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Is China easing up on local media?

A protester calls for greater media freedom outside the headquarters of Nanfang Media Group in Guangzhou on Jan. 9.STORY HIGHLIGHTSYoung: Handling of Southern Weekly row demonstrated tolerant side of new leadershipTraditional, newer media can serve as tools for achieving goals in China's modernizationThe fight against corruption in China is at the top of the list for incoming leader, Xi JinpingYoung:...

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Brunei to seek South China Sea code of conduct

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei: Brunei will pursue a binding code of conduct among competing South China Sea claimants as a top priority during its ASEAN chairmanship, officials said Monday.The tiny, oil-rich sultanate has assumed the chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2013 at a time when tension over sweeping Chinese claims to the sea have rattled the...

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Senator: 'This is not your father's NRA'

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: "This is not your father's NRA," Sen. Chris Murphy says NRA president predicts an assault weapons ban won't pass Schumer calls on retailers to suspend sales of assault-style rifles A federal task force on gun violence will present proposals by TuesdayWhat proposals do you want to see to reduce gun violence? Share them at CNN iReport, Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments below.(CNN)...

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United Airlines scheme saves millions on fuel taxes: lawsuit

CHICAGO A transportation agency plans to file a lawsuit Monday alleging that United Airlines is falsely claiming to buy huge amounts of jet fuel out of a small, rural Illinois office that doesn't even have a computer to avoid paying tens of millions of dollars in taxes in Chicago, where the purchases are allegedly being made. The Regional Transportation Authority alleges United Aviation Fuels Corp.,...

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Gun Control to Crowd Obama's Second Term

Jan 14, 2013 6:00am (Win McNamee/Getty Images)WASHINGTON — President Obama is putting his chips on guns.It wasn’t an issue he campaigned on — actually, it was almost the opposite of that. It did more to grab him than he did to grab it.But a month after the unfathomable tragedy at Sandy Hook, the president has positioned himself to take on a fight with long odds as...

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