How Obama can end Congo conflict

Conflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoSTORY HIGHLIGHTSPresident Obama can help end the Congo conflict for good, says Vava TampaObama has asked Rwanda to end all support to armed groups in the CongoFDLR militia gang is a threat to stability and must leave CongoObama must push for change in Congolese government, argues TampaEditor's note: Vava Tampa is...

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Football: Ronaldo hat-trick eases Madrid past Sevilla

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 20th hat-trick as a Real Madrid player as the Spanish champions cruised to a 4-1 victory over Sevilla on Saturday.Ronaldo was even involved in the goal he didn't score as he squared for Karim Benzema to open the scoring on 18 minutes before smashing in his first of the evening eight minutes later.And the former Manchester United man warmed up for Wednesday's...

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Almost famous: See celebs' early roles

By Henry Hanks, CNNupdated 5:05 PM EST, Thu February 7, 2013Stars who started out like GoDaddy's geekJesse HeimanSylvester StalloneJohn TravoltaKeanu ReevesCourtney CoxMatt LeBlancTina FeyRainn WilsonMegan FoxDean Wint...

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Slain Texas prosecutor remembered at memorial

TERRELL, Texas A Texas prosecutor gunned down outside his courthouse office last month was remembered Saturday for his zealousness in pursuing tough cases, love of flying and ability to tell stories. Hundreds turned out in a school auditorium to celebrate the life of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse during a 90-minute memorial service that included stories about the veteran...

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After Blizzard, Northeast Begins to Dig Out

The Northeast began the arduous process of cleaning up after a fierce storm swept through the region leaving behind up to three feet of snow in some areas.By early this morning, 650,000 homes and businesses were without power and at least five deaths were being blamed on the storm: three in Canada, one in New York and one in Connecticut, The Associated Press reported.The storm...

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Gun violence plans: What's in the works

STORY HIGHLIGHTSConnecticut school massacre prompts a number of proposals in Washington aimed at curbing gun violence They include a ban on assault weapons that insiders say has little chance of getting through CongressSome bipartisan support for proposals to expand background checks around gun purchases Washington (CNN) -- December's school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, has prompted congressional...

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Blizzard brings US northeast to a halt

NEW YORK: Planes, cars and trains came to a standstill across the densely populated US northeast Friday in the face of a blizzard raging from New York to Boston.The storm was forecast to bring the heaviest snow so far this winter along the New England coast, threatening power and transport links for tens of millions of people.By late Friday, New York, one of the world's busiest air travel...

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The making of a No. 1 song

Singer/songwriter Benny Blanco has produced some major hits by stars like Maroon 5, Rihanna and Ke$sha.STORY HIGHLIGHTSA hit song could be a catchy earworm or a heartfelt balladTop producer Benny Blanco says every song needs a hookBillboard expert says while albums aren't selling big, music is everywhere(CNN) -- Don't ask music super-producer Benny Blanco to whip up a No. 1 song for an artist because...

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Clamping down on prescription painkiller abuse

(CBS News) The Food and Drug Administration has called the abuse of prescription painkillers a "major public health challenge." On Friday, the FDA wrapped up a hearing on the drugs including oxycodone, Vicodin and Percocet. These painkillers do their job well -- but come with a big risk. "My liver started shutting down," said 28-year-old Kimberly, who asked that we not use her last name. "My kidneys...

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'Stay Home': Northeast Shuts Down as Blizzard Hits

A blizzard of possibly historic proportions is set to strike the Northeast, starting today and could bring more than two feet of snow and strong winds that could shut down densely populated cities such as Boston and New York City.A storm from the west will join forces with one from the south to form a nor'easter that will sit and spin just off the East Coast, affecting more...

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Facts? Shmacts. It's only a movie

STORY HIGHLIGHTSGene Seymour: "Lincoln" error on emancipation vote shines light on how films tell historyHe says Oscar chances for "Argo," "Zero Dark Thirty" may be hurt after facts questionedHe says films have long gotten history wrong but are useful in showing society's perceptionsSeymour: It's art, not history, sometimes a vision, something we wish had been or could be Editor's note: Gene Seymour...

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Microsoft wins latest round in Motorola patent case

SAN FRANCISCO: A federal judge on Thursday tossed out more than a dozen patent infringement claims filed against Microsoft by Google-owned Motorola Mobility.US District Court Judge James Robart, in Microsoft's home state of Washington, sided with the software colossus, dismissing 13 claims of infringement on a trio of Motorola patents involving digital video encoding and decoding, according...

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'This is a necessary evil,' suspected cop killer writes

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: LAPD board found Dorner was facing a bad reviewChris Dorner filed a complaint against his training officer in 2007The LAPD cleared the officer and recommended that Dorner be dismissed "The attacks will stop when the department states the truth about my innocence," he wrote(CNN) -- What authorities are calling Chris Dorner's campaign of guerrilla warfare against his former comrades...

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Despite adoption ban, N.J. couple brings home Russian tot

(CBS News) FREEHOLD, N.J. -- It's been about a month since Russian President Vladimir Putin banned Americans from adopting Russian children. It was widely seen as a retaliation for a new U.S. law targeting Russians who have violated human rights. At the time, 1,000 American families were in the middle of the adoption process. CBS News first met Robert and Kim Summers a month ago. They were just...

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Alleged Cop-Killer Has Calif. Region on Edge

The truck owned and driven by suspected cop killer Christopher Dorner during his alleged rampage through the Los Angeles area was found deserted and in flames on the side of Bear Mountain, Calif., this afternoon.Heavily armed SWAT team members descended onto Bear Mountain from a helicopter manned with snipers today to investigate the fire. The San Bernadino Sheriff's Department...

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Bring drones out of the shadows

STORY HIGHLIGHTSJohn Brennan's confirmation hearing is a chance to ask about drone program, author saysSarah Holewinski: Brennan is one of a few officials who knows full story on dronesShe says senators need to ask about damage drone program does to civilians, U.S. reputationHolewinski: CIA should hand over drone program to Defense DepartmentEditor's note: Sarah Holewinski is executive director of...

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Qantas chief backs troubled Dreamliner

SYDNEY: Qantas chief Alan Joyce has thrown his support behind Boeing and its troubled 787 Dreamliner, reinforcing his commitment to introducing the planes to the Australian flag-carrier's fleet.The next generation plane suffered a series of glitches last month, prompting a global alert from the US Federal Aviation Administration that led to the worldwide grounding of all 50 operational...

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Shooter planned to smear victims with Chick-fil-A's

Floyd Lee Corkins was arrested at the shooting scene.STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: The president of the FRC accuses the Southern Poverty Law Center of "inciting violence"Floyd Corkins, pleads guilty, says he wanted to intimidate those who oppose gay rights He faces up to 70 years in prison when sentenced April 29Building manager wrestled with Corkins and disarmed him after being shot in August incident Washington...

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